A Love Rekindled

by Margaret Daley

  Zane scrambled toward his dad, lurching to catch him before he went over the side. Grabbing hold of a vent sticking up, Zane used it as an anchor and stretched to hook his father seconds before he plunged to the ground. Zane pulled him up a few feet until his dad managed to stabilize himself. After a few breaths, he secured his foot on the top rung and stepped over the edge.

  “I’m not going down until you’re over here,” his dad shouted over the noise of the increasing downpour.

  When Zane made it to the edge, his father descended several rungs. Zane looked over and saw Kim below, drenched but holding the ladder steady for them. When his dad was far enough down, Zane swung himself over the side and followed him to the ground.

  “Let’s get out of the rain,” Kim said and started for the steps.

  His father trailed her as Zane took the ladder down, then hurried after the pair. Upstairs inside the game room, he and his dad stayed by the door while Kim dashed to the linen closet for towels.

  “We should have just gone home.” His father rubbed himself as dry as possible.

  Zane did, too, then bent over and mopped up the puddle on the hardwood floor. “We’re putting the roof on so you won’t have water inside, and look how much we brought in.”

  “Me, too.” Kim tried to dry her hair, but wet curls hung about her face. “You’re both welcome to stay for dinner. I can put your clothes into the dryer.”

  “Thanks but I still have to go to the school tonight to make up for pulling part of the crew off the job. I’ll go home and change then go there.”

  “I’m coming with you, son.”

  “Great.”

  “I can come, too.” Slinging the towel around her shoulders, she finger-combed her hair.

  “You know how to put down a gym floor?” Zane asked, remembering how she had stayed outside in the rain and held the ladder for them.

  “No, but maybe I could do something else.”

  He grinned. “I appreciate the thought, but we’ll take care of it.”

  “Then let me get y’all two slickers to use.”

  “That, I will accept.” Zane took their towels and put them on the counter.

  Kim came back a minute later with two yellow ones and gave each of them one. “Were you able to finish the roof?”

  “Yup and this rain will be a good test to see what kind of job we did today.” Zane shrugged into the slicker.

  His father headed toward the door to the gallery. “I’ll be out in the truck.”

  “Mr. Davidson,” Kim called out. When his father paused and glanced back, she walked to him and continued. “Thanks for your help. If you hadn’t, we’d still have part of our roof off. If I can return the favor, please let me know.”

  His father lowered his gaze for a few seconds then reestablished eye contact with Kim. “It was my pleasure.” He opened the door, a gust of wind slamming it against the wall.

  * * *

  Kim grasped the door to shut it after Zane and his dad left. As she was swinging it closed, she caught Zane’s gaze. At his warm look, a few stones of the wall about her heart crumbled. She owed him more than money for his repairs, and she intended to pay him.

  When the lock clicked into place, Kim leaned back against the door, rubbing her hands up and down her arms. The chill of the damp wind had burrowed into her. But then she visualized Zane’s last glance, and the cold melted.

  Maggie entered the game room. “I can’t believe we don’t have to put the pans out to catch the leaking water.”

  “And then listen to the drip, drip. I can see why people think that’s a torturous sound, especially when we had so many. Is Dad in his room?”

  “No, I’m right here.” Kim’s father shuffled into the room. “I’m just glad it’s quiet now.”

  At that moment, lightning flashed, followed almost immediately by thunder. Kim pressed her lips together to keep from laughing at the irony of it.

  But it didn’t stop Maggie from saying, “That’s not my idea of quiet. We need to be extra thankful tonight for a dry place. I came home for lunch, and Zane and his crew didn’t even want to stop to eat.”

  Her dad grumbled something under his breath.

  Kim balled her hands into fists, her fingernails cutting into her palms. “I’ve had enough of your attitude. Zane didn’t have to help us. He chose to because that’s the kind of man he is. You staying in your room and hiding was wrong. You taught me better than that when I was growing up. What are you afraid of?”

  His eyes grew round. He drew himself up taller, lifting his chin a notch. “I’m not afraid.”

  “You’re striking out at someone who doesn’t deserve it. That usually means a person is afraid of something.”

  “People don’t change. I remember how he was fifteen years ago. His father—”

  Kim held up her palm. “Stop. His father was one of the men up there fixing our roof, staying even when it started to rain so it could be finished. People do change. I have. Zane has. He isn’t the same as he was when he was nineteen.”

  “How do you know that for sure?” He gripped the edge of the counter nearby.

  “I just do.”

  “At church, Zane and Gideon are doing a great job with the younger kids in the eight- to twelve-year-old youth group.” Maggie walked toward the door. “I’ll leave you two to talk.”

  “Stay, Maggie. I’m leaving.” Her father pivoted and headed out of the room.

  When he left, Kim sank into the chair near her, her body quaking. “I shouldn’t have said anything, but I’m so tired of being in the middle. Dad isn’t usually this unbending.”

  Maggie sat across from her. “I think you’re right. He’s scared.”

