Love Inspired March 2014 - Bundle 2 of 2: North Country FamilySmall-Town MidwifeProtecting the Widow's Heart

by Lois Richer

  “Yeah, I know them.”

  “Don’t you want to have a few when you leave here? Let her go, so she can make more cookies.”

  Ty held his breath, taking care to keep his body language open and friendly, his features in a calm, understanding expression.

  “Yeah, okay. But no one else. Got it? Not until someone fixes the mess they’ve made of my life!”

  “Good. Ginger, why don’t you help Miss Edith to the door, and let the officers outside take you home.” Ty prayed Stringer was too drunk and too stressed to see the ploy until it was too late. No such luck.

  “Stop. You’re trying to trick me into letting them both go. You take the old lady to the door, then come back.”

  Ty helped Mrs. Johnson to the back door and handed her off to the officer, giving him a small nod to signal everything was okay. When he returned to the choir room, Ginger caught his gaze. Her fear tore at his heart. He longed to go and reassure her he’d protect her, but he had a job to do first.

  * * *

  Ginger exhaled a tense breath as Ty reentered the choir room. Her mind ricocheted between relief that he was here and fear that his actions could cost him his life. Why did he always have to rush into danger? Why did he feel so compelled to help others?

  “Get over here.” The man aimed the gun at Ty.

  She struggled to breathe around the fear lodged in her throat. She sent up a prayer for his safety, for the hostages’ safety, and a few requests she couldn’t even form into words.

  Gesturing with the gun, Stringer motioned Ty to stand in front of him. Ginger’s heart stopped.

  “The rest of you go sit in the chairs where I can keep an eye on you.”

  Ginger and the Smiths made their way to the first row of chairs and sat down. Stringer ordered Ty to sit down, too. Ty picked up a chair from the bottom riser, positioning it between his old friend and the hostages.

  A scream fought its way up her throat. Ty was placing himself directly between the gunman and the hostages. A gesture declaring he was willing to die to protect them.

  “So, tell me what we can do to end this standoff. I can’t help you if you don’t know what you want.”

  Ginger’s nerves quivered. How could Ty remain calm in this situation? He behaved as if he didn’t have a care in the world.

  “I want that man Reed. Davis Reed at First Dover Trust.”

  “Okay, let’s call him up and see what he has to say.”

  “He won’t answer.”

  “He will if the chief of police calls him. You can use that phone I gave you. Brady Reynolds will get him here.”

  Stringer considered the idea a moment, then tossed the phone to Ty. “You call.”

  “Sure.” Ty pressed a button and waited.

  Ginger finally understood what Ty was doing. Keeping calm, displaying a friendly attitude, that was giving the man time to defuse his anger. Seeing Ty in action gave her a deeper insight into the man she’d come to love. He truly was called to this profession. He had the temperament, the passion and the ability. For the first time she understood why he struggled to leave a job he loved.

  * * *

  Stringer paced like a caged animal while they waited, and Ty could see he was wavering. Ty fought the pull to make eye contact with Ginger. He had to keep his attention on him. He was becoming agitated again as they waited for Brady to call back. “Andy, you don’t want to do this. If we stop right now, it can all be worked out. I’ll find someone to help you. But you have to give yourself up and let these people go.”

  He shook his head. “People always promise they’ll help, but they don’t. God promises things, and He turns away when you really need Him. He lets bad stuff happen when He could stop it with just a thought. I’ve been a good Christian all my life, and He took it all away.”

  The fury behind the guy’s eyes alarmed him. He didn’t want this situation to escalate. “I’m promising you now. I’ll look into it. I’ll stay on top of it. You know how stubborn I can be when I put my mind to something.”

  The phone rang, and Stringer grabbed it from Ty’s hand. He mumbled a few curt responses, then moved to the window, keeping his gun on Ty. After a quick glance outside, he shoved the phone into his pocket, taking a position near the door again.

  “What did they say?”

  “He’s here. Outside. He says he’ll try and work something out about the house.”

