Maria's Angel

by Marianne Evans

  Conversation ended when Andrew Hart strode into the office. Tall and commanding, he didn’t so much enter the room—rather he filled it, radiating an aura that wrapped Maria in a sense of well-being…like being in the presence of a wise and protective elder. Andy Hart walked slowly, with a bit of a stiff gait; he wheezed slightly when he sank onto the large, black leather chair behind his desk. Still, nothing diminished his impact.

  For the longest time he studied Maria in silence. All at once he nodded to himself and scratched his stubbly chin. “Mmm-mmm-mmm. Yep. Gotta agree. No doubt about it.”

  Vivian grinned at her husband, who appeared to be conversing with…well…who knew what. “There’s no doubt about what, my love?”

  “Oh, nothing. Just the angels. Seems there’s angels all over this room.” He nodded again. “Yep, through and through.”

  Just like that, a spell broke. Andy’s smile burst across a craggy, weathered face. Maria chuckled, half in love with him already when he said, in his booming voice, “So then. Why don’t you tell me about yourself, angel girl?”

  Angel girl? Maria shrugged away the title, writing it off to the eccentricities of an endearing old man. Engulfed by his gruff charm, she lost a large dose of intimidation and launched into details of her work experience, highlighting the motivation and dedication she’d bring to the position of leasing and administrative coordinator for Heart’s Haven.

  A one hour interview slot stretched to an hour and a half. Even then, the only thing that halted their conversation was the sound of the main door opening and closing. Footfalls followed.

  “Andy? Viv? You guys around?”

  When she heard the summons, Maria choked and sputtered on a freshly ingested bite of pie. The male voice registered, playing low and sweet through her memory bank.

  Vivian thumped her back. Concern etched her kind, grandmotherly features. “Are you all right?”

  “I'm fine, thank you.”

  In haste Maria fumbled with the plate which presently teetered in her grasp. Approaching footfalls ceased once the tall, well-muscled frame of Brody Lang filled the doorway, forestalling the need for further elaboration. She went taut when she detected the betraying tremor of her hands.

  No way. No way was this even remotely possible.

  “Maria?” His one word acknowledgement brimmed with surprise.

  “Hi, Brody.” She murmured the greeting while tucking a wave of hair behind her ear in an automatic, nervous reflex. Why did the sparkle of his eyes and the unguarded delight she detected within them stir a bloom of heat to life along her neck and cheeks? Being completely honest, Maria knew exactly why she blushed—because she was equally happy to see him. Once again, being near him stirred attraction.

  Yet the last thing she wanted in her life right now was attraction. What she wanted was Jake. She wanted her old life back. She didn’t like her new normal. She wanted the love she had known before the horror and grief of her husband’s death had swallowed her whole.

  Vivian swiveled her head back and forth between Maria and their new guest, her brows hoisted clear to her hairline. “Do you two know each other?”

  Brody watched Maria in what she swore was a deliberate, prodding silence. His grin spread like warm honey on toast and Maria tried not to lose herself by staring at him. A futile attempt, all in all.

  “Yes, we do.” On edge, Maria set her empty plate aside on a corner of the desk, fighting embarrassment at the bump and clang that resulted from her unsteady handling. Balling her hands into fists, she breathed in a moment of forced stillness. “Brody was kind enough to repair my van when it broke down the other day.”

  “Well, that was a happy turn of luck.” Andy shifted forward, propping beefy forearms against the edge of the desk. “There's none better for mechanical repair than our Brody Lang, that's for certain.”

  Maria’s lips quirked and she slid a glance Brody’s way. “I found that out firsthand, though I wouldn’t call our meeting lucky. My car broke down just as I entered town when I was on my way to my parents’ house. I was nearly there when everything went wrong.”

  Andy’s rumbling chuckle filled the air, drawing her gaze. “Wrong? Sounds to me like everything might have gone just right.” He sipped briefly from his coffee and pierced Maria with an intent look over the lip of his mug. “You see, Viv? It’s just like I said. Angels everywhere.”

