Change of Heart

by Judith Keim

  “Can I have cookies now?” Ava asked hopefully. Her plate was all but empty.

  Em smiled. “Yes. You’ve done a good job.” She got up to get the cookies from the kitchen. “I’ll be right back.”

  As Em approached the front porch on her return, she heard soft singing. She stopped and listened.

  Ava’s young, sweet voice filled the air.

  On tiptoe, Em drew closer. Ava was rocking her baby doll in her arms and singing in Spanish to her. Em clasped a hand to her chest, touched to the core. Here was a little girl who’d known sadness and rupture in her life, singing like an angel to her baby. Em didn’t know much about Ava’s mother except what Devin could tell her, but she knew in her heart that Ava’s mother had been a good woman who’d loved her daughter. Em vowed to do as good a job.

  Later, after putting Ava down for the night, Em stepped onto the porch. The glowing orb of the sun was slipping below the horizon. She studied it, looking for the elusive green flash both natives and tourists talked about. Though she’d never seen it, she never got tired of looking for it.

  Sitting in a rocking chair on the porch, Em sipped from the glass of red wine she’d poured and gazed out at the water. Somewhere along its edge lay a gold necklace she hoped to find.

  ###

  When Em felt the tap on her arm, her eyes flashed open. Ava stood smiling at her in the morning light. Em forced her eyes to stay open though they wanted to close with sleep. Her night had been filled with bad dreams about Ava being taken away by an ugly fantastical creature, the memory of which even now sent a shiver down Em’s spine. Not a hard dream to figure out.

  “Good morning, Ava.” Em pulled Ava into bed with her and lay for a moment, contemplating the day. She gazed at the sun shining outside her window and made a wish for Devin to have a good day.

  Ava wiggled to get down. Sighing, Em rose and slipped on a pair of shorts and T-shirt, resigned to starting the day.

  Time dragged on as Em awaited a call from Devin. She wouldn’t be able to rest until she knew everything was fine with the adoption.

  When he finally called, she listened intently as he told her that, as he suspected, Paloma Torres was only after money and had no real interest in seeing or hearing from Ava again. “Drugs are definitely playing a part in her life. I can’t imagine anyone agreeing to Ava’s living with her,” said Devin. “It’s a shame, but the reason Ava’s mother was so set against it. I’m glad her mind was at ease when she passed, knowing I’d take care of her daughter.”

  “What a relief! You’re such a good man, Devin,” Em said with feeling.

  “And you’re a good woman, Emerson Jordan. I’m headed over there now. See you shortly.”

  “Safe travels.” Em hung up excited to see him, worried about his reaction to their battered daughter and the lost necklace.

  ###

  The sun was lowering in the sky when Em heard the sound of a car entering the driveway. Bracing herself, she went to greet Devin.

  He climbed out of the car and stood a moment, gazing around with a satisfied smile.

  Ava ran over to him and threw her arms around his legs. “Hi, Papi. I have a surprise for you. It’s a shell.”

  “Hi, sweetheart!” Devin took hold of her hands and swung her around in a circle, producing squeals of laughter from her. Devin set Ava down and gave Em a quizzical look. “What happened to her?”

  “I fell down in the sand. And I lost the box,” said Ava. “Kiss it, Papi. Make it better.” She held up her arm to him.

  He kissed Ava’s arm and turned to Em. “Everything all right?”

  Em bit her lip and shook her head as Ava raced inside to retrieve the shell. “While I was napping yesterday, Ava took the box holding your mother’s necklace and ran away with it, into the water. A huge wave knocked her down, opening the box and ... and the necklace ... is lost in the water.” Em’s voice wavered.

  “I see,” Devin said quietly.

  Em observed the hurt in his eyes, the slump of his shoulders and knew how upset he was. “I’m so, so sorry. I should’ve have kept a better eye on her, should have hidden the box away, should have ...”

  Devin held up his hand. “Stop! It was an accident. Nobody meant for it to happen.”

  “But I know how much the necklace meant to you ... and to me. I’m sorry, Devin. I really am.”

