Betrayed Hearts (15 page)

“Better, I think.”

His face broke into a smile which made her senses reel.

“That's good news.” He reached over to the nightstand and picked up a glass of orange juice. “You never did get the drink you wanted.” He helped her sit up and held the glass to her lips.

She took a long swallow before slumping back onto the pillows. “Thank you.”

“You're welcome.” He set down the cup. “You've had us all very worried, you know.”

She frowned. “Who's us?”

He bent to straighten the blankets. “Doc Anderson, Maxi, Chloe, Peg—they've all been here.” He checked his watch. “In fact, Peg just left for work, and Maxi is cleaning up the kitchen.”

Gratitude, embarrassment, and disbelief warred within her. “I don't know what to say.”

“How about telling me what you'd like to eat. You must be hungry after two days.”

“You've been here that long?”

He gave a sheepish grin. “Yeah, well, it gave me a chance to catch up on my studying.”

Words failed her. Not since her mother had nursed her through the chicken pox had she felt so cared for. It was more than she could comprehend.

“Think I'll whip you up some chicken soup,” Nick said. “That's always good when you're sick.”

A while later, he returned with a tray. Lily studied him from under her lashes as she drank the soup. Dark shadows under his eyes told her he hadn't had a decent sleep in a while. A twinge of guilt surfaced with the realization that she was responsible.

“That was good. Thank you.” She patted her mouth with a napkin.

“If you like that, wait 'til you try my homemade turkey soup.” He bent to pick up the tray, shooting her a mischievous grin that made her head spin.

“Quit trying to impress the girl, for heaven's sake.”

Color bled up Nick's neck as he scowled at Maxi standing in the doorway.

She sauntered in and plopped down on the end of the bed. Her hair, which today contained several streaks of purple, was slicked back behind her ears. “Nice to see you awake again, Lil.”

“Nice to be awake.” Lily looked from the cross-legged girl on her bed to the man standing awkwardly at her side. What had she done to deserve friends like these?

Maybe God did care about her after all. Her throat constricted at the thought.

Nick plucked the tray of dirty dishes off the dresser. “I'll go and let you two talk.” He practically ran out the door.

Maxi let out a long laugh, making her earrings dance. “It's funny to see Nick out of control when he's
never
out of control.”

“What do you mean?”

Maxi shook her head. “You don't have a clue, do you? Nick's so infatuated with you, he can't see straight.”

Lily's mouth fell open. She shook her head in silent denial.

“When I found you on the floor at Peg's, he broke every speed record getting over there, and he's barely left your side since.” Maxi sighed. “If that's not devotion, I don't know what is.”

Lily's lip trembled at Maxi's implication. “I didn't want this,” she whispered. Her eyes darted to the open doorway as if Nick might appear any moment.

Maxi's smile faded. “What's the matter? Nick's a great guy.”

Lily reached over to clutch her arm. “There's no future for us. He needs a good woman to be a minister's wife. And that's not me.”

Maxi leaned forward on the bed. “I won't let you talk like that, Lily Draper. You're as good a person as anyone else. And just as deserving of happiness.”

The words hit Lily like a slap in the face, shocking her with a truth she'd never allowed herself to examine.
She didn't believe herself worthy of anything good in her life.

Tears burned at the back of her throat. Weakness, both physical and emotional, overwhelmed her.

At that very moment Nick appeared. He took one look at Lily's face and strode to her side. “What's wrong?” Frowning, he placed his palm on her forehead. “Are you in pain?”

Lily swatted away his hand, unable to cope with his nearness.

Nick turned accusing eyes to Maxi. “What did you do to upset her?”

“I'm sorry.” Maxi looked miserable. “I didn't mean to—”

“It's not her fault,” Lily whispered.

Nick crossed his arms and scowled at Maxi. “Lily needs peace and quiet. No more talking.”

Maxi shoved off the bed. “Fine. But I'm supposed to be relieving you. You need to go home.”

