by Lucie Ulrich
“But that’s just it. I don’t want to be rid of them. I want to find out if Sarah and I met for a reason, or if I’m fooling myself into thinking something could come of this.” He ran a finger over the rim of his mug. “At this point, all I can do is keep a positive attitude, do what Sarah asked, and see how it goes.”
“And if she marries her fiancé?”
His heart thumped. “Then I’ll know it wasn’t meant to be, lick my wounds, and move on.” He smiled despite the ache in his chest. Moving on would be hard, and would likely include a physical move as well.
Amy shook her head. “Couldn’t you have found a girl who was unattached?”
“Trust me. I didn’t set out for things to happen this way. It was almost like being in a movie. I saw her and wham.” He threw up his hand. “I’m pretty sure I saw Cupid fly off after piercing my heart.”
Covering her mouth didn’t hide Amy’s laughter. “Sorry, but that seriously sounded funny coming from you.”
“What, you don’t think I can be romantic?”
“Romantic, sure, but associating you with Cupid just doesn’t do it for me. Now, if you’d said Casanova… ” She waggled her brows, still giggling.
“Can we please give the Casanova thing a rest?” Kevin downed the last of his coffee, but laughed along with his sister. He left some bills on the table. “We’d better get going. I’m anxious to spend some time with Brian. I’m sure he’ll be more sympathetic.”
“Don’t count on it.” Amy slid from the booth, and joined Kevin who was already standing. She looped her arm through his. “Brian and I have been married long enough that most of my sarcasm and cynicism have rubbed off on him.”
“Great. Maybe I should turn around and fly back home.”
She tugged him toward the front door. “Then you’d have to help Sarah move in. Better to stay with us for a while.”
“Yeah, much better.”
****
Sarah parked in front of the bakery. Her dad followed with the moving van, and Pippa arrived a few minutes later, along with three beefy teenagers from her church’s youth group. She introduced Dylan, George, and Calvin, and explained how their time here would earn them community service hours.
“Thanks, guys.” Sarah unlocked the street door. “You have no idea how much I appreciate the help.” She put a wedge under the door to keep it open. “Expect a good lunch when you’re done.”
“We appreciate it, ma’am,” Calvin said, “but we have another family to help, and lunch comes with that deal.”
“In that case, let’s not keep you here any longer than necessary.” Acting as traffic director, Sarah made sure to tell the guys where to place each piece of furniture. When the dresser was brought in, she led the way to the bedroom, gasping at the sight of an antique armoire. It was distressed white with tiny purple flowers hand painted in panels on the doors. “Where did this come from?”
Pippa beamed. “It’s a housewarming gift from my parents.”
“Are you kidding me?” Eyes wide, Sarah walked across to room to admire it. “It’s practically a perfect match for the rest of the furniture in here.”
“I know.” Pippa pulled both doors open, exposing two hanger rails on one side and a series of shelves and drawers on the other. “Mom was in contact with your mother and between the two of them this is what they came up with.”
“It’s such a generous gift. I hardly know what to say.”
One of the guys carrying one end of her dresser grunted. “How about telling us where you’d like this before we drop it?”
Sarah spun around. “Oh, I’m so sorry.” She had them place it under the window then went about putting in the drawers her father and Dylan carried in.
It took less than two hours to unload all of Sarah’s belongings. With her heartfelt thanks and a promise to buy the youth group pizza one night, Sarah sent the guys off.
“Those are some really great young men,” Frank said. “I haven’t moved that fast or lifted that much weight in twenty years or more.”
Lorraine walked out from the kitchen. “I’ve unloaded the dishes and set them on the counter, Sarah. Why don’t you come in and tell me where you’d like them? That way you and Pippa can get your clothes from the back of your car while Dad parks the truck out back.”
“My mother the slave driver.” Sarah gave her mother a hug. “I have a better idea. Why don’t we all take the Bradshaws up on their invitation for lunch? The bed’s put together and the furniture’s in place. Other than hanging a few pictures and unpacking half a dozen boxes, the place is in good shape. I’ve got the whole summer to get it looking the way I want. There’s no need to do it all today.”
