A Steadfast Companion, page 11
She read through the message several more times, changing a word here and there before taking a deep breath and hitting Send. Then she copied the message and addressed it to Trent. Since she wasn’t in their friends list, there was a chance they would never see what she’d sent. She could only pray that one or both of them would check their accounts for message requests and eventually respond...one way or another.
It was all she could do to stop staring at the Messenger window in hopes of seeing a reply come through. Another one of the fair patrons had emailed a pet photo late yesterday requesting a portrait, so she brought the image up on-screen and pulled out her sketchbook and pencils.
She was just finishing when Joey’s ears perked up at the sound of Witt’s truck in the driveway. Back so soon? He must have forgotten something. Laying her drawing aside, she checked once more for a response to her messages—nothing yet—then made sure to close her internet browser in case Witt ventured into the study.
Minutes later, he rapped on the back door, then called to her from the mudroom. Always the gentlemen, he never stepped beyond the threshold without being invited.
“Come on in, Witt.” Striding through the living room, she strove for a nonchalant smile. “I thought you’d be gone for hours yet.”
“Turned out to be a simple fix after all.” He shuffled from one foot to the other, his fiftysomething features looking suddenly boyish. “Since I’ve got the afternoon free now, I, uh...wondered if you’d like to—I mean, uh...”
Her heart thudded. Was he trying to ask her for a date? “What...um...” Great. Now she was stammering. She cleared her throat. “What did you have in mind?”
“Nothing in particular.” Releasing an embarrassed laugh, he shrugged. “I just thought it would be nice to get outside and enjoy this sunny day—” he glanced away briefly, then met her gaze “—together.”
It was the sweetest invitation she’d had in forever. Softly she replied, “I’d like that very much.” Then an idea came to her. She wiggled her brows. “Any chance I could interest you in a horseback ride?”
He looked at her like she’d just suggested they jump off a speeding train from a hundred-foot-high trestle into a river teeming with piranhas.
She laughed out loud. “Witt. Don’t tell me you’ve never been on a horse.”
“I’ve never been on a horse.” He gulped. “I like horses just fine. As long as I’m standing on solid ground with no flying hooves or bared teeth involved.”
“Then you already know Sunny and Sage are perfectly safe. They’re the gentlest horses this side of the Rockies.” She set a finger to her chin. “What if I make sandwiches? We can ride up the hill to my favorite spot and have a picnic lunch.”
“I don’t know...” He waved one hand as he backed toward the door, then almost tripped as Ranger blocked his escape. He glared at the dog. “Whose side are you on?”
With a smirk, Maddie turned to the refrigerator to grab some sandwich fixings.
Half an hour later, she secured their picnic lunch behind Sunny’s saddle, then marched around to tighten Sage’s cinch. Arms crossed, Witt watched from a safe distance.
She motioned him closer. “Come on, it’ll be fun.”
“No trotting, galloping or rearing?”
“No worries. We’ll keep the pace slow and steady so Joey can come along for a little exercise, too.”
It took several more reassurances before she coaxed him onto Sage. Mounted on Sunny, she led the way across the meadow, while Ranger and Joey followed along with occasional side trips to sniff out something in the grass.
After a while, Maddie looked over at Witt to find him smiling. The tension had left his shoulders, and he no longer clutched the saddle horn in a death grip.
She grinned. “Look at you, cowboy.”
“This is actually kind of nice.” He gave the buckskin’s neck a pat, and as he exhaled slowly, his expression turned wistful. “Emily took riding lessons for a while. Linda always took her, though. I was spending too many hours at the office back then.” Jaw clenched, he added under his breath, “Another mistake I’ll regret for the rest of my life.”
She nudged Sunny closer, until her knee brushed Witt’s and she could touch his arm. “You’ve got to stop beating yourself up over the past. Things are going to get better, Witt. You’ve made me believe it. Now you should, too.”
His eyes locked on hers, and his winsome smile returned. “Things are already better...thanks to you.”
