Family in His Heart (14 page)

“You’re married?”

She shook her head. “My husband died. He was a drunk, too.”

His expression filled with a question. “You’re just saying this.”

Rona raised her hand. “Scout’s honor.” Then wondering if he knew what that meant, she added, “Really. It was a bad life. That’s what makes me sad when I see you and your dad so distant. You both deserve better.”

Gary glanced outside without saying anything. “I’d better go out and—” he swung his hand toward the doorway “—and get Amy.”

“Will you take the basket?”

“I’ll be back.” He opened the door. “Can you pick me up tomorrow night? Dad said he’s going to some kind of meeting on the island.”

“Sure. What’s happening tomorrow?”

“The church is having a party for the youth volunteers. Pizza and stuff. I figured I might as well go.”

Hearing that, Rona’s pulse jogged. “I’d be happy to.”

“I’m going to ask Dad if I can spend the night with Randy. He can drop me off at work in the morning.”

Church. Randy. He’d given her so much information, especially about his feelings. “Check with your dad.”

He nodded and stepped outside.

Rona held her breath, praying this was something good happening. Nick may have been right. Getting into trouble, then getting back with his old friends at church may have been one of God’s blessings.

Now that she thought about it, her trouble had brought her here, too. Maybe God had planned for her to meet Nick so He could give her an unbelievable blessing.

“G
reat lunch,” Nick said, pushing away his plate. He eyed Gary, noticing he hadn’t scarfed down his food as usual and that Amy had only picked at hers. “Aren’t you two going swimming?”

Although he’d planned this picnic for his son, Gary seemed to be in a dreamworld. Gary loved to swim, and his reticence concerned Nick. After a moment, Nick asked again, trying to understand what was going on.

Gary eyed Amy. “Are you gonna swim?”

Amy gave a vague shrug and looked away, while Nick tried to figure out what was going on.

Gary swung his legs over the bench, focusing on Amy. “I’m gonna run for a few minutes. If you decide you want to swim, let me know.” He pulled his T-shirt over his head and dropped it on the bench.

As Gary darted off, Nick opened his mouth, ready to warn him about eating and swimming, but Gary had eaten so little that it probably didn’t matter. Anyway, he remembered reading somewhere that doctors now thought eating and swimming was not a problem.

He drew back, wondering what had happened to his attitude. He’d brought Gary here hoping for some family time, but it appeared he’d failed.

He turned to watch Rona packing away the leftovers and putting their paper plates into a trash bag. He strode toward her. “Let me help.”

She shook her head. “Why don’t you jog along with Gary?”

Since family time had been his motive, he decided to take Rona up on the offer. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

Curious, anyway, he sprinted off, hoping to catch up with Gary, but his youthful son appeared a speck on the long sandy beach. Good exercise, though. If he ran from one end of the long stretch of beach to the other, he’d put in a mile and a half. He drew in a breath and sped after Gary.

“Wait up!”

Gary glanced over his shoulder, then slowed and stopped. He rested his hands on his knees and when Nick arrived, Gary was still panting.

“What’s going on?”

Gary tilted his head upward without really looking. “Nothing.”

Nick gestured toward the picnic tables, then stopped short. He’d been ready to ask about Amy, but he thought better of it. “Ready?”

Gary straightened and trotted off, this time slower. Nick was grateful for that. After a half mile, they stopped, both gasping.

When Nick caught his breath, he rested his hand on Gary’s shoulder. “I want to thank you for finishing the volunteer hours. I’m proud of you for following through.”

Although Gary only shrugged, Nick caught the look of surprise on his face. “I know you have a way to go yet with the fine, but—”

“It was my fault, Dad.”

This time Nick felt surprised.

Gary looked out toward the water. “You told Rona about Mom.”

Nick rocked with the abrupt comment. “I did. I think a lot of Rona, so I’m open with her.”

“Did you know her father was a drunk?”

“She told me.”

He looked into Nick’s eyes. “She was poor.”

“She told you that?”

He nodded. “Her mom died, too.”

“I know.”

Gary turned away. “I think I’ll swim back.”

“Be careful.”

“Dad, I’m not six.”

