by Cheryl Wyatt
“She’s still in casts from the wreck,” Kate said softly.
“Keep in mind her wounds go deeper than the physical,” Lauren urged. “So let’s be as caring and merciful as possible.”
“You were right from the outset, Lauren. I’m curious,” Ian said. His voice went raw, his face more so. “We’ve had other texting patients in since Mara. Yet you never took up their cause the way you did hers. Any reason why?”
“Not sure. I just felt she didn’t have a voice.”
Full-force remorse hit Mitch. “So you became her voice. Gave her the benefit of the doubt when no one else would.”
Lauren nodded. “People are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. But when victims come in mangled, we sometimes want to think of those who logically appear responsible as guilty until proven innocent.” Ian and Mitch nodded.
Kate nodded, too, then leaned on Lauren. “Mara’s going to be okay physically. You should keep reaching out to her emotionally.”
“Definitely.” Ian repositioned as Nita settled Mara in the private conference room where they could see in but Mara couldn’t see out.
The sheriff joined them in the hall. “Update. She’s headed to a psychological care facility where she’ll receive extensive counseling. She’ll be under suicide watch 24/7.”
Lauren gravitated toward the glass behind which Mara sat. “Hopefully once she’s better, she’ll come back and see us.”
“She has conscientious potential to help multitudes of others learn from her mistake,” Mitch offered.
The sheriff faced Lauren. “You keep pep talking her, and I guarantee she’ll do something great. She plans to be a counselor specializing in suicide prevention. Meanwhile, she wants to tell her story at schools. We’re helping her make a ‘BFFs don’t let BFFs text-N-drive’ video, using images from her wreck with permission from the families involved. No one wants others to endure this.”
“Who came up with these ideas?” Lauren asked the sheriff.
“Mara,” he said. “One by one after each of your visits.”
Tangible relief flooded Lauren’s face. She pressed knuckles to her mouth, closed her eyes and smiled. Tears broke through.
Ian motioned. “Guys, come. Mara’s nervous and waiting.”
Ian, Mitch, Kate, Lauren and the sheriff stepped into the room. Mara turned. Apprehension filled her face until her eyes lit on Lauren, whose smile wiped all fear away. “Hi.”
Lauren bent close. “Your fan club’s here. You’re not alone in the world, okay? We want you to live. A lot of people will be very sad if you don’t. You made a mistake, but your life is still worth something.”
A tear streaked Mara’s face. Ian gently brushed knuckles across it. “Hang in there for us, okay, kiddo? Lauren’s right. Things might look bleak now, but I promise life’ll get better.”
Mitch faced Lauren and knew she hoped the same as he did. That Ian would believe his own words and be okay.
“God will see to it,” Lauren added, to Ian’s admonition. “And, if you stick around, so will we.”
Kate knelt on Mara’s other side. “You’re kinda like family to us now, ya know? You were here so long.”
“We might even name one of the ambulance stalls after you.” Mitch chuckled. “Mara’s Place.”
A shy smile overcame Mara’s trembling mouth. Her chin quivered with emotion as she squeezed their hands hard enough that they knew she’d be okay. “Thanks, all of you.” Mara roved grateful eyes over each person, then paused on Lauren. She smiled and reached out for a hug. “Especially you. Don’t ever stop being a nurse or someone who helps people. You’re good at it.”
Once the sheriff helped Mara into the car, she turned and, through the window, latched on to Lauren’s gaze.
Lauren waved until her wrist ached. The patrol car pulled away. Mara’s face and hands pressed to the glass as if she could draw strength through the clear pane. Mara’s now-hopeful eyes held Lauren’s until the car passed Mitch’s dad’s cross at the roadside and taillights shrank out of sight.
* * *
Overcome with emotion, Lauren slipped from the entrance to flee. Mitch held her up against him in a doubt-crushing hug. “She’ll be okay, Lauren.” He kissed the top of her head and squeezed her again. Firmly. “And so will we. Okay?”
She nodded but couldn’t speak. She hugged back, with all her might, choosing to believe in Mitch’s goodness—and in God’s.
“I didn’t mean to make it seem like my love’s conditional.” Heartfelt sincerity deepened his voice and filled her with reassurance that melted fear.
“I’m glad. More than I can articulate.” She gave him another hug, then looked up as Ian approached.
He squeezed her shoulder. “Hang in there, Bates.”
“Boy, did I fall apart back there. I could barely comprehend the sheriff’s report. She’s just a patient.”
Ian shook his head. “No. She’s a troubled young girl who couldn’t bear the weight of what she’d done. She’s a person who made a huge mistake that made her sorry enough to want to die. I’m a cynical doctor who should’ve shown her more compassion.”
Seeing Ian’s face all pinched up made Lauren laugh. “You were compassionate. You just didn’t want anyone to know. I saw your moist cheeks at her ICU window when she became comatose.”
