Heart's Design: A Contemporary Christian Romance

by JoAnn Durgin

  Caroline scurried around the corner, through the living room, and darted into the dining room. “Liesel’s in labor!” Both men jumped up immediately. Seth looked at her, wide-eyed, while Paul sprinted across the living room and barged through the swinging kitchen door.

  “I’ll take care of everything in the kitchen,” Caroline told Paul as he assisted Liesel from the kitchen. He nodded, although Caroline doubted her words really mattered or even registered. Paul asked Seth to run upstairs and grab Liesel’s packed suitcase.

  “Who’s going to run the place while you’re in the hospital?” Caroline said as Paul headed out the front door with Liesel.

  “Marijane Loggins. Her number’s written on the pad of paper next to the phone in the kitchen.”

  “I’ll give her a call,” Caroline said, moving aside so Seth could run the suitcase to the car. “Is there anything else you need me to do?”

  “Just say a little prayer,” Liesel said, blowing Caroline an air kiss. Paul opened the door and helped her climb inside the car.

  “You know it.” Caroline waved. “I can’t wait to meet Isabella!”

  “Do you want some lasagna?” she asked Seth after hanging up with Marijane, who promised to arrive in the next forty minutes. “I brought a salad and there’s fresh Italian bread. We might as well eat.” Thank goodness Liesel had pulled the bread from the oven. Left up to her, that loaf would be in charred ruins about now. Seth eyed the lasagna on the table and she could tell he was tempted. “Nothing will happen in the next hour, most likely, and we have to wait for Marijane as it is.”

  “If you’ll join me,” Seth said with a small grin.

  Caroline was thankful Seth didn’t take her hand as he asked the blessing for their food. Then, as they ate, Seth told her about his travels and work in California. He complimented her salad and then made a comment about how Liesel was becoming every bit the cook like Beverly. As she listened, Caroline drank in the sound of his voice, the humor in his eyes, the way he could make anything sound fascinating. The two years melted away as though they were sitting across from one another in Java Joe’s again.

  He asked Caroline more about her jewelry design and broke into a wide grin to hear that Toby Daniels was her partner in the business. “No kidding? Toby’s a great guy. I have one of his paintings in my house. He does great work.”

  Caroline was dying to know what he wanted to tell her, and hear more about the contents of that mysterious letter he’d written to her—although she increasingly suspected her mother had something to do with its disappearance—but Seth was right. Unfortunately. Now wasn’t the proper time.

  “How’s Liesel?” Marijane burst into the door right as they finished their meal.

  Caroline gave her the brief rundown and thanked her for coming so quickly. “Let me wash up these dishes and then I’ll be on my way to the hospital.”

  “Oh, don’t you worry about that. I’ll be happy to take care of them.” Marijane dropped her purse and overnight bag, bulging with her latest needlework project, on the floor inside the kitchen. “Bev’s one of my closest friends, and I like looking after Liesel.” Her smile was rather wistful and sad. A lot of people in Evergreen were shocked and surprised by Beverly and Randy’s decision to relocate to Florida, but they also understood the decision was motivated by concerns for Randy’s health. They couldn’t very well argue with that reasoning.

  Caroline retrieved her purse and slung it over one shoulder. “They didn’t leave any other instructions, so I trust you know what to do.”

  “I do. Liesel wrote everything out for me a few weeks ago, so I have my handy dandy list. It sure is going to be nice having a little one around here, I’ll say that much.”

  “Yes, it sure will. Thanks again, Marijane. I’ll call you once the baby comes.”

  “Oh, would you? That’d be wonderful, Caroline. The ladies on the church prayer chain will be thrilled to hear the good news.”

  Seth followed her out of the kitchen and into the living room. “Can I drive you to the hospital?”

  “I wasn’t sure if you wanted to go. We might be in for a long wait. You never know with babies.”

  Seth smiled. “I’ve got all the time in the world. Let’s go.”

  Caroline waffled with a split decision. “I’ll meet you there, but I think it’s best if I drive separately.”

  His eyes clouded but he nodded as they walked out onto the front porch together. “As you wish.”