“I'm not going anywhere—”

“Please stop,” was all Lily could manage before sinking under the covers, waves of exhaustion washing over her.

Nick hustled Maxi out the door by the arm. “We'll settle this out here. Lily, you get some rest.”

When Lily awoke next, Chloe was seated on the chair with a textbook on her lap, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. Lily breathed a sigh of thanks that Nick was nowhere in sight.

“How's the studying coming?”

Chloe jumped, almost dropped her book, and laughed. “You're awake. Feeling better?”

“I think so.”

When Lily struggled to sit up, Chloe rushed to help her with the pillows. “We were all so worried. Doc was here at least three times. And Nick—”

Lily held up her hand to ward off another account of Nick's saintly qualities.

“What's wrong?” Chloe's forehead wrinkled.

“Could you help me to the bathroom? I'd like to take a shower.”

Chloe's puzzled expression changed to one of purpose. “Good idea. That'll make you feel better.”

A hot shower and clean clothes gave Lily a new lease on life. Maybe she'd live after all. When she emerged from the steamy bathroom, an enticing aroma lured her out to the kitchen where Chloe stood stirring a large pot on the stove.

“What smells so good?” Lily twisted her damp hair into a braid.

“Nick's turkey soup. He had some in his freezer at home and dropped it off earlier.” Chloe smiled as she ladled the liquid into two bowls. “I'll bring a tray to your room.”

Lily wanted to argue she'd been in bed long enough, but her weakened limbs betrayed her. Chloe followed her into the bedroom with the tray. Once Lily was settled, Chloe returned with her own food, and together they shared French bread with the homemade soup. It was the most delicious meal Lily had ever tasted. “Nick is a great cook.”

“Yeah. Maybe he'll make this for the people in his shelter.”

“His what?” Lily's hand stilled on the spoon.

“Hasn't he told you about his plan?”

Lily shook her head.

Chloe tore a piece of bread in half. “He wants to open a home for abused women and children.”

“Because of his father,” Lily murmured, recalling his confession the night he'd hauled Marco Messini off her. She understood immediately how perfect this would be for him. To provide others with the protection he'd needed when he was a child.

“He told you about that?”

“A little, yes.”

Chloe wiped her mouth with a napkin. “He has a property in mind for the shelter. An abandoned house that's been in our family for years. I don't know much about it.”

Reality clicked in Lily's brain, like the tumblers of a lock falling into place. That's why Nick was at the Strickland house that day. Why hadn't he told her the whole truth?

Chloe rose to put her dishes on the dresser before removing Lily's tray. She fixed Lily with a curious gaze. “I hear you and Maxi had a bit of a...disagreement yesterday.”

Suddenly zapped of energy, Lily sagged back against the pillows. Her eyelids begged to close. “It was nothing.”

“Maxi didn't seem to think so. She was pretty upset.”

Lily's fought the cowardly urge to hide under the covers. “It wasn't her fault. I overreacted to her pushing Nick on me. I'll apologize when I see her.”

Chloe stacked more dirty glasses on the tray, watching her. “Nick's getting to you, isn't he?”

Faced with Chloe's frank amber gaze, Lily found she couldn't deny it. “I guess so.”

“Why does that make you so miserable? I'd be thrilled if a wonderful guy like Nick was interested in me.” Shadows from the bedside lamp danced over Chloe's pretty features.

Lily sank farther into the bed and sighed. “I'm no good at relationships, Chloe. Mine always end in disaster. And I care about Nick too much to put him through all that
ugliness
.” Her bones melted into the mattress. “We're better off as friends.”

Chloe studied her for a moment. “Maybe you've been dating the wrong guys.”

Though Lily found taking romantic advice from a teenager somewhat ironic, she appreciated Chloe's efforts. “I'm afraid my father has ruined me from ever having a normal relationship. Proven by all the jerks I've been involved with since I left home.”

Chloe came to sit beside her on the bed and laid a sympathetic hand on her arm. “I think you're scared to try a decent guy for a change. Scared it could actually work out, and you might even be happy.”

