Halos (30 page)
The ones who had certainly knew it. But it seemed Cooper was not planning to name names. Maybe it was right for everyone to accept the blame. Mob rage had contributed, fueled the fury. And the pastor had been right, that “Inasmuch as you think it in your heart, so you have done it.”
Cooper rubbed his knee. “Beth’s corpse is pretty clear evidence to the man’s violence, and maybe self-defense isn’t out of the question.”
And not far from reality, Steve supposed, even if they had covered it up. He nodded. It would all come to light now, but it was in bigger hands than theirs.
Steve went to the Welshes’ house, certain they’d be elsewhere, but Burton opened the door and braced himself for the expected news. No doubt he’d been pretty beat up lately. At least this wouldn’t be a knockout punch.
Steve said, “She’s awake.”
Burton stood speechless as the words penetrated, then rasped, “Recovered?”
Steve nodded. “It’s a miracle.”
“A miracle.” The pastor sagged against the doorframe, eyes closed, and smiled. “And I had nothing at all to do with it.”
Steve glimpsed the pressure that must have been on him these years, keeping the town together, keeping them believing, and trying so hard to bring good out of evil. He felt Burton’s relief like a balm on torn and tired tissue.
“God is good,” Burton said. “Too good.”
T
HE EEG SHOWED NORMAL BRAIN FUNCTION. No residual damage except a lack of memory of the incident and the time that followed. Just hearing Dr. Deklin say it gave her chills. Alessi would just as soon not know how bad off she’d been, but the doctor hadn’t held anything back.
Liz Deklin made no excuses either. Her original diagnosis was correct, and she had the first EEG to prove it. Nothing but minimal and failing brain activity. “There is no explanation for your recovery short of divine intervention.” Liz Deklin rested her hands on her hips. “And I can’t say I’d subscribed to that before.”
Divine intervention. Alessi drank it in. God’s miracle had finally come. Not in any way she could have imagined. But that was how it was. Miracles happened if you just had the eyes to see them.
She sat now in jeans and Amanda Bier’s sweater as Dr. Deklin pulled the curtain of the cubicle to reveal the people waiting there. Steve and Ben and Dave. Karen and Diana, even Moll and Cooper Roehr. Ben could not stop smiling, and Mary beside him looked beatific. Alessi guessed the girls weren’t allowed in.
Dr. Deklin said, “I don’t believe I’m discharging this patient. But there’s nothing more to do for her here.” She shook her head and smiled. “Take her home.”
Alessi liked the sound of that. Steve stood back, but everyone else closed in on her. There were too many congratulations to answer. She returned their hugs, amazed when Moll grabbed her up, saying, “Next chicken fried steak’s on me.”
“Sure sounds good.” Alessi laughed. “I won’t need a box.”
Then Steve was beside her, one hand on her elbow. “Ready?” His voice sounded thick, his words charged with more than the surface meaning.
She nodded, her mind whirling as she was swept out with the crowd. They all seemed sincere as they packed the elevator down and dispersed into the lobby where the hugs and blessings repeated. She appreciated it all but was just as glad Steve suggested they give her some space.
Dr. Deklin had told her she might be overwhelmed for a while, and that was the truth. She blew out a soft breath as she got into the truck with Steve. He didn’t talk as he drove, just sent occasional glances. He seemed to have recovered from his emotional state, yet there was plenty of energy between them.
He drove her to the house and let her in the door. “Are you hungry?”
“I don’t think so.” She looked around the small white-walled rooms as though she’d never seen them. It almost felt that way, though she knew she had.
Steve set his keys on the counter. “What’s the last thing you remember?”
She crossed over to the Christmas tree and cradled a red-and-white bobber, smiling at the thoughts that rushed in. “I remember this.”
Steve came up behind her. “Do you remember Christmas Eve?”
She tried to focus. “The power was out.”
“We built a fire.”
She narrowed her eyes at the fireplace. “I remember.”
“Played chess.”
She remembered that with a jolt. He circled her in his arms from behind. It both surprised and comforted her.
She sank against his chest. “I missed Christmas.”
He rested his cheek on the side of her head. “I don’t think so.” She glanced behind to look at him.
He turned her. “We have traditions and celebrations to remember Christ’s coming. But I’d say He
came
to you.”
Her heart surged. The bright Being with a coal setting her aflame. Not a babe in a manger, but power and glory.
“And just in case you’re still feeling left out …”
Steve reached under the tree, handed her a tissue-wrapped bundle. He had a gift for her? She looked from it to his face and back. It wasn’t a book by the weight of it. Not that she wouldn’t like a book….
“Open it.”
She pulled the tape and opened the layers. A sweet face, white organdy and lace. Biting her lip, Alessi let the paper fall. He’d bought her an angel.
Guardian angels God will send thee, all through the night.
Stroking the gold wire halo, she fought her tears. “It’s beautiful.”
He took the angel and tucked her into the tree, where she smiled out between the bobbers and lures.
Alessi smiled. “She’s supposed to be on top.”
He didn’t listen. His face had taken on that Heathcliff quality, and he pressed her to the wall, fervor back full force. “You walked out on me.”
A memory flashed of her creeping out the door.
His silvery pine eyes smoldered. “I told you I would help.”
He had. But her head had gone crazy with doubts. So many people had let her down. People she needed; people she loved. It had been easier to believe Steve the culprit than someone who might care. She looked into his face. “I’m sorry.”
He caught her jaw between his hands. “I won the chess match.”
She swallowed. “I know.”
He brought his mouth to hers. Again flames engulfed her, but these were too potent to be healing. He drew back just enough. “Double or nothing.” Then he took her mouth again.
Definite risk to her heart and, well, everything else. His hands held her firmly. “I want to marry you.” Her breath staggered. “What?”
“You heard me this time. No coma excuse.”
That was the proposal Dr. Deklin meant? She stared into his face, seeing bear, beast, and tragic hero. Not safe, not one bit safe. “I’m starting to think you’re the one with the head injury.”
“I know exactly what I’m saying.” He stroked her with his eyes. “And I have an aversion to long engagements.”
“Two weeks?” She half laughed.
“Pretend it’s arranged.” He kissed her temple.
“By whom?”
He caught two handfuls of hair and bunched them around her neck. “Who put the halo on the sun?”
“I guess God.”
“That’ll do.” He smiled with purpose. “If God didn’t ordain this, then explain the miracle.”
How did you explain the magic? Heart throbbing, she tipped her head and narrowed her eyes. “Are you just trying to evade Amanda Bier and the schoolgirls?”
“You want me to take a knee?” He dropped down, caught her hand and kissed it. Then he looked up. “I love you.”
Warmth as healing as the fire. She sank into it, knowing it couldn’t last, but unable to resist.
“Come on, Alessi.” Urgency and vulnerability—in Steve Bennet? But there it was, as easy to read as his wrong definitions.
She whispered, “You really mean it?”
“I’m not kneeling here for nothing.”
She looked away, overwhelmed. He loved her. She tried to find the doubts, but they’d been swept away.
He stood up and stroked her cheek. “I’m thinking Alaska.” She bit her lip. “Alaska?”
“Honeymoon in the woods with elk and moose and grizzlies. Show you my waterfall.”
The picture formed in her mind. She could almost smell the woods.
He pressed in close. “I told you all this in the hospital, but you weren’t listening.”
She smiled. “If you say so.” That had been a little beyond her control. But as she looked, it was there—with no light behind him at all.
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