A Family to Heal His Heart

by Tina Beckett

  “That’s fine.” She was as ready as she’d ever be.

  “Princess!” Daisy’s voice rang out across the gathering, causing a quick burst of laughter.

  Oh, brother. Why had she ever thought having her mom here was a good idea? Oh, wait. She hadn’t thought that. Not once.

  If that wasn’t bad enough, her mom was suddenly up front, mingling with the other hospital employees. “Look, Daisy, there’s the man you ate lunch with.” Rachel turned to Lindy and whispered, “Isn’t his name Zeke, or something like that?”

  “Yes, but—”

  Zeke had moved a short distance away to talk to someone else.

  “Let’s go say hi. You can tell him about your new princess castle.”

  “Princess!”

  Lindy broke into her daughter’s mounting excitement before it got out of hand. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I’m sure he’s busy.”

  “Nonsense. I’m sure he’ll be happy to see Daisy again.” And before Lindy could say anything else, the pair sauntered off, leaving her to groan out loud.

  “Mothers.”

  “Ain’t it the truth?” A voice to her side made her look. Nancy, a glass of some type of cola in her hand, smiled at the consternation on her face. “They drive you crazy, but you wouldn’t trade them for the world.”

  “I don’t know. Today might be the day...”

  They both laughed, and Lindy glanced at her. Maybe the thing about not having made any friends wasn’t entirely true. She and Nancy had shared a few moments of chitchat here and there. “Are you interested in volunteering if the center opens?”

  “Yep. I have a vested interest, since my baby sister is in a bad relationship and won’t leave.”

  “I’m so sorry.” Lindy bit her lip. Not to stop herself from sharing her story but out of embarrassment. She’d once been like that baby sister. And Nancy was going to hear her talk about it soon enough.

  “I’m hoping one day she’ll realize.”

  “I do too.”

  She glanced up to see Zeke staring at her and realized he was holding Daisy. Oh, no. She’d never seen a man look any more uncomfortable than he did right now.

  Then it hit her. He no longer had a daughter to hold. And to have Daisy thrust at him like a sack of potatoes...

  Her mom had no idea, though, because her mouth was moving a mile a minute just as Daisy threw her arms around Zeke’s neck and squeezed.

  That was her cue.

  “Will you excuse me? I think I have to rescue Dr. Bruen before he passes out.”

  Nancy giggled. “He does look a little odd. His face is beet red.”

  “Yes, it is.” She made her way through the small groups of people who were conversing, hoping she could get up there before Zeke made some kind of “no-kids” rule for any future meetings, not that he made those kinds of decisions.

  She arrived and held her arms out. “Sorry, Zeke. I’ll take her.”

  “It’s okay. Your mom was just telling me about your new place. It sounds charming.”

  She turned toward her mom and gave her a hard look. “It is. But I’m sure you must have other things to do than chat about my living conditions.”

  “On the contrary. I’m way down on the program so I have plenty of time to kill. Besides, Rachel and Daisy are keeping me from becoming too nervous.”

  That was the funniest thing she’d heard all day. He was a well-respected surgeon who commanded the operating room the way a ship’s captain commanded his vessel. There was no way he would be scared to face a group and talk about what he did on a daily basis.

  “I have my doubts about that.”

  He smiled. “Now, Daisy, on the other hand, wants me to dress up as a princess with her. That does make me nervous.”

  Oh, Lord. She should have known. How many times had she had to dress in one of her best party dresses in order to have tea with her pint-sized daughter?

  “I’m sure. Although that could be an interesting look.” She smiled at Zeke, letting her nerves settle. Maybe the look he’d thrown her hadn’t been one of horror after all. She’d offered to take Daisy and he hadn’t taken her up on it. Although he was right. Lindy was the first one to present.

  Lindy’s mom chimed in. “We’ll have to have you over for dinner sometime. I’m sure both Daisy and Lindy would love that.”

