Healing hearts, p.5
Healing Hearts, page 5
“Oh?”
She couldn’t believe how open she was with this man, how honest. But he demanded that of her. His simple words, his open honesty would allow nothing else. He was the strangest man she’d ever met. Looking into his eyes, seeing the way he stared so intently, she said, “Your brother is still too scared he’s going to lose you for me to say something like that. Tell me,” she said abruptly, reaching out to touch his cheek, “does it hurt?”
The warmth of his skin and gentle brushing of his beard sent shivers down her spine. Her eyes widened and shot to his.
He had the strangest look on his face. “Not when you touch it,” he murmured.
“Dinner,” Kellie called.
Tessa pulled her hand back. “I have a feeling you were a flatterer before the accident. Come on, let’s go eat.”
Drake shook his head. “That doesn’t matter anymore. With the way I look, the shape I’m in, I won’t have to worry about a woman giving me a second look again.”
Tessa heard the note of discouragement in his voice and had to admit he might be right. Even though she found the spirit of this man something she hadn’t expected, she feared most women wouldn’t look past the outward scars.
Most women would consider him a beast.
Chapter Five
“She certainly is a beauty,” Liam said to Drake, while sitting out in the yard with his brother.
Glancing at his brother, he saw immediately where this was going. “She’s a Christian,” Drake warned.
Liam scowled. “Well, at least you’re safe. What is it with all of the women being Christians around these parts?”
Drake sighed. “Stan should be here soon.”
“Who’s Stan?”
“My nurse.”
Liam nodded. “Any more visits from Miss Stanridge’s herd of animals?”
Drake grinned. “Just a foot-long lizard this morning.”
Liam frowned.
Drake shook his head. “Stop worrying, Liam.”
“It’s my right to worry.” Liam stood and crossed over to a blossoming apple tree. “I was supposed to take that run out to check on the cattle but was busy with other pursuits.”
Drake’s foggy brain did seem to remember that. He wanted to go to his brother, but knew Liam would panic if he left the chair. Instead, he said, “We both were up to chasing women before the accident, Liam. Many times you or I changed off duties if we had something else occupying our time. I don’t blame you for this.”
Liam turned. “I blame me. Look at you,” he said and Drake hurt seeing the pain in his younger brother’s eyes. “You’re even lucky to be alive. And even if you are alive, are you ever going to be able to function again?”
Darkness descended over Drake at Liam’s unintentionally painful words. Pictures of him forever in this chair, pitied by all around, assailed him. It wasn’t a pretty sight.
“Drake, it’s time for your breakfast.”
The sound of Tessa’s gentle voice broke into the darkness. Glancing over, he studied her and realized she had probably heard his brother’s outburst. She was certainly pretty this morning. The slight color in her cheeks, brown corkscrew curls escaping from the clip that held most of it back. He had to wonder how he’d been so lucky to end up with such an upbeat woman as his teacher and a Christian as well. Seeing the understanding in her eyes gave him an odd strength. Taking a deep breath, he turned to his brother. “I’m alive, Liam. And I thank God for that.”
Liam simply shook his head. “I want you back the way you were.” Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair. “You deserve better, Drake. Like the old days.”
Drake didn’t want to think about the old days. He looked back at Tessa and motioned her forward. She moved to his side. “I don’t think you were properly introduced yesterday,” Drake said and winced at the way his brother’s gaze jerked away when he stumbled over the harder words.
Tessa touched his shoulder. Evidently, she had seen the same thing. “I’m Tessa Stanridge.” She went forward to shake Liam’s hand.
Drake watched his brother shift from guilt mode to trying to get around and reach for her hand.
“You’re the younger brother.”
“Well, yeah,” Liam started.
Tessa interrupted. “I’m sorry we didn’t get properly introduced yesterday. It seems Hubert decided to make his pleasure known.”
“Hubert?” Liam asked, confused.
Tessa nodded. “The golden shaded puppy you saw. He’s part border collie, part who-knows-what.”
