Lies Page 3

  He closed his eyes for a minute. “You can say that, but I just felt your response to me. If the physical is all we have between us, then that’s what I’ll build from. I love you, Susie, whether you want to hear it or not.” He turned and walked out of the house, and she sagged against the cabinet.

  “Crap,” she whispered to herself. “Now what?” She hoped he wouldn’t take her actions for being in love with him again. Why hadn’t she been able to control her response to his kiss? She wasn’t a hormonal teenager anymore. She should be able to control a reaction.

  She continued putting away groceries and started dinner. As she worked, she couldn’t get the look in Mark’s eyes out of her head. She couldn’t let him get a hold on her heart again. What she’d felt for him was too powerful. If that happened again, she’d lose herself completely.

  After dinner that evening, Mark brought the boys over to see her mom. She made sure she stayed on the other side of the room from him, but he watched her with his dark eyes. She could tell her mother noticed, even as she talked animatedly with the Michael and Matthew. Refusing to meet Mark’s eyes, she engaged in the conversation with the boys and her mom, talking about what they thought of the daycare center they’d been stuck in all week.

  “I can’t wait until we get to stay with you again next week,” one of the boys said.

  “I know, Michael. I’m excited too.” Beth squeezed the little boy’s hand.

  Susie took a moment to study the two boys, trying to find a way to tell them apart. After a moment, she saw that Michael’s face was just a touch fuller than Matthews. She may not be able to tell them apart when they weren’t together, but she would now be able to if they were in the same room. After that, it was just a matter of remembering who was wearing what shirt for the day.

  “We’re going to take good care of you,” Matthew said. “Whatever you need, we’ll bring you.”

  Susie grinned. They really were like their dad. She couldn’t detect any of Jennifer’s personality in them at all. She wasn’t sure if that was good or bad, though. They were great kids, but they’d remind her of their dad every minute of every day. “Actually, she needs to be up and doing things for herself. She needs to do a little bit more every day. It’ll help her recover faster.”

  Beth grinned. “As much as I like the idea of you two waiting on me, Susie’s right. I do need to move as much as I can. Pretty soon I’ll be running all over the place again.”

  Michael hugged Beth. “I can’t wait until Monday, and we get to spend all day with you again.”

  Susie was worried about the visit tiring her mother out, but it obviously had the opposite effect. The boys reminded her that getting better meant she could have fun with them again.

  Mark stayed out of her way for the rest of the weekend. He mowed her lawn, and then her mom’s, but didn’t attempt to talk to her even when she was outside.

  By the time Mark walked Michael and Matthew to her mother’s house on Monday morning; Susie was able to convince herself that the scene in the kitchen hadn’t happened. There was no way she’d reacted that strongly to Mark kissing her again. He’d just surprised her last time. She didn’t love him anymore. There was no way she could.

  The sun was barely up when she opened the door and herded the boys to the kitchen table for breakfast. “I hope you guys like pancakes,” she said enthusiastically.

  Mark smiled as he watched Susie with his boys. He knew that no matter how she felt about him, she wouldn’t be taking it out on his children, and he was grateful for that.

  Beth hobbled into the kitchen and took her seat at the table, sinking down heavily. “Mark, you need to join us. Susie made plenty.”

  Mark’s eyes met Susie’s for an instant, and she felt a jolt go through her. She wanted to kick herself. What was wrong with her that she could still be so attracted to a man who had treated her badly? What was it about him?

  “Would you mind?” he asked, leaving the decision up to Susie. He wanted to stay, of course, but if she thought it was her idea that she was staying then maybe things would go better for him. He wasn’t giving up no matter what. He’d convince her to take him back if it killed him.

  She sighed softly. She really didn’t want to spend any more time with Mark than absolutely necessary, but she wasn’t going to tell him he couldn’t eat with her mother and his kids watching. “That’s fine.”

  He joined the others at the table. Susie got herself another plate from the cupboard, and sat down across from him, careful not to let her eyes dwell on him.

  As they were finishing up, Mark stood, and asked Susie to go to the door with him. She followed uncertainly, but was sure he just needed to tell her something about one of the boys.

  When they reached the door, he said, “Miss me today.” He leaned down and brushed his lips against hers and closed the door behind him. He didn’t give her time to react, and for that she was thankful. She knew she would have simply wrapped her arms around him and clung for dear life. Why couldn’t she simply forget him and all they’d once met to each other?

  As her mother improved, they started letting the boys swim in the in-ground pool her parents had installed when she was a kid. Beth would alternate between lying on a lounger at the side of the pool and walking laps in the pool, while Susie swam with the boys. She found the boys charming and lovable. She’d been prepared to dislike them, but found she just couldn’t make herself do it.

  Each evening, as soon as she noticed Mark pulling his extended cab pick-up truck into his driveway, she would send the boys home. She wanted to make certain he had no need to stop in at her mom’s house.

  When her dad arrived home the following week, she was thrilled to see him. She’d been trying to time her visits home with his time at home, but they’d missed each other the past few years. As soon as he walked in the door on Wednesday afternoon, the boys ran into his arms, yelling, “Papa!”

