Saving Each Other (BWWM Romance) (24 page)

“I’m going to shower, do you need anything, Cooper?” She turned to look at him.

“No, I’m good, Faith.” He watched her disappear into the bathroom and ran his hands over his face. Nothing had gone as planned last night. He had wanted to share with her all that he was feeling. All about her, and about life but everything had gotten jumbled up and now he didn’t know what to do or think. He heard the shower come on. He thought out how nice it was having her around, doing simple things like showering and having breakfast. That’s what he loved the most. The daily life activities, the simple things. She even encouraged him to play music. He shook his head. She was amazing. How could he reach her heart though? What would it take? Cooper took a moment to say a prayer, something he had just recently started doing.

His door opened and in came his mother again. Mrs. Robinson glanced around the room taking note of the new arrangements.

“Hello, darling, where is Faith?” She smiled knowingly.

“Showering, Mother, how are you?” He hugged her back as she made her way over to Faith’s makeshift bed and began folding the blankets.

“I’m good, dear, you are looking more like yourself except for the hair and all that.” She motioned at his face as she said it.

“Yes I know, I need a shave for sure.” He smiled. “I kind of like it, maybe not so much of it but…”

“How was your evening dear?” Mrs. Robinson looked uninterested as she asked.

“Don’t even try it, Mother, I know you like her.” Mrs. Robinson looked surprised and put a hand on her chest.

“I don’t know what you mean, dear, oh you mean Faith...yes I do. As a matter of fact, I like her very much. Now as for your fiancée...well that’s a subject we must discuss.”

Cooper put a hand up to stop her. “Enough, Mother, I am well aware of how you feel about Cynthia.”

“Cooper, be a dear and just hear me out. I refuse to accept that you love that…that woman.”

Before Cooper could respond, Faith emerged from the bathroom. She had chosen the white dress she had worn the day they had walked the garden. He stopped talking and stared at her.

Mrs. Robinson took in the scene before her. Her son was totally in love with Faith Parks. What in the world was keeping him attached to that other woman? God would make things fall into place, of that she was certain.

“Mrs. Robinson, how are things at the house?” Faith reached for her purse.

“Fine dear, just fine. I left the car out front and Linda said she would escort us home.”

Faith left the room with a mix of emotions. She’d had an interesting night and come to many conclusions. She would focus on her future and what she needed to do to figure out what was next for her.

The ride back was uneventful and Faith found herself, Mrs. Robinson and Linda soon in the main room enjoying breakfast. Linda was in good spirits and Mrs. Robinson was enjoying her food and giggling.

“Look at you, Mrs. Robinson.” Faith clucked her tongue.

“I know, Faith, I should be in bed but my legs are stronger and stronger. I was able to walk around some today, it is awesome. I asked Linda if we could eat downstairs. I hate being so cramped up in the room all the time.”

“Wow, you’re really laying it on thick. Let’s finish up and take your medication and get ready for the PT doctor when he gets here this afternoon. I’ll talk to him about what you should...or shouldn’t be doing.” She smiled at Mrs. Robinson. She did look like she was in good spirits.

“You certainly have a way of motivating her, Faith.” Linda looked over at Faith with a smile.

“How are things with you, Linda? I hope things are faring better.” They turned down the hall towards the staircase.

“Yes, they are Faith. Thank you for all your help.” Linda and Faith climbed the stairs and met Mrs. Robinson there. She always enjoyed the elevator since it got her there in first place every time.

Linda and Faith made small talk and Linda excused herself for the next few hours. She would be back before lunch time and would help get Mrs. Robinson settled after her physical therapy. Faith set up the paint and she and Mrs. Robinson started working on the waves of the ocean along the skyline. After a few minutes, Mrs. Robinson was obviously frustrated and threw down her brush.

“I quit, Faith, I can’t get my waves to look right, it’s these old fingers. They just won’t work for me anymore.” She frowned.

“Let’s look at what you have, Mrs. Robinson.” Faith took a moment to look closely at the shoreline Mrs. Robinson had created.

“Your lines are great, Mrs. Robinson, really very good, the waves are different. They aren’t as rigid they flow. What you need to do is draw the shape of the waves lining up before you paint them. You can keep the flow running smoothly this way.” She handed Mrs. Robinson a pencil as she spoke and drew one out for her.

“When you’re working with water, you keep a few connected and put in some shadowing since it will most likely be a reflective painting. Like this.” Faith went on to show Mrs. Robinson how to smudge in the shadowing along the waves she had drawn in.

“Since there is a sunset in your painting, you have to be mindful of the colors you’re using, Mrs. Robinson. Use blue-greens and turquoise. The key to painting something you love is by using a lot of detail in your work. This will accentuate the painting in many ways.” She smiled as Mrs. Robinson followed her lead and blended the colors together perfectly. The picture was taking on a beautiful design.

Faith sat back a moment and let Mrs. Robinson work on her own. She really was naturally gifted. She would have to speak to Cooper about some art classes with some real instructors, especially once she was gone. It made her sad thinking about it. Not only because she would miss her, but because the only person she would have around would be Linda again. Not that Linda wasn’t wonderful to have around, but she was hardly a buffer for Cynthia Wilson. She felt guilty just thinking about it.

“Faith, dear, are you okay?” Mrs. Robinson asked lightly as not to scare her.

“Yes, I’m sorry, yes is everything okay?” Faith tried desperately to regain her composure.

“Yes, Cooper is doing well and they are letting him go home tomorrow to recuperate at home. They said no business matters but then you know how he is.” She threw her hands up in the air.