  “Yeah. Me, too,” Devin let out a sigh and wrapped his arms around her. “Don’t blame yourself, Em. With kids, anything can happen.”

  “I guess I have a lot to learn about being a mother,” said Em, feeling like a complete failure.

  “You already are a good one. Look at how easy you’ve made it for Ava to transition to your family,” said Devin, thumbing the tears from the corners of her eyes.

  “I have a feeling that’s about to change. She’s starting to challenge me.” Em told him about Ava’s testing bit of defiance.

  Devin laughed. “It’s just the beginning, sweetheart, but we’ll handle it. In Costa Rica, she wasn’t given the same freedom to express herself that she has here. I’m sure it’s all a matter of time before she asserts herself like other kids her age.”

  Ava called to them and ran forward, looking like a pink butterfly in the sun dress she’d insisted on wearing. Em observed her with a sense of appreciation for having the chance to have her in her life. Ava was a bright child, full of life, and facing a future of the possibilities they could offer her.

  Ava held up one of the shells they’d picked up for Devin. “For you, Papi. Mami and I found it.”

  “It’s beautiful, Ava,” said Devin, squatting to get a good look at it. “And so are you and Mami.”

  When he rose, he smiled at Em. “It’s good to be home.”

  Em accepted the hand he offered her, grateful for his understanding about the necklace. She’d always keep looking for it.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  The next day, while Devin and Ava stayed at the cottage, Em headed off to Tampa International Airport to pick up her parents and Gran. Elena and Andrew and Lillibet had arrived late last night and were staying at the Salty Key Inn. Em had talked briefly to her sister, but didn’t want to interrupt the beginning of the post-baby vacation she and Andrew had planned.

  As she drove, she admired the palm trees and tropical green plants and colorful flowers—all part of the landscape lining the highway. Devin had once said he loved living in this kind of setting. It struck her once more how much he loved her to give up the Florida sunshine and move to a northern climate. She promised herself to repay him with that same depth of love. And more children. She felt a smile spread across her face. He’d mentioned children more than once. No wonder he was such a good pediatrician.

  Em pulled into the parking garage, left the car, and walked inside the airline terminal. She’d agreed to meet the family in the baggage claim area. She hadn’t had a chance to talk to Gran alone, and she was eager to learn more about that test Gran had not wanted her to discuss with anyone else.

  A stream of disembarked passengers moved toward her down the escalator leading from the trams on the second floor. Her gaze roamed over the unfamiliar faces and then it stopped at the sight of her grandmother. Gran looked ... well, healthy and happy. The worry about her that had stayed at the back of her mind eased a bit. She waved back at her mother. Hurrying toward her on sandaled feet, Donna Jordan looked much too young to be the mother-of-the-bride. Her father lengthened his stride at her mother’s side.

  Sensing their excitement, love filled Em. They’d always been her best supporters. She ran to them.

  “Welcome to Florida! I’m so glad you’re here!”

  “Where’s Ava?” Gran said, looking around.

  “She’s back at the cottage. She wanted to go swimming in the pool with Devin. I think she’s planning on showing you a somersault,” said Em. “They’ve been practicing.”

  “Well, then, we’ll be sure to pay attention,” said Gran. She took hold of Em’s arm and gave it a squeeze as they
watched her parents head for one of the baggage belts.

  Em studied her. “You all right, Gran?”

  “I’ll know for sure in a couple of days. But I need you to be quiet about this. Neither your sister nor your mother know anything about the biopsy. I’m pretty sure it’s some sort of cyst like always.”

  Em zeroed in on Gran’s face, one hand on her hip. “And if it isn’t?”

  “Then, my dear, we’ll deal with it as gracefully as we can,” Gran replied, straightening with a familiar look of determination.

  Em swallowed hard. Women fought these worries every day. She just hoped when the result came in, it was a good one for Gran.

  After all the luggage was gathered, Em led them to her car. They quickly loaded their things, climbed in, and were on their way.

  “Two small beach weddings in the family,” Em’s father said with a teasing grin. “I like it.”

  “Me too.” Though this wedding wasn’t anything like Em had always planned, she loved the idea of being married at the same place where she fell in love.