  “That’s great. Maybe this was all a misunderstanding, huh?” His friend looked at him, eyes filled with sorrow.

  “I guess.”

  Ty knew the moment Stringer decided to give up. “Give me the gun, Beano. We’ll call the chief and tell him we’re coming out, okay?”

  Stringer stared at him a long moment, and Ty feared his anger might ratchet up once more. Finally, he sighed and held out the weapon, the dejected slope of his shoulders signaling his surrender. Ty stepped forward, took the gun and ejected the clip. The familiar action brought with it his old sense of confidence and a realization that his decision had been made. Stringer sank down onto the chair, head bowed.

  Ty ached to go to Ginger, but he couldn’t until Stringer was in custody. Ty called the chief, then took Stringer’s arm and urged him to his feet.

  “What happens now? Am I going to jail?”

  Ty glanced up as Dover police officers entered the room. “For now. But it’ll all get sorted out. I’ll be there with you.”

  Free at last, Ty turned to see the Smiths being led away. Ginger stood, talking to a female officer. He moved toward her, dismissing the other officer. She fell into his arms immediately. He held her tightly against his chest, her head resting under his chin. She trembled against him, and he pulled her closer. “Are you all right?” She nodded. “You were very brave. I’m proud of you. You kept everyone calm.”

  She held him more tightly. “I was so scared.”

  “He didn’t want to hurt anyone. He was angry and frustrated and didn’t know where to turn.”

  She shook her head. “Not for me. For you.”

  His heart swelled in his chest. Her concern for him touched him deeply. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that.” He felt her relax against him.

  “Can we go home now? I need to see Elliot.”

  Ty wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “He’s at Mom and Dad’s. I told them to keep this from him until you could explain it in person.”

  “Thank you.” She raised her eyes and looked into his.

  His heart swelled, then thudded in his chest. He kissed her lightly on the lips, then gently turned her toward the door. “You’ll need to give a statement to the police, but I’ll come with you. Or I can make arrangements for you to talk to them tomorrow if you’d like.”

  “No. I want it over with, so I can go home.”

  Home. Did she mean the cabin or her mother’s?

  * * *

  Ginger’s heart rate had finally returned to normal but left her feeling drained and shaken. Ty squeezed her hand again. He’d touched her hand several times on the short ride to his parents’ home, as if seeking reassurance she was all right. Elliot was waiting on the back porch when they pulled into the driveway and ran to meet her as she got out of the car.

  “Mom, they said you were having trouble at the church with some guy. What happened?”

  Ginger pulled him close. “A man came into the church. He was very upset and angry. He had a gun.”

  His eyes grew wide. “A bad guy? Like the one who shot Dad?”

  “Yes. But Ty came in and talked to him, and made him give up the gun.”

  “Ty saved you?”

  “Yes. He did. He’s was a real hero.”

  EJ darted to Ty and hugged him. “I love you, Tyster.”

  Ginger’s heart lurched. Tonight had changed everything.
But she knew what her future would be, and she knew without a doubt what Ty’s would be. They would be going in different directions. How was she going to tell her son that Ty wasn’t going to be part of their lives anymore?

  * * *

  Ty stole a glance at Ginger seated beside him in the SUV. She’d been silent and withdrawn during the ride home. Something had changed between them, and he had a sick feeling in his gut that he knew what it was. He just wasn’t sure how Ginger knew.

  Focusing on the road ahead, he finally faced the truth. From the moment he’d reached out and taken the gun from Beano’s hand, his fear had vanished. His mind had cleared. But his realization would cost him the people he loved most.

  Ginger slid out of the car the moment it came to a stop at the cabin, urging EJ up the steps, reminding him that tomorrow was still a school day. Ty followed at a distance, giving them space to talk. In the cabin, he heard Ginger and EJ in the bedroom. Taking the tea pitcher from the fridge, he poured a glass and sat down at the counter to wait for Ginger.

