Second Time Around

by Carol Steward

  The gaze in her sister’s eyes was sympathetic, silently sharing the misery of the truth.

  “I think you missed your calling, Kat. I think you should be the psychiatrist.”

  Her sister pushed herself to her feet and shrugged. “Not me! That’s way too serious. By the way, Kevin called while you were at the hospital. He asked you to return the call when you got home.”

  Emily tried to tame the glimmer of hope before it consumed her again. She watched her sister head toward the stairs. “Oh, Kat. Don’t mention Ricky to anyone, please. I need some time to make a decision.”

  “As long as you need me, Em, I’m here. Remember that.”

  Emily smiled. She knew she could count on her sister.

  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” I believe You, God, but I can’t do it alone. Help me make the best decision for Ricky.

  She called Kevin, prepared for the worst yet hoping for the best. Emily took a deep breath. She hadn’t meant to interfere with his business. She’d wanted to help. To show him that he was important to her. They had both been through so much recently, it was no wonder tempers were flaring.

  Kevin answered immediately. “Emily, I’m so sorry I yelled at you. I’m not handling any of this well. It hit me so unexpectedly. I appreciate your help, and—I’ll pay you back, if you want to consider it…”

  She couldn’t answer.

  “Are you there?”

  “Uh-huh. I don’t consider it a loan, so we don’t need to bring it up again. I gave it because I wanted to, and I would really like it if you’d simply learn to accept help graciously.”

  The deep timbre of Kevin’s voice faded to a low whisper. “Thank you.”

  Emotion caught in her throat. Relief wasn’t far behind. She took a drink of water and tried to compose herself.

  “I didn’t mean to make you cry.” He paused. “You’re supposed to save those for when I’m there to dry them, don’t you know?”

  Emily laughed at his unexpected advice. “I didn’t know you were so fond of tears. Been breaking a lot of hearts, have you?”

  “Only one that matters.”

  She couldn’t speak. Her heart beat faster. The tears started again. It had been so long since she’d let herself care for anyone. Emily decided God had other plans for her life, after all. “I’d better go, Kevin. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay, Emmy. I hate to admit it, but I am tired. Looks like I’m going to have some free time tomorrow, if you can get away for lunch or something.”

  “I have the day off. Why don’t you let me fix you and your mother lunch.”

  “That sounds great. We’ll see you then. Sweet dreams, Doc.”

  “You, too.” Emily went to bed, hope blanketing her in warmth. Her thoughts drifted to Ricky, and she wondered how he was doing. She was ashamed to realize she hadn’t called him once since Kevin’s accident. She jotted a note, reminding herself to call him first thing in the morning on the pad next to her phone.

  Emily pulled her Bible from the shelf and opened her study guide for the first time in a week. It seemed a lifetime ago. She read the lesson from the day of Kevin’s accident, and paused. “‘I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you,’” she read in a whisper, then read it again.

  Emily called Ricky first thing the next morning and visited. He sounded happy and seemed to be enjoying his “visit,” as he called it. She was relieved. When his grandparents got on, she explained why she hadn’t called sooner. His grandparents sent him next door then, and bragged about about how well Ricky was adjusting to his parents’ death.

  “We can thank Laura for that. She’s had a lot of experience answering little ones’ questions about death.” Emily sipped her orange juice and jotted down a few more things to pick up at the grocery store.

  George suggested Emily plan for Ricky to come spend a couple of weeks with her. They were enjoying their grandson, but were wearing out already. Emily looked at her calendar, and promised to come pick him up in a week and a half.

  “Have you made any decision yet, Emily?”

  She sighed. “No. I adore Ricky, but I’m just not sure I am the best person for the job. I look at this week and wonder how a child would have fit into that.”

  “I’m sure it’s very difficult for you, and we don’t want to pressure you. Really we don’t—” George’s voice broke. “If you don’t think you can take him, we really need to start looking for the right family. He’s been through so many changes already. I want him to get settled soon. Harriet’s not doing well.”

