Healing Hearts (15 page)

“Because he left Lisa. I don’t care about me, but I had to tell my daughter why her daddy wasn’t there right before she died.”

“He didn’t come?”

“He came, but he was too late. His baby girl died without him because he couldn’t deal with her illness. So why can’t you forgive Susie?”

“Because she betrayed me.”

“So did your father. But you forgave him.”

Dominic sucked in a deep breath. He dropped her hand from his, and faced forward. “Good night.”

She pushed open the car door and turned back toward him. The hard lines of his face attested to the intense emotions gripping him.

She hurried toward her lit porch and glanced over her shoulder as she let herself into her house. She saw him start the car and back out of the driveway. All her animals came to greet her as if she’d been gone for weeks instead of hours. Kneeling in the foyer, she wound her arms around Gabe and drew solace from him.

This was for the best. She’d still see Madi occasionally when Dominic wasn’t there. She couldn’t do this, be around him, loving him like she did, and know that he didn’t fully love her.

But something good had come out of their talk. She knew now that she needed to forgive Peter—and move on. Then she would be fine.

If only I can convince myself that will happen.

Chapter Twelve

A
bbey entered the CPA firm that Peter worked for and approached his secretary, the same one he’d had when they were married. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Maple. How have you been?”

The middle-aged woman couldn’t disguise her surprise at seeing Abbey standing before her desk. “I’m fine. How about you?”

“Doing great. I work at the hospital. Finally got my master’s degree last year.”

“Congratulations.” Mrs. Maple dropped her glance to her computer in front of her.

“I’m here to see Peter. Is he in?”

“Yes. Is he expecting you?”

“No, but this won’t take long.”

“I’ll let him know.” Peter’s secretary rose and entered his office. Thirty seconds later, she reappeared. “He says go on in.”

“Thanks.” At the door, she hitched her purse strap up on her shoulder and inhaled a fortifying breath, then went into the room.

Peter stood in front of his desk and moved toward her. “It’s good to see you, Abbey.”

“The other day I didn’t get a chance to congratulate you on your new baby. I understand his name is Sean Patrick.”

“Yes, as you know, after my dad.”

“I’m glad you named him after your father. He was a special man.”

“That he was.” He turned toward a group of chairs. “Please have a seat. Catch me up on what’s been going on with you.”

She remained where she was and gave him the abbreviated version of her past few years, minus all the heartache over Lisa. “I’m excited about the foundation I’m starting.”

“I know how you feel about animals. It’s a good fit.”

An uncomfortable silence descended, with Peter looking at the floor, then the door as though contemplating running away like she had at the Super Center.

Abbey cleared her throat. “I won’t keep you much longer. I just wanted to tell you that I forgive you for leaving Lisa and me. You have your reasons and that’s between you and God. But I don’t hold anger toward you anymore. I wish you the best. Good day.” She swung around to leave.

“Wait. That’s it? You forgive me?”

At the door, she looked back. “Yes. We had some good times, and I refuse to dwell on the bad ones any longer.”

As she walked from the building, lightness lifted her heart as though a burden she’d been carrying for years melted away. Now she could get on with her life, making plans for the Caring Canines Foundation. She wanted to help others who were going through difficult times in their lives, and it would give her life the purpose she’d been seeking for so long.

* * *

On impulse Dominic switched lanes at the last minute and turned into the cemetery where his dad and Susie were buried. He hadn’t been there since the funeral months ago. He parked near their graves but remained in his SUV. Why had he come? Tired from working long hours on the factory project, then making sure he spent quality time with Madi, he tried to relax his tense muscles, but pain clenched his shoulders and neck.

It’d been two weeks since he’d seen Abbey, two weeks since she’d told him she couldn’t get involved with a man unless he was willing to totally commit. And he agreed with her. After Susie, he realized he needed the same thing.

He shoved open the door and slid out of the car into the stifling heat at the end of a July in Oklahoma. It didn’t stop him. He trudged toward the graves. He needed once and for all to put his past to rest. He’d fooled himself that he had when he’d thought by reestablishing a relationship with his dad for Madi’s sake that was all he had to do.

He scanned the cemetery to make sure no one else was nearby, then squatted between the two graves. “Dad, I know in my heart you didn’t intend to fall in love with Susie. Love doesn’t always behave how you expect it to. It can come out of the blue and smack you in the head. It can turn your life upside down. I thought I knew what I wanted. But I don’t. I do know I can’t keep going on holding on to my anger against you. I will do right by Madi and the ranch. Thank you for entrusting those two things that meant so much to you into my hands.”

