Love Inspired March 2014 - Bundle 2 of 2: North Country Family\Small-Town Midwife\Protecting the Widow's Heart (50 page)

She headed down the hall to her son's room. “Time to turn out the lights, sweetie.”

EJ rolled onto his side, propping his head on his hand. “Mom, can we stay here?”

She sat down on the edge of the bed, reaching out to stroke his dark brown hair. “You mean in the cabin? We'll stay until we can go to Grandma's.”

“No. I mean forever. I like it here.”

A pit opened up in Ginger's stomach. “Elliot, this isn't our home. You know we're only here because of the car breaking down.”

“I know, but I like my school, and I have friends, and everyone here is nice. Nobody yells or gets mad and stuff.”

The pit in her stomach widened. The only memories her son had of his father was the shouting and anger. It wasn't a legacy she wanted him to have. “We've met a lot of nice people, but it's still not our home. We're just visiting—like a long vacation. You get to live in a cabin by the lake, go fishing, play ball with Ty and enjoy the Durrants on Sunday. That's a pretty cool vacation.”

“That's why I want to stay. Ty and Kenny are my friends.”

“And they are very good friends. We'll just have to enjoy them as much as we can until we leave. You'll have lots of wonderful memories to take with you.”

“You can't hug a memory.”

Ginger pulled her son close. She was collecting a lot of memories herself. All of them involving Ty. Like remembering the feel of his strong arms, and the kiss that made her smile each time she thought about it. The cabin had become her fortress of safety and happiness, and Ty her knight in shining armor, standing guard to protect her. She wished she could stay here, too. But she wasn't a princess, and Ty wasn't a knight. He was a cop.

“Go to sleep, sweetheart. We'll talk more about this tomorrow.”

Ty was tapping at the front door when she returned to the living room. He stepped inside, his expression revealing his fatigue. Her heart went out to him. He worked hard. She was certain he gave all his effort at whatever he tackled, whether building a house, enforcing the law or loving a family. Another reason to wish they could stay in Dover.

“Are you hungry?” He nodded, pulling off his coat and hanging it on the peg. “Go, sit down. I'll bring you a plate.”

Ty took a seat on the sofa, one foot propped up on the coffee table, staring into the fireplace. She could tell by the slope of his shoulders he was worried about something. She handed him a plate of beef stew, then sat beside him, picking up one of the throw pillows and hugging it to her chest. She let him eat before she expressed her concern. “What's on your mind? The Stanton house or your future?”

He sighed, and shook his head. “I saw the volunteer list today. I know you're doing all you can, and I'm grateful for those who are willing to help, but we can't get this house done on time without more people.”

Ginger's spirits sagged. Her efforts to recruit workers wasn't as fruitful as she'd hoped. She didn't like letting people down, especially Ty. “I'm so sorry. I was so sure I could convince everyone to help.”

He squeezed her hand. “It's not your fault. Just the way it is.”

“Can you hire the work done?”

“We could, but that would eat into the donation funds. We'd like to keep some in reserve to give the Stantons toward medical bills and living expenses after they come home.”

Ginger understood the crushing burden of medical bills. “Do the volunteers have to come from churches?”

Ty looked up. “No. I guess not.”

“Could they come from other organizations?”

“I suppose. Why?”

Ginger clasped his large hand in both of hers. “Well, I've been thinking.”

He exhaled a huff of air. “Dad always groans when Mom says that.”

“Hush. We found people at Hope Chapel willing to help. Maybe we should ask some of the other churches, and the police and fire departments. They might have people who would help.”

Ty stared at her, his eyes warming with a smile. “You are a very smart lady. I should have thought of that. I'll talk to Brady first thing tomorrow. If we can get the windows in and the siding on in the next couple days, we'll be back on schedule.” He reached out and tugged lightly on her stray curl. “Virginia Sloan, you are amazing.”

