“I sure am. I own and operate the daycare center where Annie and Pyper spend their days.”
“And Sunny Horizons is also where I work during the winter and school months.” Amy stepped forward, giving Monica’s arm an affectionate squeeze. “She’s a godsend.”
What about spring and summer? Tyler wondered. What do you do then? He remained consumed by curiosity, and a desire to know everything possible about this new, matured version of Amy Maxwell.
Monica huffed out a teasing laugh. “Oh, you’re just being biased. I’d take you full time, but winter and fall are the only points in the calendar year when I can pry you away from Jeremy. I’m going to finish cleaning this up. Tyler, it was great to meet you.”
Jeremy? Calendar? Pry her away from what? Was Jeremy Amy’s husband? Questions continued to spin in an assault of sorts. Nothing added up yet, but his heart begged for answers. “It’s good to meet you, too. And thanks for handling the nursery tonight. What a huge help for the families.”
“It was my pleasure…” She hesitated. “Although, it sure would be an excellent consolation prize if…”
Tyler heard Amy snicker, and once again, his heart flipped at the happy sound. In fact, he turned to her automatically, just in time to see her lift her camera and arch a brow. “Would you like a picture?” she asked Monica.
“You don’t have to ask me twice!” In haste, Monica stepped up to Tyler’s side amidst a round of laughter. She peered up at him apologetically. “I also brought my copy of your new CD. Do you think you’d mind… ah…”
He didn’t need a compass. “I’d love to sign it for you.” Charmed, Tyler set out to reassure. “It’s the least I can do after all your help tonight.”
The photo-op was interrupted when a man entered the room, hand in hand with twin children, a boy and a girl, who appeared to be of Asian descent. “Hi, JB!” Amy’s greeting was addressed to the adult, but then she bent to tweak the boy and girl on their noses. “Sam and Katie, how are you?”
“Ready for home, I think.” JB laughed, and the sound was deep and rich—as though it was something he did often. He stepped up to Monica and gave her a kiss—then a rueful grin. “I think they’re finished with church, Monica. They had a bit too much fun with some fruit juice that cost us a big stack of napkins.”
Monica cringed, but she giggled, too. “They were angels in here during the concert. I asked Lisa to take them to you so I could clean up; I’m nearly finished.” JB, who had a strong, tough build, easily hefted the children. Monica stepped close. “Were you guys good for Daddy while Mommy was away?”
In perfect unison, the kids turned wide, innocent eyes on their mother and nodded emphatically. Monica took their hands in hers and placed kisses on both chubby fists.
Amy gave a formal introduction to Monica’s husband, Jeremy Edwards, and some of Tyler’s panic dissipated. “I think we need to make this photo a family affair. Why don’t we have Amy take a shot of all of us?” he offered.
Monica looked at him with adoration in her eyes. “Know what? You’re even sweeter than I thought you’d be. Thanks!”
Monica’s heartfelt gratitude warmed him. In a moment of praise, Tyler gave silent thanks to God for being able to live out such an enormous life blessing. Then, in deference to the picture, his eyes focused on Amy.
****
As he followed Amy back to the main assembly room, Tyler’s cell phone vibrated in the front pocket of his jeans. Since Amy walked ahead with Pyper and Annie in tow, he slid it free and flipped it open. One missed call—and a text— from an increasingly familiar phone number. Since a text message would be quicker to deal with than a direct phone call, Tyler opted to open that rather than check his voicemail.
Hope the Woodland concert was all u hoped. We need 2 talk when ur back in TN. Urgent – 4 ur good – n I admit it – mine 2. KR
Tyler shook his head. Often, when assaulted by frustrations—and mounting anxiety—he had to battle back the desire to bite off a mild curse. This was just such a moment. He took an extra second to scroll through calls he had received during the past few weeks. A large chunk of the electronic demands came from the author of his latest text. This very powerful, deliberately persuasive person tempted Tyler with an offer most artists would beg to claim. Not Tyler, though. Instead, he fought temptation by simply refusing delivery.
But time was running out on that particular option.
