Melanie let Jackson take the lead. He headed toward the river and spread out the blanket. So much had changed since she and Jackson had sat at this very spot. A tremendous weight was gone now that he knew she wasn’t moving Aunt Phoebe, but more important, there were no more secrets about her past.
With Rebecca and Sam occupied, now was as good a time as any to field questions from Jackson. Melanie took a seat next to him, their elbows touching. “Jackson, I want you to know everything that happened last year.” She took a deep breath and released it. “I’ll answer any questions you have. I’m sure, with all the noise in The Bean, you probably heard only bits and pieces.”
He reached over and held her hand. “Why don’t you tell me in your own way? But first, I want you to know how sorry I am for your loss.”
Melanie turned at the sound of a whip-poor-will bird from a nearby gum tree. “The past year has been a blur. Some days it feels like it just happened, and other days, it’s like an eternity ago.” She paused to wipe a tear she could no longer hold back. “It was my fault, Jackson.”
“What are you talking about? It was an accident.” With his index finger, he rubbed her hand in a circular motion.
She pulled it out of his grasp and ran her fingers through her hair. “I should have been with my family. If I had, I would have been the one driving, not Jeff. He was a doctor and had just come off a twenty-four-hour shift.” The ground beneath her started to spin. She gripped the blanket in preparation for another panic attack.
Jackson’s eyes widened. “Mel, are you okay?”
She took in short consecutive breaths until the spinning stopped. “Sorry... I have these spells sometimes.”
“Panic attacks?” He tilted his head.
She nodded and hoped Jackson didn’t notice the heat that filled her face. “That’s what the doctors say.” It was difficult to admit this weakness. She’d always thought people who experienced them were unable to cope. Now she was one of those people.
“Don’t be ashamed, Mel. It’s very common in cases like yours. Please don’t feel embarrassed.”
Melanie pushed her hair away from her face. “I’m getting better at keeping the attacks under control.” She smiled. “You would have liked him, Jackson...my husband. He was a lot like you.”
Jackson smiled. “How so?”
She turned to answer. “He was a wonderful father. The twins were crazy about him. Unlike me, he didn’t put work first.” Her hand gripped her pant leg. “Family was the most important thing to him.”
Jackson gave her hand a squeeze. “Listen, I think you’re being too hard on yourself. The accident wasn’t your fault. It’s obvious from the way you talk about your family that you loved them more than anything. You have a demanding job. It sometimes must take priority.”
Melanie spotted Rebecca pick up Sam and head toward the blanket. It was time to end this conversation and rein in her emotions. “Work should never be a priority over family. I know now. I only wish I’d realized then.”
Rebecca jumped in the middle of the blanket and put the dog next to Jackson. “Daddy, we’re hungry.”
Melanie pulled Rebecca into her arms. Everything was right in the world when she was around. “You know, Rebecca, I didn’t get to thank you for listening to me talk about my girls this morning.”
Rebecca scrunched her forehead. “You don’t have to thank me, Miss Melanie. I’m glad you were a mommy, even if it wasn’t for a long time.” She tapped her tennis shoes against the blanket.
She kissed Rebecca on the cheek. “How would you like a big piece of fried chicken?” Melanie gave her button nose a quick tap.
A half hour passed as they ate their picnic and enjoyed the view. “That was nearly as good as Phoebe’s chicken.” Jackson rested his hand across his stomach. “I’m so stuffed, I couldn’t eat another bite.”
“So, I guess I can have your brownie, then?” Melanie snatched the dessert and brought it to her lips, pretending to take a bite.
He grabbed it from her hand and placed it back inside the basket. “Not on your life.”
Rebecca giggled.
When Jackson’s cell phone chirped, he frowned. He answered and quickly hung up. “That’s enough.” He tossed the phone to the side.
“Was it another hang-up?” Melanie’s eyebrows drew together. “I thought when I adjusted your settings it would take care of the problem with unknown calls. Do you want me to take another look?”
