Love Inspired September 2014 - Bundle 1 of 2: Her Montana Twins\Small-Town Billionaire\Stranded with the Rancher (28 page)

“I did. I told him about selling your jewelry at my shop,” she said. She didn't add that she'd told him in order to show him what he should be doing with his own business. “What did he say about your ministry?”

“He said he's been looking into the charities that his company supports this weekend and that he's decided to add mine to the list.” She giggled, her hand patting her chest as though she could feel her heart beating. “And then...then he said that he wanted to give an initial investment, money that would go directly to the shelter where I send the jewelry proceeds. Because of Mr. Brooks, once his board approves the recommendations, the Women's Lighthouse will receive a check for twenty thousand dollars. And he thinks they'll get it as quick as this week!”

“Oh, my,” Maribeth whispered. Nadia had started the charity on her own after visiting her native country with her grandparents a year ago and learning about how sex slavery had affected Thailand. She had been able to send a few hundred dollars to the charity, a shelter that ran out of a church that her grandfather had started in Thailand. With Ryan's contribution and with him adding her charity to the ones Brooks International supported, Nadia had the opportunity to make a huge difference in the country.

Ryan's words from Friday night whispered through Maribeth's thoughts.

“Think of how much more of a difference you'd make if you had more stores. You could sell that many more pieces of jewelry and really make a difference.”

Maribeth cringed. She
could
make a bigger difference, help more people the way Nadia was helping more, if she had additional stores. But because of her past, and her need to keep it hidden, she would forever be limited to what kind of difference she could make.

Would that mistake haunt her forever?

“Nadia, that's so incredible!” Jasmine said, and Maribeth nodded, determined to be happy for the teen.

“I know,” Nadia said, bobbing her head in agreement. “It's amazing. And he's giving me ten thousand dollars to order more supplies and he's going to help me advertise. He also had an idea about people signing up for monthly donations where they would give regularly through a website.”

“Without selling the jewelry to them?” Jasmine asked.

“He said that he was so impressed with the shelter and everything that they are doing that he gave money without receiving the jewelry. He believes other people will, too.”

“How did he even know what the shelter was doing?” Jasmine asked.

Nadia pointed to Maribeth. “Maribeth told him about it, and then he said he was able to look at pictures of my jewelry and also found a link to information about the shelter on the Consigning Women Facebook page. Thanks so much for putting that up on your page, Maribeth.”

Maribeth's emotions were in such a frenzy that her throat was dry. She forced a swallow. “I try to keep the page updated for my customers. I wanted them to know about the jewelry and the shelter at the church.”

“He's so—” Jasmine sighed loudly “—incredible.”

Nadia beamed. “I think so, too!” But her praise didn't sound nearly as smitten as Jasmine's. “He's been working on the details all weekend, because he had to get it approved by a committee or something. Can you believe he got it done so quickly? Isn't that wonderful?”

Maribeth nodded. “Yes, it is.” Then she looked toward the cabin and wondered why Ryan had searched for the information online instead of simply asking her about the charity. She was the one who'd told him about it, after all.

Was he that irritated with her after their conversation Friday that he didn't even want to speak to her? Because she'd only been trying to help, and apparently she'd done some good. He was now contributing to a charity that she believed in. She should be content with that, instead of disconcerted that he didn't want to talk to her—and apparently even see her—anymore.

“I can't wait to tell my folks and grandparents that Mr. Brooks is helping,” Nadia said. “You want to come with me, Jasmine?”

“Actually, you'll be coming with me,” Jasmine said, “since I drove.”

Both girls laughed as they walked toward Jasmine's car.

“See you tomorrow, Maribeth,” Jasmine said, tossing her hair over her shoulder as she climbed behind the wheel.

“And thanks again for telling him about my ministry,” Nadia called from the open window on the passenger side. Then she waved as they disappeared down the driveway.

Maribeth started to go to the cabin and ask Ryan why he'd left her out of his good deed. But then again, she didn't want to seem as though she wanted any credit for giving him the idea; she didn't.

And as much as she hated acknowledging the truth, she knew. She didn't want to ask him anything. She simply wanted to see him.

Chapter Six

O
n Tuesday, Ryan went to rehab as usual and was pleased therapy seemed to be getting easier. At the appointment that followed, Dr. Aldredge agreed that he'd progressed well and even told Ryan that he could get rid of the crutches, start getting around with the unlocked cast and letting the leg bear more weight.

Ryan had promised Nathan that he would let him have the crutches when he was finished with them, so he could practice whenever he wanted. Nathan and his family had visited the ranch Sunday afternoon, and Ryan had thoroughly enjoyed seeing the kid have such a good time with basically two long sticks. Nathan's four-year-old sister, Lainey, cheered her big brother on as he perfected his technique, and their parents, Chad and Jessica, also laughed and cheered as the family made a memory together.

