Love Letters: A Rose Harbor Novel

  What distressed her with a divorce was the thought of her two sons growing up with a part-time father. The fact was, Maggie didn’t want this divorce. If she could turn back the clock a month she would never have left the house the night of their fight, but then hindsight didn’t do her a bit of good now.

  A baby.

  Maggie wished with everything in her that she wasn’t pregnant. Roy didn’t want this child. And the truth was, she wasn’t the least bit excited to be pregnant. Her upper body rocked with indecision, swaying with doubt, with fear. Yes, delivering this baby would be problematic. Frankly, she didn’t know how she’d manage raising three children on her own, working forty hours a week, and keeping up with the house, and still have any semblance of a life. Maggie stiffened with determination. Other single mothers had managed all that and more and, with grit and determination, she would, too. She had the advantage of a college degree. She was employable.

  Still, her heart ached and she was forced to swallow down a bubble of near hysteria as worries and reservations pounded against her like rocks bouncing against an embankment in a landslide.

  Needing a distraction, she returned her focus to the Internet and read through the rental-car specials. She booked the cheapest one she could find, which unfortunately meant she had to travel into Seattle, near Sea-Tac Airport. Earlier, Connor had mentioned a shuttle bus that went to the airport, where she could collect the vehicle. If she could get the information for that, it would be perfect. No doubt Connor would be able to direct her.

  The cell phone was still in her hand when a text message came through from Roy. Where are you? I don’t appreciate you disappearing like this. I want to leave as soon as possible.

  Maggie texted back a rely: Then go.

  As far as she was concerned, everything had already been said. This wasn’t a game, nor was it a trick, and after all these years together, Roy should know that.

  When she’d broken up with him while they were in college it wasn’t a trick or a scheme to get him to change his ways. She’d never been one to throw out idle threats; she meant what she said.

  With the phone in her hand, Maggie hungered for solace, for a connection with her family—she needed to talk to her sister … not about her current situation. She couldn’t, wouldn’t mention anything about that … not yet. First and foremost, she needed to get home, back to her children. Then and only then could she orient herself enough to explain to her family and friends that while it was unfortunate, her marriage was over.

  Without putting much thought into the decision, she phoned her sister, Julia.

  “Maggie,” Julia answered, sounding upbeat and happy. “How’s your getaway weekend going with Roy?”

  “Great,” she said, forcing enthusiasm into her voice. “We spent the day in Seattle and went to Pike Place Market, and took a tour of Underground Seattle.”

  “Seattle has an underground? I didn’t know that.”

  “It was fascinating. A great history lesson. I recommend you take the tour the next time you and Sam get to Seattle.”

  Julia laughed skeptically. “The only thing Sam wants to see in Seattle is football. It’s a four- or five-hour drive from Spokane but you’d think it was across the street the way he acts, and in the middle of winter, no less.”

  “Everything good with you?” Maggie asked.

  “It’s great.” Her sister hesitated. “You okay? You don’t sound quite right. You haven’t for the last month. Something’s on your mind, isn’t it? You think I can’t tell? Come on, Maggie, I’m your sister. What’s up?”

  “I’m fine. What could be wrong?” she said, downplaying the mess she’d made of her life. “You have to remember, I’m on a romantic getaway with my husband. We have three glorious days without kids.”

  “B-u-t …?” Her sister dragged out the word so that it became a question.

  It was irrational to think Maggie might be able to fool her sister into thinking everything was all well and good. “Guess what?” she teased.

  “I’m not guessing,” Julia said, her voice somber and serious now.

  “I’m pregnant.” She tried to sound happy but failed.

  “Maggie, that’s wonderful … isn’t it?”

  “Yes.”

  Julia hesitated. “I’m not hearing the joy. I know you and Roy had considered a third child. The last time we talked about it, you said Roy was hoping for a girl next time.”

  “He’d like that.”

  “I take it the pregnancy wasn’t planned.”

