“Hey little fella. It’s okay. I used to live here.” He bent down and gave the dog a pat. The house had been looked after. The paint work was fresh and the garden well-kept. His mum would be pleased. But that wasn’t why he was here. He walked on until he came to the church on the corner of Hunter and Bayview.
Taking a deep breath, he walked up the three steps and then hesitantly peered inside. It smelled a little musty and old, but it was quiet, and as he walked inside, a sense that he was entering God’s presence pervaded his spirit. He took a seat and bowed his head. For a moment he was unable to speak. Or think. Tears welled in his eyes and spilled onto his cheeks. Finally, he began to pray silently, asking God to heal his heart. To take his grief and replace it with peace.
Sobs wracked his body, and then a hand touched his shoulder. Through his tears, he looked up into a kind face. The face of his Sunday School teacher. “Mrs. Cleary…”
“Yes, John. It’s good to see you.”
“How did you know I was here?”
“I didn’t. I dropped in to do some cleaning before the Christmas service and I saw you sitting here.”
“How did you know it was me?”
“I’ve been praying for you every day since you left the class, just like I pray for all my students, past and present. I’ve been watching you, John. I’ve seen the good you’ve been doing in our community, and the heart you have for the people, but I’ve also seen the pain you’ve been carrying since your wife’s passing.”
Fresh tears welled in his eyes. She’d been watching him? Praying for him? “Really?”
She nodded. “And I’m so glad you’re here. I’d love to help you find your way back to God. Can I do that?”
He smiled. “I’ve already done it.”
“Oh, God bless you, John. I know He has great things in store for you. You have such a compassionate heart, but just make sure you love those kiddies of yours.”
How did she know? Had his mother been talking with her about him? Surely not. It didn’t matter. “I will.”
“Can I pray for you?”
“Okay.” A lump blocked his throat.
She placed a hand gently on his shoulder and began to speak quietly, gently. “Dear Lord, thank You for bringing John back to the fold. He’s been like a lost, wounded sheep these past years, but You, the Good Shepherd, never stopped seeking him, calling him. Heal the wounds of his heart, dear Lord and bless him as he seeks to live for You. Transform his life for the benefit of the Kingdom, and equip him for the journey ahead. Thank You that he’s already using his good fortune to help the needy of the world rather than storing up riches for himself here on earth. And thank You for his gentle, compassionate spirit. And Lord, I do pray a special blessing on his children. May they also come to grasp how much they’re loved. In our precious Saviour’s name we pray. Amen.”
John brushed his eyes before lifting his head. “Thank you. I’ve been so busy numbing my grief over losing Larissa that I shut everyone out, including God. And my children. I can sense a change in my spirit already.”
“That’s wonderful, John. Now go home to them. It’s almost Christmas, and they need you.”
He nodded his head and chuckled. “Okay. I will.”
As he walked out of the church, he felt lighter, as if the strings that had held him to his grief had been snipped and he was free to feel again.
And he knew what he needed to do. Ruth had been leaving notes for him each morning with the time and location of Bethany’s surf lesson. He glanced at his watch. If he left now, he could get there just in time for today’s lesson.
Chapter 17
Ruth put a hand to her forehead to block the sun as she watched Bethany on her board. The day after the pool party she’d contacted the instructor, and thankfully he’d had room for her and invited them to come down that afternoon for her first lesson. Now, two days later, Ruth was so proud at how well Bethany was doing. Of course, it helped that Stephen Mitchell also happened to be in the same class.
“Ruth, when is Bethie going to catch some big waves?”
Ruth looked down at Molly who was digging in the sand beside her. “One day, sweetie. She needs to learn on the small waves first.”
“Okay. I’m going to build a sandcastle now. Do you want to help?”
