Counting On It (Hearts for Ransom Book 1)

by Evans, Georgia

  “If you’ll come home with me while I shower.” He drew back and met her eyes. “Then we can go to Mom’s for the day.”

  “I’d like that.”

  He was glad she liked his mom. She not only fit against him in bed. She fit into his life.

  Chapter 36

  “Are you sure this is okay, Aaron?” Emily stood back to scrutinize the string of plastic jack-o-lanterns she had strung across the pavilion.

  Aaron walked over and looked at her work. “That’s just the way I wanted them. The kids will love it.”

  “I just can’t believe Pastor Rhinehart is going to all this trouble.”

  The pastor was busing the original twelve boys back to the campground to celebrate Halloween. They would be arriving in half an hour, at about one o’clock, and staying until eight that evening. She and Aaron had been there since ten, preparing the horseshoe pits and playing field, as well as setting up a nice campfire site. The boys would be raking leaves and stuffing old clothes to make scarecrows. A farmer friend of Aaron’s was capping off the excursion with a hayride for them. It should be a fun day.

  “Here come the big boys,” Aaron observed.

  Sure enough, Logan’s Dodge Ram, with Mason riding shotgun, pulled in, closely followed by Bo’s pickup. She watched as more vehicles arrived, and they all piled out of them and made their way to the pavilion.

  Emily met Logan halfway there. He took her in his arms and kissed her a little too thoroughly if the catcalls and whistles coming from his buddies were anything to judge by. It felt to her like they hadn’t seen each other for days when, in fact, they’d gone out for dinner and a movie the night before.

  “Got any hugs for me?” Abby asked.

  “Always.” Emily stepped away from Logan and gave her friend a quick hug. She looked over Abby’s shoulder. “Hi, Brody.”

  “Hi, Emily.”

  “Hey, Guys.” Bo was addressing the whole group. When he had everybody’s attention, he went on. “Is it just me, or the last time we were here, weren’t those two kissy faces over there at each other’s throats?”

  “I bet they’re still at each other’s throats,” Colton observed. “They’re just doing somethin’ different while they’re there.”

  “You’re just jealous.” Logan grabbed Emily, and just for good measure, kissed her again.

  “Get a tent!” Mason yelled.

  Emily hadn’t seen the entire group in quite awhile and hadn’t realized how much she missed them. They were quite a group.

  “Are you excited about seeing the boys?” she asked them.

  “I wonder if Ryan’s gotten any taller,” Coop said.

  “I sure hope Luke hasn’t.” Brody had them all laughing. Emily remembered thinking they were quite the odd pair, with Luke being larger than his “big brother”.

  “Wait until you guys see Seth.” Bo looked like a proud parent. “He’s gotten at least an inch taller, and put on weight. You probably won’t even recognize him. Jan, his aunt, has really made a difference in his life.”

  Logan didn’t say anything, but Trevor, too, had changed. His grandparents were now able to afford to put food on the table and keep him in nice clothes. If he never accomplished anything else in his life, he’d always look at his helping Trevor as something to be proud of.

  “Need us to do anything?” Matt asked Aaron.

  “If a couple of you wouldn’t mind helping me get the tubs for the apples, we’ll get them filled with water.” Aaron gestured toward two large, heavy-duty plastic washtubs.

  Matt, Jesse, and Jake ambled over. The four of them set off to fix up a “bobbing for apples” activity.

  “The rest of you can move tables for me,” she told them.

  Everybody had just finished their chores when the familiar blue bus pulled into the parking lot, Fletch behind the wheel. In contrast to the last time its passengers had unloaded, the boys were the first ones off, laughing and running to their mentors. Some of them hadn’t seen each other since her parents’ visitation.

  Emily stood back and watched as they greeted each other. The pastor, Paul, and Fletcher walked more sedately with Kent, Emmett, and Kaleb trailing behind them. Soon, the men were shaking hands. A few minutes later, Paul approached her.

  “How are you?” he asked.

  Blushing, she answered him. “Better than the last time you saw me.”

