Family in His Heart (9 page)

Rona understood the feeling. She’d spent the past few years looking for a solution to her troubles, and she could only hope this was the right answer.

They quieted. The sound of the motor and lapping waves infringed on the quiet, but not as much as the worries they both had. She’d sounded confident with Nick just now, but could she handle a teenage boy? She hadn’t been able to cope with a brother only a couple years younger than she was. What did she know about teenagers?

The boat slowed as they neared the shore and Nick called her to his side. “Want to learn how to pilot this thing?”

“The speedboat?” She felt panicky. “I thought I’d have a smaller boat.”

“You will, but you never know if an emergency arises. Come here.” He beckoned her to his side and she went, but not without trepidation.

He slid from the seat and motioned for her to sit, then he stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her from behind. “Grip the wheel.”

The heat of his body and the scent of his fragrance heightened her crazy thoughts. “It’s like driving a car, just head the prow toward the house.”

She clinched the wheel as if her life depended on it, and, to her, it did.

“Ease up,” Nick said, lifting one hand and then the other to loosen her fingers. “You don’t grip your car’s steering wheel like that, do you?”

“No, but—”

“I’ll take over when we get close. I won’t let you down.” He rested his hand on her shoulder and gave it a squeeze.

His fingers felt warm through her cotton top and it gave her a feeling of companionship. She sensed her body relaxing and enjoyed the feel of being in control. It was a feeling she’d lost until recently.

“That’s it,” he said close to her ear. “Enjoy yourself.”

She chuckled at his comment and his voice whispering against her ear. She scrunched her cheek to her shoulder and Nick drew back.

“Sorry. I hadn’t meant to tickle you.”

Rona turned her face toward his and saw a glint in his eye. Their noses nearly touched and once again her heart raced to her throat with a deep longing to kiss his welcoming lips. She managed a smile to let him know she didn’t believe a word of it.

“My turn,” Nick said, as they drew closer.

He took the wheel while she slid out from beneath his arms. The warmth vanished from her body but not from inside. Rona hadn’t felt this much happiness in a long, long time.

Nick pulled to the dock and tied the lines while she waited, eager to get into her apartment and to begin making it her own.

“I’ll teach you how to tie up another day,” he said. “I don’t want to overwhelm you with my brilliance all in one day.”

His silly expression made her laugh.

Nick held out his hand to help her from the boat. She’d begun to get the knack of it and felt more secure. He went on board and stacked the boxes and luggage onto the wooden planks, and Rona grasped a box and headed toward the apartment.

“I’ll get those,” Nick said as he stepped from the craft with more boxes. He motioned toward the guesthouse. “Go ahead and I’ll bring these up.”

She didn’t listen. Instead Rona grabbed one of the smaller bags and headed to shore. She turned to the flagstone walk and climbed the stairs, aware that this was home. She would walk these steps many times before she had to leave.

Before she had to leave.
The words smacked against her heart. At this moment Rona never wanted to leave. The comment sounded ludicrous because she’d known Nick for such a short time, but she had the feeling she’d known him forever. He was that kind of person, so open, so kind and generous, so wonderful.

With the thrill of having her own place again, she turned the knob and shoved open the door. The lemony scent she’d smelled days earlier still lingered on the air. She rolled the luggage into her bedroom and hurried back to the front room window to look down at the speedboat. Nick had vanished, but then she heard him behind her.

“Where do you want these?”

She cast a flailing gesture. “Anywhere. I have to open them to see what’s inside.”

He set the box beside the lamp table and headed out again. This time she watched him on the dock, setting three boxes into a pile and hoisting them in his arms. Even from the distance, she could see his muscles flex, and it sent a spiraling sensation to her stomach.

Rona faced the truth. She needed to get a grip on her emotions or she would be out of a job sooner than she wanted. Nick was her employer. She had to keep saying it over and over in her mind, because her fantasy led her in directions that could be her downfall.