“You all set?” With Pyper in her arms, Amy turned to face him, her brows drawn. Tyler snapped to attention, now realizing she had stopped at the threshold of the activity center. The facility had grown considerably quieter as people left Woodland. His fingertips moved restlessly against the phone while Amy puzzled over his delay.
He fixed a smile into place. “Absolutely. Sorry. Just a bit distracted by a piece of business I need to take care of once the tour is finished.”
The explanation sufficed; in fact, the way Amy looked at him, he could read how impressed she was, and he wanted to sigh. He wanted to tell her that it wasn’t as awe-inspiring as people thought. It was tough sometimes, holding on to faith and your principles, especially in the entertainment industry.
For now, though, he kept quiet and found relief in the fact that he had dodged another round of electronic prodding from a troubling suitor.
With Amy at his side, Tyler met up with his tour mates and began making the rounds to say goodnight. Dave Wells, his tour manager and closest friend, joined their circle. In typical fashion, Dave wasted no time on preamble. He jiggled his own cell phone from his fingertips. “Rossiter is on the hunt for you, Tyler. Again. And again…and again…” For dramatic effect Dave’s voice trailed off and his lips twitched into a wry curve.
Tyler scowled. “Wait a sec. Now he’s tracking me through you?”
Dave offered a good-natured shrug. “So it would seem.”
“Sorry for that.” Tyler firmed his lips, noticing the exchange held Amy’s full attention. He gathered in a stilling breath, uncertain about having her witness the pressures he had to endure.
“Not a problem. Sometimes running interference is part of my job. But, you know, maybe if you just talk to him?”
“I will.” Tyler knew he sounded harsh. “When I’m ready. Kellen Rossiter is pushing, and he knows it. I don’t like being pushed. Not about my career.” Tyler let a sharp, punctuating pause follow his declaration. “Maybe my silence will clue him in that he’s being annoying.”
Dave’s brows lifted. He pursed his lips and slid his fingertips into the front pockets of his jeans. “It’s also flattering. Don’t kid yourself into thinking you’re not impressed by his attention, Tyler.” Delivering a final, pointed look, Dave rocked back on his heels then walked away.
Tyler closed his eyes and flexed his jaw.
Amy remained a silent, though increasingly curious, observer. At length, she gave him an encouraging look. “OK. That was interesting.”
“Just a business fire to deal with; that’s all.”
“Oh? Can I ask what’s going on? Who’s this Rossiter person?”
In an instant, everything faded from his world but Amy. He saw them as they used to be back in high school, best of friends, sitting side-by-side on the well-worn couch of his parent’s family room after school, sharing their latest problems—or dreams. Oh, how he missed that connection.
But now wasn’t the time to dive deep.
Tyler stiffened his stance, wishing like crazy he could just pour out his heart to her
But this wasn’t the place.
Exhaustion crept through his system, coloring his attitudes about everything, even Kellen Rossiter. Especially Kellen Rossiter. Post-performance adrenaline leaked out of him like sand particles, depleting his energy by the second. For now, it would be best to turn in for the night and try to come out fresh after some rest.
“It’s a long story. Hey, will you be around tomorrow?” He didn’t mean to sound quite so eager, but there was no way he could mask his feelings.
“I’ve been invited to Pastor Ken’s for dinner. But I’m just not sure about going…I mean…”
She attempted to shrug the idea aside, but, tired or not, Tyler operated on high alert when it came to Amy; it was time to dispel her doubts as quickly as possible. “Please come. I really want to catch up with you.”
He wouldn’t beg; he kept his voice steady. Following the pattern of their past history, he simply laid out the call of his heart and then let her, and God, decide what was meant to be. Noble, sure; but on the inside, just like in high school, he quaked. Amy was his most vivid, stirring crush, the first love he’d never forgotten nor entirely released. To do so, he had discovered, was impossible. For as long as he was in Michigan, he wanted to spend as much time with her as possible.
