Second Time Around (10 page)

“Maybe after dinner. You haven't eaten, have you?”

She shook her head. “Where should we meet?”

“I'll drive.”

She paused.
Here we go. Not even one date, and we're already disagreeing.
“My car is here, and I'll need my own car in case I'm called back to the hospital.”

“You think I won't bring you back?”

She started to argue, but he interrupted her.

“Why don't I follow you to your house. We can leave it there. I'm still a little old-fashioned that way, Em. When I invite a lady to dinner, I pay, I drive and I walk her to the door afterward—even if it is slammed in my face when I get there.” Slowly, his lips turned to a smile.

His humor was a refreshing change from that of the men she had dated throughout the years. “Had a few slammed in your face, have you?” She smiled back.

Wind swirled the snow around them, and he pulled her closer. “Enough, let's leave it at that.”

“Hmm. I'll have to remember that technique. Is it effective?”

“Guess it depends on what message you want to send. There's only one lady who tried it and stayed a friend. Of course, that was a special circumstance.”

Emily felt a twang of jealousy. “And who was that?”

He laughed. “Laura Bates. You should have seen the look on her face when I suggested we go skiing instead of what she expected to hear.

“Laura? You and Laura dated?”

As if he sensed her panic, he rushed into an explanation. “I wouldn't call it a date, exactly. I believe she called it an “outing.” He told her about his canceled date, about wanting a chance to see how Laura really felt about Bryan. They'd gone to the theater, then skiing together, and through the course of his best friend and Laura dating, they had become special friends. To Emily, his concern for Laura's health now made a lot more sense.

They reached her car, and he brushed the snow off.

“I'll see you at my house.”

“Be careful. There's ice under the snow.” Kevin waited to make sure she wasn't stuck in the snow before going to his truck.

She smiled, enjoying being coddled by a gentleman for a change. She had to admit—Kevin knew
how to treat a lady. Old-fashioned or not, she wouldn't argue any longer.

A few minutes later, Emily pulled into the driveway, admiring the snowman with his scarf flapping in the wind. Kevin pulled in behind her car and Kat's, then came around to help her get in. “Wouldn't you rather get some boots or even change into something warmer?”

“I'm not taking another chance at getting called in. Bob really owes me, now.”

“He takes advantage of you, if you want my opinion,” Kevin mumbled. She knew that but certainly didn't want to discuss it tonight, so ignored the comment.

Kevin helped her into the truck and went around to drive. A few minutes later he dropped her off at the door of the restaurant and drove around the building to find a parking place.

When they'd entered and were seated by the stone fireplace, Kevin ordered two cocoas and a platter of shrimp with cocktail sauce.

Emily felt a warm glow flow through her, and it had nothing to do with the fireplace. As much as she wanted to believe it was all going to work out this time, she was still inclined to guard herself. “Kevin, please don't make everything so perfect.”

His gaze was soft as a caress. “We're a long way from perfect, Emmy. Just enjoy it for what it is, okay?”

“Which is?” She wasn't sure she wanted an explanation.

“Dinner with an old friend. Don't worry about tomorrow, okay? Let's take it one day at a time.”

Easier said than done.

E
mily swung her arms in a quick rhythm opposite her feet; two more blocks, and she'd slow her pace. The spring sunshine had a crisp warmth, and invigorated her lungs. She hummed a melody in thanks for the beautiful day, and the fact that she had it off to enjoy.

It was Emily's first day to herself in a month. After the wonderful time she and Kevin had managed to find for each other over the past few weeks, she had hope there could really be a future for the two of them. There were no doubts in her mind that Kevin was still the man of her dreams. The man who would stand beside her, through good times and bad.

It was her mother whom she would have to convince—and Kevin. Though at this moment, she wasn't sure which would be more difficult.

Her mother had never forgiven her father for leaving her with three daughters to raise alone. She lived with bitterness to this day. Emily had grown up believing all men fit the same mold as Dad. Yet Kevin
was the first man to show her differently. He would go for visits with Emily, ignore her mother's cold shoulder and smart remarks, and dry Emily's tears when they left. The day they broke the engagement was the worst day of her life—the day Kevin fulfilled her mother's lowest expectations.

Since then, though, there had been countless other “father figures” in her life who had helped her turn away from the fears and bitterness that had threatened to consume her, as it had her mother. God had given her the gift of freedom to move into other relationships with a sense of self-confidence and hope. Though she had sometimes slipped back, God had always been there to show her another happy couple who would raise her hopes again.

Then there was Kevin. Kevin, who refused to talk about the future, claiming he didn't want to ruin the fun they were having with anything that serious. His hesitation sent up warning flags, yet Emily was convinced that it would take only time for him to realize his dreams, as well as her own, were alive and waiting to be fulfilled.

She realized that changing Kevin's heart and healing his emotional scars weren't within her means. She could only accept Kevin into her life again, and leave the rest to Him.

After her morning walk, Emily dusted the table and placed the flowers in the middle. Once she vacuumed, she would have the day to relax, do some shopping and bake some cookies. The phone rang, and Emily answered eagerly, hoping it was Kevin.

