“Eden, how do you know you can trust these strangers? Weren’t you afraid of that?”
“I was too upset to think about it, but if they have some hidden agenda, they have an odd way of going about it. All they do is give to me. They offer me meals and times with their family, and they introduce me to others who attend their meetinghouse. They come by the boardinghouse just to say hello. Quite frankly, they’re the kindest folks I’ve ever known.”
Jace didn’t know what to say. He wanted to be afraid for his sister—this sounded so radical—but there was no denying the change in her.
“You’re sure?” he had to ask. “You’re sure they’re safe?”
“If they’re not, Jace, I at least have known some days of peace—something I’ve never had. There’s so much I don’t know. That doesn’t scare me, but even if I find out it’s a lie and they have misrepresented themselves in some way, I’ll at least know that I made an effort toward God, and that it was the right thing to repent to you.”
Jace looked at her, honestly wondering how she could be the same person. Eden caught his stare and smiled.
“I wish you could know how changed I am on the inside, Jace. That’s where it really matters.”
“I’m happy for you, Eden,” Jace found himself saying. “Maddie has lots of questions about death and heaven. Maybe you’ll have answers for her.”
“I don’t know about that, Jace, but I’m glad you mentioned Maddie. Do I write to her at this address in Boston?”
“Not yet, Eden. I hope to bring her back to Tucker Mills.”
“Will you let me know what happens?”
“Yes,” Jace was able to answer with assurance. “I’ll write this time, no matter how this comes out.”
They looked at each other for a few minutes, and then Eden looked away. “I love you, Jace,” she said quietly, hoping that he heard.
Jace reached over and briefly squeezed her hand before moving in the seat and trying to get more comfortable. It had been an emotional time, and both Randalls fell asleep. When they woke, they were nearly to Worcester and had to say their goodbyes. Again Eden wanted to hug her brother but held back. Instead, she boarded her next train, asking God to work the same miracle in Jace’s heart that He’d performed in her own.
Boston
“Maddie,” Beth said, having finally found her in the kitchen. Her voice was oddly low as she spoke. “There’s someone here to see you. I put him in the front parlor.”
“Oh.” Maddie was unconcerned. “Is it that man I contacted about cleaning those portraits in the hall?”
“I don’t think so.”
Maddie frowned at the maid, thinking she was acting odd, but she left her apron on the kitchen counter and headed toward the parlor. The door was shut, and Maddie almost laughed. They were never overly formal with the servicemen that came. She didn’t know what had gotten into Beth.
“Hello, Maddie,” Jace said as soon as the door opened and she stepped in.
“Jace,” Maddie whispered, forgetting herself for a moment and almost moving toward him. She stopped in time, however, and turned with deliberate movements to shut the door.
“Why have you come?” Maddie asked him, her stance and voice formal.
“I have something to tell you.”
“You could have written.”
“No, this had to be said in person.”
Maddie nodded, the pounding of her heart belying the sedate way she looked. Why had she not remembered how wonderful he was to look at? Why had she thought that all feelings for him had been carefully put away?
“Please, sit down,” she invited, and waited to take a chair some ways from his. Jace noticed this but didn’t comment.
“How are you?” he asked, drinking in the sight of her and hoping not to get caught doing it.
“I’m well. And you?”
“I’m glad to be in Boston,” he said, sidestepping the question. “It’s my first time.”
“I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.”
“Thank you.”
Maddie hated herself for making small talk, especially when a silence fell. She determined to let Jace speak next. He said he had something to tell her, and with what his presence was doing to her heart, he needed to say it and go.
“My sister came to see me recently. She told me some awful things.”
Maddie didn’t want to be interested but found herself more than a little curious.
“She lied to me, Maddie. She never saw you kissing someone else. She made that up.”
“She told you I was kissing someone?” This was news to the small blonde.
“Yes.”
“And that’s why you stopped seeing me?”
Jace nodded. She was getting angry, and he couldn’t blame her. He watched her come to her feet.
“Let me get this straight. You know that your sister doesn’t like anyone, but when she tells you I’ve been kissing someone, you believe her?”
“I’m sorry, Maddie.”
“You’re sorry?” Maddie demanded. “You asked me to leave, Jace Randall. I walked alone to the farm in the dark, and you told me to leave!”
“Maddie,” Jace made the mistake of saying, “you never told me about David. I didn’t realize.”
“David is a happily married man, whose wife does not need to be reminded that he was once in love with me!”
Jace could only stare at her. He’d never seen her so angry. She was beautiful too, but he knew this was the last thing he could mention.
“I think you need to leave,” Maddie finally said.
“My uncle died,” Jace added quietly, not sure why he mentioned it and surprised at the change in her.
“Oh, Jace.” Her voice was as soft and sweet as he remembered. “I don’t think Cathy wrote me about that. I’m so sorry.”
“Thank you. I don’t know why I told you just now, but I thought you would want to know.”
“I’m glad you mentioned it. I truly am sorry.”
