by T. K. Chapin
“Oh, honey . . . no offense to your father, but I learned that things aren’t always what they appear to be. Luke was kind to me, yes. He’s attractive, yes. But isn’t it a little odd that the guy isn’t married or in a relationship? Something is off.”
“So you’ll never date again because of Dad?” She shook her head. “I think you’re just scared of falling in love again.”
“Don’t talk to me that way. You don’t know Luke, and neither do I. I can’t just throw my heart at any man who shows me the least bit of interest.”
She glared at me for a moment as though she was trying to figure me out. “You’re not talking about Matt, are you?”
“I said man, not boy.”
Raising a hand, she said, “Oh, my goodness, Mother! How dare you! I still love Matt, and I’m sorry I went and messed everything up by getting pregnant!” She started to cry and headed back to the guest house, slamming the door as she went inside.
My heart hemorrhaged with pain. My daughter might have only been sixteen years old, but her words carried the weight of truth when she mentioned my being scared. I was scared, but that was only part of it. I was also unwilling to risk my heart for a man again. Not right now, anyway. Maybe if I knew him more, or maybe down the line, after knowing him a little while longer. And the fact still remained that he was a thirty-something-year-old without a wife or girlfriend, and that was a big, fat red flag.
Chapter 13-Luke
ANSWERING THE PAGE FROM CINDY, I pressed firmly on the button on my phone’s speaker system. “Yes?”
“Pamela is on line one. Can I put her through?”
Swallowing hard as my stomach twisted, I paused. Then, I cleared my throat. “No.”
Releasing the page, I turned my attention to my computer screen. I was looking up flights to Denver for a meeting next week with a new potential client who was looking to make a major move coming up in August. Amelia ran a pharmaceutical company that dealt mostly in vitamins, and she was looking to buy out a few smaller-sized companies in the Midwest in order to expand her market’s reach. If I were able to land this deal, it’d put me over the top for the year and make it the most profitable since I started.
Purchasing the flight, I wheeled around in my chair and stood up. Walking over to the window, I placed my hands in my pockets and looked down at the cars. I thought of Hannah and how she had rejected me the other night. I didn’t know what came over me after meeting her, but I immediately felt drawn to her and wanted to see her again in a non-business way. Without an excuse of showing her the town, I’d have to make up some reason to go out there and see my dad.
Another page from Cindy rang through the phone.
I answered in my ear piece.
“You’d better not say Pamela.”
“Your brother, Victor, is on line one.”
“Patch him through.”
“How’d it go with the new tenant?”
“Great. She’s already unpacked and settling in. Hopefully, she isn’t scared off by Dad.”
“He’s a hard guy to be around, but he has a lot of wisdom tucked in between the hard edges. I’m sure she’ll be fine. That last gal was just a flake.”
I rubbed my brow as I turned away from the window and approached my desk. “I goofed up and asked her out.”
“Oh, jeez, Luke. Why? You don’t go out with anyone. Why this girl?”
“I don’t know. She seemed different. I think I might go out there and apologize for asking her out.”
“No, man. Don’t do that. She’ll think you’re a freak if you go out there and just apologize.”
“Well, I need to go see Dad anyway.”
He laughed. “No, you don’t. Just stay away from her or she’ll really run away. Imagine if you hit on an employee at your work? That’d be horrible for the gal. She’s basically your employee in the situation with Dad.”
“I hadn’t thought of it like that. Man, I’m an idiot. Wait, I have to go out there.”
“What? Why?”
“Dad’s monthly prescription is at the pharmacy and I have to take it out to him. He’s about out.”
“Ahh. There you go. You have a reason to see her again, I guess. But please try to leave the poor gal alone. She’s been through enough with moving.”
“Stop acting like you don’t know me. You know it wasn’t like me to ask her out like that to begin with.”
“I know it’s unlike you. That’s what worries me. I haven’t heard you this joyous in a while. Plus, we both know you love the knight in shining armor scenario where you can swoop in and save the day. Pamela—”
“Don’t go there, Victor.”
