“In our defense, Roland made that pretty easy. He comes on too strong at times, a by-product of being in a competitive job market. He forgets to turn it off, and that’s where he runs into problems.”
Leah started to smile during this insightful explanation. “Have you told him all this?”
“Sure did. On our first date. I figured I might as well get it out of the way. How a man handles criticism says a lot about his character.”
“And how did Roland take it?”
“Not well at first, but oddly enough, we ended up having a civilized discussion. After that, I didn’t expect to hear from him again.”
“But you did, and a few weeks later, you’re inseparable.”
“I know. It’s crazy, isn’t it?”
“Yes, but it’s exciting, too. Life is like that sometimes. You’re rolling along in one direction, and then out of nowhere, something happens that changes everything.”
Lydia laughed. “Very true, but at the moment, you and I need to roll in the direction of work.”
As they made their way to Lydia’s car, Leah couldn’t help thinking about the turnaround in her relationship with Stratton. She wasn’t sure what his motivation was, but she doubted their new understanding would have the same result as Lydia and Roland’s.
Chapter Seven
Stratton glanced at his phone and sighed. He was too early. His evening with Leah already had its full complement of potential minefields without him making things worse by showing up thirty minutes before she was expecting him. Passing by the entrance to her apartment complex, he headed to the gas station.
He couldn’t remember being this uptight about something or so afraid of failure. Not even when he’d proposed to Eva. Then again, he’d never had so much riding on the decision of someone else.
Topping off his nearly-full gas tank used up only a few minutes. The sight of a man coming out of the florist shop next door with a huge bouquet of roses brought a faint smile to his face. He remembered Leah’s words about dating. I’d like to see a return of little things like flowers on the first date and coming to the door to pick me up. Although this evening wasn’t technically a date, getting her some flowers wouldn’t hurt.
Twenty minutes later, he was outside her apartment, an arrangement of tulips, lilies, and asters clutched in his slightly sweaty hand. Just before pressing the doorbell, he paused to wipe away the film of perspiration on his forehead. How could he be sweating when it was sixty degrees outside? A few seconds later, she stood framed in the doorway, wearing the kind of smile that made grown men weak in the knees.
“You’re right on time.”
Remembering how he’d spent the last thirty minutes had him laughing inwardly. “These are for you,” he said, handing her the flowers. “I thought you might like a touch of spring for your apartment.”
She touched the silky petals with the tips of her fingers. “They’re beautiful. Thank you, Stratton.”
As beautiful as they were, they couldn’t hold a candle to her. “You’re welcome.”
“Come on in,” she said, waving him inside. “I just need to get my purse, and I’ll be ready to go.”
When they reached the living room, he noticed the absence of the bird cage. “Where’s Aristotle?”
Leah set the vase of flowers in the middle of the coffee table. “In my bedroom watching Jeopardy.”
“Does he know how to change the channel?”
“No, thank goodness,” she replied, reaching for a jacket on the back of one of the chairs and sliding her arms into the sleeves. “The timer on the TV is set to shut off at eight.”
“That’s when Denver has to turn his off, too.”
She grabbed her purse and keys. “It must be hard for you to be away from him in the evenings.”
“It is, but fortunately I have Wednesday and Friday afternoons off.”
She sent him a teasing glance as they walked outside. “Must be nice. How’s Long John doing?”
“He’s an escape artist. Jade found him in the bathroom yesterday morning. Needless to say, we now have a lid on the tank.”
Stratton was glad Leah wasn’t the type of person who required constant conversation. His agitation of mind was such that he wasn’t sure he could have kept up his end of a long exchange during the drive to Surfside Beach. Once inside The Black Olive, his nerves began to settle. He wasn’t sure whether it was the quiet atmosphere of the restaurant or the undemanding (and oddly calming) presence of his companion.
“Am I seeing things, or is grilled octopus really one of the appetizers?” she asked once the smiling hostess had provided them with menus and departed.
