A type of rage unknown to him raced through his veins, igniting like wildfire over dry tinder. With a roar, he yanked the man up by the back of his shirt and threw him out into the corridor. The man slammed into the wall and slid to the ground. Seconds later, he scrambled to his feet and charged at Nathan. Fueled by adrenaline, Nathan was more than ready for him. He ducked the man’s attack and plowed his fist into the guy’s face, knocking him out cold.
Nathan quickly bound the lowlife’s hands and feet with some rope so he couldn’t get up again, and then returned to the stall, where he found Paige curled into a fetal position, a fall of hair curtaining her face. Another burst of anger surged through him at the sight of her torn clothing. He prayed to God he’d been in time, but pushed the thought away and focused on regaining his composure. Paige needed calm reassurance, not fury.
Nathan knelt beside her in the straw and placed a tentative hand on her arm, but she flinched away from him.
“It’s okay. You’re safe now.” Gently he pushed the hair back from her face.
His pulse stalled at the sight of blood running from the side of her mouth and a large purple welt forming on her cheek. He pulled off his Windbreaker, wrapped it around her and gathered her into his arms. Her slight form shook as she buried her face into his shoulder, one hand clutching his shirt.
“I’m taking you to the inn. We’ll call the police from there.”
In her state of shock, he wondered if she’d even heard him.
Minutes later, he pushed into the darkened kitchen and snapped on a light. Paige burrowed deeper into his chest to avoid the brightness. He strode past the long steel prep area, found a chair and sat down with her on his lap.
The hot tears that soaked his shirtfront seemed to melt straight through the ice surrounding his heart. As he absorbed her tremors, a long-forgotten tenderness overwhelmed him. With one hand stroking her hair, he murmured words of comfort. For a moment, the world consisted of nothing but his steady breathing and their shared body warmth. After several long minutes, when the shaking subsided, he reluctantly moved her off his lap to another chair.
“I’ll get some ice for your face,” he said. “Be right back.”
On his way to the large freezer at the far end of the long kitchen, he made a quick phone call to George from his cell phone, explaining the situation. In a fury-checked voice, George promised to call the police before heading right over.
Ice pack in hand, Nathan returned to Paige. He sat beside her and placed it gently on her bruised cheek. She reached up to hold the pack in place, staring at him with haunted eyes.
“Are you hurt anywhere else?” he asked gently.
“I–I don’t think so.”
She sat swamped in his Windbreaker, like a lost waif. Her bare legs, visible through large, ragged tears in her pants, were streaked with blood.
“Did he...he didn’t...?” Nathan couldn’t get the words out.
She shook her head as fresh tears gathered in her eyes.
“Thank God.” Relief loosened his muscles. Physical wounds would heal, but the effects of a rape would last forever.
She brushed at the dampness on her unmarred cheek. “How did you find me, anyway?”
“I was out for a walk and heard you scream.” He shifted on his chair. “What were you doing out so late?”
“I couldn’t sleep, so I went to check on one of the horses. Brandon saw me go into the stables.” She shivered.
“You know him then?”
She nodded. “He works here. He invited me to a party earlier, but I turned him down. He came back drunk and angry.”
“A dangerous combination.” Nathan banked down the rage that simmered under his skin.
She sucked in a breath. “How can I ever thank you?” she whispered. “If you hadn’t been there...”
“Try not to think about that. You’re safe, and Brandon will be the police’s problem very shortly.”
“You called the police?” A note of panic rang in her voice.
“I called George and he called the police. They should both be here any minute.”
Her stricken eyes darted to the door as if expecting a monster.
“We had to call the authorities,” he said. “Brandon committed a crime. He can’t be allowed to get away with it.” He moved on his chair, his knee brushing hers. “I’ll be right here with you. So will George. He and Catherine are going to take you back to their house tonight.”
She plucked at a loose thread on her torn pants. “I’m sorry,” she said. “The thought of talking to the police is bringing back bad memories for me.”
He should have realized. “Your fiancé’s accident?”
She nodded.
Not knowing what else to say, he reached over to lift the ice pack from her frozen fingers. The swelling on her face had subsided, but a nasty, purple bruise marred her pale skin.
The sound of footsteps in the hall alerted them to the arrival of George and Catherine, along with two police officers. Catherine rushed straight over to Paige and threw her arms around her, causing a fresh wave of tears from Paige.
Nathan thanked God for Catherine’s nurturing spirit as she offered Paige a type of comfort that he could not.
“There now. Don’t you worry about a thing,” she said to Paige. “After you talk with the sergeant here, I’m going to get you a nice, hot bath and a cup of tea.”
George hovered in the doorway, arms crossed across his barrel chest. Nathan could tell by his scowl he was seething inside.
“The guy’s unconscious in the barn,” Nathan told the officer. He wondered if they would ask how he got that way, but they didn’t.
One man nodded, then sent his partner out to look after Brandon. “I’d like to speak with Miss McFarlane now.” He pulled out a pen and notebook from his pocket.
Nathan stepped toward the man and lowered his voice. “She’s been through a lot tonight. I trust you’ll be considerate of that fact.”
