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Tiffani had been right. His parents loved him. They had cared about him when he’d been a child and even now they called regularly. He just hadn’t returned the same treatment. They had asked for his forgiveness but he had yet to give it. They’d made a mistake, but their family had survived. What had he really lost? Nothing except a girl who he’d learned cared more about money and appearances than she did him. That wasn’t a bad thing to know before it was too late.
He’d accused Tiffani of doing the same thing, but she’d abided by his request to keep the clinic out of the media. She could have used it. More than once he’d given her the opportunity to use her knowledge of him personally for the sake of the campaign, but she hadn’t. She’d explained what had happened at the accident. The question was, did he believe her? But why shouldn’t he? Tiffani hadn’t lied to him before.
What had he done? He’d overreacted. Lost the most wonderful thing that had ever happened to him. She brought out the best in him.
Tiffani had opened her arms wide and taken him in when he’d needed her that terrible night. There had been no questions or condemnation, just a warm, safe harbor for his wounded soul. Even when he’d told her about what his parents had done, she’d seen the positive side. Pointed out what they had done right. Tiffani knew how to care and what had he shown her? Disdain. Scorn.
Shame filled him. He’d spent much of his adult life acting holier than thou. The very thing he despised. It was time to apologize. His parents were first on his list. Then with his heart in his hand he was going to ask Tiffani for forgiveness.
And pray hard she would give it.
* * *
Two days later, Rex gathered enough courage to call his parents and ask if he could visit. His mother sounded both surprised and overjoyed to hear from him. That weekend he showed up at their house on Saturday morning. He hadn’t even pulled very far into the drive before his mother and father came out to greet him.
As he put his helmet on the seat his mother embraced him with a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Honey, this is a real treat. We’re so glad to see you.”
His father gave him a bear hug, bringing Rex in close and gently pounding on his back. Guilt washed over him. All these years he’d been pushing his parents away with his attitude, and by refusing to see them more. Tiffani had faithfully visited her father regularly for all her adult life and had probably never once received the warm reception Rex just had. He promised himself he would do better about being a part of his parents’ lives.
“Come in and tell us all about what you have been doing.” His mother wrapped her arm around his and walked close as they entered the house.
It was nothing like the one Rex had grown up in. Where his childhood home had been spacious and two stories with a pool in the back, this one was bungalow-sized and in an established blue-collar area of the city. Just big enough for two. He had to give them credit for trying to live within their means. Even their car was a basic four-door and secondhand, from the looks of it.
His mother led them into the kitchen. The table was laid with his favorite meal. “You know I’m not much of a cook, but I tried.”
Rex gave her a hug. “It looks wonderful, Mom. Thanks.”
Her father chuckled. “She’s been working and worrying since you called.”
There was something to be said for being loved. Rex hadn’t realized what he’d had until he’d seen Tiffani’s father in action.
They took seats at the table and chatted about what was going on in their lives and his brother’s while they ate.
Then, as if his mother couldn’t stand it any longer, she blurted out, “Tell us about that billboard.”
“You saw that,” Rex said, his appetite dying.
“Hard to miss.” His father chuckled.
His mother’s gaze met his. “I was surprised. I never thought you’d agree to anything like that.”
“The person who talked me into it can be pretty persuasive.” Rex went on to explain his involvement in the campaign.
Both his parents looked at him, amazed.
“I knew the Royster business must have taken a toll on you but you never said anything, and, to be truthful, I felt responsible,” his father said.
“You weren’t. His family just didn’t want to accept the truth,” Rex assured him.
His mother’s eyes held a sad look. “We should’ve been more supportive during that time but we were afraid we’d make it worse.”
“It might have. I know I’ve been hard on you about what happened years ago. I was a kid only thinking about himself. I just want you to know that I’m grateful for your love. More than that, I appreciate you loving each other. Even though you’ve lived through tough times, you stuck together. You loved us. That’s to be admired. I’ve always known you were there for me, even when I didn’t show it.”
His mother was openly crying and his father had moisture in his eyes. His mother said between sobs, “We thought you’d never forgive us.”
