Love Inspired January 2014 - Bundle 2 of 2: Bayou Sweetheart\The Firefighter's New Family\Season of Redemption (49 page)

She clutched the shirt closer with her good hand and breathed deep. “Thanks.”

He still wore a long-sleeved thermal shirt that clung to his chest and arms, showing off the breadth of his shoulders.

Wow
.

He caught her gawking and gave her a lopsided smile. His cheeks actually flushed a little.

Kellie looked away. “What now?”

“Hold this under your hand.” He scrunched up a bunch of paper towels and poured water over her hand to rinse the cut. Blotting it dry, he examined her palm.

“Well?”

“You'll live.”

“Good guesswork, Sherlock. Will a Band-Aid suffice so I can get back to work in there?”

He clicked his tongue. “No. It needs to be wrapped. And you should probably get it checked out and maybe get a tetanus shot, too. You sliced it on metal.”

She looked into his serious face. He wasn't kidding. He was worried about her and that felt...nice. She watched the muscles in his arms tighten as he opened a little brown bottle of hydrogen peroxide. She managed to answer, but it came out a rough whisper. “I'll be fine.”

“I hope so. This is going to sting.”

Kellie nodded for him to go ahead and douse her palm. Boy, oh, boy was he right. She nearly jumped off the stool but watched his every move instead.

He gave her hand a quick squeeze, as he again blotted it dry. Then he let go in order to drizzle triple antibiotic cream onto a rectangular piece of gauze. Placing that on her palm, he wrapped it with more gauze and then taped it secure.

It seemed like forever and then he was done in an instant. She flexed her hand. “Feels good. I should be able to fit my glove over it, no problem.”

“I don't know. You put pressure on it and it's likely to start bleeding again. Maybe you should call it a night.”

She glanced down, noticing again how close they were. Ryan's knees protectively straddled her own. She looked up and whispered, “Thank you for taking care of this. No way could I have done it.”

He brushed a curl back from her face. “You're welcome.”

Awareness radiated between them and Kellie swallowed hard. Ryan leaned forward and grazed his lips against hers with the lightest touch. Then he jerked his head back and looked at her again with eyes that searched hers.

Kellie's toes curled inside her bulky work boots. Was he asking permission, giving her a chance to tell him no or what? Her heart pounded but the rest of her might as well have been paralyzed. She couldn't move, she couldn't breathe and she certainly couldn't form the words to tell Ryan to back off.

Ryan gave her a sly little smile before moving in close. This time, he kissed her with thorough purpose. He kissed deeply but with such tenderness, she wanted to cry.

Only their mouths anchored them together, but their souls had somehow linked, too, and Kellie couldn't think.

There was only him. There was only her.

She shuddered, and Ryan's arms came around her, pulling her close.

“It's okay, Kel,” he murmured against her lips. “Let it happen.”

Kellie pulled back as memories flooded her brain. The only other person who'd called her Kel was her brother, Karl. He'd let her down and stopped loving her. Her brother had cared more about his next high than his little sister.

* * *

Ryan let go when he felt Kellie push away. His pulse still thundered in his ears. His heart raced. And his mind twisted with concern. He wasn't sorry for kissing Kellie, not one bit. But looking into her remorse-filled eyes, he knew she wasn't happy with what had just happened between them. They'd crossed the line.

“Before you say anything, I know I shouldn't have done that.”

Kellie closed her eyes and shook her head. “No, it's okay. It's my fault.”

“How's it your fault?” He couldn't believe his ears.

“I let it happen.” She spun on the stool away from him and hopped off.

Without a word, Kellie walked to the open trailer door and peered out into the dusky evening. Her shoulders slumped and she wrapped her arms around her middle, looking small and cold.

“Kellie...” He heard car doors slam and the crunch of feet on gravel along with feminine laughter. The church ladies had brought dinner. “Did anyone see us?”

“I don't think so.”

He stepped close and stood behind her. “I meant that kiss.”

“Don't.” Her voice was low and scratchy-sounding.

If only he knew what she was feeling. He knew what he felt. Something he hadn't experienced in a long time. Not since Sara. He touched her shoulder. “But I care about you.”

“Not now you can't.”

“Come on, you're almost done at LightHouse Center.”

She turned on him. “But you're not. And that's a problem. A big problem, don't you see?”

