Love Enough For Two (Love Inspired)

by Cynthia Rutledge

  “Your missus is going to be one happy camper if you win.” The guy cackled. “I saw the way she looked at the chest.”

  Matt offered the man a polite smile, filled out a form with his name and address and watched the guy count off a hundred of the tiny ticket stubs.

  The way Matt figured it, Sierra deserved a man who could make her dreams come true.

  And he was just the man to make that happen.

  Sierra paid the woman for two bags of cotton candy and opened hers while waiting for Matt. A light breeze off the ocean caressed her and she lifted her face to the sun.

  It was too nice a day to feel blue, she decided. Nothing was going to change the fact that she and Matt would soon be apart, so she might as well enjoy every moment they were together.

  “Hope I didn’t keep you waiting long,” Matt said, openly eyeing the cotton candy.

  “There’s still some for you,” Sierra said with an impish grin, plopping a big wad of the sticky substance in her mouth. “But if you would have taken much longer I couldn’t guarantee anything.”

  His gaze moved to her lips and his gaze darkened. Sierra’s heart picked up speed. She had the crazy premonition that he was going to kiss her.

  Right then and there.

  She took a step toward him.

  “Sierra,” a deep voice boomed. “We thought that was you.”

  Sierra shifted her gaze and gave a delighted gasp. She immediately moved from Matt’s side to give each of her former high-school classmates a big hug. “Caesar. Lily. I haven’t seen you two in forever. Where have you been keeping yourselves?”

  “We moved to Sacramento after graduation.” Lily seemed older and her dark eyes more tired than Sierra remembered. “But when Raul was born, we started saving our money to move back.”

  “You have a child?” For the first time Sierra noticed the stroller next to Lily. “I hadn’t heard. I love babies.”

  Sierra crouched down and leaned close to get a good look. When she did, she swallowed a gasp. The dark-eyed baby was horribly scarred. For a moment, she just froze, afraid the surprise and revulsion she felt was written all over her face.

  Matt moved closer and leaned over. Unlike her he didn’t seem at all stunned. He held out his finger and the baby took it, smiling widely when he jiggled his finger up and down.

  “He’s got a beautiful smile,” Matt said, glancing up at the Hispanic couple. “And he’s very alert.”

  Sierra nodded, glad for something positive to say. “Very alert.”

  Caesar took Lily’s arm and gave it a squeeze. “Raul is smart. All the doctors say so.”

  “How was he burned?” Matt asked in a quiet tone.

  Caesar and Lily glanced at each other and Sierra realized he was a stranger to them.

  Sierra made quick work of the introductions, the question still hanging in the air.

  “He was hurt at the day care,” Caesar said in a halting tone. “They said it was an accident, but one of the teachers told me it was pure negligence, that it never should have happened.”

  Lily’s eyes filled with tears. “It was big and new and we thought they’d take good care of him.”

  “The day care has paid for his medical expenses,” Caesar said. “They’ve been very helpful. But now they want us to sign a paper saying they’ve fulfilled their obligation. The doctors say he’ll need many more surgeries….”

  Caesar’s voice broke and Lily exhaled a ragged breath and patted his arms.

  “Don’t sign any paper,” Matt said. “Not until you have an attorney look at it.”

  “That’s what my mother said.” Lily cast a sideways glance at her husband. “The problem is we don’t have money to pay a lawyer.”

  “There are some legal-aid clinics here in town that might be able to help,” Sierra said. “I think they charge a sliding scale—”

  Matt snorted and waved a dismissive hand. “They wouldn’t give this case the time and attention it deserves.”

  “But any attention is better than no attention,” Sierra pointed out. Granted, the overworked legal-aid attorneys already had full plates, but she’d known people who’d gone there and had received help. “And with no money they don’t have any other options.”

  “They won’t do the case justice,” Matt insisted, his chin rising in a stubborn gesture.

  Sierra could sense her friends’ confusion and she hastened to explain. “Matt is an attorney. His firm is in the process of opening a Santa Barbara branch.”

