Journey to Reunion

By Fleeta Cunningham

UNRAVELED…that’s how Meg is seeing her life. The quiet, academic world she’s built for herself and her daughter is safe, but her college friend Ferrel is deeply disillusioned over the collapse of his long love affair. He needs Meg’s sympathy and support. Meg’s beautiful daughter Sharon is headed for heartbreak as she searches for the man who abandoned Meg before Sharon was born. Meg dreads the havoc the past will unleash if Sharon is successful. Topping it off, Meg’s former roommate—also Ferrel’s lost love, Tye—is coming to town, and Meg knows there will be hell to pay at that confrontation. Meg’s reputation, Sharon’s trust, and Tye’s very life could be forfeit when past and present collide. How can Ferrel, who loves each of them in a special way, derail the catastrophic consequences of a reunion rife with hostility and bring Meg out of her ivory tower at last?

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
• Release date: Sep 13, 2017
• ISBN: 9781509216086

Fleeta Cunningham

A fifth generation Texan, Fleeta Cunningham has lived her entire life in Texas, both small towns and big cities. Drawing on all of them, she writes about the unique character--and characters--of the southern states. After a career as a law librarian for a major Texas law firm, writing a monthly column for a professional newsletter and other legal publications, she returned to her home in Central Texas to write full time. Fleeta has been writing in one form or another since the age of eight. When she isn't writing, she teaches creative writing classes, makes quilts, and designs miniature gowns for her huge collection of fashion dolls.

Book preview

Inc.

"That set a record for faculty parties. It’s midnight, and a few people are still here. Usually the place evacuates by ten-thirty," Meg commented with surprise as she and Ferrel crossed the courtyard outside the administration building.

That’s one tradition well and thoroughly broken, he answered with satisfaction.

Thanks to you. Meg walked to her favorite view looking down on Corinthia Springs twinkling across the hills below. She leaned against the retaining wall and drew a long breath of the crisp air. I’ve never enjoyed a faculty party that much.

That’s because everybody in the place was watching you. You stole the show.

I think they were curious about my dashing escort.

Ferrel flicked a curl back from her face. No, this was your debut, Meg. Suddenly the little linguistics professor blossomed, and she surprised the whole stuffy crowd. Even me, and I knew you from way back. He bent down to touch his lips to hers. Meg felt her heart slow to a thickened beat. Blood seemed to heat in her veins, and her knees almost failed her. His lips against hers felt warm and dry, but smooth like the petals of a rose. The Christmas lights, red and green, blurred in a dizzy glow and an indescribable sweetness filled her, body and mind.

Mary Margaret, I’ve waited nearly twenty years to do that. Merry Christmas.

Praise for Fleeta Cunningham

"It has been a very long time since I read a Western/Historical Romance as well-written and enjoyable as MALE-ORDER CATALOGUE. And despite the amusing title, the book is not a romantic comedy; there’s serious romance, mystery, and suspense along the way."

~Sensuous Reviews

~*~

I enjoyed the wit and lightheartedness of this story and am hoping to learn more about Matt and Lavinia. This is a great read…a small town feel, lots of chuckles throughout.

~Coffeetime Romance

~*~

For the vintage Santa Rita Series: Well-crafted stor[ies]…exciting plot[s]…interesting characters.

~The Romance Studio (5 Stars)

~*~

"COWBOY AFTER FIVE is wonderful, absorbing, and tender. Love the character development of all protagonists. I cried through the last chapter…."

~T. Noel Osborn, PhD

Journey to Reunion

by

Fleeta Cunningham

Discerning Hearts, Book Four

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

Journey to Reunion

COPYRIGHT © 2017 by Fleeta Cunningham

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Contact Information: [e-mail]

Cover Art by Rae Monet, Inc. Design

The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

PO Box 708

Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

Publishing History

First Vintage Rose Edition, 2017

Print ISBN 978-1-5092-1607-9

Digital ISBN 978-1-5092-1608-6

Discerning Hearts, Book Four

Published in the United States of America

Dedication

To Thursday’s Girls

No matter how bad the weather,

how deep the depression, or how awful the reviews,

you always bring sunshine, laughter,

and a bottle of wine.

Love all y’all.

