Love's Stormy Gale (Heartsong Presents)

by Lynette Sowell

  *

  They arrived at the hospital, where an orderly met them and wheeled Maggie to the Labor and Delivery floor. Don’t let us be too late. Protect Maggie’s little one.

  “Please, let my friend come with me. We haven’t reached my husband yet.” Maggie pleaded with the nurses.

  Maggie had Olivia’s hand in a vise grip as they wheeled her into an examining room. A woman in a white coat held some papers and attached them to a clipboard. Olivia managed to get away from Maggie and used a hall phone to try Todd. Still no answer.

  She bit her lip, then dialed Jonathan’s number.

  “You’re home!” Olivia nearly shrieked with relief when he answered.

  “What’s wrong? What’s going on?”

  “I need you to find Todd ASAP. I just brought Maggie to the hospital. She’s having bad pains. I hope it’s not early labor.”

  “I’ll find him. We’ll be there.”

  “I can’t keep my cell phone on here in the hospital, but here’s my number anyway. I’ve got voice mail.”

  “I’ll call the emergency prayer group from church.”

  “Thanks.”

  Just hearing Jonathan’s firm voice had calmed her somewhat. When she reentered the room, an attendant was performing a sonogram. Maggie’s white face and round-eyed expression beckoned to her. A monitor displayed the baby’s heartbeat along with Maggie’s vitals.

  Olivia took Maggie’s hand. “It’s going to be okay. Jonathan’s going to find Todd and come with him.”

  “My baby. God, please, let me keep my baby.” Tears pooled in Maggie’s eyes.

  “Excuse me.” A nurse came to Maggie’s side. “I need to get your blood pressure.”

  Olivia stepped back, winding her purse strap around a finger. She shouldn’t have encouraged Maggie to make this trip. She hadn’t been this afraid since—

  She started to pray more fervently. Lord, help them hurry.

  *

  Jonathan accompanied Todd to the hospital. He’d heard the fear in Olivia’s voice, and he wanted to be there for her as much as for Todd and Maggie. Olivia met them in the waiting room, her sweet chocolate eyes filled with worry and relief.

  “The doctor’s examining her now,” Olivia told Todd, then surprised Jonathan with a quick embrace. She left an arm around his waist. “I’m glad you’re here.”

  “Thanks, Liv. If you hadn’t been here—” Todd squeezed her elbow.

  “Thank God I was. And I’m glad Jonathan found you.”

  “I’m going to see my wife now. I’d appreciate your prayers.”

  Jonathan nodded. He liked the way Olivia leaned on him. He slid his arm around her shoulders. “Do you want to wait for a while? Would you like that?”

  “Yes, I want to know they’ll both be okay.”

  The door opened and the ultrasound attendant wheeled the cart down the hall. Jonathan released Olivia as she moved to sit on a cushioned chair.

  The hospital traffic swirled around them, women in various stages of pregnancy coming and going. Some with a spouse, others alone or with a friend. A young couple walked the hallway, the husband murmuring encouragement to his wife.

  Jonathan hoped one day that would be him. He wanted as many kids as the Lord would bless him and his future wife with. How many children did Olivia want? She was an only child. He had grown up in an active noisy family of three boys. But what was he thinking? Olivia had kept a cautious distance from him lately, although her hug had encouraged him.

  At last Todd emerged from an exam room. “Hey, you two. Thanks for waiting. The doctor wants to keep Maggie for a while longer, probably overnight. She’s not bleeding, but because of her history they want to watch her and the baby carefully.”

  “That sounds better, man.” Jonathan stood and clapped Todd on the back. “You’re staying with her, right?”

  “Yeah. Chuck’s got the charter scheduled tomorrow anyway.”

  “I’ll call the shop and let them know you won’t be back.” He followed Todd to the exam room doorway. Olivia passed them both and entered the room ahead of them.

  Jonathan peeked inside. Maggie was whispering to Olivia. With a swirl of brown hair, Olivia bent to hug her friend.

  She faced Jonathan. “Are you ready to leave?”

  He nodded.

  The late-summer evening air caused little goose bumps to form on Olivia’s arms. Tomorrow’s duties clamored for attention, but Jonathan kept focused on the silent woman beside him.

