Read Online Silver Linings by Debbie Macomber - Free Book Online Page B

mind.”
    “I will,” I promised.
    We spoke for a few more minutes, exchanging family news. I’ll admit by the time we disconnected I did feel better. Just talking to my mother had helped ease the ache in my heart.
    Rover was asleep at my feet, his chin resting on the top of my foot. I reached down and scratched his ears. When I left the office I noticed the sun was shining and the afternoon had grown warm.
    I glanced out the window and saw Mark wipe his forearm across his forehead. I’d made a pitcher of iced tea earlier in the day, so I poured him a large glass and added a slice of lemon. The oatmeal-raisin cookies I’d baked earlier in the week were tucked away in the freezer. I removed the plastic bag and took out four and set them on a plate and carried the tea and cookies out to Mark.
    He looked over his shoulder when I came onto the porch, and a frown marred his brow when he saw me.
    “I come in peace,” I assured him. “You look like you could use a cool drink and a few cookies.”
    For a moment it seemed as if he was going to refuse me. “Thanks. Set them down on the porch and I’ll have them later.”
    “Okay.” I was disappointed but said nothing. Doing as he asked, I placed the glass and the plate of cookies on the top step. “This works out best, as the cookies are frozen.”
    He frowned. “You put cookies in the freezer?”
    “I
hide
cookies in the freezer,” I corrected.
    “Because I tend to eat them as fast as you bake them,” he said and smiled.
    I smiled back. “No, because I’m afraid
I’ll
eat them. You know what they say, don’t you? Out of sight, out of mind.”
    Right away his smile faded and his look sobered. “Is that how it will work with me, Jo Marie?” he asked, his gaze holding mine in a tight grip.
    He was so serious that for a moment I couldn’t find my voice to answer. “No,” I whispered, “I won’t forget you, Mark. You’ll always be right here.” I pressed my palm over my heart.
    He continued to hold my look for a long moment before he turned away and resumed painting. I watched him, unable to move. Despite his effort to hide it, I caught a glimpse of pain and regret in him. For just a millisecond I thought he was about to drop the paintbrush and take me in his arms again. The look passed so quickly I couldn’t be sure. Perhaps it was my own heart speaking, calling out to him.
    I returned to the kitchen, where I stood looking out the window above the sink. Once again I reviewed the conversation with Mark I’d had three weeks previously when he’d first mentioned he had feelings for me. Something Mark had said then kept bugging me. He’d talked about climbing out of a black hole, but I didn’t know what he’d meant. I’d tried to ask him questions, but he wouldn’t answer. He had reminded me that Paul was a hero and in the same sentence claimed he himself was flawed and broken.
    Even now I remembered how intense he’d gotten, regret coating each word. Although Mark had never said it, I was convinced he’d been part of the military. In my talks with Peggy and Bob Beldon, they’d said they had the same impression. Someone, I didn’t remember who, had said they were fairly certain Mark spoke fluent German.
    Last year when he’d broken his leg and was dopey on pain meds he’d muttered something unintelligible at me. At the time I assumed he was incoherent with pain and just babbling. In retrospect it might have been another language, one unfamiliar to me. I wanted to ask him and immediately realized I couldn’t. Anytime I questioned him he grew impatient and either ignored me or changed the subject. He’d become a master at evasion.
    If I had only a day or two left with Mark I was determined not to waste them digging for information he was intent on hiding.
    The doorbell chimed and I glanced at my watch. I wasn’t sure who it might be. The two women I’d been expecting had arrived and had already registered. They’d let me know how much they liked