A Mommy for His Daughter
Page 17
That’s not true.
Derek’s words about her lighting up Wolf’s Harbor resonated with her.
She was so hardened, like her grandmother. Her grandmother had been miserable and bitter all the years Evelyn had known her. But she could’ve been happy had she just accepted Thorne’s life in Alaska. Her grandmother had deprived herself of happiness and Evelyn was doing the same.
She stared down at the box and the card on her lap that Uncle Yazzie had given to her from Léelk’w. Evelyn couldn’t bring herself to open it.
“Are you sure about this, Evie?” Uncle Yazzie asked from the front seat.
No.
“Yes.”
“This is your home.” He parked the cab and turned around. “Don’t leave. Stay. This is where you belong.”
“I don’t belong here, Uncle Yazzie. I did once, but...” There were so many pieces of her life that were missing. So much she’d missed out on. So much she’d lost.
She’d hardened her heart for so long that she wasn’t sure that she could go back.
Ever.
“I think I’m going to take a job I’ve been offered in Seattle. I’ll come to visit,” Evelyn said, but they both knew that was a lie.
“You don’t think that you fit in here, but you do, Evie. I just wish you could see that.” He climbed out of the cab and went to the trunk to get her bags.
Evelyn slipped out of the cab and took the bags from him. He hugged her and Evelyn closed her eyes, fighting tears.
Keep it together. Don’t cry.
She turned and walked across the road to the airport. She looked back once, to see Uncle Yazzie standing there, just as he had all those years ago, waving after her sadly. The pain, the terror she’d felt walking into the unknown washed over her again. The loss of her family.
Oh, God.
She tore her gaze away and headed into the airport. There were a few other passengers waiting for the plane to Sitka. Evelyn checked in and then found a spot in the farthest corner of the airport. She stared down at the box and the card from Léelk’w.
She opened the card first.
Evie, you’re scared of opening your heart again. You’ve suffered so much pain and loneliness. I understand the loss, but you cannot run from your ghosts. You need to embrace them, for they make up who you are. Your life will be empty if you don’t accept who you are.
These were your mother’s. She made them herself and wanted you to have them when you became a woman. They’re overdue coming into your possession. Wear them and remember us.
And forgive, my love. Forgive yourself. Your family.
Come back soon.
Love, Léelk’w.
Tears streamed down her face and she opened the box. There were the abalone earrings that shimmered and were smooth. Her mother’s.
Like a long-forgotten memory she heard her mother’s voice in her head, singing a traditional song and brushing her hair.
For so long Evelyn had locked all those memories away, making her restless. She’d forgotten who she was. She’d lost her family, herself. The pain had been unbearable, but now she had a chance to have it all back.
Love was worth the risk.
She loved Derek. She loved Mo.
She wanted to be in their life.
She deserved happiness.
She wasn’t being selfish, pursuing happiness.
She wanted to stay in Wolf’s Harbor—the place where she was born. It was in her blood. And she wanted to help Derek get a hospital here, so that women could safely have their children. So those who were severely injured could get treatment right away.
She wanted Wolf’s Harbor to grow.
And she wanted to grow here.
She was tired of running. The way to make things right was to stay. To take her father’s place and make amends with Jocelyn and Martha.
She wasn’t her father, but she was their family too.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we’ll now begin boarding for our non-stop flight to Sitka. Please have your boarding passes ready and line up at Gate One.”
Evelyn pocketed the earrings and grabbed her bag, but instead of heading to the gate she ran outside.
Uncle Yazzie was still sitting there, gazing at the plane, and she could see tears in his eyes.
“Uncle Yazzie!” Evelyn shouted.
Joe Sr. turned around and grinned. “I thought my mother was crazy when she said you’d change your mind. You have a stubborn streak like your mother did and she never changed her mind.”
Evelyn laughed and they hugged each other.
“Welcome home, Evie.”
“It’s good to be home, Uncle Yazzie.”
She wasn’t sure if Derek would have her, but she had to take the chance. Either way, she was staying in Wolf’s Harbor and she was going to help Derek get that hospital—and if that was all her relationship with Derek could be, then so be it.
She wasn’t going anywhere.
She was home.
* * *
Derek sat next to Jocelyn.
He was numb. He felt completely numb again.
“What happened?” Jocelyn moaned.
“You fainted and you have a concussion.”
“Martha?”
“Frank is with her. She’s okay, and Tim has checked on the baby. Still a strong heartbeat.”
“Tim? I thought that Evelyn was your OB/GYN.”
“Evelyn had to go to Seattle,” Derek said stonily.
“Oh.” Jocelyn closed her eyes. “I said something to her, didn’t I?”
“Painkillers can lower inhibitions.”
Jocelyn groaned. “Has she left? I need to apologize.”
