Ready-Made Family (7 page)

After Glorietta left, Amelia tickled Reece. “They’re getting ready to let me out. Isn’t that great?”

Sudden tears welled in Reece’s eyes. She stared at Bearby with an instantly downcast expression.

Having returned to do discharge vitals, the nurse gathered her medical paraphernalia but left two pages of typed sheets. “Everything is within normal limits. Here are some instructions.” She started to step out. Panic grabbed Amelia. “Wait. Nurse? May I borrow a Refuge phone book? I might need a cab.”

“I’m sorry. Refuge doesn’t have a cab service right now.”

“City transportation?”

“Afraid not. This is a very small town.”

Amelia walked her to the door. “How does the billing cycle work in the hospital from day to day? Is it like hotels where there is a noon checkout?”

“No. Once past midnight, you get charged for the next day.”

“So, if we need to, we can stay here up to eleven-fifty-five tonight?”

The nurse looked at her oddly. “Of course. Why, is there no one available to pick you up?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Because you don’t need to be out walking in this heat.”

“I know.”

“I’m sure a ride will come through,” the nurse said as she walked out.

But Glorietta was on her way out of town. And Ben…she supposed she could call him. But something in her needed to know he’d come back on his own. If she waited until tonight, Reece’s bedtime would be messed up. Amelia would give Ben until this afternoon before trying to find a ride to the bed and breakfast. Should she have the nurse lock up his phone in the hospital safe? Or chance catching him at the B and B?

Despising feeling helpless and not being able to decide what to do, Amelia picked up her drawing pad.

Minutes later, sniffling sounded.

Amelia gathered Reece in her arms. “Sweetie? What’s wrong?”

“I don’t want to leave here.” She plucked at Bearby’s hair. No wonder he looked mangy these days. Stress always caused Reece to pick at his dwindling fur. In the same way, guilt tore strips from Amelia’s conscience. She had to make things better for her daughter, no matter what it meant giving up.

“Honey, it’s a hospital. We can’t stay here.” Amelia adapted a jovial tone. “Besides, there’s nothing fun to do.” That Reece looked sad and troubled made her feel like a failure. No child should be this forlorn looking, depressed even.

You’re not ready to be a mom. You’ll fail her like you did us.
The audio memory of her father’s words stung like a slap in the face of her honest effort.

Amelia twirled Reece’s bangs into a side ringlet, moving them out of her eyes. She pulled a butterfly barrette from her purse and secured the hair. Much better. “We get to finish our road trip. Hospitals are sorta boring, don’t you think?”

“I don’t mean the hospital. I mean I don’t want to leave this town. I like it here and they have curly fries as long as your leg and everybody is nice to us and, and Bearby misses Mr. Ben.” She unleashed luminous eyes on Amelia. “Why did he leave, Mommy? I thought he liked us.”

So
that’s
what this was about. She drew Reece close for a hug. “Oh, honey. He’ll be back and you’ll get to say goodbye to him.” But…would he? She hoped he’d return before they discharged her. She also needed to give his gift to him. And she still had his phone. And he’d mentioned the B and B and helping with a room. She’d need it tonight.

Surely he’d be back.

Unless, like Reggie, he was filled with empty promises. Or, like her dad, forgetful of his word, yet never forgetting her mistakes. But Ben was different.

Right?

The wall clock beckoned her gaze. Quarter to ten. Fifteen minutes until her scheduled discharge. Would Ben remember?

If he really was a man of honor, he’d show or else call.

Amelia eyed the clock above the bed.

Ten on the nose.

Ben had said he’d be back. A sudden thought struck her. He didn’t owe her a thing.

Believe.

“Let’s draw.” Amelia pulled her pad out and patted the bed. Reece scrambled up and took the blank paper.

Noon came.

Noon went.

How would she explain this to Reece if Ben didn’t return?
I was wrong about him?

For once, she hoped she wasn’t. And that little bit of hope scared her more than almost anything.

Twelve-thirty. Time for plan B. Amelia resigned herself to renting a car.

She hated to spend money, but she couldn’t subject Reece to walking twenty miles. Not happening. Even if Amanda carried her. Too risky with the heat.

After dressing, Amelia called to check on her car, in hopes the mechanic had worked a mighty miracle with his hillbilly wrench.

She’d have been better off not to call. The parts he’d had to order—backordered. Which meant another week for sure. Time ticked by, taking Amelia’s hope of Ben showing with it. The phone alarm she’d set bleeped, signaling time up.

Amelia glared at the wall clock.

One.

Reece tracked her gaze. Tears filled her eyes.

“Mommy, Bearby and me don’t think he’s coming.”

I
’m sure Mr. Ben has a good reason. Mommy has plan B, baby.

Ben stood outside Amelia’s room while the conversation he’d inadvertently walked up on sunk in. He hadn’t meant to eavesdrop. But hospital-room acoustics ricocheted voices into the hall. Even though he’d backed away from the door when Reece mentioned his name.

