by Nikki Larson
Though he tried not to let it happen, his heart was getting all wrapped up in these kids. He was playing the part, being their dad, and it almost felt real sometimes. He had to continually remind himself that he was after the prize–Grunt’s fortune, and his yacht.
He’d have to unwrap those tight, greedy little fingers of love off of his heart, or he was going to get hurt, like all the times he’d let himself be vulnerable, only to be disappointed, betrayed.
It wasn’t worth it.
Women, kids–they were just entanglements meant to distract him from what really mattered to him. It was important he distance himself and not lose focus, not let himself fall for their charms.
These were his thoughts, in the forefront of his brain. But when Thea came to sit next to him on the loveseat after the kids were all asleep as the movie kept playing, all those logical, strategic plans went right out the window.
It might have been the softness of her body next to his as she snuggled up close to his chest. It might have been the fresh, pineapple-coconutty scent of her hair–from her shampoo, he guessed, since she had just taken a quick shower after being at the zoo all day. He stroked her hair and sighed as they watched a jealous Tinkerbell flit around on the TV screen, plotting against Tiger Lily.
Thea turned her head to look up at him, and her smile was so sweet, with an air of mischief about it. “Tinkerbell is a brat,” she stated, her eyes crinkling.
“Yes, she is,” he agreed before he turned and pressed his lips to hers. She didn’t resist this time, and her lips were soft, alluring, completely irresistible. He was losing himself in her, and it was like a dream, like a long-forgotten dream, an alternate reality. One that he wanted to go on forever.
“The kids,” she breathed in protest once she broke free.
“They’re asleep,” he assured her, and moved to kiss her again.
But she stopped him by holding up a hand. “But if they wake up…,” she said.
“Then they’ll get an eyeful,” he said as he stroked her hair, peered into her wonderful emerald eyes, and kissed her again.
Chapter 19
Thea opened up her Sunday school folder and sorted through the printed pages of kid-friendly stories she had come up with. Making the Bible come to life, and communicating the stories in a way that could engage and excite young children was one of her greatest passions. In the past, she’d even created little homemade felt figures to go with each story. Her favorites were a silly-looking Jonah and a really cute smiling whale with a very wide mouth, along with some buildings to represent the city of Nineveh.
She was nineteen when she first decided to seek after God with all her heart. No, actually, it wasn’t quite that way. Her methods weren’t quite that direct. What she had officially decided, once she had moved out of her parents’ house and in with her sister, Raven, was to investigate what was true and what wasn’t. She’d decided to start with Christianity, to read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. That was the plan. But once she’d started reading, something grabbed her. It was as if truth flooded her soul and she was drawn in, held fast by the cords of love. The only problem was, the words made little to no sense. That’s what happens when you don’t have the Holy Spirit, she had since found out.
It was a good thing, Thea knew, that she’d ignored her fears and had ventured into Rock Church that day, years ago one summer. She’d walked in with a mixture of excitement and anticipation as well as a good dose of uncertainty. Was this really what she’d been looking for? Would it meet her expectations?
But she shouldn’t have had any reservations. Not one. Because attending Rock Church on that Sunday was the best decision she had ever made in her life. Well, second best. The best decision was accepting Christ during the pastor’s sermon. She never knew before what it took to get into heaven. Never knew that, though she was imperfect, she could have perfect confidence that her repentance would guarantee her entrance into heaven, that her faith in Christ and what he did on the cross so many years ago was all it took to be saved. It was a beautiful thing, and it brought tears to her eyes today just thinking about it.
She wanted that for these children in her care. She wanted it desperately. So much so that she was willing to anger both Grunt and Lucas to achieve it. So much that she was willing to lose her job over it. Though just thinking of that possibility made her heart fill with trepidation and sadness.
It did cross her mind that maybe she should ask Lucas what he thought of her teaching his children Bible stories. But it seemed easier, somehow, just to do it and see what happened. That way, she could get a few truths into these children’s hearts before Lucas let her go, if that was his intention. If she asked for permission, she may not have time to tell them anything about Jesus.
