Thanks to his help, the gazebo should be completed in plenty of time and he could get home for his meeting with his father. Then her life could go back to normal. The prospect didn’t sound as appealing as she’d thought it would. Probably because she was in serious danger of falling in love with Adam.
Her gaze drifted to the doorway again. She was afraid it was already too late. Because now, every time she walked into her living room, he’d be there. She’d slipped up and let him into her home. She couldn’t afford to let him into her heart. But there might be a way to show him her gratitude. Reaching for the phone again, she dialed, hoping her dad could come through for her one more time.
*
The Durrant house was quiet. Peaceful. But he’d never felt so out of sorts before. He’d come to appreciate the hustle and bustle that marked the Durrants’ Sunday gatherings. After that first one, he’d relaxed, convinced that the family really did get together each Sunday after church and truly enjoyed being together.
But this Sunday was different. Laura and her mother had gone to the early service, leaving him and Tom to attend the late one. Adam had enjoyed the sermon and had grown more comfortable with the citizens of Dover, who no longer stared at him like a stranger but greeted him as one of their own.
Coming home to the empty house had left him out of sorts and a bit lonely, though. Tom had jokingly encouraged him to enjoy his “free” time, explaining he had long-neglected yard work that would keep him busy most of the day. Adam tried to watch the ball game on television, but found himself restless and unable to concentrate.
Laura and her mother were giving a bridal shower for Shelby today and wouldn’t be back until early evening. He missed seeing Laura flitting around the house. In fact he was beginning to miss her anytime she was out of his sight. He’d lost his heart to her from the moment she’d appeared in the doorway to his room that first day. Now he was completely lost in her beauty, her determination and her heart, and he no idea what to do about it.
Adam made his way through the Durrants’ kitchen on his way to the back porch. It had become his favorite place to relax. His gaze fell on the calendar on the wall near the door. The last day of the month mocked him. How was he going to make it to Atlanta in time for his meeting? And the way things were going, the gazebo wouldn’t be finished in time for Founder’s Day. Work had slowed, the materials Laura needed kept getting held up or wrong shipments delivered. They were working hard, but everything took longer than expected.
He tried to envision life without a bottomless bank account. He couldn’t. For most of his adult life he’d had only one thing that he could count on—his yearly allowance. Adventures came and went. Friends drifted with the wind. But the money was constant. It gave him an identity. An anchor. When that was gone what would he have? Who would he be?
Who did he want to be?
*
Laura let herself into the front door of her parents’ home. The welcoming silence and familiar smells wrapped around her like an old sweater. She walked softly through the front hall, stopping at the office door where her father was working away. “Hey, Daddy.”
“Hello, Boo. How was the shower?”
“Fun. Noisy. Mom will be along in a little while. She wanted to stop by Matt’s and see the kids. Where’s Adam?”
“I’m not sure. He was on the back porch a while ago.”
Laura made her way to the kitchen, her heartbeat quickening a little. She’d missed him today. She’d gotten used to having him nearby, ready to help or talk to. His time was winding down and she had a feeling she’d miss him even more after he left.
He was seated on the large cushioned love seat facing the backyard. He looked comfortable and relaxed. Like he belonged there. He turned and smiled when she stepped out the door.
“Welcome back. How did the big event go?”
She joined him on the love seat, drawing her feet up under her and angling her body toward him. “It was a huge success. Everyone had a great time. Shelby was overwhelmed with all the gifts. She got a lot of pretty things. Vases, candles, decorative items. Because she and Matt both had household items already, they didn’t need much.”
“It sure was quiet around here. I missed you.”
She looked over at him, seeing the truth reflected in his eyes. “I thought you’d enjoy some alone time.”
He reached out and touched her hand. “I thought so, too, but I like it better when you’re around.”
She looked away, searching for something say. He touched her arm. His fingers were warm and gentle. His hands were broad, strong and tanned.