She chuckled.
Drake smiled at his brother’s confusion. Tessa’s rattling on and on like that had totally bowled over his baby brother. Liam, who was usually so smooth and in control with women, simply stood gaping at Tessa as she chattered about her animals.
Drake still hadn’t decided why the woman had so many animals. He’d watched her during their dinner last night, which had consisted of vegetable soup and bread. She’d constantly paused to talk to one of the animals, or leave the table to check on another of the many other minor disruptions that this woman, constantly in motion, seemed to have.
They were like family to her, he had decided by the time he was ready to retire. Where he had a brother to chat with in the evenings, she had her animals. Or at least, he was thinking that just might be it. So far, he had counted twenty-one separate species in her house. From fish, to frogs, to a snake, all caged and getting proper care. Two people had come to collect their pets yesterday. He thought they were down to around sixteen beasts now. He still wasn’t sure.
This was certainly different from the hospital. In a way, he felt like Noah getting ready to embark upon the ark.
“About all of those animals,” Liam started.
“About the cows,” Drake interrupted.
Liam glanced at his brother.
Kellie interrupted them all. “If you do not come now, Mr. Slater, your breakfast will be cold.”
Everyone turned.
Tessa was the first to speak. “Oh my heavens, Kellie. I completely forgot why I came out here!”
Drake chuckled.
Liam grabbed the wheelchair. “That’s right. You did mention breakfast, didn’t you?”
Tessa watched Liam push his brother toward the ramp into the house. She pondered how nice it was to see Drake laugh. When she’d come out of the house to announce breakfast, Liam had worn an anguished look on his face and Drake’s own features had been taut with stress.
His eyes had brooded and his left hand had gripped the wheelchair so tightly that the knuckles were white.
Seeing the glow back in his green eyes and hearing that laugh of his had lightened her heart. Freckles had said it had been a miracle he’d made it and Tessa had a feeling Freckles didn’t realize how right she was.
Drake was a breath of fresh air. When he’d struggled last night to tell her the story about his salvation, he had glowed, reminding her of a new child having just discovered their most treasured possession had not been lost but found.
Tessa remembered that feeling from so long ago. His excitement had filled her, making her feel fresh and alive again. How many years now had she just existed—until last night? Five? Or more?
At least that many, she thought.
She had noticed something else, too. When Drake relaxed, his slur wasn’t nearly as bad as when he was stressed. He had indeed been working on regaining his muscle coordination. And it looked as if he was making wonderful leaps.
Starting after them she thought of how far he had come. She had only gone two steps when she heard a car out front. Turning, she headed that way instead.
She heard the brothers stop talking, knew they were watching and waiting.
She smiled politely when Stan came around the corner.
Greek god.
They used to joke about that when she had been getting therapy. Tall, athletic and a golden boy, from his shiny sun-blond hair to his skin tone, he reminded her of the sculptures in art books. Square jaw, perfect lips and merry blue eyes, he was the boy next-door and Mr. Universe tied up in one.
“Tessa!” Before Tessa could even say hello, Stan had lunged forward and scooped her up, spinning her around.
Then he kissed her on her forehead—to her utter shock.
He obviously realized she didn’t respond as he lowered her to the ground. A curious grin on his face, he said, “Not glad to see me?”
She felt herself flushing to her hairline. She had forgotten what an outrageous teaser he was. When she turned and met the eyes of Drake Slater, she wanted to flush to the bottom of her toes.
His gaze changed from shock, to curiosity, to aloofness. However, seeing Liam’s look of sudden interest was what really shook her. “Stan, you know Drake and Liam? We were about ready for breakfast.”
Walking over to Drake, she continued, “I’ve known Stan for a while, since moving to Hill Creek.”
