~*~
Huck woke to someone tugging on his hand. He opened his eyes to a blue curtain and turned his head to the nurse.
“Feeling better today?”
He grunted.
“Doc says you can go home, but you’ve got to take it easy for a few weeks.”
He flinched as she pulled the IV from his hand. “I’ll do anything for a large cheese pizza.”
Why did hospitals think that if their patients had defective body parts, their taste buds must be defective too?
She placed a cotton ball on the spot where the needle was and applied pressure. “After what you just did, you deserve a lifetime supply.”
The nurse had glossy blonde hair and a sweet smile. A woman like her used to spark his interest. Now, he couldn’t care less if he ever looked at another woman besides Arianne. But she’d made it clear she never wanted to look at him again. The doc should’ve cut out his heart along with his kidney. Then maybe it wouldn’t hurt so much.
The nurse removed the needle from the IV tube and slipped it into an orange box marked hazardous. “The nurse said you were getting around pretty well last night. How about breakfast, and then we’ll work on your release. Do you have someone that can drive you home?”
“Yeah.”
Missy had offered yesterday when she’d stopped by to check on him. She’d also confirmed his worst fear—Arianne was marrying Jack. He’d prayed Arianne had only said it out of anger, but apparently that wasn’t the case.
Huck maneuvered from the bed and walked a few laps up and down the hall. He was sore and weak, but not enough to regret what he’d done. If Emma lived, that was all that mattered. Like Jesus had given His life for Huck, Huck would willingly give his life for that little girl if it came to that. He finally understood.
By the time he’d eaten, dressed, and signed a hundred papers, Huck was exhausted and ready for a nap. He complied with being pushed out in a wheelchair, since the nurse said he didn’t have a choice. But the second they turned the corner, he had Missy stop and ditched the wheels, having his fill of such things after the accident.
She wrapped her arm in his, and they slowly made their way to the main exit. “Thank you, Huck. For everything.”
He shrugged, starting to accept the idea this woman might be his cousin. “I’d do anything for them.”
“I know. You should tell Arianne what you’ve done.”
“No. I don’t want her to feel like she owes me anything. She’s made her choice. I want her to be happy.”
The pain meds made him dizzy. His tennis shoes rubbed on the shiny floor, and the waist of his track pants irritated his incision. “Tell me you didn’t park in the back forty.”
She chuckled. “I’m parked just outside the door.”
They turned the corner by a small fountain and a wall mosaic of a forest in autumn. Just a few hundred more feet, and he could finally sit down. He should’ve taken the wheelchair.
The automatic doors opened. In stepped Arianne, carrying a canvas bag and fast food sacks. She stopped when her eyes caught his. Her gaze dropped, and she shifted the food. “What are you doing here?”
Her words hit their mark. Square in the center of his chest.
He saw Jack through the window, coming up the sidewalk, dropping his car keys into his pocket. “Nothin’.”
Huck tore away from Missy’s grip to keep moving. He had to get past Arianne and out the door before Jack entered. Couldn’t watch the woman he loved walk away with another man. He ground his back teeth in pain as he took strides too fast and wide.
Missy jogged to his side. “Take it easy. Are you all right?”
“Fine,” he groused.
Arianne’s eyes narrowed. “Why wouldn’t he be?”
“Because—”
He clamped a hand on Missy’s arm. “Never mind.”
Jack strode through the front door. His steps slowed. He nodded.
The room tilted. Huck’s stomach rolled. He stared deep into Arianne’s eyes, hoping to convey everything he felt for her but couldn’t voice at the moment. “Let’s go, Missy.”
They started forward. Arianne handed the bags to Jack. “Huck, wait.”
She grabbed his wrist. The plastic bracelet cut into his skin. The nurse had forgotten to take it off. Arianne looked down at the plastic band peeking from beneath the cuff of his long-sleeved shirt. She peeled back the fabric, her brows knotted.
“What’s this?” Her words were slow, cautious.
Missy put a hand on Arianne’s elbow. “Meet Emma’s donor.”
