Missing Link

By Carol Marlene Smith

Marlee Sweet is finally pursuing her dreams of finding lasting love with Joe Fontaine. With her travels and disappointments behind her in the southern states, Marlee returned to Canada to wonder if her dreams would ever come true.

After making some tough decisions which included marriage, a singing career, a divorce and finally an unplanned pregnancy, she thought life was once again worthwhile when she met Sam Morgan. But,like previous men in her life, Sam disappointed her. With two daughters now grown, Marlee strikes out on her own to find her lost love, Joe.

She purchases a cottage in Biloxi, Mississippi, but hardships and disappointments continue to fill her life. Her time with Joe is bittersweet, but finally they share something very special, something they could not attain in the younger years.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Carol Marlene Smith
• Release date: Feb 27, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301430673

Carol Marlene Smith

Carol Marlene Smith was born in Springhill, Nova Scotia on a hot August day. From an early age, writing, drawing and singing were her favourite things to do. Carol was a loner who liked to imagine her friends rather than make real ones.Today Carol spends her time writing novels and short stories and painting animals. Some of her novels are Heart of Winter, Angel's Blessing, and Heart of the Story, all set in Nova Scotia. Carol enjoys writing poetry, romance, mystery/suspense and mainstream.Carol lives in the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia.

Book preview

PROLOGUE

May 1993

The greatest love that ever took place was when I looked into your face -- CMS

I pace the hospital corridor, unable to sit still. I look out the window often, looking for Joe, wondering when he is going to arrive…wondering if he will arrive before the birth.

I sigh and walk away from the window, deciding that I might as well go back and sit with Samantha. I walk into the waiting room to join her and am surprised to see Joe standing with his back to me talking to her.

Oh, Joe, I call out.

Joe turns and sees me. His face lights up with one of those wonderful smiles and I am so happy to see him. I rush to his arms and we embrace then we sit beside Samantha.

How long have you been here? I ask him.

Actually, I just arrived. No baby yet, Samantha told me.

"No, and I’m just so nervous. My baby is in there giving birth to her baby. Oh Joe!" I fling my arms around him again seeking comfort, which I receive. How good it is to have him hold me once again. How I’ve missed him since he’s been gone.

Hey, Joe soothes, as he pats me on the back. His fingers are hot on my cool skin, and I cherish being close to him again.

But today is not about me I decide and pull from him, trying to act strong. I’m okay, Joe. I smile at him. And I’m so excited, aren’t you?

Joe laughs. "Of course, I am, Marlee. This is our grandchild, our grandchild, can you believe it? How far we have come."

I’m just nervous for her.

Mom, people have babies all the time, calm down. Samantha gives me a scolding look, and I am once again put in my place by my youngest daughter.

You’re right, Samantha…again.

It’s Sam, Mom, remember?

My blood starts to boil but I try hard to hold my temper. It seems that every time Samantha and I get together there’s this friction between us. Yes, Sam, I remember, I tell her. But you have to remember that once you were Sammy Jo, then you wanted to be Samantha, now it’s Sam. So, what’s a mother to do? It took me long enough to get used to calling you Samantha─

I well remember, Samantha cut in.

Now’s not the time for this, Joe interrupts and rises from his seat. He takes my hand and pulls me up beside him. Your mother and I are going for a walk, we won’t be long, we’ll be in the garden and if you get any news, come and get us, okay?

Fine, Samantha says and turns away.

Joe hurries me out of the hospital and into the beautiful garden. We sit on a bench overlooking a fountain. It takes me back to the days when we were young and I had first gone to New Orleans to see him. That beautiful Mardi Gras Fountain, where he had held my hand as we stared at the jets of water changing colours from green to gold to purple.

I am lost in my memories of long ago when we hear Samantha call to us from the garden entrance.

It’s a girl! she yells and heads back inside.

I turn to Joe, my face animated and Joe is looking like the proud grandfather that he is. A girl! I knew it. I jump in his arms and he whirls me around in the garden beneath a canopy of live oak trees draped in Spanish moss.

He kisses me warmly and hugs me close then sets my feet on the ground. Let’s get in there, he says excitedly. Joe grabs my arm and we hurriedly leave the garden to meet our granddaughter.

As we walk back inside, I am reminded of the special relationship that we have built since my return from Nova Scotia. Getting my little cottage and my freedom were two of the best things I had done for myself in recent times. My times here with Joe were not always pleasant, but I wouldn’t trade a moment since I first arrived in that rented car, scared and nervous to meet him again.

