The Love That Saved Him

by Sophie Barnes

  Sarah watched him go with raised eyebrows, then set her mind to finishing her breakfast as quickly as possible. She was still convinced there was more to her grandfather’s urgency than he let on, and her suspicions only grew when, as they reached Pierce’s home, he asked her to pull over. “Why don’t you go and ask how Frank is doing?” he suggested.

  “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea,” Sarah said. “Pierce said he’d get in touch once they got back from the doctor.”

  “Well, they haven’t left yet,” Thomas insisted. “The car’s still there, and besides, they won’t be able to get an appointment anyway until nine. Just go and inquire, will you?”

  Sarah studied him a moment. “Is this why you wanted to come here so early? So you could check on Frank’s health?”

  “And what if it is?” Shifting, Thomas stared straight ahead, out the window. “He’s Mary’s son, you know. Just because he and I don’t get along doesn’t mean I don’t care about what happens to him.”

  It wasn’t really something Sarah had considered. Since her grandfather’s confession about his affair and marriage, she’d been unwilling to let it tarnish her feelings for her grandparents and had therefore done her best to push all thought of it from her mind. “Of course,” she found herself saying now. Placing her hand on his shoulder, she gave a gentle squeeze. “I’ll be right back.”

  But the moment she was out of the car, she was reminded of something else altogether – of the warm embrace Pierce had given her the night before, right there by the front door. It had felt wonderfully secure. So much so, she’d been reluctant to part from him. And then their eyes had met, and it had been as though a thousand unspoken hopes and dreams had passed between them.

  If she were honest, she’d thought he might kiss her, and if she were even more honest, she had to admit she’d hoped he would. But then Jack had arrived and the moment ended.

  Now as she forced her feet forward and up the steps, she could feel her stomach tying itself into knots at the thought of seeing him again. Which was silly. She was a grown woman, and as she’d told her grandfather, it was unlikely that Pierce was looking for a relationship while she most certainly wasn’t. Was she?

  Shaking her head, she gave the door a loud rap, intent on saying what she’d come to say and then going on her way without any more ‘what ifs’ floating about her head. Really, it was making her stupid, all this second guessing and wondering if Pierce liked her in that way and all of the other ridiculous questions she thought she’d left behind in high school.

  But then the door opened, and Sarah literally staggered back a step, her mouth almost dropping at the sight of him standing there wearing a t-shirt and pajama pants, his hair tussled and his jaw just stubbly enough to make his sex-appeal skyrocket. And in that moment, while she struggled for something to say, Sarah knew that somehow she’d fallen for this man with such incredible force that her insides had turned to goo. And it was the most wonderful, terrifying, and astounding feeling she’d ever had in her life.

  Except he was frowning at her now, and she realized he must have spoken and was probably waiting for her to respond. So she pulled herself up a bit straighter and did her best to look him in the eye.

  “My grandfather and I were wondering how Frank is doing.” Oh, if only her heart would stop pounding.

  “Umm…well, I gather he slept okay. In fact, he says he’s fully recovered, but I’m still insisting on the doctor.” He opened the door a bit more. “We were just having breakfast, actually. You’re welcome to join us.” Glancing past her at the idling car, he added, “Thomas too, if he’d like.”

  “Oh…err…no.” She took a step back while silently cursing herself for stammering. “Thank you, though.” Damn it! It was as if her realization of her feelings for him had addled her brain. She could no longer think straight let alone form a proper sentence.

  “Sarah.” His eyes widened with concern as he reached out toward her. “Watch—”

  Unsure of how to proceed, she decided to back away further, except her foot met nothing but air in that moment, and then she fell, her balance completely off center and sending her back until something solid met her back. And then, without warning, she was being hauled forward, her eyes meeting Pierce’s as he pulled her straight toward him. “I…err…well. That was clumsy of me,” she managed while heat rushed to her cheeks, and she once again cursed her lack of both elegance and eloquence.

