Rocky Point Reunion (17 page)

“So, tell me about what's going on in your world of racing,” Brett invited.

Zack turned back to his friend. “I'm giving it up. One more race, then I'm calling it quits.”

“Why? Hey, aren't you at the top of your game?”

Zack shrugged. He wasn't telling all and sundry exactly why. “It's time. I've had a great run, learned a lot, seen a lot. But I'm going to be thirty soon. Time to settle down, wouldn't you agree?”

Brett glanced behind him, then back at Zack. “You and Marcie?”

Zack looked at Marcie. She was too far away to hear their conversation. He looked at Brett and said, “I wish. It's taken this long to get her to consider going somewhere with me. And before you say anything, I know I left the wrong way. I regret it, I've apologized for it. I don't want to hear about it anymore.”

“Hey, your life. But consequences come from actions we take.”

“I'm hoping one day she'll forgive me enough to take a chance on me again,” Zack said quietly, looking back at the most beautiful woman he knew.

“There's a lot to be said for finding the right one and making a life together,” Brett said.

“So says the newly engaged man.”

He grinned. “Right you are. You should try it.”

“I did. And it was great. Only we were too young.”

“And one of you had wanderlust. What's to say you won't go off again?”

Zack shrugged. “I've had that question more than once, too. Only time, I guess.” And his own determination. He knew now what was important in life. Faith, love of the Lord, family and friends. And a great place to live didn't hurt.

 

Marcie was having a wonderful, relaxing time. She and Susan had been chatting in the sun, but now Susan stood with a gleam in her eyes. “Let's ask Brett to let us steer. He and Zack can handle the sails and we'll drive the boat.” Susan went to stand beside Brett, squeezing in between the two men. He automatically brought her in closer with an arm around her shoulders and looked at her when she spoke.

Marcie couldn't hear but she could see. The love shining between them made her ache with envy. She wanted that. Wanted a special mate in her life who would love her till death. She wanted a family and home and love and everything she'd lost when Zack had left.

Refusing to look at him, even when she noticed he'd turned to look at her, she looked to her right, across the blue Atlantic and into the distance.

He ambled back the short distance to the bench and sat beside her. “Susan says you two want to drive the boat.”

Marcie smiled. “So her terminology isn't quite correct. She communicates.”

“True, and my guess is Brett would give her anything she wants.”

Marcie nodded, still looking across the sea.

“Marcie?” His voice was low.

She turned to look at him.

“Will you ever forgive me? I am so sorry for the wrong I did. I would never hurt you like that again. Can you forgive me?”

“Oh, Zack.” She reached out to touch his arm, her heart warmed by his sincerity. “I forgave you a long time ago. I didn't understand things, but I loved you. You didn't want to be married, I get that. I get that you were young and running to a dream I didn't even know about.”

“I don't deserve it,” he said.

She shrugged. “Forgiveness isn't about deserving, it's about forgiving. Letting go. Not dwelling on any wrong done.”

“You've always had a generous heart,” he said.

“No, it's a struggle. But I want to live my life as close to the Lord as I can.”

He took her hand, holding it in his. “Does that forgiveness go as far as taking another chance for us?”

She was tempted to say yes. She wanted him to kiss her as he had when they'd been together before. Like he had the other night. She wanted what Brett and Susan had. What Joe and Gillian had. But fear of being hurt again, of being left behind again, rose up. Slowly she withdrew her hand.

“Let's just be friends for a while longer.”
Until you leave,
she thought. Until you resume your life in Europe and forget about Rocky Point for another decade.

Z
ack was disappointed, no two ways about it. When she said she'd forgiven him, his heart rose. But it wasn't enough. He wanted more, though he should be grateful for what he had. Hadn't Saint Paul said he'd learned to be content in any situation?

He had his life, which was more than Jacques had. He had his family, expanding now with Gillian joining them. And he had forgiveness from the woman he'd wronged.

Patience. That's what he prayed for now. Patience to win Marcie's love back and a hope she'd say yes one day.

Brett and Susan had brought lunch—crab sandwiches, slaw and a chocolate cake that tasted delicious. They dropped the sails and let the boat drift as they ate, talking about the past and the future. Brett had heard about Marcie's father and expressed his concern. Zack told him about Joe's upcoming wedding. Marcie talked about her part in the wedding and how excited Jenny was. Susan talked a bit about her work as an investment consultant.

By the time the four of them returned to the marina, it was late afternoon.

“Care to come to the café? Dinner would be on me,” Marcie invited.
“Another time, maybe. Mom has dinner for us today,” Brett said. “It's been great to see you two again. I'll let you know the next time I'm in town.”

“Zack probably won't be here, but I will,” Marcie said.

He wanted to deny that, but it was true. Depending on how soon Brett returned, Zack could be back in Sweden for that last race. He'd had a call from Thomas before leaving this morning, urging him to return sooner rather than later. Plane tickets were waiting for him. The pressure grew to get to Stockholm in time to practice before the qualifying events. He'd been away from racing for several weeks, the longest break he'd taken since starting. He knew his reflexes were in top condition. He knew the course. He could ace this race. Even the thrill of anticipation had been growing at the thought of one more race.

