One Lavender Ribbon

Chapter 19

Sammie dropped off the birthday cake. She’d be back within an hour with the food. Guests were going to arrive at noon, and Will was planning on getting there by ten o’clock. Adrienne gripped the kitchen counter until her fingers ached. For the thousandth time, her gaze skittered to the wall clock. Knots tightened in her stomach each time the minute hand circled. She wasn’t in a party mood.

She should have told him.

This was a rotten deception that could be looked at as nothing but a rotten deception. For five weeks, she’d met him for coffee or lunch, all the while knowing his parents were coming, but not breathing a word of it. She tried to scrub the frown from between her brows and hoped for the best. After all, it was Will who wanted his parents to come in the first place. He had been upset that they weren’t coming. So maybe . . .

No. She was grasping at straws. Whether he’d be happy or angry, their being here was beside the point. She’d known and she hadn’t told him. There was going to be a reckoning for that. Her eyes flashed to the clock again.

And the time for reckoning was upon her.

She’d just finished cleaning up from breakfast when the doorbell rang. It was 10:05. She took a moment to brace herself. It was just enough time for Peg to get to the door.

“Will!” Peg screeched and threw her arms around her son.

Adrienne peeked around the kitchen wall, as Will stood frozen, arms flat against his sides.

“What are you doing here?” he finally managed, a smile beginning to form.

Peg motioned behind her. “This is all Adrienne’s doing,” she said excitedly.

Adrienne swallowed and slunk back farther behind the wall.

“Really?” His eyes followed his mother’s gesture.

Adrienne watched the smile disappear completely as his gaze bore through her.

Peg was dragging him into the house, pulling him to the couch, and chatting about everything from how hot it had been in Africa to how Will looked thin—had he been eating right? “You aren’t living on coffee, are you? You know you can’t skip meals and stay healthy.”

Adrienne leaned her head against the wall, wondering where the regal, majestic woman she’d had tea with had gone. The doting, exuberant Peg rambled on and on, and honestly, Adrienne just wanted her to shut up and for this whole mess that she, Adrienne, had created to go away.

She listened from the safety of the kitchen as mother and son talked. Will was genuinely happy to see his mom; that much was obvious. She could hear it in his voice. But the ten minutes she worked in her kitchen only increased her dread about the inevitable confrontation.

Adrienne snapped to full attention when she heard Peg say, “I’m going to go let your father know you’re here. He can’t wait to see you!”

“Great,” Will said, disguising most of the tension in his voice. “I’ll go to the car to get the chairs I brought over.” Then, loud enough for her to hear and cringe, he added, “Maybe Adrienne could help me.”

She shuffled out of the kitchen and followed him, a prisoner led down death row. The late morning sun heated her flesh. Rather than walk beside him, she fell in line behind Will—away from all that anger on his face. At the trunk of the car, he turned on her. “What’s the matter with you?”

She thought she’d be hurt by his words but found she wasn’t. A seabird flew above them, its call echoing off her ears. She wanted to tune into that—the bird, the sky, anything but Will. He’d reacted exactly the way she thought he would. Exactly the way Eric would.

When she didn’t answer, his anger flared.

“How long have you known they were coming?” He waited only a moment. Through gritted teeth, he asked again, “How long?”

She wouldn’t lie. For stability, she rested her hip against his car. “Five weeks.”

He threw his hands up. “And what—you forgot to mention it?”

“I was afraid you would be upset.”

“Oh, I am upset!” His eyes narrowed on her. “Do you really think that every time there is a problem, you can just play God and make it all work out? You need a reality check.” He stared down her road as if he couldn’t stomach looking at her.

But rather than feel hurt by it, she got mad. Mad was a fairly new sensation for Adrienne, filled with power and control. Her hand rested against her stomach where the seed had first taken root and now had grown to full-fledged fury. “They’re here for Pops. And if you don’t like it, too bad. You’re the one that wanted them here, remember? You were mad they weren’t coming; now you’re mad they did come. Maybe it’s you that needs a reality check.” She poked his chest with her index finger.

Several shades of surprise appeared across his face. She’d met his anger with an equal amount of her own. It took him a minute to grasp. A moment later, his shock dissolved.

The muscle in his jaw flexed as Adrienne stared him down.

“I’m going to get through this day because it’s for Pops, but I swear, you have no idea how much trouble you’re causing.” He turned from her and started pulling lawn chairs from the back of his car.

Adrienne was only barely aware of his motions. His words echoed back to her over and over. You have no idea how much trouble you’re causing. Is that really what he’d just said to her? Those were the exact words she’d heard from Eric so many times.

Will was on the front porch now. He carried two chairs and dragged another behind him. That far away, he was out of earshot, but it didn’t stop her words. “You don’t have to worry, Will. I’ll never cause you trouble again.”