The first night we had spent together in Biloxi, in that little cottage where he had proposed to me, had brought us full circle. And that following morning as I had stood on the deck of my new cottage overlooking the grand view of the Gulf of Mexico, I had no idea what would lie ahead for Joe and me.

PART ONE

CHAPTER ONE

Revisiting the Past

Fall, 1991

Joe’s car was fast. It was nothing like the family-type sedan he’d driven in 1964. The cool air streamed through the vents, and I brushed back a strand of stray hair. I glanced at Joe and a feeling of pride rushed through me. But his dark eyes were riveted on the road and he seemed intensely transfixed.

My momentous good feeling drained from my body, and I wondered what might be troubling him. Was it me? Or possibly his wife? It seemed that there was always another woman keeping me from the full capacity of Joe’s love. First it was his mother, now…what’s her name? Suzanne.

I thought of the sick wife and knew in my heart that Joe was too loyal a person to ever leave her. And I would think less of him if he did. The sweet time we now enjoyed was crowded with many obstacles.

It was with great surprise and pleasure, that while standing on the porch of the cottage that first morning we were back together, Joe suggested he take me back to New Orleans, back where we had first fallen in love. I was overjoyed with the idea. I could see us once again walking through the French Quarter, hand in hand as in days gone by.

Oh Joe, what a wonderful idea!

Joe laughed that wonderful laugh and picked me up, whirling me around on the porch. I was so much smaller than him that it seemed to be effortless on his part to do. When he set me back on my feet and I caught my breath, we embraced once again. My mind and heart were full of promises, just hoping that things would continue to go as well as they had up to this point.

But I also was cautious of this new-found euphoria. How long do we have together, Joe? I asked.

Joe’s face clouded over and his lively smile turned serious. I have to leave tonight. I feel uncomfortable leaving Suzanne any longer than that in only the care of a nurse. And anyway, I’d have to find weekend help as my main nurse just works Monday to Friday. Usually, I’m home on the weekends. She depends on me, Marlee.

Does she know where you are?

Not yet, I told her it was business, but I will tell her, and Marlee, she will understand. She knows we can’t have the kind of relationship that we used to have, and I somehow think that she will be considerate enough to realize that I still love her, but that I need you in my life as well.

And what if she doesn’t? I asked.

Joe had a confident look on his face as he replied, She will.

Joe broke into my thoughts when he looked over at me and said, We’re almost there, Marlee. Look at that beautiful skyline.

I smiled, happy to be with him even for a short time. And beautiful it is my Creole friend.

That made Joe laugh, and he came back with, Ah, my Canadian angel has spoken true words.

I laughed, happy that Joe was smiling now. Whatever he was thinking about earlier seemed to have left him for now. And as we entered the downtown area and drove through Canal Street, Joe found a parking spot and as always, he was out quickly and over to my side to open my door.

Just as chivalrous as ever, I see, I said, smiling up at him as I got out of the car.

Of course. My mama taught me manners, you know.

Oh, I know all right. Too bad she hadn’t taught herself some. After I said it, I wished immediately I had kept my mouth shut. Joe’s face took a downturn as he grasped my arm and turned me towards him.

My mother wasn’t always right, Marlee. She did a terrible thing scheming to keep us apart, and I know it ruined our lives. But just think, if you had not had the life you did, you wouldn’t have your kids so some things are meant to be, aren’t they?

He was staring into my eyes and I blinked and turned away. I’m sorry, Joe. I shouldn’t be talking about your mother like that. True, she was not always kind to me, but she did raise a remarkable man. I have to thank her for that.

No more talk about this, Joe said. First, we’ll go have lunch. Later I want to take you to Pat O’Brien’s so I can get you drunk on a Hurricane.

I smiled at him as we walked the cobblestone streets once again and enjoyed a fabulous lunch at The Court of Two Sisters. I recalled being there with Joe all those years ago and how he had told me there were two sisters who had a store there in the 1800s. And when they died, only a couple months apart, they were buried side by side.

When we arrived at Pat O’Brien’s Bar, we both were a bit astonished to see all the changes since the 60s. Have you not been here for a while? I asked Joe.

Nope. I left New Orleans shortly after you did and I was back a few times when people died. My mom and dad passed away. My brother retired from his teaching career and moved out of town. He now lives in the Bayou. We should go see him sometime.

I laughed as we took a seat and ordered up a couple of hurricanes. The piano bar was just getting started. Well, since I never did get to meet him before, that sounds like a good idea.

Joe gave me an astute look. You would have met him, had our engagement gone further than overnight.