After hanging up with my brother, I continued to work through the day. The day’s work felt slow and sluggish, though, as I anticipated seeing Hannah again. I couldn’t stop thinking about those gorgeous soft eyes and the smell of her perfume.
Chapter 14-Hannah
MY BACK ACHED AND SWEAT poured from my forehead as I finally finished my day’s work in the garden. The worn metal garbage can I found behind the guest house sat full to the brim with the weeds I had pulled. Along with weeding, I had tilled the dirt and mixed in fertilizer to help revitalize the soil. It felt good to get my hands dirty, to labor in the warmth of the sun.
Taking off my gardening gloves, I tossed them into the wheel barrow along with the empty fertilizer bag. Breathing deeply as I pushed it back toward the hill that led to the shed, I recalled my greenhouse. It was a tranquil place for me, a place where I felt the presence of God as I was surrounded by His creation all around me. It was my favorite place to pray.
As I came over the slope of the hill, I spotted a black bear in the shallows of the creek.
I jolted to a stop. My heart racing, my steps were frozen.
The bear was monstrous in size, easily over two hundred pounds. Thankfully, the bear’s back was toward me and I was able to gently set the wheel barrow down. Carefully, I backed my steps up.
With the bear out of my sight, I turned and sprinted to Mac’s house. Placing my trembling hand on the doorknob, I let myself in.
“Mac?” I called for him, my words shaky, trembling.
“In my room,” he replied.
Hurrying my way down the hall, I could feel my heartbeat in my ears. Arriving in the doorway, I said, “There’s a bear down in the creek.”
He moved his legs over the side of the bed and grabbed for his crutches that were leaned against his nightstand. Grabbing them, he turned to me. “Grab my rifle from under the bed.”
Hurriedly, I got down on my knees and reached my trembling hand underneath. My fingers found the gun. Pulling it out, I stood up just as he was up and coming around the end of the bed.
“We haven’t much time.” He maneuvered past me, leading the way.
We came to the top of the hill and looked down.
The bear was gone.
“I swear it was there!”
He nodded. “I know. It was Betsy. Black bears aren’t seen a whole lot in these parts, but I know of at least one—Betsy. She likes the fish in this creek.”
“Really? Luke didn’t tell me about bears being out here!”
“This ain’t Arizona, kid. You think bears are scary? Wait until you see a cougar. Those are the real killers.” His eyes drifted to the wheel barrow. “What were you doing with the wheel barrow?”
My pulse was calming. Turning around, I pointed toward the garden. “I’m working on the garden. It looks like someone used to keep up with it.”
His expression hardened. “Who told you that you could do that?”
An uncomfortable feeling settled over me. This wasn’t a guy you wanted to upset. “Um. I had a key to the shed and I figured it wouldn’t be a big deal. I’m sorry if you didn’t want me to do that.”
“Next time, ask if you’re going to be digging around my property.”
“Want me to re-plant the weeds and remove the fertilizer?”
His hardened face softened, and he laugh
ed. “You do have a sense of humor. Listen, just make sure you don’t plant any berries. Betsy loves her berries.”
“All right.”
“You can hold onto that gun. Keep yourself safe.”
“Thanks.”
Just then, Kayla came around the corner from the guest house and over to us.
“What’s going on? Why are you holding a gun, Mom?”
“Protection.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Why?”
“We’re living in bear country now, dear. Come on, let’s go get ready and go into town.”
Mac stayed put as I ventured back to the guest house with Kayla. Glancing over my shoulder as we walked, I didn’t just see a grumpy old man anymore. I saw a person who had a past with a bear named Betsy. But not just with the bear. I suspected his wife had something to do with that garden and his reaction over it. There was more to that man than just the hard front he showed people. As Kayla and I went inside, I lifted a prayer up for Mac. Only God would know how to break through to him.
