Finally a Bride

by Renee Andrews

  Now he suspected that this balloon had something to do with Ryan. More than likely, Eli wanted to write a goodbye letter to his friend and, for some reason, wanted it tied to his balloon.

  But taking it outside, especially on this windy afternoon, might not be wise if he wanted it to hold up until the party. However, the boy seemed determined.

  “We can take it outside,” Gavin said, “but we should probably tie it around your wrist first so it doesn’t fly away.”

  Eli shook his head. “No, I need to hold it, please.”

  “O-kay,” Gavin said, glad that Haley had plenty of balloons but not wanting Eli to lose the coveted letter. “Hold on to it tight.”

  Eli gave him a little smile. “Will you come with me, Mr. Gavin? And you, Miss Haley? And can you bring Buddy, so he can see?”

  At some point while they were readying the balloon, Buddy had roused from sleep. Gavin leaned down to pick him up. “Sure.”

  They followed the child outside, where he walked around the corner of the building, the purple balloon trailing behind him. The breeze had grown even stronger, the balloon bouncing wildly as Eli struggled to hold on to the long red and blue ribbons.

  “Eli, do you want me to hold the balloon for you?” Haley asked.

  “No, ma’am.”

  He lifted his hand, the streamers dangling from his scarred fingers.

  “Eli, be careful...” she warned.

  He released the balloon.

  Haley jumped forward in an effort to catch it, but the wind had it soaring quickly. She didn’t make it far, anyway, because Gavin wrapped his arm around her and pulled her next to him.

  “I think he’s wanting to do this,” he said against her ear, swallowing past the intimacy of whispering in her ear or holding her this close.

  “Eli? Why did you let it go?” she asked.

  Eli held his hand above his eyes, watching the purple balloon move higher and higher, appearing smaller and smaller as it climbed toward the clouds. “I needed to send my letter to Heaven.”

  Gavin glanced at Haley then at Eli. “Is that right, son?”

  “Yup.” He bobbed his head. “And Daddy’s favorite color is blue, and Mommy’s favorite is red. So they’ll know the balloon is for them. And they can read my letter.”

  Gavin was glad he was holding Haley because he heard her quick intake of breath and felt her lean against him for support. Undoubtedly she was as impacted by Eli’s tender gesture as Gavin. This sweet little boy had sent a letter to his parents...in Heaven.

  “Eli,” Gavin said slowly, struggling to harness the emotions evoked by his touching actions, “what did you write to them in your letter?”

  “I told them about Buddy. And I drew them a picture of him.”

  Haley seemed to gather her composure. She cleared her throat. “That’s—wonderful, Eli.”

  “And I told them about Ryan and how we’re having his goodbye party. And how he’s getting a new mommy and new daddy.”

  Haley sucked in another quick breath as Eli brought his other hand up to help shield his eyes from the sun, setting over the mountain and causing the balloon to slowly but surely lose visibility.

  “And I told them that, when I get a new mommy and a new daddy, I’ll still love them, too.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Haley unlocked the clinic at 5:30 a.m., well before she normally arrived. She’d given up on sleep two hours ago, tossing and turning with Eli’s words about his parents echoing through her thoughts and dreams.

  Each time she heard them, they were quickly followed by Gavin’s.

  You don’t have to be in the church building to get close to God.

  Her pillow had been damp with tears, her eyes opened to the truth.

  God hadn’t abandoned her.

  She’d abandoned Him.

  And she wanted Him back in her life, in her heart. More than that, she needed Him, to guide her and direct her through the biggest decision she’d ever made.

  She loved Eli, with every bit of her heart, and she wanted to be the new mommy he’d told his parents about.

  And she knew she needed God, yet she’d been too stubborn and hardheaded to admit it. All because she hadn’t been willing to forgive.

  That’s why we pray...and trust in Him to love us, imperfections and all.

