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You got to know a man pretty well after spending that much time with him. She knew what Grady looked like when he opened his eyes in the morning, and she knew which side of the bed he preferred sleeping on. She knew he liked wearing navy blue because he thought it set off his blond hair. She knew he’d wrestled with the idea of becoming a minister, when what he’d really wanted to do was go into broadcasting. He’d dreamed of having his own radio or TV talk show. He was a born entertainer, he’d told her back in high school. Marilee had to admit he had stage presence—he’d even been selected for the leading role in every school play. But his parents had balked at the idea of him going into broadcasting. After all, he’d grown up in a family of ministers, and he was expected to carry on the tradition.
Grady had played the dutiful son and enrolled in seminary school, then convinced Marilee to elope with him. It had caused quite a stink with his family; even though they approved of Marilee, they thought the couple far too young to marry, and wanted Grady to complete his education first. In the beginning, Marilee wondered if he’d asked her to marry him just to get back at his parents for forcing him into the ministry, but Grady had seemed so much in love with her that she’d pushed the thought aside. After a while, Grady no longer complained about being in the ministry, and Marilee assumed he was as happy as she.
It was only recently that he’d begun to second-guess his vocation. Had he kept it to himself all these years? Had he merely pretended to love her? There were so many unanswered questions. Would she ever know the truth?
That was the past, she reminded herself. As difficult as it was, she had to concentrate on rebuilding her life. Part of that meant Josh. His place was with her. It would be so much easier to hate Grady, but for the life of her she couldn’t. Sure, she hated what he’d done to their family, and she was terrified at the prospect of facing the world alone. Well, she wasn’t entirely alone. There was Winnie to contend with. The girl was presently sprawled on the sofa in the living room watching Jeopardy. She called out her answers, then yelped each time she got them right, causing Marilee to start.
Her nerves were shot. She felt as if she was about to jump out of her skin. Perhaps if she tried to take it one day at a time—one hour at a time—instead of looking toward the future, which seemed pretty bleak at the moment, she would manage.
Marilee stared at the chocolate torte cake. She could not keep it in the house or she’d end up eating it. Like that time three years ago, when she thought she was pregnant and went on a chocolate binge. Even then she’d known things weren’t right between her and Grady, but she’d ignored the signs. Anyway, the church kept her so busy she didn’t have time to think about it. There was always something to do, costumes to sew for the Easter pageant or Christmas play, a wedding rehearsal, or a funeral to attend. In the midst of it all, Sunday-school teachers became ill, volunteers for vacation Bible school backed out at the last minute or extra hands were needed to see that the shut-ins received a hot meal each day. It didn’t matter that her husband’s blood pressure had sky-rocketed, that he was unhappy with his calling or that her son was rebelling. Marilee was expected to pick up the pieces when things fell apart at Chickpea Baptist.
In the meantime, her life had fallen apart.
Marilee heard movement and glanced up. Winnie stood in the doorway, shaking her head sadly. “Look at the mess in this kitchen. How many cakes are you planning on baking tonight?”
“I’m going to bake until I run out of ingredients.” That wasn’t likely. She had gone to the grocery store once Clara and Ruby left and had enough baking items on hand to start her own bakery.
Winnie continued to stare at her. “You’re having a nervous breakdown, aren’t you?”
Marilee sighed. “No, I’m not having a breakdown. I just prefer staying busy when I have things on my mind. Would you like a slice of pound cake?”
“No. I figure I’ve had enough junk food today, and I really need to start eating healthy. You know, for the baby. I hope you don’t expect me to clean up this kitchen, because I need to soak in a hot tub. My back is killing me.”
“I don’t expect you to clean up after me,” Marilee said a little too sharply. She softened her tone. “By the way, do you know your baby’s due date yet?”
“Christmas.”
Marilee smiled. “No kidding?”
“I wish she would come during my two-week break so I don’t have to miss as much school. I’ve had perfect attendance for three years straight.”
“Good for you. You’re a senior?”
Winnie nodded. “And I plan to graduate with my class come hell or high water. Of course, I need to line up somebody to watch my baby, but I’m sure my friends will chip in. Once I graduate, I plan to study accounting. I’ve always been good at math.” She paused. “You really ought to freeze those cakes or I’ll just end up eating them. My doctor warned me about gaining more weight. See, diabetes runs in my family so I’ve got no business eating sweets, and that chocolate cake is crying out for me.”
Marilee decided she definitely needed to get it out of the house. She suddenly thought of Sam Brewer and wondered if he would enjoy the torte. Surely she owed him something for practically saving her life. And maybe if they met under different circumstances he wouldn’t think she was a raving lunatic. She assumed he was married and had children. They would probably enjoy the cake, and in future she would avoid making such tempting desserts.
