CHAPTER 14
C HAPTER 14
S tepping around Cort, Marlow faced off with Sandra at close range. “How dare you!”
Hand over her mouth, Sandra swallowed convulsively as huge tears filled her eyes. “Oh God, Marlow,” she whispered brokenly. “I’m so sorry.” She started to reach out, but as Marlow tensed, Sandra slowly withdrew. “I can’t . . . I don’t . . .”
Marlow watched her fall apart.
Gulping, nearly gasping for air, Sandra stared in horror—and then openly sobbed. As if her legs gave out, she sank down to the dusty step near Marlow’s feet, uncaring of her designer slacks or the many people surrounding them. “I’m sorry.” Arms clutched around herself, she rocked forward. “I’m sorry. So, so sorry.”
Aston stood there, his expression aghast before he lowered himself down to sit beside his wife. When he looked up at Marlow, she saw that his eyes, too, were suddenly wet. “Deepest apologies, Marlow. We’ve both been overwrought . . . It’s no excuse, I just didn’t realize.” He put his arms around Sandra, saying softly, “She’s always so strong.”
For the first time that Marlow could remember, Aston seemed to genuinely cherish his wife. Sandra buried her face in his neck, her wracking sobs heartbreaking.
Cort clearly wasn’t appeased, but his fury lost that dangerous edge. He looked back at everyone else, murmuring something that encouraged them all to go back inside.
Marlow felt their retreat but didn’t see it because she couldn’t pull her gaze away from her in-laws.
They were broken people, doing things they normally wouldn’t do. Belatedly, she understood what the loss of their only son had cost them. Their never-ending arrogance, their secure position in society, had blinded her to the fact that love was love, period.
These people had deeply loved Dylan, flaws and all. He was their flesh and blood, the baby they’d once held just as Pixie now held Andy. They’d watched him grow, had encouraged him endlessly, and despite his many issues, they’d been exceedingly proud of him. Knowing Dylan was gone forever had taken a terrible toll.
Unsure what to say or do, Marlow turned to Pixie, who had remained at her side. “You’re okay?”
Holding Andy protectively close, her gaze on Marlow’s cheek, Pixie nodded. “But your face . . .”
“I’ll be fine.” In a few more minutes . “Maybe you should wait inside—”
“No.” Pixie kissed Andy’s head. “They’re here because of me. It’s past time I faced them.”
Marlow couldn’t really argue with that, so she turned to Cort, offering a small smile despite the sting it caused. He needed to know that she had a firm hold on her emotions.
His hand, large but gentle, settled over her cheek as if to heal her. A fire of rage glowed in his warm brown eyes, but Cort was not an unrestrained man. He always controlled his reactions, especially when dealing with others.
It was but one of the many things she loved about him.
Quietly, he asked, “What can I do?”
He was already doing it, sharing the difficult moment, and as he’d promised, not escalating things.
From the step below them, Aston said, “What happened is unforgivable, but I can promise that we won’t bother you again.”
Marlow leaned into Cort, and together, they peered down at the older couple. They appeared utterly defeated, and she couldn’t be immune to their pain, no matter what.
She couldn’t pretend that nothing had happened, but she could proceed differently. “You’re forgiven, but Sandra, you will never again lay a hand on me or I’ll file charges.”
Sandra nodded. “I wouldn’t blame you. I don’t know how it happened this time.” The words shuddered out uncontrollably. Digging a tissue from her purse, she patted her cheeks, but the damage to her makeup was done.
Aston took the tissue from her and gently cleaned around her eyes.
Sandra looked at him with gratitude before lifting her face to address Marlow. “I’ve never struck anyone before.” She glanced at her hand as if she didn’t recognize it, then cradled it to her chest. “I love you, Marlow. I know you don’t believe that, but it’s true. We haven’t been fair to you, and you owe us nothing, but . . .” Her voice broke. “You’re all we have left of Dylan.”
Gently, Marlow said, “No, I’m not.” She reached out a hand to Pixie, who reluctantly joined her. “If you’ll open your heart just a little, you’ll see that Pixie is a wonderful person who simply made a mistake, same as Dylan did, and the same as the rest of us do.”
