Hidden in the Heart (17 page)

Claire stared. “Do you know something? Something about my birth, Jessie? You have to tell me.”

Jessie lifted a hand. “Patience, child.” She gave Claire a long look and a brief smile. “I…uh…need to get inside. Better go check on that chicken if we’re going to eat in time for you to make your meeting.” Jessie moved past her and stopped to take Claire’s empty glass. She rubbed the sleeping puppy’s head. “Don’t forget to feed that sweet thing.”

As Jessie walked into the house, Rick ambled up the porch stairs. “Hey. Something smells good.” He nodded toward her and Claire raised a hand in greeting. The delicious scents from the kitchen had made their way out to the porch. Claire’s stomach rumbled with anticipation.

“Roast chicken. And I think I saw an apple pie.”

“Awesome. I’m always on the lookout for free food.” He gave her a wink and lowered himself into the rocker Jessie had vacated. “You all right? You look a little spooked.”

“I don’t know.” Claire looked down at the floorboards. Jessie did know something, she was sure of it. “I guess I’m okay.”

“Hmm.” Rick reached over and scratched the pup’s head. “How’s our Chance today?”

“He’s worn himself out.” Claire smoothed down the shiny black fur. “But he slept through last night. Didn’t wake up until five.”

Rick chuckled and stretched his long arms over his head. “Must be like having a baby.”

An awful lump clogged her throat and took her breath away. He couldn’t have known, but his words pricked her heart just the same.

He noticed. “What’s wrong?”

Claire sighed, weary of recounting the story, but she wanted him to know. “You just hit a nerve.” His blank expression made her smile and she shrugged. “I just got through telling Jessie without breaking into hysterics so I may as well tell you.” She blinked and waited for the tears to come…but strangely enough, they didn’t. So she began again.

“It was just easier to keep drinking then quit.” She finished her story and Rick gave a muted groan and shook his head.

“I’m so sorry.”

“You and the rest of the world.”

He leaned over his knees and picked at a small hole in the faded denim of his jeans. Claire could hear Jessie banging around in the kitchen. Mac was probably still plastering one of the upstairs guestrooms. They’d accepted a few of their regular guests but the place wasn’t ready for full occupancy.

A cooling breeze filtered up through the trees and cooled her face. Jackson waved to her from the swing-set down by the lake as Darcie pushed him high into the air. Claire smiled and waved back.

At first she’d tried to avoid the little boy. But his thousand-watt smile and mischievous eyes won her over, and spending time with him was something she now enjoyed. She was even thinking about offering to watch him this weekend to give Darcie a break. Claire didn’t want to count on it, but she thought she was slowly beginning to heal.

“I had a kid once.” Rick’s low voice made her turn in his direction and stare in
surprise.

“You were married?” Claire realized she knew very little about the man she credited for saving her life.

He shook his head and his eyes took on a sheen that tugged at Claire’s heart. “No, not married. It was a long time ago. I don’t know…ah.” He pushed himself to his feet. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Okay.” She wouldn’t pursue it. Not today at least.

He leaned back against the white wooden railing, searching her face, as though unsure of what to say. “I was in town earlier.”

“So? You want a prize?” Claire grinned as he shook a fist at her. They’d somehow fallen into an easy camaraderie. Same as she and Darcie had.

Claire always considered herself a bit of a loner, Melanie being the only friend she really confided in. Since coming to Bethel, she’d discovered she actually enjoyed being nice.

“No, Miss Smarty Pants.” He tossed her his trademark scowl. “Sometimes I think you were easier to handle drunk. You didn’t have as much to say.” He chuckled as she stuck her tongue out, then he grew serious again. “Listen, I think you should know…some guy was asking about you. I overheard him talking to the owner of the art gallery where I show my work. He was asking if he knew you, if you’d been into his shop.”

Claire’s heart sank. She hadn’t contacted home since the first week here. And then all she’d gotten was Dad’s answering machine. She’d left a brief message, letting him know she’d arrived in Bethel and that everything was fine. She planned on writing or calling again—soon. Soon was long gone. She hadn’t called James either.

“Are you in some kind of trouble, Claire?” Worry niggled Rick’s eyebrows and he pulled at his beard.

