Love Inspired March 2014 - Bundle 2 of 2: North Country Family\Small-Town Midwife\Protecting the Widow's Heart (47 page)

Ginger refused to be discouraged. “Then I'll just have to prove you wrong.”

Ty gave her a skeptical smile. “I hope you do.”

Chapter Seven

G
inger flipped on the blinker and made the turn from the county road onto a gravel driveway leading between giant oak trees. It had taken her a few minutes to figure out the GPS in Ty's car, but once she had, she'd found her way to the Stanton property easily. The trees opened up to a wide, grassy area filled with pickup trucks and cars parked around the foundation of the home where the exterior walls were being erected. Selecting an out-of-the-way spot, she parked and climbed out. Loud popping noises filled the air as another two-by-four section of wall was raised into place. She had no idea what was going on, but the thought of all these people here to help a family in need warmed her heart.

“Hello. I didn't expect to see you here.”

Ginger glanced over at the woman approaching. It took her a moment to recognize Laura Durrant. “Hi. I could say the same.” She looked completely different from last Sunday and even from yesterday morning. Stained and worn jeans were tucked into scuffed work boots. Her green T-shirt was faded and stretched out. A tool belt hung around her hips. Her hair, so long and lovely the other day, was caught up into a spiky knot on top of her head.

“My other jobs are on schedule, so I pulled some of my crew off to help over here. Shaw called in a few favors, too. Ty wants to get this roof done by the weekend.”

“So fast?”

“I think so. With all of us, and the volunteers that you notified, and if the weather holds, we should be able to. So, what brings you to our job site?”

“I wanted a firsthand look. It's exciting seeing everyone come together like this to help a neighbor. Mainly I wanted to get a designated spot set up so everyone knows exactly where to put the food each day.”

“I have the perfect spot.”

Ginger followed Laura to an old garage located several yards back from the house. “We're using this space to store materials that need to be protected from weather. But I'll make sure we leave this side free for the food tables.”

“Perfect. This way we can come and go, and not be in the way.” Ginger watched the men working, her gaze scanning each pair of shoulders for one in particular.

“He's not here. Evans and Dabbs building supply donated felt paper and shingles for the roof. He's gone to McComb to pick it up.”

Ginger blushed. “I wasn't... I mean, he's the only person I know who might be here.”

“Oh, right.” Laura winked at her.

“Well, I'd better get back to my car and watch for Sue and Doris Young. They're bringing lunch today.”

“Before you go, can I ask you a question?”

“Yes, of course.”

Laura pulled her aside, her expression clouded. “I'm worried about Ty. He's not his usual self.”

Ginger frowned. “I'm not sure why you're asking me. I've only known him a short while.”

“But you've been with him more than the family has. I can see he's troubled, but I don't know what to do. My parents are concerned, too.”

She didn't want to betray Ty's confidence, but neither did she want his family to worry. “Ty has been through a life-changing event. That's not something you get over quickly.”

Laura's blue eyes narrowed. “You sound like you're speaking from experience.”

Ginger wasn't ready to get into her complicated past. “We all have situations in our life that are difficult to process.”

Laura nodded thoughtfully. “I guess you're right. I was married before, and it ended badly. I had a lot of soul-searching to do before I could give my heart to Adam. It's just...Ty was so closed off last Sunday. He was scowling and grumpy all day. Usually he's the one joking around, but the only time he seemed like his old self was when he was talking to you or Elliot. You seem to have a connection with him we don't.”

“Oh, I don't know about that.” Ginger tugged on her hair, uncomfortable with the conversation. “Ty mentioned he'd come home for solitude so he could sort through the events surrounding his...injuries. Unfortunately, he came home to strangers in his cabin. I think he was expecting things here to be the same, but instead he came home to a new sister-in-law, a man he's never met is marrying his baby sister and taking over the family business, and his parents are thinking of retiring and moving away.”

Moisture formed in Laura's blue eyes. “I never thought about it like that. But you're right. Ty got shot during the time Shelby and Matt were getting back together. Then Adam and I met, and got engaged on Thanksgiving Day.”

“I think all he needs is time to work things out.”

