Betrayed Hearts

by Susan Anne Mason

  Chloe and Maxi, the first to spot her, let out a cry and darted forward to envelop her in a huge hug. Lily clung to her friends until she feared she would break down and sob. Then the sudden realization hit her that Chloe should be in New York.

  She pulled away to gape at the face so similar to her own. “What are you doing here?”

  The girl gave a watery smile. “I came as soon as I heard.”

  “But your studies—”

  “They can wait.” She paused, tears leaking from the corners of her amber eyes. “Do you think I’d let my sister face this kind of crisis alone?”

  Lily gasped. Her gaze flew to Nick, then back to Chloe. “You know?”

  Chloe nodded. “Mom called to tell me after you were arrested.”

  Lily struggled to comprehend how, after all the secrecy and the conflict, the decision had been taken out of her hands. Sonia Martin had decided to tell Chloe herself. A bubble of near hysteria rose in Lily’s chest. She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Instead she pulled Chloe into another fierce hug. Then she moved through the group to find Sonia who stood smiling through the tears on her wrinkled cheeks. Mere words could never express her gratitude to this woman. Lily simply stepped into her arms and embraced her.

  “Thank you,” she whispered. “Thank you so much.”

  Sonia hugged her hard before she pulled back and placed a hand on Lily’s cheek. “I’m sorry it took me so long to overcome my fear. I finally realized that by telling the truth, I wouldn’t be losing a thing. I’d be gaining another daughter.”

  Lily broke down and wept as the woman kissed her on both cheeks.

  “I want you to come and live with me,” Sonia told her. “Now that Chloe’s away, I have lots of room.”

  “But how can you forgive me after everything I’ve done?” Lily sniffed and wiped her eyes on her sleeve.

  “There’s nothing to forgive, my dear. We’ve all made mistakes. Especially me, for not telling Chloe the truth from the beginning.”

  The simple generosity of these people humbled Lily—that they could overlook all her flaws, all her mistakes, and accept her anyway. For the first time in her life, she truly understood what it meant to be a Christian and to love as Christ loved. She vowed she would earn every ounce of their respect and trust from now on.

  “Enough of this chit-chat,” Peg piped up, dabbing a tissue to her eyes. “When can I expect you at the shop?”

  Lily turned, dumbfounded. “You mean I still have a job? You’d trust me after this?”

  Peg waved a hand and snorted. “I’ve seen you pick up a penny and place it in the till. I’ve no worries about you.”

  Lily pressed her fingers to her mouth. Could she really return to her life in Rainbow Falls?

  At last, she let her gaze fall on Nick. She drank in the sight of him in his suit jacket and jeans. Below a stray lock of hair waving over his forehead, his eyes were misty.

  She took a step toward him, her heart knocking against her ribs. “Thank you.” Her dry throat barely allowed the words out. “I assume it was you who got my father to change his mind.”

  His lips curved up. “It wasn’t just me. I think God played a big part in it, too.”

  She smiled back. “You’re right. Only a miracle could explain Tobias’s change of attitude.” She wished Nick would pull her close and hug her so she’d know how things stood between them. She searched his face for clues as to how he was feeling now that he knew all her secrets. Did he still care, or would he let her down gently? Tell her a minister couldn’t afford to be involved with someone like her—a common criminal. She bit her trembling lip.

  Nick’s smile widened as he held out a hand to her. “You must be exhausted. Let’s get you home.”

  She nodded through fresh tears and placed her hand in his.

  Home. She liked the sound of that.

  31

  Nick’s soul filled with quiet gratitude as he steered the truck down Elm Street, lifting a prayer of thanks heavenward that everything had worked out so well. Tobias Cunningham had come through at the last minute and dropped the charges, saving Nick the necessity of paying whatever fine the judge might have imposed. For now, his savings could go in the bank where it belonged.