So today, she happily decided to pour her heart into writing exciting Bible stories.
She’d start with the story of Daniel in the lion’s den. It was one of her favorite stories of all time because it showed God’s power and protection over Daniel, who was determined to serve God no matter what the cost. Thea wanted to be like that.
At this moment she was nowhere near achieving that level of devotion and sacrifice, but she wanted to try. “Lord, give me strength,” she asked him.
Retrieving her Bible from its place on her nightstand, she held it close to her chest, clutching it tightly and breathing in deeply. She could nearly feel its power, the power of the Living Word, coursing through her veins, giving her joy and peace. She felt a tingling throughout her arms and legs before she sat on her bed and opened the Bible to a random page.
What she saw there in black and white on the thin crinkly page both terrified and inspired her, because she knew God was speaking right to her concerning her current circumstances.
The Bible lay open to the final pages of Colossians where she had, years ago, circled Verses 23 and 24 of Chapter 3: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
“Oh, Lord,” Thea said, wiping away a tear, “I knew you were with me in this. Please help me do a great job teaching Hutch, Harley, Lily, and Gwenna about you. Help my time be fruitful. Help me feed their souls with your goodness and truth. Amen.”
With that, she dove right in and continued her good work.
Chapter 20
Lucas woke early, early enough to watch the sun rising over the city landscape. He’d always liked the Bonita Mesa skyline, always thought of the buildings as exuding an aura of power and respect. This morning they were lit up with sunlight, seemingly from the inside out, as their glass exteriors reflected back onto the waters. The other yachts in the bay were bobbing peacefully in the harbor, tethered as they were to the dock, and the sky was beginning to glow a magnificent orange.
Grunt had chosen a place far from the other yachters, seeing how he valued his privacy and was trying to stay under the radar. A wealthy person often made enemies and Grunt was no exception. According to Grunt himself, some people had good reason to hate him. He’d been a real estate agent who didn’t shy away from shady business practices, even having gone so far as to find ways to steal clients from his partner and reap the monetary benefits. He regretted it now, he’d told Lucas, but it was too late to fix at this point.
Lucas didn’t completely agree. In his mind, it was never too late to make a new start, never too late to confess your misdeeds and try to make things right. He’d tried to point Grunt in the right direction, to get him to contact his old business partner and apologize, at least, if not reimburse him for his losses. Grunt said he’d consider it, but he’d avoided the subject ever since.
Lucas made his way across the smooth, polished deck and stood at the farthest edge of the bow, where life felt most exciting and dangerous. He looked down over the water, and imagined himself gliding over it, speeding along in the yacht, escaping all of life’s entrapments–the lure of money, women,
greed, selfishness.
Suddenly restless, he made his way down to the bottom level, the sleeping quarters, stepping lightly so as not to wake the residents, whom he was growing far too attached to, if you asked him. Thea, Grunt, and the kids were wrapping themselves around his heart, holding his emotions captive. It was as if his feelings weren’t his own anymore. Where was the strong, independent, self-assured man he used to be? He was getting soft, and easily manipulated–and he hated it.
Rubbing his neck where now a kink was beginning to form, he peeked in on each of the children. Trying to stay detached from these kids had proven nearly impossible, ever since their mother had died and they had grown more and more dependent on him as well as Thea. It was almost like they were a family of their own, they’d jelled together so beautifully, and Lucas didn’t know what to make of it.
Passing by the room which was now occupied by Thea, he felt an urge to enter, to peek in on her sleeping, but her door was closed. She would look like an angel, he was certain. Like the one night she lay sprawled along the length of the couch, her shapely, long legs stretching all the way to the end of it, her head resting on her hands, her face as peaceful as a baby. He imagined himself going into her bedroom now and stroking her hair away from her face, whispering Good morning. But invading her privacy in such a manner would be un-businesslike. It would certainly be overstepping his bounds. Not only that, but he didn’t want to frighten her. They were close, dangerously entwined, but they were still boss and employee, which made everything terribly complicated.
