Her Hill Country Cowboy
Page 8
“I think you do.”
Yet as relaxed as both children seemed, as they neared the church, Eva’s anxiety increased. “Omi, I don’t want to go to my class.”
“We’ve talked about this, hon,” Marie said patiently. “Omi’s always right next door.”
“Can Joseph go with me, then?”
Joseph groaned. “I’m too big for your class, Eva. You need to be brave and just go.”
Christina glanced back to see a big, fat tear slide down Eva’s cheek. To Marie, she whispered, “Maybe Gracie and I could stay with her this time.”
“Are you sure?” Marie pulled into a parking spot. “I was going to invite you to my adult Bible study.”
“Anything to help.”
“Well, it might save her teacher from having to pull me out of class because Eva’s crying again.”
Christina unbuckled her seat belt. “I’ve had a lot of experience helping children with separation anxiety. Getting over it is a step-by-step process. Maybe Gracie can be one of those stepping-stones.”
Once inside the building, Christina’s first challenge was getting Eva to release Marie’s hand. “Okay, Eva, give Omi a kiss and say, ‘See you after Sunday school.’ Then I want you to introduce Gracie and me to your teacher.”
Eva balked at first, but Marie stayed strong and leaned down for her kiss. “See you after Sunday school, honey. Go on in with Christina. I need to take Joseph to his class now.”
As Christina watched them go, she detected the slightest hesitation in Joseph. He might pretend to be brave, but she’d seen his anxious side more than once. She’d also begun to wonder whether his anxiety stemmed more from his own fears or from protectiveness of his little sister. Neither attitude was healthy, for either of the children.
When Christina introduced herself and Gracie to Eva’s Sunday school teacher, the woman expressed only a moment of surprise but then quickly offered her gratitude. She invited Christina to bring Eva and the dog up front, which turned out to be a wise choice since otherwise the children would have spent the entire hour squirming to get a look at Gracie. The teacher even found ways to use Gracie as an example as she taught the class about how the Holy Spirit comes alongside God’s children as helper, encourager and comforter.
The children asked lots of questions about Gracie, and Eva gradually warmed to the attention. By the end of class, she seemed a much different child from the scared little girl Christina had walked in with. Her teacher noticed and pulled Christina aside. “Eva has never made it all the way through the Sunday school hour before. You must be great with kids. What did you do before—” With a quick glance at Gracie, she caught herself. “Sorry, I shouldn’t ask.”
“No, it’s all right,” Christina answered. “Before my accident, I was a child and family social worker. I love helping children, and I’m hoping I’ll eventually be able to return to my career.”
The teacher gave Christina’s hand a warm squeeze. “I’ll pray for that.”
In the corridor, they met up with Marie and Joseph. “How’d it go?” Marie asked. Then she took one look at Eva, and her nervous frown turned into a grin. “Guess I know the answer. Can’t wait to tell Seth.”
Eva tugged on Marie’s shirttail. “Omi, I don’t want Miss Christina to go away to her job that she had helping other kids. Will you please make her and Gracie stay with us?”
Christina’s mouth fell open. She hadn’t realized Eva had been paying attention to the conversation with her teacher.
“Eva, honey, you know we can’t make Miss Christina stay.” Marie shot Christina a meaningful glance as she propelled the children toward the sanctuary. “But we sure will enjoy having her around for as long as possible. And personally,” she added so only Christina could hear, “I hope that’s for a long, long time.”
No words formed. Christina didn’t realize how unsettled she was growing until Gracie whined and nudged her hand. Walking ahead, Marie didn’t notice, and Christina used the moments to consciously calm herself.
What had brought this on? She’d felt perfectly relaxed while sitting with Eva in the Sunday school class. It couldn’t have been the simple act of confessing her hope of returning to social work. She’d intended all along for this job to be temporary—just as with Gracie helping Eva, a stepping-stone in her recovery. Christina’s goal hadn’t changed: to become strong enough emotionally and physically so that she could return to Little Rock and the work she loved.
So, then, was it Eva’s declaration about wanting her to stay? It was true, she’d grown attached to two very special children in ways she never could have allowed herself in her role as a social worker. Maybe she should back off a bit, or there could be even bigger problems when the time came for her to leave.
Then a little girl’s sweet smile and tiny voice threw all her best intentions out the window. “Are you coming, Miss Christina? I want to sit by you and Gracie in church.”
* * *
The combination of old favorite hymns and popular praise songs, along with hearing the Word of God preached by an eloquent but unpretentious pastor, helped Christina settle her thoughts. She found the small but friendly congregation much less overwhelming than the 2,000-member church her family attended in Little Rock. Since recovering from the accident, Christina had taken to worshipping at the church’s quieter Saturday evening service so she wouldn’t have to face the Sunday morning crowd.
Baby steps.
Not fun when she really wanted to run...straight back to the rewarding career that had been ripped from her grasp the day of the accident.
“Hi, Christine.” The brunette from the doughnut shop stood in front of her. “Nice to see you in church.”
Fingers twining through Gracie’s fur, she tried to smile. “It’s Christina, with an a.”
