She huffed like she already did, but he saw a hint of a smile.
He dropped his hands and the world seemed brighter, full of possibility. “I’m going to check outside, just to make sure no one saw Edwards’s car here.”
“Does Slim really have someone following you?”
“Yes, Laila. That’s why you can never talk to anyone involved in that world again.”
She threw up her arms. “Sometimes I really hate this small town. I wish everyone would just mind their own business.” She stomped to their bedroom, her hips swaying in a way that almost made him forget his bigger purpose.
Shaking the images from his mind, he circled the house first. No broken branches. No signs of footprints. He checked the tree line, the driveway, and the area by the mailbox. All looked undisturbed.
Maybe all his fear was unfounded. Katie had walked away from Slim, challenged him even, with no lasting repercussions. Maybe all this time, Chad had made the man out to be more threatening than he truly was.
Feeling his heart rate drop back to a normal level, he closed his eyes, truly grateful that everything he’d been through had led him here, with Laila, ready to start their life again.
Katie had talked a lot about her faith last night. How she had prayed that God would put someone in his path to help him stay clean. Someone like Mark, and even Cooper, though Chad kept him out of the conversation. They’d talked about her and Asher, how they fell in love and how dramatically she changed. By the time he left, Chad actually believed that maybe there was a divine power who’d generously given Katie her happy ending.
He looked toward the sky and thought of the ring on Laila’s finger.
“Yeah, so I’m probably the last person you want to hear from right now. But if you did have something to do with all this—my wife’s heart changing—then . . . thanks.”
He stopped talking, partially because he felt stupid and partially because those words seemed truly insignificant, like he should be saying more or giving more.
Chad shook off the feeling and walked back to the house.
CHAPTER 38
Laila stood frozen, chewing down her pinkie nail as Chad and Cooper maneuvered her ridiculously heavy couch through the cottage’s front door. They’d already had to readjust their hold on it twice, and both their faces were red and undeniably irritated.
“Where does it go?” Chad asked, his voice strained.
Laila jumped into action, walking to the space she’d reserved. “Right here. Facing the fireplace.”
The men spoke in hushed tones as they walked the couch around to face the proper direction and lowered it to the floor. When they stood up, they both had deep grooves in their arms from its weight.
“It’s perfect,” she said, hoping her enthusiasm would wipe away their frustration.
“Good. ’Cause I ain’t movin’ it again,” Cooper said.
“Well, no one asked you to,” she snapped back, but with teasing in her voice. Laila and Cooper seemed to share equal parts friendship and annoyance, but their mutual love for Chad gave them the common ground to get past the hurt they’d caused each other in the past. Although Cooper had more than made up for his interference by the amount of work he’d done for them this weekend. Not just hauling her things out of the old house and into this new one, but also helping Chad repair any damage she could be charged for at the old house. And, really, if it weren’t for Cooper’s big mouth, she and Chad would never be in the place they were now.
And things were good. Better than good. Even with them arguing over Agent Edwards. He’d come by the bar again last night, but Laila had done as Chad asked and told him to leave. Thankfully, he’d finished his drink and walked out.
“I’m gonna grab a water and get another load.” Cooper said, rubbing his forearms.
“Yeah. I’ll be there in a minute.” Chad dropped to the couch with a mischievous grin and pulled Laila onto his lap. She tried to struggle off, sure a tickling assault was coming, but her efforts only got her a long, lingering kiss that sent fire bolts to her toes.
“What was that for?” she asked, breathless.
“For putting my ring back on your finger.”
“It’s been there for days.”
“I know, but it still makes me giddy every time I see it.” He slid his hand up her thigh, his eyes bright green and happy. “When are we going to make it official?”
She smacked his chest, although keeping her distance was becoming more and more difficult. “Soon. I want to get all moved in first. And I want Joe and Katie to be there. And Asher too.”
“Cooper’s going to be my best man,” he warned. “That’s nonnegotiable.”
“Well,” she said coyly, slipping her hands around his neck, “the three of them will just have to put their drama aside for one day.”
“When?” he asked again, with more force this time. “I’m done waiting. I want you to be my wife again, in every sense of the word.”
She stroked the back of his head. He had been patient and loving and supportive. “Okay. Two weeks from today. On the beach. That’ll give me enough time to plan it.”
He slid his arm under her legs and stood, swinging her around while she clung to his neck. “Ah, baby. I’m going to make it the best day of your life.”
“I know you will.”
Chad let her slip out of his arms until her feet were firmly planted on the bare floor.
Her gaze did a 360 around the room. The joy of her decision came back every time she walked through the front door of the cottage. She loved how open the space was. No tight, separated rooms like their old house, just one big, open kitchen, living, and dining area, with two bedrooms in the back, the bigger one opening up to a patio surrounded by three gardens.
She walked toward the large bay window and took in the view she’d been longing for since the first time she’d seen it. Ben had been with her that day, and she had truly believed he was the beginning of her future.
How different life turns out sometimes.
Thick hands wove around her middle, pulling her back into a firm torso. “You’re right. This place is perfect.” Chad nibbled on her ear and she giggled, feeling more content than she had in . . . well, in forever.