  She wondered if Gavin had any idea how his words had penetrated her soul, reminding her of everything she’d missed over the past year. Not the perfect life that she’d dreamed of...but the perfect God that would never let her down.

  She’d missed Him.

  “You didn’t move,” she said to the One she knew listened to her heart. “I did.”

  Today she’d find out what she needed to do to start the process of adopting the little boy she had no doubt God had placed into her life for a reason. And she’d thank Gavin for opening her eyes and reminding her of what she needed most.

  Last night she’d prayed, for the first time in over a year, and it hadn’t been for her dreams to come true.

  It had been for her God to have control of her life again.

  “Help me, Lord,” she whispered, turning on the lobby lights. “If it be Your will, let me be a mommy to Eli and give him what he needs. And thank You for Gavin. For the friend he is and for the patience he’s had in leading me back to You.”

  Feeling positive, and a little overwhelmed, in the decisions she’d made through the night, she walked toward the front desk and prepared to start the day.

  She withdrew her phone from her bag and noticed two texts that she hadn’t seen last night. The first was from Savvy, in response to Haley’s late-night text to her.

  Brodie and I are so excited that you’re interested in adopting Eli! Call us in the morning to discuss the steps involved.

  She smiled, looking forward to telling Gavin of her decision to adopt the boy she’d grown to love. Then she read the second text, from her mom.

  So sorry I haven’t had a chance to call, but I’m fine. I have so much to tell you. I love you!

  Clearly her mother had found joy again, found peace again. Found her way back to God again.

  Haley tapped her response.

  I love you! And we do need to talk—I have so much to tell you, too.

  She was no longer overly concerned in the lack of daily phone conversations with her mom. True, she missed talking to her on a regular basis, but she was too pleased that her mother had found happiness and contentment to be disappointed that she hadn’t called in a while. But she did look forward to telling her mom about Eli, the boy she loved. And about Gavin, the friend...she hadn’t even realized she needed.

  Haley wondered if—and how—her mother had forgiven her dad. No doubt, if she’d been able to do it, God had helped.

  Turning to the desk, she spotted the thin bright blue paperback Aaliyah had given her positioned prominently in the middle of the counter.

  She glanced at the clock. Three hours until the clinic officially opened.

  Plenty of time to continue reading and, if she truly trusted in God to help, begin forgiving.

  * * *

  Gavin sat on the front porch of the cabin, his Bible in his lap as he watched the sun come up. He’d been awake for quite a while, reading his Bible and thinking about everything that had transpired yesterday afternoon with Haley and Eli.

  There was so much to process, to wrap his brain around, but the one thing he kept coming back to was that letter Eli had written to his parents. Undoubtedly, Haley had been affected as much as Gavin had been.

  He closed his eyes, knowing how much he felt toward Eli but also wondering...

  What did he feel toward Haley?

  Because yesterday, as he’d held her and the two of them watched Eli send that message to Heaven, he’d felt...like they were one.

  He sho
ok his head. God, help me. That isn’t what I want. I can’t go through that kind of relationship again, that kind of love again.

  That kind of potential pain.

  How was he going to stop himself from getting closer and closer to this incredible woman? Especially when they both cared so much for Eli?

  And...about each other?

  He thought about her spraying him with paint, running from him and him giving chase. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had so much fun. He’d had nothing remotely similar since he lost Selah.

  A stab of guilt pricked his heart. He’d been so determined to keep this relationship platonic. And it was, he supposed. But his thoughts kept hovering around all the moments he’d spent so far with the fascinating vet. And he didn’t know how to make that stop. Because every day, the more time he spent getting to know her, the more he still wanted to know.

  This was not good.

  God, he prayed again, help me.

  “Mr. Eli, something’s wrong with Buddy!”

  Gavin closed the Bible and put it on the table beside him, said a quick prayer that the puppy was okay and headed inside.

  Every seven-year-old boy was gathered around Eli, who was crying as he held Buddy in his lap. “He—got sick, and he looks sad. Something’s wrong!”