He shook his head. “I don’t think it would do any good, but thanks for the offer.” Jackson rubbed his hand across his chin. “I think whoever this is knows what they’re doing when it comes to making sure their numbers don’t show up. What I don’t understand is why they call so often and never say a thing.”
When his phone chirped a second time, Melanie picked it up off the blanket. A quick scan of the screen and she knew this call was safe. She handed it to Jackson. “It’s Aunt Phoebe.”
While he took the call, Melanie reached over to Sam and placed the puppy on her lap. “I’ve been meaning to ask—when do you get to take him home?” she asked, stroking the puppy’s neck.
Rebecca flung herself back on the blanket and released a heavy sigh. “Oh... I don’t know. It seems like it’s been forever. Mr. Whiteside said he still needs his mommy.”
She remembered how slowly time passed when she was a child. Once her girls were born, the time seemed to pass faster each year. “Be patient. You’ll be bringing Sam home before you know it.”
Jackson said goodbye and turned to Melanie. “Uh...just so you know, I didn’t mention us being together to Phoebe. I wasn’t sure if it was something you wanted to share with her yourself.”
“I appreciate it, Jackson. What was she calling about?”
“She wants me to pick her up and take her to church tomorrow. Apparently the doctor said it was okay since she’s doing so well.”
Melanie’s shoulders wilted. “I planned on visiting her tomorrow.”
Jackson wiped his hands down the front of his jeans. “Well, she asked me if I’d bring you to church, too.”
Melanie squirmed on the blanket. Even though she’d been able to open up to Jackson about the accident, there was no way she was ready to attend church.
“Yes, please, Miss Melanie, come to church with us. Maybe after, we can all go out for Sunday dinner.” Rebecca was on her feet, twirling on the blanket. Sam nipped at her heels.
Melanie’s heart sank. Rebecca had helped her so much. How could she possibly say no? Then there was Aunt Phoebe. She’d be disappointed, as well. “Okay, I’ll go, but only if we can have another picnic here afterward.” There was something about this place. This spot in particular brought Melanie a sense of peace. Her wish was to spend as much time here as possible before going back to DC.
“Three picnics?” Jackson winked at Melanie. “I believe this mountain air is growing on you.”
“I think you might be right.”
Rebecca grabbed a brownie. “Daddy, can I take Sam for a walk? I’m tired of sitting, and he’s getting bored.”
“Okay, but don’t go too far, and please stay in sight.” Jackson opened the picnic basket, grabbed two brownies and handed one to Melanie. “I think I’m hungry again.” He grinned. “These are a little different from the others.”
Melanie snatched the offering. It looked more like two stacked on top of each other with something gooey in the center. She took a huge bite. “Yum... This just melts in your mouth.” She took another bite. “Is that peanut butter?” She licked the chocolate that oozed between her fingers.
Jackson laughed and reached for her hand. “Don’t bite off a finger, now.”
His touch triggered a shiver that traveled up her spine. This felt right. Could this be a new beginning for her? “Jackson, can I ask you something?”
“Of course—anything.”
Since Rebecca had brought up her mother during dinner at Aunt Phoebe’s house, Melanie had been curious about her. “Has Rebecca’s mother ever tried to get in contact with her?”
He shook his head. “No. She left when Rebecca was a year old, and I’ve never heard from her since.” Jackson glanced up to the sky. “Funny thing, she ran off with one of my best friends from high school.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I never heard from him again, either.”
Melanie picked at her fingernail. Why had she even brought up the subject? It was obviously painful for Jackson, but she wanted to know more. “It must have been so hard.”
“The hardest part was losing the trust of two people who I loved, and who I thought loved me.” He let out a faint breath.
She studied his chiseled features. As she recalled the feeling of his lips against her cheek, she wondered how they would feel against her lips. As though he read her mind, Jackson leaned in closer. The warmth of his breath on her face tickled. When he pulled back ever so slightly, she leaned forward. This feeling, this moment—she wanted it to last forever.