  Emily rubbed her forehead. “I understand.” After asking about Harriet’s health, she added, “I’ll be in touch soon, George.” Emily hung up and immediately thought of the verse in her study last night.

  As soon as she composed herself again, Emily went to the store and picked up steak and vegetables to make fajitas. After slicing the meat, she put it in the bowl with the marinade, then cut up the peppers, onion and tomatoes and set them in the refrigerator, her mind still on the conversation with George.

  She tossed a salad, annoyed by the steady drip of water from the faucet. While setting the table, Emily turned on the stereo, hoping the music would drown out the noise. The rhythms were out of synchronization, and it only made matters worse. “How long has this faucet been dripping, Kat?”

  “A few days, I guess. I meant to call a plumber before my trip, but didn’t get around to it.”

  “Probably needs a washer tightened or something. It’ll take forever for a repairman to get here. That’s going to drive me insane with company here.” Emily went to the drawer, pulled out the pliers and tried to tighten a nut that went around the base of the faucet. The drip got worse. “Oh, come on. Don’t do this now.”

  “I have a meeting with a Realtor. I’ll see you later.”

  Emily offered her halfhearted best wishes to Kat on finding a studio that had room for a few employees and storage for her stock. The door closed behind her sister as Emily pried the cover off the handle and started turning the screwdriver. Maybe if I readjust the handle, it’ll make it through lunch, anyway.

  “Morning, beautiful. I saw Katarina outside, and she told me to come on in.” Kevin closed the door and walked across the living room. “What are you doing?”

  Emily turned, relieved to see Kevin. “Hi. Where’s your mother?”

  “She thought we should have some time alone after…” He stepped closer. “You’re not taking that off, are you?”

  “I’m just going to see if the washer needs to be replaced.”

  “You did shut off the main water valve, didn’t…”

  Emily lifted the screw out and jiggled the handle, and the water exploded like a fountain all over the kitchen. “Help!” She tried to put the handle back on, which only made matters worse.

  “Move. Hold a bowl or pan over that so it will at least force it back into the sink.” Kevin dropped to the ground, pushing her aside. He reached under the sink, tossing bottles of cleaner out of his way. He let out a grunt, then yelled, “Wrench!”

  She grabbed the pliers and handed them to him. He popped his head out of the cabinet and gave her a look of disgust.

  She shrugged her shoulders. “It’s all I have.”

  Groaning, he banged on the handle and began twisting. “Give me some oil. Maybe that’ll loosen this rust.”

  Emily looked at the pan, knowing that the minute she let go of it, water would spray everywhere again. At least his idea kept it somewhat contained. “It’s in the cabinet across the kitchen, to the right of the stove. Can you get it? If I move, the water’s going to spray everywhere again.”

  Emily looked at the pictures on her refrigerator that were ruined, the Victorian lace curtains that were dripping water, and the puddles inching their way toward the carpet.

  He scooted across the floor and returned with the towel and oil. A few minutes later, the water finally slowed to a stop. Kevin slid out of the cabinet again and slumped against the ref
rigerator. “You forgot one itty-bitty detail, Doc.”

  “Sorry.”

  Kevin laughed. He looked at her and smiled. “What was that agreement we made? I won’t practice medicine, you don’t do any building? Let’s add plumbing to that list.”

  Soaked, Emily knelt next to him and lifted one eyebrow. “Don’t suppose I could beg for mercy and ask you for a favor?”

  He pulled her into his soggy embrace. “Gee, I don’t know. You haven’t saved my life, or my business, or…anything.” His words faded into a whisper as he gave her a kiss that made her very happy she was already sitting down.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The next morning, Kevin discussed the clinic plans with Alex, answering his questions about the next phase of the project. Kevin struggled over leaving his “baby” in someone else’s hands, though he knew Alex was more than capable of handling everything. Throughout the first week, he made excuses to stop in daily. Kevin soon realized everything was under control and that he might as well get other work done.