  “What happened?” he asked as the circle of boys parted for him to get through.

  “I heard him throwing up, and I went to take care of him, but he just keeps trying to throw up again.”

  Buddy’s body shook and seemed to convulse, his stomach visibly tightening.

  “Can Miss Haley make him better?” Eli asked tearfully.

  Gavin certainly hoped so. “I’ll take him to her right now.” He grabbed a small afghan from the couch nearby and gently wrapped Buddy in it. “Let me tell Mr. Mark where I’m going.”

  “Can I go, too? Please, Mr. Gavin?” Eli cried. “Please? He’ll be scared without me.”

  Gavin knew the one who was scared was the boy pleading with him now. He nodded. “Sure.” Then he looked at the other boys. “You guys wait right here, and Mr. Mark will be here soon.”

  He headed out, Eli beside him. The morning chill was still in the air, typical for November, and Eli hissed in a shaky breath. Gavin had no idea whether it was because the child was cold or because he was terrified for his puppy, but he looked down and saw that Eli had left the cabin without shoes. Or a jacket. And he was still in his pajamas.

  “Ryan!” Gavin called, and Eli’s best friend hurried toward them.

  “Yes, sir?”

  “Get Eli his tennis shoes and his jacket for me, okay? Bring them to him in my truck.” He walked to the truck and opened the door for Eli, then placed Buddy in his lap. “Take care of him for a sec while I tell Mr. Mark where we’re headed, okay?”

  Tears rolled down Eli’s full cheeks. “Yes, sir.”

  Gavin jogged to the next cabin and quickly brought Mark up to speed. Then, while Mark called Brodie and they took over with the boys, he called Haley. He didn’t want Eli hearing this conversation, but he wanted to give her a heads-up so she’d be prepared.

  * * *

  Haley hung up the phone and got ready for Buddy’s arrival. From everything Gavin told her, and the fact that she knew Buddy had been fine when he left yesterday afternoon, she assumed the curious puppy had found something in the cabin and eaten it. Something he couldn’t digest.

  A common occurrence for nosey puppies. But also something that could be fatal, if she couldn’t remove the obstruction. She couldn’t bear the thought of Eli losing this puppy, and her mind quickly returned to the first day she’d met him.

  You can’t let that puppy die.

  She’d been determined not to let that happen then, but she was even more determined now. Buddy meant the world to Eli. And Eli meant the world to Haley. And Gavin.

  Please, Lord. I need this puppy to be okay. In Your Son’s name, amen.

  No sooner had she finished her prayer than she heard a car door slam outside. She hurried to the door and opened it in time to see Gavin helping Eli and Buddy exit the car.

  “Miss Haley,” Eli cried, “he needs help!”

  “I know, sweetheart, I know.” She scooped the puppy into her arms and saw his stomach convulsing. “I’m going to take a look at his tummy and try to figure out what’s going on, okay?”

  He nodded and Gavin wrapped an arm around him. “We’ll hang tight in the lobby and see what Miss Haley can find out, okay?”

  “We’ll be praying,” Eli said tearfully.

  “That’s good,” she said. “And I’m praying, too.”

  At her words, Gavin looked up, those beautiful blue eyes filled with compassion and understanding. He had helped her find her way back to prayer again.

  “I’ll do my best with him,” she said quietly.

  He nodded. “I know you will.”

  Then he guided Eli to the lobby chairs while Haley took Buddy to the back so she could stabilize him and determine what was going on.

  * * *

  “Do you think he’s going to be okay?” Eli asked, a question he’d repeated several times during the drive over and again as he and Gavin sat in the lobby.

  “Dr. Haley is doing her very best to make sure he is. That’s her job, and she’s very good at her job.”

  Eli sniffed loudly and then leaned forward. “I hear her coming.”

  Gavin did, too, Haley’s footsteps getting louder as she moved down the hall toward the lobby.