He grinned. “You’re not seeing things.”
“Have you ever tried it?”
“No, and I probably never will, but being half Greek, I’ve had nearly everything else on this menu at one time or another.”
“Well then, since you’re the expert, what’s a good entrée for a beginner?”
“You can’t go wrong with moussaka. It’s sort of a Greek version of lasagna except the layers are made with fried eggplant, potatoes, ground meat, cheese and a white sauce.”
“Sounds yummy.”
“My grandmother used to make it every Sunday when I was little. Knowing I was going there after church made up for the fact that my mother made me wear a suit with a hounds-tooth bow tie. I must have had one in every color combination.”
“I’d love to see a picture of that.”
“Only if I get to see one of yours.”
“I don’t mind as long as you promise not to laugh.”
“Why would I laugh?”
“Because I was a tomboy with a capital ‘T’, and next to dressing like a girl, I hated having my picture taken.”
“I was that way, too. I’m frowning in virtually every picture from five years old to high school. It drove my mother crazy.”
Their conversation was interrupted by the appearance of the waiter with their drinks and a loaf of sesame seed bread. Once they were alone again, Stratton cut the bread and offered a slice to Leah. “When Jade makes this, she forms the dough into rings. Denver likes to stack them on his fingers.”
Leah peeled off the crust and set it aside before taking a bite out of the middle. “Mmm. It just melts in my mouth. I wish I could bake bread this good. Mine always comes out dry.”
“Is that why you took a cooking class?”
“Partly, although this one is more geared to holiday cooking. Last night we made prime rib. I was a little intimidated because I’d heard how difficult it is. It wasn’t bad, but I can’t see myself fixing it for Thanksgiving or Christmas.”
“Jade got adventurous last Thanksgiving. She made Cornish hens, oyster stuffing, and red cabbage. It was okay, but not as good as turkey, green beans, and sweet potato casserole.” He pointed to her pile of crusts. “Are you taking those home to Aristotle?”
She shook her head. “No way. The crusts are the best part of the bread. That’s why I save them for last.”
“Denver does something similar with cinnamon rolls. He unrolls them and eats his way to the center.”
Leah smiled. “I like how he thinks. He’s got imagination.”
“I’m sorry to say he didn’t get it from me.”
She tilted her head to the side. “Maybe you’ve forgotten how to use yours. It’s something that happens to most adults. We’re so caught up in our jobs and responsibilities that there’s no room for anything else.”
“That’s for sure. By the time I get home, I’m too tired to tap into my inner child.”
“Inner child! That reminds me. Does Denver like dinosaurs?”
Stratton laughed. “He’s wild about them.”
“One of Dr. Gorman’s patients told me about an exhibit at the mall that’s got life-size animatronic dinosaurs. I checked it out online last night. If you think Denver would enjoy it, the exhibit runs through next weekend.”
“He’d love it. Would you like to come with us?�
��
“If it’s all right with Denver. I don’t want to intrude on your family time.”
“That won’t be a problem. He’s done nothing but talk about you and Aristotle all week.”
A look of tenderness and affection settled over her lovely features. “He’s a sweet little boy,” she said softly. “Not unlike his father.”
The amount of pleasure Stratton derived from hearing this was enough to make him uneasy. For what he had in mind, he couldn’t afford to get emotionally attached. All he needed from Leah was her cooperation. Gaining anything else was going to a place he had no wish to revisit.
* * * * *
During the meal that followed, Leah applauded Stratton’s valiant effort to behave normally, but it was obvious to her (and anyone else with a brain and a pair of eyes) that his enjoyment had waned considerably over the last hour. She didn’t think it had anything to do with her, but she couldn’t help feeling bothered by it. He’d assured her that everything would be clear tonight, but so far all he’d done was further muddy the waters.
