Love Inspired March 2014 - Bundle 2 of 2: North Country Family\Small-Town Midwife\Protecting the Widow's Heart (52 page)

He shrugged and flashed his smile. “A kid can never have too many birthday presents.”

EJ let out a shout when the paper fell away to reveal a shiny new fishing pole. He turned and smiled at Ty. “It's just like yours.”

Ty nodded and gave a thumbs-up.

Ginger's gaze traveled around the room, taking a mental picture of the moment. Tom and Angie Durrant were standing in front of the fireplace, smiles brightening their faces as they watched EJ enjoy his party. Matt and Shelby were seated on the sofa, her hand resting on his knee possessively. Cassidy sat on her knees in front of them as they watched the activity. Laura and her fiancé, Adam, were seated in the two occasional chairs but had their hands linked across the small table dividing them. It was a portrait of family togetherness.

Ty rested his hand on her back, jolting her out of her reverie and making her aware of the tangy scent she'd come to know as his own. She wanted to lean against him, to feel the solid strength of him against her back, like a safety barrier. But she couldn't.

Elliot appeared in front of her, remote-control car in hand. “Can I take this outside and play with it?”

She smiled. “Did you thank everyone for their presents?”

He turned and glanced around the room. “Thank you. I love all my presents.”

Angie Durrant came and gave him a quick hug. “You're most welcome, Elliot. And we have a cake for you, too.” She pointed to the breakfast table, where a sheet cake decorated with cars rested.

Elliot smiled ear to ear. “Thank you.”

EJ and Kenny disappeared out the door to play with their cars while the adults regrouped in the kitchen. The men decided to oversee the car race with the boys, while the women cleaned up. Ginger started to help, but Angie shooed her away.

“Go and watch your son play. Let us know when you're ready to bring out his bike.”

“I can't wait to see that,” Laura chimed in.

Shelby, hands full of discarded wrapping paper, joined them. “He is the cutest little guy. The look on his face was priceless. Matt took pictures. I'll get them to you later.”

Out on the back porch, Ginger stood at the rail watching the boys guide the small cars along the driveway, noting with a smile that the big boys were itching to get their hands on the controls. After a few minutes, Ty joined her.

“Are you ready for the last gift?”

“I think so.”

Ty took her hand, and they made their way toward the garage. The family had all agreed to park on the street so the driveway would be clear for the bike. Ginger waited near the garage door as Ty went inside and pressed the opener. The boys were so occupied with their cars, they didn't even notice the door going up.

Ty rolled the bike out of the garage. “Hey, EJ. You have one more present. Come and see.”

Ginger took a deep breath, her gaze focused on Elliot. He'd stopped a few feet away. His eyes growing wide, his mouth open in surprise. She thought she saw a hint of tears in his brown eyes. Her heart overflowed with happiness.

“Oh, wow! Wow!” He jumped up and down, making fists of triumph in the air. “Thank you, Mom. Thank you, thank you.” He gave her a big hug before approaching the bike. He touched the seat and the wheels before lifting the helmet from the handlebars. “Awesome.”

“Now you have to learn to ride it.”

“I kinda know. I've tried Kenny's a couple times.”

The men gathered around her son. Tom Durrant ruffled his hair. “Let's see how she handles.”

Adam and Matt exclaimed over the design, and Ty helped him adjust the strap on the helmet so it fit properly. Sensing her presence was no longer needed, Ginger retreated to the back porch to watch, trying not to worry about possible injuries.

Watching the Durrants as they helped her son learn to ride his new bike was like seeing her deepest dream come to life. This was what she wanted for her son. A family.

Emotions swelled in her chest. Tears filled her eyes. Unwilling to break down in front of everyone, she went inside, hurrying through the house and out onto the front porch. At the railing she stopped, letting the joyful tears overflow. Why couldn't she have this all the time? Love. Family. A safe place to stay.

“Ginger?”

The sound of Ty's voice penetrated her tears. She froze, unwilling to let him see her like this. Quickly, she swiped at her damp cheeks, digging in the pocket of her slacks for a tissue and coming up empty. A clean one appeared in front of her, held out by Ty's strong hand. “Thank you.”

“Are you all right?”

She shook her head, then shrugged. “I guess. Maybe.” The confusion in her mind triggered more tears. What a silly mess she was. Her emotions were spilling out like a leaky dam. Happiness and frustration warred with gratitude and sorrow.

“What's wrong? Did something happen? Did someone say something that upset you?”

Gentle hands turned her around. She looked up into his concerned blue eyes and felt her emotional dam burst. “No, it's me. I'm so happy and grateful, but I'm angry and...” The tears poured out anew.