  Knowing the project was back on track made it easier for him to follow doctors’ orders—both Emily’s and Dr. Roberts’s. The last thing he wanted was more medical attention.

  With any luck at all, Monday morning the doctor would give him the all-clear to return to work next week.

  Taking advantage of Alex’s help, Kevin prepared bids for future projects and caught up on paperwork. After looking at the stack of potential contracts, Kevin ran a few figures through the computer, and smiled. He was beginning to see real benefits to having his brother around.

  Despite his initial anger, the two were working well together, and Kevin was beginning to wonder if there was room to add Brothers to the name MacIntyre Construction, after all. If Alex was serious about giving up firefighting, he and his brother had something to discuss.

  Kevin stopped by the clinic to check on the progress the crew had made under Alex’s sole direction. He had to admit, the results were impressive. Still, though they were back on schedule without him and he’d been relieved to get ahead on the office work, Kevin was itching to get his hands dirty again.

  Kevin walked inside, greeting the staff along the way. As he got closer to Emily’s office, he overheard Bob Walker trying to sweet-talk her again.

  “I had a small mix-up for this weekend, Em. I didn’t realize it was my turn to be on call already, and I made other plans. Could you fill in for me?” the man begged.

  Emily didn’t respond. Kevin peeked around the corner, trying to decide whether to walk on in or wait in the hall. A smile remained plastered painfully to her bright face. She was going to give in, again.

  Oh, no, you don’t, Doc. If you’re too generous to say no, then I’ll take care of it for you.

  Kevin stepped into the room, startling both Emily and the other doctor. “Hi, sweetheart, sorry I’m late. I just picked up our train tickets for this weekend. It’s all planned. Hot springs, here we come.”

  “Kevin!” Her green eyes widened in amazement when he wrapped his arm around her and kissed her on the cheek, then turned to the arrogant Dr. Walker and smiled.

  The man’s face went blank as he stammered, “I—I didn’t think you’d be busy. Sorry. You and the builder are…?”

  “Very close,” Kevin confirmed, hugging Emily.

  “Oh, Kevin and me? Yes, we go way back.” She looked up at him with “I can’t believe you did this” twinkling in her eyes.

  Bob backed slowly away. “I didn’t realize. Well, if you’ll excuse me. Ah, have a nice weekend.”

  “Same to you, Bob,” Kevin said, loosening his hold on Emily.

  She was still gazing up at him, but said to Dr. Walker, “Sorry I can’t cover for you again, Bob.”

  “I’ll figure something out.” The man backed out of the office, his stare boring through Kevin as he turned around.

  “I’m sure you will.” How she managed to sound sweet was beyond Kevin’s comprehension.

  Kevin watched to make sure Bob was out of ear-shot, then closed the door. He studied her sanctuary lined with medical books and journals. There was nothing in here that revealed the Emily he had once loved, just the doctor she had become. Her many honors lined the walls of her study. Summa cum laude, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Fellowship, American Academy of Obstetrics… Kevin turned away from the reminders of what had come between them and what it had already cost them.

  “Why didn’t you just tell the jerk ‘no’?”

  “I was going to, before you interrupted with that outrageous claim of yours. And where in the world did you come up with ‘sweetheart’? Good grief, Kevin. Do you realize the implications?” she asked with quiet emphasis.

  His blue eyes narrowed speculatively. “I would have thought that removing yourself as my physician would already have opened up the ‘implication’ file.”

  “The only one who knows—make that knew, was Dr. Roberts. But that’s obviously not the case now. Everyone will know by Monday morning.”

  “I’m tired of watching you work yourself into the ground. Don’t you ever take time to relax?”

  Emily tilted her head to the side and placed one hand on her hip. “Aren’t you one to talk? If you weren’t working all the time, you wouldn’t know how many hours I put in, now would you?”