Arianne gasped. All color drained from her face. She tipped her head back and searched his eyes. He didn’t say a word. Would she be thankful? Or angry that a part of him would always be linked to Emma? The pain medicine made him weaker by the second. He needed to sit down before he passed out.
Huck turned away and walked through the automatic sliding doors toward Missy’s car.
~*~
Home at last.
Arianne closed Emma’s bedroom door, thanking God once more that her daughter’s body was accepting the kidney. If Huck hadn’t swooped in and saved the day, Emma would still be on dialysis, waiting for an organ that may or may not come.
Her heart ached with a constant fierceness. She’d attacked Huck like a viper, spewing enough venom to take down an army. She’d accomplished what she’d set out to do, because when she’d announced she was marrying Jack, his face had contorted as if she’d cut him off at the knees.
And like a good soldier, he’d come to their rescue.
When the initial shock had worn off, she’d sought him out to apologize and thank him. But he wasn’t at his usual places. She’d tried his house, but he wouldn’t answer his door. Lamar, Huck’s business partner, said Huck was recovering nicely but probably wouldn’t be at the shop, since he wasn’t involved in overseeing the reconstruction. Still, she’d watched for him. When he wouldn’t answer her calls, she’d asked Jude what he knew. Jude had thrown his hands up and said he wasn’t getting in the middle.
Huck had sacrificed for his love for Emma, and now that the job was done, he was leaving their lives like she’d ordered him to.
Only it wasn’t what she really wanted. The scales had fallen from her eyes, and it was all clear now. In the face of adversity, she’d done the same thing to Huck that Adam had done to her—run.
Now she could say goodbye to a future with him in fifty different languages because he didn’t want anything to do with her. Tears began to surface, but she pushed them away. There’d be time for those later.
Arianne met Jack in the kitchen and sank into a chair. He handed her a diet soda from the fridge and took the seat beside her. She smiled. “Thanks. I’d offer you something to eat, but I haven’t been to the store in a while.”
“I’m not hungry.” His voice sounded deeper. He’d been keeping distance between them ever since they found out Huck was the donor. It seemed like deep down, Jack knew what was coming.
The can hissed as Arianne pulled the tab. A fine mist rose into the air and rained down on the can. She took a sip and wished the sweet liquid would wash away her troubles.
Jack looked at the hand he rubbed nervously on the table. “You’re not going to marry me, are you?”
Though the question shouldn’t have taken her by surprise, it did. Arianne set the can on the table. Condensation rolled down the metal and pooled at the bottom where it met the table. Her stomach clenched. “I’m sorry, Jack. I can’t.”
He lifted his chin and nodded as if he’d expected her answer. “Can I ask why?”
She didn’t want to break his beautiful heart. Arianne blew out a breath, slowly. “I’ve prayed about it, like you asked me to.”
“You love him. I saw it written on your face the day we saw Huck leaving the hospital.” He stared at the table for a moment then stood. “I guess I’ve always known it. I really thought in time, though, you’d grow to love me, instead.”
Arianne’s bottom lip
quivered, and she rose from her chair to block his exit. “I do love you, Jack.”
A fake grin curled his mouth. “An ‘I love you but I’m not in love with you’ thing. I get it.”
She winced. The man had already lost a woman he loved. Now she was causing him more pain. “Jack, I’m so sorry. I think . . . no, I know it’s not God’s will for us to marry.” She stepped forward and gripped his arms. “I should’ve told you sooner, but with everything going on, it wasn’t the right time. I’ll miss you, Jack, but I believe you’ll come to realize this is for the best. I thank you…for everything you’ve done.”
He nodded as though trying to convince himself. “Yeah, for the best.”
Her shoulders shook as tears rolled down her face. Jack stepped toward her and put his big hands on her cheeks. He stared at her with misty eyes and swallowed. “Goodbye, Arianne.”
Jack kissed her forehead. His lips lingered. Then he walked around her and out the door.
“And the honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were with him, to eat: for they said, The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.”
