Michael shook his head with confusion. He didn’t know if he fully believed her. Her actions around him suggested otherwise, and when he kissed her that one night, her lips never resisted, but seemed to yearn for more.
But now there was no sense in debating something beyond his control. Heather had left like a thief in the night, without so much as the decency to give him a proper good-bye. And even though it caused him a lifetime of grief, he couldn’t find it in his heart to hold a grudge against her. He knew Heather must have had a good reason for leaving so suddenly, especially when she knew how it would affect Evelyn.
He had to trust that God needed her in a special place and that everything would work out in the end. Michael’s face was lost in thought as he watched the ball of fire dance next to the orange yellow horizon. He couldn’t count the number of times he had watched the setting sun in solitude, secretly wishing for the perfect companion to share it with. And even though it seemed as if his unfulfilling days as a bachelor would soon be over, he couldn’t fight the uneasy feeling that married life with Cynthia would be no different.
Thoughts of the impending wedding caused his shoulder muscles to tighten.
Why am I doing this? Just because my friends think she has aristocratic qualities?
Michael tried to suppress the frustration growing inside. While a noble woman with money was a desirable quality to his friends and family, it was the beauty within that he treasured the most. And the only woman he knew who possessed those qualities in abundance was Heather. She was a wellspring of joy and enthusiasm that infected everyone she came into contact with, including him.
He didn’t care about the fact that she didn’t hail from a stately upbringing or lived a humble life. It was her calm spirit and unselfish demeanor that drew him like a moth to a flame. There were so many questions whirling around in his mind, and he needed a peaceful place like the gardens to reflect and seek God’s counsel. Only God could heal his heart and bathe it in the waters of heavenly peace.
He exited the study and made his way through the quiet house and into the kitchen. As he prepared to pull open the patio door, Linda entered without warning.
“Hi Linda, what a surprise to see you. I haven’t seen you much around the house. I hope things are going well for you.” He gave her a heartfelt smile.
Linda returned his greeting with a pensive smile. “Everything’s been good, Mr. Robbins.” She hesitated for a moment as her eyes drifted to the floor. “Actually, Mr. Robbins, I’m afraid I’m going to have to put in my two weeks’ notice.” Her eyes remained fixed to the ground as she wrung her hands nervously behind her back.
A frown formed on Michael’s face as he sensed the tension in Linda’s voice.
“Linda, come on over and let’s talk for a second.” He closed the patio door and ushered her inside, taking note of her pensive gaze around the room as she entered. “It’s okay. No one is here except for me and you, so why don’t you tell me what’s wrong?” The corners of his mouth drew up into an understanding smile.
“Oh, Mr. Robbins, it’s just that, well, I had a new boyfriend, the gardener, Mr. Phillips.”
Michael’s brow lifted subtly as he remained quiet.
“He was so nice when he first arrived. He would take me out, and he was so sweet; he helped me get over ...” She blushed and stopped abruptly but then swallowed and continued, “Now it’s different. I ended it a month ago, but he just keeps showing up and ... well, now I’m just scared. I’m so grateful for everything you’ve done for me, Mr. Robbins, I truly am. But I think it would be better if I just left.”
Michael’s eyes widened at her words, and he couldn’t help noticing her shaking hands. Without hesitation, he reached out and wrapped his hand around hers.
“Linda, you have been here over what, seven, eight years now? Do you really think I would ever make you leave over someone who has only been here for six months? Absolutely not. If Mr. Phillips is causing you any kind of trouble, he needs to leave immediately.” Michael gazed intently into her eyes. “You’re too valuable to me to let you walk away so easily. I’ll talk to Phillips in the morning and give him one month’s severance pay. That should be enough for him to leave quietly.”
“You’d do that for me?” Linda said with energy in her voice.
“Of course, you’ve done so much for me and Evelyn; that’s the least I can do to repay you.
“Oh, Mr. Robbins. I don’t know what to say,” Linda blurted as she wrapped her arms around Michael and squeezed tightly.
“Say you’ll stay.” Michael patted her gently on the back.
“I’ll stay.” Linda brushed a hand across her eyes.
Seconds later, he helped Linda gain her feet.
“Everything’s going to be okay, Linda. I’ll take care of Henry. Soon everything will be back to normal.”
“I sure hope so. It was killing me whenever I had to think about moving.”
“There’s no need to worry. Go get a good night’s rest. Tomorrow will be the beginning of a new day at the Robbins household.”
“Thanks, Michael ... I mean Mr. Robbins.” Linda’s face flushed a faded color of pink as she turned and headed down the walkway.
Michael watched Linda’s back grow smaller as she sauntered back to the silent house. He was almost sure he could detect a cry of joy just before she entered the house. His heart ached for the nanny, knowing she had been living for months under a dark shadow of fear. Linda had been of the most dedicated employees he had ever hired and sometimes acted like a second mother to Evelyn.
Many times, he regretted not rewarding her enough for always coming through for him. If it was one thing Michael prided himself on, it was making sure every one of his employees were treated valuably. And it was only natural they returned the favor by dedicating their lives to serve his family’s needs. The least he could do was make sure they lived comfortably and without worry.