  It seemed that with every word she uttered her mom was digging her daughter into a hole and had no idea she was throwing another shovelful of dirt on the growing pile.

  “I’m sure Daisy would. I’m not so sure about Lindy,” was all Zeke said, throwing a quick smile in her direction.

  “Well, I guess this princess had better find her way to the daycare center.” Her mom held out her arms. “I’ll have Lindy get with you about a date for dinner.”

  “Do that.”

  Oh, Lord, why did her mom have to have that ingrained Southern hospitality? And she was so gently insistent that it was the rare person who got offended by it. It was just the way she was. Lindy had learned to appreciate it, for the most part, even if she hadn’t quite embraced the trait.

  By the time her mom moved away, Neil was asking everyone to find a seat. He presented the basics about what the hospital hoped to do, going over the funding that had already been secured, then went over the list of presenters, which included herself, two of the hospital’s resident psychiatrists and Zeke. Once they’d finished, the floor would be open to questions.

  Her mom slid back in the room and took a seat in the back just as Neil was finishing up.

  “A sign-up sheet will be in the back for anyone interested in giving a few hours of their time. The ultimate fate of the program rests in your hands. And on that note, I’ll turn the floor over to Lindy Franklin, who is new to Mid Savannah but certainly not new to working in this type of program.” He nodded at her. “Lindy?”

  The nerves that had been settled suddenly rose to her throat and threatened to choke her. Then she caught sight of Zeke. Maybe he saw the hint of panic in her face because he edged forward until he was standing just behind her elbow. But far enough away that those around them would simply think he was waiting for his turn.

  Just knowing he was there helped her get through the rough patch and she cleared her throat. “Hello, everyone.”

  A spatter of returned greetings made her smile, and then she was fine. “As Neil said, my name is Lindy Franklin and I am indeed new here. But what he didn’t tell you is that I was once the victim of domestic violence.”

  She watched people shift in their seats as they took in her words. Nancy looked shocked, as did some of the other nurses she worked with. “Most of you didn’t know that about me, and that’s at the heart of the problem. Most victims will never speak out about what is happening. They rarely seek help. But if they know help is there, it becomes a safety net. One that people like I was desperately need.”

  She talked about some of the things she wished she’d known when she’d been with Luke and ways to get the word out to others.

  Lindy ended by saying, “We want Savannah to know that help is available. It’s free. It’s confidential. And we can help you get out. Thank you.”

  Applause went up and Nancy gave her a thumbs-up sign, while her mom was dabbing at her eyes with a tissue.

  Both of the hospital’s psychiatrists came up and took her place, discussing between them the psychology of abuse, referencing several things she’d said and using them as illustrations.

  “Good job, Lind.” Zeke’s low voice filtered through, carrying with it a note of admiration. “If what I saw out there is any indication, this program is really going to take off. I’d be surprised if we didn’t get fifty volunteers right off the bat.”

  She’d spoken from her heart, but surely it hadn’t made that much of a difference.

  You just need to give that wheel a
push to get it moving.

  Then it was Zeke’s turn. And wow. Just wow. He told the story of Meredith Brewster’s injuries, being careful to keep any identifying elements out of his speech. But listening to him, she remembered the horror she’d felt on learning a five-year-old child had had to deal with a horrific injury at the hands of a parent. She looked around the room. No one was shifting or looking around. Even her mom was totally caught up in what he was saying. True to his word, he didn’t give any of the gory details, but he still got his point across. At the end of his speech, the applause was almost deafening.

  Neil moved forward, shaking Zeke’s hand and murmuring something to him before turning to the audience. “Thank you to our staff for taking time out of their busy schedules to talk to us. And thank you for being here. We’d like to hear any questions or comments you might have. If you like what you’ve heard, there are packets stacked at the door that have a list of helpful numbers. And as I mentioned earlier, there’s also a sign-up sheet, if you’d like to help this program get off the ground.” He glanced at Lindy. “Let me say one more thing. If you feel someone’s life is in immediate danger, I would urge you not to wait but to call 911.”

