The crunch of metal and screech of hinges breaking loose resounded in his ears.
The door budged, and his heart hammered as the new access into her front seat would allow him to rescue Paula. With a thud, the door dangled from a single hinge and then struck the ground.
Paula remained unmoving, and he prayed. He then shifted away to give the paramedics room to do their job. As they immobilized her neck with a cervical collar and maneuvered her body onto a stretcher, viselike fear squeezed air from his lungs.
Before they lifted her into the ambulance, he hurried to her side, heart pounding, and touched her cheek. His fingers warmed, and hope soared. With his voice only a whisper, he spoke her name, but she didn’t react. When the technician encouraged him to move away, he bent to her ear once more. “I love you, Paula.”
As the EMT’s siren hooted, he held his breath, relieved yet still worried. He returned to his crew, his feet slipping on the ice. He assisted with the hoses they were using to wash away gasoline that had escaped from a crushed gas tank. He lifted his eyes again and watched the taillights of the ambulance vanishing in the distance and felt his heart go with them.
* * *
Paula forced her eyes open once more, her vision still blurred, and she closed them again, wanting only to sleep. She’d awakened earlier and tried to wrap her head around the accident, but a nurse appeared, asking questions she couldn’t answer and taking her vital signs. She tried to learn what happened when she arrived, but the nurse quieted her and listened to her pulse and heartbeat. Before she could inquire again, the woman turned and left, leaving her uncertain.
Alone, the vague recollection clotted in her mind as she grappled to recall bits and pieces of what had happened. At first she couldn’t remember where she’d been going, and then it came to her. Neely had been in labor. Besides confusion, disappointment seeped through her. She’d longed to be there and hear the good news when it happened.
She gazed at the wall clock but had no reference to make sense whether it was day or night. How much time had passed since she’d been admitted escaped her. Had it been an hour, a day, two days? She had no way of knowing until she asked someone who would answer her. Her head throbbed and, concerned, she raised her hand to her forehead and touched a bandage on her hairline.
Wanting someone to appear who could answer her questions, she tried to open her eyes again. Her eyelids felt glued closed, and though she willed them to open, she failed at the attempt.
A sound alerted her to someone near the bed, and a shadow darkened her closed eyelids. “Nurse, how long have I been here?”
“Three hours.”
Lips pressed against her cheek, and her heart skipped. “Clint?”
His eyes widened. “What?”
“Do you know anything about Neely? Is she—”
“She’s the mother of a strapping baby boy.”
Her heart swelled. “And they’re both all right? Everything’s fine?”
They’re great. Perfect.”
“Jon must be thrilled.” She caught herself. “And Neely, too. What am I thinking?”
“You’re thinking that Jon has someone to carry his last name.” He touched her cheek and drew his finger to her lips.
“I wanted to be there. I’m happy for them but disappointed.”
Clint brushed his palm across her arm. “As soon as they let you up, we’ll go to the nursery, and you can see him for yourself. How’s that?”
Anxious, she couldn’t stop now. “Go to the desk and ask if we can go. Please.”
He shook his head. “You have to use good sense. You have a concussion. Not serious but moderate. Still, they have to take precautions.”
“A concussion?” First time for everything. “What does that mean?”
“They’ll explain it when the doctor comes. He’s supposed to be here soon. Be grateful it wasn’t more serious. You could be... You’ve just been in a bad accident.”
Dead. She suspected that’s what he started to say. “I know I was in an accident, but what happened? Do you know?”
“Four-car pileup. Yours was lodged between two other vehicles and another had spun out and was in front of you.”
“And my car’s totaled, isn’t it?” She studied his face, seeing the answer. “What will I do now?”
Clint patted her arm, his eyes questioning. “Don’t worry about that now. I’m on it.”
She lowered her head, sorry she sounded so ungrateful. “I know I should be happy to be alive, and I am.” Overwhelmed, she recoiled. “But how can I get to work and—”
“Paula, do you think I would let that happen? You’ll have a car. Promise.”
She managed to lift her chin and witnessed the worried look on his face. Furrows etched his brow, and dark rings circled his eyes. Frustrated with herself, she gave a nod. “Thank you.”
Silence settled over them, but she still had so many questions. “How did you hear about the accident?”
“We’re called for all bad accidents.” He shook his head as if clearing his thoughts. “My heart stopped when I saw your car. I had so much to say to you. So many things I wanted to apologize for...and all I kept thinking about was what a jerk I’d been.”
Her eyes closed again, remembering the last time they’d spoken. She’d been heartbroken. Wounded. But she understood. “Clint, let’s not discuss it now. You’re exhausted. Anyway, it’s not important anymore. It happened, and there’s nothing—”
“Yes, there is. There’s a lot I can do. First, I’m asking for your forgiveness. The whole conversation startled me. I couldn’t imagine your living like—”
“I can’t imagine it either anymore, but it’s true. It’s natural you would wonder if I could revert to that lifestyle again. I might ask myself the same question of you in a similar situation, except...” She drew in a breath, trying to imagine it. “Except I know you could never be that kind of person. Never.”