  “Of what?”

  “Losing you.”

  “To Zane? That’s not going to happen. Our time has passed.”

  “Do you really think that?”

  “I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t think it. After Scott, I’m in no hurry to be in another marriage. Although I do feel Zane has changed, he did leave me years ago. Anna doesn’t need any more disruptions in her life.”

  “Just Anna?”

  “Okay, me, too. We’ll get this house fixed up, and our life will settle back into its usual routine from before the hurricane.”

  Maggie stared at her. “You believe that?”

  “What? That our lives will improve when we aren’t living in a couple of rooms in this house?”

  “Nope. That the house is the answer to all your problems.”

  “I know it’s not going to be the answer to all of them, but you’ve got to admit it will make life a little less hectic. I feel like everything in my life is a mess like this house.”

  “Maybe your life feels like it’s a mess because you haven’t attended church much these past few years. If you don’t want to go to Hope Community Church because of Zane, find another one. The Lord has a way of helping us straighten out our messes. And Anna should join the youth group.”

  “I’m not denying Anna. She goes with you or Polly. And I’ve been a few times.” It was always to the service that she knew Zane didn’t attend.

  “But you’re denying yourself. Your faith was an important part of your life at one time.”

  She wanted to say it still was, but she couldn’t. She would be lying. Kim rose. She didn’t want to get into this conversation with Maggie after the long day at work. “I’ll think about it.”

  “Good and we need to get Uncle Keith back to church. He needs to get out and get involved with the community again.”

  “I agree with that. He was very active before Mom died, before the business failed.”

  “Self-pity is destroying him. It’s time we turn his focus onto others.” Maggie made her
way toward the refrigerator. “We’ll work on persuading him to go Sunday.”

  Kim shook her head. She should have realized that when her cousin got something in her head she went after it like a pit bull. But what Maggie had said made sense. She needed to work out this mess her life had become and maybe the Lord could help her. She certainly hadn’t done a good job by herself lately.

  * * *

  Kim stood to the side to let Cody Weston and Zane into the game room. “I’m glad you came tonight—” she glanced over her shoulder at her father nearby “—to help with Ruth’s campaign for mayor.” She held out her hand. “I’m Kim Walters.”

  Cody shook it. “Nice to meet you. I couldn’t turn down Zane’s invitation.” The counselor surveyed the room. “You’ve got a nice crowd.”

  “Yes, let me introduce you to my father, Keith Sommerfield. Dad, this is Cody Weston with the Christian Assistance Coalition.” After her father and Cody exchanged greetings, Kim asked, “How much longer are you going to be in Hope?”

  “Until I’m not needed,” Cody said with a smile, his eyes gleaming. “I’ll be the last of the group to leave.”

  “Dad, can you introduce him to everyone here?”

  Her father’s forehead wrinkled. “Sure.” The word came out slowly as he studied Kim’s expression.

  She hoped her intentions weren’t written on her face, but she had never been a very good actress. If her dad thought this meeting with Cody was planned, he would escape to his room. He’d told her on numerous occasions he didn’t want anyone messing with his head. He was perfectly fine the way he was.

  “Do you think this will work?” she asked Zane after the two men moved farther into the game room.

  “If anyone can help your dad without him realizing, it’ll be Cody.”

  “I’ve been reading up on post-traumatic stress disorder, and I think my dad is suffering from that.”

  “That makes sense. He almost lost his home on top of losing his business these past few years. Hopefully Cody will be able to help with that. He served several tours of duty in the Middle East before he started working for the Christian Assistance Coalition.” Zane scanned the people in the room. “Anyone else coming?”

  “No, this is it. I’m glad. I don’t think we could have fit anyone else in here, and this is a big room. How’s the school coming along?”

  “Behind schedule a little, but I’m determined it will be ready to open when I said it would. I know a lot of people are ready to move back in.”

  “You’re looking at one here.”

  Zane touched her arm and pulled her away from the people around them. “When I’m through with the school project, I can spend more time on the rest of your home. Can you wait until then? Is there anything else that needs to be repaired right away?”

  “No. We’ll be fine until then now that the roof isn’t leaking like a sieve. I can even start looking at the other rooms upstairs. As you know, we did what we could after the trees were removed, but the rooms weren’t livable until now. Well, they will be when we finish some of the repairs in them. It’ll be nice having my old bedroom back. Can you imagine three females sharing one small bedroom? Not a pretty sight at times.”

  Zane chuckled. “I think I can spare a couple of evenings to help you with those rooms. How’s the wiring?”

  “We have the electricity turned off in that part of the house.”

  “I can come tomorrow night and check it.”

  “You’re an electrician?”

  “That’s what I learned first in this business before I branched out.”

  “Are you sure you can spare that time?”

  “Yes. I don’t want you doing anything until I look at it.”

  “Fine, on one condition.”

  One eyebrow rose. “You’re giving conditions?”

  “Yes. I want to help you with the school since you’re running on a tight schedule. Think of something I can do.”