Pulse racing, throat tight, she could hardly swallow. “I...um...”
Her cell phone chimed with the tone for an incoming Facebook message. She didn’t think her heart could beat any faster, but it did. Excusing herself, she put a bit of distance between them and tugged her phone from her pocket. Holding it so Witt couldn’t accidentally see the screen, she read the message.
Yes, I’m Angus Wittenbauer’s daughter. I can’t believe you found me. It’s been a long time, and there’s so much I need to tell him. Maybe you could arrange for us to meet somewhere?
“Everything okay?” Witt asked.
“Oh. Yes. Fine.” Her face must be a dozen shades of red. “Just something I need to take care of later.” She spied her favorite picnic spot a little farther up the hill. “I’m getting hungry. Let’s have our lunch under that tall cottonwood.”
Although, with the nervous excitement coursing through her, she’d be doing well to swallow a single bite.
* * *
A relaxing afternoon with Maddie? What more could Witt have asked for? He hadn’t expected to find himself on horseback, but that had turned out okay, too. Add a picnic beneath a towering cottonwood tree, an early-summer breeze humming through the branches and an expansive view of the greening countryside spread before them...the day had been just about perfect.
He only wished he knew what had diverted Maddie’s attention for most of the afternoon. Although he thought she’d enjoyed their outing as much as he had, ever since that message had come in on her phone, she’d been distracted. Not worried, exactly, but definitely preoccupied. And maybe a tiny bit giddy?
If it had been news about Joey’s lab results, she would have told him. She had to know he was equally anxious about the old dog’s prognosis. And she’d been so open with him about other aspects of her life. What was it she didn’t feel she could tell him now?
Or maybe you two aren’t getting as close as you’d like to hope?
He didn’t really believe that, either, not the way things had been between them lately. He just needed to trust that if it was something important, she’d tell him when she felt ready.
That evening, after they’d completed chores and were sitting down to supper, Maddie’s house phone rang. She crossed to the counter to pick up the extension. Reading the caller ID, she clutched her stomach. “It’s Julia.”
When she let the phone continue to ring, Witt got up and took it from her. “Let me,” he said gently, then answered.
“Witt?” The veterinarian sounded confused. “I was trying to reach Maddie. I have Joey’s results.”
“She’s right here. But she’s a little too shaky to talk.”
“Well, you can tell her Joey’s mass was benign. No further treatment necessary.”
When he squeezed Maddie’s hand and mouthed the word benign, she sank to the floor and tearfully called the big white dog into her arms.
“Thank you, Dr. Frasier. She’s relieved beyond words.” Witt laughed as Joey showered Maddie’s face with doggy kisses and Ranger tried to get in on the act. “We all are.”
“Me, too. Joey’s a very special dog. I’m headed home to put my feet up, so tell Maddie I’ll talk to her tomorrow. And by the way,” she added, her tone mellowing, “my friends call me Julia.”
Witt’s chest warmed. So he’d won over Maddie’s hypervigilant protector. That had to be a good sign.
As he returned the phone to its base, Maddie pushed to her feet and threw her arms around him. “Thank the Lord! Thank you!”
Gasping, he fought to regain his balance before they both toppled over. Maybe it was merely her spontaneous reaction to the good news, but nothing in recent memory compared to the physical and emotional delight of holding her in this moment of celebration. When she tilted her head to smile up at him, thoughts of Joey flew from his mind, and all he could think about was kissing her.
Heart thumping, he drew a breath and leaned closer. “Maddie...”
She pressed her palms against his chest and croaked out a weak laugh. “Oh, dear, I almost forgot about supper. We should eat before it gets any colder.”
“Right.” Reluctantly, he dropped his arms to his sides. “Cold mac ’n’ cheese is the worst.”
But as they sat down to the meal, her trembling hands and shallow breaths told him she’d been as deeply affected by his almost-kiss as he’d been.
Someday, Maddie McNeill. I’m praying that someday you’ll trust me completely.
