Four wagged his tail as he squeezed through the French doors.
She entered a living room furnished with oversized burgundy leather couches and lush tropical fruit trees touching the tip of the roof. Her eyes were drawn up to the vaulted glass ceiling, again in a shape of an octagon. The window moldings housed bird carvings and every window was donned with a different bird theme. “Unbelievable.”
“From the living room, we can go into the kitchen. Down the hall to our left is the bathroom and a few more large rooms. If you head to your right, there’s an office and another open-seating area. A bit further nestled into the corner is the master bedroom. I kept the kitchen and this living room central. Also there’s a private entrance on the back side of this building for us to use instead of the main entrance into the rest of the building.” Clyde gasped for air. “There are a few extra rooms, but I will leave those for you to discover later. And one more thing, there’s a separate driveway to this building.”
Four lay beside Lily Ann’s feet. “It’s out-of-this-world magnificent. Why hasn’t anyone at work talked about this place?”
“Because I haven’t told anyone. My dad knows and some contractors I hired years ago to do the initial build know, but other than that I’ve kept it a secret.”
“Why?”
“I wasn’t doing this for publicity. I was doing it for Maria.” Clyde’s mouth began to quiver. “I loved her so much. After she died, I wanted her dream to live on. Every waking moment of spare time I had, I spent carving and building this place.”
Lily Ann touched Clyde’s back. “Now it’s time to make this masterpiece a real functioning home.”
He kissed her forehead. “God has blessed me with you and Carter. I can’t wait to make memories here.” He sat on a leather chair. “There’s one more surprise.”
“One more? How can there be anymore?” She tilted her head and gazed around the room.
“Since Carter came into our lives, I’ve put a lot of thought into this over the last few days.” He adjusted in his seat.
Lily Ann sensed Clyde’s uneasiness. That what he was about to say was significant.
“From the main foyer, it branches off to the right down a large corridor. Within that corridor, you can enter fourteen fully furnished and functional rooms equipped with a full kitchen, eating room, living room, bathroom and two separate bedrooms.”
Lily Ann was in in a state of shock. “Fourteen?”
“Yes, fourteen.” He knelt down in front of her. “Lil, this is my crazy idea. I know you don’t want to give up your profession and you can only take so much time off to care for Carter. You need something where you can do both.”
She sat forward, “I don’t understand.”
“Maria’s dream was for this building to be for tourists to gaze at the Northern Lights. But that was Maria’s dream, not yours. Maria’s memory is carved into each room of this building. I want the function of this building to be who you are. I can make a few changes or upgrades, and we can turn this building into a fully functional, special-needs maternity and baby-bonding centre. We could hire a few specialized nurses, continue the Kangaroo Babies-n-Teens program here too, and you could continue your amazing progress with opioid-addicted babies and mothers.”
Lily Ann rolled the idea around her brain. “What an idea. We could transform those rooms into safe places for teens and adults to come and learn how to bond with their new babies, take care of them, learn how to cook healthy meals for both mom and baby, and—”
“Now your creative juices are flowing.” Clyde pulled her into his chest. “I’ve seen your work with teen pregnancies and how much time you dedicate to them in teaching the mother how to bond with their child. I’ve witnessed the passion you have for drug-addicted babies to come out of withdrawal peacefully. You’re a dedicated doctor, but you’re now a mother and my fiancée. I want you to be with our son, but at the same time, I don’t want you to lose your passion.”
“I’m completely blown away,” she whispered in his ear.
“I’m open to your opinions and suggestions, and I want you to make this place yours.” Clyde pushed back Lily Ann’s wispy hair dangling in front of her face. “It will take some time to set it up, and—”
“To hire staff and run this place. That’s a lot of overhead.” Lily Ann clenched her teeth.
“Don’t worry. I checked out some government grants, and I’m sure the mayor and local business would help out. Plus we could make it a non-profit maybe or—”
Lily Ann flung her arms around him. “Wherever we find the funding, this is more than I’ve ever dreamed about. I love you, Clyde Nelson.” She kissed his cheek.
