Heart of the Family

by Margaret Daley

  “Not usually. I rotate six different ones each time. I don’t want to play favorites and cause any problems.”

  “Do you have a favorite?”

  “I try not to. They all need love and understanding. But…”

  His voice faded into the quiet.

  “What? Fess up. Which one has stolen your heart?”

  “It’s hard for me not to be drawn to Andy.”

  Although she thought she knew the answer, she asked, “Why?” She pulled into a parking space next to the restaurant and looked at him, the light from the building washing over his face.

  “Because he reminds me of myself when I was his age.”

  “And that’s why you’re being so hard on Lisa.” Knowing how he felt about Andy’s mother, she should be surprised he had taken the time to help her the evening before, but she wasn’t, because the more she got acquainted with Jacob the more she realized that would be exactly what he would do.

  “No, I’m skeptical of her motives because I’ve seen that kind of situation before and it didn’t turn out well.”

  “I’m sorry about your mother, but Lisa isn’t her.”

  “It’s not just my mother I’m talking about. I’ve seen a lot over the years as a foster child and a doctor.”

  “Were there any situations where a parent was able to stay off drugs and take care of her child?”

  He thought for a moment and answered, “One of my friends was lucky.”

  She placed her hand on the handle. “Then maybe Andy and Lisa will be like that one.” She opened the door and left her car before they got into a heated discussion as they had in the past when they’d talked about the little boy’s situation.

  Inside the restaurant wonderful smells of spices, tomato and meats caused Hannah’s mouth to water. “I didn’t realize how hungry I was until now.”

  After they ordered at the counter, Jacob found them a table in the back in a less-crowded section and pulled out her chair as if they were on a date. She stared at it for a few seconds before she sat and let him scoot it forward. His hand brushed her shoulder as he came around to his side, and she nearly jumped at the casual touch.

  Get a grip. This is not a date. It is simply two people who are acquainted sharing a meal. It could never be anything more than that.

  “They’re usually pretty fast here, so it shouldn’t be long before they bring us our pizzas. And this is my treat.”

  “You don’t have to,” she immediately said, not liking how that made this sound more like a date.

  “Yes, I do. You’re helping me out, and I always pay my debts.”

  “Is that why you have a car that should have seen the inside of a salvage yard a long time ago?”

  For a couple of heartbeats his jaw tightened, a veil falling over his expression. Then it was gone and he grinned. “Contrary to how a lot of men feel about their cars, I don’t care what I drive. I wanted to pay off my educational loans before I took on any more debt.”

  “When will you be finished?”

  “In a few months.” He looked beyond her and his smile grew. “I wondered if you were here. Hannah, this is Noah, the guy who is responsible for adding at least five pounds to my waist.”

  A tall man with long brown hair pulled back with a leather strap paused at the table. “I must admit this isn’t something I see often. I had to come out and meet the woman who could make my friend stop long enough to go out on a date.”

  Hannah shook Noah’s hand. “Oh, this isn’t a date. We’re just…” How did she describe what they were?

  “We’re friends enjoying some pizza,” Jacob finished for her.

  “Sure. Sorry about the mistake.” Noah’s gaze danced with merriment as it lit upon first Jacob then Hannah.

  “Hannah is the new manager at Stone’s Refuge. Why she was interested in meeting you, I don’t know.”

  Noah laughed. “She probably heard of my charming personality.”

  “No doubt,” Jacob grumbled good-naturedly. “Are you leaving?”

  Noah’s laughter increased. “I can take a hint. You don’t have to wound me.”

  “I couldn’t wound you. Your hide is too thick.”

  The restaurant owner shifted his attention to Hannah. “Don’t listen to a thing he says. He doesn’t know how to have fun. He’s too busy working all the time.” He took her hand. “It was nice meeting you. I’m sure I’ll see you around the farm.”

  As Noah strolled away, Hannah turned to Jacob. “Did you tell me y’all are friends?”

