Heart's Haven (18 page)

“Jack’s run away. He says he’s sorry he embarrassed me and ruined things with you. He says I don’t have to worry about him anymore, that he’ll look after himself.” Ty shoved the letter at her. “I have to find him. Before it’s too late.”

He heard the wobble in her voice. “Let’s go.”

At the doorway they ran into Red, talking to Mac.

“Listen to her,” Mac ordered.

“We have to find Jack. I have an idea where, but they won’t be there for long. They’ll try to initiate him.”

“Who will?”

“The Gators, a very bad gang.”

Ty knew the name—Walter, Jack’s friend, wore a jacket with that name. His blood ran cold. He reached for Cassidy’s hand.

“We’ll take my car.”

“Call my dad,” Red told Mac. “Tell him where I’m going.”

As he steered through the raging winds and torrential rain, Ty prayed as he fought off the PTSD. But when they had to wait at a red light, Cassidy’s words on the roof returned and his stomach sank.

He could not remember ever telling Jack he loved him.

“P
lease, God, help us.”

Cassidy alternated between watching the road and watching Ty. A quiet sob from the backseat drew her focus.

“Why are you doing this, Red?”

“What you said that day at the planetarium—how I could be part of the problem or part of the solution.” Red sniffed. “I introduced Jack to the Gators. I thought I was cool. If anything happens—The light’s green. Why isn’t he going?”

Ty’s hands held the wheel in a white-knuckled grip. His eyes glazed, his lips moved, but Cassidy heard nothing.

“Ty? Ty!” She squeezed his arm. “Let’s get Jack, Ty.”

He blinked, then followed Red’s directions. Moments later, they pulled up beside an old cement bridge. An orange glow shone through the downpour.

“There, at the far end, under the bridge.” Red pointed.

Ty was so pale Cassidy thought he’d faint. She grasped his hand and held on as they moved through the people huddled under the sheltering bridge. Every time they came near one of the many burning barrels, Ty flinched and she knew his flashbacks were growing worse.

“God is here with us, Ty. Ask Him for help.”

He didn’t seem to hear her. She kept coaxing him onward, praying harder than she ever had.

So many bodies.

Ty knew in his brain that what he was seeing wasn’t real, but he couldn’t break free, couldn’t shake the fear. Until he bumped into Cassidy.

“We’re here to talk to Jack,” Ty heard her say.

“You’re not welcome here. Go home before there’s an accident.”

“Not until we speak to Jack.”

Ty lifted his head. The rain splashed cold and hard against his face, snapping him back to the present. He glanced at the burly youth barricading their path and knew they were in trouble.

“Jack’s my nephew. I need to see him.”

“Jack doesn’t want to talk to you. He’s got us now. We’ll look after him.” The guy barked out a laugh then snarled, “Leave before we hurt you.”

He had to do this. Ty tried again.

“Please, it’s important. I—I want to tell him I love him.”

A burst of laughter cut off his words.

“Leave, Do Gooder. Now.”

So he’d failed. Again.

Ty gulped down defeat. He dared not push the issue. Not with Cassidy and Red here.

Then from behind a voice boomed.

“He’s not going. Neither are the rest of us. Get the boy, Walter. Or do you need help?”

A gang appeared, knives flashing.

“Get out of here, Markovich. Before we make you.”

“You and who else?” Irina’s husband—Red’s father—stepped in front of Ty. “I brought some friends.”

Davis, Crank and three others moved forward.

“Get the boy. Now.”

“You’re finished, Markovich.”

“No, you are, Walter. You and your friends aren’t welcome in this neighborhood anymore. We don’t want your drugs, your weapons or your violence. We’re prepared to defend ourselves and our families against you. All of you.”

Ty saw Jack huddled over the fire.
God, help me.

“Jack?” He pushed his way past, intent on telling his nephew what he should have said months ago.

“You shouldn’t have come. You’ll get hurt. I didn’t want that.”

“I’m not afraid of them” he said, and he realized it was true. “I’m afraid you won’t forgive me. I’m afraid you won’t believe me when I tell you how much I love you, how much I want to make the world safe for you, so you won’t have the same problems Donnie did. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before. I’ve been so scared something bad would happen that I forgot to trust God. Come back, Jack. We can start again.”

“What about the judge?”

“We’ll work it out. Together. I love you, Jack. You’re my only family and I don’t want to lose you. I want to be there when you graduate, when you get married and have kids.”

Jack remained mute.

“I can learn how to be a parent if you can cut me some slack.” Ty faltered but Cassidy’s fingers met his, infusing him with determination. “I need you to help me work through this thing I’ve got. Could you give me a second chance, Jack?”

“You want
me
to help
you?
”

“Yes. I need you. I love you. Yes, I want you to help me.”

Jack frowned, thought it over. Then he turned to the gang.

“My uncle needs me.”

Cassidy squeezed his hand. Ty squeezed back, his heart full.

