Heart Healer

by Leslie Bowes

  “That would be nice.”

  “And this is my husband, Tyler.”

  “Hello, Tyler,” she said before getting into the car. As Emma and Catherine drove away, Christopher got even more nervous because Tyler gave him a knowing look.

  ****

  Christopher and Tyler heard laughing behind the couch.

  “Tyler, have you seen the boys?”

  “No, I haven’t.”

  Suddenly Ryan jumped out from behind the couch wearing a tiger mask. Ryan leaped into Christopher’s arms and let out a roar.

  “Oh, Mr. Tiger, please don’t eat me!” Christopher said, pretending to be scared.

  Ryan laughed and pulled off the mask. “It’s just me, Daddy.”

  Christopher breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s good. For a minute, there I thought I was lunch.”

  Ryan laughed again and ran off to play with the other boys. Tyler was very surprised to hear Ryan speaking. “Wow! When did Ryan start talking again?

  “He just started talking after Catherine arrived.”

  Later that afternoon, after Christopher and Tyler had gotten the boys down for a nap, they were sitting on the front porch.

  “So, I hear that you have the hots for the woman you saved from the river.”

  “I don’t have the hots for anyone.” Trembling, Christopher knew that having the hots for someone meant nothing more than lust. The thought of only feeling lust for Catherine made him feel sick because what he was starting to feel was so much more.

  “But you like her, right?”

  “Yeah, I like her a lot.”

  “Then why in the hell are you still wearing your wedding band?”

  Christopher looked down and saw his wedding band. He remembered the vows he made to Chelsea and felt guilty. Tyler shook his head.

  “You don’t have to feel guilty, Christopher. You have every right to be happy. It’s not like Chelsea died, and it’s not too soon for you to move on. Chelsea left you and Ryan! And I’ll tell you another thing, if Emma left me the way Chelsea did and I found David or Mark running on the highway, I would have divorced her the night she left. If this woman makes you happy, then go for it.”

  Christopher considered what Tyler said. “You’re right.”

  Tyler nodded. “Oh, Emma wanted me to tell you that if you don’t ask Catherine out soon, you will be in the dog house with her. Believe me, you don’t want to be in the dog house with her. I should know. I’ve been there.”

  Christopher just shook his head before he went inside to make a phone call he should have made a long time ago. After a few minutes, Christopher came back outside.

  “Hey, Tyler, can you stay here and watch the boys for a while? I’m going to see my lawyer.”

  ****

  He entered the lawyer’s office and told the receptionist who he was, then sat down. A few minutes later, a man who looked like he was in his mid-sixties came out. He introduced himself as Mr. Hicks and sat down.

  “When we spoke on the phone, Mr. King; you stated you wanted to talk about a divorce,” Hicks began. “Have you made up your mind, or do you want some information?”

  “The reason I am here is because, a year ago, my wife Chelsea left my son and I,” he admitted.

  “Have you been served with anything from your wife?”

  “No, I haven’t been served with anything.”

  “Okay, has she been in contact with you or your son in the past year?”

  “No. I haven’t heard anything from her since I found her letter the night she left for Paris.”

  “I see. Then the first thing we need to do is find out if she has filed for divorce.”

  “Okay.”

  Mr. Hicks got up and left the room while Christopher anxiously waited. He returned shortly.

  “Your wife has not filed for a divorce.”

  A part of him was relieved that she hadn’t, but Tyler’s words ran through his mind and he knew that his marriage was over.

  “You can divorce your wife on grounds of desertion. You will retain full custody of your son. The whole procedure will take six months. Do you want to proceed with this?”

  “Yes, I do. Immediately.”

  “All right. I will begin drawing up the papers tomorrow.”

  Christopher slowly walked out of the office feeling like a great weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He looked down and took off his wedding band. It was time to move on.

  Chapter Twelve

  Catherine

  Catherine could not keep her mind on stores or shopping. Before she knew it, she was back in the car with Emma. She could not believe she had almost kissed Christopher. She was on very dangerous ground. That kiss could have changed things between them, but hadn’t there been a connection between them since the day they met? Didn’t she deserve to be happy? On the other hand, she belonged to another man. She was at a crossroads, and she did not know what to do.

  “Catherine, are you okay?” Emma asked.

  “No, I am not.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Christopher and I almost kissed.”

  “What? When?”

  “Today in the barn, right before you and Tyler arrived.”

  “I knew it was a good idea to send Tyler to give Christopher a good talking to. It’s not hard to figure out his feelings for you.”

  “Emma, please tell me you did not send Tyler to talk to Christopher. I am married to Blake!”

  “But that’s just it, Catherine. You are not married to Blake in this time period. He is dead. So, if Christopher makes you happy, then go for it.”

  Catherine didn’t know how to respond to that, and as Emma pulled into Christopher’s drive, she looked around at the scenery. There was a grove of trees on either side of the drive. The house was two stories with covered porches and black shutters. It was so different from Rose Hill. When she saw Christopher and Ryan out playing in the yard, she knew exactly what she wanted to do. She got out of the car and Ryan ran up and hugged her. She hugged him back.