—2 Samuel 17:29
37
Huck followed along in his Bible as Pastor Dave read aloud from the opposite side of the desk. Sermon notes, books, pencils, and highlighters cluttered the top. The small church office shrank with them in it, but Huck was at home in the humble space. He’d come to look forward to their meetings. He was halfway through the passage when his back pocket vibrated. The metal chair buzzed with every silent ring of his cellphone.
Pastor Dave looked up from his Bible. “If you need to get that, we can take a break.”
Huck balanced his Bible in one hand and dug his phone from his pocket with the other.
Arianne.
He shook his head, pressed the power button to shut it down, and returned the phone to his pocket. “No, it’s not necessary.”
The pastor continued, and Huck had to force himself to concentrate on the lesson. It was torture not to answer her calls. Especially after Missy had phoned him two weeks ago after she’d returned to California to tell him Arianne and Jack had split. At least a hundred times a day, his fingers itched to dial Arianne’s number, so he could hear her sweet voice. But he wouldn’t. Not yet. He had some messes to clean up first. With the pastor’s help, he was starting a new life. Only this time, it wasn’t for Arianne. It was for him.
After the meeting, they scheduled their next counseling session and shook hands. Huck had yet to make it back to a Sunday service. The pastor understood when Huck had told him the circumstances and recommended another local church he could attend for a while. They would continue counseling together privately in the meantime, and Huck never missed the sermons broadcast on the radio.
He rounded the hallway to the foyer and collided with a soft, female body. He gripped her upper arms to steady her. “Sorry. I didn’t know anyone was here.”
Janet Hargrave, the cute brunette from the single’s Sunday school class, smiled up at him, pink flooding her cheeks. “It’s fine.”
He usually ignored her efforts to gain his attention, but that was impossible at the moment. He let her go and looked around. Flower pots lined one wall, along with several closed umbrellas in different colors. “What’s all this?”
She tucked her hair behind her ear. “It’s my month to decorate the foyer. Since our Sunday school lessons have been about trials and the blessings that come from enduring them, I chose the theme ‘April showers bring May flowers.’”
May. The last month had gone by so fast. “Ah, that explains it. You plannin’ to open those inside?” He pointed to the umbrellas.
Janet nodded and let out an annoying giggle. “I’ll take my chances.”
He nodded. “Well, goodnight.”
He hadn’t made it three steps before she stopped him.
“Would you mind helping me carry in the flowers? I promise not to take up too much of your time.” She batted her eyelashes. Her attempt to coat the request with honey was flattering, but it left the aftertaste of artificial sugar.
“Sure.” Huck followed her to her car. He wasn’t supposed to do any heavy lifting yet, but how much could a few flowers weight?
Her sandals clicked against her feet as they walked toward her open trunk. “I haven’t seen you around for a while. I thought maybe you’d started going to church somewhere else.”
“Been busy.” That was an understatement.
The sun blazed orange as it lowered behind the pine trees. He reached her trunk and lifted a flat of violets. The sound of a loud exhaust approached. Huck turned toward the noise, and the flowers tipped off balance. Janet lunged, saving them, one hand on the box and the other on his arm.
A silver jalopy rattled into the parking lot. Air whooshed from his lungs. The brake lights of Arianne’s car flashed before jolting to a stop. How did she know he was here?
Her window rolled down. The breeze blew her hair slightly, and her mouth hung open as if she were as surprised to see him as he was her. Her eyes were red rimmed. He’d seen that look often enough. And like those other times, he longed to fold her into his chest, tunnel his fingers into her thick curls, and tell her everything would turn out all right. Instead, he stood there, staring at her. Wanting her so bad it physically hurt.
Something squeezed his arm. He’d forgotten about Janet. Her brows lifted, wrinkling her forehead. “You OK?”
No.
He searched for Emma’s head in the backseat, but didn’t see it. Had something happened, and Arianne needed his help? But he’d talked to Jude right before his meeting with the pastor, and he’d said Emma was doing great.
