Lakeside Romance (5 page)

“Of course. His safety was your first priority.”

“One would think. Somehow he found out I gave the anonymous tip about the same time his mom, desperate to escape her abusive husband, set their house on fire while Justin's dad was passed out inside.”

“Oh, no!”

“We arrived on the scene in time to put the fire out. Justin's dad ended up in the ICU, and his mom was arrested. Justin blamed me. I tried to get him to calm down and promised him everything would be okay. Biggest mistake of my life.” Alec rubbed a finger and thumb over his eyes. “He and his brother were put in emergency foster care. He promised I'd pay for destroying his family.”

“What happened?”

“We were on scene at another incident when a call came in for a residential fire. 731 Meadowbrook Drive.”

“You remember the address?”

“Yes. I'll never forget it. It was my house.” He struggled to breathe, the memory still as fresh as when it happened four years ago. “Where I lived with my pregnant wife of almost two years.”

Sarah sucked in a sharp breath.

“The fire consumed our house quickly. I tried to save her.” Unbidden tears pricked his eyes. “The fire. It was too hot. I did everything I could. But...” His chest tightened. “I lost everything that night because I got involved in a troubled kid's life, hoping to make a difference. I can't afford to make the same mistake twice.”

Sarah stood, her expression torn. “Alec, I had no idea. Why did you even agree to working with me?”

“I don't know. I needed help with Emmett's house. If I did this for you, then I could use your assistance without feeling guilty about it. Plus...” He shrugged. “I thought maybe enough time had passed to where I could handle it again. When I walked into that kitchen...”

“It came rushing back?”

“Something like that.”

“Have you talked to anyone?”

“Like who? About what?”

“Like someone who specializes in PTSD.”

“You think I have post-traumatic stress disorder?”

She lifted a shoulder. “I don't know. Maybe. Panic attacks. Lack of sleep. A couple of common signs.”

“I'm fine.”

“Okay, then, if you're fine, let's head back inside.”

Alec hesitated. He
was
fine. Other than the nightmares that jerked him away from time to time, and the scent of smoke that made him want to crawl out of his skin, he was golden.

But to go back inside?

The group assembled in the kitchen, focused on breaking eggs, looked like a bunch of regular kids, not disturbed pyromaniacs out for revenge. But how could Sarah look at them and see promise? All he saw was potential destruction. Was there really any hope in helping them?

Justin could've been any one of those kids. He'd shown promise, needing someone to believe in him. Someone to help him see he could do great things. Alec had tried, and it cost him everything.

How could he risk that again?

But then again, he had nothing left to lose.

A slight throat clearing jerked him out of his thoughts. He blinked a couple of times and caught Sarah's pointed look and raised eyebrow. She stood over him and extended a hand to help him to stand.

If only it were that simple.

Something Billy, his brother-in-law, had asked prodded at his brain... Would Christy want to see him living this way?

He was left with one giant choice—face his fears or let a bunch of kids send him running for the door. Neither option sounded appealing, but he couldn't continue down the path he'd been walking.

He put his hand in Sarah's and forced his legs to move. Steeling his spine and squaring his shoulders, he spoke with more bravado than he felt. “Let's do this.”

Hopefully history wouldn't repeat itself.

Chapter Five

W
ell, he'd managed to last the week without falling apart or hurting anyone. He deserved a medal or something, didn't he? Or at least a quiet weekend without answering anyone's demands. Other than a house showing first thing in the morning, he had the rest of the weekend to himself.

Putting up a tough front was draining.

From out on the community center's front steps, Sarah's laughter swirled through the open door and tugged at his heart. She did a fist bump with one of Amber's little brothers. She definitely had a way with these kids. They respected her, which had made the week a bit more bearable. He admired that, yet a sense of caution continued to stay at the forefront of his mind. He wasn't about to let his guard down.

“Yo, Mr. S. You got a minute?” A hesitant voice spoke behind him.

Alec turned away from watching Sarah to find Daniel standing in the community center kitchen doorway. With neatly trimmed blond hair, a shoulder pressed to the doorjamb and a thumb hooked through the belt loop of his baggy cargo shorts, the kid didn't appear to pose a threat.

“What's up?” Alec crossed his arms over his chest and pressed his back against the stainless-steel industrial-sized deep sink.

The fifteen-year-old shifted his gaze to the outdated linoleum, then looked at Alec with eyes full of curiosity and...a touch of vulnerability. His neck reddened. “I was wondering... I mean...well, how did you get to be a good cook?”

Alec dropped his eyes to the menus he and Sarah had been working on for next week. “I didn't really have a choice. I lost my dad when I was fifteen. He was a marine and was killed by friendly fire.”

“Whoa.”

“Yeah.”

“That's tough, man.”

Alec slipped his hands in his front pockets. “It was. After Dad's funeral, I realized I needed to take care of my mom and little sister. We could eat PB&J only so long...know what I mean?”

Daniel laughed softly and stepped into the room, his eyes serious and tone sobering. “Yeah, I do. My parents were killed in a crash over Christmas. My kid brother, Toby, and I live with my grandma. She's tired after working all day and not in the best of health. I feel like it's up to me to be the man of the house, I guess.”