He didn't. She'd called it a conflict of interest. No, ethics. But she wasn't his counselor, so what was the big deal? He wasn't about to let her go but knew better than to push. He had some soul-searching of his own to do. Was he ready for this?

He gave her a stiff nod. “So, we'll wait.”

She narrowed her gaze, looking like she wanted to say more, but the sounds of someone walking toward them stopped her.

Even in the uneven light shed from the trailer's single lightbulb, Ryan saw the color drain from Kellie's face. Maybe she'd lost more blood than he thought. He reached out a hand to steady her, but she jumped down off the platform and walked toward the man approaching them. A man he'd never seen before.

Ryan felt the hairs on his neck rise with an eerie tingle. Who was this guy, and had he seen them inside that trailer?

“Hi, Kel,” the man said.

Ryan stepped off the trailer and moved toward them. Something didn't feel right, and he clenched his fists, ready to take the guy down if he so much as laid a finger on Kellie.

“What are you doing here?” Kellie's voice was barely above a whisper.

“Mom and Dad told me about the house for Dorrie. They said where I could find you. I want to see my kids.”

Ryan's mouth dropped open. This slick guy with the I'm-all-that stance was her brother, the drug addict?

“I don't think that's a good idea,” Kellie said.

Ryan stood next to her and fought the urge to wrap his arm around her. She still had on his shirt and clutched it close. “Hey.”

“Ryan, this is my brother, Karl.”

Karl reached out a hand. “Ryan.”

They looked alike up close, although Karl was taller and appeared way older than his sister, but was it more years or experience that distinguished him? Even though his crisp jeans and fine knit sweater looked expensive, the guy seemed downtrodden. Defeated even. Considering what Ryan had learned in group, he shouldn't hold that against Karl, but he did. Because he'd hurt Kellie.

Ryan finally shook the guy's hand but with a little show of strength. “Karl. What's up?”

Karl looked from Kellie to him and then back again.

Kellie wasn't explaining anything. “You can't just show up and expect Dorrie to welcome you. Why didn't you call?”

Her brother shrugged. “I thought if you saw me, maybe you'd plead my case.”

“Not here, and not tonight. You should come home with me, now.”

Karl glanced at him, looking for support.

Ryan wasn't giving it. He squared his shoulders, ready for anything the guy might do. “You better go with your sister. Without her say so, you aren't getting near Dorrie or her girls.”

Karl's face flushed red with rage. “They're my kids!”

Ryan kept his mouth shut and his gaze strong. He was too close to pointing out that Karl should have thought of that before he left them to fend for themselves.

Karl made a move toward him.

Kellie stepped between them. “Karl, don't make a scene. Let's go.”

“Fine.” Karl stalked off toward his car—a nice Lexus sedan that didn't look old.

Whatever the guy did for a living, it couldn't be that bad. A strong urge to pound the guy hit him as he recalled how Dorrie struggled financially. Nice. Real nice.

Kellie turned toward him. “Let me tell Dorrie my own way, okay? Don't say anything about this.”

“I'll go with you.” Ryan didn't like Kellie leaving alone, but the guy was her brother. He wouldn't do anything crazy, would he?

Kelly shook her head. “You're needed here.”

“But—”

She laid her hand on his arm. “Don't worry, I'll be fine.”

Ryan nodded and headed back to the house after he watched her car pull out on to the road followed by her brother's fancy sedan. He prayed for Kellie ever since her job interview and tonight would be no different, other than this urgency for God to protect her.

Once inside, everyone gathered around the card tables set up in the kitchen and filled their plates with food.

“Where's Kellie?” Dorrie asked.

“She went home. She shouldn't use that cut hand.”

Dorrie looked at him closely. “Is she okay?”

He ran a hand through his hair, hoping it hadn't been messed up by Kellie's fingers. “Yeah, yeah. She'll be fine.”

Dorrie's gaze narrowed even more and then she smiled. “So, where's your shirt?”

He tried his best to sound casual. “Kellie's got it. She was chilled.”

“Mmm-hmm.”

“Smells good in here. What have we got tonight?” Ryan addressed one of the church ladies. He knew the only way out of this one was changing the subject fast, as well as not looking Dorrie in the eye.

