Page 52 of A Family Affair: The Ring
Will thought of the years of arguments, distance, and so much silence from his father.“So, you still love Susannah Russell?”
Long pause and then “I never stopped loving her and I willneverstop loving her, but she loves her husband.For a brief moment we reunited, but it was never going to lead to anything, not for Susannah.I thought it might give us a second chance, but she was so remorseful, and when she told me she’d do anything for her husband’s forgiveness, that’s when I knew it had never been about me.She really loved him and maybe it took almost losing him for her to realize that.”
“She wasn’t your first affair.There was another one.”
“There was.The woman could almost pass for Susannah if you looked at her a certain way.But she wasn’t, because nobody’s Susannah.”
Will wanted to hang up the phone but he couldn’t because in some twisted way he understood what his father meant about loving one woman forever.“I’m sorry.”
“I couldn’t stay in town and then Susannah left, and I didn’t have anything to give you and your mother.Your sister was already gone… Your mother didn’t want a divorce, but she didn’t want me either.I realized the best thing I could do for everybody was to disappear.”
“Where’d you go?”
“I moved to the outskirts of Pittsburgh for a while, got a job driving a truck in the area.It was thirty miles from Susannah, just in case she changed her mind.But once I saw them together, I knew she wouldn’t.That’s when I packed up and headed out.I’ve spent some time in Ohio and Tennessee.I’ve been in Texas for three years.”
Will had often wondered where his father might be, but he’d never pictured him broken-hearted over a woman.“Like I said, I’m sorry things didn’t line up the way you wanted.”
“It just wasn’t meant to be but that doesn’t mean I regret any of it, except for what happened with you and Melanie.ThatI do regret.Harry says she still cares about you.If there’s half a chance that could be true, you’ve got to fight for her.Beat the odds and show her you two were meant to be together.”
“So,what’s this surprise Harry left at your house and when do we get to see it?”Cash lifted the lid on the roaster pan, grabbed the turkey baster.“You never know with that guy, and he’s got me curious.”Cash drizzled juices over the plump bird.“He loves to keep us guessing.”
Harry Blacksworth certainly had Melanie guessing.Leave your door open because I want to drop something off before your dinner.It’s a Thanksgiving surprise, so don’t ask questions.He’d rubbed his jaw, blue eyes bright, his voice filled with true kindness.I hope you like it, but if not, maybe just give it a chance, okay?She’d wondered about those comments since yesterday when he’d stopped over with a container of wedding soup and two cannoli.You’re really leaving, huh?
It’s time, Harry.Dad said there’s been an offer on the house and he’s thinking of taking it.
Wow, that was fast.
Some guy’s looking at it as an investment property.Who knows?She hadn’t wanted to inquire, because even the perfect family wouldn’t be the right one… Not when she’d once believed she would be living in it with Will and their family.
Yeah, who knows?So, leave your door unlocked when you head over to Cash and Tess’s and I’ll make sure the surprise is waiting for you when you head back before dinner to pick it up.
Thank you, Harry, even though it really isn’t necessary.
Oh, but it is definitely necessary.He’d hugged her tight, whispered,Be happy.
“I guess I’ll head over to the house to pick up the surprise Harry left there.”She glanced at the rooster clock on the kitchen wall.“I should be back in a few minutes and then I can help with the rest of the meal.”
“Take your time.The bird’s almost done, and the potatoes are on the stove…cranberry sauce, stuffing, all on schedule.Ah, the green bean casserole needs to bake another twenty-five minutes.”His voice shifted, filled with emotion.“Thanksgiving isn’t Thanksgiving without a green bean casserole smothered with fried onions.”
Tess told her that Cash insisted on the green-bean-casserole tradition his Aunt Ramona had started for him when he came to live with her.Tradition is important to him, she’d said.Especially with parents like his who didn’t have time for anything but each other.“I’ll bet Harry’s sending over some special dessert to add to the pumpkin pies and pumpkin roll Miriam Desantro made for the meal.”
Cash closed the oven, tossed the red mitt on the counter.“I’ll never turn down anything from Harry, and it looks like I’ll have to add advice to the list since word has it, he’s been spreading it all over town.”
“He’s certainly been a busy man, hasn’t he?”Harry had contacted her father, visited Melanie a few times with food and a remark or three about forgiveness, second chances, and how finding your meant-to-be person can be a challenge.But when you do find that person, you hang on tight for the roller coaster ride because there won’t be anything like it in the heart department.He’d winked, blue eyes bright.I can guarantee that one.
“Good old Harry.Maybe he’s sending along a bottle of his finest wine with that dessert.”Cash laughed.“Or a bottle of his fancy scotch.”
“Maybe.”
“Can’t wait to find out.”
“Okay, I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
A nod and then a gentle “No rush, just make sure you’re back before it’s time to mash the potatoes.”He made a face.“Not my favorite task.”
“Happy to take the job.See you soon.”Melanie made her way to the foyer, shrugged into her jacket and tossed a scarf around her neck.In three days, she’d leave Magdalena and drive back to Pittsburgh where she’d hand in her resignation and consider the next step.Alec had offered to help pack up the apartment, but she’d declined.He was a wonderful man, but she could not give him hope they’d ever share a future together.
No one would fill that hole in her heart for a long time—if ever.
