She nodded at the woman. “I will.”
Eleanor gave her a brief smile. “I’ll see you at dinner.” With those words, she vanished down the hall.
Dinner came and went smoothly; there were peals of laughter from Evelyn and Andrew, and even Linda attended. They had roasted duck with all the trimmings. Plum jam and billowy rolls as well as baby lettuces stuffed with chicken and seasonings. There was no doubt Miss Jamie pulled out all the stops for Michael’s homecoming.
Michael was touched by the welcome he received from the entire staff. He counted himself lucky to have so many wonderful people who cared about him. Everyone except for one person who seemed to ignore him the entire evening. Michael tried gazing into Heather’s eyes, hoping to convey his deep appreciation for her with unspoken words. But the nurse acted as if he had never been to the hospital. He couldn’t help feeling something was wrong, and he was determined to find out what it was before the night was over. After the ice cream and mousse was served, Michael announced he was heading to his room to relax. Andrew volunteered to wheel him there and helped him settle in.
“Andrew, does Heather seem okay to you tonight?” he inquired.
“To be honest, I haven’t seen her other than at dinner. She does seem quiet though, that’s for sure.” Andrew set about putting everything his brother would need on the table next to his bed.
“You know, Andrew, I’m not an invalid. I can walk, you know. They’re just being over cautious.” Michael frowned as Andrew held out a bedpan to him. “I’m good man, really.” Andrew chuckled and bid his brother a good night.
“Andrew, can you please tell Evelyn I’d be the happiest father on earth if she would come say good night.”
“Will do brother.” Andrew exited the room, whistling a tune along the way.
After several minutes, Evelyn came barging into the room. The sight of her newfound energy brought a smile and tears to his eyes. She hopped onto the checkered comforter and climbed into the bed beside him.
“Daddy, do you like the picture that I painted for you? I mean, really like it?” She looked at him, seeking approval.
“I love it, Evelyn. I mean, look at those waves. If I didn’t know any better, I would say it was done by a professional.” He smiled at her gloating face.
“Now that you’re better, what activities would you like to do before it gets any colder outside? I know there’s gotta be something else you want to do, isn’t there?”
Evelyn thought for a moment before answering. “Well, I want to be able to have Thanksgiving here and have Grandma make turkey. She told me she always makes the best turkey and that you and Uncle Andrew used to fight over the legs, even though there were two of them.”
Michael laughed at the memory. “Yes, we did. Her turkey was always the best. We will ask Grandma about it. Now what else? What about something fun?”
“I want to take art classes. I think I’m old enough, and I want to learn more like Mommy used to do.” Evelyn gazed into his eyes as she waited for an answer.
Her eyes reminded Michael of Carla. He couldn’t recall the last time he had thought about her or even missed her. He smiled inside, knowing that he had finally let her go. His first love was in Heaven now, and he was thankful she had given him Evelyn to remind him of all the wonderful things she used to be.
“I can look into that for you, Evelyn, but won’t that hurt Heather’s feelings if you have a new teacher?” He rested a hand under her chin.
“Well, since she’s leaving, I don’t think we can have classes anymore, Daddy,” Evelyn said with a monotone voice.
Michael instantly felt like someone had used a dull butcher knife to carve out a hole in his heart.
“Who told you she was leaving, honey?” There was urgency to his voice.
Evelyn finished toying with the strings on the pillows and looked up at him. “She did, Daddy.” She pointed a finger toward Heather’s room. “This morning we sat down. Me, her, and Linda. We were all adults about it. I cried a little and so did Heather, but then I stopped. I told Heather that God puts us where He wants us. And that means she has to come back and live with us. Isn’t that right, Daddy?” she said, looking anxiously into his eyes.
Michael felt like a golf ball was lodged in his throat. The news about Heather’s departure hit him like a full speed metro train. Heather was leaving? How could the second woman he had ever loved and the only person to bring God into his daughter’s heart just leave on such short notice? She seemed so happy living here. The jumble of emotions brought a sharp pain to his stomach.
