Groom in Training (7 page)

“They do. Some aren’t ready yet. They need more obedience training. We use my dog day care area in the evenings, and the smaller area back there is for our volunteers to work with them whenever they’re here.”

Nick moved along the small enclosures, stopping to pet the dogs as he made his way to the end. “This breaks my heart.”

A knot twisted in Steph’s throat. “Mine, too. Most of them will make wonderful pets.”

“If no one adopts them, what happens?” He turned sad eyes toward her.

Her heart squeezed. “Don’t ask.”

He shook his head, a look that told her he understood.

The door at the far end of the hallway opened and Molly’s new employee walked in, a curious expression on her face. “Oh.” She faltered as if surprised.

“It’s just me and a friend.” A friend. The word caught in her throat. She moved closer. “Emily, Nick Davis.” She motioned toward Nick. “Nick, this is one of our part-time employees. Emily Ireland.”

They shook hands, and then Emily turned to the black-and-white terrier skittering inside the enclosure beside them. “Are you looking for a dog? This one’s ready for adoption.”

Nick pressed his lips together, obviously hating to tell her the truth. “No, Steph’s just showing me around. I’ve never been here.”

“Oh.” Disappointment flattened her voice as she backed
away. “Then I’ll get back to the office. I checked because I heard voices.” She gave a meager wave as she walked away.

They watched in silence as Emily passed through the doorway, then Steph rested her hand on his arm. “Don’t feel badly. You have Suzette, and you’re great with her. She’s more your dog than Martin’s any day.”

“I don’t know why Martin wanted a dog. I thought for companionship, but I seem to be her companion.”

The door opened again, and Steph glanced up surprised to see Molly. “Why are you here already?”

Molly looked at Nick, then back at Steph. “I came in early. A new puppy arrived last night. Did you see him?”

Puppies broke her heart. “Not yet.”

As it always did when a new dog arrived at the shelter, Molly’s face glowed with her dream to save dogs and find them homes. “I was anxious to check on him, but he seems fine.”

Steph’s pulse skittered. “Molly, this is Nick Davis.”

Molly’s eyes lit up as she extended her hand. “Great to meet you, Nick. You’re a friend of my fiancé, Brent Runyan, aren’t you?”

Nick drew back, his eyes widening. “Yes. You must be Brent’s Molly.” He shifted his gaze from Steph back to her. “I received an invitation to your wedding.”

Steph gasped before she could restrain the emotion.

Molly chuckled. “No wonder your name was so familiar when Steph mentioned you the other day.”

Nick nudged Steph with his elbow. “So, you talked about me?”

Heat rose up Steph’s neck. “I did.” She wanted to strangle Molly, but then how did she know her statement would embarrass her?

A twinkle lit Nick’s eyes. “I hope she said nice things.”

Molly grinned. “Very nice.”

Awkward silence settled over them, and Steph wanted it to end. She swung her arm toward the end of the hallway. “Show us the puppy.”

Her shoulders eased as Molly flagged them to follow. She stopped by one of the enclosures nearest the doorway to the offices.

Steph’s heart melted. “He looked like a little fluffy beige-and-white ball. He’s a—”

“A cocker spaniel.” Love filled Molly’s eyes. She had a heart of pure goodness.

Nick rested his elbows on the half door of the pen. “Look at those rusty ears.”

“Roan is the color.” Molly paused, a coy look in her eyes. “I’ll let you two talk. I have some paperwork to do.” She took a step backward. “So nice to meet you, Nick, and I’ll see you at the wedding.”

“You will.”

The wedding. Steph didn’t move as Molly slipped through the door. Reality settled in. Nick had been invited to the wedding. She longed to suggest they go together, but she couldn’t. She’d never asked a man to be her date. Never. A bridesmaid had too much responsibility anyway.

She stepped back. “I need to check on the dogs, and then I’ll look at the brochures.”

Nick caught her hand as she turned away. “Not so fast.”

Her stomach flipped. “What?”

His eyes searched hers. “So this is the wedding you mentioned the other day.”

She held her breath and nodded.

“Do you have an escort?”

Her chest pounded. Go for it, Steph. “Not really. But I’m a bridesmaid, remember? One of the groomsmen walks me
down the aisle after the ceremony. That’s it.” Her heart pounded in her ears.