“You can’t, either, Paula I know that.”
“I understand your concern. You trusted Elise, offering her a life of companionship, security and love, and she turned her back on it.” She slipped her hand across the rough sheet and touched his. “You trusted her, and for what? Why would you trust me when you saw evidence that I might do the same.”
“But I never saw evidence of that, Paula. I know you hate that part of your life. You were unhappy when I first met you even though you could laugh and joke. I saw the vulnerability in your eyes. That’s what I first loved about you.”
Trying to shift her head higher, it spun, and she sank back. “How could you love a person for that?”
He searched her eyes, and he wove his fingers with hers. “I said it is what I first loved about you.”
Clint meant something more, but her fogged mind couldn’t find it.
“You look puzzled.” He grinned.
Her free hand shifted to her forehead. “I am.”
“Now I just plain old love you, Paula. All of you.” He leaned closer his lips nearing hers. “With all my heart.”
His lips pressed hers, and she sailed away, enveloped in the dreams she’d had of finding her own Prince Charming. She’d found him soon after they’d met, though she’d refused to admit it, but today he’d found her. “I love you, too, Clint, and I will forever.”
Chapter Sixteen
Clint hit the button beneath the tree, and the Christmas lights glowed.
“It’s pretty.” She rose and slipped her arms around his waist. “It’s small and doesn’t smell of pine, but I’m burning a pine candle, and it’s still perfect.”
“Just like you.” He drew her closer and kissed her hair. “You’re small and you don’t smell like pine, either, but you’re still perfect.” He lifted her finger and gazed at the diamond glinting brighter than the Christma
s lights. “I love you, Paula.”
“I love you, too. You make my life—” She jerked back, her hand flying to her mouth. “I forgot.” She darted from his arms and headed down the hall.
“What?” He followed her, trying to make sense out of her yell. He assumed she was worried about the food for the family get-together. “Everything’s fine, Paula. You have dessert, mulled cider and coffee. That’s plenty for Christmas Eve. It’s not Christmas Day yet.”
She reappeared, holding a store bag from Shine. “The handblown Christmas balls.”
He nodded. “I didn’t have time to put them on, and then we had our...”
She didn’t want to be reminded of that day. “I’m not blaming you, but the family’s coming and I want them to see how beautiful they are.”
He took the sack from her, and together they hung them around the tree, each in a spot that caught the glow of the clear lights. “I have to admit, they are beautiful.”
She grinned. “And they’re the first Christmas present you bought me. The second was the new car.”
“True,” he said, drawing her close again, but this time touching her lips with his, a kiss that was only the taste of things to come.
The doorbell chimed, and she shifted back again and ran to the door. He waited and heard her outburst of pleasure.
Paula’s voice sailed from the doorway. “Let me hold him while you take off your coat.” She drifted from the foyer with baby Nicholas cuddled in her arms. He held his breath, amazed at the desire that rose inside him. “You look good that way.”
She grinned and ambled toward him. “Did I tell you I changed my mind?”
He tilted his head, unsure of how to respond. “About what?”
“I’d make a great mother. I know—”
“You will.” Neely stepped from the foyer, a smile brightening her face. “I never doubted you would.”
Jon finished hanging the coats, and before he joined them, the door opened again, and Devon and Ashley strode in followed by Uncle Fred and his lady friend, Alice.
After kisses, hugs and greetings all around, Paula returned the baby to Neely and headed for the kitchen to set up the treats while he struggled to hold back their news and monitor his smile, which was ready to burst. “Let me hug that baby.” He opened his arms and nestled the boy to his chest. “Hello there, Nick. What do you think of your first Christmas?”
Jon chuckled. “I know he’ll be a brilliant boy, but if he answers you, wow.”
The others laughed as they found seats, and Paula returned to the room, trying to control her happiness. “I don’t recall anyone else in the family named Nick. Who’d you name him after?”
Jon shook his head and gestured toward Neely, a grin on his face. “Let his mommy tell you.”
Neely gazed at her new son. “We knew he would be a Christmas baby or close to it so we began thinking of names. For a girl, we considered Noel, Holly, Ivy, even Joy, but we went blank on a boy’s name. Noel might work but I associate that with a girl, so I got the idea to call him Nicholas after Saint Nicholas.”
Clint spurted a laugh. “You mean Santa Claus?”
“That was her thinking.” Jon rested his arm around her shoulder. “And I liked it. St. Nicholas was the spirit of Christmas and a very strong believer. He decided to live a life like Christ.”
“I didn’t know that.” Clint had second thoughts about his humor. “I think it’s a good choice.”
Everyone agreed, and baby Nicholas passed from Clint to Ashley, whose face glowed. “This is a good time to let you all know that, though this isn’t official, Devon and I are going to have our own little one to name soon.”
Arms flew around their necks in a chaotic jumble of loved ones, and when they settled down after calculating June as the date for the new baby’s arrival, Paula announced it was time for snacks and dessert.
“But first.” Clint scanned the group, seeing their attentive faces. “I’ve asked Paula to marry me, and she said yes.”