  The presenters fielded questions between them, with Lindy getting more than her share. She answered as best she could, grateful that everyone was respectful about not asking specifics about her own situation. Twenty minutes later there were no more lifted hands.

  “Any other questions?” Neil asked, scanning the group for hands. She kept hers firmly down, even as his eyes slid over her and kept going. “Well, I guess that’s it. There are refreshments at the back. Help yourselves and thanks again for letting us take up your time. If you’re due back on the floor, please make your way there.”

  And then it was over. Zeke bumped her shoulder and gave her a smile. “Thanks for asking me to come. I think the hospital is going to do some great things with the program.”

  “I do too.” The casual nudge had made her feel warm and tingly inside. It felt like they were finding their way back to where they’d started. Before that kiss had derailed things.

  She spotted her mom, who’d evidently already picked Daisy up from daycare, coming through the door. She glanced back, to see that Zeke was just behind her. “I wanted to say bye to your mom and Daisy.”

  She smiled. “I’m sure they’ll like that.”

  Rachel spoke up when they got there. “I was just about to suggest Lindy and Daisy come to the house for popcorn and a movie later tonight. You’re invited as well.”

  Well, since she hadn’t even given Lindy a chance to say yes or no to her own invitation, it was a bit forward of her to start inviting other people.

  “I can’t tonight, I’m sorry. I have other plans, but I’d like a raincheck on that dinner invitation you talked about earlier.”

  “Of course. That’s a given. Well, I guess we’ll have to watch The Princess Bride without you.”

  “Princess, huh? Looks like I’m missing out. By the way, a little girl gave me a packet of princess stickers that I think Daisy will probably get more use out of than I will.”

  “Princess!”

  “I’ll be kind of glad when we move into the martial arts stage,” Lindy muttered.

  He tilted his head. “Martial arts?”

  Lindy laughed. “Basically anything other than princesses. But I’m sure she would love the stickers, thanks for thinking of her.”

  “I don’t have anyone else to entrust them to.” A brief shadow went through his dark eyes before it was gone. Remembering his own daughter?

  A shard of pain went through her chest. She didn’t know what she would do if she ever lost Daisy...didn’t even want to think of that possibility. But she wasn’t immune from tragedy, she’d already proven that. But surely she had been through the worst that life had to throw at her. Hadn’t she?

  She knew no one could guarantee that they’d be exempt from tragedy, but she was pretty sure most parents would trade places in a second if they could take away the pain from their child. She imagined Zeke had made all kinds of promises to God, asking Him to spare his daughter. He’d probably even offered his own life up instead.

  Except Lindy couldn’t imagine a world where Zeke didn’t exist, even though she’d only known him a matter of weeks.

  Did he still have contact with his ex-wife? Had they divided Marina’s things or pictures to remember her by? How heartbreaking would that be during a divorce? Had they squabbled about what things the other could have and what they wanted to keep for themselves?

  Lindy hadn’t had to go through that. Even if Luke had lived, he’d have been in prison. And the courts would have made sure he had no contact with his daughter ever again.

  “Anyway, she’ll love them, thank you. I’ll get a sticker book for her to put them in.”

  “I forgot they had books. I’d like to pick one up if I could.”

  A dangerous prickling started behind her eyes. She blinked it away, but when she found her voice she was horrified to hear a slight waver in it. “You don’t have to do that.” She didn’t want to be the cause of stirring up painful memories. Her parents had tiptoed around the subject of Luke since she’d been home. They knew kind of what had happened, but she’d never told them about the choking incident.

  The only people who knew were the police, actually. And the medical professionals that had checked her trachea for damage and swelling. And the bruising... She’d waited for it to subside before she’d packed her things and headed home. For her parents to see that would have been too much. Her dad would have blamed himself for not coming after her. But she might not have left any earlier than she had, and it could have put him in danger as well.

