Love Inspired January 2014 - Bundle 2 of 2: Bayou Sweetheart\The Firefighter's New Family\Season of Redemption (26 page)

The light coming through the window dimmed, and she looked out at the cloud-covered sun. Her optimism had faded as quickly as the sunny day.

* * *

Devon watched Kaylee work her puzzle and pondered how to talk with her about her behavior. He'd avoided the discussion when they left Ashley's since her reaction had been a surprise. He wanted to learn why she'd behaved as she did. He'd tossed the topic around in his head as they walked and more since they arrived home, but he still hadn't settled on how to approach the topic.

He'd noticed Neely's car no longer stood in the driveway, which probably meant Ashley was alone, struggling to do things on her own. He envisioned the difficulty of handling a toddler without having two good arms and hands to use. He longed to help her but not until he could resolve the situation with Kaylee.

He shifted his thoughts back to finding the right words to begin the conversation. Without a clue, he rose and settled on the floor beside her. “You're doing a good job.”

She nodded. “This one's easy.”

“Maybe we should buy some harder ones since you're growing up so fast.”

This time she tilted her head and grinned. “I am. I'm not a baby like that little boy.”

Her comment hinted at the problem and also opened the door. “Joey's not exactly a baby. He's a smart boy and not even a year younger than you.”

“But why did you hold him?”

A frown darted to his face, but he managed to soften it. “You didn't like me to hold him?”

“You don't hold me.”

Devon tousled her hair, but his heart grew heavy. “That's because you're so grown up, but I could, you know.” He shot up and slipped her into his arms and spun around.

Her giggle sailed to the ceiling and bounced against the walls.

Kaylee smiled so rarely in the past days, and the sound brought him peace. “See? You're not so big I can't. I didn't think you wanted me to hold you.”

She hugged him around the neck. “I don't, but you shouldn't hold strangers.”

Her feelings became a neon sign flashing through his head. She was envious of his attention to Joey. Wasn't he spending enough one-on-one time with her? “He's not really a stranger to me, Kaylee. Maybe I should tell you the story why he likes me to hold him.”

After carrying her to the chair, he sat and cuddled her on his lap. “A week ago...” As he related the story of the fallen tree and Joey's fright, her expression changed to interest. When he came to the end, he gave her a hug. “So I guess when he sees me, he feels safe because I held him when he was scared.” He brushed back her long hair and put his nose close to hers. “If you are ever afraid, I would hold you close and not let you go.”

“Really?”

“Promise.” He crossed his heart with his index finger. “Do you feel better now?”

She gave a faint shrug. “But he wasn't afraid today.”

“No, but seeing me reminded him of when he was frightened.” He leaned back and studied her serious face. “Maybe the next time you see him you could be a little nicer. He's a good boy and very smart.”

“Can he read?” Kaylee's eyes searched his.

“I don't think so. Can you?”

She nodded, a proud tilt to her chin. “I can read my letters. A. B. C. And Aunt Renee helped me with some words.”

Aunt Renee. The reference jarred him. What about Gina? He longed to ask, but he bit his tongue to keep quiet. One issue was enough for Kaylee. Her attitude toward Joey was the topic today. He gave her a hug. “I'm proud of you. Let's get some books to help you read even more. Then when you get to school you'll be way ahead of everyone.”

“Okay, let's go.” She slipped off his lap and gave his hand a tug.

“Not today. Right now I need to think about dinner. Aren't you getting hungry?”

She nodded. “Can I have some milk?”

“Sure can.” He paused, wondering if he might be expecting too much. “Here's an idea. Let's surprise Joey and his mom and take dinner to their house after we eat.”

She shrugged, but at least she didn't frown.

He rose and made his way to the kitchen. After putting milk in her glass, he set the carton back inside and stared into the meat drawer. As always he had a package of ground beef. Spaghetti was one of Kaylee's favorites. He suspected Joey liked it, too. Most kids did. If he made a pasta, he could run over a dish for their dinner tonight. He glanced at Kaylee, wondering how she'd respond this time.

