Time to Run (28 page)

He never said what he'd fetched as he joined her in the cab of the truck.

They zipped past pastures, verdant with spring grass. Past the Goodner's cattle, who swished their bovine tails at the early mayflies. Past the overpass to Highway 51 and the convenience store on the corner. At last, Chase pulled into a driveway, much shorter than theirs. They stopped before a brick rancher, an older home that looked a bit neglected.

"Who lives here?" Sara asked him.

"Melody," said Chase.

The little girl who'd lost both parents and now lived with her grandmother. Sara swallowed hard. She wished she were as strong as Chase when it came to life's harsher aspects.

He led her to the front door. "Bell's broken," he explained, lifting a hand to knock.

A moment later there came the shuffle of footsteps, then a little old lady opened the door and blinked at them. "You brought Sara!" she exclaimed in delight.

"Yes, ma'am," Chase admitted.

"I hope that means what I think it means," the woman added, with a gleam in her eyes.

Sara cut Chase a questioning look.

"We'll see," he equivocated.

"I'm Doris," the woman said, extending a welcoming hand. "Melody's been looking forward to this day." She turned and let them into a house that was cluttered and worn.

Sara reached for Chase. Melody's shoulder, she recalled, had been so badly broken that she'd had reconstructive surgery and still required therapy to regain use of it. He squeezed her hand reassuringly.

"Melody," Doris sang out ahead of them. "Chase brought Sara to meet you!"

They turned the corner, into a room filled with sunshine and stuffed animals. Sara met the girl's bright blue gaze and faltered. She was struck by a sense of recognition.

Chase pulled her toward the bed. "I brought you a surprise," he said, bending to kiss her cheek.

Melody leaned into him as if she'd known him all her life, but she kept her eyes on Sara. She couldn't have been more than six years old, yet she struck Sara as an old soul, wise beyond her years.

"Hello," said Sara, glancing at Melody's left hand, which lay unmoving on her lap.

"You're very pretty," said the little girl.

"Thank you. So are you." From her flaxen head to her bare toes, she was ethereal, summoning the instinct to shield her from future horrors.

The girl gestured for Chase to lower his head again, and when he did, she whispered in his ear.

"Yes," he said. "In a little while. How's your therapy goin'?"

"I can wiggle my fingers," she said, showing him.

"Atta girl," said Chase.

Sara watched with her heart in her throat.

Doris slipped shoes on the little girl's feet.

"How's she sleepin' ?" Chase asked the woman.

"Oh, 'bout the same," Doris answered, wearily.

Sara could only guess that Melody suffered nightmares.

Chase turned his attention to the patient. "All set?"

Melody nodded. Sara'd always guessed that Chase had a soft spot for children. But seeing him with a little girl in his arms, one who looked so much like their own child might, made her melt.

He gestured for Sara to follow as Doris led them back down the hall and out the rear door. "Have fun," the old woman called. She lingered at the doorway, watching with a bittersweet smile as they ventured into the overgrown yard together.

Chase put Melody on her feet, and the girl ambled toward the tire swing to sit on it expectantly.

Sara couldn't take her eyes off her.

"What do you think?" Chase asked her.

"I'm speechless," Sara replied. She'd had no idea that Chase was such a ministering angel, that he'd developed a special bond with this small child.

"Go ahead and give her a push," he invited, "but not too high."

Sara spent the next half hour playing with Melody, first on the swing, then at the wrought-iron table, where they enjoyed imaginary tea with Chase. It was deeply gratifying.

"My mommy used to play tea with me, too," Melody remembered with a sorrowful glance.

"She did?" said Sara gently.

"Yes. She looked a lot like you."

The observation made Sara's heart clutch.

"Would you like to be my mama?" Melody added very seriously.

Startled, Sara glanced at Chase, expecting him gently to tone down Melody's expectations.

Instead, he smiled a little smile, his blue eyes watchful.

"He has a ring for you," the little girl divulged. "You want to see it?"

The blood drained from Sara's face.

"Show her," Melody urged, with a smile replacing her sorrow.

Chase reached into the pocket of his jeans and withdrew a velvet pouch.

Sara nearly fell off the wrought-iron chair as he produced the loveliest diamond-and-sapphire ring she'd ever seen. "Figured you couldn't say no if she asked you," he admitted with a crooked smile.

As if she'd ever say no.

"You went through a lot with Garret," he added, sobering. "I hope that didn't put you off marriage."

"You have to be married if you're going to take me home," Melody explained.

Sara reeled, and yet it seemed only natural that, having been adopted herself, they should adopt this little girl.

"Her grandmother needs some help," Chase explained. "You think you can handle all this?"

Sara wanted to pinch herself. Never in her wildest dreams had she expected Chase to propose like this, certainly not with this added bonus. She shook her head, overwhelmed.

"I already brought Kendal over," he added, looking more and more worried by her continued silence. "He played with Melody last week. They got along great."

Knowing Kendal, he'd taken to the little girl instantly.

Sara's eyes grew wet. "Oh, Chase," she said, last. "You don't even need to ask. I've been yours since you rescued me. You've given me a whole new life," she added, her voice quavering. Her gaze shifted to Melody, who looked delighted by her answer. "The least we can do is give Melody a new life, too."

"I love you, Sara," Chase said, his own voice gruff with emotion. He held out the ring for her to put on.

With a smile for Melody, whose face reflected hope for the future, Sara slid her ring finger into the circle of gold. It fit her perfectly, just the way Chase fit her. Just the way their little family was going to fit.