Lily of the Valley in May (3 page)

His breath was warm on her neck as he leaned over her. Did he have to stand so close?

She tried not to flinch. He wasn't Damien. Shaking her head slightly, she prayed for peace. Opening her eyes she looked down at the picture and then up at the man standing next to her. What was he thinking behind those fathomless eyes?

He took the picture and glanced at the clock. “Thank you. I have to run, I'm afraid. I have another meeting. Can you do a watercolor of the same picture?”

Faith didn't need to be asked twice. “Sure.”

“Thank you. I'll pick it up tomorrow if that's all right.”

“Of course.” She saw him out and closed the front door, leaning against it. She rubbed her hands over her face.

If I have blown this job, so be it. There will be other opportunities, not like this, but opportunities nonetheless. Your will be done concerning this job.

~*~

Joel sat in the car and looked again at the picture in his hand. “Wow.”

His first thought became his second, third, fourth, and fifth.
Just wow
.

Faith may have accidently damaged his car, but she was the best artist he had come across in a long time.

Is it coincidence that it's the same woman, Lord? And that she's Grace's sister or just happenstance? Surely You don't want me to work with someone who doesn't look where she's going and then gushes all over me like a twelve-year-old girl. I have enough on my plate as it is. I just want to find an artist who can bring Bradley's stories to life before it's too late
.

Joel broke off. He couldn't afford to think like that. Where there was life there was hope, right? He pulled off the drive, all thoughts of car repairs and artists fleeing his mind. He had a funeral to go to.

~*~

Arriving at the prayer meeting, Faith sat at the back with Grace. Having spent the entire day painting, she wasn't going to argue when Grace suggested coming to church. After the day she'd had, she needed to recharge her spiritual batteries.

She wanted to take her mind off the images of airships and monsters in tartan hats. Not to mention the tall author who seemed to have the cares of the world on his shoulders. Maybe she came across as a gushing fan and therefore his worst nightmare, with the broken light being the final straw. In any case she'd probably blown any chance at getting the contract, but she was doing the picture anyway. Maybe her talent would outshine her clumsiness. And if not, it was one more for her portfolio.

A tall figure, with a faint hint of musk and spearmint slid into the seat next to her and she glanced up. Surprise filled her, swiftly followed by butterflies and a rush of girlish admiration for a famous person. What was he doing here? Was he stalking her now?
Of course not, just because I'm sat thinking of him, and he appears doesn't mean he's stalking me. This is probably where Grace knows him from.

She stuck out a hand. “Mr. Darrow. Hello. This is a surprise.”

He turned, surprise in his eyes. Or was it shock? “Miss Chadwick. I wasn't expecting to see you here either.” He shook her hand.

Her heart raced as he touched her. Was that electricity that passed between them, or just her overactive imagination? “Grace suggested I come with her, so here I am.”

“Hey, Joel.” Grace leaned across her to greet him. “Did Elliott come with you, or is he still working?”

“He's just parking the car. As it's raining, we figured we'd better use his for now.”

Faith shot her sister a confused look.

Grace grinned. “I did tell you, but from the look on your face you've forgotten. Paul Darrow is Joel's pen name. He's Elliott's twin. That's how I know him.”

Faith looked at her, hoping the shock filling her wasn't etched on her face.
He lives next door?
“Oh.”

Joel smiled sheepishly. “I should have said earlier. I'm sorry. Please, call me Joel. After all, we're going to be family once my brother marries your sister. And I hope we'll be friends.”

“Only if you call me Faith.”

Joel smiled, and that reassured her a little.

“Faith it is.”

Another man, virtually identical, slid into the seat next to Grace. “Hello, love.” He kissed her cheek. Then, he leant across her and held out a hand. “You must be Faith, future sister-in-law and artist extraordinaire.”

“I don't know about that last part.” Faith shook his hand. How much else had Grace told her about these two men that she didn't remember? If only she could ask her, but with the two men either side of them, now definitely wasn't the time to do so.