As he listened to the elderly lady list off every dish that had been brought, Ryan worried about Kellie. He couldn't ask Dorrie about Karl, not here. Not in front of everyone.

Still, something about the guy didn't feel right. Why would he show up out of blue without calling first? And had he heard correctly that Kellie's parents had directed Karl here? Why hadn't they called?

Ryan choked down a piece of homemade bread with butter. One way or another, he'd keep an eye on Karl. Whether Kellie liked it or not, he wasn't going to stand by and let her get hurt.

Chapter Nine

“K
ellie, you know I don't allow men in your room.” The frown on her landlady's face couldn't be deeper.

“I know, Mrs. Wheeler, but this is my brother from out of state. He'll only be here one night.”

Mrs. Wheeler's gaze narrowed.

The resemblance was there if she'd only look. They had the same face, although Karl's looked more worn. Kellie waited, hoping her brother kept his mouth shut while he stood antsy behind her.

“One night. That's it.” Mrs. Wheeler held out her hand toward her brother. “What did you say your name was?”

He stepped forward wearing his charming, fake smile. The one that made promises he'd never keep. “Karl Cavanaugh, ma'am. And thank you for letting me stay.”

“Well, I'm a widow alone. You understand.”

Kellie wanted to roll her eyes. Mrs. Wheeler, though old, was no weakling. Still, Kellie would protect her as best she could.

Karl's smile broadened. “Of course. And like Kellie said, only one night. I'll find a place of my own tomorrow.”

Kellie glanced at him quickly. Was he planning to stay in the area? How was that going to work with Dorrie and the girls? Too many questions and not enough answers. Like why didn't her parents give her or Dorrie a heads-up? Why did they always do what Karl asked of them?

With a tired sigh, Kellie led the way. “Come on, I'll show you my room.”

Karl swung his backpack over his shoulder and followed after giving Mrs. Wheeler a friendly nod.

As they made their way up the back stairs, Karl whistled. “This lady's loaded. How'd you fall into such a sweet setup?”

Kellie ignored the sudden icky feeling that she was somehow taking advantage by living here. “From the church I used to attend. Mrs. Wheeler is pretty independent, but she likes having someone here at night. I rent a room, and that's way less than an apartment.”

“Convenient,” Karl muttered.

True, for both of them. So, why'd he have to make her feel slimy about it? Kellie unlocked her door and opened it wide to the decent-sized room she called home. “Make yourself comfortable. You can have the bed or the futon, take your pick.”

“Futon's fine.”

Kellie headed for the small fridge. “Hungry?”

“Sure, whatever.” Karl slipped out of his jacket and plopped onto the futon with a soft groan. Reaching for the remote to her tiny TV, he clicked it on and thumbed through channels. “Nice, you've got cable.”

A nice extra from Mrs. Wheeler. Not that Kellie watched much TV. She'd been busy making something of herself. She glanced at her brother with her mind in a whirl but held her tongue as she made a couple of turkey sandwiches. She handed a plate to Karl along with a can of diet pop. When he frowned, she bristled. “Would you rather have water?”

“No. This is fine. What happened to your hand?”

“I cut it. Not a big deal.” Although it throbbed a little. So did her heart at the memory of Ryan's kiss. He'd made her feel cherished and worth something. She cleared those cloying thoughts out of her mind and sat on the floor, crossing her legs under the coffee table. “Why are you here?”

Karl shrugged. “I want to see my kids.”

“They have names. Hannah and Gracie. And Dorrie might not allow it.”

He looked annoyed. “I know.”

Kellie tipped her head. “Then why didn't you call her? Or me?”

Karl reached inside his pocket and pulled out a coin. A symbol of program completion used in a lot of treatment centers. He spun it on the tabletop and they both watched it wobble and then settle next to her paper plate.

“What's that?” Kellie played dumb. She wanted Karl to tell her that he'd graduated from rehab. For all she knew he could have stolen it.

“You know what it is. Mom and Dad told me you're interning at a treatment center.”

“An outpatient center,” she corrected. At least their parents had paid attention to what she'd told them she was doing.

“Whatever.”

“Did you finish?”

He grabbed his sandwich. “I spent four months there.”

“Are you clean?” Kellie couldn't tell if he was using. He didn't look like he was under any influence other than maybe lack of a good night's sleep.