Instead of getting upset, Nick laughed and waved him into the water. He watched Gary for a few moments. He’d grown to be a good swimmer and Nick felt proud, trotting along the beach, trying to keep up with his son and thinking about so many years ago when he was sixteen.

Today Nick realized how well God could heal wounds. Maybe Gary’s attitude was a fluke, but maybe not. He’d talked to him for the first time in so long, a real talk without complaints or criticism. It felt good, and what made him feel even better was Rona, who’d shared a little of her life with Gary. Nick had no idea if that had made a difference, but if so, he’d be forever grateful. He sucked in air and shot forward.

Nick pushed open the front door. “Look what I bought,” he called into the house.

Rona appeared in the hallway, her eyes narrowing as she scrutinized the box he’d managed to get through the door. “What’s that?”

“The foosball table.”

“Really?” She ambled closer and eyed the carton. “When did you buy that?”

“I ordered it after we talked.” He balanced the box against his leg. “I had them hold it until I knew Gary wasn’t home.” He chucked her cheek. “Thought I’d surprise you, too.”

“You did.” She rolled her eyes, yet sent him a smile. “I’ll need to get that room cleaned up before anyone gets in there to use it.” She stepped closer and rested a hand on the box. “Let me help you boost it upstairs.”

“You?” He reached over and gave her biceps a playful squeeze.

Rona flexed her muscles, making him chuckle. “I’ll push from the bottom. You can tug.”

He nodded, well aware that he needed help getting the awkward box up the staircase. They wrestled the carton upward and at the top, Rona hurried ahead to open the door.

Rona seemed as excited as he hoped Gary would be. She helped him drag the table from the cardboard and set all the legs aside to assemble.

She stood watching him, her hands on her hips. “You’ll need some chairs in here and a table or something.”

“How about a card table for now?” He gave her a wink, almost seeing the gears clicking in her mind.

“That’ll work, I suppose.” She walked closer and rested her hand on his shoulder as he knelt on the floor. “For now.”

He motioned toward the far corner. “Look over there. You might find a couple of things.”

Rona hurried across the room and lifted the drop cloth. “Here’s an old recliner and a lamp table. Great.” He watched her pull out another piece from behind the stack. “What kind of table is this?” She pulled open a small drawer on the side.

He studied it. “I think it’s an old library table my folks owned.”

She brushed her hand over the wood. “We can use it. This is great.” She wandered back toward him, her face beaming. “I can’t wait to get the room put together.”

Nick rose and pulled her into his arms. “You’re a good person, Rona. I’m crazy about you.” Her eyes glistened into his, making his heart swell. “Gary thinks a lot of you.”

“Did he tell you that?”

“I just know, and you get more out of him than I do.”

“A woman’s touch.”

He lifted her hand and pressed it against his cheek. “I like a woman’s touch, too.”

Rona jerked her hand away, sending him a playful frown. “Gary has been talking more.” She glanced away. “And asking questions.”

“He mentioned you told him about your family.”

“I thought he needed to know that everyone has problems and we survive.”

Nick studied her face, knowing she’d more than survived. “Has he said any more about Amy? I know he told you they broke up.”

“He did. I guess that’s why she had acted so quiet at the picnic. He hadn’t said anything to her yet, but she sensed it. He’d told her he wouldn’t go with her to something his friends were doing.”

“Really?” Nick tossed that idea in the air and mulled it over. “Where’s he now? I knew he was going out.”

“He worked all day and he’s at another church event tonight, something to do with the volunteers.”

“He’s still doing that even though the community service hours are finished?”

She grinned. “Don’t complain.”

He slipped his arms around her and drew her closer. “I’m thrilled. I’ve been watching the change since you’ve come into our lives and—”

“It has nothing to do with me, Nick.” She leaned back to see his face. “You told me you needed to change and I think you have. You’ve been more positive. I’ve heard it in your conversation. That’s the difference.”

“Praise God for the difference,” he said, then sent up another thanks for having Rona in his life.

Rona gave him a squeeze and stepped back. “Want to stand this table up?”

He grasped an end while she clasped the other and set the table upright. “I’ll have to practice before I tell Gary about it. He’ll never find it in here.”

Rona’s chuckle brightened him. He reached out and took her hand as they left the room and closed the door on the surprise, but when they stood in the hallway, he didn’t want to let go.

