by Judy Duarte
“In the tree house we found in the canyon.”
Kristy hadn’t thought her stomach could plummet any further, and she didn’t know what to say. She did know that she would do her best to keep her promise to her son. And that she’d do whatever she could to help in this situation.
The first thing was to get that girl out of the rain.
She picked up the telephone.
“Hey, wait!” Jason rushed to her side and put his hand over the phone. “You promised not to tell.”
“Oh, no, honey. I’m not telling anyone. I need to get Charlie to come over and stay with Gram while you and I look for Renee. It’s raining, and we can’t let her stay in a tree house.”
Jason lifted his hand. “Maybe we could let her spend the night here, huh?”
“Of course.” How could Kristy let that poor pregnant girl—how old was she?—live outdoors?
She dialed Charlie’s number, and when he answered, she asked if he’d please sit with Gram for a few minutes. Then she dug the umbrella out of the hall closet.
As she waited for her elderly neighbor to arrive, she placed a hand on her son’s shoulder. “Go get your jacket. The one with the hood. You’re going to have to show me that tree house.”
Moments later, Charlie arrived.
“I’m sorry to drag you out of your house on a day like this,” she told the elderly man, “but it’s an emergency. I won’t be long.”
“Not to worry. This isn’t the first time I’ve had to answer a woman’s call of distress. And to be honest, I used to get annoyed when Grace would start in on me with her honey-do list. But now that she’s gone, I miss not having the errands she would assign me.”
“Thanks Charlie. We won’t be long.”
“Where are you going?” he asked.
Kristy glanced at Jason and smiled. “I’m afraid that’s a secret.”
The boy headed for the door, and she followed his lead, as he rushed down the walk and onto the sidewalk. Three houses down, he turned left and ran along a path to the canyon.
“Be careful,” she said, trying to keep up.
“I will.”
“It’s muddy and slick,” she reminded him.
Jason dashed around a corner, causing a branch from a bush to swing back and slap at Kristy. She grimaced, but kept going.
“How far is it?” she asked.
“It’s right there.” He pointed ahead. “Just around this corner.”
Suddenly, Jason stopped short, and Kristy almost ran him over. But she soon saw why.
Renee was sprawled on the ground at the foot of a big tree.
“Is she dead?” Jason asked.
Kristy froze in her steps for a beat, as a sense of dread slammed into her. But she shook it off, rushed to the girl’s side, and knelt in the mud. “Are you okay?”
Fear was etched deeply across Renee’s face. “I fell out of the tree, but I don’t care about me. I think my baby’s hurt really bad.”
“Jason,” Kristy instructed. “Run home and call 9-1-1. Then bring the paramedics here.”
She reached for Renee’s hand, felt her cold, wet fingers. She gave it a gentle squeeze, hoping to transfer a bit of warmth. “I’ll do whatever I can to help you, Renee.”
“The music box is in the tree house,” she said. “I didn’t get to see if the money was still in there.”
“Don’t worry about the money,” Kristy said. “I know you didn’t take anything. Jason explained everything. I’m going to help you.”
Renee’s grip on Kristy’s hand tightened in desperation. “If my baby lives, please don’t let anyone take her away from me.”
Chapter 17
As the rain peppered the small window of his office, and the wind blew a hibiscus branch against the glass, Craig sat at his new desk, reached for a mug of lukewarm coffee, and took a disappointing sip.
Everyone else at the church had taken off before the storm hit, but he’d stayed behind, claiming he still had some things to do.
Most of his work, especially the phone calls he had to make, could have been made at home, but he intended to stay away from the Delacourts’ house as long as he could.
He glanced at the list he’d made for himself, marking off the item on top: Make arrangements for the youth group to attend Disneyland later this month.
Next up was a phone call to each of the kids, reminding them to get their registration forms and permissions slips for the retreat at Hume Lake turned in as soon as possible since the deadline was fast approaching.
His stomach growled, reminding him that he’d had a very light lunch. As soon as he finished making his calls, he would head to Debbie’s Diner and have a bite to eat. After dinner, he might even take in a movie. He hadn’t done something like that in a while.
He thought about inviting someone to join him at Cinema Star 10, but the only someone who came to mind was Kristy.
To be honest, it was a tempting thought, and he couldn’t help wondering if she was working tonight. It didn’t have to be a date. They could go as friends, couldn’t they?
The phone rang, dragging him from his musing, and he reached for the receiver. “Parkside Community Church.”
“Hello, Pastor. This is Tom Hadley, returning your call.”
Tom was a member of the city council. Craig had talked to him about being a part of the Homeless Task Force a couple of days ago, and Tom was working on it. But Craig had just learned that the group of “concerned” citizens had requested a special hearing in an effort to force the church to close the doors on their Parkside location and move the kitchen out of town.
So Craig had called Tom about a half-hour ago, figuring he needed to take a more proactive approach.
“Thanks for returning my call, Tom.” Craig leaned back in his seat.
“No problem. What can I do for you, Pastor?”
“I’d like to invite you and the other city council members to join me for lunch at the soup kitchen one day next week.”
“You’re kidding.”