“It was sweat.” Ian grinned sheepishly.
“From your tear ducts? Then you’d better see a specialist because something’s askew with your eyes.”
Ian chuckled.
Lauren patted his cheek. “Ian, God won’t abandon you like your wife did.”
His smile faded. She hoped he’d listen. Really listen.
Lauren faced the man she loved. “And Mitch, God won’t abandon this center. So don’t worry about money.”
Mitch jangled his keys. “What makes you think I’m worried about that?”
“You’re borrowing money to help with the trauma center or something. A bank officer kept calling for you in the middle of all those codes last shift.”
Mitch stared at her for three seconds, then burst out laughing. “You’re under the influence of a few minor misunderstandings. But trust me, tomorrow everything will be made clear.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Don’t dislocate your neck, Shupe,” Mitch said to Ian the next day when Bri passed by to greet Lauren, setting up for the rescheduled picnic.
Ian’s head whipped around. “What’s that supposed to mean, Wellington?” Ian moved forcefully into Mitch’s personal space.
“You practically got whiplash when Bri came down those steps.” Mitch stood his ground. And tried not to grin.
“I’m not divorced yet, Mitch.”
Mitch sobered. “Sorry, man. When’s it final?”
“Two o’clock today.” Ian twisted the band on his finger. Mitch knew he refused to take it off until papers were inked.
“Speaking of rings, I ditched Sheila’s.”
“What do you mean ditched? Thing cost you an arm and a couple legs.”
“Sold it to a high-end jeweler. I paid off Lauren’s half of the building loan with it, plus used a CD I cashed in.”
“She know yet?”
“No.”
“The proposal still a go for today?”
“Definitely.”
“How’s this gonna go down?” Ian asked.
“I’m having an ambulance pull up with a Marry Me message on a gurney, instead of a patient. I have another crew covering us today so my proposal doesn’t get squashed by real traumas.” A horrible feeling hit Mitch. “Man, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize your divorce was going through today.”
Ian’s chin rose. “No sweat. I’m happy for you, man.”
; A flashing ambulance came down the road.
Mitch smacked Ian. “It’s time.” His pulse hammered.
But he hadn’t considered something.
What if she said no?
* * *
A siren pulled Lauren’s attention from slicing brownies for dessert today. “Oh, dear, we have trouble, guys.” She jumped up and bolted toward the trauma center.
But strangely, everyone lagged.
She darted looks over her shoulder. Rarely was she first to the ambulance stall.
Everyone must be tired today.
Lauren approached the paramedic who rushed out of the cab to meet her. “Lauren Bates?”
She skidded to a halt. “Yes?”
“This patient specifically requested you.” The paramedic clasped the ambulance door handle and yanked it open.
Her face tilted in. “What? There’s no one in here.”
The paramedic grinned but pulled out the gurney anyway.
He stepped back and up stepped Mitch, still the most gorgeous creature to ever own two legs.
Only now, he also owned her heart.
And there, in the center of the gurney, sat a bright pink stethoscope curved into the shape of a heart.
She turned to find Lem and everyone staring at her with excitement and anticipation that could only mean one thing.
“Mitch?” Lauren searched his to-die-for eyes. “What’s going on?”
He nodded toward the stethoscope and grinned. “Read it.”
She scooped the stethoscope, sheathed in a soft, washable fabric dotted with tiny green tractors.
Just like the one at Lem’s that she loved to drive.
Tears sprang to her eyes at Mitch’s thoughtfulness.
She turned the stethoscope over and over, then looked at the bell. “A Littmann!” she breathed. “And not a cheap one.”
She looked closer. He’d engraved her full name in it.
Lauren Esther Bates, RN
Below that was a Bible verse, the same one engraved on the building: “The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:26.”
Then below it, the words Marry Me?
Lauren sucked in so much air, she almost aspirated. “Oh!”
Mitch drew close. “Only a stupid man would let you get away. I’d like to think I’m a little smarter than that.”
He dropped to one knee.
She gasped.
He took her hands in his and turned as serious as a stroke. “Lauren Esther Bates, you’re worth every mile, even a million if I have to walk it. Texas or not, will you marry me?”
She rose on tiptoes like a giggling schoolgirl. “Oh, yes! Yes! Yes! Wait. One question. You don’t still have that item of my greatest ire in your glove box, do you?”
Ian snickered.
Mitch grinned. “Come see.”
* * *
He’d already gone to that glove box, gotten rid of the ring for good and had ripped up Sheila’s Dear John letter.
Lauren pulled out a sheet of paper, which held Mitch’s handwriting. The beginnings of what looked like a romantic poem. “What’s this?”
“My end of our wedding vows.”
She smiled. “You took out the letter and ring and replaced it with this, for me?”
“For me, too. For us. Also this.” He pulled out an envelope.
She opened it. “The note to my half of the building? This says it’s paid off!”
