“Maybe we ought to wait until Mr. Gregg comes back,” Annie said. “He’s much better at this than you are.”
The problem was Suzanna didn’t know if Gregg was ever coming back, but she didn’t have the heart to tell Annie.
“Nonsense,” she said. “We can do it ourselves.” She picked up a piece of the puzzle then sat there holding it in her hand.
On Saturday, Suzanna arrived at the shop fearful that it might be another day of standing idly by, but before she’d hung her coat in the closet customers crowded the shop. The rush continued all morning, and it was early afternoon before anyone had time to eat. At three-thirty Colette ran down to the coffee shop and came back with sandwiches. Suzanna was two bites into hers when Misty Williams came in.
“I tried the skirt on at home,” Misty said. “It’s a tad too big, so if you don’t mind I’d like to take you up on your offer to alter it.”
Suzanna forced a smile. “No problem, I’d be happy to.” She slid the uneaten sandwich into the cubby beneath the counter and followed Misty back to the fitting room.
At six o’clock, when the store closed, Suzanna still had to write up Misty’s alteration ticket and two orders that were to be shipped.
“Go ahead and go,” she told Colette. “I’ll lock up.”
In no particular hurry to leave, she finished up the paperwork, then basted the tucks in Misty’s skirt. It was nearing seven-thirty when she finally snapped off the light and left the store. The sky had turned dark, and there were only a few cars in the parking area. She pulled the key from her pocket and hurried across the lot. She hadn’t seen him standing in the shadows, so the voice startled her.
“I’ve been waiting for you,” he said.
She turned and her heart quickened. “Gregg!”
He took a step forward. “I’ve given this a lot of thought, Darla Jean, and I’ve decided our relationship does deserve a second chance. My life has been far more meaningful with you and Annie in it than it’s ever been before.”
“Gregg, I—”
“Wait,” he said and held up his hand. “Hear me out.” He swallowed hard, then continued. “I’m normally not a risk-taker and I know there will always be the possibility that Annie’s dad will try to push his way back into our life, but I’m willing to take that chance. I love you with all my heart, Darla Jean, and I believe in us. It won’t always be easy, but I believe we can be a family that’s strong enough to weather any storm. I may not be Annie’s only daddy, but I can promise you I’ll be her best daddy.”
The tears Suzanna had been holding back overflowed her eyes and rolled down her cheeks.
“You already are,” she whispered tearfully.
He held out his arms, and she moved into them.
“I love you too,” she whispered. “More than words can say and way more than you probably realize.”
He tilted her face to his and kissed her mouth. It was long and tender; the kind of kiss Suzanna had never before known. As they stood there in the dimly-lit parking lot, his hand strong against her back, their heartbeats mingling together and sounding as one, Suzanna saw forever. She saw them growing old together, sitting on the front porch of Ida’s house with Annie and a cluster of grandchildren gathered around, and she knew at long last she had found the place her heart could call home.
Two weeks later, Gregg and Suzanna went to Alberto’s for dinner. As they walked in, Gregg gave the hostess a nod and she led them back to the same booth they’d sat in the last time. A bottle of wine and two glasses were waiting on the table.
As Suzanna slid into the booth, he leaned close and touched his hand to her shoulder.
“Life doesn’t give us a lot of chances for a do-over,” he whispered, “so let’s make this one count.”
He poured the wine then lifted his glass. “A toast. To second chances.”
Suzanna smiled happily.
“I’ll drink to that,” she said and did.
After dinner, he pulled a small box from his pocket, thumbed it open, and held it out.
“Darla Sue,” he said, giving her new name the sound of familiarity, “you’d make me the happiest man in the world if you’d agree to be my wife.”
“There’s nothing I want more,” she said. “Absolutely, positively, nothing!”
He lifted her hand into his, kissed her knuckles, and then slid a diamond engagement ring on her finger.
——————
EARLIER THAT DAY, EARL FAGAN was released from the Glades State Prison Farm. He’d spent the last four months thinking things over, and he knew exactly what he was going to do.
Earl
Finding Bobby Doherty
FOR FOUR MONTHS EARL SAT in a concrete cell thinking of Suzanna Duff. At night when the cell block was quiet and there was nothing to do but think, he’d wonder about the foolishness of pursuing her as he’d done. Twice he almost convinced himself that she wasn’t worth the agony he’d gone through, but both times such a thought was lost when he remembered how it felt to hold her in his arms and breathe in the aroma of her strawberry-scented shampoo. He pictured her as she was in the early days, her breasts full, her stomach soft as a feather pillow. Back then, she was easier to get along with—more teddy bear and less mama bear—but she’d changed and he hadn’t.
Now it would be different; he’d make himself into the man she wanted. A woman like Suzanna was worth it. He thought of how he’d explain the hardships he’d endured to find her and imagined the smile that would settle on her face. He’d hand her a bouquet of flowers, hold out a toy for Annie, then say he was a changed man and swear nine ways from Sunday that this time he’d absolutely, positively given up
