Jodie's Song (4 page)

Jodie liked the woman at once, and laughed easily with the charming, if bewildered, bride-to-be. “Kevin's the expert. I'm simply his trainee.”

Kevin gave Jodie a wink. “And I'll take all the help I can get. Let's get some flowers going for the gazebo and ceremony space.”

They moved side by side, weaving through lanes of phlox, snapdragons, blue bells, petunias, and miniature rose plants. The blended scent tickled Jodie's nose as she dodged excited shoppers who seemed eager to send winter packing and embrace the arrival of spring. After a time, Kevin drifted to the rear, his gaze roving the flats.

Jodie picked up her conversation with Kaci. “Kevin tells me you teach English at Angel Falls High School.”

“I do. Ryne, my fiancée, is the resource officer there.” Kaci adjusted a pair of small, black-framed glasses. “He's such an awesome man. He's deeply committed to keeping kids on the right path.”

Love performed an ebullient bubble through Kaci's voice. Wistfulness danced through Jodie's spirit despite those noble resolutions she had made to her sister to focus solely on her father and her career.

“Of course, the closer we get to the date, the more intense and consuming the wedding preparations become.” Kaci continued on, exploring a batch of petunias. “I want to keep my eyes on the prize—Ryne, and the life we'll share. Don't get me wrong, exchanging our vows will be incredible, but I'll be glad when life returns to normal and we can just…I don't know…find our way together.”

“I love that attitude.”

Kaci fingered a wisp of hair into place behind her ear. “Thanks. When I told Ryne we were shopping together today, he mentioned he knew you way back when—by acquaintance, anyway. You grew up in Angel Falls, right?”

“Yep. My dad still lives here, which is why I've returned.”

“Are you married? Have you ever had to endure this kind of chaos?”

Kaci's question was friendly and warm, nothing more than a straightforward means by which to become friends. Still, tell-tale warmth flooded Jodie's system, building fast on the shyness she felt at the direction of their chat. Her discomfort grew when, from the corner of her eye, she saw that Kevin had given up plant scanning for the time being and focused on their conversation instead. She tried to ignore Kevin and respond to Kaci. “No, I'm not. The job I used to hold in Dallas wasn't very conducive to relationships.”

Kaci turned from the display of white verbena she had been admiring and focused on Jodie. “That's not good.”

“You're right, and I'm already finding that out. I'm afraid I've become a bit of a recluse. My old work shift meant I was awake while the world was asleep; then, while I slept, the world passed me by. I loved the work, but I don't like the way I was starting to become so withdrawn.” Kaci lifted a flat of verbena and settled it on their long dolly, her head tilted while she listened, and Jodie was surprised to discover she longed to be revealed. “I'm hoping that'll change now that I'm working in a smaller market and can live by a more reasonable schedule.”

“I'm sure it will. Plus, look at it this way, maybe that's part of God's purpose in leading you back to Angel Falls.”

The way Kaci brightened, the absolute trust and conviction she displayed, took Jodie back to the days of not so long ago when her faith had played through her life in symphonies of joy rather than tired refrains and spiritual discord.

“I'm trying to believe that's the case. Time will tell, right?”

After swiping her hands against her jeans, Kaci cast a nod toward Kevin. “Absolutely. And, as you can tell, the folks at Heart's Haven are like extended family. We look out for each other and have become great friends. You seem to have already been welcomed with open arms.” She gave Kevin a cheeky grin. “Or, should I say, open
wings
.”

Jodie added a supply of fertilizer to their steadily growing pile. “Wings?”

Kevin chuckled and reached to help her heft a sizeable bag of top soil. Their eyes tagged. Held. Warmth spread against her arms and legs, accompanied by enlivening sparkles of…yes…she had to admit it…attraction.

“Angel wings.” His answer drew her attention. “Folks around these parts seem to believe there's an army of heavenly spirits that inhabit the place you now call home. I'll fill you in on that particular phenomenon tomorrow while we put all these plants in the ground.”

