Love Inspired January 2014 - Bundle 2 of 2: Bayou SweetheartThe Firefighter's New FamilySeason of Redemption

by Lenora Worth

  He nodded and pulled open the door. “Milk and ice cream. That’s all?”

  “That’s it.” She managed a pleasant look, willing away her jitters. She watched him step outside, then close the door.

  She sat thinking about her father’s lecture and, of all things, Devon’s appearance. She could almost hear her father’s mind planning how to encourage the relationship. Truth was, he didn’t have to. Her own thoughts headed in the same direction even when she was determined to thwart them.

  A relationship with Devon would never work.

  * * *

  Devon swallowed the last of his sandwich. Nothing fancy when he was alone. Grilled cheese and tomato soup. He’d grown up with that for lunch, and he loved it. At the firehouse, he ate bigger meals. Too much usually. But he enjoyed it, mainly because he didn’t have to cook.

  He rinsed the bowl and plate, shoved them into the dishwasher and rubbed his belly. Great meal and still enough room for that banana split.

  As he gathered the ingredients for dessert, he kept thinking about Ashley. She appeared more comfortable on the crutches and had learned to balance on her good leg while keeping the other off the floor and that gave her one arm. Knowing she had figured out how to manage some tasks on her own made him less concerned.

  Still, he liked being there for her. He loved Joey’s happy face. The boy adored him, and that always made him feel good. He wished Kaylee smiled more. She’d become more serious, less carefree, and she was so young. He juggled reasons—the broken home, living at her aunt’s house and missing him. He missed her more than he could say. Teaching her skills, watching her grow and hugging her at night, those things were lost to him except for the few days she spent with him for visitation. Visitation sounded like company, not his child. Divorce was a horrible thing. Everyone was hurt one way or the other.

  On one hand, he knew his life was easier without having to find someone to care for Kaylee when he worked, but the inconvenience didn’t warm his heart. What did warm it was Kaylee. He drew up his shoulders, rousing the stamina to continue his life feeling half-empty. Sometimes more than half. He came home to an empty house, no fragrance of perfume or dinner on the stove, no voice greeting him or lips touching his.

  Devon rapped his knuckles against the kitchen counter. Those thoughts got him nowhere but depressed. Leaning against the fridge, he rubbed his temple. He couldn’t change life. Or could he? He eased his back from the door and opened it, pulling out the ice cream and milk. Once in the paper sack, he turned off the light and made his way to the front door. He hoped the outside air would blow away his sad thoughts.

  Seeing a sliver of moon as he walked to Ashley’s reminded him that Kaylee could see the same moon. She wasn’t far away. The majesty of the evening sky flooded him, and he lifted a prayer that the Lord forgive him for his negligence in giving Kaylee a strong faith base. He promised that would change. Maybe his little girl would learn to be happy again.

  When he arrived, Devon rang the bell and tried the knob. The door opened, so he called in and heard Ashley’s welcoming voice. He widened the entry and strode inside. “I hope you didn’t need this milk for dinner. I hadn’t thought.”

  “We did fine. It’s a backup.” She grinned from her chair. Joey gave him a pleading look, his hand clutching a ball. “Play.”

  Devon held up the grocery bag. “Do you want to play or have ice cream?”

  Joey dropped the ball, and it bounced across the room.

  “That answer was clear.” He winked at Ashley and headed toward the kitchen with Joey on his heels.

  After slipping the milk into the fridge, he popped the Sanders hot fudge into the microwave for thrity seconds, located dessert bowls and went to work—sliced bananas, large dips of ice cream and the warm hot fudge. He sprinkled peanuts on top of Ashley’s and his portion, then shook the canned whipped cream, gave a squirt to all three sundaes and added a cherry on top of each.

  Joey watched from his side, standing on tiptoe while clutching the countertop to see the action.

  “Ready, big boy?” He showed him the bowl.