Books by Fleeta Cunningham

available at The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

Bal Masque

Close Encounter with a Crumpet

Double Wedding, Single Dad

Till the World Is Safe for Dreams

Cowboy After Five

Diana and the Three Behrs

Pamina and the Seven Owls

~*~

The Santa Rita Series:

Don’t Call Me Darlin’

Black Rain Rising

Elopement for One

Half Past Mourning

Cry Against the Wind

Help Wanted: WIFE

The Shame of Merline Gates

Male-Order Catalogue

~*~

The Discerning Hearts Series:

Innocent Journey

Journey Beyond the Dream

Serpentine Journey

Journey to Reunion

Chapter 1

May all the bounty and blessings of the season be yours this

Thanksgiving Day

Love

Meg and Sharon Brown

****

I certainly never suspected Tye and Cass had been married way back in college. The way Tye told it, and she was so convincing, I’d have sworn she hated the guy. It’s about the lowest thing I ever heard, Ferrel, waiting till days before you and she were supposed to get married and then telling you like that. You were together so long, but you didn’t even have a hint? Laurie dropped another log onto the glowing embers in the fireplace and turned back to her guests.

Ferrel McKenna hunched into the big leather chair, nursing an emotional wound that was all but visibly bleeding. Meg thought she’d never seen so much pain in a man’s face. The last traces of a merry, flirtatious boy had disappeared. A man torn from his world looked out from Ferrel’s shadowed face.

Not that. I never suspected that. I knew Tye manipulated facts to suit herself. It’s the actress in her. She has to make a good story better, more dramatic. Still, I never doubted the things she told about Cass Haynes stalking her were true. I believed she was actually afraid of him. I even tried to reassure her he was gone from here, so we could move back without her having to face him again. Defeated and disillusioned, Ferrell hid his face in his hands.

I never thought of them being married, but I’ve had doubts about her version of that incident for years, Laurie admitted. Dr. Abbott had questions, too. If Cass had appealed or made a fuss about the Board firing him, I think she would have insisted they re-open the investigation. The truth would have come out if there had been more time.

I did know she’d managed to get him fired, but I also thought she quit school to get away from here and what she called bad vibes. It doesn’t matter, Laurie, not now. Tye herself doesn’t know if she’s married. She’s never started legal proceedings or found out if he did. If she’d cared at all about me, she’d have made some effort to end it or told me the truth when we started seriously talking about getting married. Ferrel looked up, pain written in every line of his body.

Meg couldn’t bear the torment in his voice. I should have said something to you years ago. I didn’t know what to say. She drew the leather hassock near his chair and reached for his hand.

Meg, you told me Tye’s ambition ruled her life. That she’d always use any opportunity to move up in her career. What more could you say?

I knew she got her uncle to intervene so Cass lost his job and his hopes of earning his doctorate here. Meg bit her lip. I could have told you Cass Haynes said he’d married Tye in Las Vegas before you ever met her. He told me about it, gave that as a reason for walking away from me when I told him I was pregnant with Sharon. Said he was married to Tye and not free to do anything. He was leaving Corinthia Springs that very day.

Ferrel looked as if he’d been betrayed again. You knew? All this time you knew, and you’ve never said anything?

Meg hadn’t thought Ferrel could draw further into himself, but he seemed to retreat from her. Cass did tell me. She put one hand on his shoulder. Ferrel, try to understand. I knew about the Board action, but I didn’t know if the marriage was real. He could have been lying to me to cover up his real reason for pushing me away. Or Tye could have had the marriage dissolved on her own. Remember, she went off to New Orleans after spring break. She was gone for weeks before she joined you in Boston. I thought if there was a problem, she was clearing up the legal details then. You and she were always talking about getting married. She slipped her hand into his. I didn’t know what to tell you, honestly. Or what you’d believe, if I brought it up.

Ferrel squeezed the hand holding his. He gave her a sympathetic nod. Yeah, I know. Back then I wouldn’t have believed a word against her, not even from you.

Laurie sank to the floor beside them, her camel slacks a lighter shade against the sandalwood carpet. But I was sure she loved you, Ferrel. She always loved you. Remember back when you and Andy and Bert had the house together? She’d think up those crazy parties and come and dance for everybody. She was always more interested in you than anyone else. Even when we’d all get together to study and drink coffee till all hours, all Tye thought about was holding on to you.

I thought so then, Laurie. She may have loved me a little, in the beginning. Ferrel slumped back into his chair. Later, I believe, it was mostly playacting.

Pained by the somber silence, Meg tried to think of something comforting to say, but nothing she could think of seemed right. Speaking of coffee, yours should be ready. Let me get it. Familiar courtesies might help. Meg withdrew from the group to go to the kitchen.

And I’ll cut pie. Laurie followed Meg out. The women worked silently in the bright room, the only sounds coming from the clink of cups and silver and china plates. Meg knew Laurie’s kitchen as well as her own, perhaps better. Olympia still moved things at home from time to time. Laurie never did. Her house sat in the same perfect order it had from the day she and Andy moved in.

