Blessings of the Heart and Samantha's Gift (27 page)

“Me?” Sean looked abashed. “Hey. I wasn’t trying to bug you. I was just making a suggestion—and a pretty good one, too, if you ask me.”

“That’s the problem. I didn’t ask you.”

“Right.” He stiffened, squared his shoulders. “Well, I didn’t come here to bother you, Ms. Woodward. I came to look at those old windows you offered me. I’ll pick one out and be on my way before I stick my foot in my mouth again.”

His sudden shift to formality took Rachel by surprise. Had she really been that offensive? Apparently. “Look, Sean, I’m sorry if I snapped at you. I guess I have a little hangup where my future is concerned.”

“A
little
one?” He chuckled. “Lady, that’s the understatement of the year.”

“I wouldn’t go that far.”

“Okay. I don’t want to argue. Your quirks are none of my concern. But what happens to Samantha Smith is. I just made the mistake of assuming you cared, too.”

Before Rachel could recover from the shock of his comment and tell him how off base he was, he’d whirled and was headed toward her backyard, presumably in search of the old window he’d come for.

Pausing before following him, she called to Samantha and Schatzy. “Let’s go, you two. Into the backyard. I don’t want you playing out here all by yourselves.”

The dog responded immediately, tail wagging and tongue lolling. The child, however, lagged back with a scowl and a plaintive “Awww.”

“Now,” Rachel ordered. “We’ll be close enough to hear Mrs. Brody’s van when she comes back. You won’t miss your ice cream.”

That explanation seemed to satisfy. Samantha skipped across the lawn to join Rachel, grasped her hand and tugged for attention.

When Rachel leaned down to listen, the little girl whispered, “You could show me
your
wings. I won’t tell. I know I’m not supposed to.”

Amused, Rachel played along with the fantasy. “Who told you not to tell?”

“The big angel who came to get me,” Samantha said soberly. “He said not to be scared and not to tell anybody.”

“A big angel? Like Mr. Bates?”

“Oh, no. Much bigger.” She stretched out her free arm as far as it would go. “Bigger than this, even. He went way up to the sky.”

“He did?” Pausing, Rachel bent down to look into the child’s eyes. “What did he look like?”

“White, sort of. It was hard to see.”

“Why was that?”

“’Cause he was so bright. Like the sunshine, only more. And he was strong, too.”

“Very strong?” Awed, Rachel sensed that something profound was about to be revealed. She only hoped she could remain calm enough to listen without distracting the child.

Samantha nodded gravely. “
Real
strong.”

Trying to keep from showing excess interest, Rachel fought to control her uneven breathing and willed her racing heart to slow down as she asked, “How do you know he was so strong?”

“You know, silly. ‘Cause he picked up the car.” A smile appeared briefly on her innocent face, then faded. “I told him to get Mommy and Daddy out, too, but he said they had to go to heaven.”

“Oh, honey.” Rachel opened her arms and pulled the child into a tight hug. She’d read a brief history in Samantha’s file. It hadn’t been specific about how the Smiths had died, only that they’d perished together, leaving one daughter. “I didn’t know you were with your mommy and daddy that day. You were all in a car accident? Is that what happened?”

The small blond head nodded against Rachel’s shoulder.

“And you think an angel rescued you?”

“He did. Honest.” She leaned back just enough to look at her teacher’s face. “He was real nice. Like you.”

Blinking back unshed tears, Rachel gave the child a kiss on her soft cheek. “Thank you, Samantha. That’s the nicest thing anybody has ever said to me.”

R
achel and Samantha found Sean rummaging through the odds and ends of building materials, old and new, piled behind her storage shed.

“Watch out for spiders and snakes,” Rachel warned, taking care to hold tight to the child to keep her out of danger.

He stepped back and dusted off his hands. “Wasn’t that a popular song back in the early seventies?”

“How would I know? That was before my time.” She grinned. “I’m not
old
like you are.”

“Oh, fine. Stomp all over my ego. See if I care.”

“I wasn’t kidding about the danger, Sean. There are undoubtedly Black Widows and Brown Recluse spiders in that pile. As for the snakes, they’ll probably run away unless they feel cornered.”

“Thanks for the warning.”

“You’re welcome. We’re about to share some ice cream out on the front porch. When you get finished back here, why don’t you join us?”

“And risk getting my nose broken if Craig cruises by again?”

“Hannah will be here, too,” Rachel explained with a light laugh. “There should be safety in numbers.”

“Well, in that case, maybe I will. I am hungry. Haven’t had my—” he pointedly glanced at his watch “—
supper,
yet.”

“Good. I see you have learned a few things since you’ve been here. I haven’t eaten either, but right now I’m more concerned with being cool than with good nutrition. Ice cream sounds heavenly. And speaking of Heaven, that reminds me,” she lowered her voice till she was almost whispering, “I need to have a private talk with you.”

Sean immediately glanced at the little girl by her side, and when he looked back at Rachel, she nodded. “I see,” he said. “Okay. I’ll put one of these windows in my trunk and meet you out front as soon as I can find a hose to rinse off my hands.”

