Heart storms, p.30
Heart Storms, page 30
Jade found her way through tangled emotions and jumbled life scenarios to her true self, to follow her true heart and make her new world. When she opened her eyes, she stared straight into Maggie’s—clear, loving, knowing, intuitive eyes and saw her own truth reflected back, confirmed and understood for the first time in over two years. And Jade knew.
Chapter 36
Twenty-Five Years Later
The happiest day of his life had been the day Jade chose him as her husband.
When they married, Jade was almost thirty and so they started a family right away. By the time she was thirty-six, they’d had three beautiful babies.
Jade’s three grown children now came to her side during her greatest need. The oldest was Grace, an interior designer living in Charleston. The middle child was Margaretta, named after Jade’s mother, Maggie. Her youngest was her only son, Richard, whom she treasured. He and Margaretta, called Margo, for many years had run the inn with their parents, learning the business and loving it as much as their parents did.
Jade and Rick enjoyed an early semi-retirement in her mid-fifties, his early sixties. Rick never fully relinquished the inn, and would have worked ten-hour days, six days a week if they’d let him. But Jade, Margo, and Richard wouldn’t let him. They forced him to take at least two days off a week, and Jade got him to play golf and take regular vacations. They’d been blessed with talented, devoted children and a successful, happy life.
Elated with the birth of each child, Rick gave thanks daily for his amazing wife and miraculous children. After losing Leah decades ago, he’d never dreamed he’d have a life like this—the one he’d always wanted with a gorgeous, intelligent wife who was a phenomenal business partner and an awesome mother to their children. Rick sometimes confided to Jade at night when all was quiet how he had so much more than most men. He’d had a lifetime’s worth of happiness in twenty-five years. He worried his end would come soon, being so grandly blessed so quickly. Other people they’d known weren’t so blessed, especially Gabriel who’d lost the love of his life.
Jade had assured Rick it didn’t work that way—a person didn’t have a quota for happiness and success in life, and when they’d reached their quota, life was over. “No,” she’d said, “Our happiness grows daily. This is what life is about. Everyone can have a life like this.”
“Yes, but only if they make the right choices.”
She knew what he alluded to—the day of their wedding.
“It was the happiest day of my life,” she said. “And if I live a hundred lives, our wedding day would still be the happiest of all.”
Jade had kissed Rick with all the love in her, knowing she’d made the right choice. She knew it the moment she’d taken his hand and walked back down the aisle with him—no histrionics, no dramatic displays—they’d simply walked together to the altar with not a glance back at Gabe. She’d let him go, and all she saw was Rick. All she loved was Rick. She married him without an ounce of regret.
Jade wondered through the years what had happened to Gabe. She felt bad leaving him standing there but he’d left her standing alone in life after he’d promised her a life together. It might’ve been karma at work. It didn’t matter. Gabe was a terrific man in many ways, and she was sure he’d go on to have a good life. The one thing she had conveyed to him was her forgiveness. It allowed him to walk away with no guilt so he could move forward.
There had been no contact between them all her married years. Jade relegated Gabriel to the realms of a fairytale romance, powerful but devastating to the same degree just as Devlin had been. And once the fairytale ended, which they always did, you closed the book and then came The End.
Jade and Rick’s marriage and life together were better and so much more than she envisioned at the start. With him gone now, she wondered how she’d make it through each day. Grief and loss drowned out the love and life inside her. Only her children surrounding her at Rick’s death brought Jade solace. She had to support them; she had to be strong for them. She’d had many more years with Rick than they had. They were each devastated in their own way and tried to fathom how their mother must feel. Margo said there was no bottom to her grief, like looking into the deepest, darkest part of the ocean.
Margo’s words reminded Jade of how she experienced Gabe’s love so long ago. Something came around full circle emotionally. The broken bond felt closed and completed again.
Then, as if the universe or maybe that angel on Gabe’s good shoulder had heard Jade’s thoughts and misunderstood them to be a prayer, Gabe had been summoned. He walked into the door of her home.
Gabriel had heard of Rick’s death and came to pay his respects, to see if Jade needed help with anything. He’d kept track of her on social media and through the news of the inn. When he’d heard the tragic news, he drove to Golden Shores to tell Jade in person how sorry he was for her loss, and to help her any way she needed.
***
When Gabe entered the room, now with silver strands through his hair, still with those round, scholarly-looking glasses and his magnetic blue eyes, Jade thought she saw a ghost and she’d had enough of ghosts. She’d envisioned Rick’s spirit moving through the inn now, joining Leah’s. Or hopefully they’d move on together. Only Gabriel would understand this. Only Gabriel shared this part of her history, so when she saw him, her heart filled with gratitude, familiarity, friendship, and love.