“I love you more.” He gently kissed her forehead. “Speaking of which, we need to choose a wedding date.”
“Right. We’re at the end of November and Henry needs to pick up my mom.” She mentally tried to calculate the trip.
“I know, that’s a forty-three-hour trip one way. I would say a week’s drive to get there, a day in Seattle, and then probably a week and a half back. My dad wants to show your mom the sights, and he’ll go slower due to her health.”
She glanced at Four snoozing on the checkered area rug. “That sounds logical.”
Clyde smirked. “Four is such a lazy mutt, but I would never trade him in.” He called the dog to come sit next to him. “What about December twenty-eighth?”
She thought for a moment while stroking Four’s fluffy head. “Sounds lovely to me. It’s between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.”
“Okay, it’s all set.” Clyde glanced at his watch. “We need to head back.”
“Right. Carter should be finishing up his second bottle.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, “Clyde, I love you.”
He caressed her hands in his. “I love you more.”
She locked onto Clyde’s intense hazel eyes. He tilted her chin and kissed her with a passion that made her catch a breath.
Chapter 11
Clyde swung open the passenger door to his truck and placed Carter’s diaper bag and extra fleece blanket on the back seat. He breathed in the crisp evening air and glanced up at the Big Dipper. His thoughts and prayer were centred on tonight’s meeting with the Kumar family. He double-checked his jacket pockets for extra tissues, for he knew all too well that Lily Ann would become emotional again.
He slammed the pickup truck’s door and scratched Four’s ears. “Hey, boy, you take care of the place while we’re gone for a few hours.” Clyde rubbed Four’s back and headed for the cabin’s front door. Halfway there his cell phone vibrated in his Wrangler jeans pocket. He peered down at the screen. “Hi, dad. How’s it going tonight?”
“Not bad, and yourself?”
Clyde balanced his phone between his ear and shoulder as he slipped on his leather driving gloves. “Good. Sorry I can’t chat long. Lily Ann and I are meeting with Carter’s grandpa tonight.”
“I totally forgot. My memory must be fading. Okay, I’ll get straight to the point. I’m leaving tomorrow for Seattle. I spoke with Lynne this morning and everything is a go. She sure is a chatterbox. Only thought I’d talk for a few minutes but ended up talking over an hour.”
“That’s good. I’ll mention it to Lily Ann on our way into Anchorage. On your trip, let’s check in with each other every evening.”
“You bet. I’ll shoot you a text when I hit the road tomorrow morning. Should take me about a week to reach Seattle. Oh, and Jim’s going to care for the musher team.”
“Great. Good night, pops.” Clyde slipped his cell into his jacket and entered the cozy cabin.
“There you are.” Lily Ann buckled Carter into his car seat. “I thought you got lost out there,” she teased.
“Very funny, I actually just got off the phone with my dad. He’s leaving tomorrow morning for Seattle.” Clyde lifted up the car seat and kissed Carter on the nose. “I think Carter is chunking up a bit.”
Lily Ann wrapped a shawl around her neck and zipped her jacket. �
��He’s gained a whole pound.” She rolled her eyes and shook her head. “This is what I love about you, your wittiness. I do believe it’s rubbing off on me.”
“Nothing wrong with that.” he opened the front door, “You’re lookin’ good tonight.”
“I may seem to have it all together on the outside, but inside my stomach is twisted and I’m insanely nervous about this meeting.”
He watched her put on her seatbelt. “I know. In all honesty, I’m nervous too. There are so many unknown variables that could happen tonight.” Clyde shut the passenger door and made his way around the front of the truck. He hesitated for a moment before opening the driver’s door. He reached for Lily Ann’s hand. “We need to leave the details to God. Let’s pray for wisdom and discernment before we hit the road.”
~
Clyde shuffled towards Lily Ann, balancing hot chocolates and a pumpkin cream-cheese muffin. He placed the goodies on the table. “Relax. They’ll be here soon.” He peeked at Carter snoozing in his car seat next to Lily Ann.