“I think I’ll take it next door,” Marilee said, “to repay my neighbor for doing me a favor this morning.”
Winnie eyed the cake ravenously. “Better hurry.”
Marilee left the house a few minutes later, cake in hand, and crossed the lawn to the Brewer house, patting her hair in place as she went. She hadn’t thought to run a brush through it or apply lipstick. Okay, maybe she had given it a passing thought, but she wasn’t going to primp for any man, married or not. Besides, she was a married woman, even if her husband had found greener pastures.
She should be mourning the loss of her marriage and trying to atone for her shortcomings as a wife. That’s what any good Christian woman would do.
Marilee rang the doorbell and waited several minutes before the door was flung open by a harried-looking Sam Brewer. He had shaved and combed his hair, and Marilee could only stare dumbly at the sight of him in snug jeans and a burgundy rugby shirt. She had not counted on him looking so good. Lord, Lord, why had she come?
“I, uh, brought you and your family a cake,” she said.
If he was surprised to see her, he didn’t show it. “Thank God you’re here.” He yanked her inside, almost causing her to drop the cake. “I need a woman.”
Marilee gaped at him. “Excuse me?”
“My mother has locked herself in the bathroom and she won’t let me in.” He noted Marilee’s blank look and went on hurriedly, “She’s taking a bath. Her eyesight isn’t good, and she’s pretty frail. I’m afraid she’ll slip. Please see if she’ll let you in.” He motioned frantically toward the bathroom door.
Marilee thrust the cake at him and hurried to the door. It was locked. “Mrs. Brewer, are you in there?” she called out. “Mrs. Brewer, I’m your neighbor, Marilee Abernathy. I was wondering if you needed any help in there.”
“I can pick the lock,” Sam whispered.
Marilee caught a whiff of his aftershave and thought she might be dizzy. She shook her head. “Let me try to get her to open the door first. Mrs. Brewer, are you okay?”
The lock clicked and Nell Brewer peered through a slit in the door. “Marilee Abernathy? You look awfully familiar. Where do I know you from?”
“Her memory is bad,” Sam said and was awarded a dark look from his mother.
“There is absolutely nothing wrong with my memory.”
“I grew up next door,” Marilee said.
“Oh, yes, Marilee.” Nell brightened. “Hester and Will Brown’s daughter. I haven’t seen you since your mother’s funeral. Oh, Hester was such a sweet woman. Both of your parents were lovely people.”
“I miss them,” Marilee said, then decided to change the subject since her emotions were running so high these days. “I just wanted to see if I could help you with your bath.”
“She’s kind of modest,” Sam said.
Nell glared at him. “How could I possibly be modest when you’ve paraded me butt-naked in front of half the town?”
“They were hired to look after you.”
“I don’t need looking after.”
“That’s not what you said six months ago.”
Marilee looked from one to the other. “Perhaps I’ve come at a bad time…”
“Now look what you’ve done,” Nell accused her son. “You’ve embarrassed our guest. Sam, what’s that in your hand?”
“It’s a chocolate torte cake,” Marilee said.
Nell looked delighted. “For me?”
“Yes.”
“That’s awfully nice of you, dear. We’ll have a slice after my bath. Just let me grab my towel and you can come in.” She closed the door.
“It’ll be okay,” Marilee whispered to Sam. “I’ve done this sort of thing before.”
The door opened, and Marilee stepped inside the steamy bathroom, coming face-to-face with Sam’s mother. “It’s so nice to see you again, Mrs. Brewer,” she said, closing the door behind her and locking it securely. She studied the woman closely, noting the cropped white hair and parchment skin. She had aged, but she looked as healthy as a horse.
“Why are you staring?” Nell asked. “Do I have spaghetti sauce on my face?”
Marilee shook her head. “Sam said you were frail. You don’t look the least bit frail to me.”
Nell gave a grunt. “Oh, he’s full of baloney. I’ve never been sick a day in my life. To hear my son talk, you’d think I was about to draw my last breath.” She dropped the towel and stepped inside the tub, then carefully lowered herself into the water. “Have a seat.” She pointed to the toilet.
“Thank you.” Marilee put the lid down and sat. If the woman was modest, she certainly didn’t show it.
“This is heavenly,” Nell said. “I haven’t bathed in three days except to wash up at the sink.”
“Why is that?”
The woman sighed as she reached for her soap and sponge. “Oh, I accidentally slipped and bruised my hip a few months ago. Sam made a big deal out of it and called 911. Here I was, without a stitch of clothing, and I had two handsome paramedics looking at my sagging behind.” She grunted. “That boy is driving me crazy. Some days I feel like running away from home. But then I have to remind myself it’s my own fault.”
“I don’t understand.”
Nell lowered her voice. “Well, it’s like this. I lied to get him here.”
“Come again?”
