Dangerous Game, page 20
It must have shown because Trish reached out and grasped his arms. “Come on. Let’s go home. My dad’s stable, out of danger for now. Elsie’s worried about you. I’ve been driving around in Penny’s car looking for you. I was only a couple of miles away when Penny called me and told me you were here. Come on.”
He let her lead him through the silent witnesses and through the door. Outside in the fresh cool air, she nestled close to him and he wrapped his arms around her. She was filling the open ache inside him. He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “I love you, Trish.”
She grinned up at him by the light of the neon signs and the stars. “I know that.” Then she raised up and kissed his lips.
He drew out the kiss, letting it flow through him, a healing, reviving warmth and comfort. “I’ll never let you go.”
“I’m not going anywhere you aren’t,” she whispered.
FOURTEEN
After Grey followed Trish to the hospital to return Penny’s car, he drove them through the sheltering darkness to Elsie’s in Trish’s car. Elsie’s Chrysler had been totaled. Just like Grey’s guilt and resentment.
He walked into his aunt’s kitchen. She got up slowly because of her trembling but threw her plump arms around him. “It’s all over,” she said, weeping. “The truth has set you free. At last.”
Shirley had hugged him, too, and then left with only a wave and a smile. Now, Grey sat at the table, sipping fresh-brewed coffee and holding Trish’s small, soft hand. This kitchen had witnessed much sorrow and worry this fall. It deserved some happiness. As his nerves continued to ease, he wanted one more mystery to be solved. “Auntie, I’ve never asked you, but what happened to my parents?”
Elsie looked at him, obviously wondering whether or not to tell him at this vulnerable time.
“Tell me,” he said. “I can handle it.”
Elsie’s round happy face fell. “I loved my sister Marjorie very much. But she was so much younger than I. We were nearly twelve years apart in age. I was more like a mother to her than a sister.” Elsie sighed. “I watched helplessly as she married a man who wasn’t worthy of her and watched her soothe that pain with alcohol. Then your dad ran off with some woman who was passing through town. It humiliated Marjorie. She took up with some guy that came up every year to fish. He asked her to go away with him.”
Grey listened but the story almost didn’t touch him. It was like listening to the story of some other person’s life. Except that a few flashes from his childhood suddenly became clear. His mom crying inconsolably. His mom passed out on their couch. A guy he didn’t like coming by their trailer, staying overnight.
“When she told me she was going, I insisted that she leave you with me. The guy, his name was Sheers, said it was a good idea. That they could make a fresh start, not take you away from the town you were used to till they were settled. I told her that she should give formal guardianship of you to me—just in case anything happened to her. I got the guardianship papers and she signed them.” Elsie wiped her moist eyes. “After she left, she called once. But I never heard from her again.”
“Why?” Trish whispered.
Elsie shrugged. “I think things must have gone bad with Sheers. Maybe. Anyway, Marjorie was drinking so much by then her health was suffering. I think it was easier just to let Grey stay with me.”
Elsie patted his arm. “You were so angry with her when she left like that, I don’t think she could face you. She knew she was doing wrong leaving you, but she didn’t have much self-respect left by then. Don’t judge her too harshly. She meant well. I think she actually thought she would come back for you. But she died within a short time. Sheers had already buried her by the time he sent me a two-sentence note letting me know. That’s the last I ever heard from him.”
Elsie sighed and slumped in her chair as if exhausted.
Trish rose. “Let’s get Elsie to bed.”
Soon, only Trish and Grey were awake. He sat down on the sofa in the small neat living room. She curled up beside him and laid her head on his shoulder. “Everything will be all right. No more worries.”
He tucked her closer and kissed her silken hair, content just to hold her near him. “No more worries,” he murmured against her soft cheek. Thank you, Lord, for giving me this fearless woman.
Five days later, Trish walked into her father’s hospital room. He’d been moved from ICU the day before. She leaned down and tried to kiss him.
He pulled his face away.