The scene had touched Ryan more than he'd ever admit. He'd often wanted a family like that, so easily entertained without a high-dollar price tag or elaborate event. Even his and Dana's birthday parties had been so intricately orchestrated that they'd seemed more like work than fun. Lawrence Brooks had hired the most elite party planners and not only sent out invitations to the event, but also an itinerary of available activities and meal options. One year, when Dana had been overly obsessed with animals, their father had brought in an entire zoo. Not merely a petting zoo, like they'd seen at other parties—a whole zoo, complete with lions and tigers and everything else, had been assembled on the Brooks vacation property for party guests.

No one outdid Lawrence Brooks, in business or in pleasure. But Ryan wondered if they could have found even more enjoyment and happiness from the simple things, like a pair of crutches and a farmyard, the way Nathan's family had on Sunday afternoon.

In Ryan's opinion, that was a snapshot of the ideal family. A husband and wife undeniably in love and raising their children simply. Happily. Chad and Jessica Martin had a playful, almost flirtatious manner in which they interacted, and Ryan hadn't stayed outside with them long because he felt like an intruder.

He'd returned inside and started back to work with Oliver, but hearing their laughter and cheers, he wondered what it would feel like to have a life like that. A love like that. What would it feel like to have a wife who looked at him the way Jessica looked at Chad? Or kids who were so appreciative of something so plain and ordinary?

Merely three years ago, Ryan had thought he'd found that kind of love. His heart had fallen hard for Nannette, and he'd honestly thought she'd loved him. Not his money, but him. And then reality hit with the same force as his leg hitting the ground when Onyx sent him sailing. No mercy. No chance for his heart to stay intact. It'd broken as quickly and as severely as his leg. But his leg would heal. His heart, on the other hand, had learned its lesson.

But ever since he'd arrived in Claremont, he wondered whether he truly wanted to give up on the hope of a real love, especially when he saw so many people who seemed to have gotten it right. Like Chad and Jessica Martin. Dana and John. Landon and Georgiana. However, his past experience told him he wasn't a good judge of real, and he didn't want to risk being fooled again.

Ryan had still been working when Nathan and his family finished playing on Sunday afternoon and got ready to leave. Nathan had brought the crutches to him in the cabin, and Ryan had told him that he thought he'd be finished with them in a couple of weeks. But it turned out he was done with them today.

He looked forward to sharing that news with Maribeth. Even though he purposefully hadn't seen her since Friday, he hadn't gotten her off his mind. In fact, she'd been the primary reason he'd worked so hard over the weekend to secure approval for funding Nadia Berry's ministry and also to reevaluate the charities supported by Brooks International. He could now tell her several things about each of the organizations they supported, as well as which were his favorites. Those would be the American Cancer Society, because of his father's battle with the disease, and the Women's Lighthouse, the charity Nadia started in Thailand, which protected women from the human trafficking taking place in the country. He'd never have known about the extent of Thailand's need if it hadn't been for Maribeth, and he was happy to support such a worthy cause. More than that, the Women's Lighthouse was the first charity Brooks International would support that had been specifically selected by Ryan instead of his father.

He'd planned to tell Maribeth yesterday, but by the time he finished talking to Nadia and then had another quick conference call with the public responsibilities committee, she was gone.

In any case, he'd tell her today, and he'd also show her that he no longer needed his crutches. It shouldn't be such a big deal to tell her, since they didn't have any type of personal relationship or anything, but it was. And Ryan began to wonder if his continued interest went beyond the fact that he wanted to invest in her business. It'd felt really nice being so close to her when she helped him from his fall, and he wondered if he wasn't feeling the beginnings of his heart slipping again.

Eager to get back to the ranch and see her, he left the rehab office and started toward the hospital elevator. Anticipating that he would be at the hospital longer today for both the physical therapy and then a short visit to Dr. Aldredge, Dana had left to run some errands until he was done. If she wasn't already waiting for him in the parking lot, she'd be there soon, but Ryan went ahead and sent her a quick text to let her know he was on his way out.

The elevator doors opened, and Hannah and Autumn Graham stepped out.

“Oh, hi,” Hannah said.

“Hey,” he replied. And then he looked to the little girl at her side. “Hi, Autumn.”

She smiled shyly. “Hi.”

Hannah patted Autumn's back and said, “Honey, if you want to go on to Daddy's office, that's fine. He's waiting for us, and I want to tell Mr. Brooks something, okay?”

Autumn nodded. “Okay. Bye, Mr. Brooks.”

“Bye, Autumn,” he said, and then to Hannah said, “And it's Ryan, remember?”

She laughed. “Yes. Sorry, I forgot.”

They watched Autumn as she continued down the hall. She waved before entering the office two doors down from Dr. Aldredge.

“She's a precious little girl with a tender heart,” Hannah said.

Ryan nodded. “I've only been around her that short time on Friday at the Bible study, but I got that impression. Her story—” he paused “—well, it meant a lot to me, since I also lost my mom very young.” He cleared his throat. “You said you wanted to talk to me about something?”

She nodded. “Yes. Like I said, Autumn has a tender heart, and she often gets these—I don't know, feelings, I guess—that someone needs special prayers.” A smile lifted her lips. “If she knows someone is sick, she'll pray specifically for that person until they are better again or until they go to heaven, like her mom did. She has a really big way of thinking about things like that. I suppose it's because she lost her mom when she was so young.”

“That makes sense,” Ryan said.

