“I came to see Heath,” Trudie said confidently, tipping her chin up slightly. Her eyes looked clear, and her expression was almost serene. This was a different Trudie than the last one Mark had seen.
“No,” Mark snapped.
“But Mark—” Trudie began, and her voice shook nervously, not as self-assured as before.
“No,” Mark repeated. “It is time for Heath to take a nap. And you are not welcome here.” He turned and put one hand protectively behind Layla’s back to guide her toward the back door, leaving Trudie standing near the garden with her mouth hanging open. It was evident she wanted to speak to him, but Mark did not want to hear whatever she wished to say. He felt she had lost the right to have her say when she left them behind. He intentionally led Layla and Heath quickly toward the back door, as he did not wish for them to spend any more time in Trudie’s presence.
“Layla, are you all right? Is Heath all right?” Mark asked as he walked his family into the kitchen.
“We’re fine, Mark,” Layla replied quietly. She ran a hand through Heath’s hair, her fingertips lingering at his small curls.
A spark of relief flashed in his chest. “I’m glad. Please, go about the rest of your day. Put Heath down for his nap and do as you must. I am going to my study and—”
“Mark,” Layla said timidly. Heath was nearly asleep, and his little eyelashes fluttered softly. Mark stroked his finger down the side of the baby’s cheek. The soft flesh was a little red from the wind outside. “Do you want to talk about what just happened? Do you want to—”
“No,” Mark said curtly, and then he caught himself. He did not mean to snap at Layla. He took a long and slow deep breath, clenching his hands into fists and releasing them once more. “No, thank you, Layla. I just need a moment to gather my thoughts. I’ll be in my office.”
“All right,” Layla replied, cocking her head sympathetically. “I’ll put Heath down for his nap, and then I’ll head back out to the garden. I still need to gather some potatoes and carrots. If you want to talk, come and join me.”
“Thank you, Layla,” he said and touched the top of Heath’s head. His boy looked so safe and comfortable wrapped in Layla’s arms; it made Mark’s heart ache.
He followed a step behind Layla and the baby as they went upstairs. Once he was sure they were safe in Heath’s room, he retreated to his study. Mark left the door ajar in case Heath cried out while Layla was outside. Pushing aside the curtains, he peered out at the garden that was now empty.
Trudie was nowhere in sight, and dreadful anger rushed through his body as he glared at the spot where she stood just moments before. He growled, crossing his arms over his chest. He wasn’t sure if he expected her to appear again, but he kept watch just to make sure. In truth, he had never expected to see her again. He hadn’t laid eyes on her in months, not since she had appeared at the civil court hearing.
Mark snapped his jaw, irritated that Trudie disappeared for six months but wandered into that hearing as though nothing had ever happened. She’d worn the same buttercup yellow dress on that day, and her dark curls were fixed stylishly. Mark had petitioned the court so that their marriage might be annulled, obligated to prove that Trudie not only betrayed him but also abandoned their child. With Trudie standing there appearing so healthy and proper, Mark had feared that the judge would not grant the annulment. But, when Trudie spoke, her voice shook, her hands trembled, and she broke down weeping twice. She even told the judge that she had started eating again, inferring there had been a time when she was not.
Friends, like Dollie Calkins, had written letters on Mark’s behalf. Dollie’s letter made an especial impression on the judge as it described how Mark had been forced to raise the baby on his own until he could persuade Dollie to help him with the child’s care.
Mark took off his black hat and flung it across his office, and it fell short from his desk.Trudie’s looks can be deceiving, Mark thought wryly. Despite appearing put together at the courthouse, she had still been in shambles. Today, she looked more vibrant, healthy even, and had spoken forcefully. Even though he’d only let her get out a few words, they were enough to strike fear into his heart.
God, Mark thought, as he lifted his eyes toward the heavens.Why did you bring Trudie back now? Is there some lesson I’m supposed to learn? If so, I’m missing it. Please, show me what you need me to know.
He shifted his weight uncomfortably, lowering his head toward the floor.
If Trudie is here, and she wants to see Heath again, what does that mean? If I let her spend time with him, will she be capable of interacting with him, or will she just abandon him again? But what if she decides she wants to see him all the time? Will she try to take him away from me? Can she even do something like that?
These thoughts plagued Mark’s mind, and as no answers occurred readily to him, he ran a hand through his hair and kept his watch out the window.
Chapter Twenty-Six
After putting Heath in his crib and kissing him lightly on the forehead, Layla moved swiftly about her business. If she wanted to have the vegetables cooked and the stew ready by supper time, she needed to get back to the garden. The baskets were still by the row of peas.
Don’t know why I thought they wouldn’t be, Layla told herself. Though only a few moments had passed between the time picking vegetables with Heath, Trudie’s appearance, and Mark demanding her to leave, it felt much longer.
Layla stepped carefully down the rows until she came to the carrots. She pulled four large ones from the ground with ease, then moved to the potatoes. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t stop picturing Trudie stepping forward to speak confidently to Mark. She seemed so calm and almost determined. Layla wondered how the situation could have unfolded differently; she worried that maybe she should have done something differently to help ease the tension.
“Do you mind if I help?” Mark’s voice came from behind, and Layla started. Lost in her own thoughts and her work, she hadn’t heard him walk up.
“Please do,” Layla said, nodding her head. He crouched beside her and ran his hands over the dirt. He wasn’t really digging for potatoes but lifting the dry earth and sifting it between his fingers.
Withdrawing a small spade from her apron pocket, she turned over the dirt, searching for potatoes. She waited patiently for Mark to speak, remembering how his face hardened when he first saw Trudie in the yard.
“I’m sorry Trudie came back here,” Mark said finally, deep frown lines forming around his mouth that was tightened into a straight line.
“She wants to see Heath. It might be good for the two of them—”
Mark’s eyes widened in shock as astonishment colored his tone. “You think I should let her see Heath?”
