Healing Hearts

by Watters, Kim

  Exiting the bathroom before she lost her nerve, she walked over and flipped on the radio, her only source of entertainment. Soft strains of a classic rock song chased away the silence. Since the sun had set, her apartment basked in an intimate glow, but with the light fading, Sarah switched on the overhead light to dispel the lengthening shadows. “Yum. Smells good.”

  “Then let’s eat.” Grant raised the lid of the box.

  “Hang on. Let me get some plates and napkins.” Eating out of a box reminded her of when she lived on the streets. Those days were over, but the memories still haunted her.

  “Let me help.” Grant trailed her into the little alcove of a kitchen, no bigger than a closet with a stove, refrigerator and a few cabinets. “Where are your glasses?”

  “In the cabinet left of the stove. Drat.” Sarah bent over to pick up the fork she’d dropped on the floor. Grant watched mesmerized as the jean material stretched tight across her bottom.

  “Is something wrong?” Sarah looked at him quizzically.

  “No. Nothing.” He retreated to the main room with two glasses in hand. How could he explain that he wanted to be more than her boss? Fortunately, Sarah couldn’t read his mind as she settled herself on the floor across from him.

  “Soda?”

  “Yes, please,” she answered, watching him as he unscrewed the lid of the liter of cola and poured it into two juice glasses. “Sorry I don’t have the right glasses, I don’t spend much time here.”

  “Don’t apologize, any glass will do.” He gave her a grin and lifted his glass. “Cheers. Let’s eat before the pizza gets cold.”

  They devoured the pizza. Sarah occasionally gave a piece of crust to Rocky, who sat impatiently between them.

  “That’s not good for him.”

  “I know, but he’s being such a good boy.” She leaned over and kissed Rocky’s nose. “Aren’t you my sweet?” She fed him another bit of crust and he licked her face. She laughed again. “Do you have any dogs? You never mentioned it.”

  “Yes. Two.”

  “Two? Why don’t you bring them to the clinic?”

  “Max and Matilda are Queensland Heelers, and very territorial. It’s easier to leave them at home.” At this moment, Grant was feeling very territorial, too.

  The carefree look Sarah gave him sent his body into overdrive. Something had changed since he’d arrived. Her apprehension had disappeared along with the pizza. With her hair down, the soft curls falling carelessly around her shoulders made Sarah look every inch available. He wondered if she had any idea the affect she had on him.

  “Max and Matilda? Those are interesting names. Can you honestly tell me you don’t feed them table scraps? How can you look at their precious little faces and not share what you have?” Rocky licked her face again.

  This stray dog had done wonders for her, softening her around the edges and breaking down some of her barriers. He was glad he’d convinced her to take Rocky home. Insanely enough, he wanted her to let him into her life as well.

  “You’re right.” He gave Rocky the last bit of crust on his plate. “I have a soft heart for my dogs, but I try to keep their scraps healthy. Promise me you won’t feed him pork or chicken bones. They can splinter in his throat. And don’t feed him chocolate. It can be toxic.”

  “Don’t worry. I won’t.”

  As Sarah cleaned up the mess, he looked around the apartment. The last time he’d been here, he hadn’t had the chance to notice his surroundings. Bare beige walls met a white ceiling and tan carpet, which had brown splotches on it because of Rocky. He had to remember to get her a bottle of spot remover so her landlord wouldn’t get mad.

  Other than the spots, the room had an almost sterile look to it. The only furniture was the daybed where he sat, a blue dresser in the corner, a painted chair with all four legs chewed—courtesy of Rocky—and the table in front of him.

  Odd, there were no pictures. No family, no friends, not even one of herself. Nothing personal about her at all. Perplexed he thought of his own place. Pictures graced his walls and tables. All gifts from his mother and sisters, but still, he had something to identify with as family.

  Sarah returned and sat down as Grant refilled their glasses. He looked around her apartment again. “Why don’t you have any pictures of your family?”

  “I have no family.”