“Are you sure?” Her words were so quietly spoken he nearly missed them. Now Tyler puzzled. He stared into her eyes, letting her see the questions he held there. “Why would you even need to ask me that? Of course I’m sure.”
He stepped in close and glided his hand against her arm. He couldn’t get over the changes in her, especially the diminished spirit and verve. Dinner plans were fine enough, but dinner would provide only a couple of hours together.
Earlier that evening, just before Tyler spotted Amy getting ready to leave, Pastor Ken had invited Tyler and his parents to a day of boating and swimming on Lake Saint Clair. Ken and Kiara had recently purchased a pontoon boat. Since the day promised to be gorgeous, and overly warm, the idea of a relaxing cruise, free of outside distractions, became the agreed to itinerary for tomorrow afternoon.
Tyler kept quiet on that count for the time being. An idyllic plan swirled into place with a reviving power that pushed back a bit of his exhaustion. As seconds ticked by, his idea developed substance, and fast, strong roots. Before leaving Woodland and going home with his folks tonight, he’d float the idea of including Amy and Pyper. He imagined Ken would be happy to have them join the party.
Thoughts of professional pressures, and hard decisions to come once his tour concluded, vanished in the face of being with Amy again. They’d have a bit of uninterrupted, one-on-one time. They’d have an opportunity to swim, lay out in the sun, and talk. Really talk. Throw dinner into the mix and they’d end up with the full day together.
After that, reality would set in. But for now, if Ken agreed to the plan and Amy accepted, they’d have tomorrow.
Hearts Key
4
The last thing Amy wanted to do was sleep.
It was close to midnight when she pushed gently and quietly through the door of her second-floor apartment; Pyper was sound asleep, a heavy but pleasant weight in Amy’s arms. She moved as gingerly as possible, not wanting to disturb her daughter.
They had stayed too late at Woodland, but any excuse she could find to spend a few extra minutes with Tyler left her feeling like a fairytale princess doing battle against the fade of a magical spell. Tyler. Amy’s lips curved. Something deep in the core of her body melted without resistance. The reaction couldn’t be helped because it was so incredibly good to see him again.
She tiptoed toward Pyper’s room, making her way through the darkened house by rote. Once there, she pulled back the blankets and laid her daughter on the bed. She unbuckled and prepared to remove Pyper’s sandals. One shoe was off, and she was working on the second when Pyper tossed a bit, and gave a breathy, unintelligible sound.
Amy stopped just long enough to brush a hand against her daughter’s satiny curls. She marveled at the serenity reflected on Pyper’s face. A degree of love washed through her so powerfully it left Amy’s chest to ache. For a moment, she simply adored her slumbering child. She gave thanks once more that Pyper had become her miracle, born from the tragedy of her marriage. “I already love you to the depths of my soul, little girl. How is it possible I keep loving you more and more every day?”
Pyper rustled, but never fully roused, nor opened her eyes. “Mommy,” she whispered contentedly.
With that, she snuggled in deep, and Amy finished bedtime preparations, certain Pyper was now lost to the world until sunrise ushered in a new day. “If only I could rest as easy.”
She kissed Pyper’s forehead then exited the room. In passing, she clicked on the living room lights. She was at loose ends. She had a lot to think about, but couldn’t bring herself to focus on a single thing except the image of Tyler Brock. She looked around her simply furnished living room; there was a used but still lovely and comfortable sofa, a wooden rocker she’d found at a garage sale, end tables and mismatched but pretty brass lamps. She couldn’t stay focused, or relaxed, and she knew precisely why.
She knew what she wanted to do, but…
“Bad idea,” she chastised herself, perching her hands on her hips. “Memory Lane needs to shut down for a little while.”
As usual, though, her heart overruled her head. She crossed through the open, spacious layout of her apartment to a storage closet located at the end of the hallway near the bedrooms. There, from the second shelf, she pulled down one of two photo albums. Every possession that pre-dated her marriage to Mark was gone now. Not that there had been much to begin with. Still, she was a memory box kind of girl. Always she had stashed away odds and ends from her life and its milestones; she had treasured them with a heart that was inherently sentimental. Now, everything was history, relegated to memory alone.