  ****

  Maria watched Brody hand a check to Vivian, then he raved over the slice of pie she delivered. His arrival provided a natural conclusion to the interview. From there, he listened in on the latest happenings at Heart's Haven. Maria polished off her coffee, hoping no one noticed the way she quietly sank to the background and soaked him in.

  Impressions drifted and swirled. She loved the natural ease with which he chatted up Vivian and Andrew Hart. Brody possessed a comfort-in-his-skin genuineness that drew her interest like a force of gravity. And it certainly didn’t hurt matters any that his well-chiseled, rugged features were easy on the eye.

  “Would you like to take a walk? I'd enjoy showing you around the complex if you have the time.”

  Brody's offer ended her visual feasting but jump-started her pulse. Warmth slid against her senses. “Ah…sure…that would be nice. Thank you.”

  Before Brody led Maria out of the office, Andy Hart stepped around the desk and extended his hand. “I’ve enjoyed getting to know you, Maria.” When she accepted the gesture, the older man looked at her in careful study. “We’ll be in touch within the next few days. Did Viv mention a discounted rental rate on one of the small units should you hire on?”

  “Yes, she did, and that would be an ideal setup for me. That is, if I’m fortunate enough to earn the position.”

  Andy made no comment. Instead, he smiled warmly. “Talk to you soon, angel girl.”

  The nickname pleased her, and she hoped her smile and warm gaze let him know it. “It’s been a pleasure meeting you both and, Vivian, thank you for the pie.”

  “Delighted to share it with you. Brody, you be sure to show her the outdoor gathering spot where we barbeque. If you’d like, you can take her through the new cottage at the northeast corner of the complex. Gabe and Susanna Peretti are moving in next month and the work crew is there today finishing up final details. A walk-through will give Maria an idea of what our new, larger units look like.”

  “Sounds like a plan, Viv.” Brody touched a guiding hand to Maria’s back, moving close enough to match pace as they left the office/recreational facility behind.

  Maria fell into step beside him, enjoying the natural way they syncopated. Plus, there was something heady about the sunshine on her cheeks and the warmth of Brody Lang’s shoulder and arm next to hers.

  “So, I’m not imagining things? You don’t just materialize out of nowhere when I least expect it? You actually live here?”

  Brody chuckled at her barrage of teasing questions and nodded. “I’ve been living at Heart’s Haven for almost two years now. I didn’t mean to startle you when I walked into the office. All I intended to do was pay my rent and grab a slice of Granny Hart's pie.”

  “I can see why. It’s fantastic.” From the corner of her eye, Maria took note of little things—appealing things—like the way he hitched the thumb of his free hand into the front pocket of a pair of nice fitting jeans. And Brody certainly knew how to make a simple, dark blue button down shirt look amazing.

  “Viv times it perfectly. She sets her pies to baking and then offers a taste to the tenants at the end of every month. I swear it takes the sting out of paying the rent.”

  “Timing is everything, isn't it? Take now, for example. What a coincidence running into you this way.”

  “In my world, there's no such thing as coincidence.”

  They took it slow, meandering toward a snugly gathered, appealing nest of house-like cottages and a group of smaller rental units tucked against the leading edge of the Angelina Forest. The path they traveled featured borders of hearty mums in deep
hues of burgundy and gold. Toward the center of the main yard Brody pointed out a large fire pit, a grouping of picnic tables, a horse-shoe pit, and Maria’s instant favorite—a swing made for two that dangled from the thick and sturdy arm of a towering oak tree.

  “That’s the gathering spot Vivian mentioned. Andy hosts monthly barbeques that are always a hit with the residents. The food is served potluck style, and everyone has a specialty they bring.” He nodded toward the large unit they approached on the left. “Here’s the new construction Viv mentioned. It’ll belong to Gabe and Susanna Peretti.” Suddenly he grinned and sent Maria a mischievous glance. “Want to hear a cool story?”

  The pleasure of his regard coaxed dormant spirit embers to ignite. Maria offered a willing nod.