“I know. I’m usually good with meeting new people, but I don’t know what to say to him.” She sipped her hot chocolate and watched Clyde cut the muffin in half. “I don’t want him to flip out on us.”
He slid half of the muffin towards Lily Ann on a napkin. “I don’t know exactly what to say either, but I do know God. When the time is right, He will give me the words.” He bit into the cream-cheese center. “Mm. That hits the spot.”
Lily Ann noticed an older man with a younger version of himself she assumed was his son. The man was scrutinizing the crowd. “I think that’s them over by the till.”
Clyde stood and waved at them. He noticed the father’s sigh of relief. “I’m Clyde Nelson.” He shook Aditya’s and Manohar’s hands. “This is my fiancée, Lily Ann MacBride, and sleeping in the car seat is your grandson, Carter Owen.”
Lily Ann held out her hand. “It’s so nice to meet both of you.”
“I wish we were meeting under different circumstances.” Aditya sat down next to Clyde. “But I’m grateful for the kindness of your hearts to reach out to us.”
“Father,” Manohar voice crackled, “Carter’s nose looks like hers.”
Aditya placed his arm around his son’s shoulder. “I see it, too.”
Clyde reached for Lily Ann’s hand across the table. “I can’t even imagine how hard this must be, but deep down inside, we want both of you to be a part of Carter’s life.”
Aditya grabbed a napkin and dabbed his eyes. “My daughter took after her mom. She had the most positive personality.”
“Her smile is what I miss the most.” Manohar’s head fell into his trembling hands. “Nisha was always there for me. We laughed together. Threw snowballs at each other. She was my best friends. Now she’s gone.”
Lily Ann knelt down beside Manohar. “She meant the world to you. Hold on to those memories, and when Carter grows up, you can share them with him.” She embraced Manohar.
“Thank you for being there. I know you tried to save her but—” Manohar’s sobbing turned to weeping. “She didn’t deserve to die like that. She was only seventeen.”
Aditya placed his hand on his son’s back. “Manohar, Clyde and Lily Ann did everything they could to save your sister.”
Lily Ann sat back in her chair. “I can’t bring your sister back, but I can offer you a chance to be a big brother to Carter.”
Manohar groaned and dashed away from the table towards the restroom.
“I’m sorry. He’s not coping well.” Aditya hung his head. “He lost his mom and now his sister.”
Clyde lifted Carter out of the car seat. “Would you like to hold him?”
Aditya’s quivering arms received the infant. “Carter Owen, I’m your grandpa.” He kissed his chubby cheeks. “He looks so much like Nisha as a baby. I feel like I’m kissing my daughter’s cheeks again.” Aditya’s jaw tightened. “He has her nose and high cheek bones.” He ran his fingers across his nose. “Oh, and his ears. You see that mark on the tip of his right ear? Nisha had the same mark.” He squinted and shook his head. “I’m holding Nisha again.” Aditya lost all control and wept over baby Carter. He pulled him into his chest.
Clyde felt Lily Ann’s tension mounting.
Aditya released Carter and passed the infant to Lily Ann. “Give me some time to come to grips with everything.” He blew his nose. “I thank you for taking the courage to meet us and to give me and my son the opportunity to be in his life.”
Manohar trudged back to his seat. “Dad, I want to go.”
“I understand, son.” Aditya pulled his chair back and stood. “We’d better go. Thank you again. I will be in touch.”
Aditya and Manohar hurried out of the café.
Lily Ann’s body twisted into Clyde’s chest.
“You don’t need to say anything. I know.” Clyde held her tight, trying not to smother Carter. “Everyone needs time to grieve. Nothing is your fault. They aren’t blaming you.”
Lily Ann’s weeping filled the café, many costumers turning toward them.
A young woman approached Clyde. “If it helps, I saw the two of you on the news. You are heroes. It takes courage to do what you did to save the infant’s life. But it also takes guts to meet with the biological mother’s family.” The lady spoke louder, “I think everyone here needs to stand and give these two some applause.”
The entire café broke out into clapping and cheering.
