Family in His Heart (10 page)

“Hugged me?” Her heart revved into a fast gear.

He nodded. “Do you mind?”

Being held in Nick’s arms had been her dream. She shook her head and moved forward. “I don’t mind at all.”

He opened his arms and she stepped into his embrace. He drew her closer and lowered his face into her hair.

She felt his shoulders relax and his tension subside as they stood together in silence. Rona tightened her arms around him, her mind soaring as warning signals flashed. She closed her mind to the warning, then drew in the scent of wind in his hair and the touch of his hand against her back. Nick needed to be loved by his son.

Everyone needed to be loved.

F
riday, Rona consulted her schedule and cleaned the upper rooms of the house—Nick’s office, a guest bedroom and Gary’s room. She’d discovered one large room over the downstairs storage room that would make a perfect game room for Gary. Nick had mentioned wanting to find things to do with his son and buying a foosball table or a pool table might be just the thing.

But her grand thoughts of creating a room for Gary and his friends vanished when she cleaned his room and found a book of matches and some cigarette ashes dropped on the carpet. She didn’t remember seeing a friend at the house, so she had to assume the ashes were Gary’s. Along with drinking, he’d added smoking to his list of negative behaviors.

Maybe Nick was right. Being the housekeeper put her in a bad position, not only dealing with Gary, but trying to decide what to do about the things she stumbled on that she’d have to tell his father.

Rona set the problem on a shelf. Giving it time might be the best. Now that Gary had gotten into trouble with the law, he might be more thoughtful about his behavior. Rona hoped she’d see a change. If she could talk to the previous housekeeper, she’d be able to ask what she’d run into and what she did about it. Nothing, she guessed, since Nick hadn’t mentioned Gary’s smoking or drinking until the accident had brought it to his attention.

She stored her cleaning gear and pulled a soft drink from the refrigerator. Tomorrow she’d work in the family room and tackle some laundry. Today her work was done, except for preparing dinner.

After setting her drink on the table. Rona wandered to the family room, standing between the two large columns that served as the room’s entrance. The archway was different and appealing. On the first day she’d arrived, Rona had admired this large room. It appeared lived-in and purposeful. She liked the serving bar that connected the room to the kitchen and the fireplace bordered by two windows.

She stepped through the columns and walked around the room, stopping at the fireplace mantel. She noticed the furniture needed dusting and so did the fireplace. Her gaze drifted along the mantel, admiring the candlesticks, then seeing photos of Gary when he was younger and one of Gary and Nick. Her gaze faltered over a spot that was dust free—the size of a picture frame. She speculated, but let it drop.

She moved to the window and looked outside into the spacious backyard surrounded by trees, dark leaves and some flowering branches that gave the landscape an ethereal glow.

For the first time, she spotted a lovely old secretary desk. She lowered the lid and eyed the pigeon holes with flowery note paper and feminine trinkets. Jill’s desk. She eyed the envelopes, longing to read the letters, then forced herself to close the lid. Instead, she pulled open the drawer. An address book lay to one side and a photograph turned facedown rested beside it.

Curious, she lifted the frame and her heart plummeted. An attractive woman with a bright smile looked at her. Jill. She could see Gary’s face, except for his coloring. Jill had reddish blond hair and Gary’s was more a light brown like his dad’s.

Feeling uncomfortable looking through Jill’s desk, she replaced the photograph and closed the door. Nick must have put it inside, but why? She stood a moment, trying to find reasons, then let it go.

When Nick and Gary arrived home, she’d deal with dinner. Until then, her time was her own. She left the house and hurried back to her apartment.

Nick caught the mooring lines and tied them to the piling, then bounded off the dock and took Rona’s stairs two at a time. He rapped on the door and when she didn’t answer, he realized she was probably in the house.

He’d nearly reached the bottom step when her door opened.

“Nick?”

He pivoted on one foot and darted back up the stairs, unable to control his smile.