  “You’ve dealt with this type of situation before?” Lily asked.

  Matt nodded.

  Hope flared in Caesar’s eyes. “Maybe you could help us?”

  Sierra knew that even if her friends worked three jobs each, they wouldn’t be able to afford Matt’s fees. She steeled herself for his refusal.

  “I’d be glad to help.” Matt reached into his pocket, pulled out his wallet and retrieved a business card. “Just call that number and tell the secretary that we’d talked and I wanted you to set up an appointment. In the meantime, don’t sign anything. Refer any contacts from the day care or their attorneys to me. Understand?”

  Caesar nodded and exchanged a glance with his wife. “How can we ever thank you?”

  Matt smiled and gestured to the stroller. “Take good care of the little guy.”

  Sierra waited until Caesar and Lily were out of earshot before speaking, her brain a mass of confusion. “They’re never going to be able to pay your fee.”

  Matt plucked his bag of cotton candy from her hands. “I’d best get to this before you eat it all.”

  Sierra glanced down and realized with a start, she’d not only eaten all of hers, but some of his.

  “They aren’t going to be able to afford you,” she repeated.

  Matt grinned. “Few can.”

  Sierra grabbed his shirtsleeve in frustration. “Be serious.”

  He opened the plastic bag and plopped a big bite of cotton candy into his mouth before answering. “I didn’t go to law school to help Hollywood stars get off on shoplifting charges.”

  “You didn’t?”

  He laughed. “Hard as it may seem for you to believe, I like to help people. I do more than my share of pro bono work. Caesar and his wife fall into that category.”

  “You don’t even know them.”

  “They’re friends of yours.” Matt tugged on a strand of her hair. “Besides, how many times do I have to tell you, I’m a nice guy.”

  “You were nice to Raul,” she said, still trying to make sense of his behavior.

  “What was I supposed to do?” he asked, sticking another glob of spun sugar into his mouth. “Kick the stroller?”

  “I don’t know,” Sierra said. “But you told me you didn’t like kids.”

  She didn’t know what made her keep pressing the point, but she couldn’t make herself stop.

  “I like kids, I’m just not very good with them.” Matt shrugged. “Hopefully I’ll be better with my own.”

  “Your own?” Sierra’s mouth dropped open. “I thought you didn’t even want children.”

  “I didn’t.” He smiled and winked. “Until I met you.”

  The cotton candy was long gone and the crowds had started to thin but Matt didn’t even think about asking Sierra if she was ready to leave. Sara Michaels, one of the Christian artists brought in by the Coalition of Churches, would be taking the stage in less than a half hour and Sierra had been eagerly anticipating the performance.

  So, Matt tempered his impatience and found them a shady spot under a tree to the right of where an impromptu stage had been set up. Sierra unfolded the blanket they’d retrieved from the car, spread it on the ground and they settled in to wait for the show to begin.

  Sitting with his back against a tree and his arm around Sierra’s shoulder, Matt enjoyed the unfamiliar sensation of being totally and completely content. Conversation buzzed around them as his fingers played with her hair.

  Sierra’s gaze focused on the clou
dless sky, a tiny smile dancing at the corners of her lips.

  Matt brushed his lips against her cheek, the skin soft and smooth and as warm as the sun. “Penny for your thoughts?”

  She shook her head and a hint of pink that had nothing to do with the sun colored her cheeks. “It’s silly.”

  He nibbled on her ear and she jerked away, the pink turning to red.

  “Matt, stop it,” she ordered. “Someone might see you.”

  He lifted his hand and with one finger gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Then tell me what you were thinking.”

  A knowing look filled her eyes. “Do you always find a way to get your way?”

  He grinned. “Usually.”

  “You’re incorrigible.”

  “Enough of the compliments,” Matt said. “Tell me what made you smile.”

  “It was God’s promise to Abraham,” she said quickly before his mouth had a chance to make it to her neck.

  He lifted a skeptical eyebrow. “Are you making this up?”

