Healing Hearts (16 page)

The door banged closed, and she glanced toward Dominic bridging the distance between them. Nothing in his expression indicated what he was thinking. She started to stand, but he waved her back down.

“We need to talk, Abbey.” He took the chair across from her.

“About Madi?”

“No, about us. I respect what you said to me two weeks ago. I understand why. But I’ve missed you.”

Emotions she dared not feel leaped into her throat. She tried to swallow them down but couldn’t.

“The past couple of weeks I’ve done a lot of thinking. I know I was holding myself back because I was afraid to take a risk. But not anymore. Not taking a risk on us is far worse.” He clasped her hands in his. “Can we find a way for this to work? I love you, and I want to give us a chance.”

Abbey cherished the feel of his hands around hers, but she wasn’t sure it would work. “Have you come to terms with Susie?”

“Yes.”

Hope flared in Abbey. “I did with Peter, too.”

Dominic rose and tugged her to her feet. “Give me a chance to win your love.”

“I can’t do that.”

He frowned.

Abbey quickly said, “Because I already love you. But let’s give ourselves a chance to see where this goes. We can date—”

“After the last time we went out, I don’t know if that’s a good idea,” he said with a chuckle.

She relaxed against him, his arms enveloping her. “Then we won’t call it dating.”

“In case Madi asks, what do we call it?”

She shrugged. “I don’t think Madi will care so long as we’re seeing each other.”

He settled his mouth over hers. The touch of his lips made her feel as though she’d come home. As he deepened the kiss, Abbey gave her heart totally to him.

When he broke the kiss, he said, “I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” she murmured, and kissed him again.

Epilogue

“I
’ve put everything in the car, including Gabe and Cottonball. You ready to go?” Dominic asked, coming into the foyer, decorated almost as much as the living room for Christmas.

“Yes, but Madi is still upstairs getting ready. She’s been fussing about looking her best for everyone.” Abbey turned toward her husband, marveling at the changes that had taken place in the past five months.

He snagged her hand and drew her to him. “Good. That’ll give us a few minutes to decide how best to tell her about the baby.”

“I say we tell her tomorrow morning when we’re opening presents. We have a lot to celebrate this year. Our first Christmas as a married couple. A baby on the way. Madi walking and doing great in school. Your factory built and running well.”

“And don’t forget about the Caring Canines Foundation.”

“How can I? I’m going to be busy planning the training facility for the dogs.”

“I hope you didn’t mind me giving you your present a little early.”

She laughed. “Mind? No way? The piece of land for the facility at the ranch is perfect. I can walk out of my house and go a few hundred yards to work. I have a feeling Madi will be spending a lot of time there.”

Abbey caught sight of Madi at the top of the stairs, dressed in a dark green velvet dress with white stockings and black leather shoes. She slowly descended the stairs, grasping the banister. With a huge smile, she held her cane in her other hand. Only until recently had she used the stairs. Abbey’s chest expanded with all the love she felt toward this little girl and the man next to her.

“What do you all think?” Madi made a circle.

Dominic put his arm around Abbey and drew her against him. “Beautiful. Both of my gals are. We’d better get going. We have to go by Shady Oaks before we go over to Abbey’s parents, then on to church.”

“Knowing Mr. Johnson, he’ll be calling to see why we’re late.” Abbey placed her hand over her stomach where a new member of their family was growing.

“And we can’t be late for church. I need to get there early and practice my lines with Brandy.”

“We have plenty of time for all three places if we leave now.” Dominic let Madi go first out the door, then snuck a quick kiss from Abbey.

“Please, you two can kiss later. We need to get going now.” Madi giggled. “You would think you’re newlyweds.”

Dominic scooped Madi up into his arms. “We
are
still newlyweds.”

Abbey hugged them both and laid her head on Dominic’s shoulder, amazed at how God had healed their hearts and given each of them a second chance.

* * * * *

Keep reading for an excerpt from
The Soldier's Sweetheart
by Deb Kastner.

Dear Reader,

Healing Hearts
is the first book in my Caring Canines series about service and therapy dogs. As a teacher of students with special needs, I dealt with service dogs in my classroom and saw firsthand how special these animals were. Throughout my life, various pets have brought me much pleasure and comfort. What service and therapy dogs can do is amazing. In the series I hope you’ll see just how much they can change a person’s life.

I love hearing from readers. You can contact me at
[email protected]
or at 1316 S. Peoria Ave, Tulsa, OK 74120. You can also learn more about my books at
www.margaretdaley.com
. I have a quarterly newsletter that you can sign up for on my website.

Best wishes,

Questions for Discussion

1. Dominic’s past ruled his life because he couldn’t
   forgive his ex-fiancée for betraying him. Has something like this
   happened to you? How did you get past it?
   