  Chapter 18

  ~~♥~~

  Seth sat next to Caroline in the waiting room of the local hospital five miles outside of Evergreen. Their conversation had been rather stilted, awkward. He hated it. This whole thing was so weird. He scrubbed a hand over the stubble on his face and then flattened his palms on his jeans. He couldn’t believe the girl he hadn’t been able to shake from his mind the past two years was here with him now. So close and yet so far never took on such poignant meaning as it did now.

  Rising from his chair, he parked himself in front of the vending machine. He’d had the coffee in this hospital before. Thicker than molasses and a whole lot more bitter. He’d been here more times than he’d care to remember. For relatives, for friends. Most survived although some hadn’t. Seth blinked away the sadness being in the hospital waiting room shot through his soul and instead focused on the selections in the machine.

  He turned to Caroline. Man, she looked prettier than anything. Those jeans made her look taller than ever, the boots only giving her more height. Stylish for a girl he knew to be down-to-earth and not prone to care about what was fashionable. Unlike Jenica. And there we go. The comparisons had already started. He’d need to figure this out. His attraction to Caroline hadn’t waned since he’d last seen her. If anything, it was even stronger.

  He needed to talk or he’d dwell on things he shouldn’t. “Do you want coffee?”

  “No thanks. I’m a tea drinker now. I’ll get some hot water from the coffee machine.” Hopping up from the vinyl chair, Caroline ventured over to the small station set up in one corner. Judging by the condition of the coffee station, the tea wouldn’t taste much better than the coffee. For a few seconds, Seth was content to watch as she took a paper cup and filled it with steaming hot water.

  Caroline was lovelier than ever, so natural and unaffected. A woman saved by grace.

  Thank you, Jesus.

  “Do you want to talk now?” There was no mistaking her meaning. She seated herself in the chair again, being careful not to move too fast and risk spilling the hot contents of her cup.

  He shook his head and took his chair again, opting not to get coffee, watching as she whirled a tea bag around in the hot water. “I’m not trying to be annoying, but no.” Seth heard her soft sigh of acceptance as she dipped that tea bag up and down in her tea.

  “I’ve missed you.” That slipped out. Too late to retract.

  She shifted and tucked one long leg beneath her. “How can you miss someone you don’t really know?”

  “Because I did. Miss you.”

  When she glanced up at him, blowing gently on her tea, something in her expression softened. “Seth, I honestly got to the point where I thought I’d never see you again, no matter what we said that night.”

  “That’s my fault, and I take the responsibility. I hope you can forgive my shortcomings.” He hadn’t been able to forget that entire Saturday, beginning with the ladder episode and ending just inside the front door at Landon’s. He’d wanted to kiss her that night and she’d known it. But Caroline had also been smart enough for both of them and said good night and hurried upstairs before he crossed the line.

  “Look, Seth.” Caroline’s brow creased. “We owe nothing to one another, really. We were two people who met and shared something. Just so you know, I did not move here to Evergreen because of you. So please don’t harbor any illusions about that. But because I am here, it doesn’t necessarily mean we’re meant to share anything more than friendship. Right?”

  He wan
ted to stop her hand from dipping that tea bag up and down. Reminded him of all the times he’d dyed Easter eggs. Up and down. Up and down. He glanced in the other direction and cleared his throat. “I guess.” Changing the direction of the conversation might be good.

  “So tell me about your girlfriend.” Caroline sat back and crossed one long jeans-clad leg over the other. She had no clue how distracting she was to him. He didn’t want to talk about Jenica with Caroline.

  “Jenica Larsen. I’ve known her a long time.” Seth knitted his fingers together, feeling restless. If she’d wanted to get under his skin, Caroline was accomplishing it. Too well.

  “Are you serious?”

  Not really. Sort of. “She’s been hinting about an engagement ring.”

  Why’d he say that? Man, he was clueless. To her credit, after a brief moment where she looked shocked, she recovered quickly. And again with the tea bag. “I think your tea is probably strong enough now. Don’t you?”