They hugged warmly and close while her children looked on, wondering who he was. Jade finally introduced them, saying Gabriel Montoro had been an old friend to her and Rick, and their father’s first and favorite chef at the inn. She explained how he helped to make it a success in those early days. Gabe was flattered but also surprised. After the kids shook his hand and thanked him for coming, they left them alone. Gabe asked Jade if Rick had really felt that way. She took his hand and said, “He really did. I wouldn’t lie to you or my kids about something so important. Rick said many times how you helped make the first year a tremendous success and it was the basis for success in the years after. We had to hire a new chef after you left, but for years we kept your recipes. The guests loved them and kept coming back.” With a big smile, she explained, “After we’d been married a few years and had our first baby, I guess Rick figured I wasn’t going anywhere, and he admitted he missed you—your energy, your friendly attitude with the guests, and your amazing food.”
Her words brought tears to Gabe’s eyes. “Rick was a truly good man in all ways, and I’m glad you two had such a full, rich life, and great kids.”
“Thank you.” She dried her eyes and shook off memories. “But what have you been doing all these years?”
Gabe told her he’d moved to San Antonio two years after living in California and getting full custody of Gracie. He lived there until Gracie moved to Boston for college. His mother had died, his sisters had moved. So, after Gracie left, he decided he wanted to live the rest of his life where he wanted, where he felt most comfortable. After getting a great offer as head chef in an upscale waterfront restaurant, he’d moved to Charleston. He said he didn’t contact her over the years because he respected the life she’d chosen and had always been happy for her and Rick.
Gabe’s daughter, Graciela, had flourished. She was smart and beautiful, had gotten a full scholarship and was in a pre-med program. Gabe couldn’t be prouder and more thrilled. He further explained how he’d helped save Gracie’s mother’s life because Jade had influenced him with how she’d helped Devlin. Consuela had stayed clean and sober, went to school, married a nice guy, had a good life and developed a strong, close relationship with their daughter. He also helped Delora and José move to San Antonio and get a new start for their family. Gabe had done all he could for the people he cared about, and he’d done a good job. His own career had flourished, and he enjoyed life.
Jade took his hand, her eyes full of emotion. “I’m so happy your life turned out so well, Gabe. I’ve thought about you often over the years but with three kids and running the inn, my days were never long enough to look you up or follow your life. I always prayed for you to have a full, rich, happy life. You did, and now you’re right here in Charleston! I can’t believe it. This place sure agrees with you because you look wonderful.”
Gabe’s gaze softened and his love showed through. “And you, you still look like I remember. Still beautiful—now with a glow from inside I guess comes from being a mother, from nurturing and loving so many people.”
Her head down, blushing, Jade said, “You flatter me.” She looked up and winked at him. “But you were always good at that,” and they laughed with real joy.
They exchanged phone numbers and email addresses and promised to stay in touch in the future. Jade would go back to work temporarily to take over some of Rick’s duties for a smooth transition to Richard and Margo running the inn. They’d have to hire and train a manager, but Jade promised to get in touch soon.
At the end of the day, her husband had been put to rest and everyone left. Jade’s children wanted her to stay with them, but she insisted on staying in her own home. She’d have to get used to being there by herself. She grabbed a blanket and pillow to sleep on the living room sofa; no way could she sleep in their bed. She cried herself to sleep, wondering how she’d get on in life without Rick, her kids’ father, her guiding light, the rock who steadied her world.
***
Three months later and Jade still worked all the time, not eating much and her kids worried. They assured her the new manager was working out great, and she really didn’t have to work at all anymore. But Jade had to fill her days. The kids wanted her to travel and gave her tickets for a cruise, but she turned them in. She had no interest in going anywhere without Rick.
Jade wondered how women got along after losing a husband or partner fairly young, and after doing everything together in life. Long ago, after Devlin, her mother had told her about how she coped after Jade’s father died. She’d gotten involved in activities and doing things she loved. If Mom could move on in life, so can I. I’m fifty-five, the new forty, and I have a whole life ahead of me. I won’t waste it.
The next day she thought about what kinds of things she really loved to do. The hospitality business was too stressful and all-consuming for her anymore. She wanted to help people. She did an internet search on volunteering. And in a few minutes, she found something perfect—a food program that collected unused food from restaurants and grocery stores and donated it to homeless shelters, crisis centers, food banks and kids’ programs.
Jade signed up and as she got more and more involved with the organization, she got into administering the program. This led her to working with restaurant owners and their chefs, and one of the people she needed to work with was Gabe. She’d make a trip to Charleston once a month, and they’d go over the policies and procedures, the personnel to get the food and the pickup times. There were so many details involved, and Jade was accomplished at details. Plus, she loved knowing she was performing a much-needed service for the region. Gabe felt the same, and they found they worked together easily, like the first days at the inn.
They’d sometimes grab a quick dinner after work. Sometimes she’d have to work late and would stay overnight in Charleston and they’d have breakfast or spend the day together. With Gabe being almost three-hour’s drive away, they didn’t meet much more than once or twice a month. But when they did, they became closer, little by little, not even noticing because they were so natural together. Emotion-filled glances turned to affectionate touching—holding hands, a brush to the arm, a side hug; next came warm embraces until they didn’t want to let go. Both were still vital, active, attractive people and very attracted to each other.
After six months of meeting casually, one night after she got into her car to leave, Gabe leaned through the open window, kissed her lightly and backed away to test her reaction. Jade turned and took his face into her hands, brought his lips to hers and kissed him back, leading to a long, luscious kiss, the kind they’d shared so long ago.