  “You hangin’ in there?” He put a protective arm around her as they walked to her car.

  “Yes. I wish I hadn’t encouraged her to go on this shopping trip.”

  “C’mon now. You know it’s not your fault. Keeping Maggie from a good sale is like trying to keep the tide from coming in. It’s not gonna happen.”

  For the first time since he’d seen her at the hospital, a smile flickered across Olivia’s face. “That’s true.” She laughed. “We did find some good sales. Most of the stuff in the trunk is Maggie’s.”

  Really. He didn’t know how the two women did it. Sort of like sharks smelling blood, the way those two honed in on sales.

  Then Olivia’s smile faded. “Todd mentioned something about Maggie’s history. What did he mean by that?”

  Jonathan swallowed hard. “I assumed you knew. Maggie had a miscarriage before this pregnancy.”

  *

  “Miscarriage?” Olivia felt her stomach drop to her feet. “I—I had no idea.” Why hadn’t Maggie told her?

  Jonathan sighed. “About eight months ago.”

  And all that time Olivia had been in Pennsylvania, nursing her selfish hurts; she’d turned tail and ran. Fresh shame surged through her heart.

  “Oh, that’s horrible. I can’t imagine what they must be going through. No wonder she was so frightened. I mean—to lose a child—” Olivia’s throat ached.

  “We just need to keep praying and entrust them to the Lord. It’s all we can do.”

  Jonathan sounded so sure of himself. Entrust her friends and their unborn child to the Lord’s care. “Sometimes that’s easier said than done.” She swallowed the lump and felt tears stinging her eyes.

  “But it can be done.” Jonathan’s firm voice sounded low to her ears. “He wouldn’t have asked us to cast our cares upon Him if it were impossible.”

  They headed into the north end of Fairport and Olivia decided to broach a safe subject. “I’d like to see if you could build a computer desk for Dad’s birthday.”

  “Sure, I’ll do it, time permitting.” Jonathan faced the window. Olivia couldn’t see the expression in his dark eyes.

  “I could find a pattern. Or we could go to one of those home improvement warehouses and you could help me pick out wood. I wouldn’t know what to choose.” Olivia knew she had started babbling. A car almost cut them off in the traffic, so she eased off the accelerator and fastened her gaze straight ahead.

  “That sounds great to me. I’ve decided to cut back on my carpentry projects for now, but for you, I’ll do the desk.”

  Olivia smiled. “Thanks.” He was going back on the boats. Probably with Pete Celucci. Of course he was. She should be happy for him. And part of her was.

  Olivia crossed the short bridge over the inlet into Fairport and maneuvered through the narrow streets. Home. The lights in the harbor twinkled. A lighthouse at the edge of the harbor winked at them. The serene coastline helped to calm Olivia’s tumbled thoughts.

  Jonathan punctuated the silence. “Thanks for the ride.”

  “No problem. Thanks for going to the hospital.” She turned onto Todd and Maggie’s street, following the winding road that paralleled the shore. “Is Todd going to call you?”

  “Yeah. He said he’d call me in the morning. I’m holding the fort for him at the shop until he and Maggie get back.”

  Gravel crunched under the car’s tires. Olivia pulled into the driveway and stopped behind Jonathan’s Jeep, then shifted into Park. Silence loomed between them in the
front seat.

  “You’re a good friend to drop what you’re doing for them. I’m—I’m glad you came with Todd.” Olivia bit her lip at the admission.

  “I would have done the same for you. Drop what I’m doing, if you needed me.”

  They’d been through so much together, Olivia didn’t doubt it. “I know. I’m sorry my mouth ran away with me tonight. I know what you’re saying is the truth, about trusting God to care for my friends.”

  “I tell you the truth because I care for you.”

  Olivia glanced in Jonathan’s direction at the sound of his voice. Did his voice suddenly catch? Did his eyes suddenly seem shinier in the streetlight? Then his gaze flicked toward his Jeep.

  “I know.” Now her voice caught in her throat.

  “Just remember, ‘God is our refuge and strength, a present help in time of trouble.’”

  “‘Though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea, though the oceans roar and foam, we will not fear.’ Yes, I’ve read that psalm.” Olivia rubbed her forehead, which had started to ache.

