Heart Unbroken (The Potter's House Books Book 3)

by Alexa Verde

  Dear Lord, please help me.

  She couldn’t fight this battle with her addiction alone. It was easier to pray these days, even for herself. And she hadn’t felt as out of place at the Bible studies at church as she’d expected to. She’d even started going to church on Sunday and had sat in the pew with Joy, Junior, and Dylan. She’d done more internet sessions with drug addicts and their families, answered their questions, and talked about accepting Christ.

  Corina and Rodrigo were right. Emma didn’t know if she’d made a difference in the lives of these people, but at least she’d tried, and it mattered to her. She started every day with a prayer now, though sometimes she forgot to finish it with a prayer, too. It helped to not just face a new day or try to swim through it without drowning, but to really live it and cherish it.

  Taking a lungful of fresh air, Emma took in the beauty of the sunset. She’d finally started seeing the value in herself, in her life.

  In mere days, Rodrigo had changed her life, made it more meaningful than ever.

  She was thankful to God for that.

  But how did it happen that she’d fallen for Rodrigo? She’d been so careful, and she’d tried so hard to push him away.

  Now she missed him with her entire being.

  A cheerful bark sounded behind her, and her heart skipped a beat.

  Amigo?

  Was Rodrigo back?

  Hope blossoming inside her, she whirled around.

  Disappointment squeezed her chest. It was a teenage girl chasing a black Lab.

  It’s silly to hope.

  Rodrigo is gone.

  Forever.

  It was for the better for both of them. Then why was her heart aching so much?

  She’d worked long hours the entire week. Partly to make up for her sick days, but mainly to bury herself in work so her mind would get numb and stop bringing up Rodrigo.

  There was also another feeling she couldn’t quite identify. Anxiety? Premonition? Something that made her wake up in a cold sweat after a nightmare at night. Something that squeezed her heart painfully in the daytime.

  She had a notion to call Caleb, so she fished out her phone from her purse and found his number. She sighed as she listened to the long beeps. It was useless to call Gnat. Gnat hadn’t answered her calls since his visit to Rios Azules. One of the texts from Rodrigo had said that Gnat had returned to Chicago.

  She was about to give up when Caleb finally picked up.

  “Hello, Em.” Surprisingly, his voice sounded even. Normal. “Still holding on to your new lifestyle?”

  “Still holding on. Have you talked to your dad lately? He loves you, you know.”

  “I know. I’ll call him.” Caleb paused. “Do you remember Sergio?”

  Her memory of her days in Chicago was foggy. She searched it for the name. Finally, an image of a tall guy she’d seen with Caleb several times appeared in her mind. Oh, yes, they’d been friends since high school. They’d been opposites in appearance, with Caleb having blond hair, blue eyes, and a pale complexion while Sergio had black hair and a beard and constant caution living in his brown eyes. Caleb had once admitted while high that Sergio had been the one who’d introduced him to drugs. While Caleb had sometimes managed to get catering jobs thanks to his outstanding cooking skills that surpassed even Emma’s, nobody ever knew where Sergio worked.

  “I remember him,” she said carefully.

  “He died yesterday. Got run over by a car.” Caleb’s voice was barely audible. “In front of my eyes. He just bolted to the road, and I didn’t have a chance to stop him.”

  Emma thought it best not to ask whether Sergio had been high at the time. She could’ve died the same way. So could Caleb.

  Her heart went out to Sergio’s family, and she didn’t even know if he had one. Never bothered to ask. Why hadn’t she?

  A human life, a precious life, cut off so early.

  She took a deep breath of salty ocean air to calm her raw nerves. “I’m sorry. How are you holding up?”

  There was a long silence. Emma checked on her phone to make sure the call didn’t get disconnected.

  Finally, Caleb whispered, “I’m afraid to die, Em. I don’t want to die. You said you’d pay for my rehab, right?”

  A tentative hope stirred inside her. Of course, she’d have to ask Mari for advance pay or a substantial loan, but knowing her boss, Emma was fairly sure Mari wouldn’t refuse. “Of course. I can take the next flight to Chicago to help you, too.” She had a stab of guilt that Joy would have to work extra to cover for her. Without a doubt, Harry, Caleb’s father, would pitch in to pay for rehab, too.

