Lost & Found Love

by Laura Browning

  Joe nodded, thinking of the small sandwich he’d eaten. “You have no idea how wonderful that sounds.”

  She grinned before calling up the steps, “Tyler! Pastor Joe is here. Tell Jake.” She turned back to Joe. “Jake’s giving Noelle her bath. She already has him wrapped around her little finger.”

  While she fixed a plate to heat for him, Holly asked about his vacation, shared an amusing story about trying to fish with Jake over the summer—they had both fallen in the lake—and managed to weasel out of him the fact that the church council was apparently ready to jump down his throat about Tabby. Joe looked at her in admiration. He once heard Evan describe her as a tornado of happiness, but she was the perfect foil for Jake.

  “Hey, Pastor.” Tyler skidded into the room and slid into the chair next to him. “How’s Miss MacVie? Alex said his cousin told him blood was spurting out, and it was everywhere! Oh, sorry. You’re eating. Is she going to be okay?”

  Joe decided that between Holly and Tyler he was caught in a hurricane. Jake walked in at that moment with a sleepy Noelle nestled against his big chest. Though he and Jake were of a similar height, Jake was built more like a bear than a mountain lion. “Slow down, Ty. The man’s had a tryin’ day.”

  Just his presence seemed to settle the other two. Holly set coffee down in front of Jake and him before pouring a glass of tea for Tyler. He swallowed a bite of the melt-in-your-mouth pot roast and grinned. “If you would invite me to dinner once a week, I would sing your praises. I have the feeling I’m about to become a vegetarian when I finally convince Tabby to marry me. She eats cheese, but nothing else.” Joe set the knife and fork down.

  “Now, to answer some of your questions. We left Tabby sleeping at the hospital about an hour ago. She lost a lot of blood, even as quickly as the senator was there to help her.”

  Jake nodded. “I lost a buddy from just such an injury. It doesn’t take long with an artery that big. That he would know what to do—and do it—now that surprises me.”

  Joe smiled. “Then you’re in for a lot more surprises in the next few minutes. Tabby struck up a friendship with him after she fell off her bike at the end of his driveway a few weeks ago. He was outside and saw the whole thing happen today. The delivery truck was leaving Richardson Homestead, the guy made the turn too wide, and never even saw her. Stoner ran all the way down there. When he couldn’t stop the bleeding with pressure, he cut her shorts off, reached in, and grabbed the artery.”

  Horrified, Holly put a hand to her face, and Tyler interrupted, “It’s big enough to do that?”

  “Second largest artery in the body, Tyler,” Jake said. “Lucky the wound was big enough. Guess it must have been too high for a tourniquet.”

  Joe nodded. “I got there right after the ambulance by sheer coincidence, and ran up to see if I could help, not knowing it was Tabby.” Joe closed his eyes for a minute. Holly covered his trembling hand with hers. “There was blood everywhere. Stoner was covered with it, and Catherine had a fair amount on her as well, just from holding Tabby still.” Joe shook his head. “Bill Brewster was the paramedic. Tony was assisting.”

  Jake nodded. “Lucky. Bill’s the best.”

  “Anyway, as we prepared to move her, he mentioned she had a rare blood type, which it turned out was the same as Stoner’s.” Joe could see Jake, at least, already understood the significance. Joe looked at Holly. “It’s also Evan’s blood type.”

  “Oh,” she said with dawning comprehension. “So did they give blood?”

  Joe nodded. “Jenny had them take two pints from each of them.”

  Jake shifted. “They had to transfuse four pints? That’s…Jesus, Joe! Oops, sorry. That’s a lot,” he finished, his gaze darting to Tyler, as though Jake knew exactly how touchy saving Tabby had been.

  “They nearly lost her once on the operating table,” Joe said. “I’ve never prayed so hard in my life, and I do a lot of praying.” Holly patted his hand. “But she made it. Jenny fixed the arterial damage and restored circulation. They flew an orthopedic surgeon in rather than move Tabby, and he fixed everything else. No broken bones, but between the leg and the dislocated shoulder, she’ll take a while to heal.”