Now that he knew one of his staff members had violated that atmosphere of trust and tranquility, he needed to deal with it swiftly and justly. He couldn’t let Harry get away with harassing Linda, and first thing in the morning, he would see to the gardener’s immediate dismissal.
Michael was so deeply absorbed in his thoughts, planning how to confront Harry that he didn’t notice a dark shadow lurking behind a tall bush. A shadow that quickly vanished under the cover of darkness and into the night.
Chapter 13
Later that evening, Michael settled into bed and tried to calm his anxious mind by watching a criminal investigation show on his large flat screen TV. But no matter how hard he tried, most nights he couldn’t erase the image of Heather’s sweet face as it played like a repeat movie in his mind. He actually felt at peace during his dreams, enjoying every interaction he shared with the nurse. But when he awoke, they were painful reminders of what he had lost.
Tonight, he felt especially agitated and alone. Maybe it was because he missed Evelyn’s presence after being gone for so long. Or maybe God was speaking to his heart, telling him he needed Heather in his life. He tried flipping through several channels to distract his mind, but nothing interested him. Michael pressed the off button on the remote and decided the only way he could forget about Heather and get a good night’s rest was to double up on his sleep supplement.
Taking medications went against his motto of living a pure and healthy lifestyle. But the empty dreams about Heather were more than his heart could bear, and his physician had warned him about potential health risks if he didn’t get a fitful night’s sleep. After struggling with the issue for weeks, Michael finally gave in to his doctor’s suggestion just so he could function during the day. The pace at work had picked up, and he needed to stay sharp for the recent flurry of demanding negotiations.
He reached for the brown bottle of sleep aid that his doctor had prescribed and placed two tablets on the back of his tongue before washing them down with a bottle of water.
His doctor had been right. Obsessing over Heath
er was slowly killing him, and he couldn’t accept the bleak outlook of living life without her.
Michael, you need her in your life.
The voice was faint, almost imperceptible. He glanced around the room, thinking someone was playing a practical joke. But he saw nothing out of the ordinary.
Is God speaking to me? Is He telling me that she was the one destined for my life?
Michael felt a spark of hope rise up within.
Was this a test of his faith? Was God testing the limits of his love for the woman?
A plan began to form in the corners of his mind as the fingers of sleep gently pulled him from his consciousness. Yes, the more he thought about it, the more excited he became. Heather had been the only woman he had ever loved so deeply after Carla had passed. And nothing, not even a California earthquake could stop him from winning her heart and making her his beautiful wife. Deep down inside, he knew she loved him. The signs were there, and he was willing to bet his entire fortune that Heather wanted to marry him but was too afraid of her emotions.
A relaxed grin spread across his face. His plan had to work. Tomorrow, Evelyn would arrive home, and he would set off to San Diego immediately and find Heather. Maybe then he could pour out his heart to her and get her to realize that deep down she loved him too. And once she opened her heart to him, he would seize the opportunity to ask her to share the rest of her life with him.
Michael’s body trembled with nervous energy but soon settled down as the supplement began to course through his body. Yes, his plan had to work. He felt an unshakable confidence that God was on his side, and his future love life looked promising. Soon he would be reunited with the woman of his dreams, and his heart would be complete.
A blanket of peace comforted him as the shadows of sleep played with his mind, beckoning him to a place without emotional pain or anxiety. The last thing he remembered was a picture of a tiny glass chapel overlooking the Pacific Ocean and a happy couple as they walked arm in arm down the aisle.
It seemed like hours since Michael had witnessed his own wedding. The faded memory of that special moment seemed so real ... so perfect. Yet he couldn’t fight the growing suspicion it had all been a fantasy, or even worse, a cruel hoax his subconscious had played on his mind.
Is Satan trying to torture me for letting God back into my life? Or is God telling me that Heather is destined to be my soul mate?
It seemed his dream left him with more questions than answers, especially when it ended so suddenly before he could lift the veil of his bride. Had it been Heather? Or was it Cynthia?
Michael stirred in his bed, his eyelids fluttering as he struggled to pull himself from the bondage of his drug induced sleep. What had awakened him from his dream? Was it a noise? Had someone broken into the house?
The questions floated around in his mind like sheep circling in the clouds. Was he imagining things? Was his mind drifting into another reverie, or possibly a nightmare?
Get up, Michael, you need to get up. Something’s wrong.
Michael struggled to pull his eyelids open, but they felt as if they were glued shut by a mischievous troll in the middle of the night. Even lifting Evelyn with one hand seemed a much easier feat than forcing his eyes open.
Get up now. There’s danger in your room. You have to warn the others.
Michael summoned every muscle in his upper eyelid, his brain firing multiple commands to open his eyes to the danger at hand.
It was only when a bitter, charred scent assaulted his senses that his brain recognized something was terribly wrong, something that threatened his life and the safety of his household.
Adrenaline shot through Michael’s body, combating every molecule of sleep medication in his bloodstream. His body stirred with more agitation as he finally yanked one lid open.
His eye tried to focus on the blurry wall of red and orange rays that licked the ceiling in front of his balcony door. Seconds later his brain registered what was happening.