Elliott looked at his brother. “I saw Holly Stevens in the car park, Joel. She said if you take the car in tomorrow about eleven, she'll have a look at the light. If she's got the part in stock, she can do it there and then. Otherwise, she can order it in and do it in a couple of days. Until then you can borrow mine if it rains.”

“Thank you.” A slight smile touched his lips and a hint of sadness shone in his eyes before the mask came back down. He pushed a hand through his hair.

For a moment Faith glimpsed a tortured soul within the man beside her. Maybe everyone was running from someone. She definitely was, so why not him? She leaned back into her seat. “Does everyone know about the broken taillight?” she whispered to Grace.

Grace squeezed her hand. “Don't worry about it. Joel doesn't bear grudges. It'll be forgotten by morning.” She nodded to the auburn-haired man at the front. “That's Pastor Jack, one of our ministers. We have two.”

“Two?”

“It's a big church.”

Faith leaned back in her chair, trying to blot out the nearness of the man sitting next to her. She really did need to get over this “fangirlness.” And the sooner the better.

~*~

The Bible said,
‘For where two or three gather in My name, there am I with them,'
and Faith knew without a doubt God had been present tonight. She sat still letting the feeling of refreshment and exhilaration wash over her.
Thank you for bringing me here tonight, Lord. I needed it. Be with that small child that Pastor Jack mentioned. Give the doctors wisdom in his treatment, and the courage his parents need to make the right decisions. It doesn't sound like there is much hope, but with You there is always hope. Work this situation for good and bring Your light to a very dark situation, so that through it You and Your light may be seen
.

A buzz of conversation started up around her, and Faith bent to pick up her bag.

“Do you want coffee? You could meet Elliott properly.”

She looked at her sister. “I really should go home and finish that picture, but a few more minutes won't hurt.” Getting up, she followed Grace through the crowded hall.

Just as she reached the doorway, her heel became stuck in the grating. Faith yanked her foot upwards hard. She flew forwards, leaving her shoe behind her.

A strong hand caught her arm. “Oops-a-daisy,” came a very familiar voice.

Not again
. Color rushed to her cheeks. The last thing she needed was to bump into him for the second time that day.

~*~

Joel's quick reactions prevented Faith from landing in a heap at his feet. He gazed into what was rapidly becoming a familiar pair of eyes. “You know, Faith, we must stop running into each other like this.”

“Yeah, we probably should.” Faith's face glowed an attractive shade of red.

“Are you hurt?”

“No, just embarrassed. Again. At least I'm not the one named Grace.” Something other than mortification flickered in her eyes as she struggled to control the timbre of her voice.

“Don't be.” He bent down, freed her shoe from the grating, and offered it to her.

Faith slid it back on. “Thank you.”

Concern filled him. Behind the embarrassment, he could tell she was terrified. But what was she so frightened of? Was he that scary? His reaction hadn't been that bad earlier, had it?

“So tell me, is bumping into people a form of greeting from the east coast?”

His conscience tapped him again as his misplaced humor caused the color to drain from Faith's face as she looked at him horrorstruck. Was that panic in her eyes? “E-east coast? But I didn't…how—how do you…?” Her voice wavered and broke off.

“You're Grace's sister, therefore come from the Fens like she does.”

Faith shivered, the panic in her eyes becoming fear.

Worry filled Joel. What had he done? “Did I say something wrong?”

She shook her head. “No.” She cleared her throat. “No, you didn't.”

He inclined his head a little, not sure what was going on, but knowing something was.

Faith slid her shaking hands into her pockets. “Your picture is almost done. You'll have it tomorrow, no problem.”

“I'm really looking forward to seeing it.” The mere thought of that sent a warm feeling through him. He had no idea why. He wanted nothing more to do with women. They stole your heart and betrayed you the first chance they got. But the idea of working with Faith appealed more with each passing moment. If anyone could bring his stories to life, it was her. He just hoped she'd accept his offer.

He was used to people being either tongue tied or gushing around him, but this was something different altogether. “Am I that intimidating?” he asked, keeping his voice as non-threatening as he could.