  Joe looked at Tyler. “She will be all right, Tyler, but you should get ready for a few changes. I suspect within the next week, she and the Richardsons will be asking the court to change Tabby’s last name from MacVie to Richardson.”

  “Why?” Tyler asked.

  Joe smiled. “As it turns out, Tabby is Senator Richardson’s daughter.”

  Tyler frowned. “But I thought she was Jenny’s sister.”

  Joe laughed now. “Think of Tabby as a bridge between Evan and Jenny. Stoner is Evan and Tabby’s dad, but Tabby’s mom was also Jenny’s mom.”

  “So, she’s like a half sister to both of them?” Tyler asked.

  “That’s exactly right.” Joe smiled.

  Jake sipped his coffee, then leaned back in his chair, his hazel eyes thoughtful. “I suspect she may be a bridge in more ways than that.”

  Joe smiled. He admired Jake immensely. The man was quiet, but he saw and understood more than people thought. Then, in his quiet way, he set about fixing things. It was one of the things that had him shaping up into an excellent police chief.

  “She already is. Evan was at Stoner’s throat when they both arrived at the hospital. Literally. Both Sam Barnes and I couldn’t get him off. Now Catherine and Stoner are guests next door.”

  “What!” Jake leaned forward. “Jenny and Evan have his parents staying under their roof? What about Stoner’s house arrest?”

  Joe shrugged. “Evan told Sam he’d be responsible for his custody until Tabby can go home with Stoner and Catherine.”

  “Tyler,” Jake said in a deadpan voice, “look out the back and see if any pigs are flying.”

  Holly and Joe laughed. Tyler said, “Huh? Is this some weird adult thing again?”

  “Tabby’s going to stay at the Homestead?” Holly asked.

  Joe nodded, feeling a little glum. “Yes. She’s going to need a lot of help. I—I can’t do it until we’re married. It seems some folks in town are already prepared to stone her as a harlot and run me out of town. Stoner and Catherine have the room, and as Stoner points out, it’s not like he has anywhere else to go. But more than that, he wants some time with her. He knows I want to marry her. I think he’s all right with that, though I plan to talk to him about it, but I think he needs to be there for her to try to make up for the past.”

  Jake frowned, shaking his head. “What you describe doesn’t fit the Stoner Richardson I know.”

  “We all saw a man today who doesn’t fit anyone’s picture of Stoner Richardson. I think Evan kept picking fights with him because he was so uncomfortable with his father crying.”

  “Crying?” Jake arched his brows in disbelief. “Stoner?”

  Joe shook his head. “I’m telling you. Tabby got to him in a way no one else has, and it happened even before he knew she was his daughter. Even Catherine admits that. It’s made such a difference she was more than happy to take Tabby into their home.”

  Holly smiled and looked at Jake. “Loving parents don’t always have to be related by blood. Jake’s loved Noelle from the moment he delivered her, even though she isn’t his biological daughter.”

  “She’s mine in every way that matters,” Jake finished. “I’m relieved to hear Tabby will recover. It will be interesting to see how Jenny and Evan’s relationship with Stoner changes.” Jake cleared his throat. “On a different topic, Joe, did you get my message?”

  “Yes. I also had a message from John Gatewood. The church council has called a meeting Sunday evening, and they want me there.” Joe sighed. “I don’t want to lose my job. It’s more than a paycheck. You both know that.”

  “Yes,” Jake said, “but I also know there’re a lot of rumblings out there about Tabby and you. I’m sure half is fiction like it was with Holly and me. We just ne
ed some strategy.”

  “Like a political campaign.” Holly waggled her brows. “Hmm. I wonder where we know any people who might have experience in that area.”

  Chapter 12

  Tabby now knew the real meaning of feeling like she’d been hit by a truck. On top of that, every time she fell asleep, a nurse was there to check her blood pressure, adjust her IV, and make sure she knew who she was and where she was. For the first few days, she was in and out of it so much the only visitors she could recall for certain were Joseph and Stoner. Having them with her gave her the strength to get better.

  Most of the hospital staff was helpful, but Tabby had been on the receiving end of treatment that bordered on rude from a couple nurses. No doubt it went back to the Facebook page, or maybe a nurse who, like the kindergarten teacher, had harbored her own fantasies about a future with Joseph.

