Healing Hearts (4 page)

“Yes, except when the housekeeper can relieve me for a little while. She doesn’t like hospitals and prefers not to come by very much.”

So it was just him taking care of Madison. Alone. At least with Lisa, Abbey’s mom and dad had come to help her whenever she needed them. “When I come, I can give you some time to yourself. I know how important that can be. Go home. Take a shower. See to things you’ve let go.”

He looked at Madison. So did Abbey. Madison’s dark eyelashes were in stark contrast to the pale cast of her skin—as though the child had spent months indoors, which was most likely the case with all her injuries.

“I need some coffee. I’ll walk you out,” Dominic said, weariness in his voice.

As he started for the door, Abbey hung back for a few seconds. She’d barreled into this man’s life. She didn’t blame him for backing off. When she saw a need or problem, she went in and tried to fix it. She’d had to do so much of that when dealing with Lisa, then her husband’s abandonment, that it had become second nature to her.

Out in the hallway, she paused, forcing Dominic to stop and look at her. “I’m sorry. I can come on too strong. I don’t mean to take over, but I’ve been through what you’re going through and was trying to use that knowledge to help you and Madison. I’ll understand if you don’t want to do what I suggested.”

“You will? Remember I know about your bulldog tendencies.” His mouth turned up into a half smile. “Actually your suggestions make sense. I can’t help Madi if I’m so tired I can’t string words into a coherent sentence. I could use a break. I didn’t want her to hear me say that. I don’t want her to think I don’t love her. I do. From the day she was born. But at the same time, I’ve let my other responsibilities go. I have over a thousand employees who depend on me and my company for their livelihood. I’ve been thankful I have a good CFO, but I still need to oversee some issues.”

“Like the rescue of your kidnapped workers?”

He closed his eyes for a second. “Yes. And there’s still no word on that, which concerns me.”

“Then let me help.”

“Why? Until yesterday we were strangers.”

“Because I can. Because...” No words came to her mind. How did she explain she felt deep down she should help? “Like I said, I see a need and jump in with both feet.”

“No matter how deep the water is?”

She pictured herself on top of a high cliff, getting ready to leap into a roiling sea far below. “You forget I’ve been in this water before. I had my parents and cousins to help me. It sounds like you’ve got a reluctant housekeeper and no one else.”

He glanced at her left hand. “Not your husband? I’ve noticed you aren’t wearing a wedding ring.”

The thought that he’d checked sent another blush to her cheeks. “No. We’re divorced.”

“I haven’t lived here in over ten years, and what family I have is distant and scattered all over the country. My friends are in Houston, and since I’ve been back, I haven’t had a chance to renew old friendships.”

He was alone. How could she turn away? “Tell you what. I’ll be here tomorrow after work. You can decide then what you want to do.”

“Thanks. When this is all over with, I owe you a dinner. No, a banquet.”

“I’ll take you up on that. I never turn down good food, and Gabe will take a big steak bone.” Her dog nudged her hand as if he knew she was talking about food. “We’re leaving, boy,” then she said to Dominic, “I feed him in the evening. The word
s-t-e-a-k
is in his vocabulary.”

Dominic chuckled. “I’ve heard of spelling around young kids, but not dogs.”

“He’s very smart. See he’s getting restless. He wants his
f-o-o-d
now
.”

“Go. I’ll see you and him tomorrow.”

As Abbey walked away with Gabe tugging on his leash, the drill of Dominic’s gaze penetrated the shell she’d placed around herself since Peter had washed his hands of being a husband and father. She could help someone in need and keep it casual. Couldn’t she?

* * *

“When are they going to be here?” Madi asked the next evening while she sat in her wheelchair, eagerly anticipating petting Gabe.

“Any minute. She texted me she was on the way. I think a certain young lady is getting tired of seeing just me and the staff.” Dominic put his laptop in its case and set it next to the couch.

“I love seeing you. But I’m tired of being in the hospital. Again.”