  “You could say that.” If only her sister knew the truth. Eventually, Maggie would tell her, but not now.

  “I agree three is a handful,” Julia said, “and I should know, but you’ll adjust. It was the biggest transition for me after having Trevor and Travis. Then Ted arrived and it was pandemonium for the first six months. When I found out I was pregnant with Tracy, I didn’t know how we would manage, but it was fine. Going from three to four is not nearly as difficult.”

  Maggie needed to hear her sister’s chatter. It helped calm her nerves, helped her deal with the present and not think ahead to how she would handle the future.

  “Where’s Roy?” Julia asked, out of the blue.

  “Resting.” Which, unfortunately, was a necessary white lie. “We’re staying at a bed-and-breakfast here in Cedar Cove. It’s the perfect location. Roy’s mom has a romantic heart, and she’s the one who paid for this anniversary gift. If you and Sam need to get away, I can’t think of any place better.”

  “You went away for the weekend and discovered you were pregnant. We have our family; I’m not taking the risk,” her sister teased. “Is Roy happy?”

  The question caught Maggie off guard. “Happy?”

  “About the pregnancy.”

  Maggie wasn’t sure she could get away with another lie. “Truth is, it’s a bit of a shock to us both.”

  “It takes a while to set our minds to the idea sometimes. A new baby is a major adjustment in a family. Have you told Mom and Dad?”

  “Not yet … you’re the only one I’ve told.”

  “If you need anything, you’ll let me know, right?”

  Maggie’s mind wandered to the garage, where they’d stored the boys’ baby furniture, and immediately bounced to another concern. She might not be able to keep the house. “No worries there. I saved the crib and everything from the boys.”

  “I wasn’t talking about baby furniture, Maggie. I mean emotional support and encouragement. I’ve been there. I’m your big sister and I’m here to lend a hand if you need me.”

  “Thanks, Julia.”

  Her sister had no idea of how badly Maggie was going to need her in the upcoming months.

  They chatted about the kids, a safe subject, for a few minutes before Maggie was ready to end the call.

  “I better go,” Maggie said, when she noticed Connor had returned to the counter. A man came into the Java Joint.

  “You’re sure everything is all right with you?” Julia asked again.

  “Of course. All is well,” she answered.

  “Like I said, you don’t sound like yourself,” Julia murmured. “Something is up. You’re probably not ready to share it, but know that I’m here when you are, okay?”

  Maggie could hear the frown in her sister’s voice. “I’m fine, really,” she insisted. “I’ll call you next week and we can talk more then.”

  “It’s a date.”

  Once she ended the call, Maggie returned her phone to her purse. The man at the counter had collected his drink and left. Connor was busy filling the sugar and artificial sweetener containers. He glanced up when Maggie approached the counter.

  “You need a refill? They’re complimentary.”

  “No, thanks. I’m full up.” She placed her hand on her stomach as if she’d recently finished a three-course meal. “I was wondering if you could tell me about the shuttle bus that leaves from Cedar Cove to the airport, the one you mentioned earlier.”

  “Oh sure.
It’s the Sea-Tac Transporter. I have a schedule. A lot of folks stop off here and collect coffee before heading out, especially the morning and mid-morning buses.” He opened a drawer and took out a plastic-coated sheet and handed it to her.

  “Do I need to make a reservation?” she asked, noticing that they were recommended.

  “It wouldn’t hurt, but it shouldn’t be a problem getting a seat.”

  Maggie wrote down the phone number, stepped away from the counter, and made the call. Just as Connor had predicted, she was able to book a seat. The woman on the other end of the line told her the pickup point, which didn’t seem to be far from where she was.

  “The bus should arrive within the next fifteen minutes,” the woman told her.

  “I’ll make my way there right now,” Maggie assured the reservation clerk. “I’m a short distance away.”

  “The driver doesn’t wait.”

  “I’ll be there,” Maggie promised.