“I’m excited about this game room. I think it will help my relationship with Gary. I’ve felt so empty and I’m sure Gary felt that, too. I probably withdrew from him more than I realized. In my heart I wanted to be a family, but without Jill I didn’t feel Gary and I were one.” He slipped his arm around her shoulder and drew her closer. “I feel differently now.”

His lips lowered to hers, yet today he felt a tentative response from Rona until she tensed. He drew away, longing to ask what he’d said or did that made her uncomfortable. Yet reality told him that today she was his housekeeper, not Gary’s mother, not his wife, not even his fiancée. He so wanted to see that happen and if it ever would, he needed to act.

He drew his hand along the length of her arm, using the time to organize his thoughts. “I’m going to a benefit dinner next Saturday. It’s put on by the DeTour Reef Light Preservation Society to help keep the lighthouse in good repair. It’s a wonderful event—Evening Under the Stars.” He captured her gaze. “I could use an escort. Would you come with me? It would make me so happy.”

Her beautiful mouth tensed and Nick could see her struggling with his request.

“I couldn’t, Nick. It’s not right.”

“What do you mean?”

Her gaze lowered. “I’m your housekeeper and—”

He tilted her chin upward to look in her eyes. “You’re my dearest friend. You mean everything to me. I want you to meet the people I know and—”

She pressed her fingertip against his lips and shook her head. “You’ll enjoy yourself without me.”

“I won’t.” His shoulders weighted with her response. “Just think about it, please.”

She closed her eyes for a moment, then shook her head again.

Nick felt defeated. If he must, he’d go down fighting, but he wasn’t giving up.

Rona drew away. “I had a telephone call today on my cell. I assumed it was you, but it was from my cousin. I gave her the number in case there was an emergency.”

“Cousin? Is something wrong?”

“My dad. He’s been sick. Sicker than usual. She wanted me to know.”

“Why didn’t you tell me? You’ve had this worry on your mind, and I’m bugging you about a dinner.”

She waved away his words. “I didn’t want to bother you with it.”

“It’s no bother. Do you want to go home?”

She closed her eyes a moment. “This is home.”

His chest tightened.

She focused on him. “But I feel led to do something. I’m going to think about it.”

“Don’t wait too long. You don’t want to regret anything.”

“I know. That word forgiveness keeps pushing into my mind and I’m not sure how I can do it, Nick. I’ve been bitter too long.”

“Give it to—”

“God. I’m trying. Really trying.”

Rona stood in the doorway of the new game room and watched Nick and Gary at opposite sides of the foosball table, spinning the rods and shouting out things that made no sense to her.

“Good shot,” Nick yelled, shifting his feet, his hands darting from one handle to another.

She wandered closer, curious about this game that seemed to keep them so enraptured. Both men’s focus seemed glued to the table, and though she wanted to ask questions, she kept her lips sealed. They would only accuse her of messing up a shot like they did yesterday.

She loved seeing them spend time together. It’s what she’d longed for. Her heart sang as she watched.

When they’d first set up the table three days earlier, she’d thought the room needed so much work. Once she started with a little dusting and cleaning, things fell together. She’d used the furniture she’d found and dragged up a couple of extra chairs from the card table. If his friends came, they would have places to sit.

“Dead man,” Gary yelled. “I got you.”

“Just wait.” Nick released the next ball while Rona watched the little men bat it back and forth, amazed at the speed.

“Meatball!” Nick cried.

She couldn’t stop herself. “Meatball?”

Gary’s voice cut off her question. “Tie score.”

She wandered back against the wall and watched until Gary shouted a triumphant “Game!”

Nick’s hands dropped to his side. “Okay, but next time, I’ll really show you.” He lapped his arm over Gary’s shoulder.

“Sure you will, Dad.” He patted Nick’s hand resting on his shoulder.

Nick dropped his arm, and Gary dug his hand into his pocket. “Is it okay if I have some friends over on Friday? I get off work early.”

“Your friends are always welcome.”

Rona saw a blend of relief and pride in Nick’s eyes. This is the kind of day he’d waited for and Rona found herself wanting the same—typical teenage noise in a happy home. She turned to leave the room, but Gary stopped her.