Leaving Carolina (Paying Piper) by Leigh Tamara

Author:Leigh, Tamara [Leigh, Tamara]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Christian Fiction, Christian, Contemporary Women, Contemporary, Fiction, Romance
ISBN: 9781601422361
Publisher: Random House LLC
Published: 2009-09-15T07:00:00+00:00

“If I hadn’t been there when she was born, I probably wouldn’t believe Devyn was mine either.”

Once more, my face is saying things it shouldn’t, and Maggie has found me out, just as she did this morning when we watched her daughter scrabble in the dirt.

I look from where Devyn is asleep on the sofa to my cousin as she straightens from tucking a throw around her daughter. Even with so slight a smile and the wee hours fast approaching, she’s a stunner.

Having spent half the day with her and Devyn, which included the drive to Asheville to visit Uncle Obe, Szechwan takeout, Apples to Apples, and talk of the progress in Pickwick, I feel a connection with my cousin. It’s unsettling but prompts me to be frank when I would normally advise a change of subject. “As I said earlier, she isn’t what I expected.”

Maggie walks forward and, as we leave the library, says, “Thankfully, hmm?”

I’m unsettled further by a need to soften the blow she dealt herself. “I didn’t know you well.”

We take the long way around Errol where he’s sprawled on the floor, and Maggie flips the light switch alongside the doorway. “That’s the point.”

I falter when we enter the dimly lit hallway, but my cousin’s long-legged stride carries her to the staircase and up half a dozen steps before I begin my own ascent. Suddenly, she halts and swings around. “I’m sorry, Piper.”

I stare at her. What am I supposed to say? That it’s okay? It should be. After all, it has been years since she belittled and snubbed me, and I did forgive her. Or did I? It still hurts. Not terribly, but enough to feel a part of me.

Maggie drops her hands to her sides. “I don’t know what else to say, except thank you for seeing Devyn as separate from me.”

How did I get here? I didn’t come to Pickwick for Maggie to make amends. Or to connect with her daughter. Or to be Trinity’s godsend. Or to be rattled by Axel. Or to have doubts about Grant. What happened to Get In, Get Out?

“And thank you for humoring her. Despite her quest for all things intellectual, she needs to feel a part of something bigger than the two of us.”

“It was fun. I’m glad we could spend time together.”

Maggie’s lips strain into a smile. “I’ll see you in a couple of hours.”

Another round of awakenings, after which she and Devyn will go home. Which is what I want, as I have lots to do to prepare for Uncle Obe’s return, not the least of which is to corner Artemis, who has forgotten the importance of our meeting before I talk to Uncle Obe about his will.

“Good night, Piper.”

“Goodnight.”

As Maggie turns, I glimpse the release of her smile, and I know I shouldn’t withhold what she was asking for in not so many words, but—No “buts.” Yes, it still hurts, and it will until you do something about it. So do what God calls you to do!

“Maggie?”

She looks around.

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