Cautiously, Sandra’s gaze moved to Pixie, and then as if drawn by a will of its own, to Andy . . . where it lingered.
The baby kicked his legs and grinned.
The little stinker seemed to be doing his best to thaw Sandra’s heart. It would surely work, because who could resist him?
Of course, Andy surprised everyone with a little gas, which made him grin even more.
Pixie chuckled nervously and kissed him again. Even Cort cracked another grin.
Sandra appeared mesmerized, her own lips tilting a little.
“You see, Sandra?” Marlow smiled. “You have a beautiful grandson. He’s healthy and well-cared-for and loved. Not just by Pixie but by Cort and me, too.”
Both Sandra and Aston glanced at Cort. He stepped closer and put a possessive arm around Marlow. She didn’t mind; she loved him and didn’t care who knew it, including her in-laws.
As soon as she got Cort alone, she’d make sure that he knew, too.
For now, she had other issues to settle. “Whether or not you get to know Andy is up to you. I hope you give that a lot of thought.” Having said her piece, Marlow led Cort and Pixie back inside. No way could she leave just yet.
After watching them drive away, Cort closed the tavern door.
“I’m sorry, Marlow.” Sadness and regret showed in Pixie’s blue eyes, but the baby was still fascinated with the lights and sounds of the tavern.
Cort drew Marlow into his arms. He, too, was somber.
By God, this was a celebration. Marlow wasn’t about to let anything, or anyone, destroy their happiness. “Let’s focus on the fact that we’ve been accepted, and we get to stay in Bramble, okay?”
“I’m so glad I have you in my corner.” With the slightest smile, Pixie said, “My hamburger is ready. I think I’ll go enjoy it.”
“You’re going to stay?” Marlow asked.
“Yes, because no matter what, I’m happy now, and like you, I’m determined to stay happy, to concentrate on the good stuff.”
“A sound plan,” Cort said.
“Please, you two don’t need to stay.”
Marlow said, “But—”
“But nothing. Andy and I are enjoying the time out, and everyone is super nice. I’m not worried, and I don’t want you to worry either. Go, relax.” Her gaze flicked to Marlow’s cheek. “You two deserve some downtime.” This time she smiled at Cort. “Together.”
Giving a nod, Marlow allowed exhaustion to steal over her. Her mind was weary, her thoughts fractured. Resting her face against Cort’s chest helped, as did the way he coasted his hands up and down her back. “That was so awkward.”
“As usual, you handled it well, better than anyone else could have.”
Enjoying the feel of his cotton T-shirt and the scent of him through it, she asked, “Is everyone staring at me now?”
He smiled against her temple. “They’re always staring at you. You fascinate them.”
“Like a strange object?”
“Like a woman who never fails to surprise them. They care about you, and right now they’re trying not to applaud you.”
The very idea made her snort. “No, they’re not.”
“Wanna bet?” His lips pressed lightly to her cheek. “Turn and face them and see what happens.”
Holding him tighter, she said, “Soon.” She was plenty comfortable just like this.
“We could just go home.”
“That would make me a coward.”
His hand cupped the back of her neck. “No one would ever think that of you.”
“I don’t want to think it of myself, either.” When another, not-as-large hand settled on her shoulder, she knew whose it was. “I’m fine, Herman.”
“Do you need some ice, honey? A drink? Or would you like a bunch of us to go out there and run them off?”
Seriously, she was not the type to hide, so Marlow released Cort and gave Herman her attention. “They’ve already left.”
He gasped at the sight of her cheek, and then several others did, too.
Marlow didn’t know what it looked like, but the sting was already receding, so she faced the roomful of people and stated with conviction, “My mother-in-law is overwrought. What just happened . . . well, it was unlike her.” Such an understatement. Usually, decorum ruled Sandra’s every decision. “It will never happen again, I promise.”
Silence.
Marlow tried again. “I’m fine, and I’m also grateful that you’re all my friends. Thank you for accepting me to Bramble.”