Even though there was an agonizing amount of tension between Will and Adrienne, the party came off without a hitch. Pops had been overwhelmed by the group that included his only son and daughter-in-law. Father and son came together in a warm embrace as Pops took Charles’s face in his hands as if his son were an apparition. Once convinced, Pops hugged him again, reaching also for Peg, the daughter-in-law he loved so dearly. There was such excitement in the room, no one noticed the hurtful looks that passed between the two who had made it all possible. She steered clear of him, and he returned the favor.

The house and backyard were decorated in Polynesian style to perfection, complete with music and torches that lined a golden path to the ocean. By all standards, it was over the top. No detail had been overlooked. Will, staring at the tiny umbrella topping his fruity frozen drink, wished he could have enjoyed it. His gaze was fixed on the ocean, calm with small, rolling waves that tossed water and sand onto the shoreline. Yes, he’d like to be enjoying the party. Instead, he slipped outside to take a walk. Stepping off the back deck, he threw a glance at the house where Adrienne and family, his family, were sitting together laughing and talking. He was furious at her, of course. But, sadly he had to admit, he was pretty furious at himself as well. He thought back to the look in her eye as he’d told her she shouldn’t interfere. First, her anger had met his. But after that, there came a point when she seemed completely dead to his words. A veil fell over her face that took all emotion with it. He couldn’t even remember what he’d said that had spawned her reaction. But that look was unmistakable. It was complete resolve. Utter detachment.

And it terrified him. In the time since he’d known her, Adrienne had become a driving force in his life, a force he enjoyed and wanted to maintain. But the woman had to learn to mind her own business. It was a trust issue. He didn’t easily give his trust. And he certainly didn’t extend it to those who trampled it.

Pops’s voice drifted from the back patio. “Will?”

He turned, took one look at the smile on Pops’s face, and fought the urge to forgive Adrienne. With a hand pressed to his knee, Pops descended the stairs and stepped out to his grandson. “Beautiful day.”

Will nodded. “You look good, Pops.”

“Having Charles and Peg here was a wonderful surprise.” Pops bent at the waist and found a shell of respectable size. He lobbed it into the water.

“All Adrienne’s doing. She didn’t let me know.” He grabbed a similar-sized shell and sent it flying into the waves, both men raising a hand to their foreheads to shield their eyes as they tried to gauge the distance.

“Well, you can’t blame her for that. You’re a bit grouchy about your folks.” Pops glanced at him from the corner of his eye. “You seemed happy to see them.”

Will forced a breath. “Yeah. I am. You seem happy too, Pops. Does Sara have anything to do with that?”

His face turned crimson. “Yes, sir.”

“What are you going to do about it?”

Pops gave his grandson his full attention.

“You love her, don’t you?”

Pops’s hands dipped deep into his pockets. Will heard change jingling. “Yes, I do.”

“She loves you too.”

A deep frown set into Pops’s brow. “Sweet Sara fell in love with a teenager. I’m not him anymore. She fell in love with the past. Can’t build a future on a resurrected dream.”

Will scratched his head. “So, you’re gonna let her get away?”

“No. I just want to know she can love this old man.”

Will draped an arm around his shoulder. “Who wouldn’t love this old man?”

“Come on inside. I’m getting ready to cut the cake. Thank goodness they didn’t have candles, or it’d outshine the sun.”

Side by side, they returned to the house, the sun’s glow heating their backs. One thing Will couldn’t escape was the joy his grandfather felt having Sara in his life. Adrienne had certainly gotten that one right. Will never expected Pops would find love again. No matter how angry Will got at Adrienne, she’d made that relationship possible. Nothing could take that away.

The timer on the oven ticked away minutes to another batch of mini-tarts. Adrienne stared out the window absently. The noise from the party seemed far off now. Someone was saying something behind her.

“Are you all right?” Sammie asked.

“Yeah,” she managed.

Her friend placed her hands on Adrienne’s shoulders and gently turned her. She smiled softly. “You’re a terrible liar.”

Adrienne nodded. “Will you help me get through the rest of the day? It’s agonizing. Worse than I imagined.”

Sammie nodded knowingly. “Of course. Come on.” She motioned toward the living room. “Pops wants to make an announcement.”

Adrienne breathed deep in an effort to lift some of the heaviness. She painted on her happy face and stood just inside the room, letting the doorjamb shore her up.

Most everyone was sitting or standing in the living room, where the smell of fresh paint was all but drowned out by the scent of party food. Plates and cups rested on knees. Will and his parents sat on the couch, three sets of wavy hair for her to stare at. That was a relief—at least she wouldn’t have to look at his face. Sammie squeezed her shoulder, coaxing her forward, but Adrienne planted her feet and wouldn’t budge. She remained at the doorway of the kitchen. In the room, but not part of it.