  “I think you’re right.” She quickly crossed the room and dropped the bag into a trash can by the coffee station.

  “Where are Paulina and Kat now?” Changing the subject was the only option.

  Although she smiled, another small frown creased Caroline’s forehead. She took a quick sip of her tea. “Sugar. I need sugar.” She quickly ripped open a couple of packets of Splenda and stirred them into her tea. “Katherine’s in New York, working off-Broadway and waiting for the role that’ll make her a star.”

  “Seems fitting,” Seth said with a light chuckle. “And Paulina?”

  Caroline settled in her chair again, keeping both feet on the floor this time. “Paulina’s in Philly and works for a big marketing firm. She’s doing very well. Interestingly enough, she’s also acting as Kat’s agent.”

  Seth chuckled. “Equally fitting. Do you still talk with them regularly?”

  Caroline shrugged. “Not as much anymore. Paulina used to be my best friend, but our interests have changed, I guess it’s fair to say.”

  “Your friends caused quite a stir in Evergreen, you know.”

  She sighed. “They did finally make it back to the inn that night. Well, early morning was more like it.”

  “Everyone in Evergreen could tell you were different, Caroline.”

  “Maybe, but what’s that expression about the company you keep? I’m sure there are some who branded me by association.”

  “It’s not always easy, is it?”

  “No, it’s not.” Her eyes were beautiful, green with dancing flecks of gold. He’d noticed them before, but even more now. A man could lose himself in those eyes.

  “As much as anything, I’d like to thank you, Seth.”

  “You’re welcome, but for what?” He ran his thumb back and forth on the side of his cup.

  “I needed to grow up. I didn’t really know who I was, what I wanted from life. To be honest, I hoped we might mean something to each other eventually, but I was scared of finding out.”

  “And do you know what you want from life now?”

  “I’m beginning to find out. I know more now than when we first met. First, I quit law school. Then I became a Christian. Then I moved here. I’m not sure which of those last two things was the final blow for my parents. They think I’ve gone off the deep end.”

  He couldn’t help it. Seth chuckled.

  She darted a sharp glance his way. “This is not exactly a good thing, Seth. My parents and I rarely speak these days. I’ve only been home for the major holidays and it hasn’t been what I’d call a happy family reunion. Dad’s actually been better about it all than Mom, believe it or not.”

  “Sorry.” He shook his head. “It was more your delivery than anything else. I’m glad to hear your dad might be coming around.” Caroline had no idea how hard it was for him to say anything about her father, much less anything good. “If it counts for anything, you can’t imagine how often I’ve prayed for you, Caroline. Prayed you’d find the direction you needed. Hoped you’d find the courage to figure out what it was you wanted in your life, whether that was to become a lawyer and join your father’s law firm or to do something else.”

  “I knew, Seth. As crazy as it sounds, I felt your prayers when I went back to Boston. Beverly’s, too. They helped me more than you can know. You set the path in motion by giving me your Bible.” She focused on her tea, avoiding his gaze. “My parents have given me cars, designer clothes, a world class education. I can’t lie and say I didn’t appreciate those things, but that’s all they were. Deep down, I know my parents love me, and that’s how they know to express their love. By giving things. But your gift meant so much more. Would you like to know why?”

  He nodded, touched by her sentiment. “Yes.”

  Caroline brushed long strands of her blonde hair away from her face, holding them back for a moment before tucking them behind her right ear. That action revealed her pretty green, dangly earrings, the same shade of medium green as her sweater. She’d probably made her jewelry. He didn’t know much about these things, but Seth could tell the necklace she wore was a quality design, solid workmanship. From what he could see, the professional collaboration between Caroline and Toby was a God-given partnership.

  “You gave me a part of you that night, Seth. You were compassionate and sensitive. Giving me that Bible—your well-worn, well-loved and cherished book—showed me that you cared about me, about what happened to me. You see, after meeting you, you made me feel as though I mattered as a person, and I wasn’t just an extension of my family. And, for that, I’ll always…love you.”