Laura rested her hands on her tool belt. “Ty's wanted to be a cop since he was five years old. Eventually, he'll go back to the force. You can bank on that.”

Ginger's heart contracted. The thought of Ty picking up a gun and charging back into the world of big-city crime filled her with dread. What if the next time, the bullets claimed his life?

“As a kid, Ty was the champion of the smaller kids. He stood up to the bullies. I think he's only happy when he's helping people. It's who he is.”

Laura's words settled like a stone in her heart. Was that why Ty had been so helpful? Because it was his nature? She'd hoped he was being kind because he liked them, her and Elliot. A flush of embarrassment stung her cheeks. She'd obviously read too much into Ty's attention. Silly her, thinking a man like Ty would be interested in a widow and her son.

“I hear Matt and Ty are going to Jackson on Saturday with the boys. Come to my house for lunch. I'll send you directions.”

She probably should refuse, but she liked Laura, and having friends to talk to was something she'd sorely missed over the years. “I'd like that. Thank you.”

* * *

Ty shut the door to the van and started around to the back, stopping abruptly when he smelled something delicious coming from nearby. He scanned the area, his gaze landing on the old garage where some of the workers had congregated. He smiled. The ladies of the church had come through again.

His sister met him as he approached the tables. “You just missed her.”

“Who?”

“Ginger. She stopped by earlier to make arrangements for the food.” She smiled and tilted her head. “She's really nice. I like her. We all do.”

“Who all?”

“Mom. Dad. Matt. Shelby.”

Ty knew the look in his sister's blue eyes. “You can stop the teasing. I'm just helping her out. Nothing more.”

“Right. So you bring her to Sunday dinner.”

“Trying to be neighborly.” He started to move past her to the food table, but she caught his arm.

“Ty, I really do like her. She's sweet. I'm glad you were there to help her and Elliot.”

“Me, too.” Ty moved down the food table, loading up his plate with stick-to-your-ribs dishes that would fuel him for the rest of the day.

“This is quite a spread. Hope they feed us this way every day.”

Ty glanced over his shoulder at the man behind him in line. At six-two and muscled like a navy SEAL, Shaw McKinney would have been an intimidating figure, except for his ready smile and quick wit. “I don't think you'll have to worry about the food with Ginger in charge.”

“Ginger. Is that the very attractive lady staying with you?”

Ty frowned. “She's not
staying
with me. She and her son are in the cabin. I'm staying in the boathouse.” Not that it was any of Shaw's concern. “What do you know about Ginger?”

Shaw picked up a plate. “Enough to know she's very pretty, in a wholesome kind of way. She was here earlier. Hard to miss someone like her.”

Ty set his jaw. He didn't like the idea of the men ogling Ginger. It would embarrass her. “Back off, Shaw. She's not your type.”

“Oh, really? She might be the one to change my mind about settling down.”

Ty doubted that. Shaw never dated a woman more than twice, and even that was rare. He wasn't a bad guy. He was a hard worker and dependable, but he liked to play up his reputation as a ladies' man. Still, he didn't want the man even
thinking
about Ginger. “She has a son.”

Shaw growled. “Ah. That's a deal breaker. I don't do kids.”

Ty smiled inwardly. Shaw might not, but Ty loved kids. EJ was proving to be his little buddy. After school they'd fish or play ball until it was dark. Someday, if things worked out, he'd like to have a whole house full of kids.

* * *

Daylight had nearly gone as Ginger began clearing her desk for the day. She'd lined up volunteers through the weekend, all with experience in rough carpentry and capable of getting the Stanton house under roof the way Ty wanted. But it had been a struggle. Finding people to provide food for the workers was an easier task. The ladies of Peace Community sought her out with offers. It was really very sweet and touching the way they all jumped in to do their part.

Tonight was her first time to play piano for choir rehearsal. And Ty had insisted on watching EJ after school. His reliability was admirable. It was nice to have someone to pitch in to help instead of having it all on her shoulders.

A light tapping on her door drew her attention.

“Mrs. Sloan? I'm Carol Stanton. Y'all are building our house.”