  “I want you to have some peace in your heart, Liv.”

  “I know.” Her throat ached, the words barely escaping her lips.

  “Well, it’s getting late. Are you going to be okay?”

  Now it was Olivia’s turn to look away. “For tonight I will be.”

  “I’ll call you if I hear anything.”

  “Thanks.”

  He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “G’night, Liv.”

  Her face burned where his lips had touched her. “Good night.”

  Chapter 9

  “I’m so embarrassed.” Maggie sounded sheepish on the phone.

  “Are you okay? How’s the baby?” Olivia wanted to reach through the line and hug her.

  “I’m fine, and she’s fine.”

  “Do they know what was wrong?”

  Her heart started to pound with Maggie’s silence.

  “Yeah, they decided it was, um, the ham-and-egg breakfast bagel I had yesterday morning. I had gas.”

  “Whew. That’s good. I mean, it’s not good you hurt so bad.” Olivia sighed.

  “But Todd and the doctor want me to stop working now, and that includes going to the lab at the institute. And I have to agree with them.”

  “I’ll miss you. I start back Monday full time. But I know Todd’s thinking of your health and the baby.” She didn’t mention the miscarriage.

  Maggie chuckled. “He’s treated me like a porcelain doll ever since I got home earlier this morning. He wouldn’t even let me empty the dishwasher.”

  “That’s sweet. I’m glad you’re doing better. Holler if you need anything. I’m on the afternoon trip out, so I need to head to the docks soon. But in the meantime, call me.”

  “You can count on that. Take care of yourself. Say hi to the whales for me.”

  Four hours later, miles out in the Atlantic, Olivia stood by Jonathan’s side in the wheelhouse aboard the wave cruiser. She felt like Dr. Doolittle’s pushmi-pullyu, being yanked in two different directions.

  “Beautiful today, isn’t it?” Sunlight sparkled off the rippling water.

  “Yeah.” Jonathan glanced at their heading. “Did Maggie call you this morning?”

  “She did. Todd’s got her under house arrest until the baby comes.” Olivia grinned, then tried to assume a serious expression.

  Delighted squeals from the passengers caught Olivia’s attention. The massive flukes from a humpback rose above the water, then gracefully dipped below the surface.

  Olivia picked up the microphone to describe the whales she loved. Jonathan wordlessly maneuvered the boat for the passengers. She wasn’t afraid out here on the water with him. But the thought of his heading out even farther on the sea carved a hole in the pit of her stomach.

  *

  Jonathan couldn’t get enough of the sea air, the swell of the waves, the freedom of seeing nothing at the horizon. His family and Olivia were what tugged him to shore. They’d held him there since the loss of the Lady Jane. That, and his private fear of the past repeating itself. Of course, carpentry helped pay some of the bills, as well.

  Today was the last time for a good long while he’d see the whales on a leisurely trip. Terry had already accepted Jonathan’s notice. The summer season was drawing to an end, and he wouldn’t be needed to pilot anymore. He could hardly wait to set foot on Pete’s boat, soon to belong to him via generous financing from a local bank. Somehow, they deemed him a good risk.

  Jonathan’s light thoughts buoyed him up for the remainder of the afternoon. They docked at last back in the harbor. After performing his final checks on the boat, he headed to the office.

  Olivia was standing by Terry’s desk when Jonathan entered. Her accusing glare passed from Terry to him.

  “Your last day. How come you didn’t tell me?”

  “I meant to, but I didn’t want you to get upset.”

  “No, I’m not upset. It’s just so…soon.” Olivia’s lips twitched. “You’ve wanted this for a long time, but wow.”

  “Sally in the office ordered a cake. It’s in the break room,” said Terry. “Congratulations, Jon.”

  Sally, a mother figure to many at the whale watch office, waved a knife. “C’mon, you skinnies, don’t be shy. We’re proud of our Jon, getting his boat. Chocolate for you, Olivia?”

  “Definitely.” She gave Jonathan a glance he couldn’t quite read. Yes, she was trying to be brave. He could tell from the way she squared her shoulders. But no one could free Olivia from her fear until she was ready.