The silence that fell between them in the next few seconds was uncomfortable. Maddie wanted Jace to leave, and Jace wanted anything but. When Maddie couldn’t take the quiet any longer, she sat back down and looked at Jace. She had realized this was not settled, and she wanted some answers.
Fifteen
“I guess I still don’t understand why you came,” Maddie stated plainly. “Why was it so important that I know?”
“After the way I treated you, I couldn’t handle it any other way. The last thing I deserve is your forgiveness, but I’ll admit that I’m desperate for that very thing.”
His words touched her in a way she didn’t expect. Jace should have asked her about what he’d heard, and not just assumed, but he’d been lied to as well. And he’d come all the way to Boston to tell her.
“I do forgive you, Jace. Indeed, I feel sorry that your own sister is so horrid.”
“As a matter of fact, she seems to be a different person now, but you’re right, she has been horrid.”
Maddie nodded and then watched Jace look around the room.
“You said one time that you couldn’t begin to describe the differences between Boston and Tucker Mills. I think I can see what you mean.”
Maddie smiled. “It’s quite a house,” she said, her own head turning to take in the grandiose furniture, high ceilings, and lovely trappings in every direction.
“I don’t suppose you want to show me around,” Jace invited, and Maddie looked at him in surprise. “No matter what else I see in Boston,” he went on, “I won’t be allowed into any more houses like this.”
Maddie couldn’t stop her smile. He could certainly be charming when he wanted to be.
“If it will get you into trouble, Maddie, just forget I asked.”
“No, it’s nothing like that. The family isn’t even here. They’re traveling in Europe.”
“That sounds fun.”
“They were looking forward to it,” Maddie said, standing at the same time and beginning the to
ur without further ado. She showed Jace the entire downstairs, watching his look of awe while in the library, and then took him into the servants’ quarters and the kitchen. They went upstairs but confined themselves to the hallway and only peeked into rooms; that is, until she reached her own room, where she felt free to enter and show him.
Jace was more affected by this room than he let on. It was feminine in every way and smelled fresh and clean. And on top of that, Maddie’s nearness worked like a drug. She was telling him about something outside the window, the curtain pulled back so she could point, and he was trying to listen but ended up watching her instead. When she finally looked at him, their eyes caught. Maddie told herself to look away, and Jace mentally begged her not to.
“Have dinner with me tonight,” Jace invited softly, working hard to hide his deep feelings. He let Maddie see his interest but not the ache he felt inside to have her love again.
“I can’t,” Maddie found herself whispering, not having been prepared to see interest in his eyes.
“Why?”
“Well,” Maddie improvised quickly, “the man I’m seeing won’t like it.”
Had Jace not counted the cost of such an action, he would have laughed. She was a terrible liar, but he didn’t blame her for trying.
“Well,” Jace replied, his voice calm and deep. “Can’t you tell him we’re old friends? He could even join us,” he added, quite certain there was no such man.
“He’s not in town right now.” The lies grew, and again Jace had to keep from laughing.
“Then you can explain to him when he gets back that you went to dinner with an old friend.”
Maddie opened her mouth and then shut it. She wanted to say yes—she wanted it more than anything—but she was scared. Terrified, to be exact.
“Come with me,” Jace invited again. He read her hesitation but just waited, his eyes dipping to her mouth in a way that used to distract her no end.
“All right,” Maddie agreed, nearly shaking her head over what had just happened.
“I’ll pick you up at 6:00,” Jace said.
Maddie could only nod.
“Whoever the guy is, Maddie,” he added, reaching up to stroke her cheek with a single finger, “he’s one lucky man.”
Maddie couldn’t move from her spot. She turned her head to watch Jace leave the room and even heard the front door open and shut in the distance, but not until both Beth and Sherry came looking for her did she move from her spot by the window.
They wanted to know who he was and hear every detail. Maddie kept the information vague until she admitted that they were going out that evening. The two other women went into action as though they had a date of their own. They dragged Maddie down the hall, where they insisted that she bathe and wash her hair. Beth was not happy until Maddie agreed to let her style the long blonde locks, and throughout the process Maddie was in a state of shock.
Jace Randall had come to Boston today. After being four-and-a-half months apart, he’d been right here at the house and touched her cheek the way he once did. His eyes had looked at her with caring and desire. Maddie shook her head a little and was told by Beth to hold still. It didn’t matter that the man she lied about might be real, Jace was as interested as he’d always been. She’d be a fool to believe anything else.
“Oh, my,” Maddie said when she came to the foyer and found Jace dressed very formally.
“Will I do?” he asked, having spent an outrageous amount of time and money on one outfit.
“Yes, Jace, you look very nice.”
“As do you,” Jace said, trying to pretend that she was someone else’s girl in an effort to keep his heart in check. “Quite beautiful, and I hope it’s all right to tell you.”
“Thank you,” Maddie said with a smile.
“Shall we go?”
“Yes. Let me tell Sherry that I’m leaving.”