  “Hello, Ryan. How are you?”

  “I’m good.”

  “Did you have fun today?”

  “Yeah! Daddy thought I was a tiger and I was going to eat him!”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah.”

  “It sounds like you did have fun today,” she said as Christopher approached. She could not help but stare at Christopher. He had the sleeves of his white shirt rolled up so she could see the muscles in his upper arms.

  “Hey,” he whispered.

  “Hello,” she whispered back. They heard laughing behind them. They turned around and saw Emma with a smug look on her face.

  “You two can thank me anytime.”

  Catherine blushed as she and Christopher said their goodbyes to Emma, Tyler, and their boys. After Emma and Tyler left, Christopher shoved his hands into his pockets.

  “I thought we’d have steak tonight.”

  “That sounds wonderful.”

  ****

  Catherine, Christopher, and Ryan went around to the back of the house. Christopher got the grill started while Ryan went over to his swing set.

  “Do you need help with anything?” Catherine asked.

  “I think we’re good for now, but can I get you something to drink? How about some wine?”

  “I would just like some water, please,” she said.

  Christopher disappeared into the house. Catherine saw that Ryan was sitting on a swing making a drawing in the dirt with his foot.

  “Would you like a push?” she asked, coming up to Ryan.

  “Yes.”

  She went around and began pushing Ryan on the swing.

  “I’m going on a flying trip,” Ryan said, laughing.

  “And what are you exploring today?”

  “Space. Higher, please. I can’t reach the moon. It tastes like cheese.”

  “I did not know that.” Catherine said.

  “Here is some for you,” Ryan said, pretending to ha
nd her some of the moon. She pretended to eat it.

  “My, it does taste like cheese.”

  A moment later, Christopher returned with a glass of water in one hand and a beer in the other. He walked over to Catherine and handed her the glass.

  “Daddy, I went to space!”

  “Sounds like fun, Sport. Did you eat some of the moon?”

  “Yeah, and it tasted like cheese.”

  “Well, how about that. Sport, why don’t you drink some water? Your cheeks are getting red.”

  “Okay.”

  Catherine stopped the swing and Ryan ran over to the patio table where Christopher had left a cup of water for him. She and Christopher followed. After Ryan drank some water, he ran over to the sand box. Christopher pointed to the patio chairs.

  “Would you like to sit down?” he asked Catherine.

  They took a seat as Christopher twisted the cap off his beer and took a swig. She looked out toward the river.

  “Is that where you found me?” she asked, pointing to the river.

  “Yes, but it was a few miles down that path,” he said, pointing to a path between two oak trees.

  Catherine looked down at her wedding band. Even though she had escaped Blake’s hell and had somehow come to this safe haven, her wedding band was still her prison. Christopher took her hand in his when he noticed the direction of her gaze.

  “You don’t have to go back if you don’t want to.”

  “I think I do. This is not my time, and I do not belong here.”

  Christopher kissed the back of her hand. “No one should hold you in bondage.”

  They sat there for a long time enjoying each other’s company and the breezes coming off the river until Christopher got up and checked the grill.

  “The grill is ready. How do you like your steak?”

  “Cooked,” Catherine replied.

  Christopher smiled.

  After that, they fell into easy conversation. They talked about everything and anything. When they sat down to eat, the table was full of laughter. Catherine could not remember the last time she had been this happy.

  ****

  As the evening wore on, she and Christopher played soccer with Ryan until it was too dark to see. Christopher got Ryan into the tub and ready for bed while she was waiting in the living room looking at family photos. Christopher came into the room.

  “Ryan was wondering if you would read him a book tonight.”

  “Of course. I would love to.”

  She went upstairs to Ryan’s room.

  “So what book are we reading tonight?” she asked.

  “When Turtle Grew Feathers.”

  “That sounds like it will be good.”

  She sat down and began reading. Ryan laid his head against her shoulder just like her brother would do when she read to him. She wrapped her arm around Ryan. Once she had finished reading she sat the book on a table next to Ryan’s bed.

  “Can we read one more book?” Ryan asked.

  “It’s late. You need your sleep.”

  “Please.”

  “Well, maybe if you ask really nicely.”

  “Please.”

  “No,” she said and started tickling him. She gave Ryan a hug and tucked him into bed.

  “Good night, Catherine. I love you.”

  “I love you too, Ryan.”

  Catherine turned off the light and left the door open a crack. She went back to the living room where Christopher was waiting for her. The only light in the room was the glow from the moon coming through the windows.

  “He is down for the night.”

  “That was fast. Usually it takes a good thirty minutes to get him down. He’s always begging for one more book.”

  “He did try that on me.”

  “I think that my son has been hustling me.”

  “I think so,” she said, feeling the attraction between them growing now that they were alone.

  “I’m glad you’re here,” he whispered.

  “I am glad I am here, too.”