Knowing Jack wouldn’t want any show of affection here, Ty followed Red and Jack to his car, still clinging to Cassidy’s hand as he sent his thanks Heavenward. Behind them the men began explaining to the gang how things were going to change.

They dropped Red at her home first, then Cassidy. Ty watched as she hugged Jack, tears filling her eyes. She nudged his cheek with her knuckles, then climbed out.

“We need to talk,” he said as he walked her to the door.

“You need to talk to Jack.” A tremulous smile flashed. “I’ll see you tomorrow for the opening. Good night.” She unlocked the door.

“Cassidy?”

“Yes?” She faced him.

Ty leaned forward and kissed her hard and fast. “I love you.”

Then he drove home for a long, heart-revealing talk with his nephew.

Ty didn’t sleep that night, but it wasn’t because of any dreams.

It was because of a tall woman with coal-black hair, silver eyes and a heart that hadn’t given up on him.

All he could think of was Cassidy.

“Don’t let me mess that up,” he prayed.

T
he grand opening of the Haven took place on Easter Saturday.

Cassidy’s ears rang with compliments. Everyone said the hors d’oeuvres and the meal were a huge success. Irina, face beaming, insisted on staying the whole day. She checked the doors, switched off the lights, then hugged Cassidy.

“Thank you,” she said, tears streaming down her face. Then she was gone.

Cassidy had hoped for a private moment with Ty, but he’d been going nonstop all day. No doubt he was still with Elizabeth, discussing his replacement. Her heart ached with loss, but Cassidy refused to be sad. This was God’s work. He would bless it and He would give her the desires of her heart.

Someday.

“You still here?” Jack scanned the kitchen, handed her an envelope. “I was supposed to give you this earlier, but I got busy setting up those extra beds and forgot. I don’t suppose there are any of those little tart things left?”

Cassidy hugged him and laughed. “Four, on the counter. Enjoy.”

“I will.” He hugged her back. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” She opened the envelope, slid out the sheet of paper.

Dearest Cassidy,

What a huge success today has been, and an affirmation that God is at work.

You are an enormous blessing, as I knew you would be. I thank you for giving so much. I regret I’ve had to dash away. I’m opening a ranch in Texas for disabled children and there are so many details but I’ll talk with you soon. P.S. I’ve lost my glasses. Could you check the roof, near Ty’s telescope?

Much love,

E.

Despite last night’s kiss, Cassidy wanted no sappy farewells. But she couldn’t ignore Elizabeth’s request so she climbed the stairs to the roof. The door stood open, Ty’s telescope in its place, uncovered, as if waiting for him.

Something moved in the shadows and she realized Ty was there.

“Hi.”

“Hi, yourself.” He rose, walked toward her. “You must be feeling very satisfied. That meal was spectacular.”

“Thanks.”

“Do you have a moment to talk?”

She nodded, steeled herself for another apology.

“I want to show you something.” He led the way to the telescope, adjusted the setting. “Look.”

Once her eyes adjusted to the lenses, Cassidy gasped as the red planet loomed large and spectacular.

“Mars at its best.” He turned her to face him. “It reminds me of you.”

“Mars does?”

“Uh-huh. You just keep on shining, whether anyone notices all you do or not.” He brushed his hand over her hair, fingered the strands. “You are like Mars to me, a beacon I’m drawn to. For a while, I lost my focus, but you never did. You remained true and pulled me back to reality again.”

“Ty, I—”

“I don’t have all the answers I want or need just yet. I don’t know how long the PTSD will last. Nor do I know what will happen with Jack.”

Mesmerized by that crystal-blue gaze, Cassidy said nothing. When his hand cupped her cheek, she couldn’t help leaning into it.

“I only know two things for sure. I trust God with the future and I love you, Cassidy Preston. Do you love me?”

“Yes,” she whispered. She couldn’t deny her heart.

His arms circled her waist as he drew her into his embrace.

“Would it be too much of a hardship for you if Jack and I stayed, if I helped you make the Haven a place where anyone who walks through the door will find God’s love?”

“I—” She caught her breath when he placed his forefinger over her lips.

“You’re the one who grounds me, Cassidy. I need you here to push me, to encourage me, to love me. Is that too much to ask?”

She grasped his wrist and drew his finger away.

“Are you suggesting a partnership, Mr. St. John?”

He nodded, grinned.

“You, me and God.”

Cassidy touched his cheek, his lips, brushed her hand through his hair.

“It’s a deal,” she whispered, leaning forward. But Ty held back.

“There’s just one thing.”

“Oh.”

“I come with a nephew.”

“I wouldn’t take you any other way.” She tilted her head. “I believe a kiss is an acceptable way to seal this agreement. Or would you rather shake hands?”

Ty’s kiss answered most effectively.

A meteorite shower lit up the Chicago night sky for several minutes, but the man and woman on the roof were too engrossed in their own little haven to notice.

ISBN: 978-1-4268-1434-1

HEART’S HAVEN

Copyright © 2008 by Lois M. Richer

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