  “When I looked up at the sky, it reminded me of when I was a little girl,” she said. “Only then I was looking at a night sky filled with stars.”

  He still didn’t get the connection yet, but he could see she was working toward an explanation, so he nodded and waited for her to continue.

  “I looked up and said to my mother, or—” she paused thoughtfully “—maybe it was a friend, doesn’t this remind you of God’s promise to Abraham?”

  Now, she’d really lost him. “God’s promise to Abraham?”

  She nodded. “You know, that your children shall number as many as the stars in the sky.”

  Once again, the picture that Matt had formed in his mind of Stella, didn’t jive with the woman Sierra described.

  “It had to be a friend you said that to,” Matt murmured.

  Sierra shrugged then smiled. “I told you it wasn’t that interesting.”

  Matt grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips. “I find everything you say fascinating.”

  “You do?” Her hand trembled beneath his lips and Matt smiled in satisfaction.

  “Say something,” he urged. “And I guarantee I’ll be mesmerized.”

  “You want to talk?” Her voice came out in a husky croak that stirred Matt’s senses.

  “I’d like to do other things,” he said, nipping the soft flesh of her knuckles before pulling his lips away. “But this is a little too public and if I’m not mistaken, Sara Michaels is ready to take the stage.”

  Sierra shifted her gaze to the stage, to the leggy blonde standing off to the side, waiting to be introduced.

  She clasped Matt’s hand. “I’m so glad you came with me. You’re going to love her.”

  He met her gaze and a strange tightness gripped his heart, the words he spoke coming from deep within. “I already do.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  I already do.

  Even as Sara Michaels took the stage and the singer’s sweet voice filled the air, the words echoed in Matt’s mind.

  He loved Sierra and with each passing moment it was getting harder not to confess that love.

  His gaze shifted to her, but she was too engrossed in the performance to notice his scrutiny. He let his gaze linger. Everything he saw he liked. Unlike many of the women he’d dated in the past, Sierra was genuine. Someone he could trust.

  His arm tightened around her and she looked up at him, her eyes gleaming like emeralds.

  “Isn’t this so much fun?” she asked, casting a quick glance at the stage to make sure she wasn’t missing anything. “I told you she was fabulous.”

  Despite knowing a large contingent of her congregation was nearby, Matt couldn’t resist. She looked so beautiful gazing up at him with such happiness in her eyes that he had to do it. He leaned over and kissed her full on the lips.

  “What was that for?” she asked when he’d finished, her breath rapid, her eyes even more glittery.

  “It’s because you’re fabulous,” he said. “It’s because I—”

  Before he could get the words out, she surprised him by flinging her arms around his neck and kissing him, the intensity of her response taking him by surprise.

  “Wow,” he said. “What was that for?”

  She smiled and cupped his face in her hands. “Because I think you’re fabulous, too.”

  His heart overflowed with emotion and Matt wanted nothing more than to confess his love right then and there. But then he remembered the surprise waiting for them at home and he bit back the words.

  “Let’s go back to my house,” he said, meeting her gaze.

  “Now?”

  “As soon as she’s through performing,” Matt said in a low, husky voice taut with emotion. “There’s so much I want to say to you, so much I want—”

  “There’s something I have to say to you, too.”

  The audience applauded and Sierra rose to her feet. “Let’s go.”

  She wondered what he wanted to say to her. Though she was curious, she knew it wouldn’t be nearly as important as what she had to say to him.

  Sierra smoothed the skirt of her dress while Matt folded the blanket into a perfect square. She liked the way he operated, with neat precision. With Matt what you saw was what you got.

  What if he hates me for lying to him? Her heart clenched.

  He took her hand and met her gaze. “Ready?”

  She nodded, not trusting herself to speak.

  “Sierra.”

  Sierra turned and saw Carl striding toward her through the crowd. Matt must have seen him at the same time because his hand tightened around hers.

  She wasn’t surprised that when Carl drew close, Matt released her hand and looped his arm around her shoulders in a deliberately possessive gesture.

