30

Marilyn walked into her apartment on Sunday evening, appreciating the time she’d enjoyed with her family. Her original plan had been to return home this morning, but Stuart Jr. had asked her to go to church with him. That had been a shocker. Over the years, he’d flatly refused to attend church with the family. Now he was the one doing the inviting. Wow!

She rolled her luggage into her bedroom, feeling the weight of the past week on her shoulders. She glanced at her bed. Had it been just a week ago that Jonathan had made love to her?

Leaving her luggage in the middle of the floor, she went to sit on the edge of her bed and fought back tears. She had made a huge mess of things. She had hastily reacted, instead of thinking things through. As a result, she’d probably lost the man who loved her. She could say that now. It had taken being around her family and friends, listening to those who wanted the best for her, and then going back and piecing together the details in her mind, for her to finally see that. He had tried telling her that he loved her, but she had refused to listen. Instead, she had accused him of being the same kind of selfish, conceited and self-centered man her brothers were.

Not able to hold back tears any longer, she let herself cry until she couldn’t cry any more. She had no idea how to right this wrong. But she’d try.

There was no need to wait until Tuesday to give Joseph Sanders her decision. Tomorrow she would go see him and withdraw her complaint. After that, she would call Jonathan and apologize. Right now, that was all she could think to do. She only hoped it would be enough.

A short while later, after unpacking and taking a shower, she slid beneath the sheets. More tears threatened when she thought about the possibility that Jonathan wouldn’t want to talk to her. He’d be justified, if that was the case. But she had to believe that if she poured out her heart to him and told him how sorry she was, he would forgive her.

She cuddled in the bedcovers that still carried Jonathan’s scent, and finally drifted off to sleep.

* * * *

“Yes, Mrs. Taylor?”

“Miss Bannister is here to see you.”

Joseph lifted a brow. She was a day early, which meant her decision could go either way. He was hoping she was here to withdraw her complaint. “Please send her in,” he said, placing the book he’d been browsing aside to stand and put on his suit jacket.

Marilyn walked in, but he couldn’t tell from her expression if her news was good or bad. “Miss Bannister, I didn’t expect to hear from you until tomorrow.”

“Yes, but there was no need to wait. I’ve made a decision. I am withdrawing my complaint.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I made a mistake coming here last Tuesday. I owe both you and Jonathan an apology.”

“You don’t owe me an apology. I’m just glad we didn’t have to take the matter any further. I guess I don’t have to tell you what something like this would have done to Jonathan Madaris’ career.”

“No sir, you don’t.” The thought made her sick to her stomach. “Thank you, Mr. Sanders.”

“You’re welcome. By the way, I was just checking out your book. The shipment came today.”

Marilyn raised a brow. “My book? I don’t understand.”

Joseph Sanders nodded. “I guess Jonathan forgot to tell you. When he was at that Leaders Conference last month, he brought your book forward for consideration, as something to be used in math programs across the state. The funds were approved to have the book printed with a reputable publisher. It was accepted as an official textbook.” He picked up the book and handed it to her. “Congratulations.”

Marilyn stared down at the book in her hand. Her book. It had a beautiful cover with her name on it.

She hadn’t known. She recalled filling out a form he had presented to her to sign, giving the school permission to continue to use the book at Parkwood after she’d left. She’d noted that it also allowed the school system to print additional copies if needed, but she hadn’t thought it likely.

But something like this had never crossed her mind. And now it would be an official textbook that would be used in math programs across the state? Jonathan had believed in her work and had done this for her. She fought back tears. “Thank you Mr. Sanders.”

“I’m not the one you need to thank, Miss Bannister.” When she nodded and attempted to hand the book back to him, he said. “No, you keep that copy. I’m sure Jonathan would have surprised you with it.”

Marilyn left Mr. Sanders’ office, feeling as if a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Still, she felt physically sick at what she’d learned. She had accused Jonathan of doing so much wrong, while behind the scenes, he’d been doing so much right. And all for her. When she got home, she would call him and apologize. Then she’d thank him for getting her book published and invite him for ice cream, so they could talk.

She caught the elevator down, but as soon as she stepped off, she nearly collided with someone. Jonathan. He reached out to stop her from bumping into him.

“Jonathan,” she said, her heart suddenly pounding in her chest. “I was just thinking about you.”

“Were you?” She didn’t miss the harshness of his voice or the cold look in the eyes staring down at her.

They had moved aside so not to block others from getting on the elevator. “Yes. I withdrew my ethical complaint. I also want to apologize for filing it in the first place,” she said.

“You can keep your apology Miss Bannister. I don’t want it. The only thing I need is to never set eyes on you again.”

Then he walked off.

* * * *

Jonathan kept walking, refusing to look back. He released a deep sigh of relief, though, hearing she had withdrawn her complaint. Still, if she assumed things would go back to the way they’d been between them, she was wrong.

He knew they’d come face to face, early in the new year, when she met with him and the other principals in the district to give her report. But he intended to be over her by then.

She was the last person he had expected to run into today. Not knowing what his future with the board would be was getting to him, so he’d decided to visit Joseph, hoping to determine what his next move should be, if Marilyn moved forward with her complaint. He had wanted to be prepared with a strategy. It would have been hell dealing with the media once word got out. But now, a plan would not be needed.

The elevator door opened and he stepped on and turned around. Then he wished he hadn’t. Marilyn was still standing there, staring at him. He held her gaze and hoped she could decipher the anger he felt through every part of his body. The elevator door couldn’t close fast enough. When it did, he leaned against the back panel and released the breath he’d been holding.

He would leave today for Whispering Pines and spend some time alone at the hunting cabin. And he would remain there until he got himself together. Seeing Marilyn today had only confirmed how important it was that that he do that.

* * * *

“I saw Jonathan today, Traci. He hates me.”

“I’m sure he doesn’t hate you Marilyn. He’s hurt, that’s all. He needs time to figure things out, the same way you did. The important thing is that you love him and he loves you.”

Marilyn drew in a deep breath. “But I never told him I love him. I was too angry.”

“But he told you, right?” Traci reminded her.

“Yes, but that was then. He doesn’t want to have anything to do with me now.”

“True love doesn’t work that way. You can’t fall in and out of love that quickly. He’s upset and he has every right to be.”

“I know. I know. But he refused my apology and said he doesn’t want to ever see me again. His words hurt. And he referred to me as Miss Bannister. He wouldn’t even call me Marilyn.”

“Oh Marilyn, you need a hug. When are you coming home for Christmas?”

“I wasn’t planning on coming until Christmas Eve, but now I’m thinking it might be sooner. I need to spend time with you, Erika and the family. There’s no reason for me to remain in Houston for the holidays now.”

After finishing up her conversation with Traci, with promises to see each other soon, Marilyn decided it was time to change the linens on her bed. She didn’t want to sleep another night wrapped in Jonathan’s scent. Especially after what he’d told her today. She’d never been more hurt. And she only had herself to blame.