  Paul chuckled. “You definitely can’t hold your liquor.”

  “She could have been very sick, Findley.” Logan’s voice was gruff as he walked up beside Emily. “It’s nothing to joke about.”

  “He doesn’t know,” Emily quietly reminded Logan. She turned to Paul. “I knew better, but I had taken some medication before the party. Alcohol wasn’t a good idea.”

  Paul immediately sobered. “I’m sorry, Emily…Logan. I had no idea.”

  “I’m sorry,” Logan muttered. “I shouldn’t have jumped on you like that.” He needed to stop feeling so possessive when the other man was around. Emily had chosen to be with Logan.

  “Hi, Miss Scott.” A handsome young man with carefully combed red hair, and wearing a nice pair of jeans and flannel shirt, addressed her.

  “I know that can’t be Seth Stephens.” He looked like he had grown more like two inches taller than the one Bo had claimed, and had gained at least twenty much-needed pounds. She was looking at a healthy boy.

  He still blushed. “I’m growing.”

  Bo walked over and ruffled his hair. “He’s going to mess around and be taller than I am.”

  “How are you, Miss Scott?” Emily couldn’t believe the polite young man talking to her was Jesse’s Austin.

  “I’m good, Austin.” She had no trouble returning his bright smile. “And how are you?”

  He actually had dimples! “Jesse’s been comin’ over once in a while and teachin’ me to throw a softball. I didn’t know it would be so hard.”

  “All of these guys seem to be strong, so it must take a lot of muscles,” she observed.

  Austin looked at his arms. “Maybe I’ll be strong like they are.”

  “I’ll bet you will be.” Jesse had accomplished what he set out to do—had a positive impact on this young man’s life.

  A few minutes later, she was standing by herself when Pastor Rhinehart approached her.

  “I want to ask you something, Emily.”

  She gave him a curious look. “What’s that?”

  “What do you think about my crazy way of matching up these people now?”

  Emily looked at the boys and their grown counterparts. Every single one of the young men had responded positively to his “big brother,” and in the cases of Seth and Trevor, their entire lives had been changed for the better.

  “I think your prayer worked,” she told him, smiling.

  The pastor grinned at her. “God works in mysterious ways.”

  It wasn’t until the lawn dart tournament that Logan had a chance to speak to Emily privately. He asked Aaron to be Seth’s partner, which neither of them minded, so he and Emily could go for a walk.

  “Walk with me?” he asked her.

  She turned her head from watching the tournament. “Don’t you and Seth have to play the next round?”

  “Aaron’s taking my spot. I’m free.” He laced his fingers with hers. “Walk with me.”

  She let him lead her to the trailhead and onto the Sweet Gum Trail. They hadn’t gotten more than ten yards down it when he turned and took her in his arms.

  “I love you so much.” He kissed her, slowly at first, but then more passionately as they continued. His hands seemed to have a mind of their own as they slid under her flannel shirt and cupped her breasts for a few moments, then slid down and around her hips to pull her tight against his groin. Her hands were tangled in his hair, but then she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled herself up so that the part of her that throbbed could press against the part of him she hungered for. He pulled her hips against him even tighter as his mouth moved do
wn her neck.

  His hands slid back to the front of her blouse, which he began to unbutton before reality set in. They were on a trail, in the middle of the woods, at a campground. Any one or more of the boys or men could decide to take a walk at any time.

  He groaned as he slowly released her.

  She moaned and put her head against his chest.

  “I don’t know what it is about these woods, but I just can’t think when we’re out here together.” He kissed her one more time.

  “Now you know how I feel every single time you kiss me.” She reached up and buttoned the two buttons on her shirt that he had managed to get undone before he stopped.

  “We’d better walk,” he told her, resolutely lacing their fingers together and gently tugging her forward again.

  “I’ve failed to point something out,” she softly told him.

  “No, you haven’t,” he said dryly, looking at the front of his jeans.

  She giggled. “Not that, you silly man.” She leaned against his side. “It’s been four and a half months, and I still love you.”

  “I kind of thought so, but it’s still nice to hear you confirm it.”