Arianne gaped at him, opened and closed her mouth as if she wanted to speak but was unsure what to say. She seemed genuinely surprised to see him here, not frantic like something was wrong. He needed to move, to say something, but his muscles were as paralyzed as they were after his accident.
“Hi, Arianne.” Janet removed her hand from the flowers to wave, but kept hold of his arm with the other. “How’s Emma?”
“She…she’s getting stronger every day. Thank you.” Arianne could barely be heard over the rattling exhaust. He’d need to fix that.
“I’m so glad.” Janet’s hand crossed over her heart.
“I…” Arianne swallowed. “Huck—”
“Let me take these inside for Janet, and I’ll be right back out.” There was too much to say, and he wasn’t doing it in front of an audience. He shrugged away from Janet’s claws, lifted the second flat of violets in his other hand, and walked toward the church.
Janet chatted and giggled like a school-girl. Judging by her looks, he figured she hadn’t been out of school too long. She opened the door for him, and he set the flowers on the pew along the wall.
“Is that it?”
Her pink lips parted in a smile. “Yes. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. See you around.” He fled before she had a chance to object.
Huck pushed the glass door open and stepped into the parking lot. His truck and Janet’s car were the only ones there. Arianne was gone. He rubbed his jaw. Just as well. Now wasn’t the time or the place. He had a few more things to do before he fought to win her back.
~*~
Arianne fingered the letters in her hand. “Here.”
She handed an envelope to Braelle, her newly promoted and first-ever full-time employee.
“What’s this?” Braelle tossed her hair away from her shoulder before opening the envelope.
“A thank you for all your hard work. I don’t know what I’d have done without you while Emma was sick. You are truly a godsend.”
Braelle pulled out the card. Her lips moved as she read silently.
The shop was warm with the sunlight spilling through the windows. White gowns glistened on the racks like diamonds. Business was thriving. Emma was on her way to recovery. Design school classes would begin next month. He
r relationship with God was stronger than it ever had been. Only one thing was missing—the addressee from the other letter she gripped between her fingers.
The shock of seeing Huck last night still filled her veins. She’d driven to the church to sit in the dark, quiet sanctuary to search for answers. For the past month, she’d tried desperately to contact Huck. She wanted—no, needed—his forgiveness. And then, there he was, standing in the parking lot with the young and lovely Janet Hargrave, her manicured hand wrapped around his bicep. The sight cracked her heart open like an egg, and the opportunity to make amends soured. So she’d driven away.
Now she wished she hadn’t.
Braelle’s hazel eyes sparkled. “Wow. I don’t know what to say.” She brushed her thumb along her bonus check.
“You don’t have to say anything. I’m the one who’s grateful. You’ve helped take this place to a whole new level.”
Braelle shrugged, scrunching the freckles along her nose. “All my friends are getting married and want to use your shop. Thank you.”
Arianne patted her shoulder. “Thank you. It’s well deserved.”
She glanced at the clock. She’d run this letter out to the mailbox then call Sherry to check on Emma.
Traffic sped down the highway toward Bar Harbor. Tourist season was upon them. She breathed in the fragrant spring air, a mix of pine, flowers, and salt, soaking in the sun’s warmth. The mailbox lid groaned as she tugged it open. She looked at the letter one last time, her eyes roaming over the address, the Love stamp. Probably inappropriate for this situation, but it was the only kind she had. She thought about the words she’d written inside and prayed they’d find their way into Huck’s heart. Prayed her heart would accept that God didn’t intend for Jack or Huck to be in her life. With a deep breath, she placed the letter inside the mailbox, closed the lid, raised the flag, and walked away.
~*~
Huck tapped his finger on the card. Arianne wanted his forgiveness. Didn’t she realize she had it when he willingly gave away an organ? He hadn’t been avoiding her out of anger. At first, he’d kept his distance to recover—his body and his heart. After all, she was marrying Jack. Then, when he discovered she wasn’t, he’d stayed away to work on being a man worthy of her in God’s eyes. If the good Lord was handing him a second chance, he certainly wasn’t going to mess it up.
How to Charm a Beekeeper's Heart Page 29