“Sure.” Ruth moved closer and grabbed a bucket, but while she scooped wet sand and helped Molly create a fortress, she also kept an eye on Stuart and the dogs who were running in and out of the waves, and also on Bethany. She’d only had three lessons but already she was showing promise. But more than that, her demeanour had continued to improve. Ruth only wished John was at home to see the change in her.
Every morning Ruth left him a note on the coffee maker, letting him know the time of each lesson. It was the one place in the house she knew he’d see it because he wouldn’t leave the house without a coffee, no matter how early it was. But after their discussion the other evening, she knew she had to give him time. And space. She sensed he was working through issues and she continued to pray for him. It was all she could do. She also knew that this week he was especially under pressure, although he’d admitted he had staff who could handle things.
Despite all of that, she hoped and prayed he would make time to come to one of Bethany’s lessons before they stopped for Christmas.
“Ruth! Help!”
The distant sound of Stuart yelling snapped her out of her thoughts. She quickly scanned the shoreline and saw him running towards her in tears.
“Stay here, Molly. I need to see what’s wrong with your brother.” She met him halfway and held him at arm’s length. “What’s wrong, Stuart?”
“Riley’s gone. I can’t find her anywhere.” Sobs racked his body making his teeth chatter.
Sure enough, only one Golden Retriever bounded up behind him. The other was nowhere to be seen. “Okay, love, try to be calm. I’m sure we’ll find her. Where did you see her last?”
“We…we were playing in the sand. Going in and out of the water. You know how they love that? Then there was a crab. Riley tried to sniff it, and…and it must have pinched her nose, because she yelped and ran off.” Stuart wiped at the sandy tears streaming down his cheeks. “I tried to follow her, but she disappeared over the dunes. I think she’s hurt. We have to find her!”
Ruth had a solid picture of what happened. She knew Riley would most likely have simply run home, but a lost dog to a ten-year-old boy was the end of the world. She looked at her watch. There was forty minutes left on Bethany’s lesson, enough time to go looking and be back to walk home together. “Okay, let’s look for her. She can’t be far away. I’m sure we’ll find her.”
Stuart’s face brightened. “Okay.”
“Come on, Molly, let’s help your brother find Riley.”
Molly stood and wiped the sand from her knees before running up to them. She put an arm around her brother. “We’ll find her, Stu.” Her sweet voice and the love she showed for her brother warmed Ruth’s heart.
They headed off, taking turns calling for the dog. After about twenty-five minutes of exploring all the tracks leading from the beach into the scrub, there was still no sign of her. Ruth was as sure as ever that the wounded pooch had headed back up the trail to the house. It was just over a kilometre and was such a familiar walk. She’d tried calling the house several times but there was no answer. Madeline must have been somewhere out of range, perhaps in the garden, and the housekeeper would have already left. Peggy had gone into the city and Mathew was in respite care, so, other than returning to the house herself, there was no way of checking if her theory was right.
She stopped and spoke to Stuart who still looked distraught. “Stuie, I bet Riley ran home, but Bethany’s lesson is finishing soon and we need to go back for her. We’ll head home as soon as she’s finished. Okay?”
“We can’t stop looking, Ruth. We’re close, I know it!” He burst into tears.
Ruth hugged him tight. “I know you’re sad, buddy. But we’
ll find her.”
“But if we go back to the beach, how will she know where we are?”
“She has a great sense of smell. She’ll find us if we don’t find her.”
“But her nose probably isn’t working because of the crab!” Stuart began to cry harder.
How could she have forgotten about the crab? “Shhh, now.” Ruth pushed damp hair off his face and gave him a clean tissue from her pocket. “If not, we’ll call your dad and get a proper search party going. We won’t stop until we find her. But right now, we need to get back for Bethany.”
Stuart’s shoulders fell. “Okay.” He sounded so downcast that she pulled him close and hugged him.
“It’ll be okay. We’ll find her.” She rubbed his back. “Come on now, let’s go.” She released him, and putting an arm around both children’s shoulders, walked with them back to the beach.