  “Me, too,” said Jonathan. “Thanks, everyone. I appreciate the send-off.”

  “You ever need work, you’ll have some here,” said Terry.

  Olivia stabbed her piece of chocolate cake with a plastic fork. “That, and your carpentry work.”

  Jonathan nodded. “That’s true.” He watched her scarf down her cake, then collect her purse from her locker. He set down his plate and followed her to the back door, ignoring the curious looks of the others.

  “So, I was hoping we could use that gift card and have dinner before I head out on my first trip,” he said as he trailed her to the parking lot.

  She stopped at her driver’s side door. “That would be nice, I think. You deserve congratulations. You’re…you’re very brave, Jonathan Barrotta.” She smiled at him, but the grin didn’t reach her eyes.

  “Thank you.” He reached for her hand, which she allowed him to hold. “I have to go, Liv. I can’t explain it, but I have to. If I don’t, it’ll be almost like chickening out.”

  She nodded. “I know you have to.”

  “Dinner, Friday night, then?”

  “Okay.”

  *

  The water sprayed over the bow of the Isabella Rose. Jonathan, soaked through, stood side-by-side with the crew as they freed the catch and tossed it into the hold. His back and arm muscles screamed from his labors. The skin on his face stung from a salt water rash. And he felt terrific.

  All except for his throbbing heart. Had it been just two weeks since he’d watched Olivia drive away? She avoided him at church, and said nothing more to him about the desk she wanted for her father. In fact, she said nothing to him at all.

  “It don’t get any better than this, does it?” Pete grinned. He measured an undersized fish and tossed it back into the ocean.

  Jonathan shook his head. “Nope.” He untangled a fine-looking herring and let it fall into the bin with the other fish.

  They had been out almost two days, and the entire time Jonathan knew the Lord was confirming His will. This boat would belong to him after he signed the papers at the bank. Some men owned homes. Owning the Isabella Rose would be like owning a piece of the sea.

  After the catch had been pulled in, the men assembled around the galley table for a hot meal. Stumpy had thrown together a hodgepodge stew for their last night out. Jonathan would be grateful to hold the bowl if but to warm his numb hands.

  Pete clomped do
wn from the pilothouse and stopped at the table. “Startin’ next month, Jonathan’s gonna be your new boss.”

  Stumpy, a grizzled old fellow, eyed Jonathan. “Huh. Heard you had problems last time out. I’m thinking you’re bad luck.”

  “Listen.” Jonathan stood. “I started as a deckhand when I was twelve, working summers. I worked my way up, just like the rest of you. And I know we’ve all been doing this long enough to know the sea’s a fickle lady. All of us have had our share of troubles. But I’m willing to be here no matter what happens.”

  A few nods and a few suspicious looks. He could mention his faith, but would any of them understand?

  Pete must have taken the pause to mean Jonathan was through, so the man continued. “I’m opening my shop in the spring, but in the meantime I’m going to help Jonathan out here in whatever way I can. I expect you to do the same, or you can find work elsewhere.”

  Stumpy reached over and clapped Jonathan on the back. “If Pete’s backin’ you, I’m with you, too.”

  “Yeah, we’ll give it a shot.” Freddy raised a cup of coffee in toast.

  That night, after the men had set out the nets and started to drag them behind the boat, Jonathan collapsed onto his bunk for a few hours’ sleep. He touched a snapshot of Olivia tucked into the corner of his bunk. Maggie had given it to him just before they’d shipped out.

  Olivia sat on a blanket at the beach, the breeze teasing her hair about her shoulders, her smile lighting her eyes. Maggie had snapped it at the Fourth of July party. Did Olivia remember that night? Jonathan did. It was the night he’d realized he was in love with her.

  It was also the night he first mentioned buying the Isabella Rose from Pete. He prayed for a way to help Olivia understand somehow that he was meant to be on the sea. Strangely enough, he didn’t feel the grip of fear over the past, not even when Stumpy had mentioned what had happened with the Lady Jane and Robby. The waves buoyed them along this time. Jonathan imagined the earth and its waters carried safely in the palm of his Father’s hand. With that reminder, he found his Bible and read a few scriptures, then closed his eyes and listened to Stumpy snore for the next two hours.