Kaci picked up the conversation, doing a remarkable job of ignoring Jodie's wide-eyed surprise, continuing. “Kevin's in charge of the grounds keeping at Heart's Haven, of course, but Madison Harper, a family friend of the Harts, is helping Mr. Hart with some plantings around the complex itself. That leaves you and Kevin as the lead team in charge of the area where Ryne and I will exchange our vows.”

The ceremony sounded so romantic, and fun. Plus, the team spirit and loving atmosphere of Heart's Haven brought an aura of hope to bloom around Jodie's return home. Yes, her first responsibility was to her dad; still…what could be wrong with firming her resolve to engage in life fully once again? Relationships and solid friendships like those offered by Kevin and Kaci would be welcome.

Embracing that recognition left Jodie willing to be a bit more open than usual. “My sister and her family are relocating to south Texas in a few weeks, so I moved back to help take care of my father. He's faced some health issues. That's what matters to me beyond anything else.”

Kaci moved ahead, and Kevin's attention zeroed in on Jodie. He stepped close and her breath caught. From time to time, as they strolled and spied interesting displays, he would touch her arm, or set a guiding hand against her back. For the duration of their flower buying expedition, he stayed near, but he wasn't obtrusive. Savoring the warm and comforting aspects of his presence, Jodie gave herself a firm reminder not to let wistful longings run rampant.

They added a selection of yellow tea roses, white hyacinth, bluebonnets, and white petunias to their cart. While she helped Kaci and Kevin arrange their chosen flats and pots, Jodie couldn't resist the urge to bury her nose in a trio of hyacinth. “What a beautiful scent and they look so healthy and strong.”

Kaci perched her hands on her hips, smiling wide as she studied the selections. “Absolutely. The grounds are going to look fantastic for the wedding.”

At that point, Jodie happened to meet Kevin's eyes and the affection in his smile made her senses flutter.

After saying goodbye to Kaci, Jodie and Kevin returned to Heart's Haven. They unloaded their gardening supplies in a storage shed next to the community center. Kevin shoulder-hauled the heavy sacks of soil and fertilizer while Jodie carefully positioned their flower selections. A musky, damp aroma blended with that of the blooms, and dust debris sparkled through the air, swirling through a band of sunlight that poured through a cloudy window. She wondered at the way Kevin lingered over their task. At length he cleared his throat and focused his attention on a couple packages of gardening gloves he unwrapped and placed in readiness on a nearby workbench.

“I don't know if you've noticed the way the greenway trail borders the complex,” he began. Jodie shook her head, waiting. “I've always loved the way it skirts the edge of the Angelina Forest, and it's a great place to walk and unwind, especially in the spring. I run there from time to time.”

“I'm a runner as well. That sounds wonderful.”

“Would you like to take a walk with me and check it out?” He shrugged, brushing some dirt from his jeans. “If today isn't good, maybe we could take a run together at some point.”

A future. Friendship. Connection. Expectation danced into her heart. Clouds had just begun to roll slowly across the sky; a gentle, balmy wind had picked up steadily during the past half hour. “I'd love that.” She followed him outside, watching him close and padlock the door. “If we set out now, we'll probably have just enough time to beat the rain.”

He grinned. “Late afternoon storms being a fact of life in Texas during the spring.”

“Definitely.”

They followed a cobbled path that led to the chattering trees and pine-scented beauty of the forest edge. There was no forced conversation, no awkward tension, just peaceful contentment.

Which Jodie craved more than water.

“So your sister. She's moving?”

That's right—she hadn't mentioned that fact when they shared pie the other day. “Yes, Tracee has been watching after Dad for quite a while now but her husband's job is leading them to Corpus Christi.”

Kevin's brows pulled. He inched a bit closer; their shoulders brushed while they meandered. “Jodie, I admire you.”

She swallowed, and blinked. “Huh?”

“You really don't see it, do you?”

“See what?” Befuddled by his comment, Jodie watched a trio of squirrels scamper into an excited chase through a low section of underbrush.

Kevin swung his hand and caught hers on the fly. He didn't miss a beat, just kept on walking, which felt wonderful. “You possess an amazing disposition and spirit. You're dealing with so many things, and yet—”

“Don't overestimate me, Kevin.” Jodie cut in quick. “Most times, especially lately, I feel anything but amazing. I love my family, and I want to be there for everyone who needs me—especially my dad—but I get to feeling tapped out and overwhelmed.”

