Love Inspired January 2016, Box Set 1 of 2 (27 page)

“And you
just
had this wake-up call?” She gave him her famous “I know my Dad's crazy when—” look, brows up, skepticism marking her gaze.

“I did. How would you like to go with me tomorrow afternoon to get you registered for school? And then to see about trying out for the fall league baseball team?”

Her eyes went wide. Happy anticipation brightened her expression. Was he offering her false hope? He didn't mean to, but they needed to take care of these things, and if they both fell in love with this beautiful Finger Lakes town, that wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing.

He knew God could shut doors and open windows. He just wanted to be smart enough to know when he should stop knocking and start climbing through. He was approaching a fork in the road. And even with wedding security taking precedence, he needed to assess the coming months, their future.

Chiming bells announced the sunset, an old tradition among the Center Street churches. First one, then the other, ending with the melodic sounds of a hymn from the gracious stone church in front of them.

Amy gripped his hand tighter. “That is so beautiful, Dad. I love hearing that.”

The bells fell silent as they crossed The Square.

“I'm sorry if I love it here too much.”

Drew's heart sighed. His precious daughter felt guilty for wanting a normal life. He bent to meet her eye. “I love it here, too. I'd forgotten how much.”

Her face softened, and she hugged him tight. “I really don't care where we live, Dad. As long as we're together.”

The lieutenant's words came back to him. Had God put him here purposely, at a time when the town might need him as much as he needed to come home?

“You want ice cream?”

She laughed. “Always.”

“Every August night deserves ice cream,” he told her, and he hooked a right-hand turn back toward Stan's.

Amy's words touched his heart. She loved the town, yes. She'd made that clear.

But her earnest statement said she loved him more, and that made the option more special. He wanted change. They needed a home, a real home, and that's exactly what he intended to find once the election was over.

Could that long-awaited home be here, in Grace Haven?

CHAPTER TEN

“M
om sounded good, didn't she?”

Relief lightened Emily's tone. If spinning their father's prognosis to protect Emily and Rory was Kate Gallagher's goal, she'd done a good job of it tonight.

“She did.” Rory faced her sisters with a more cautious note. “But I worry more when she sounds that confident.”

“Why?” Emily asked. “Haven't the past few weeks been troubling enough? I'm going to grab her good news about Dad's treatment and run with it. We could all use a little pick-me-up right now.”

“What do you think, Kimber?”

Kimberly had hoped they wouldn't ask the question directly. As much as she loved her mother, she couldn't lie to her sisters. “I think Mom needs us to be positive, so she paints a positive picture.”

Rory accepted her words without challenge.

Emily frowned. “You think she's lying to us?”

Kimberly shook her head. “Not lying. You know Mom, Emily. She's great at handling the truth herself, but she likes to protect us.”

“Not about this, surely.” Emily stared at her, and as realization dawned, she took a step back. “She doesn't try to protect you, though, does she? She'll paint a rosy picture for me and Rory, but I can tell from your face that she's been up front with you, Kimberly. So maybe you should fill us in on what's really going on? Or have you been sworn to secrecy?”

“Emily, be fair,” Rory cautioned. “Maybe Mom needs someone to talk to on the level, and if Kimberly is that person, isn't that a good thing?”

“Not if it means she thinks we can't handle the truth,” Emily shot back. “For once I'd like to be considered mature enough to not only handle the truth but have my mother treat me like an adult.”

“You're right, Em.”

Emily stared at Kimberly, assessing.

“Can we sit? I've been on my feet most of the day, and I sure could use a chair right about now.”

“The living room,” Rory decided. “Way more comfortable.”

They fell into cushioned seats around the great room, and Kimberly prayed she was doing the right thing. “Mom's been shading the truth to both of you. I told her she shouldn't. She didn't listen. She said if we stayed positive, it was easier for her to stay upbeat for Dad, so she's been feeding you false hope.”

“Lying to us.”

Kimberly shook her head. “No, but not telling you the whole truth, either. And she didn't want the worst-case scenario to leak back to the station house, so she tried to buy time.”

“Are we going to lose Dad?” Rory asked the question straight-out, a question that had multiple answers.

“We might. Or the treatment might damage parts of his brain that leave him unable to function in some ways, and there's no way of knowing how destructive that might be. Only time and physical therapy can tell. Or it could be a total success. But the chances of a total success are less than forty percent.”

Emily's skin paled. “But they've had good outcomes with this new treatment, even though it's experimental.”

“Yes. But there have been very few people in the program because it's crazy expensive and not covered by insurance.”