Jace waited where he was, but from the whispers and soft laughter he heard a short time later, he thought that Sherry and at least one other woman must be very near.
Maddie came back to the foyer, the small smile on her face telling Jace that she and these other women were friends. Jace opened the door for her and stood back while she slipped outside. A small coach was parked at the street, driver and all, and Maddie couldn’t help but be impressed.
They were not very talkative in the coach. Maddie was telling herself to behave like a woman in love with another man and thought that the less talking she did, the easier it might be.
She didn’t plan on how much she would enjoy the restaurant in the hotel. Jace took them to the Seaside Hotel. Maddie looked around at the quiet elegance and forgot who she was supposed to be.
“Have you seen my aunt and uncle lately?” she asked as soon as they’d been served their meals.
“Just before I left. I went there to apologize to them and tell them how much I wanted to be in touch with you.”
“They gave you the address?”
“Yes. I hope you’re not angry with them.”
“I’m not,” Maddie said with a small shake of her head, but she could tell that his visit was going to affect her for a long time. She still had feelings for this man. She’d be lying to say otherwise. But she also feared being hurt again, and she knew that fear would keep her from doing anything rash ever again.
“How is your meat?” Jace asked, hoping all he’d heard that day about the meals at this hotel proved to be true.
“It’s very good. How is yours?”
“I’m enjoying it.”
“How is Clara?” Maddie thought to ask, but before Jace could answer, the waiter arrived with a bottle of champagne. He asked Jace whether he could pour some for the two of them. Maddie shook her head no, but the waiter didn’t notice. She found herself with a glassful she knew she wouldn’t touch.
“Did you ask about Clara?” Jace asked after taking a sip from his glass.
“Yes.”
“She’s doing well. She misses Woody, but then we both do.”
“It must be a little strange. I mean, you’ve never known the farm without him, have you?”
“No. I’ve been busy, but the winter months might get a little long without him.”
Jace barely managed the sentence. Maddie looked so lovely to him right now that he wanted to beg her for another chance. He took another sip of champagne, trying to calm down, and then realized how mild the flavor was.
“Did you tell me once you don’t drink because you don’t like the taste?”
“Yes, I never have.”
“Try that,” he pointed to her glass. “It’s very mild.”
Maddie looked skeptical but still picked up her wine glass. Her nose wrinkled a bit, and Jace laughed.
“Clearly you’re not going to drink it. You look like a five-year-old being forced to eat boiled spinach. Here, give it to me.”
Maddie’s brows lifted over the challenge, and she put the glass to her mouth. At first she didn’t like the taste, but the aftertaste was intriguing. She took another sip and then another.
“I like this,” Maddie said, taking a larger swallow before going back to her meal.
“You should always listen to me,” Jace teased.
The look Maddie gave him made him laugh. He knew he’d been forgiven but that she still had reservations. Not for several more bites of food did the memory of the picnic come flooding back to him. He watched when she reached to taste her third glass of champagne, but his hand was there to stop her. Maddie looked at him in confusion.
“I don’t want this night to be cloudy in your mind, and the champagne might do that.”
“Oh, all right,” Maddie agreed after just a moment, smiling at him in a warm way. “Jace,” she suddenly leaned a little across the table as she spoke. “I’ve missed you.”
“I missed you too,” Jace said, his heart pounding with emotions.
“I’m so glad you came.”
“Maddie, I need to ask you something,” Jace made himsel
f voice the question.
“What is it?”
“Are you seeing a man right now?”
“No,” she admitted sheepishly.
“Oh, Maddie,” Jace said. He still loved her, and nothing in the world would convince him that he wasn’t loved in return.
They finished their meals with pleasure, knowing their love couldn’t be disguised any longer.
“Did you need anything, sir?”
“Maddie?” Jace asked her.
“No, I’m fine,” she said, her eyes clinging to his face.
“We’ll be going,” Jace told the waiter, and waited only until they were back in the coach to kiss her. Indeed, they kissed and made plans all the way back to the Nunley’s house. When they arrived, Sherry and Beth were waiting in the small sitting room off the kitchen, the one that belonged to the staff come evening time.
“Well, you two have had a good time,” Sherry said, seeing Jace’s and Maddie’s dreamy faces.
Maddie grinned at her and asked, “How would you like to go to a wedding?”
The other women took no time to catch her meaning. They came to their feet in a rush, hugging Maddie, and both talking at once. When order was restored, the two ran about in a flurry of excitement and gaiety to get the reverend to do Maddie’s bidding.
Maddie’s whole body felt weighted, especially her head. There was light coming in the window, she was almost certain, but she didn’t want to open her eyes to find out. She rubbed her face in the pillow and told herself she had to wake up.
Just then she heard the door open and what sounded like Jace’s voice in the hall. Maddie froze, not sure what to think, before peeking out to see him slipping inside her room.
“Jace?” Maddie muttered in confusion.
“Right here,” he said, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. “Sherry made you some coffee. It’s here on the table.”
“What time is it?” she asked as she rolled over, her brain still not working.