Once behind him, he'd focus all his attention on the new driving course here in Rocky Point, working with Joe and convincing Marcie she should marry him.

“I'll take you up on the dinner offer,” he said to her.

She looked at him in surprise. “Sure.”

He'd caught her unaware. If she hadn't wanted him to eat with her, she shouldn't have invited them all.

Goodbyes were said, with thanks and promises to get together when Brett and Susan were in town again.

“There's still plenty of light, want to walk to the restaurant?” Zack asked.

“But your car is here.”

“I can walk back to get it, it's not that far.”

“Nothing in Rocky Point is far from anything else. Sure, I'd like the walk. I still feel strange being on land after balancing on the water all afternoon.”

They started up Main Street. Marcie noticed a light in the apartment over Gillian's studio.

“Did Joe rent the apartment?” she asked, surprised to notice it.

“Yeah, to a nurse who moved here a little while ago. She works at the clinic. Faith something. Said having an aerobics class below her home didn't matter as she'd be at work all day, and might sign up for an evening class herself.”

“Nice for Joe. With Gillian's studio, he's fully booked again.”

“Want to go someplace else for dinner?”

“No, I want to check in at the café. I had my loyal staff working all day. I feel guilty taking off like this and having fun all day and leaving them to all the work.”

“Did they complain?”

She laughed. Zack was struck by the melodious sound. He could listen to her laughter forever.

“No. In fact, Miss Prudence Cabot told me quite frankly she liked me not butting in.”

“You?”

Marcie wrinkled her nose at him.

He slung his arm across her shoulders. “Did you enjoy your day?”

“I did.”

“Me, too, Marcie. I enjoy every day you're in.”

“Don't flirt with me, Zack Kincaid.”

“Why not, isn't it fun? Besides, I'm serious.” He drew her closer until they were walking in step along Main Street. Shops were closing. Tourists and residents wandered by, some looking at them, others caught up in their own world.

The café was crowded when they reached it. The hostess told Marcie she expected a table on the terrace to open soon, but there would be a wait.

“I can't complain—this is great business,” she said. “We'll wait outside.”

There were benches along the front of the building. Two other groups were seated on two of them. Marcie led the way to the one at the far end and sat.

“Tomorrow a thousand things await, but for now, I'm content.”

“Me, too,” Zack said, wishing he could capture the hour and hold on to it forever.

 

The next Saturday afternoon, just before members of the wedding party for Joe and Gillian began to arrive at the old house Gillian had inherited, Marcie and the Cabot sisters showed up. Zack and Joe helped unload all the food they'd brought from the two vehicles.

“I thought the tasting party was sort of small,” Zack commented as he carried yet another box of savory treats inside to the kitchen.

“It is, but I think this is enough food to feed the reception,” Joe said.

Moments later Gillian was hugging Prudence and Priscilla Cabot and asking if she could sample just a few things before the others.

“Not yet, missy,” Prudence said, slapping her hand when she reached for a crab-stuffed mushroom. “It needs to be heated.”

Gillian gave her another hug. “Thank you so much for doing all this. I'm thrilled. It's going to be a true wedding feast.”

“Of course it is. Go on, now.”

Maud Stevens and Caroline Evans arrived next. Gillian greeted them warmly, ushering them into the freshly painted living room. Zack and Joe had been alternating
painting her house and theirs. Pretty soon both residences would be rejuvenated for the years ahead.

Tate arrived next, with Paul following behind.

“Glad you're having this wedding at the church. The yard already looks like a parking lot. If we had the wedding here, it'd be full,” Zack murmured to his brother, his eyes on Marcie.

“Gillian wanted it at the church. I'm okay with anywhere,” Joe said, looking around for his fiancée.

She was talking with the guests who had already arrived. In no time, all were in the living room talking, laughing and discussing the plans for the rehearsal and dinner and the wedding itself.

Jenny rushed in with a file folder and a big smile. “I like these dresses. Gillian said everyone gets to vote, even the guys, though I don't get why. They're not wearing the dresses,” she said, looking around at everyone.

“I told you, they know what looks good on girls,” Gillian said, with a smile at her soon-to-be daughter.

Jenny took the folder to each person, beginning with Maud. The elderly woman took her time studying each dress. “You did good, child. These dresses will span the generations. I like this one best,” she said, handing Jenny one of the pictures.

Jenny carefully marked a check in the corner and then took the folder to Caroline. The others watched as each woman and then each man made their selection. Jenny then took the folder to Gillian. “I think most like the dark blue dress on top,” she said.

“You're right. You and Marcie did a great job selecting dresses. This one it'll be. I hope none need fittings, but the lady at the dry cleaner's said she'd rush them through if alterations were needed.”

Zack smiled at his niece, remembering some of the
parties celebrating his and Marcie's engagement, and the plans for the wedding. Where would life have taken them if he'd manned up and married her back then? They could have a couple of kids by now. Would they be living in some small apartment over the bakery or one like the place Joe rented out? Or would going in with Joe back then have resulted in a comfortable lifestyle by now?