Closing his eyes, Dominic dropped his head. He could remember times in the past few years when his father had tried to talk to him about what had happened. He’d always stopped him, afraid if they did talk about it, he would storm away from the ranch for good. Now he wished he’d really talked to his father about it. His father had loved Susie, and she’d been good for him.

When Dominic turned his attention to Susie’s gravesite, none of the hurt or anger surfaced. It just wasn’t there anymore. What good would it do to hold on to it, to keep himself from truly enjoying his life? He realized now that a marriage between Susie and him wouldn’t have lasted. Breaking up with him had been painful, but less painful than a divorce.

“Thank you, Susie, for knowing when to let go of us, and for giving my father eleven years of happiness. I’ll take care of your daughter as if she were my own.”

Then he bowed his head and prayed. When he rose, a peace cloaked him as though his father had clasped him and told him how much he loved him. Not just his earthly father but his heavenly one.

As he made his way toward his SUV, his pace quickened. He’d told Madi he would be home by five today. She had something to show him. Twenty minutes later, he pulled up in front of the house. His sister was waiting for him on the front deck with Cottonball in her lap.

“Sorry I’m a little late.” He took a chair near her manual wheelchair. “I see you’re using that more.”

“I’m strengthening my arms, Greta says. She likes me using this one. I probably will except for going down to the barn.”

His sister was sounding all grown-up. He’d noticed that over the past month. “Good. Building up your muscles is important. The stronger you are, the easier it will be for you to walk. What did you have to show me?”

A smile slid across Madi’s face. She bent over and put Cottonball on the deck, then straightened, clasping the arms of the chair and kicking the leg rests to the side. She planted both feet on the ground. Her soft casts had come off last week, and she now wore braces to give her some support.

Dominic held his breath as his sister pushed up and stood in front of her wheelchair.

“I can stand on my own. I’m gonna be walking in no time.” She eased back into her seat, her grin even wider. “And before long I won’t have to wear these at all.” She tapped her hand against one of the braces on her legs.

This was the first time he’d seen her in the braces. “Greta told me until you’re more stable with standing and walking, you need to wear them.”

“I know.” Madi sighed. “I wanted to show Abbey, but she’s been extra busy at work and with Caring Canines during the day. Why isn’t she coming over in the evening at least?”

Probably because he was usually home by then. “Have you asked her?”

“No. I’m asking you. Everything was going good until that night you two went out to dinner on my birthday. What happened?”

“We had a lovely meal and then I took her home.”

“Nothing happened?” She gave him a skeptical look.

“We’re both very busy. I’m glad she’s taking some time to see you.”

“But not
you.
” Madi’s pout puckered her lips.

“I know what you were up to that evening. If Abbey and I want to date each other, we will. Until then, you keep working on learning to walk.” He swiped the sweat beading on his forehead. “Wow, it has to be ninety-five or hundred degrees. I’m going inside.”
And hope you drop the subject of Abbey.

* * *

Two days later, Abbey was walking out of the hospital to head toward Shady Oaks when her cell phone rang. She answered it as she climbed into her car.

“What’s up, Madi?”

“Cottonball is gone. I’ve looked everywhere for her.” The child sobbed into the phone.

“Where’s Dominic? Have you told him?”

“No. He’s in a meeting. Please help me find Cottonball. Please.”

“I’ll be right there. Don’t worry. I’m sure she hasn’t gone far.” Abbey hung up and drove straight to Winter Haven, Madi’s sobs echoing in her ears.

* * *

Dominic rose from the table at the end of a meeting with the architect and the head of the construction company for the factory and shook both men’s hands. “Thanks for your hard work getting this factory started so fast.”

As the pair left his office at the ranch, Madi pushed herself into the room, tears streaking down her face. “Cottonball ran off. I can’t find her anywhere.”

“Where did you see her last?” He trailed her out of the office.

“Down at the barn. What if she ran away? I can’t lose Cottonball.” Her lower lip trembled, and her eyes shone with tears.

“I won’t let that happen.” He had started for the front door when the chimes echoed through the house. He hurried to answer the door, surprised to see Abbey standing before him. “What are you doing here?”

“Madi called me. Cottonball is gone. You were in a meeting. She wanted my help.”

Madi wedged herself between the door frame and Dominic. “I’m so glad you’re here. We’re going to the barn to look for Cottonball.” She rolled over the threshold and out onto the deck. “Let’s go. What if a horse steps on her? Of a wolf comes around? Or—”

“Madi, that isn’t going to happen.” Dominic maneuvered the wheelchair down the ramp and toward the black building.