“No, I’m not. I thought it would be a good idea if you got a chance to witness the operation firsthand and to meet some of the people we’re feeding before the next meeting of the task force.”
“All right. Fair enough.”
They settled on Wednesday at one o’clock before ending the call.
Craig would have to give Dawn a heads-up. He didn’t want her to alter the menu she’d already planned, though. It was best if Tom and the others saw things as they really were. And while they were there, he would introduce them to some of the soup kitchen regulars, especially Jesse, if he showed up that day.
Jesse had a way about him that made a man examine his preconceived beliefs about himself, as well as the secrets in his heart.
After his last conversation with Jesse had ended, and they’d gone their separate ways, Craig had been left with a lot to ponder.
What are you afraid of? the homeless man had asked. Failure?
Craig had scoffed the moment the comment had been made, but afterward, he’d realized it deserved more consideration.
As a kid, Craig had never really been afraid of much—not even things that went bump in the night. Adding that to the fact that he’d succeeded at just about everything he’d ever tried to do certainly mocked Jesse’s fear-of-failure theory.
But as time ticked on, Craig had been forced to admit that he actually did have a fear of failure—as a minister—and it was clear why he did.
His granddad was almost bigger than life. So Craig had a lot to live up to, and it would be a real stretch to even come close.
Yet as he faced the truth, another fear presented itself. One he’d refused to admit before.
Prior to throwing out his shoulder, he’d never doubted his ability to make it in the big leagues. But afterward?
He’d been afraid that he would never be one hundred percent again, that he’d always have to baby his arm and shoulder. That he wouldn’t make the cut as a pro ball player.
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br /> So he’d accepted his fate, thinking that it was all part of some big master plan.
Maybe that’s why he’d never asked for a sign that God clearly meant for him to join the ministry. Instead, he’d just accepted it as part of the deal.
So now what?
There seemed to be only one way out of his dilemma.
He bowed his head and opened his heart. “Lord, forgive my doubts. Forgive me for trying to barter or bribe you into healing my grandfather. I tried to play it safe, and I should have asked for divine guidance in my decision. But it’s not too late. I’m asking now.” He waited a moment, hoping for a sense of peace, for the fog to be lifted in his mind. For a sign that he’d been granted absolution.
Yet he was met with silence—unless one counted the sound of rain spattering the windowpane.
So he took his plea a step further. “Please let me hear the call to the ministry or give me a clear indication that I’m free to try something else.”
Before he could utter “Amen,” the telephone rang.
He waited a moment, then answered. “Parkside Community Church.”
“Oh, thank goodness, Pastor. You’re still there.” A wave of panic rocked Dawn’s voice.
“What’s the matter?”
“I just got off the phone with Joe. He’s on duty and was called to the scene of an accident a few minutes ago. Renee had a terrible fall and is at the hospital.”
Craig gripped the receiver tighter, as though he could get a better handle on the news. “How did that happen?”
“She fell out of a tree. And she’s in preterm labor.”
What had she been doing in a tree? Craig wondered. Yet it was his second and most pressing question that rolled off his tongue. “She’s pregnant?”
“About five months, according to Joe. And she’s scared to death.”
Craig didn’t know what he’d say to Renee or what he’d be able to do, but the compulsion to drop everything and rush to the hospital was much more than just a sense of obligation. It was a demanding need to help, to make a difference—if he could.
“I’ll head to the hospital now,” he said.
“Good. I’m already en route, so I’ll see you there.”
After ending the call, Craig shut down the computer and grabbed his jacket from the back of his desk chair before turning off the lights and locking up the church office. Then he hurried to his car, realizing that it was more than an attempt to remain as dry as possible that forced him to pick up his pace.
Ten minutes later, he arrived at Pacifica General Hospital and parked in one of the spaces reserved for the clergy.
He entered through the ER door and scanned the busy waiting room. Much to his relief, he spotted Dawn talking to Joe near the registration window and quickly approached them.
“I’m glad you both came,” Joe said. “My partner is wrapping up paperwork, and I can’t stay much longer.”
“How’s she doing?” Craig asked.
“She’s being examined now, so I can’t tell you much. She’s definitely suffered a concussion and a possible spinal injury.”
“Is anyone with her?” Craig asked.
“Kristy, Lorraine Smith’s granddaughter, is in there now. She’s the one who found her and called for help. She asked a neighbor to stay with her son and Lorraine, then she met us here. Renee was pretty shook up, so I’m sure she appreciated having someone with her.”
“What was she doing in a tree?” Craig asked.
Joe pursed his lips and slowly shook his head. “You’re not going to believe this, but she was living in it.”
Craig furrowed his brow. “In a tree?”
“Actually, it was a tree house.”
“No kidding?” Craig asked. “I knew that she didn’t have much money, which is the case for a lot of our soup-kitchen regulars. But I had no idea she was homeless.”
“The poor kid.” Dawn placed a hand on Joe’s arm. “She’s going to need a place to recuperate when she gets out of the hospital. If you don’t mind, I’m going to invite her to stay in our guest room until she finds something else.”
“I don’t mind at all,” Joe said.
The three of them stood in silence, each pondering the tragedy and the reality of Renee’s plight.