Bethany was still in the water, and Ruth breathed a small sigh of relief. At least they’d gotten back in time.
Molly broke free and ran ahead to her sandcastle, but Stuart held Rex on a tight leash while he scanned the beach for Riley. Ruth sent up a silent prayer that she was right and that Riley was at home.
“Do you hear that?” Stuart asked, his eyes shining with hope.
Ruth strained her ears. She wasn’t sure, but it could be the sound of a dog’s bark coming from over the dunes. “I think so, but don’t get your hopes up, Stu. It could be any dog.” She silently prayed it was Riley.
“It’s her. I know her bark. It’s Riley.” He turned and began sprinting towards the trailhead.
“Stuart. Come back,” Ruth called after him.
He either didn’t hear, or if he did, he didn’t obey. She turned to Molly. “Stay right here, sweetie. Don’t move. I’m going after Stuart.” She needed to get to him before he disappeared from sight. Maybe three children and two dogs was more than she could handle.
Ruth took off after him, her feet sending sand flying as she sprinted as fast as she could. Thankfully she didn’t have to go far. Before either she or Stuart reached the start of the trail, Riley broke through the brush. Stuart gave a shout of glee and threw his arms around the dog’s neck. But it wasn’t the dog who held Ruth’s attention. It was the tall, handsome man who followed behind. John. She could hardly believe it. He’d come.
“Look who I found whimpering in the yard.” His smile was broad as he, Riley and Stuart approached together.
Ruth smiled. “You, sir, have saved the day.”
“Looks like her curiosity may have gotten the better of her,” he said, pointing at the small scratches on the dog’s nose.
“Crab,” Ruth said, trying to stifle a chuckle while taking in the pair of khaki shorts and white polo shirt that fit him so well.
“Ahh, that explains it.” He ruffled Stuart’s hair. “I bet you were worried, huh?”
“I sure was, but you found her!” Stuart beamed at his father.
He smiled and gave his son a hug. “Now that both dogs are here, why don’t you go and play while I watch Bethany for a while?”
“Okay. Let’s go, guys.” Stuart took off along the beach, but he was no match for the dogs who quickly overtook him, Riley’s sore nose obviously forgotten.
Ruth checked her watch. “She’s only got ten minutes left.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t get here earlier.”
“You’re here now. That’s all that matters.”
“Is that her on that wave?” He was pointing to a girl on a board riding a small wave about one hundred metres offshore.
Ruth squinted. It was sometimes difficult to tell who was who, but today Bethany was wearing a pink headband and it stood out. “Yes, that’s her.”
“She’s a natural.” Pride sounded in his voice.
Ruth glanced at him and her heart skipped a beat as he lifted a hand and waved at his daughter. Something was different about him. He seemed more relaxed and his face more alive, as if he was truly happy to be there. The broad smile that lit up Bethany’s face when she saw him was enough to confirm that his presence was more than appreciated.
Whatever had happened that caused him to come, Ruth was glad he’d made the effort.
Chapter 18
Jonathon paused outside Bethany’s room and listened for a moment to her laughter as she video chatted with a group of her friends.
He’d just come off a check-in call regarding the Christmas Eve Extravaganza. Although he’d delegated most of the final tasks to his staff, with only one day left, he wanted, rather, needed, to make sure everything was still on schedule. Thankfully it was, and he could rest easy and enjoy being at home with his family.
Knocking softly, he pushed the door open and poked his head inside.
She looked up and smiled, although she continued chatting.
He stepped inside and kissed the top of her head.
“Ugh, Dad, come on.” She groaned before making excuses to her friends for her ‘weird’ father, but the sound of her giggles echoed down the hallway as he left her to it. She was so different from the sullen, angry girl he’d been living with for so long. Although he was happy with the change in all his children since Ruth had come into their lives, the change in Bethany was especially welcome.
She was also spending less time on her iPad. In fact, all three children seemed to be interacting more with the world around them and each other. Something else he could probably thank Ruth for.
