Wayward Hearts (14 page)

“Ice cream.” Despite the anger, he barked out a harsh laugh. As if ice cream could help this situation.

“Don't laugh at me.” Maxi's thin brows shot together in a frown. “You don't know if you don't try it.”

“Believe me. Ice cream can't fix this.” He walked over to retrieve his hammer and brought it back to his box. He scrubbed a hand over his face. He doubted he'd get any more work done today. How Clint had tracked him down at Nick's house he'd never know.

“How about a ride out to Rainbow Falls? It's a good place for talking or thinking.”

He looked over at her, his heart rate starting to come down a notch. Maybe it was a better option than hurtling off a cliff. He released a long breath. “Fine, but you'd better drive.”

 

****

 

Maxi glanced over at Jason's stony face as he sat rigid in the passenger seat of her father's old Toyota. She was glad he'd agreed to come with her, but now that they were getting close to the falls, she had no idea what to do. Surprisingly, she found a silent prayer on her lips.

Lord, Jason's dealing with a lot of pain right now. Please help me find the right words to comfort him. And if possible, help him let go of the anger and hatred he's harboring against his father.

She pulled the car into the small parking lot and turned off the engine.

“Come on. Let's walk.”

They got out of the car, and she led the way toward the sound of falling water. Robot-like, he followed her.

“So what's your dad doing back here after all these years?” she asked when she couldn't stand the silence anymore.

“I have no idea. Other than trying to mess with me and my mom.” His scowl left a ridge in his forehead.

“Must've been quite a shock.”

He didn't reply.

Dumb, Maxi, dumb. Think of something to say.
“Why don't you tell me what's going on in your head?”

He glanced over at her. “I think that was pretty evident before.”

“Yeah. I was glad you didn't grab that hammer 'til after he took off.” She was gratified to see a faint twitch to his lips. They walked on. “He obviously wants to talk to you about why he left.”

“And I don't want to hear it. His excuses don't mean a thing.” He reached down to pick up a pinecone and threw it into the air. It hit the water and skipped a few feet before sinking.

They continued to a spot where a fallen log served as a bench overlooking the cascade created by the waterfall. The soothing rush of water always made Maxi feel better.

“Let's sit down.”

“I'll stand, thanks.” He moved to the edge of the river bank.

She pushed her hands into the pockets of her cotton pants and followed, considering her next words with care before she spoke. “Maybe your father realized what a terrible thing he did and wants to make amends.” She thought of her own father and how she'd always wished he would come to her, apologize for the hurt and anger he'd heaped on her, and ask for her forgiveness. She would've given anything for that.

“It's too late for apologies. Twenty years too late.” The terseness in his voice made her wince.

“It takes some people longer than others to ask for forgiveness, if that's what he's here for. Some people never get there.” She swallowed hard. “What if your father died and you never got the chance to reach some sort of peace between you? Wouldn't you regret it for the rest of your life? I know I do.” Hot tears burned the back of her eyes. Whether she wanted to face it or not, this was the tragedy of Charlie's death. That she would never get to hear him say he was sorry. That she would never get to tell him how much she regretted her part in Drew's death.

She felt Jason watching her as she struggled to contain her emotions. This was not about her. She'd lost her chance to reconcile with her father. Maybe her job right now was to help Jason figure out how to reconcile with his.

Jason closed his eyes and exhaled loudly, rocking on his heels. “We're quite the messed up pair, aren't we?”

“Yes, we are.” She glanced at him staring out over the water and hoped her next point wasn't hitting too low below the belt. “Doesn't your newfound faith include a tall order of forgiveness?”

A nerve jumped in his jaw. Coins jangled in his pocket as he fiddled with them. A soft breeze blew the hair over his forehead, and her heart ached with tenderness. She longed to gather him close, to hold him and ease his pain. But she didn't dare, afraid her actions would reveal too much.