  She looked up at him. Christopher leaned toward her and his head tilted. She too tilted her head and soon their lips came together. It was a slow and passionate kiss. It was the perfect end to a perfect day.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Blake

  It was Christmas Eve and Blake had the slaves go all out this year. It was called the season of miracles. He knew that God would give him a miracle and bring Rose back to him. Blake was sitting at the table with all of Rose’s favorite foods when he heard horse hooves coming up the drive. There was banging at the door and Mr. Jones, Blake’s nearest neighbor, came storming in.

  “What is the meaning of this, Jones?” Blake asked angrily.

  “It is a truly merry Christmas! South Carolina has seceded and other states are sure to follow. We will be our own country!”

  “Thank you for telling me, Jones, and merry Christmas.”

  “Merry Christmas!”

  After Jones left, Blake rang for wine. He knew Rose would come back to him. She had to know they were going to be their own country. They had to stand together if he was going to become the president. Blake sat in the parlor until the clock chimed midnight. Rose never returned.

  Lightning flashed and thunder echoed as Blake stomped into the dining room, throwing everything he could get his hands on.

  “You weak bitch! I will find you, Rose, and, when I do, you will be punished for being weak!” Blake screamed, throwing the plate of food that was on the dining table across the room.

  “Do you really think you will find Rose by throwing a fit as though you are a two-year-old?”

  Blake quickly turned to see a man with glowing red eyes sitting in his chair.

  “Who the hell are you? And how did you get into my house?”

  “That does not matter. What does matter is I can help you find Rose.”

  “No, you are a demon, and I must drive out the weakness if I am going to find Rose. Now be gone with you.”

  “All right, I will go, but one day, when you least expect it, I will help you find Rose, and when that day comes, you will be indebted to me. And I will collect.” With a flash, the strange man was gone

  Blake walked into the living room, poured whiskey into a glass, but before the liquor ever touch his lips, the day he met Rose filled his mind…

  ****

  He sat in a dark corner of the pub watching his classmates celebrating their graduation and shouting that they were going to keep the country safe from the Brits. It made Blake sick to think these wicked ones thought they were going to war with Britain because they thought they were protecting deserters.

  His classmates deserved to be killed. The ticket in his pocket said he was going to England to join the Navy and kill everyone in the United States who was protecting the deserters. Then his father would see Blake was strong, not weak like his mother. Suddenly, the door opened and the entire room became quiet as the captain walked in. Every year, the captain would invite one of the graduates to dinner. Ever since he started at the academy, he’d wanted to be invited because the captain’s two daughters had come out in society. One could hear a pin drop as the captain stood before Blake.

  “Captain Howard, sir, how can I help you?”

  “I would like to invite you to dinner tomorrow night.”

  The ticket burned in his pocket. He could choose to use the ticket and show his father that he was not weak. Or, he would prove his father right that he was weak like his mother if he accepted the captain’s dinner invitation. Sitting with the captain and his family meant he wanted to help the deserters.

  “I would be honored to join you and your family for dinner.”

  The words came out of his mouth before he could stop them. He was weak like his mother, and he must punish himself before the weakness stole his strength.

  ****

  Yankees added to the hustle and bustle of the Philadelphia streets. This was the first place he would bring the Brits to. His hand sti
ll stung from where he cut it to drive out the weakness, but it gave him more drive to join the British navy. He just had to get this dinner over and done with and he would be on the first ship tomorrow. Captain Howard’s house was isolated from everything as though Captain Howard wanted to hide from the world, proving once again that the Howards were weak; Blake could not wait to destroy them. When he walked into the living room he could not breathe; his palms began to sweat. There before him was an angel. She had dark raven hair and her skin looked like the snow had kissed it. She was his angel, and he had to know her.

  “Private Von-Clyer,” the butler announced.

  Blake payed no attention to the butler nor did he pay attention to Captain Howard as he introduced his wife and youngest daughter. Blake held his breath until his angel was in front of him.

  “And this is my eldest daughter, Rose.”

  “Miss Howard,” Blake whispered, kissing her hand.

  “Private Von-Clyer.” His angel curtsied and led him to the couch.

  “Private, you did not seem very happy with your post. You were not celebrating with your classmates,” Captain Howard said, handing Blake a glass of brandy.

  “I do not feel the need to celebrate with my classmates when they are trying to protect deserters.”

  “But they are not deserters they came here with our forefathers looking for a new life and fighting with our soldiers to make America its own country. They are Americans. Britain cannot suddenly decide they are deserters because they lost the war.

  “I have taught my daughters to think and to ask questions, which is going to make Rose one fine lawyer someday.”

  Captain Howard’s words were lost to Blake because the reasons hit him as to why his father had married his mother when she was weak: Love. His father loved his mother so much and that was what he would do for his angel. He would love her so much that he would drive out the weakness in her. Soon Rose’s face disappeared into the darkness, and Blake was once more alone in the living room. He would find Rose and bring her home no matter what he had to do.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Catherine