“Don’t be silly. Go inside and wash in the kitchen or the bathroom,” Rachel said.

“What about your reputation?”

“Humph,” she snorted with disgust. “I’m afraid it’s too late to worry about that.”

“Why? What’s wrong now?”

“Look over your shoulder.”

Turning, Sean thought he saw quick movement in a window of the house next door. He blinked, frowned. “Who’s that?”

“Miss Verleen,” Rachel said. “She’s a veritable fountain of knowledge. Anything you want to know, she can tell you. And more. Of course, half of it’s supposition, but nobody cares about that. All they want is the gossip. Verleen’s a master.”

“Did you know that when you moved in here?”

“Oh, sure. I wasn’t worried. I’ve always led a straightforward, honorable life.” Rachel gave him a wry smile and chuckled softly. “Until I met
you,
I hadn’t given her one single reason to talk about me.”

“We didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Not wrong. Just interesting.” The expression on his face made her laugh again. “Don’t look so surprised.”

“I know, I know. You warned me.” He was shaking his head. “It’s just hard to get used to being around anybody who cares that much one way or the other. Back home, I knew some of my neighbors, sure, but I guess my life was too hectic to spare much time wondering about what they were up to in their private lives.”

“They were probably up to plenty,” Rachel offered. “You just didn’t know it.”

“I suppose you’re right. People will be people, wherever you go.” With a wry grin he looked her up and down, clearly admiring her slim, petite self, then said, “Some of them are just a whole lot prettier than others.”

By the time Hannah arrived with the promised ice cream, Rachel and Samantha were waiting on the porch. Sean came out the front door as the older woman was climbing the steps. She had a plastic sack in one hand and was using the other to pull herself up the stairs.

“Here,” he said, reaching out, “let me help you with that.”

“Ain’t heavy,” Hannah countered. She raised an eyebrow at Rachel, then glanced pointedly at the screen door.

“Sean was inside washing up,” Rachel said. “He got dirty out back, and I didn’t see any reason for him to have to wash his hands in the garden hose.” Chin jutting out, she faced Hannah. “Do
you?
”

“’Course not. Well, where do you want me to put this?”

Samantha shouted, “Here!” holding out an empty blue plastic bowl. That made all the adults laugh. Even Hannah.

“Over here,” Rachel said. “I moved my plants off this table. And here’s a scoop and more bowls and spoons.” While Hannah emptied her shopping bag, Rachel added, “I think you should dish up Samantha’s first, before she busts a puckering string.”

“Good idea. You wanna do it?”

“No. Go ahead. I’ll be right back. I need to speak with Sean for a minute.” The quizzical look on Hannah’s face made her add, “About a certain little mutual friend.”

To Rachel’s relief, the other woman gave a sage nod. “You go right ahead, then. Sam and me, we’ll start without you. Come get yourselves a dish when you’re ready.”

Sean was standing apart from the group, waiting. Rachel led him to the far end of the porch and stopped with her back against the railing so she could watch the child as she spoke and make sure they weren’t being overheard.

“I found out more,” she said softly.

“Go on.”

He stepped aside and lounged against the front of the house, forming a right angle with Rachel so he could glance sidelong at the ice-cream party without being too obvious.

“There was a car accident. She was with her parents when they died.”

“You’re sure?”

“That’s what she said.”

“What else?” Sean asked, studying the giggling little girl.

“She told me an angel rescued her.”

His head snapped around. “How?”

“Supposedly, this angel lifted the whole car off her and helped her escape.”

Sighing pensively, Sean nodded. “It’s possible someone came along and did that. There have been recorded instances of bystanders performing feats of enormous strength in times of stress. If a person saw a trapped child he might find it in him to pick up a vehicle.”

“That’s what you think happened?”

“Of course. What else could it be?”

“A real angel.”

“Oh, come on, Rachel. You don’t honestly believe in all that hocus-pocus, do you?”

“Why not?” She huffed cynically. “Oh, that’s right. I forgot. You don’t believe in anything you can’t see or touch.”

“You make it sound like I’m the one who’s delusional.”

“Aren’t you?” Waving her hands in front of her she quickly added, “Never mind. Forget I said that.” A smile raised the corners of her mouth. “It’s not your fault. You can’t help being blind to the miracles all around you.”

“Nice of you to give me the benefit of the doubt.”

“Not at all. I sometimes forget that not everyone sees life the way I do. Think of yourself as a lamp with a cord that’s not plugged in. You can try to turn that lamp on all you want, but it’ll never give light unless it’s properly connected.”

“Are you calling me a dim bulb?” Sean gibed.

“Oh, no. I think you’re one of the brightest people I’ve ever known.”

“Thanks.” His gaze narrowed on her, obviously saw the twinkle of mischief in her eyes. “Okay. What’s the catch?”

“No catch. I just hope I’m there when you finally discover all you’ve been missing.”