“Which is why Mom wanted to make sure we were available to run things this fall,” Rory added softly. “The money from these events will pay for Dad's treatment.”

“Right. It not only keeps business going—it could keep Dad alive.” Kimberly shifted her attention to Emily. “I'm not saying what she's doing is right, Em. But she's not doing it because of you, or because she thinks you guys can't handle the truth. I think she's doing it for self-preservation, so she wouldn't be worrying about us while she was trying to be strong for Dad. Mom's strong, but she's too protective of us.”

“And that got worse when we lost Dave.”

Kimberly nodded. “Mom likes to run a smooth ship.”

“And she's got great faith,” Rory added, “but like most strong people, letting go and letting God take the wheel doesn't come easy for her.”

“She's got faith in God but not faith in us,” Emily stressed. “And that makes me feel like she doesn't think I'm strong enough to take over, to step in or even be trusted with the truth. How would you feel if she treated you that way, Kimberly?”

“Just like you're feeling,” Kimberly admitted. “But we're at a crossroads right now. Rory thinks God put us here. I don't know if that's true, but I know we've got a chance to make choices and do this right for Mom and Dad. If we start with the three of us, being more understanding of each other, I think we stand a better chance of succeeding while Mom and Dad face this fight. The best way to show Mom and Dad the women we've become is to work together during trouble.”

“Starting now,” Rory said. She reached out and grasped each sister's hand. “And we start like Mom would, with a prayer.”

“You're bossy for being the youngest,” Emily mock scolded, but she squeezed each sister's hand lightly. “I'm in. On the prayer and the better attitude. I promise.”

“Me, too.” Kimberly returned the gentle squeeze. “Go for it, Rory.”

“Lord, we thank You for this sisterhood. We ask You to bless us with warmth, grace, humor and faith as we help our parents through this difficult time. And, Lord, we ask You to heal our father, to give him more time here on earth and bless him with abundant health for years to come. Amen.”

“Amen.” Emily and Kimberly spoke together before Emily asked, “So. Do we let Mom know we're aware?”

“Yes.” Kimberly answered quickly. “I think she'll actually be pleased to know we're all on the same page. But let's keep Dad's medical issues private. The police force already knows this is serious. They know Dad might not be coming back to his job.”

“Which is why that vulture Brian keeps stopping by here and there,” Emily added. “If Dad vacates his office, I think Brian is hoping for a special election and plans to run.”

“Wouldn't the mayor appoint an interim to fill in for the next two years?” Kimberly asked. “That's how it's supposed to happen.”

“You and I know that, but Brian's got it in his head to petition for a special election with his name on the ballot.”

“How do you know this?”

“Bertie Engle told me he's been nosing around the sports boosters and the baseball organizations, looking for support.”

“I heard the same thing at Callan's game last night,” Kimberly admitted.

“Not for nothing, but we can't control any of that,” Rory advised. Both sisters shifted their attention to her. “Whatever happens with the police force and Dad's job is in God's hands right now. I say we focus on what we can affect—Kate & Company and our lives here. If we do our best at that, the ripple effect will bring its own rewards.”

“Young and sensible,” Emily remarked, smiling.

“The Serenity Prayer.” Kim indicated the framed print on the living room wall. “We change what we can.”

“And leave the rest to God,” Rory declared.

Kimberly longed to do that. When had she stopped? When they lost Dave or before?

Before, she realized.

She'd gone off on her own, had done well. And even in the heart of Music City, surrounded by faith-filled music and churches, she'd shrugged off the faith she'd known as a child. That made it easier to hate God when Dave was killed.

Change what you can.

Accept what you cannot change.

Be smart enough to know the difference.

The simple prayer had been Kate's mainstay for decades. Maybe it was time her oldest daughter took the gentle words to heart.

* * *

Time to think, to pray, to relax...

Drew wasn't sure if he should celebrate this new normal or go stark raving mad because for the past eight years, time had been a nonexistent commodity. Here in Grace Haven, with the wedding plans set to go, he had a chance to kick back.

He liked it.

Thanks to Kimberly's expertise, wedding plans were done. With the Secret Service in charge of Rick's safety, he wasn't needed on the campaign trail. Daryl would return to Manhattan over Labor Day weekend to make sure corporate security was running smoothly, and Drew was right where Rick wanted him to be for the coming weeks. But no one warned him that he'd fall in love with his hometown all over again.

His phone buzzed. The baseball coach's name appeared in the display. “Coach, hello. What's up?”