Not wanting to get caught ogling, Rona headed for the last stack of boxes and opened the top one. Shoes and handbags. She carried them into the bedroom, noticing the chocolate candy, as Nick dropped another three boxes onto the floor. She recognized the sound. Books. She’d brought some of her favorites with her. They’d been her solace and she couldn’t stand to leave them all behind.

As she opened more of the boxes, Nick returned with the last carton. She’d found some dishes and kitchen utensils, things she probably wouldn’t need in this well-equipped apartment.

Nick collapsed on the sofa and tossed his head against the cushion. He released a sigh, and Rona drew closer. “I’d offer you a pop, but I’m not sure which box I put them in.”

He grinned and motioned to the refrigerator. “I’d love one. I stocked a few for you.”

Thoughtful. The word billowed in her mind. “Thanks.” She saw a mix of cola and ginger ale. He’d remembered. She pulled out a cola for him and carried it to him along with a can of ginger ale for herself.

She handed him the drink, then sat in a nearby chair and opened the can, hearing the snap and fizz. When she took a lengthy drink, she realized she’d look more ladylike with a glass.

Nick rested his elbows on his knees, the can clutched in his hands. “I hate to go home.”

“Gary?”

“He’s sick today. I hope it teaches him a lesson about alcohol. I should have made him go to school, but I didn’t.”

“Should haves are a waste of time. Now is important. Think of what you’ll do to improve the situation.”

“If I only knew. I want to be his friend. I want to—”

“Be his dad, Nick. He already has friends.”

Nick lifted his gaze and studied her.

“A woman of wisdom.”

She watched his fingers run along the side of the pop can as if weighing her words, and she wasn’t sure if his comment was facetious or genuine.

“Thanks,” he added, answering her question.

“I’m not trying to meddle.”

His head tilted up and her heart melted with his look. “You’re not meddling. I hope you realize that you’ll be dealing with Gary, too, when I’m not here. He’ll be your headache as well, and the more I think of it the more I wonder how wise this was.”

“I thought you said you believed I could handle the situation.”

He straightened, his gaze anchoring hers. “I do, but I like you too much.”

Too much.
She tried to grasp his meaning. She knew he liked her, and she loved that, but—

“You don’t understand,” he said.

“I—”

He rose and moved toward her, drawing her from the chair. He closed his eyes a moment and drew in a lengthy breath. “I don’t know how to say this, but I feel as if we’ve been friends forever. Do you believe in that? Do you think it’s possible for two people to be on the same wavelength, the same frequency? Like soul mates?”

She’d felt that way herself and thought she’d gone crazy. “I do understand.”

“It’s as if we landed on an island. Gilligan’s Island maybe, and I don’t want to be rescued. I enjoy your company. I really like being with you.”

Rona felt she had been rescued…by Nick.

Her voice caught in her throat and she only nodded. “I like you, too, but we barely know each other. Once we face each other’s idiosyncrasies, we could feel differently. We’d be disillusioned and I don’t want that.”

He grasped her shoulders. “I know, but I don’t think that will happen. I’m—”

“Shush. Let’s just get to know each other. Let me do my job, and we can—”

“Pray about it.” He studied her face. “Do you pray, Rona?”

He’d kicked her in the stomach. She bit the inside of her lip, knowing at this moment she would disappoint him again. “You know how I feel. I’ve prayed a great deal of my life and God doesn’t hear my prayers, so what’s the point?”

“Persistence. Faith. Trust.”

“I had that once.”

“Then it’s still there, but tangled in your flotsam. Do you know that God doesn’t always say yes?”

She knew that, and how she knew that. “But He could.”

He shook his head. “No, then we’d be without free will. We couldn’t make choices. We’d be His prisoners and not His children.”

Rona had heard the same lecture from Shirley. She hadn’t wanted to talk about it then and she didn’t want it to ruin the happiness she felt now.

Nick didn’t wait for a response. “Gary always accuses me of treating him like a prisoner. Maybe that’s the problem. I want him to be my son, not a prisoner.” He looked deeply into her eyes. “God wants the same for us.”

She wanted to respond, but she had nothing to say. He’d thrown her with his feelings and then with his explanation. She looked at him a long time before she spoke. “I’ll be happy to cook dinner for you tonight.”