  “No. Not yet.” Caleb’s voice grew stronger. “I’ll call you tomorrow. I want to take this last dose.”

  She swallowed hard. “No! You have to stop now. Because after this dose you’ll need more and more.”

  “I’m not ready yet. Don’t argue with me, or I’ll change my mind.” Caleb disconnected.

  She said a prayer for Caleb, Gnat, and people like them. Then she booked a flight to Chicago for the next day and texted Joy.

  I might need you to cover for me at the restaurant for several days, please. Sorry about that. Also, I might have to skip seeing Junior on the weekend.

  Her throat constricted. She’d just started building bridges with Junior and didn’t want to lose his trust. But she had to help Caleb.

  Her phone beeped with an incoming message, and she glanced at the screen.

  Don’t worry. What are friends for?

  Thank God for Joy.

  Emma sent a text to Harry.

  I might travel to Chicago soon. Do you need any help at the nonprofit?

  The answer came quickly. We’ll talk when you’re here. Looking forward to seeing you.

  Interestingly enough, she’d had threatening texts the entire week, except for today, when her friend had a change of heart. But she refused to believe Caleb had been behind them.

  Emma leaned and ran her fingers through the cool sand. Something glimmered in the tender farewell rays of the sun in the sand a few steps ahead of her. Emma hurried forward and picked it up.

  A keychain with initials.

  R. Y.

  Her heart leaped into her throat. Rodrigo’s initials. She’d seen this keychain in Rodrigo’s hand before.

  Emma brushed off the sand from the little piece of metal and slid it into her jeans pocket. Excitement made the blood run faster through her veins. She had to return this keychain to Rodrigo.

  But...

  What if he didn’t miss it that much? She couldn’t be looking for excuses to see him again. Besides, she could send it to him. And she might have to leave for Chicago tomorrow. The bubbly feeling inside her subsided, replaced by the longing she’d been feeling the last week.

  Holding her breath, she sent him a text.

  I found your keychain at the beach. Would you like me to send it to you? Unless you don’t need it...

  She exhaled and watched the screen. Nothing happened. The screen went black, and something dimmed inside her, too.

  Seconds stretched into minutes, and Emma found herself clutching her phone. What if after she’d ignored his texts, he was giving her a taste of her own medicine?

  Then her phone chirruped with an incoming text, and she heaved a sigh of relief. Obviously, Rodrigo wasn’t the kind of guy who’d go for petty revenge.

  Her hands trembled slightly as she opened the text. Seagulls screamed again, as if mocking her nervousness.

  So glad you found it! Corina gave me that keychain.

  It meant a lot to him then. Emma stared at the screen. She’d done the right thing by contacting him. She was about to ask for the address when her phone announced another text.

  I have a day off tomorrow. I’ll pick it up. Is it okay if I meet you in the parking lot of the restaurant after your shift? And if so, what time?

  Emma’s breath caught in her throat, and the sounds and scents disappeared around her. She’d see Rodrigo again tomo
rrow! If only for several minutes.

  Then the black Lab ran near her, splashing water on her, bringing her to her senses. She might not be in Rios Azules tomorrow. She might be on the way to Chicago. She doused the disappointment inside her.

  Okay. If I’m not here, I’ll leave it with Joy.

  It sounded so cold-hearted, as if she didn’t care to see him when in reality she was dying to.

  Emma had already sent the text when she realized she forgot to put the time. She punched in the time.

  Nine p.m.

  The reply was short.

  Great!

  She repeated that one word in her mind again and again. Was Rodrigo simply being polite? Was he eager to get his keychain back? Or did he want to see her as much as she wanted to see him?

  Her phone chirruped, and she smiled. Probably Rodrigo sent her another text.

  She glanced at the screen, and a chill traveled down her spine. She wanted to believe it was because it was getting dark. But she knew the real reason was the unknown number lighting up her phone.