2. Dominic didn’t think God answered his prayers. He
   thought the Lord had given up on him. Have you ever thought that? What
   did you do?
   

3. Madi was depressed over yet another operation and
   a long recovery period. She was sick of being in a wheelchair. Have you
   dealt with depression? What has helped you overcome being sad and
   depressed?
   

4. Abbey lost her daughter three years before the
   book opens. She is still dealing with her child’s death by trying not to
   dwell on memories of Lisa. Can you escape grief by ignoring your pain?
   What are some things you can do to help yourself work through your
   grief?
   

5. Abbey went through a period where she felt sorry
   for herself and Madi is going through the same thing. What can you do to
   help yourself when you’re having a pity party? What can your loved ones
   do to help?
   

6. Abbey believed in the power of animals to help
   people when they are in pain. Do you have a pet? Have you ever felt
   cheered up by your pet? Has your pet ever sensed you are hurting and
   tried to comfort you? Explain how.
   

7. Madi suffered nightmares after being in a plane
   crash. Did you ever suffer from recurring nightmares? Why? What did you
   do to stop them?
   

8. Dominic knew something was missing from his life
   because his work didn’t bring him the joy it did when he first started
   building his company. Has this ever happened to you? What did you do to
   change it?
   

9. Dominic felt pulled in two directions. He needed
   to be in Oklahoma with his sister and in Houston for work. Have you ever
   felt this way? How did you solve the problem?
   

10. Abbey thought it was important that the nursing
    home allow animals in, and she fought to make that happen. What is
    something you have fought for? Did it end well? What made you fight for
    it?
    

11. Abbey’s ex-husband left her because he couldn’t
    handle his daughter’s serious illness. He left Abbey to do it all by
    herself. Have you ever had to be the sole caregiver for someone sick or
    gravely ill? Discuss.
    

We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired story.

You believe hearts can heal.
Love Inspired
stories show that faith, forgiveness and hope have the power to lift spirits and change lives—always.

Enjoy six new stories from Love Inspired every month!

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Chapter One

S
ell Sam’s Grocery?

Samantha Howell snorted in outrage and crumpled the fancy-shmancy letter, written on white-linen paper, in her fist.

Over her dead body.

Her stomach tightened into uncomfortable knots, the same as it always did when she heard the name Stay-n-Shop. Didn’t these people know what the word
no
meant? Just because they were a large corporation didn’t mean they could walk over the little people, did it?

Actually, it kind of did. In fact, that was exactly what it meant. And unfortunately for Samantha, she was the “little people” in question.

Fury kindled in her chest as she flattened the note with her palm. As much as she wanted to toss the missive in the nearest trash can, she knew she needed to keep it. This wasn’t the first time she’d heard from this giant bear of a company, but if they had their way, it would be the last. Stay-n-Shop had taken out a ninety-day option on land just inside the southern border of Serendipity. If she didn’t sell to them, they’d “have no choice but to pursue permits and zoning” and begin building a store of their own. In short, the big-box store would drive Sam’s Grocery out of business.

She chewed absently on her bottom lip as she reread the letter once again, her thoughts buzzing through her head like a swarm of angry wasps.

What was she going to do to save her store? What
could
she do?

“Excuse me, miss?”

The bell rang over the door and a moment later, a man’s deep, unfamiliar voice registered in her ear.

“I’m sorry to disturb you. I’m looking for Samantha Howell. I was told I might find her here.” His tone was as smooth as honey, with just the hint of a Texas accent.

“I’m...” she started to say, frantically sliding the crumpled letter under the nearby dry-goods inventory. Her breath hitched as she met the stranger’s uncompromising brown-eyed gaze. She swallowed hard, trying to recover her composure.

“...Samantha Howell.”

Having lived her whole life in the small town, it was a rare event for her to not recognize someone. Very few visitors ever came through Serendipity, Texas. The town wasn’t even on the state map. She knew nearly every customer who frequented the store by name and could recount their lives down to the most current events.

Even more peculiar, she surmised the man was military, despite the fact that he was in street clothes. The severe set of his shoulders, his trim blond hair and the way he clasped his hands behind his back were dead giveaways. And his tan T-shirt was ironed, with a sharp crease lining each sleeve. Only military guys ironed their T-shirts.

She wondered which branch of the service he was in. Before leaving for Fort Benning for Basic Combat Training, her brother, Seth, had tried to enlighten her on the differences between the branches. At the time, she hadn’t really been paying attention. Her brother was always talking about Army this or Army that.

To Samantha, military was military. She appreciated their service to the country, and she hung up her flag every Memorial Day and Fourth of July just like any other homegrown patriot would do, but it had all been lip service, without any truly meaningful connection to her real life.