  His pulse sped up as his thoughts turned to Lily. Even dressed in wrinkled clothes, her hair in a messy braid, she looked amazing to him. He’d dropped her off at her apartment so she could shower and change before going over to see Chloe and Aunt Sonia. Although his pride stung that he wasn’t at the top of her list, he understood Lily’s need to connect with her sister now that she knew the truth. Besides, Chloe would be heading back to New York tomorrow, whereas he would have…forever…to catch up with Lily.

  He had so many things he needed to tell her—like how he’d turned down the minister position—but all that could wait. Right now Lily needed time to recover from her ordeal, and once things had settled back to normal, they would have a serious talk.

  Nick slowed to a stop in front of the Strickland house. After two hours of stripping wallpaper, trying to curb the impulse to run over to his aunt’s just to be near Lily, he’d received a call from Chloe asking him to meet Lily here. What he couldn’t figure out was why? Maybe Lily needed this last piece of closure on her past before she could move forward to the future. A future he hoped would include him.

  The reason didn’t matter. He was just happy for the chance to see her again. He couldn’t believe how much he’d missed her, how much he’d feared losing her to a jail sentence.

  Thank you, God, for sparing Lily that terrible fate.

  Nick shut off the engine and hopped down from the cab, anticipation spiking though his veins. He jogged up the walkway to the stairs and pushed through the front door. Following his instincts, he made his way back to the kitchen. He found Lily standing by the back door, sunlight streaming over freshly washed hair that surrounded her face like a cloud. Dressed in a simple white blouse and clean blue jeans, her beauty mesmerized him.

  As if sensing his presence, she turned and caught sight of him. A huge smile bloomed, illuminating the brown depths of her eyes.

  “Hey, gorgeous.” A silly grin spread over his face at the blush that colored her cheeks. He crossed the room and, without actually intending to, pulled her into his arms. Pleasure and surprise lingered on her face, but it was the hint of insecurity that got to him. Slowly he lowered his mouth to hers, relishing her familiar taste—a sensation he thought he might never experience again. “I missed you,” he whispered into her hair, when he’d pulled his lips from hers.

  “Me, too.” Her voice sounded husky. “I’m so sorry, Nick, for everything. Especially for the way I treated you at the police station.”

  “It’s OK. I understand why you did it.”

  “You do?”

  “You were trying to get rid of me—but it didn’t work.” He laughed and captured her lips for another lingering kiss.

  Finally, she moved away from him. “Don’t you want to know why I asked you here?”

  “I’d rather kiss you instead.”

  She gave him a swat.

  He laughed again. “OK, why are we here?”

  “Let’s go sit in the living room.” She took his hand and pulled him along the hallway.

  In the musty room, he removed the cover from one of the sofas and they sat side by side.

  She seemed nervous suddenly, clasping and unclasping her hands. “I need to explain a few things to you.”

  He reached over to wrap his fingers around her icy ones. “You don’t have to explain anything to me.”

  She held his gaze. “I want you to hear my side of the story and make sure there are no more secrets between us before you decide whether you want to continue our relationship…or not.”

  The vulnerable expression on her face tore at him. He wanted to tell her there was nothing to decide but sensed she needed this sharing of her heart with him. “Go ahead then.”

  She pulled away her hand to grip her fingers
together on her lap. “I want you to know that I understand what I did—taking the money from my father without asking—was wrong. I told myself that since I intended to pay my father back, that made it OK, which of course it wasn’t. That night I was desperate. I had nowhere else to turn. If I’d asked my father for a loan, he would’ve turned me down flat, like he had many times before.”

  He kept his eyes steady on hers. “I believe you.”

  “Thank you.” Her gaze faltered, and she lowered her eyes to her lap. “Before I met you, I lived a life I’m not proud of. When my father kicked me out of the house, I did some horrible things.”

  “Everyone makes mistakes, Lily.”

  She shook her head. “Not you.”

  He smiled sadly. “Yes, even me. When I was a teen, I was angry all the time, and I made some bad choices. Almost ended up in jail myself. If it hadn’t been for Mike and Ted mentoring me, my life might have taken a very different turn.”