Such was her state of mind that she barely noticed the coolness of the air as they walked out of the restaurant. In the far corner of the parking lot, Stratton’s truck sat alone under a flickering streetlight. Leah tried to think of something to break the uneasy silence between them, but her usually agile mind refused to respond.
Once they were in the truck, he didn’t immediately start the engine. He just sat staring straight ahead, a tiny frown etched between his brows.
“Is something wrong, Stratton?”
His lips twisted slightly. “You could say that. I arranged this evening so I could talk to you about something. I should have realized that a crowded restaurant wasn’t the place to do it.”
“You can talk to me now. Unless someone comes out of those bushes, we’re not likely to be disturbed.”
He turned to look at her. “This could take a while.”
“I don’t have anywhere to be.”
He sat back against the seat, one arm leaning on the console, the other propped on the steering wheel. “Before I get started, I need to clear up a few things. Denver isn’t my biological son. He’s the only child of my brother and his wife. They were killed five years ago in a robbery gone wrong while on vacation in Jamaica. Denver wasn’t even a year old at the time so he has no memories of Sullivan or Charity. I’ve tried to explain who they are through conversation and pictures, but it’s a difficult thing for him to wrap his head around. To him, I’m his father.”
His glance moved past her to the scene outside the window. “I was already divorced when this happened so Denver has been without a mother. I didn’t want to marry again so I told myself that Jade and Maria, my live-in housekeeper, could fill the gap. As you might guess, it’s not the same.
“Ten months ago during a routine checkup Denver’s doctor found a lump on his hip bone. A biopsy revealed it to be a rare type of cancer called Ewing sarcoma. Further tests showed the presence of other tumors in his pelvis and on two of his ribs. Because of their size and location, he’s not a candidate for surgery. He’s endured multiple rounds of chemo and radiation, both of which have been ineffective in stopping the progression of the disease.
“Losing Sullivan and Charity was sudden and unexpected. All I could do was react. Taking care of Denver gave me a purpose, a way to channel my shock and grief. It’s not an exaggeration to say that he’s what kept me going. But this…” he stopped, his lips trembling so badly he had to bite down on them. “This is tearing me apart. It’s torture knowing I can’t do anything to save him.”
The tears running down Leah’s cheeks weren’t only for Denver. Stratton was facing the worst scenario for a parent. The pain and dread welling up inside her defied description. It didn’t matter that she’d dealt with this kind of thing before. When it happened to someone you knew, it was frighteningly different. “I’m so sorry, Stratton,” she said, sliding her hand over his in an attempt to convey what she couldn’t adequately express.
He returned the pressure of her fingers. “I would do anything to make his last months happy ones. Anything.”
“Of course you would,” she said soothingly.
“Unfortunately, I can’t do it alone. Denver needs a mother, Leah, and I’d like very much for that mother to be you. I know this is asking a lot, but would you consider marrying me?”
She could only stare at him, her mind feverishly trying to grasp what was happening. “Marry you? I’m not sure that would be…what I mean is, I’d be glad to help you in every other way I can.”
“A few hours here and there isn’t an improvement on what he has now. He needs someone who will love and care for him as only a mother can. Someone who’ll be there in the morning when he wakes up and in the evenings when he goes to bed. I’m not asking for forever, just six or seven months, possibly less. During that time, your only responsibility will be Denver. Our marriage will be in name only. In return, I’ll pay your living expenses as well as make sure that when the time comes, you have a job to go back to.”
She’d suspected from the first that there was another reason besides the usual one for Stratton’s interest in her. Now she knew what it was. “I understand your reasons, but what you’re suggesting is no small thing.”
His sad smile tore at her already lacerated heart. “I’m fully aware of the enormity of what’s at stake. I also know that I’m putting you in a difficult position. But in the scheme of things, our marriage won’t hurt anyone; instead it will bring happiness to a child who doesn’t have long to live.”