Her gaze floated across the scene. People chatting, laughing, joking, the beautiful muted roar that only comes from family gatherings. And it was all here, in her house, a place that was crumbling just a few months before. The room itself swelled with pride. This house was meant to be filled with people. Pops’s voice drew her attention.

“First,” he said, gesturing toward Adrienne, “I want to thank Adrienne for hosting this wonderful birthday party for me.” He began to clap, and the room joined him. Will didn’t move.

“And Sammie for the best food I’ve eaten in a while.” Pops thought a moment. “It is my party, so would you mind indulging me?”

Everyone smiled. Charles spoke, “Go ahead, Dad.”

Peg set her cup on the coffee table and took Charles’s hand.

Pops rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I’m an old man. I’ve lived through a war, buried a spouse, and seen my share of heartache.” He blinked several times, the room silent enough that one could almost hear the whisper of lashes meeting weathered skin. “But when I look around this room, I feel I must be the most blessed man on Earth.” His gaze fell on Sara. “And I’ve always thought that life should be lived. It’s not a spectator sport. Even at my age, life has so much to offer.”

Sara nodded in agreement.

“A few minutes ago, my grandson reminded me of that.”

He pulled a handkerchief from his back pocket. “Sixty-some years ago, I met two lovely young women, Grace and Sara.”

Adrienne’s eyes shot to Sara. She could actually see the older woman tense. Splitting her glances between the two people, she wondered why Pops would bring up Gracie, especially here, knowing how responsible Sara felt for Grace’s death. Sara tried to smile but was shrinking, old fingers lacing together in the chair where she sat board straight. Her silver-white hair was swept to the side, and her legs elegantly crossed at the ankle. She could be posing for a portrait, if not for the air of apprehension hovering around her.

“That Sara.” Pops shook his head. “Oh, she was a spitfire. No fear in sweet Sara. No fear at all. And I’m hoping that’s how she still is. Because . . . ”

No one breathed as he crossed the room and took her by the hand. “Because I’m getting ready to ask her to marry me.”

Sara tilted forward, and Adrienne wondered if she would topple out of the chair. The room’s atmosphere grew heavy with anticipation. Sara withdrew her hand from William’s and stood. Horrified eyes found Adrienne’s. As much as the older woman silently pleaded for Adrienne to rescue her, Adrienne silently pleaded for Sara not to make a monumental mistake. Say yes, Sara. Say yes. You two can sort out the details later.

Sara smoothed her skirt, gaze landing firmly on William. “I . . . ”

Sara, this is what you want. A chance to spend the rest of your life with the man you love. Don’t throw it away over shame about the letters.

Pops’s head tilted forward, awaiting her response.

Everyone else in the room seemed frozen, waiting for Sara to speak; Adrienne clenched her teeth hard. Please, Sara. Please.

“I . . . I can’t.” A head of straight white hair swung back and forth as if the word weren’t enough. “I’m sorry, William.” Her voice cracked on the last word.

Pops staggered a step backward as Sara rushed past him to the stairs. She gripped the banister and hurried up, the clomping of her feet on each step the only sound other than a mournful sigh from Pops.

Moments ticked past. When Adrienne turned her gaze to Pops, Will was standing at his side, a firm grip on the man. But Will’s eyes were burning holes through Adrienne. She pressed into the wall at her back, wishing she could melt into it.

Pops rubbed a hand over his face. “That, uh, didn’t go quite the way I anticipated.”

When his lips pressed together hard, and he fought the tears that threatened, Adrienne rushed forward. “Pops, Sara is just—”

Will reached out and took a firm hold on her arm. His tone, a quiet roar. “That’s enough, Adrienne.”

She pulled away from him, ignoring his command. “Just give her some time. She needs—she just needs a little time.”

Will stepped in to block her. “I said, that’s enough.”

There was a deadly threat in his voice. Pops glanced between the two, both trying to protect him, both failing and ready to come to blows. “Will, I believe I might like to head on home now.” He drew away from Will and shuffled toward the front door.

“Sure, Pops.”

Will threw an accusatory look in his parents’ direction. “Come on.”

Charles and Peg had stood. Peg brushed a tear from her cheek. “You want us to go—”

He pointed a finger at Pops’s back, a threat still evident. “He needs you.”

Charles nodded. “I’ll go gather our things.”

“No. We’re leaving now. We’ll get your stuff tomorrow. If you can sleep in a tent in the middle of the jungle, I think you can manage one night without your suitcase.”

Moments later, Adrienne’s house was empty of the Bryant family. No one bothered to close the front door. What did it matter? Doors were meant to be open. Except the doors to the heart. Those should remain shut at all costs.