Mitch smiled.
“Mitch Wellington, did you?”
He put his fingers to her mouth, then his lips.
She leaned back. “When did you do all this? Why? How?”
“The details aren’t important. All you need to know is you can securely, legally, morally and ethically leave Texas in the dust. I also got your ex to back off completely.”
“How on earth?”
“A call to the D.A., who has a particular interest in protecting speed limits…and enforcing justice on those who disregard public safety.”
Her smile erupted. “How did you manage all this?”
“Consulted with The Great Physician. Everything fell into place. Ian knew the D.A. We thought of a fellow war vet with a health-care-management degree looking for a place to open a clinic. He loves Texas. Said your building location’s ideal.” Mitch handed her a card. “Have your Realtor give him a call.”
“I don’t have a Realtor.”
“You do now. Took care of that, too. You’ll have a substantial amount left. And your business partner said she’d better be invited to the wedding, or you’re in big trouble.”
“Of course! She’s not upset about the building?”
“Hardly. She’s relieved to be rid of the contractors.”
Lem’s teeth clacked as he laughed. “Who were horrible and perpetually delayed the timeline.”
Lauren shook her head.
“You can open a seamstress shop here if you like.”
“I’d rather sew from our home and stand next to you in surgery. Is that full-time permanent position still open?”
Mitch grinned. “Until you start having babies. One of us will have to keep them out of Lem’s cornfields.”
She laughed. “But where’s my ring?”
“Lem said you always played pretend with your grandma’s engagement ring, passed down to your mother.”
“I’d be honored to use it!”
Lem swiped tears. “Nothing would make me happier. Except a passel of great-grandbabies wreaking havoc in my cornfields.”
Mitch grinned at Lauren. “We could oblige.”
Lem chuckled, dug in his overall pocket and brandished the heirloom ring.
Mitch slipped it onto Lauren’s trembling finger.
She held it to sunlight, then to her heart. “I hoped and it came true,” she breathed. Then hugged Mitch so hard she punted air from his chest. “I love you.”
“I love you, too, my favorite nurse and future wife. To heaven and back.”
“To heaven and back.” Lauren laughed. “But thankfully not to Texas.”
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt of The Promise of Home by Kathryn Springer!
Dear Reader,
During the writing of this book, I not only lost my grandmother, my husband was involved in a tragic head-on collision that killed the other driver, whose car skidded into my husband’s lane on an icy curve. The accident happened just down the road from our home. I heard several ambulances and had the thought to call my husband. When he answered severely shaken and out of breath, he said, “It was me, but I’m okay.” I couldn’t comprehend at first what he meant. Being the nurse that I am, I rushed to the scene to realize that the precise moment I was speaking to my husband on the phone, another young wife was losing hers.
My children have their daddy, but that day, other little ones lost theirs. This same family lost their home and all possessions to a house fire two months before. I don’t understand why tragedy comes in relentless waves at times, but I trust in God’s goodness in bad times as well as good. Please keep the Watson family in your prayers. If you are overwhelmed by hardship, I would love to pray for you. Feel free to write me at my publisher: Love Inspired Books, 233 Broadway, Suite 1001, New York, NY 10279. Or email me at [email protected].
I’m active on Facebook. If you’d like to connect and keep up with book news, “Like” my author page at https://www.facebook.com/CherylWyattAuthor. I give away go
odies at intervals there. I also provide book updates and extras to my newsletter subscribers. If you’d like to be a part of the community of readers I love so much, visit my Web site at www.cherylwyatt.com and sign up for my newsletter. We’d love to get to know you!
If you’re an aspiring writer, visit a fifteen-author mentoring community at www.seekerville.net. Also, joining www.acfw.com is a helpful thing to do as well as frequent the writing articles and community at www.harlequin.com
The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace!
Blessings,
Cheryl Wyatt
Questions for Discussion
Grandpa Lem was afraid of turning seventy because his father and grandfather died in their seventieth year. Could you understand his fear? Why do you think Lem’s outlook on aging and health improved after Lauren came to visit?
Why do you think Mitch kept the rejected engagement ring in his glove box?
Lauren learned that we will often have opposition when we try to pursue our dreams. Have you experienced this? If so, how? Likewise, what dreams have you realized?
Lauren’s dream of becoming a nurse was inspired by a traumatic event in her childhood. What people or events in your own life influenced your career or other life choice/s?
Mitch also lost his parents in a traumatic way. His dad’s death inspired his choice of location for the trauma center. Have you experienced a traumatic event in your life that inspired you to reach out to others or your community in some way?
Mitch struggled with opening his heart to Lauren when he saw his best friend going through a painful divorce. Have you had a difficult time seeing someone you love experience difficulty or disappointment?
What person/s and/or event/s in the book do you think most helped Mitch turn the corner as far as being willing to plan a future with Lauren despite the possibility of her having to return to Texas?