Ty pulled her into his arms, holding her securely against his chest, his hand cradling her head. She cried, knowing she was soaking his shirt with her tears, but unable to stop. Being in his embrace was so comforting, so safe. She wanted to stay there forever, knowing he would always protect her, watch over her.

The thought brought a cold rush of realization. She pulled out of his embrace, but he held on to her shoulders.

“Feeling better?”

“I...” She looked into his eyes and forgot to breathe. She needed to move away, put some distance between them, but she didn't want to. She wanted to stay right where she was, in his arms.

He reached out and laid his hand on the side of her face, his thumb gently stroking her cheek. “You're not used to all this happiness, are you?”

She tried to speak, but her throat was too tight. She shook her head.

Ty bent his head and looked into her eyes. “I'd like to see you happy all the time, Ginger. You deserve that and much more.”

She looked down, her gaze falling in the center of his chest. “That's sweet, but no one is happy all the time. It's been an emotional day, that's all. Seeing EJ so happy is a dream come true. I wish...”

“Wish what?” He eased her closer, her hands pressing against his heart. It was beating as fast as hers.

“Nothing.”

“Tell me your wish, Ginger, and I'll see if I can make it come true.”

Before she could speak, he captured her mouth, stealing all the strength from her knees. She melted against him, her arms sliding around his neck. His lips were gentle, and, oh, so tender. He pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. Her knees threatened to give way as her insides melted. She lost all sense of time and place. There was only him. She wanted to stay in this moment forever.

He ended the kiss. Her mind floated a moment before settling back into reality. She looked into his blue eyes and saw confusion.

“Ginger, I...”

Was he already regretting kissing her? She stepped back, out of his reach, and hurried into the house, swiping away fresh tears. She knew the truth now, but it only served to complicate her already crazy life. Ducking into the living room, she took a couple deep breaths to calm her nerves. What did she do now? That heart-stopping kiss had exposed the truth. She'd fallen in love with Ty Durrant.

Chapter Eleven

“M
om, can I play basketball? The school is starting a team.”

Ginger filled the plate with a small helping of chicken and noodles, then set it before her son. “EJ, we'll be leaving in a couple of weeks. You know that.”

“Aw.” He rested his head on his hand, poking at his food. Ginger filled her own plate, echoing a mental moan of her own. Her heart had started to grow roots in Dover, and to the man who'd taken over her every thought.

She glanced up as Ty walked in. Her cheeks warmed as her mind replayed yesterday's kiss. He'd been quiet on the way home from his parents' and had retreated to the boathouse when they'd arrived. Just as well. After that kiss, she had a lot to think about. He probably did, too. “Are you hungry?”

“I'll pick something up on the way. Brady wants me to guard the Stantons' house tonight. He's shorthanded.”

Since the vandalism last Friday night, the Dover police had increased patrols, and the church had hired off-duty officers to stand guard; but the thought of Ty being out there terrified her. “Alone?”

He came and stood in front of her, a knowing grin on his handsome face. He reached out and touched her hair. “I'll be fine. I doubt if they'll come back. They know we're watching the place. It's just a precaution.”

“Be careful. I couldn't stand it if...”

He hushed her, pulling her close against him. “Don't think that way. I'll be home before you know it.”

“I feel so helpless. I wish there was something I could do.”

“Keep digging up volunteers. That's what we need the most.”

An idea formed in Ginger's mind. “Ty, how many people has the Handy Works ministry helped?”

He shrugged. “I don't know. Hundreds, I guess. Why?”

She wasn't ready to share her idea. It was still percolating in her mind. “Nothing. I just wondered.”

“I've got to run.”

She watched him go, stopping to speak to EJ before he headed out the door. Her appetite gone, she entertained EJ by making brownies and watching a movie. But the minutes crawled by. Her thoughts were consumed with worry about all that could go wrong. What if it wasn't just a few men, but a gang? What if they returned with guns, and Ty was unarmed? What if they snuck up on him and... She groaned. It was all too horrible to think about.

How did the spouses of policemen do it? She could never live with the constant worry, never knowing if he would come home again. John's shooting had been random. Wrong place, wrong time. But Ty put his life on the line every day by choice. How could she open herself up to that kind of danger? How could she ask EJ to possibly lose another father?

Worn down from worry, she prepared for bed, then slipped under the covers, praying for Ty's safety. She tried to think about how capable he was, how strong. He was a trained officer with years of experience. John had been a security guard only a few months and viewed it as a game. But, despite Ty's skill and ability, he still had been shot.

