Love Inspired January 2014 - Bundle 2 of 2: Bayou Sweetheart\The Firefighter's New Family\Season of Redemption (38 page)

Ashley chuckled when she noticed a faint flush on her dad's face. A romance was really blooming.

“Don't start playing matchmaker, you two.”

Ashley laughed out loud at that. “Tit for tat, Dad. How many times have I told you to stop matching me up with possible husbands?”

He grinned. “That's different.”

She shook her head, not trying to find another barb.

Joey strode to Devon, his face tilted up to his. “Can we go to the fire station now?”

“You promised, Daddy, remember?”

Her concern vanished when she saw Devon's face brighten. He needed a distraction from his problems and making the kids happy would do that.

Devon looked at Ashley. “What do you think?”

“I think it's a great idea.”

He nodded, the look reflecting the thought she'd just had. “You'll have fun. All of you.”

“We will.”

The kids charged toward the door, and she barely had time to say goodbye, but this goodbye was a good one, because it was also a goodbye to Devon's gloom. How could he be sad with happy kids around?

* * *

Devon smiled along with the children, their excitement evident as they scampered in front of him toward the firehouse entrance. He'd asked the captain about bringing them, but he knew the answer would be yes. Still, he wanted to make sure it was a good day, one without serious calls. Those days were precious. And so were the kids as they bounded through the door.

The guys who saw them come into the station sent him a wave. “I brought some important guests for a visit today.”

His friends welcomed the kids, and he stepped back, letting them lead the tour through their living quarters, the dining room, where their eyes widened when they saw three refrigerators and the large stove. They had to be encouraged to leave the exercise room or they would have stayed there to play on the stair steps, and Joey wanted to lift weights. The boy made him laugh.

Finally they were eager to head to the apparatus area with all the firehouse gear, the rescue truck, ambulance and what Joey had been waiting for—the fire truck.

The men's patience answering questions and allowing the kids to try on the gear made Devon proud of his pals. He watched Joey's eyes shift to the engine so often, waiting for his chance to climb into the truck. When the time came, Devon's pulse gave a kick almost as happy as the kids, but before he could enjoy the experience, his cell rang. Though tempted to ignore it, he had second thoughts and eyed the caller ID. Gina.

His heart jarred before the thump struck temples. He caught a firefighter's attention and pointed to the phone. His friend nodded, and he scooted out of earshot and answered. “Gina, is something wrong?”

“I need to see her now, Devon.”

He drew the phone from his ear, confused. “Why now? She's with me and one of her playmates at the firehouse.”

“Now, please. It's important, and I—”

He heard Renee's voice in the background, and he sensed something very wrong. “Gina, can I talk with—”

“No, Devon. I need to see Kaylee.” He'd promise to bring her there tomorrow not today. He'd have time to explain the visit to Kaylee, to prepare her at least.

Panic filled her voice and his concern rose. If she hurt herself because of his delay, he would never forgive himself. “I'll bring her within the hour.”

Silence.

“Did you hear me?”

“Thank you.” He heard the click of a disconnect.

He lurched hearing the desperation in Gina's voice. He hadn't wanted to tell Kaylee anything about the problem, but he knew she would ask why they had to go today.

After slipping the phone into his pocket, he hurried to the fire truck, his heart heavy with concern. He hoped Kaylee wouldn't ask, but he knew her too well. She would.

With the tour completed, Devon stepped in and used his cell phone to take a photo of Kaylee and Joey in the fire truck, and the firefighters gathered around and presented them with red firefighter hats and a junior firefighter badge. They were overjoyed.

He would have been, too, except Gina's voice grated on his conscience, along with her demand to see Kaylee now.

After thanking the men, he herded the kids to the car, his mind reeling, his concern growing. He longed to come up with a plan of action, but action against what? Gina's demand hung before him with no direction. All she'd insisted was to see Kaylee today, though the little girl still had one more day to stay with him as far as Gina knew. Renee hadn't explained the situation yet, and now that left it up to him.

When they arrived at Ashley's, Joey's and Kaylee's chatter about their visit to the firehouse droned in his ear. He had little time, and he finally distracted them enough to relay a few seconds of the conversation to Ashley before an explanation to Kaylee.

On the way home to pick up anything she needed, he had to explain. “Your mom's home. I talked with her.”

Kaylee's head popped up. “When?”

“I'm not sure when she came home, but she called while you were in the fire truck.”

A frown settled on her face, and she only searched his eyes in silence.

“She wants to see you now, Kaylee, so we'll take a ride there, okay?”

Her expression darkened, and she remained silent as if weighing his words. “But I can come back here.” Though a question, her inflection made it sound like a statement.

