Page 64 of Hearts Aweigh
Spencer propped his elbow on the armrest. Daisy’s roommate was a shade too affectionate, but he understood why his mother chose to spend time with the agreeable woman. Perhaps he’d enlist Althea’s help to convince Daisy to come home.
His mother’s cultured voice spoke from his right. “Good evening, Spencer. May I join you?”
He rose and held the empty chair for her as she sat, then returned to his seat. They stayed quiet for several moments. Squeals sounded when Abby started a pillow fight with the two little girls.
“She’s good with Madeleine,” Daisy murmured.
“Yes.”
“Were you perhaps considering—” She adjusted her scarf. “Have you determined what to do about Madeleine when you return to New Orleans?”
“If you were there, you could help me.” He pulled at the cuffs of his jacket. “I mean, if you’d like to spend more time with her, I don’t mind.”
“Thank you.” Daisy rested her hands on her lap. “I would love to be a part of her life.”
Finally. Progress.Spencer forced himself not to barrel ahead. “That’s hard to do when you’re sailing around the ocean.”
“True.” She smiled. “But I’m not ready to leave just yet. God provided this refuge for me at a difficult time.”
“Althea told me how she met you on the day of Father’s funeral. After a lifetime of bowing to his wishes, you must have felt liberated.”
Spencer paused. Did his words sound sarcastic? He hadn’t meant them that way.
Daisy answered with a sad twist of her lips. “On the contrary, I felt lost. Like one of those animals that’s been born in captivity and doesn’t know how to survive in their natural habitat. The rest of my life stretched ahead of me, free from your father’s influence, yet I hadn’t a clue where to go or what to do.”
“How did you wind up in a public park?”
She raised her face to the starry expanse overhead. “Someone was directing my steps. When I settled on that bench, I had no idea God was about to send me an angel. Especially such a garrulous one.” Two ladylike puffs of laughter issued from her nose.
He smiled in response. “God has a way of doing that—sending the perfect person when we need them.” His gaze wandered back to Abby.
“Thanks to my friend Althea, I’ve been happier in the past year and a half than my entire life put together.”
“Couldn’t you at least bring your cell phone?”
“That’s one of the reasons I was happy. For the first time, I was out of touch. Answerable to no one but heaven and myself.” She reached over and settled her trembling hand on top of his shoulder. “You were born in the same type of cage, Spencer. As your mother, I should’ve made more effort to free you. In order to buy my own peace, I sacrificed yours. It’s the greatest regret of my life.” Her voice grew thick. She drew a wavery breath. “Please forgive me. I know I don’t deserve it. But I hope you will anyway.”
Spencer stared. He knew what the obvious reply was. The Christian reply.
“Of course.” Though his mouth formed the words, they felt perfunctory.
“Thank you.” Her response contained the same polite, stilted quality.
Why was it so difficult for them to tear down the walls?
Daisy released him, stood, and glided off in her usual graceful manner. Spencer’s heart sat like a rock in his chest. He focused on the faraway stars. When he’d drawn closer to God, forgiveness was part of the deal, and not only for himself. His new faith urged him to let go of the years of anger and hurt he’d harbored against Daisy. And to some extent, he had. But it didn’t make the bad memories disappear.
“God, forgiving is hard.” He lowered his gaze to the tent where his daughter sat laughing. “But I want to try. For all our sakes.”
CHAPTER 34
ABBY EXITED THE TENT ANDglanced at Spencer for the umpteenth time. She studied his slumped shoulders. He was a man who always said the proper words, did the proper thing, and stood the proper way. But not tonight. After his conversation with Daisy, he looked even more like a lost little boy.
Her toes twitched in her sneakers. She wanted to go over and talk to him, comfort him, find out what was wrong. But she didn’t dare. He wouldn’t welcome the intrusion. Her job was taking care of the daughter, not the father.
So instead, Abby wandered to where Gerry, Althea, and Emily sat by the faux campfire.
Gerry shivered. “Why is this Caribbean cruise so cold?”
