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  “My children?”

  “Ask yourself if they need their father and if he needs them. You won’t have to dig deep to know the answers to those questions. Let them be your guide.”

  To Dovie’s surprise, Jane started to laugh. Not the bright humorous laughter she remembered but the soft knowing laughter of a woman who’s conceding a point. “You always could do that to me, Dovie.”

  “Do what?”

  Jane sniffled. “Make me cry until I laugh!”

  Cal knew something was wrong the minute Grady Weston pulled into the yard. The two men had been neighbors and best friends their entire lives. As kids, they’d discovered a ghost town called Bitter End, which had since become a major focus for the community. Along with Nell Bishop and the man she’d married, writer Travis Grant, they’d uncovered the secrets about the long-forgotten town. It was the original settlement—founded by Pattersons and Watsons, among others—and later re-established as Promise.

  Grady jumped out of his pickup, and Cal saw that he had a bottle of whiskey in his hand.

  “What’s that for?” Cal asked, pointing at the bottle.

  “I figured you were going to need it,” Grady said. “Remember when I was thirteen and broke my arm?”

  Cal nodded. They’d been out horseback riding, and Grady had taken a bad fall. Both boys had realized the bone was broken. Not knowing what to do and fearful of what would happen if he left his friend, Cal had ridden like a madman to get help.

  “You recall when you brought my dad back with you, he had a bottle of whiskey?”

  Cal nodded again. Grady’s dad had given him a couple of slugs to numb the pain. It was at this point that Cal made the connection. “You’ve got something to tell me I’m not going to want to hear.”

  Grady moved onto the porch, and although it was chilly and the wind was up, the two of them sat there.

  “I’m not getting involved in this business between you and Jane,” Grady began. “That’s your affair. Hell, I have my opinion, we all do, but what happens between the pair of you…well, you know what I mean.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Savannah was in town the other day and she ran into Dovie.”

  No one needed to remind Cal what good friends Dovie and Jane were, had been for years. “Jane’s talked to Dovie?”

  “Apparently so.”

  “And whatever Jane told Dovie, she told Savannah and Savannah told Caroline and Caroline told you. So, what is it?”

  Grady hesitated, as though he’d give anything not to be the one telling him this. “Jane’s filing for divorce.”

  “The hell she is.” Cal bolted upright, straight off the wicker chair. “That does it.” He removed his hat and slapped it against his thigh. “Enough is enough. I’ve tried to be patient, wait this out, but I’m finished with that.”

  “Finished?”

  “We start getting lawyers involved, and we’ll end up hating each other, sure as anything.”

  Grady chuckled. “What are you going to do?”

  “Do? What else? I’m going after her.” He barreled into the house, ready to start packing.

  “You’re going to bring her home?” his friend asked, following him inside. The screen door slammed shut behind Grady.

  “Damn straight I’m bringing her home. Divorce? That’s just crazy!” So far, Cal had played it cool, let Jane have the distance she seemed to want and need. Obviously that wasn’t working. He hadn’t thought out his response to the situation, had merely reacted on an emotional level. In the beginning he was too damn mad to think clearly; his anger had quickly turned to bitterness, but that hadn’t lasted long. Lately, all he’d been was miserable, and he’d had about as much misery as a man could take.

  Grady gave him a grin and a thumbs-up. “Good. I wasn’t keen on giving up my best bottle of bourbon, so if you have no objection, I’ll take this back with me.”

  “You do that,” Cal advised.

  “Actually this is perfect.”

  “How do you mean?”

  Grady laughed. “A Christmas reunion. Just the kind of thing that makes people feel all warm and fuzzy inside.” The laughter died as Grady looked around the kitchen.

  “What?” Cal asked, his mood greatly improved now that he’d made his decision. He loved his wife, loved his children, and nothing was going to keep them apart any longer.

  “Well…” Grady scratched his head. “You’ve got a bit of a mess here.”

  Cal saw the place with fresh eyes and realized he’d become careless again with Jane away. Their previous reunion had been tainted by a messy house. “I’d better do some cleaning before she gets home. She was none too happy about it the last time.”

