“I wish. If I knew anyone with a restaurant who’d take you on, that would have been a much easier job for you. But no, I got you a job as a labourer. Working at a construction site with my brother.”
Mitch’s eyes shot open. What on earth was she thinking? He couldn’t possibly do manual labour. He sensed she was amused by his reaction. Maybe she was a sadist who liked seeing people suffer. Maybe he’d gotten her all wrong. “I’m sorry, but what crazy notion led you to believe that’s a good idea?”
“Well, from the moment I met you, you couldn’t stop showing off your biceps. You’re not like average strong, you’re the kind of guy who spends way too much time in the gym, staring at himself in the mirror while he lifts heavy weights. Since you like to brag about it so much, I thought this would give you the chance to show your strength.”
“I’m not entirely sure if you’re complimenting me or insulting me right now, but my muscles aside, I was just in a major car accident. My body currently has nine broken bones, and you want me to be a labourer?” he asked, incredulous.
“Yep,” was all she said in reply.
“How?” he finally managed to ask. It was the only question that seemed logical.
“You’ll start on easy tasks, things that aren’t too physically demanding. From there, as you regain your strength, you’ll work your way into the more demanding ones. So long as you don’t push yourself in order to try and prove something, it will be beneficial for you after spending two months in bed. Consider it part of your recovery.”
“Right. Okay then. And what else have you come up with in this crazy challenge of yours?” he asked, still far from convinced about the work side of things.
“That you’ll be living with Kyle and Yonas.”
He eyed her silently before managing to ask, “I’m sorry, but who are Kyle and…Yonas?”
“My brother and his housemate. They have a spare room in their house since Keith just got married and moved out. So, they’re happy for you to move in as their new housemate.”
“This is too weird. I’m supposed to move in with your brother?”
“Yes. My brother who got you the job. My brother who is generously willing to share his home with you and help you budget with your new wages from that job,” she told him, matter-of-factly and without blinking or smiling.
Mitch realised that, while she was kind and clever, this woman was also serious. She was taking this thing too far. Well, maybe it was as far as she’d told him she was going to take it, but it still felt too much, too soon. Regret over agreeing to it in the first place washed over him. His body was still healing and he knew it would take a fair amount of time before he was ready for any kind of labour. Whatever had possessed her to think he could do even the menial tasks?
She’d been right about his muscles, though. He could lift weights in the gym where he was simply showing off his strength to anyone who would watch, but he’d never used his strength for work. However, after almost two months in the hospital, no doubt his biceps had wasted. “I can’t believe I agreed to this,” he mumbled, realising his error.
“But you did. And because of that, we’re going to make it work.”
“Mitchell?” came a voice from the door, along with a knock. It was his mother and she was entering slowly and cautiously. “Oh, Jenna! It’s you. I heard he had company, but I didn’t realise it was you. How are you?”
“I’m doing great, Marylin. How are you?” Jenna greeted in reply.
Mitch watched the exchange in wonder. What was happening to his world? His mother and his nurse were seemingly becoming friends, he was about to start doing manual labour, and he was moving in with his nurse’s brother? It was as if some sort of strange play was being performed in front of him about a man who looked and sounded like him but had a completely different life.
“Did I interrupt?” his mother asked.
“No, you came at just the right time to stop me from doing something perfectly crazy.” He folded his arms and glared at Jenna.
His mother glanced back and forth between the two of them.
“What might that be?” she asked as she eased into the chair beside him.
“She made me agree to live like a normal person for two months when I get out of here.”
“A normal person?” his mother asked, an amused expression on her face.
“Yep. She found me a job doing manual labour. She assures me it’s the right fit for someone who’s just spent months in a hospital bed recovering from broken bones. Not only that, she found me roommates and a house to share with them,” he said with a sarcastic laugh.
His mother glanced at Jenna as though she were insane, and, for a moment, Mitch thought she might put a stop to this madness. Yes, of course she would come to his aid.