I felt the sting of his words and they hurt me. It seemed to take some of the joy out of the day. I looked down at my drink and muttered, I’m sorry, Joe. But that was such a long time ago; do you need to bring it up now? It still hurts me, you know.

Joe laid a hand over mine. I’m sorry too. We shouldn’t dwell on the past. You made your mistakes and I made mine, so let’s move forward.

CHAPTER TWO

Reacquainting Ourselves

I don’t know that we can. You seem to still be angry about the past.

Joe withdrew his hand and took a drink. I’m not angry. I’m just regretful. I shouldn’t have listened to my mother. I should have had a backbone and stood up to her. But, Marlee, it was kinda hard for me to stand up to her over you after you left, because I didn’t know you were sending me letters. If I had known then—

Stop it, Joe. We need to stop this right now. Just then the piano got rolling and the male singer was doing his version of Unchained Melody. Joe looked over at me and I felt the words. I knew he was thinking of the moment we met in Halifax, and I remembered how his smile had lit up his face when he turned around on that dock and grinned at me. We said hello and everything changed from there. I was the one this time who put a hand over Joe’s. I squeezed his fingers and smiled into his eyes. I’m so glad we found each other again.

Joe picked up my hand and kissed the back of it, all the while looking up over his brows and those fascinating brown eyes melted into me. I went weak and couldn’t help it, but I so wished we were having this conversation at the cottage. And I was also feeling my drink.

If we were at the cottage now, I said, while touching his lips with my fingertips, I’d show you how I really feel.

With that, Joe threw his head back and howled. No one took notice as the bar was filling up and people were laughing and shouting out song numbers to the entertainer. Joe and I finished our hurricanes then left.

As we walked through the Quarter, the day was soft and warm, even though it was mid-November. I shuddered as I thought of what it might be like back home. It even crossed my mind to wonder what Sam might be doing. The afternoon was getting on and Joe said he thought we should start back. I do want to spend some time with you at the cottage before I have to leave, he said.

I thought of the long, lonely weekend ahead and how this had not been what I had envisioned. I did know about Joe’s wife and how she was ill, but I never assumed that Joe would come and spend such a short time with me after all the years we’d been apart. But then I realized that I didn’t really know a lot about his life and that we had a lot of catching up to do. Yes, I told Joe, I guess we need to talk. There’s so much either of us knows of our lives since we parted.

Joe grinned down at me, as we walked to the car. "Well yeah, we need to do that, of course, but that’s not all I was thinking about when I said I wanted to spend some time with you at the cottage. I meant, some quality time."

Of course, I knew right away that he wanted to make love again, or at least I was hoping that was what he meant. I smiled back at him. You mean you want to take me to bed.

Joe laughed. Well, yeah, if you want to put it bluntly.

Joe was still such a gentleman. I cringed when I remembered Byron, Mariah’s father and how he told me he wanted to fuck me all the time. Now that was putting it bluntly.

As Joe opened the car door for me, I said, I certainly hope we have enough time to do both. I would like to tell you a bit about my life and I’d like to know more about yours.

Joe settled himself across from me in the driver’s seat and started up the car. He looked over at me. "We could do some of that talking on our way back and save more time for the quality things."

I laughed. Okay, Joe. Do you want me to go first?

Joe nodded as he pulled out of the parking area and headed for the highway.

When I left you, I began, I, of course, went to Ottawa. It was cold and miserable there in November. I stayed there and worked until after Christmas. My brother-in-law was in the Air Force at the time and he got a posting back to Nova Scotia. He and my sister Grace, their little boy, Tommy and my mom and dad all travelled back to Nova Scotia. And I went back to Albany.

Why did you do that? Joe asked.

I had to go somewhere and I didn’t think I wanted to go back home right then. I had been away so long and I needed to be on my own again.

Well, you did know a lot of people in Albany. Did you take up with Nick again?

I laughed. No, not right away, I got a job singing with a band. That’s where I met Mariah’s father, it was his band.

Joe seemed impressed and commented, I didn’t know you sang, Marlee.

I didn’t. I mean I hadn’t before, not professionally. It was hard on me and I started to drink a lot. I needed that boost to get me going; otherwise, I don’t know if I could have done it.

So, you relied on alcohol to get you through?

I did. I hate to admit it but eventually I was drinking pretty heavily. Byron was hitting the drugs and one day he lost his apartment because he had not paid his rent, and he ended up staying at my place. So, that’s how we got together. And to make a long story short, I eventually got pregnant and Byron took off.

What a nice guy, Joe said sarcastically.