She startled when he reached out to grasp her hand. Then in one quick movement, he drew her to him. At first, she stiffened at the close contact but soon allowed herself to relax into his arms, giving him the comfort he needed.

“How do I let go of all this hatred inside?” he whispered into her hair.

The feel of his warm breath on her cheek made her pulse quicken. “I'm not sure. But maybe hearing his side of the story will help you decide if you can.”

He sighed deeply, his chest expanding under her. “I'll think about it. That's all I can do right now.”

“It's a start.” She pulled back to look at him. The pain on his face made her want to weep. “You're entitled to your feelings, Jason, no matter what they are. If you can't change them, then accept it and move on.”

Wow, that sounded insanely mature. Maybe she should take her own advice. Apply it to her own mixed-up life.

“Thanks.” He gave a thin smile. “That helps.”

“I'm glad.”

Their eyes locked, and for one heart-stopping moment, Maxi couldn't breathe. The intensity of Jason's gaze held her riveted until he slowly lowered his mouth to hers. Currents of electricity raced through her veins as their lips joined. Like a flash fire, the heat flared between them. He wrapped strong arms around her, pulling her feet off the ground, while his mouth devoured hers.

When they finally pulled apart, Maxi rested her head on Jason's chest, trying to get her breathing under control. Regret and sorrow choked her airways. She hadn't brought him here for this reason.

“This isn't a good idea,” she whispered. “I'm going back to New York soon. I don't want to start something we can't finish.”

She felt the walls go up around him. Literally, his chest muscles solidified, one by one, until he set her away from him. The look in his eye was unfathomable. His mouth, soft on hers a moment ago, hardened into a solid line. “You're right. Let's forget this ever happened.”

And he stalked off toward the car, leaving her heart shattered into tiny fragments.

 

 

 

 

 

15

 

Gloria slammed out of the
Cut 'N Curl
, making the bell almost fly off its pins. Usually she enjoyed getting her hair and nails done, but not today. The only thing anyone in this town talked about anymore was Maxi North. That and Charlie's unfortunate death and the terrible fire at the North farm. All the old biddies at the hairdressers seemed obsessed with the topic. She, for one, was tired of hearing about it. She wished Charlie North hadn't been stupid enough to get himself killed and that Maxi had never returned to Rainbow Falls.

Gloria got great satisfaction from the sound of her high heels tapping out the rhythm of her annoyance as she strode down Main Street toward the drug store. Maxi North had been a thorn in her side all through high school. Maxi's low opinion of her had kept Jason from ever giving Gloria a second glance. A fact proven when he hooked up with her once Maxi had moved away and their ”friendship” had cooled.

Now Maxi was back and staying at the Hanleys'. That thought, more than anything, rankled Gloria. She needed a plan to get Maxi out of Rainbow Falls for good.

As if she'd conjured him up from her imagination, Jason walked out of Dave's Hardware Store and stepped onto the sidewalk in front of her. There was no polite way he could ignore her, and Jason was nothing if not polite. Her heart picked up speed in her chest at the sight of his rugged profile.

Pleased her blonde tresses looked their best just coming from the salon, Gloria put on her brightest smile. “Why, Jason Hanley. It's been too long.”

He turned to look at her. “Hello, Gloria.”

Not letting his lack of enthusiasm dissuade her, she hooked her arm through his. “How is the fireman training going? You know I admire you for having such noble career goals.”

He shot her a sideways glance. “It's coming along. Thank you.”

“When will you be a full-fledged fire fighter?”

She knew men loved to talk about themselves, and women who showed an interest in their affairs proved practically irresistible to them.

“I have two more courses in the fall, and I'll be done.”

“Wonderful. I can't wait to see you in your uniform.” She winked at him.

He only frowned.

“Are the rumors true? You're planning to propose a fire station in town?”

His frown deepened. “Where'd you hear that?”

She waved a hand to show off her perfect French manicure. “Through the proverbial grapevine. Are you saying it's not true?”

