by Jane Josephs
Nick ran his hand down his face. Alison had fallen off a horse as a child. And never got back on . . . until coming to their ranch. He’d been angry at her that first day for going behind his back and arranging lessons with his mother. Now he couldn’t think of what his life would be like without her in it. Alison had gone from being his adversary to the woman he loved. Even if she didn’t love him. Nick sighed and sent up an arrow prayer for help and forgiveness.
He walked into her office and sat down at her desk, guilt weighing heavily on him as he stared out the window in front of her desk. If only I hadn’t walked away from her. Outside on the bay, boats glided across the water, their sails full. He turned on Alison’s computer and looked for her accessories while he waited for it to boot up. Earbuds were neatly wrapped and stored in a decorative square dish on her desk. A pillow-desk sat on a bookshelf above a computer bag made of soft brown leather. Nick pulled out both items and turned back to the screen, nearly gasping when he saw the selfie Alison had taken of them at the rock used as her screensaver.
With a groan, Nick leaned in to stare at her beloved face: the lush brown hair, deep brown-black eyes fringed with long lashes, aristocratic nose, and full ruby-red lips. Just seeing her smile made his pulse race.
“Nick?”
Ma’s voice startled him, and he closed the laptop with a snap. “In the office.” He quickly disconnected the laptop and stuffed it in the leather bag with the earbuds, power pack, and a couple of flash drives he spied in the same dish as the earbuds. “I’m just unhooking the power cord for her computer. Have you seen her phone charger?” He crawled under Alison’s desk, found the outlet she used for her computer and unplugged the cord. He backed out and nearly ran into Susan’s legs.
“Oh, excuse me.” She jumped back, giving Nick space. “I’m looking for Alison’s mini iPad. Have you seen it? I thought she said it’s in here. Maybe under some papers? And she wants a couple of her list-making tablets, whatever those are.”
Nick stood up. “Why don’t you check that top drawer for the paper tablets and I’ll go through this basket of papers for the iPad.” He lifted the basket off the desk and stepped back so Susan could get to the drawers.
Under a thank you letter for a donation to a well-known San Diego charity, Nick found her mini iPad, the cover imitating a composition notebook. In handwriting he remembered well, she had written her name on the line provided. But it was what the iPad sat on top of that surprised and pleased him. When had Alison purchased a Bible? Nick lifted both items out of the tray and replaced the letter. He turned to Susan. “Here’s the iPad. And a Bible. Did she mention that she wanted us to bring the Bible?”
Susan’s eyes widened, her hand clutching a couple of tablets. “She has a Bible? Oh, my, thank you, sweet Jesus.” She smiled at Nick. “You don’t know how long and hard I’ve been praying for Alison to take an interest in church or God or anything that would help her see the need for Jesus in her life. Am I right in thinking that you and your family are Christians?”
Nick smiled and nodded. “Yes, we are. I’ve been sharing some with Alison. I don’t know if she told you, but she came to church with me on Palm Sunday and Good Friday. I was hoping to be with her on Easter.” His mouth tightened. “I’ll do everything I can to help her get well. You have my word on that.”
Susan patted his arm. “Thank you, Nick. I know you must think Alan and I are the worst parents to leave Alison like this. But . . .” She looked away. “I hope you can forgive us. And trust that I wouldn’t be doing this trip if it wasn’t important.”
Nick nodded, staring into Susan’s eyes, so much like Alison’s. Who was he to judge her? “I’d ask that you keep praying, that’s all.”
“You have my word on that.”
Ma rounded the corner. “I found her phone charger.” She handed Nick the cord. “I think we’ve got the clothes Alison will need. All that’s left is some of her toiletries and we’re good to go. Do you have Rufus’ dog food and toys?”
“And his bowls and dog bed.” Nick nodded toward the front door as he stuffed the phone charger in a front pocket on the leather case.
“Okay, I’ll be ready in five.” Ma turned to go. “We’ve got two suitcases, Nick, if you want to bring those out to the door once you’re finished here.”