He pulled the meat from the drawer, checked a cabinet for a jar of pasta sauce and came up successful. After setting them on the counter, he found an onion and dug out the frypan from beneath the stove. He liked the idea. He might even make some garlic bread with the loaf of Italian bread he'd purchased to slice to make French toast for their breakfast. A grin settled on his face as he went to work.

Chapter Five

T
he doorbell's ring sent Ashley's pulse on the rise. She grasped her crutches and made her way to the front door. When she looked through the peephole, her heart flipped. “Come in.” She eased back to make room.

The door inched open, and Devon peeked around the corner, his smile brightening her dull day. “I brought you dinner.”

“Dinner.” His announcement registered surprise in her voice.

Joey rose from his pile of toys and dashed toward Devon, a big smile pulling his cherub cheeks, but with his hands full, Devon only greeted him while clutching the casserole.

“Ashley, this is Kaylee.” He leaned closer to his daughter. “Kaylee, this is Joey's mama. Remember I told you about her accident.”

The girl nodded and clung to his side, a questioning look on her face.

Devon took a step into the room and paused. “I hope I'm not being presumptuous.”

“Not at all. I'm surprised. But it's a nice treat.” Ashley pushed the door closed with her crutch and waved him forward, wondering how Kaylee felt about the visit.

* * *

Devon stepped farther in, Kaylee quiet at his side, her eyes shifting from Devon to Joey. “In case you've already eaten, it can be tomorrow's dinner.”

The unexpected visit unsettled her—though pleased her—and she found her manners. “No, I can't thank you enough. Neely spent the day bringing me home. She set some canned goods on the counter and promised a home-cooked dinner tomorrow night, so we're open for a meal.”

“Great. I'll take this to the kitchen.” He motioned in that direction with the casserole. A grocery bag hung from his hand. “Spaghetti and garlic bread. Is that okay?”

“Okay? It sounds wonderful.” She captured Joey's hand and gave Devon a wink. “Do you like spaghetti, Joey?”

“Sketti. Yum.” His piping voice was followed by the usual grin spreading ear to ear.

Devon paused in the archway, loving the boy's smile but wishing Kaylee could look at life that way. “The food is still warm, so take a seat at the table, and I'll pop it into the microwave for a minute.”

She made her way to the table with Joey and heard Devon push the timer. Her frustration mounted as she looked at his booster seat and at her hands clinging to the crutches. “Joey, I—I don't know how I can—”

“You'll need help until you can put some weight on that leg.” He swooped Joey into the air and settled him in the chair. “See, that was easy.”

“For you.” She lowered herself to the seat and propped her crutches against the table edge. Fighting her frustration, she turned her head a moment to get a grip on her emotions.

“It's not going to be easy. But you'll learn, and people will help.” He rested his hand on her shoulder.

Warmth wrapped around her heart. Gentle, kind, thoughtful. Her mind flooded with the day they met. A horrible experience fated their meeting, and here he was again, caring enough to bring her dinner. The control she had managed earlier failed as tears dripped to her cheeks.

“I'm sorry if I said some—”

“It's not what you've said.” She shook her head, seeing the concerned look in his eyes. “It's what you've done. You barely know me, and here you are with dinner and wisdom and—”

“And doing a neighborly deed.” He gave her shoulder another pat. “Now, tell me where I can find dishes and silverware, and you and this young man can eat dinner.”

As she directed, he pulled plates and forks from the cabinets and even thought to pour milk for Joey. “What would you like to drink? Coffee, tea, milk—”

“Water, please, with ice and maybe some coffee afterward.” She motioned toward the counter. “Mrs. Wells brought over a cake.”

He looked around the kitchen.

She motioned again. “It's on the far end of the counter. It's Joey's favorite. Chocolate.”

“Not only Joey's.” He gave a wink and proceeded to carry in the water and milk. Kaylee stayed beside him, shifting as he moved around the kitchen to keep out of his way. Finally he stopped. “Sweetie, why don't you sit, too. You can have some cake later. Okay?”

She didn't move for a moment and finally pulled herself away and slipped onto a chair as far from them as she could. She didn't make eye contact, and Ashley wasn't sure if she should try to engage her in conversation or let it go. Her motherly instinct prodded her to act. “Kaylee, do you like chocolate cake?”