“I've been looking into it.”

She beamed at him. “Well, I, for one, think it's a brilliant idea. I'll be sure to mention it to Daddy and get him to approve any loans you may need.”

The fact that Owen Johnson was the head of the bank often proved beneficial to Gloria. Why didn't Jason seem more interested? More enthused about the help she could offer him?

He stopped on the sidewalk beside his truck and pulled his arm free from hers. “If and when I need a loan, I'll handle it myself. Have a nice day.” He nodded to her and then loaded his purchases into the back of the truck.

Gloria swallowed her annoyance at his attitude. “See you again real soon,” she called.

He gave her one long look before hopping into the driver's seat. A look that made her pulse trip as she recalled their fevered kisses. She'd loved Jason Hanley since high school, and nothing would stop her from getting him back. As she watched the truck pull away from the curb, the seed of a plan began to take shape.

A brilliant plan that might accomplish everything she wanted in one shot. As well as solve another bigger problem that had been niggling at the back of her mind for several weeks now.

She smiled to herself and continued on to the drugstore.

 

****

 

Wailing a hammer into wood was a great stress reliever, Jason decided. Upstairs in Maxi's farmhouse, he'd almost completed the framework for the new window. Tomorrow the contractors would come to shingle the new roof, now that it was framed and ready. The knot of tension—the one that should be easing up, knowing Maxi and her mother would soon be able to move back into their home—still screamed in Jason's neck. He took a break from hammering to rub it.

The sound of tires on the gravel below pulled Jason to the window. Maxi's car jerked to a stop in front of the house, stones spewing from under the wheels. The knot cinched tighter in Jason's neck. What was she doing here? He'd come to the farm to avoid her.

She jumped out of the car, obviously embroiled in a heated conversation on her cell phone. She gestured with her free hand and then ran it through her hair, which she now wore in a sleeker style. Jason watched for a minute longer then frowned. Judging by her erratic hand movements and frantic pacing, something was wrong. He huffed out a loud breath. Despite his annoyance at her, he couldn't prevent himself from going down to see if she needed help.

“I'll be back as soon as humanly possible, Philippe.”

Jason heard the frustration in her voice as he stepped out onto the porch. With her back to him, she didn't know he was there.

“Look, I'm doing as much as I can from this end. I don't know what else you want me to say.” She stopped dead in her tracks. “If that's the way you feel, why don't you give the partnership to Sierra right now and save us both a whole lot of trouble.”

She stood for a moment, almost vibrating with rage. Then, in a pose that would rival a major league pitcher, hurled her phone across the field.

Jason struggled to contain the urge to laugh. Right at that moment, she turned to see him watching her from the porch. He schooled his face to make sure he wasn't smiling.

She frowned, hands on her hips. “Well, don't just stand there. Help me find my phone.”

Stifling a grin, he set off after her. It took them several minutes on their hands and knees in the long grass to find it.

“I take it there's trouble in New York.” He held out the phone in one hand and extended the other to help her to her feet.

Maxi pocketed the device. “That's an understatement.”

“Wanna talk about it?” The last thing he wanted to hear about was her yearning for the big city, but she probably needed to vent.

“My boss wants me back.
Now.
”

Jason frowned as they walked toward the house. “Did he threaten you?”

“Not in so many words. He hinted that Sierra was showing more interest in the partnership than me. And if I was serious about it, I'd better start showing him.”

His stomach clenched. “So you're heading back then?”

“How can I? I can't leave Mama in limbo.”

“She's OK with us for a while.” He hated giving her a way out, but then again, she'd go one day anyway.

She glared at him. “Are you trying to get rid of me, Hanley?”

He sighed. No matter what he said, he couldn't win. “Just trying to help. If you need to go back for a few days, Bernice will be fine with us.”

A war of emotions played over her face. He knew she was tempted by his offer, but before she could answer, the sound of an approaching vehicle pulled her attention away.