Faith laughed at her point. No one could tell Cooper Robinson to stop working, unless he is in a coma. They walked back to Cooper’s room together and the evening went smoothly. She was happy for that... Soon it was time to go and Faith and Mrs. Robinson made their way outside to the car. Knowing she needed some time alone, Faith told Mrs. Robinson she would need to bring her car home from the hospital. Mrs. Robinson knew there was something going on there and if space was what Faith needed, that’s what she would have. Linda patted her arm.

“You go ahead, Faith, Mrs. Robinson is in good hands. She and I have makeovers to give each other tonight, don’t we dear.” Mrs. Robinson’s eyes twinkled in excitement and she and Linda both laughed. “Be careful, dear.”

Faith smiled at them both and made her way to her car. She knew exactly where she needed to be. She headed her small car out onto the road and hummed a song she had learned from Sunday school. It always calmed her and this was no different. As she got closer to the Cove, she thanked the guard for letting her in and made a turn into the church. It was dark now the sun setting quickly so she used the keys she had received from the guard. She went inside the church and flipped on the lights. The church hummed to life and Faith made her way to the front of the church. Pastor Avery was out of town for the next two weeks so she knew she would be alone there. She sat down on the pew in the front.

It would be the hardest thing she ever did…leaving here, leaving him.

Chapter 18

When she went home, she found Linda and Mrs. Robinson together laughing. It felt good to know they would be okay when she was gone. Mrs. Robinson was moving around much more freely than she had before. It made her leaving much easier to do and she swallowed the lump in her throat.

“Ladies, you look lovely, I was hoping I might be able to have a word with you both.” Faith knew Mrs. Robinson would appreciate being treated like an equal and they both nodded at her and sat down in the chairs in Mrs. Robinson’s room.

“I need to tell you both something, and I hope you will understand and be happy about it.” Faith saw Mrs. Robinson frown slightly and Linda had an apprehensive look on her face.

“It looks like I’m being moved to a new location. So it looks like tomorrow I have to head to the new family I’ve been assigned to.” Faith looked over at Linda, who was looking at Mrs. Robinson.

Her head had drooped but her face is what triggered Faith’s tears. Mrs. Robinson only asked, “Why Faith? Why do you have to go? Don’t you like it here?”

Faith had moved over beside her and hugged her to her chest.

“Oh, Mrs. Robinson, of course I like being here and you haven’t done anything wrong at all. Do you remember when I came here because you needed a nurse? Well someone else is in the same situation and you are doing so well. They are moving me to someone who needs me more, that’s all.” She looked up at Linda who was obviously sad as well. Linda patted Faith’s hand and stood up.

“I think I’m going to give you a few moments together, I’ll be downstairs.” She gave Faith a sad smile and left.

After a few moments, Mrs. Robinson raised her head. “This is about Cooper, isn’t it, dear? Don’t lie to an old woman now.”

“Somewhat…I love him…but he needs more than me.”

“It’s not fair for you to decide what he needs, Faith, perhaps you should ask him.”

“I will, Mrs. Robinson, I’ll talk to him.”

Not wanting to hurt anymore, Faith smiled at her and they decided to go downstairs and hang the painting they had done in his study and make sure his room was ready for his arrival. They worked together until they found just the spot for the shades of blue and green. It was a nice touch in the artfully decorated room. They fluffed his pillows and made their way into the main hall just as the front door opened and Cooper was wheeled in by Andrew. Their eyes met and held for a second and Mrs. Robinson wheeled carefully over to her son.

Faith smiled to herself and made her way to the kitchen for some water and went up to her room. She sat at the vanity table brushing her short hair and took a last glance around the room. Mrs. Robinson found her doing this as she walked into her room.

“So it’s true then.” She said it quietly and Faith jumped to her feet.

“Mrs. Robinson.” Faith was unsure what to say so she started wringing her hands.

“I understand, dear, I do. Sometimes you have to walk away from a picture in order to come back to it and see the hidden meaning within. I have faith that you will be back.” She smiled at Faith. “Have you told Cooper yet, dear?” Mrs. Robinson had some concern on her face. She knew this was not something he was going to take well.

“No, I had planned to after dinner. I wanted his homecoming to be pleasant.” Faith shrugged her shoulders lightly and Mrs. Robinson came over and put a hand on each shoulder as she walked her out of the room.

“I think that’s a good idea, dear. Dinner will be nice and then you can go spend some time talking to him.” Perhaps he can talk you out of this nonsense was more like it, she thought to herself. Mrs. Robinson was no fool, these two belonged together but they both were hung up on reason.

Dinner came and went smoothly, there were peals of laughter from Mrs. Robinson and even Linda was in attendance. They had roast duck with all the trimmings and plum jam and billowy rolls as well as baby lettuce with chicken and seasonings. Miss Linda had outdone herself that was certain. Each member of the house staff made a point in coming into the dining hall to greet Mr. Robinson and welcome him home.

Cooper was surprised at the sentiment he felt when each person said their hellos. He was lucky indeed to have so many wonderful people who cared about him. His eyes sought Faith’s but she wouldn’t look at him. Something was wrong and he was determined to figure it out before the night was over. After the ice cream and mousse was served, Cooper expressed an interest in heading to his room to relax. Andrew pushed him and got him settled in.

“Mother, has Faith seemed okay to you today?” Cooper inquired.

Mrs. Robinson thought for a moment before answering. “Go talk to her, son. Before it’s too late.”

Soon Linda came by and he stopped her to ask the same question. “Linda, dinner was fantastic. Have you noticed anything unusual about Faith?”

“No not really, I mean, she is sad she is leaving but otherwise she seems okay.”