Wide-eyed, they looked at the mark on her face, then at her, and it wasn’t just applause she got but a standing ovation.
Speaking softly near her ear, Cort said, “Told you so.”
Herman cleared his throat. “Maybe you should take tomorrow off.”
“Absolutely not. I don’t even feel right about leaving you now.”
“Too bad, because I insist, and don’t think you can talk your way around me like you usually do.”
Relenting, she said, “Only tonight then. Tomorrow I’ll be here and that’s that.”
Herman shook his head, but he looked relieved that she was acting more like herself. He leaned in to whisper. “Go let Cort pamper you. He still looks ready to commit murder.”
“He’s more controlled than that.”
“Not with you.” Herman winced again at her red cheek and added, “For my sake, go rest.”
Cort helped settle her indecision by asking him, “You’ll keep an eye on Pixie? She might need to feed Andy soon.”
“Got it covered. We’ll all look out for her.”
It pleased Marlow that Pixie’s world was expanding to include so many wonderful people. Now in a hurry to be alone with Cort, she gave a friendly wave to everyone. “Thank you all. Coming here was the best decision I ever made!”
She left to the sound of more cheering. The townspeople were in a cheering mood today, for sure.
Outside, she saw that her in-laws were indeed gone, and she wondered if she’d ever see them again. For their sake, she hoped they would soften their stance.
“Want to just ride with me?” Cort asked. “We could get your car tomorrow.”
It was sweet that he wanted to pamper her. No one had done that since her parents passed away. “Nope, I’m good, but as usual, I’ll follow so you can be the deer spotter.”
Fortunately, though they did see a few deer, the beautiful animals bolted away from the road rather than into it.
Once they were inside Cort’s house, he locked the door and then carefully gathered her close. He studied her cheek again, his scowl fierce but his hold tender. “For an old woman, she packed a hell of a wallop. I think you might bruise.”
The slap seemed to have hurt Cort more than it did her. “Did you see Sandra look at her hand? I bet her palm was smarting.” Her attempt at humor fell flat. Marlow wished she knew what to say to him, but she was at a loss. Never before had she faced a situation like this. Never had she expected to. “It’s over, Cort. I’m fine, I get to stay in Bramble, and I’m with you. Overall, the day has been amazing.”
His mouth tightened. “I’ve never in my life hurt a woman, but I swear to God, I wanted to pick her up and stuff her into her car and tell her never to return.”
Marlow understood that. At first, she’d been equally incensed. “I think in the long run, it’ll be better and easier for Pixie if Sandra does come back—as long as she contains herself.”
Cort ground his teeth before taking her hand and leading her up the stairs. “It’ll probably be good for Mrs. Heddings, too. I don’t like your in-laws, and I won’t pretend that I do. But I know what it was like to lose a mother, to face the awful reality that there will be no more phone calls, no visits, no disagreements or jokes. The smiles, the hugs, the everyday conversations are gone . . . forever. With my mother, I knew she was ailing. I knew it was coming.” Inside his bedroom, he drew her to the bed and sat beside her, his hands braced on his knees, his shoulders rigid. “Your in-laws had no warning they were about to lose their son. I’m sure they assumed they’d die before him.” Again, his jaw flexed. “They’re not nice people, Marlow.”
All she could do was nod, but she clarified, “They’re not usually this bad. In all the time I’ve known them, the worst treatment I ever received was icy politeness.” That didn’t feel fair, so she added, “They were never unkind to me.”
“You’re so special, I don’t know how anyone could be.”
“I’m as imperfect as everyone else.”
Ignoring her comment, Cort said, “I accept that even Sandra and Aston suffer heartache. It was pretty obvious that your mother-in-law shocked herself, and I think her apology was genuine.”
“I do, too.” She leaned against him. “Thank you for not stuffing her in her car.”
Reluctantly, he nodded, then cast her a look. “If she ever touches you again, I make no promises.”
“She won’t.” Marlow pushed him back on the bed, then crawled over him. “So, Cort, I was wondering . . . What are we doing?”