  “Are you all right?” he quietly asked her, not letting her go.

  And there it was again, that moment when their eyes met, and Sarah felt as though she might sink into his embrace and stay there forever. “Yes.” She gave him a definite nod. “Quite all right.”

  He frowned a little and slowly released her. “You know, I was actually going to invite you over for dinner tonight. You and Thomas.”

  “Really?”

  “It was actually Frank’s suggestion, if you can believe that.”

  “Oh.” She hoped she didn’t sound too disappointed by the idea of sharing his company with others when she’d so much rather have him to herself, or by the fact that it wasn’t his invitation but someone else’s. “Thank you. We’d be happy to join you.” She wasn’t quite sure if her grandfather would be, but if Frank was set on making peace, then she would allow him the opportunity to do so.

  “Does seven o’ clock work for you?”

  “Yes. That’s fine. We’ll see you then.” At which point she gave him a hasty wave and hurried back to the car, completely muddled by the effect he’d had on her yet again.

  As Pierce drove Frank and Jenny into town later for Frank’s doctor appointment, he pondered his recent encounter with Sarah. She’d seemed surprisingly agitated that morning when she’d stopped by, her eyes constantly flicking away from his and her words faltering each time she spoke.

  And then she’d almost taken a fall, which was really unusual since he’d never seen her be clumsy before. It had actually looked as though she’d been nervous talking to him, and the way in which she’d blushed…

  Was it possible she felt more for him than friendship? That he wasn’t the only one developing deeper emotions? Unable to help it, he smiled in response to that thought. All things aside and regardless of what eventually happened, there was something reassuring about being admired by a beautiful woman. And Sarah was beautiful, both inside and out. He knew her well enough now to appreciate just how wonderful she truly was, based on all the hardship she’d been through and everything she was doing for her grandfather. She was a true family person at heart, which only made her ordeal with Billy all the more tragic.

  “Are we almost there?” Frank asked from the passenger seat.

  His voice forced Pierce to acknowledge his own state of affairs. “In about five minutes.” Frank and Jenny had told him to move on; they’d given their blessing, but the last person they’d probably had in mind when they’d said that was Thomas’s granddaughter. How would they react if he told them she was the only woman in whom he’d any interest at all?

  His smile faded and he silently cursed himself as he turned onto the road that would take them straight to the clinic. What business did he even have worrying about such a thing when he’d yet to let Caroline go? She was still a big part of his life, his daily routine, his thoughts and emotions. How could he ever commit to a relationship with another woman when she still held his heart? It wouldn’t be fair to anyone: not to Sarah, not to Caroline’s memory, and not to him.

  Pulling into the clinic parking lot at that moment, Pierce was forced to think of the immediate task of getting Frank inside for his checkup. They didn’t have to wait long before he was called in by a nurse.

  “Would you like me to come with you?” Jenny asked when Frank rose from his seat in the sparsely furnished waiting room.

  “No. I’ll be fine,” Frank assured her.

  They watched him follow the nurse through a door and disappear into a hallway beyond before Jenny quietly said, “I haven’t
been this worried since Caroline was sick.” Reaching for her hand, Pierce gave it a gentle squeeze that prompted Jenny to look at him. Her eyes glistened like beads of frost caught in the sunlight. “All I could think of yesterday was how pointless life would be if I lost him as well. I just hope his injury isn’t serious.”

  “He’s a sturdy guy, Jenny, and he seems okay to me. This visit is really just a precaution, you know?”

  She nodded. “Yes. I know.”

  They fell silent for a while, his hand still holding hers while they watched the TV that sat on the wall in one corner. There was a game show on at the moment, but Pierce couldn’t concentrate on it. All he could think of was how tragic it was that the closest thing Jenny and Frank now had to a child was him – a man whom they’d only known for seven and a half years. It felt so incredibly unjust that two people as good and loving as they were should have to go through such an ordeal.

