Nights in Rodanthe - Nicholas Sparks [42]
She nodded. “They called this morning while you were out. They’re getting ready for their ski trip, but wanted to touch base before they go. They’re heading to Snowshoe, West Virginia, this weekend. They’ve been looking forward to that for a couple of months now.”
“Sounds like they’ll have fun.”
“Yeah, Jack’s good for that. Whenever they go to visit, he always has fun things planned, as if life with him would be nothing but one big party.” She paused. “But that’s okay. He’s missing out on a lot of things, too, and I wouldn’t trade places with him. You can’t get these years back.”
“I know,” he murmured. “Believe me, I know.”
She winced. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have said that….”
He shook his head. “It’s okay. Even though you weren’t talking about me, I know I’ve missed more than I can hope to recover. But at least I’m trying to do something about it now. I just hope it works out.”
“It will.”
“You think so?”
“I know so. I think you’re the kind of person who accomplishes just about everything you set out to do.”
“It’s not that easy this time.”
“Why not?”
“Mark and I aren’t on very good terms these days. Actually, we’re not on any terms. We haven’t said more than a few words to each other in years.”
She looked at him, not sure what to say. “I didn’t realize it was that long,” she finally offered.
“How would you? It’s not something I’m proud to admit.”
“What are you going to say to him? At first, I mean?”
“I have no idea.” He looked at her. “Any suggestions? You seem to have a pretty good handle on the parent thing.”
“Not really. I guess I’d have to know what the problem is first.”
“It’s a long story.”
“We’ve got all day if you want to talk about it.”
Paul took a drink, as if summoning his resolve. Then, over the next half hour, and to the accompaniment of the escalating wind and rain outside, he told her how he hadn’t been around when Mark was growing up, about the argument in the restaurant, his inability to find the will to repair the rift between them. By the time he was finished, the fire was burning lower. Adrienne was quiet for a moment.
“That’s a tough one,” she admitted.
“I know.”
“But this isn’t all your fault, you know. It takes two people to keep a feud going.”
“That’s pretty philosophical.”
“It’s still true, though.”
“What should I do?”
“I guess I’d say not to push too hard. I think you probably need to get to know each other before you start working on the problems between you two.”
He smiled, thinking about her words. “You know, I hope your kids realize how smart their mother is.”
“They don’t. But I’m still hopeful.”
He laughed, thinking her skin looked radiant in the gentle light. A log sparked, sending trails up the chimney. Paul added more wine to both their glasses.
“How long are you planning to stay in Ecuador?” she asked.
“I’m not sure yet. I guess that’s up to Mark and how long he wants me there.” He swirled his wine before looking at her. “But I’d say I’ll be there at least a year. That’s what I told the director, anyway.”
“And then you’ll come back?”
He shrugged. “Who knows. I suppose I could go anywhere. It’s not like I have anything to return to in Raleigh. To be honest, I haven’t thought about what I’ll do when I get back. Maybe I’ll take up watching bed-and-breakfasts when the owners are out of town.”
She laughed. “I think you’d get pretty bored with that.”
“But I’d be good if a storm was coming.”
“True, but you’d have to learn to cook.”
“Good point.” Paul glanced toward her, his face half in shadow. “Then maybe I’ll just move to Rocky Mount and figure it out from there.”
At his words, Adrienne felt the blood rush to her cheeks. She shook her head and turned away.
“Don’t say that.”
“Say what?”
“Things you don’t mean.”
“What makes you think I don’t mean it?”
She wouldn’t meet his eyes, nor would she answer, and in the stillness of the room, he could see her chest rising and falling with her breaths. He could see a shadow of fear cross her face but didn’t know if it was because she wanted him to come and was afraid he wouldn’t, or didn’t want him