  “Afraid so. Actually Noah and Peter are like brothers to me.”

  “Then that accounts for your ribbing.”

  “You sound like someone who has siblings. A brother or sister?”

  The reminder of Kevin struck her low. She struggled to keep herself composed while she sat across from the man who caused her brother’s death. Trembling, she clutched the sides of the chair.

  “Excuse me.” She bolted to her feet and searched for the restrooms.

  Seeing the sign across the room, she quickly fled the table. Inside she locked the door and collapsed back against it. When she lifted her gaze to the mirror over the sink, she saw two large eyes, full of sorrow, staring back at her. She covered her cheeks, the heat beneath her fingertips searing them. His question had taken her by surprise and dumped her past in her lap.

  She crossed to the sink and splashed cold water on her face, then examined her reflection in the mirror for any telltale signs of her grief. Blue eyes filled her vision, pain lurking just beneath the surface. She stamped it down.

  She needed to get through dinner. Thinking about Kevin—the fact she had never been able to say goodbye to him because her parents wouldn’t let her go to the funeral—was something she couldn’t afford to do right now.

  “You can do this.” She blew out a breath of air, lifting her bangs from her forehead, and left the restroom.

  Jacob stood when she approached. Worry knitted his forehead. “Are you all right?”

  She took her chair, noticing that the pizzas had been delivered while she was gone. “I’m fine.”

  “Did I say something wrong?”

  “I did have an older brother. He’s dead. Your question took me by surprise. That’s all.”

  He covered her hand on the table. “I’m so sorry about your brother.”

  Somehow she managed not to jerk back. She forced a smile to her lips and said, “I’m hungry. Let’s dig in.”

  As Hannah took her first bite of the Canadian bacon slice, she knew what she had to do soon. She needed to go out to her brother’s grave site. She needed to say goodbye.

  The next afternoon at the cemetery, Hannah’s steps slowed as she neared where her brother lay at rest. A vase of brightly colored flowers drew her immediate attention. Where had those come from? She had no relatives living in Cimarron City.

  Hannah put her mum plant next to the vase, then moved back. The bright sunlight bathed her in warmth she desperately needed. Hugging her arms to her, she wished she had worn a heavier sweater. The north wind cut through her, and she positioned herself behind the large oak that shaded the area, its trunk blocking the worst of the chill.

  “Kevin, I’m sorry I told on you that last day. If you hadn’t gotten in trouble with Dad, you might not have gone out joyriding that night. If I had only known…” The lump in her throat prevented her from saying the rest aloud. But for years she had wondered: if she hadn’t tattled on her brother, would that have changed the outcome of that night? That was something she would never know the answer to.

  Lord, I need Your help in forgiving Jacob. I can see he is a good man. I don’t want to carry this anger anymore. Please help me.

  The evening before hadn’t been torture. She wouldn’t have thought that possible until recently. But she had seen a side of Jacob—even if they didn’t agree about Andy and Lisa—which she liked. He cared about the children at the refuge. He cared about his patients. He cared about his friends.

  If
Jacob could move past Kevin’s death, then so could she. She would find a way because she wanted to continue working at the refuge and that meant being involved with him.

  “We need to stop meeting like this,” Jacob said several weeks later as he closed the door to the exam room.

  Hannah held Nancy in her lap, the child’s head lying on her shoulder. “Just as soon as they come up with a cure for the common cold and a few other illnesses.”

  He knelt next to Hannah. “What’s wrong, Nancy?”

  “I don’t feel good.”

  He leaned closer to hear the weak answer. “Let’s take your temperature first.”

  While he rose, Nancy’s eyes grew round. “I don’t want a shot.”

  Hannah cradled the child against her. “I gave her something for her fever last night, but she didn’t sleep well. She ended up in my bed. She complained her throat hurts.”

  “Nancy, can you hop up here and let me take a look?” Jacob patted the exam table.