Oh, man.

Something inside Alec shifted as he looked at the quiet kid who he'd seen treat others with respect but keep to himself. “I'm sorry for your loss.” Alec crossed the room and set a hand on the kid's bony shoulder. “How are you doing?”

Daniel shrugged and looked off into the distance. “Okay. We left Pittsburgh and moved to Shelby Lake to live with Gram.” His eyes filled and his chin trembled. Clenching his jaw, he sniffed and ran a hand under his nose. “My dad and I went to Pirates games and stuff. Mom made these great pierogies. She promised to teach me someday...” His voice trailed off as he sniffed again. “I miss our house, my friends, the cool places to grab a bite.”

Alec gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze, then shoved his hand back into his pocket. “I get it, man. I do. My dad was stationed in California when he was killed. Coming to Shelby Lake was a bit of a change, but in time, this place grew on me. Now it's home. Give it a chance.”

“I know, and I'm trying.” Daniel kicked at the linoleum with the toe of his sneaker. “So what advice can you give me to become a better cook so I can help out Gram?”

Alec admired the kid's integrity, but a warning sounded inside his head. Hadn't Justin come to him all quiet and respectful? They had bonded over their love of music. Alec pushed those thoughts away and looked at Daniel.

Sadness glazed the kid's eyes. Had he laughed once this week? Hung out with the other kids? Acted like an idiot with the rest of them? Alec's thoughts tumbled through the mental pictures of the past few days. No, not once did he remember Daniel becoming part of the group. He kept his distance.

Something Alec knew all too well. He didn't want to bond with the kid, but Daniel did seek him out for advice. The least he could do was steer him in the right direction. He could still keep his distance and protect himself.

Alec waved a hand over the kitchen, “Honestly, Daniel, if you stay in the outreach program, then you're going to learn a lot. Sarah's doing a great job teaching you guys about simple meal planning, shopping on a budget and making food that doesn't come from a box.”

The corner of Daniel's mouth tipped up. “I think Miss Sarah's learning the cooking part along with the rest of us. She said she set off the smoke alarm making popcorn.”

Alec's mouth twitched. He knew all too well. “She's a quick learner and holds her own.”

“She's pretty great.”

Alec nodded, then froze. What was he doing? So maybe he respected Sarah's talents in connecting with the teens and appreciated her ability to learn quickly, but that didn't mean he thought she was pretty great.

Sarah called from the open front entrance. “Daniel, your gram's here.”

“Okay, just a sec.” He turned back to Alec and held out a hand. “Thanks, man.”

Alec shook his hand, then clapped him on the shoulder again. “No problem.”

Alone in the kitchen, Alec gathered the dirty towels and dishcloths. He'd take them home and wash them. One less thing for Sarah to do.

They shared the same amount of hours, but the stuff she managed to get done amazed him.

After leaving the center, she spent a couple of hours at his uncle's house, packing, tossing and organizing. Alec stopped in when he didn't have evening appointments, but he had to admit he was little help. Sarah claimed it was because he had an emotional attachment to the house and everything in it. She was probably right.

The door slammed closed as his phone chimed in his pocket. He fished it out to find Kathy, Uncle Emmett's home health nurse, calling.

“Alec Seaver,” he answered as Sarah breezed into the kitchen, her wildflower scent following her like a shadow.

The older woman's voice sounded hesitant. “Alec, I'm sorry to bother you, but I'm concerned about Emmett.”

“What's wrong?” Alec gripped the phone, his gut tightening.

“Well, if you ask him, everything's fine, but he's not socializing and I'm afraid he's becoming depressed. Plus, he fired me again.”

“I'm sorry. That's the third time since he moved in.” Alec's shoulders dropped, thankful her concern wasn't dire. “I can head over there now and talk to him.”

“It doesn't have to be immediately. I don't want to pull you away from your work.”

“Family first, Kathy. Besides, I'm done for the day.” He ended the call, gathered the bag of towels and brushed past Sarah for the front door.

“I need to go see Emmett.”

Sarah's flip-flops slapped against the linoleum as she caught up with him and fell in step, concern lining her face. “Everything okay?”

Alec repeated his conversation with Kathy. “I'm going to talk to him.”

“Want some company?”

“You don't need to get caught up in my problems.”

“I understand depression.” A shadow crossed her eyes, but she smiled so quickly he wondered if he'd imagined it. “Maybe I can help.”

Alec looked at her a moment. How would Little Miss Sunshine know about depression? Working with youth? Or something personal? “Fine, but you'll have to excuse Emmett's cranky demeanor.”

“Nothing I haven't dealt with before.”

“Actually this is good timing. He's been wanting to meet the girl I hired to go ‘rooting through his stuff.'” Alec made air quotes around the last phrase.

Sarah's laughter followed him as he crossed the parking lot and slid into the driver's seat. He tossed the bag of towels on the passenger seat, cranked the AC and waited a moment while Sarah unlocked her car and disappeared inside.