“If that’s the case, I’d love to be your escort.” His face broke into a smile. “I hate attending weddings alone.”

For some ridiculous reason, she felt nervous. This almost seemed like a real date. “I’d love to, but you’d still be alone. I’m expected to eat at the head table, and I have to be there early. It seems—”

He touched her arm. “But I won’t be alone. I’ll be with you.”

His smile warmed her heart, and if she’d been a person who prayed, his invitation would have been God’s answer to her prayer. “If you don’t mind, it would be nice.”

Nice? The word meant nothing to what she really felt inside.

Nick grasped her hand and gave it squeeze. “Wonderful.”

Wonderful.
That was much closer to the truth.

S
teph stood in the doorway of Julia Davis’s room. A peaceful expression gilded her face as she slept. Light streamed in from the window on a fresh display of flowers. She wandered across the tile floor and lifted the card stuck into the blossoms, expecting to see Martin’s name. Her chest tightened. Nick. He’d visited.

When she lowered her eyes the sun spilled below the vase, adding a glow to the gold embossed letters on the black leather cover of the Bible. Steph placed the package she’d brought for Julia next to her feet against the chair leg, then studied the hospital-like room with today’s date grafted to the wall beside the large clock so Julia could hold on to a world outside the bare walls.

Steph settled into the comfortable chair and leaned back. She closed her eyes, picturing Nick at the shelter, his compassion showing for the dogs and his excitement about being her escort at the wedding. Even the information he gave her about the fence situation seemed enthusiastic. And what had impressed her most had been his thoughtfulness about the cost. And without her needing to ask.

The supply company had suggested blocking that particular area along the fence with stones. Nick had said she could create a rock garden there, an idea she liked. Another solution was placing railroad ties at the fence bottom. Not as attractive, but possible. She could also lay chicken wire flat against the ground just under the fence and project into the flower bed so he couldn’t dig. She worried about him cutting his paws no matter how careful she was.

She hadn’t decided yet, probably because she didn’t see it as a problem. Still Steph wanted to stay in the good graces of Nick’s brother. But that wasn’t her motivation. Nick’s eagerness to help glowed on his face, and she hated to refuse to do anything. Lighthearted or serious, Nick had a spirit that she loved.

Her eyes shifted to the Bible, then lowered to the paperback books she’d purchased. She lifted the bag and pulled out one. She’d read the back blurb. It mentioned faith so she’d assumed it was Christian fiction. She had often thought the whole Bible was Christian fiction, but so many people she cared about believed it was truth.

Slipping the novel back into the sack, Steph set it on the floor and turned her eyes again to the Bible. Nick had been guided by that book all his life, he’d said. She hadn’t, but her life wasn’t over yet. She moved her hand and placed it on the leathery binding. The cover looked worn as if it had been opened and read often.

Without thought, she lifted the book from the table and held it in her hand. Julia’s eyes were still closed, and Steph pondered whether to leave or wait to see if she’d waken. Her fingers trembled as she lifted the cover and scanned the books—Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers. She closed the cover, and when she looked up, Nick’s mother was watching her.

Julia moved her head, her arm inching upward. “Hello.”

Steph leaned forward. “Do you remember me? I’m—”

“Nick…”

She nodded. “Yes, Nick’s friend. Steph.” Her palms dampened against the Bible, and she felt guilty holding it. If she could place it back on the table without being obvious, she would. “Your flowers are lovely.”

Julia’s mouth curved up on one side. “Nick.”

“He must have visited.” Trying to find conversation boggled her for a moment, and she understood how Nick must feel.

“Yes.” Her eyes flashed as if she had so much to say. Instead frustration grew on her face.

Steph grabbed at any topic. “Nick’s been helping me with some work along my fence.”

“Nice.”

The word was more distinct then when she’d been there last. “Your speech is improving. That’s good news.”

His mother nodded but motioned toward her arm and shook her head.

“Can you use your arm yet?”

“No.” She managed a faint shrug.

“You’ll get better each day with therapy.” As she shifted, her foot knocked the paper bag holding the novels, and Steph bent to pick them up. “I brought you a couple of books so you can read when you’re feeling better. It’s Christian fiction. I thought you might like them.”

Her eyes glinted as she formed a thank-you.