Claire gave a short laugh but felt her throat constrict. “No, nothing like that. My
family doesn’t know where I am though. They know I’m in Maine, they just don’t know exactly where.” Guilt tightened its hold. She really should have made more effort to get in touch with them. But part of her had revolted against the life she’d left behind, and somehow she couldn’t face their questions and concern.

“Claire! You’ve been here all this time and you haven’t called home?”

She cringed under his look of admonishment. “I called my father once and left a message, told him I was okay. I should have tried again. But I’ve been a little out of commission if you recall. You didn’t say anything to the man did you?”

“Of course not. Who do you think it was? Your husband?”

“I doubt James cares where I am.” Claire kicked her shoes together. “I’m a lost cause, you see.”

Rick narrowed his eyes and leaned forward. “You are not a lost cause, Claire Ferguson. You were put on this earth for a reason, just like the rest of us. It doesn’t matter whether you know what it is yet. You’re going to find out.”

“You sound so sure.” She allowed a smile to lift her mouth.

He nodded. “I am sure. You’ve got a purpose here. You just got a little lost along the way. But you’re going to be all right. And if your husband doesn’t see what he’s got in you, then he doesn’t deserve you.”

Rick put his back to Claire and she heard him muttering under his breath. A grin slid across her mouth. “Wow. That was quite a speech. Does this mean you forgive me for killing your swans?”

He swiveled on the heel of his boot and flashed an easy grin. “Maybe.” He raised his arms and let them fall to his sides. “I don’t know. I just…I see something in you, Claire. I don’t get it, but something just makes me want to help you. I know I’m a bit rough around the edges sometimes, but I do mean well.”

“I know you do. I’m glad you took a chance on me.” Claire laced her hands together and watched his face change.

“Somebody had to.” He slid into the rocker again. “So, what are your plans? Seems like you’ve made yourself at home here now. You seem to get on well with Mac and Jessie, and Darcie likes you a lot.”

“She’s fun to be with.” Claire gazed across the lawn and watched Darcie lift Jackson from the swing and pull him into a bear hug. Their happy laughter filtered upward on the wind.

Everybody had a story.

If only she knew whether hers would have a happy ending.

“I’m not sure how to go home, to be honest,” she admitted. “My husband and I have been…well, it’s been rough. I thought a break was what we needed, but I’m not sure where we stand now. And my dad and I had a huge fight before I left. I think he’s probably still mad.”

“What about? Did you steal his car?” Rick teased.

Claire laughed at the look on his face. “No, that’s mine. I stole his wine though. He probably hasn’t noticed yet.” She stretched her arms out in front of her and tilted her head. “We argued over my reason for coming here.” She paused, watched interest light his eyes and decided to tell him. “I was adopted. I’ve never really wanted to search for my birth family, but since…with everything that’s happened…I want to know.”

“And your dad didn’t want you to search?” Rick folded his arms across his chest.

Claire nodded. “He was pretty adamant about it. Told me I shouldn’t even consider it. But I did.”

Rick narrowed his eyes. “Is that why you’re in Bethel? To find your birth mother?”

“Yes. I have a feeling she was from around here. My dad at least intimated that much.
I wasn’t able to get my adoption papers of course, or my non-identifying information, but I…well, let’s just say I came across some things that led me here. I wanted to get away, and figured this was worth a shot.”

Rick eyed her in silence. Claire stared back, trying to read him.

“So what have you found?” he asked.

Claire hesitated again. Rick really didn’t need to be involved. And if she shared her suspicions about Mac and Jessie, she wasn’t quite sure what he’d do. “Nothing yet. Maybe I should have handled it differently with my father. I think he’s afraid that if I do find her, she won’t want to know me. Or she will.”

“I’d say your dad probably doesn’t want to lose you.” Rick pushed his fingers through his hair and studied his scuffed boots. “Fear can make a man do stupid things.”

Claire watched his jaw working, felt his sadness and wondered what caused it. “I guess I should call him. He’s probably hired a private investigator. I don’t want him to worry.”

Rick slapped his knees, shot her a grin and stood. “Good idea. No father should have to spend his nights worrying about his little girl. Even if she is a brat.”

She smiled at his teasing. Rick Matthews didn’t sugarcoat anything and she respected that. Over the past little while, he’d come to mean a lot to her. If he hadn’t confronted her a few weeks ago, Claire feared she might have done the unthinkable.

