Second Chances

Second Chances

The McClains of Legend, Tennessee - Book 5

By

Magdalena Scott

USA Today Bestselling Author

Copyright

Second Chances Copyright - Magdalena Scott

Published October 2015 by Jewel Box Books

Previously published by Turquoise Morning Press, August 2014

Edited by Gilly Wright

Cover Design by Elusive Dreams Designs

Stock Art by Depositphotos.com

WARNING: All rights reserved.

The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work, in whole or in part, in any form, is illegal and forbidden without the written permission of the author, Magdalena Scott.

This is a work of fiction.

Characters, settings, names, and occurrences are a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to any actual person, living or dead, places, settings or occurrences are purely coincidental.

***

The town of Legend, Tennessee, and its residents live in the imaginations of its authors: Maddie James, Janet Eaves, Magdalena Scott, and Jan Scarbrough. The town and all characters are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Dedication

This book is dedicated to Dale Moss,

who unwittingly inspired me to create Pete Garrity.

Let this be a lesson to you all:

You never know what might result from a conversation with a novelist.

Second Chances

Legend Post-Dispatch

Mrs. Adeline Hamilton Bynum, 83, known to the Legend community as Ms. Addie, passed away on April 8 in the comfort of her home after a yearlong illness. A lifelong resident of Legend, she was preceded in death by an infant daughter Caroline, and her husband Roger Bynum, the owner of the Post-Dispatch and other community businesses.

Ms. Addie was a member of the Legend United Methodist Church where a public celebration of her life will be held on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. In life, Ms. Addie was a private woman, who enjoyed her rose garden and grew championship roses. Over the years, she also touched the lives of many children, participating in the county foster family program and giving part-time work to deserving teens. She also had a soft heart for stray animals. Cats were her favorite, but she also contributed to the local animal rescue charities.

Ms. Addie is survived by a great-nephew, Jeremy Hamilton of Louisville, Kentucky. Memorial gifts can be made to the Legend Animal Shelter or Alley Cat Advocates alleycatadvocates.org.

Chapter One

BACK IN LEGEND, Tennessee, after so many years, Anne was putting her trust in this little town and its people to help heal her heart.

She parked her car in a spot just off the alley and killed the engine. Leaning back against the headrest, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She’d made it! She had driven more than one thousand miles with only short breaks, so eager to reach Legend, Tennessee, once she had decided to make the trip. She pulled the keys and slipped them into the pocket of her jacket. No more nagging worry about the location of her keys, which might mean being locked out of the house or her car in an emergency. She was in Legend now—a town where many people never locked their doors. She slid her cell phone out of the console and into the side pocket of her handbag. The little phone had served as her connection to the world, her lifeline. Now it would be just a convenience.

The location of her keys and phone was no longer a cause for panic. She wouldn’t need to make a rushed trip to the emergency room or call the nurse line for advice. Memories started to flood her mind, and Anne shook her head to block them. That was the past. She had to let go of it as much as possible and move forward, or she knew there was a dangerous chance she’d be consumed by the depression that awaited her in the shadows.

She’d done her very best for Steven, and now she needed to be concerned with her own well-being. Everyone had told her what an amazing caregiver she’d been. But Anne didn’t feel amazing. She felt exhausted, as if she’d been walking in a thick fog for a very long time. She checked the makeup mirror on the visor and did a little repair work. Of course makeup couldn’t hide all evidence of her recent history, but it helped. She didn’t want pity.

She stretched for a moment standing by the car. The fresh breeze was full of rhododendron scent, mingled with a light whiff of pine. The riot of brightly colored rhododendron bushes grew along the alley, escaping from the vacant lot where a house had once sat, the work of some long-forgotten gardener. Anne raised her face to the sun, felt its warmth on her skin.

Spring had always been her favorite time of year in the Smoky Mountains, the vibrant color a welcome surprise to the senses after the grey and brown of winter. As she needed a renewal herself, the timing of her arrival seemed perfect. Anne was dead-tired of making one hard decision after another. Literally thousands of decisions in the last few years, most of them tinged with pain and loss. But she had no doubt this one—coming back to Legend, at least temporarily—was definitely right. Being here after such a long absence could well be awkward, but she was determined to make it work.

Anne! I thought I’d heard a car door back here. How wonderful to see you! Midnight Shelby McClain emerged from the back door of her shop and left it standing wide open. Her impossibly black hair shone almost blue in the sun, and she was dressed in slim jeans, black kid flats, and a white V-neck knit shirt. Midnight made simple items look like designer clothes just because they were on her. She stopped and her black eyes searched Anne’s.

I’m so glad you’re home. This will be wonderful. Gentle arms went around her, pulling her close.

It felt good to be held, to have simple human contact after such a long time of being physically alone. Out of pure relief and gratitude, Anne relaxed against her, the hug a balm to her soul. In a moment, she cleared her throat, gave Midnight a brief tight squeeze, and took a half step backward. She pulled her bag back onto her shoulder from her elbow where it had slipped, and forced a smile.

Thank you for that, Midnight. I needed a hug. Looking closer, she said, Uh-oh. Some of my makeup smeared onto your perfect white shirt. I’m so sorry!

Midnight shook her head. I’m sure it’ll wash out. If not, who cares? What’s a little smeared makeup between friends—or family? She flashed her brilliant smile. We’re all so glad to have you back home. Let me show you the apartment. Martin will be over in a while to carry up your things. From the back seat Anne pulled out an overnight bag, which Midnight took. She put her arm through Anne’s and led her to the fire escape-style stairway. This isn’t your only entrance, but it’s one of them. Game for this, or should we go up through the shop?

Anne looked overhead at the open stairway that weaved back on itself a couple of times as it climbed to the small balcony on the second floor level. I’m game. She started up the stairs. I take it you’ve upgraded quite a bit since buying the building.

Midnight laughed. Yes, over time we’ve done more upgrading than I realized a building could ever need. It’s been worth it, though. She joined Anne on the balcony. Just look! She waved her arm at the view of downtown Legend, cozy and inviting as a picture postcard. No matter how many times I see our little town, or from what angle, it always tugs at my heart. She sighed and smiled at Anne. I really never had a home ‘til I found Legend. It was just what I needed—where I needed to be, so my heart and mind could finish healing.

Anne remembered Midnight had found Legend by way of an online real estate ad posted by McClain Realty. It hadn’t been long after her purchase of the building and arrival in Legend—in that order—that she’d started spending time with realtor Martin McClain. The rest, as they say, was history. And a beautiful history it had been for Midnight and Martin so far. Beautiful, too, for Martin’s son Daniel, who had immediately become close to Midnight. She was the mother he’d never had.

Anne held onto the railing and inhaled deeply. Could it be the town smelled even more Legend-ish from up here? She thought she was getting a stronger pine scent. How are Martin and Daniel?

Martin is well, and business is better than ever. Daniel is thriving now he’s taking some college classes online. High school was so dull for him until he had that extra work to keep his mind busy.

Anne