  “Do you know what the worst part is?” Jenny whispered a while later. “When she passed, the first thing I felt was relief.” A quiet sob broke past her lips, and she quickly covered her mouth with her hand as if hoping to hold back another. “What kind of mother does that make me?”

  “The very best,” Pierce told her while his own heart started to break all over again. “You knew how much she suffered, how much she longed for it to end. There’s no shame in wanting her to be at peace. Relief in knowing she is, is only natural, Jenny. You mustn’t believe anything else.”

  “It just feels wrong.”

  “I know. Guilt is a tough beast to slay. I’ve had my share of it, wondering if things could have been different if we’d only done this or that or something else entirely. There were so many regrets—experiences we ought to have shared but never managed to make time for. I can’t even begin to tell you…” His own voice broke, and he found himself hastily swiping at his eyes. God! Of all the places to have a heart-to-heart break down, why did it have to be here in public?

  “You lived your life as best you were able, and you both made career choices, Pierce. It wasn’t just you. She wanted the promotions she aimed for over the years just as much as you wanted yours. The important thing is that you had each other.” Jenny drew a ragged breath before saying, “As short as her life might have been, Caroline knew what it was to be loved, even if she never got the various vacations the two of you always talked about taking.”

  Expelling a breath, Pierce strove to keep his composure. They’d never spoken this frankly about everything that had happened, moving simply from the hospital to the funeral and onward in separate directions.

  “You mustn’t worry about the relief you felt at her passing, Jenny.” He couldn’t stand the thought of this woman who’d lost her child tormenting herself over such a thing. “Caroline loved you. She saw that you were there for her all the way to the end, and she wanted that end more than anything else when it finally happened. There’s nothing wrong with you wanting it for her as well.”

  “Thank you, Pierce. I…I hardly know what to say.”

  He squeezed her hand once more. “You don’t have to say anything at all.”

  “Everything all right?” Frank asked, eyeing them both with a suspicious spark in his eyes when he returned a short while later.

  “Just fine,” Pierce told him. Rising, he helped Jenny stand as well before releasing her hand and addressing the doctor who’d accompanied Frank out. “How does he look?”

  “I’m guessing he suffered a mild concussion, but I don’t really see any lingering cause for concern,” the doctor replied. “His cognitive function seems to be normal as do his reflexes. But I’d probably advise against any more unaccompanied walks for the time being, just to be on the safe side.”

  “So we’re good to go?” Pierce asked.

  “You most certainly are.” The doctor grinned. “Although…” His smile faded and he grew serious once more. “Frank mentioned during our conversation that you’ve been working with Thomas Palmer lately?”

  Pierce nodded, a bit surprised and thrown by the question. “Umm…yeah…that’s right.”

  The doctor nodded as if waiting for Pierce to elaborate. When he didn’t, the doctor asked, “I was just wondering how he’s doing. You know, it’s been a while since I last saw him.”

  “Oh…” Pierce frowned while trying to think. “I’d say that he looks pretty well to me.” A sudden sense of concern crept over his shoulders as he watched the doctor’s eyebrows draw together. “Why? Are you worried about something?”

  The man shook his head dismissively. “No. Not at all.” He turned, offered his hand to Frank and then to Pierce and Jenny in turn. “Give my regards to Sarah as well. You might want to remind her that she’s due for another tetanus shot soon.”

  “All right.” Pierce returned the doctor’s smile with one of his own. “I’ll do that when I see her.”

  “I told you this would be a waste of time,” Frank said as soon as they were back outside and walking toward the car.

  “You’re wrong about that,” Jenny told him tightly. “I’m glad for the reassurance the doctor just gave us. It stops me from worrying.”

  Sighing, Frank put his arm around her shoulders and dropped a kiss on the top of her head. Pierce’s heart squeezed. Growing old could be difficult, but at least Jenny and Frank had each other. It made him wonder what his advanced years might look like, if they would be lonely or filled with love.