  “Well, Gabe and Susanna met by pure happenstance at Falls Park. From there, they found out they were connected by Gabe’s sister who lives here at Heart’s Haven. The rest is romance history. They got married a few weeks ago, and when they come back from their honeymoon, they’ll move into the cottage I’m about to show you. Their story only adds to the legend of Heart’s Haven.”

  “The legend?”

  “Yep. Rumor has it love finds its way through the stones and walls of this complex and brings people together. Most folks here swear it’s the work of angels.”

  The comment—which he spoke in utter seriousness—provided a perfect opening for Maria to appease a sudden curiosity she had about Brody Lang. “Hmm. Have you found that to be true?” She gave him a teasing glance. “Have you been touched by an angel?”

  He arched a brow and didn’t flinch. “Not until now.”

  Heat flowed through her chest. Back on guard, Maria blinked and leaned back a trace. She opted to ignore the implication of Brody’s rejoinder. A shredded heart had left her far too pragmatic to indulge in flights of whimsy—no matter how appealing and tempting. “All I know is being hired to help out, and being given the chance to live here, would be ideal.”

  “I have a feeling that’s a given.”

  She slugged his arm playfully. “You’re not just a romantic; you seem to be quite the optimist as well. Not me. I’m more like a survivor, living moment to moment as best I can. All I want to do is start over and build a stable, happy life with Lilly. I want a place we can call our own.”

  A place like this, someday, she thought as they walked beneath an arched trellis that seemed to be the welcoming feature of each unit at Heart’s Haven. The cottage before her was a single-story, stand-alone unit, spacious and inviting. The brick structure was fresh and new, with lovely landscape touches like dark green evergreen shrubs, hearty fall blooms and white and purple ground cover.

  Maria was halfway to the porch when Brody drew up short, causing her to stop and turn to meet his gaze. “You want to start over again, huh?”

  She shrugged. “When you’re a widow with a child that’s what you have to do, right?”

  “Right.” He lifted a shoulder. “Just keep on watch…so you don’t miss those opportunities.”

  Maria was swept into the intensity of his tender but probing gaze. She knew he waited for more, so she offered a hesitant smile and opted to open up just a bit. “I hope I get an offer to work here. I really do. Heart’s Haven is full of welcome, and there’s an aura of protection here, too. Probably because of Andy Hart. To a single mom, that kind of atmosphere means a lot. I want what’s best for me and my daughter.”

  “Amazing.”

  “What?”

  “You understand this place. Andy Hart would be gruff about it, mind you, but he’d be mighty impressed by your keen sense of perception. He swears the Haven is protected, and covered by those angels I talked about. He senses them. He even talks to them.”

  “Are you serious?” Framed by the dancing branches of a nearby tree, Brody nodded and Maria recalled. Mr. Hart—Andy—had been talking to something unseen at the very start of the interview.

  When the dawn of Brody’s smile met the entryway of her heart, Maria came aware of a melting sensation. Still, part of her pushed against the flood of connection that flowed between them. This was wrong…but so very, very right.

  “He and Viv are two of the best people you'll ever meet.” Brody led the way forward, and they arrived at the front door of the unit. “Thing is, Andy's slowing down, and while he acts as crusty as over-baked bread, he’s soft on the inside. So, when you get the job—”

  “If I get the job—”

  “When you get the job, don't let his gruffness bother you. He's a good man, and fiercely loyal.”

  “The loyalty thing seems to be a characteristic of the people around here.”

  Before opening the door so they could go inside, Brody stepped toward her and flashed another winning smile. “Why, Miss Wilde, that came dangerously close to flirting.”

  She tilted her head and delivered a sassy, narrow-eyed look. “Oh, I wouldn't go that far.”

  “Not yet, maybe, but I’m hoping you’ll give it a try down the road.”

  Maria squelched her delight at their teasing banter and then wondered why she fought the reaction. There was nothing wrong with enjoying a few moments with Brody Lang. She looked away, and the wind captured a curl of her hair. With unsteady fingertips, she reached up to tuck it away, but Brody beat her to it, gently sliding the piece behind her ear.

