Promise of the Heart: Moments of the Heart, #3

By Susan Berry

After a distasteful first meeting, and a rocky start to their romance, Maggie Kinsley has been happily married to Desmond for the last eleven months. And although she was often alone when he traveled for business, she rather enjoyed how he passionately greeted her when returning home.

So when he received a letter naming him as executor of a property that belonged to a deceased family friend and had to leave for a few weeks, Maggie should have been content as she kissed him goodbye. But there was something about the whole thing that made her uneasy. Why was Desmond so evasive with her when she asked him about the previous owner. And why had he insisted she not tell anyone of his plans to stay on the property. Maggie soon found the answers to her questions were more than just a woman's intuition, but rather something that not even her wildest, darkest fears could have foreseen.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Susan Berry
• Release date: Jun 10, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201240813

Book preview

Promise of the Heart

By Susan Berry

Copyright 2021

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, including electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it to the seller and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.

Also by Susan Berry:

Dance of the Heart

The Reluctant Heart

To all those who have given me the encouragement to continue following my passion for writing.

Promise of the Heart

Chapter One

J illy, hurry up. We’ve got to leave! The agitation in Maggie’s command was unmistakable as she stood at the bottom of the steps.

I’ll be down in a minute, the cheerful, female voice called out.

Sure you will, Maggie muttered as she went into the living room. She sat on the couch and picked up one of the magazines scattered on the coffee table. Her face frowned as she thumbed through its colorful pages. Usually, she was more even-tempered with her older sister and her lack of time management. But not today. Today was too important.

Hearing a noise behind her, Maggie twisted her head in the hope she’d see Jilly. But instead of her sister's bobbed, blonde hair, the orange and white striped tail of a large cat came into view.

Hello, George, old boy, she greeted the cat and placed him on her lap. George had been her constant companion since she was eighteen years old. And in the nine years since, he’d been her most trusted confidant.

How about you help me out and go upstairs to hurry your Aunt Jilly along? Maggie suggested as his cold, wet nose brushed her cheek. He let out a meow, and then leapt to the floor as if to signal it was time for her to follow him. When the two of them reached the stairway, George wound his body around her legs before he turned toward the kitchen.

I thought you were going to help me? Maggie complained as she watched him sashay away toward his silver food bowl.

Who are you talking to? Jilly asked as she descended the stairs.

George, Maggie answered.

George, huh? And what, pray tell, did your precious George have to say? Jilly asked, now standing at the bottom of the stairs.

That I’m going to be late, once again, thanks to you. Maggie picked up their coats and purses.

Oh pooh. You're not going to be late. Jilly pulled open the front door. You need to stop worrying so much; you know that?

Oh pooh. Maggie childishly stuck her tongue out then walked past her.

She must have checked her watch ten times during the twenty-minute car ride and could feel her body warm with frustration at the annoyingly slow speed they were traveling.

Would it be ok with you if we get there sometime today? Maggie asked as she rolled down the car window.

I’m not going to drive any faster, so there’s no use nagging me. Jilly briefly glanced down at the dashboard then over at Maggie. And if I were you, I’d roll that window back up. It’s supposed to rain.

Thank you for the weather report, but I like it rolled down.

Suit yourself. Jilly adjusted her rearview mirror. And I hope your husband gets back from his trip soon? You’ve been awfully snippy in the two weeks since he left.

"He has been gone for six weeks, not two, and it’s your driving that’s making me snippy, Jilly." Maggie huffed, then turned her head toward the open window.

She’d never admit it to her sister, but her mind had been on her husband and his absence. She felt lonely without him and had been more than apprehensive about him leaving. Although Desmond often traveled for business, since they owned a winery in California and lived in Washington state, this trip was different.

He’d received a letter two days before he left, naming him as executor of an estate and expansive vineyards belonging to an old friend of his late father. But Maggie had reservations from the start. The man who currently took care of the property had called the day after the letter arrived and begged for her husband's help. He had been vague about the nature of the problem but insisted Desmond come immediately. To make matters worse, her husband promised a quick trip that had been extended several times, and with limited cell phone reception in that area, she hadn’t been able to get a call through to him in over a week.

Are you going to sit there and stare out the window all day or get out of the car?

What did you say? Maggie's head turned from the window.

We’re here, silly, Jilly put the car in park.

Now wishing she hadn’t invited her sister along, Maggie opened the passenger door and made a beeline for the rear of the car. But when she reached down to open the trunk, an exasperated sigh left her lips as she leaned against it. She didn’t have the key.

Looking for these? Jilly gleefully smiled as she waved the keys above her head.

I don’t have time for this, Jilly. I was supposed to be here two hours ago. Maggie snatched the keys out of her hand.

But the baby shower doesn’t start until this evening.

It’s not the baby shower I’m worried about; it’s Jonathan.

Jonathan?

Yes. Jonathan. Maggie handed Jilly several packages wrapped in pink paper from the trunk. Do you remember him telling us how he was determined to do this entire surprise baby shower for Sophia by himself, without our help?

Now that you mention it, I’d never seen a father-to-be so excited over a shower in my life.

Well, his excitement has turned to sheer panic. He calls me day and night over every little detail.

How sweet.

No, Jilly, it’s not sweet. It’s not sweet at all. I’ve had no sleep since the day he planned it.

What does the baby shower have to do with you not sleeping?