Lucas forced himself to pass by and go instead to Grunt’s room at the end of the hall, removed from the other rooms. Before entering, Lucas exhaled long and hard. Grunt was the lightest sleeper of them all. The man had super-hearing or something, some weird gift of sensing when people were around even when he was sound asleep. He’d often jolt awake, startled, at any small sound.
Lucas made a point to check in on him regularly, to see if he needed anything–water, hot tea, his medication, a robe, just someone to talk to. The man was becoming more and more confused these days, and rather needy at times. But Lucas didn’t mind. He not only felt obligated to take good care of his boss, he also felt sorry for the man; he really did.
What kind of life was it to hide away? To be consumed with guilt over past transgressions? To have your young, beautiful wife be always accompanied by other men, for her own safety? Then to have her die so tragically in a plane crash at the peak of her talent and popularity? To have to pretend that your very own children were not yours, but somebody else’s?
Lucas’ throat tightened with grief for Grunt and all he had suffered, though some was his own doing. Grunt’s door was wide open, which was not surprising. The man had no modesty, no boundaries sometimes, Lucas thought with a chuckle. He’d remembered the time Grunt had come into the kitchen in just his underwear and Lucas had to convince him that it would be no good for the kids to see him that way. It took some convincing, but Grunt finally relented and put on some shorts and a t-shirt, along with a resentful attitude.
Normally Lucas could hear Grunt snoring from outside his room, but at the moment, there was only silence. Listening carefully, Lucas tilted his head, glancing through the doorway through the broad spread of windows where he could see a flock of seagulls now flying by, their calls piercing the silence.
As he entered the room, he noticed that the houseplants were in need of water. Their leaves were shriveled, their stems drooping. He’d have to tend to them soon, get them some plant food and water, maybe move them to an area where they’d get more sun.
And there was Grunt in his bed, his large form a bulky lump beneath the pile of covers. He always slept haphazardly, with the sheets, blanket, and comforter in disarray. Lucas came closer, taking quiet and careful steps, grateful the floor didn’t creak like it did in the house he grew up in, a quaint old cottage on a lake, where the mist came over the waters in the morning like a blanket.
Mr. Gregory Hunt–the humor-loving, gruff-talking man–lay there in his bed, stiller than night. The covers were up to his chin and his mouth was parted ever-so-slightly, his eyes closed.
Lucas touched his boss’ shoulder, placing a hand on the blankets and nudging him.
“Sir,” Lucas said.
He wasn’t in the habit of calling the man sir, but somehow it now seemed appropriate. Lucas noted that Mr. Hunt appeared to be asleep, except for the pallor of his skin being an odd color of gray.
Lucas shook him again, harder this time, with an urgency he was not in any way used to. “Sir,” he said again, louder than before. “Sir!”
“What’s the matter?” It was Thea. She was there in the doorway, leaning on the door frame. He’d woken her, apparently. Surveying the scene, Thea’s mouth dropped open and she drew her robe closer around her as if there was a sudden chill in the room. “Lucas?” she questioned him, her pitch rising.
“It’s okay,” he said. “He’s sleeping. You know, he was awfully tired last night. And coughing, too. It will be good for him to get his rest.”
“No,” Thea said in disbelief, panic rising in her eyes. “No.” She shook her head, back and forth. “Lucas?” Her tone was pleading, questioning.
“Don’t worry,” he said.
Thea stepped forward, her mouth set in a straight line. “Here, let me,” she said as she motioned for Lucas to step aside. Her mother had been a nurse, and often, in times of distress or emergency, her own innate nursing skills kicked in. Gently, she pulled back Grunt’s covers just a bit and reached for the man’s hand, feeling for a pulse.