  Joey reached for it, but Devon knew better. It could easily become ice cream on the floor. He managed to carry the three bowls into the dining room and gave Ashley a call. While she made her way, he settled Joey onto his booster seat. He darted back to grab three napkins and the spoons and returned as Ashley had maneuvered herself into the chair beside Joey.

  “It looks scrumptious.” She lifted the spoon and took a bite, capturing a little of everything except the cherry.

  “Need help, Joey?” He watched the boy stare at the ice cream, his spoon poised above it.

  He shook his head and dived in. The first bite went half in his mouth and half on the tray. But that didn’t slow him down. Joey spooned it up, finished the bite and licked the spoon. “Yummy.” He grinned.

  With his focus half on Joey and half on Ashley, who seemed to savor the dessert, he managed to eat his own treat. He had to admit the sweet ice cream with the salty nuts and the creamy taste lured his taste buds in for another bite.

  They made short work of the dessert, and when Joey scraped the last of the ice cream from the bowl, Devon brought a damp paper towel from the kitchen and wiped the toddler’s hands and mouth, then lowered him to the carpet.

  Ashley released a sigh and then chuckled.

  Curious, he gave her a questioning look. “Did I do something?”

  “No. Just thinking.”

  “I’m glad it made you laugh.” He wished he could laugh more often instead of carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. “Do you think I’m too presumptuous?”

  “Why in the world would you ask me that?”

  He shrugged and settled back into the chair. “I walked in as if I was invited and took over. I didn’t ask if you were ready for dessert. I just made it. I should—”

  “You should be who you are. That’s what you should do.”

  “Are you sure?” He studied her face and saw only sincerity.

  “Let me tell you what made me chuckle.” She wiped her lips with the napkin and laid it beside the bowl.

  “Tell me.”

  “I was thinking, except for this rotten cast and the hospital stay, I’m glad the tree fell on me. You know why?”

  Puzzled, he shook his head.

  “Because I met you. You’re a bright light in my life—a special person. I’ve only known one person similar to you, and that was Adam, but I think you even top him.”

  Heat warmed him. “You’re embarrassing me.”

  “It’s a fact. Don’t be uncomfortable. That’s who you are. I love that in you, and funny, sometimes I feel as if I’ve known you forever.”

  He let her words wend their way through his mind. “That’s how I feel. I’ve tried to put my finger on it. But what you just said is it.” He leaned back in the chair, a concern inching into his mind. “I don’t want to be a pest. If I overstep my welcome or anything, please say so.”

  “Ask Neely. I’m pretty blunt. So don’t worry about that.” She grinned. “Now, let’s sit in the living room where it’s comfortable.”

  He cleared the table while she settled into the recliner, and as soon as he came into the room, Joey met him with a book. “Read to me.”

  Ashley patted the arm of the chair. “Joey, don’t bug Devon. I’ll read to you. Let’s get you ready for bed first.”

  He skittered across the room and clasped what looked like his pajamas. When he han
ded them to Ashley, one garment dropped to the floor.

  “Can I help?” Devon retrieved the soft flannel pants and held out his hand to Joey. Ashley gave him the top, and he sat on the floor beside her chair and helped Joey into the pajamas. Red dinosaurs decorated the blue fabric.

  “I bring those down in the morning to save me trips upstairs.” Ashley motioned toward the staircase. “That’s a trip with crutches.”

  “You mean, that’s where you sleep?” He eyed the long staircase, wishing she had a better setup.

  “I’m doing okay. Don’t worry.”

  One slip, and she could fall. He didn’t want to even think about it. “I don’t like thinking of you alone here going up the stairs. Be careful. Please.”

  She nodded. “Okay, buddy, give Mama the book, and I’ll read you the story.”

  Devon eyed the book in Joey’s hand. “Bunny Blue.”

  Ashley gave him a sheepish look. “This was mine when I was a kid. It may have been my mother’s. It was always a little beat-up, but it was a favorite.”