Once Seth enlisted, that changed.

Now every newscast about the American troops, every update on the radio, was personal. It was frightening. It was family.

Seth
.

In a matter of milliseconds, Samantha went from being curious about a handsome stranger to completely panicked over a brother living in consistently deadly conditions. She felt as if she’d been zapped with electricity from an open socket. All thoughts of Stay-n-Shop and her own problems instantly fled.

Was this man here about her brother?

Oh, dear Lord. Not Seth.

As the man’s solemn gaze held hers, fear and adrenaline jolted her pulse. Her stomach rose into her throat in stinging, nauseating waves, then plunged back down again like a giant, out-of-control roller coaster.

The stranger’s expression was grim, his mouth a thin, straight line slashing across hard, angular features. She could read nothing reassuring in his eyes and horrible scenarios spread like wildfire through her mind.

It couldn’t be. Not her brother.

Seth had only entered the Army infantry last year. Immediately after his advanced training, he’d been deployed to Afghanistan, where he was working under extremely dangerous circumstances, with guns and bombs and who knew what else threatening him on a daily basis.

And now this military man had suddenly appeared, asking for her by name. Didn’t the Army send a guy out when—

Oh, God,
she pleaded silently, her heart pounding in her ears as she gasped for breath.
No, no, no. Dear Lord, please don’t let this be about Seth. Please don’t let him be wounded.

Or worse.

Samantha gritted her teeth and shook her head. This couldn’t be happening. Not to her sweet, charming baby brother, who’d always been the life of the family.

“Is Seth...?” she started to ask, her raw voice cracking under the strain and tears burning in her eyes. The man wasn’t in uniform. Wasn’t he supposed to be in uniform? “Where is he? Is he okay?”

Confused, the man’s dark blond eyebrows dropped low over his eyes, but then his gaze suddenly widened in comprehension. His throat worked as he searched for words.

“No, ma’am. I mean, yes, ma’am. Seth is fine. That’s not why I’m here at all.” One side of his mouth twitched with strain as he lifted a hand and shook his head. “I’m sorry I gave you the wrong impression. I can see that I’ve unintentionally frightened you.”

Frightened
her? He’d scared her half to death with his sober expression. Her heart was pounding so hard she thought he could probably hear it from where he was standing.

“Seth is enjoying his tour of duty—or, at least, as much as a person can find pleasure in their deployment. He was born for military service, as I’m sure you’re well aware. He excels in the infantry.”

Relief washed over her in waves. This soldier had seen her brother, and Seth was safe and sound.

Thank You, Lord.

“Actually,” the man continued, shifting from one foot to the other and clearing his throat, “Seth
is
why I’m here, although not for the reason you supposed. I assumed...” He cleared his throat again. “Although in Seth’s defense, everything happened rather quickly.”

Samantha’s relief turned to bewilderment.

What
had happened quickly? Seth could be airheaded at times, but forgetting to mention he was sending a soldier to their town defied being a card-carrying space cadet, even for him.

“I’m afraid I don’t understand.” A gross understatement, but a place to start. She leaned forward on her elbows and clasped her hands before her. “Obviously, I’m confused here. Can we begin again?”

The man took a step back and squared his already taut shoulders, as if she’d just invaded his personal space. Or maybe it was a figurative movement, a physical gesture indicating that he was preparing to start their encounter all over again.

“I’m Corporal—er—William Davenport. I’ve obviously caught you off guard with my arrival.” His eyebrows lowered as he tilted his head toward her. “You don’t know why I am here, nor were you aware that I was coming.”

It wasn’t a question, but Samantha shook her head, silently reevaluating the figure of masculinity blocking the stream of sunlight pouring in from the front glass window. “I’m afraid not, Mr. Davenport. I believe I’m at a distinct disadvantage here.”

But she was quickly coming up to speed. Seth, easily diverted, had forgotten to call and let her know that his friend was coming to Serendipity to...

What?

Visit? Pass through town on his way elsewhere? Get some country air before returning to active duty?

It’s too bad her parents’ bed-and-breakfast wasn’t up and running yet. If it was a little closer to their grand opening, this soldier might have been their first paying customer.

Now that Seth’s safety wasn’t an issue, she realized there was more her brother had neglected to mention—like how easy William Davenport was on the eyes. Even the scar marring his upper lip gave credence to his rough-cut masculinity. Her best friends, Alexis and Mary, would turn green with envy when she told them about her encounter with the man. If she could unobtrusively snap a picture of him with her cell phone before he left, even better. Then she’d really be able to rub it in.

“Please, call me Will,” the man continued, breaking into her thoughts. “I’m recently retired from active duty—a civilian now.”