Yeah, well he wasn’t cut out for the family life I guess.

So, you went back to Nick?

No. I had been married to Nick while I was singing in the band, but it didn’t work out. Nick wanted a family and I didn’t, so we split.

After Byron took off for California, I got on a plane and went back to Nova Scotia. Grace and Charlie were living in Halifax so they took me in. I stayed there and had the baby."

Mariah?

Yes, Mariah.

Wow, not good times for you.

Not all bad times. Grace and I grew closer and having Mariah certainly wasn’t a bad thing. It helped me to grow up and take responsibility for my life.

Kids will do that.

You never had any kids, Joe?

No. We wanted to but then Suzanne got sick.

Well, did you ever find the son or daughter that you talked about in Halifax?

Never. I’ve regretted that all my life, especially since I never had any other kids.

But you don’t even know if there was a baby, do you?

No.

I’m sorry, Joe. You would have made a good father, I believe.

Joe sighed. What happened next, Marlee?

We had left the freeway and were now on a long narrow back road in Mississippi. I noticed by the car clock that it was already four thirty. After that, I told Joe, I got a job at a radio station writing commercials.

What? From a singer to a writer, how many other hidden talents do you have, Marlee?

I looked at him coyly. Stick around and you might find out.

He laughed. You’re tempting, Marlee, but unfortunately I have other priorities to meet.

I know, Joe, I was just teasing. But in the back of my mind, I was not. I was hoping that maybe he might make some other arrangements and spend the weekend with me. I would work on him when we got back to the cottage.

CHAPTER THREE

Parting Again

Tell me more, Marlee. How did you happen into the writing business?

I took a business course of all things. Can you imagine that? But it was Grace’s idea in the first place and I thought that perhaps she was right and I did need to get more education now that I was a mother and the only parent that Mariah had.

Did you study writing?

No, not at all. We did a creative story one day. The teacher just wanted to do something different and mine was a hit. She told me I had talent. And when I was finished, I found this job in the paper and I applied for it and got it.

And did you like it?

Very much. And it’s where I met Sam. He was a DJ there.

As we headed towards Biloxi, I wanted to shorten my story so when we arrived at the cottage, Joe could tell me his story then we would have time together before he had to return to Galveston.

So eventually you and Sam got married.

Yes. And we had Sammy Jo. Well, now Samantha. She decided when she was sixteen that she wanted to change her name. She said she had a silly southern name and was living in Nova Scotia.

Joe laughed and turned towards the cottage. So, how come there wasn’t a happily ever after in your marriage?

Mainly because Sam was a workaholic, and I got tired of living alone. When my kids grew up, I decided to buy the cottage and leave. I was writing books by then and had my own money.

You’re an author now?

I smiled. To hear someone actually asked me that question, especially Joe, was exciting. I felt proud of myself maybe for the first time ever. I guess that’s what you’d call me.

Joe pulled into the cottage drive and got out. He opened my door and when I stood before him, he gathered me in his arms and kissed me, very long and very tender.

Wow. You’re starting fast, aren’t you? But, hey, not yet. It’s your turn to tell me about your life.

Joe sighed. Do I have to, now?

Joe—

Okay, okay. But it’s not nearly as fascinating as yours was.

I don’t care, maybe that’s good, considering that it won’t take much time and then when you kiss me, you can carry me into the bedroom and make mad, passionate love to me, just like you did last night.

Joe was up for that and as we went into the cottage, he began to tell his tale.

I sat on the sofa and Joe built the fire up. He then came and joined me. Want a glass of wine? he asked.

I shook my head. Not right now. I want to hear about you. I grabbed his arm and pulled him down beside me.

Joe sighed. Wow. Where to start.

Start when I left you.

Whew. That’s so very long ago…I waited you know. I looked for your letter, but it never came. I carried the ring around for a while, then I decided to put it in a safe deposit box. I took it out only when I left town. I wasn’t sure where to go but I felt I needed to get away. There were too many memories there and, I have to admit, my mother was bugging me. There was always some girl that she wanted me to meet. She was determined to find me the right girl.

Oh yeah. And it sure wasn’t me.

Well, Marlee, in all fairness to my mother, she was about to accept you, but then ─

Okay, let’s not go there.

Joe stared at the fire and his eyes smouldered a little. I could see hurt there and I felt this was hard for Joe to do. But I kept quiet and let him go at his own pace.

Anyway, Joe began again, I moved to Galveston. I don’t know why but I’d read a book that was set in Galveston and I just wanted to go there. I was not disappointed. He turned to