Rona’s face was knitted with a question and he didn’t wait to be invited in. He grasped the screen door handle and darted inside. “I can’t believe how things have gone.” He drew her into his arms and spun her around before he could stop himself. She’d felt like a feather in his grasp.

When he lowered her to the ground, Rona gazed at him wide-eyed. “I hope this is good news.”

Nick laughed at her playful comment. “It is.” He’d been about to apologize for the exuberant spin, but her flushed face and playful comment canceled his need to say anything.

She clasped her hands together. “So tell me.”

“Guess where Gary found work.”

Her brows bent to a thoughtful frown. “Church?”

“No.” He couldn’t help but chuckle. “Harbor Inn.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Bernie needed a busboy and part-time dishwasher. He starts tomorrow afternoon. Pastor called my cell and invited Gary to put in some volunteer hours there in the morning.”

She grasped his arm. “Work and church all on one day?”

“They have a spring-cleaning project going at the church.” He pressed his hand against hers. “You know what? Things couldn’t have worked out better.”

Rona looked at his hand and eased hers away. “I’m sure you’re relieved. That’s good news.”

As she stepped back, Nick got the message. He’d moved too quickly. Not wanting to scare her away, he had to control himself and slow down. These unexpected sensations had been overwhelming and new to him. He’d tried to decipher what had made a difference since Rona appeared in his life.

Why had he been so drawn to her? She had been friendly, nothing more, but maybe, just maybe—All he could do was hope and pray for God’s guidance. If she never had feelings for him—The possibility smacked against his chest. Still, he wasn’t ready to give up. All good things took work and patience.

The thought made him think of his son. That was another place he needed to put his effort without being discouraged.

“I’d better go back. I need to spend time with Gary.”

“You do,” she said, stepping toward the door.

He followed with his mind swaying between the relationship with his son and with Rona. He turned back to her. “But tomorrow Gary’s busy all day. What do you say about a boat lesson?”

She backed away, her face draining of color. “I—I’m so nervous.” She fiddled with the collar of her flowery blouse.

“You don’t want to be stranded here, do you?”

Her eyes dart from side to side before she looked at him. “No, but I keep hoping that—”

“What?” Seeing her expression, he had to comment. “That a boat chauffeur would always show up to take you to town?”

She laughed, too. “Yes, but that would be you, I guess, or Gary, and I know that’s not always possible.” She lifted her shoulders and let them plop. “Okay. Since I must, tomorrow’s as good a time as any.”

He gave her arm a squeeze, recalling how he’d just held her so close in the giddy unexpected spin. “We’ll make a day of it.”

“But what about the house?”

He chucked her under the chin. “Everyone needs a day off. It’ll be fun.” He opened the door and bounded down the steps, his heart surging with adventure and hope.

Saturday morning, Rona changed clothes three times before she found something to wear. She’d dressed in shorts, then felt too exposed. Her boss was showing her how to maneuver the boat, not sun on the beach. Her jeans seemed too casual. She cleaned house in those. Finally she settled on royal-blue Capri pants and a blue-and-red striped top—not nautical exactly, but as close as she could get.

Nick had taken Gary to town for the day and she expected him back soon. Her breakfast had been cereal she’d had to force down and Rona couldn’t tell if it was excitement or fear of running the boat that motivated her edginess.

She leaned against the window, looking out at the lake and eyed the distance. No boat heading this way. She sank into the edge of a chair, listening for the sound of the motor and chastising herself for being so ridiculous.

Rona was confident Nick liked her, she had no question about that. He seemed comfortable talking with her and even getting playful. Yesterday, when he’d grasped her and spun her around, her feet had lifted from the floor and he’d set her down before she knew what had happened. Though he’d startled her, she guessed he’d startled himself. Still, she’d enjoyed the strength of his arms around her and seeing him really happy for once.

Rona pictured his exuberance, remembering that her longing to find someone like Nick had grown. No, it had nothing to do with finding someone like Nick. She longed to have Nick fall in love with her. The whole idea was preposterous and impossible. She’d never fit into his world, and he’d never respect her once he’d learned about her problems back home.