  A closed look on her face replaced the open one she’d worn earlier, but Grant decided not to let the moment pass. He was emotionally involved with Sarah whether he liked it or not and he wanted her to open up and accept his friendship. Accept him. “None at all? I won’t judge you, Sarah, if that’s what you’re afraid of. You can tell me.”

  “No, I can’t.”

  Grant heard the tightness in her voice and saw the pain in her eyes. The way she seemed to shrink in upon herself as if wrestling with some inner demons stabbed him like daggers. He couldn’t stand it any longer. Sarah needed him, needed his help whether she realized it or not.

  “Yes, you can.” He settled next to her and wrapped his arms around her. It felt so right to hold her against him as he rested his chin on her head. She didn’t fight him off. Instead, with a shudder she melted into him.

  The idea of telling Grant terrified her but she felt close to him tonight. Somehow, she knew she’d feel better to share some of her secrets. She hadn’t realized it then, but baring her soul was the choice she’d made when she let her hair down in the bathroom. Her attraction for him had blossomed into love, which would only hurt her in the end, but for tonight she didn’t care.

  A sigh escaped her lips as she leaned into him, accepting his strength, even if it was just for a moment. “Biologically, I once had parents, if the people who produced me could be called that. But they didn’t care about me. My father could have been one of four, my mother didn’t know, or care. She didn’t care if I was hungry or thirsty, or dirty. In fact I think she resented my presence. She lived from one alcoholic binge to the next. If it hadn’t been for the neighbor in the trailer next door, I probably wouldn’t have learned to walk or talk. If anyone was family, it was my neighbor, Mrs. White.”

  “Oh, Sarah.”

  Grant held her, as if trying to absorb her pain, which was impossible. But after all these years, it felt good to tell another person. She had to continue. “Finally, when I was eight, my mother died in a drunk driving accident. I spent years in the foster circuit, bounced from one home to another until I was eighteen. I hit the road and never looked back. You know the rest.”

  That wasn’t exactly true. And what she didn’t tell him would probably come back to haunt her.

  Chapter Six

  The next morning, Grant found a spring in his step that hadn’t been there before. The day had dawned crisp and bright as he went for his morning jog now that he had the luxury of resuming since Sarah went to the clinic in the morning to take care of the animals. Cool air filled his lings, making him feel younger than his 30 years.

  He waved to his neighbor retrieving the morning paper across the way. “Morning, Jack.”

  “Morning, Grant. Joyce mentioned something about bringing Sebastian in. Do you have time today?”

  I always have time for you. Tell her ten o’clock would be great. See you later.”

  Grant resumed his run, listening to the leaves crunch under his feet. Fall was his favorite season, and this year proved to be no different. Mother Nature had certainly outdone herself by providing a spectacular burst of yellows, red, and oranges on the old elm and oak trees lining the street. A light breeze blew, rustling the leaves overhead.

  By next month, the remaining leaves would drop as the days grew shorter. The stark contrast of bare trees reaching their limbs to the gray-stained sky had always fascinated him. He wondered what season Sarah liked best.

  Sarah. Last night was a revelation. She’d given away another piece of her identity, allowing him to understand her better. Her walls were a defense mechanism, meant to protect her from what must have been a life from
hell. Grant could only wonder at the things that happened, not wanting to give voice to the horrible things that crossed his mind.

  He also realized the information she’d given him hand t been easy, and he was glad he hadn’t kissed her again like he’d done in the office. Because this time, he didn’t think it would be a light peck on the lips. His body had ached for it, but he wasn’t sure Sarah was ready for that kind of intimacy. With a few barriers down, Grant might be able to span the vast gulf that still lay between them. A few more weeks and maybe he would know the whole story. He sure wanted to.

  He gulped in the fresh air as his feet pounded against the asphalt. Something about Sarah brought out his protective streak and touched him deep inside. Maybe it was her shyness and her vulnerability, or maybe it was, in spite of everything, he still believed in doing good things for others. He knew there were things he could do for Sarah. He could start by chasing away those unhappy memories and creating some sort of stability in her life.