  He didn’t bother pointing out that he’d just taken time “off,” since, just as soon as he was able, he’d be making her statement true again. “So we both work too much, which is all the more reason we need to get out of town.”

  “I hope you enjoy yourself,” Emily said absently as she stepped behind the desk to the chair and opened a patient file.

  Kevin saw the phone book standing on her desk and looked up a number, while Emily returned to her work. He reached for the receiver and dialed a number. “Yes, I’d like to see if you can reserve two tickets for the train ride to Glenwood tonight.” He smiled. “Great, I’ll be right over to pay. My name is Kevin MacIntyre.”

  Emily popped back to her feet. “You wouldn’t dare.”

  Kevin looked at the phone and handed it to her. “I just did. We’re going to relax if it kills us. I might as well take a few days to get away while Alex is still around, right? Can you be ready at five?”

  Emily thought of Ricky. He’d be arriving next weekend, and she had to get a room ready for his visit. Even though it was officially just a visit, she was thinking of it as—sort of a trial run—and she wanted everything to be just right. “I can’t go.”

  He leaned over and kissed her cheek, whispering in her ear, “The break will be good for both of us. We haven’t had much time together. I think it’s time we do, don’t you?”

  Emily felt her heart skip a beat. “Oh, Kevin. I don’t know.” She felt the blood rush to her cheeks. He sounded so—serious.

  She thought of Ricky, and becoming a mother, and the fact that this might be her last chance to get away, as well. Though Katarina claimed she’d be willing to continue living with her in order to make the transition smooth, Emily was still hesitant. If I adopt Ricky, I’m going to have to rethink everything I do.

  His gaze bore into her in silent expectation. Before she knew it, Kevin was standing next to her and lifting her chin to him. When he spoke, his voice was tender. “Come on, Emily. With our careers, you never know how long it might be before we have the chance to get away again.”

  Suddenly the distance between them faded, and Emily could think of only one reason to stay home—fear.

  A lot had changed since they had been engaged. “Older and wiser” was more than just a quaint phrase to her—it was what had given her the courage to accept God’s forgiveness and rededicate herself to Him. You have to talk to Kevin before it’s too late.

  Two hours later, Kevin drove up to the house and knocked on the door. He loaded her bag into the truck for the short drive to Union Station in Denver to catch the train.

  Once the truck door closed and they pulled away from the curb, Kevin took her hand. “I want to give it
another try, Emmy.”

  For the past two hours she’d practiced how to tell him there was someone else in her life that was now her first priority. She took a deep breath, yet her courage faltered. Give me the words to tell him, Father. Would he understand why it had to be different between them this time?

  “What makes you think anything has changed, Kevin? If anything, we’re even more set in our own lives now.”

  “Hasn’t this past month been enough to show you that we can juggle schedules with the rest of this crazy world? Before my accident, I didn’t think I could let Alex help with the business, either, and that’s working fine.” Kevin told her in detail about the disagreement between Alex and him that had led to closing down his father’s business. Until Alex had come here, the two men had simply ignored the issue, finding that the only way to get along.

  “I realize now that life is too short to harbor anger and bitterness, Emily.” He paused, then added with quiet emphasis, “I don’t have time for it.”

  Hope took another step up the ladder to her dreams.

  If he could allow himself to change in that respect, maybe he could eventually change his mind about a future for the two of them, and a family to fulfill all of their dreams.

  “I’ve spent my time off in my office, preparing bids, and filling out contracts. God’s been good to me. I’m going to have to hire help to keep up with everything if I want a life at all.”

  He went on excitedly about his hopes of asking his brother to stay on permanently, and eventually expanding to two totally separate divisions.

  Emily was thrilled to see Kevin’s excitement over the changes Alex’s presence had made. They pulled off the interstate and turned into the Friday evening rush-hour traffic. Kevin unplugged his car phone and stashed it in the glove box. “Do you want something to eat before we get to the station?”