“I get that all the time, too. People never remember it’s Dian-a, not Diane.” She paused to greet Marie. “Y’all coming to the cook-off?”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” Marie said. “Your daddy expecting to win again?”
Diana barked a laugh. “If he doesn’t, we’ll have to listen to him gripe till this time next year! Well, I gotta skedaddle. I’m on the setup committee, and we’re starting right after lunch. See y’all later!”
“She’d win the prize for perkiness,” Christina muttered, more to herself than Marie.
Gracie’s head bobbed beneath her hand.
“Okay, okay, I’m breathing.”
Marie studied her with concern. “Too much excitement for one morning?”
“Something like that.” Christina massaged her temple, a headache creeping in. “Not sure what’s going on with me today. I was feeling really good this morning.”
“New church, new faces—it’s understandable.” Marie aimed the children toward the exit. “Don’t mean to pressure you about the chili cook-off, but I do think the more you get to know folks around Juniper Bluff, the more comfortable you’ll feel.”
“I’m sure you’re right.” Except Christina couldn’t help asking herself exactly how comfortable she wanted to be—how comfortable she dared to be—in these new surroundings. She didn’t plan on changing sheets and cleaning bathrooms forever.
When they arrived at the ranch, Marie invited Christina to have lunch with the family, but she declined. “I think I’m ready for a little quiet time, but thank you.”
“Just don’t you start on the guest cabins this afternoon. They’ll keep till the morning.”
Christina laughed as she helped Gracie from the back seat. “You don’t have to tell me twice.”
“You rest up, and if you feel like it later, we’ll be leaving for the cook-off around four.”
Eva tapped Christina’s arm. “I want you to go with us. Please?”
How could she resist such a sweet invitation? “We’ll see, honey. But I�
��ll definitely need a nap first. How about you?”
Lower lip protruding, Eva wrinkled her brow. “I’m almost getting too big for naps.”
“Key word—almost,” Marie said with a laugh. She latched a hand around each child’s shoulder. “Come on, kiddos, let’s go see what Opi and Daddy are up to. Have a good rest, Christina. Don’t forget—”
“Four o’clock. I’ll let you know one way or the other before then.” Christina started down the path to her cabin.
As she passed through the copse of trees, Seth’s voice rang out behind her. “Christina, wait! We need some help.”
Halting, she spun around and instantly recognized the look of worry in Seth’s eyes. “What’s wrong? What happened?”
* * *
Seth hated to ask, and didn’t even know if he should risk it, considering Christina’s PTSD. But Opi had nearly passed out earlier and scared him silly.
“It’s my grandfather,” Seth said, catching up to Christina on the path. “One of the guests had a flat this morning, and he helped change the tire. It wasn’t until everyone had checked out that I noticed how pale and shaky he was. I’m scared he’s going to have a heart attack or something.”
“Oh, no! How can I help?”
“You’ve been so good with the kids. I thought maybe you could keep them occupied for a while.”
“Yes, of course. Whatever you need.”
“Thanks.” Seth palmed the back of his neck. “We’re trying to talk my grandfather into letting us take him to the emergency clinic.”
“That’s probably smart. Does he have a history of heart problems?”
“He’s on blood pressure pills.” They started toward the house. “But he’s being a stubborn old coot, insisting he’s fine. Omi’s getting on his case right now, and I’m worried the kids will pick up on the tension.”
“How about if I make the kids some lunch and take them down to the lake? Then you can—”
Before she could finish, the back door burst open and Omi bustled out. “I’ve convinced him, Seth. Let’s go before he changes his mind.”
“Go on,” Christina said. “The kids will be fine.”
He jogged toward the porch, pausing briefly to send her a grateful smile. Two weeks ago, he’d never have considered leaving Joseph and Eva alone with anyone besides his grandparents. For one thing, the kids would have cried hysterically. For another, he flat didn’t trust anyone else to care for his kids the way he did.
But something about Christina...
He gave himself a mental shake. This was no time to dwell on the housekeeper’s natural way with children. Or his unnerving attraction to her. While Christina coaxed the kids into the kitchen to help her make lunch, Seth joined his grandmother in the family room, where she strove to keep Opi from changing his mind about the clinic.
“You want to make us all crazy?” Seth asked, manhandling his grandfather out of the recliner. “If you won’t do it for yourself, at least think of us. Don’t we deserve some peace of mind?”
Opi wavered as he stood. “All right, take it easy. I’ll go.”
Seth braced his grandfather around the waist. “Can you make it to the pickup?”
“Yes, I can make it to the pickup. I’m not dead yet.”
Opi’s choice of words corkscrewed through Seth’s belly. He and Omi exchanged concerned frowns.
As soon as Seth got his grandparents into the pickup, he hurried back to the house. He couldn’t leave without one last check to make sure the kids would be okay.
He needn’t have worried. Joseph and Eva perched on barstools opposite the counter where Christina was adding ingredients to the blender.
“Mango smoothies are my favorite,” she said as she plopped in a spoonful of yogurt. “What else should we add?”
“How about peanut butter?” Eva suggested.
“Mmm, great idea! Joseph, can you get it from the pantry?”