Her shift in topic threw him for a minute. She saw it on his face. “That would be nice. Gary’s home and I can’t go out to eat. I put him on house arrest except for school.”

House arrest. Prisoner. The vision pelted Rona’s conscience. Gary needed love and punishment. He needed both.

“I suppose I’ve contradicted myself just now, but he’s my prisoner until tomorrow. Then I’ll take stock of what happens at the hearing.”

She clamped her mouth closed, willing herself not to interfere. Housekeeper. I’m the housekeeper.

N
ick lay in bed all night asking the Lord what to do about Gary. As he tossed from one side to the other, he recalled the story of the prodigal son and what his father had done. Instead of punishing him, since he’d already punished himself by his behavior, the father had opened his arms and thrown a party.

Although Nick wasn’t ready to throw a party, he weighed what he could do that would have a similar affect. He still needed some kind of recompense, but he’d wait and see what happened on Tuesday.

He slipped his legs over the edge of the mattress and sat on the bed, listening. He could hear the shower running down the hall. He’d left his door open just to keep an eye on Gary if he’d awakened in the night. Relieved that his son had gotten out of bed without a hassle, Nick rose with a spring in his step and headed for his own shower.

Letting the water wash over him, he cleansed his heart as well and prayed for a brighter day for all of them. Rona had troubled him, too, with her attitude toward the Lord, but he sensed that somewhere inside her God’s light still shined and he’d have to be patient and find the match that could light the flame.

He had strong feelings for Rona, and each time he admitted it to himself he experienced disbelief. What had it been? A week? Two weeks? How could he let his emotions loose in so short a time after having clung to them so tightly since Jill had died?

Nick finished his shower, amazed that he smelled coffee and bacon drifting up from the kitchen. Rona. She’d come over to prepare her breakfast. He’d promised to take her shopping today, but he wished she’d just eat with the family. He’d try to encourage that.

Dressed, Nick headed down the stairs and when he neared the kitchen, he heard voices. “Something smells wonderful,” he said, walking through the doorway.

Gary sat at the breakfast table, and Nick strode in that direction without making a fuss over Rona. He didn’t want to give his son any fodder for gossip. “Looks good,” he said, eyeing Gary’s scrambled eggs, bacon and toast along with a glass of milk.

“I poured your coffee,” Rona said from behind him.

Nick turned toward her as she approached him with a steaming mug. “Thanks. It’s great to wake up to food cooking.”

Rona didn’t say anything and returned to the counter.

Nick slipped into a chair and sipped his coffee, watching Gary out of the corner of his eye.

When Gary pushed back his plate, Nick spoke. “I’ll pick you up. What time are you out today?”

“I have exams all day.”

“I know. What time will you be done?”

“Two.” He looked away, then looked into Nick’s eyes. “Two-thirty. I have to clean out my lockers.”

“Okay. I’ll be there.”

As he finished the sentence, Rona set a breakfast plate in front of him, then returned with toast fresh from the toaster. He looked up at her and smiled, but she only gave a nod and stepped away again. Had she eaten? He wanted to ask, but today wasn’t the day to fraternize with the new housekeeper.

“Dad, do you have to treat me like—”

“Apparently I do.” He glanced toward Rona, but she’d slipped from the kitchen, giving them time alone. “When trust is broken, it’s not easy to repair it. Remember that. Now you have to earn trust.”

“You’re not perfect, Dad.”

“No, I’m far from perfect, but I haven’t broken my trust to you.” Muscles in his shoulders knotted with Gary’s attack. He sensed his son had something on his mind. “Get on with it. What’s bothering you?”

Gary looked down at his empty plate and shook his head.

“If you have something to say, then say it. Get it out in the open.”

“Mom.”

“Mom?” His head reeled with the look on Gary’s face.

“Maybe mom didn’t trust you or she wouldn’t have died. She wasn’t happy. She used to cry when you weren’t home.” His face jaw ticked with tension.