“Daddy, daddy...come quick!”
At the sound of his daughter’s call for help, Jackson shot up like a rocket and took off running. Melanie’s foot twisted in the blanket when she tried to get up.
After several jerks, her foot finally free, she sprinted toward Rebecca’s cries. The sound of the water racing filled her mind with terrible thoughts. Had she fallen into the river?
Melanie’s breath caught in her throat at the sight of the little girl’s blond curls. Standing next to the rushing water with her hands covering her eyes, she screamed, “Sam fell into the river.”
Jackson snatched his daughter into his arms and held her tight. “Tell us exactly what happened.” With a gentle hand, he rubbed her back in a circular motion.
“Sam saw a rabbit and took off running.” She released a piercing wail. “The leash burned my hand. I couldn’t hold on. I killed him.”
Jackson passed Rebecca into Melanie’s arms. “I’ll find him.” He turned and sprinted down the path.
“How do you know he fell into the river?” Melanie scanned the area. “Maybe he chased a bunny along the bank.”
Rebecca’s eyes were bloodred. Her tears continued to flow, soaking Melanie’s shirt. “I’m scared. He’s so little.” Her lips trembled uncontrollably. “I shouldn’t have taken him from his mommy this soon. It’s my fault.”
Melanie’s stomach lurched. It’s my fault. She knew all too well what Rebecca was feeling. She lived with it every day. She was the twins’ mother. It was her job to protect them. Her own tears coursed down her cheeks.
“Miss Melanie?” Rebecca’s tears slowed, and her tiny hand touched Melanie’s face. “Why are you crying? Are you sad about Sam, too?”
Melanie hugged the precious child, no longer feeling the fear of being close to her. She longed for her own girls back in her arms, but that would never happen. “It’s not your fault, sweetie. Sometimes things happen we can’t control.”
“Like the accident?”
Rebecca’s words splintered Melanie’s heart. She wanted to rip the pain from her chest. She gulped. “You mean my accident? When your daddy rescued me?”
“No, the accident that sent your family to heaven. You couldn’t control it...could you?”
The words lodged deep in her throat. Melanie could only shake her head.
“Daddy says God is in control. He knows what’s best for us.”
Melanie wiped her eyes, craving more. “Really... What else does your daddy say?”
“He says sometimes bad things happen we don’t understand, but God knows.” A closed-lip smile took over her face. “He’ll make it all good in the end.” With a gentle touch, she brushed a loose strand of hair away from Melanie’s eyes.
Melanie paused to consider Jackson’s words, passed on to her by his beautiful child. Was God trying to make good in the end? Had He brought Rebecca and Jackson into her life for a purpose? Her mind raced. Was He trying to fulfill her dream of having another family? A dream she believed was impossible to capture, given her career-driven life in DC?
Rebecca’s head jerked and she pointed down the path. “Look, Miss Melanie! Daddy is coming, and he has Sam.”
Rebecca squirmed in her arms, but Melanie didn’t want to let go. Ever.
“See, Miss Melanie, my daddy is pretty smart.”
Melanie’s heart lifted at the sight of Jackson walking toward them and holding the puppy. She laughed, watching it smother Jackson’s face with wet licks. She turned and looked at Rebecca. This was what a family felt like. “Yes, he sure is.”
* * *
Jackson couldn’t recall the last time he’d been this content. Sitting in the church pew with his daughter on one side and Melanie on the other, he thought his heart might explode with joy.
He leaned down when Rebecca turned to him and cupped her hand as if to whisper a secret in his ear. “We’re like a family, Daddy.” Her eyes were alight with fire. He reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze.
Something in Melanie had changed yesterday, and Jackson couldn’t have been happier. The hurt once consuming her eyes was now replaced with a sparkle. Jackson didn’t ever want to look away.