Lily Ann lifted her head out of Clyde chest. “I—”
The lady knelt down and touched her shoulder. With a tranquil voice, the woman said, “Stay strong, for God has this under control. All you need is faith, and with faith you can move mountains.”
Clyde felt a strong peaceful presence surrounding him. It felt like he was in a trance. His body seemed frozen in place. He witnessed the young woman leave Lily Ann’s side and exit the café. The customers were still standing and cheering for them. No one seemed to have noticed what happened. “Lil, did you feel that, or was it only me?”
Lily Ann didn’t move a muscle. “I…I can’t explain it. My entire body is warm and tingly inside. I’m at complete inner peace.”
Clyde made the supernatural connection. “God knew you required special reassurance tonight.”
~
Lily Ann paced the living room with Carter cradled in her arms. She flicked her hair back and smiled at Carter’s involuntary muscle twitches as he slept. Her eye caught a glimpse of the crackling fire, which caused her memory to relapse into flashbacks of the first conversation Clyde and she had on the couch. She recalled the uplifting, compassionate words he spoke: ‘What we think is the end all, He sees it as an opportunity.’ She repeated the last words over in her mind, an opportunity. That night she couldn’t think of any reason that barrenness might be an opportunity for God to show Himself, but she’d underestimated God’s perfect plan.
Her mind traveled back to Seattle and working long hours under Mindy’s supervision. The constant negative name-calling she endured didn’t seem like a big deal then, but now she realized how abusive and controlling Mindy was.
Lily Ann tiptoed to her bedroom, bent over the wooden crib, and quietly placed Carter down.
Finally asleep. Please sleep for a couple of hours. She silently closed the door behind her and headed back to the living room, her weary body dropping onto the couch.
“I’m home.” Clyde bellowed, tossing his boots on the doormat.
Lily Ann swung her body around to silence Clyde. “Shh, Carter is sleeping.”
“Sorry,” he whispered and strode into the living room.
“You’re already done?” Her voice almost an inaudible whisper.
“Yup, all the firewood is split and stacked. Should be enough there to make it through the winter.” He sat on the couch next to Lily Ann. “Are you okay? You seem a bit gloomy.”
Lily Ann shook her head and sighed. “Yes, I was having a moment recalling past events. I’m mentally, physically, an
d emotionally drained and I’m anxious to see my mom again.”
“Yeah, about that. While I was out stacking firewood, my dad sent me a text. They’re only a day away.”
Lily Ann’s eyes widened, “A day away. What did they do, travel all night?”
Clyde raised his eyebrows. “I know, but my guess is Lynne desperately wants to see you, and my dad did a lot less sightseeing.”
She reached over and held Clyde’s hand. “It’s not just me. She wants to meet you and her grandson, too.”
Clyde rubbed Lily Ann’s hand. “Your mom will need a room for herself while she stays with us. I’ll clean up my room and make the couch mine for the next three weeks.”
“You are—” Lily Ann’s cell phone rang interrupted her sentence. “It’s Jared.”
“Jared? Wonder what he wants?”
“Hello, Jared,” she answered placing it on speaker phone. “Clyde is next to me, if you don’t mind him part of this conversation.”
“Hi, Clyde. I’m actually glad you are here. I have some great news for Lily Ann that you should hear as well.”
Lily Ann shrugged. “What is it?”
“I got off the phone with the regional supervisor and he says the report I filed contains enough evidence to prosecute Mindy. He went digging into other informal and formal complaints against her, and he found a staggering list. He’s dumbfounded why these accusations have never reached him, but he’s pushing the motion through.”
Lily Ann squeezed Clyde’s masculine hand. “Jared, what can I say but thank you. I won’t have to ever hear from her again.”
“That is true, Lily Ann, but in the near future you may need to testify against her.”
“I understand.”
Clyde interrupted, “Thanks. Really appreciate all your hard work.”
“No problem. Sorry I can’t have a lengthy chat. I have a lot of work at the hospital to accomplish. I’m working overtime to give both of you this month off. The two new doctors are great, but they’re not as experienced as both of you are. I find I’m jumping in a lot.”
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