Love To The Rescue (23 page)

“Good heavens,” exclaimed Bonnie’s mother. “Was anyone home at the time?”

“No. Everyone was out for the night, thankfully. But the fire department won’t let us inside yet to see what’s salvageable or what’s gone.”

“Let us know if there’s any way we can help.” The woman headed back to her car.

“We’ll be okay. But thanks for offering,” called Kevin. He waved at the woman’s husband, sitting in the driver’s seat, and he waved back.

Sarah hugged her father’s waist. “It’s all right, Daddy. You’re here and Mrs. Harris. And Buster’s in my backpack. Everybody is okay.”

Amy stuck her hand in her mouth to stifle the rising sob that threatened to escape. This precious little girl’s whole life had been turned upside down by a devastating fire. The home and pretty bedroom she loved so much were damaged, permanently ruined. All of her toys could be lost. All of her clothes gone up in flames. And Sarah was comforting her father, assuring him everyone was okay.

Even if the relationship with Kevin didn’t work out in the end, Amy knew she would love Sarah for the rest of her life.

Chapter 18

Yesterday, after it was decided everyone would move in with Amy, Kevin received permission to enter his home at two o’clock with a representative from the fire department present.

Kevin loaded up his half ton truck with Sarah’s clothes and toys and the items Mrs. Harris requested, brought it all over to Amy’s house, and stuffed it in her double car garage. While Kevin returned for a second load of his own things, Mrs. Harris and Amy sorted through the first load. Some clothes were beyond salvaging, but most of it headed to the drycleaners or into the washing machine.

While she scrubbed Sarah’s toys just outside the garage, Amy noticed an older model blue sedan drive slowly past the front of her house. A few minutes later, it drove by again from the other direction.

“That’s strange,” she observed aloud. “Must be someone visiting relatives or friends for the holidays, and they’re lost.”

Mrs. Harris waved a dismissive hand. “No explaining some people. Why wouldn’t they stop and ask for directions? We’re standing right here.”

They aired out Sarah’s toys and several other articles in the brisk December breeze on tables set up on the deck. Just before nightfall, Amy and Kevin moved the tables into the garage. By morning, everything smelled fresh and was brought into the house and put away.

“Thank goodness, that’s the last of it,” puffed Mrs. Harris, closing the door to her new room beside the kitchen. “I don’t know how I’ve survived this.”

“Sit down and I’ll put on a fresh pot of coffee.” Amy filled the coffeemaker with water and measured the coffee, flipped the switch to ON. “Considering your bad knee, I don’t know how you managed either. You possess a remarkable work ethic.”

“Just doing what needs doing.” Mrs. Harris collapsed onto a kitchen chair and Rover flopped down beside her. Amy noticed the dog had developed a special rapport with the older woman, and Mrs. Harris bent down to scratch behind his ears. “That’s how I was brought up.”

“Where did you grow up?” Amy turned and met her eyes. “If you don’t mind me asking?”

“On a dairy farm a few miles outside of Vegreville.”

“Well, that explains those delicious cabbage rolls.”

“You’re right. My adopted parents were Ukrainian. They wanted a daughter, but mother only birthed sons. My brothers never considered me real family, and my folks passed on long ago. Kenneth Harris and I were married forty-two years until he was diagnosed with cancer and died within six months. After he passed on, I found myself at loose ends. Working for Kevin was the perfect job for me and I haven’t looked back since.”

Amy smiled. “If you share your cabbage roll recipe, I’ll help you make them.”

“You’ve got a deal, my dear.” Mrs. Harris rubbed her knees with slightly arthritic-knurled hands. “But we’ll keep that little project for another day.”

“Definitely.” Amy hopped up to pour the coffee. “I’m heading to the mall with Kevin this afternoon to buy Sarah’s Christmas presents since most of the others were ruined. I suggest you take the opportunity to catch an afternoon nap. Goodness knows you’ve earned it the past couple of days.”

“That sounds heavenly. What day is it anyway? The twenty second?”

“Yes. Just three more sleeps until Santa arrives,” sang Amy, grinning.

Mrs. Harris chuckled. “You’re as excited as Sarah. Are you anticipating something that sparkles in your stocking?”

“Shh. The engagement ring gods will hear you.” Amy pressed her index finger against her lips.

