by E. A. West
A few chuckles followed by a quick translation of the conversation sent laughter rolling around the room. Kayla loved the sound of the children’s laughter especially. They lived such difficult lives, and seeing them relax and giggle like kids warmed her heart.
Maria patted Kayla’s shoulder. “I will go finish making lunch. By the time you completely uncover the fireplace, I will have plenty to feed you.”
“Thanks, Maria.” Kayla glanced at Mateo. “Let’s get these bricks out of our way.”
5
Lunch was ready before Kayla inspected the fireplace, but Mateo could tell she didn’t want to quit working until she could give Maria an answer on its usability. As the others drifted out of the kitchen, he laid a hand on Kayla’s shoulder to stop her from following.
“I will stay here and help you if you want to do your inspection before going over to the mission.”
Her smile provided more warmth than any fire that had ever burned in the fireplace. “Oh, thank you! I was dreading having to tell Maria I still don’t know if this thing can be used.”
“Well, now you can find out before you see her.” He moved to the metal rod attached to one end of the blackened stone alcove and extending toward the other end. “Is this what they used to hang the pots over the fire?”
“That’s right.” Kayla joined him. “You see how it’s attached to this vertical rod? That allowed the cook to swing the pots on and off the fire.”
He grasped the horizontal rod and pulled it toward him. The metal protested with a loud screech, but the rod swung out into the kitchen. Kayla laughed as she retrieved the flashlight.
“I think we’d better oil that thing before we try moving it again.”
Mateo watched her duck into the fireplace and shine the light at the top. After a moment, she backed out and straightened, brushing a cobweb from her dusty hair.
“The whole fireplace, including the flue, is in remarkably good shape, considering it’s been hidden behind a wall and forgotten for who knows how long,” Kayla said, clicking off the flashlight. “Assuming the chimney’s in good shape, I’ll contact Shaw Restoration about getting someone to clean it.”
Mateo shook his head. “This house doesn’t have a chimney.”
“What? There has to be a chimney.”
“No, this roof is as flat as the one on the dormitory. There is no chimney.”
“Well, there was at one time, since there’s a fireplace with a flue going straight up.” Kayla’s eyebrows drew together, forming a slight furrow in her forehead. Then her expression cleared. “Can you take me up to the roof? Maybe I can figure out where the chimney used to be.”
“The stairs to the roof are not in good shape.” He didn’t want to be responsible for her falling to her death because she stepped through a rotten board.
Kayla didn’t look the least bit concerned, however, as she grabbed a tool belt and fastened it around her waist. “I’ve probably dealt with worse. Keep in mind I renovate old buildings for a living. You probably don’t want to know how many floors I’ve found rotten spots in by stepping through them.”
She had a point. Although he wanted to protect her from all risk of harm, she was in her element in run-down buildings with questionable stairs. The ease with which she selected tools and tucked them into pockets on the tool belt proved that. “All right. I will take you to the roof. Just, please, watch your step.”
“Yes, sir,” she said and gave him a mock salute.
He chuckled and led the way out of the kitchen, trying to ignore the ache in his left leg. He had been standing and kneeling and standing some more for far too long without a break, and the pressure on the prosthesis was growing increasingly uncomfortable. At some point, he would have to tell Kayla he had only one complete leg. With the trust she had placed in him and the startlingly accurate assessment of his personality she had given, she deserved to know the truth. Besides, if Maria was right that God wanted him to develop any kind of relationship with the woman, she should know he was an amputee.
When he opened the door to the stairs leading to the roof, he motioned Kayla ahead of him. Although it was tempting to go first in order to find the bad steps and warn her, by following her, he would be able to catch her if she stepped in the wrong spot and fell.
They arrived on the roof without incident. Mateo followed Kayla as she searched the flat surface. At the back, she knelt beside a piece of sheet metal that had been sealed to the roof around the edges. Mateo knelt beside her, his leg protesting his decision.
