Healing Hearts

by Watters, Kim

  Sarah sat speechless as her hand sought to cover the curly hair escaping her bun. Mabel was another busybody, almost as bad as her neighbor, Mrs. Maddox.

  “Sarah’s helping me at the clinic a few days a week.” Grant threaded his fingers through hers. “Sorry, it’s a small town. People don’t have anything better to do than talk, do they Veronica?”

  A rush of pleasure swept through her at the warmth of Grant’s touch and the no-nonsense tone of his voice.

  “Nope. Welcome to Greer, Sarah. I hope you like our small boring town.” A bell rung from the kitchen and Veronica looked over her shoulder. “Got an order up, I’ll be right back.”

  As the whirlwind of energy left, Sarah sank back into the wooden both. She liked the girl. “She’s nice.”

  Sarah saw Grant smile at the waitress’ retreating back as he picked up the salt shaker and spun it between his palms. “Veronica’s a live one for sure. She’s dating my younger brother, Matthew.”

  “Oh.” Not knowing what else to say, Sarah stared at the words written inside the menu until Veronica returned a plunked down a pitcher of root beer and two iced mugs on their table. With a wave, she was off again. Sarah was glad it was soda and not alcohol. She’d never touched a drop and never would. Not after she watched what alcohol had done to her mom when she was alive. She would not repeat her mistakes.

  Grant poured the beverage into their glasses and took a sip. “What brought you to Greer, Sarah? The town’s not much more than a boring dudsville in Central California.”

  He watched her intently, which made her nervous. She should’ve known Grant would start asking questions. Questions she didn’t want to answer because they brought back a past she was trying to forget. Though for a moment, she considered telling him the truth. Sarah shuddered at the thought of what his reaction would be. She reached for her water glass and drained the contents. “It’s really a dull story, not one you’d want to hear. What about you? You grew up here, didn’t you?”

  “You first. I’m sure anything that concerns you could hardly be dull.”

  Sarah knew he expected an answer. A truthful one at that. She sighed. Because of his kindness, she decided to give him a short one with just enough information to satisfy his curiosity, but not enough to reveal what she wanted to leave behind. Most people didn’t understand.

  She twisted a stray piece of hair around her finger. “I’m from the Bay area originally. Oakland. Then I went to Sacramento for a while. Things didn’t work out so I got in my car and drove. Greer was as far as I got before the engine blew. I couldn’t afford to fix it, so I stayed, got a job at the diner, an apartment, and started classes at Denton Community College. End of story. How about you?”

  Grant knew there was a lot more to Sarah’s story. Her hesitations, her defenses, her mannerisms all spoke more to him than her words. He sensed a lonely, scared woman hidden beneath those defenses. He tried to put a tight rein on his budding emotions.

  “You’re right. I was born and raised here. Got into college on a scholarship, went to vet school, then came back and opened my practice to be close to my family.”

  He’d given her just as vague an answer. No need to mention his financial problems, or the fact that he was starting to care for Sarah, even though he hardly knew anything about her.

  As he looked at the woman sitting across from him, a war raged inside him over his need to help her and his need to stay emotionally detached because she was his employee. He lost the battle. Against his better judgment, he became determined to draw her out a little each day.

  Fortunately, their meal arrived. One medium deep-dish pie loaded with onions, mushrooms, green peppers, olives and sausage. His stomach growled in anticipation. Tony’s pizza was the best. After they devoured the pizza, he was sorry to see the evening begin to end. And even more sorry, but not surprised, when Sarah refused to let him pay the entire bill. Rocky, however, was ecstatic when they let him out of his kennel for the ride to Sarah’s building.

  Grant insisted on accompanying them inside. He knew Sarah couldn’t handle Rocky and carry the kennel and her lab coat at the same time, but she’d never ask for help. Not to mention his mother would have his hide if she found out he’d simply dropped her off and left.

  As they stood by her door in the dimly-lit hallway, he could see Sarah hesitate as she reached for her key, as if struggling with some inner conflict. He saw her gaze wander to the coat thrown over her arm, and he wanted to smooth away the worry lines creasing her forehead and kiss away her sorrows. “What’s wrong, Sarah?”