  “Interesting.” He reached for it, and she put the book into his hand. He turned the book over and opened the cover. “I’ve never read it.” He rose and settled on the sofa, keeping the book. “How about if I read it to him?”

  “If you’ve never had the treat, go ahead. Everyone should read Bunny Blue. It has a message.” She tilted back the recliner and watched him hoist Joey onto his lap.

  Joey leaned against Devon’s chest as he turned the pages and read the story of the little blue bunny who’d lost his bright pink bow. As he searched everywhere for it, Joey announced where he would look next. “You’re giving the story away, pal.” But Joey didn’t seem to care.

  As he read, Joey cuddled deeper into his arms. The feel of the hefty boy felt right and good, and he recalled when Kaylee was a toddler and how she would fall asleep in his arms. He missed those days. He continued the story. Bunny Blue finally gave up searching for the bow. Daylight was coming and the adults would awaken, so he had to return to the toy box without his bow. Sadly he climbed into the box, but before he knew it, the lid opened and his owner pulled him out. “Where’s your pretty pink bow?” The bunny couldn’t tell her. “There it is. Right there beneath you.” The bunny laughed to himself. He’d hunted all night never realizing he’d had the pink bow all the time.

  Devon closed the book, but the message lingered in his mind. Sometimes people search and search to find their heart’s desire, and all the time, it was right in front of them.

  When he turned to Ashley, she gave a nod and pointed. “Joey missed the ending.”

  He gazed down at the boy, eyes closed, his breathing slow and even. “I did a pretty good job.”

  “You did, but now I can’t get him up the stairs.” She tilted her head.

  “But I can.” He lay the book on the sofa and eased up with the boy cuddled in his arms. “Remind me which way to go.”

  “Thanks.” She gave him directions, and he climbed the stairs and found the boy’s room. He lowered him into the bed, drew up the blanket and turned off the light. A small night-light shaped like a crescent moon glowed from a plug. He gazed down at Joey and thought of Kaylee. He touched the boy’s soft cheek, whispered good-night and returned to the first floor, his mind wrapped around his concern once again.

  “He’s still sleeping.” He settled back on the sofa and lifted the book. When he gazed at Ashley, the lesson returned. Sometimes what he looked for was right in front of him.

  Ashley lowered the footrest and leaned forward. “You look sad all of a sudden.”

  “Thinking about Kaylee. When I saw Joey sleeping, I thought about when she was little and happier. I wish she could be happy again.”

  “Devon, I can only imagine how difficult it is to live without her by your side.” Her face filled with concern. “I thought she was just a bit unhappy because you’d brought her here, and she didn’t want to come.”

  Her expression touched him. “No, she laughs once in a while, but not often even with me. I’m worried what’s going on with her mother.”

  “You’re really concerned?” She lowered her eyes as if in thought. “What do you think?”

  He shook his head. “I don’t know why I’m telling you. You have problems of your own.”

  “That’s what friends are for.”

  He drew in a breath, wondering where to begin. “Gina’s depression is what started it all.” He told her about Kaylee’s birth and the struggle she’d had until finally she’d made her decision to leave. “I know Renee, Gina’s sister. She’s a kind woman, but I don’t want her raising my daughter, and I get the feeling that’s what’s going on.”

  “In what way?”

  “When Kaylee tells me what she’s learned or what she’s doing, it’s always about Renee. She never mentions her mother. I think that’s strange, and I don’t want to put her on the spot and ask. There’s nothing worse than one parent grilling the kids about the other parent.”

  “But if you’re worried, you need to learn the truth.” She shook her head. “It’s tough, but you need to know for your own peace of mind and Kaylee’s welfare.”

  Her eyes sought his, and the caring look captured him. His pulse escalated, and a warm feeling slipped through his body. “I need to do something. You’re right.”

  “Ask Renee.”