Except for this gift from Kiara.
She reached to the shelf above and grabbed a thick, cozy afghan her mom had given her a few months ago and then made her way back to the living room.
She curled up on the couch, tucking her feet beneath the warm blanket while she settled in. Slowly she opened the cover of the album. The first thing she came upon was the birthday card that had accompanied the gift. Amy flipped it open, already feeling the sting and build-up of tears. She could practically quote its inscription from memory:
Amy:
On this day especially, allow yourself to remember. Remember who you are, and who you long most to become. You’re a remarkable lady destined for remarkable things.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you hope, and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
I know you’ve missed having this memento—among many other things. I hope you enjoy it. It’s a replication of all the photos you gave me and Ken after the mission trip to Appalachia. They’re the work of your hands, the mission through your loving eyes. I hope it helps you recognize the fact that you possess such a beautiful servant’s heart.
Love you, Miss Thing. Kiara
Amy bit her lips to stop their trembling; her throat was tight, and she brushed her fingertips beneath her lashes. She turned the pages gently, smiling now as image after image worked through her spirit like a cascade.
Memories crested in, her tired mind just lax enough, and vulnerable enough, to let them have their way with her.
The shot of a group campfire was beautiful, full of oranges, reds, and yellows. Sparks floated toward the sky as Tyler led the group in a song on his beloved guitar. In the picture, she sat to his right; her old fried Carlie Jamison sat to his left, on a thick, downed log in front of the fire pit. This was one of the few pictures Amy was in, because David Parker had insisted on finally getting her in a shot.
“It’s tough being the photographer,” he had said. “You never seem to be part of the action. Go on. Get in there and join the group.”
Amy smiled, stroking the plastic cover of the photo as she noted the way Tyler was lost to whatever song he played. She was leaning forward to watch him, a friendly smile on her face. Carlie, on the other hand, watched him in an open adoration that had gone unnoticed by Tyler.
Similar to Tyler, almost perfectly suited to him in fact, Carlie had no problem at all leaving her heart bare. Amy recalled the whispered conversation they had shared in their bunkhouse after that campfire.
“He’s awesome, Amy. I don’t know why yo
u’d ever push him aside.” The two of them had squeezed onto Amy’s narrow cot. Beneath the blankets they hid a flashlight’s illumination and whisper-chatted. Carlie harrumphed. “I wish he weren’t so hooked on you. If he weren’t, he’d realize you’re not interested, and focus outside of that crush of his. I mean, like, the two of you aren’t ever meant to go anywhere, right? Then, he just might discover someone else who could be just as good.”
Amy couldn’t disagree. “I hear you. I know what you mean. It’s just…I can’t help it, C. It’s not that I don’t like Tyler. In a way, I’m flattered by the way he always thinks of me, and sticks close. I’m not trying to string him along or anything, but he always treats me so good. I know he likes me. And I’d be stupid not to like him back—as a friend and all—but I just can’t stop thinking about Mark Samuels! I swear, he wires me like no other! He’s so incredible! I can’t believe someone as popular and awesome as him is interested in me! Tyler’s great and all, but Mark is…like…” With wide eyes and a waving gesture that ruffled their covers, Amy encompassed the very air, the very universe around them. The two of them burst into giggles.
“OK, then do me a favor.”
Amy giggled again, and they squiggled for a bit of extra room; the beam from the flashlight slid erratically across the light-dousing blanket. “Anything for you, C.”
“Will you let me sit by him on the way home?”
They burst into a fit of full-fledged laughter that stirred the restful breathing patterns of their bunkmates, chaperone Kiara Jordan included, but they toned it down promptly and cricket sound, leaf chatter and undisturbed night air, returned.
“That’s a deal. Enjoy.”
The echo of those words took the edge of a scalpel deep and sure to Amy’s heart, causing her mind to scream: God help me. Her heart began a heavy thud. How blithely she had given away solid gold while grasping instead for the seduction of sparkling, but meaningless, glitter dust.
Hearts Key Page 4