He'd bet Marcie wouldn't have chanced starting her restaurant. She'd have been too busy making their home and watching any babies they'd had.

For a moment Zack tried to imagine children, but he couldn't. He'd done pretty much what he'd wanted—seen a large portion of the world. Raced cars to the utmost. Knew people on three continents and had enough money in the bank to live comfortably the rest of his life even if he never worked again.

Blessings.

The thought came out of nowhere. Or was it God reminding him of all he'd received from the blessings of God?

Zack rose and went through the kitchen and out back. The chatter continued behind him and the farther he walked from the house, the quieter it sounded until he could hear the wind blowing and the sighing of the waves on the beach below the bluff.

He stood where he and Jenny had stood before, gazing out to the horizon. If the world were flat, could he have seen Europe? No, but he knew where it was. He'd have to close his flat in Paris. Sell his car. It would be too much to ship it back to the States. Let friends know where they could find him. He was closing a chapter of his life, but not shutting down. He gave a brief prayer of thanks to God.

“Are you okay?” Marcie asked behind him.

He turned and watched her walk toward him. She was
so beautiful, inside and out. And she'd forgiven him. He smiled.

“I'm fine, just thinking.”

“About our wedding?” she asked. When she reached him, he turned to look east.

“That and other things. Did you ever consider we would not be where we are today if we had married so young?”

“Meaning?”

“I truly wonder how content I'd be if I'd gone from high school graduation to husband and father.”

“We make our own contentment, I think. Seeing blessings instead of restrictions or roads not taken.”

“True. But there is a time for every purpose under heaven. I handled things badly, we'll both agree to that. But in the end, I wouldn't be the man I am today if I hadn't lived the life I've lived. It wasn't always easy.”

“I guess I never thought about that. You were far from home, family and friends. In countries where you didn't even speak the language. You must have wanted that more than anything to go so far from all the familiar.”

He looked at her. “You wouldn't be who you are, either. If we'd married, would you have wanted a restaurant, made it the success it is today? Provided income for several families and a wonderful, honest place people can enjoy good food for reasonable prices?”

She was silent for a moment. “Probably not. I would have been content to keep house for us and then take care of any children we had.”

“We would've had no money, not much in the skills department, not much hope of a great life if we'd married so young.”

“Others do it.”

“And there are scads of couples who don't make it.”

She looked up at him. “Are you trying to convince me it was a good thing you left?”

“Not exactly. Maybe I'm trying to understand life more.”

“Reconsidering returning to Rocky Point?”

“Not at all. I'm looking at it as if we have different stages in life. First we grow up and get educated. Then first job, maybe marriage. Then another stage, maybe a continuation of what we started, maybe an entirely new direction. There will be choices along the way. How do we ever know which choice will be best in the end? Or if any make that much difference?”

“By trusting in the Lord,” she answered promptly.

“I'm doing my best now. I didn't always,” he admitted.

Her eyes studied his for a moment. “No one always does, I don't believe. But we can try.”

He reached out and drew her closer, hugging her gently. “I believe the Lord is leading me back to Rocky Point. And while I think I'm supposed to join Joe, I have a strong urge to do more with kids like Sean. Is that weird?”

“No, it's understandable,” she said, encircling his waist and leaning against him slightly. Zack relished the closeness. It reminded him so much of what they'd had before.

“You lost your dad—you know what boys need. I think it would be a fine calling to mentor young men.”

“Whoa, that's taking it too far. I just want a safe place for them to hang out and maybe get some driving skills that will be with them their entire lives.”

“And provide a good role model in the meantime,” she murmured.

“Marcie, would you marry me?”

She went perfectly still for a moment. Zack could feel
his heart race. He had not meant to ask her so soon. He wanted her to become more comfortable with them as a couple. The words had slipped out, reflecting what he wanted more than anything on the earth.

She pulled away and shook her head.

“No, Zack, I can't do that. I can't. Not
won't.
It's just I'm not certain about anything—you, me, my father. You're going back to race. What if you get caught up in it again and leave? Better we just go on as friends.”

She turned and hurried toward the house.

“I'm not going to get caught up in racing again. I'm coming back,” he called. But the words did nothing to stop her flight.

“Way to go,” he muttered angrily at himself. He'd rushed things. But the thought of leaving her again was more and more difficult to deal with. He wanted some assurance she'd wait for him until he returned. And he'd blown it.

“Father God, what was I to do? I know You never give someone a dream without the means to achieve it. I dream of Marcie and me being together. I want to have the kind of relationship my brother and Gillian have. You know my heart, am I not capable of that? With You I can do all things—especially be a good husband to Marcie. But if that's not Your will, I stand ready to discover what is and follow,”
Zack prayed aloud, searching the sky as if answers would be written clearly for him. Only the clear blue of a cloudless sky met his gaze. Yet peace descended. He had made amends with his God and knew the future would be different from the past. He was not alone.