“Gary, I didn’t know.” Nick’s voice caught in his throat. But why hadn’t he known that? Why hadn’t Jill talked with him? What was she hiding? Had it been something he’d done?

Without commenting, Gary rose and hurried from the room, leaving Nick shocked by the comments. Was this why his son had been acting out? The accident had been three years ago and Gary’s attitude had changed the past two years. Or had he missed that, too?

Nick lowered his face in his hands and tried to think back. He remembered Gary had been quiet after his mother’s death and he’d thought that had been part of the grieving process. He should have taken Gary to a counselor. He should have—“Should haves” filled his mind. The past was over. He needed to do something now to make a difference.

When he lifted his eyes, Rona leaned against the counter, watching him. “Problems?”

He nodded, not wanting to talk with Gary around. She didn’t probe and Nick was grateful. He lifted the mug and sipped the lukewarm coffee. His appetite had slipped away and now he looked at the food with little interest, but Rona had prepared it for him and he wanted to try and eat something.

When her hand reached in front of him, he focused on her. She carried the plate to the microwave and popped it in. “I’ll warm it. Maybe you can eat a little,” she said. When the beep gave its signal, Rona returned his plate to the table.

She grasped his mug and carried it away while the scent of bacon and eggs livened his appetite enough to take a forkful. “Thanks.” Thanks for being here. Thanks for offering wise thoughts. Thanks for everything. The simple words couldn’t tell Rona how much she meant to him, especially now when he felt so alone.

The situation had flattened him. He considered himself strong and able to deal with every possible business confrontation, but when it involved his personal life, he’d crumbled and that troubled him.

The fragrance of fresh coffee wafted around him as Rona handed him the cup. “I’ll go back to my apartment and come down when you’re ready to leave. I think you need private time with Gary.”

“Thanks. We’ll be gone soon. You won’t be late for work. I promise.”

Rona always had the best solution to a situation. He needed to pray and to think. Gary’s accusations knifed him. What had he missed? Had Jill been so unhappy that she’d taken her own—No. Not Jill. A Christian had places to turn. Jill had—He reeled with his thoughts.

On Tuesday, Bernie told Rona he’d found a waitress. She heard the news with a mixture of relief and sadness, leaving Bernie and her co-workers, but she felt certain she’d remain friends with them and that felt good.

At the end of her shift, she hugged everyone, then walked to the pier ready for her new job. Nick had given her a hug when she told him she was now officially his employee. Though it sounded good, she’d begun to think of herself more as Nick’s friend and confidant.

Today, Rona had spent the morning setting up her cleaning schedule. She’d divided cleaning various rooms into days, plus finding time for laundry. She would prepare breakfast and dinner daily when the family was home. Nick worked late some evenings and hopefully he’d let her know when he’d be gone. Nick had been on her mind all morning.

Though Nick had told her to take today off, she’d spent some time in the house, locating the cleaning equipment and preparing for the next day’s work. Now she stretched her legs farther on the sofa, sipped her iced tea and stared out the window until her back ached, waiting for Nick to arrive home from Gary’s hearing.

She pulled her gaze from the windows and eyed her new home, still seeing the shine on the tables. Nick had done a great job for her. She hoped she could please him—please Nick
and
Gary—as much.

A motor hummed to the dock and she rose to peek out the window. They were back. From above she had a difficult time reading the expressions on their faces. From the distance, Nick appeared unsmiling and Gary walked with his head hanging.

Rona stepped away to avoid being seen. She hoped the hearing worked some kind of a miracle for Gary. Miracle. Since when did she think about miracles? She could have used a few in her life.

Hearing her caustic comment, Rona felt remorse. Nick’s confidence in God made her ashamed that she had been so down on her faith. He’d been right yesterday when he told her God didn’t always say yes. Good parents had to say no to their children sometimes to help them grow spiritually and sometimes to help them to become more appreciative.

Rona had spent a long time feeling sorry for herself, sorry for her situation, sorry for her family—except for her mother. Her mother had been a blessing. Miracle. Blessing. The words came so naturally to her since she’d come to Hessel. Nick’s influence. His faith came so easily to him, it seemed. It affected his actions and how he treated others. She’d seen it the first day she’d met him and many days since.