“I don't know what she wants, sweetheart. We'll have to find out.”

“Daddy, I...” Her voice sank with a look of despair.

He'd never seen her react this way, and his stomach knotted. Why the change? She'd never rejected her mother, and he didn't want that now, but he didn't know what she'd lived with for so long. Even a toddler senses things amiss, and Kaylee had a keen sense.

“I'll go with you. Does that help?”

The tightness of her lips softened as she nodded.

They drove in silence most of the way with only an occasional comment on her fun at the firehouse. He was sorry he'd ended her wonderful day with this news. He said a prayer that some good could come from what seemed an impossible situation.

When they pulled into the driveway, Kaylee unhooked her belt and stood outside the car as if waiting for him to stand beside her. He took her hand as they headed to the porch and when they opened the doors, Gina stood there, dark circles beneath her once-lovely eyes and gaunt flesh as pale as ash. An ache tore through his body.

He took the first step with Kaylee. “I said an hour. We're here, Gina.”

“Go home, Devon. I want to spend time with my daughter alone. I'll call you tomorrow.”

Panic filled Kaylee's face, her desperate look aimed at him.

His concern rose, hearing tomorrow. “You go and visit your mom, and I'll see you soon.” He backed off the stair, startled by Kaylee's expression and his own desperation.

Kaylee stepped inside and the door closed without Gina saying another word. He'd expected a thank-you, but expectations only led to disappointment.

He stood a moment, catching his breath, his mind weighted with questions.

What did Gina have on her mind? What could he do to protect Kaylee from being pulled into a battle? He looked heavenward, hoping his prayer had reached the Lord.

Though he wanted to move, his fear held him fast. He couldn't leave without doing something. Renee. His option was to call her. Gina resented him, but her sister was a different story. Renee would make sure nothing happened to Kaylee and his prayer would help cinch it.

Chapter Sixteen

A
shley sat in the recliner, her eyes glued to the door, waiting for Devon to return. When his car finally pulled into the driveway, the side door opened and a lone pair of footsteps sounded on the kitchen floor.

Devon stepped through the archway, his face drained of color. “Don't ask.” He sank onto the sofa and stared into the distance. “Gina wouldn't talk with me. She opened the door and dismissed me as if I were Kaylee's chauffeur. Not even a thank-you.”

Any possible response seemed futile. She'd said it all before, and words seemed empty. She knew he'd begun to pray on a regular basis. She knew he didn't wish Gina ill. But she knew nothing else. Obviously Devon didn't, either.

“She's keeping Kaylee overnight.” He shrugged. “That's all I know, and fighting in front of Kaylee was the last thing I wanted to do. I didn't explain that Kaylee's staying with me. I knew it would cause an uproar. Her condition is delicate. I backed away.” He lowered his head. “But I had second thoughts, and I called Renee. She agreed to leave work and keep an eye on the situation. Still I feel like a wimp.”

Her heart broke for him as she rose and sat on the arm of his chair, her palm sliding across his shoulders. “Devon, you're far from a wimp. You fight fires. You save lives while endangering your own.” As soon as the words slipped from her mouth, she wanted to swallow them back. “You're brave. The best part is you're caring and that's why you avoided a confrontation. Something good will happen. I sense it. And Renee will make sure everything is all right. It makes sense.”

“I hope.” He reached over and pulled her onto his lap. “You are a shining star for me, Ash. You took hold of adversity and plowed your way past it. You could have crumbled or turned into a ball of flesh.” His eyes sought hers. “You didn't. You lived finding joy in Joey and family. Now I find joy in the same. You, Joey and Kaylee. You make me remember darkness only lasts a while and daylight comes again.”

His lips met hers, washing away all doubts and worries. Yet he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. She clung to him, praying for the answers to find their way into his life and longing for a day when she could commit to him with all fear gone. It all hung on her willingness to say the word. Today the word lay on the tip of her tongue.

He shifted his legs, and she rose, sensing he planned to stand. He did, his arms drawing her close. “Let's not waste the day worrying. I say we do something fun or constructive.”

She chuckled at his options. “Summer's not here much longer so let's do something outside.”

He stepped back, his hands still resting on her shoulders. “Anything with you is fun.”

A sound caused her to draw back and as she did, the doorbell rang. When she opened the door, her cousin, Paula, stepped in. “I stopped by to say goodbye for now. I'm heading back to Roscommon and getting the house cleaned out so I can put it on the market.”

“I'm glad you said for now. You know we'd like you back in our lives. It's been too long, and now that your mom and dad are gone nothing keeps you in Roscommon.”