  “I’d like to, unless you’d rather I didn’t.”

  “Of course not.” She tried to tell him with her eyes that it wasn’t necessary, but he simply smiled her concern away. And then her mom kissed Daisy on the cheek and with a quick glance at both of them said she wanted to stop at the store and get some popcorn for their movie night.

  “Mom, I can do that.”

  “No, I’m sure you need to finalize things here.” She looked at Zeke. “If you change your mind about coming, have Lindy give you the address. If you’ve never seen The Princess Bride you’re missing out. It’s quite funny, even for adults.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind. And thank you again for the invitation.”

  No mention this time of having plans. Had that all been a crock?

  “I’ll see you in about an hour, Lindy.”

  Knowing it would do no good to argue with her mother, she nodded.

  Once they were out of earshot, Lindy looked at him with what she hoped was a rueful expression. “I am so sorry about that. She doesn’t get that not everyone is all about watching movies with her granddaughter.”

  “She’s proud of her, as she should be.”

  He was right, of course. “Well, I am sorry she pressured you into coming over to the house. She won’t be offended if you don’t come, especially since you have plans.” It was meant as a gentle reminder of what he’d said earlier.

  “I did have something planned, but I think I’ve changed my mind about doing it.”

  He gave no more explanation than that, so she didn’t know if the plans had involved someone else. A date, maybe?

  That thought made her heart cramp as a million images marched past her mind’s eye, each worse than the one before it. Zeke kissing other women, trailing his fingers over their bodies. Moving over them as he...

  Stop it! Of course the man dated. He’d be crazy not to.

  Hmm...she didn’t date. Did that make her crazy?

  That was different.

  Before she could respond, Zeke went on, “If the offer is still open, I think I might like to see this famed movie.”

  “Y-you do?” She’d gotten the impres
sion he wasn’t eager to spend time with her outside work, so what had changed? And did she even want it to change? But she couldn’t very well retract the offer without having some kind of explanation available, and right now those were in short supply. “Um, okay, Daisy will be ecstatic. If she can even stay awake. She tends to nod off halfway through.”

  He gave her a quick look. “Are you okay with it? I don’t want to intrude. These meetings are always hard to get through. The reality of what people go through...” He stopped as if realizing who he was talking to. “I’m glad you got away.”

  “Thank you. I am too. I’m swearing off relationships, though, for a long time.”

  “I’ve sworn them off too, so we’re even. So, are we good? A movie as colleagues and friends?”

  Friends? Wow. A warm mushy feeling crept up from somewhere deep inside her. She’d just been thinking about the fact that she didn’t have many friends here yet...that she hadn’t had time to develop any, and now Zeke and Nancy had both stepped a little closer. And as much as she didn’t want to, she found that she liked it. A little too much.

  CHAPTER SIX

  ZEKE KNEW EXACTLY why he’d accepted Rachel’s invitation. His plans for that evening had revolved around a resolution he’d made as he held Daisy before the open house. He’d originally been pretty horrified when Lindy’s mom had thrust the little girl into his arms, but nothing had prepared him for the feeling that erupted when Daisy threw her arms around his neck.

  Since Lindy said she’d walked to work that day, they drove to buy popcorn together. The plan was for Zeke to drop her and Daisy off at her house when they were done with the movie. It was on his way home anyway. And Lindy had said if an emergency came up and he needed to leave, she’d just stay with her folks and have them take her home the next day.

  “Daisy’s in the kitchen with her Mimi” said the man who’d opened the door.

  Lindy made quick introductions and her dad, Harold, shook his hand.

  “Nice to meet you.”

  Letting Lindy lead the way, he entered a home.

  Not just a house, like his and Janice’s had been on too many occasions, even after Marina was born, but a genuine home, filled with warmth and pictures and memorabilia of Lindy’s time as a child.