“Only if you promise to get some groceries before you come back,” Lorraine said. “I unpacked the contents of your pantry and it didn’t come close to filling one small shelf.”
“That’s the beauty of living here. There are all kinds of restaurants within walking distance. If I don’t get to the grocery store today, there’s always tomorrow.” Sarah picked up her mother’s purse and handed it to her. “You guys have been amazing, but now it’s time to relax.”
Her mother reached into her purse, pulled out a handful of bills, and pressed them into Sarah’s hand. “Make sure you buy plenty of fruits and vegetables.”
“I don’t need your money, Mom.” Sarah pushed her mother’s hand back. “I stopped shopping on purpose so I wouldn’t have to haul boxes of food with me.”
“Doesn’t matter, I’m giving it to you anyway.”
“Take the money,” her father said. “She’ll fuss about it all the way home if you don’t.”
“Okay, but that’s it.” She stuffed the cash in her purse, and gently pushed her parents toward the door. “Go. I’m going to grab my swimsuit and I’ll meet you all there.”
With everyone out the door, Sarah practically skipped from room to room, giddy with excitement. She counted her blessings: a new home, new job, and things were back on track with Logan. She uttered a prayer of gratitude, picked up her pre-packed beach bag, and headed for the door.
“Oops.” Sarah hurried back to the bedroom, removed her engagement ring and placed it in the blue velvet box it came in—water, sunscreen, and a diamond ring were not a good combination. She snapped the lid shut and gave the box a quick kiss. “I love you, Logan.”
****
After lunch, and wishing her parents a safe trip home, Sarah and Pippa spent several relaxing hours on the beach. Reclined on a beach towel, Sarah sighed. “This is too wonderful. I plan on spending a lot of time out here this summer.”
“Same here.” Pippa rolled onto her stomach, facing Sarah. “We do several church events over the summer, which are always a lot of fun, but I have to admit I prefer the quiet times when the beach isn’t crowded, and I can focus on the sounds of the wind and waves.”
“Would you mind if I keep a chair and umbrella in your garage so that I don’t have to haul them back and forth? I hope to get a lot of reading done, and I don’t like more than a few hours of sun at a time.”
“Not necessary. Everything you need is in the shed next to the garage.”
“Great, thanks.” Sarah sat and looked out at the water. “I should probably get back. I asked Logan to call tonight instead of last night, so I could tell him about my day.”
Pushing herself up, Pippa stretched. “Sounds like things are better between the two of you.”
“They are. I think we both had to adjust to the separation in our own way. When we finally had enough time to really talk, Logan understood my concerns, and I decided to cut him some slack.”
“Is there any chance he’ll get some time away and come home for a visit?”
“I haven’t asked. It would hurt too much if he said no, so I’m learning to take it daily.” She stood and shook out her blanket. “I figure if military wives can deal while their husbands are in harm’s way, I have no right to complain.”
Slipping on a beach cover-up, Sarah b
reathed in deep, inhaling as much salt air as she could. This was so unlike the chlorinated pool at her old complex. There were no screaming kids, rowdy teenagers, or stressed-out parents. “Moving here was definitely the best decision ever.”
“Want me to come with you and help finish the unpacking?” Pippa rolled up her beach mat.
“I appreciate the offer, but I kind of want to finish on my own.” She bit her bottom lip. “You don’t mind, do you?”
“Not at all. I kicked my folks out the minute the heavy stuff had been brought in.” She laughed. “Mom was fine with it, but Dad was more than a little disappointed. I ended up letting him hang all my pictures and stock my pantry.”
“What is it with parents and pantries?” Sarah led the way back toward the boardwalk and to her car. “Thanks for everything, Pippa.“ Laughing, Sarah tossed her beach bag in the backseat. “I seem to be saying that a lot lately. I owe a lot of people a lot of favors, especially you.”