“I know. Hopefully this will be the last time. The doctor thinks this operation will be successful.” In the six months since the crash, she’d spent over four of them in the hospital or a rehab center. She’d missed the second semester of third grade and was trying to catch up when she felt well enough to do her schoolwork. He would soon have to get a tutor for her, so in the fall she could go on to the fourth grade with her classmates.

“I hate physical therapy.” She looked down at the wheelchair and slapped her hand against the padded arm. “I hate this thing.”

Like so many times before, his sister went through a range of emotions within a short period of time. He knelt in front of her. “It won’t be long before you’ll be walking again.”

When she lifted her head, tears glistened in her eyes. “I miss...” She opened her mouth then snapped it closed.

“What do you miss, hon?”

“Nothing.” She slumped over and stared at her lap. “I’m okay.”

He wanted to say,
No, you aren’t. Tell me what’s wrong. I’ll fix it.
But then he wondered if he really could take care of her problems. He wasn’t her father—only her brother—half brother at that. Before all this had happened, he’d only seen her a few times a year. “I’ll be here for you, especially if things aren’t okay. You know that, don’t you?” he finally asked.

Her gaze sought his, and she nodded, then flung her arms around his neck. “I love you.”

“And I love you.”

The sound of a knock at the door chased away Madi’s tears as she straightened and peered at the entrance. “Come in,” she shouted for half the floor to hear.

Dominic rose, looking forward to seeing Abbey and her dog again. Two days ago he would have been surprised at the change, but if it would help his sister get better, he would try anything. And from what he saw on Madi’s face—a big, beaming smile—this was just what she needed.

The door swung open, and Abbey and Gabe entered the room. She unleashed the dog, and he trotted over to Madi as though no one else was around. This time she threw her arms around Gabe and buried her face against his body.

“I’ve got a ball for you. The nurse told me how much Gabe loves playing catch.” Madi produced a rubber one she’d asked Dominic to buy for her. She held it up and shook her hand back and forth then slammed the ball against the floor. It bounced several times while Gabe went after it and caught it in midair, then padded to Dominic’s sister and dropped it in her lap.

As she threw it again, Dominic backed away by the door with Abbey next to him. “I wonder when the nurse will come in and shut this down.”

“Caron’s on duty. It’ll be a while. Besides, there’s no one on the other side of the room.”

“So we only have to worry about the offices below us?”

“I have a feeling Madison will get tired before that.” She tossed her head in the direction of his sister, who was letting the ball almost roll off her hand now.

“She’s been sleeping a lot today but insisted on being up and in her wheelchair when you and Gabe came. The nurse’s aide even combed and fixed her hair. She didn’t like my attempt at a ponytail. According to her, I haven’t got the technique down like it should be.”

The sound of the ball striking the floor stopped. Dominic glanced toward Madi. His sister had Gabe perched on the arm of her chair so she could be eye to eye with the dog. Low murmurs came from her, and he noticed she was whispering into Gabe’s ear.

“Do you mind if Abbey and I go get some coffee from the machine down the hall? We’ll leave Gabe. Okay?”

“Go ahead. Gabe will keep me company. Won’t you, boy?”

Abbey’s dog barked.

Out in the hall, before Dominic took two steps, his cell phone rang. He dug into his pocket and answered a call he’d been expecting. He held up a finger to indicate just a moment to Abbey, then turned his back and said, “I hope you have good news, Samuel.”

“Our employees were returned to us, but...”

Dominic’s stomach dropped.

Chapter Four

“B
ut?” Abbey heard Dominic ask in a voice full of dread.

Whatever it was, it wasn’t good. Although his back was to Abbey, his body stiffened and the grip he had on his cell phone tightened until she glimpsed white knuckles.

“Okay. Let me know what arrangements you make.” When he disconnected the call, he remained facing down the hall for a long moment before he swung around. For a few seconds, pain had a hold of his face until he masked it behind a neutral expression.

“What’s wrong?” She prayed it was nothing concerning Madison.