This has been one of our more unpredictable Thanksgivings, Meg remarked at last.

Laurie put her pie server aside. When I got up this morning, the last thing in the world I expected to see was Ferrel McKenna on my doorstep looking like he’d run away from a tornado.

Meg set sugar and cream containers on the tray and poured cocoa for herself. I guess he did, in a manner of speaking. Run from a tornado, I mean, an emotional one. Not every man finds out his fiancée is already married, just days before the wedding.

The next two or three days are going to be a nightmare for him. Maybe there are some things I can take care of. Laurie took a pad and pen from the drawer and put them at one side of the pie plates. He’ll need to tell me who to contact. Probably he told his family, but I’m sure there are friends, other people to notify. He may have travel plans to cancel.

Laurie-lists to keep us all functioning. Meg smiled. How would we know what we were doing if Laurie didn’t make her lists? Come on, Aunt Doc, Meg chided, using Sharon’s pet name for her mother’s best friend. The pie and coffee will get cold. Bring your paper and pen with you.

With a substantial meal followed by Laurie’s pie and coffee, under the watchful eye of two women as dear to him as sisters, Ferrel began to unwind. The Laurie-list seemed to help him work through the immediate details. Thanks for letting me bomb in on your holiday, girls. I don’t know where I would have gone if you hadn’t been here. Bert’s away at some retreat thing, and I don’t know any of the guys at the office well enough to interrupt a family gathering.

Laurie was quick to reassure him. "You are family, Ferrel. You’re always welcome. You know that. The boys think you’re one of them, and like all women, Sharon adores you. We’re glad we were in town."

Where are the kids? They seemed to evaporate right after dinner. I hope I didn’t put gloom on their party.

Meg stacked plates on the tray and put it on the hunt table at the side of the room. They went to a movie. Some big production premiered this week, and they all had to be the first to see it.

They didn’t leave because of me?

Meg chuckled. No way. They’ve been planning this for weeks. Sharon’s driving now and loves playing chauffeur for the herd.

Ferrel nodded, obviously relieved that he hadn’t changed anyone’s plans for the day. Meg could see he was too caught up in misery to have made any real plans on his own.

You’re staying with us for now, aren’t you, Ferrel? Laurie suggested as his silence grew.

I hadn’t thought about it, Laurie. I left New York, headed south, and drove. I don’t think I knew I was coming here until I pulled up in front of the house. I wasn’t thinking about where I was going. I went, that’s all. I don’t have to report to the office for over a week. I was supposed to be in the Caribbean, on my honeymoon, so they don’t expect me. He looked up, apparently surprised by an idea. I guess I’ll need to find a place to live.

Laurie reached for her pad again. An apartment? Or a house? You’ll need two bedrooms, or three? One for you, one for an office, and will you want a guest room? Is that too much? And furniture? Do you have any coming, or did you leave it with Tye?

Ferrel wave her questions away. No furniture. It’s all in New York. I wasn’t thinking about the necessities. Bedrooms? I don’t know. He looked at the notepad in her hand and actually smiled. Dr. Laurie, you and Meg and the kids are the medicine I need to get back into the real world. You and your lists. Meg and her warm heart. And that rambunctious crew you two have.

Meg let her concern for Ferrel go a little. He was beginning to focus on daily life. He would get beyond his pain. I’ve heard about some executive suites in that new complex out by the country club, she suggested. One of our professors is staying there until his wife arrives so they can pick something permanent. The place provides linens and dishes as well as furniture. You can rent by the week until you’re sure about what you want. You could take that until you find the right place.

Ferrel agreed. I’ll drive out there the first of the week and make arrangements. That sounds like the right idea. It will get me started without making a big commitment. I’m not sure I could make a reasonable decision right now.

It gets better, Laurie said gently. It was forever before I felt real again after Andy died. I was going through the motions of living because the boys depended on me. I couldn’t quit, even when life seemed like it would overwhelm me. And there was medical school. Eventually it got easier, though the hurt never goes away completely.

My situation’s nowhere next to yours, Laurie. He looked at Meg. Or yours either, Meg Brown. When I think of you two gals, raising great kids alone, holding your own in demanding professions, I feel pretty puny for letting a shallow opportunist like Tye turn my life wrong side out. Though his voice was low, quiet anger colored it. It’s not like I lost the great love of my life or saw my whole world disappear. A woman misled me, that’s all.

