by Lenora Worth
* * *
Ashley stood outside the car as Kaylee darted down the steps. She longed to embrace the child, but the frail woman watching from the doorway certainly was Gina, and she didn’t want to rub salt in the wound of their parting. She grasped the rear door and opened it, encouraging Kaylee inside, and with a last look she pulled away, trying to imagine a mother’s anguish when her daughter chose her father’s house as home.
“Are you okay?” She glanced in the rearview mirror before she pulled away.
Kaylee’s eyes shifted from her mother lingering at the doorway to her craning over the seat. “I wanted to go home, and my mom didn’t want me to, but now she said I can live with Daddy.”
“I heard. I’m glad, Kaylee.”
“I like being at your house, too.” Her voice skipped over the seat. “I can play and be happy.”
“I like to play, Kaylee.” Joey reached toward her from his car seat and touched her arm.
“You’re like a little brother, Joey.”
“I’m not little.”
Ashley had heard the discussion before, and her mind wandered, pleased that the issue had been resolved and with Gina making the custody decision. Devon would have physical custody and Gina, visitation. Their prayers were answered.
As she approached Nine Mile, a fire siren sounded and traffic skidded to a stop. The engine tore across Woodward Avenue. Her heart rose to her throat, and Joey let out an excited yell as the truck flew past. When traffic cleared, she glanced down Nine Mile. The fire engine headed west, and it was likely a two-alarm fire. Smoke rose in the distance, and her pulse skipped.
“Was my daddy in the fire truck?”
“That was a truck from Station 2, Kaylee. Your daddy’s at headquarters.” Which means he was closer to the fire. She swallowed her worry, and a plan flew into her mind. “Would you like to go and visit?”
“Yes, let’s go see Daddy at the fire.”
“We can’t distract him, sweetie. I thought you might like to go and visit Grandpa for a while.”
“Grandpa. Let’s go.” Joey’s voice overpowered Kaylee’s.
Breathing a relieved sigh, Ashley turned toward her father’s home, anxious to let the kids play there while she went to check on the fire. It looked like a bad one.
Grateful for her dad’s willingness, she left the kids, hugged her dad and tore back to Nine Mile where traffic had already backed up. She could see flames in the distance, and her concern grew. She knew Devon had fought hundreds of fires, but she didn’t know him then, didn’t love him then.
Love. The word sizzled in her mind. She’d avoided letting it sneak out and had used every other descriptive form of caring, but today love clung to her thoughts. She adored Devon. Cherished him. Longed for him in her life...forever.
Unable to negotiate the roadblock and traffic, she turned and headed back. She knew better than to be a gawker like those people who chased tragic situations. She grimaced at her decision to go there, but seeing the tragedy made her know where her heart had led her.
Her father’s eyes widened when she came through the door. “You’re back already?”
She shrugged, not wanting the children to know what she’d done. “I ran into traffic and a roadblock. Wisdom finally opened my eyes.”
He nodded. “Good choice. You don’t need to see that and worry.”
“I know, Daddy.” She kissed his cheek and settled into a chair. “Where are the kids?”
“Neely dropped by and heard the good news from Kaylee, so she took them out for ice cream. Hope you don’t mind.”
“No, it’s better. They did see the fire truck and asked about Devon.” She lowered her head a minute. “Dad, I’m crazy about him, and I’ve worried about his dangerous job, but I’m ready to give up the battle and open my heart and my arms.”
A huge grin filled her father’s face. “I knew you couldn’t resist a good man like that for long. You’ve made a wonderful decision. I know he loves you.”
“I think he does.” She drew in a lengthy breath. “I hope Neely isn’t gone, too—” Her cell phone played its tune, and she glanced at the number. Her stomach tightened into a knot. The caller ID read Clint Donatelli. The only reason he would call was...
Tears brimmed in her eyes as she pressed the button. “Clint, what happened?”
“Ashley, Devon asked me to call you. He fell through the flooring. His leg was injured.”
“His leg. Is it—”
“They don’t think it’s serious, but they took him to Beaumont Hospital.”
“In Royal Oak?”
“That’s the one. He wanted you to know. He told me to tell you not to worry. He doesn’t think it’s serious, but—”
“Thanks so much for letting me know. I’ll head over there.” She hung up as fear gripped her. The horrible call she’d anticipated had happened. If this was the beginning of what she had to face for the rest of her life, she’d... She would nothing. Her thoughts fell away to dust. It was too late. She loved him and fear couldn’t make the love go away. When she turned to her dad, she didn’t have to explain.
“Get over there, my girl, and don’t worry about the kids. I’ll keep them entertained.”
“Thanks, Daddy. They don’t think it’s serious, but...” She pressed her lips together to keep from crying.
“Go.”
Her love for her father swept over her. “Yes, sir.”
He chuckled as she raced out the door.
* * *
Ashley tore into emergency and headed for the admissions station. “Devon Murphy was just brought in. He’s a firefight—”
“Are you a relative?”
Fearing the woman would stop her, she longed to lie and say his wife, but she wouldn’t. “I’m his...”