Sean chuckled to himself. “I don’t—not that I’m agreeing with you, mind you.”

“Why not? You chicken?”

“No. I just hate to be wrong. Once I’ve made up my mind, it’s not in my nature to change it.”

“Then, you and I are in for a lot of trouble,” Rachel quipped, “because I never back down, either.”

“Never?” He pushed off the wall where he’d been leaning and took one step closer to her, then another.

“Well,
almost
never,” Rachel said, finding herself suddenly trapped.

Ducking to dodge around him she hurried back to where Samantha was shoveling in ice cream while also entertaining Hannah with stories of previous ice-cream treats.

Rachel grinned at them, hoping she wasn’t blushing from her close encounter with Sean. “Well, here I am. What’s good? Or should I ask, what’s left?”

“I got strawberry!” the little girl announced. “It’s larupin’.”

“That good, huh?” She laughed, looking to Hannah. “Have you been teaching Samantha new expressions?”

“Maybe a few. She does learn real fast, that’s a fact. Be a shame to lose her.”

Rachel had the scoop in her hand and was filling it with rapidly softening ice cream. She stopped abruptly. “Lose her? Why? I thought everything was okay.”

“So’d I, till this afternoon. I got a call from a lady up north in Colorado, Sam’s aunt, by marriage, on her papa’s side. She’s thinkin’ ‘o steppin’ in, after all.”

“What? Those people weren’t interested before. Why the change? And why
now?
”

“I think there’s an inheritance,” Hannah said, turning aside and lowering her voice. “Don’t know how big, not that it matters to me. Doesn’t take much money to win over some folks, though.”

“That’s terrible! We can’t let—”

Coming up behind Rachel, Sean interrupted by laying his hand gently on her shoulder and saying, “I’m sure we all want whatever’s best for Samantha.”

When Rachel turned to look up at him, she couldn’t help her unshed tears.

He relieved her of the ice-cream scoop and stepped up to take her place. “You having strawberry, Miss Rachel?”

“Um…yes.”

“I see there’s chocolate, too. I think I’ll have some of that.” With a polite smile he went on to ask, “Mrs. Brody? Can I get you something?”

“I’m fine, thanks. Already had a bite of each. But help yourself to all you’d like. It’s fixin’ to melt, anyway.”

“I think it already has melted,” Sean said. “I like it that way, myself. How about you, Samantha? Would you like more?”

She held out her half-empty dish. “Yes, please. I want chocolate, like you.”

“Would you like it in a separate bowl?”

The child looked puzzled. “Why?”

“No reason,” he said with a short laugh. “I was just remembering how my brother Ian used to eat everything. He didn’t want any flavors mixed together.”

“Oh.” Studying the softening scoops in her bowl when Sean handed it back, Samantha paused a moment, then gave the whole thing a quick stir with her spoon and held it up for him to see. “Look! I made a picture!”

“Hey, great.”

“Know what it is?” she asked.

Sean glanced over at Rachel, as if hoping for rescue, but she was still fighting back her tears.

“Let me think,” he drawled, stalling. “It kind of looks like—um—an angel?”

Samantha giggled behind her hand. “No, silly! It’s Schatzy. See? It has a red collar and everything.”

“Actually, it looks more like a glob of melted ice cream than anything else,” Sean countered, laughing with her. “I think you’re teasing me.”

That sent the child into a fit of giggles. The laughter was so contagious that even Rachel had to smile. She nodded to Sean. “I think you’re right.”

“Samantha has a wonderful imagination,” he told Rachel. “Remember that when you’re talking to her. Know what I mean?”

“I know exactly what you mean.” She picked up the dish of strawberry he’d fixed for her and tasted a spoonful, savoring the cool, smooth sweetness before she went on. “I also know what I believe. See that you don’t forget that, either.”

“Are you likely to let me?” he asked, muting a wry grin and trying to look more serious than he felt.

“Not in a million years, mister.”

Sean nodded and smiled amiably, including everyone in the magnanimous gesture. “Good. I wouldn’t know what to do with myself if you quit picking on me.”

Rachel’s eyes widened. “Picking on you? Me? I’ve been trying to
help
you!”

If Sean had been the only one to laugh, Rachel wouldn’t have been surprised. However, when Hannah also began to guffaw, Rachel’s brow wrinkled with confusion. “What’s so funny?”

“You two are,” the middle-aged woman said. “The way you argue sounds just like me and my Hank used to, back when we started courtin’.”

Rachel didn’t mind Sean lingering after the others left. Truth to tell, she needed another adult to talk to. Preferably someone
other
than her mother.

When she started to carry the dirty bowls into the house, Sean pitched in and followed. “I’ll bring what’s left of the ice cream. I’m pretty sure it’s not salvageable, though.”

“There isn’t much. You can dump it in the sink. Just don’t let it drip on the carpet on the way to the kitchen.”

“Can’t we feed it to the animals?”

“Not the chocolate. It’s toxic to dogs and cats.”

“I didn’t know that.”