What Laurel Sees: a love story (A Redeeming Romance Mystery) (20 page)

twenty

D
ays had passed since Laurel had seen Joe at the cemetery. He’d asked for that time to grieve, to begin to set Clay’s affairs in order.

Now, what he needed was comfort food and the quietness of her company. She turned down the gas under her chowder pot and checked the clock on the stove.

He would be here soon.

As impossible as it all seemed, he wasn’t coming over to work on the story. He’d already made a pact with her. They wouldn’t speak a word of that.  Tonight, all he wanted was time with her, right there in her apartment. Time to sit and get to know each other, without the press of—well, the press.

What that all meant, she couldn’t be sure. But there’d been a change in his voice. Something she’d never heard from him before. Hope.

Footsteps sounded in the hall, followed by a light knock. He was right on time.

She went to the door and peered out of her peephole. Her jaw slacked.

There was Shana Fischer, her back straight, holding Grace’s hand at her side.

What was this? Their scheduled visitation wasn’t until Sunday afternoon. Even then, it was supposed to take place at Shana’s estate, not here in her apartment. Why on earth had Shana braved coming there after sunset? As quickly as she could manage it, Laurel unlocked her deadbolt and swung the door open.

In an instant, Grace let go of Shana’s hand. She ran and threw herself around Laurel’s middle. Her daughter’s embrace—it was so warm, like heaven really. Yet, how must Shana feel, witnessing the closeness they shared, time after time? A glance at Shana’s misting eyes confirmed it. Shana dropped her head, but it was all too clear. The woman was in agony.

Laurel leaned down to Grace. “Sweetheart, it’s so good to see you. Do you think you could run inside for now, so we grown-ups could have a moment to talk?”

“Okay, Mommy.” Grace turned to pick up her backpack, then disappeared into the apartment.

The door latch clicked into place. Shana raised her gaze once more. “About your card. I’d rather not speak any more of those things, but...thank you, Laurel. I accept your apology. And, in light of everything I’ve done, I do believe that I owe you one of my own.”

There was no need for any explanation. Shana’s rueful look said it all.

Laurel returned a nod. “Accepted, Shana. Of course.”

Resolutely, Shana pulled her car keys from her purse. “I’ll have the rest of her things sent over, as soon as you can accommodate them.”

Could this be? Laurel searched Shana’s face.

“As you may have guessed,” Shana said, “I’m the executor of Frank’s will. Fifty percent of it is allocated to Grace in trust. I’ll be assigning my half of his estate to you.”

“Shana, you don’t have to—”

Shana raised a polite hand. “No arguments, please.” Conviction glimmered in her eyes. “You’re not the only one who hears from God, Laurel. And I’m quite sure He’d like me to do this, to help you and Grace. Just promise me that you’ll move with her somewhere, to a safer place.”

“I promise.” Laurel caught her balance. Could this really be happening?

“Howard will draw up the paperwork. He’ll take care of everything with the court.” Shana’s voice caught in her throat. “As dearly as I love Grace, she’s yours.”

The enormity of it all washed over Laurel. “Shana... I don’t know how to thank you.”

“Believe me, Laurel. It’s thanks enough to know that things are set right between us. I suppose you and I, we’ll both sleep better tonight. Better than we have for a very long time.”

Joe rounded the stairwell. His eyes widened at the sight of them.

Shana steadied her composure. “I should be going.” She started down the stairs.

Laurel gave Joe a welcoming smile. “Joe, would you mind seeing Shana to her car?”

He waited on the landing. “Not a bit.” Joe looked so handsome. And how about that? He’d shaved off his customary stubble.

Joe was also turning out to be quite the gentleman. He didn’t seem to mind a bit when he returned to discover Grace had unexpectedly turned their date into a homecoming celebration. Most men wouldn’t have taken that so well. But Joe Hardisty wasn’t most men. He was a man, just waiting for a family to call his own. It was so clear, from the easy conversation he struck up with Grace. He even had Grace laughing a time or two before they tucked her into bed.

Joe looked on from the doorway as Laurel smoothed the covers around Grace’s shoulders. “Pleasant dreams, Gracie.”

Grace snuggled under her blankets. “This is just like you saw, back when you had that other dream. The secret one, about us being together again. Isn’t it like that, Mommy?”

“Well, come to think of it, I guess it is.” Laurel bent down and brushed Grace’s cheek with a kiss. “Goodnight, Sweet Girl.”

“Night, Mommy.”

Laurel rose and turned out the light. She pulled the door over, her heart brimming with gratitude. The promise she’d believed all that time—it had come true, in ways far beyond her imaginings.