Listening for sounds on the stairs, Rona crossed the room to the window and saw Nick and Gary heading into the house. Her shoulders slumped when they vanished inside. She’d thought Nick would come up and tell her what happened.

“Get a grip,” she told herself. How easy it was to forget she was an employee and not a friend. No one ran to tell their housekeeper the news except on TV sitcoms.

Rona lifted her glass from the table and rinsed it at the kitchen sink. She looked at the wall clock and leaned against the counter to think. She had to begin dinner in an hour, unless Nick had other plans. She could run over and ask or at least call him on the intercom she’d discovered her first day in the apartment.

Using wisdom, she returned to the sofa and picked up a magazine. Though she didn’t stop to read the articles, she hoped the activity would keep her from doing something stupid, like infringing on Nick’s time with Gary.

When she’d finished the magazine, she stood and searched for the TV remote. As she moved across the room, a tap sounded on the door and her stomach flipped. She spun around and strode to the door, hoping to conceal her emotion.

Nick stood on the landing, a flicker of hello in his eyes.

“How’d it go?” she asked, pushing open the screen door.

“Better than it could have.”

She motioned toward the sofa. “I’m relieved.”

He stepped inside. “So am I. It won’t be easy. Gary’s so withdrawn. I think he’s ashamed, but he’s covering it with quiet belligerence.” Nick sank into the sofa cushion and looked at the floor.

“Hopefully, that will pass.” She wanted to ask details, but she gave Nick time to calm his spirit.

Finally he lifted his head. “I prayed so hard and this time the Lord said yes.”

The Lord said yes. Nick deserved a yes. Rona joined him on the sofa but kept her distance.

“The judge gave him a fine that I paid, but he gave Gary two stipulations. First he has to pay the fine. He’s been ordered to get a job for the summer and turn the money over to me until it’s paid back. When I hand in his pay stubs and vouch he’s paid the fine, then his earnings from then on are his.”

“That sounds great. Gary’s sixteen. He needs to learn to work.”

“I know, and I’ve never asked him to, but—”

“But he will now,” Rona added, giving his arm a squeeze. “You wanted him to enjoy the summer, but he will. He’ll still have plenty of time to have fun.”

Nick nodded.

Curious, Rona waited for him to continue, but Nick only sat in silence. “And the second stipulation?”

His face brightened. “This one I’m grateful for. Gary has to do twenty hours of community work. Our church has teen service projects where the kids volunteer their time at the church and in the community. It’s perfect. We dropped by on the way home and our pastor will work with us on that. Gary wasn’t too happy about telling Pastor Al, but he finally agreed, and I’m comfortable with that. At least Gary will be using time helping others and getting together with some of the church teens.”

“Both conditions sound like a blessing to me.” Blessing. The word popped out again.

Nick looked at her as if he’d noticed. He reached out and rested his hand on hers. “Thanks for listening. I don’t want to talk about this with everyone, although I’m sure the whole town will know about it soon enough.”

“It’s not your sin, Nick. Sins of the fathers. Sins of the son. The Bible teaches that one doesn’t condemn the other. Each person is responsible for his own sin.”

He straightened as if surprised at the biblical references. She’d startled herself, too. She knew the Holy Spirit had His ways. She’d opened the door a crack and the Spirit had wheedled inside her.

“So what happens now?”

“Tomorrow Gary needs to look for work, and I want to find a way to get closer to him.” Nick rose. “I’ve bored you enough.”

She stood, too, as he headed for the door. “You haven’t bored me, and I’ll be in shortly to get dinner ready.”

“You don’t need to worry about that tonight. I think we’ll go over to Harbor Inn for dinner. I don’t want to sit here all night with Gary in silence.” He stepped closer to her. “Join us.”

“No. You two go alone. I’ll fix something here.”

He studied her face. “Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

Nick took a step forward, then turned and put his hand on the knob, but before he opened the door, he faced her again. “Would you mind if I hugged you?”