“You moving here is thanks enough for me.”
“I only wish…” She stopped herself from going where her mind shouldn’t be taking her. Kevin had been smart to stay away.
“Wish what?”
“Nothing. I’m just beyond grateful to so many people.” She shut the back door then opened the front. “See you tomorrow.”
“Sarah, wait.” Pippa’s mother dashed down the front steps with a canvas bag in her hands. “I packed a few things for you so you wouldn’t have to worry about doing any grocery shopping today. I’m sure that’s the last thing on your mind.” She handed over the bag.
“Conspiring with my mother, I see.” Sarah hugged and thanked Mrs. Bradshaw not only for the food, but once again for the amazing armoire. “As soon as I get settled, I’m having all of you over for dinner.”
“That sounds lovely,” Mrs. Bradshaw said. “Phillipa has told me wonderful things about your apartment.”
Sarah climbed behind the wheel and set the bag on the passenger seat. “See you at church tomorrow.” She waved and backed out of the driveway.
Ten minutes later, Sarah let herself into her apartment and took the canvas bag of goodies to the kitchen. Once unloaded, she filled the glass cabinets with her dishes and glasses. Standing back, she admired her handiwork. Tears blurred her vision. “Thanks, Kevin.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Breakfast was ready by the time Kevin joined Amy, Brian, and their six wards. “Morning, everybody.”
Amy handed him a platter of sausage links. “Good, you’re just in time to help.”
One of the boys grabbed the platter from Kevin. “That’s my job, man.”
“No problem, Tony.” Kevin held up his hands.
“Don’t know why we have to share our table with a cop, anyway.”
Brian added slices of bread to one of the two four-slice toasters. “Watch your words, Tony. If not for a cop who stood up for you, you’d be in juvy instead of here.”
“Besides,” Amy added, “Kevin is on vacation. He left his uniform at home.”
“Once a cop, always a cop.” Tony banged the platter onto the table.
“Ease up, bro.” The tallest of the boys put the two links that had fallen on the table onto his plate. “The dude is Mrs. Wright’s brother. He can’t be all bad.”
Kevin chuckled and patted the tall kid on the shoulder. “I appreciate that… Sorry, I’ve forgotten your name.”
“It’s Eric. Eric Sparks.”
“I won’t forget it again, Eric.”
After a quiet moment of prayer, the breakfast table erupted into a flood of non-stop talking and eating. Kevin admired his sister’s calm demeanor. She was never the type to stress and had handled their mother’s death with grace, while taking care of him and their father. He’d cried with her when she discovered she could never have children of her own, and now he laughed with her as she and Brian guided and loved the boys on the ranch. From what he could see, his sister had certainly turned a heartbreaking situation into something uplifting and positive.
When breakfast was through, the boys who hadn’t set the table and served the food cleared the dishes and cleaned the kitchen. The group then walked to the chapel behind the main house.
Weekly church services were a requirement, though it was easy to see who went willingly and who didn’t. Kevin enjoyed the service, which Brian delivered with great gusto and plenty of humor. He brought the Gospel alive in a way that was relevant to the boys who were listening.
At the end of the service, a small ceremony honored the three boys who had earned their GED certificates and were leaving the ranch. Two were already enrolled at the community college, while the third had been hired on at a nearby stable.
Amy beamed like the proud mother she was. Taking Brian’s hand, they prayed over their charges, blessed them, and released them into God’s care. Three more success stories and three more pictures to go on their wall of fame.
Kevin took a walk after the celebratory lunch. His thoughts drifted to Sarah as he neared the stables. He hated not being there to help her move in and wondered if she’d thought about him.
A noise in the distance pulled him from his musings. Turning, he found Tony coming his way.
The young man had a scowl on his face—one he’d obviously mastered. Kevin had seen the same with other troubled kids. “What’s up, Tony? Why aren’t you celebrating with the others?”