George put a restraining hand on his shoulder. “Of course he will, Nate. Let Sergeant Williams do his job.”
“Fine, but I’m staying here while he questions her.”
Nathan was not about to let Paige be upset or bullied by anyone else tonight.
* * *
The sun was high in the sky when Paige awoke the next day. She groaned and burrowed under the warmth of the blankets, grateful George had given her the day off to recuperate. Her body ached all over. The expression “hit by a truck” came to mind more than once.
The guest room in George and Catherine’s house was as beautiful as one of the suites at the inn. Yet sleep had eluded her for most of the night. Every time she dozed off, nightmares of the assault plagued her. Finally, somewhere near dawn, exhaustion took over and she fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
Now, as she slowly stretched her sore muscles, her thoughts turned to Nathan. The comfort she’d found in his protective embrace had surprised her, as did her reluctance to let him go. He’d stood by her the entire time she answered the police’s questions, finally sending the officers away when he felt she’d had enough. His sensitivity surprised her more than a little.
The bedroom door opened and Catherine’s head poked around the corner. “Oh good, you’re awake.” She pushed into the room, balancing a breakfast tray. “I made you some French toast and bacon. A good meal will help you feel better.”
Without waiting for a reply, she settled the tray over Paige’s legs. Fresh orange juice and coffee rounded out the feast.
Paige breathed in the enticing aroma of the food, wishing she had an appetite. “This looks wonderful. Thank you.”
“You’re more than welcome.” Catherine pulled up a chair. “How are you feeling today?”
“Banged up and a little shaky.”
Catherine
patted her hand. “That’s normal after a scare like that. It’ll take some time to forget.”
Paige nodded as she sampled a bite of the French toast to please Catherine.
“George wanted me to let you know Brandon won’t be coming back. He fired him on the spot.”
Relief flooded Paige’s aching muscles. “I’m glad.” She sighed. “I never imagined he would hurt me. It seemed like an annoying but harmless crush.”
“Well, that’s all over now.” Catherine smoothed her skirt as she rose. “I’ll let you eat in peace. By the way, you have some visitors waiting in the kitchen. Do you feel up to it?”
She nodded, her mouth full. “Give me a minute to finish and I’ll come out.”
“Take your time, honey. They aren’t going anywhere.”
* * *
Nathan sat in the Reynoldses’ big, homey kitchen, sipping coffee. Funny how this room hadn’t changed since he’d been coming here as a kid. The same wooden cupboards, the same oak table and the same lace curtains at the windows. The enticing aroma of fresh coffee and muffins. Nathan remembered feeling very safe and happy here, which probably explained his relaxed attitude now as he watched his son playing with Goliath. Zach laughed with delight as Goliath wet his entire face with one tongue lap.
“Easy, boy. I’m not a popsicle.” He wiped his cheeks with mock disgust, but the big dog only cocked his head, waiting for the expected treat.
Nathan hoped Paige wouldn’t mind him bringing Zach to see her. Apparently from what George told him, when Paige didn’t appear at breakfast that morning, the kids had been full of questions, which George had handled as best he could. Jerry and Sandy planned to bring the rest of the kids by later. But to alleviate Zach’s fear for Paige’s well-being, Nathan had given in to his badgering and allowed him to come over first thing. Nathan understood that after losing his mother in such a shocking manner, Zach needed to see Paige for himself, bruises and all.
Catherine entered the kitchen, a laundry basket hitched on a plump hip. “Paige will be out in a few minutes,” she said, setting the load down.
Zach scrambled up to the table and grabbed a crayon to put the finishing touches on the get-well card he’d made. When the sound of a door opening caught his attention, Zach snatched the page and raced down the hallway.
Catherine smiled as she folded a towel. “Zach is certainly taken with Paige. She’s done wonders with him in such a short amount of time.”
Nathan set down his mug and pushed up from the table. “The true test will be when we go home.”
Catherine stopped folding, walked over and enveloped Nathan in a fierce hug. “Give it some time, honey. I promise things will get better.”
His throat tightened at her simple, loving gesture. He swallowed and kissed her cheek. “Thank you, Catherine.”
“You’re welcome.” She plucked the basket off the table. “Now, I’ll let you have some time alone.” She gave him a wink and disappeared down the hall.
Before Nathan could collect his emotions, Paige hobbled into the kitchen beside Zach, his colorful card in hand. She was dressed in a long pink bathrobe, and her pale hair hung loose over her shoulders, partly obscuring the bruises on her face.
“I can’t believe you drew this all by yourself,” she said to Zach. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.” She ruffled the curls on Zach’s head.
He beamed with pleasure at the compliment, then his smile faded. “I’m sorry you got hurt, Paige.”
“Me, too.” She looked up then, and her eyes met Nathan’s. “I’m just thankful your dad was there to rescue me.”
Nathan shoved his hands in his pockets as a swath of heat moved up his neck.
Zach scrunched his nose. “So Dad’s kind of a hero?”
Her steady gaze stayed on Nathan. “Yes, he is.”