“Is she going to be okay?” Dawn asked her husband.
“It depends upon how badly she hurt her back, but I think so. At least physically. She’s really stressed about the baby.”
“I can understand that,” Dawn said. “Will she lose it?”
“The doctors are doing what they can to stop labor, so hopefully that will work. And while I was in there, they were ordering an ultrasound.”
“She appears to be awfully young,” Craig said. “Do you know how old she really is?”
“In the ambulance, I held her hand and gently coaxed the truth out of her,” Joe said. “I’m afraid she’s only fifteen.”
Dawn’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. “That’s so sad. She ought to be in school and hanging out with friends at the mall or the park. Instead, she’s worried about survival and bringing a baby into the world.”
Saddened and pensive, the trio grew silent again.
After a few moments, Dawn turned to her husband. “Does she plan to keep the baby or give it up for adoption?”
“She didn’t say.”
Craig took a deep breath and slowly let it out. “It seems to me that the baby isn’t the only one in need of parents and a home.”
Rubber soles squeaked on the linoleum as Joe’s fellow paramedic joined them. “It’s time to roll out.”
Joe nodded and turned to his wife. “I’ve got to go, honey.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said. “I love you.”
“Me, too.” Joe brushed a kiss on her lips. “Are you leaving now or sticking around?”
“I’d like to see Renee as soon as they’ll let me in. I want her to know that I’m here. And that I’ll do whatever I can to help her.”
“Be safe,” Joe told her. “And drive carefully, honey. The roads are slick.”
“I will.”
Before Craig got a chance to tell Joe good-bye, the door from the exam rooms swung open, and Kristy walked out. She wore a baggy sweat shirt, a pair of jeans, and sneakers—nothing fancy or flattering.
Her red curls, wet and uncombed, straggled along her shoulders, and her mascara had streaked. Yet Craig found her every bit as attractive as he ever had.
“How’s Renee doing?” Dawn asked Kristy.
“They’ve admitted her and put her in a room on the maternity floor. They’ve determined that the baby wasn’t seriously injured in the fall, thank goodness. And they’ve managed to stave off the contractions, at least for now.”
“I’d like to visit her,” Dawn said.
“I’m afraid you’ll have to wait. They just sedated her and asked me to leave. They want her to sleep.”
“Do you know what time I can come in the morning?”
“I’m not sure. Ten o’clock, maybe, although the rules are probably more lenient for family members.”
“Does she even have family?” Dawn asked.
“I think we’re it.” Kristy glanced at Craig, making him feel a part of that “we.”
Strange as it might seem, he didn’t mind stepping up to the plate.
“That poor girl.” Dawn unzipped the purse that hung over her shoulder and reached for her car keys. “I’m so glad you found her, Kristy.”
“So am I.”
“I’ll see you later. Tell your grandmother hello.”
“I will.”
As Dawn headed toward the exit, Kristy turned to Craig and caught him studying her.
She glanced down at her clothes and back up again. “I must look like a scarecrow caught in a hailstorm. But once the paramedics put Renee in the ambulance, I ran home long enough to change into dry clothes. I didn’t dare take time to do anything with my hair.”
“Under the circumstances, you look gre
at. I’m glad you were able to be with her.”
“There was no way I could leave her alone. This whole experience was pretty scary for her, and I knew she would need someone to talk to, someone who could offer words of comfort and speak to the doctors for her.”
“I’m sure she appreciates all you’ve done.”
“It was the least I could do.” Kristy chuffed. “I feel this is all my fault.”
“Why is that?” he asked.
“I was missing a music box that had some money hidden in it, and I accused her of stealing it. If she hadn’t run to the tree house to get the box and return it to me, she wouldn’t have gotten hurt.”
He hated to think that Renee was a thief, but she’d probably been desperate. And, at least, she’d tried to return it.
“Later, I found out that Jason had given it to her without my permission.” Kristy scanned the waiting room as if looking for someone or something. “Speaking of Jason, I need to call home and give him an update. He thinks the world of Renee. I’m also going to let him know that I offered to let her stay in our spare room.”
Craig had suspected that there was far more to Kristy than he’d realized, but he just hadn’t known how much. In spite of any qualms he might have had, the urge to get to know her better returned, stronger than ever.
Now wasn’t the time to readdress that dinner invitation, but when he asked her again, he wasn’t going to take no for an answer.
Shana arrived at the Smiths’ house on Friday evening, only to find Kristy gone and an elderly neighbor man looking after Gram and Jason. She recognized his face, but had forgotten his name.
Mr. Iverson maybe?
“Kristy called a few minutes ago,” the neighbor said. “She should be home shortly.”
Shana needed to talk to her best friend tonight. “If it’s all right with you, I’ll just wait for her.”
When the man stepped aside, she entered the living room and spotted Kristy’s grandmother seated in a chair, an afghan draped over her lap. “It’s good to see you out of the bedroom, Gram.”
“I’ve probably spent too much time in there, so I’ve been doing what I can to lift my spirits.” She offered a smile that was only a shell of those she’d given in the past. “I must admit that a little television in the living room helps a bit.”