Leah let go of his hand so she could get some tissues from her purse. This had the added benefit of giving her eyes somewhere else to look other than his ravaged face. “I have to think about this. A marriage is still a marriage no matter what the motivation for it, and its duration and ending will have consequences.”
“I didn’t expect you to give me an answer tonight. Would a week be enough time? It goes without saying that if you agree, we would need to make this happen quickly.”
The ride home was a quiet one, not surprising given the gravity of the situation. Over and over, Leah kept hearing the same set of sentences. This is tearing me apart. It’s torture knowing I can’t do anything to save him. I can’t do this alone. Stratton had bared his soul, an act that showed more than anything his state of desperation. His willingness to do something in direct opposition to his personal feelings revealed where his priorities lay and how little his desires mattered when compared to the wellbeing of someone he loved.
She told him she needed time because something as important as marriage deserved careful consideration, but deep down she knew she couldn’t refuse him. Her natural inclination was to nurture and protect. If there was one complaint about her as a nurse, it was her tendency to care too much, something that many in her profession would call a weakness. Ironically enough, it was most likely the quality that made Stratton willing to entrust his son to her. What he didn’t know was that she wouldn’t be doing this just for Denver.
Chapter Eight
“I wish we could take Long John Silver with us to see the dinosaurs, Daddy.”
Stratton smiled as he checked on the progress of their grilled cheese sandwiches. “Me, too, but they don’t allow pets in the mall.”
“I hope they have a T-Rex.”
“I’m sure they will.”
“Is Miss Leah still coming?”
This was the tenth time he’d been asked this question since Denver got up. “Yes, she is. She had something to do this morning, so she’s going to meet us there.”
It had only taken one encounter with Leah to win over Denver. Some of that was because children gravitate to people who are nice to them, but most of it was attributable to Leah herself. She possessed an ease and openness of manner (as well as a quirky sense of humor) that drew people like a magnet. Like himself, Denver hadn’t been able to resist someone whose innate kindness was so evident and whose interest in those around her w
as so genuine.
After their meal and a protracted goodbye session with Long John, the pair headed to the truck. Fifteen minutes later they were standing in a line weaving its way past several store fronts. Stratton was in the process of texting Leah with their location when he felt Denver pulling on his arm.
“What is it, buddy?” he asked absently.
“I see Miss Leah, Daddy! She’s over there.” He pointed in the direction of the food court.
Stratton glanced around, his eyes quickly finding the petite figure nearly hidden among the larger-than-normal crowd. He waved his hand to get her attention. When she saw it, she smiled and waved back.
If Jade’s theory was correct, then the fact that Leah had shown up today was proof that her answer was going to be yes. Stratton knew enough about the rules of logic to doubt the two events were connected. Whether or not Leah agreed to his proposal, she wouldn’t disappoint Denver by not coming.
“Sorry I’m late,” she said as she walked over to join them. “It gets a little crazy at the shelter sometimes.”
Stratton unhooked the cloth barrier so she could slip into line with them. “We’ve only been here a few minutes ourselves.”
Denver pushed his way to her side. “Miss Leah, they’ve got a huge sand box where you can dig for fossils. Daddy said we could do it later.”
“That sounds like fun. I’m glad I wore my fossil-digging clothes. Maybe we’ll find a dinosaur tooth or bone.” She drew a small, brown bag out of her purse and held it out to him. “In the meantime, here are some dinosaur eggs you can eat.”
Denver’s face lit up as he opened the bag and peered inside. “Can I have one now, Daddy?”
“Don’t you need to say something to Miss Leah first?”
“Sorry, Miss Leah,” he said solemnly. “I forgot. Thank you for the candy.”
She touched his cheek. “You’re welcome, sweetie pie.”
“That’s what Maria calls me.”
“Along with dozens of Spanish names depending on her mood at the time,” added Stratton. “When she gets excited, our housekeeper forgets she knows how to speak English.”
The Gift of Love (Finding Love Book 9) Page 6