A rush of joy and compassion surged through Ginger. She'd been looking forward to meeting the owners. “Mrs. Stanton, I'm so glad to meet you. I was going to come to see you at your place tomorrow.”

A wan smile moved the woman's face. “We don't really have a place at the moment. Ben Campbell, the real estate man, he gave us a small house to stay in for now. I wanted to ask you to thank everyone for coming together to help us. My family is very grateful.”

Ginger motioned for her to be seated. “It's our pleasure. Besides, I've learned a great deal about your family as I've talked to the church members. You and your husband are the first to step up when someone needs help. And I hear Mr. Stanton has coached various community teams for years. I think everyone is grateful for a chance to do something for you now.”

Mrs. Stanton's eyes misted over. “I'm so thankful to the Lord for bringing such kind people into our lives.” She stood, then said, “I have to get back to the hospital. I don't like to leave Lee alone too long.”

“I'll keep in touch, and let you know how the house is progressing.” Ginger spoke with the woman a few more minutes before saying goodbye. Having met Mrs. Stanton, Ginger was more determined than ever to find all the volunteers necessary to make this project a success.

* * *

Friday dawned cold and windy, and rain threatened. Ty stared up at the rafters being constructed above the Stantons' house. He'd wanted the roof finished by the weekend so they could start working inside, but they'd lost a whole day of work yesterday to rain, and several carpenters had left when they got paying jobs.

Shaw McKinney came toward him from the saw table where he'd been cutting lumber for the roof. “I take it Ginger hasn't been able to find any more willing workers?”

Ty shook his head. “She can find plenty of people to bring food, but not many who want to do the real work.”

Shaw nodded. “Laura just texted me, she'll be pulling her guys off after today.”

Ty exhaled a frustrated breath. Things were going much more slowly than he'd expected. “I had a trip planned with Matt and the boys tomorrow. Guess I should cancel.”

“Nah. Don't do that. I'll be here all weekend. I've got a couple guys coming down from Jackson tomorrow to work. We should have it under roof by Monday. After that, though, I don't know what you're going to do.”

“Pray.” Getting this house done in a few weeks would need the whole town coming together. Ty was beginning to fear that might not happen.

* * *

The charming Victorian cottage in the middle of a tree-lined street elicited a sigh of appreciation from Ginger as she pulled into Laura's driveway Saturday. The house could have been lifted from a picture book. Intricate gingerbread dripped from every angle of the porch and gable. The broad wraparound front porch held planters filled with mums and colorful pansies.

She'd looked forward to lunch with Ty's sister, but a small part of her worried about getting too entangled with his family. Always in the back of her mind was the knowledge that she would be leaving as soon as she could pay for the car repairs. Her heart was tattered enough without ripping it more by leaving people she cared about behind.

Laura greeted her at the door with a bright smile and her little dog, Wally, who wagged his tail frantically at her arrival. Ginger rubbed his head, then followed Laura into the living room. The pleasing assortment of antique pieces, overstuffed furniture and cheery fabrics made her smile. “I love the way you've decorated, so cozy and comfortable. If I could design my dream home, it would look exactly like this.”

“Thank you. I'm going to miss it after Adam and I are married.”

“Ty mentioned you're restoring an old home.”

Laura nodded. “I hate to sell, but we don't need two homes. Come on into the sunroom. I have lunch all ready.”

The room captured Ginger's heart. The large, glass-enclosed space was filled with light and inviting rattan furniture. A small table in the corner near the window faced out onto the winter garden where several large bushes were bent low with flowers. Pots of pansies brought color to the patio and the fountain, turned off for the season. “This is lovely. I'd spend every spare moment out here.”

“I try to, but the spare moments are becoming fewer and fewer.” Laura returned with two plates, drinks and fresh rolls on a large tray. “I've made you the only acceptable lunch for ladies of the south. Chicken salad, fruit, croissants and sweet tea.”

They chatted about the wedding and the work on the Stanton property as they ate. When Laura placed a slice of warm pecan pie in front of her, Ginger decided to seek the woman's help. “I was wondering if there was a thrift store in town. Elliot has asked for a bike. His birthday is coming up, and I thought maybe I'd surprise him.”