“Emily!” Laura was sobbing. “Gretchen and Jack West were killed in a car accident last night.”

Emily's voice caught in her throat. “Oh, no. And Ricky? Was he hurt?” She paced the room.

“No,” she squeaked. “He was with us. They went to Denver for dinner and a play. They were going to be back around midnight—” her sobbing grew softer “—at three, I started calling their house, their cell phone, everyone I could think of. Finally, I called the state patrol and explained the situation. At six this morning, they returned my call with the news.”

Emily thought of the precious little boy, and sank into the sofa. “Have you told him?”

“I couldn't. Bryan took the kids to the park to play, so I could start making phone calls.”

Emily had first met the Wests during Gretchen's pregnancy, then at church. In addition to having them as patients, she had had Ricky in her Sunday school class for the past two years. As one of her first pregnant patients after moving to Springville, Gretchen had had a special place in her heart. It was Ricky who talked Emily into helping occasionally with preschool. “Is there anything I can do? Help find family, or…”

“I already have. I called Gretchen's parents.” There was a long pause. “They can't even make it here for the funerals. I guess their health isn't good. Emily, could you go with me to Casper this weekend to take Ricky to see them? According to them, Jack has no living relatives.”

Emily looked at her calendar. “Sure, I can fit that in. When do you want to leave?” They talked a while longer, and Emily agreed to join Bryan and Laura for lunch to tell Ricky about his parents.

As she completed her housecleaning, Emily's thoughts returned to Ricky. She wondered if he
would be living with his grandparents for a while, or moving on to some other family member's home. She wrote a note to herself to make a copy of Ricky's medical records to hand deliver, thus bypassing all the red tape and the risk of their being lost in the shuffle.

When Kevin called after work that evening, Emily reminded him of the day at the preschool, and told him about the tragedy.

“I'm going to put a playhouse together at the preschool tomorrow. Would it help if I took him for a while?” Kevin offered.

For a man who doesn't want a family, you're awfully generous, Kevin.
“Check with Laura. I'm sure she wouldn't mind at all. They're going to keep Ricky with them for the week.”

“You want to come along?”

“I work 'til seven this week, so I'd better say no. But thanks for the invitation.”

 

Laura and Ricky met Kevin at the door of the church and escorted him into the preschool, where the teacher was sitting in the middle of a pile of planks and pieces.

“Thank you for coming, Kevin. I'm sorry to bother you, with all the other work you have.”

“No problem. Hi, Ricky!” Kevin squatted, resting his rump on his heels, to be close to the boy.

He listened as the little tike explained what had happened to his parents. Kevin gave him a hug, blinking back the unexpected tears in his own eyes. “It's really hard when your parents die, isn't it?”

Ricky nodded. Kevin jangled his tool belt and looked at Ricky. “Mrs. Beaumont called me to help
her build something. What are you trying to make again?”

“It's a playhouse, but the instructions are missing. Laura can't figure it out. Neither can Bryan.”

Bryan's wife had already explained that her own husband passed the job along to “the expert.” Laura hadn't even tried any of the children's fathers, deciding she wanted the job done right the first time, before she left town.

Kevin studied the pieces and began experimenting. “I think Ricky and I can figure this out, don't you, sport?”

Ricky nodded. He ran to the dress-up box and placed a toy hard hat on his head. “Can I hammer some
real
nails?”

“Sounds like a great idea.”

“You're looking good, Laura. Feeling okay?” he asked, glancing up. She turned pink, and Kevin laughed, thinking of how much Bryan loved making his wife blush.

“I'm feeling much better now that I'm into the second trimester.” Laura sat on the pint-size school chair and reached for another plank to hand him. “I hear Emily wouldn't tell you.”

“Who could argue with professional confidence?”

“Nice to know there is some left in the world, isn't it?”

He muttered a response, remembering how little respect he had had for it at the time. He'd been worried about Laura, and couldn't have cared less about ethics, he was ashamed to admit. “When are you due?”

“Late September. Knowing my luck, it'll be October. My kids seem to have my sense of timing—
not a minute earlier than necessary. If you two are okay here, I thought I'd run and pick up some groceries while you work.”

Kevin looked at Ricky. “Think we can handle it without Laura's help?”

“Yup,” Ricky said, puffing his chest out.

Kevin put the frame together, then added the sides, encouraging Ricky to pound the heads of the nails until they were flush with the surface. An hour and a half later, just before dusk, they had completed the new playhouse. Across the street, three children were playing on a swing set, begging their preoccupied father to push them higher. The hopeful voices beckoned him, sending Kevin back to his own childhood memories—building a tree house, learning to ride a bike, wading in the icy cold stream learning the “art” of fishing.

“You're the only one standing in the way, you know.”

He turned toward the feminine voice, and Laura smiled. “What?”

She was carrying a bench across the playground. “I said, you're in the way, could you move, please? We want this inside for the children to sit on. You two did a beautiful job!”

