Finally the family had gone. Georgia was alone on the beach. The sun slipped toward the horizon, and the last of the day’s beachgoers had left. She really was alone.
She should feel lost. Whatever might have been with Matt was gone. She’d finished the job Miz Callie had set for her. But instead of feeling lost, she felt a sense of release. Of freedom. She no longer had to make decisions based on her sense of failure.
She could stay here. The idea took hold, strong as the incoming tide. She didn’t have to worry about putting space between herself and her family’s expectations. She could stay where her roots ran deep. Even though the love she’d hoped for with Matt could never be, she could build a satisfying life. Surely someone in Charleston needed an employee with her experience.
Her steps grew lighter, quicker, and her mind raced with the decision made. She’d go back to Atlanta and give up the apartment—that was the first thing. She’d spend a couple of days winding up things there, then come back and launch into a serious job hunt. Maybe Amanda would know of something.
She should tell Miz Callie. But first—her steps had taken her as far as Matt’s house. Standing on the beach, the incoming tide sending ripples chasing her feet, she looked at the house.
Lights were on, glowing behind the drapes. He was there. Maybe, before she moved on, there was something still to be said between them, no matter how much it might hurt to be with him again.
By the time she’d disentangled herself from her family earlier, he’d gone. She hadn’t thanked him yet. If he hadn’t tracked down Grace Malloy, she’d never have gotten her hands on the letters, and Miz Callie would still be wondering. She owed him for that, at least.
Her feet felt rooted in the sand. Giving herself a shake, she started walking toward the house. No more hiding, Georgia Lee. You’re finished with that. God has set you free.
She reached the steps and went steadily up them, then knocked on the glass door. In a moment Matt pushed it back, looking surprised to see her and a bit guarded as well.
“Georgia. I wasn’t expecting you.” He stepped back, gesturing her inside.
She nodded. A quick glance showed her Lindsay was nowhere in sight. They were alone.
She sucked in a breath. Her heart was beating faster than a hummingbird’s wings, and something seemed to grip her throat.
Matt stood waiting, the newspaper he’d apparently been reading dangling from his hand. When he realized he still held it, he tossed it onto the coffee table.
Another breath might help. Breathing was always a good idea.
“I came over to thank you.” She stumbled a little on the words, but she got them out. “If it weren’t for you, I’d never have found the truth about Ned.”
He nodded. “You’re welcome, but you’re the one who did it. And your uncle was right. It’s not the sort of thing you’ll be able to tell the public.”
“My grandmother’s happy. That’s the only thing that really matters. And Amanda and Adam are bubbling with ideas for figuring out where he enlisted and what name he used.”
His eyes grew remote. “It’ll be easier on you now that the family is on board with this. You’ll be heading back to Atlanta any day now, I suppose.”
“I’m driving up tomorrow, but—”
“No!” A wail was followed by the thud of bare feet on the stairs. Lindsay, pajama-clad, rushed down the steps, across the room and threw herself at Georgia.
Georgia knelt to catch the child in her arms. “Hey, what’s this? It’s all right. I—”
“You can’t go! You can’t.” Lindsay got the words out between sobs that were nearly hysterical. “I love you, Georgia. If you go, I won’t have anybody to talk to.”
Georgia cradled her in her arms, afraid to look at Matt for fear of the condemnation she’d see there. She petted the child, murmuring softly. “You have Miz Callie, and you have Daddy. Besides—”
“Daddy doesn’t want to talk about Mommy.” She shook her head so wildly that her braids snapped to and fro. “He doesn’t. He doesn’t love her any more!”
“Lindsay—”
Before she could say more, Matt dropped to his knees next to her. Instead of the anger she expected, his eyes were filled with tears.
“Lindsay, no. That’s not true.” He tried to take her from Georgia, but she clung like a barnacle. “Honey, listen to me. I love you. And I love Mommy. Didn’t we talk about her when we looked at your baby book?”
“You didn’t want to.” She threw the words at him. “I know you didn’t want to. You just did it cause Georgia told you to.”
Georgia winced. What could she do or say that would mend this? Please, Lord.
But it wasn’t her Lindsay needed to hear from now. It was Matt.
“Lindsay, listen.” He took her face between his hands, turning it so that she had to look at him, had to see the tears that were running down his face. “When your mommy died, that was the worst thing that ever happened to me. I’ve been afraid to let you see how much it hurts me. I was afraid it would scare you.”
That caught Lindsay’s attention. She looked at him closely. Then she reached out one small hand and wiped at his tears.
“It’s all right, Daddy. I’m not scared. You can cry if you want to.”
For an instant Georgia thought Matt would shatter into a million pieces. Then he pulled his daughter into his arms. He held her close, his shoulders shaking, and their tears mingled.
Georgia struggled to her feet, trying to control her emotions. They were going to be all right. This time, Matt wasn’t holding anything back.
Thank You, Father. Thank You for this.
Struggling to see the way through her own tears, she left them alone.
Georgia kissed her grandmother’s cheek the next morning. Juggling a suitcase and the lunch Miz Callie had insisted on packing her, she started down the front steps to her car.
And stopped. Matt stood next to the car, obviously waiting for her.
“Hi.” She went the rest of the way, busying herself with putting the bag and lunch in the back so she didn’t have to look at him. “Is everything okay?”
“Fine.” His smile broke through, erasing the lines of tension in his face. “Lindsay and I are both much better. I think I have you to thank for that.”
She shook her head, looking anywhere but at him, because if she did, she might start to cry. “It wasn’t my doing. Lindsay’s the one who broke through.”
“That’s exactly what it was. Breaking through.” He stood very close, so that she was caught between the car and his body. “I thought if I opened my heart, the grief would shatter me. Instead...” He stopped, and she heard the hitch in his breath. “Instead I found that opening it was the only thing that could heal me.”
“I’m glad,” she murmured. Inadequate. Words were inadequate.
“Georgia, don’t go.” He spoke in a sudden rush of feeling, grabbing her hand and gripping it tight. “Please, don’t go away.”
“I—”
“Wait, let me explain.” He touched her lips gently with his finger, and she felt his touch run straight to her heart. “I’m sorry. So sorry for the way I acted. You were right all along, and I kept trying to shut you out.” His fingers fanned against her cheek. “I think God sent you here for that reason—because I wouldn’t listen to anyone or anything else, including Him.”
Thank You, Lord, she said silently. Thank You.
“I want to give life another chance,” he said, his voice soft and low. “If you’ll help me, I think I can make it.”
She dared to look at him then. Love filled his eyes—love and hope that seemed to grow as he read what was in her face.
“You’ll stay?” he breathed.
“I’ll come back,” she said. “I wasn’t going to Atlanta to stay, just to close things up. My life is here.”
With you. She wouldn’t say the words, not yet. But when his lips claimed hers in a kiss, they both knew the truth.
It would take time—time to finish grieving, time for Lindsay to think of her as a parent. She slid her arms around Matt, feeling the strong, solid worth of him as he held her close.
She’d wait as long as she had to. But it would be worth it, because she knew they’d be a family in the end.