Incensed that Tye had taken so much from him, Meg felt her resentment rise at her friend’s pain. "Don’t say that, Ferrel. Don’t cover your hurt by diminishing it. You invested your life in her lie. You took Tye at her word. You did lose a lifelong love. The dream was real to you, and the future you waited for all these years was important to you. Something died, something you cherished, and you need to mourn its passing. Tomorrow should have been your wedding day. Your grief is real, and so is your pain."

I should have seen through her, Ferrel insisted, his voice rough and weary. I almost did. Back when Tye had the revue going well, I could see some stability in our lives. I realized we were getting older. Your kids were almost grown. If Tye and I were going to have a family, I said we should get serious. Tye went up like a rocket, said she didn’t want children, not ever. I think I knew then Tye had just pretended to share my dreams. I felt betrayed, foolish, mixed up. I began to suspect things were haywire, but then this thug Potter got her show closed. Tye was lost without her show, but then she really got into the wedding plans, or seemed to. She was the girl I’d always loved. She seemed so vulnerable. Ferrel’s voice dropped. None of it was real. How could it be? Tye is always an actress, always playing a role. He stared into the fire, silent and lost in thought. Flames from the fireplace cast a glow over him in the darkening room.

Meg and Laurie withdrew to the kitchen, leaving Ferrel alone, brooding in the dim room. He’s asleep, I think, Meg whispered after peering in later. Poor guy. He looks like all the hounds of hell have been chasing him.

Andy never trusted Tye. Did you know? He told me, oh, a long time after we married, that she didn’t really see other people as people. I still admired our exotic roommate, thought she was more fascinating than anybody. I didn’t disagree with what he said then, but I thought he was way off base. I dismissed it when he said she had a lot of sexual allure and used it to get where she wanted to go. Guess he was more right than I realized.

Meg leaned against the cabinet, her arms crossed. Then she and Cass should have been a perfect pair, she said. He was the same way. People were only real, in his cockeyed view of things, if they were in his line of sight. Everyone except Tye. She really got under his skin.

Laurie busied herself emptying the dishwasher. She opened and closed cabinet doors quietly but with controlled agitation. I could shake her till her teeth rattle. She’s gotten away with everything. Used Cass to get out of school, used Ferrel to support her while she built a career. Back in college, she manipulated all of us.

Why do you suppose she told Ferrel, anyway? After all this time, and Cass gone who knows where, why didn’t she marry Ferrel as planned? I wouldn’t think a little thing like bigamy would be a deterrent. Tye always had a way of getting around rules and regulations. She saw breaking them as a challenge.

Laurie shrugged. Who knows? She knew he wanted to come back here, and maybe she couldn’t face coming back to Corinthia Springs, running the risk that someone might find out her ugly little secret.

That’s true. Uncle Board-of-Directors-Galadeen is still around. Some form of the truth might come to light, and he’d know she’d used him, too. She’d have a hard time, even now, explaining how she really was married to Cass when she was accusing him of stalking her. Meg paused to put wine glasses back in their rack. You know, Mr. Galadeen is retiring from the Board next year.

I did hear that. The school won’t be the same without him. Laurie glanced up from her plates. You’ve got a streak of powdered sugar on the shoulder of your sweater.

Thanks. Meg checked the small mirror inside Laurie’s pantry and wiped away the white spot with the hem of her apron. She removed her apron and smoothed her red sweater and her hair. Her dark brown hair was as thick and shiny as when she was a schoolgirl, but it was cut short now, a wavy cap of mahogany fluffed about her small features.

Tye never really talked about marrying Ferrel, you know. Laurie sounded startled. I’d never thought about it, but she didn’t. Guess I was too caught up in planning my life with Andy to notice. She reflected a moment. But you never talked love and wedding bells either.

The apron fell neatly over the hook inside the pantry door. Meg pulled the louvered panels closed. All the good men in my life have been brothers—Raif, Andy, Bert, Ferrel—just brothers. The rest wanted to make me over or control my life. Or they were part of someone else’s story. Meg slid onto a kitchen stool and sat. No, she admitted, I never did get around to wedding dreams. I have Sharon. You have the boys. We both have work we love. I guess we can’t ask much better than that.

I had eight perfect years with Andy, Laurie pointed out. But you’ve never had the chance to make a life with a partner, Meg. Isn’t there some dashing professor out there for you?

Dashing? All the ones I know are ancient, autocratic, and barely ambulatory. Meg laughed. Try another field.

Maybe Prince Charming got delayed. He could show up anytime now.