They drove separately to the Lakeside Suites. Alec wound his car around the semicircular drive, then parked in the paved lot facing a backyard with a gazebo, fountain, well-maintained flower beds and a boccie court. Sarah parked next to him.

They entered the building, which opened into an open sitting room with large glass windows that bathed the room in sunshine and smelled like lemon oil. Two ladies sat on a couch, chatting over small porcelain teacups. A man read the newspaper.

Alec knocked on Uncle Emmett's apartment door. When he didn't open it, Alec used his key to get inside. The blaring TV greeted them. He strode into the small apartment, picked up the remote off the small side table next to the worn recliner and turned down the volume.

Uncle Emmett stirred, a frown pinching his eyebrows together. “I was watching that.”

“You still can, but I'd like to keep my eardrums intact.”

“What'd you say?” His gravelly voice lifted.

“Kathy called and said you fired her again.”

“I don't need a nurse.” Uncle Emmett pulled his glasses off his face and cleaned them with his white handkerchief. Despite having been retired for over a decade, Emmett continued to dress as if he were heading for the classroom in his white dress shirt and favored bow tie.

“That's what you said the other two times.”

“She has cold hands.”

“I heard you the first time.” Alec kept his tone neutral. Losing his cool wouldn't benefit either of them. Why did his uncle have to be so stubborn?

“Apparently I'm not the one with a hearing problem because you keep sending her back.” Uncle Emmett lowered the footrest on his chair and started to stand without reaching for his cane. His legs wobbled, and he would've pitched forward if Alec hadn't reached out to steady him.

Alec guided him back onto the chair. “That's because you need someone to look after you.”

The older man shook off Alec's arm and glared at him. With a shaky hand, he rubbed perspiration off his forehead. “I'm doing just fine on my own, thank you.”

“No, you aren't. And you know it. Once you stop fighting me on it, then things will go a lot smoother.”

“Hmmph. Smoother?” Uncle Emmett's gray, bushy eyebrows puckered. “What's so smooth about a man being kicked out of his own home?”

Not this again.

Alec sighed. “No one kicked you out of your house. You're no longer able to live by yourself. Doctor's orders. Living here allows you to keep your independence, and this way someone will be able to help you when you need it.”

“I'll get married again.” The petulant tone reminded Alec of the defiant toddler in his office this morning with the angry sellers.

Alec adjusted the window blinds and allowed sunshine to spill across the beige carpet. “You'd have to leave your apartment to meet someone, don't you think?”

“I'll join one of those online dating sites I've seen advertised on TV.”

“You refuse to use a computer. Besides, marriage isn't the answer to your problem, Emmett.”

Emmett dropped his chin to his chest and rubbed the dulled gold band on his left hand. “That house was the only thing I had left of my Elsie.”

The old man's sadness softened Alec's attitude. He understood his pain. He patted Uncle Emmett's chest near his heart. “Weren't you the one who told me everything was right here?”

“Fine.” He leaned back and closed his eyes. A moment later, he opened them and pointed at Sarah. “Who's that?”

Alec had forgotten she was there. She hadn't said a word since they came, and he had gotten caught up with Emmett. “She's my friend—the one's who's helping me organize your house.”

He glared at Sarah. “You're the one pawing through my things.”

She flashed Emmett a smile Alec had seen her use more than once this past week with the teens—usually when they were about to challenge her and she wouldn't back down. “You have an impressive book collection.”

“Not anymore. Now that I've been kicked out of my house, those books will be in boxes and forgotten in some storage unit.” He leaned back in his worn recliner once again and closed his eyes.

Sarah crossed the room and sat on the floor by Emmett's chair, drawing her knees to her chest. “Stinks, doesn't it? Leaving your home and everything you love.”

“Yes.” His eyes shot open and widened with surprise. “Yes, it does.”

“I'm sure you're frustrated about having to rely on others.”

“What would you know about that?”

“About a year ago, I left my job, my house and everything I loved to move to Shelby Lake, where I knew only a handful of people.”

“Why'd you do it?”

A flicker of something shadowed her eyes, but she blinked several times. Maybe Alec had imagined it. “I needed a fresh start. My fiancé ended our engagement six weeks before our wedding. I came to Shelby Lake to help my brother with his daughters and to see what new plan God had for me.”

Ouch.

“Sounds like he wasn't the right guy. But you're young—you have your life ahead of you. I'm an old man, sent here to live out my remaining years.”

“It's not like that and you know it.” Alec tried to stay patient, but were they going to have this conversation every time they were together?

Sarah stood and picked up a framed photo of Emmett and Gideon. “You're welcome to feel that way, Mr. Browne, but it won't change your situation. From what I understand, you're free to come and go as you please. Your son lives down the street, right? Now you can see him more often. Plus, I'm sure if you talk to the other residents, you'll find many of them may have had similar feelings. When we came in, two ladies were talking about a book they just read. A guy was doing the crossword in the paper...in pen. If you give yourself a chance, you can learn to find the joy in your situation.”

“How'd you get so smart?”

“The hard way, but no matter my circumstances, God is unchanging and helps me get through what I'm facing.”

Emmett looked at her, then at Alec. “You listening to her? She speaks truth, my boy.”