“Why do you do that?” she asked. “I’m your daughter. You’ve been very ill and I’ve come to see you. In this situation, a daughter kisses her father hello.”
He twisted his face in a grimace. “What do you want?”
She sat down on the bedside chair. “I want to understand you.”
He let out a sound of frustration, something like a growl.
“I know that losing my mother and your twin brother—”
“And the rest of my brothers and sisters,” he added irritably. “Are we going to have a counseling session here?”
She sighed. “Father, I just want to love you.”
“Of course you do. I’m your father. You should love me. Who took care of you after your mother died? Who made sure you had clothes to wear and food to eat? Do you think it was easy being mother and father to all of you? You haven’t raised even one child, but you think you can tell me what I ought to do, what I ought to feel.”
She rested against the back of the chair and thought over his words. “Everything you’ve just said is true,” she said at last. “But my question is, why are you always so angry?”
“I’m not angry,” he snapped. “I just don’t have anything to be happy about. And you’ve been a pain in the neck this year. I told you I didn’t need you to move back here and start taking care of me. I can still take care of myself.”
“All right. I won’t take…or try to take care of you anymore.”
“Good,” he snapped sourly.
“I suppose by now you’ve heard that Eddie Lassa is the one who is responsible for your brother’s death?”
“Yeah, everyone in Winfield’s been calling to tell me. And everyone thinks I should apologize to that Lawson.”
Well, yes, that would be the normal reaction. But from Noah’s harsh expression, hope for that didn’t look promising.
Before she could reply to this, Grey walked in. He’d come with her, but had let her come in alone first. “I don’t expect an apology, Mr. Franklin. I just hope you won’t still hold me responsible for your brother’s death.”
“Even if you weren’t driving the car that killed Jake,” Noah growled, “you’re still just as culpable as Eddie. Two people died that night and I won’t forget your part in it.”
“I’m sorry to hear you say that, sir,” Grey said.
Trish rose and came to him, taking the hand he offered her. Grey continued, “Because, Mr. Franklin, I’m marrying your daughter as soon as possible. I wasted my twenties on alcohol and the last seven years in prison. I want to start our family right away and Trish agrees.”
Noah glared at them. “If Trish marries you, I’ll disown her.”
“Sorry, Daddy,” Trish spoke softly, “but you already did that when I went off to become a cop against your wishes, remember? And in reality, you put me out of your heart, two days after my ninth birthday, the day we lost Mom. I love you and I honor you as my father. But I’m not going to let your anger and spite keep me from the man I love.” Moving close to Noah, she tried to kiss his forehead but he pulled away. She pursed her lips. “Daddy, Andy and Chaney will be in to visit later. Pete and Nick are on their way. Bye.”
She let Grey walk her outside. He squeezed her hand and she looked up and smiled at him. “I love you, Grey.”
“I love you, Trish.”
And it was enough to rest in God’s arms, to love and be loved.
The pleasant aromas of another Sunday dinner eaten at Andy’s lingered in the living room, adding to Grey’s mellow state of mind. All of Trish’s four brothers had come with wives or girlfriends and children, even Pete who lived out of town. Young Jake sat on Grey’s lap, as if staking claim to him. The Packers game was on and the guys were all watching the game. The women were in the kitchen planning the small intimate wedding for the second weekend in December.
Chaney came over and nudged Young Jake to go and play Hungry Hungry Hippos with his cousins. When his son was out of earshot, Chaney leaned over and said, “I went to see Rae-Jean on my day off. She’s decided to carry the baby to term.”
Grey leaned closer to Chaney’s ear. “Is she keeping the baby or putting it up for adoption?”
“She hasn’t decided yet.”
Grey nodded. “A difficult decision.”
Chaney frowned. “I’m going to have a paternity test done after the baby’s born. I told her if it’s my child, we can discuss keeping it and I’ll support the kid. But we’re not saying anything to Young Jake till we know what we’re doing.”
“Wise.”