She tiptoed with Joe back into the living room. What a wonderful smile he had. And how great it was to see it. “You’re really good with her, Joe.”

“She’s a great kid. And it seems like we have a lot in common.”

“Meaning?” They settled onto the sofa.

“She wants to be with you. And, as it happens, funny enough, so do I.” For the longest time he just gazed, so contentedly into her eyes. Gently, he ran his fingers through her hair. “You see me. In a way no woman ever has. And I want to see you. So much more than I already do.”

He drew her hands into his. “Laurel, I told you I needed the past couple of days alone, time to deal with things. A lot of that was about Clay, like I said, but it was also... When you don’t talk to God for almost thirty years—well, I suppose there’s a lot of catching up to do.”

Laurel’s heart brimmed. That seed she’d been given to plant in his heart—it was taking root.

He scratched at his jaw. “You mentioned how you like to keep short accounts.

“Sometimes easier said than done.”

“I’ll admit that I’m kind of wrestling with that,” he said. “Especially when it comes to Tom Zoring.”

She stroked the back of his hand. “That one may take awhile.”

“And I’m committed to getting there, but part of that brings me to...” Regret weighed on his face. “I lied to you, Laurel. I’m sorry. I don’t ever want to do that again.”

“I know.”

“I know you do. You’ve known all along, but still, I have to say this. I can’t start down this road I want to go down with you until I put that out on the table.”

She saw his eyes begin to glisten.

Softly, Joe shrugged. “I don’t know why I couldn’t tell you the truth before. Fact is, I couldn’t bring myself to tell anybody.” His face was traced with shame. “I’ve been such a coward, Laurel. All these years, I put it off on my brother, but... Tom Zoring, he didn’t just hurt Clay, Laurel. He hurt me.” A tear slipped down Joe’s cheek. Quickly, he wiped it away. “Guess I’ve spent the last three decades trying to prove I was still a man.”

Admiration welled inside of Laurel. “You’re not a coward, Joe. So far from it. Takes a lot of courage to say what you just did.”

“Yeah, well...” he said, “there’s something more I need to say to you. And I’ll confess. I’m still trying to work up the nerve.”

Her lips parted. What was this?

“Over the past couple of days, I’ve... I’ve just been astounded with what’s been happening inside me. It’s all so staggering. I can’t get away from it.” He paused. “I hope this won’t scare you when I say what I need to now. It’s something I’ve never said in my life before. Not to another soul.”

Laurel’s breath caught in her throat.

Tenderly, Joe stroked her hand. “I know it must seem soon, but with everything in me, I love you, Laurel. And I just pray that, somehow, I can be man enough for you.”

Ever so gently, she drew Joe close. “I adore you, precious man. You are more than enough for me. So much more.” Tenderly, she covered his lips with a kiss. So long, she had waited to be loved, just the way Joe loved her.

In the bliss of his strong arms, Laurel couldn’t help but wonder. What had she ever done to deserve a man like Joe? The answer resonated so warmly, so readily, throughout her entire being. They’d done nothing at all to deserve this gift God had lavished upon them in each other. Nothing whatsoever.

It was the pure extravagance of grace.

about the author

S
USAN
R
OHRER
is an honor graduate of James Madison University where she studied Art and Communications, and thereafter married in her native state of Virginia.

A professional writer, producer, and director specializing in life-affirming entertainment, Rohrer’s credits in one or more of these capacities include: a screen adaptation of
God
’
s Trombones;
100 episodes of drama series
Another Life;
Humanitas Prize finalist & Emmy winner
Never Say Goodbye;
Emmy nominees
Terrible Things My Mother Told Me
and
The Emancipation of Lizzie Stern;
anthology
No Earthly Reason;
NAACP Image Award nominee
Mother
’
s Day;
AWRT Public Service Award winner (for addressing the problem of teen sexual harassment)
Sexual Considerations;
comedy series
Sweet Valley High;
telefilms
Book of Days,
and
Another Pretty Face;
Emmy nominee & Humanitas Prize finalist
If I Die Before I Wake;
as well as
Film Advisory Board & Christopher Award winner
About Sarah
.

Among the other books she has authored, Rohrer’s previous fictional titles,
Merry’s Christmas: a love story; Virtually Mine: a love story;
and
Bright Christmas: an Amish love story; Bridle My Heart: Second Chance Cowboys; and Gifted: a love story
are also part of the
Redeeming Romance Series
, an anthology of inspirational love stories adapted from Rohrer’s original screenplays.

O
THER
R
EDEEMING
R
OMANCES

BY
S
USAN
R
OHRER

Click below to sample, borrow, or order:
http://www.amazon.com/Susan-Rohrer/e/B005F0CHLU