“Girlfriend?” The woman eyed her.
“Yes, and he had one of the firefighters call.”
A faint grin flickered on the woman’s face. “He’s in triage six.”
Ashley hit the large button and the door slid open. She checked the numbers, hurried to the curtain and slipped it open.
Devon’s eyes shifted. “Ash.”
Though relief filled his face, she noted the concern in his eyes. She already knew what he feared. “I thank God you’re okay.” She shifted beside him, and lowered her lips to his cheek. “What’s the diagnosis?”
“A sprain. My leg went through the flooring and it twisted when I went down.” His mouth curved to a grin. “Looks like I’ll need to borrow your crutches.”
“You’re too tall, but I’ll be very happy to see you get a brand-new pair. How’s it feel?”
“Swollen and painful, but nothing horrible. They gave me something for pain.” He reached up and slipped his fingers through hers. “I wondered if you’d come.”
Shame burrowed into her chest, and she lowered her head. “Devon.” She forced her chin upward, her eyes capturing his. “Nothing could have kept me away. Not anymore.” The truth gave her instant relief.
“But I know how much you’ve worried about this kind of thing—the telephone call you never wanted to receive—and I’d insisted I’ve never been injured and suggested that I never would.”
“We can get hurt driving a car or walking a dog. Didn’t you remind me of that?”
He nodded. “But I know how the fear of something happening has affected you.”
She pressed her finger against his lips. “Not anymore. I promise.”
“No?” His eyes prodded hers. “What made you change your mind?”
“You.”
“Me?”
“I can’t live without you, Devon. I finally realized you’re everything I’d ever wanted, and I think this was in the plan forever.” Her confidence grew with each word. “Things happen when we l
east expect them. Not just a tree falling on top of a person, but meeting a soul mate.”
“I’m hoping that’s me.” He grinned, his expression sparking with life and love.
“You know it is.” She chuckled. “I’d get on one knee and propose, but you’d probably only see the top of my head, lying on this gurney, and I want to look you in the eyes when I do.”
“I’m looking?” He moved her hand and pressed it against his heart.
“Devon Murphy, will you marry me?” She stopped his words with the flex of her left hand. “But promise you’ll never tell anyone I proposed.”
His grin blossomed to a smile. “Come on. Don’t ruin the fun. I’ve never had a woman propose to me before.” He tilted his head forward and kissed her hand.
She sent him a playful frown. “And I hope you never do again.”
He chuckled. “Before you withdraw those tantalizing words, I’ll accept your proposal, and I won’t tell a soul.”
She leaned down, her lips molding into his as if they’d kiss for a lifetime. When she caught her breath, her joy grew. “I can’t wait until we tell the kids.”
“We’ll tell them together. And I think it’s time for you to meet my parents. They’ve heard all about you.”
“They have?”
“They love you already.”
She brushed his cheek with her palm, tears in her eyes, a grin on her lips.
“I should be out of here today. They already wrapped my leg in an elastic wrap and told me to put cold compresses on the sprain for twenty minutes every two hours, elevate my leg, use crutches and rest.”
“Rest.” She gave him a wink. “That means you’ll be off work.”
He grinned. “For a while, and I’ll need a pretty caregiver to pamper me.”
“And I know the perfect person to do just that.”
He drew her closer and kissed her again, the longest, deepest kiss she’d ever experienced.
* * *
Devon sat in Ashley’s recliner, his leg propped on the footrest with a pillow beneath and his crutches balanced against the lamp table. He’d knocked them down more than once trying to snatch them, but Ashley or one of the kids always came to his rescue. Though his leg ached off and on throughout the day, he still smiled at the memory of Ashley proposing, a moment when his dream had come true.
The kids had responded as he’d expected, with a robust response of yelling and hand clapping. The scene lifted his spirits and filled him with joy, especially to see Kaylee glowing with happiness. She’d lived through many difficulties and yet she’d survived and flourished. He had to thank Renee, and even Gina did the best she could. He couldn’t fault her for her illness and despite it, she’d given him the gift of custody, an event he never thought could happen without a fight.
And his parents were jubilant when he called them. They loved the idea of adding a grandson to the family. Their joy melded with his happiness, and he knew they planned to visit on Saturday.
Kaylee sauntered into the room and stood near him, her face filled with anxiety. Her look surprised him, and a hitch of concern caught in his chest. How had her joyful response to their announcement turned to worry?
“What’s wrong, sweetie?” He opened his arms, and she came to his side, steering clear of his injured leg.
She shrugged, her head turning to glance toward the kitchen where Ashley was preparing dinner. When she turned back, her expression had changed. “I don’t know what to call—” She tilted her head toward the kitchen “—Ashley. Can I call her Mommy when you get married?”
Her question threw him off guard and he hesitated, not knowing how to answer. “You can, but you have a mommy already, sweetie.”
“I know.” Her eyes filled with question. “Can’t I have two?”
Her question left a lump in his throat. “You can, but do you think your other mommy might have hurt feelings if you call Ashley the same thing?”