  Running by the old high school, Grant waved at the custodian before he looped around and headed home. Mr. Cruz had been there ever since his parents had attended Greer High. Rumor had it he was retiring after this year. Grant wondered who’d clean the spit-wads from the bathroom ceilings and extricate the laboratory frogs flushed down the toilets before they backed up the plumbing.

  Not that he had ever been guilty of doing any of those pranks. Had Sarah ever done any stunts like that? There was still so much he didn’t know about her. So much he wanted to find out, but if he wasn’t careful, he might scare her back into the shell he’d finally managed to crack.

  Invigorated from his run, Grant was surprised—and happy—to see two people waiting from him in the clinic when he arrived. The ad he’d started to run in the local paper must be working. Business had picked up in the past few days.

  Aunt Mary was doing her best to keep track of a conversation on the phone while the chocolate lab barked at the caramel-colored cat huddled in the corner of its kennel.

  Grant wished Sarah was there to settle the fray.

  “Hi, I’m Dr. Morrison.” He greeted the stranger who had just finished filling out the necessary paperwork before turning his attention to his mother’s friend.

  “Hi, Mrs. Polk, trouble with Misty today?” He nodded toward the dog. “Come on back.”

  Grant glanced at the information the thin, graying woman had handed him. “Aunt Mary, put Mrs. Williams and Taffy in room two. I’ll be right in.” He motioned Mrs. Polk to follow him.

  The first half of the morning flew by. After his fourth patient, a cat with nothing more than a hairball, Grant lifted his arms over his head and stretched. Ten o’clock and he missed Sarah.

  Her silent strength, her attention to details, her quiet calm was what he needed at his side. But while Sarah was more efficient, his aunt’s skill at the books couldn’t be beat.

  If only he could have Sarah work for him fulltime, but Grant knew he couldn’t pay her what she was worth. At least not yet. He’d only been open six months. The ad, the animal articles he wrote, and word of mouth helped but he was still a long way from justifying the added expense. His loan payment plus rent and supplies stretched the budget tight.

  But he didn’t regret opening his own clinic when he did. Aside from Dr. Witherspoon, who was ready to retire in a few years’ time, the only other clinics were 5 miles away in Denton. With the growing population, Greer needed his services. His increasing business attested to that.

  The tone Grant installed in the back signaled the arrival of another client. That had to be Joyce Thompson with Sebastian. Reviewing the chart from the previous vet, Grant pulled out the needed vaccinations as he heard his aunt and neighbor walk down the hall.

  “Hi, Grant.”

  “Hi, Joyce. Aunt Mary, I need you to find me that box of syringes we ordered.” He took the kennel from his aunt’s hand and lifted it onto the examining table. The Siamese mix didn’t look too happy, but then again, a visit to the vet could not be high on the list of priorities that included eating, sleeping, and chasing the neighborhood birds. “Come here, fella.” He opened the door and pulled Sebastian out.

  As the feline huddled on the table, he looked into his round blue eyes and noticed they were the same color as Sarah’s. Her image clouded his vision; he scent invaded his nostrils. A minute didn’t seem to pass that he didn’t think about his assistant.

  Shaking his head, he folded the cat’s ears back to check for mites, examined his teeth, and then felt his body from head to tail. He placed the stethoscope in his ears and listened to the cat’s heartbeat. Everything sounded normal.

  “Good boy.” He scratched the cat under the chin and listened to him purr. Would Sarah do that if he scratched her there? The idea amused him. One of these days he’d have to find out.

  “So what time does your new assistant come in, Grant? I’ve heard so much about her and wanted to meet her.”

  “Two-thirty.” Aunt Mary spoke for him, returning with the needles. The edge in her voice surprised him. What was bothering her? He thought his aunt had gotten over her wariness of Sarah, but her attitude challenged his thinking.

  Grant grabbed the syringes and placed them on the counter next to the vials.

  “Oh, dear. Needles. Where’s the bathroom?”