“I was looking at the photos along the stairs earlier and there’s a wedding picture with the name Laura Frasier underneath it. Was that your married name?”
“I took back my maiden name when he…when the divorce was final.”
“What happened?”
She sighed, trying to decide how much to tell him. “I thought he was the man of my dreams. He was handsome, smart, rich and the life of the party. To a small-town girl, he was everything exciting and glamorous. But after we were married, he didn’t want to settle down. He wanted to keep having a good time with his friends. A wife was a hindrance, especially when he enjoyed the company of other women more.”
Adam squeezed her hand. “He was a fool.”
Laura stroked her fingers over the back of his hand, enjoying the connection. It made it easier to talk. “His philandering got worse. The last straw came when I opened the newspaper and saw Ted and a woman photographed at some big social event and the caption read Mr. and Mrs. Ted Frasier.” She heard Adam groan softly. “I filed for divorce the next day. We reached a settlement and I came home and bought Mr. Shuler’s construction company and never looked back.”
“It hurts when someone you care about betrays your trust. When you’ve opened your heart to them and they trample it like it’s a worthless trinket.”
She looked at him, but he was staring off into the distance. “You and Gail?”
“Pretty much. We’d been dating six months. I thought it was serious. Until I found out she’d been having an affair with my friend for weeks, right under my nose.”
Now she understood his attitude toward the woman. He really did understand. “I’m sorry. The betrayal leaves you feeling so confused. I kept wondering what was wrong with me. Wasn’t I smart enough, pretty enough? I couldn’t compete with all his glamorous women.” Adam suddenly placed his finger against her lips to silence her, leaning forward to gaze steadily into her eyes.
“Stop. Don’t say those things. The man was an idiot. You’re smart, vibrant and strong, and the most fascinating and beautiful woman I’ve ever met.” He trailed his finger to the side of her jaw and along her chin.
Laura held her breath, gazing into his eyes, filled with anticipation. She wanted him to kiss her. She wanted to know that sense of comfort and belonging she’d felt before.
The kitchen light came on, shattering their shadowed cocoon. Adam laughed and stood, pulling her to her feet. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had the old porch light ‘time to come inside’ warning. Your father’s got impeccable timing.”
*
Adam stood at a distance the next afternoon as an elderly couple greeted Laura like a long-lost daughter. He watched her, warm affection filling his heart. He’d gotten used to her receiving this kind of reception. Everyone, friend or stranger, adored her. Laura embodied compassion and love. The sight of her never failed to steal his breath. She was capable of love so deep, so intense it would overpower a man with the sheer force of it. What would it be like to be loved like that? To be buried in love and trust so profound you’d never feel lost or alone again?
She’d stirred his conscience, his sense of right and wrong. Another part of his soul he’d long ignored. When he looked at the man in the mirror now, he didn’t like what he saw. Being around Laura made him want to be a better man. A man worthy of her love. Forcing himself to inhale, he turned away, running a han
d down the back of his neck. But could he ever be that kind of man? And where did he start? All he knew was that somehow, Laura Durrant had slipped behind his barriers and penetrated deep into his soul. The knowledge thrilled him and scared him at the same time.
“Adam.”
He jerked his attention to her as she came toward him. “Yes?”
“We’re going to replace the front steps.”
“Great. That’s right up my alley. Why don’t you let me handle this one?”
Laura hesitated a moment, then smiled. “All right. We need to replace the screens in the back door, too. I’ll take care of the work needed inside.”
“Sure thing.” It took him a moment to register that she was actually trusting him to work alone.
For the entire time he’d been here she had watched over him like a hawk, never allowing him more than a flicker of unsupervised time. He’d been itching for the chance to show her he wasn’t a complete idiot and that he could handle a job from beginning to end. He wanted her to trust him to follow her orders, to show her that he’d learned more about carpentry than she knew.
For some strange reason, proving himself to Laura meant more to him than anything had in his entire life, and that scared him. Why was the approval of this one small-town woman so important?