“Jenna, my dear girl, I think you are an angel sent from Heaven. Mitch, I’m so proud of you for agreeing to do this,” she said, turning to him.
He was caught off guard. Of all the reactions he’d anticipated, laughter and criticism and bewilderment—he’d not imagined this crazy plan would make his mother proud.
He opened his mouth, but nothing came out. His mother simply eyed him with a joy he hadn’t seen before.
“Well, I think you’re a fool,” came a deeper voice at the door. His father. Of course his father would come now.
Entering the room, his father cast an obligatory nod at his mother, and then looked at him in disbelief. “You’re going to settle for lousy labour work?”
Mitch glanced at both Jenna and his mother for support. He sensed that the nurse wanted to be anywhere other than in his room in that moment. But still, she was easier to impress than his dad.
“I think it’s time I try something different,” he said with resolve.
He would do it. Even if it was only to prove his father wrong.
Chapter 10
Jenna arrived at church and met up with Gwen and Marissa. The three had grown up in church together, and as much as Jenna loved working with Gwen, she wished she had more time with Marissa as well, a social worker who was often away with her job.
“I can’t believe what Gwen told me about your patient. Are you serious about this?” Marissa asked.
“Completely. And yes, I know it’s crazy. But I can’t help it. I believe God’s in this, and if there’s something that can be done to help this guy, it’s wrong for me not to act on that,” Jenna replied.
“But finding him a job and a house? What else are you going to do for him?” Marissa asked.
“Honestly, I don’t know. I wouldn’t be surprised if he needs help with a lot of things that the rest of us consider normal. He’s never lived a normal life before and I don’t think he knows where to start.” Jenna hoped that would be the end of the conversation, but her friends wanted to know more.
“He’s only got a week left in the hospital. After that, he’ll probably forget all of this and just go back home. Why are you making all this effort?” Gwen asked.
Jenna knew that Gwen had plenty of objections to the arrangement, but she wasn’t going to flounder now. She was determined to make this happen. “There are a lot of reasons. For one, I believe Mitch does want to change and I believe that God encouraged me to treat him this way. It’s easy to feel disgust towards people like him. It’s easy to think he’s a bad person. But we’ve been called to something different. You know the phrase from that song, ‘They’ll know we are Christians by our love’?”
The other girls nodded.
“I really believe that,” Jenna said.
“We all believe that. But it doesn’t mean putting ourselves in this kind of a situation,” Gwen said, frowning.
“I disagree, Gwen. I think that’s exactly what it means. I’ve never read a verse saying that the world will know we’re Christ’s disciples by the way we stay in our convenient comfort zones.”
She was trying to be patient with her friends, but it was difficult to not grow annoyed. She couldn’t understand why so many people
were teasing her or telling her she was being foolish. This was something she believed Christians were called to do and for the first time in her life, she was doing it.
Sure, it was an easy situation to judge. She was getting personally invested with a patient. That was never a good idea. And that patient happened to be a rich playboy with a bad reputation. It would be easy for people to start rumours about her, damaging her own. But she felt confident that those closest to her knew her heart, that she only wanted to help Mitch find true meaning in life. Nothing more.
Of course, the way Marissa and Gwen were behaving now did give her cause for concern. If they were worried about her, maybe she should be worried about herself. Maybe it really was a bad idea.
Was she trying to obey God or was she using obedience as an excuse to get close to Mitch? After all, despite his abhorrent behaviour, he was an attractive man, and she’d been without a man in her life for more years than she’d like to admit.
Marissa’s expression stilled and grew serious. “I think you’re right, Jenna. I think you’re insane for living this out, but I think you’re right. And we should be more supportive of that. Because it’s not every Christian who’s willing to put themselves in such an exposed position as this.”
“Thank you,” Jenna replied with sincere gratitude.
“Well, now I feel like a terrible friend.” Gwen released a heavy sigh.
“You’re not a terrible friend, Gwen. Just know that there are no motives other than following what I believe God has mandated for us as believers.” Jenna’s face creased into a smile.