The child only shrugged.

She didn't let that discourage her. “I like chocolate, but I like carrot cake even more. Have you seen it with the little carrot decoration on top?”

Kaylee nodded.

Devon slipped into the room with a pot holder for the table and set the casserole on it. He handed her a large serving spoon. “Dig in, and I'll bring in the garlic bread.” He turned again to the kitchen.

Struck by how comfortable he seemed preparing her meal, she turned to Kaylee again, who didn't look at ease at all. While wishing she could get a response from the child, she shifted her attention to the pasta covered with tomato sauce and thick with hunks of ground beef. The scent rose on the air and her appetite that had been dulled awakened.

“Sketti, Mama.” Joey sat with his fork standing on end against his tray.

She smiled and emptied a large spoonful onto his plate, then piled two spoonfuls on hers as Devon carried in the fragrant garlic bread.

He offered her a piece and then set the plate on the table and slipped into a chair. “I spotted your coffee so I started a short pot.”

“Thanks.” She struggled to pull her gaze away from his intriguing face. He wasn't what people called classically handsome, but he had pleasant features with deep brown eyes that looked into hers with a tenderness that befuddled her. His full cheekbones eased to a rounded chin with the hint of a dimple. Catching herself, she managed to pull her eyes away and looked at Kaylee. She had his chin and probably his smile, though she'd never seen it, and though the shape of her eyes were the same, the color must have been her mother's, a deep sapphire blue.

“More.”

She heard the ting of Joey's fork and eyed his empty plate, although a few noodles had slipped to the tray. “Whoa. You loved that, didn't you?”

He nodded, red sauce clinging to his cheek. She slipped a smaller spoonful onto his plate and took another dab for herself.

“I haven't eaten this well in days.” Ashley grinned as she twined the spaghetti onto her fork.

Devon shook his head. “You can't give this meal too much credit. You were eating hospital food.”

He made her chuckle. It felt wonderful. “Not only do I get a free dinner, but I'm entertained by a comedian, too.”

“Only the facts.”

But she could see he was pleased with her compliment. “Do you cook at the firehouse?”

“Not often. I'm a better dishwasher, but I've helped on occasion.” His gaze swung from her to Kaylee. “Why so quiet?”

“I want to go home,” the girl said.

Ashley's heart broke seeing Devon's disheartened expression. “That's the same way I felt, Kaylee. Just exactly like that.”

The child tilted her head and studied her with a quizzical look. “When?”

“When I was in the hospital. All I could think about was getting home and being with Joey.”

“Me.” Joey patted his chest.

“That's right, but you know what?” She gave Kaylee a searching look.

“What?”

“Now I realize I can't do things by myself, and I'm frustrated. Do you know what that is?”

She nodded. “Mad.”

“Not really mad. I feel like I'm a big girl and I should be able to do things for myself, but I can't.”

The tightness in Kaylee's expression opened up. “I'm a big girl and I can do things by myself.”

“You are. But you're probably like me. Some things you can't do all alone.”

“I'm big,” Joey piped up.

Kaylee giggled and her face lit with the smile. “You're still little, and you—”

“He's not little.” Devon jumped into the conversation. “I told you, he's only a year younger than you.”

“But...” Her voice trailed off at her father's look, and the smile faded.

Ashley spotted the problem. She'd decided not to defend Joey as Devon had done. Evidence so far showed the hope she'd had for Kaylee and Joey to be playmates looked grim. She diverted the conversation. “Who's ready for cake?”

Three voices filled the air. “Okay, then. I guess our waiter better get busy.” She winked at Devon and hoped he understood her tack.

“Aye, aye, Captain.” He stood and put the plates and silverware into a pile. “Kaylee, can you help me?”

The girl slipped off the chair and accepted the dishes while he grasped the casserole and bread. “I'll cover this dish, and you'll have another meal.”

His look let her know he did understand. She used a napkin to wipe off Joey's smears of tomato sauce, and within a minute, the cake and pot of coffee appeared on the table. Kaylee arrived with four dessert plates, and Ashley took them from her and set them on the table.

Devon returned with more milk for Joey and silverware, and they settled down to enjoy the creamy chocolate cake from Mrs. Wells.