“That whole GED thing is a bunch of crap. I turn eighteen in nine months then I’m outta here.”
Kevin perched on a low fence. “What will you do when you leave?”
“What’s it to you?”
“Simple curiosity.”
“One thing I won’t be doing is scooping up any more horse manure.”
“I hate to tell you, buddy, but without a diploma or GED certificate, your options are limited.”
“You like being a cop?”
The question surprised Kevin, especially after this morning’s outburst. But at least the kid was talking. “Very much. It’s hard work, but rewarding.”
“What kind of work? Far as I can see, all cops do is shoot guns and drive fast.”
Kevin chuckled. “There’s a bit more to it than that, especially if you want to advance. Believe it or not, I was a lot like you when I was a teen. I didn’t much care for school, and could hardly wait to get out. After floundering for a few years, I realized I needed something. Fortunately for me, a police sergeant in the town where I lived took me under his wing. In time, and with his help, I went through the police academy, then eventually college.” He plucked a tall blade of grass. “I’m thirty, and just now finished my degree.”
“That’s a lot of time to be in school.”
“True, but if I’d been smart and gone to college right out of high school, I’d have been finished years earlier.”
Tony kicked at a clump of dirt, eyes downcast. “That’s fine for you, but I don’t want to be no cop.”
“What would you like to do?”
He looked up, lips taut, and anger in his eyes. “Something that’ll help keep families together instead of tearing them apart.”
Kevin felt certain the troubled young man was speaking from experience. He slid from the fence and motioned toward the stables. “Do you have any brothers or sisters, Tony?”
Tony followed, which is what Kevin hoped for. “Before the cops busted into our house and took us all away, I lived with my folks and two sisters. My father’s in jail for beating up on my mother, and me and my sisters were taken away and put in foster homes. I don’t know where nobody is now.”
The picture was becoming clearer. Tony’s anger grew from hurt and feeling abandoned, which, unfortunately, was prevalent in far too many young people. “I can see how being taken from your family would be tough. How come you aren’t living with your mother?”
The boy’s eyes darkened. “Not that it’s any of your business, but soon as she got out of the hospital, she took off with the first guy who came along. Everybody said foster care
was for the best.” He banged on an empty stall door. “Easy for them to say. Bet none of ‘em ever had to try it.”
Kevin calmed the nearest horse, then the one across the way. “When’s the last time you spoke to your sisters?”
“I told you, man. I don’t know where they’re at.”
“What if I could find your sisters and see about the possibility of putting you in contact with them?”
A spark lit Tony’s eyes. It lasted but a moment before the brooding scowl returned. “Why, to make up for your cop buddy’s mistake?”
“The police did their job, and I think you know that. It’s obvious your living situation wasn’t a good one. I can’t make any promises, but I’ll do my best to see if I can locate your sisters.”
“And what I gotta do in return?”
Kevin shrugged. “Not a thing.”
“Nobody does somethin’ for nothin’.”
“Amy and Brian do it every day. Think about it.” Kevin left Tony in the stable and walked back to the celebration.
****
For the duration of the week, Kevin worked alongside the boys at the ranch, took long horseback rides, and relished the sporadic moments he got to spend with Amy. He didn’t talk about Sarah, having said all that needed saying the first day.
Come Saturday, Amy was driving him back to the airport. “I’ve got to give you props, sis. You and Brian are doing amazing things with those kids.”
“It’s easy when you’re passionate about something.”
Kevin knew it wasn’t easy at all. There were failures along the way that were hard to recover from, funding was always an issue, and good help was often hard to keep, but Amy was right about her passion, and he felt small in her presence. “I’m going to talk to the chief about the precinct starting some sort of scholarship fund to help the kids who graduate.”
“That would be amazing, Kev. Knowing there was money available to them would be a fantastic incentive.” She giggled. “I can’t wait to tell Brian.”
“Don’t get too excited yet. It’s just an idea at this stage.”
“Well, it’s a great one, and I have no doubt you’ll be successful in your endeavors.”