  “You’re on your own with this,” Grady said, and headed out the door, taking his whiskey with him.

  “Grady,” Cal said, following him outside. His friend turned around. Cal was unsure how to say this other than right out. “Thank you.”

  Grady nodded, touched the brim of his hat and climbed into his truck.

  Almost light-headed with relief, Cal returned to the kitchen and tackled the project with enthusiasm. He started a load of dishes, put away leftover food, took out the garbage, mopped the floor. He was scrubbing away at the counter when it occurred to him that after three weeks of caring for her parents, Jane must have been completely worn-out. Upon her return to Promise, she’d faced a gigantic mess. His mess.

  Cal hadn’t understood why she’d been so upset over a few dishes and some dirty laundry. He recalled the comments she’d made and finally understood them. What Jane had really been saying was that she’d wanted to be welcomed home for herself and not what she could do to make his life more comfortable. He’d left her with the wrong impression, hadn’t communicated his love and respect.

  He had to do more than just straighten up the place, Cal decided now. Glancing around, he could see plenty of areas that needed attention. Then it hit him—what Grady had said about a Christmas reunion. God willing, his family would be with him for the holidays, and when Jane and the children walked in that door, he wanted them to know they’d been on his thoughts every minute of every day they’d been apart.

  Christmas. Jane was crazy about Christmas. She spent weeks decorating the house, and while he didn’t have time for that, he could put up the tree. Jane and the kids would love that.

  Hauling the necessary boxes down from the attic was no small task. He assembled the tree and set it in the very spot Jane had the year before. The lights were his least-favorite task, but he kept thinking of Jane as he wove the strands of tiny colored bulbs through the bright green limbs.

  Several shoe boxes were carefully packed with the special beaded ornaments she’d made. He recalled the effort and time she’d put into each one and marveled anew at her skill and, even more, at the caring they expressed. In that moment, his love for her nearly overwhelmed him.

  When he’d finished with the tree, he hung a wreath on the front door. All this activity had made him hungry, so he made himself a ham sandwich and ate it quickly. As he was putting everything back in the fridge—no point in undoing the work of the past few hours—he remembered his conversation with Wade McMillen a week earlier. Cal had stated vehemently that he hadn’t “done a damn thing,” and Wade had said that was the problem. How right his friend had been.

  This entire separation was of his own making. All his wife had needed was the reassurance of his love and his commitment to her and their marriage. Until now, he’d been quick to blame Jane, but he’d played an unsavory role in this farce, too.

  Because of the holidays, he was forced to pay an exorbitant price for a plane ticket to California the very next day, December twenty-second. Business class had the only seat available, and considering that he was plunking down as much for this trip as he would for a decent horse, he deserved to sit up front.

  The next phone call wasn’t as easy to make. He dialed his mother-in-law’s number and waited through four interminable rings.

&nb
sp; The answering machine came on. He listened to the message, taken aback when Harry Dickinson’s voice greeted him. Poor Harry. Poor Stephanie.

  He took a deep breath. “Jane, it’s Cal. I love you. I love my children and I don’t want to lose you. I’m on my way. I just bought a ticket and when I arrive, we can talk this out. I’ll be there tomorrow. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to save our marriage and I mean that, Jane, with all my heart.”

  Chapter Nine

  “Dovie! Have you heard anything?” Ellie asked, making her way along the crowded street to get closer to Dovie and Frank Hennessey. She had Johnny by the hand and Robin in her stroller. Both children were bundled up in several layers of clothes to ward off the December cold.

  The carolers stood on the opposite corner. Glen was with the tenors, and Amy McMillen, the pastor’s wife, served as choral director. Carol-singing on the Saturday night before Christmas had become a tradition for Promise Christian Church since the year Wade married Amy. The event, naturally, was free of charge, but several large cardboard boxes were positioned in front of the choir to collect food and other donations for charity.