Wiping the chocolate from her lips, she refocused on Kaylee. “Do you like puzzles?”

“Uh-huh.” She nodded her answer. “I need harder ones.”

“Good for you. Maybe you could help Joey with his puzzles. He's pretty good, but once in a while he has trouble.”

Kaylee seemed to have blossomed. “I can show him.” She licked her fork and set it on the plate.

Hearing puzzles, Joey started to squirm, and Devon rose and lowered him onto the floor while Kaylee carried her dish to the kitchen and reappeared.

“Thank you, Kaylee.” Ashley had second thoughts but went ahead anyway. “Can I give you a hug?”

Kaylee hesitated only a moment before walking to her side and embracing her.

“You're a pretty girl. I can't wait to see you smile again.” As she watched the girl's face, she saw the flicker of a grin and finally a full-blown bashful smile. “Gorgeous.”

Kaylee giggled, then turned and skipped away to the living room.

Devon leaned back in the chair, his face showing his surprise. “Wow, you have a way. I need to learn that.”

“You can't. It's a mother thing.” She gave him a wink while a prickle of excitement rode on her spine. “It's pure taking a chance. I'm not always successful.”

“But you were this time.” He scrutinized her until the tingle grew.

Taking a drink of her coffee, she watched him over the rim. She saw something special about him but couldn't put her finger on exactly what it was.

He leaned forward on his elbows. “Let's form a plan. What can I do to help make things easier for you? I noticed you have a low table by the sofa. You can have Joey eat his breakfast and lunch in there so you don't have to hoist him into the chair. Put a rug or something you can wash under him to catch spills.”

“Good idea.” His suggestion pleased her. Simple things she should have thought of herself.

“How about his bed?”

“It's a youth bed.”

“We can put a stool nearby so he can step up and crawl in if he needs it. You can balance on your good foot with one crutch to give him a hand.”

Another solid idea. “You're a genius.”

“Firemen occasionally have time on their hands, and we're called to homes for many crazy reasons. In our spare time, we brainstorm solutions to problems.”

“Daddy.” Kaylee's voice split their conversation. “He won't let me have any puzzle pieces.”

“Joey.” Ashley turned around the best she could and gave her son a frown. “Share. You get a piece and then Kaylee gets a piece.”

Joey studied the two pieces in his hand and put one in Kaylee's.

Ashley grinned. “Problem solved.”

“And you're not even a firefighter.” He slipped his chair back and rose. “Now, do you have a stool. Let me help you with the bed and get things ready for him, and then I'll get home. Kaylee needs a bath, and you need to rest.”

Her heart swelled. “Devon, you are a treasure. Do you know that? You're one of the nicest people I know.”

“Sorry my mom's not here to hear that.” He tucked his hands in his pockets. “Stool?”

She figured him out in only a second. He was a guy who couldn't be complimented without making a joke about it. One day she'd help him see her compliments were the truth.

With no plan to educate him tonight, she gave him details on finding the stool while her mind churned with thoughts she definitely wanted to avoid. Already she knew she was in trouble.

* * *

Devon sat at a worktable filling out another report of the latest fire. Earlier, he'd reeked of smoke before taking a shower, and since cleaning up, the warm water made him sleepy. Another long night left him drained but grateful the fire was in a warehouse and not a residence. The place was empty of employees, and they'd saved the main building.

Today he'd been distracted. He hadn't checked on Ashley for a few days, and thinking about her kept ruining his concentration. He'd wanted to go more than once, but he didn't want to be a pest. If she needed him, he hoped she'd have called. He'd given her his number. Still, he could picture her struggling on her own. She seemed like one of those independent people who hated to ask for help.

A sound caused him to look up, and Clint slipped into the chair beside him. “Good job tonight.”

He nodded. “My thoughts exactly.”

“Want a soda?” He rose from the chair.

“Sure, if you're getting one for yourself.”

Clint strode away, and Devon stared at the paper in front of him, scratching out details and reviewing what needed to be included. When Clint's footsteps sounded behind him, he dropped the pen and leaned back. “Thanks.” He grasped the cold can and took a swig.