“Be there in a minute.” He finished loading up the leather bag, stacked it with the desk-pillow at the front door and went to get the suitcases.
~ ~ ~
Alison came awake slowly and moaned softly without opening her eyes.
“There you are,” a kind voice said, patting her arm. “We’ll have you back in your room in a few minutes.” She drifted off again.
The bed began to move, startling her awake. The elevator doors opened for the trip up to her room. Alison closed her eyes and settled in for the ride.
“Daddy?” The bed stopped moving, and her father leaned over the side rail to brush her hair back from her face. She reached for his hand.
“It’s me, honey. You came through the surgery just fine. You’ll be good as new in a few weeks.” He kissed her hand and smiled at her.
“Where’s Mom?”
“She went with Ginny to get your clothes and things. She should be back in a few minutes. She just texted that they’re finishing up. She’s bringing some clothes for you to wear tomorrow, too, for when you go to Ginny’s house.”
Alison nodded. “Daddy, I don’t want to bother Mom with this, but just so you know, I’m not sure it’s going to work out with me staying with the Reid’s. I’ve got the name and phone number of a home nursing agency I can call.”
“You’ve always been very independent that way, haven’t you? But from what I’ve seen, Ginny really cares for you, and she wants to make this work. If I thought for a moment she wouldn’t do everything she can to make you comfortable and help you heal, your mother and I wouldn’t be going on this trip tonight.”
“I want you to go. You and Mom are getting back together, aren’t you? I want that for you. Really. I do. And Ginny’s not the problem.” She turned away, her face falling.
Alan patted her hand, his brow creasing. “What did Nick do to you, honey? Ginny seems to think he loves you.”
Alison’s eyes filled with tears and she turned back to her father. “I thought he did, too. Or was starting to love me, at least a little. But then he . . . he . . .” She sniffed, her tears falling. “We’re just not on the same page about Emma, and he said . . .” She broke down crying, barely able to speak. “He said he made a mistake. That I’m not the woman God wants for him.”
Alan leaned in, stroking her hair as he clutched her hand. “Shhh . . . shhh. Don’t cry, baby girl.” He shook his head, his mouth tightening. “This business with God. I don’t know, honey, I’m trying to understand it myself, but it’s not easy. Just about the time I think I’m getting somewhere, I get bombarded with more questions. I just know how it’s changed your mother. For the better, to tell the truth.” He shook his head again. “Well, maybe not at first. But she’s got a real relationship with Jesus. I can’t deny that. Sounds like Nick does, too, to be honest with you. But honey, if he thinks you’re not the woman God wants for him, well, that’s his loss. And a big one, too. Cause you’re beautiful, inside and out. Any man worth his weight can see that.”
Alison clutched his hand, too moved to speak. For a few more moments her tears flowed freely until she closed her eyes and whispered, “I love him so much, Daddy. Please pray that he can love me.”
“Okay, baby girl. I will. But you pray, too, okay? Your mom’s always telling me to take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Of course, she says our desires have to line up with God’s will . . .” He laughed softly. “But it’s something to think about, isn’t it?”
Alison swiped her hand over her tear-stained cheeks and
sniffed. “Thanks, Daddy. I . . .”
“I’m back!” Susan breezed in the door of Alison’s room, a big smile lighting her face. “Ginny has borrowed everything you need and is picking it up tomorrow before coming to get you around ten.” She held up a bag before opening a closet and putting it inside. “I found a cute beach cover up that I think will be easy for you to get on, and some darling flats.” Crossing to the bed, she patted Alison’s good shoulder. “You can wear the left shoe, at least.”
“Did you find a hairbrush? I was going to spend Saturday night at the Reid’s, and I packed my best one in the bag that’s still at their house.”
“Ginny told me. We stopped at a drug store on the way back here and I bought you a new brush and a couple of things I couldn’t find in your cabinet. Ginny said she’s happy to get anything else you need.”
“Okay, thanks. I’ll be fine.”
“And Nick asked me to ask you if it was okay if he brings Emma to see you tonight. A young man named Travis, too.”