Paula chuckled. “Sadly, nothing kept me there before, either.” She gave a feeble shrug. “You and Neely have been great, and as you heard, I said goodbye for now. Your dad invited me to stay with him if I move to Ferndale until I get settled somewhere. He said he'd love the company.”

Ashley's heart skipped. “I'm thrilled. This is what we'd hoped for.” She opened her arms to her cousin, and Paula slipped into them. When she stepped back, Ashley noticed tears in her cousin's eyes. “Don't make me cry, too.”

“I'm a bit emotional. No one has been so kind since I can remember.” She turned toward Devon and extended her hand. “So good to meet you, and I'm pretty sure you'll still be around when I get back.”

Devon chuckled. “I hope you're right.”

“She is.” Ashley couldn't stop from speaking the truth. She'd be lost without him.

She walked Paula to the door and waited until she pulled away, when she turned, Devon had vanished. She closed the door and found him in the kitchen leaning against the counter, his cell phone pressed against his ear.

Instead of eavesdropping, she backed away and returned to the living room, curious about the call.

A few moments later, Devon returned and leaned his shoulder against the archway. “That was Kaylee. Of all things, she is crying. She wants to come home. That put me on the spot.”

“What did you say?” Her pulse skittered up her arm.

“I told her to talk with her mother and reminded her I have to work tomorrow.”

Ashley dragged in air. “Now you're the one in the middle.”

“I suppose, but I know Kaylee's fine. Renee went home as she promised, and since Gina is avoiding me, Kaylee has the best chance at being honest with Gina about where she wants to live.” He rubbed his palm across his jaw. “She's only four. It's too much for her.”

“But she's bright and has a keen sense of things. Maybe this is the Lord's answer.” Maybe not, but nothing else made any sense.

Devon looked at Ashley, a faint grin finding its way to her face. “That's my hope.” He rose and reached for her hand. “Let's wake up that boy of yours—I assume he's napping—and get out of here. Remember, we're planning to have fun.”

“Joey'll love it.”

He drew her into his arms, his kiss deep and warm. “I care so much for you both. I hope you know that.”

“I do.” She kissed him back before heading for the stairs, grateful for Devon's resolve and grateful her own resolve grew stronger by the minute.

* * *

Devon lowered the weights onto the stand and wiped perspiration from his face. Sometimes he'd prefer taking a break, but this was his job, and keeping fit was imperative. He scanned the exercise room and then the clock. He'd been at it a half hour. Today that was enough. He'd heard nothing more from Kaylee, and though he wondered, he assumed no call meant she'd agreed to stay with her mother until his next day off. Again as he headed for the door, his cell phone sounded. He stepped into the hallway and checked the ID.

His chest constricted. Gina. He hit the answer button, but before he could speak, she began.

“Kaylee's crying again and won't stop.” Her voice rang with panic. “I can't take this.”

A vise tightened his chest. “Why is she upset?”

“She told me she lived with you now, and I told her... How did that happen, Devon? What did you do?”

His grip tightened on the phone, and he swallowed. “What I thought was right. That's what I did. You've been sick a long time, and Renee is the one raising our daughter. Kaylee asked to live with me, and how could I say no? Tell me.” Amid her silence, he detected a sniffle, and though he didn't want to hurt her, he had no choice.

“She wants to live with you, I know...but I wanted to spend time with her, Devon.” Her murmur faded. “I can't force her to stay, but I want visitation. I demand it.”

“Gina, I'd never deny you that.” He closed his eyes praying he'd never have to. “We've always had joint custody. I'll take physical custody and you'll still have visitation rights, and when you're better, we can talk about this again, but for now living with me is best for Kaylee.”

More silence. “Will I get better?”

He caught another sob.

“Come and get her, Devon. She wants to go home.”

Home. His emotions bounced from sorrow for Gina and joy for himself. “I'm working today. Can she wait until—”

“I promised her she could go now. Come and get her.”

Ashley rose in his thoughts. “I'll call my neighbor. She'll be there soon. If not, I'll get back to you.”

“Goodbye, Devon.”

She hung up and he stood in place, startled by her abrupt goodbye. The words held a strange tone, as if... He shook his head. Gina would accept the change eventually and perhaps make a greater effort to spend time with Kaylee when she was there. That was his hope.

His fingers trembled as he hit Ashley's phone number, and when she heard the news, her joy was as strong as his. Having Kaylee with him had been his dream, a complicated one until Ashley came along.

As he walked toward his office, the fire alarm broke through the air, followed by the intercom. His joy vanished as he ran for his bunker gear.