“It could. We don’t know.”

When they entered the barn, Madi called out to Chad at the other end. “Cottonball is gone. Can you help me search here while Dominic and Abbey look outside?”

“When was your dog down here?” Chad tipped his cowboy hat back on his head.

“A while ago. You weren’t here.”

Dominic snuck a glance at Abbey. Worry knitted her forehead. Then she peered at him, her eyes staying a few seconds before she returned her attention to Madi and Chad. His gut knotted. He’d missed her these past couple of weeks, even though he had been busy with work. He’d caught himself thinking about her at odd moments. He’d almost called after he visited his dad and Susie’s graves, but he didn’t know what to say to her.

“Cottonball might be between here and the house. We’ll look there first.” Abbey turned to leave.

“She’ll need help.” Madi nodded toward Abbey disappearing through the double doors.

Dominic backed away a few steps, something nagging him. Then he swung around and went after Abbey. Madi had acted upset in the house, tears and all. But now she seemed relaxed. As attached as his sister was to Cottonball, she should be howling. Outside he slowed his pace, stopped and watched Abbey trekking toward the backyard.

He decided to return to the barn and have a word with Madi first. When he approached the entrance, he heard Chad ask, “What’s going on? You and that dog are inseparable. She wouldn’t go off without you.”

“I had to get them talking again. Abbey is perfect for us, but something happened between them.”

“You need to tell your brother what you did. You know better.”

Dominic entered the barn. “Tell me what?”

Madi fixed her gaze on him but remained silent.

“Madi, what’s going on?” Dominic asked in a stern voice.

She lowered her head and stared at her lap. “Cottonball isn’t missing. She’s in my room at the house.”

“You lied to me and Abbey. I’m disappointed in you. Next time you come to me for help looking for Cottonball, I might not believe you. Worse, Abbey drove all the way out here because she cares about you and knows how much Cottonball means to you.”

Madi’s shoulders slumped. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled.

Dominic put his hands on his waist. “You need to tell Abbey that, then go to your room.”

Madi lifted her head, chewing on her bottom lip. “Do you think she’ll be mad at me?”

“You should have thought about that before you concocted this scheme.”

“But you two should be together, like before my birthday.”

“What Abbey and I do is none of your business.”

“Yes, it is. We’re family.”

“Let’s go find Abbey.” Dominic indicated the entrance into the barn.

* * *

Abbey made a full circle in the middle of the backyard, trying to figure out where Cottonball would go. She loved Madi. Why would she leave her? To chase a squirrel or rabbit? Maybe. She kneaded the tight cords of her neck and looked toward the barn.

Where had Dominic disappeared to? Not that she wanted to see him. When she was near him, her common sense fled.

The faster she found Cottonball, the faster she could leave. She took a few steps toward the pool area, stopped and stared at the back door. If Madi and Cottonball had become separated somehow, Cottonball would go to the back door and bark until someone let her in. What if Mrs. Ponder had done so and Madi didn’t know?

Abbey marched toward the house, but halfway there, she noticed Dominic and Madi heading her way. She waited, taking in Madi’s scared expression and Dominic’s solemn one.

“We’ll find Cottonball, Madi. I won’t leave until we do,” Abbey said to reassure the child. She’d been doing so well. She didn’t want the child to have a relapse and the nightmares to return.

“Madi has something to tell you.” Grim lines sculpted Dominic’s face.

Abbey’s heartbeat accelerated. Had they found Cottonball hurt?

“I’m sorry, Abbey. Cottonball isn’t missing. She’s upstairs in my room.”

Abbey folded her hands across her chest. “Then why did you call me and tell me she was gone?”

“I wanted you to come over when Dominic was here.”

“I had to cancel the nursing home and disappoint a lot of folks.”

Tears filled Madi’s eyes. “I’m sorry I lied. I’m...”

“Going to your room,” said Dominic. “And while you’re there, I think you should write a letter to the residents of Shady Oaks apologizing for what you did.” Dominic gripped the handles on the wheelchair and rolled Madi up the ramp and into the kitchen. At the door, he looked back at Abbey. “Please stay.”

She nodded and took a chair on the back deck. No matter how hard she had worked the past few weeks, she couldn’t get Dominic out of her mind. The bottom line was she loved him. Seeing him today only reinforced that.

Lord, I can’t do this. See him and act like nothing ever happened between us.