“We’re pretty close,” Stan added, chuckling and winking at Tessa. “I hope I didn’t cross the line, Tessa, giving you a welcome kiss like that. I mean, after all, it’s not like I haven’t…”
“Stan!” she said quietly, rolling her eyes. She hadn’t expected that greeting. She didn’t want to say anything in front of others but decided to clear the air in front of all of them for Liam’s benefit. His look still had her bothered. “Yes, Stan, you did. You’re here as Drake’s nurse.”
Giving her a hurt little boy look he apologized, “I’m sorry, Tessa. You know I sure didn’t mean for anything like that to happen.”
Drake wondered what was going on, watching the two. It was obvious from the greeting Stan had given Tessa that they knew each other well. If it had been him, before he was saved, he would have been staking his territory to the other men present.
However, Tessa didn’t look at all happy with what Stan had just done as they all trudged up the platform and into the house. Drake wanted to stand up and smack the guy—but because of his problems knew he couldn’t.
So what was going on here anyway? he had to wonder.
Stan chose that moment to turn to Drake, just as Liam positioned him in front of the table in the kitchen.
“We’re going to work on some muscular development today, Drake. I’ve brought some small weights along and a list of exercises I want you to do on your own. The rest we’ll do together, but the list is something you can do each night to build up body mass.”
Drake nodded.
Liam interrupted. “Do you think he’s ready for that yet?”
Tessa seated herself across from Drake, leaving the head of the table open for Liam so he could sit next to his brother. Stan slid into the seat next to her. When Kellie started to leave the room, Tessa shook her head. “Join us.”
The woman hesitated then nodded, offering her a smile.
Stan noted the byplay and chuckled, then answered Liam’s question. “I’ve trained for many years, Liam. I’ve worked at countless hospitals and clinics and to be honest, I feel the day you are fully conscious after something like this you should immediately start working on exercises and therapy. Your brother, from what I’ve read of his case, wasn’t started immediately. I would guess, as your doctor told you, that’s partially responsible for the pneumonia. However, since his case was so severe there wasn’t much choice about what they could do.”
“I understand.”
“Can we pray?” Tessa cut in.
Stan blinked at her.
Liam shifted uncomfortably.
Drake smiled and bowed his head. Bold little woman, she was.
She said a quick prayer and then picked up her fork. “Go ahead, Stan.”
Drake wanted to chuckle at the odd look Stan gave Tessa. “As I was saying,” he said before turning his attention back to Liam and Drake, “they got him started and he’s made good improvement. With these weights we hope to work that arm and build back some of the atrophied muscle. Also, I want you to start drinking your drinks with a straw.”
“Why?” Liam asked before Drake could.
“It’s another way to develop the facial muscles. The sucking will help certain muscles that chewing won’t. I have other exercises too. I have to warn you, there will probably be days you’ll be really angry with me. I do plan to push. I’m a bit unorthodox in my ways, but we want you better.”
“Yes,” Drake agreed.
Liam shifted uncomfortably but nodded.
Tessa set about eating her pancakes and grits.
Drake watched how Liam and Stan traded jokes. He wondered just how much harder this nurse could be on him than he’d already been on himself. He wanted to learn. Some nights he was sweating bullets from laying in bed and making his leg move. Each night though, he forced himself to do some sort of exercise to try to build back the muscles and make them work again.
It was the hardest work he’d done in his life.
It put things into perspective, too.
“So, Tessa, tell me, what have you been doing this last year?”
Drake heard the curiosity in Stan’s voice and lifted his gaze to gauge Tessa’s reaction. He wasn’t sure why the question bothered him, but coming from this man, it did.
Tessa laid her fork aside and blotted her lips. “Well, actually, not much. I teach third grade now.”
Stan nodded. “I wondered why you were teaching third grade instead of high school.”
“I wanted to teach children.”
A look of dismay crossed Stan’s face. “Well, I can understand that, I suppose. I think you’d be better off teaching older kids. However—” he shrugged, then relaxed back into his chair “—it’s your life. So, what do you do in your spare time around here?”
Again Tessa glanced at Stan and gave a delicate shrug. “I have my animals and other hobbies.”