“Would you like me to read a little from one of them?” She set both books on the edge of the bed so she could view them.

“Bible. Read.”

Bible.
She looked in her lap where the book still lay and stared at it a moment. Fate or God, a power beyond her
control wanted her to read this book. Molly, first. Then, Nick. Now, Julia. She lifted it and opened to the first page. Genesis. “Chapter one. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty—”

“No.”

Steph’s head shot up. “You don’t want the Bible?” A mixture of emotions spiraled through her. A strange sense of disappointment had struck her rather than the relief she would have expected.

“Yes.” She moved her finger upward with a wiggle.

Following the direction, Steph realized a bookmark peeked from one of the pages deep in the pages. “Here?”

Julia smiled and lowered her head.

Trying to keep her hands from shaking, Steph opened the pages at the bookmark. Formless and empty described the feelings Steph had before Nick came into her life. Not empty exactly. She had few friends, and Molly had been great company always, but empty on the inside, a drab hopeless feeling that made her yearn for something deeper.

When she glanced up, Julia was watching her with question in her eyes. “Should I begin here in 2 Corinthians?” She turned the Bible toward Julia.

She nodded.

Steph swallowed, her throat so dry it felt parched. She licked her lips and began to read. The header said the speaker was Paul. She’d heard of Paul the sinner, who became a devout and influential Christian. Molly had spoken of him. The verses talked about Moses and a veil that fell over the eyes of the people as they’d hardened their minds so they couldn’t understand, but the veil could be lifted by believing in Christ.

Her tongue adhered to the roof of her mouth, but she
continued. “But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, then the veil is taken away. Now, the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, he gives freedom.”

Freedom. The concept tore through Steph’s mind. How long had she yearned for the kind of freedom Nick had? And Molly? She forced herself to read on. “And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord.” Nick’s eyes. The brightness, the glint she so admired filled her thoughts. Was this God’s spirit? Could it be seen? “And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.”

The words stirred in Steph’s chest. She’d seen the glow in Nick, a kind of spirit that radiated from him. Not that playful look that glinted in his eyes but a depth that made her long to be there with him.

When she looked up, Julia’s eyes were closed, and she breathed softly. Steph slipped the marker between the pages, then returned the Bible to the table. She rose and stood over her, recalling her mother’s face.

Julia didn’t stir. Steph grasped the two novels and slid them beside the flowers. Another time for those. She looked again at Nick’s mother, then tiptoed from the room.

Had she hardened her heart? No. How could she? She’d never known him. But if the veil could be lifted, maybe she would understand?

And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ.

But how could she do that?

As she watched through the window, the mail truck passed her house, and Steph headed to the street to collect hers. She paused at the box and shuffled through the envelopes. Nothing from her dad telling her Hal was heading
her way. No bills. The sun dappled the lawn as she started up the sidewalk to her door, but before she reached the porch, she heard a car door close. She turned to see Nick slipping from his car onto Martin’s driveway. He took off his sport coat and tossed it on the passenger seat before he turned.

No matter how hard she tried to control her feelings, her pulse propelled when she saw him. He looked amazing as always. Today he wore khaki pants with a crisp pleat along with a claret-colored polo shirt. His well-formed lips curved to a smile.

Willing away her flustered emotions, she waved and waited as he crossed the lawn to reach her. The idea of Nick living in an apartment and not next door still staggered her. Where he lived had never come into their conversation, and she’d assumed he lived there. He appeared to be at Martin’s so often. Details weren’t always as they seemed. A life lesson she needed to note.

Nick slowed as he reached her. “Thanks so much.”

His smile was as sunny as the glow that lit his face. “Thanks? For what?”

He slipped his arm around her shoulders. “For visiting my mom.” He drew her closer to his side. “She appreciated it so much.”

A chuckle escaped her. “I put her to sleep.”

He shrugged. “She sleeps a lot. It meant a great deal to her that you came.” He paused, turning her to face him. “She said you read her the Bible.”

Steph’s breath left her for a moment. “I think I misled her.” What had caused her to pick up the Bible in the first place? That had troubled her and left her with an eerie feeling as if she hadn’t been in charge of her actions that day.

“Misled her? How?”

“The Bible was sitting on my lap when she woke.” The
image hung in her mind. “I don’t know what motivated me to pick it up, but I had.”