“My three employees who were held for ransom were released, but one is dead. Apparently, from what Samuel said, he died of a heart attack two days ago. They neglected to say that until after they got their ransom money. Samuel is arranging for the two employees and the body of the third man to be flown back to Houston as soon as possible, but it may take some time. They’re at the U.S. embassy right now.”

Abbey bridged the distance between them. “I’m so sorry. Does he have a family?”

“Robert has a wife and two teenage sons.” He clamped his jaw so tight a muscle twitched in his cheek. “This settles it. I’m shutting down the factory in Costa Sierra. If other people think they can get away with doing this, I’ll have more employees kidnapped. I won’t put my people in danger like that.”

She wished she could erase the anguish she saw in his face but knew he had to work through this new grief. There wasn’t a shortcut to grieving. Trying to forget certainly didn’t work. She’d tried that. “It sounds like you’ve been thinking about closing the factory for a while.”

“Ever since the rebels started causing trouble, but the government assured me my people were safe in the capital. Obviously they aren’t. I can’t have my company become a pawn in a game between two warring factions in the country. I’ll find other ways to help the local people who work in my factory down there.”

“How many Costa Sierrans work for you at the factory?”

“A hundred and ten. I’m afraid they’ll be targeted next since they work for an American company.” Dominic massaged his fingertips into his temples. “I need a gallon of coffee. I have a feeling I’ll be up tonight trying to make sure my employees are safely back in Houston as soon as possible, as well as talking to Robert’s widow. I’ll have to wait until Madi’s asleep before I make any calls. I don’t want her to know. It’ll just upset her. She has such a soft heart.”

“Why don’t you go make your calls and get some coffee? Gabe and I will sit with her.” She could tell he was about to decline, so she added, “She’s smart. She’ll be able to tell something’s wrong. Remember, I said I could give you a break, if you needed one.”

He plowed his fingers through his hair. “I used to be quite good at hiding my feelings from others. I’m slipping.”

“No, you’re just tired. You’ve been sleeping on a cot in Madison’s hospital room. Go. I’ll let her know you’ll be back shortly. Do what you need to do.” She waved her hands as if shooing him away.

Dominic smiled. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll be in the waiting room down the hall. There shouldn’t be too many people in there at this time of day.” He took out a business card and wrote something on the back. “If you need me, call me on my cell phone. I can be back in the room in less than a minute.”

“Quit worrying. I’ll be able to handle Madi. If Gabe is doing his job, she won’t even notice you’re gone. Well, maybe a little, but nothing to worry about.”

He started toward the vending machines at the end of the hall, paused near her and clasped her upper arm. “Thanks. I’ll feel more settled if I know everything has been taken care of properly.”

“But didn’t you say you had a good person in charge right now in Houston? If that’s the case, let him do his job. You can’t do everything yourself all the time. I learned that the hard way.”
When my husband left.
But she couldn’t share that with him.

“I have little choice. I can’t be there while Madi is here. But when it’s important, it’s hard to let the control go.”

“I know. You’re talking to the former world’s most organized person.”

“Former?”

“When my life fell apart, so did the organization and schedule I thought I needed to function efficiently as a wife, mother and student. It didn’t matter in the long run. What I ended up learning is that I’m really not in control. God is.”

When his hand fell away from her, she missed his touch. In three years she hadn’t allowed herself to get close to anyone. As he headed toward the coffee machine, she opened the door to Madison’s room. The child’s wheelchair wasn’t visible from the entrance so she didn’t know Abbey had returned.

“Gabe, thanks for listening. Abbey was right. You’re a good listener, and I don’t have to worry about you telling anyone what happened in the plane.”

Abbey backed out and reentered the room, making a lot of noise as she did. When she came into Madison’s view, Abbey smiled. “I hope Gabe has entertained you with all his tricks.”

“We were just getting to that. What does he know?”

“The usual, but there are a few I’ll have to show you later. I don’t have the right equipment for him to do them here.”

“What are they?”

“A surprise. Something you can look forward to when you leave the hospital.”