  The sound of the key turning in the lock broke the quiet. Her voice wavered with emotion as she turned to face him. “Did you really mean I could keep the lab coat?”

  Her question astonished him. “Yes. It’s a gift.”

  “No strings attached?”

  “No. It’s yours free and clear.” Grant put Rocky’s kennel down and ran his hand through his hair, perplexed at her question. “Why?”

  He heard Sarah draw in a ragged breath. “Thanks. I’ve never gotten a gift before without strings attached.” She opened the door, waved Rocky inside, and dragged in the kennel. “Goodnight, Grant. I’ll see you Thursday.”

  Grant stared at the closed door, his shock turning to anger at Sarah’s parents. Attaching strings to a gift? Who could do that to a child?

  Chapter Five

  Sarah lay in bed that night, long after her newly-typed report sat on top of the refrigerator where Rocky couldn’t reach it. Beside her, he seemed content, nearly asleep. His eyelids twitched, and he snorted as if he were chasing that calico cat in a delicious dog dream.

  A sigh escaped her lips. If only she could do the same. But every time she closed her eyes, the image of Grant stood before her. Only she saw him standing with his arms open wide, beckoning, begging her to push aside her fears and let him comfort her. If only it were that easy.

  Years of restraint and determination to hide her longing for acceptance were being peeled back by the generosity of one man. Grant Morrison. But it wouldn’t last. It never did.

  What a fool she’d been tonight at Tony’s. For a split second, she considered telling him about her checkered past. Thank goodness her sanity stepped in and brought her back to reality.

  She’d even been able to maintain that reality until she reached home. For one brief moment though, she’d forgotten and let down her guard and had admitted something from her past. A mistake she wouldn’t let happen again, even if she was attracted to him.

  “No!”

  A startled Rocky sat up and opened his eyes as she flopped onto her side and stared out the window where a large oak tree dominated her view. She could make out the leaves, which a 3 o’clock in the morning had taken on an almost ethereal quality in the silver moonlight.

  Sarah closed her eyes from the beauty. What was she to do? Grant didn’t seem to be like the rest of them, but her distrust of people, no matter how kind, would not allow her to think differently.

  “Oh, Rocky.” Sarah rolled back and gathered the dog closer. “What would I do without you?” The puppy’s warmth permeated her nightgown, chasing away the chill as he nuzzled her arm with his nose. Rocky understood her and loved her for what she was—a tough, streetwise kid from Oakland, who needed no one, depended on no one, wanted no one. They’d found each other. That was enough.

  In a few weeks, Sarah’s routine became established. Every morning she woke before dawn, stopped by the clinic to care for the boarded animals, then pedaled off to the diner. By mid-afternoon, she was back at the clinic to work, or pick Rocky up on her days off, then off to her apartment, obedience class, or school.

  Rocky had also settled into his routine, and his accidents at night had dwindled to an occasional puddle, which would make Mr. Baxter extremely happy. And thanks to chew toys and rawhide bones, he hadn't chewed up any more reports, shoes or clothing.

  Obedience classes were going well, too. Rocky learned to walk properly on a leash and sit at her com
mand. They were still having a problem with ‘Stay,’ but she had gained enough confidence to know her beloved pet would master that soon.

  They were becoming a family, just the two of them. Though Sarah wondered if he’d ever forgive her for having him fixed. The sorrowful look on his face when she’d arrived that afternoon after the surgery was almost too much, but she didn’t need any more dogs.

  Especially ones of Rocky’s stature. He’d almost doubled in size and Sarah no longer tried to squeeze him into her basket. With some added help from the dog trainer and an extended leash, Rocky ran along beside her. Life was good.

  Grant looked at his watch. Sarah was due any minute. In the time she’d worked for him, he liked what he saw in his new assistant—not just her physical attributes. His trust in her had grown, as well as his emotional attachment, even though he knew better.

  Still, he’d come to rely on her silent strength and quiet determination. No matter what task he assigned her, she was always ready and willing to do it. A natural with animals, she interacted with them better than with his customers, though her performance there was exemplary, too. No, he could find no fault with Sarah, except for her reluctance to accept his generosity.