“Thank you for telling us that. May I ask why you told us this now?” his father asked.
Rex gave him a direct look. “A woman.”
His father nodded sagely. “That’ll do it.”
There was a sparkle of interest Rex hadn’t seen in his mother’s eyes in a long time. “When do we get to meet her?”
“Soon, I hope. I have some groveling to do first.”
“It’s like that, is it?” his father said with a grin.
“Yeah, I messed up.”
“We all do that sometimes,” his mother whispered, wiping her eyes.
“It has taken me too long to figure that out. For that I’m deeply sorry,” Rex said, looking at his mother then his father.
As he was leaving his mother asked, “When’re you going to get rid of that motorcycle? It scares me.”
“Soon. I think it’s time I make some changes in my life.”
* * *
Tiffani stepped out of the taxi in front of the historic Peabody Hotel in downtown Memphis. She had chosen to come by taxi so she didn’t have to worry about finding a parking place or waiting in line for a valet. She’d delayed dressing to the last minute, unsure if she wanted to even attend the cocktail party and dinner being held for the visiting accreditation committee.
Dr. Nelson had called and left a message at her office that she was invited to attend. She’d spent most of the last week and a half working on the campaign from a distance. She’d had numerous requests to interview Rex but she had declined them all. She wasn’t going to ask and he wasn’t going to agree.
She hadn’t spoken to or seen her father since her last visit. Unable to stand it, she had called the home and asked the nurse how he was doing. She’d been told her father had become increasingly difficult the first few days after her last visit but that he was more agreeable now. The nurse assured Tiffani she had done a good thing by making her father face a few facts.
Tonight Tiffani had dressed in a light blue dress she saved for special occasions. It fit well and she felt she looked good in it. Not that she would see anyone that mattered. Rex would certainly not be there. This type of dinner wasn’t his thing. She’d left her hair down and pulled it over to one side. Wearing it free was a habit now. Rex had been right. She had dressed to appear unapproachable. After Lou had dumped her she’d hidden behind her appearance, her job. Now she knew well what it was like to have a man truly appreciate who she was. The sad part was that she’d lost him, but she refused to let the lessons she’d learned about herself be overshadowed by negativity.
The time of the cocktail party had been arranged so that everyone attending could enjoy the Duck March beforehand. Twice a day, live ducks and their offspring, who had been trained in a unique tradition, trooped dutifully into the lobby of the hotel and swam in the beautiful lobby fountain. She’d seen it when she was a child but not recently. It would g
ive her something to smile about, something she hadn’t done since Rex had walked out her door. There was already a crowd forming along the red carpet stretching from the elevators to the fountain in the center of the lobby. All of this to watch five mallard ducks walk to a fountain for a swim.
Tiffani found an open spot near the fountain. A few minutes later the doors to the ornate elevator opened and out walked the ducks, followed by the Duckmaster. She couldn’t help but grin.
“They’re fun, aren’t they?” a voice she knew well said from behind her. Rex.
Tiffani’s insides quaked. He was here! And talking to her. “They are. I love them.”
The ducks waddled past them on their way into the fountain.
Rex came to stand beside her, just touching. It was like the sun burning brightly along that side of her body. He wore a dark suit and shirt and a conservative striped tie. The only omission to looking like a professional in the traditional sense was his hair. The edge that had always drawn her to him was still there, making her glow hot in her middle.
The ducks swam a couple of laps in a circle, climbed out of the fountain, shook off and gathered to make the march back.
Rex whispered in her ear close enough his breath brushed her hair. “Can we talk?”
Tiffani tingled all over. This was her chance to tell him how she felt. She’d made the mistake of trying to share her heart with the wrong person once, but she had no doubt Rex was the man for her. She met his gaze. “Please. I’d like that.”
Dr. Nelson said, passing them with a group of people, “Hey, you two. We’re going to the Rooftop Bar.”
“We’ll be along in a few minutes,” Rex said, taking her hand and heading in the other direction.
Hope flared in Tiffani. “Maybe we should—”