Nathan squirmed in his loafers, about to deny her assertion, when Zach looked at Nathan and smiled. Nathan’s heart swelled at the admiration on his son’s face. It had been so long since Zach had looked up to him, Nathan had forgotten how good it felt. The appreciation in Paige’s eyes didn’t hurt either.
He pulled out a chair for Paige. “You look a little wobbly. Better sit down.”
She nodded, wincing as she lowered herself stiffly to the seat.
“Sore?”
“Like a horse kicked me.”
Nathan reached out a finger to gently brush her hair aside, frowning at the swelling on her cheek. “You need some more ice.” He opened Catherine’s freezer and pulled out a tray. Deftly, he dumped the cubes into a soft dish towel.
Zach squirmed beside Paige’s chair, tugging her arm to get her attention. “I wish you could come with us today. We’re going on a nature hike in the woods to look for fossils. I’m gonna find a dinosaur bone.”
“That sounds amazing.” Paige looked as if she actually believed him.
Zach grinned. “I’d better go. I don’t want everyone to leave without me.”
“I’ll be right there to walk you over,” Nathan said. “I need to talk to Paige for a minute.”
“’Kay, Dad.” Zach unhooked Goliath’s leash from the back door and, with a wave, followed the eager dog outside, letting the screen door slam behind him.
Nathan sat down beside Paige and handed her the makeshift icepack. “I went with George to the courthouse earlier. Brandon has been released on bail into his parents’ custody, pending a court date.”
A slight frown wrinkled her brow. “You didn’t have to do that.”
He shifted his weight on the hard chair. “I wanted to make sure he wouldn’t bother you again. And you don’t have to worry about him coming back here. George is having his things shipped home.”
The relief was evident on her face. “That’s good to know. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He paused. “For what it’s worth, he did seem sorry for what he did.”
She didn’t respond. Instead she fiddled with the long end of the robe’s belt. Something in her demeanor sent off little flares of suspicion inside him.
He reached over to still her fidgeting fingers. “You know none of this was your fault, right?”
She sighed. “I know. Just second-guessing my actions, I guess.”
“Well, don’t.” His tone was a little harsher than he’d intended. He paused to soften his voice. “Nothing you said or did could ever warrant his behavior. There’s no excuse for violence.”
Paige nodded, then looked at him with large solemn eyes that did crazy things to his pulse. “Thanks again for coming to my rescue.”
“No thanks needed.” He became aware he was still holding one of her hands. Clearing his throat, he released it and stood up. “I’d better not keep Zach waiting. If he feeds that dog any more treats, Catherine will have my head.”
Her soft laugh warmed his insides.
“Keep that ice on for a while.”
“I will.”
With one last look at her, he exited through the back door and closed it behind him with a quiet click. He stood very still on the stoop, reeling from the sense that his world had unexpectedly shifted. Maybe it had to do with the way she looked at him, as if he was a hero. Or maybe it was just Paige herself, constantly surprising him with the strength she showed through every trial. Whatever the cause, for the first time in a long while, the hard space around his heart had softened enough to allow a certain woman past his defenses.
Zach ran up, Goliath on his heels. “Come on, Dad. Let’s go.”
Nathan nodded and rubbed the ache in his chest, remembering that keeping his emotions locked away was a much safer option.
He had a feeling he’d be reminding himself of that a lot in the weeks to come.
Chapter Eight
Paige stepped out of the Pine Ridge Community Church on Sunday morning
and sent a silent prayer of thanks Heavenward that she was recovered enough to attend service this morning. Her spirits had lifted the moment she entered the white clapboard church.
Paige especially enjoyed listening to Pastor Dan Redding’s sermons, which always challenged and uplifted her. The vibrant young minister brought a sense of exuberance to his services, and in the five years since he’d taken over in Pine Ridge, the congregation had almost doubled.
Dan stood at the bottom of the church steps, his boyish face beaming at each member he spoke to. While Sandy and Jerry herded the children toward the bus, Paige waited to speak with Dan. She needed to confirm her solo for next Sunday.
“Paige.” He kissed her warmly on her good cheek, concern shadowing his eyes. “I was sorry to hear about your ordeal. How are you feeling?”
Paige forgot how quickly word of mouth spread in this rural area. “Much better, thank you. Where is Gwen today?” Paige usually looked forward to chatting with Dan’s wife after the service.
The minister rolled his eyes in mock exasperation. “Johnny had an upset stomach. If one boy’s not sick, the other one is.”
Paige laughed. “Poor Gwen. Give her my love when you get home.”
“I will. She’ll be glad I saw you. She was worried after hearing about the assault.”
Paige repressed a shudder. Just the word brought back a rush of horrible memories. She fiddled with her hair to make sure it covered her bruised cheek. “Tell her I’m fine.”
“So you’ll be able to sing with the choir next week as planned?”
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
“Great. We’ll see you then.”
On the bus ride back to Wyndermere, Paige watched Zach laughing with the other kids, and a spurt of disappointment washed over her as her thoughts turned to Nathan. She’d hoped he would join them for church this morning, for Zach’s sake if nothing else. But though she’d waited in the lobby until the last possible minute, Nathan hadn’t shown up.
Healing the Widower's Heart Page 7