  “It’s too bad Devin has no real family to speak of,” Em’s mother commented. “But after getting to know him through Elena and Andrew and now you, we’ll welcome him as our own.”

  “Devin’s friends, Allie and Doug Masters, had to cancel their plans to come to the wedding, so that will mean a lot to him.” Em thought of the lost necklace and how that was supposed to represent Devin’s mother at the wedding and bit her lip.

  ###

  At the cottage, Ava ran to greet the family in the pink-flowered bathing suit she’d picked out in Ellenton. “You’re here! You’re here!” she cried, jumping up and down in her excitement.

  “Hi, Ava! Let me give you a hug!” said Em’s mother.

  Ava allowed a quick hug and then took her hand. “Abuela, come see me swim. Papi and I can do a trick for you.”

  Devin appeared in red swim trunks, his body glistening with rivulets of pool water. “Hi, everyone! Welcome! Ava and I have prepared a little show for you after you get settled.”

  “¡Now, Papi!”

  Devin shook his head firmly. “Give them a chance to change their clothes and get something cool to drink.”

  Ava kicked at the grass with a bare foot but she didn’t say anything.

  “Thanks for understanding, Ava. Do you want to show your grandparents to their room?”

  Ava’s face brightened. “Okay.” She took her grandfather’s hand. “Come. I know your room.”

  Em’s mother and Devin followed them.

  Em led Gran inside through the front entrance. “And you, Gran, will be sharing Ava’s room. I hope that’s all right,” Em said.

  “It will be fine for tonight, my dear.” A flush of color rose in Gran’s cheeks. “Tomorrow, I’m going to move to the Salty Key Inn.” Gran winked at her. “Something else your mother and sister don’t know.”

  Em felt her eyebrows leap. “And just what are you doing there?”

  Gran’s face broke into a wide grin. “Meeting Bart. I decided to close Rainbow’s End for the weekend so he could be here with us.”

  “Oh, my god! The two of you together? That’s wonderful, Gran!” Em wrapped her arms around her grandmother and squeezed her with joy. “I knew you had dinner together a time, or two, or three, but I never dreamed ... You always said you didn’t need a man ...” Giggling stopped Em’s words.

  Gran straightened. “Like you, I’m allowed to have a change of heart.”

  “Oh, Gran, I love you,” said Em, hugging her again.

  “What’s all the excitement?” asked her mother, coming into the living room, followed by Em’s father, Devin, and Ava.

  She started to laugh and shook her head. “Gran will have to tell you. Not me.”

  Blushing like a school girl, Gran told them what she’d planned.

  Into the shocked quiet that followed, Em’s father said, “Mom, you always said you’d never date, never bother to marry. What’s going on? I thought you turned down Bart many years ago.”

  “I did,” she said, “but by the time I could tell him I had a change of heart, it was too late.”

  Em’s mother hugged Gran. “Well, this wedding is turning out to be more romantic than I dreamed. Good for you, Julia. I say enjoy every minute you can with him.”

  Gran bobbed her head. “Well, that’s settled then. Tomorrow, I’ll move to the Salty Key Inn. Bart reserved the honeymoon suite for us.”

  Em and Devin exchanged smiles. Things with Gran and Bart had heated up fast.

  “Can you come watch my trick now?” said Ava, breaking into the stunned silence.

  ###

  That afternoon, Elena and Andrew brought the baby over to visit. The glow on Elena’s face amused Em. A getaway was just what her sister needed.

  When they heard the news of Bart and Gran joining them at the Salty Key Inn, Elena and Andrew were as surprised and pleased as everyone else.

  “It’s got to be serious, Gran,” said Elena. “You never close the store.”

  “At my age, it’d better be serious. Neither of us have the time to just fool around.” The minute the words left Gran’s mouth, her cheeks flamed a bright red. “I didn’t mean ... oh, heck. You know what I mean ...”

  “Just stop now,” warned her son, and everyone laughed.

  “Tonight, we’re doing a barbeque here for dinner,” Em announced. “Tomorrow, I thought we’d all go out for dinner. There are a couple of good bars along the beach with all different kinds of food.”