If he came, I’d be busy planning next semester’s work or writing a paper or something and never even see him come by. Meg changed the subject to something less personal. What will Ferrel do during Christmas? Did he say anything about seeing his family? His parents and brother and sister?

Laurie poured herself a fresh cup of coffee and took the stool next to Meg. I don’t know. There’s been a strain between him and his folks for years over his relationship with Tye; seeing them is another huge emotional hurdle. It may be too early for him to face that one.

Meg considered the situation. If he stays here alone, he’ll feel awful. The holiday festivities magnify every minute of misery if you’re alone and unhappy. I know about that.

I’m taking the boys and going to see Mom and Dad this year, of course. We’ll be gone until New Year’s, but you and Sharon will be here, won’t you? You didn’t make travel plans?

Sharon’s been invited for a ski weekend after New Year’s, but that’s the only plan we have.

Then have Ferrel over for Christmas, if he’s going to be here, Laurie suggested. In fact, why don’t you ask him to the faculty Christmas party? You could explain that you hate to go alone, but you really have to put in an appearance since you’re up for tenure this year. It would be professional suicide not to go.

Ugh, you’re right. I do have to go, but I’d hate to subject Ferrel to that deadly affair. He’s entitled to a party that’s at least alive.

Sure, but it would give him a reason to get out. It would keep him from sitting at home alone with a bottle of scotch or something.

Meg had a horror of people drinking alone rather than coping with life, as Laurie well knew. The memory of Meg’s mother escaping the death of her son by retreating into a brandy-soaked dream world had never faded.

I’ll think about it, Meg said, knowing she would agree in the end. I’ll get him to come help with the tree when we put it up. Maybe he’ll go to Christmas Eve Mass with us. I know he hasn’t been in a while, but Bert does such a meaningful service, and it might give Ferrel an anchor to hold on to.

See, we can find some Christmas spirit around here. Laurie’s worried frown relaxed. We have to let him heal without getting melancholy and isolated. Draw him out without pushing too much.

Sounds like Aunt Doc is on the case. Meg remembered going through a similar time when Laurie herself was the subject of concern. The weeks and months after Andy’s fatal car crash had shaken Laurie’s world. She had moved in a foggy haze without a sense of reality. Meg knew the rift in Ferrel’s life, like Laurie’s tattered world, would take time to mend. The least we can do is help him get over Tye. He was here for you and the boys and a lifeline to sanity for me. Olympia will love having a man to feed at Christmas, so she can do all those fabulous rich things men really enjoy.

See, you’re looking forward to it already.

It’ll be good for us to have some company for the holidays. That’s pretty rare for us.

I know. The years we go to Mom and Dad’s, you and Sharon are pretty much alone.

We have good times. Meg felt a need to defend her quiet lifestyle. Sharon and I share some special things.

Laurie shook her dark honey curls. I could envy you for having a daughter. There’s something so special about your relationship. It galls me that your folks cut you off from having any family ties.

Meg felt that pang of loss as well, but she’d been coping with it for a long time now. Bobby-Lee doesn’t even remember he has me, and he’s never admitted Sharon exists. If his Ella Holmes didn’t write every month or so, I wouldn’t ever hear anything about my mother.

A small grimace drew Laurie’s lips tight. In my mind, your mother’s always cool and gracious and perfectly groomed, not lost in a fog of grief and brandy.

Fortunately, that’s the way I think of her, too. Meg took cups and saucers to rinse, hiding the sharp pain the memory gave her. Since I learned more of her story, I sort of understand how she became who she was. Endless disappointment in life must be crippling.

Laurie agreed. I’ve seen similar situations in my practice. People buying into dreams or lives they never should have taken on. She thought a minute. You know, that’s really what Ferrel did. He bought into Tye’s illusion, what she thought life should be. Ferrel needs to get back to his own dreams, his own concept of life.

We’re blessed, Laurie, you and I. We weren’t cursed with living someone else’s life. We can be thankful for that. We have good lives and happy, healthy kids, and work we love.

You’re right. We do have a lot of blessings to count.

Now, if Ferrel can find some things to be glad about, we might call this a very successful day. Meg walked in sock feet to peer into the den. Ferrel slept in complete abandon in the lounge chair, his feet resting on the low hassock. Meg tiptoed across the room and spread the blue-and-green afghan over his sleeping form. The fire had died to rosy ashes, and the room had grown chilly.

He’s still sleeping? Laurie asked.

Like a two-hundred-pound puppy, Meg answered. "I don’t think he’s actually stopped to sleep since he left Tye. Maybe for coffee, but not actually to eat and rest. No wonder he’s