  The final blow, though, was when her breakfast tray was set in front of her the first morning she was allowed to eat solid food. She smelled it even before she lifted the lid. Eggs and bacon. Tabby pushed the tray and table away in revulsion, spilling coffee on herself in the process, so she cried out.

  “Tabby? Are you all right?” Joseph asked. Stoner filled the doorway right behind him.

  She saw them and burst into tears. She hated being weak, hated feeling helpless, but most of all she hated being in the hospital. It made her feel trapped.

  “J-Joseph…Daddy… I want to go home. I can’t breathe here.”

  She held Joe’s gaze, could see he recognized her mood. He’d seen it the night he found her in her studio with the torn up canvases. Without saying a word, he crossed the room, took her uninjured hand in both of his, and pressed it against his face. “Shh, Tabby. It’s okay. Look at me, darling. It’s okay.”

  Stoner lifted the lid on the breakfast tray, saw the eggs and bacon, and his mouth thinned. Grabbing the call button, he rang the nurse. Stoner’s gray eyes narrowed furiously. His voice dripped icicles as he pushed the tray into the woman’s hands.

  “I know my daughter-in-law would have noted her sister is a vegetarian, so take this shit back to the kitchen and bring a new tray.”

  The woman made the mistake of trying some feeble defiance. “I’ll be happy to have an orderly take care of it.”

  Stoner drew himself up even taller than his already immense six-five frame. Years of power and leadership oozed from his very pores. “Unless you wish to wear this tray and its contents, do it yourself. Now.”

  “Is there a problem?” Jenny asked from just beyond the nurse’s shoulder, looking as if she was ready to rip Stoner’s head from his shoulders if he was harassing anyone. Then her brows lowered over her golden eyes as she smelled what was on the tray, and her attention turned to the unfortunate nurse. “You okayed bacon and eggs for her breakfast? Didn’t you read her chart?”

  Jenny stepped around the woman, with her back to Stoner, and put her face close to the nurse’s. “You might not like my sister, and you might not like me, but you will be a professional. Blink wrong around this patient again, and I’ll have you tossed out. Now, take the tray and bring one that complies with a vegetarian diet.”

  The nurse backed out of the room with the tray in her hands. Jenny began flipping through Tabby’s chart as nonchalantly as if nothing at all had occurred. Stoner chuckled. Jenny arched one brow and eyed him coolly. “What’s so funny?”

  “Damn,” Stoner said in amazement. “I thought I was a son of a bitch, but I can’t even hold a candle to you. You must really give Evan a run for his money.”

  Tabby watched the byplay between the two cautiously. She wondered if Joseph knew their history, but who didn’t after such a public trial? Jenny glared at Stoner for another instant before poking him in the chest. “That’s right, and don’t you forget it.” Then she spoiled the whole effect by laughing.

  “Joseph?” Tabby whispered softly. “I think you should pray for all the staff until I get out of here. Between my sister, my father, and probably my brother, too, I think they’re going to need all the help they can get.”

  He laughed and touched her cheek with his lips as he whispered into her ear. “You’ll be all right in here with two watchdogs like them. Three counting me. I love you, Tabby Richardson.”

  That sounded wonderful. Almost as good as Tabby Taylor might sound. Her feelings must have shown. Joseph grinned and kissed her on the forehead. “It’s who you are, who you should be as soon as you and Stoner can make the name change legal. You might wear the scars Tommy MacVie inflicted, darling, but there is no reason now to bear his name, not if you don’t want to.”

  Stoner, who’d heard the last part, rounded the other side of the bed. “I would erase it all if I could, Tabby, so at least let me give you this much. Catherine and I would like you to come home with us while you’re recovering. We can even fix you up with a studio so you can paint.”

  Tabby looked from Stoner to Joe. “What about my cat?”

  Joe coughed. “Uh… I can take care of her. She’s sort of moved in with me already.”

  Jenny pointed to the door. “Out. Right now she is still here and, unless I can get a look at her, likely to stay. I need to examine my patient, and neither one of you need to be here for that.”

  After the door closed behind them, Jenny came around and leaned down to kiss Tabby’s cheek. “Hi, sis. I didn’t get a chance to tell you I’m glad you’re still here. It was a little touch and go there for a bit.”