He suspected he knew the answer, but he didn’t want to examine that right now. At the moment, all he knew was that he wasn’t about to let this opportunity get away from him.
Adam turned and smiled at the elderly man who had introduced himself as Mr. Norwood. “Well, I guess I’d better get busy.”
The man harrumphed, his thick brows nearly touching as he scowled. “We don’t need you, you know.”
“Oh? I thought Ms. Durrant said you needed the screens fixed and the back steps replaced.”
“I could do that. She didn’t need to call you.”
Adam nodded, wondering about the man’s attitude. “You lived here long?”
“I built this house.”
He stared at the slightly bent old man. “You did?”
“That’s right. From the ground up. Did all the wiring and plumbing myself, too.”
Adam made a quick survey of the house. With a little imagination he could see how it might have looked in its heyday. “Amazing job, Mr. Norwood.”
“Call me Frank. Yeah. It took a whole year.”
He moved forward and Adam was shocked at how slowly the man moved. It was obvious he was in a great deal of physical pain. He must be experiencing emotional pain, as well. Seeing the home he built with his own hands being repaired by a stranger.
“Well, maybe you could give me a hand. You’re more familiar with how things work than I am.”
Mr. Norwood held up his arthritis-twisted hand. “I don’t have the dexterity I used to.”
“No problem.” Adam stepped a bit closer and lowered his voice. “See, the truth is, I’m new at this stuff. I’m surprised Ms. Durrant let me tackle this on my own. I could use your help.”
Frank huffed under his breath. “Nothing to it.”
An hour later, Adam stretched out his hand to Frank. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“You’re a fast learner.”
“Thanks. You’re a good teacher.” Frank stared at the front of his home.
“Been in this place forty years next week.”
“Really? Is that how long you’ve been married?”
“Nope. Fifty-three on that end.”
A few days ago he couldn’t begin to imagine being with one person that long. Now all he wanted to do was to have the chance to try. “How did you do it?”
“Do what?”
“Put up with another person that long?”
Frank looked puzzled. “You’ve never been in love, have you, son?”
“No, guess not.”
“When you do, you’ll understand.”
Adam shook his head. “I don’t know. How can you make a woman happy for all that time?”
“You keep one hand in hers and the other in the Lord’s.”
The front door opened and Laura and Mrs. Norwood emerged onto the porch.
Adam and Frank joined them. “Mission accomplished.” Adam smiled at Laura.
She nodded, making a quick inspection of the steps and screens. “Good work.”
Adam opened his mouth to crow about his accomplishment, eagerly anticipating her praise. Finally, she’d have to admit that he wasn’t as useless as she’d wanted to believe.
He caught sight of Frank Norwood out of the corner of his eye. His wife was at his side. The old man’s words reverberated inside him. His pride at what he’d built, and his anger and humiliation at not being able to take care of his home, had touched something deep inside Adam. He made his choice. “Well—” he laid a hand on Frank’s shoulder “—I can’t take the credit. I thought I knew how to do these repairs, but I guess I’m not as smart as I thought I was. Frank had to take over and guide me every step of the way.”
The old man shrugged, uncomfortable with the attention. “Oh, I don’t know ’bout that. The boy’s got the ability. He just needs practice, that’s all.”
“Did you fix all this?” Marion Norwood asked.
Adam’s heart skipped a beat at the love and admiration that flooded the woman’s eyes.
Frank shrugged again. “Oh, you know.”
“Sweetheart, I should have listened when you said you could make the repairs.” She wrapped her husband in a warm embrace.
Frank’s eyes sent a message of appreciation that brought a lump to Adam’s throat. Truth be told, Frank had kibitzed the entire time. While his guidance had proved valuable, he’d not actually done the work himself. It would have been easy and honest to tell everyone that he, Adam, had accomplished these small feats. Finally, he would have looked good in Laura’s eyes. She would have been forced to admit that he was doing a good job at picking up carpentry and home repairs. In the past it’s exactly what he would have done.
