Hearts Divided (Cedar Cove #5.5)(27)

This was the reason her grandmother had smiled when Ruth told her she hadn’t heard from Paul.

“I couldn’t bear it,” Helen admitted. “This soldier had become vitally important to me. For the first time since Jean-Claude died, I could feel. I could laugh and cry. I knew Sam was the one who’d lifted this heavy burden of pain from my shoulders. Not only that, he loved me. Loved me,” she repeated, “and I’d turned him down when he asked me to share his life.”

“What did you do next?”

Helen smiled at the memory. “I sent a telegram that said three words. Yes. Yes. Yes. Then I boarded a train and five days later, I arrived in Washington State. When I stepped off the platform, my suitcase in hand, Sam was there with his entire family. We were married two weeks later. I knew no one, so he introduced me to his best friends and the women they loved. Winifred and Clara became my dearest friends. They were the people who helped me adjust to normal life. They helped me find my new identity.” She shook her head slowly. “Not once in all the years your grandfather and I were together did I have a single regret.”

Ruth’s eyes remained teary. “That’s a beautiful love story.”

“Now you’re living one of your own.”

Ruth didn’t see it like that. “I don’t want to be a military wife,” she said adamantly. “I can’t do it.”

“You love Paul.”

Ruth noted that her grandmother hadn’t made it a question. She knew that Ruth’s heart was linked with Paul’s. He was an honorable man, and he loved her. They didn’t have to share the same political beliefs as long as they respected each other’s views.

“Yes, Grandma, I love him.”

“And you miss him the same way I missed Sam.”

“I do.” It was freeing to Ruth to admit it. The depression that had hung over her for the past week lifted.

All at once Ruth knew exactly what she was going to do. Her decision was made.

Ten

Barbara Gordon answered the doorbell, and the moment she saw Ruth, her eyes lit with delight. “Ruth, it’s so good to see you!”

Ruth was instantly ushered into the house. She hadn’t been sure what kind of reception to expect. After all, she’d disappointed and possibly hurt the Gordons’ son.

“I was so hoping you’d stop by,” Barbara continued as she led the way into the kitchen.

Obediently Ruth followed. “I came because I don’t have a current address for Paul.”

“You plan on writing him?” Barbara seemed about to leap up and down and clap her hands.

“Actually, no.”

The happiness drained from the other woman’s eyes.

“I know it’s a bit old-fashioned, but I thought I’d send him a telegram.”

The delight was back in place. “Greg,” she shouted over her shoulder. “Ruth is here.”

Almost immediately Paul’s father joined them in the kitchen. His grin was as wide as his wife’s had been. “Good to see you, good to see you,” he said expansively.

“What did I tell you?” Barbara insisted.

The two of them continued to stand there and stare at her.

“About Paul’s address?” Ruth prodded.

“Oh, yes.” As if she’d woken from a trance, Barbara Gordon hurried into the other room, leaving Ruth alone with Paul’s father.

It was awkward at first, and Ruth felt the least she could do was explain the reason for her visit. “I miss Paul so much,” she told him. “I need his address.”

Greg Gordon nodded. “He’s missing you, too. Big-time.”

Ruth’s heart filled with hope. “He said that?”

“Not in those exact words,” Greg stated matter-of-factly. “But rest assured, my son is pretty miserable.”

“That’s wonderful.” Now it was Ruth who wanted to leap up and down and clap her hands.

“My son is miserable and you’re happy?” Greg asked, but a teasing light glinted in his eyes.

“Yes…no…Yes,” she quickly amended. “I just hope he’s been as miserable as I have.”

Greg’s smile faded. “No question there.”

The phone rang once; Barbara must have answered it right away, and within a few minutes she returned to the kitchen, carrying a portable phone. “It’s for you.”

Greg started toward her.

“Not you, honey,” she said, nodding at Ruth. “The call is for Ruth.”

“Me?” She was startled. No one knew she’d come here. Anyone wanting to reach her would automatically use her cell-phone number. Her frown quickly disappeared as she realized who it must be.

“Is it Paul?” she asked, her voice low and hopeful.

“It is. He thinks Greg’s about to get on the line.” She clasped her husband’s elbow. “Come on, honey, let’s give Ruth and Paul some privacy.” She was halfway out of the room when she turned back, caught Ruth’s eye and winked.

That was just the encouragement Ruth needed. Still, she felt decidedly nervous as she picked up the portable phone resting on the kitchen counter. After the way they’d parted, she didn’t know what to expect or how to react.

“Hello, Paul,” she said, hoping to sound calm and confident, neither of which she was.