Trish and the other female relatives filtered in. Trish pushed between Chaney and Grey, grinning. “It’s all planned. Grey, all you need to do is get the license, buy a new suit and pay for the flowers.”
“Yes, and my wedding gift,” Elsie said, sitting down on an armchair brought into the room for her, “will be the deed to my house and all the land that goes with it. I assume that you and Trish will want to add on to my house. I’m expecting grandnieces and nephews.” Elsie beamed.
Chaney stood up. “You see how it goes when you ask a woman to marry you? You’ll be taking orders from her for the rest of your life. Be forewarned.”
Grey chuckled. It felt good. He tugged Trish closer, her warmth flooding him with pleasure and joy. “What? Trish giving me orders? This sweet woman who’s so quiet and shy? Telling me what to do?” Grey shook his head. “Chaney, you don’t know what you’re talking about.” And then Grey laughed out loud.
The whole room erupted with laughter. And punching his arm, Trish was laughing the loudest.
EPILOGUE
On the Saturday before Thanksgiving, Sylvie Patterson sat in the front of the sunlit church glowing with a profusion of golden chrysanthemums. She was watching Audra and Keir say their wedding vows before Pastor Ray. As soon as they were finished, Shirley and Tom, who now stood up as matron of honor and best man, would switch roles and become the second bride and groom at this double wedding. Out in the pews sat Grey Lawson and Trish Franklin who would be married in three weeks. They were holding hands.
Sylvie gazed around the church. She was the only woman under thirty sitting alone. And she would only be twenty-nine for a few more months. Familiar feelings of being set apart flooded her. She tried to fight them, counting all the blessings she had, but the loneliness would never be banished.
The man forever associated with what set her apart sat on the other side of the church. He hadn’t been seen here for years. What had brought Ridge Matthews back to Winfield?
Dear Reader,
I hope the story of Grey and Trish spoke to your heart. Surely Grey knew how Christ felt when he said to Judas Iscariot, “You betray me with a kiss.” No one makes it through life without some betrayal at some time. And, of course, it’s most painful when the source of that betrayal comes from those we never suspected, even from our “loved” ones. I hope that reading Grey’s struggle will strengthen your faith that God does have a plan for each of our lives, and that even the most difficult situations can be for our own good. Trials come in various forms—illness, death, estrangement of a spouse or child. No one goes through life untouched by these. Turn all your troubles over to God. He is the great healer. May God bring you through as gold that has been through the fires of life. May God bless you in whatever circumstances you find yourself today.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
Grey and his mother had been parted when he was twelve. Have you had a similar situation in your life? How did you come to grips with the loss of a parent through divorce or death?
What was the cause of Grey’s misspent youth? Have you seen this type of self-destructive rebellion in anyone close to you?
Alcoholics Anonymous has been helping alcoholism sufferers stay dry for over fifty years. What did you think of the twelve steps? Are they beneficial only to people who can’t stop drinking?
Grey turned to God only when he’d hit bottom. Is this the only way some people come to Him?
Noah Franklin appeared to be intent on destroying all his family relationships. What do you think caused his damaging behavior? Is there hope for Noah?
Elsie was a special person. Have you had an “Elsie” in your life? Who? And have you thanked your Elsie for what she did for you?
Darleen Valliere had a significant role in this book even though she’d been dead for nearly a decade. Is there anyone in your family or circle who had this from-the-grave influence? Was it for good or ill?
Both Grey and Trish had a choice at the end of the book. Each must decide whether to let what has been done to them destroy their lives or to move on. Have you had a similar decision to make in your life? What did you choose?
At the end of the book, Trish confronted her father about his destructive behavior. In real life, sometimes this works and sometimes it doesn’t. Have you ever confronted someone about how they have hurt you? What were the consequences?
What did you gain from reading this book, if anything?
ISBN: 978-1-4268-4563-5
DANGEROUS GAME
Copyright © 2007 by Lyn Cote
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Steeple Hill Books, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
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Lyn Cote, Dangerous Game