Before his son noticed him, Seth slipped quietly out the door. Then, through the screen, he caught Joseph’s timid question: “Miss Christina, is Opi going to be okay?”
What happened next brought a clutch to Seth’s chest. Christina turned from the counter, wrapped her arms around Joseph and kissed the top of his head. “With your awesome dad looking after him, how could he not be?”
Awesome, huh? Seth couldn’t help smiling.
The pickup horn blared, his grandmother’s reminder to get a move on. He dashed down the porch steps and climbed in behind the wheel. Ignoring speed limit signs, he made it to town in record time and parked on Main Street in front of the drugstore. The emergency clinic housed inside was the next best thing to driving all the way to Hill Country Memorial in Fredericksburg.
Kelly Nesbit, their nearest neighbor and a nurse practitioner, met them at the check-in desk. “What’s going on, Bryan?”
“Felt a little light-headed this morning.” He harrumphed as he accepted the clipboard Kelly handed him. “I tried to tell my wife and grandson that’s all it is, but they don’t believe me.”
Omi snatched the clipboard. “I’ll take care of this. We’ll let Kelly tell us how sick you are.”
“I’m not sick,” Opi snapped, but to Seth his pallor looked even worse. He’d had to lean on both Seth and Omi to make it from the pickup to the clinic.
Kelly guided him through to the inner office, and Seth followed. He leaned against the wall while Kelly listened to Opi’s heart and took his vitals. Her pinched frown told Seth plenty.
Pulling up something at her computer terminal, Kelly asked, “Bryan, have you been taking your blood pressure pills?”
“Most days.”
Kelly arched a brow. “How about today?”
Opi’s gaze flicked in Seth’s direction. “I maybe forgot this morning.”
Making notes in her computer file, Kelly said, “I see your cardiologist added a second cholesterol medication at your last visit. Have you had any problems with it?”
Omi had joined them. She handed Kelly the clipboard. “He’s been whining around lately with a few more aches and pains.”
“Typical of some statins.” Kelly perused the form Omi had filled out. “But don’t stop or decrease any of your meds without talking to your cardiologist. He might be able to make some adjustments.”
Opi’s guilty-looking flinch suggested he might have already cut back on those medications. “I’m not scheduled to see the doc again for another couple of months.”
“Then you should probably call and move up your appointment.” Rising, Kelly started for the door. “Be right back.”
Omi huffed and crossed her arms. She looked plenty mad, but Seth detected a sheen of moisture in her eyes. “You pigheaded old man. How many times do you have to be reminded to take care of yourself? If you were to—” She clamped her lips together and turned away.
“Aw, sweetheart...” Opi tugged her hand free and pulled her down into the chair next to his. He shot a glance at Seth. “How about you leave us alone for a minute, son?”
Exhaling sharply, Seth reached for the doorknob. “Behave yourself, though. I’ll be right outside.”
As he stepped out, Kelly came around the corner from the pharmacy with a pill container and a small cup of water. “Everything okay in there?”
“They needed a moment. Omi’s more shaken up by this episode than she wants to admit.” He nodded to the pill. “What’s that?”
“A dose of his blood pressure prescription. And I’m serious—he needs to get to his cardiologist ASAP.”
“I’ll make sure of it.” Seth frowned toward the door. “But he’ll be okay today?”
“We’ll see how fast this kicks in. Can you stay an hour or so while I monitor him?”
“We’ll stay as long as it takes.”
* * *
As they ambled along the pasture fences to visit the horses, Joseph grabbed Christina’s wrist to look at the time on her watch. “It’s almost two o’clock. How much longer before Dad comes back?”
“I’m sure we’ll hear something soon.” Christina kept her tone light, but her concerns mounted with every passing minute. What if they had to admit Bryan to the hospital? Would Seth and Marie be so distraught that they’d forget to let Christina know what was happening?
As she slipped out her cell phone to make sure she hadn’t missed a call, the phone rang in her hand. Seeing Seth’s name on the display, she hurriedly pressed the answer button. “Seth? How’s Bryan?”
“He’s going to be fine...for now, anyway. Forgot to take his meds this morning.” As relieved as he sounded, an edge of tension tinged his tone. “How are the kids? Any problems?”
“Everything’s fine. They’re just hoping you’ll be home soon.” She cast the children a reassuring smile and whispered, “It’s your dad. He says Opi is okay.”
“We should only be another hour or so,” Seth said. “The nurse is making sure Opi’s blood pressure stays down.”
Joseph tapped Christina’s arm. “Can I talk to him?”
She passed him the phone, then knelt beside Eva while Joseph peppered his dad with more questions.
The moment Christina answered the call, Eva had locked her arm around Gracie’s neck. Now, her lower lip trembled, and a fat tear slipped down her cheek. “I want my daddy.”
“He’ll be home soon, honey, I promise.” Christina rubbed the little girl’s back, only to be bowled over when Eva let go of Gracie and threw her arms around Christina. The force of that little body clinging to her, the utter abandon with which Eva had entrusted her heart to Christina—it took her breath away, and she hugged back for all she was worth. “Oh, sweetie-pie, it’s okay. Everything’s going to be okay.”