  Emma swallowed hard and opened the text, already guessing what it was.

  YOU WILL PAY.

  She slid the phone into her pocket and strode to her car.

  When she climbed into her vehicle, her phone announced an incoming text again. She winced, then turned the key in the ignition and clicked the locks on the doors.

  Usually, whoever bothered her hadn’t done it twice in the same day.

  Could it be Rodrigo instead?

  Emma fished the phone out of her pocket, and her heart fell as she peered at the screen. The unknown number. Was her stalker getting forgetful?

  She opened the text and froze.

  There was only one word on the screen.

  SOON.

  CHAPTER TEN

  THE NEXT DAY SEEMED TO be the longest day of Emma’s life. Just when she wanted the time to fly, it seemed to stretch like rubber. She made a sirloin and moved on to the garden salad in the restaurant’s kitchen, acting mostly on autopilot.

  She’d gotten little sleep yesterday. The possibility of seeing Rodrigo soon had kept her tossing and turning. So had the alarming texts.

  In the morning, she’d forwarded them to Rodrigo, to discourage him from coming over. His safety was more important than her joy to see him. It had worked the opposite way. Judging by his frantic call when she’d parked near the restaurant before her shift, he was more adamant than ever to arrive and protect her.

  Emma sliced vegetables, the click-clack of the knife against the cutting board a soothing sound to her. She’d have none of that protection thing.

  She glanced at Joy, who was making desserts in the other part of the kitchen. Emma’s knife froze midair. Was she putting Joy and Mari in jeopardy?

  If she told her boss what was going on, Mari would probably get her gun and her dog and camp out at Emma’s place. Emma knew that much.

  What to do?

  Watch your back and give two weeks’ notice. Return to Chicago forever.

  A fist squeezed Emma’s heart. She’d grown to love Rios Azules again and the people here. She didn’t want to move. But she might not have another choice.

  Emma said a silent prayer as she finished making the salad.

  There was another reason her heart squeezed from worry. Caleb hadn’t answered her calls the entire day. In the morning, he’d sent her a text that he wanted to postpone rehab for another day.

  Just one more dose.

  Emma had barely managed to change her flight to Chicago to tomorrow.

  During her break in the afternoon, she slid outside and called Caleb again. Just like the other times, the call went to his voice mail. She called Harry, but he didn’t answer, either. She tried Gnat and sighed with relief when he came on the line.

  “Please check on Caleb. I worry about him,” Emma said quickly. “He doesn’t answer my calls.”

  “Probably doesn’t want to hear your nagging about quitting drugs. What’s in it for me?”

  Emma grimaced. “He’s your friend, too.”

  “Fine. I’ll do that. By the way, could you wire me some money?”

  “I’ll pay for your treatment.” Emma stood her ground.

  “Oh, forget it.” Gnat disconnected.

  She headed inside the restaurant. About ten minutes later, her phone played the melody of an incoming call.

  Caleb?

  She mouthed her apology to Joy, who took over cooking the fajitas, and stepped aside. Her brows shot up when Gnat’s number lit up on the screen.

  She hurried to swipe it to answer the call. “Gnat, did you hear from Caleb?”

  “I wish you worried as much about me,” Gnat snorted.

  “I do worry about you.” Emma held her breath.

  “Then you’d wire me funds.” Gnat sighed. “Okay, I talked to Caleb. He changed his mind about quitting and doesn’t want you to bug him.”

  “Thanks for checking on him.” When she said the last words, Gnat had already disconnected.

  Her heart fell.

  I can’t get through to Caleb. I just can’t.

  Emma felt a stab of guilt at wanting to stay and see Rodrigo, even if for several minutes, instead of flying to Caleb and trying to change his mind. She was eager to see Rodrigo with her entire being, and excitement warred with worry inside her.

  Harry’s stashing his son in different treatments centers had helped, but it had been Harry who’d wanted his son to quit, not Caleb himself. So Caleb had always promptly returned to using again. Caleb’s free will to give up drugs was no guarantee he’d stay clean, but that would be something.