  “Well, I think we can plan on an outstanding Christmas.” She smiled up at him.

  He started to comment about something else standing out but thought better of it. He needed to get himself under control before they were back around the others. He needed to think about something else. But what?

  “Mom’s really excited about tomorrow night.” There. That was a buzz kill.

  Emily cast a worried look in his direction. “Are you sure I didn’t bully her into it?”

  He shook his head. “Telling her that she could sit in her chair and watch you hand out candy to the trick-or-treaters like she was watching a television show was the best idea I’ve ever heard.” He had to clear his throat. “You know, my mom has never been able to see kids go trick-or-treating. You’re helping her do something she’s never done before.”

  She was embarrassed. “It’s as much for me as it is for her,” she admitted. “I’ve been thinking about the party Mom and Dad threw every year, and I don’t want to try and replace it with another party, so…I thought I’d start a new tradition.”

  He didn’t miss the fact that she was allowing his mother to help fill the void left by her parents’ death. It made her even more a part of his life. If she did decide she didn’t love him after all, he was going to have a huge empty spot in his life…and heart. She had to still love him. “I’m counting on it,” he murmured softly to himself.

  The sound of thudding feet made Logan glad he had put the brakes on his overactive libido when he had. Trevor and Seth soon came into view.

  “Bo sent us to find you.” Trevor was huffing a little bit. They must have come at a dead run. “It’s almost time for the kickball tournament, and we need you, Logan.”

  “Aaron doesn’t want to play,” Seth explained. Strange. He wasn’t breathing nearly as hard as Trevor.

  Emily was looking at Trevor. Something about him didn’t look right. “Trevor, do you feel okay?” she asked.

  “I’m f…” He crumpled at their feet, out cold.

  Emily immediately shifted into emergency room nurse mode. “Seth, run and tell Aaron I need the bag out of my car. It’s in the trunk. Then have Bo bring it as fast as he can.” She checked Trevor’s pulse, vaguely realizing the other boy had left.

  “Is he okay, Em?” She could hear the fear in Logan’s voice.

  “His pulse is a little rapid, but strong.” She put her head down to his chest. “I need to listen to him breathe for a minute.” Just as she suspected, he was wheezing. “I’m not a doctor, but he appears to be having something like an asthmatic attack.”

  “Should we call an ambulance?” Logan was really shaken up. He loved that boy.

  Emily thought for a moment. Since Seth hadn’t been diagnosed with asthma, and it could be a myriad of things causing the attack, he really needed to be seen by a physician. She didn’t want Logan to panic, though.

  “Logan, he’s not in any danger as far as I can tell, but he needs to be checked by a doctor. Go ahead and call an ambulance.” They would be able to give Trevor oxygen sooner than if Logan tried to transport him to the hospital in his truck.

  Logan had his cell phone out and was dialling 911 before she had stopped speaking.

  Bo was there with her bag before Logan was off the phone. She used her stethoscope and the wheezing was definitely coming from his lungs. She was a little concerned because he hadn’t regained consciousness, and it had been nearly fifteen minutes.

  “Can you carry him out of here?” she asked Bo.

  “I can.” Logan picked Trevor up like he didn’t weigh anything.

  Bo cast a worried look from his friend to Emily. She tried to smile reassuringly. Thankfully, Trevor was beginning to stir.

  He had just regained consciousness when they emerged from the trail to find the rest of the group gathered in a circle, with Pastor Rhinehart leading them in prayer. They broke apart as soon as they saw Logan carrying Trevor.

  “You all need to stay back and let Trevor have air,” she said in as kind of a voice as possible when they started to crowd around him.

  Pastor Rhinehart was the only one besides Logan and herself who stayed next to the boy. The pastor was ultimately responsible for Trevor on this trip, and trying to get Logan more than a foot away from him would be like trying to move a brick wall.

  “Trevor, can you hear me?” she softly asked.

  He was still wheezing. “Yeah.” He nodded. “It…feels funny when…I breathe.”