“It’s getting late, Daddy. I need to go to bed now. I have to get up early for new classes tomorrow.” Her lips turned down into a frown before she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. After giving him a hug, she hopped off the bed and headed toward the door. As she neared the doorway, she stopped and looked over her shoulder.
“Good night Daddy. I’m so glad you’re home.”
“Good night, sweetie.” A smile remained on Michael’s lips until she exited the room.
What is Heather thinking? How can she leave me ... leave us when everything is going so good. Michael’s head sank into the pillow as he closed his eyes to pray. The position seemed uncomfortably familiar, but he pressed on.
“Dear God, it’s been so long since I’ve talked to you. I know I’ve been so angry at you. I’m not sure what plans you have for my life, but I humbly stand here waiting for your guidance. You’ve brought someone special into my life, someone I’ve come to love just as much as Carla, if not more. But now it seems you’re taking her away from me, and I’m confused about what this all means. Please show me why you brought Heather into my life. I love her dearly, and I don’t know how I’m going to survive without her presence here. Amen”
After what seemed like only a minute later, a familiar sweet honeysuckle scent filled his nose, and he knew she was near. His eyes opened to see Heather standing in the doorway. She was dressed in a simple white dress with a square cut neck and slippers on her feet. Her natural beauty always struck an impression on him, and tonight was no exception. He watched as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and gave him a nervous smile.
Heather could tell by the look on Michael’s face that her secret plan had been exposed. The tension in the air was thicker than San Francisco fog. But there was no turning back, and she resolved to complete what she had started, whether or not Michael agreed with her decision. Heather took a deep breath and stepped back slightly before squaring her shoulders and moving forward into the room.
Chapter 7
“Michael ... I know it’s a surprise.” She moved toward his bed.
His forehead creased with disapproval as he swung his legs over the side of the bed and planted his feet firmly on the floor.
“Surprise? Heather, really? Is that why you think I’m upset?” His brows furrowed. “Why? That’s all I want to know. Why are you leaving? And when were you going to tell me? Were you going to just let me wake up one day and have someone else tell me ‘Oh, she’s moved on to another job?’” His frustration struck at her heart like a hammer with every word that escaped his lips.
“No, Michael, of course I wouldn’t do that to you. That’s the reason I came here tonight. I was going to let you know about my decision and that I believe God has told me it’s finally time to move on. I’ve finished my duties here, and Evelyn is doing much better. I’m not needed here anymore.” Heather tried to hold the tide of emotions trying to break free of her heart.
“Not needed here anymore?” Michael narrowed his eyes as he leaned forward. “But ... but there will be other things I need you for.”
Heather gave him a puzzled glance. “Like what? I thought my role was to stay until Evelyn became well. She’s doing much better isn’t she?”
“Why yes, she’s doing much better. I just thought ...” his voice trailed off as his mind searched for a plausible excuse to make her stay.
“Thought what?” Heather peered intently
into his eyes as she waited anxiously for his response.
Michael shook his head and looked away. “Nothing. Never mind. You have to go where God leads you. It’s just that ...” His voice cracked.
“Yes ...” Heather took a step closer to the bed as her pulse beat faster.
Without warning, Michael grabbed her wrist and placed her hand on his chest. Then he sucked in a breath and let the words flow freely from his lips.
“Do you feel that Heather? That’s my heart. It’s racing, and it’s broken at the same time. I haven’t had the courage to tell you how I really feel, but I want you to stay; I don’t want you to go. Don’t stay for Evelyn or anyone else. Stay for me ... please.” His eyes gazed longingly into hers.
“Michael, stop ...” Heather felt her knees begin to weaken. She pulled her hand away and retreated a step.
Michael pressed on. “Tell me you don’t feel the same way, Heather. Tell me you don’t love me the way I love you ... and I’ll let you go.” He reached out a second time and pulled her hand with more urgency as he looked into her eyes.