“With the church fundraiser over, our salvageable belongings cleaned and put away, and Christmas preparations complete, I don’t know what I’ll do with myself for three more days.” Mrs. Harris sipped her coffee.

Amy insisted on doing all the cooking and most everything else since her new housemates moved in. Even helping revitalize everyone’s belongings had tired out Mrs. Harris. “Oh, there will be lots to do. Aunt Amelia and Uncle Jimmy arrive tomorrow. Prepare yourself. You’re going to be thumped in cribbage.”

****

Kevin stood in Amy’s small downstairs guest room shower and waited for the hot, pelting water to penetrate his aching muscles. He hadn’t endured a day on the job that drained him like this one had in ages.

“What was the darn kid thinking?” he asked himself, aloud. “And on Christmas Eve Day yet.”

He stepped out of the stall into the steam-filled bathroom. The humidity from the shower competed with his memories of the scene in the kid’s bedroom in playing havoc with his breathing. You’re on days off now. Just banish what happened from your mind and enjoy the holidays, he coached himself.

Easier said than done.

He toweled off, pulled on his favorite Calgary Flames pajama bottoms, and slipped a white t-shirt over his head. He swiped a hand towel across the mirror above the sink, his blurry image clearing. He combed his hands through his hair and called it done.

He wandered into the games room, grabbed a beer out of Amy’s mini fridge, and slumped onto the black leather sofa. He clicked the remote and stared unseeing at the TV screen where some Hollywood cop was arresting a drug dealer. Who wrote this stuff, he wondered? Neither of the two female partners he’d worked with ever wore red lipstick and three inch heels on the job.

He polished off half the beer, relaxed against the sofa back and closed his eyes. The image of the kid and her mother popped into his mind. An image he’d not soon forget. He opened his eyes, blinked, and took another sip.

Kevin heard the familiar clicking sound of the dog’s nails on the tiled games room floor. Suddenly, seventy pounds of Irish setter leapt onto the sofa, settled at his side, and rested his head on his leg.

“Hi, Rover. Sounds like you require a nail clipping soon.”

The dog peered up at him with sorrowful brown eyes, his expression indicating his concern.

“You can sense my mood, can’t you?” Kevin ruffled the dog’s ears. “Yeah, it hasn’t been the best day. Mind you, my boss’ day was worse. His oldest daughter attempted suicide. I was the first on the scene. Not good. She’s in the hospital, but she’s not breathing on her own. I don’t know if she’ll make it or not. Sure screwed up her family’s Christmas. What are these kids thinking, Rover? Long term solution to a short term problem.”

Kevin shook his head but smiled in spite of his inner turmoil. It felt good talking over his day with the dog. More police officers should have a canine friend, someone to talk to. They couldn’t discuss work with family or friends. Not even their wives. “Rover, you realize you’re sworn to secrecy, right? You can’t repeat a word of this.”

Rover whined and wagged his tail.

“Good. I’m glad we’ve got that established.” Kevin finished his beer and headed to the fridge for another. He called over his shoulder, “Hey, Rover, buddy, can I get you something to drink while I’m up?”

*

Amy heard Rover crossing the floor and heading out the door a few minutes ago. She wondered where he went. Usually if he required a late night romp in the backyard, he’d whine at the bedroom door signaling his need. Tonight, he’d just crawled off his bed and left.

She buried her nose back in Nora Roberts’ latest novel. A few minutes later when she reached the end of the chapter, she closed the book and peeked over at Rover’s bed. He hadn’t returned.

“Okay, big guy, what are you up to?” An image of presents dragged from under the tree, lying opened on the floor, wrapping tracked throughout the entire family room flashed across her mind. She crawled out of her warm bed to investigate.

Amy slipped down the back stairs to the kitchen on bare feet. The only sound she heard in the darkness was the faint ticking of the clock on the far wall. Where was Rover? She checked the living room and dining room next, moving easily through each moonlit room. Nothing.

She climbed the stairs and checked Sarah’s room, but the precious angel in her life slept soundly in her bed, alone. Amy backed out of the room into the hallway. Her aunt and uncle’s door was closed. Rover couldn’t have entered.

Amy returned to the kitchen.

Kevin.

Amy jogged downstairs to the games room and discovered Kevin standing with his back to her popping the tab on a can of beer. Rover was stretched out on the leather sofa. “So there you are.”