* * *

Ashley stood outside the car as Kaylee darted down the steps. She longed to embrace the child, but the frail woman watching from the doorway certainly was Gina, and she didn't want to rub salt in the wound of their parting. She grasped the rear door and opened it, encouraging Kaylee inside, and with a last look she pulled away, trying to imagine a mother's anguish when her daughter chose her father's house as home.

“Are you okay?” She glanced in the rearview mirror before she pulled away.

Kaylee's eyes shifted from her mother lingering at the doorway to her craning over the seat. “I wanted to go home, and my mom didn't want me to, but now she said I can live with Daddy.”

“I heard. I'm glad, Kaylee.”

“I like being at your house, too.” Her voice skipped over the seat. “I can play and be happy.”

“I like to play, Kaylee.” Joey reached toward her from his car seat and touched her arm.

“You're like a little brother, Joey.”

“I'm not little.”

Ashley had heard the discussion before, and her mind wandered, pleased that the issue had been resolved and with Gina making the custody decision. Devon would have physical custody and Gina, visitation. Their prayers were answered.

As she approached Nine Mile, a fire siren sounded and traffic skidded to a stop. The engine tore across Woodward Avenue. Her heart rose to her throat, and Joey let out an excited yell as the truck flew past. When traffic cleared, she glanced down Nine Mile. The fire engine headed west, and it was likely a two-alarm fire. Smoke rose in the distance, and her pulse skipped.

“Was my daddy in the fire truck?”

“That was a truck from Station 2, Kaylee. Your daddy's at headquarters.” Which means he was closer to the fire. She swallowed her worry, and a plan flew into her mind. “Would you like to go and visit?”

“Yes, let's go see Daddy at the fire.”

“We can't distract him, sweetie. I thought you might like to go and visit Grandpa for a while.”

“Grandpa. Let's go.” Joey's voice overpowered Kaylee's.

Breathing a relieved sigh, Ashley turned toward her father's home, anxious to let the kids play there while she went to check on the fire. It looked like a bad one.

Grateful for her dad's willingness, she left the kids, hugged her dad and tore back to Nine Mile where traffic had already backed up. She could see flames in the distance, and her concern grew. She knew Devon had fought hundreds of fires, but she didn't know him then, didn't love him then.

Love.
The word sizzled in her mind. She'd avoided letting it sneak out and had used every other descriptive form of caring, but today love clung to her thoughts. She adored Devon. Cherished him. Longed for him in her life...forever.

Unable to negotiate the roadblock and traffic, she turned and headed back. She knew better than to be a gawker like those people who chased tragic situations. She grimaced at her decision to go there, but seeing the tragedy made her know where her heart had led her.

Her father's eyes widened when she came through the door. “You're back already?”

She shrugged, not wanting the children to know what she'd done. “I ran into traffic and a roadblock. Wisdom finally opened my eyes.”

He nodded. “Good choice. You don't need to see that and worry.”

“I know, Daddy.” She kissed his cheek and settled into a chair. “Where are the kids?”

“Neely dropped by and heard the good news from Kaylee, so she took them out for ice cream. Hope you don't mind.”

“No, it's better. They did see the fire truck and asked about Devon.” She lowered her head a minute. “Dad, I'm crazy about him, and I've worried about his dangerous job, but I'm ready to give up the battle and open my heart and my arms.”

A huge grin filled her father's face. “I knew you couldn't resist a good man like that for long. You've made a wonderful decision. I know he loves you.”

“I think he does.” She drew in a lengthy breath. “I hope Neely isn't gone, too—” Her cell phone played its tune, and she glanced at the number. Her stomach tightened into a knot. The caller ID read Clint Donatelli. The only reason he would call was...

Tears brimmed in her eyes as she pressed the button. “Clint, what happened?”

“Ashley, Devon asked me to call you. He fell through the flooring. His leg was injured.”

“His leg. Is it—”

“They don't think it's serious, but they took him to Beaumont Hospital.”

“In Royal Oak?”

“That's the one. He wanted you to know. He told me to tell you not to worry. He doesn't think it's serious, but—”

“Thanks so much for letting me know. I'll head over there.” She hung up as fear gripped her. The horrible call she'd anticipated had happened. If this was the beginning of what she had to face for the rest of her life, she'd... She would nothing. Her thoughts fell away to dust. It was too late. She loved him and fear couldn't make the love go away. When she turned to her dad, she didn't have to explain.

“Get over there, my girl, and don't worry about the kids. I'll keep them entertained.”

“Thanks, Daddy. They don't think it's serious, but...” She pressed her lips together to keep from crying.

“Go.”

Her love for her father swept over her. “Yes, sir.”

He chuckled as she raced out the door.

* * *

Ashley tore into emergency and headed for the admissions station. “Devon Murphy was just brought in. He's a firefight—”