Heather could feel the strength in his fingers, signaling the unspoken passion he felt for her. Her gaze dropped to the floor as she tried to conceal her tears.
You can’t do this, Heather. You can’t risk a broken heart. Remember, there’s no such thing as true love.
Without saying a word, she wrestled her hand free and stumbled toward the door. His voice stopped her just as she passed the threshold.
“Stop, Heather.” His tone was serious. “You can’t deny the chemistry between us. I know you feel this between us. Say it ... Just say you don’t love me ... and only then will I let you go.”
Heather stood motionless as she kept her gaze toward the hallway and drew in a deep breath. Why did loving Michael make it hard to breath? She felt like someone had cinched an ultra firm corset around her chest. Wasn’t love supposed to set her heart free? Wasn’t it supposed to make her feel giddy and on top of the world? All Heather knew was that she was suffocating. After what seemed like hours, she finally choked the words past the lump in her throat. “Michael, I ... I can’t do this...” Heather couldn’t muster the courage to look him in the eyes.
“I don’t love you, Michael.” Her voice sounded emotionless, almost heartless. But each word stung like alcohol on an open wound. She could see the devastation in his eyes and knew the damage had been done. Knowing she had ripped his heart out brought an unbearable guilt to her conscience. But she couldn’t weaken now. There was no turning back. With a final sigh, she closed the doors of her heart and vanished out the room leaving Michael slumped over in his bed with nothing but his tears to comfort him.
Heather hurried down the hall toward her room, never looking once over her shoulder. Her willpower was as fragile as a sheet of thin ice, and all it would take was one look back, one tiny glance over her shoulder, and the battle would be lost. Michael would win and she would never go. Heather determined not to give in. When she reached her room, she began tossing the clothes she had arrived with into her suitcase. She didn’t have time to pack everything, but the driver could bring the rest of her belongings to her new assignment in San Diego. For now, she needed to leave.
Once she finished packing, Heather made her way quietly downstairs and out to her car. Before loading her belongings, she turned and took one final glance at the Robbins residence. The house that had given her a lifetime of memories, memories she would never forget. Her eyes began to water as the reality of her final decision set in.
“Good-bye my love ...” She savored those words, knowing they would be the closing chapter to what had been a dream story. A story that had ended too quickly and left an empty feeling in her heart. With one last sigh, Heather climbed into her unassuming car and started the journey toward her new life.
The light of what would have been a romantic moon blessed her departure as her car made its way down the familiar road that had once welcomed her to paradise. As she rounded the last bend in the road, she could see the gates to the estate within one hundred feet.
I’m almost there.
Even though Heather would soon be free of the painful reminders of the man she couldn’t have, she couldn’t help feeling regret for losing the special relationship she had built with Evelyn. The two had developed an intimate bond, one that resembled a healthy mother-daughter relationship. One she would never forget. Without warning, a strange rattling noise from under the hood of her car interrupted her thoughts, causing her to slow to a stop.
“No, not now, please car, not now,” she said as she pounded the steering wheel with the heel of her hand.
Her car had been experiencing sporadic engine problems, and now when she needed it the most, it chose to fail her. Heather stole a glance toward the house, her mind desperately searching for a way to make her escape before her heart could convince her to stay. In a moment of frustration, she kicked the side of the car as she held back tears of frustration.
God, why are you making this more difficult than it has to be? Are you testing my ability to resist Michael?
Heather’s shoulders slouched with resignation. Why were her emotions getting the best of her? It wasn’t like her to be this upset, especially over one ordinary man. But a part of her couldn’t deny the fact that she saw him as more than ordinary and that he had indelibly etched a special place in her heart. Something no other man had ever done.
She surveyed the landscape around her and spotted the church. Heather felt a strong tugging as if the Holy Spirit was leading her to revisit the quaint chapel one last time.