I just told you, Jonathan’s constantly calling me. And the worst of it was last night. My ever-so-nervous brother-in-law woke me up at three o’clock in the morning to ask me questions about ice cubes.

Ice cubes?

Yes, ice cubes! Maggie shouted as she handed her a bag of decorations, then shut the trunk. It was all I could do to keep my sanity as he rambled on about whether to put flowers in the ice cubes or no flowers in the ice cubes. And he’s got himself so worked up that I believe he’s close to an emotional collapse.

Poor, sweet, Jonathan. Jilly mused.

Oh yes, poor Jonathan. Meanwhile, I've had no sleep. And when I do, I’ll have nightmares filled with thousands of angry, dancing, flower-filled ice cubes.

Maggie tried to ignore her sister's laughter behind her as she rang the doorbell and waited for Jonathan to answer. She wished she hadn’t promised Desmond before he left that she’d look after his pregnant sister Sophia, knowing that meant looking after her husband, Johnathan, as well. If she had refused her husband's request, she’d be home right now, spending her afternoon curled up with George reading a book instead of standing in the cold.

When she rang the doorbell for the second time, Jonathan finally emerged wearing a white apron covered in yellow and blue flowers tied around his waist. His usually well-groomed brown hair was disheveled, and his brown eyes were wide with apprehension. Maggie glanced over at Jilly and mouthed the words, "I told you so", as Jilly handed her the packages and gently nudged Jonathan back inside the house.

That’s quite the look you’ve got going on there, Jilly said as Maggie shut the door behind them.

Yes. It’s one of Sophia’s aprons. He straightened it against his body.

Where Is that beautiful wife of yours? Is she at home? Jilly asked.

No. I’ve booked her for the whole day at the spa. And the receptionist promised to call me when Sophia’s on her way home.

Sounds like you've got things under control here. Jilly looked over at Maggie and smiled.

Well, not everything, Jonathan admitted.

What do you mean? Jilly asked.

I could use some help with the cooking.

Jilly said something under her breath that Maggie didn’t quite make out as the three of them stood in the doorway of the kitchen. Piles of dirty mixing bowls were scattered on the countertops—a layer of what looked like flour dust-covered nearly every surface. Four serving platters of burnt cookies sat on the kitchen table along with half-filled vegetable trays, and there was something still smoldering in a cast iron roasting pan on top of the stove.

As you can see, I’ve had a little trouble getting everything just right, Jonathan admitted as he placed a lid on the roasting pan.

A little trouble? Maggie tossed a charred dishcloth into the trash can.

I confess everything hasn’t gone as I had planned but, now that you’re both here, I’m sure we can get everything ship-shape in no time. Johnathan looked over at Maggie.

Why didn’t you wait for me? When we talked last night, you said you were going to wait for me, she reminded him.

I was, but you said you’d be here by ten o’clock this morning, and it’s almost noon, Jonathan complained.

And I would have been here by then, except someone took her time getting ready. Maggie eyed Jilly.

Well, we are here now and ready to help, Jilly said, ignoring Maggie’s stare. Does Sophia have extra aprons?

You’ll need more than an apron to fix this mess. Maggie uncovered the roasting pan and smelled the contents.

You're right, Maggie; this will take a miracle to fix in time. What kind of imbecile, who can’t cook, tries to throw his wife a surprise baby shower by himself anyway? Jonathan sat at the table, laid his arms on top, and hid his face between them.

Jilly, now standing beside him, lifted his head and placed her hands on each side of his face. Your wife loves you very much. So don’t worry, you sweet imbecile, we’ll have things right side up in a jiffy, won’t we, Maggie?

Sure, in a jiffy. Maggie echoed as she threw away a plateful of cookies.

Seeming to be reassured by Jilly’s words, Jonathan stood and wiped his teary eyes with the back of his shirt sleeve. You’ll both be happy to know not everything is a disaster, and there’s one thing that turned out just perfect. He declared as he walked toward the refrigerator.

What is that? Jilly asked as she followed him.

The ice cubes. Wait until you see them.

No! Maggie yelled and shook her head, arms outstretched in front of her.

Jonathan stilled, his hand wrapped around the freezer door as he stared wide-eyed at Maggie. Jilly scowled at her sister as she released Jonathan's grasp and turned him around.

Why don’t the two of you go into the other room and start on the decorations while I stay here and work on the food, she suggested.

Jonathan looked over at Maggie, who, after seeing a warning look in Jilly’s eyes, smiled and nodded in agreement. Two hours later, the decorating was done, and the food prepared. Jilly had just removed a hot tea kettle from the stove when Jonathan entered the kitchen. He’d changed into a clean pair of jeans and a light blue polo shirt. The three of them sat at the table as Jilly fixed the tea.

Amazing, simply amazing. I can’t believe we are ready. Thank you both so much. Johnathan said as Jilly handed him a cup of tea.

You're welcome. Jilly gave a cup to Maggie.

And we’ve been so busy I forgot to ask if you’ve heard from Desmond yet, Maggie? When we spoke yesterday, you still couldn’t get a hold of him.

Is that true? Jilly’s eyebrows wrinkled with concern.

Yes, but he’s in an area where cell service is very unreliable, and he warned me this could happen before he left. The tone in Maggie’s voice hinted she was done talking on the subject

Well, I hope he calls you soon. I know what it’s like to be away from someone you love. I don’t like it when Sophia is just one room away from me in the house.

Young love. Jilly shook her head.

Jonathan grinned and