Page 48 of A Family Affair: The Vow
“Impossible? No. Improbable? Absolutely.”
The man was never going to let her forget how her actions had hurt him. “I didn’t have an ulterior motive. I chose to trust Josh. If you can never trust, what do you really have? Empty relationships that only go so far? Doubts that continue to creep in because you can’t 100% verify what someone has told you? That someone being the person you’re supposed to care about and love? I can’t do it anymore. I don’twantto do it anymore, Vic. And if that makes me a fool or reckless and whatever other words you want to use, then I guess that’s what I am.”
More staring, more jaw twitching, and then he switched subjects. “Why are you telling people your stay is indefinite?” He rubbed the back of his neck, sucked in a breath. “Why can’t you just tell them you’re leaving as soon as your sister returns? That you aren’t going to just stay? If you let them believe you’ll be here for a while, maybe for good, they’re going to depend on you… Get used to seeing you… And then you’re going to leave.”
“Are we talking about the whole town or someone in particular?”Someone like you?
He didn’t like that question and the scowl said he didn’t intend to answer it. “The people in this town are decent and honest. It’s not right to play with their emotions and let them have hope.”
“I told them the truth, Vic. It just might not be a truth you want to hear. You’ve done an excellent job avoiding me, limiting our conversations to text and email, and the rare—and I’m sure, dreaded—phone call. Of course, Thanksgiving dinner would be an exception because we were both blindsided on that one, though I’m sure we’re not going to have a repeat. But I’m here, Vic, in Magdalena, and I’m going to do the right thing by these people, which is to help them and show them what they can do with their skills. There’s real talent here, but if nobody outside of Magdalena or Renova ever sees it, that talent remains undiscovered. But to put it online, brand it, give it shape and a real presence? That can have unlimited potential and numerous possibilities, and I know how to do it. In fact, I’m very good at it.”
“No doubt you’re good at everything you set your mind to; the question iswhyare you doing it? What’s your angle?”
“I’m sorry you think so little of me that you truly believe I wouldn’t help someone unless there was an angle. I have three job offers and do you know how I got those? I didn’t solicit them, didn’t even know they were looking. No, it all happened when I made phone calls for the silent auction. When businesses learned I was available, they offered me a job. I could work anywhere...Virginia, Florida, California...”
Those blue eyes turned to liquid silver. “A warm climate would suit you. No more hats and scarves or boots unless they were to make a fashion statement.”
“Right, but you see, the work is remote so I could work from anywhere.” Pause and a cautious “I could work from Magdalena.” She continued before he had a chance to shut down that possibility. “But I’m not sure I want any of those jobs. I’m keeping my options open for a while because what I’m really interested in is this.” She motioned him toward the living room, pointed at the business plans and descriptions spread out on the coffee table from the artists who’d submitted their work for an online presence. “I’m going to help these people get their products to market, and Christine will help them with the business plan and securing loans or whatever is necessary. And for once in a very long time, I’m excited. Not for me and not because of some grand bonus or title. I’m doing it because it feels right and I want to help.” Vic shoved his hands in his coat pockets, homed in on the papers.
Rae sucked in a breath, thought about all the hours Leah had talked to her about hope and not giving up. She’d believed her sister’s words, held onto them each night, but the man in front of her was cold, distant, unforgiving—a stranger. Life could not continue this way no matter how much she willed it. “If you can’t see that I’m not the same person I was when I first got here, then you’re never going to see it.” Another deep breath before she pushed out the real question, the one that decided their fate. “You’re not going to give me another chance either, are you?”
“Probably not.”
She would not cry. She would not let him hear the heartbreak or the despair in her voice. A nod, a clearing of her throat and then “I appreciate your honesty. I wish you’d been able to find it in your heart to believe in me one more time… Believe in us, because it would have been magical. But I can’t make you care about me...or us.” More throat clearing and darn if her voice didn’t crack when she spilled out the next words. “I can’t make you forgive me or love me and I’ve tried. So, I’m going to accept that we’ll never be together and one day, I do hope you find happiness. I only wish it could have been with me. Now, I have a lot of work to do so…”
“Right. Goodbye, Rae.” That stare burned her with such intensity, she had to look away. Seconds later the front door closed, and he was gone.
* * *
Nate stoppedby Vic’s to deliver a container of Christmas cookies. “My mother insisted I deliver these to you.” He handed Vic the container, sighed. “She made your sugar cookies extra thin because she said that’s the way you like them.” The raised brow and shake of his head said “almost annoyed,” but then he smiled and tossed out “If I’m not careful, you’re going to move into the favorite-son position and you’re not even her son.”
Mrs. D had always been a nurturing person, but since the breakup? The woman never asked the particulars about what happened, but she certainly did fill his belly. There’d been two dinner invitations, which he’d declined and she hadn’t asked why, though they both knew the reason. Vic wasn’t going to walk into another set-up whereshemight be there. Thanksgiving had been a torture he was not going to repeat.
Why would he agree to hours in the same room with his ex,so close he could memorize her expressions, touch her, smell her citrus scent, hear her voice? No, just no.Shestill invaded his thoughts and dreams way too often and the only hope he had of erasing her from his memory was to avoid her and try to forget. Probably not going to happen, but it would eventually fade, it had to…
“I appreciate the cookies, but you really didn’t have to make a special trip.”
The man the town calledhonorablerubbed his jaw, let out a long sigh. “Yes, I did. My mother doesn’t ask for favors often, but when she does, you don’t say no.”
“So, since you’re here, do you want a drink? I’ve got beer, bourbon, and whiskey.”
“Beer’s fine. I’ve got to get home for dinner and then there’s the baths, snacks, and story time.” His lips pulled into a smile. “You know, Dad stuff.”
No, he wouldn’t know, but there had been a time not long ago when he thought he might have an opportunity to experience it. Vic shrugged, nodded. “Right. Dad stuff.” He set the container on the kitchen table, opened the fridge and pulled out two beers, handed one to Nate. Vic twisted off the cap, raised his bottle. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas.” Nate took a long pull on his beer. “Mom also wanted me to tell you that you’re invited to Christmas dinner.” He paused, his next words, a mix of apology and concern. “She said you’re the only guest she’s invited.And,she’d really like you to come.”
What Mrs. D meant was that Rachel Darlington wouldn’t be there. “Thanks, can I let you know?”
“Sure.” Those dark eyes zeroed in on him like they could see straight inside his brain. “You’re going to have to make a decision pretty soon, or it’s going to be made for you.”
Vic took another swig of beer, kept his expression blank, his voice even. “I have made my decision; it’s just not the popular one.”
“Maybe. Or maybe you onlythinkyou’ve made a decision, or your pride won’t let you make the one you want to… Or fear’s got a hold of you… Take your pick.”
“Damn it, Nate, why can’t everyone just let it go? We’re done. Finished. I don’t want to think about her, I don’t want to hear about her, I don’t want to see her. What good would any of it do if I’m never going to trust her again?”
Nate eyed him. “If that’s true, then why do you look like a guy who’s about to puke and why did your voice shake just now? Do what you want and you certainly have the right to stand by your choice; just make sure it really is your final decision because the longer this goes on, the harder it’s going to be to fix, until it can’t be fixed.”
