Restoring His Heart

by Lorraine Beatty

  “I wasn’t paying attention. I wanted to see how damaged the window frames were and I didn’t notice the rotten floor. When I fell through it must have jarred the ceiling plaster loose and some of it hit my arm.”

  “Can you move your leg? Can I pull you out of there?”

  Slipping his arms under hers, he lifted gently.

  “Ow.” Tears spilled over from her eyes. “It hurts.”

  “It’s okay. Lie still. I don’t want to move you.” He reached for the phone in his back pocket only to remember he had no such privilege. “Where’s your phone? We need to get someone here to help you.”

  “My holster.”

  Adam carefully slipped his fingers along her waist until he located the small pouch that held her phone. He moved gingerly, trying not to cause any movement to the arm that lay limp and bleeding at her side or the leg trapped in the broken floorboards. She whimpered as he pulled it out and he kicked himself for being such a clumsy oaf.

  He made the call, then turned his attention back to Laura. She lay half on her side, half on her back. Her hard hat had been knocked off and rolled across the floor. He had to do something to make her more comfortable, but he didn’t dare move her for fear of causing more injuries.

  “The ambulance should be here in a few minutes.”

  “I’m not hurt that bad, really.” She lifted her injured arm to get a better look. “Oh, great. It’s going to be hard to swing a hammer for a while.” She lowered her arm, wincing in pain.

  “That’s why you have me. Try not to move.”

  “I’m fine. I just feel stupid.”

  Adam sat on the floor behind her, scooting as close as possible so she could rest her upper body against his chest. “Don’t talk. Rest. You don’t want to take any chances.”

  She nodded and closed her eyes. “Sorry.”

  “For what?”

  “I should have taken you back before we drove out here. I just realized that we are probably out of your range. You’ll be in trouble.”

  How typical of her to think of others before herself. “Won’t be the first time.”

  She nodded, then relaxed. “My leg is throbbing.”

  “Hang on. Help is on the way.” Adam reached out and gently brushed a dust-coated tendril of hair from her forehead. Laura opened her eyes and he let himself be drawn into the lovely depths. For a fleeting second he thought he saw behind the pain and the worry, and his heart skipped a beat.

  Was it possible that she cared for him a little? Hope filled his soul. He smiled and cradled her face in the palm of his hand. “I shouldn’t have let you come up here alone.”

  “I knew better. I can be a bit bullheaded at times.”

  “Ya think?”

  She laughed, gasping. “My arm.”

  “Shh. Take it easy.” He stroked her head, reveling in the feel of her close against his chest, wishing he could cradle her in his arms, but moving her risked doing more damage. “You know, I thought you looked good with sawdust all over you, but you’re even pretty when you’re covered with plaster dust.” Why had he said that? The smile on his face froze.

  Laura held his gaze. “You have terrible taste in women.”

  “No. For the first time in my life I think I finally got it right.” Adam drew his thumb and forefinger down the slope of her face, gently caressing her chin. “You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever known.”

  Laura blushed, averting her gaze. “Amazingly stupid. This was an rookie mistake.”

  “I know about those.”

  She smiled up at him in understanding and his heart fell into her lap. Whatever the outcome of this little adventure, he knew Laura Durrant would hold a part of him in her small hand forever.

  Laura closed her eyes and leaned back against his chest. “Talk to me.”

  He welcomed the suggestion. Talking was better than dwelling on any of the thoughts rushing through his head at the moment. “Any particular subject?”

  “You.”

  “What about me?”

  “Tell me your dreams.”

  He’d sooner have her ask to cut off a limb, but he’d learned that Laura valued truth and this wasn’t the time to embellish or brush her off. “Promise you won’t tell anyone? I have a reputation, you know.” He tried to keep his tone playful. She nodded.

  His stomach knotted. His whole life had been about keeping his feelings hidden, even from himself, yet he was prepared to open his heart to her. “I want a family someday.”