As she made her way across the neatly manicured lawn, a shadow of movement along the tree line caught her attention. Heather stopped midstride as the familiar surge of epinephrine coursed through her body. Instinctively, she took a small step backwards. Icy fingers of fear crept down her spine as her gut told her something was wrong, terribly wrong.
Had The Cove Thief been watching every minute of her escape? Was he coming back to complete the mission he had originally set out to do?
Before she could react, a lone figure holding a large object approached the driveway. Heather began to panic. She needed help immediately. There was no way she could ward off the attacker by herself, and there was no time for her to grab a weapon.
She no longer cared if her departure would be discovered by Michael. The only thing that mattered now was her personal safety. Heather opened her mouth to scream. The mansion seemed so far away, and she knew it would take every inch of her vocal cords to waken someone from their deep sleep. But before any sound could escape her lips, she recognized Henry as he emerged from the woods with a small animal dangling from a steel trap around its neck. She exhaled the tension from her body.
When his gaze landed on Heather, he abruptly changed course and headed in her direction.
“Well, well, Miss Parks, how’re you doing?” He sauntered up to her with an arrogant stride and spit crudely on the ground.
“Mr. Phillips,” Heather said with tension in her voice as her feet shuffled closer to her car. “W-What ... brings you out tonight?” Heather could feel a lump swell in the back of her throat.
“Oh me? I’m just wrapping up a few things ...” He gestured toward his prize catch. “Seems some possum’s been making a mess of the garden, and I was hoping to relocate the darn thing to the woods, away from the house. But seems like he got himself stuck in one of these things before I could get to ’em. Unfortunate, but makes my job easier.” A sadistic smile spread across his face, revealing his black stained teeth. “Question is, why you are out here so late?” His eyes narrowed as he studied her face.
“I needed some fresh air, that’s all.” She forced a thin smile on her lips.
He spit again and dragged a dirty hand across his lips. “Seems to me you’re in an awful hurry, but I reckon that being locked up in that big house all the time would make ya want to leave. Linda was just telling me the other day how much she hates being here.” His lips pr
essed tightly together.
In that instant, Heather realized that Mr. Phillips was the man Linda had been seeing. An uncomfortable pain began to grow in her stomach. If Mr. Phillips was her new boyfriend, Heather knew he had to have been the one to hit Linda. Her legs began to tremble.
“So, tell me, has Linda said anything about me? I know we’ve been through some hard times lately, but the last few days she just seems to be avoiding me, and I don’t understand why.”
Heather tried to keep her fear in check. “No, she hasn’t. As a matter of fact, I didn’t even know you two were seeing each other.” Her voice began to shake as her mind searched desperately for a way of escape. If he found out about her car, she would be even more vulnerable. Although he was acting respectfully, something about the gardener made her feel uneasy. Her gaze drifted to the thick scars on the palm of his hands.
“I see you looking at my hands, Miss Parks.” He turned his palm up, exposing deep scars that ran across the width of his hand. “It’s just a part of my childhood. I never thought in a million years I would be able to use my hands again to make a living.” He shrugged his shoulders and let his hand fall to his side.
“You know what, Miss Parks, you remind me of my Aunt Tilda. I couldn’t place it before, but yep, you sure do look like her.” He smiled at her. “She always was my favorite aunt when I was a boy. She was always watching out for me, I guess.”
He studied the asphalt for a long second before looking back up. “I guess that’s why I talk to you so much. It’s just like when I was a kid; you make it so easy for me to share. One time, I remember my father had been drinking, and my mom, well, she was ‘out’. He came home from the bar that night and started breathin’ down my neck about school and grades. I must’ve been about twelve years old. I didn’t say a word to him and just went to my room. I remember having to go to the bathroom real bad. I held it until I felt like I would explode and then I crept out of my room to go to the bathroom down the hall. When I opened the door to my room, there he was, stone drunk.”
Beyond a Broken Dream Page 5