She needed to stop this and focus on something positive. The vandalism had left a deep wound in her heart. There had to be some way to let people know of the need for volunteers, the importance of finishing the house. If only there was a way to reach all of the citizens of Dover at one time. A new idea bloomed. Maybe there was.

Her eyelids grew heavy, only to open again as she heard Ty's truck pull in below nearby.

He was home. Safe.

She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

* * *

Ty slowed his truck, waiting for the car ahead of him to make the turn into the Stantons' driveway the next afternoon. He'd spent the morning going over the financial details with the anonymous donor's attorney. There was enough money to replace all the materials and hire the labor, but that would drain the funds and leave the Stantons with crushing medical bills. Something he was unwilling to accept.

As he drove into the large yard, he bent his head to peer out of the windshield. The Stantons' yard was a beehive of activity. Twice the normal number of vehicles were parked on the grounds. A delivery truck was off-loading a stack of drywall. Men were unloading boxes of tile and buckets of thin set from a van. Electrical and plumbing trucks were parked near the side of the house.

His sister met him as he got out of the truck. “Can you believe this?”

“What's going on? Where did all these people come from?”

Laura looked at him with a puzzled expression. “Didn't you hear her on the radio this morning?”

“I was at Mac Bridges's office going over the finances. Hear who?”

“Ty, this is all because of Ginger. She is amazing. She went on WDVZ this morning and told everyone about the Stantons. She talked about how the church is rebuilding the Stantons' home, and the anonymous donor, and about being vandalized. And then—” Laura poked him in the chest for emphasis “—she mentioned Handy Works and called upon anyone who'd been helped by the ministry to show their gratitude by lending a hand on the Stanton project.”

“Ginger did that?”

Laura smiled and nodded. “She also asked for donations, so that the Stantons could come home to a finished house and not be saddled with huge hospital bills.”

Ty tried to process what Laura was telling him. “So all these people are here to help?”

“Yes, and I'm getting calls from local businesses wanting to make donations. The siding is going to be completely replaced at no cost, including labor. The electrical and plumbing are already here and working for free.”

“How did she get on the radio? She never said a word about this.”

“I don't know. But it's an answer to a prayer.” Laura caught his gaze, her blue eyes narrowed and intense. “Tyler Wallace Durrant. She is one special woman, and if you don't claim her, you'll be making a huge mistake.”

His sister was right. His heart was so full of love and pride for Ginger's ingenuity and hard work, he wanted to shout out loud. His gaze scanned the large number of volunteers. Thanks to Ginger, the house would be finished on time. None of this would have been possible without her caring heart. She'd found a way to make it all work, to overcome all the obstacles. If he hadn't already lost his heart to her, he definitely would have after this.

Maybe it was time to give up law enforcement. Having a woman like Ginger at his side, sharing his life, would be a blessing. As soon as he had a free moment, he'd do a little research and see what his options were. But first, he had to show her how much she'd touched him.

* * *

Today would go down as one of her all-time favorites. Ginger gazed across her desk to the rainbow bouquet of roses sitting before her. Ty had sent her flowers. She couldn't wipe the smile from her face. She'd asked the deliveryman twice who they were for. The last time she'd received flowers she'd been twelve, and her father had presented her with a small bouquet after one of her piano recitals.

Lifting the small card from the plastic holder she read the words again. “‘To my Super Hero. You're amazing. Ty.'” Like the other dozen times she'd read the card, her heart fluttered.

When she'd called to thank him, he'd told her it was his way of letting her know how much the radio interview had meant to him, and how proud he was of her. She couldn't wait to see him tonight and thank him in person. Every gesture he made, every kind thought, just made it harder for her to leave Dover. But the time was coming.

Her gaze landed on the roses again, and she shoved the future aside. She wasn't going to spoil this moment with thoughts of tomorrow. Ty had sent her flowers, and that's all she wanted to think about now.

* * *

The rain had started midafternoon, so Ty had left the site a little early. With all the extra help, he'd felt confident leaving the volunteers in Shaw's capable hands. He'd retrieved his laptop from the boathouse and made a dash through the rain to the cabin. The moment he stepped over the threshold, a sense of home enveloped him. The feeling went far beyond owning the property. The cabin held a welcoming comfort now, something that had been missing until Ginger and EJ had entered his life.

Which was why he was willing to think about a different direction for his life. He'd be a fool if he didn't at least consider a new future. One that included her and EJ.