  Grant noticed the color had fled Joyce’s face. “Down the back hall to your right. We’ll be done in a few minutes.” He didn’t fill the first syringe with the feline leukemia vaccine until his neighbor was out of sight.

  “Why don’t you like Sarah?” He threw the empty vial away and administered the shot.

  “It’s not that I don’t like her,” his aunt started, “It’s—I don’t trust her, that’s all. I haven’t since the day she walked through the door. She’s so quiet—so secretive.” She handed him another vial. “Why, Mrs. Walker down at the pharmacy says—”

  “Mrs. Walker doesn’t have a nice word to say about anyone.” Grant extracted the second vaccine and injected the unhappy cat.

  “Well, it is true that Sarah just showed up in town one day, in a broken down car, that Mr. Halverson at the auto shop said can’t be fixed. Then she took a temporary job over at Greer’s Diner.”

  “If she’s here temporarily, how do you explain her attending cases at Denton Community College?”

  “I can’t, but I’ve seen her type before and I’m worried about you. I know you think you can help her—”

  Grant held up his hand to stop her, but she continued.

  “What do you know about her? She’s a drifter. Mark my words, she’ll be here one day and gone the next. I don’t want to see you hurt, that’s all.” With a shaking hand, his aunt settled her glasses on her nose before handing him the vial of rabies vaccination.

  He extracted the liquid into the syringe. That’s one thing Grant hated about living in a small community. Everyone knew everyone else’s business.

  As for Sarah, what did he really know about her? He knew she was orphaned at an early age and spent years in foster homes, but he wouldn’t enlighten his aunt, and give her more feed for the rumor mill. He knew Sarah had moved around a lot, but had given no specific reasons. On a whim, would she leave again, taking his heart with her?

  “I’m a grown boy, Aunt Mary, I can take care of myself.” Bunching the hairs at the base of the cat’s neck, Grant injected the shot. Was he a fool for trusting Sarah? Could he really take care of himself? After last night, he wasn’t so sure. He’d started to fall in love with his assistant.

  “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

  At the sigh of resignation, Grant glanced at his aunt. Worry lines creased her forehead as she chewed the pink lipstick off her bottom lip. He’d never seen her in such a state. Something was up and he knew he wasn’t going to like it. “What aren’t you telling me?”

  “I asked Gillian’s boyfriend, Joe, to run her plates.”

  “You what?”

  Joyce returned, ending their conversation.

 
Grant could have been an actor. In a wink, his professional demeanor replaced his shock at his aunt’s admission. “You’re all set.” He no sooner opened the door to the kennel and the cat leaped inside. Grant smiled in spite of himself and closed the gate. “And I thought you liked it here, Sebastian. Thanks for coming in today, Joyce. Aunt Mary will see you out.”

  Feeling the need for some fresh air, Grant hooked the leash to Rocky’s collar and headed out the back door. While Aunt Mary had no right to request that information, he knew she was only looking out for him. Family did that.

  Even after a quick walk around the block, his mood hadn’t lifted. Could his aunt see something he couldn’t? Maybe he should do some checking up on his own, but that thought disturbed him

  He shook his head, trying to dispel the seeds of doubt planted in his brain. They were nonsense. Sarah was nothing like the picture certain people were painting. The trust he saw in her eyes behind the wall of defenses was real. She didn’t lie or cheat he’d bet his practice on it.

  Sarah was only too glad to leave the noisy confines of the diner and step into the comforting interior of the clinic. She inhaled deeply, filling her lungs with the tangy scent of disinfectant, not the smell of stale grease. A chorus of barks greeted her as she passed by the room to her right. “Hi, guys. What were you in for today?” Stopping in front of the kennels, she reached in and petted the smaller of the two brown dogs, then gave a hearty scratching to the bigger one. “I’ll take you out in a minute.” They both licked her hand.

  A feeling of contentment swept over her. For the first time in her life, she actually felt as if she belonged somewhere, that she was wanted, not an inconvenience, and that she had something to give. She didn’t know a lot, but with time, she would learn. If Grant would keep her on after her debt was paid.