  “I’m glad I found you,” Carl said, his face red with exertion. “Your mother has been trying to reach you.”

  Sierra’s heart stopped. It wasn’t so much Carl’s words as the look on his face. She took a step forward, her hand reaching out to touch the minister’s arm, icy fingers of dread creeping up her spine. “What’s wrong?”

  “It’s Maddie,” he said. “There’s been an accident.”

  Sierra swayed and would have fallen if Matt hadn’t put a steadying arm around her waist.

  “What kind of accident?”

  “It seems she had a little run-in with a car,” Carl said trying to joke, but failing miserably. Though she could tell he was trying to be reassuring, Sierra could see a flicker of fear in his eyes.

  “But she’s okay, isn’t she?” Her voice was shrill and several people turned to stare, but Sierra didn’t care. Her baby had to be okay. She couldn’t live if something happened to Maddie.

  Dear God, please help Maddie. Please take care of her. Please let her be okay.

  Sierra swiped at the tears streaming down her face with the back of her hand, her entire attention focused on Carl.

  “She’s okay, isn’t she, Carl?” Sierra repeated.

  “Honey—” Matt tried to take her arm, but she pushed him away.

  “Carl, tell me Maddie is okay,” Sierra demanded, desperation lacing her tone.

  “Of course she is,” Carl said in a soothing tone. “Everyone knows Santa Barbara General has the best doctors.”

  “Hospital. Doctors.” Black dots flashed before Sierra’s eyes, but she took a deep breath and determinedly forced away the impending darkness. Later, when she was alone she would fall apart. Not now. Not when Maddie needed her.

  “Let me take you to the hospital.” Carl stepped closer and took Sierra’s arm.

  “I’ll take her to the hospital,” Matt said firmly and Carl paused, shifting his gaze to Sierra.

  “Matt will take me.” Sierra nodded convulsively and swallowed a sob. “But you’ll be there, too, won’t you, Carl?”

  “I’ll meet you there,” Carl said.

  “Thank you,” Sierra whispered, tears flooding her eyes. “Pray for her, Carl. I don’t kno
w what I’d do if something happened….”

  “She’ll pull through.” Carl patted her arm awkwardly. “And as far as the praying, I started that the minute I heard the news.”

  “We need to get to the hospital,” Sierra said to Matt. “I have to see Maddie. I have to know she’s okay.”

  They hurried to Matt’s car without speaking and it wasn’t until they were halfway to the hospital that Matt turned to her.

  “Who is Maddie?” he asked, his voice filled with concern. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you speak of her.”

  Sierra leaned back in her seat, the image of her daughter’s blond pigtails and infectious smile flashing before her, tearing at her heartstrings.

  Dear God, please take care of my baby. She’s…

  “Sierra?” Matt’s words broke into her supplication. “Who is Maddie?”

  Dabbing at her tears with an already soaked paper napkin, Sierra lifted her eyes to his. “She’s my daughter.”

  Matt had only been punched in the stomach once in his life. He’d been ten and he and his friend, Kevin Blanchard, had been goofing around. The air had shot from his lungs and his stomach had hurt like hell. He felt the same way now. “Daughter?”

  Sierra nodded. “She’s four. And she’s the sweetest, most wonderful…”

  Her voice broke and she turned her head toward the window as if embarrassed by her tears.

  A daughter? She has a child? The knowledge that she’d deliberately hidden that fact stabbed him like a knife. He wanted to ask what else hadn’t she told him?

  But there was a time and place for everything and this definitely wasn’t the time for twenty questions. He couldn’t, wouldn’t, add to her stress. There would be time enough for answers later.

  She didn’t have to tell him to go fast, his foot stomped heavily on the pedal and if there was even the slightest chance of making a light, he made it. They arrived at the hospital in record time.

  The moment he pulled into the parking lot and stopped the car, Sierra was out the door and headed toward the front entrance. Matt had to run to keep up.

  “I’m looking for Maddie Summers,” Sierra said to the clerk at the information desk. “She’s my daughter and she was hit by a car.”