Alison inhaled sharply. Had he texted her? Her heart pulsed with hope. Regardless of what she’d told him last night, she wanted to see him. Why had she called him a liar? Why hurt him like that? This was all Emma’s fault. Alison’s eyes filled with tears again and she quickly wiped them away. Why was she blaming Emma when she was the one who’d made a mess of things? Reaching out, she touched one of the roses Nick had given her. Could he ever forgive her? “My battery died, so you’ll have to text him.” She shivered. “Tell him it’s fine to come tonight. When do you two need to leave?”
Susan looked at Alan standing beside her. “What do you think? Maybe in a half hour?” He nodded. Susan turned back to Alison, her smile tender. “I’m packed and ready, but we have to stop at my place to get my luggage, then go to get his. A friend is taking us to the airport from your dad’s condo.”
Alison nodded. “Well, thanks for coming to see me. I’ll be fine. Just have a good trip and be safe.”
“We will,” Susan said. She held up her phone. “I want to call your Aunt Grace and let her know about your accident. Last time we talked she said she was hoping to get down to see you soon.”
“I would love that,” Alison said. “More so, if I had two good feet so I could see the city with her. But tell her I said hi and I love her.”
Raising her left arm, she hugged each of them in turn, not wanting to prolong their leaving. “I love you both.”
“We love you, too, baby girl. Always.”
Chapter 25
At the sound of Nick’s voice in the hallway, Travis’ head snapped up, the Scrabble game he and Richie were playing at the Reid’s kitchen table forgotten. Truth be told, the guy intimidated him, and it didn’t sit well. He’d had plenty of experience with guys living on the street, but none had been as tough and strong as Nick. At least the guy had been kind to Emma. If he hadn’t, Travis didn’t care how many muscles he had. He’d have been toast.
“Hey, I could use your help unloading some stuff,” Nick said, pushing a wheelchair down the hallway and into the foyer. He left it sitting near the door and turned back. “How are you guys doing? Where’s Emma?”
“She’s taking a nap in Ma’s bedroom.” Richie stood and moved to join Nick. “What do you need brought in?”
Travis jumped up and followed Richie and Nick down the hall past the master bedroom.
Over his shoulder, Nick answered, “Ma borrowed some stuff that Alison’s going to need. A commode chair that goes in the guest room and a chair to go in Ma’s shower. Mrs. Dockerty and Ma packed a couple of suitcases of clothes, plus we’ve got her computer stuff and some things for Rufus.”
Outside by the truck, Nick set two suitcases beside Travis while Ma grabbed Rufus’ dog bed.
Travis picked up the bags. “These go in the room where I slept last night, right?”
Nick nodded. “Yeah. We’ll talk later about where you can sleep tonight.”
“Okay, sure.” Travis ignored the clench in his stomach and turned to follow Ginny into the house. He’d be on the street or in his car again tonight most likely. What else did he expect? The privacy of his own room and the Reid’s hospitality for more than one night weren’t for the likes of him. He barely knew these people, and what they knew of him.... Travis sucked in a deep breath and pushed open the door to the room he’d used last night, battling feelings of worthlessness. At least he’d made the bed, just as his mom had always insisted when he was little. Before Dad lost his job, and his health, and their house.
Not sure where to set the suitcases, Travis pushed open the closet door and put them inside as Richie came in the room with the commode chair. “What the . . . ?” Travis gawked at the chair. A closed toilet seat sat over a small pan that someone would have to empty. He shook his head. It was far better than squatting in an alley. Something he’d had to do one time.
“Not sure Alison is going to like using this thing, but when you can’t walk . . .” Richie left the sentence hanging, positioned the chair at the end of the bed, and turned to the door. “That’s all the stuff we need to carry in. Let’s finish the game.”
Travis followed Richie back to the kitchen table.
“Do you need any help, Ma?” Richie asked, hovering near his chair.
“No, you boys finish your game. Jeff will be here in fifteen minutes or so. You can talk with him while I get the rest of the meal cooked. The ham smells good, honey. Thanks for taking care of that.”