“No. I'm, sorry. It's just...I'm just jittery.” She turned to Grace. “Can I have the keys? I'll go wait in the car.”

“Sure, I'll be there in a few.”

Faith grabbed the keys and almost ran from the building.

Joel watched her leave, numbness spreading through him. What on earth had he done wrong?

Grace touched his arm. “How was the funeral?”

“Just a tribute from her sister and father, and it was over and done within five minutes.” He paused. “Is your sister always this jumpy? I think I said something to upset her. I wish I knew what.”

Grace shook her head. “She's probably still embarrassed over the car. Maybe she's just tongue tied at meeting you. Like you, she's got a lot going on right now. She moved in with five changes of clothes, her Bible, but she still had all your books. You're her favorite author.”

The phone in his pocket vibrated before he had chance to assimilate that thought. He pulled the handset out, not bothering to look at the screen to see who was calling. “Hello?”

“Hi, Joel, this is Therese from ITU. I'm afraid Bradley's had a setback. We need you to come in.”

Joel froze. His eyes closed, and his throat constricted on the bile rising in it. He didn't want to believe what he was hearing. “I'll be there as soon as I can.” He glanced at his brother. “That's the hospital. I need to go, now. Can you take me back for my car?”

“No, need. I'll drive you over there.”

He shook his head. “I can't let you do that. I have no idea how long I'll be there.”

Elliott held his gaze for a long moment. “OK. Take my car. I'll get a lift home with Grace.” He held out his keys. “Call and let me know what's happening later.”

“I will.” Joel hugged his brother. “Don't wait up. Not sure how long I'll be.”

Joel ran around to the car park.
Don't let me be too late. Let me at least say goodbye. No one should have to die alone.

~*~

Joel entered the intensive care unit, already gowned and masked. He cleaned his hands with antiseptic gel and then pulled on a pair of gloves. The paper slippers over his shoes muffled his steps as he crossed the room.

Monitors flashed and beeped quietly around the bed as his gaze fell on the small figure lying so still. The nurse glanced up as she redressed the burns. “Hello.”

Joel's eyes filled with tears at the sight of his son's torso. It was reddened and burned as was the majority of his small body. How Bradley still lived, he honestly didn't know. He hadn't regained consciousness since the fire. “How is he?” He struggled to keep his voice level as it threatened to break. Choking emotion filled him, knocking him off balance. He gripped the back of the chair to steady himself.

“He stabilized and has settled again.”

“That's good.” Joel sat down next to the bed, covering the small hand in his larger one. “Hey, buddy. How are you doing? I finished your story last night, you know, the one about the Loch Ness Monster. I'm just sorry it took me this long. Good news is it's not too late to add it to the book. We're just waiting on the illustrations now. Think I found someone to do them. Her name's Faith. She's Auntie Grace's sister and looks a little like her, but her hair is blonde.”

He took a deep breath, his mind filling with images of Faith. “She's a very nice lady, and she's very good at drawing.” He closed his fingers gently around the bandages. “Uncle Elliott said he'll come and visit tomorrow, when you're feeling a little better.”

Joel took a deep breath. “Would you like to hear the new story? I memorized it for you.” He adopted a fake Scottish accent as he began the story of Angus and the Loch Ness Monster.

Tears trickled down his face as he remembered how Bradley would fall about laughing at the voices he used. His voice wavered and finally broke.

Joel buried his face in his hands and sobbed.

Lord God, he's a child, this isn't his fault. Why is he the one paying the price for something that was no one's fault? He shouldn't have to suffer like this. Please, Lord, intervene here. I don't want to lose him, but I can't stand to watch him hurt like this. I'm not asking for an instant cure here or a miracle. The doctors and nurses are great and doing their best, but... I wish it had been me, not him. I thank You that he's not conscious.

I'm not mad at You for this or Caroline. Maybe I was a little at first, but my anger and grief won't heal Bradley. Only You can do that. Please, Lord, let him wake. Or if it's Your will to take him to be with You, then take him soon. Don't let him suffer any more
.