“How much is left to bring in?” she asked, sliding her hands over his locked arms.
“Not much. Just a few more boxes, the mattresses, and our dresser.” He kissed the back of her head. “You sure you want to stay here alone tonight?”
She unclamped his arms and spun around. He wanted to move in with her, had made that very, very well known, but something in her needed to see this one step of independence to the end. She wanted it to feel like her home before it became Chad’s too. “Yes, I’m sure.”
“When is the walk-through on our old place?”
She was glad he hadn’t argued with her and let her body relax back in his arms. “Thursday. And don’t think I’m cleaning it without your help.” Their old landlord was a tyrant, but Laila wanted their deposit back, and he’d find every excuse to hold it.
Chad grinned. “I’ll be there. And tell Mr. Novak to make the walk-through at noon. I don’t want him trying to manipulate you.”
“I can’t. He already said five sharp.”
“Fine. I’ll talk to Barney about taking off a few hours during my shift.”
She lifted on her toes and kissed the man she never thought she would kiss again. “Look at you, my big, strong protector.”
“I’m trying to be.” His tone turned serious. “I’m trying to be a lot of things I wasn’t before. Like . . .” He paused. “How would you feel if I went to church with you sometime?”
“You want to go to church?” She’d considered bringing up the subject a few times, but in the end decided he needed to make the decision without her pressuring him. The last thing she wanted was him pretending just to make her happy.
“I don’t know exactly how I feel about everything yet, but I think I want to learn more. And if you and
Katie are so sure, then it’s worth checking into.”
Overwhelmed, she barreled into his chest and squeezed. Of all the changes, this one calmed the worst of her fears. Watching Katie’s transformation had shown her the power that faith could bring to a recovering addict.
A throat clearing had her releasing him and wiping her wet eyes.
“Not to interrupt your honeymoon or anything, but I’d like to go home at some point tonight,” Cooper said, holding a stack of two boxes.
“Yeah, yeah. I need to find that man a girlfriend.” Chad winked at her, his voice scratchy as if he too felt the importance of his decision.
“Thank you,” she said before he walked away. “Nothing would make me happier than you coming to church sometime.”
“Then I’m there.” He gave her his heart-stopping smile. “Without a tie.”
CHAPTER 39
Laila walked down the hall of Burchwood Elementary feeling just as nervous as she had the first time she’d taken the same path months ago. Only she wasn’t the same person anymore. Which was why, despite her trepidation, she found the courage to come for the final Kids’ Bible Club of the school year.
Passing through the cafeteria doors, Laila found Ben right where she expected to, up by the stage, hooking the sound system to his speakers. She’d come earlier than necessary so the two of them could talk before all the other volunteers showed up.
“Hey,” she said, carefully approaching him.
He didn’t turn, but she could see his body go rigid. He knew it was her.
After a second, his shoulders seemed to relax. He set the wires down and faced her. “Hi. I didn’t know you were coming.”
“I hope it’s okay. Kim asked me to be here today . . . for Sierra.”
Ben shoved his hands into his pockets, his gaze zeroing in on the ring she now wore on her left hand. On instinct, she touched it with her fingers, then dropped her arms by her side.
“I’m sorry—”
“I’m sorry—”
They both said it at the same time.
Ben smiled and gestured for her to go first.
“You were right about my feelings,” she said. “But I want you to know that when I was with you, I truly didn’t think Chad and I would ever be together.”
“I know.” He glanced at his feet, then up at her. “Once again, my instincts were spot on. I just wish sometimes they would work in my favor.”
“Oh, Ben. They will. You’re such a great guy. Someday—”
He put up his hand. “Please don’t say that. I know it’s not meant to be patronizing, but it still feels that way.”
“Sorry.”
“It’s fine.” A heavy silence followed, and Laila wondered if she should go find something to do, but feared it would again be the wrong thing.
“I have something for you,” he finally said.
“You do?”
He reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. Opening it, he shuffled through some slits and then pulled out a business card. With one hand, he offered it to her. With the other, he slid his wallet back into its resting place.
“What is this?” She scanned the print.
HARRISON FAMILY DENTISTRY
“A friend of mine mentioned that he was looking for a new receptionist. One who was good with kids and smart enough to take on some office management duties as well.” Ben watched as she read and reread the handwritten number on the back. “I still had your resume on my computer, and I thought you’d be perfect for the job. I hope you don’t mind, but I sent it to him, and he was interested. If he hasn’t called yet, it’s probably because he knows we broke up and wasn’t sure how I’d feel about it.”
“How do you feel about it?”
Ben paused and seemed to scan her adorned finger again. “I guess I feel like if I hated you working at Joe’s, I can’t imagine how hard that must be for Chad, considering his history.”
Laila bit her lip, knowing everything he’d just said was true. “It is hard. On both of us.”
“I meant what I said that night. I believe in marriage, and if you two have a second chance at a happy ending, I really hope you do everything you can to get there.” He smiled—it almost didn’t seem forced—and pointed to the card. “You should call him. Jeff will be a great boss, and the office is located just north of downtown, near Burchwood Medical Center.”