* * *
On Saturday, things seemed mostly back to normal between them, although he detected some residual awkwardness after last night’s moment of closeness.
He also couldn’t shake the feeling that she had something entirely different on her mind. With her success at the fair and then the orders she’d received afterward, he didn’t think it was financial issues. And the way she’d been glued to her cell phone since yesterday, as if continually checking for messages...
As he turned over the soil in Maddie’s vegetable garden, a new possibility socked him in the gut. Was there someone else? Maybe she’d never given up on the lying two-timer she’d been in love with before. Maybe she’d just been biding her time until he left his wife and was free to marry her. Maybe...
When Maddie touched his arm, he nearly jumped out of his skin.
She hopped out of the way before the shovel he’d been using hit her foot. “Witt, are you okay?”
“You startled me, that’s all.”
“Sorry. But before that, you looked upset. Even angry.”
Retrieving the shovel, he tried to laugh off her concern. “I’m mad at myself for putting this off so long. The Farmers’ Almanac says it’s past time for planting summer vegetables.”
She frowned and narrowed one eye. “Since when are you reading the Farmers’ Almanac?”
“Since you said something a couple of weeks ago about getting the garden ready for beans and squash and...whatever. I figured I ought to educate myself, so I picked up a copy in town the other day.”
Her eyes fell shut briefly as a tiny smile puckered her lips. He had the distinct feeling she was trying not to laugh. “Well, thank you,” she said. “I’m heading to the market for groceries. I’ll pick up some bedding plants at the Elk Valley Garden Center next door. Need anything else while I’m—”
A chime sounded from her jeans pocket. She pulled out her phone, gnawing her lip as she read another text.
Witt leaned on the shovel and tried to sound casual as he asked, “Anything important?”
“It’s the lady I did a pet portrait for yesterday. She wants to come out later this afternoon to get it.” She was already thumb-typing a reply. “I told her I have some errands to run and should be home by three o’clock.”
He wanted to kick himself. All these messages lately—probably just her portrait customers checking in. As busy as they’d kept her, no wonder she’d been preoccupied. He was agonizing over nothing.
“Oh, before I go,” she said, “have you made any Sunday plans yet?”
“Uh, no. Just church in the morning and a restful afternoon.”
“You’ve been attending Elk Valley Community of Faith, haven’t you?”
“Most Sundays, yes.” Where was she going with this? Maybe thinking about returning to church, herself? “The people have been very welcoming, and the preacher always gets me looking at Scripture with fresh eyes.”
Glancing away, Maddie murmured, “I remember that about Pastor Peters.” She inhaled deeply, all business again. “So. Tomorrow. What if we attend church together and then drive over to Frenchtown for lunch? There’s a little café where I meet Julia every once in a while. I think you’d like it.”
True, he’d only known her for several weeks, but this invitation seemed about as incongruous with Maddie McNeill’s character as horseback riding yesterday had been for him. Did recent events signify promising changes in their relationship...or should he be more worried than ever?
“Witt?” Her lips twitched in a hesitant smile. When she tilted her head, strands of strawberry-blond waves fell across one eye. “Is that okay?”
He drew a hand down his face. “Uh, sure. Church and lunch tomorrow. Sounds good.”
Leaving Joey to loll in a sunny patch of grass with Ranger, Maddie left on her errands, and Witt got back to work on the garden plot. He needed the distraction of physical labor to keep from dwelling too much on Maddie’s departure from the ordinary. Not that he wasn’t delighted that she wanted to attend worship with him—hadn’t he been praying for exactly that?
Maybe it was just nerves on his part. He was fifty-one years old, for crying out loud. He’d married his college sweetheart, and after Linda, there’d never been anyone else. As if any woman would have wanted him during those dark years.
Nope, this was all new territory, and he wasn’t navigating it very well.
He knocked off work a little before three and went to the loft to wash off several layers of garden soil. When he came down later with Ranger and Joey, he found Maddie showing a thirtysomething couple and two young children around the kennel. The kids immediately ran over to pet the dogs.