On Jade’s next trip to Charleston, they had a long, romantic dinner at her hotel and stayed late at the bar talking over old times, laughing and enjoying each other.
“I don’t want this night to end,” Gabe said with love in his eyes.
“It doesn’t have to. Come to my room. Stay with me.”
“I shouldn’t. It’s not right.”
“What’s not right about it? It’s not something we haven’t done before.”
He threw his head back in laughter. “How true.” But he turned serious. “I don’t want you to do anything you’ll be sorry about tomorrow.”
“If I thought I’d be sorry, I wouldn’t have asked. We’re both single, we care deeply for each other, and I’m guessing we’d continue where we left off.”
“Just because Rick’s gone now doesn’t mean you’re ready to replace him.”
“I’m not replacing him. I’m moving on with my life. I still love him, but I still loved you, even though differently after he and I married. Connections of love don’t end because the person you love goes away for whatever reason. Feelings may change over time. But because I love him doesn’t mean I can’t love you, too. Rick would want me to be happy.”
“Probably not with me, though.”
Jade gazed intently with every ounce of love in her. “It’s not up to him. You are my choice. I choose to be happy with you, and Rick would be happy with my choice.” Jade kissed him. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but at this point in our lives, I’m sure we’d make each other deliriously happy in so many ways. We’ve done this before, we know each other and what to expect, and our lives are healed and settled now. Shouldn’t this be when we spend good times together and love each other?”
Gabe took her hand. “Give me your room key.” He led her to the elevator and to her room. They barely made it inside the door before wrapping in each other’s arms and kissing passionately. They picked up as if no time had passed. They made love passionately and their love overwhelmed them once again. They remembered each other’s bodies like they were their own—their kisses, where to touch, how to move to each other’s rhythm. Gabe was still as voracious a lover as he had been at thirty, over twenty years ago, more so with the miracle of having Jade back in his arms and life.
There were differences in their relationship this time, though. Jade had no doubt or misgivings, no thoughts of Rick, no guilt or fear. She and Gabe simply met when it was convenient, enjoyed and loved each other as much as possible when they were together. There was never talk of the future and what would happen. They simply enjoyed and appreciated each other in the moments they had.
***
Jade’s daughter, Grace, was working on a design job in Charleston at the hotel where her mother and Gabe had stayed overnight. From a distance, she had seen her mother walk into the elevator arm-in-arm with a strange man, and had watched them kiss, not the kiss of friends but of lovers.
Jade’s children were more than upset, they were outraged. Margo was in tears wondering how her mother could be with a man so soon after her father’s death. They each attacked her with their own accusations. Richard said Grace told him she’d only glimpsed the man, but he looked Hispanic, and Richard thought it was incredibly shameful for her to be shacking up with him. He said his father was probably rolling over in his grave knowing what the two of them were doing. Grace said it might affect the business. She said if she had seen them, maybe other people had, too, and if not, eventually they’d be seen by people who knew Jade. “What if gossip got around town,” Richard said, “and guests found out the owner of Spirit in the Wind was having an affair so soon after her husband died?” Besides possibly affecting business, all three kids were embarrassed and hurt, their father’s memory was being tarnished and their mother was acting in a disrespectful and tawdry manner. They said they felt disgraced.
Jade nearly toppled over like they had stoned her hearing the extreme reactions and onslaught from her children. She wanted to tell them the man was Gabriel whom they’d met after Rick’s funeral and tell them how wrong they were. But she was caught so off-guard and was so hurt she crumpled into herself with no strength to confront them. She went straight to bed, crying, tossing around their words, especially upset with Richard’s condescending attitude and remarks.
The next day she regrouped and approached her son in his office to set him straight. “I understand how hurt you are because you’re still grieving for your father. But the horrific thing is your attitude. I didn’t raise you to be elitist or racist, or put others down. Your words—saying I was ‘shacking up’ with a man who ‘looked Hispanic’ were not only cruel and insulting to us both, they were racist and you couldn’t be more wrong.” Jade yelled at him, which was rare.
“He is a very old friend and one of the best men on the planet. He’s incredibly educated, talented, intelligent and has a remarkable career. How dare you judge him on his looks, on your sister’s gossip and incorrect assessment of him, then put him down as inferior? I am horribly disappointed in you as a human being. No son of mine or your father’s would ever treat another human being that way, let alone their mother.”
Richard’s chest felt as if it collapsed, squeezing his heart with pain. His face turned bright red. “My God, I didn’t realize how bad I sounded. I’m so sorry. I said those words in the frenzy and anger of the moment. All I thought about was Dad and how much I loved and missed him, and it seemed with your actions with another man, you didn’t care about Dad at all. You didn’t even grieve him before you took up with this guy. So, I’m sorry about the harsh words. And I do know better. You see how I treat all the employees and guests with equal respect no matter their race or education, don’t you?”
“Yes, I do. And your father and I were good role models for you kids. That’s why your words cut to my core. I was so hurt on so many levels, and in such disbelief, I couldn’t even talk to you yesterday.”