“Ben. I . . .” What could she possibly say to let him know how amazing he was? “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” For a moment, he seemed to want to say more too, but then switched to the proficient businessman she’d seen him be with other people. “Okay, let’s get to work. Can you start pushing the tables out of the way?”
She carefully slid the card into her pocket. “Sure.”
They were going to be okay, she realized, and one day, whether Ben wanted to hear it or not, God would bring the perfect person into his life. A man so kind and caring deserved no less.
Laila stood by Sierra, fighting the rush of tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. Not only had the little girl listened intently to the lesson, but she’d also smiled—twice—and now she clapped along to the final song of the day.
The room pulsed with energy, kids jumping and singing as loud as their little lungs would allow. Caden stood next to his dad, both of them clapping and laughing. Yeah. Ben would be just fine.
When the song ended, Ben stood on the stage, thanked all the volunteers and kids, then formed lines to bring the masses to the pickup area.
Sierra gripped Laila’s hand and pulled her to Kim’s chair at the back.
“What a day,” Laila said, breathless with all the emotion.
“What a month,” Kim said, her eyes filling. “Sierra, do you have anything you want to add?”
The little girl she had grown to love smiled sheepishly and waved Laila closer. She knelt down, and Sierra wrapped her arms around her neck. “I love you,” the child whispered in her ear, barely loud enough to be heard.
Shocked, Laila wrapped her arms around Sierra’s small torso and searched for Kim, as if needing confirmation that Sierra had actually spoken.
Kim nodded and wiped a stray tear with her tissue. The woman constantly carried one.
“I love you too,” Laila whispered back. “Thank you for being my friend. I really needed one.”
Sierra didn’t speak again, but she did kiss Laila on the cheek before rushing to her grandmother.
“Will you be around this summer?” Kim asked.
“Yes. I just moved in, actually, on Rosemary Lane.” She directed her attention to Sierra. “Would you like to hang out a little while you’re out of school?”
Sierra bobbed her chin up and down quickly.
“Great. Me too.”
“I’ll call you and set something up.” Kim pulled her in for a tight embrace. “Thank you, for everything.”
Laila felt as if she walked on clouds all the way back to her car. She never expected so much in her life to go right, and it seemed like everything she’d ever dreamed of was now falling into place.
The feeling continued all the way into Fairfield. Now, if their landlord agreed to release their deposit, Laila would know for sure that she’d entered an alternate dimension.
Still smiling, she dialed Chad to let him know she was at the house.
“Hey,” he answered, and just hearing his voice made her pulse quicken. Ten more days and they’d be husband and wife again. “I’m changing right now and will be there in one sec.”
She clicked the car door shut, her feet skipping more than walking. “You won’t believe it. Sierra spoke. She actually told me she loved me. Out loud.”
“Ah, babe, that’s awesome.” He seemed to take a gulp of air. “So, um, I guess you talked to Ben?”
Laila held the phone between her ear and shoulder while she unlocked the deadbolt. “Yes. He was really great, actually. Oh, that reminds me. He found me a job. A receptionist position at a local dentist office
in Burchwood. I’m going to call the guy tomorrow.” She pushed open the door and flipped on the light. It spilled through the empty house, reminding her once again how happy she was to let that sad chapter in her life end for good.
“Wow. I, um.” He paused, and she heard his keys jingle in the background. “Okay, I admit. I totally hate it. Although I’m grateful. I just wish it wasn’t him.”
“Give it time, Chad. Maybe one day, you two will actually become friends.” She heard the front door open behind her. “Oh, he’s early.”
But when she spun around, Mr. Novak wasn’t the one slamming the front door shut.
Laila screamed.
And then there was nothing but pain.
CHAPTER 40
Chad sprinted across the yard, stumbling once in his rush to get to the front door. He had to be dreaming. This had to be a nightmare.
Sirens blared from a distance, closing in on their house.
It can’t be too late. God, please, please don’t let it be too late.
The stairs passed in a blur; so did the screen door he ripped open.
Then the world slowed to the beat of a hollow, ageless drum. It rushed through his ears, echoed through the house.
He didn’t feel a thing as he dropped to his knees next to her, his jeans sliding in the blood spreading along the floor.
Fingers trembling, he touched her face, then her neck, a faint pulse still detectible.
“Laila,” he choked, his tears mixing with the panic.
He didn’t know where to touch first. Her blonde hair was matted with thick red oozing from a gash along her temple. Her left arm hung lifeless next to her, while her right one lay in a position so contorted, it had to be broken in several places.
His gaze trailed down her bruised face, already swelling near her split lip.
The sirens grew louder, but Chad forced himself to continue his search for more severe injuries. There was too much blood to fall apart now. He had to stay strong, at least until he knew she was okay.
Finally, he spotted the rip in her shirt, just near the ribcage on her right side. He pulled up the soaked cloth, his eyes zeroing in on the jagged slice through her pale, white skin.
My Unexpected Hope Page 25