  Ty glanced up as she came into the kitchen, her expression showing her surprise that he was there. She avoided his gaze and moved to the sink. Wetting down a rag, she began wiping the counter. “Ginger, we need to talk.”

  She shook her head, keeping her back to him. “No. Not tonight. I’m too upset.”

  “Talking about it helps. I’m here for you. You know that.” He saw her shoulders tense.

  “Please. I need time alone to sort through all this.”

  Clearly, she wasn’t going to let him help. Exhaling a slow sigh, he stood. “All right. We’ll talk tomorrow.” He turned and walked toward the door but stopped when she called his name.

  “Thank you for keeping us all safe tonight.”

  He turned to look at her, his gaze caressing her lovely face. She looked vulnerable, lost and confused. He longed to hold her close and chase away her fears. “I’d keep you safe forever if I could.” Tears suddenly appeared in her eyes. He took a step toward her, but she backed up, shaking her head.

  Ty rubbed his neck, turned and left the cabin. Maybe she was right. Tomorrow everything would look different.

  * * *

  Ginger stirred the spaghetti sauce slowly to keep it from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Ty stood beside her, slicing vegetables for the salad. The simple, familiar routine gave her a measure of security and comfort. Still, she wished Ty wasn’t here. She knew he was itching to talk about last night, but she wasn’t. She’d avoided him today by leaving for work early and coming home late, hoping to forestall this discussion altogether. Tomorrow she and Elliot were leaving for Arizona. She wasn’t looking forward to telling Ty. Or EJ, for that matter. She’d tell him in the morning.

  The meal was quiet and awkward. EJ did most of the talking, which suited her fine. But once her son was tucked in bed, she knew time had run out. Ty was waiting for her on the sofa, feet propped up on the ottoman, a cozy fire in the fireplace. This was going to be harder than she’d imagined.

  He looked at her, and from the stern set of his jaw and the darkened shade of his blue eyes, she knew it was time to confront the elephant in the room. She took her time joining him, sitting as far from him as possible on the sofa. She sensed him searching for a place to start and decided to take the initiative.

  “I understand it now.”

  “What?”

  “Who you are. Last night I saw firsthand what you’re born to do. You’re supposed to help and protect others. What happened last night cleared everything up for you, didn’t it?”

  Ty gazed into her eyes, a deep puzzled frown creasing his proud forehead. “Yes. It did.” He shook his head. “I can’t give it up, Ginger.”

  She swallowed her last morsel of hope. “I know, and I would never ask you to. It would be cruel and unfair.”

  Ty leaned toward her. “And what does that mean for you and me? I love you.”

  “And I love you, too, but Ty, I need security. A safe place to live my life and for EJ to grow up. I thought it might be here with you, in Dover, but even here there’s no safety.” Tears filled her eyes. She wiped them away. “I need to go home, to my mother’s. I know it sounds childish and irrational, but I need her right now. We’ve been separated for so long. EJ needs a family.”

  “I want to be his family.”

  Ginger sucked in a sharp breath. She didn’t need to hear this now. It was too painful. “No, it won’t work. We’re going in two different directions. You’re heading back into danger, and I can’t live knowing you might not come home one day. I can’t risk putting EJ through losing another father.”

  “I wish...”

  “No. Don’t.” She stood and moved away. “I won’t let you regret this decision. God has given you a purpose, and you have to fulfill it, Ty. I want you to go back to being a cop. It’ll make me happy knowing you’re doing what you love.”

  “And what about you?”

  “I’m going to my mom’s, and we’re going to catch up on all the lost years, and she’s going to get to know her grandson. I’ll find a job and try to put the past behind me.”

  “Ginger, maybe we can...”

  “Ty, please understand. I have to be safe. I have to find a place where I can stop worrying about the next disaster, the next threat. I can’t live through the uncertainty again.” She pressed her hands against her abdomen. “My stomach is in knots just thinking about it.”

  Ty stood and came to her side. “So you’re just going to walk away. Forget this month ever happened? Forget me?”