  When Sarah arrived that evening accompanied by her grandfather, Pierce helped her off with her coat in the hall and was immediately struck by how lovely she looked. He’d never seen her in a dress before, but she was wearing one now – a black knit thing that hugged her curves before flaring out below her hips.

  Unable to resist, he allowed himself a discreet look at her legs, appreciating their shapeliness and the slim delicacy of her ankles just long enough to consider what it might be like to run his fingers over that part of her.

  Stirred by his ponderings, he quickly turned away. The last thing he wanted was for anyone present to catch him staring at her with that sort of interest. “I’m glad you came,” he told Thomas as they walked on through to the living room.

  “Thank you for inviting us,” Thomas said.

  “It was actually Frank’s idea,” Pierce said when they reached the area where his in-laws were waiting. Both had risen to greet Sarah and Thomas, their expressions bordering between uncertainty and apprehension even though they both attempted to smile.

  “Really?” Thomas crossed to where Frank was standing and stuck out his hand. “I would have thought you’d like to avoid me as much as possible.”

  “So did I,” Frank admitted as he shook Thomas’s hand, “but I’ve given the matter a bit more thought after what happened yesterday, and I’ve decided it might be time for the two of us to sit down and talk.”

  “That’s very good of you,” Sarah told him. She stepped forward to say hello. Smiling that smile that invariably warmed Pierce’s heart, she introduced herself to Jenny.

  “Pierce says you’re managing the mining operation with Thomas,” Jenny said. “That’s quite impressive.”

  “Because I’m a woman?” Sarah asked with a teasing look that made Pierce want to grab her by the hand and run off with her.

  “And because you’re so young,” Jenny said. She hastily added, “I mean that as a compliment, you know.”

  Sarah laughed. “Thank you. I appreciate that.” She gave Thomas an affectionate look. “It seemed like the right career choice for me. I love my grandfather, and I enjoy being outside as much as possible even though the winters often force us back indoors.”

  “Yes. They can be pretty rough around here,” Frank said. “Growing up, we always had a roaring fire during the winter and thick wool blankets to wrap ourselves up in. I remember that getting out from underneath my comforter in the mornings was tough. Brrr!”

  “I know exactly what you mean,” Thomas said as the corners of his eyes crinkled with humor. “My house didn’
t even have a boiler before the sixties, so all the water had to be heated on the stove. Baths were often the most dreaded necessity because of how cold it usually was.”

  “I can’t even begin to imagine,” Sarah said with amazement.

  Pleased to see that his guests appeared to be getting along much better than he’d expected, Pierce inquired about their drink preferences and excused himself so he could find a nice bottle of red wine. He strode into the kitchen and checked on the food before crouching down and opening the cabinet where he kept his wine.

  “Smells like a feast,” Sarah spoke from behind him, the unexpected sound of her voice jolting him upright and straight into the edge of an open cabinet door.

  “Ow!” The pain jarred his skull, and he instinctively looked toward her.

  “Oh dear.” She took a step forward. “I’m so sorry. Are you all right?”

  Rubbing the tender spot with his hand, he gave her a nod. “I’ll be fine. Do you think this will do?” he asked, setting a Chilean wine on the counter.

  She held his gaze for a second longer before tilting the bottle and reading the label. She looked at him again, and he saw that the green in her eyes was brighter than usual – a pretty compliment to the color of her hair. “I believe so, though I must confess I’m not much of a connoisseur.”

  There was something careful about the way in which she was speaking, a timidity he found strangely seductive. And then she lowered her gaze, a blush spreading to her cheeks as she looked away. Mesmerized, he couldn’t help but stare. She always seemed so self-assured and so direct, but now…this was an entirely different side to her – a more vulnerable side, he realized. Which made him wonder if perhaps the moments they’d shared with each other, not only last night but this morning as well, had made an equally great impression on her as it had on him.

  “They seem to be getting along well enough,” she said when he failed to comment on her previous remark. She leaned against the counter and offered a smile that made the tips of his fingers itch to reach out and touch her.