Phoebe, of course, had noticed immediately. When they’d picked her up for church, all it took was one look. “You’re positively glowing. Working at The Bean must agree with you,” she’d told Melanie.
Watching Mel today in church, Jackson agreed. She was more beautiful than ever, if it were even possible.
When the service concluded, the congregation filed out. The pastor greeted everyone with a handshake. “It’s good to see you, Jackson.” He glanced at Melanie and gave Jackson a wink. “I’m so happy you decided to join us, Melanie. I hope we’ll see you again.”
Melanie blushed. “I hope so, too, Pastor. It was a lovely service.”
Outside, Rebecca grabbed Jackson’s hand. “Daddy, can Miss Melanie take me over to the playground for a few minutes?” His daughter’s eyes pleaded for more time with her.
Jackson glanced toward Melanie, who nodded.
Phoebe stepped forward. “It sounds like a wonderful idea.” She ruffled the top of Rebecca’s curls. “I need to speak with your daddy in private.”
He took notice of the raised eyebrow Melanie gave Phoebe. “Okay,” he said, “but only for a few minutes if you want to go on the picnic.” He’d woken up extra early this morning to make ham-and-Swiss-cheese sandwiches on rye bread and potato salad. He’d also defrosted more of the fudge brownies since Melanie was crazy about them. With everything stowed in the cooler inside his truck, they were ready.
“Okay, Daddy.” Rebecca grabbed Melanie’s hand, and they took off running toward the playground. Melanie’s flowered dress blew in the breeze. It was a good thing she was wearing flats.
“Jackson, what on earth has become of my Melanie?” The older lady beamed. “She’s so happy. I haven’t seen her this way since she lost her family.”
Jackson kicked a few pebbles, stirring up a little dust. “Yesterday at the orchard, she told me about her family and the accident.” He paused. “I don’t think I’ve ever met a woman as strong as her. What she experienced... I just don’t know if I could move on.”
Her gazed flicked to Melanie and Rebecca, who were across the grounds. “It’s been a difficult path for her, but I’m thankful she’s finally opened up to you.”
Relief washed over him, but he wasn’t quite sure how Phoebe would feel about the two of them getting close. “I think Rebecca has really helped Mel to open up.”
“Mel?” She crossed her arms and flashed a smile.
He stuffed his hands in the front pockets of his slacks. “It’s just a little nickname.” He grinned, and warmth moved across his face.
“I think if the truth be told, you’ve really helped Melanie. I see the way she looks at you, Jackson.” Tears peppered Phoebe’s eyelashes. “Thank you for bringing my niece back to me.”
The past few days, Jackson had assumed Rebecca was responsible for the transformation in Melanie. He’d never imagined he could have contributed. “Well, I really haven’t done anything other than help with The Bean.”
Phoebe lifted an eyebrow. “She told me about the picnics, Jackson. Last night on the phone, she couldn’t stop talking about it. Melanie sounded like a high-school girl with her first crush.”
He felt like a teenager himself. Each day he was growing closer to Melanie, and to his surprise, he wasn’t questioning his judgment in the trust department. This was a new and exciting feeling. One he hoped to explore.
“I’ll be honest with you. Melanie is becoming an important person, not only in my life but also in Rebecca’s.” He paused and placed his hand on her arm. “I hope it’s okay with you. I wouldn’t want to do anything to jeopardize our relationship.” Jackson leaned over and kissed her cheek. “You know, next to Rebecca, you’re the most important woman in my life.”
Phoebe grabbed his hand and gave it a firm squeeze. “I don’t know, Jackson. It sounds as though Melanie’s giving me a little competition, but it’s quite alright with me.”
Several hours later, with bellies full, they drove Phoebe back to the rehabilitation center.