“I helped!” Ricky ran up to Laura.

Kevin jumped to his feet. “You shouldn't be lifting that in your condition. Let me.”

He took the bench, realizing when he felt how light it actually was, that he was probably overreacting—to Laura, the children across the way, and to the guilt gnawing at his heart like termites in rotten lumber.

He had no business criticizing that father for ig
noring his children, Kevin realized. He wouldn't even consider a family for the very same reason. He had no time.
Had none, or was he just unwilling to
make
time for a family?

“I can't thank you enough, Kevin. The children are going to love this.”

“We enjoyed doing it, didn't we, Ricky? If there's anything else, give me a call.”

She helped him pick up his tools, and grinned mischievously. “Don't worry. I have your number.”

Kevin thanked Ricky, then watched Laura help him climb into the Suburban.

 

Emily visited several times to see how Ricky was coping. As expected, he was angry and frightened. She knew from Laura that he was handling it the way any other child his age would. With Laura's past experience helping children cope with losing a parent, Emily knew Ricky was in expert hands.

One evening she decided to entertain the Beaumont children so Laura and Bryan could celebrate their six-month anniversary. Because of Laura's pregnancy, Emily wanted to lighten the emotional load Ricky added. She ordered pizza and gathered a few games for them to play. Kevin joined them eagerly, and Emily pushed aside the temptation to point out to Kevin his natural way with children.

She prayed each night that he would change his mind.

That he would want to make a commitment to her, and to a family.

That God would heal whatever had hurt him so badly.

Kevin pulled out the backgammon board and be
gan setting up. Puzzled, Emily watched from the sofa, taking a break from reading a bedtime story to Ricky and Jacob, as Kevin began explaining the game to T.J. and Chad, the nine- and seven-year-olds.

After a while, T.J. became frustrated and stomped off. Kevin shook his head and followed T.J. up the stairs. A few minutes later they were back, sprawled across the living room floor playing the game again.

“Now, here's your home, and this area here is your yard, Chad.” He paused. A few minutes later, she heard him reminding the boys that they always had to have a “buddy” with them or the other player could send them to the “time-out” chair.

Emily gave up trying to read. She listened, entranced by the way Kevin translated the game to the boys' level of understanding. By the end of the game, both boys were rolling the dice and making the moves on their own.

Jacob ran over to Kevin and dove onto his back. The two were especially close since Jacob and Bryan had shared Kevin's house. They rolled around on the floor, and Ricky watched quietly, staying close by Emily's side.

She held him close, wondering what he was thinking, remembering, needing. She was comforted by the fact that he would soon be going to his grandparents', where he would have plenty of time and attention.

As soon as she and Kevin had tucked the five children into bed, Kevin begged off duty to go over some bids that were waiting in his To Do pile.

By the end of the evening, she was exhausted and had an all new respect for Laura's gift of mothering.
“I don't know how you keep up with everything, Laura,” she said to her friend.

Laura smiled, rubbing her round tummy. “It's one of those roles that you sort of ‘grow' into.”

Emily rolled her eyes. “Bad, very bad, Laura.”

 

Kevin went with Emily to the memorial service, and together they spent the evening at the Beaumonts'.

“Dr. Emily, when will my mommy and daddy come back?”

Emily felt his pain, knowing what a blow it was to have a parent never return. Except Ricky's didn't have the choice her father had had. That wouldn't make sense to the four-year-old for years. “They can't come back, Ricky. When a person dies, his or her soul goes to live in heaven with God.”

Emily looked to Kevin, hoping for some help. He remained silent.

“Why can't it come back here to live with me?”

“Why can't what come back here? Their souls?”

Ricky nodded.

Emily thought. “In a way, I guess they do. You have memories of your mom and dad that you can think about anytime. That way, part of them is always with you.”

She asked him about aunts and uncles, to which he just shrugged. It was bad enough that he'd lost his parents, but it was too much to think of him having to move in with a family he didn't even know. Emily shared his confusion with Laura, who became silent. “What's going on, Laura?”

“He has no aunts and uncles. Just Gretchen's parents.”

“The ones who are too ill to come here?”

Laura nodded.

Emily felt sick. She couldn't voice her concerns. They were unjust, and she knew it, but she just couldn't stop herself from worrying.

“His grandparents called yesterday and talked with Ricky. The bank called them to let them know there was a will. It's being sent to Casper.”

Emily watched Ricky playing with Jacob, thankful that Laura and Bryan had been willing to open their home to Ricky temporarily. Not only was it good for him to be with a loving family, but it was especially comforting that he was familiar with all of them. Laura and his mother had been friends, and she was able to share memories of Ricky's parents with him. Since Laura's children had lost their father, Laura was already well-prepared for Ricky's endless list of questions.

Friday arrived, and Laura and Emily packed up the Beaumonts' Suburban with all of Ricky's belongings. The grandparents had already instructed the church volunteers to donate the majority of Gretchen's and Jack's belongings to the needy, saving only the things the women believed Ricky might be attached to.