Lily shook her head as a wave of sadness washed over her. “I haven't been happy since my mother died. At least, not until I met you...and Maxi.”
And Nick.

“Well, it's a start. I'll be praying for you, Lily. That God will heal your wounds.” Chloe reached over to envelop her in a warm embrace.

The clean scent of Chloe's perfume filled Lily's senses. She hugged her back, her heart squeezing with love. And for one glittering moment in the arms of her sister, Lily allowed herself to believe happiness was an actual possibility.

 

 

 

 

13

 

Doc Anderson came back to check on Lily the next morning. Though she'd been told he'd taken care of her for two days while she was in a semi-conscious state, this was the first time she'd actually talked to him. His soothing manner and kind air soon put her at ease. After checking her vital signs, Doc pronounced her ninety percent recovered, but recommended another full day of rest.

“If you push yourself too soon, you'll end up in the hospital,” he said. “You don't want to ruin all our hard work, do you?”

The twinkle in his eyes allowed Lily to relax. “No, sir.” She smiled and settled back against the pillows, amazed a modern doctor made house calls. She found herself liking this gentle, jolly man. Still, could she trust him enough to question him about her family's tragedy?

“When you do go back to work, start with short shifts. You'll tire quickly at first.” He packed his stethoscope into his bag and snapped it shut.

“I will.”

“Excellent. Glad to see you looking so much better, my dear.” He turned toward the door.

“Wait. Can I ask you something?” The words were out before Lily could take them back. But she couldn't pass up this opportunity to see what Doc Anderson might know about the Strickland murders.

He stilled, his hand on the doorknob. “Certainly.”

“I understand you've been the doctor here for a long time.”

He turned to face her. “Close to thirty years. Why?”

She swallowed back her nerves and willed her voice to remain steady. “Were you called to the Strickland house the night of the murders?”

His brows shot together, creating a wreath of wrinkles on his forehead. “I was there, along with the paramedics, the coroner, and the police. Why? What do you know about the Stricklands?”

She weighed her answer carefully. “They were…relatives of mine. One of the reasons I came to Rainbow Falls was to find out more about what happened to them.”

A guarded look shuttered his face. “I see.” He came back into the room and lowered himself onto the chair by her bed. “I don't know how much help I can be.”

She licked her lips that had suddenly gone dry. “From what I've been told, the mother, father, and two boys were shot, one girl was seriously injured and a baby survived unharmed.” Nerves swam through her system. She wanted to trust this man with the truth, but fear held her back.

“That's right,” Doc said. “Saddest thing I ever saw.”

“Is it true Mr. Strickland was responsible for the murders?” Lily blurted the question before she had time to formulate her words.

“You'd have to ask the police.”

“But in your opinion,” she pressed, “do
you
think he did it?” She leaned forward and waited for his answer.

Sadness dripped over his features. “Yes. I believe David Strickland was responsible.”

The air
whooshed
out of her lungs as she sank back. Her own father had put that bullet in her.

Doc Anderson rose to leave, his grim expression indicating he was unwilling to continue the conversation.

“Someone adopted the baby, but what happened to the other daughter?”

Doc Anderson's expression changed to one of puzzlement. “You mean little Addie?”

She nodded. “No one seems to know what happened to her.”

Doc gave her a hard look and suddenly Lily realized he must have seen her scar. Would he figure out who she was?

“The child was still alive, but barely. They took her to the hospital in Kingsville.” He paused. “She died a few weeks later.”

Lily's fisted hands tightened on the blankets. It was true then. Everyone believed she had died from her injuries.

“I'm sorry if you've been hoping your relative was alive,” he said kindly, “because that's not the case.” He picked up his bag. “Good day, Lily.”

 

****

 

Nick opened the door to Lily's apartment, juggling a casserole dish and his keys. He found her standing in the kitchen stirring a cup of tea, her hair swept off her face in a loose bun. Even in an old sweat suit, she lit up the room.

“Nice to see you on your feet.”