  “And Saturday, we have the wedding dinner at Gavin’s,” said her mother. “I can hardly wait.”

  “Okay, for now, how about Andrew and I act as bartenders and later, David and I will be the grill masters,” said Devin.

  Em’s father stood and coughed, as he sometimes did before he got emotional. “Devin, son, you can call me Dad, like Andrew does.”

  Em’s eyes filled. She exchanged watery glances with her mother. She’d already suggested Devin call her Mom, if he felt comfortable with it.

  Devin went over to her father and shook his head. “Deal ... Dad.”

  Ava frowned. “That’s not Dad. That’s Grandpa.”

  “To you,” Devin said. “But to me, he’ll be Dad. Fair enough?”

  She studied them both a moment. “Okay, Papi.”

  “A lot to figure out,” commented Gran.

  “A whole lot more to come, I’m sure,” agreed Em.

  ###

  Later, lying next to Devin, Em felt the heat of his body seep into her, bringing her a sense of deep contentment. He was her man, the father of the child she’d promised to help raise, the friend she’d always needed to steady her.

  He turned to her and cupped her face in his capable hands. “Happy?”

  “Yes, it’s going to be a lovely wedding. I’m so happy my family loves you, Devin. It took my father a while to have Andrew call him Dad, but he’s taken to you right away.”

  “He’s a good man. You know, I never had the reason to call anyone Dad before. Now, I can, and it’s because of you.”

  Devin’s lips came down on hers, gentle at first and then more demanding, increasing the need in Em to show him how much she cared. She moved closer, fitting her body to his, smiling when he reacted. He was perfect.

  ###

  At breakfast, Em poured herself a second cup of coffee and took it out to the front porch. The day was unusually hot with summer afternoon storms predicted and cooler weather coming in with the next cold front due that night.

  Em’s mother came and sat down beside her. “How are you doing?” she asked quietly. “Have you been working on your wedding vows? Devin mentioned an acquaintance of his from Miami is going to marry you.”

  “Yes. I haven’t met him yet, but I understand he’s very nice. Apparently, he’s done this for another doctor in his practice. I’ve decided not to get too formal about my vows, just let my heart speak for itself.”

  “I’m sure that’s all you need to do. I
t’s going to be so nice to have you happily settled with Devin, and I adore Ava.”

  Em shook her head. “I’ve got a lot to learn. You saw the scrapes on Ava’s body. I should have been more careful, more alert.”

  Em’s mother shook her head and placed a hand on Em’s. “Motherhood is a difficult job. Don’t be too hard on yourself. You’re a loving, caring person. That’s the most important thing.” She gave Em’s hand a squeeze. “I still have your dolls from childhood ready to share with children of your own. That’s how well you took care of them.”

  Em grinned. “Ava will love them!”

  “See what I mean? You’re a natural. Relax and enjoy the ride! It never stops, you know.”

  “What? Motherhood?”

  Em’s mother nodded. “You’re still and will always be my baby.”

  They hugged, and then Em rose. “Guess I’d better check to see how the rest of the family is. We’ve planned a lazy day.”

  Later, she took advantage of having some time alone on the porch to think about her wedding vows. After writing down a few notes and crossing them out, she decided to do as she’d said and simply speak from the heart.

  Devin approached her. “Looks like everyone is busy. Your mother is with Ava and your father is driving Gran to the airport to meet Bart. Want to take a walk on the beach with me?”

  “Sure.” She looked out the window. “It looks like rain already.”

  Devin held out his hand, and she took it. Stepping outside, she saw that the gray streaks of early morning had widened and spread across the sky. In the onshore breeze, the fronds of the nearby palm trees whispered a warning of a change in the weather.

  Em fell into step beside Devin as they headed onto the sand.

  “Can you believe my grandmother is actually dating? She and Bart were an item at one time, but I never thought she’d end up dating him.”

  Devin grinned. “I think it was a big surprise to your father.”

  “I can’t imagine what he’s going to say to Bart when he sees him. I hope he doesn’t go all protective and scare Bart away.”

  Devin laughed. “Gran won’t let him. I really like your family.”