  “I did talk to Jane,” Dovie murmured for Ellie’s ears only.

  “Again?” Ellie asked, unable to hide her excitement.

  Dovie nodded. “She’s feeling very torn. I gather her mother’s relying on her emotionally.”

  “But…”

  “Don’t worry, Ellie,” Dovie whispered. “She’s halfway home already. I can just feel it!”

  “How do you mean?” Ellie was anxious to learn what she could. This episode between Cal and Jane had taken a toll on her own marriage. Glen was upset, so was she, and they’d recently had a heated argument over it, each of them taking sides. It seemed Cal and Jane’s problems had seeped into their own marriage.

  It’d all started when Ellie and Glen decorated the Christmas tree, and Ellie had found the beautiful beaded ornament Jane had made for her the previous year. She’d experienced a rush of deep sadness and regret, and she’d said something critical of Cal. Glen had instantly defended his brother.

  She was baffled and disappointed by how quickly their argument had escalated. Within minutes, what had begun as a mere difference of opinion had become a shouting match. Not until later did El-lie realize that this was because they were so emotionally connected to Cal and Jane. She wasn’t sure she could ever place that special ornament on the tree again and not feel a sense of loss, especially if the situation continued as it was.

  “Did she keep the appointment with the attorney?” Ellie asked. The fact that Cal and Jane had allowed their disagreement to progress this far horrified her; at the same time it frightened her. Ellie had always viewed Cal and Jane’s marriage as stable—like her own. If two people who loved each other could reach this tragic point so quickly, she had to wonder if the same sad future was in store for her and Glen.

  The intensity of their own quarrel had shocked her, and only after their tempers had cooled were Ellie and Glen able to talk sensibly. Her husband insisted they had nothing to worry about, but Ellie still wondered.

  Dovie shrugged. “I don’t know what happened with the attorney. Doesn’t Cal discuss these things with Glen?”

  Ellie shook her head. “Cal won’t, and every time Glen brings up the subject, they argue, especially in the last few weeks. When I told Glen about Jane seeing an attorney, he was furious.”

  “With Jane?”

  “No, with Cal, but if Glen said anything to him, he didn’t tell me.”

  “Oh, dear.” Dovie wrapped her scarf around her neck.

  The singing began and Ellie lifted Robin out of the stroller and held her up so the child could see her father. Johnny clapped with delight at the lively rendition of “Hark Go the Bells,” and Robin imitated her brother.

  Ellie’s eyes met her husband’s. Even though he stood across the street, she could feel his love and it warmed her. This entire ordeal of Cal’s had been difficult for him. They both felt terrible that it had happened and, odd as it seemed, guilty, too. Ellie recognized this reaction for what it was, although she didn’t know why they felt it. They had done nothing to cause the situation. Was it a kind of survivor guilt—that Cal and Jane’s marriage was seriously threatened and theirs wasn’t?

  She wished now that she’d done something earlier, said something.

  A warning about Nicole Nelson, maybe. A reassurance that this problem would pass. Anything.

  “I have a good feeling,” Dovie said, squeezing Ellie’s arm. “In my heart of hearts, I don’t think Cal or Jane will ever let this reach the divorce courts.”

  “I hope you’re right,” Ellie murmured, and shifted Robin from one side to the other.

  The Christmas carols continued, joyful and festive, accompanied by a small group of musicians. The donation boxes were already filled to overflowing.

  “You’re bringing the children over for cookies and hot chocolate, aren’t you?” Dovie asked.

  Ellie gave her a look that suggested she wouldn’t dream of missing it. So many babies had been born in Promise recently, and several years ago, Dovie and Frank started holding their own Christmas party for all their friends’ children. Dovie wore a Mrs. Claus outfit and Frank Hennessey made an appearance as Santa. Even Buttons, their poodle, got into the act, sporting a pair of stuffed reindeer antlers. For a couple who’d never had children of their own, Dovie and Frank did a marvelous job of entertaining the little ones.

