Harmony Cabins (24 page)

His ex-wife's makeup was expertly applied. Her hair was professionally styled. Her maternity dress was fashionably fitted. She was perfect. It had taken him a long time to realize that perfection was what she craved in every facet of her life.

Kerry shook her head, looking away. “I didn't abandon her.”

“What would you call it?” Jack struggled to keep his voice level.

“I was scared.”

“So were we.”

“I didn't know what to do.”

“Neither did we.”

Kerry threw up her hands. “What do you want me to say? It's in the past.”

“It's not the past to me. To me, it feels like this morning.” Blood rushed through his veins. A pulse pounded in his ears.

“What do you want me to do about it?”

Jack lowered his arms. How could he make her understand the hurt she'd caused? How could he make her see the selfishness of her behavior?

In a moment of clarity, he remembered Audra's insistence that he get in touch with his feelings:
“The only way you'll heal from Zoey's death is to stop running from your emotions. You have to deal with them.”

He took an unsteady breath. “We were scared, too, Kerry. But we would've been stronger as a family, facing the uncertainty together. Being scared together. Praying together. Instead, I had to help our daughter understand why she was in so much pain. I had to do that by myself. I also had to explain why her mother wasn't with us.”

Kerry's throat muscles flexed as she swallowed. “What did you say to her?”

Jack narrowed his eyes. “Is that the only thing that matters to you?”

“I want to know what you told her.” Kerry pushed her chin forward.

Jack saw defiance in her eyes, but there were other emotions as well: fear, uncertainty. Shame? “Do you want to know what she told me?”

Kerry hesitated, then nodded.

“She said she must have done something really bad for her mother to leave. Zoey thought she got sick because her mother didn't love her anymore.” Jack swallowed the lump in his throat. “She wanted to know what she'd done that was so wrong.”

Tears welled in Kerry's eyes. So she was capable of crying.

Kerry blinked rapidly, wiping the corners of her eyes. “What did you tell her?”

“What should I have told her? That while she was lying in unbearable pain in a hospital, the woman she thought was her mother was screwing another man? That while she was dying, her mother could only think of herself?”

“What did you tell her?”
Kerry screeched the question.

Jack held his ex-wife's angry gaze. “I told her the truth. That the day she was born was the happiest day of her mother's life. That even though her mother couldn't be with her now, she would never stop loving her. But I wasn't talking about you, Kerry. I was talking about Zoey's birth mother.”

Kerry's chin trembled. “I did love her.”

“Not enough.” Jack's eyes dipped to her stomach and back up to hold her gaze. “I hope you don't treat your next child the same way.”

Kerry gasped and stumbled backward. Tears raced down her cheeks. Without a word, she turned and rushed from the cabin. Jack sank onto his chair and let his own tears flow. He felt better, freer than he'd felt in years. Finally he'd been able to tell Kerry how he felt about her abandoning him and Zoey, most of all Zoey. That was because of Audra. The songwriter had taught him how to speak with his heart. She'd given him back his memories of his daughter. She'd brought him back into the community that was his family.

Once she was gone, how would he manage without her?

 

 

Audra marched into the Trinity Falls University auditorium. She fumed as she replayed for the umpteenth time her argument with Jack, mentally adding dialogue she wished she'd said to the grumpy rental cabins' owner.

“I hope you don't mind my being here.” Doreen stepped into the aisle in front of Audra.

Audra rocked to a halt to prevent a collision with the other woman. “What?”

“I wanted to attend your rehearsal. I'm too excited to wait until next week to hear you and the band.” Doreen searched Audra's eyes. The excitement on her features dimmed to concern. “What's wrong?”

Audra tugged her right earlobe. Her gaze circled the room: the three rows of roughly six hundred mahogany chairs bolted to the red cement floor, the large Gothic windows carved into the walls just below the ceiling, the choir balcony behind them, the stage before them.

Seated on folding chairs in front of the stage was the Trinity Falls University concert band. Forty of the university's best musicians—sophomores, juniors, and seniors—played wind and percussion instruments. They were talented, enthusiastic, and adaptable.

Audra fidgeted with the strap of her tote bag as she answered Doreen. “Jack and I broke up.”

Doreen's eyes widened. “Let's sit.”

She wrapped an arm around Audra's waist to guide her into a nearby row. She took the aisle seat beside her.

“It sounds ridiculous, doesn't it?” Audra dumped her bag on the floor beside her feet, then rubbed her eyes. Her fingertips came back wet. “We've been together only three weeks. Can you really break up after only three weeks?”

“What happened?” Doreen's voice was gentle.

Audra blinked away tears. “Jack told me he didn't see the point in waiting another week. He wanted to end our relationship now.”

“I'm so sorry, Audra.”