“I saw your bird and dog,” he said, glancing down at the floor where the dog sat.
“She has other animals as well,” Liam offered chuckling. “My brother referred to it as a zoo.”
Stan lifted an eyebrow and studied Tessa. “Really? Now that’s a new hobby.”
She smiled. Drake liked the way her eyes sparkled and her lips curved when she smiled like that. He was afraid he could sit and watch this woman all day, working to memorize every movement. Out of all the women he’d dated in his life, none had captured his attention as this woman had. “I have a lot of new hobbies,” she replied to Stan.
“And I can’t wait to learn every one of them as I help our patient here. So, Drake,” Stan said abruptly, turning his attention to him, “are you ready?”
So Stan had noticed he had finished his breakfast, after all. Drake wasn’t sure the man had noticed anything but Tessa since arriving. At least he’d been proven wrong there. Wondering where the spurt of possessiveness had come from, he reminded himself Tessa barely knew he existed—especially in the shape he was in right now. Nodding to Stan he said, “Let’s go.”
He carefully laid his napkin on his plate and waited for Stan to move around the table and push him away. As he left the kitchen, he had to wonder just how things were going to go in the kitchen between Tessa and Liam.
Then he smiled. This third-grade teacher could certainly hold her own.
Tessa stared at Liam, waiting. Kellie stood and quietly left the room. “Was there something you wanted to say to me?”
Liam smiled. “You’re very astute.”
“I try to be.”
“I’m worried about my brother. We need him near a hospital in case of relapse and this hospital in Hill Creek is the only one for a few hundred miles. I appreciate you opening up your house….”
“But?” she asked.
He sighed. “I don’t mean to be rude, Miss Stanridge, but are you sure you are able to handle this? I mean Dr. McCade suggested you…”
Tessa held on to her temper. She imagined this man had every right to ask, and she would do her best to reassure him. “I’ve never met your brother before, Liam. But I like him. He’s fresh and determined. He’s wanting to work hard to recover. He has a spirit that few people possess.”
“I know that,” Liam said, and Tessa heard the anguish in his voice.
Compassion filled her. Reaching out, she touched his hand. “My mother had a stroke, Liam. I’m telling you this because I think it will reassure you. I nursed her, day and night. I was studying to be a nurse at that time. I had a teaching certificate but was burned out on teaching and wanted to do something new. I quit going to school for it when this happened to my mom. I devoted all of my extra time to nursing her.
“She didn’t get better, however. She wanted to die, to go home with my dad. I can tell you that your brother doesn’t have a spirit like that. He wants to get better and you can believe I will encourage him in every way I can. As for teaching him to read…” Tessa couldn’t help but smile. “I teach third graders. Believe me, if your brother throws a temper tantrum it won’t be any worse than what I’ve already experienced—and handled.”
Liam nodded. His cheeks darkened a bit before he cleared his throat. “I have to ask this because of what happened earlier. Will your personal life be interfering with your teaching now that this man is in town?”
Tessa simply lifted a brow. “I don’t see why it would. I prefer quiet nights at home. Stan and I aren’t dating. We’re friends.”
Liam shrugged. “I heard you say that but I still worry about my brother.”
Tessa nodded. “I understand. And as you are paying the bills here, I can see why you might question me. However, Liam, let me assure you that with Kellie, myself, and his nurse available and Dr. McCade only a phone call away, Drake is going to be just fine.”
Liam sighed. “I appreciate your reassurance, Miss Stanridge. Drake gets upset anytime I ask anything.”
Patting his hand again, Tessa said, “Perhaps it’s because you come off bossy or some other emotion that challenges him as older brother?”
Liam grinned. “I don’t know. Drake and I have always been close. But yeah, maybe.”
“Give him room. Don’t hover. You haven’t lost him, Liam.”
Liam studied her. Tessa saw the growing admiration in his eyes and hoped that meant she’d won this man over as a friend. “You know, Tessa,” Liam finally said, “I think Dr. McCade was right. You are the right person for this job.”