Chapter Nine

T
he morning rain had moved out, leaving behind a clear, crisp and sunny afternoon. Perfect pigskin weather. Ty took several rapid steps backward, raising the football over his head and pointing with his free hand for EJ to go long. The boy backpedaled, raising his arms. Ty sent the ball through the chill air toward the boy, smiling as it landed in his arms, wobbled, then fell to the ground. He laughed. “Good try, buddy. You almost had it.”

“You've lost your touch, Durrant.”

Ty whirled around at the familiar voice. Brady Reynolds strolled slowly toward him across the yard. “Hey, what brings you out here? Don't you have important police work back in town?”

Brady extended his hand. “Nothing that can't wait.” He smiled as EJ joined them. “You wouldn't know from that puny toss he just threw, but Ty used to be a pretty decent quarterback. 'Course, he was younger then.”

EJ laughed and hugged the football. “Are you a policeman like Tyster?”

Brady raised an eyebrow at the nickname, slanting a look at Ty. Ty shrugged. “Brady, this is Elliot Sloan. Ginger's son. EJ, this is my old friend Brady Reynolds.”

“I'm the chief of police in Dover. That's better than being an ordinary detective.” Brady leaned down and winked. “I get to drive a police car.”

EJ's eyes widened. “Really? Did you bring it today?”

“Sure did. Want to go see it?”

EJ bounced with excitement. “Yes.”

The trio walked around the cabin to the driveway where the black-and-white cruiser was parked.

“So, what are you really doing here, Brady?”

“Just on a call, and thought I'd swing by and see how the Stanton project is coming along. I'm scheduled to work this Saturday along with several of my guys.”

“That's great. We might get this house back on schedule after all.” Ty stopped beside the cruiser parked behind his truck.

“Wow.” EJ stared in awe at the vehicle. “Can I sit inside?”

Brady chuckled and unlocked the car. “Sure. I'll show you where all the cool gadgets are.”

EJ slid in behind the wheel while Brady hunkered down and pointed out all the equipment, from dashboard computer and sirens to lights and scanners.

Ty crossed his arms over his chest, smiling at the boy's delight. EJ was a great kid. He'd miss him when he left. A lump formed suddenly in his chest. He'd miss him a lot.

The SUV pulling into the drive diverted his attention. Ginger was home, and he hadn't even thought about supper. But inventing new meals was something they both enjoyed. He watched her climb from the car, but the expression on her face put a knot in his gut. Her green eyes were dark with fury. Her mouth set in a hard, angry line.

She strode to the patrol car, searing him with a scalding glare before turning her burning gaze on her son. “Elliot. Get out of there and go inside. Right now.”

Brady rose and stepped back, a deep frown on his face, his hand holding the car door open.

“But, Mom, Brady was showing me all the cool stuff in the police car. I even got to...”

“Now! Go!”

EJ started to speak, but Ginger jabbed her finger toward the house. He obeyed without a word, but the tears in his eyes revealed his hurt feelings. Ginger turned and glared at Ty. He suddenly felt like a kid who'd ruined his mother's prize china figurine. He fell back on habit. “Uh, Brady, this is Ginger Sloan, EJ's mother. Ginger, this is Chief Brady Reynolds.”

“Ma'am.” Brady touched his hat, then sent a sympathetic glance at Ty before sliding behind the wheel and starting the engine. “We'll talk later.”

Ty watched the car pull away and drive off, dreading what was to come. Steeling himself, he faced Ginger. And knew he was about to get reamed.

* * *

It was all Ginger could do to hold her tongue as she stormed around the cabin and out onto the pier. She needed time to get her anger under control before talking to EJ. The sound of boots on the wooden planks alerted her to Ty's presence. She turned and unleashed her anger. “What are you doing letting my son play in a police car?”

“He wasn't playing. He was exploring. Brady was showing him the equipment, that's all.”

“
That's all?
Are you serious? I have enough trouble keeping his hero worship for you under control. He thinks you're some kind of superhero. I took some comfort from the fact that you aren't really a policeman here. No gun. No badge. Just a guy. But now, you're feeding his fantasies by showing him all the nifty gadgets you danger junkies play with.”

“Ginger...”