“My best friend had just died, and I was so lonely and depressed I couldn’t stand it. So I sort of let Sam think I was on my last legs. You know, not long for this world. Told him I was going blind and couldn’t remember anything. I was just hoping for a visit, you see. Next thing I know, he moved in with me.”
“With his wife and children?” Marilee couldn’t help asking.
“Oh, no, he’s divorced. Never had children.” She paused in washing and regarded Marilee. “I suppose you think I’m a selfish old woman, only thinking of myself.”
“I think you’re human, Mrs. Brewer. We all get lonely.” She thought of Josh, and the ache that never left.
“Sam and I have been knocking heads ever since he moved in. This place is too small for the both of us.” She frowned. “Listen to me complain. I should be thankful to have him here. And I would be, if he didn’t stand over me like a mother hen all the time. He keeps hiring these crazy women to take care of me. The last one stole the pearl earrings I wore on my wedding day, a gift from my dear grandmother. I couldn’t convince Sam of it, he said I forgot where I put them. My memory is as sharp as a tack, and I specifically remember that woman admiring them the day before they turned up missing.”
“Why don’t you tell Sam the truth?” Marilee asked.
“That I faked my illness?” Nell shook her head. “He’d never forgive me. Especially after he sold his company. All I can do is pretend to get a little better each day. Not that he listens. He’s already set up an interview with another woman who’s supposed to look after me.”
“I wish I could help, Mrs. Brewer,” Marilee said.
“Call me Nell.” She smiled. “And you have helped, just by listening. Now, tell me what brings you back to the neighborhood?”
Marilee sighed. “It’s a long story.”
“That’s okay. If the bathwater gets cold, I’ll just add more hot. Now, start at the beginning.”
SAM WAS DOZING ON THE SOFA when the women exited the bathroom some time later, Nell powdered and wearing a clean gown. He rose quickly. “All finished?”
“I almost drowned,” Nell said, “but Marilee performed CPR and brought me back from my grave.”
Sam just looked at her.
Marilee chuckled at the woman’s spunk. “Your mother is perfectly capable of bathing herself, but I enjoyed keeping her company.”
Nell rubbed her hands together. “Now, how about a slice of that cake?”
“None for me,” Marilee said. “I still have more cleaning to do.” She thought Sam looked disappointed. Maybe she was just being hopeful, and that was downright sinful, considering her circumstances. “It was nice seeing you again, Nell, after all this time,” she said and turned for the door. “You too, Sam.”
Nell shot her son a dark look. “Sam, show some manners and walk the girl home.”
“I was planning to,” he said defensively.
“I’ll be fine,” Marilee told them.
Sam was already beside her. “I insist. Besides, my mother would never forgive me for not seeing you home.” He opened the door and motioned her through first. He waited until he’d closed the door to say anything.
“Thanks for the help. And the cake.”
Marilee looked at him. “I dropped by so I could apologize. For what happened this morning. I don’t know what came over me. I was just so…low.”
Their gazes locked beneath the streetlight. He looked worried. “You haven’t thought of hurting yourself again, have you?”
“That’s the last thing on my mind,” she replied, which was the truth. Distractedly, she noted the pickup truck sitting in Sam’s driveway, then looked at it more closely. “You’re driving Bobby Benson’s truck,” she said, almost an accusation.
Sam glanced in that direction. “We’re business partners. We just haven’t gotten around to changing the name of the company.”
“I don’t believe this,” she exclaimed.
“It’s true. Why?”
“Our committee hired Benson Contractors to renovate Grace Blessing Home. Bobby walked off the job and went fishing.”
“You’re involved in that?”
“Yes. Why haven’t I seen you?”
“I’ve been finishing up the new hardware store on the other side of town. Haven’t been near Blessing Home. From what I hear, Benson wasn’t getting paid.”
“He’s going to get his money,” Marilee said tightly. “All we need is a little more time.”
“The subcontractors have to be paid, Marilee. You can’t expect men with families to work without pay.”
“Well, the whole thing has been a disappointment. We expected a little more support from the community. You wouldn’t believe how many people I’ve called, only to have the phone slammed in my ear.”
“Everybody has problems.” He sounded weary.
“You’re right. Nobody has time to worry about these girls, not even their own families. I suppose they’re just expected to live on the streets and have their babies on the side of the road.” Obviously, Sam was no different from the rest. She turned to go.
He captured her arm. “Now, don’t go running off in a huff. Surely we can work out something.” He was not surprised when she pulled her arm free. “How about I run by and look at the place tomorrow. See how much more work is needed.”
Marilee was surprised by his answer. “Well, okay,” she said after a moment. “You don’t know how much that would mean to the committee.”
“I’m not doing it for the committee. I’m doing it because you were kind enough to assist my mother with her bath.”