  The little girl nodded, then slipped off Hannah’s lap. Jacob helped her up, then placed a digital thermometer into her ear.

  Hannah stood next to Nancy. “What is it now?”

  “Hundred and four. When was the last time you gave her something for her fever?”

  Hannah checked her watch. “Four hours ago.”

  When the nurse came into the room, Jacob examined the child, then took a swab of her throat. “Strep is going around. We should know something in a few minutes.”

  He handed the sample to Teresa, who left, then shook out two children’s pain relievers and gave them to Nancy. After chewing them, she sipped the cup of water Jacob filled for her.

  “If it’s strep, you’ll need to keep her away from the other children. It can be very contagious. I often see it make the rounds in a family.” Jacob jotted something on the girl’s chart.

  “I’ll have her stay in my room, but she ate dinner and breakfast with the whole crew.”

  “I’ll give you a maintenance dose of antibiotics. I don’t want you getting sick, too.”

  The door opened as Nancy leaned against Hannah as if the child didn’t have the strength to keep herself upright. Teresa entered and handed Jacob a slip of paper.

  He frowned. “It’s strep.” He scribbled on a prescription pad, then ripped it off and handed it to Hannah. “Get her started on that right away. I’ll come by this evening to check the rest of the kids, as well, and see how Nancy is doing after she’s had a dose of antibiotics and lots of rest. I’ll bring maintenance doses for the children to take when they get home from school.” He smoothed the child’s hair from her face. “You’ll rest for me, Nancy?”

  She nodded and buried herself even more against Hannah.

  “Great. I bet Teresa has a toy for you from the box. Do you want one?” Jacob sent his nurse a silent message.

  Nancy’s dull gaze slid from Jacob to the nurse. “Yes, please.”

  “What would you like?” Teresa took the child’s hand and assisted her down from the exam table. “We’ve got some coloring books. Do you like to color?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Then you can pick from several different ones.” Teresa left the room with Nancy in tow.

  The second they were gone, Hannah rounded on Jacob. “What didn’t you say in front of Nancy?”

  “This could be serious. Both Terry and Susie get strep throat easily. Last time Terry was very sick from it. I’ll be there not long after they get home from school. Has Nancy been around them much, other than at dinner and breakfast?”

  “Susie read to her last night. She’s the one who came and told me Nancy wasn’t feeling well and was hot.” Hannah pictured the children all in bed with sore throats and fevers. “So do you think I’d better dust off my tennis shoes and get ready to run between bedrooms?”

  He chuckled. “That’s a possibility, but I’ll help as much as I can.”

  The barrier around her heart crumpled a little as she looked into his eyes. Since he’d come into her life, he was doing that a lot—helping her out.

  Hannah collapsed onto the couch in the living area and rested her head on the back cushion. “Thankfully Terry doesn’t have strep yet, but I’m worried about Susie.”

  “I’ve got her on an antibiotic. We caught it early this time so she should be all right in a few days.” Jacob settled across from her in a lounge chair.

  “Are you as tired as I am?”

  “I could fall asleep sitting up in this chair.”

  “Are you going to be all right driving home?”

  One corner of his mouth lifted. “Sure, if I can persuade you to fix me a cup of coffee.”

  “Won’t that keep you up after you get home?”

  “I’m just hoping it will keep me up until I get home.”

  “If you think there’ll be a problem, you are welcome to stay here and sleep on this couch.” She patted the black leather cushion.

  “No. My new car practically drives itself.”

  Summoning her last bit of energy, Hannah pushed to her feet. “One cup of java coming up then.”

  In the kitchen she quickly brewed some coffee, amazed that she actually invited him to stay over. It wasn’t as though they would be alone, not with eight children in the house—six of them sick and probably up and down the whole night until the antibiotic really took effect.

  But a picture of his tired face popped into her mind as she stared at the dark liquid dripping into the pot. It was after one, and he’d spent over nine hours here, helping her with the children—and that was after working a full day at his office. With Meg off, she’d needed the help, and she hadn’t wanted to expose anyone else to strep.