  Between the dinner crowd and Emma’s tumultuous thoughts, the next several hours passed much quicker than the entire day before that.

  A noise outside made Emma look out the window. It had started raining. Sure enough, she hadn’t brought an umbrella.

  “You wanted to leave at nine.” Joy approached her. “It’s five minutes before nine. I’ll take it from here.”

  Emma hesitated. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes.” Joy smiled. “I have no doubt Rodrigo is already waiting for you in the parking lot.”

  Emma’s heart fluttered. “Maybe. Maybe not. I shouldn’t have told you about Rodrigo coming.”

  “Yes, you should have. I’m your friend.” Joy placed her hands on her hips. Then the smile disappeared from her eyes. “I believe something is bothering you. Not just the usual stuff or the separation from Rodrigo. What’s going on?”

  Emma stilled. If she told Joy about the threats, her friend would jump in to help. Emma couldn’t let anything happen to Joy. Emma had done enough damage in Dylan’s life already.

  “It’s nothing. I’ll be fine.” Emma wanted to believe her own words.

  Joy didn’t look convinced but obviously decided to drop the topic, maybe because five minutes before nine became one minute. “Would you like to take my umbrella? The rain will probably stop by the time I leave.” Joy stepped to her.

  Emma nearly groaned. Joy was killing her with kindness. “I’m okay with a little rain. But thank you.”

  Joy’s eyes softened. “Give Rodrigo a chance. Give yourself a chance.”

  “Do you think I deserve it?”

  “Everybody deserves a second chance. Especially you. I’ve been praying for you.”

  Hope swelled inside Emma’s chest. She needed to hurry if she wanted Rodrigo to still be in the parking lot when she got out of the restaurant.

  As she dashed outside, raindrops pelted over her skin. She shrunk back under the porch and scanned the lot. There it was. Rodrigo’s dark truck.

  He stepped out of it.

  Her heart thumped in her chest.

  Emma couldn’t help it. Not caring about the rain, she took off in a run. The moment they met, he lifted her up and whirled her in the air.

  That was when she knew it.

  She’d never see him again. She couldn’t see him again. But she already loved him with all her heart.
/>   Her summer dress was getting drenched, and her long hair, too. But what did it matter when she was in Rodrigo’s arms?

  He put her down and ran his palms over her upper arms, as if trying to warm her up. But she wasn’t cold. How could she be, with her temperature rising so high?

  Rodrigo leaned to her. “You need to go inside. You should be more careful, especially after getting sick.” His breath caressed her ear. He shrugged out of his jacket and kept it above her.

  It took a moment for his words to filter through her delightful mental fog.

  Careful.

  I’m out in the open.

  Emma winced and glanced around. So far, her stalker had never appeared in person, only sent texts. Hopefully, he wouldn’t appear now.

  “You should, too,” she whispered.

  Neither of them moved. She reached into her purse and held out the keychain. Still holding his jacket above her with one hand, he took the keychain out of hers with the other one. Tingles danced on her skin as he touched her.

  “Thank you. I couldn’t wait to see you.” His eyes sparkled in the light of the lanterns. Rodrigo placed the keychain in his pocket, then held up the jacket above her with both hands again. “Listen, we can make this work...”

  “No!” She shook her head. “Go back! Please!” She had only so much inner strength, and she was using every last ounce of it to resist him.

  Small streams of water ran down his face, and his clothes were getting soaking wet. “I can help you deal with your former addiction.”

  “Former addiction?” Her eyes burned with tears. She let them flow, mixing with raindrops. “I’ve been through this long enough to know there’s no such thing as a former drug addict. Maybe with a different kind of drug, but not mine. Even if I stop using heroin for years, I could still start at any time. Is this the kind of life you want?”

  The rain was pouring down now, and with the wind sending drops her way, the jacket wasn’t much protection. She didn’t care. In fact, she wanted the rain to cleanse her, to take away her doubts, her pain, and her past.

  Rodrigo’s eyes darkened. “You can trust me.”

  More tears flowed. “Trusting you isn’t a problem. But you can’t trust me. I can’t even trust myself! Ever!”