  “We’ve been through this. Most is stuff you wouldn’t know how to do.” He studied her face. “You aren’t going to let this go?”

  “No, I believe one good deed deserves another.”

  His chest rose and fell with a deep sigh. “Fine. About all I can think of is painting the rooms.”

  “Done. You’ve got yourself a worker in the evenings and on the weekends when you start that.”

  Zane inched closer and lowered his voice. “Why are you having a hard time accepting my help without needing to do something for me?”

  “I don’t like being in anyone’s debt.”

  “I’m not expecting anything from you except money for the supplies.”

  After Scott’s treatment of her and what happened when the family business went under, she had become suspicious of something that looked too good to be true. “Why?”

  “Because you’re in need. Is that so hard to understand?”

  What is your angle? Scott always had one. “Yes, after what happened between us.”

  “Fine. That last week before the grand opening on Friday I’ll use you to paint. Is that what you want?”

  “Yes, was that so hard?”

  “Kind of.”

  “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be difficult.”

  “Everyone, can I have your attention?” Maggie called out from the other end of the long room.

  Zane leaned close to her ear and said with a laugh, “Yes, you do.”

  The tickle of his breath sent goose bumps down her body. “Shh. We’re going to get our instruction. As a teacher, I know the importance of listening to the directions.”

  “We need some people to assemble some material into campaign packets. Others to organize our neighborhood sweeps. And lastly, some to put yard signs together. After a few words from our next mayor, let me know where you want to work.” Maggie stepped to the side to allow Ruth Coleman to speak.

  As Ruth greeted the helpers and offered her thanks, Zane whispered, “Which one are you gonna do?”

  Kim slanted a glance at him, mischief dancing in his eyes. “How about you?”

  “I asked first.”

  “Neighborhood sweeps.”

  “Oh, okay.”

  She faced him and put her hands on her waist. “Zane Davidson, where are you going to be?”

  Miss Alice, an older lady who lived next door to Ruth, turned around a few feet in front of them and put her finger on her mouth. “Shh.”

  Zane clamped his lips together and shrugged his shoulders at Kim, then became quite intent on what Ruth was saying to her campaign workers.

  “When I decided to run for mayor, I knew the only way I could do it was a grassroots campaign. I appreciate each one of you helping me to win this election. After what Hope has gone through—still is—I want to help rebuild the town and make it even better than it was. I want people to see how wonderful it is to live in a town like Hope. We help our own. We band together and make sure no one is wanting.”

  Cheers erupted from the group gathered.

  “Okay, y’all, we’ve got a lot of work to do tonight,” Maggie shouted over the din as people began talking to each other.

  Zane put two fingers into his mouth and blew a loud whistle. The sound rang in Kim’s ears, but every person in the room rotated toward Zane. Kim flashed a nice shade of red. She was sure of it because her cheeks felt on fire.

  “You’ve got the floor, Maggie.” Zane waved his arm toward her cousin.

  The crowd swung back toward Maggie. “Who’s working on the packets?”

  A flurry of hands shot up in the air, including her father and Cody standing next to him. Kim thought of changing to that group then decided that would put a damper on anything Cody was trying to establish with her dad.

&n
bsp; Five minutes later, the neighborhood sweeps group with Gideon and Zane in charge decided to meet on the staircase. The committee members filed out of the game room to find a place to sit on the steps.

  At the back of the group, Kim waited for Zane. “Why didn’t you tell me you were in charge of this group?” she said in a low voice.

  “My choice shouldn’t affect your choice. Does it?”

  “Well, no.”

  “Good because when I knew you before I never thought you were a chicken.”

  Kim’s mouth dropped. “I’m not now.”

  “That’s even better. When Gideon asked me to help him earlier, I immediately thought about you being an area coordinator.”

  “Which area?”

  “Around your school. Who better to serve those neighbors.”

  “I like that. It’ll give me a chance to visit the homes of my students. That’s always good for a teacher.”

  “I figured that. You might be able to recruit some of the teachers at your school to go door to door, too.” Zane passed her near the bottom of the stairs and took his place on the ground floor, facing the fifteen people assembled there.

  As Zane started outlining what the object of the neighborhood sweeps would be, Kim tried to listen. But her mind drifted to what her father was doing. Had Cody been successful with him?

  * * *

  Two hours later, most of the workers had left except Ruth, Kathleen, Miss Alice, Gideon, Zane and Cody. They stayed to help put the game room back to the way it was before the onslaught of people had arrived at Bienville. Although Kim was tired, excitement grew in her. She’d never been a political person, but the prospects of affecting the mayoral race was invigorating.

  “What do y’all think? Was it a successful planning meeting?” Ruth asked when the tables and chairs were returned to their right places and the paper coffee cups were tossed into the trash.

  “Ruth, you’ll make a good mayor. We need someone like you after the past few trying months.” Kim’s dad took a seat on the couch, others following suit. “Are you worried about something?”