He didn’t pretend to misunderstand. “You blindsided me.” His fingertips brushed her cheek. “I’ve tried to be prepared for anything life might throw my way.” He touched her lips. “No way could I have prepared for you.”
Like a verbal nudge, she reminded him, “You said you cared about me.”
“I love you.”
There it was, and still she repeated, “You love me?”
“Don’t panic,” he said, far too seriously. “I love you, but it doesn’t mean you have to—”
She crushed her mouth down on his, and it was an odd kiss because she was laughing and maybe crying a little.
He pressed her away. “Marlow?”
“I love you, too, you silly Marine.” She forced her way down for another kiss, then grinned at him. “How could I not love you?”
“I hope that’s a rhetorical question.”
“I’ve never known anyone like you. And you want to talk about blindsided! Holy smokes, you bowled me over. Constantly . Somehow meeting you took the worst period of my life and turned it into the best. Believe me, I was not looking for another romance. I wanted the freedom to be me, to live life any way I wanted, to make my own choices without having to consider anyone else.”
A small frown showed Cort’s worry.
Marlow put her hands on his cheeks. “With you, Cort, I’ve felt more like myself than I have since before my marriage. I like the person I am now a lot more.”
“Good, because I would never ask you to change.”
“I know that, and it’s just one of the many reasons why I love you. Bramble is special, and I want to stay, but I could be happy anywhere as long as I’m with you.”
He turned them so she was on her back, and he was over her. “I know you, Marlow. With or without me, you’d find a way to be happy, because that’s who you are. A survivor, an upbeat participant in life, a gentle soul with a backbone of iron and fierce drive. I’d rather you be happy with me, but no matter what, you’d find a way.” He kissed her carefully, mindful of her bruised cheek. “I love you enough to do things your way.”
She stalled. “Um, what does that mean?”
“I’m an old-fashioned guy, and as you know, Bramble is an old-fashioned town. Eventually, I’d like us to get married.”
Her heart started tripping wildly.
“I know you’ve been down that route without the best results. I’ll understand if you want a lot of time. If you prefer to go on living in the guest cottage, if you want us to slow down a little—”
“I don’t.” When he appeared confused, she tried again. “You’re right. I’d rather wait a while before getting married, but not too long. Maybe we could shoot for next summer?” That would give her heart time to settle down, so she was only thinking with her head. “And I love the guest cottage, but I’d also love to be with you more.”
Cautiously, he asked, “Would you like to live here?”
“Yes,” she said too quickly, so she politely tacked on, “If you don’t mind.”
He smiled. “The sunrises look the same from my dock, I promise.”
Thinking about spending a lifetime with this man had her blood pumping and her entire body too warm. “I’ll need some office space, too.”
He nodded. “We’ll look at the house and figure out what works best.”
“I still plan to work for Herman,” she warned.
“He’ll be thrilled to hear it.”
With Cort being so agreeable, her thoughts and plans hit Mach speed. “I still plan to open a shop in Lankton, too.”
“The building you looked at will be perfect.”
So much happiness couldn’t be contained in one body. “God, I love you.”
He gave her another, deeper kiss, one that signaled more was to come.
“Can Pixie stay at the lake house?”
Taking his kisses to her neck, Cort murmured, “On one condition.”
Oh, heavens, his lips felt delicious, nearly sidetracking her. She managed to breathe, “What is it?”
“You can’t keep paying for her.”
“I have to.”
Pausing long enough to make his one and only demand, Cort said, “It’s something I want to do. I like having her here where we can help her when necessary. I want to watch her grow and learn from you, and maybe she’ll learn a few things from me, too.”
Marlow put her palm to his face. “She’ll learn many things from you.”
“Then that’s settled.” He tugged at the hem of her shirt, then slid his hand underneath. “Now let’s move on to more important things.”
Breathless again, she asked, “Like loving each other?”
Sliding down in the bed to kiss the bare skin of her midriff, he growled, “That’s the perfect place to start.”
* * *