Kevin whipped around, a shocked expression on his face.

“Jesus, you nearly scared me to death.” He grinned. “Don’t ever sneak up on a guy who can legally carry a gun.”

“Do you regularly wear a gun with your Flames pajamas?” she teased.

“Just for midnight stakeouts,” he countered. “I thought you’d be asleep. Some of the guys went for a beer after work. We were all pretty stressed out.”

“Did something happen that...forget it. You can’t talk about it. I won’t ask.” Amy grimaced. Confidentiality had become a four letter word in her vocabulary. “I can tell by your expression that something happened. Whatever it was you have my sympathy. I just came down to collect my dog, but I imagine you require his company more than I do. If you’d like him to stay here it’s fine with me.” Amy crossed the floor, wrapped her arms around Kevin, and rested her head on his chest. She looked into his eyes. “Do you want to make love?”

“When don’t I want to make love?” He chuckled softly. “But it’s close to midnight. You’re probably tired and I’m beat. That shower sapped what little energy I had left. Thanks for playing Santa, by the way.”

“You’re welcome. I wasn’t certain what time you’d get home. Sarah was so excited. She crawled into bed at eight o’clock without any argument, and Aunt Amelia read her a story. She’s calling her Grandma Amelia. Haven’t heard a peep from Sarah since, but she’ll be up with the birds in the morning.” She turned to leave, but he reached for her and pulled her into his arms.

“Thank you for understanding,” whispered Kevin and then he kissed her on the lips.

Amy held him closer, suspecting he needed her warmth. He’d spoken so softly she almost hadn’t caught his sentiment. But those four simple words said it all. Amy smiled and whispered, “Goodnight. I love you.”

“Love you, too, sweetheart.” He snuck in a quick kiss before releasing the embrace.

Amy slipped out of his arms and returned to the main floor. She poured herself a glass of skim milk, flicked off the switch in the kitchen, and headed back upstairs. Moonlight streaming through the overhead skylight lit the way. The house sounded eerily quiet. Amy smiled and whispered into the darkness, “Not a creature was stirring.”

She crawled into bed, sipped the delicious cold milk.

Thank you for understanding.
Kevin’s words echoed in her mind.

She hated the confidentiality requirements in his job. Would she ever get used to it? Allan had loved talking over his day with her, especially after a trying round of meetings or consultations.

But not the new man in her life.

Confidentiality. She gritted her teeth every time she thought about it.

Kevin would never charge through the front door, throw his arms around her, and shout, “Guess what happened at work today?” She couldn’t count the number of times Allan had done just that. He’d explain in detail how he’d signed a half million dollar contract after completing grueling negotiations. Or he’d be deliriously happy having been awarded a contract he felt certain he wouldn’t get.

Tears welled in her eyes at the memory, and she brushed them away with her hand.

Those things happened in her old life, but life with Kevin was just starting. A new beginning. New and different. In a million years, she’d never imagined herself married to a police officer. Or becoming an instant mother. But that was exactly what she was praying would happen. And if marriage to this wonderful man meant no job discussions, then so be it.

“He’ll never keep personal secrets, truly important secrets from me,” she whispered aloud. She set her glass down on the night table and snuggled under the covers. “Of that I’m certain. So the other just doesn’t matter.”

She firmly believed every word. She could be a cop’s wife. And a good one, too.

Now, if Kevin would only propose!

*

Kevin clicked the button on the remote, throwing the room into silence. He sat in the near darkness, the empty beer can still clasped in his hand, the sleeping dog’s head resting on his lap. He was dead tired, but sleep eluded him. Seeing the pained expression cross Amy’s face when she realized he couldn’t discuss his crappy day with her had stabbed his heart like a dagger.

“Could this be a deal breaker?” he asked aloud.

Her first husband had worked as an oilfield consultant, and he’d probably shared his work with her. His successes. His disappointments. His failures. Losses recouped in the end. Kevin shook his head. His hands were tied; he couldn’t do the same. Not without disciplinary action meted out by his superiors, probably losing his job to boot.

Amy had met his boss on numerous occasions, and she liked his wife and two daughters. She would be devastated to hear that the oldest daughter swallowed over a hundred pills and now lay in a hospital bed fighting for her life. But he couldn’t divulge that bit of information. He knew Amy would be shocked to learn all this in time. She might even question how he could keep something like that from her.