  She stiffened slightly in his arms, then relaxed. He waited, uncertain whether to go on.

  “You do?”

  “Surprising, huh? I told you I grew up alone. No child should grow up that way. I’d like to live a normal life, raise a family. Like—” he hesitated “—like your family.”

  “You want children?”

  Adam winced at the question. He knew she was doubtful of his qualifications. He couldn’t blame her. “Several, but I don’t think it’ll ever happen. It’s only a dream.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “I’d make a lousy father. My only role model was my own father. All I know is what doesn’t work when it comes to raising kids, not what does.”

  Laura was silent a long while and Adam knew she was trying to make sense of his pipe dream. It didn’t take a genius to see he wasn’t cut out for family life.

  “Are you sure that would be a big enough adventure for you? Normal life can get boring and monotonous.”

  Adam wrapped his arms a little tighter around her. Not with her. Life with her would be pure joy. “With the right person, it would be the biggest adventure ever.”

  Sirens wailed from outside. “The cavalry has arrived.” He held her a bit closer as relief washed through him.

  “Dover Police.”

  He’d been expecting the paramedics, but he’d take what he could get. “Up here!”

  Officer Barnes entered the room, hand on holster. He eased up when he saw the situation. “What happened?”

  Laura frowned. “Isn’t it obvious?”

  “You’re out of your boundary, Holbrook.”

  He returned the officer’s hard stare with one of his own. “I had a good reason.”

  “The law doesn’t recognize reasons.”

  “I couldn’t leave her.”

  Footsteps sounded on the stairs. The paramedics had arrived.

  Laura held up her good arm. “Tell them to be careful. This floor isn’t safe. It probably can’t hold all of you. If it collapsed under me, it’s probably rotten all the way through.”

  Officer Barnes motioned to the medical team to stay put at the top of the stairs. “Holbrook, you come down with me. We’ll go back to the jail. These men can take care of Laura.”

  “No, I want to make sure she’s all right.”

  Laura touched his arm. “Go. I’m in good hands. I don’t want you to get into trouble. Please. Call my dad. He’ll help you.”

  Adam touched her face one more time. He stood and walked to the top of the stairs. One last glance and he followed the officer down as the medics made their way to Laura.

  In the squad car, Adam chewed the inside of his mouth anxiously. “Where will they take her?”

  “Depends on how badly she’s hurt.”

  “Can you call them and find out?”

  “Not now. Let them do their job. I told them to give me a report as soon as possible. I promise, I’ll let you know.”

  “Thanks.”

  A new concern reared its head as they drove past the town square. “What about the finishing the gazebo?”

  Officer Barnes glanced at him. “Since when do you care about that?”

  “It has to be done on time. It’s important to her, to the town.”

  Barnes snickered. “Finally figured that out, huh?”

  Two hours later, Adam walked from the jail with Tom Durrant at his side. Tom had assured him Laura would be all right, but still his gut clenched with the thought of her suffering. He wouldn’t
rest until he knew for certain.

  “You’re sure it’s not serious?”

  “Adam, she’s my baby girl. Believe me, I’m more concerned than you are. Well, almost anyway.”

  He slid into the passenger seat of Tom’s car. “How is she?”

  “Nothing serious, but she’ll be out of commission for a while. Minor cuts to her arm, but it’s sprained. Same for the leg.”

  “Thank God.” Adam resting his head against the back of the seat. Relief surged through him.

  “She was lucky. Bill, the paramedic, said that section of the floor was so bad she could have gone through to the floor below. That would have been a fourteen-foot fall. Good thing she’s small and doesn’t weigh much.”

  Adam echoed her father’s sentiments. When he thought about what could have happened to her, his blood chilled. He’d been grateful that his own weight hadn’t made matters worse.

  “Praise God you were there with her, Adam. If she’d been alone…”

  “I know.” He remembered how small and fragile she’d felt in his arms. He’d wanted to keep her there forever. He’d gladly give up all he had to make that happen.