“So am I.” She squeezed her eyes shut and pinched the bridge of her nose.
I will not cry. I will not cry.
“What really hurt is that he told me I didn't belong in Trinity Falls.”

“He's wrong. It feels as though you've been here for years.” Doreen rubbed Audra's shoulder. “I'm really going to miss you when you leave next week. And I know I'm not the only one.”

Audra dashed away renegade tears. “I'll miss you, too. I'll miss the whole town.”

“You can always come back for a visit.”

Audra's blood chilled at the idea of coming back to Trinity Falls after Jack had tossed her unceremoniously from his life. She met Doreen's eyes. “Or you can come to Los Angeles.”

“Do you know Morgan Freeman?” Doreen's grin was infectious. She had an obvious crush on the popular actor.

“I wish I did.” Audra's heart felt lighter with her friend's teasing.

“Excuse me, ladies.” Vaughn Brooks, the band director, seemed reluctant to interrupt them. “Is everything OK?”

Doreen stood, leading the way out of the row of auditorium seats. “I'm so sorry. I'm monopolizing Audra's time.”

Audra pulled her sheet music from her tote bag. She hoisted the bag onto her shoulder before following Doreen.

Vaughn's brown eyes were dark with concern. “Do you want to cancel today's rehearsal?”

This was the final week before the Founders Day Celebration. The band was performing four pieces: “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “America the Beautiful,” “Happy Birthday,” and the Electra Day song “Lifting Me Up.” They knew the music and were playing together well, but Audra didn't want to cancel today's practice.

She offered the sheet music to Vaughn. “No, I'd like the students to learn this song for the concert.” Audra turned to Doreen. “Is it OK to add another song?”

Doreen's eyebrows lifted toward her hairline. “Absolutely.”

“Thanks.” Audra nodded toward the papers Vaughn was studying. “It's an original piece. I wrote it for myself. Can your students learn it in a week?”

“Of course.” He returned to his musicians.

“Tell me about the song.” Doreen's voice bounced with excitement. “Is it a ballad or a dance song?”

“It's a dance song.” Audra shifted her gaze from Vaughn and his students to Doreen.

“What's it called?”

“‘Prince Charming.'” Audra tugged her right earlobe. “I titled it before this morning.”

Concern returned to Doreen's eyes. “Did you write it for Jack?”

Audra looked away. “Jack was the inspiration—before our breakup.”

Doreen squeezed Audra's shoulder. “We'll see what next week brings.”

“I suppose we will.” But Audra didn't imagine next week would be any different from this morning.

CHAPTER 24

A week later, Jack stood at the podium on the makeshift stage at the entrance to Freedom Park. It was August ninth, Trinity Falls's one hundred and fiftieth birthday. The noon sun was warm. The breeze was gentle and the air was still with expectation. A sea of faces—residents and guests—separated him from the Trinity Falls Town Center.

Jack gripped the edges of the podium and glanced down at his prepared notes. “Thank you for coming.”

He hesitated. Ramona, Doreen, and Isaac Green had said the same thing when they'd addressed the expectant crowd. His speech was sucking before he'd even begun. Jack looked up. Ean, Megan, Quincy, Darius, and Ms. Helen sat together toward the front of the audience. Benita Hawkins, Ms. Helen's cousin and Audra's business manager, had joined them. Members of the Trinity Falls Town Center Business Owners Association—Belinda, Tilda, Grady, and Vernon—were scattered throughout the crowd. Simon and Ethel were in opposite ends of the area. They'd all been a part of his life for years, some since his birth. They'd helped him celebrate his joys and grieved his sorrows. And they'd waited patiently for his return when he'd shut them out after Zoey's death. They deserved better than his prepared speech. They deserved his heart.

Jack released the podium. He folded his notes and slipped the paper into the front right pocket of his black Dockers. “One hundred and fifty years ago, my great-great-grandfather, Ezekiel Sansbury, founded Trinity Falls. But this place is more than a town. It's one big extended family.” He smiled at Ms. Helen. “Complete with overprotective parents.” He glanced at Darius. “And annoying siblings.”

Laughter interrupted him. Jack let his eyes roam the crowd, tensing at the sight of Opal Gutierrez, the
Monitor
's junior reporter, taking notes on his presentation. “We have our family feuds and sibling rivalries, but running through it all is a lot of love. The type of encouragement that makes our successes even more special, and the support that carries us through our disappointments.”

The people in front of him nodded and smiled in agreement. Jack continued. “My great-great-grandfather would be proud of the fact that he'd founded a family. I know this, because that's why I'm most proud of Trinity Falls.”

The applause was enthusiastic. Jack turned back to his seat.

Ramona touched his arm. “Great job.”

He nodded, acknowledging her words and the applause of the other people on stage with him.