“No problem.” Richie sat down and bent his head over the letters in his tray. He took hold of one and glanced at Travis. “I think it’s my turn, right?” His lips curved up in a smile, but he didn’t make a move to put the letter down.
“Yeah.” Travis studied Richie, troubled. The game had been close, but the grin on Richie’s face couldn’t be a good sign. He shuffled his own letters. The only one worth any points was an F. Was it prophetic? F for failure? Travis grimaced and leaned forward as Richie made his move.
“Quinoa,” Richie said after all the letters were on the board. He started to count his points.
“Challenge!” Travis shouted. “That’s not a word.” The coveted Q was worth ten points on its own, but Richie had played it on a triple letter space. No way could he let it go without challenging. Especially since he’d never heard the word before.
“Don’t do that, Trav. It’s a legit word. We have a box of it in the cabinet.”
Just then Travis felt a warm hand rubbing his shoulders. He looked back to see Ginny Reid standing over him, her eyes smiling with kindness. “He’s right, Travis, we do have a box of quinoa in our cabinet. It’s a wheat-free grain that became popular on everyone’s menu a few years ago. It’s kind of sweet and nutty tasting. I’ll make it for you one of these days soon.”
Something warm and sweet burst open inside Travis. Maybe he could trust these people. Hadn’t Emma told him how generous they were, letting her ride their Palomino horse? She’d even had lunch with the family and Alison several times. Had becoming pregnant messed up her welcome? From the warm hands on his shoulders, it didn’t seem so. “Thanks, Mrs. Re . . . I mean, Ginny. I’d like that very much.”
“I’m pretty sure you’re still going to lose your turn,” Ginny said with a laugh. “Richie shows no mercy when it comes to . . .” The doorbell chimed. “Scrabble. That will be Jeff. You boys put the game away, please.” She turned and crossed to the foyer.
Richie opened a cloth bag and began collecting letters off the board. “Based on the score I got on that last word, I’d say I’m the winner today. But I’ll give you a rematch when you come over for quinoa.”
“I’m pretty sure I wasn’t going to catch you anyway.” Travis turned in his seat as Ginny came into the living room carrying a bouquet of flowers.
“Travis, I’d like you to meet Dr. Jeff Clayton. He owns a veterinary
clinic in town, right next door to the animal shelter where I volunteer.”
Travis stood and stuck out his hand, scanning the soft gray eyes of the man who’d also been invited for dinner. “Nice to meet you.”
“It’s nice to meet you, too, Travis.” Jeff shook his hand. “I saw you talking with Pastor Sean at church this morning but didn’t get a chance to meet you.”
“Hey, Dr. Jeff,” Richie said, picking up the Scrabble game and crossing to a cabinet behind the sofa. “Happy Easter.”
“Thank you. Same to all of you. Where’s Nick? I thought I saw his truck in the driveway.”
“He’s getting in a quick workout in the garage. He offered to help with the food, but I know him. He needed to blow off some steam. Work out some things in his head. It’s been a busy day. After the service at church, we picked up everything Alison is going to need, including some things from her condo in the city. I think we’ll be ready when she’s released tomorrow.”
“Do you want some help getting her home? I have the morning free. No surgeries until tomorrow at 1:00.”
“That would be wonderful. Nick’s got work and Richie’s Spring Break is over, so he’s back at school tomorrow. I’m on my own and would love your company.”
Travis studied the veterinarian as he talked with Ginny. The man was easily six-three with a lean build, large hands, and a full head of silver-gray hair. Clearly attracted to Mrs. Reid, he blushed when he looked at her upturned face.
“Can I help you in the kitchen?” Jeff asked, his smile widening.
“No, no, I’ve got everything under control. I thought you might like to go with Travis and Richie to see Dotty. She’s only got a few more weeks until . . . .”
“Hey, everyone.” Disheveled and sleepy-eyed, Emma interrupted the conversation as she walked into the living room and took Travis’ arm. “What did I miss?”