  He grabbed them both in a bear hug, obviously content to find them in his home. He had called every day, talking with Beth and Susie. Beth was glad she’d told him the wrong date for the surgery, because he hadn’t run home to her and she knew he’d worried a lot less that way. On the day he thought she was supposed to have surgery, Susie told him the truth. He wasn’t happy about the deception, but was so relieved that Beth had come through it okay, that he just didn’t care.

  The boys followed her father around like lost puppies for the rest of the afternoon. Susie was surprised by how openly her parents embraced Mark’s boys. How could they have so totally forgiven him for the way he’d treated her? Once, years before, her mother had told her Mark was the closest thing to a son they’d ever had. Closing themselves off to him would be like losing their child. They weren’t willing to do that.

  When Susie saw Mark’s truck that afternoon, she told the boys their dad was home. Her dad responded with, “So what? Mark can come on over and get ‘em.”

  She didn’t want to defy her father, but really didn’t want to see Mark, either. She decided to let it go. She could handle being in the same house with him for a few minutes.

  When Mark came over, he shook hands with her father, and the two men’s eyes met in a way that made Susie wonder what they were up to.

  “How was the trip?” Mark asked.

  Her father shrugged. “’Bout like they all are. I made some money, but I’m glad to be home for a few days.”

  “Dinner’s ready,” Susie said. She looked at Mark pointedly, hoping he’d take the hint, and take the boys home.

  “The boys want extra time with your dad,” Mark said. “Eat dinner with me.” He knew she wouldn’t agree immediately, but he had a trick up his sleeve now.

  Susie shook her head emphatically. “Not happening.”

  David sighed. “Susie, I want to talk with you. Privately.” He jerked his head toward the closed master bedroom door. She was an adult, but when he said her name in that tone, she knew she’d better obey.

  She followed along behind her fat
her into his bedroom. He shut the door behind them. “What, Dad?” She waited for the lecture on rudeness, but she didn’t care what he thought. He hadn’t been the one Mark had treated like dirt.

  “I’m ashamed of you. You’ve held a grudge against Mark long enough. You were downright rude out there tryin’ to get him to take the boys home. You will go to dinner with him tonight, and you will treat him with the respect he deserves.”

  She shook her head. “I still don’t see how you and Mom can just go on as if nothing happened. You do realize that he dumped me for my college roommate? And that he didn’t even have the guts to tell me about it until I caught them together?”

  David crossed his arms. “I know your bitch of a roommate ruined that boy’s life. I know she destroyed all of his hopes and dreams. All he ever wanted from life was you. She twisted everything to make it seem like you were avoiding him and seeing someone else.” David paused as she started to interrupt. “I know he should have talked to you about it, but he was hurt. He went up there to confront you, and she staged that little scene to make it look like they were a couple. And you fell for it hook, line and sinker. It’s your fault as much as it is his.”

  Susie set her jaw. “I can’t believe that you fell for that nonsense. Why would he marry her if that were the case?” Her Daddy was really on Mark’s side in this whole thing? What was the world coming to?

  “Because he had just lost the most important thing in his life, and she seemed to care. Because he believed that you weren’t who he thought you were and he wanted to hurt you. Why else?”

  “That’s stupid, Daddy. I’m not doing it.” She crossed her arms over her chest. How could he expect that of her?

  “Yes, you are. You’re going to give him a chance to explain.” He sighed, his face softening. “I’ve always believed in soul mates. I think that every person in the world has someone who was made just for them. Your mother is my soul mate. I could have married someone else, but I never would have been as happy as I am with her.”

  “I can see that with you and Mom,” she agreed. She couldn’t help but believe that there was a perfect someone for everyone. After watching her parents for over thirty years, it was obvious.

  “Honey, Mark is your soul mate. I could see that when you two were little kids digging for dinosaur bones in the front yard. Give him a chance. You’re never going to be truly happy without him.”

  Susie sighed. “All right, Dad. I’ll do it for you.” She looked down at the dirty shorts and tank top she wore. She and the boys had made cookies from scratch, and she was covered in flour. “I’m going to go change into something presentable. Tell him I’ll be ready in fifteen minutes.”

  She went into her room and changed into a pair of jeans and a tee shirt. It was the dressiest thing she’d brought with her. She quickly brushed her hair and added some lipstick. She wasn’t a fashion plate and never had been. If he didn’t like it, he could find some other woman to torment.

  Chapter Four

  She walked out into the living room just as Mark was returning from his own house. He’d changed out of his cut-off shorts and was wearing jeans. He’d obviously showered as well. His hair was wet. “You ready?” he asked. His brown eyes were steady on hers. She’d always loved his eyes.

  “Yeah, let me just grab my purse.” She picked up her purse from the table and followed him out the door. “Did you and my dad plan this?” She had to ask. She needed an explanation for her daddy’s behavior.

  He nodded. “Your dad knows that I’ve never stopped loving you. He wanted to give us a chance to be happy.” He opened the door for her to climb into his truck. “Does that upset you?”

  She waited until he was behind the driver’s seat before she answered. “Upset me? No. Startle me? Yes.”