“Yes. She’s left.”
“She was a child and confused,” Jocelyn said. “Thorne was distracted and the weather didn’t help. You can’t blame a kid. I feel terrible. Sure, I was the villain in her story as a child, but I see she doesn’t think that way anymore. She’s the villain in her own story. She blames herself.”
Derek saw that. He recalled the things she’d said. She did blame herself. She said she’d ruin his life. But she wasn’t to blame and she was denying herself any shot at love and happiness because she was punishing herself.
“You remind me of Thorne, Dr. Taylor.”
“How so?”
“Widower, lonely with a child. Afraid... But I don’t think you’re too scared to move forward now. Thorne didn’t forget his wife. He loved her. But he told me that his heart expanded.”
“What?” Derek asked.
“I know it sounds silly, and I didn’t get it until he died. There I was, devastated that the man I loved had died. I was left pregnant and alone. Thorne was the love of my life and I thought I’d never get over him. But a few years went by, and I just existed day to day, being a mother to Martha, and then I met Frank. I realized then what Thorne meant. A heart is not restricted to one person—it expands to encompass many people in your life. I will always love Thorne, but my heart has room for Frank too.”
A tear slid down Derek’s cheek and he wiped it away as Jocelyn’s words sank in. He couldn’t go on living this half-life. He was still alive and he had to live.
Even though he’d tried not to let it happen his heart had expanded and Evelyn had wormed her way in. He loved the way she was with his daughter. She said she didn’t want kids, but he understood her fear. Evelyn had lost so much in her life—it was why she ran.
They were the same.
He loved her and he couldn’t lose her. He’d convince her to stay. If she wouldn’t he’d leave Wolf’s Harbor—he would. He would follow her anywhere. He had to grieve. He had to forgive himself. He had to heal and move on.
He had to stop Evelyn from getting on that plane before it was too late.
“I’ve got to go, Joce
lyn. Thanks.”
Jocelyn nodded and smiled. “Tell her I’m sorry.”
Derek nodded and left the exam room. He grabbed his jacket and checked his watch. He was hoping he would make it before the Sitka flight left.
He ran out of the clinic and stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Joe Yazzie’s cab pull up on the other side of the street.
Evelyn got out and stood there. She crossed the street. His heart skipped a beat.
She stayed.
“What’re you doing here?” Derek asked, stunned. “I thought you were going to Sitka.”
“I was, but...” She was trembling. “I lost my family once and I blamed myself for that loss.”
“You punished yourself,” he said gently.
Tears welled in her eyes. “Yes.”
“You don’t need to punish yourself. It wasn’t your fault. Jocelyn explained.”
“She did?” Evelyn asked quizzically.
“You were a child, Evelyn. You didn’t kill your father. A truck did.”
She nodded. “I hardened my heart to love. I was so afraid of being hurt, of hurting someone or being left alone again. Having no feelings was easier. I thought so, but it’s not. I love you. I love Mo. I thought I didn’t deserve you both because I ruined so many lives. But I didn’t ruin them. I was ruining just one—my own. I don’t want to be bitter or emotionless anymore. I want to feel again.”
Derek cut off her babbling by closing the gap between them and cupping her face, kissing her. Her arms, shaking, came around him and she melted into him.
“I love you too, Evelyn.”
She beamed up at him. “You do?”
“For so long I thought I couldn’t love again. I thought you only got one love. But my heart has expanded and you’re firmly in there. I can’t lose you, Evelyn. Even if it means I have to leave here and go where you need to go, I will. You brought me back to life.”
Tears slid down her cheeks. “You brought me back to life too.”
They kissed again.
“So... Seattle?”
“What?” she asked.
“You said you were going there.”
Evelyn grinned and then kissed him. “We’re not going anywhere. I just came home and I want to stay here—if you think the clinic can use me.”
Derek picked her up and spun her around, set her back down. “I love you, Evelyn Saunders, and I never thought I would feel this way again. You’ve brightened my life. You breathed life into me and Mo again. I was just existing. I wasn’t alive. I was numb to it all. But you’ve given me purpose. I love you.”
He kissed her again and wrapped his arms tightly around her, holding her tight.
He was finally awake.
He was alive again.
And although he would never forget Vivian, he felt as if he could feel, breathe and live again. For the first time in a long, long time.
He was whole once more.
EPILOGUE
One year later
EVELYN STOOD IN front of the construction site, staring up at the hospital that was being erected in Wolf’s Harbor. Since she’d taken on the position as permanent OB/GYN there, Juneau General Hospital and the state of Alaska had invested funds to make Wolf’s Harbor Community Health Center a reality.
Evelyn had to go to Juneau and teach classes a few times a year, but that was no problem for her. Or at least it hadn’t been until last month.