  It hit him like a thunderbolt with a force that left him breathless and shaking. He loved Laura Durrant. He loved her wholly, completely, irrevocably. How had it happened? His heart was so filled with joy. He looked down at his hands in wonder. What a feeling! He’d never experienced anything like it in his life. He turned his face toward the passenger window, unwilling to let Tom see the emotions in his face.

  He’d walked the edge of life and death, teetered on the rim of disaster and thumbed his nose in glee as he walked away unscathed. None of that could begin to compare to loving Laura. His heart raced in his chest, making it hard to breathe. Is this what it was like for everyone? Old Mr. Norwood? Did Laura’s brother Matt feel like this for Shelby? It was agony. It knotted his gut, left him confused and hurting, but at the same time filled him with an unspeakable happiness. He willed himself to calm down, to retreat into the nice gray existence where he’d spent most of his life. He closed his eyes. Lord, I don’t know what to do with this feeling.

  Mr. Norwood had told him to put one hand in God’s and the other in the hand of the woman he loved. That wasn’t an option for him. Laura was sunlight and warmth. He was cold and empty. No, that wasn’t true any longer. His love for her had chased the cold away and filled the emptiness with love for her.

  The outlook for him, however, was bleak. He would do anything for her. Sacrifice all he had, but the one thing she needed most was the one thing he didn’t have. He had no idea how to love her.

  *

  Laura eased down onto her sofa and turned sideways so she could prop her sprained leg on a pillow. She ached everywhere. Her head throbbed. Wally jumped up on the sofa, jarring her sore leg. She resettled him in her lap, stroking his fur and feeling some of her tension ease.

  She wanted to talk to Adam, to thank him for his help. She’d replayed the accident a million times in her head over the past few hours. He’d been so tender, so sweet and thoughtful as they’d waited for the EMTs. Without him there she would have panicked. She might have been stranded there for hours before anyone knew she was missing. She reached up and touched her cheek, remembering his confession about his dreams. His answer, however, quickened her heart. He wanted a family. Had he meant it or had he been saying the things she wanted to hear to make her feel better?

  There were depths to him that she’d suspected but had denied. His kind, tender consideration at the house had further endeared him to her. But she was still afraid to take the last step. She’d seen her brother Matt struggle to love again. He’d finally admitted his fear and allowed himself to love Shelby again. She wasn’t as brave or as strong as Matt.

  Besides, their relationship was based on a thirty-day sentence. A forced association, not by choice. They each had a goal and those weren’t compatible. No matter how she felt, Adam would be leaving soon.

  A knock on the door brought a groan from her throat. She’d just gotten comfortable. She scooted around and stood, shooing Wally out of the way. She didn’t need to fall over the dog right now.

  The silhouette on the other side of the leaded glass door made her think her dad had returned. She opened the door and froze. “Adam, what are you doing here? How did you get here?”

  He held her gaze. “I talked your dad into stopping by so I could see for myself you were all right. He’s waiting for me. I can’t stay long.” He came toward her, taking her hands in his and inspecting her closely from the wrap on her arm to the small bandage covering the gash on her neck.

  She looked into his eyes and forgot to breathe. The profound concern she saw reflected there stunned her. He cared about her. Truly cared.

  “Are you sure you’re all right?” His voice was thick with anxiety.

  Laura nodded. “Sprained wrist, a couple of stitches in the arm.” She glanced down at her leg. “I strained the muscles in my knee and hip. Nothing life-threatening, but uncomfortable.”

  “Good.” His finger stroked the back of her hand, sending tingles along her spine.

  “Thank you for staying with me.”

  “I’m glad I was there.”

  “Me, too.”

  She wanted to tell him how much she cared for him, but the words wouldn’t come. She searched for something to end the awkward silence. Adam saved the moment.

  “I never realized before how dangerous your job could be. Promise me you’ll be careful when you go into these old places. You could be seriously hurt.”