He should have called. But he’d wanted to give Hutton his undivided attention. After breakfast, they’d gone fishing. Then Bradley’d invited Hutton to Cone Zone for pizza and ice cream. And Ben had made another special stop.

Then Joel had called him in for a team briefing, putting them on alert to be sent to a Gulf Coast area in the path of a hurricane. ’Twas the season.

Now, returned to Amelia’s room, he’d inadvertently picked up phrases exchanged between Amelia and Reece. He hadn’t realized they’d discharge Amelia that early.

Now, he was convinced even more he wasn’t imagining this draw to Amelia and Reece. He had to find a way to woo Amelia’s trust and keep in touch.

He looked heavenward again. “Make a way. They desper
ately need security and someone to care about them,” he whispered, while raising his hand to knock. “Hello, it’s Ben. Everyone decent?”

Shuffling sounded. “Yes. Come in.”

Ben rounded the corner and pushed aside the curtain.

Surprise then relief flashed in Amelia’s eyes at the sight of him. As though she’d doubted his return. The very thought disturbed him. Her eyes lit on the vase, voluminous with burgundy roses, in his right hand. Confusion skipped across her face before Reece stood on the bed, prohibiting him from seeing her reaction further.

“Mr. Ben! I thought you left us for good!” Reece launched at him like Superman in flight.

He thrust the floral crystal torch vase out a safe distance and caught Reece with his other arm. He grunted on impact and laughed. Little daredevil nearly knocked the wind out of him. “Hey, short stuff.”

He placed the expensive arrangement on the table in front of Amelia, who blinked rapidly at them. You’d think the girl had never been given flowers before. Well, maybe she hadn’t. Her face reflected cautious hope that they were hers yet rampant unbelief they could be.

Reece grabbed his nose and gave it little pinches. “‘Short stuff’? I like when you call me princess better, silly man.”

Ben laughed then wiggled his nose at her, mimicking her expression. “Then princess it is.”

Reece’s fists pressed into her hips and her nose pressed into his. “And why are you late?”

“Because I braved the stores for two damsels.” Still armed with Reece, Ben sat in the chair and pulled out a paper sack from the gift center downstairs. He pulled out a jeweled princess tiara and handed it to Reece. “This is for you.” He handed her a tiny camouflage jacket. “This is for Bearby. And the flowers are for your mom. Hope she’s not allergic.”
He peeked at Amelia, who still stared at the vase, then at him. A curiously confused gleam entered her eyes. Like she couldn’t comprehend what the flowers were all about.

She brushed fingers along a velvety rose petal. “I’m not allergic, that I know of. I’ve never received flowers before.”

“Not even when you were in the hospital to have Reece?”

She shook her head. “Can I hold them?”

Ben locked gazes with her. “Of course. They’re yours. It’s okay to embrace what belongs to you, Amelia,” he offered softly, hoping she’d get the double meaning that God had so much more in store for her if she’d just stop running and receive instead of letting doubt and fear propel her in the wrong direction.

He felt a song coming on.

Didn’t the girl know God grows her flowers after winter? Commands the seed to grow, tasks the sun to make them glimmer?

But, he reminded himself, she hadn’t grown up with the kind of family he had. Maybe all she’d ever wakened to was weeds in the grass outside her life’s window.

Awaken her with the warmth of your presence and with the melody of the songs you fashion only for her. Like Zephaniah 3:17. Help her envision how you sing and dance over her with delight.

He would send her flowers every single day, if that was what it took to convince the girl she was worth something in someone’s eyes.

Cradling both hands on a large bloom, she leaned in as close as she could until her nose disappeared inside one of the flowers. Eyes closed, she inhaled long and deep. Deeper. So deep he was sure she’d inhaled pollen into her lungs.

Yes, Lord. Let her inhale Your presence like that.

He’d never ever seen someone so appreciative of a gift.

“They smell so beautiful. They’re gorgeous, and this vase, do I get to keep it?” Her words tumbled out breathless.

He nodded, enjoying the grateful gushing and childlike wonder at what he considered such a small gesture of kindness. But to her, it obviously was enormous.

He laughed because Amelia’s joy looked just like Reece’s when she’d lunged off the bed, going airborne. Not even pausing to consider that he wouldn’t or couldn’t catch her. Or that she could be hurt in the process if things didn’t turn out as planned. The unquestioning trust and pristine faith of a child.

Restore that to Amelia.

The way she ogled the flowers, obviously she didn’t get gifts all that often. If ever.

He aimed to change that. He couldn’t think of any woman who needed that as much as Amelia. Crazy to be thinking along these long-term lines this soon. But he couldn’t help it. An excitement welled up in him. He liked her. And it had nothing to do with sympathy. He saw deeper than her current life circumstances. Determination. Tenacity. He doubted she could even see it in herself. Regardless, he loved the view.

The nurse entered. “Oh, good. Your ride made it, I see.”

Amelia blinked at Ben. “I hadn’t asked him yet.”