  The corner of her lips tugged up in a smile. “That helps. I’ve secretly thought of you as “Saint Nick.”

  He rolled his eyes on a groan. “Please. I still struggle with my temper and trying to do the right thing. The main difference is I trust God to help me.” He paused. “I know your heart, Lily. Whatever you’ve done in the past, you based your decisions upon the life you knew. You saw God through your father’s skewed view. But now you know better.”

  She shook her head. “It would be so easy to blame all my problems on Tobias, but I have to take responsibility for my part.” She hesitated, lifting troubled eyes to him. “Do you think God will forgive me for everything I’ve done?”

  The hopeful note in her voice brought out all his protective instincts. “Of course. God forgives everything if you ask Him to. And I do, too.” Nick put his arm around her, drawing her close. He held her in silence for several minutes while she sat in the cocoon of his embrace. He hoped she could now accept this truth and believe in her worthiness as a child of God.

  A few seconds later, she pulled back to look up at him. “I asked Tobias to come and see me in jail.”

  “I know. He told me. That was very brave of you.”

  Appreciation crept into her eyes. “I had to forgive him so I could move on with my life. The minute I did, Nick, I felt God there with me in the room. This incredible sense of peace came over me and I knew no matter what happened, I’d be OK.”

  The sting of tears hit the back of Nick’s throat. At long last, Lily had started to trust in God’s grace. Thank you, Lord. “That’s the best news I could ever hear.”

  She sat up straighter, her expression serious. “This may sound crazy, but I feel the need to make up for my sins somehow. Do some sort of penance and pay my debt to society.”

  He squashed his initial urge to disagree with her. “I don’t know about penance, but I have an idea how you can turn your past into something positive. You could mentor the teens in the youth group, share your experience with them and help them avoid your mistakes.”

  She swallowed. “Share my past?”

  He raised a hand to brush her cheek. “You could start off slow, sharing what you’re comfortable with.”

  She nodded. “I could probably do that—if it would help the kids.”

  “I’m sure it would.” He studied her, praying his next words wouldn’t upset her. “My other idea might be more difficult. It has to do with Tobias.”

  A wariness crept into her eyes. “What about him?”

  “I think he may be open to a new kind of relationship with you—now that he’s dying. Maybe we could visit him sometime?”

  She bit her bottom lip. Turmoil swam in her eyes. “I don’t know. Maybe. You’d come with me, right?”

  A surge of protectiveness rose in his chest. “Of course. I’d be there to make sure he never hurts you again. But nobody should die alone and with regrets.”

  She gave him a soft smile. “For you I could do just about anything.”

  He kissed her forehead, sure he never loved her more than at that moment.

  Lily captured his hand in hers, a slight frown creasing her brow. “That reminds of something I need to ask you.”

  “Shoot.”

  Her eyes searched his face. “Why did you turn down the minister’s job? I couldn’t believe it when Chloe told me.”

  The hollow pit of disappointment still echoed inside him whenever he thought of relinquishing his position at the Good Shepherd Church. But in the deepest part of his being, he knew he’d made the right choice. Now he had to trust God to work the rest out in His own time.

  He rubbed a thumb over her fingers. “Ted gave me an ultimatum. He made me choose between the job and you.” He shrugged. “I chose you.”

  More tears bloomed. “But—”

  He silenced her with a finger to her lips. “No buts. If I’m meant to be a minister, God will find a way for it to happen…with you as part of the package.”

  Time to lay all his cards on the table. He took both her hands in his and looked deeply into her brown eyes. “I love you very much. Right now my future is up in the air, but no matter what happens, I can’t picture my life without you in it.” He smiled softly. “Will you marry me, Lily?”

  ****

  Lily’s thoughts swirled faster than the dust motes dancing in the air around them. He’d sacrificed his dream for her, and now he wanted to marry her? She shook her head, afraid to believe this was real. “Are you serious? After everything I’ve done?” Her pulse beat an erratic rhythm as she awaited his answer.