  A shiver coursed through her at the warm concern in his deep voice. It took all her effort to extract her hand from his. “I will.”

  “No work for a while, huh?”

  She shook her head. “But I’ve got stacks of paperwork and at least a half-dozen plans to go over. As far as the gazebo is concerned, I’ve asked Shaw to work with you on the gazebo if you want to, weather permitting.”

  Adam smiled. “Good. I want to keep working. Any word on when this rain will let up?”

  She shook her head, painfully aware of what they both had to lose if the rain continued. “I’m sorry.”

  “Not your fault. You don’t control the weather.”

  “I know, but I was trying to get it all done so you could—”

  Adam held up his hand. “I know and I appreciate it, but some things aren’t meant to be.”

  “Don’t give up.” She reached out and touched his arm. “We can still get the repairs done in time for you to get home for your meeting.”

  Adam laid his hand on hers. “I’m not giving up. I’m trying to be realistic. In a few days I may lose everything.”

  “No.” It surprised her much she wanted to make the deadline for his sake. “I’ll find a way to get the gazebo done. If the shingles arrive on time we can do a lot of work under the tarps whether it’s raining or not.”

  Adam shook his head. “Your dad told me things happen for a reason and that they always work for good.”

  “I believe they do, but…”

  “Then maybe that’s what’s happening now.” A car horn sounded from outside. “I’ve got to go.” He kissed her forehead, smiling into her eyes.

  Laura sucked in a shaky breath. “Okay.” He walked out the door, leaving her with a new ache to add to the others.

  Chapter Ten

  Rain overflowed the gutters, creating a curtain of water along the front of the Durrants’ large porch and casting a fine mist several feet inside the railing. Adam ignored the growing dampness on his clothes. “Please, Lord, you calmed the sea, calm this storm so I can complete this job for her sake. For the town’s sake.”

  He rubbed the bridge of his nose, trying to sort through the emotional chaos of this day. His stomach knotted whenever he thought about what could have happened to Laura in that old house if he hadn’t been there. He’d thanked the Lord a dozen times for keeping her from serious harm.

  The accident had torn open his
heart, revealing his love. The emotions at work inside him now were like nothing he’d ever known. They churned with a force that no jump from a cliff, no two-hundred-mile-per-hour rush down a speedway could match. Those had been hollow sensations. Mere kiddie rides in a park. None of those thrills could compare with the love he felt for Laura. But as much as he loved Laura, as much as he’d come to love Dover, he wasn’t dumb enough to think he had a future here.

  “Adam, everything okay out here?”

  He turned at the sound of Tom’s voice.

  “Something eating at you?”

  “No. Yes.” Adam ran a hand down the back of his neck.

  “Which is it?”

  He’d come to value the man’s advice and his friendship, and he needed it now more than ever. He took a deep breath, gauging his words. “Have you ever wanted something so badly, but knew you had no hope of ever getting it?”

  Tom nodded thoughtfully. “What is it you want?”

  Adam crossed his arms over his chest, struggling with the decision to tell him about his feelings or to keep them to himself. The choice was simple. He needed to understand the intensity of what he was feeling. “Laura.”

  He looked over at Tom, the knowing smile on his face telling Adam his revelation had come as no surprise to her father. “How did you know?”

  “I know the look in my little girl’s eyes. And there’s a certain—” he tilted his head slightly “—energy when you’re in the same room together.”

  Great. Could Laura see his feelings as easily? He’d hoped to keep it from her. “I’m in love with her, but I didn’t expect it to feel like this.”

  “Maybe that’s because you’ve never been truly in love before.”

  Adam shook his head and sat down on the porch swing. “I’ve jumped out of helicopters. I’ve swum with sharks and risked my life more times than I can remember. None of that compares to how I feel about her.”

  “Love is a powerful emotion.” Tom took a seat in one of the wicker chairs.

  Powerful? More like overwhelming. The pain of it pressed on his chest like being forty fathoms beneath the sea.