“But ever since she met you on Friday, she's been praying for you. Every time she prays, whether it's at night before bed or even before we eat, she prays for Mr. Ryan and she says she hopes he'll feel better soon.” She shrugged, while Ryan's heart tugged solidly in his chest. “I just thought I should let you know.”

Ryan's throat tightened, and he cleared it before saying, “I appreciate that, and I'll need to tell her that the prayers worked. My leg is getting better, and I don't even need these anymore.” He indicated his crutches.

“That's great,” Hannah said, “but...” She glanced down the hall toward the door her daughter had entered.

“Is there something else?” he asked, curious.

She looked as though she debated completing the rest of the sentence and hesitated for a second before saying, “It's just that I don't think she's praying for your leg, exactly. I mean, I'm sure she wants you to heal, but her prayers are more God focused.”

“God focused?” he asked.

“She's praying for you to know God.” Another soft smile claimed her lips. “Like I said, she has really big ways of thinking for a child so young, and when she gets things like that on her heart, she prays.”

Taken aback, Ryan didn't know what to say. That little girl was praying for him to know God? How did she know that he didn't?

As though reading his thoughts, Hannah continued, “I don't know what your spiritual life is like, Mr. Brooks—Ryan—and in case you're thinking someone has been speculating about it or talking about you like that, I want to let you know that couldn't be further from the truth. When I asked Autumn why she thought you needed to know God, she said, ‘Because everyone should know Him, and because I like Mr. Ryan.'”

The elevator had closed a while back, but now the doors reopened as a man exited on their floor.

“I should head on out,” Ryan said, indicating the open elevator. “Dana is probably waiting in the parking lot.”

She nodded solemnly. “Okay.”

He got inside the elevator. “Please thank Autumn for me. I do appreciate her prayers. I'm just—well, I'm not all that used to people praying for me.”

Hannah's face instantly converted to a smile. “I will thank her,” she said, as the bell dinged and the doors prepared to slide closed, “and Ryan?”

“Yes?” he asked when the doors started to move.

“I'll be praying for you, too.”

* * *

Maribeth entered the feed room in the barn and found the molasses treats that she'd promised the campers they could give the horses this afternoon. With sixteen preteen kids at this week's camp, she had to make sure she stayed organized and ready for every activity. Unlike last week's campers, these kids weren't local, but were from a church in Birmingham. Because of that, Maribeth had more help than she'd anticipated. Parents didn't merely drop off their kids and pick them up at the end of the day. Instead, chaperones stayed and assisted in the activities. And at the end of the day, the kids and chaperones stayed and camped in tents on the riverbank at the base of Jasper Falls. They not only had the Bible study that Maribeth led at the end of the camp day, but they also had Bible studies by campfire at night led by John, Dana, Landon and Georgiana. Maribeth had attended summer church camps growing up, but never one like this. She and her sisters would have enjoyed the dude ranch activities, riding horses, hiking the nature trails and camping in tents.

Thoughts of her sisters reminded her of how rarely she saw them, primarily at holidays, because she didn't want to leave her business unattended. Maybe she could hire someone to allow her to get away without risking losing customers because the shop was closed. Or maybe it didn't matter if she closed the doors for a couple of days every now and then. Maribeth wasn't sure. She had Theapia Best, a responsible nineteen-year-old, working the store during the mornings this month so she could volunteer at the camp, but maybe she should hire someone more permanently. If she allowed Ryan to invest in her business and open more stores, he'd probably help her make decisions like that, or he'd hire someone to help her. She had no idea what he'd do or how he'd do it. All she knew is that he'd make her business bigger.

But she didn't necessarily want Consigning Women to be bigger. She wanted it to be successful, which it was for her current demographic. And, more important, she wanted it to make a difference.

Ryan's statement that she could make a bigger difference in the world if she had more locations was probably true. But was it worth putting her name out there and risking someone putting two and two together and then resurrecting her past? She liked the way she had disappeared into the fabric of Claremont with no limelight whatsoever on that life she'd led seven years ago. Her past was so embarrassing, such a colossal tribute to the stupidity and naivety of a teen. Her parents had warned her, and she hadn't listened. Her sisters had begged her to think about what she was doing, and she'd told them they were jealous.

So many mistakes. And her family had forgiven all of them, as had God. Maribeth wondered whether the offer from Ryan to grow her business was a chance for her to truly make a bigger difference in the world, or whether it was the ultimate temptation to have everything that she'd had seven years ago...and everything that had been taken away.

She withdrew her cell phone from her jeans pocket and dialed her older sister's number.

“Maribeth, so good to hear from you. How's everything going?” Ava answered, obviously taking advantage of caller ID to jump right into conversation. She was always on high gear, with her two-year-old twins keeping her on her toes.

“Everything's going fine,” Maribeth said.

“You're volunteering at the church camp there, aren't you? The dude ranch? Isn't that what you said you'd be doing during the day in June?”

It'd been several weeks since the two had talked, but Ava remembered what would be happening in Maribeth's world. It touched Maribeth that she cared so much. “Yes, I'm actually at the ranch now.”

“I don't hear any kids.”