A flicker of uncertainty flashed on Nick’s face.

She waited, hoping he would tell her what was on his mind.

Instead he changed the subject. “Mom’s doing much better today. They’re working her hard.” He eyed Fred in the doorway and took a step toward him.

Steph followed. “What were you thinking, Nick?”

“About my mom?” His eyes were focused on Fred before he turned to face her. He shook his head. “That’s not what you meant. You want to know what I thought about you holding the Bible.”

She nodded, eager to hear his answer.

He swept his fingers through his hair. “My first reaction was relief, followed by hope.”

Relief? Hope? The meaning wavered in her mind. “And the second?”

His gaze captured hers. “It was a praise of sorts. God does guide our steps.”

Her chest tightened. Though her disbelief had always been unshaken, her confidence had experienced a tremor. “Our steps.”

“His children’s steps.”

Her finger twitched to punch Molly’s phone number into her cell and ask her if a God she’d never prayed to would consider her one of His children. She couldn’t ask Nick. She’d admitted too much.

Steph let the conversation lag as he headed toward the house. She needed to stop asking questions about things she didn’t understand. She beckoned him inside. “I need to let Fred out. He’s been home all day.”

She walked ahead, then paused and looked over her
shoulder as Fred danced around Nick’s feet with no eagerness to go outside. She couldn’t help but smile. “That’s what I call abandonment. He likes you best.”

“No one would choose me over you.” He patted his leg. “Follow me, pal.”

Fred’s toenails tapped on the hardwood floor as he followed Nick to the patio doorway.

Steph stepped onto the flagstones, and Nick followed with Fred at his side, but it was too late: she spotted Martin in the yard with Suzette. Before she could stop him, Fred bolted onto the grass and beelined toward the fence.

“Fred, come.” She clapped her hands.

The dog skidded to a halt, faltering a moment before he trotted back.

Steph watched Martin as he vanished inside with Suzette. She pressed her hand against her chest, grateful she’d avoided another confrontation. What was it with Martin?

Nick hadn’t seemed to notice since he’d been focused on Fred. “He amazes me. He minds every time you call.” He swung around to face her.

“He’d better. He’s had obedience training.” Each time Fred did as she commanded, she remembered Molly’s insistence that she learn how to train the dogs. “After I finished my classes, Fred was my first student. You’ve seen how he obeys.” She captured the dog’s attention. “Sit.”

Fred sat.

Nick stood beside her and planted his fists on his hips. “Too bad you can’t train my brother.”

Steph blinked, wondering if Nick had noticed him after all. “Your brother doesn’t listen. Believe me.”

“But I do.” He squeezed her arm. “You look very nice.” He stepped back and eyed her again. “It’s the color. Your eyes are beautiful.”

She gazed down at her cornflower-blue pants with a coordinating knit top and her casual T-strap shoes. Heat swept to her cheeks. “Thank you.”

“Like a summer sky.”

If she’d struggled with her pulse before, today she’d lost the battle, and her voice found its freedom. “You look good, too. Handsome.”

Fred didn’t like being ignored, and he tripped Nick trying to get his attention.

Steph grasped Nick’s arm. “Fred. No.”

The dog backed up and waited.

Nick chuckled. “Fred needs attention. Can I try some of that obedience stuff?”

“Why not? You’ve watched me.” His eagerness and love for dogs seemed to parallel hers.

Nick stepped away with Fred jigging around his feet, and Steph realized she needed the treats. She held up her index finger and darted into the house, grabbed a few dog food nuggets from the bag and returned to Nick, who looked at her as if she’d lost her mind.

“Dogs need rewards.” She beckoned him back, then dropped a few pellets into his hand. “You have to sound commanding. Use a single word—come, sit, stay, down—to get to the point, and make sure you have his attention. Give it a try.” She patted Nick’s back, feeling the hard muscle beneath her palm, and she had to stop herself from letting her hand linger there. “Ready?” She held Fred’s collar.

“As I’ll ever be.”

Her stomach tightened, watching Nick amble toward the back of the yard. He seemed to be everything a woman would want. She wrapped her arms around herself, imagining they were Nick’s. He’d often given her a friendly hug,
but an embrace would be a taste of affection that might make her feel whole again.