  He grinned over at her. “Mexican okay?” At her nod he asked, “Why does it startle you?”

  She thought about that for a moment before answering. “My daddy has always been the type to want to kill anyone who hurt his little girl. Knowing that you hurt me, and giving you another chance, just really surprises me.” And shook her to the core. If her daddy thought he deserved another chance, then maybe he really did.

  He nodded. “I’ve stayed really close to your parents over the years. I didn’t deliberately look for a house beside theirs, but that’s how it worked out, and I can’t say it bothers me. They’ve been the best grandparents my boys could have asked for.”

  “That makes sense. I think.” She paused and then asked the question that had been burning her brain. “How did she die? Jennifer, I mean.” Just saying the name bothered her, but she had to ask. She needed to know what would have killed a young woman in her twenties.

  Mark laughed. “She left the boys with your mom one evening while I was working late and went to a bar. She did that a lot actually. Anyway, on this particular night, she was going home with some guy she’d never met. Also not unusual. He was driving drunk and ran a red light. The car was t-boned on her side. We got to the hospital just in time for her to tell me that she was glad she’d made me miserable. She told me that it was my fault for being so wrapped around your little finger.” He paused for a minute. “That’s also when she admitted that she’d twisted things to keep us apart during your freshman year. She saw how devoted I was to you, and wanted a man who would treat her that way. So she decided to take yours.”

  Susie shook her head. “Wow. I always knew she was a bitch, but that’s worse than I imagined. I’m sorry you had to go through that.” And she found that she really was sorry. He’d made some terrible decisions twelve years before, and he had paid dearly for them. Yes, she’d had her heart broken, but she’d had a good life for that time. She had a job she loved and good friends who would do anything for her. His mistakes had hurt him infinitely more than they’d hurt her.

  He pulled into a restaurant they’d frequented as teenagers. She knew he was trying to use the old memories to get closer to her, and she knew it was working. He took her hand in his as they left the truck, and she found she didn’t have the heart to pull away.

  Mark looked down at Susie as they walked. He wasn’t sure what her father had said to her, but it had worked. When he’d talked to David on Monday evening, he’d explained the situation and begged for advice. David had told him that he’d take care of everything. “I always thought you two needed to be together. I’ll help as much as I can.”

  He kept her hand tightly in his as they ate together. They sipped their soft drinks and munched on chips and salsa as they caught up. She told him about her job in Colorado and how much she loved it there, but admitted that she missed Texas sometimes.

  “I’ve kept up with you through your parents, but I’ve wanted to write to you or call you so many times over the years. I didn’t feel like I had the right to do it while I was married. I had the divorce papers ready to be served. I was going to kick her out the next week and then I was going to come after you.” He sighed. “She even messed that up.”

  “Why didn’t you contact me after she died?” She tilted her head to the side as she asked the question.

  He laughed bitterly. “Guilt more than anything. And your mom told me you weren’t ready. I wanted to divorce her so you’d know I didn’t want her anymore. Instead, she died before I could. I know that sounds stupid, but I wanted you to know that I chose you. Not her.” And he knew that no matter what happened from now on, he’d talk to her calmly and get the truth from her, rather than flying off the handle.

  She stared down at the table for a moment, needing a break from looking into his eyes. “That means a lot to me.” Knowing that he was planning on coming after her, even before Jennifer died, made her feel a lot better.

  He squeezed her hand tighter. “Does that mean you’ll give me a chance?” He needed her to agree to this. He knew he could make her love him again if she’d just give him a chance.

  She just looked at him for a minute. “I can’t let my heart get broken again.” The fear in her eyes
was apparent.

  “I promise you, I won’t break off our relationship. I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life proving it to you.” He reached into his pocket for something and laid it on the table. “I kept this all these years, hoping that one day, you’d accept it again.”

  She looked down at the object and laughed. “My ring!” She started to reach for it, but he picked it up.

  “You can’t have it yet.”

  “What do you mean? It’s mine.” She was offended that he would take back the ring that had meant so much to her over the years. If he loved her, wouldn’t he want her to have it?

  He shook his head. “When you totally trust me again, I’ll give it back.”

  “What if I never totally trust you again?”

  “Then the ring is mine. I did spend every quarter I had on it.”

  She smiled. She could still picture the little boy he’d been. His parents hadn’t been ones to give him money, and she knew that every dime he had came from doing odd jobs for others. “Okay, that’s reasonable.”

  “Let me know when you’re ready for it.” He slipped it back into his pocket.

  “How did you keep Jennifer from throwing it away all those years?” She was genuinely surprised he hadn’t thrown it away. She’d pitched it at his head the last time she’d spoken to him before his wedding with Jennifer.

  “She did throw it away. I dug it out of the trash when she wasn’t looking and asked your mom to keep it for me.” He remembered the scene with Jennifer when she’d thrown it out. It had been right after they’d married. He’d picked it up from Beth a few days after Jennifer’s death. It meant too much to him to allow even Beth to keep it for a day longer than necessary.

  The waitress brought their food. “Is there anything else I can get you?”

  “No thanks.” Mark looked at Susie. “Thanks for giving me a chance.”