Ramona took the podium. “That was a beautiful speech. Thank you, Jack.” She led the crowd in one more round of applause before advancing the event's agenda. “I now have the great pleasure of introducing our next entertainment.” She gestured toward the musicians on stage right. “Our own Trinity Falls University concert band will perform its final two songs. This time, they're accompanied by our new best friend, Grammy-winning songwriter, Audra Lane.”

Jack joined the applause. He felt a slice of jealousy as Vaughn escorted Audra and her guitar onto the stage. Audra glanced briefly at him as she acknowledged Doreen and State Representative Isaac Green. She continued to the front of the stage, her hand outstretched to shake Ramona's.

Audra adjusted the microphone. “Happy birthday, Trinity Falls.”

Her voice trembled a bit, probably from nerves. Jack was nervous for her. But the cheers and applause that followed her greeting let him know she'd already won over her audience.

With a nod from Audra, the band started the first song. She accompanied it with her guitar, as easy with the instrument as though it were a fifth limb.

There was dancing in and on the seats. Several members of the audience—young and old—left their chairs, giving themselves over to the music. All too soon, the song ended. People jumped up and down, roaring their approval. Jack was filled with pride at their reaction to Audra's performance.

She laughed into the microphone. “Thank you! Thank you so much, Trinity Falls. You're a great audience. This next song is an original piece, inspired by your lovely town. I hope you enjoy it.”

Another opening chord played. It was reminiscent of the rushing waters of the Trinity Falls. The music was even more compelling than the previous song. After half a minute, Audra's smoky voice joined the band. She weaved the story of a sheltered woman, determined to convince a thick-skulled man that she loved him. This time, even more people left their seats to dance.

“‘It's not a fairy tale. It's my love.'” Audra's voice gained strength as she sang, seeming to feed off her audience's enthusiasm. “‘This pain is as real as it gets. It can't be healed by a magic rose, glass slipper, or talking pets.'”

Jack closed his eyes as her lyrics drew him back to their time together. “‘It's like a fairy tale. Happily ever after.'” She'd said that to him on more than one occasion. Was she singing to him? His heart pounded faster and harder. Her words were tearing him apart. He prayed for her to stop.

Audra kept up her song of seduction. “‘Prince Charming, you cast a spell on me. Wake me up! Wake me up! We don't need three wishes, honey. I know the words to say for our happily ever after. It's not so far, far away.'”

Jack couldn't catch his breath. His body heated as her words called him back to their most intimate moments. His pulse raced with the memory of her limbs entwined with his. He tasted need.

Mercifully, Audra's song came to an end. The audience thanked her with more deafening applause. Jack breathed a slow sigh of relief, but his muscles were still strained.

Ramona returned to the podium. “Wasn't that a great concert? The band really outdid themselves. And, Audra Lane, Trinity Falls can't thank you enough for your great performance. We hope you consider this your second home.”

Audra blew a kiss toward Ramona, then waved at the cheering crowd.

Ramona continued. “Thank you all again for coming. We hope you enjoyed the celebration. Please join us in Freedom Park for a sesquicentennial barbecue with all our local favorites, including Doreen Fever's Trinity Falls Fudge Walnut Brownies.”

Audra left the area with Vaughn and the concert band. Jack tracked her every move. The pleated skirt of her red minidress swung with each step that carried her away from him. His throat burned as he bade her a silent good-bye.

 

 

Two weeks later, Jack returned from his morning run to find Darius on his porch. What had brought his friend here so early on a Saturday morning? He slowed to a walk and stretched his shoulders to ease the tension stirring at the base of his neck.

The newspaper reporter stood from his perch on the porch railing. “I've been meaning to ask you. Were you referring to me when you mentioned ‘annoying siblings' during your Founders Day speech?”

“Yes.” Jack used the back of his wrist to wipe the sweat from his forehead. He mounted the stairs and entered his cabin.

Darius followed him. “It's been two weeks. I thought for sure you'd have made at least one trip to L.A. by now.”

Jack's stride faltered on his way to the kitchen. Darius bounced off his back.

Jack glanced at him over his shoulder. “Why?”

He crossed into the kitchen and poured himself a glass of water from the faucet.

“Come on, Jack. You've been regressing ever since Audra left.”

Jack drained his first glass. He gestured toward Darius. “Water?”

“You see? You're back to your cryptic conversations. You've literally said three words to me since I've been here.”

Jack refilled his glass. “Considering the reason you're here, that's three words more than you deserve.”

Darius took a seat at the kitchen table. “I'll have that glass of water, please.”

Jack took another glass from the cupboard and filled it with ice and water. He gave the glass to Darius before settling onto the seat opposite his friend. “Are you staying long?”