  Rocky padded over to him, sighed, and laid his head down on Grant’s knee as he examined the x-ray of Mrs. Carr’s cat. Sarah’s dog had become an institution around the clinic. The clients loved him, and surprisingly, he was no bother. He patted his head, unable to concentrate. “Come on, boy, let’s take you outside before Sarah gets here.”

  Slipping the negative back in the folder, Grant leashed Rocky and headed for the back door. “A few minutes of fresh air will clear my brain.” He looked down at the dog as they left the clinic. “What do you think?”

  Rocky cocked his head and looked at Grant with a quizzical expression before he caught scent of another dog. Immediately, the animal barked and lunged for the other side of the parking lot.

  Grant regained his balance and laughed. Not only at himself for talking to Sarah’s dog, but at Rocky, whose obedience training seemed to go by the wayside at any tantalizing smell that caught his attention. “Still having trouble with the ‘Heel’ command, I see. We’re going to have to do something about that.”

  “Rocky!” Sarah came wheeling across the lot, pedaling furiously. “I’m here. Did you miss me?” Grant released the leash just in time to keep from being pulled against Sarah and her bike.

  Rocky jumped up and licked her face as his tail wagged furiously, making his whole body shake. At the look of pure joy on her face, all barriers down, Grant felt a twist in his gut. Over time, he’d begun to draw her out; finding out she loved chocolate, hated cold weather, and tolerated comedies, though she still kept him in the dark about anything regarding her past, which disappointed him.

  She clammed up when he brought up the subject of her childhood, though he noticed a look of longing on her face when she stared at the poster of a smiling family on the wall. An idea formulated in his brain. He should know better but he couldn’t change who he was.

  “Hi. How was your day?” he questioned evenly, not wanting her to recognize how happy he was to see her. Not that she would notice since Rocky had thrust himself into her arms and was in the process of licking her.

  “Down, Rocky.” She laughed and pushed the dog off so she could dismount. “My day was fine. Sorry I’m late. Mabel was sick again, so Veronica came in. I really like her.” She looked up at him with a smile. “How was yours?”

  “Pretty calm…so far.”

  That changed the minute Sarah brushed the dirt Rocky’s paws had left on her powder-blue sweater. The color suited her, as did the lightweight material, which clung to her curves more than Grant wanted to think about.

  For a moment, Grant stared at his assistant, lost in the mystery of her blue eyes. The secrets that lay hidden behind their translucent color drove him mad, but there was nothing he could do for now. He’d seen her shut down too many times, erect to many walls the moment he pried too deep. But with any luck, that would change.

  She’d pulled her hair back into a bun as usual, but a few wisps had escaped, enhancing the softness of her face. Grant noticed several freckles graced the bridge of her upturned nose. They appealed to him, like tempting pieces of candy, and beckoned him to plant a tender kiss on each one. He took a step closer, and then caught himself as he started to lean in. He cleared his throat and fought for something to say.

  “Speaking of Veronica, how about going out for pizza tonight?” There hadn’t been time lately and he missed his usual pie, but he knew it wouldn’t be the same without Sarah.”

  “Oh, thanks. I already have plans. Rocky is…” She held a hand to her mouth and whispered, “He’s getting a B-A-T-H. Aren’t you, boy?”

  “A B-A-T-H?” Grant mimicked her. Memories flashed back to the other time Sarah tried washing him. There was nothing sexy about giving a dog a bath unless you included a curvaceous blonde a tiny bathroom and one wet, clingy purple T-shirt. “Need any help?”

  “Thanks, but I think I can do it this time.” Sarah answered coolly. Heat rushed to her cheeks as she turned away. Leave it to Grant to remember that embarrassing incident.

  She headed into the clinic before taking Rocky off his leash. Even with his training, she didn’t quite trust her dog not to sniff out that stray cat or any other animal.

  “I’m sure you can.” Grant followed her. “It’s been quiet today, there’s not a lot to do. Why don’t you take Rocky to the park or give him his B-A-T-H now?”