She held up her hand to stop him. “But you never tell him about the ugly part. The risk, the pain. How could you do that when you know how I feel about your job, and guns, and all that comes with them? I don't want him dreaming about being a cop.”

Ty frowned, placing his hands on his hips. “He's almost eight. He'll want to be a dozen different things by the time he has to decide.”

Ginger shook her head. “No. Ty, this isn't going to work. I appreciate all you've done for us. Especially with Elliot, but I think it would be best if you backed off on your relationship with my son. It's going to be hard enough for him when we leave. We might as well start putting some distance between us before we get entangled in each other's lives more than we already are.”

“Ginger, I think you're overreacting.”

“Am I? He's a very impressionable little boy. He told me about the policeman who visited the school yesterday, and now he's sitting in a real police car. I don't want his head filled with dreams that could get him hurt.”

“I would never hurt him. You know that.”

“Not on purpose, but you are. You're glorifying a profession I don't want him thinking about. It's got to stop. Now.”

She watched as his blue eyes darkened, then narrowed. His jaw tightened, the muscle flexing rapidly. “Fine. You want distance. You got it.”

He strode briskly toward the boathouse. Ginger held her breath, anger and fear pulsing in her veins. She'd hurt him, but she'd had no choice. He didn't understand the way a little boy thought. Ty was a grown man. In time he'd come to see she was right. The argument only pointed up how comfortable she'd gotten here and how dependent she was on Ty's help. But it wasn't too late. All she had to do was focus on her job, get the stupid car paid for and get to Arizona.

Inhaling a ragged breath, she started back to the cabin. Now she had EJ to deal with. How could she make him understand? The aftermath of her anger left her shaky and drained. As she crossed the deck, she saw the lights go out in the boathouse and Ty emerge. He had his duffel in his hand and his computer case over his shoulder. He crossed the lawn with long, determined strides, disappearing around the side of the cabin. The sound of the truck door slamming and the motor roaring to life signaled his departure.

Ty was leaving. She felt cold all over. It was best this way. Time apart would give them all a chance to regain perspective. But as she stood on the deck, a powerful and unexpected wave of loneliness rushed through her, bringing tears to her eyes. How would she get along without Ty? She closed her eyes and dug deep. She didn't need Ty Durrant. She'd come this far on her own; she'd go the rest of the way. She'd been distracted by the safety and comfort of Dover, of the Durrants. Her long-held dream of love and family had materialized, and she'd allowed herself to indulge in the fantasy.

She opened the cabin door. Fantasy time was over. Seeing EJ in the police car, and the uniformed officer with a gun on his hip, had hit her like a sledgehammer in the chest. She saw clearly what Ty did for a living, and the repercussions of that profession. She'd been living in denial about his job. Cooking together, working on the project, losing her heart to him, had made it easy to forget what he was.

Inside, she glanced around for her son, but the living room was empty. He was probably in his room. As she walked down the hall, she tried to find a simple way to explain her anger over seeing him in a police car. How could she make him understand that she didn't want him dreaming of being a policeman? It was dangerous. He could get hurt or worse. Injured like his father.

EJ was stretched out on the bed when she peeked in. Barney Brim in his hands. His sweet face was pulled into a dejected frown. Steeling herself, she sat on the edge of the bed. His dark brown eyes, so like his father's, looked up full of questions and confusion.

“What did I do wrong, Mom?”

She reached out and stroked his silky dark hair. “Nothing, honey. I shouldn't have shouted at you.”

“I was just looking at the police car. I didn't break anything. Honest.”

“I know. But when I saw you in that car...it made me think of how dangerous a policeman's job is.”

“But policemen help people, too. They're heroes.”

“You're right.”

EJ sat up. “So can I go talk to Ty?”

“Ty's decided to stay at his parents' house for a while. They miss him.”

Elliot sat up, his mouth in a tight line. “No, he didn't. You made him go, didn't you? You don't like him.”

“That's not true.”

“Yes, it is. I love Ty, and you're mean.” He ran out of the room.