She touched her round belly. Soon she’d have to stop traveling to Juneau and back, but there was another OB/GYN who’d come to work permanently at the clinic and would be taking over Evelyn’s position while she was on maternity leave.
Tim Vance had also signed up to stay on permanently as another general practitioner, which meant Derek wasn’t tied down so much.
More staff were being hired, and the small hospital was on schedule to open by the end of the month.
“What’re you staring at?” Derek asked, coming to stand beside her.
“The sign is crooked.”
Derek squinted up at the sign. “It is not. It’s fine.”
“Hmm...” She rubbed her belly as the baby kicked. “It’s almost time to pick up Mo from school, isn’t it?”
“Yep—you want to walk down together? I’m done for the day and I’m letting Janet handle the nurse interviews over Skype. She’ll pick good ones.”
Evelyn nodded and took Derek’s hand as they walked down Main Street toward the school. “Martha is taking online courses to get her nursing degree.”
“That’s great. But I don’t know how she’s managing that and taking care of her little girl. Ever since her little one started walking she’s been rambunctious. Do you know how many stitches I’ve had to put in that kid’s head?”
Evelyn laughed. “Jocelyn said she keeps her on her toes. It’ll be nice to have more young families here. This hospital is breathing new life into Wolf’s Harbor.”
Derek nodded. “I just hope no one makes fun of Joe the Third.”
Evelyn laughed. “Why would they?”
“Joe the Third?”
Evelyn chuckled again. “Yeah, well, it’s a tradition.”
“I don’t think Katlian was too pleased with having to hand you over to me, though.”
“Léelk’w likes you—and she loves Mo.”
“Mo loves her.”
“Léelk’w’s heart has always had room for all her family.”
Derek kissed her hand. “I’m just glad she’s not giving me too much of a hard time anymore.”
They stopped at the school yard just as the bell rang and Mo came running out of the small community school, her purple backpack a dead giveaway as she ran toward them.
“Dad! Evie!”
Mo ran past Derek and went to greet the baby first, before kissing her father and then Evelyn.
“Did you have a good day?”
“Yep! And I ate all my lunch. Can we go to Sally’s?”
“I think so,” Derek said.
“Yes! Ice cream!” Mo said, pumping her fist.
“Not ice cream. Not before dinner,” Derek said.
“I could do with some ice cream,” Evelyn teased.
Derek rolled his eyes. “Fine. Ice cream.”
“Yes! Ice cream!” Mo shouted again, fist-pumping harder.
“Who taught you to fist-pump?” Evelyn asked as they walked away from the school toward Sally’s.
“Léelk’w,” Mo said.
“Of course she did,” Derek said dryly.
Mo skipped ahead and Derek followed close behind her, while Evelyn walked slowly, her heart swelling as she watched her little family run ahead. The baby in her belly kicked and she smiled, rubbed where the baby had kicked.
She wasn’t sure what Mo was going to think about having a baby brother...
She was definitely not calling him Joe the Fourth.
Thorne was good option.
She smiled as Derek picked up Mo and swung her around.
Maybe Derek Jr.?
There was time still to name the baby.
She picked up her pace to catch up with her family.
She was glad that she had finally found her place.
She was glad that she was finally home.
* * * * *
If you enjoyed this story, check out these other great reads from Amy Ruttan
THE SURGEON KING’S SECRET BABY
NAVY DOC ON HER CHRISTMAS LIST
CONVENIENT MARRIAGE, SURPRISE TWINS
HIS PREGNANT ROYAL BRIDE
All available now!
Keep reading for an excerpt from REUNITED BY THEIR BABY by Jennifer Taylor.
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Reunited by Their Baby
by Jennifer Taylor
CHAPTER ONE
HE WAS LATE. Almost a year late by his reckoning, although, by rights, he should have been here from the very beginning.
Callum O’Neill’s mouth thinned as he paid off the cab and turned to face the cottage that had once been his home. He had sworn when he had left that he would never come back here again. This place held too many bad memories and he had promised himself that he would do his best to forget what had gone on. However, that had been before he had received that letter. Before everything had changed.
Callum could feel his heart thumping as he walked up the path. He knocked on the door, wondering what sort of reception he would receive. He wasn’t expecting red carpet treatment but he was hoping that things would improve once he explained what had happened. It had taken months for the letter to reach him. He had been moving around such a lot as he had helped to set up the programme he had been working on. It was vital to roll it out to as many communities as possible as Malaria was endemic over much of sub-Saharan Africa. It was little wonder the letter hadn’t reached him for such a long time but would Beth understand that? He hoped so. He couldn’t bear to think that they would end up arguing again. They had done enough of that in the past and he, for one, couldn’t bear to go down that route again.