Claire got to her feet carefully, but Chance woke. His gave a whimper and looked up at her with big puppy eyes. She crossed the floor to where Rick stood.

“Here, take him while I go get his supper ready. He probably needs to pee.”

On cue, Chance did. Claire held him in midair and fortunately he missed her legs, but Rick’s boots were in the direct line of fire.

Rick groaned. “Thanks, kid. Do I have sucker written across my forehead or what?”
He took the puppy from her and held the little black nose up to his. “You pee on the grass, my friend. Not on my boots.” He strode toward the steps, grumbling.

On impulse, Claire reached for his arm. He stopped mid-stride and turned to face her, surprise inching into his eyes. Claire smiled, got on tiptoe and placed a kiss on his cheek. His eyebrows shot up a mile and she laughed at his astonished expression. “Thanks. For everything.”

Rick’s face reddened but she caught the beginning of a smile underneath the bushy beard. “You don’t need to thank me, Claire,” he answered gruffly, his dark eyes locking with hers. “Thank God.”

Chapter Fifteen

At the end of the week, Claire returned to her cabin from her morning walk with Chance, made sure he had water in his bowl and watched him lap. She was amazed how quickly the little dog was growing. She hated the thought of leaving him once she went home. Whenever that would be.

After he finished drinking, Claire put Chance into the dog crate Rick found at a yard sale and went into the kitchen. He began to whine at once. “Just go to sleep.” She could do with another pot of coffee. She reached for the pot and her hand froze in mid-air at the sounds coming from her bedroom.

Somebody was in the cabin.

“Hello?” Claire crossed the kitchen and stepped into the hall. Fear gripped her and she glanced back at the front door, ready to make a run for it.

“It’s just me!” Darcie’s shout sent relief flooding through her. Claire entered the bedroom and found her new friend standing on a chair in her closet. Darcie turned and held up a long dark blue cable-knit sweater-dress that Claire had yet to wear. The tags were still on it. “This is so gorgeous. It’s cashmere, right? But when would you wear something like this out here?”

Claire laughed and gave a shrug. “You never know. Maybe we’ll convince Rick to have a show.”

“I doubt it.” Darcie snorted and hung the dress back on the rail. “Oh, I love this
leather jacket. We’re the same size you know.”

“No kidding.” Claire rolled her eyes and flopped onto the soft bed. It had been a while since she’d even thought about her wardrobe or gone shopping to needlessly add to it. Life in Bethel was blissfully uncomplicated.

The overhead fan whirred and sent a cooling breeze around the room. “What are you doing in my closet?”

“Grandma sent me over to change the light bulbs.” Darcie buried her face in the clothes again and came up with a squeal. “I
love
these boots!”

Claire waved a hand and groaned at the sight of the high heels. “I don’t know what I was thinking bringing those out here. You can have them if you want. I never really liked them anyway. Take the dress too.”

“Really?” Darcie’s eyes widened.

Claire nodded. “Sure. You can sell them on EBay for all I care.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t do that.” Darcie jumped from her chair and flounced around the bedroom, pretending to waltz. Her face lit in an impish grin. “I’ll find a hot date and get him to take me out to dinner someplace fancy.”

“Good luck with that. Like you said, we’re in Bethel.” Claire yawned. She hadn’t slept well last night. Thoughts of James infiltrated her sleep. The last time she’d driven into town she took her laptop with her and checked email at the café. He’d written her several messages, apologizing, asking if they could talk. She’d responded with a brief note telling him she was fine and that was about it. There was so much more she wanted to say now.

“Got any designer stuff in here I can steal?” Darcie skipped back to the closet.

Claire laughed and threw a pillow in her direction. Despite her country-girl looks, Darcie enjoyed fashion. She was forever pouring over issues of Vogue and People magazine. If her life had been different, she’d probably be running one of them. “Where’s Jackson?”

“Grandpa took him into town. Hey, these are awesome shoes…”

Claire groaned at the sight of the pointy Jimmy Choos she hadn’t worn in months. She pushed herself off the bed. “Do you want coffee?” She didn’t wait for Darcie’s reply but escaped to the kitchen before having to face another reminder of her past.

By the time Darcie ventured out to the living room, the coffee was made. Claire was settled on the couch munching on Jessie’s oatmeal cookies.