Love’s Encore

Chapter 1

1

TWO YEARS PRIOR

Muffled voices sounded throughout Michelle Conroy’s house—her family and best friend. Any other day this would make her smile, but not today. Today, she stared out the kitchen door window at the limousine parked outside. She wrapped her arms around herself, warding off the chill that threatened even as the sun shone brightly across the yard. To everyone else, blue skies and sunshine signified a day of outdoor activities and fun. And any other time, she and Bill would be hiking a nearby trail, but fun was the last thing she and her children thought about today. Michelle was dressed in black and angry at the world. Tears rolled down her face as it all seemed so senseless. A gentle hand gripped her shoulder, and Michelle looked back to see her best friend giving her a sad smile.

Jackie held out her open hand. “The doctor prescribed this to a co-worker when her husband passed away a few months ago. I thought a half may help you.”

“No, thanks. I need to have a clear head.”

“Sweetie, I don’t think today is the day to be brave.”

“If this is my new reality, I need to face it head on.”

Adam, Michelle’s older son, walked up behind her. “Mom, it’s time.”

She closed her eyes and turned toward him. “I don’t want to do this, Adam.”

“I know, Mom. None of us do.”

Michelle nodded, and Adam helped her into the car that held Michelle and the significant people in her life. No one spoke during the ride to the church, which gave Michelle time to gather her thoughts. But her thoughts were of her now late husband. She bowed her head and watched her hands twist the tissue she held to shreds. The last conversation she had with Bill played in her mind.

“Bill?”

“Hello, darling.”

“Isn’t that a song?”

“I do believe it is.” She heard the laughter in his voice.

“You sound like you’re in the car.”

“Adam asked me to have dinner with him. Do you know anything about it?”

“No, I haven’t spoken with Adam this week.”

“I figured, or you would’ve told me if you had. At first, I thought you were trying to surprise me with something, but there are no special occasions.”

Michelle laughed. “It isn’t your birthday yet, and our anniversary is months away. Relax.”

“Then I guess this has to do with him.”

“I guess so. I can’t wait to hear what all the secrecy is about.”

“Yeah, me too. I’m going to The Table to meet him, so I won’t be home for dinner. I hope you didn’t have anything special planned.”

“Nothing that won’t keep until tomorrow, but that means you’ll be home early.”

“Yes, I’ve missed you. I want all your kisses when I get there.”

“I’ve been saving them just for you.”

“See you soon, darling. I love you.”

“I love you too,” she whispered, not thinking anyone else could hear her.

“Mom?” her daughter Belynda asked.

Michelle didn’t look up. She shook her head, causing her younger son Cade to wrap his hand around hers for support.

The church service passed in a blur for Michelle. She remembered sitting on the front pew, then walking down the aisle behind the casket and out the door, but nothing in between.

Before she knew it, Adam wrapped an arm around her, guiding her to her seat with the rest of the family following them to the graveside. As soon as she sat, she dabbed her eyes with a tissue and took a composing breath. Only a few more minutes of this hell and the first chapter in her nightmare would be over.

“Ashes to ashes and dust to dust . . .”

She trembled as violent sobs moved through her body. Who would’ve thought there were more tears left in her? The pastor’s voice was soft, but she tuned him out. Adam tightened his arm around her shoulders with Cade now squeezing her hand. She shuddered as she inhaled, trying to stay quiet.

“At least he didn’t suffer, Mom,” Cade whispered.

No, he died instantly. She returned Cade’s sad smile, trying to be strong, but in all honesty, it was Adam who was holding her together.

She turned toward Cade and saw Belynda wrapped in her husband’s arms just beyond Cade’s shoulder. “ Oh, take refuge in his arms, my sweet girl. You never know when you’ll lose that comfort ,” she thought.

The pastor stood in front of Michelle and prayed with the family before the end of the service. As soon as the pastor said, “Amen,” Adam leaned over and whispered, “Mom, people want to speak to you before we leave. Do you feel up to it?”

Barely realizing the graveside service was over, she looked at him. She was numb, but so many people came to pay their respects. Family members they hadn’t seen in years and friends from their adopted hometown were there. She lifted her eyes to see Bill’s golfing buddies, the grocery store manager Bill spoke to every time they went shopping. There were people she didn’t know, so she assumed they were co-workers or clients of Bill’s. And even though she didn’t feel like speaking to anyone, she nodded.

Wrapping up his latest movie early, Keith Mason flew to Hawaii to meet up with his family. Even though he wanted his children to experience the down-home Christmases he grew up with, his wife Samantha didn’t want any part of family celebrations, so he flew to meet them with as many packages as he could carry.

After dropping everything off in their suite and changing into his swim trunks, he made his way out to the pool. As soon as he cleared the door, he spotted Samantha chatting with a man who looked familiar, but Keith couldn’t place where he knew him from. They seemed cozy with their heads close together but not intimate. His sons were in the pool—Kevin at the bar and Sam horsing around with a boy who looked vaguely familiar. Keith lowered his sunglasses and strolled toward his wife with a knot in his gut as big as Texas.

“Dad’s here!” Kevin yelled. “Look, Sam, Dad’s here! I told you he’d be here.”

Keith waved to the boys and then stared at Samantha. She and the man sitting beside her jerked apart as his boys made their way toward him. Kevin had barely gotten out of the pool when he stepped beside Samantha.

“Hey, Sammi,” Keith said.

Samantha jumped out of her chair. “You made it!” She wrapped her arms around his neck.

He didn’t miss how mechanical it all seemed or that she didn’t kiss him, but he didn’t kiss her either. He cut his eyes toward the man looking at his son for the first time since Keith spotted them. She released him with a peck on the cheek.

“Who’s your friend?” Keith asked as he reached to shake the man’s hand.

“Oh, you remember Luke. His son Dennis goes to St. George’s with Sam.”

“It’s been a while, but good to see you again,” Luke said. The man smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

“I thought you looked familiar. Thanks for jogging my memory.”

“Dad, get in the pool with us,” Sam yelled.

Kevin bumped Keith’s shoulder. “I’ve been watching Sam from the swim-up bar. Want to join me?”

Keith smiled. “Sammi, you don’t mind, do you?”

“Of course not. The boys have missed you.”

Something told Keith that the scene was off, but he didn’t want to start an argument. He cocked his head. “I wasn’t interrupting anything, was I?” His eyes bounced back and forth between Samantha and Luke.

“No, silly. Luke was filling me in on what the school is planning for next term. He’s on the board, you know.”

“I didn’t know, but glad to hear my tuition money is being put to good use. I’ll let you finish your conversation then. We’ll catch up later.” He waggled his brows at Samantha.

“Oh, stop it.” She waved him off. “Go before the boys revolt.”

Keith caught Sam’s gaze then jumped into the pool, splashing water on Samantha and Luke.