Chapter 15-Luke
IT WAS ALREADY A QUARTER past six o’clock when I finally got out of the office in Spokane. I planned to leave at three, but what I planned never seemed to match reality. Getting over to the pharmacy on Francis for my father, I had my excuse now in hand to see her again. On my drive out, I tried to piece together an apology for the forwardness I had exhibited the other night, but I came up short on what to say.
Along the interstate, I caught sight of a woman and child on the side of the road. They were standing in front of their van with the hood propped open.
Moved with compassion, I pulled over.
“What seems to be the problem, miss?” I asked, approaching them as I tried not to get run over by the passing cars.
She shrugged. “I don’t know. The Check Engine light came on and then it just started smoking, so I pulled over.”
My phone rang.
Slipping my cell phone out from my pocket, I saw it was Pamela and hit Ignore.
“Sorry. Let’s have a look.”
Glancing under the hood, I attempted to figure out the issue. Pausing, I turned to her as she stood by. “Was it white smoke?”
“Yes. Then it stopped once I pulled over and shut the van off for a bit.”
“How long ago was that?”
“I don’t know. About a half hour or so. I called my brother, and he’s supposed to be coming out, but I don’t know when. He’s going to call me back.”
“Okay.” Taking off my button-up shirt but leaving my undershirt on, I turned to the lady once again. “You and your son should stand back. I’m not sure if it’s still hot.”
They took a step back from the van.
Keeping my head cocked back to protect my eyes, I opened the coolant cap.
Nothing. I breathed a sigh of relief.
Glancing inside, I saw it was low.
“I think you’re low on coolant. Possible crack or leak somewhere. Do you have some water?”
“I have a water tumbler. Would that help?”
“Yes.”
She went to get it out of the front seat, leaving the boy nearby. Glancing down at the blond-haired, blue-eyed child who was probably about eight, I remembered the day I found out I couldn’t have children. Pamela and I had been trying at that point for two long years. I sat in a waiting room at the hospital in a hard plastic chair as I waited for the results. Pamela had an appointment on that day, so I was waiting alone. Then, they called me up to the window. I remember walking away from the nurse at the window with a deafening sound in my ears that rang clear into my soul. I thought God hated me for a long time. Pamela had wanted children. This little blond boy looked similar to the little boy I’d imagined we’d have with my blue eyes and her blonde hair.
Snapping back to reality, I asked the kid, “How are you?”
He took a step back and furrowed his eyebrows.
I laughed a little. “Smart boy. You shouldn’t talk to strangers.”
Coming back only a moment later, the lady handed me a turquoise tumbler that was half-full of water. “More water would be ideal, but this should at least get you up the road to a mechanic.”
Dumping the contents in, I returned the cap and shut the hood.
“Thank you so much for the help.”
Wiping my hands off on the now dirty button-up shirt, I said, “You’re welcome.”
“Can you tell me where a mechanic is up the road?”
“Sure. It’s in Newport. Nice little town, just up a few miles. Mikey’s Mechanic Shop is where you’ll end up. Tell them Mac’s son Luke sent you.”
“Thanks again for the help, Luke.”
“No problem. Cute kid. Take care.”
Returning to my car, I waited to make sure she was able to start the van back up and pull onto the freeway. As I waited, I thought of the missed call from Pamela. Avoiding her forever wasn’t an option, and soon, I’d have to face the reality that was before me that involved the two of us. Time had run its course.
Chapter 16-Hannah
AFTER PICKING UP A FEW types of seeds at the hardware store in Newport, Kayla and I parked on the side of the road in downtown Newport to go see the bell statue that she had read about. It was smack dab in the middle of town and looked to hold a significance to the residents and history of Newport.
Getting out of the car, I looked over at Kayla.
“Looks to be in great condition.”
“Yeah. According to what I read, the bell had been lost in Diamond Lake when it was on a boat. They found it a few years ago and pulled it out. They keep cameras on it so nobody steals it.” She laughed, then her gaze turned to the town’s buildings and shops that lined the streets. “This town is so cute. I’ve always read about these kinds of places, but I’ve never seen one before.”