  “Relax. If you’re upset, it’s just going to feel stranger.” She took his wrist and checked his pulse again. Still strong and a much more normal rate. “I’m going to listen to you breathe. Okay?” He nodded again. She used her stethoscope. She didn’t like what she heard. If anything, the wheezing had grown worse. It crossed her mind that he might be having an allergic reaction to something.

  “Trevor, I don’t want you to be scared, but an ambulance will be here in a little while. They’re just going to take you to the hospital where I work so a doctor can make sure you’re okay. They’ll be able to help you breathe a little better, too.” She smiled reassuringly at him. “I’m just a nurse. Remember?” Another nod. “A doctor will be able to help you stop feeling funny when you breathe.”

  “Can…can Logan go…with…me?” Trevor managed to get out.

  She looked questioningly at the pastor. Without a word, he got his cell phone out and walked away to make a call. He was soon back, with a comforting smile on his face.

  “Trevor, your grandma says Logan can ride in the ambulance with you, and she and Grandpa will be at the hospital when you get there.” He leaned down and ruffled the boy’s hair. “You’re a pretty important person to have so many people who care about you.”

  “They…love…me.”

  “I love you.” Logan spoke so softly that nobody outside their little circle probably heard him, but Trevor had. Even through his wheezing, he managed to smile at Logan.

  “I…love…you too…wish you…were…my dad.”

  Emily had to turn away to wipe the tears from her face.

  A blaring siren announced the ambulance’s arrival. Aaron had met them at the entrance to the campground so he could direct them to the trailhead.

  Emily quietly told the EMT her findings and stood back as he checked Trevor. A few minutes later, amidst the organized chaos, Logan handed his keys to her.

  “Have Mason drive my truck home.”

  “I will.” She watched as he followed Trevor, looking so small on the gurney.

  He turned at the last minute, and silently mouthed, “I love you.”

  “I’ll pick you up at the hospital,” she called. He nodded.

  A subdued group of people watched the ambulance pull away.

  “Is Trevor going to be okay, Miss Scott?” Austin, who was standing as close to Jesse as he
could, asked.

  She managed a smile. “I’m sure he will be. I’m a nurse, though, and he needs to have a doctor take care of him. I think he needs some medicine.” The EMT would pass on her suspicions about a possible allergic reaction, and Trevor would be carefully examined for rashes or bug bites. It had come on him too suddenly to be asthma.

  Abby came up beside Emily and put her arm around her shoulders. “You did good, Em.”

  Emily looked at her friend and smiled. “Thanks.”

  Pastor Rhinehart cleared his throat. “I think we’ll go ahead and finish our day. Trevor wouldn’t want all of you to miss out on your fun day because he’s sick.”

  “Can’t we go to the hospital?” Andy asked. Colton walked up and put his hand on his “little brother’s” shoulder.

  Emily looked at the group of anxious young men. Ransom Hospital had a large waiting room, but there were twenty-three of them, counting Abby. Still…She caught Pastor Rhinehart’s eye and shrugged. She’d leave it up to him.

  The pastor looked around at his group. “You boys aren’t going to enjoy yourselves because you’re worried about your friend, are you?”

  “No.” It seemed Seth wasn’t shy about speaking his mind.

  A chorus of “no’s followed.

  “Mr. Boone, I’m sorry to have inconvenienced you, but it looks like we’ll have to cancel our party.”

  Aaron smiled at the pastor. “That’s okay. I’ll go ‘round to the other campers, and see if they’d enjoy a nice wiener roast.”

  “I’m going ahead. I’ll see you at the hospital,” Emily told them. Then she remembered. “Mason, Logan wants you to bring his truck home.” She handed him Logan’s keys.

  “No problem. Drive carefully.” He turned to Spencer. “You go get on the bus. I’ll be right behind you.”

  The boys were filing onto the bus when Emily pulled out of the parking lot.

  The drive between the campground and hospital had never seemed so long before, but she finally pulled in and parked in the employees’ lot. Working there had its perks.

  When she got inside, she walked straight back to the nurses’ station and found the weekend staff. Betty Gilkins was head nurse.