  Man, she was killing him. And thrilling him. Looking at him with those big green eyes of hers, making him feel like the biggest heel in the world for hurting her. Because even though she said he owed her nothing, he did. When he’d written that letter to her, his anger at her father had been reignited. Maybe it was for the best that she’d never seen it. He couldn’t blame Caroline for her heritage.

  He couldn’t help but wonder the reasons why he’d never asked her last name. Why she’d never freely volunteered that information. But not knowing she was Duncan Prescott’s daughter afforded them precious time to get to know one another without the chains that name carried for him. If he’d known her name, he would not have sought her out, would not have tried to get to know Caroline.

  You wouldn’t have given her your Bible. From what she said, that act on his part had changed her life for the better. So, it wasn’t wrong.

  “Caroline, two years ago, you weren’t ready for me. And now, I’m not sure I’m ready for you. I need the Lord’s help on that one.”

  She nodded as if she understood. But she couldn’t. Not really. Because Caroline didn’t know the entire story. Yet. But she would soon.

  “Most of the people I’ve met in my life haven’t truly cared about my soul,” she said, interrupting his thoughts. “They cared about what my father’s money or influence could do for them. I know that sounds harsh, but I know I’m right.”

  Seth knew she was probably right, too, but it didn’t make it any easier to accept.

  Tears fell on her cheeks. “I’m okay,” she said when he started toward her. “These are cleansing tears.” When she sniffled, Caroline managed to dig deeper into his subconscious, and he moved to the chair adjacent to hers. “I haven’t ever put these feelings into words until now. It felt good. Really great to let it out.”

  Hearing someone come into the room, Seth glanced up at the doorway and saw Paul. “That was quick!” He rose to his feet. “What’s the good word, my man?”

  Paul laughed. “That goes to show you know nothing about childbirth.”

  His best friend had a point. If he’d get his head out of his charts and graphs long enough, he just might learn a thing or two about real life.”

  “You’ve got me there,” Seth agreed.

  “How’s Liesel doing?” Caroline rose to her feet, standing beside him. Never was he more aware of her. She wore a light perfume which teased his senses.

>   “Liesel’s only three centimeters dilated. Which means it’ll probably be a while before anything major happens. She’s full term so they’ll probably keep her here to see if the labor progresses. If it doesn’t, we can either make the decision to speed it up medically or wait it out. Liesel wanted me to encourage you to go out for a bite to eat since our dinner was interrupted.”

  Caroline spoke up first. “I hope Liesel doesn’t mind, but we—”

  “We already ate the dinner, Paul,” Seth said. “Tell Liesel it was the best lasagna ever.”

  Paul grinned. “She’ll be happy to hear it.”

  After Paul departed, Caroline bit her lower lip and gave him a look he could only call adorable. “What?”

  “I could go for some ice cream. I brought fresh berries and ice cream to Landon’s for our dessert, but I could really go for some of the homemade pistachio at Barron’s.” She pushed her sweater higher on her wrist and checked her watch. “I think they’re open until nine. We should be able to make it. What do you say? Buy you a cone or a cup?”

  “You’re on.” He couldn’t deny Caroline Prescott anything when she gave him that smile.

  ~~♥~~

  Caroline was barely awake when Paul rounded the corner of the waiting room shortly after seven the next morning. But aware enough to hear his chuckle. Opening her eyes, she focused on him. He stood in front of her, feet planted apart, arms crossed.

  “You two look mighty cozy.”

  “What are you—” With a start, Caroline realized Seth’s arm was around her. She’d apparently been snuggling against his chest, wrapped in the warm flannel of his shirt. Wrapped in the wonderful warmth known as Seth Barnes. Oh, my. Chances were her head had rested on his chest for more than an hour or two. Last thing she remembered was coming back to the hospital after laughing and having a great time with him at Barron’s. No time to speculate now.

  Caroline poked him in the arm. “Seth, wake up! Time to rise and shine.”

  “And give God the glory glory,” Seth sang under his breath. Pushing himself up in the chair, he carefully moved his arm away from her shoulders. The look he shot her was plenty interesting. Was it possible he hadn’t been aware they’d slept on the loveseat together?