  “What’s that, Miss Haley?” Eli asked as soon as she appeared at the doorway.

  She held an elongated X-ray in her right hand and brought it over to the two of them, crouching in front of Eli. “Eli, do you remember seeing any little round balls at the cabin, or maybe a marble?”

  Eli looked at Gavin, his hazel eyes wide. “Ryan got marbles at his party last night. We were playing with them before bed.”

  Haley nodded slowly. “Okay, well, I think Buddy may have been a little too curious about one of those marbles. Let me show you.” She held the X-ray up to the light. “This shows what’s inside Buddy.”

  “I’ve seen X-rays in my science book. Is that the marble?” He pointed to the perfect circle that made it look like the X-ray had been hole punched in the center of Buddy’s abdomen.

  “I believe it is,” she said. “And here’s the tricky part. It looks like that marble is stuck there. And while it’s there like that, Buddy can’t eat or drink very well. I’m going to need to try to get it out.”

  “How do you get it out?” His voice wobbled, as if he knew what was coming. “Will he need surgery?”

  “Yes, he will,” she replied as Gavin wondered how the tiny puppy would fare through the operation. “But I’ve done this surgery before, because lots of puppies tend to eat something that looks like it might be food.”

  “So he’ll be okay then?” Eli asked hopefully.

  “I’m going to do my best.”

  Gavin appreciated that she didn’t make any promises, but he also prayed that Buddy would be fine. “So should Eli go to school now?” he asked, knowing the answer but wanting Haley to tell the little guy so he wouldn’t want to stay here all day. And worry about what was going on in the back.

  “Yes, you should definitely go to school,” she said. “Because the surgery will take some time and even after it’s done, Buddy will need to rest. Tell you what, I’ll call Mr. Gavin and let him know how Buddy is doing later today, and we’ll see when it’d be good for you to come. Because I know he is going to want to see you as soon as he can.”

  “I want to see him, too,” Eli said, a couple more tears slipping free and rolling down his cheeks.

  “Come on, Eli.” Gavin wrapped his arm around the boy and guided him out of the chair. “We’ll go back to Willow’s Haven and let you get dressed, then I’ll
check you in at the school.”

  “And you’ll tell Mr. Gavin how Buddy is doing, so he can tell me right after school?”

  “I promise I will.” She started to stand, but Eli stopped her, leaning toward her and wrapping both arms around her neck.

  “Miss Haley?”

  “Yes, Eli,” she answered gently. “What is it, honey?”

  “I love you.”

  Gavin’s pulse stuttered at the honest proclamation. He watched her expression change, her eyes grow misty and her mouth tremble, then she hugged Eli and kissed his tear-covered cheeks.

  “Oh, Eli, I love you, too.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  By the time Gavin took Eli to change his clothes, fed him breakfast and took him to school, it was just past ten, and he still hadn’t heard from Haley. How long did surgery on a puppy take? And how difficult was it to remove the marble?

  As he climbed back into his car in the school parking lot, he couldn’t stop blaming himself for what had happened. He’d seen the boys playing with the marbles and he’d helped Eli put Buddy’s bed beside his last night when he went to sleep. But what had he been thinking? He should have known better than to leave a rambunctious pup where he could roam freely amid the toys and trinkets associated with seven-year-old boys.

  God, please let him be okay. And be with Haley as she cares for him.

  His phone rang and Brodie’s name flashed across the display. “Hey, Brodie, what’s up?”

  “Eli make it to school?”

  “Just dropped him off.” Gavin knew that wouldn’t have been why his boss had called. He’d just seen Brodie at Willow’s Haven and he’d known Gavin and Eli were headed to the school.

  “Good deal. I didn’t want to say anything if he was still around you, didn’t want to take a chance on him hearing it until it’s all official, but I just wanted you to know how excited we are about Haley’s decision. I’m sure you had something to do with it, and we think she’ll be terrific.”