  Thank You, Lord, for sending him to us.

  The aroma of coffee permeated the kitchen, tempting her to drink a cup herself. But she needed to get what rest she could so she only filled a mug for Jacob, then walked back into the living room to find him sound asleep. Even in relaxation he appeared exhausted, his pale features highlighting the dark circles under his eyes.

  After placing his coffee on the table beside his chair, she grabbed the coverlet from the couch and threw it over him, pausing for a long moment to stare at him. Until she realized what she was doing. Quickly she dimmed the lights and tiptoed out of the living area. On her way to her bedroom, she checked on the children. The sick kids were separated from the two who were still healthy and she hoped stayed that way.

  All seemed well as she headed for her room and bed. She was so tired she didn’t even bother removing her clothes. She plopped down on the bedspread and fell back onto the pillow. The softness cocooned her in luxury that her weary body craved.

  A thought seeped into her mind. She needed to get up and take her maintenance dose. She’d forgotten earlier. She would…soon….

  The next thing Hannah knew someone was shaking her arm. She popped one eye open to find Nancy by her bed, her thumb in her mouth, her face flushed. “Baby, what’s wrong?” She pushed herself up on her elbows.

  “I can’t sleep,” she mumbled with her thumb still in her mouth.

  Hannah touched her forehead, then cupped her cheek. Fever radiated beneath her palm. She slid her glance to the clock. Four. She’d slept almost three hours. “Let me give you some more pain reliever.”

  Hannah hurried into the bathroom off her room and retrieved the medicine and a paper cup full of water. When she returned, she found Nancy curled on her bed, still sucking her thumb. “Here, chew these first then drink some water.”

  Nancy did, then lay back down, her movements lethargic.

  “I’ll carry you to your room.”

  “Not mine. It’s Susie’s. Can I stay here?”

  Hannah pulled a chair near the bed and sat. “Okay. This time. I’ll take you…”

  The child’s eyes drifted closed. She’d wait until Nancy was asleep then take her back to the bedroom she shared with the two other girls. Fifteen minutes later she scooped up Nancy into her arms and strode out into the hallwa
y and nearly collided with Jacob, who held Andy against him.

  “What happened?” Hannah stepped back.

  “He’s sick, too. He woke me up in the living room.”

  “That makes seven now.”

  “Put him in my bed. I don’t want him going back into the room with Terry.”

  Jacob passed her and entered her bedroom while she quickly took care of Nancy. She tucked the little girl in and brushed her fingers along her forehead. Her skin was cooler to the touch. Relief flowed through Hannah as she checked on the other two girls then slipped out into the hallway. Hopefully by this evening the children would be much better with no complications from the strep.

  When Jacob came out of her room, she asked, “Are you hungry? I’ll fix you an early breakfast or a late-night snack, whichever way you want to look at it.”

  “I never turn down a chance at a meal I don’t have to fix. And after the past—” he glanced at his watch “—twelve hours I’m starved.”

  As she made her way to the kitchen, the hairs on her nape tingled as though Jacob was staring at her. She didn’t dare look back to see if he was. Just thinking about it caused her cheeks to flame.

  After flipping on the light, she crossed the room, opened the refrigerator and removed ingredients for scrambled eggs. “Frankly I love having breakfast at any time of the day. Mom used to fix pancakes for dinner once a month.”

  When he didn’t say anything, she peered back at him. A shadow dulled his eyes until he saw her staring and a veil descended over his expression.

  He moved to her. “Can I help?”

  “Someone who professes not to cook? I don’t think so. Have a seat. This is the least I can do for all your help with the kids.”

  “I’m their doctor.”

  “Who’s gone above and beyond the call of duty.”

  He scooted back a chair from the kitchen table and sank down onto it. His gaze captured hers and for a moment she forgot everything but the charming smile that tilted the corners of his mouth and the gleam that sparkled in his eyes.