“But that won’t be for days.” Madison pouted.

“Think of it like Christmas. The anticipation is half the fun.”

“Nope. I think unwrapping the presents is
all
the fun.”

Abbey sat on the couch and leaned toward Madison. “I’ll tell you a secret. Gabe feels the same way. I have to hide his Christmas gift, or he’d have it unwrapped the second I turn my back. In fact, all my dogs and cats are like that. I think they learned it from him.”

Madison rubbed his fur. “I knew it. You and I are a lot alike, Gabe.” The child scanned the room. “Where’s Dominic?”

“He’ll be right back. He has a couple of business calls to make, and I didn’t want him disrupting our visit with them. Okay?”

“Yeah, he sure likes to talk on his cell phone. I can’t image having that much to say to another person.”

Abbey pressed her lips together to keep from laughing. In a few years that would all change. “You don’t talk to your friends on the phone?”

“I used to but not much lately. I haven’t felt like it. All they wanted to talk about is what they’re doing at school, and now that it’s summer, they’re all playing and having fun.” Hurt mixed with jealousy laced Madison’s voice.

“You can play and have fun. You’re getting much better, and before you know it, you’ll be as good as new.”

“I guess.” A frown flirted with the corners of Madison’s mouth.

“Have they come to visit you?”

“A little but I can’t do much with them. They used to come over, and we’d go riding. But I haven’t ridden a horse since—” Madi swallowed hard “—since my accident.”

“Then that can be something you work toward. I have a friend who owns a stable where she does horse therapy with kids who have physical issues.”

“Really?”

“It’s something your brother can look into if your doctor and physical therapist agree.”

“What can I look into?” Dominic asked as he stepped into the room.

“Madison misses riding. I was telling her about a friend of mine who helps people with physical problems ride a horse.”

Madison twisted around to see him behind her. “Dominic, please, please find out if I can.”

The look he shot Abbey told her she’d overstepped again, but when he came into Madi’s view, his expression didn’t reveal his displeasure. “I will, but as Abbey pointed out, I need to see what the doctor says first. Your incisions haven’t healed yet.”

Before he changed his mind about letting Gabe visit Abbey, she said, “I’d better be going. I still have to pick up the new dog at Dad’s.”

“You’re getting another dog?” Madison asked.

“Only temporarily, until I find a good home for her.”

“Her? What kind is she?” The child continued to stroke Gabe.

“A bichon frise. She’s small and white with a curly tail.”

“Like a pig?”

“Sorta.” Abbey put the leash on her Lab. “We’ll see you tomorrow. I’ll be here after work.”

“I’ll walk you to the elevator.” Dominic followed her toward the door. “Be back in a minute, Madi.”

Before he could say anything to her in the hall, Abbey asked, “Did you get everything settled about your employees?”

“Yes, but that’s not what I want to talk to you about.”

She grinned. “I know. I shouldn’t have said anything to Madison without asking you first.” She lifted her arms in a shrug. “What can I say? I’m a work in progress.” She pushed the button for the elevator. “Those bulldog characteristics won’t disappear overnight.”

“You aren’t in the least bit contrite over what you did.”

“Yes, I am. But I will say Madison working with Tory would be good for your sister since she loves to ride horses. Or maybe her physical therapist is familiar enough to show you what to do with Madison.”

As the elevator arrived and she got on it, Dominic shook his head, but a laugh escaped his mouth. She waved at him as the doors slid shut. Gabe looked up at her. “We’ve got our work cut out for us, boy. Those two are definitely in need of our services. We’re both good listeners, and they have a lot bottled up inside them.” Although she was pretty sure Madison had confided in Gabe while she and Dominic had been in the hallway, the little girl needed to talk to someone about her feelings concerning the plane crash.

As the elevator opened on the ground floor, Abbey couldn’t stop wondering what had Madison troubled.

* * *

Dominic’s housekeeper opened the door to Abbey, looked her up and down, then fixed her gaze on Gabe before returning her attention to Abbey. She pursed her lips and said, “Mr. Winters called and told me a young lady was coming with a dog to be here when Madison comes home. I’m assuming you’re that person.”