“In that case, I support it as well. And if you can find me a billionaire to do outreach with, I’ll jump on the bandwagon,” Gwen added, chuckling.
“I’ll keep an eye out. Although I don’t think Kyle is going to build a fourth bedroom onto the house to take in more strays.” Jenna laughed lightly, relieved her friends finally supported her.
“But it’s really kind of him to help out,” Marissa remarked.
Jenna smiled at Marissa. Although her friend had never said anything openly, she knew Marissa had feelings for Kyle. She determined to discover whether or not those feelings were returned.
“Yes, it is. At first, he was skeptical as well, but he soon came around. I think he’s actually looking forward to the challenge.” It was then that she noticed Kyle on the other side of the sanctuary with some of his friends. He caught her eye and waved. The musicians were on their way to the platform to begin the service, so the girls headed for their seats.
While they worshipped God in song, Jenna silently thanked Him for allowing her this opportunity to reach out to Mitch and prayed that she might be a true example to him of what it meant to love and live as a Christian.
As the music team played their final song before the sermon, she gasped upon hearing the opening chords. She sang the first few lines as tears began to choke her voice, but she still managed to sing through the emotion welling inside her.
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love.
They will know we are Christians by our love.
The pastor took to the pulpit and began with a prayer that followed the hymn. Once more Jenna was in awe of God’s plans and purposes as the pastor began his sermon.
“Last week we finished looking at John chapter twelve. This week, we’re looking at chapter thirteen and how the world can know that we are Christians.”
Chapter 11
As the final two weeks in the hospital passed, Mitch prepared himself for his new life. His body was recovering well, and his physical therapist was pleased with his progress.
Jenna had taken good care of him during his hospital stay and he’d found he was growing more interested in her every day. She was completely different from any woman he’d ever met, and she intrigued him. However, it frustrated him that she showed no interest other than trying to help him, but it made the chase more exciting and challenging.
There were, however, other things distracting him.
The case against him was still being filed so he was allowed to leave the hospital and go to Kyle’s home as planned. He’d wondered what living there would be like, but felt certain that, somehow, he’d get through it.
His main concern now was what would happen after the lawsuit was filed. It was almost certain he’d lose. He’d made such a huge mistake that there was little else that could come out of it. And the longer Kendra stayed in her coma, the worse it looked.
When he finally inquired about her condition, he’d been told that her broken bones were healing, but the brain swelling was still the major concern and the reason she hadn’t woken yet.
“Just sign here,” Jenna said, helping him through his hospital release forms.
A man Mitch had never seen before sauntered into the room. Based on his eyes and stature, he could only assume it was Kyle, Jenna’s brother.
“Hey Kyle,” she greeted him warmly. He hugged her and Mitch felt a twinge of jealousy that the siblings were close enough for that type of affection.
Kyle turned to him and stuck out his hand. “Hi. I’m Kyle.”
Hesitantly, Mitch took his hand and shook it. “Mitch.” The guy’s handshake was strong and firm. Dressed casually in a red plaid button up open over a grey t-shirt and a pair of handyman jeans, Jenna’s brother was clearly a hard worker. For a moment, Mitch wanted to crack a joke about his attire, but although he wasn’t looking forward to living with this guy, he had to stay on his good side or he might find himself without anywhere to go except crawling back to his dad, now that the penthouse Mitch had called home was for sale. So he decided to keep quiet.
“Ready to head out?” Kyle asked, shoving his hands in his pockets.
“Yeah, I’m good to go,” Mitch replied with more enthusiasm than he felt.
“Great. We can stop by your place and pick up your gear and then we’ll head to the house.”
Mitch nodded and then turned his attention to Jenna. He’d much rather be going home with her instead of her brother. His gaze travelled over her face and searched her eyes. As her cheeks reddened, she quickly looked away. He smiled to himself. He was getting to her and that made him happier than he’d been in months. “Catch you later, Jenna. Thanks for everything.”