  Tabby plucked the sheet covering her. “I have the strangest dreams from then.”

  “It’s not unusual. Do you recall them?”

  “I saw Mama. Other people, too, like I was at a big garden party.”

  “You miss her, don’t you?” Jenny asked softly.

  Tabby sighed. “Yes. I wish you could have known her like I did, Jenny. She wasn’t what your daddy said. You look so much like her; it’s why Stoner was afraid of you.”

  Jenny’s head swiveled up from where she was checking the bandage at Tabby’s hip. “Afraid of me? Tabby… He nearly destroyed me. You have no idea. Look, I’m glad you’re my sister. I’m glad Evan is your brother. We love you. I’m even glad you seem to have such a great relationship with Stoner, but don’t expect me to, and don’t expect it from Evan either.”

  Tabby didn’t say anything for a moment. She wouldn’t push. She had come to know Stoner pretty well, and his reactions whenever Jenny came up in a discussion were revealing. If only they would all sit down and talk. “Jenny, could you at least work with him to help Joseph? There are people in his church who think he should be fired. Mr. Underwood is one.”

  “Yeah. I can do that. Evan too. Jake already called us. We’re meeting this afternoon to talk about it. We’ll let you know what goes on, but right now, let’s look at some of those other abrasions on you. The sooner we can get you out of here, the better for you.”

  * * * *

  Joe studied the group assembled around Jake’s kitchen table, surprised by how just seeing them together made his chest tighten with gratitude. His and Tabby’s friends and allies. Jake’s house was neutral territory. Joe watched them gather as though they were already all family, even if a few of them didn’t want to acknowledge it. Jake and Holly, Jenny and Evan, Catherine and Stoner…all there to help Tabby and him.

  Another knock sounded at the door. Jake stood up with a small smile.

  “I asked Sam to join us. Figured we might have to call in some favors, and he could help us….”

  “Twist arms?” Evan inquired. “Or play poker?”

  “Provide gentle reminders,” Holly said with a smile. “It sounds much nicer, don’t you think?”

  Evan and Stoner looked at Holly’s innocently smiling face, and Stoner inquired, “Are you Evan’s press agent? If not, you should be.”

  “I’m an accountant.”

  “Damned missed calling, if you ask me,” Stoner muttered.

  Sam walked into the room, nodded to
the women, then shook hands with Joe and Evan. He nodded coolly to Stoner and sat as far from him as possible. Stoner, it seemed, had few fans. Joe stood up and looked around at everyone gathered around the table in support. He felt humbled.

  “I’d like to start us off with a prayer, if you don’t mind. A little divine help couldn’t hurt.” Joe kept it straightforward and simple, asking for guidance and patience. When he finished, everyone said amen. “Thank you all for your support. I can’t tell you how much it means.”

  Stoner stood and took charge. Joseph saw the look of surprise on Sam’s face before he turned his penetrating look on Evan and Jenny. Joe smiled. Things were changing. Joe hoped the price of the miracles happening wouldn’t be his career.

  “Holly,” Stoner began, “If you’re like most accountants, you’re organized. Can you take notes?” At her nod, he continued. “I think we should begin by outlining the problems we face, then formulate a plan of attack to assist Joseph and Tabitha.”

  “As I see it,” Jenny said, “Tabby’s biggest problem is having come into the community as a stranger and immediately claiming the town’s most sought after bachelor, a little like Holly last year with Jake.”

  “There’s another problem,” Jake offered. “Tabby didn’t fit the image everyone had of an art teacher. Remember the last one was the motherly-teacher type not a gorgeous college grad.”

  “Nor does she fit what everyone believes my wife should be.” Joe smiled grimly. “While they’re looking for someone to organize the church bazaar and host sewing circles, I simply want a woman to love and support me, not be an adjunct church employee.”

  “Okay,” Stoner said. “We have at least one concrete issue that must be handled and that’s the school board meeting to consider the question of a morals clause violation. I’m guessing your meeting, Preacher, will center on the same issue. So.” Stoner looked hard at Joe. “What were you doing coming out of my daughter’s house before dawn?”