  She returned to the table for her suitcase and thanked Connor on her way out the door. Just as she was leaving, another customer entered the store. The other woman held open the door for Maggie to go out first, and she would have except for one thing.

  Roy.

  Her husband drove past the Java Joint at just that moment. Maggie shrank back into the coffee place, nearly tripping backward in her rush not to be seen. “You come inside first,” Maggie insisted, as she all but plastered herself against the wall. The woman gave her an odd look but then complied. It took a few moments for Maggie’s breathing to return to normal before she ventured outside a second time.

  Her one objective was to get to the bus stop and board without Roy seeing her. He could look all he wanted, but Maggie was determined not to be found.

  Chapter 29

  I heard voices in the other room and poked my head around the corner of the kitchen to find the man who’d told me he was Ellie’s father talking with Virginia Reynolds. They were alone, and the two appeared deep in conversation. They didn’t notice me, which was just as well. I wondered what had happened to Ellie, who was nowhere in sight.

  The front door was left partially open, which told me that perhaps Ellie had left. When I checked outside I saw that Virginia’s vehicle was missing, which was a good indication that Ellie had taken the car. The Porters’ car was gone as well. The last time I saw Roy he’d been in a bear of a mood. I hoped that improved once he found Maggie. I remained worried about the couple, who were clearly having marriage problems. I thought matters had improved, but I’d guessed wrong. Just that morning before they’d left for Seattle I had had a strong feeling that whatever had troubled them had been resolved. Clearly, something had happened since that time that had deeply upset them both. I suspected it must be the discovery that Maggie was pregnant. Really none of this was my business, but I couldn’t help being concerned. I’d never considered myself nosy and briefly wondered if I was seeking yet another distraction.

  Looping the handle of a white wicker basket over my forearm, I collected my garden scissors and headed toward the side yard, where I had two large hydrangea plants. Mark was busy sorting through the lumber he’d unpacked earlier. He had the plans for the gazebo spread out on the tailgate of his pickup. I watched him refer to those drawings a number of times.

  One thing I admired about Mark: When it came to his work he was a perfectionist. It might take him longer to complete a project than I wanted, but by the time he was finished, whatever he was working on was beautifully done.

  I was about to ask him a question regarding the gazebo when Roy Porter unexpectedly returned, spitting up gravel as the car’s tires spun. He came to an abrupt stop and turned off the engine. He didn’t seem to be in a hurry to get out and sat for several moments before exiting the vehicle. Whatever was eating at him didn’t appear to be resolved, because he slammed the door closed with enough force to rattle the car’s windows.

  Mark straightened and set down on the grass the two-by-four he carried. “You got a problem?” he called out to Roy.

  The other man paused and sent Mark a hard look. If Mark thought he was helping, he was wrong. The anger in Roy’s eyes was hot enough to fry bacon.

  “Everyone’s got problems,” Roy replied.

  Mark chuckled. “And most of them involve women.”

  I didn’t take kindly to that comment, but went about my business and pretended not to hear.

  “You’re telling me!” Roy said. He walked over to where Mark stood and jabbed his hands into his pockets. “What are you building?”

  “Jo Marie wants a gazebo for weddings and the like.” Mark walked over to his truck and picked up the plans to show Roy. “I understand you’re in construction.”

  Roy reached for the plans and appeared to be studying them before returning them to Mark. “You’re right about women being the root of most problems.”

  “Don’t I know it,” Mark muttered. “They can make a man’s life a living hell.”

  Like he would know! Mark lived alone, and if he was ever married there was no evidence of it. I couldn’t help but wonder if he was speaking from experience, although it seemed unlikely.

  “Are you using treated lumber for this?” Roy asked, abruptly changing the subject.

  “Yes, it was more money than what I’d budgeted, but I figure it will save Jo Marie problems in the long run.”

  Roy walked over to Mark’s truck. Apparently, I was far enough on the side of the house that neither man could see me, which was just as well. They wouldn’t be comfortable knowing I was listening in on their conversation.