  Sarah stopped in her tracks and she felt a bit light-headed. Her bill couldn’t be paid off. Sarah had figured on at least another month at the rate she was going with all the added expenses. The neutering, the chew toys, even the new bowl and leash cost money. Money Sarah didn’t have but was more than willing to work for. Grant had offered to pay for them all, but she refused to accept his charity. She couldn’t.

  “Hey.” He moved around in front of her and gently lifted her chin, forcing her to gaze into his eyes. She didn’t flinch. “Just because there’s nothing to do right now doesn’t mean your job is done. I thought you’d like some time off. Play time. I don’t think you get enough. That’s all.”

  Sarah had never seen such tenderness, such compassion directed at her. And for the first time in a long time, believed it was all true. Mesmerized, she watched him lean closer and plant a light kiss on her lips.

  It was all she could do not to reach out and wrap her arms around his neck and explore unknown territory. In that instant, Sarah was glad to leave. She had to get out before she did something stupid, like kiss him back.

  “Hi, Sarah. Mind if I come in?”

  Taken back by his unexpected visit, she paused, then nodded and held to the door wider to admit a somewhat hesitant Grant. This time she knew his visit was more than to check up on Rocky. Still reeling from this afternoon’s crazy emotions, her voice wavered as she clutched her hands together. “Hi. A pizza from Tony’s?”

  “Yep. Sort of a peace offering. Since I couldn’t entice you to go out for one, I brought it to you. I hope it doesn’t upset your plans.” Grant walked past her, juggling a pizza box in one hand and a bottle of soda in the other as the aroma of melted cheese, sauce and spices wafted by her nose. She remembered the smell well. Her mouth watered. The box of macaroni and cheese on the counter could wait.

  “Not at all.” Another lie slid past her lips. Her plan had been to spend the evening rebuilding the walls around her heart, not spend her time with the man who intended to break them down. She might not have the education he had, but she had street smarts and knew what he was trying to do. For the most part, it had been working. He’d gotten her to admit far more than she’d ever admitted before—even to her counselors.

  Rocky’s bark echoed through the apartment. “Here, let me take that before Rocky makes you drop it.” She gave him a slight smile as she lifted the box from his palm and held it securely between her hands just as her dog jumped ove
r the make-shift gate and charged at Grant.

  “Heel.” The command didn’t do any good since Sarah didn’t have his choke collar on, but Grant didn’t seem to mind. He knelt and petted her dog vigorously behind the ears until Rocky dropped onto his back. “I put him in the kitchen after his bath to dry, but I see it didn’t work.”

  “Aha. I thought you smelled like a rose.” His gaze on the dog, he rubbed Rocky’s belly. The dog’s paws scratched at thin air with pleasure. “And I can see you’re hardly worse for the wear. Or you either.”

  At Grant’s look, the intense longing returned. Who was Sarah kidding? His mere presence affected her. It was all she could do to answer him. “The bath wasn’t easy, but it wasn't a failure like the first time. I’m only a little wet. It’s just going to take some time. And Rocky’s forgiven me, haven’t you?” Her dog jumped up and nudged her hand. “Oh, you. You just want a piece of pizza.”

  She set the box down on her make-shift coffee table, which was a piece of plywood balanced on two milk crates covered with a floral tablecloth. “Stay out, Rocky.”

  Grant’s gaze met hers as she looked at him across the table. At his grin, her pulse quickened and her knees turned to jelly. She’d fallen for him, no question about it. Forget her earlier plan. Her heart would never be completely safe again as long as he was around.

  Suddenly, she felt…inadequate, dressed in damp purple sweats compared to his crisp Oxford shirt and khaki pants. “Um, I need to change. I’ll be right back.” She bolted from the room, grabbing a pair of jeans and a red sweater from the closet on her way to the bathroom.

  Satisfied with her outfit, she glanced in the small mirror above the sink. Sarah gave her hair one last pat, opting to leave it down. She rarely went for the wild took, but tonight, something felt different, something felt right, regardless of how she felt earlier. It was as if she wanted Grant to see her in a different light. Not as an assistant, or a waitress, or even a charity case, but as a woman. She’d taken chances before, and most of them had turned out okay. Still, the idea scared the heck out of her as she applied a quick splash of cologne.