  Concluding the moment, he drew his fingertips in a brief, soft touch against the length of her arm. “You haven’t been far from my thoughts. I’ve been looking forward to seeing you again when you return to the shop, but then what happens? I walk into the office, and there you are. Furthermore, I’d bet next month’s rent you’re going to be working the front desk for Viv before too long. To me, none of this is coincidence. I believe God might be sending us a message, and we should probably pay attention.”

  His tone of voice was rich. The power of that statement couldn’t be denied, but Maria was so bewildered by her rising emotions that she couldn’t catch her breath. She had no idea how to respond to his straightforward interest. It knocked her clear off balance.

  But one thing remained true. The words he spoke tucked a key into the lock of her heart and slowly released its secured tumblers. Tree leaves danced through the sky around them, floating to the ground in dashes of yellow, red, and orange. Sweet air swirled, flavored by wood smoke from a nearby fire. The atmosphere was intoxicating—and so was Brody Lang.

  That was the problem.

  Unaware of her quandary, Brody continued. “I don’t know if you’ve checked out the weather forecast for this weekend, but Saturday is shaping up to be beautiful. Would you like to play a round of mini-golf? You could bring Lilly. Babies in strollers are more than welcome. Maybe afterward the three of us could have a picnic lunch near the pond at Falls Park.”

  Despite every argument she could make against allowing him to get any closer, Maria couldn’t resist the appeal of the idea. Further, she loved the fact that he had included Lilly without a second thought. “You don’t mind me bringing her?”

  “Not a bit. I’d love to see Lilly again and spend the day with the two of you.”

  Maria hesitated, assailed by shyness, and overcome by an attraction she wasn’t looking for, one she didn’t really want to find. But then she nodded. “I’d like that. Golf and lunch would be fun.”

  “Great.”

  They stood face to face, suspended for a moment before entering the cottage. Standing near the edge of a deep and mystical forest, being with Brody Lang, inspired a powerful and mysterious reaction. First came a yearning, because ever since the car malfunction, Maria had wanted to see him again—and sooner rather than later. Since God had orchestrated the reunion so easily, there was no harm to be found in simply getting to know one another.

  But as quickly as she reached that rational conclusion, Maria owned up to the deeper truth that rode beneath its surface. She liked Brody a lot, but reconciling herself to that fact prompted a second wash of emotion. Guilt. The prospect of a fun, relaxing day wit
h him and Lilly left part of her spirit simmering and disquieted. Would exploring these burgeoning feelings cause her to surrender her love for Jacob? It certainly felt that way, because in spite of the past—in spite of Jake’s death—she could feel her heart being gently, yet resolutely tugged away from oppressive sorrow toward something beautiful and rich—something for which she suddenly longed.

  Loving connection.

  3

  When Maria leaned forward to putt, a slim gold chain slipped free of her shirt collar, bouncing away from the opening at her neck. Two plain bands dangled from the end, capturing the light and shimmering. One was slightly larger and thicker than the other.

  Wedding rings.

  Brody froze for an instant, absorbing the tender, loving image. His fingertips tightened against the grip of his club, but he forced himself to relax and rebuke the sting of an emotion he could only describe as jealousy.

  A healing heart needs gentle tending.

  The moment of Spirit speak eased his mind and muscles at once.

  Maria birdied on the seventeenth hole to tie the score, but Brody aced eighteen with a hole-in-one that sealed his win. As the ball curved and swooped, finally rolling against the lip of the cup and toppling inside, she cheered and exchanged a high-five with Brody. Cringing, she peered at Lilly. Undisturbed by their antics, the cherub slumbered peacefully beneath the extended canopy of her stroller.

  After they returned their clubs, they ambled through the parking lot, strolling Lilly at a leisurely pace. Brody reached across the space between them and captured Maria’s free hand.

  Without a word he twined his fingers against hers, pleased when she not only allowed the connection to linger but added a sparkling-eyed smile to the moment.

  “This has been great.” Maria’s enthusiasm colored the declaration. “I haven’t played a game of putt-putt in years.”

  Make her comfortable, Brody thought. Make this easy for her. “You could have fooled me. You’re championship caliber. Are you hungry?”