“Yeah.” Karl took a bite of the sandwich and then leaned back as if too tired to chew. He looked her square in the eyes. “I really messed up my life, Kel.”

That was an understatement. He'd messed up more than only his life. Dorrie's, the girls', their parents', hers. Still, she managed a smile. “You think?”

He laughed then, but it came out bitter and twisted. Not the carefree sound she'd remembered growing up. “Thanks for letting me stay here.”

“Where are you going to go tomorrow?”

He shrugged. “I don't know.”

“Do you have a sponsor?” Kellie asked.

He shook his head.

Kellie knew how important it was for someone who'd completed treatment to have a support system to lean on, someone to talk to when temptation kicked in. “I'll get you set up.”

Karl yawned. “Thanks.”

She scrambled to her feet, half her sandwich untouched. “I'll get you a blanket, too. The bathroom's right through that door. Feel free to stretch out and fall asleep if you want. I've got some reading to do and then I'm turning in early.”

He nodded. “Kellie?”

She turned. “Yeah?”

“What's with you and that big guy?”

Kellie briefly closed her eyes and her heart took a tumble. The feel of Ryan's mouth on hers wasn't something she'd soon forget. Setting her paper plate by the sink, she looked at her arms. She still wore Ryan's shirt and it hung on her, even though she'd rolled up the sleeves. “Ryan's a friend.”

“Yours or Dorrie's?”

Kellie didn't mistake the edge to her brother's voice when he mentioned his ex-wife. Maybe it would be best to leave Karl in the dark about that one. “Does it matter?”

He let out a defeated-sounding sigh. “No. I guess not.”

* * *

Ryan tossed pebbles at Kellie's window. A small light shone from the darkened room with two long windows nestled over the garage. That soft glow told him she was still up.

After a few seconds, Kellie lifted the window and gestured that she'd be right down then closed it again with a soft click.

He looked up at the sky. Clouds played peekaboo with a waning moon and his breath billowed like white smoke in front of him. It was cold enough for frost, and he felt chilled all the way through wearing only a light jacket without his heavy flannel shirt. But he had to know that Kellie was okay before he called it a night. Before he took the hot shower his muscles begged for and hit the sack.

“Hey.” Kellie, dressed in plaid flannel pajamas underneath a knee-length coat, walked toward him with her hair loose. “Here's your shirt.”

More than anything, he wanted to take her in his arms, but he knew better. “Here's your jacket.”

“Thanks.”

He drank in the sight of her. That gorgeous hair finally loose and wild. The delicate freckles that dusted her nose and cheeks, the pretty eyes that looked dark in the weakening moonlight. Her red-rimmed nose announced either an oncoming cold or tears. He didn't like the thought of either. “You okay?”

She cleared her throat, making him wonder how well she was keeping it together. “Fine.”

He stepped toward her and picked up a curl that lay across her shoulder. He twirled it around his finger for a couple of seconds, marveling at how it twisted and held like a corkscrew when he let go. Her hair was soft and yet strong. A lot like her. “So, what's the deal with your brother?”

“You didn't say anything to Dorrie, did you?”

He shook his head. “How long is he here for?”

Kellie shrugged. “I don't know. He says he's completed treatment and wants to see the girls. I think he's sincere.”

Ryan looked at the quiet house where Kellie lived. “Is he staying with you then?”

“Just for tonight. Mrs. Wheeler wasn't too happy about it either. Tomorrow, Karl will have to figure out someplace else.”

Ryan took in her worried expression. And then what? Would he bother Dorrie? Despite the fancy car the guy drove, Ryan doubted Karl had any money. He'd have already booked a motel room if he had. Ryan didn't want this guy bumming money off Kellie, either—money she couldn't afford to part with. He knew she'd give it to him, and he couldn't allow that to happen. Not when he didn't trust Karl's intentions.

“Maybe he can stay with me. Until he finds something.”

Kellie's eyes grew wide. “What? You don't have to do that. Karl's my concern.”

He smiled and picked up that curl again. “What concerns you, concerns me, too.”

She shook her head, causing the curl to pull away from his grasp. “I don't know...”

“Let me do this.” He wanted to keep an eye on the guy. If Karl was serious about recovery, maybe he could help him somehow. But if Karl wasn't serious, Ryan wanted to know that, too. Besides, his house was empty.