The girl and boy reminded Witt so much of Emily and Trent at those ages that he could hardly breathe. Hand to his heart, he backed toward the door. Would there ever come a time when he’d finally forgive himself for the years he’d missed of his children’s lives?
Maddie’s eyes softened with a look that said she’d read his thoughts. “Mr. and Mrs. Harvey, I’d like you to meet Witt. He’s my right-hand man around here. And those two special dogs are Ranger and Joey.” She proceeded to tell the story of Witt and Ranger’s reunion, tactfully omitting the part about Witt’s homeless years and saying only that they’d gotten separated when Witt had taken seriously ill.
The conversation gave Witt time to collect himself—and also to appreciate how naturally Maddie had segued into talking more about Eventide’s mission. By the time the family left with their dog’s portrait, the Harveys had promised Maddie a monthly donation to help fund the sanctuary.
As they watched them drive away, Witt gave a snort. “I better not ever hear you say again how bad you are at schmoozing and fundraising.”
A blush crept up Maddie’s cheeks. “I didn’t fully understand until now that it’s really just about sharing my passion.” She linked her arm through his and rested her head on his shoulder. “Thank you, Witt, for cracking open my shell and nudging me out of my comfortable, quiet existence.”
He suppressed a shuddering breath, but he couldn’t keep a smile from spreading across his face. Whatever doubts and misgivings still nagged at him, Maddie had a way of making him feel valued, appreciated, worthy. If, someday, she could see him as a man she could love, could willingly spend the rest of her life with, he’d never ask God for another thing.
Chapter Ten
Maddie was a nervous wreck. After so many months away from church, she anticipated some discomfort when she first stepped through those doors. On the other hand, she regularly ran into these people around Elk Valley, and most knew how she’d struggled after Nana passed away. Pastor Peters had stayed in touch, too, although the frequency of his calls had lessened over time—no doubt due to her increasingly evasive responses. She must apologize for that. And thank him for not giving up on her.
Choosing what to wear, she paired an aqua lace-trimmed top with a floral-print calf-length skirt she’d had for years. Jeans, flannel and cotton T-shirts had been her go-to attire for so long that it felt strange to be this dressed up. This morning would also be the first time since Joey’s surgery she was leaving him home alone. Witt never went anywhere without Ranger, even to church, where he said everyone had accepted the dog as his emotional support animal. Maddie couldn’t exactly claim the same about Joey, but thankfully he seemed happy to return to the kennel, wagging his tail as he greeted his doggy friends before trotting into his run.
Actually, the greatest source of Maddie’s nerves today was what came after church. Emily Bauer Pearson had agreed to meet them for lunch, and Maddie was praying with every fiber of her being that Witt’s reunion with his daughter would bring much-needed healing for both of them.
She let Witt drive them to church in the Suburban and tried to keep her knees from bouncing as she gazed out the passenger-side window.
Pulling up outside the steepled white building, Witt reached over to pat her arm. “Take it easy. This can’t be any scarier than doing the arts and crafts fair.”
“It’s not that. I...um...” She yanked open her door. “Let’s just go inside.” As Witt got out and clipped a leash on Ranger, she wished she’d brought Joey along after all, because today she could use all the emotional support she could get.
Judging from the number of greetings Witt received on their way inside, it appeared he’d already made many friends here. Despite having grown up attending Elk Valley Community of Faith with her grandparents, Maddie was the one who felt like a newcomer.
They scooted into a pew near the back as the music leader opened the service with a melodic call to worship. The blend of familiar old hymns and contemporary praise songs, then Pastor Peters’s insightful message about the healing power of forgiveness, reached deep into Maddie’s heart. Midway through the sermon, she became aware of the tears coursing down her cheeks. She hadn’t realized how she’d been stuffing away her anger and unforgiveness over Garrett’s duplicity, and also toward the corrupt investment company that had stolen not only her grandparents’ life savings but their health—their very lives—as well.