Phoebe sat in the front seat with Jackson, while Melanie and Rebecca sat in the back listening to music. Rebecca had Jackson’s iPod and a set of earbuds. Melanie wore one bud while Rebecca wore the other. Their heads bobbed to the music. They giggled and whispered to each other like best friends.
Phoebe leaned toward Jackson and spoke in a hushed tone. “They’re like two peas in a pod. I simply can’t get over the change in my niece.”
Jackson nodded. “I’d prayed Melanie would change her mind about moving you to DC, and the good Lord answered.”
“What do you think changed her mind?”
He’d been confident in her reason for the change. “At The Bean the other day, when the stove broke and so many people came by to help out, she commented on how many people cared about you.”
Phoebe nodded and smiled. “This is where I belong.”
He had to admit, Melanie had done a three-sixty since the first night when they’d had dinner at Phoebe’s. Perhaps with more time, he could convince her to stay in Sweet Gum.
“I have a plan, but I’ll need your help.” She glanced over her shoulder and turned back toward Jackson. Her eyes shifted. She looked quite mischievous. It was nice to see Phoebe getting back to her old self.
“You know I’ll help you any way I can.”
“The doctor said I’m doing really well. In fact, he thinks I’ll be able to return home and back to The Bean, but part-time only.”
“That’s great news. Why didn’t you tell Melanie?” He gripped the steering wheel a little tighter when he came upon a herd of deer grazing off the side of the road.
“I plan to tell her I’m being released on Wednesday, but I’d rather she didn’t know I’ve been cleared to return to The Bean.”
Jackson glanced into his rearview mirror and saw both passengers were still engrossed in the music. There was no way they could hear the secret conversation going on in the front seat. “Why wouldn’t you want her to know?”
“Well, I don’t plan to return to The Bean...at least not yet.”
“Don’t you want to go back? You love that place. It was your and my mother’s dream.” Jackson worked his jaw back and forth.
Phoebe folded her hands in her lap. “I do love it, but I love Melanie more.”
Jackson raised a brow, unsure where Phoebe was going with this. “What does Melanie have to do with this decision?”
“I see the change in her. Spending time with you and Rebecca, working with you at The Bean, has been so good for her. I never thought you’d be able to convince her to come to church today.” Phoebe paused and gazed out the window. “By the way, I see the way you look at her, too, Jackson.”
He barely kept his smile in check at the thought of spending more time with Melanie. He had plenty of leave from his job and couldn’t think of a better way to spend it than with the woman who’d stolen his heart. Still, he knew Phoebe, and he couldn’t help but wonder if she was trying to play matchmaker. He smiled at the idea and secretly hoped she was.
Phoebe laughed. “The way you’re smiling, you look like a lovesick schoolboy.” She reached for his hand resting on the console. “She needs you, Jackson, and I think you need her, too.”
* * *
From the backseat, with music blaring in one ear, Melanie couldn’t hear what Jackson and Aunt Phoebe were talking about, but they were definitely engrossed in conversation. She couldn’t stand it any longer. She ripped the earbud from her ear and leaned forward. “So, what are you two whispering about up there?”
Aunt Phoebe turned around. “We weren’t whispering. You have the music up too loud.” She winked at Jackson.
Since Jackson knew about the accident, Melanie didn’t have to worry about her secret being revealed. Still, she was curious. “So come on—tell me.”
Phoebe cleared her throat and laughed. “It’s nothing earth-shattering. Dr. Roberts plans to release me from rehabilitation on Wednesday.”
Melanie’s shoulders straightened. “That’s great news. Why didn’t you say something earlier?” She reached over the seat and patted her shoulder.
“I found out only this morning. Besides, I was so excited to be outside of the rehab and enjoying the fresh air, I guess it slipped my mind.”
A heavy weight settled into Melanie’s chest. Although she was thrilled to hear Aunt Phoebe was getting better, this would mean Melanie wouldn’t be needed at The Bean any longer. The time spent working with Jackson and Rebecca would end. There’d be no reason for her to stay, leaving her with no option but to return to DC. Her heart ached at the thought.