Will
. It was a strong name, fitting for the sturdy man before her. His voice had lowered with his brief explanation, and she had the distinct impression that he was uncomfortable with the civilian status he was declaring.

“I’m here to fill the position you have open.”

“I’m sorry?” Samantha queried, so taken aback by his statement that she jerked upright, sending both the dry-goods inventory and her briefly forgotten corporate letter flying. She watched in horror as each piece of paper floated slowly and in what felt like an intentional and deliberate way to the floor—directly in front of Will.

Her chest tightened. Maybe it was silly, but she had her pride, and she didn’t like anyone reading her private business. But it had very literally landed at his feet, and there was nothing she could do about it.

It was a given that he had to go and pick up the papers off the floor. What else was there for him to do, since the Stay-n-Shop missive covered the tip of one of his meticulously shined black cowboy boots?

Samantha couldn’t tell whether or not he glanced at the letter as he scooped it up. He gave nothing away in his expression and his eyes were dark and unreadable. She fought the urge to reach out and snatch the paper out of his hand, and then decided that would be too obvious a move, calling attention to the fact that she was uncomfortable with him reading the letter. Instead, she stood frozen, her hands fisted at her sides.

Without a single word, he turned and reached for the other piece of paper. Samantha quietly sighed in relief when he placed the grocery inventory over the legal missive. He spent a good deal more time looking at the dry-goods register, which made her almost as uncomfortable as the thought of him looking at the Stay-n-Shop letter.

His lips pursed briefly, his right eyebrow twitching once before his expression returned to stone. Had Samantha looked away even for a second, she would have missed the odd mix of emotions that momentarily registered on his face.

He lifted his gaze from the inventory and took a long look around the store, apparently taking stock of what Sam’s Grocery carried, glancing back and forth between the products on the shelves and the list he still carried in his hand.

Was he judging the place? He gave no further indication one way or another of what he was thinking as he perused the shop.

“This is it, then? Your whole dry-goods inventory?” he asked, handing both pages back to Samantha as if they’d been his to begin with. He had a commanding air about him that Samantha didn’t particularly care for. She considered herself a friendly and easygoing woman, but when it came to Sam’s Grocery, she was used to being in charge, and she certainly wasn’t used to being questioned about the state of her dry-goods inventory—especially by a stranger. Add to that the fact that she’d already had a long and stressful afternoon, and she was ripe for contention.

“Yes,” she answered brusquely, not that it was any of his business. “So?”

“I am—I mean, I
was
—a unit supply specialist in the Army. I’m not sure how well that experience is going to segue into working for a small-town grocery, but I’ll do my best. You’ll find I’m quite diligent in my work habits.”

“Yeah—about that.” She jumped in before he had the opportunity to elaborate on why he was qualified for this job—the one he mistakenly thought was on the table for him, or worse yet, thanks to her capricious brother, believed was already a signed-and-sealed deal. She was still a little unclear on that point. “I’m not quite sure I understand which position, exactly, you think we have open. As you observed, Serendipity is a small town, and this is a family grocery. We don’t have much occasion to hire help here.”

Clearing his throat, Will glanced behind him. Samantha followed his gaze and thought she saw a slight shadow flitting across the sunshine pouring in through the glass window, but she quickly brushed it off as nothing. It was probably only some animal scavenging for free treats.

“I guessed this was a family-operated business by the name on the sign outside. You’re Samantha, the owner of the place and Seth’s sister. That’s the reason I asked specifically for you.”

“Yup, that’s me. My parents, Samuel and Amanda, recently retired and left the grocery to me,” Samantha explained. “It’s something of a legacy.”

“Indeed.”

Was he being condescending? Samantha’s hackles rose until she met his earnest gaze—not warm, by any means, but sincere and intense.

“And do you do this all by yourself, or do you have other employees?”

“I have a woman who comes in and prepares the fresh deli products—you know, potato salad and cooked hens and the like. We sell baked goods acquired by the local café. My parents come in a couple of days a week to help out.” She gestured to the rest of the store. “Other than that, you’re looking at her—manager, stocker, cashier and bag-person,” she said, relaxing a little. Maybe if she smiled at him he’d lose some of the somber tension from his face.

Smiles were supposed to be viral, right?

“Seth spoke of you often,” Will commented in the rich, quiet manner that Samantha was beginning to realize was his normal tone of voice—not at all what she’d expect from an Army guy, based on what she knew of her brother.

“I’m sorry I can’t say the same,” Samantha said, regarding Will with new eyes. “Unfortunately, Seth neglected to mention you.”

“He said you work too hard and never get a break, and frankly, he’s worried about you. That’s part of the reason I’m here—to take some of that burden from you.”