“Yes. I wanted to surprise her.”

“Madison doesn’t like surprises.”

Abbey held out her hand. “I’m Abbey Harris.”

The housekeeper stepped back and said, “Please come in. You can wait in the foyer with your dog.” Then the woman, who was around fifty, with a touch of gray at the temples, headed toward the hallway. “I must finish the cake I made for Madison’s homecoming.”

Abbey dropped her arm to her side and watched the housekeeper disappear. “Well, Gabe, it’s just you and me.”

She glanced around the large foyer, which was bigger than her bedroom, then peeked into the living and dining rooms opposite each other. The entry with its marble floor, a large mahogany round table in the middle with fresh-cut flowers in a crystal vase and an antique sideboard with pieces of Western sculpture set the tone for the house—wealthy elegance.

Abbey prowled the foyer with Gabe on his leash next to her, pausing in the entrance to the living room. The first impression was that it wasn’t kid-friendly. Splashes of gold and blue broke the sea of white, but even the carpet was white. No wonder the housekeeper wasn’t too pleased to have Gabe in the house. There wasn’t a speck of dirt or dust visible anywhere.

At the sound of the door opening, Abbey turned and saw Dominic and Madison entering the house. He pushed the wheelchair with his sister sitting in it, her legs in soft casts. His gaze immediately found Abbey’s. Though weary lines were engraved on his face, Dominic grinned at her.

Abbey turned her attention to the girl. A cheerless demeanor enveloped the child, sagging her shoulders, and her stare was fastened squarely on her lap. Abbey unhooked Gabe from his leash, and he padded across the foyer. The click of his toenails against the marble floor caused Madison to look up. She immediately beamed and reached out toward the dog. Her arms surrounded Gabe, and she laid her head against him.

Dominic came to stand in front of his sister. “See? Didn’t I tell you that you would see Gabe soon?”

Madison lifted her head. “Did you know they were gonna be here?”

“Maybe.”

His sister clamped her lips in a tight, thin line for a few seconds, then burst into giggles. “That’s mean. I kept asking you where Gabe and Abbey were, and you wouldn’t tell me.”

“You might not like surprises, but I love surprising a certain little girl. I asked him not to say anything.”

Madison peered at Abbey as she closed the gap between them. “I thought you forgot I was leaving the hospital today.”

“Never, but I don’t like saying goodbye. Much better to welcome someone home. I hope you’re glad you’re home now.” Abbey stopped next to Gabe, who was sitting patiently while Madison gave him the attention he loved.

“Yes. Yes! Finally. I thought this last time would be
forever.
”

“I can imagine how sick you are of spending time in the hospital, but each time you’re getting better and better.” Abbey had gone through this with her daughter, which helped her anticipate how the child felt.

Madison gestured toward her casts. “I don’t call this better. I’m still in a wheelchair.”

“Only until the doctor says you can start working with your P.T. to walk again.” Dominic pushed the wheelchair. “I’ve got another surprise for you in the den.”

“You do?” Madison glanced over her shoulder.

“Come this way, ladies.”

“And Gabe?” Abbey asked, looking at all the white carpet.

“Definitely. He needs to give his seal of approval.” Dominic paused and waited for Abbey and her dog to follow.

When Abbey came into the den with Gabe, she stopped, amazed at the difference in this room compared to the others she’d glimpsed since entering the house. It was as large as the living room, but with a feel of cozy comfort. The leather couches and chairs invited a person to relax, even put his feet up on the cushions. The furniture was arranged around a large hearth with a big TV screen over the mantel. Bookcases lined one wall while another was a bank of floor-to-ceiling windows that afforded a view of a well-landscaped backyard with a pool and cabana.

But what drew Abbey and Madison’s attention was the electric wheelchair in the center of the room near a massive oak coffee table.

“How fast does it go?” Madison leaned over to touch the controls on the right arm.