He grinned like a goon in a gin bin. “Like I’d protest the company of two very pretty ladies?”

Reece giggled. Amelia’s smile revealed relief.

“Lunch trays came an hour ago. Since I thought you’d be discharged at ten, I didn’t order yours. I can call dietary to deliver two if you need,” the nurse said to Amelia.

The rolling table squeaked as Ben moved it aside to sit on the bed. “No offense, but I saw fish sandwiches on the menu.” His eyes warned Amelia. “They taste like sponges.”

The nurse chuckled. “Unfortunately, he’s right. But we can order you and Reece trays before you go if you like.”

Ben rose. “Nah, they’ll grab lunch with me. But thanks.”

“Okay, then. I’ll get your discharge paperwork.” The nurse slipped out.

“Could we have a picnic, Mommy?” Reece asked.

“That’s up to Mr. Ben,” Amelia said. “He’s driving. But whatever we decide, I’d like to treat us.” She eyed him. “You fly and I buy?”

He smiled. “Sounds like a plan. I’m game for a picnic.” He knew Harker had slipped bills into the Bible Promise Book she’d given Amelia. She’d told Ben to make sure Amelia knew about it. Amelia must have discovered it on her own. He strongly sensed she needed this, to be able to contribute financially.

Amelia shifted in her seat. “I’m curious about something, Ben. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.”

“What’s that?”

“When the doctor was here, you mentioned someone named Bradley. I got the idea he’s a young boy. Dr. Riviera is an oncologist, right? Does Joel’s little boy have cancer?” Sympathy coated her words.

“He had leukemia, but it’s been in remission since a successful bone-marrow transplant.”

“Must have been frightening for Bradley’s parents. I can’t imagine going through that.”

“Actually, Joel and his wife, Amber, adopted Bradley. Amber was Bradley’s teacher. At that time, things didn’t look good for Bradley. He’d been abandoned by his birth mother and neglected by his foster mother to the point it endangered his life. So Amber pursued custody. She and Joel married about the time his adoption was finalized.”

“I don’t understand how a mother could abandon her child. I’m so glad he found another family.”

“Bradley’s as much a gift to Joel and Amber as they are to him. Kid’s an inspiration to everyone he meets. He was so courageous going through what he did. In fact, if courage could cure cancer, that little guy’s fight and faith alone would have eradicated it from the earth.”

“Mommy, what’s cancer?” Reece asked from the corner.

“It’s a terrible disease that makes people very sick.”

“I know what courage is, Mommy.”

“You do?”

“Yep. I found out by watching
Charlotte’s Web.
Courage is what the little girl who loved Wilbur was made of. And it’s what you’re made of, even though your daddy isn’t very nice to you sometimes. Grandma even said so.”

“She did?” Total shock spread all over Amelia’s face. It wasn’t half the jolt Ben felt, though, when she turned to him and conveyed a look that touched him across the space separating them.

“Mom has never stood up for me. At least not in my presence,” she explained in tones too low for Reece to monitor.

Reece made airplane noises and flew Bearby in circles over her head. “I’m glad Charlotte’s three babies stayed with Wilbur. And I’m glad that little boy Bradley’s okay now, Mommy. And I’m glad you didn’t die in our car crash because I don’t have any idea how to fly and farms are stinky.”

The gamut of emotions Reece’s words provoked made Amelia appear to want to laugh and cry at the same time. Ben resisted the compulsion to reach for her.

Already familiar with the animated version of
Charlotte’s Web
from watching it a hundred times with Hutton, Ben knew hundreds of spider babies floated through air to the farm after Charlotte couldn’t be with them anymore, but only three babies stayed there with Wilbur the pig.

The nurse reentered, discharged Amelia, then left.

Ben lifted Reece’s booster seat, which he’d brought the first day. “I pulled my car up to the front of the hospital. Feel okay to walk through a store to snag picnic stuff?”

Amelia nodded. “I feel gobs better.” When she held his gaze for a few mesmerizing moments, he knew she meant more than her health.

“You didn’t really think I’d abandon you. Did you?”

Her cheeks flushed. “I wouldn’t say
abandon,
really.
Forget
might be a better word.” Her eye twitched once. Twice.

Stopped like a fighter jet caught by arresting wires on an aircraft carrier, he faced her. He stepped one foot inside her personal space, with one foot outside in the circle of normal friendship to help usher that precise point across. “Let’s clear something up right here and now.”

Her eyes flashed apprehension. As if she expected him to initiate a scream fest. To deflect that fear, he raised a gentle hand, wrapping his finger in spirals of lush hair curtaining the eye she tried so hard to hide. In her mind, a flaw. In his, something unique to her that made her all the more special.

She swallowed, but held his gaze.

He twirled her hair between his finger and thumb, longing to lose himself in the feel of it.

Amelia’s eye started twitching again.

He slid his gaze to a now-giggling Reece, then back to slowly roam every facet of Amelia’s face. “I would never abandon you and Reece…

“And never, ever could I forget you.”