  “Johnny and Robin wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Ellie assured her. “I just wish…”

  Ellie knew what she was thinking. It was a shame that Paul and Mary Ann wouldn’t be in Promise for the Hennesseys’ get-together.

  “I’m just as hopeful as you are that this will be resolved soon,” Ellie said, forcing optimism in her words. She wanted so very badly to believe it, and she knew Dovie did, as well.

  “Me, too,” Nell Grant said, standing on the other side of Dovie. “The entire community is pulling for them.” She blushed. “I hope you don’t mind me jumping into the middle of your conversation.”

  “Everyone’s hoping for the best,” Dovie said with finality. Then, looking over at the small band of musicians, she turned back to Nell. “Don’t tell me that’s Jeremy playing the trumpet? It can’t be!”

  Nell nodded proudly. “He’s quite talented, isn’t he?”

  “My goodness, look how tall he is.”

  “Emma, too,” Nell said, pointing at the flute player.

  “That’s Emma?” Ellie asked, unable to hide her shock. Heavens, it’d only been a month or two since she’d last seen Nell’s oldest daughter, and it looked as though she’d grown several inches.

  With this realization came another. It’d been nearly six weeks since Cal had seen his children. At their ages, both were growing rapidly, changing all the time. She could only guess how much he’d missed—and felt sad that he’d let it happen.

  Despite her disagreement with Glen, Ellie continued to blame Cal. Eventually he’d come to his senses, she knew, but she also hoped that when he did, it wouldn’t be too late.

  Her mother’s mournful look tugged at Jane’s heart as she finished packing her suitcase.

  “You’re sure this is what you want?” Stephanie Dickinson asked. Tears glistening in her eyes, she stood in the doorway of Jane’s old bedroom.

  “Yes, Mom. I love my husband. Things would never have gone this far if…”

  “It’s my fault, isn’t it, honey?”

  “Oh, Mom, don’t even think such a thing.” Jane moved away from the bed, where the suitcases lay open, and hugged her mother. “No one’s to blame. Or if anyone is, I guess I am. I allowed everything to get out of control. I should have fought for my husband from the first. Cal was angry that I doubted him.”

  “But he—” Her mother stopped abruptly and bit her lip.

  “You heard the message on the answering machine. He loves me and the children, and Mom…until recently I didn’t realize how much
I love him. It’s taken all this time for us both to see what we were doing. I love you and Uncle Ken, but Los Angeles isn’t my home anymore. I love Promise. My friends are there, my home and my husband.”

  Jane could tell that it was difficult for her mother to accept her decision. Stephanie gnawed on her lower lip and made an obvious effort not to weep openly.

  “You talked to Cal? He knows you’re coming?”

  “I left a message on our answering machine.”

  “But he hasn’t returned your call?”

  “No.” There was such wonderful irony in the situation. Her mother had taken the children on an outing while Jane was scheduled to meet with the attorney. But as she’d sat in the waiting room, she’d tried to picture her life without Cal, without her family and friends in Promise, and the picture was bleak. She could barely keep from dissolving in tears right then and there.

  Everything Dovie had said came back to her, and she’d known beyond a doubt that seeing this attorney was wrong. Paul and Mary Ann needed their father, and she desperately needed her husband. For the first time since her father’s illness, Jane had felt a surge of hope, the desire to win back her husband. If Nicole thought Jane would simply walk away, she was wrong. At that moment, she’d resolved to fight for her marriage.

  Without a word of explanation, Jane left the attorney’s office and rushed home. The message light on the answering machine alerted her to a call, and when she pushed the button, Cal’s deep voice greeted her. His beautiful loving voice, telling her the very things she’d longed to hear.

  In her eagerness to return his call, her hand had shaken as she punched out the number. To her consternation she’d been forced to leave a message. Later phone calls went unanswered, as well. Her biggest fear was that he’d already boarded a plane, but she still hoped to detain him, and fly home with the children and meet him there. With that in mind, she’d booked her return flight.

  “I’ll try to reach him again.”

  “You could all spend Christmas here,” her mother suggested hopefully.