Her eyes shifted to the ceiling as if in thought, and then she looked at him. “I’ll call her Ashley when I’m with Mommy.” She drew closer and stood beside the chair, resting her head on his shoulder. “But Ashley is like a real mommy, too, who hugs me, and reads to me, and tells me when I do something bad.”
“Did you do something bad?” He arched a brow, wanting to laugh at her expression. Behind her, Ashley stood in the doorway, her lips pressed together to control her emotions.
“She would if I did something bad cuz she tells me when I’m good.”
“That’s the kind of mommy to have, isn’t it?”
She nodded.
“We haven’t set a date yet, sweetheart, and when we’re married, you can call Ashley whatever makes you happy. I know Ashley will love being your other mom.”
Ashley brushed a tear from her eye and backed away.
A lump caught in his chest. Kaylee had experienced far more than any four-year-old should, and knowing one day she would have the joy of a healthy mom who truly loved her. He could see that in Ashley’s face each time she looked at his daughter.
Kaylee leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Did I hurt your leg?”
“Not one bit. You made it feel better.”
“Can we go out and buy Ashley a wedding ring?”
He chuckled. “When I can get around better, I’ll let you look at some with me, okay?”
“Yay!” She jumped from the chair arm and ran into the kitchen, her announcement resonating through the house.
Joey darted into the room. “Mommy said it’s dinnertime. You should wash your hands.”
“Was that message for me or you?”
His nose crinkled and he ran away giggling as he headed for the bathroom.
Devon managed to grab his crutches before they slipped from his grasp, and after easing down the footrest, he used his good leg to stand and propped the crutches beneath his arms. Now he could sympathize with Ashley’s weeks on the wooden props. The experience wasn’t one he wanted to deal with again, but he had thanked the Lord over and over that he had escaped any more damage than a sprain.
When they were seated around the table, they bowed their heads for the blessing, and when he said amen, Kaylee broke in with an added petition.
“Let’s say thank you to Jesus for our new family.” She lifted her head as a frown grew on her face. “Our new family one day...when you get married.” The knitted brows smoothed with her smile. “Cuz being a family is the best thing. It’s like the best puzzle in the world.”
His eyes widened as he tried to make sense. “How is family like a puzzle?”
She grinned. “It’s lots of pieces that have to be put together, fixing the mistakes and then putting in the last piece and seeing a beautiful picture. We’ll be the picture.”
Tears dripped from Ashley’s eyes, and she hurried to Kaylee’s side and drew her into a hug. “That was the loveliest thing I’ve heard in years...and even more amazing because it came from a four-year-old.”
“But I’ll be five soon, and then I’ll be older than Joey.”
Devon couldn’t contain himself. His laughter burst into the open, realizing they’d come full circle. “Kaylee.”
She looked at him, her expression questioning. “Did I do something bad?”
“Not at all. I love you more than words can tell.” He opened his arms and drew her in. “In fact, I need to hug everyone so all the puzzle pieces are together.”
Joey bounded to him, and Ashley squeezed into the circle between the children. Her gaze drifted to the children, and then caught his eyes. “Let the puzzle say amen.”
Their voices weaved together with a bold amen, and the moment tucked into Devon’s heart, and he knew it would never leave. His personal amen lifted heavenward.
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from T
HE RANCHER'S SECRET SON by Betsy St. Amant.
Dear Reader
I hope you’ve enjoyed the second novel in the Sisters series. You met Neely in Her Valentine Hero, and now you know her sister, Ashley, even better. Ashley’s and Devon’s struggles, though different, were similar. Each struggle dealt with a marriage that ended too soon. In our world today young widows raise their children without a father, and our mental health system does not meet the needs of many adults and children struggling with forms of mental illness. Such illnesses affect families.
Ashley and Devon were also heroes, their focus on protecting their children and their hearts. Sometimes life seems difficult, but we Christians can cling to our belief in Jesus. If we have faith and trust in God’s love and mercy, we are able to release life’s burdens and lay them at Jesus’ feet. When Ashley and Devon clung to the Lord, they found the answers they needed. Let us follow their example and give our burdens and praise to the Lord.
Wishing you blessings and an invitation to drop by my website at www.gailgaymermartin.com and say hello.
Questions for Discussion
Does someone in your life raise their child/children as a single parent? Are their problems similar or different from Ashley’s and in what way?
Ashley worked from her home. This allowed her to be with Joey and still earn a living. Do you know anyone who works from their home? What jobs are available for working out of the home? Can the person earn a living?
What are some ways employers could help single parents?
Do you know a firefighter personally? How does his/her career affect the individual’s life? What are the pros and cons of a career like this?
Ashley lost her husband in Afghanistan and now fears falling in love with a firefighter. Is her fear realistic? Why? If not, why not?
What experience in your past causes you to avoid relationships or other aspects of your life? Or have you been able to overcome the fear, and if so, how?
Ashley and Devon referred to the scripture from Proverb 3:5, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. What does this verse mean to you?