But allowing this man a chance to look like a hero in his wife’s eyes one more time was worth the small sacrifice. The feeling inside his heart was like nothing he’d ever experienced before. Stepping out of the spotlight and sharing with another was foreign to him. But he liked the feeling. He liked helping. This was such a small thing. All he’d done was emphasize what Frank had done and ignore his own part in the project. Why should that make him feel almost giddy with joy? It didn’t make sense.
Is this what Laura meant when she talked about giving instead of receiving? Is this what drove her desire to help others?
It confused him. Why should being less make him feel like more? He had a lot to discuss with Pastor Jim at their next meeting.
*
Laura stole a glance at Adam. He was staring out the truck window. She had a dozen questions she wanted to ask him, but she doubted he’d give her a straight answer. He was reluctant to talk about his personal life. But she had to know what made him behave so generously to Mr. Norwood. It went against every perception she had of him. What had changed?
She pulled the van to a stop in the Handy Works lot and Adam moved to leave. “Why did you do it?” He looked at her, puzzled. “Why did you pretend Mr. Norwood had done all the work himself?”
Adam shrugged. “He did.”
“No, he didn’t. I happen to know the Norwoods. They attend our church and I know Frank is incapable of doing that kind of work.” She waited for him to respond, but he continued to stare out the side window.
“I know you’ve been anxious for me to let you work alone. So what changed?”
Adam sighed, obviously irritated with her questioning. “He was a nice old man. I wanted to help him, that’s all.” He turned and pinned her with his green eyes. “Isn’t that what you’ve been preaching to me since I got here? Helping others?”
“Yes, but…”
Adam chuckled harshly. “You didn’t think I had it in me.”
Laura looked away. He was right and she was as
hamed about that. She’d been working overtime to keep him in the nice little cubbyhole she’d assigned him to, only he refused to stay there.
“Don’t worry about it. You’re not completely wrong. My family wasn’t big on altruism. We had more of a ‘me first’ kind of philosophy.”
“I’m sorry.” She didn’t know what else to say.
“It’s not your fault. Those are the cards I was dealt.”
“So what changed?”
Adam smiled at her, his eyes warm. “Guess you’re starting to rub off me, boss lady.”
*
Laura replayed the conversation in her mind a dozen times that night. Something was different about Adam. Something had changed him and she wasn’t arrogant enough to believe it had anything to do with her.
His kindness today had broken through her biggest concern that Adam and her ex were cut from the same cloth. Deep in her heart she’d known that wasn’t true early in their relationship, but it was easier and safer to keep believing it.
Now she was forced to look at Adam Holbrook with new eyes, not ones clouded with old mistakes. In doing so, however, she had to acknowledge the fact that her attraction to Adam was much more than simple physical appreciation. There was something sweet and tender about Adam that she couldn’t ignore.
She’d labeled him selfish, incapable of thinking of others. She’d been proved wrong, not only today, but every moment she’d been with him. Adam had the capacity for great compassion. He was as attracted to her as she was him, but she still couldn’t forget that he was a man who craved adventure, the thrill of extreme sports. There were few thrills in Dover. They were too different. Unexpected versus predictable. Those things could never mix.
But the truth couldn’t be ignored. Adam Holbrook had stolen her heart and she knew there was no hope of getting it back.
*
Laura rubbed her eyes and shoved aside the papers she’d been studying. She’d gone over the guidelines for restoring the gazebo, wondering how she could meet the requirements, locate the approved shingles and have them shipped to Dover all in time to complete the job by Founder’s Day. None of that mattered if the forecast didn’t change. Rain was predicted off and on for the next ten days. A late-season hurricane in the Gulf had skimmed the coast of Mississippi and bands of rain were spreading over the whole state.
Restoring His Heart Page 12