“This has to be where it was,” Kayla said, patting the square piece of weathered metal. “It’s on the right part of the house.”
“Many buildings have patched roofs in this neighborhood. The people can’t afford new roofs so they fix the old ones in whatever way they can.”
“And if this is one of those random patches, I’ll have to keep looking.” She pulled a utility knife from her tool belt and slid the blade up. Seconds later, she was cutting through the sealant with a practiced movement. Then she used the claw of her hammer to pry up the metal. Peering underneath it, she gave a triumphant shout. “This is it! Now for the moment of truth.”
She pulled the flashlight from her tool belt and clicked it on. Mateo moved the piece of metal out of the way as she shone the light into the black hole in the roof surrounded by a square of bricks. The mortar between each brick appeared to be solid, unlike its crumbling counterpart downstairs, which they had removed with little effort.
Mateo returned to her side but remained standing. “What do you think?”
“Well, I’m no expert on fireplaces and chimneys, but I think with a good cleaning and a new chimney up here, this fireplace should be as useable as it was when the house was built.”
“Maria will be ecstatic.” A raindrop landed on his hand, and he retrieved the piece of metal. “We should cover the hole. It’s starting to rain.”
They settled the metal in place as rain fell at a faster rate. Mateo guided Kayla to the door, and they had barely stepped into the shelter of the stairway when the clouds opened completely, drenching the city. He pulled the door closed and secured it then preceded Kayla down the stairs, the light coming through the open door at the bottom illuminating the way. Each step caused suspicious creaks, and more than once he had to move to the other side of a step to avoid a soft spot in the wood. Kayla followed, her movements as slow and cautious as his as he pointed out where not to step.
He reached the bottom and breathed a sigh of relief. Before anyone went up to the roof again, the stairs had to be replaced. Perhaps now that Kayla had experienced them, she would make it a priority in the renovation.
A crack echoed through the stairwell and Kayla gasped. Mateo whirled as she tumbled forward, barely catching her as she fell. Her momentum threw him off balance, and he stumbled back into the wall. Pain shot up the stump of his leg. He sucked in a breath and closed his eyes, thanking God he hadn’t heard his prosthesis crack. It had taken months of saving and some generous donors to afford this one. Replacing it could take even longer.
Kayla trembled in his arms, and he cradled her against his chest. “I’ve got you. You are safe.”
“I know.” She drew in a shaky breath and leaned back, meeting his gaze with wide eyes. “That step felt solid, but it broke as soon as I put my full weight on it. Thanks for catching me.”
“I’m glad I was here.” He reached up and brushed a strand of hair away from her face, slowly realizing how soft yet strong she felt against him. “Maybe we should put the work in the kitchen on hold and repair these stairs first.”
“I think you’re right,” she said, her voice as gentle and airy as a summer breeze.
He knew he should let her go, should move away and put some space between them. But having her in his arms felt so right, as though a piece of himself he hadn’t realized was missing had snapped into place. He trailed his fingers down her cheek, his pulse racing as she leaned into his touch with a soft smile.
“Mateo...” She laid her head on his shoulder and gave him a hug. “We should go to the mission and see if Maria saved any lunch for us.”
“She will find something for us to eat.” He reluctantly eased his hold on Kayla, and she stepped back, a blush turning her cheeks a lovely shade of pink. He lifted a hand toward the door. “After you.”
As they walked down the hall, Kayla put a hand on Mateo’s arm and stopped him. Worry clouded her eyes as she faced him. “You’re limping. Did I hurt you when I fell on you?”
“No, not exactly. I just stepped down too hard. I will be fine.” Now wasn’t the time to tell her he had a prosthetic leg, not when she appeared ready to cry at the thought of causing him pain. If she knew he was an amputee, she would probably feel even worse for falling on him. He took her hands and gave her a reassuring smile. “I am all right, Kayla. No lasting damage has been done, and the limp will go away soon enough.”