“Thanks.” Darius accepted the glass. “That depends. How long will it take you to explain why you haven't visited Audra?”

“Why should I?”

“Because you're in love with her.”

Jack almost choked on a mouthful of water. “I've only known her four weeks.”

“Yet she's had a strong, positive impact on you in such a short period of time.”

Jack couldn't deny that. The way he'd felt with Audra compared to the way he felt now without her was as different as day and night. Audra had led him out of the shadows and back into the light.

Jack moved restlessly on his chair. “I enjoyed those four weeks with her. But they were an aberration.”

“What makes you think that?”

“She lives in L.A.”

“So?”

Jack sighed with irritation—and regret. “Those weeks weren't real. Audra was on vacation, remember?”

Darius sipped his water. “It was a working vacation. She came here to complete her contract for three songs.”

“A working vacation is still a vacation.” Jack pushed away from the kitchen table and carried his empty glass to the dishwasher. “We live in different worlds. She's a Grammy-winning songwriter who lives and works in L.A. I repair rental cabins in northeastern Ohio.”

Darius snorted. “Rentals that you own, in addition to the
Monitor,
Trinity Falls Cuisine, and the bank.”

“Owning all those things won't make the twenty-four hundred miles between us disappear.”

“You need to speak with Quincy and Alonzo. Ask them about the years they spent apart from the women they loved. I have a feeling they'll tell you you're being a fool for not trying to make this relationship with Audra work.”

“How?” Jack spun to face Darius. He threw his arms up. “She has lunches with music executives and club-hops with other artists. How can I compete with that?”

“Why would you have to? Audra likes it here.”

Why was Darius so stuck on this idea? Why couldn't he understand not every couple could have a “happily ever after”?

Jack leaned back against his kitchen counter. “She was fine here for a couple of weeks. After a couple of months, she'd start climbing the walls. Trinity Falls can't compete with L.A.”

Darius rested his right ankle on his left knee. “What makes you so certain?”

“Kerry grew up in Trinity Falls. I thought she was happy here, until she divorced me. Ramona was born in Trinity Falls. She's spent her entire life trying to leave.” Having examples that validated his theory didn't make Jack feel any better.

“Ean left Trinity Falls. He came to his senses and moved back.” Darius's voice carried the satisfaction Jack didn't feel. “But there's an alternative solution.”

“What?”

“You could move to L.A.”

Jack stiffened. He'd never thought of living anywhere other than Trinity Falls. This town had been home to generations of Sansburys. Could he leave?

Yes, if leaving meant spending the rest of his life with Audra. “That's an option.”

 

 

“What are you doing here?” Audra stood in the front doorway of her Redondo Beach townhome, scowling at Jack.

Her welcome was a frigid blast of air in the late August heat. Jack should have expected it, though. His good-bye to her had been cool, curt, and cruel.

Jack nodded at the cab driver idling at the curb, letting him know it was OK to leave. As the vehicle merged back into traffic, he collected his courage to face Audra again. He took in her brown capris and gray Los Angeles Lakers T-shirt. Those were the darkest colors he'd ever seen her wear.

“I'd like to speak with you. May I come in?”

She stood, silently barring the entrance for so long. Was she going to turn him away, send him back to his hotel? Jack's palms began to sweat. Audra finally stepped aside and he entered.

“How did you find me?” She fastened the three locks on her front door—the doorknob lock, dead bolt, and security chain.

“Benita gave me your address.” And assured him Audra would be home in the afternoon, probably working. It was a very different image from the one Wendell painted.
Why had I believed that guy?

“In exchange for what?” She led him into her living room.

“She was impressed by your Founders Day performance.” Jack's face heated with embarrassment. “I promised to try to talk you into making your own album.”

“That won't happen.” Audra settled onto a soft-looking, burnt orange armchair on the far side of the living room.

“At least I can tell her I tried.” Jack sank onto the matching sofa.

The room was bright and happy. The walls were painted a sky blue. Potted spider plants hung in her bay windows. The hardwood flooring was the same oak wood as her bookcase and entertainment center.

“So talk.” Audra was being as stingy with her words as she'd once accused him of being.

In her eyes, he'd previously found laughter, wonder, and desire. Now her champagne gaze was hard with temper.

Regret was sour in his throat. “I'm sorry.”

Silence.

Audra arched an eyebrow. “That's it?”

“I . . .”

She rose from her seat. “You could have just called.”

Panicked, Jack popped off the sofa and blocked Audra's path to her door. “I was wrong to push you away. I'm sorry I did that.”

“That apology took three weeks?” Audra crossed her arms. “You could have phoned that in. Why did you fly all the way to Los Angeles?”

“I wanted to apologize in person.”

Audra shook her head with a sigh. “Well, you've done that. Thanks for coming. Good-bye.”