So often she relived the scene. Don’s request had seemed so simple. “Hey, sis,” he said, in his manipulative way, “if you give me a ride to Eastpointe, I can give you back the money I borrowed.” Her brother had borrowed so much money from her and the ride had seemed simple enough.

The big question popped from her mouth. “Where are you getting that kind of money?”

He’d given her one of those “don’t ask” looks and finally tossed his hands in the air. “I bet on the numbers. It paid out big.”

She shook her head. “The numbers, Don. Is that where all the money I’ve loaned you has gone?”

He waved her question away. “One ride and I’ll pay you back.”

She’d given in, and her life fell apart from there. She’d been conned by the best con man she knew. Don.

A motor hummed below her and Rona twisted on the seat and looked down toward the water. Nick tied up the boat and before she could find her shoulder bag, he’d reached her door.

“Ready?” he asked through the screen.

Seeing his good looks, her voice caught in her throat. She nodded, then stepped onto the landing beside him and pulled the door closed.

Each day his tan deepened and today his honey-bronze skin glowed a little more. His brown hair had taken on sunny highlights, but the same twinkle brightened his eyes. She’d loved that twinkle from the first day they’d met.

She reached for the door key and Nick covered her hand.

“Who’s going to break in on an island? It makes people feel safer maybe, but I just don’t bother. It’s wasted effort.”

She eyed the key, then slipped it back into her purse. He was right, but she wondered if she’d ever feel totally safe.

Nick motioned her down the steps, but when they reached the ground, instead of stepping onto the planks, Nick opened the side door into the boathouse. The shadow inside sent a damp chill across her arms.

“We’re taking the runabout,” Nick said stepping inside.

Runabout. Not the big speedboat. A whisper of relief whooshed past her. When she stepped into the gloom, blue water twinkled at her from the open end of the covering. She thought about her cozy apartment above this dank space, but it didn’t dim her appreciation. No matter what was below her, the sun shone above.

The idea spread over her and prodded her optimism. No matter how gloomy her life had seemed, sunny days waited around the corner. She thought of the Lord in heaven looking down on her and shaking His head while asking how long, my child, did it take you to realize that I am here?

“Rona?”

His voice jerked her attention to the boat.

“Step in.” He gave her a look as if asking where she’d been.

For that fleeting moment, she didn’t know. She felt as if a voice had spoken to her and the whole idea muddled her. Nick offered her his hand and she clasped it as she stepped into the smaller boat. His hand gave her confidence, but he let go and flagged her forward.

“Sit at the wheel.”

She looked ahead to the opening into the lake. He wanted her to steer the boat out of the boathouse. She’d knock down the walls.

Rona gave him a questioning look, a helpless look, she was sure. He only grinned and nodded. She inched her way to the steering wheel, realizing for the first time the wheel was opposite from a car. The boat rocked beneath her feet and she plonked into the seat.

“Good,” he said, untying the final rope and stepping inside. He settled beside her and leaned closer, pointing to the shift control. “It’s in Neutral, so push the starter.”

Rona followed the direction of his finger to the button and pressed it. The motor kicked over and made a soft putt-putt noise. She looked at Nick for direction and he leaned across her and explained how the throttle and choke worked. From the passenger seat, he demonstrated how to shift forward.

When they began to move, to her relief, Nick turned the steering wheel away from the pier, then through the opening into the water.

“Now adjust the throttle,” he said.

Rona edged it upward.

He leaned back. “It’s time you take the wheel,” he said, motioning her to take over.

She did as he asked, and he rested his hand on hers, guiding the wheel in one direction and then another. “See what happens? It’s like the speedboat, but easier because it’s smaller.”

“It is,” she said, distracted by the feel of his hand against hers. The sun beat on her skin and the scent of water and sun mixed with Nick’s musky aftershave. Her stomach tightened with the sensation.

“Now you take it alone.” Nick lowered his hand but remained so close her arm swept against his when she moved the wheel.