  His head jerked upward, surprised at what she’d said. “You read my thoughts.”

  “Two heads are better than one even if the idea is unspoken.”

  “That’s the truth. I will ask Renee. That’s the only way I’ll know.” His shoulders relaxed as his course of action soothed his worry.

  “Will Renee tell you the truth?”

  He nodded. “I think so. She’s a good person.”

  She grasped her crutches and pulled herself up.

  “What do you need? Let me get it for you.”

  She wiggled her finger toward him. “I need you.”

  “Me?” He pressed his palm to his chest.

  She nodded, and he rose and went to her, trying to decipher what she wanted.

  Clinging to the crutches, she looked into his eyes. “I want to give you a hug.”

  His heartbeat tripped as her arms enveloped him. A crutch dropped to the floor, but it didn’t matter. He held her slender body against his, hoping she couldn’t feel the pounding in his chest.

  When he released her, she kissed his cheek. “Even I feel better.”

  He couldn’t respond. No words could express what he felt.

  Chapter Seven

  As Devon walked home, Ashley’s slender frame still warmed his arms, and though her eyes captivated him, tonight his gaze had drawn to her lips, perfectly shaped and full. And they’d been so close to his. Not wanting to go in that direction for his own good, he let the embrace fill his mind. She’d asked for the hug, something he’d longed to do more than he wanted to admit. His chest expanded, touched by her concern for him.

  The same caring concern often preoccupied him. He worried about her and the crutches, especially now learning she had to ascend those stairs each day. He wished she had a bedroom downstairs, but she only had a small room she used as her office, and he knew she wanted to stay close to Joey on the second floor. The problem couldn’t be resolved by him. He had to leave her in...God’s hands.

  For too long, he rarely thought of God, but more and more the faith he’d grown to know through Gina wove through his mind. He suspected Ashley’s family went to church. He could ask he
r where she went and offer to take her there on Sunday.

  The idea lifted his spirit, but as he approached his door, one concern came crashing down on him. Gina and her relationship with Kaylee. He’d assured Ashley that Renee would be honest. He hoped he’d been accurate. She would be loyal to her sister, but for Kaylee’s sake, he hoped she would tell him the truth.

  He unlocked the door, fastened it for the night and strode to the kitchen. He opened a can of cola and sank to a chair, thinking about the call he should make. Gina would be evasive, so he’d be better off talking to Renee. But how could he do that? Asking to talk with her would be a sure giveaway.

  The kitchen clock hung on the wall in front of him. Eight-thirty. Was it too late to call? He drew up his shoulders, deciding the answer. He pulled his cell phone from his shirt pocket, pressed the number and heard Renee’s voice. Though he wanted her to answer, he hesitated. “I hope this isn’t too late, but I want to make sure I can pick up Kaylee on Wednesday.”

  “That’s the plan. I have it on the calendar.”

  Her tone made him edgy. “Can I talk with Gina?”

  “She’s not here, Devon. Sorry, but I’ll see Kaylee’s ready for you on Wednesday. In the morning as usual.”

  “Yes, but it’s late. Where’s Gina?”

  Renee released a stream of breath. “Devon, I’m not her secretary.”

  He’d sensed something peculiar in Renee’s voice earlier, and now his concern deepened. Trying to be lighthearted, he probed. “Does she have a date?” As soon as the words left him, he wished he could take them back. He could have asked if she was working late, but he was almost certain she didn’t work.

  “She’s not here. That’s all I know.”

  He stared at the phone, wanting an answer, but he had no recourse. “Okay, Renee. I’ll be there about 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday.”

  “Kaylee will be ready.”

  He pressed the end button and tossed his cell phone on the table. Renee’s manner worried him. Something was going on, but he had no way of knowing unless she told him. The confidence he’d had that she’d tell him the truth faded. Gina and he were divorced. He had no control over her life. But he had a say in Kaylee’s life, and if something was wrong, he should know.