So much had changed around the house in the few short weeks since she’d been here and he hated to think what would happen when she left. Whenever he thought of her not being here, a heavy invisible cloud of despair descended upon him.
Moving down the stairs, another round of giggles came from Molly and Stuart in the living room. He approached quietly, not wanting to disturb them. The lights from the Christmas tree made the room homey and inviting. Wearing pyjamas and eating popcorn, the kids sat on either side of Ruth on the couch while she read to them from a large book of Christmas stories. The only thing that could have made the picture any more perfect would have been a roaring fire in the hearth.
She must have seen him slip in because she glanced up without stopping. He shook his head, urging her to go on. He settled into an armchair and listened as she continued, soon finding himself entranced not just by the story, but by the storyteller.
How different this woman was from the girl he was starting to remember more as they spent time together. His memory was of a shy but caring girl. As a woman, Ruth had gained confidence. She was bold, strong, and unafraid to voice her opinions, even to her employer. Especially to her employer. Little Ruthie Reynolds had grown into an amazing, confident, alluring woman. Was it possible he was falling for her?
“One more,” Molly begged. The story was over, and he realised at some point his thoughts about Ruth had taken over and he hadn’t heard the ending.
“Please, Ruth, one more!” Stuart chimed in.
“Now, now,” she said, doing her best to look stern. “Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and we have a big party to go to with your father.” When she lifted her gaze and met his for a fleeting moment, he couldn’t deny any longer that he was drawn to her. “It’s an important event,” she continued, looking back at the children, “so we need to brush our teeth, say our prayers, and get a good night’s rest, okay?”
Both children turned and looked at him with sweet, pleading eyes.
“Oh no, you don’t.” He wasn’t about to allow their angelic faces to suck him in. “If Ruth says it’s time for tooth brushing and prayer saying, then it’s time. Off to bed for both of you.”
He tried his best not to laugh as they stomped their feet and marched towards their rooms after giving him a hug and a kiss and making him promise he’d tuck them in when they were ready.
When Ruth began to follow them, he swallowed hard and called after her. He wasn’t sure what he wanted to say, but the Christmas lights had played with the highlights of her hair and made her look every bit the angel he was begi
nning to think she was.
She stopped and turned around, her forehead creased.
Standing, he slowly approached her. Lifted his hand to touch her cheek. A sense of urgency drove him, as if now, after opening his heart to love, the floodgates had opened and he wanted, no, needed, to be close to someone. But not just anyone. He wanted to be close to this woman. His heart pounded as his hand lightly brushed her skin.
“Ruth! Can you come say my prayers with me?” Molly was leaning over the railing at the top of the staircase.
Jonathon released the breath he didn’t know he’d been holding and dropped his hand. What had he been thinking? If Molly hadn’t interrupted them, he was sure he would have kissed Ruth. And that wasn’t okay.
“I’d…I’d better go,” she said, her voice fragile. Uncertain.
He coughed. “Yes, of course. I’ll be up in a moment.”
As she headed up the stairs, he sank into the armchair and let out a struggled breath. What had he done? She was his employee. His children’s nanny. And he’d been about to kiss her.
Chapter 19
Ruth spent Christmas Eve morning in a haze. As she sat at the kitchen island sipping her coffee while the children played in the next room, her mind kept returning to that moment with John the night before.
He’d wanted to kiss her. He had that look in his eye. His gaze had darkened, and his mouth had slightly parted as he moved closer. Had Molly not called out, he would most definitely have kissed her.
The thing was, she’d wanted him to. Despite her resolve not to allow herself to fall for him again, to let him back into her heart, she’d wanted him to kiss her.
“A penny for your thoughts.” Madeline entered the kitchen and proceeded to pour a cup of coffee.
Ruth looked up and smiled. “Oh…good morning.”
Billionaires with Heart Boxset: Christian Romance Series Page 45