Opening his laptop, he turned his attention to the screen. A few taps on the keyboard pulled up information on jobs for people with a law enforcement background. Maybe security work was the answer; keep the badge and the weapon, but lose the dangerous side of police work.

The list of openings showed promise, with salaries triple what he made now. With a sigh, he leaned back in the kitchen stool, absently rubbing the side of his neck. He felt certain he could land a position quickly. He had the credentials and the experience. But the motivation was lacking.

What about law school? He surfed online until a list of local colleges appeared. A small knot formed in his chest at the thought of going back to school, buried in law books. Neither option sparked a fire in his belly. The only fire in him right now was the lingering memory of Ginger in his arms, holding her close, and kissing her.

If he left the police, he might have a future with Ginger and EJ. But what kind of husband and father would he be if he gave up his calling? Would his dissatisfaction eat away at the relationship? She deserved all of him, not a watered-down version.

He shut the laptop and stood. Closing his eyes, he offered up another heartfelt prayer.
Lord, I need answers. I need direction. You're my strong tower. I need Your strength to fight the fear and doubt. Show me what I need to do to overcome my confusion.

* * *

Ginger's hopes of spending time with Ty that evening were pushed aside. Her success at recruiting volunteers and donations had resulted in him spending more hours at the job site in order to get the house done on time. He'd left the moment she'd arrived home, but not before taking a moment to caress her cheek lovingly and dazzle her with one of his smiles.

After putting EJ to bed, Ginger headed to the living room, looking for something to occupy her mind. She spied Ty's laptop on the coffee table.

Opening it, the screen displayed the website of a local law school. Was Ty considering getting a degree? Did this mean he had decided to leave the police force? Her heartbeat quickened. No more danger. No more worry. She knew they had feelings for one another. The kiss proved that. She could so easily see a future for them. EJ adored him. But not as long as he was a cop. But as a lawyer...

She closed the computer, trying not to read too much into what she'd found. She wanted to talk to him about his decision, encourage him to leave the force. But he had to make his own decision. She needed to give him space and time to decide. Still, she couldn't stop the bubble of hope that floated to the surface of her mind.

* * *

Ty stared at the bobber as it floated on the water. He had no concern for the fish that might snag his line; his thoughts were focused on the boy beside him, sitting hunched over his new fishing pole, his forehead creased in a deep frown. EJ had been unusually quiet since Ty had picked him up from school.

The weather had turned warm and sunny today, and after completing his homework, EJ had asked to go fishing. They'd been sitting on the pier for a while now.

“Tyster, did you get shot?”

The question pierced right to his heart. He inhaled slowly, gauging his response. “Who told you about that?”

“Kenny. He said you were in the hospital a long time.”

Ty looked at the bobber again, wishing he could float on the top of this issue and not get pulled under the surface. “Yes, I did.” He waited for another question, but the boy fell silent again.

“My dad got shot. He couldn't walk anymore.”

A lump formed in Ty's throat. Poor kid. “Yeah. Your mom told me.” EJ turned and looked up at him, brown eyes moist with unshed tears. His bottom lip quivered.

“It was my fault.”

“No, EJ. It wasn't your fault. It was the bad guy's fault.”

EJ shook his head, one small hand still holding tightly to the pole like a lifeline. “I made him go back inside to get me a better toy. I already had the one in the box.”

Ty searched for a way to handle this conversation. EJ should be talking to his mother, but he'd chosen to share it with him. “EJ, sometimes bad things happen to people, and when it does, we need a reason to help us understand. Sometimes we blame ourselves.”

“But my dad said he would be okay if we'd never gone to that place.”

Laying aside his pole, Ty wrapped an arm around EJ's slender shoulders and pulled him close. “Your dad was probably scared about not being able to walk again, and it made him angry. He worried about how he would take care of you and your mom.”

“But what if it
was
my fault?”

“It wasn't. Believe me. Have you talked to your mom about this?”

He shook his head. “She might not love me anymore.”

“Oh, EJ. Your mom will always love you. Nothing you could ever do or say will change that.”

“But what if it was?”

Ty exhaled a long sigh. “I know how it feels to think that. When I got shot, my partner got shot, too. He died. I feel like it was my fault because I didn't react fast enough.”

“Was it your fault?”

The question hit its mark. He thought about Julie, Pete's wife. She'd told him repeatedly it wasn't his fault, that she didn't blame him. “I don't know, buddy. I'm still trying to sort that out.”

“Mrs. Graves in Sunday school told us when we have problems we're supposed to give them to Jesus because He's stronger than we are.”

“That's true.”

EJ's big brown eyes were filled with sadness as he looked up at him. “I don't know how to do that.”