Her eyes were tender when she looked back at Lucas. “He’s gone,” she said. “I’m sorry.”
“No,” Lucas said, shaking his head. “He was just here, just a moment ago. Last night, you know. We had a good talk. A nice talk. He was missing his wife.”
Thea nodded her head in understanding as her eyes clouded over with sadness. “Lucas, I’m sorry,” she said again.
“I was beginning to like him,” Lucas said with a hopeless shrug.
“Of course you were,” Thea said, holding Lucas’ face in her hands. “He was your father. We all liked him. We loved him.”
“I loved him,” Lucas agreed. “He was my friend,” he said. “My dad,” he corrected himself. And he fell into Thea’s embrace and sobbed.
Chapter 21
The next few days were a blur. Thea’s main concern was comforting the kids.
Lily seemed to take it the hardest, not surprisingly. She resorted to silence, having always been the shy, clingy one.
Thea tried to draw her out, mainly by giving her a lot of hugs and sympathetic smiles. She showed Lily the photos that had come back, the ones they had taken for Christmas, to be given to friends and family.
“Look,” Thea said to Lily while she stroked her smooth brown hair. She showed her the spread of photographs on the kitchen island. “Isn’t this one cute? I love your smile here. And the baby is laughing. Well, he’s not a baby anymore, is he?”
Lily would only nod and shake her head at the appropriate moments.
Thea did get the smallest hint of a smile out of her for the comment about Hutch. “He’s cute,” Lily said quietly, and Thea was pleased she’d gotten her to say that much.
“Why did he have to die?” Gwenna asked Thea one afternoon while they were sitting together at the pool. The little girl had just gotten finished swimming from one side of the pool to the other, which was no small feat.
Thea was glad Lucas found it important that each of the children have swimming lessons, seeing how their life was constantly near the water. “I don’t know,” she replied honestly.
“I think he wanted to go see our mommy, Nichole,” Gwenna offered.
“Really?” Thea was taken aback. “but why would Grandpa Grunt want to go see your dad’s wife?”
Gwenna’s eyes shifted from one edge of the yacht to the other and her mouth twisted as if she were thinking hard, trying to keep words from escapi
ng her mouth. “Do you promise you won’t tell?” she asked, her light green eyes wide and sincere.
Thea glanced around, seeing how close they were to the swimming instructor’s earshot. Ryan had Hutch in his arms and he was teaching him how to put his head underneath the water and kick, just fifteen feet away from her and Gwenna.
“I promise,” Thea whispered. “Tell me in my ear,” she offered.
In Thea’s ear, Gwenna’s voice was all too loud and clear. “He’s not my dad,” she said.
“Who’s not your dad?” Thea blurted out in response. She covered her mouth as if that would contain her outburst. But it was too late. “Who’s not your dad?” she said again, this time in a whisper.
“Lucas,” Gwenna said.
Thea looked at her with a start. She grasped both of the little girl’s shoulders and stared into her beautiful, tanned face. “Lucas is not your dad?”
“No,” Gwenna answered, with an air of excitement. She seemed glad, almost giddy, to let the secret out.
“Then who is your dad?” Thea asked, but already she knew the answer.
“Grandpa Grunt, Mr. Gregory Hunt,” Gwenna said proudly in a near-singsong. “My daddy. My real daddy. Lucas is just my pretend daddy. Grandpa Grunt made me promise not to tell. But I don’t have to keep the promise to him anymore, do I? Because he died. If someone dies, do you still have to keep a promise to them?” She pressed her lips together and looked as if she might cry.
“Oh, honey,” Thea said, embracing her and holding her close. “No,” she replied. “No, of course not. Families shouldn’t have secrets. And you don’t have to worry about breaking your promise. You did the right thing.” Thea’s mind reeled with the information. But she couldn’t worry so much about herself. She had to think of what Gwenna must be feeling. “It must have been awfully hard for you to keep that secret for so long, huh?” she asked as she released Gwenna and looked into her eyes.