“I'm giving Amy a spot on the team,” the coach told him. He hesitated, then went on. “Here's the problem, though. I know she might not be around next season, and it's likely to put some noses out of joint when I give her a position. Fact is, she's that good and I want the chance to help her polish a few moves before you guys leave.”

The coach's decision to play Amy said a lot about his character. “Thanks, Coach. You're sure you're okay with this?”

“My team, my decision,” the coach replied. “I'm not telling you this to worry you. I'll smooth it over. But if folks give you grief, that's why.”

“You think they will?”

“A couple, yes. Some parents exaggerate their kids' skills. Some think their kid's guaranteed a spot, but baseball's a hustle game. I like hustle, and your kid's got it. I'll see you on the field at six tonight.”

He called Corinne's number, but the call went straight to voice mail. She'd said she worked the overnight shift at the hospital, which meant she might be sleeping now.

How would Callan react to Amy being on the team? To Drew being there, night after night? The league games started Wednesday, the first day of school. Would bumping other kids off the team make Amy's opening days of school tougher?

He glanced at his watch, weighing the time. Amy needed school clothes. She had outgrown all her old things, and the uniform he'd thought she would be wearing at boarding school was no longer an option.

They'd need to go shopping. If there was one thing he hated, it was shopping for clothing. Single dads didn't have much choice.

Unless...

He moved to the main level of Kate & Company, saw Kimberly coming through the front door and pretended he was unaffected.

Allison smirked.

He ignored her.

Mags flew across the floor, her tiny feet tapping a quick rhythm on the hardwood and then were silenced by the thick deep-pile carpet. “Hey, dust mop.” Kimberly reached down to pet the pooch, then looked up at him. “Did you hear from Shelby's mother yet?”

“Approving the food? No.”

Kimberly made a face. “If she's really opposed to it, we can change things up. I think the majority of the guests will love it, but maybe you were right. Not everyone sees good barbecue as wedding-friendly.”

“Want me to feel her out? Call her?”

Kimberly shook her head as she started up the stairs. “I'll do it. I know they're crazy busy with the campaign, and she's got Shelby's two brothers on the trail with them. That can't be easy, trying to tutor them and meet all the commitments of a campaign.”

“You're a nice person, Kimberly Gallagher.”

She flashed him an over-the-shoulder smile as he followed her up the stairs. “I'm trying. I think I'm actually getting good at it.”

“Practice makes perfect.”

“That's what they say.” She reached out to brush a fleck of something off his collar. The tips of very pretty fingers grazed his neck. The summer scent tempted him forward; therefore, he took a short step back.

“Amy made the baseball team. She's playing fall ball.” He frowned, wishing something so simple didn't have complicated dynamics.

“And that's bad because?”

“Will Callan be able to handle having me around every night?”

Compassion softened her gaze as she listened.

“I get that they're both good ball players, but maybe I'm shoving in where I don't belong.”

“Callan needs to move beyond his anger. Kind of like me.”

Drew winced. “He's a kid without a father.”

“It's better for him to face this now, don't you think? Rather than carry all this angst around through high school and college?”

“Maybe.” He drew out the word slowly. “But I don't relish my role in all this. Even though it's deserved.”

“It's not about guilt or blame, Drew.”

When it came to Dave's kid, he wasn't so sure of that. Callan's anger showed him atonement might be long overdue, but inserting himself and Amy into Callan's domain seemed as if it might be more hurtful than healing, and how could he justify that?

Truthfully, he couldn't.

* * *

Drew was beating himself up.

She read it in the stern gaze, the rigid jaw. She'd been wrong to think he'd casually moved on with his life after Dave's death. The man before her had suffered, like her. Initially he'd seemed more at peace with the past, at least until he faced Dave's son.

“I'm glad the coach is giving Amy a chance. That's pretty cool.”

“Me, too,” Drew admitted. “She's happiest with a glove on one hand and a ball in the other.”

“A chip off the old block, just like Callan.”

A tiny muscle in his cheek jumped. “I hope it goes well. And that she loves being on the team. I can't wait to see her face when I tell her.”

“But...” She studied him. “There's something else on your mind, isn't there?”

He exaggerated a look of pain to make her smile. It worked. “I've got a bad case of shop-o-phobia. School starts in a few days, and all we've got here is a knapsack and duffel full of camp clothes. Amy would have worn uniforms at Redfern. If she's playing baseball every night, and we're working during the day, when do I fit shopping in?”

She withdrew her phone, tapped her electronic calendar and held it up. “How about Monday afternoon? We can duck out at noon and be back by six. She's got everything she needs to play ball?”