“You’re sure you’re OK?”
“Yes, I am fine.” He let go of one hand but kept hold of the other as he guided her toward the stairs. “Come, let’s go to the mission for a much-needed break.”
That she allowed him to hold her hand, and had allowed him to hold her in his arms however briefly, sent a thrill through him. He said a silent prayer of thanksgiving for this blessing and added a prayer for guidance. No matter how much he might come to care for the woman, he knew deep in his heart that God still wanted him here in Bogotá. Kayla would be leaving in less than two weeks. Unless something happened before then, he would have to let her go and try to focus on helping the children while he waited for his heart to heal.
****
Kayla pounded another nail into the stair tread, each strike echoing through the stairwell, then she leaned back against the wall with a sigh. She would never forget the fear of breaking through the step, certain she would tumble head first down the last few steps. Nor would she forget the safety she’d found in Mateo’s arms as he held her with such tenderness after he caught her.
“Hey, you OK?” Paul said, stopping in the doorway at the bottom of the stairs.
“Yeah, just taking a break.” Kayla met his gaze and grinned. “I think the sound of the hammer is going to echo in my brain long after we go home.”
He laughed and came up the stairs to where she sat not quite halfway to the top. “You want me to take over for a while? Eduardo got volunteered to help with scrubbing down the fireplace, so I’m putting the plumbing on hold for now. I don’t want him to miss anything. The kid really seems to like the work, and he learns fast.”
“Be my guest. Then I won’t be the only one who hears pounding in my head.” Kayla handed over the hammer and stood. “Have you seen Mateo recently?”
“Carlos sent him over to the mission to do something in the office. Paperwork or some such.” Paul studied her. “You got something going with that guy? It seems like the two of you are always together, and now you’re looking for him.”
Kayla rolled her eyes, hoping he didn’t see how much she cared about Mateo. “Paul, when have I ever been the type to get involved in a whirlwind romance? Especially one that lasts less than two weeks, like any relationship with Mateo would?”
“There’s a first time for everything.”
“So they say.” Kayla sighed. “Listen, Mateo and I are friends. He’s a good guy with a big heart and a driving faith behind his actions. The reason I’m looking for him now is because he’s been limping ever since I fell on him, and I want to make sure he’s as OK as he claims to be. I’d do the same for anyone I accidentally injured, male or female, and you know it.”
“Point taken.” Paul moved aside so she could pass him. “Just be careful. OK?”
“I always am,” Kayla called over her shoulder as she descended.
After telling Carlos she was going to see Mateo and receiving a huge smile from the pastor, Kayla crossed the street to the mission. Few people were about, but she wasn’t worried. She felt safe going from the house to the mission and back in daylight, despite Mateo’s concern. There had been no sign of violence nearby since she arrived.
She stepped through the open front door of the mission and smiled at a few children who had helped with the renovation and several more she’d never seen. A handful of volunteers were spread around the room, helping the children with worksheets or playing games. It looked like any number of after school programs in the United States, although Kayla knew the mission did much more than just give kids a place to go until their parents got off work.
She stepped into the back hall and went to the office. The door stood open, and she peeked inside. Mateo sat at the desk, typing something on the ancient computer.
Kayla knocked on the doorframe then stepped into the office. “How goes the paperwork?”
Mateo smiled and motioned for her to sit in the chair in front of the desk. “It is going well, if you count working on the newsletter as paperwork.”
“You write the mission’s newsletter?”
“Sometimes. Carlos and Maria also write it, depending on who has free time and can think of something interesting to tell the mission’s supporters.” Mateo leaned back in his seat with a creak. “How are the stairs coming along?”
“I made it almost halfway up before Paul gave me a reprieve.” Kayla studied him, seeing no sign that he was injured or angry with her. “I decided to take advantage of the break to come see how you’re doing. You were still limping pretty badly the last time I saw you.”