She heard the door slam as he went outside, and the sound of his pounding feet on the deck as he went. Ginger raked her fingers through her hair. What a mess she'd made. She was only now beginning to realize the consequences of her outburst. Who would pick EJ up from school tomorrow and watch him? Would Ty ask them to leave the cabin now? Would he want his car back? Hers still wasn't ready.

Maybe she should apologize and ask him to come back. No, that would be grossly unfair. Using his kindness to get herself out of a difficult situation was out of the question. He deserved better. He'd been a kind and generous friend. She exhaled a sigh. She'd deal with Ty tomorrow. First, she had to make things right with her son. But how?

* * *

Ty opened the back door to his parents' home, his heart heavy, his guilt even heavier. What had he been thinking? He should have anticipated Ginger's reaction to finding EJ in the cruiser. He knew what she feared most.

His mother was curled up in the family room with a book and glanced up as he entered, her expression revealing her surprise. She'd probably been expecting his dad. “Hey, Mom.”

“Ty, sweetheart. What brings you by today?” She laid her book down and came to him, hands touching his cheeks lovingly. “I'm so glad to see you. But something is wrong. I can see it in your eyes. Do you want something to eat or drink?”

He shook his head, setting his duffel on the floor. His mother noticed it and frowned.

“Ty? What's going on?”

“I thought I'd come home for a couple of days, if that's all right.”

“Of course it is, but you've been pretty firm about not staying here.” She took his arm and steered him toward the kitchen. “Sit.”

He did as he was told, knowing what was coming next. A glass of cold milk and a plate of chocolate chip cookies. Apparently, no matter how old a guy got, or how dangerous his job, his mom thought cookies and milk were the way to open him up.

He rested his elbows on the granite kitchen counter until his mom had poured herself a cup of hot tea and set the snack in front of him. “I feel like I'm ten years old again.”

“You look like it, too. Now, what's going on?”

“I screwed up, Mom. With Ginger. Big-time.”

“I'm sorry to hear that. I like her. I think you two might have a real connection.”

“Meaning?” He took a cookie from the plate.

“That you're attracted to each other. You seem comfortable together. It's nice. And that little boy adores you.”

“He's a great kid. But as for me and Ginger, that's not going to happen. I've told you before, women don't want to get involved with cops. It's rough, never knowing if your husband will come home, waiting for the phone call and the officers to show up at your front door.”

“Has she said that?”

He nodded. “Loud and clear.”

“I'm surprised. She seems like such a strong young woman.”

“She is. Strongest woman I ever met. Even more than Laura, and she's pretty tough.” He laughed softly.

“Does she have a reason to feel this way about your job?”

“A good one. Her husband was a security guard. He was shot and left paralyzed. He died last year from his injuries, but the shooting has left Ginger with a deep fear of guns and violence, and life in general, I think. Getting involved with a cop isn't something she's looking to do.”

“I see. So, how did you mess up?”

Ty clasped his hands together in front of him on the counter. “Brady Reynolds stopped by the cabin in his patrol car. EJ was with me, and he was all excited about the car. So Brady let him sit behind the wheel and toy with some of the equipment. He was having so much fun, it never occurred to me to tone it down.”

“Then Ginger came home and found her son captivated by a police car?”

“How did you guess?”

“I'm a mother. I could see where this was going.”

“Wish I would have. Ginger was furious. She chewed me out big-time and...” He glanced away toward the back window, trying to ease the sting of her words. “She asked me to back off from EJ. She doesn't want us spending so much time together.” His mother reached over and rested her hand on his forearm.

“I'm so sorry, son. Maybe after she has time to cool down, she'll change her mind. I don't imagine EJ is going to be too happy about you leaving.”

“No. We've become close. I look forward to our afternoons together.”

“Well, you can stay here as long as you like. You know that.”

“Thanks, Mom.” The rattle of the back door sounded as Tom Durrant walked into the room.

“Hey, Tyler. Or should I say
Tyster?
” He came over and patted his shoulder. “You come to have supper with the old folks?”