Kellie's smile teased. “This might be another conflict of interest, you know.”

“Oh, I think we smashed the ethics code pretty good tonight.”

“You're not kidding.” Then her eyes grew wide and worried. “Look, Ryan—”

He laid a finger against her lips. “Don't. I know it wasn't the wisest thing to do, but I'm not sorry, Kel. After I get through with group, let's explore what's going on between us. I'll wait as long as I have to.”

Her expression softened, but the tempest in her gaze hadn't lessened.

He ran his thumb along the fullness of her lower lip. “I don't want to discuss all the reasons why we shouldn't. Can't we think about why we should? Eventually?”

“I don't know, maybe.” She stepped back, out of reach and in control. “I'll let Karl know about your housing offer.”

Ryan gave her his business card that had both his cell phone and work number on it. “If you need me, call.”

“I will.”

He hesitated to leave. Right now, Kellie had enough to deal with. She didn't need him pushing barriers or breaking down what had happened between them. It wasn't exactly a simple kiss. Not for him, it wasn't. “Good night, Kellie.”

She looked relieved. “Good night, Ryan.”

Glad he'd made the right call by leaving, Ryan walked down her landlady's driveway toward the road where he'd parked his truck. More tired than usual, he brought his shirt to his nose and inhaled. The fabric smelled like her—soft and feminine. A wisp of scent that remained out of reach; that was pure Kellie. He wanted to catch her and keep her safe.

* * *

The following afternoon, Ryan whistled softly while he took his seat at group.

Jess, the young woman with tattoos, gave him a big grin. “Wow. Someone's in a good mood. What happened to you?”

Ryan laughed when he realized what song he'd been whistling. The same tune had been playing in the lobby of LightHouse Center when he walked in and the title sure fit.

He wiggled his eyebrows. “I kissed a girl and I liked it.”

Jess's pierced eyebrows arched in surprise. “Whoa, really? Well good for you.”

Reality hit. Was it good for him? He couldn't even ask Kellie out. And tonight her brother was coming to stay with him. More complications. “We'll see.”

Jess narrowed her gaze and then cocked her head to the side. “You're really into this chick, aren't you?”

Ryan could easily picture Kellie bristling like a porcupine at being called a
chick
. He suspected a lot of her feistiness covered vulnerability and fear. Was her reluctance with him really about her internship or was she afraid to let herself have feelings for him, because of her past? Seeing what addiction had done to her brother must be part of her hesitation. And he'd admitted his struggle with alcohol when they'd canoed. That couldn't have helped his case.

He sighed. “Yeah, I am.”

Jess gave him a wistful smile. “She's a fortunate girl.”

“I hope so.” Ryan knew where they were headed, but before pressing Kellie for more, he needed to be whole.

He was getting there. Group meetings made sense. Fighting the temptation to fixate on his guilt and numb the painful memories of the accident was something he still battled. A battle he'd tried to surrender to God.

Bottom line, his drinking days were done, now that he understood where it would take him if he continued. He didn't want to go there. He didn't want to become that guy.

And Kellie deserved more than jagged pieces of his heart glued back together. Could he let go of Sara's memory? He had to if he wanted to make any kind of solid future with Kellie.

Whoa!
He'd jumped way ahead of himself. Kellie wasn't exactly an open book when it came to how she felt about him. Reliving that kiss in his mind, Ryan had an idea, but would she let go of all her reservations and give them a chance?

Ryan settled in his seat with another sigh. When he looked up, he stared directly into the face of John, his group leader and Kellie's boss.

“Ryan.” John gave him a nod.

With a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, Ryan knew he'd heard everything. Would John put two and two together? Probably. Had he just blown it for Kellie's internship? He hoped not.

They made the rounds in group, getting caught up from last week. Each person shared as needed. Ryan kept quiet, but his mind churned.

“Ryan, anything you'd like to add?” John's voice sliced through his brain.

“Not today, no. I'm holding my own out there.” Ryan couldn't relax. Couldn't really focus either. He kept thinking about Kellie and what he might have accidentally done.

By the time group had finished, Ryan hung back and waited. He wanted to clarify a few things with John Thompson one-on-one. With a deep breath he approached the group leader. “You got a minute?”