Fire! There’s fire in my room!
Michael forced his other eye open. His gaze shot toward the thick ceiling of black smoke as it loomed closer, threatening to suffocate every bronchial tube in his lungs. The situation was critical, and every second he wasted meant he was that much closer to leaving his family and Heather behind.
God, please help me! I can’t die now.
Michael moved like a drunken man as he wrestled to get out of bed. Every limb in his body felt like a wet bag of sand. In his desperation to escape, his ankle twisted as he landed off balance on the oak floor. A cry of pain escaped his lips, but there was no time to nurse his wound. Every second counted, and he needed to reach the bedroom door and flee to safety. Michael only hoped the others were safe.
His brain operated like a car on a New York’s winter morning as it struggled to fire every working neuron in his brain.
Get out!
Michael’s gaze bounced toward the bedroom door. He was only twenty feet to safety, and everything would be okay. Whatever destruction the fire caused, it didn’t matter to him. The imported hardwood veneer paneling, his fine desk imported from Italy, and his rare Chinese oriental rug. They were only material things that could easily be replaced. But nothing could replace the years of memories he hoped to build with Evelyn and Heather.
His jaw muscles clenched from the sharp pain in his ankle as he stumbled toward the solid wood door leading to safety.
“Reagan, Miss Jamie, Linda!” he yelled above the roar of the inferno that now engulfed the entire ceiling.
His hand reached out for the brass door handle, and a sigh of relief escaped his lips. Whatever started the fire in his bedroom, he was determined to have the fire captain determine the cause when it was extinguished. And if arson was involved, he would see to it that the culprit would be punished to the full extent of the law.
He stole one final glance over his shoulder, taking in the firestorm that now threatened to consume him. Michael was thankful that something or someone had woken him in the nick of time.
His hand twisted the knob, knowing that safety was on the other side of the door. But the knob wouldn’t budge. A ripple of fear traveled down his spine as he caught his breath.
His hand shook the knob frantically several more times, hoping the cylinder would dislodge, but nothing budged as if the handle had been jammed shut.
Had someone sabotaged the door and trapped him inside?
The thick cloud of smoke forced him to close his eyes as he searched in desperation for the lock button. But it was nowhere to be found. His breathing became shallower as his lungs struggled to take in some air as if someone had filled them with sand, making it nearly impossible to breathe.
Where had the lock button gone? Had someone tampered with the locks to his room?
Michael slammed his fist into the door, hoping someone could hear him.
“Help, anyone out there; Reagan, I’m trapped in here.”
Michael kicked the door several more times, hoping that brute force would solve his crisis. But nothing seemed to work.
His body shook violently as he coughed uncontrollably from the carbon deposits that infiltrated his lungs. He pulled his cotton shirt over his nose, hoping it would filter out the poisonous gases. But nothing could change the feeling he was sucking air through a straw.
Michael’s back grew hotter as the seven foot flames crept closer, and he only had precious minutes to figure a plan of escape or else he would wake up to the pearly gates of heaven without his family.
God, please save me. I can’t die this young. Evelyn needs me. I’m supposed to have a future with Heather.
Michael began to feel lightheaded and disoriented as the cloud of smoke rushed into his lungs, starving his brain of oxygen. His body collapsed against the door, his knees buckling as his brain teetered on the edge of unconsciousness. For a split second, Michael swore he heard the sound of muffled voices outside his room. Was it Linda, Reagan, or Ms. Jamie? Had they heard his earlier cries for
help?
His parched mouth opened to cry out for help, hoping that someone would come to his rescue before the firestorm consumed him and turned his body into an oversized sack of coal. But no one outside his door heard a cry for help. The last thing Michael remembered was an ear shattering roar before a shroud of darkness took him to an unknown place, a place that knew no happiness, no pain and no love.
Chapter 14
Heather studied the calendar app on her phone, taking note of how busy her schedule seemed for the next two days before leaving for France. She was thankful that her client Olivia had been so understanding, even to the point of offering her blessings on Heather’s new opportunity. The mother even went so far as to throw her a party, inviting many of her women friends from church.
Since the surprise call from the SNA program, Heather’s life seemed like one big blur, and sometimes she wondered if it were all just a dream. One day she was caring for a young boy in San Diego, and two weeks later, she would be in France expanding her nursing skills. When Heather first heard the good news, she thanked God for answering her prayers. It seemed her life was headed for a new adventure, one that would bring her new experiences, new friends, and allow her more time to forget about her feelings for Michael.
But a part of her couldn’t deny the empty hole in her heart that threatened to suck every ounce of enthusiasm she felt about France. The talks in the study and the times they shared in the gardens, Heather wanted to forget about all of them. But the images kept floating in her mind like a carousel ride without a time limit. Was it possible for her to forget about the only man that had touched her heart? Could she live a happy and fulfilled life knowing her soul mate was over five thousand miles away in another country?
Heather forced a breath from her lungs. Only one person would know what she was capable of and what was best for her, and that was God. And in her haste to do anything to drive Michael out of her mind and life, she had forgotten to trust in the Almighty, forgetting that He knew what was best for her life. Heather bowed her head and prayed.
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