  His gaze remained steadfast. “I’m very serious.”

  “But—”

  “Do you love me, Lily?” His blue eyes held hers as gently as his hands.

  “You know I do,” she whispered.

  “Do you love God?”

  She blinked, thinking of the presence she’d felt with her in jail. “Yes, I do. And I know now that He loves me, too.”

  A slow smile dawned on his beloved face. “That’s all I need to know. Except to ask if you’re willing to share my life with me—no matter what the future holds.”

  He still loved her and wanted to marry her. After everything he knew about her. A rush of emotion moved through her, blocking her throat. Fresh tears welled at the back of her eyes. She swallowed hard, and for once, let her heart answer for her. “Yes, Nick, I’ll marry you. As long as you’re sure.”

  A grin stretched across his face, creating brackets at the side of his mouth. “I’ve been sure for a long time now. Just waiting for you to catch up and to realize that God never left you.”

  With amazing tenderness, he lowered his mouth to hers. Her eyes closed on a sigh, relishing the warmth of his lips on hers, the strength of his arms surrounding her. Her heart swelled to the bursting point with joy.

  “I love you, Nick Logan,” she whispered, silently vowing to one day be worthy of him, of the sacrifice he’d made for her. But in the meantime, she had a gift of her own. “That brings me to the reason I asked you here.”

  One golden eyebrow rose in question. “It does?”

  “Yes.” She rose and pulled him to his feet, a cloud of dust rising with them. “Since I’m partly responsible for you being without a career at the moment, I want to do something to help.” She pulled a folded paper from the pocket of her jeans. “So Chloe and I discussed it and we have something for you.” Anticipation tingled through her at the thought of the surprise she and Chloe had concocted.

  With a puzzled frown, he took the paper she handed him. She held her breath while he opened it and read the words. When he looked back at her, his expression was a mixture of stunned surprise and disbelief. “You’re giving me this house?”

  “Yes. To open your shelter.”

  She waited, her smile frozen in place. Outside, a car drove by, breaking the silence. He stood stock-still, staring down at the paper, his mouth a straight line. Slowly, he refolded the page and handed it back to her, a resigned expression shadowing his face. “I can’t let you do that.”r />
  “I…I don’t understand. Why not?” She thought he’d be overjoyed at the news—that one of his dreams could still come true.

  “It’s your inheritance. The only thing you have left from your parents. I can’t take that away from either one of you.”

  She grasped his hand in hers and pressed the paper back with a smile. “That’s not all our parents left us. Apparently they had a pretty sizeable nest egg, which has collected interest all these years. Chloe and I will each get a nice amount of money, so I can pay Tobias back and have more than enough to spare.”

  His mouth gaped open. “I had no idea…”

  “Chloe and I want to do this. And I’d like to help you run the shelter. Think of it as a partnership.”

  He hesitated a moment more, raking one hand over his jaw. “You’re sure?”

  “Absolutely.”

  An enormous smile broke out over his face and he grabbed her, swinging her up off her feet. She laughed out loud and wound her arms around his neck, joy filling her soul. The old saying was true. Giving was so much better than receiving.

  When he set her back on the ground, he kept his arms around her. “How can I ever thank you? Both of you.”

  The sight of tears in his eyes filled her with tenderness. She raised a hand to his cheek. “Just be happy.”

  He shook his head. “I can’t believe this.”

  “You’d better believe it.” She winked at him. “Now, how about we go share our news with the rest of the family?”

  “I’d like that.”

  And a little while later, as they walked down the steps of the Strickland house, hand in hand, Lily gave silent thanks for Nick’s persistence in loving her and for God’s persistence in bringing her home.

  Thank you for purchasing this White Rose Publishing title. For other inspirational stories, please visit our on-line bookstore at www.pelicanbookgroup.com.

  For questions or more information, contact us at customer@pelicanbookgroup.com.