Mateo raked his fingers through his hair. “Kayla, you don’t need to worry about me. I am fine. My leg hurts sometimes, and then I limp. It is nothing new and nothing that needs to be worried about.”
“Random pain that causes a limp is something to worry about.”
“I think...” He lowered his gaze for a moment then met hers once more with a somber expression. “I think it is time I show you something. Then maybe you will understand.”
“What?” Certain he could see her confusion, she stepped closer to the desk. “What is it you want to show me?”
“Have you been in the common room in the dormitory?”
“I didn’t even know there was a common room. I’ve been too busy to do much exploring.” Why would he want to show her the common room now? She couldn’t figure out how it could ease her concern about his leg.
Mateo rose and rounded the end of the desk, his limp slightly better than before. “Come with me. It is time you see it.”
She stayed by his side as they headed for the back of the mission. Maria paused in her work as they entered the kitchen.
“Taking a break?” she asked.
“Yes, Kayla has not yet seen the photos in the dormitory,” Mateo said, his gaze intense.
A big smile lit up Maria’s face, and she gave Mateo a hug. “It is good you are showing her.”
“Maybe.” He stepped back with a sigh. “I will finish the newsletter when I get back.”
“Take your time.” Maria patted his cheek in a motherly gesture. “This is more important.”
He nodded and took Kayla’s hand, leading her out the back door. Her mind raced as she pondered the exchange she’d just witnessed. Apparently there was more to these photos he wanted her to see than just entertaining the volunteers. But why did both Carlos and Maria looked thrilled to pieces that she and Mateo wanted to spend time together when they weren’t working? Perhaps they’d noticed the strong friendship that could easily blossom into more, but it didn’t make sense that they would be so happy about it. They knew as well as both she and Mateo that she would be leaving Colombia and returning to her life in the United States all too soon.
Mateo opened the door of the dormitory, and Kayla stepped inside, glad he still held her hand. His gentle grasp helped alleviate the nerves threatening to take over as she waited to find out why he seemed so anxious about showing her some photos that had likely been seen by nearly everyone who had ever stayed in the dormitory.
As they walked down the h
all toward the front of the building, she gave his hand a squeeze. “You know, you don’t have to look so worried. Seeing a few photos hasn’t scared me yet.”
“There is a first time for everything,” Mateo said, glancing at her with a ghost of a smile.
Kayla laughed. “What is it with men? Paul just told me that same thing just a little while ago.”
“I assume it had nothing to do with photographs.”
“No, oddly enough it had to do with him noticing the friendship you and I have.” She blushed under Mateo’s questioning gaze. “He’s convinced you and I are developing a romantic relationship, even though he knows I don’t have romantic flings that last for only a couple of weeks.”
“I also don’t have romantic flings, as you call them.” Mateo led her through an open doorway before she could respond. “This is the common room.”
Kayla took in the comfortable furniture, television set, and packed bookshelves. The wall to the left of the door caught her attention, and Mateo guided her over to it. Photos of children and teens had been tacked to the wall, creating a collage of faces, some smiling, others more serious. Above the photos, large letters painted on the wall read, THE REASON FOR OUR MISSION.
“These are photos of children the mission has helped,” Mateo said, his voice soft. “Some have gone on to work with street children. Some have married and are raising families. Most of the faces here are what we refer to as the success stories.”
Kayla studied the photos, torn between joy and confusion. “It’s amazing to see evidence of how many street children the mission has helped over the years. You guys are doing important work. But I don’t see how these photos are supposed to help me understand why it’s OK that your leg hurts enough to make you limp.”
Mateo released her hand and moved to the right side of the collage, tapping a picture about halfway up. “This is the one you need to see to help you understand.”
She joined him and peered at the image. A young man stood with the aid of crutches, his left leg missing from the knee down. Moisture stung her eyes as she took in the long scar on his face and the unmistakable signs of a hard life in his dull brown eyes and sad countenance.