“And it’s our new home. How fun is that?” She smiled, and I joined her side. We crossed the street to the island in the middle of the road that held the statue.
“It’s hard to imagine this is where we live now.” Her hand grazed her belly as her countenance fell. “I miss Matt, mom. I’m homesick.”
“You’ll get used to it. Promise.”
As we walked up to the statue, she said, “He’s going to visit next month.”
“What?” My tone was defensive, my anger boiling.
“Matthew. He’s going to visit and bring clothes for the baby. He said we’re going to make it work even if it’s long-distance.”
“He can’t stay with us.”
“How come?” she asked, taking a step back as I saw tears well in her eyes.
“Because I said so. Plus, I’m pretty sure Mac might kill him.”
“Fine. He’ll stay in Newport.”
“Dear . . .”
“I’m an adult, mother. You can’t just baby me forever.”
“When you turn eighteen, you can go make your own dumb decisions, but until then, I’m the mom!”
She was quiet, her gaze elsewhere and her face twisted.
We walked silently back across the street to the car. Seeing a thrift store on the side of the road we were parked on, I pointed to it. “We still need a crib. Maybe we can check in there?”
Before she said anything, Pastor Charlie and a woman I assumed was his wife came walking out of the thrift store.
“Hey, Hannah,” Charlie said. Turning to the woman, he said, “Serenah. This is the lady and her daughter I told you about last night.”
“Nice to put a face to the name. I’m Serenah.” She reached out a hand to greet me.
“Nice to meet you. This is my daughter, Kayla.”
They shook hands.
“Thanks for loaning your hubby out for the afternoon yesterday.”
Smiling, she waved her hand through the air. “No problem. He loves that kind of work.”
“Mom. I’m going to go in and look around,” Kayla said, obviously annoyed with our conversation and motioning with her head toward the thrift store.
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p; “Okay.”
She headed through the doorway into the thrift shop. I could tell the two of them noticed her bad attitude, so I apologized.
“Sorry about that. She’s still adjusting.”
Serenah turned to Charlie. “Go ahead and head to the diner. I’ll catch up with you in a few.”
He kissed her cheek and left.
Leading me over to a nearby bench, Serenah motioned for me to join her. We sat down. Glancing over her shoulder at the thrift store, she said, “Being sixteen is hard.”
“Yeah, especially sixteen and pregnant.”
Her eyes went wide. “She’s pregnant?”
“Oh. I thought Charlie would’ve told you.”
Shaking her head, she said, “No. He didn’t, and he wouldn’t. He tries to keep people’s lives private. Otherwise, it could be construed as gossip.”
“I don’t know what to do with her. She’s so up and down, left and right.”
She nodded slowly but didn’t say anything.
“You’re a pastor’s wife. Could you give me advice?”
“I’ll say this. She’s going to struggle for a while with just being sixteen and moving here. Toss in being pregnant, and she’s bound to be an emotional wreck. Just remember that the more you try to control, the more you lose the control. Let her fall down, skin her knees, get dirty, be sad.”
“I’m sorry to put you on the spot and dump this on you.”
Serenah shook her head. “It’s fine. I remember when I first moved here. It was hard. I was pregnant and scared. Keep trusting God, Hannah. You can’t go wrong with God.”
Smiling, I nodded. “You seem so perfect. Like this angel that just shows up on the sidewalk and speaks truth and wisdom.”
Shaking her head as her chin dipped, she giggled a little. “I’m no angel, and I’ve been through my fair share of struggles. Whatever you think you might see that is good in me is only God. We’re all fallen and messed up. Sometimes, you know a person’s struggle and sometimes, you don’t.”
“Mom.” Kayla’s voice radiated from behind me. Turning, I saw her standing with the thrift store door wide open. “There’s a really cute crib in here. Come look.”