“Understandable. But I hope you'll keep pushing. Hold on to what you believe in. That's what'll help you face down the struggles in your life. That's what makes you admirable.” He didn't release her hand. The connection, though unexpected, felt natural and was entirely welcome, so they moved along the greenway at a leisurely pace, comfortably syncopated. Meanwhile, Kevin's succinct analysis left her with something to think about—her pattern of life and growth.

Dusk crept in on footsteps of pale blue and gray; sunset crowned the sky with fiery colors that gilded the tree tops. They rounded toward the cluster of warmly lit apartments that constituted the Haven and tracked in the direction of Jodie's unit. Before they cleared the forest line, however, Kevin stopped, and held her shoulders gently. “Thanks for your help shopping today. I'm glad you've been such a willing recruit.”

When he smiled into her eyes, Jodie's skin tingled and the world melted away. “No problem.”

The storm held off for a bit. Later that night, Jodie surveyed a darkened world through the bedroom window of her apartment. A flash of lightning split the sky. On automatic, she counted the seconds until thunder rolled, vibrating through the air. Four seconds—four miles. Soon, rain would drench the grounds of Heart's Haven, kissing the work of Kevin's hands. He was really such an impressive and provocative man.

Just beyond a wide expanse of land, the giant pine trees of the Angelina Forest cast shadowy silhouettes in an uneven line against the horizon. When lightning flashed, the trees came to eerie life, but Jodie paid that fact only scant mind. She rested her hand against the cool pane of glass that sang with the rumble of another thunder clap and eyed the greenway trail.

Maybe after work tomorrow they could take a run together like Kevin had suggested. She loved spending time with him, because in his company she felt no pressure, no need to uphold any radio enhanced image or balk in the face of stressful life circumstances. He was easy on her spirit and her mind.

Embracing an almost foreign sense of peace, Jodie padded to bed and slid beneath the blankets. The splatter and pop of fat water drops became a steady rhythm that lulled her to sleep…along with the image of a strong, kind-hearted man who seemed to know just how to reach within and untangle her troubled wires.

 

 

 

 

5

 

Jodie strode across sun-warmed grass, flip flops slapping lightly against her heels. Work was done for the day…time to play in the dirt. During the past week, for a few hours each afternoon, she found respite and a form of soul-nourishment while beautifying the grounds of Heart's Haven with Kevin Mitchell.

Freshly arrived at the complex, with its dozen or so white units tucked neatly against the edges of the Angelina Forest, Jodie followed a pattern that had been established over the handful of days she had spent helping him landscape. She stopped at the tool shed, pausing just long enough to grab a trowel, a spade, and a pair of the gardening gloves Kevin had purchased during their flower buying expedition. Eager to join him, she left the supply area, but doubled back for a knee pad.

She couldn't deny it any longer. As the grounds came to life, so did a spark of something unexpected, something wonderful, at the core of her heart. Today had been rough—full of family complications she couldn't wait to expunge by working hard and building up a sweat. A sense of beauty and creation blossomed here that she savored.

So she scurried to the courtyard in front of the community house where Kevin crouched along the line of a short, curved pathway. Presently he tilled in smooth strokes through a layer of top soil that formed a dark border against the even, gray stonework. Flats of flowers awaited planting, and at the end of the path, a small gazebo stood sentinel. That was new.

When she approached, openly admiring the white wood structure, Kevin looked her way, shading his eyes with a hand. Jodie delivered a smile and dropped to her knees, propping her hands on her thighs. “I see the spot for the ceremony is ready to go. It's beautiful.”

Kevin slid his sunglasses into place. “Yep. The installation crew just left. You should have seen Uncle Andy. He kept peppering them with questions and squawking about every move they made. He's become more and more protective, and watchful. Since the gazebo is going to be a permanent addition to the complex, he refused to back off.”

“Good for him. He cares.” She sensed there was more to the story, but before she could say anything further, Kevin cleared his throat in a gruff manner.