  “No. Not you. Not Dover.” Leaving him, leaving Dover, was going to be one of the hardest things she’d ever done. “Dallas isn’t that far from Phoenix. You could come visit. Once we’re settled.”

  “Sure.” Ty turned away, running a hand through his hair. “Maybe EJ can come to Dallas. I could take him to a ball game.”

  “He’d like that.”

  “Would you come with him?”

  “I don’t think that would be a good idea.” Ty reached out for her, but she held up her hands and stepped back. “You’d better go. Please.” She looked down at her hands. They were shaking. “We’ll be leaving tomorrow.”

  “So soon? But your job isn’t finished.”

  “I talked to Pastor Jim today. He understands.” She braved a look in his blue eyes. “Please, Ty. I need to go home.” He hesitated for a moment, then nodded, sending a wave of regret through her heart. A small part of her wanted him to stop her from leaving.

  “I understand.” He walked to the door and stopped. He looked over his shoulder at her. “Goodbye, Ginger.”

  The door closed behind him as her tears fell.

  Chapter Fourteen

  He couldn’t watch them drive away. He couldn’t bear the thought of them not being at the cabin, so he’d covered his heartbreak the only way he knew how—by helping. First thing this morning he’d gone to the storage shed and started transferring all her belongings to the car. Every item he stowed was one less link to Ginger and EJ. And yet, another part of him was strangely at peace. He knew now he truly belonged in law enforcement. But it required a painful sacrifice—losing the two people he loved most in the world.

  Ginger wanted what was best for him. She wanted him to be happy. And he wanted that for her, too. She needed her family, she needed to find safety, and what better place than with the mother she’d lost so long ago? So, if they both wanted what was best for each other, why did it hurt so much? His heart was wrenched in two, confident of his future, but devastated by the cost.

  He repacked the car twice before accepting EJ’s bike wasn’t going to Arizona. He set it aside just as the boy rounded the corner. The realization and disappointment in the boy’s eyes cut Ty deep. “Sorry, buddy. I’ll ship it to you. Promise.”

  “You could bring it yourself.�
�

  Ginger appeared behind him, setting her suitcases on the ground, then placing her hands on her son’s shoulders. “Elliot. Ty’s going back to work, remember?” He nodded. “Time to say goodbye. We need to be going.”

  EJ ran to him, wrapping his arms around his waist. Ty lifted him up, hugging him tight against his chest. “I’ll miss you, buddy.”

  “I love you, Tyster.”

  “I love you, too, EJ.” Ty set him down, blinking away the moisture threatening to cloud his vision. Ginger motioned her son into the car, then came toward him. When Elliot was buckled in, she looked up at him, her eyes moist with unshed tears. “Thank you, Ty. For everything. For helping us. For taking care of things, for sharing your family. For saving my life.” The tears trickled down her cheek. “I can never...tell you...” She lowered her head, and he pulled her close.

  “I know. Me, too.” He kissed her forehead, letting his hand trail down her cheek and wrapping her stray curl around his finger. “Take care. Be happy and safe, Ginger. I’ll be praying for that.”

  She nodded and stepped away, climbing into the car and starting the engine. He lifted his hand, then turned and walked around the cabin toward the boathouse, the sound of the departing car lingering in his ears like a bugle playing taps.

  Safely inside the boathouse, he pulled off his jacket and threw it across the room. What did he do now? How did he forget them? They’d both made the right decision. If the Lord wanted them together, it would have worked out.

  His gaze fell upon his old football. The one he and EJ had used until Ty had bought him a smaller one. How could he ever walk into that cabin and not think about Ginger? Or fish on the dock and not long for his little buddy at his side? Maybe it was time to sell the cabin. Cut all ties with Dover. Matt was happy, Laura newly married. He had little in common with them now.

  He dropped into the recliner. The old mechanism groaned and creaked when he leaned back. He looked over at his Bible on the table beside the chair. It was open to Psalms. Maybe it was one of the angry ones, where David cried out his frustration to God. He picked it up, reading the first verse his eyes focused on. Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.