Paula extended her hand, flashing her engagement ring at the family craning their necks to see.
“It’s beautiful.” Ashley’s words were covered by Neely’s “Gorgeous.” The cousins nearly knocked Paula to the ground with their exuberance.
Fred sidled between his daughters and slipped his arms around them. “You girls have made me proud.” He beckoned to Paula. “I need another arm.” He managed to squeeze her into the hug. “You’ve all found wonderful men to make your lives complete. I know how important that is.” He shifted his focus to Paula. “You remember our discussion about two are better than one.” A serious expression touched his face as he scanned the group. “That’s a biblical truth. I pray every day for your lives to be filled with joy, peace and love, and I’ve decided to do the same. Alice and I will be married after the new year, and—”
The utter silence broke into cheers and embraces. Alice hugged the girls, tears glowing in her eyes. “I’m blessed to have you all as part of my family.”
The surprises filled the room with conversation, but once sated with congratulations and more details, they settled around in the dining room to enjoy the crackers, meat and cheese spread along with the large tray of Christmas cookies Paula had baked.
Clint leaned over and kissed her cheek, amazed at the changes she’d made in his life and hers. The lovely woman hiding her sorrow beneath her sharp wit while changing her past to a beautiful future. He thanked the Lord daily for the gift.
When everyone’s bellies were full and they’d admired the handblown balls on the Christmas tree, they bound up in their winter coats, wrapped baby Nick in warm blankets and said their goodbyes until the Christmas Day worship service in the morning. Clint’s chest expanded with a new joy he’d only begun to accept. Life couldn’t be any more complete than this.
Paula stood in the doorway, watching her family drive home. A lump formed in her throat seeing their happiness for Clint and her when they’d announced their upcoming marriage. Good news rained like spring showers, and it reminded her of the Good News of Christmas, the child born in a lowly stable and swaddled in a manger. Despite her lack of faith, God had been a true Father to her, guiding her without her knowing and handing her a life she had never imagined.
She lifted her eyes to Clint, who’d joined her at the door, and when she closed it and turned toward him, he took her into his arms with a kiss that completed her joy.
“Everyone enjoyed themselves, I think.”
He rested his cheek against hers. “No doubt at all. And so many surprises.”
She nodded, envisioning the glow in the room as each shared their wonderful news. “For the first time in my life, I have a real family. Not real sisters, but as close to it as a person can get. Sort of a sisterhood. A wholeness I’ve never known, and you are a huge part of it, Clint.”
His hand slipped upward and his fingers brushed through her hair. “We’ve both done it, Paula. I rescued you, and you rescued me.”
Their eyes connected in a look that made them smile.
Paula recognized their thoughts were the same. “And we were both rescued in another way.”
He nodded. “By the birth we celebrate now. A savior.”
She snuggled closer and kissed his lips, knowing that she had a lifetime of kisses waiting for him.
He held her fast. “It won’t be long, and I can call you Mrs. Donatelli. The thought makes my pulse go crazy.”
“And I’m giving up a nice simple name that is easy to say. Paula Reynolds.” She raised her shoulders and let them drop. “Oh, well, Donatelli has a much better ring, don’t you think?” She held up her hand adorned with her engagement ring.
“Absolutely.”
As his lips touched hers, her pulse soared, and she greeted him with a kiss so deep and joyful they both lost their breath. She’
d heard of love and kisses like they shared, but it took the Lord’s guidance and blessing to make it an amazing reality.
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from CLAIMING THE DOCTOR'S HEART by Renee Ryan.
Paula’s Scrumptious Poppy-Seed Cake
This cake has been in my family for years. The recipe was given to me by my sister many years ago, and we’ve all loved it. Though it looks a bit more complicated than Paula thought, it’s well worth the time, and it’s really not that complicated. I serve it with a whipped topping, but ice cream is good, too, or just plain. It’s moist and luscious.
¾ pound margarine or butter (3 sticks)
1½ cups of sugar
4 egg yolks (save egg whites for later)
2 ounces (½ cup) of poppy seeds
1 cup of sour cream
1 tsp baking soda
2 cups flour
3 tsps vanilla
4 egg whites beaten to stiff peaks
Mix margarine, sugar, yolks and poppy seeds well. Stir baking soda with sour cream until dissolved. Stir into mixture. Add flour and vanilla. Mix well.
Beat egg whites to stiff peaks using a metal or glass bowl (avoid plastic) and fold into the batter.
Place batter into a greaseless tube pan and bake at 350°F degrees for 1 hour. Invert pan to cool.
Enjoy!
Dear Reader,
I hope you’ve enjoyed the final novel in the Sisters series. You met Neely in Her Valentine Hero and Ashley in The Firefighter’s New Family. Here you met Paula, the cousin they treated like a sister. Paula was raised in a loveless life and longing for real love. Many of us grew up in a loving family, but many are raised by people who are unable to care for themselves let alone children. The heartbreaking result is an adult who must overcome a variety of warped perceptions and values.
Rescued by the Firefighter Page 20