  “I’ve decided to divorce Maggie,” Roy announced.

  Oh dear, no wonder she’d been upset.

  “Sorry to hear that,” Mark returned casually, leaning against the tailgate. Both men stood there with their arms crossed. Neither seemed eager to talk, and I wondered if Roy would return to the house. I was somewhat surprised when he didn’t.

  “It’s for the best,” Roy told him.

  “So that’s why Maggie left?”

  Roy shrugged. “You know how women get. She went all emotional and irrational on me and walked away. She took her suitcase with her and didn’t say a word about where she was headed. Seems she wants to find her own way back to Yakima, which is fine by me. I looked for her and couldn’t find her. I did what I could, right?”

  “Right,” Mark concurred.

  “Actually, it’s probably better this way so I don’t have to deal with her hysterics.”

  “Yeah, it’s probably for the best.” Mark was more than agreeable.

  I was about to intercede and tell them both they were dead wrong but stopped myself. Mark quickly changed the subject and asked Roy a couple construction questions. The conversation went on for about five minutes. I’d long since finished cutting the flowers I needed for the bouquet and was ready to head back into the house when Mark spoke again.

  “I’m sorry to hear that Maggie is a bad mother. You have two boys, that’s what you said, right?”

  “Right. Jaxon and Collin.”

  “They’ll be better off without her,” Mark finished.

  Roy straightened away from the truck. “Maggie’s a great mother. It’s the other stuff I can’t deal with.”

  “Oh sorry, I must have misunderstood. I assumed you’d want custody of your sons.”

  “No,” Roy said reluctantly, as if taking this into consideration for the first time. “It would be better if the boys stayed with their mother for the time being. They’re still young enough to need her. If I had them, it would mean they’d be stuck in day care all day, and we agreed before we had kids that Maggie would be a stay-at-home mother.”

  “So Maggie doesn’t work outside the home?”

  “No, we’re fortunate that way. She has her teaching certificate but put her career on hiatus in order to be with the boys.”

  Mark nodded as though weighing this information against other concerns. “From what I’ve heard some women can be good mothers and lousy wiv
es. A man has needs, you know, and their wives get so caught up in the mommy scene that they forget they’re married.”

  I rolled my eyes. It was all I could do not to march out and demand to know how he was such a know-it-all when it came to marital problems. My handyman sounded like a professional counselor. From the way he was talking, he could hold seminars on the subject.

  “Maggie’s been a good wife,” Roy said, with some reluctance.

  “Well, no worries, there are plenty of fish in the sea. You’ll find another woman in no time, and next time you’ll know what to look for.”

  “Next time?”

  “You aren’t going to let this experience sour you, are you?” Mark asked. “That would be a shame. Besides, your sons will be just as happy with a stepmother.”

  Roy shook his head. “I’m not ready to think about remarrying.”

  “Of course not,” Mark agreed, “it’s early days yet, but it gets lonely, and after a while you’ll be looking for companionship. It’s not right that you be alone, especially if you want the boys to stay with your ex-wife.”

  “Maggie’s not my ex-wife.”

  “Not yet she isn’t,” Mark agreed. “But she will be soon enough, right?”

  “Right,” Roy said, conviction marking his words. “This isn’t what I wanted, but I don’t have any choice.”

  “This isn’t what you wanted?” Mark repeated. “I thought you told me you’re the one’s decided to file.”

  For just an instant Roy looked confused. “Yeah, I guess I did.”

  Mark removed his hat and scratched the side of his head as if what Roy said made no sense.

  “Maggie’s not the woman I thought I knew,” Roy explained. “She stepped way over the line, and now … now there are consequences. A man can overlook certain things, but not others, if you know what I mean.”

  “Sure I do.” Mark was certainly agreeable. “A guy works his fingers to the bone in order to support his family only to have his gut twisted by a no-good, cheating wife. We’re oblivious, gullible, and easily fooled because our focus is on taking care of those we love. It’s all work for us. Work, work, work.”