She gave him a quick nod and then busied herself with the paperwork.
Leaving the hospital with Kyle felt like a bad dream and he hoped that soon he’d wake up and realise he’d imagined it all. But a short while later, when they arrived at the penthouse he’d called home for the last three years, Mitch knew that life as he’d known it was over. His father had wasted no time ridding the apartment of all traces of Mitch’s wild lifestyle. It was no longer a party penthouse but a classy, elegant apartment furnished with only the best money could buy and which would certainly suit the most discerning of buyers.
His belongings were stacked neatly on the Italian marble floor tiles in the foyer.
Kyle stood quietly behind him as he studied the pile. It didn’t take much time to figure out that most of it would be of little use in his new lifestyle. He’d no doubt have no need of his designer suits, Berluti boots or Gucci loafers.
Pushing through overwhelming despair, he packed what he thought he’d need into two bags and left the rest.
With a heavy lump in his stomach, Mitch sat quietly as Kyle drove through suburbs he’d never ventured into. They headed west on Parramatta Road. It had never been Mitch’s favourite road, and he remembered why. On the odd occasion he’d driven his red Ferrari 488 Pista down the choked road that stretched a long twenty-three kilometres from the city to Parramatta, he’d felt like a fish out of water. But Kyle’s Toyota Hilux dual cab, loaded with tools and bags of cement, looked at home amongst the humdrum vehicles Mitch didn’t know the names of.
The radio was playing some kind of religious program he tried to ignore as they passed take-out restaurants, laundromats and corner stores. Finally, Kyle slowed and turned into a street lined with old-fash
ioned dark brick homes. Concrete paths led from each home to the cracked footpath filled with chalk drawings and hopscotch squares. An occasional tree broke the monotony and added colour and a little shade, but in the main, he’d never seen such a boring street.
Kyle pulled into the driveway of one of those houses. Mitch’s throat tightened.
“Here we are. Home sweet home.” Kyle killed the engine and jumped out. Opening the back door, he grabbed both of Mitch’s cases.
Mitch eased carefully out his door and followed Kyle up three steps onto the pocket-sized porch.
“You okay, man? You look a little green,” Kyle asked.
“Yeah. I’m fine. Leg’s hurting a bit, that’s all.” Mitch rubbed the offending limb and managed a weak smile. If he had a choice, he’d be anywhere but here right now.
Kyle opened the door and stood aside for him to enter. “After you.”
Mitch hesitantly stepped inside. The room smelled of dirty socks and damp. A clothes rack filled with assorted items of clothing sat in front of a three-bar radiator that chugged out enough heat to make the room feel like Hawaii in the summer. A well-used three-seater couch took up one wall, and in a corner, a mid-sized TV with bent-up rabbit-ear antennas sat on a timber cabinet. The football game was playing, and in front of the TV, sprawled in a beanbag, snoring, was another man Mitch guessed was Yonas.
“Hey, Yonas,” Kyle kicked the beanbag as he set down Mitch’s bags. “Our guest has arrived.”
Yonas, an olive-skinned man Mitch guessed was of a similar age to himself, rubbed his face and jumped up. “Hi Mitch, nice to meet you at last.”
Mitch had no choice but to shake the man’s hand. “And you. Thanks for having me.” He didn’t know what else to say. Nothing separated the living room from the kitchen. The entire area was about half the size of his penthouse bedroom. Already he felt claustrophobic. How could three guys live in such a tiny place?
“I’ll show you your room,” Kyle said.
“Great. Thank you.” He followed Kyle down a short hallway to a room the size of a closet. There was a single bed covered with an old-fashioned patchwork quilt, a wooden desk and plastic chair, and a freestanding wardrobe that looked handmade. Threadbare carpet of nondescript colour covered the floor, and a sheer curtain that he guessed might have once been white covered the single window. Dingy. That was all he could think of to describe his new bedroom.
Billionaires with Heart Boxset: Christian Romance Series Page 28