“Melanie, are you okay? You’re a million miles away.” Jackson eyed her in the rearview mirror.
The gentle touch of Rebecca’s hand on her back was a reminder of what she would miss when she was gone. “Miss Melanie, does it mean you have to go back to DC?”
“Wait a minute, everyone. You didn’t let me finish telling you Dr. Roberts’s orders. He’s releasing me from rehab, but I’ll continue working with an at-home therapist. Most importantly, he said I wasn’t ready to return to work full-time.”
A glimmer of hope filled Melanie. Of course, she wanted Aunt Phoebe to recover and do all of the things that made her happy. Still, Melanie wasn’t ready to lose her position at The Bean.
“Yippee! So we can all keep working together.” Rebecca bounced up and down in the seat. Her curls sprang in all directions. Then, with a jerk, she stopped. “I’m sorry, Phoebe. It’s not that I don’t want you better... It’s just, if you come back to The Bean, Miss Melanie will leave.”
Melanie’s cheeks infused with heat. Leave. Was DC where she belonged? After her time spent in Sweet Gum, she didn’t know anymore.
Aunt Phoebe turned toward Rebecca. “It’s okay. I know what you mean. I don’t want Melanie to go, either.”
Listening to them talk about her leaving made Melanie feel as though she had millipedes crawling on her skin. Could she build a new life here? What about her job? It was all she had, but what kind of life was it?
Jackson pulled into the parking lot of the rehabilitation center. “Well, it’s settled. We’ll continue to run things as we’ve been doing.” He turned to Phoebe. “You take all the time you need. We’ve got it covered.”
His words made her heart soar. She was giddy at the thought of continuing to work with Jackson. At this moment, her job in DC seemed a million miles away.
She unfastened her seat belt and gripped the door handle. “I’ll take Phoebe inside.” She opened the door and extended her hand to help her aunt out of the truck.
Inside, the smell of lavender filled the older woman’s room. “You know, until I came here, I hadn’t smelled lavender in years.”
“You should come back in the spring, Melanie. The entire valley smells of it.” She tilted the blinds to block the sun that beamed into her eyes.
Melanie remained silent.
“Dear, I know what you’re thinking. You don’t want to leave.” She walked toward Melanie and reached for her hand. “That’s where your mind was, wasn’t it?”
She nodded.
“In the time you’ve been in the valley, I think you’ve come to love this place as much as I do. You’ve seen the people in this town, and how important they are to me. I think you’re feeling the same way.” She cupped Melanie’s chin, and their eyes locked.
Standing in Aunt Phoebe’s room with the bed neatly made and a flowered quilt perfectly folded, Melanie knew it was time to admit to herself that her heart now belonged to the valley.
Her lip quivered. “The thought of going back to DC alone terrifies me, but my firm needs me. They made national news after the kidnapping incident. If it weren’t for me and the long hours I spent on the phone in negotiations, my client would have never gotten her son back.”
“Why didn’t you tell us? This is wonderful news—you should be proud.”
Melanie pinned her arms against her stomach. At first she was excited to share the outcome, but then she felt guilty and self-absorbed. “I didn’t feel right talking about my job with you, or Jackson.”
Her aunt frowned. “But why?”
“It’s the reason I no longer have a family. I don’t know what to do. If I leave DC, I’ll be abandoning the memories of my family.” A sour taste crept into her throat.
“You’ll never abandon those memories, dear.” She placed her fingers on her niece’s heart. “They’ll always remain here, no matter where you go. Give it time, dear. God will give you the answer you’re looking for. He knows exactly what’s right for you and where you should be.” She snatched a tissue from the box sitting on her dresser and dabbed Melanie’s eyes.
“How will I know if it’s right?” Melanie took another tissue and blew her nose.
“If God puts it in your heart, Melanie, trust me, you’ll know.”