Hometown Proposal (5 page)

Shutting his eyes, Seth sagged back against the pillow. The sound of Elise's heels clicking on the tile floor still echoed in his head. Each click had pounded home her goodbye. She hadn't said one word about seeing him again. The accident may not have killed him, but it had certainly killed his plans to win back Elise's heart. Unless she was willing to visit him, he had no chance to see her when he was stuck in a hospital bed.

 

In the days that followed, Elise used work and school to avoid visiting Seth again. She was a coward and couldn't bring herself to go into the ICU.

Elise slammed her book closed and walked to the window that overlooked the front yard. As she took in the sunny day, her mother's car pulled to a stop at the curb in front of the house.

Elise watched as her mother, Maggie and Olivia got out of the car and came up the walk toward the front door. Elise's stomach churned. Why couldn't they have waited fifteen minutes to show up? Juliane would've been home by then and could greet the company. Elise had to answer the door instead of remaining upstairs out of sight.

The doorbell rang before Elise reached the bottom of the stairs. She took a deep breath and pasted a smile on her face as she opened the door.

“Hi, dear. Having a good day?” Without waiting for an answer, Barbara marched into the living room, then motioned for Maggie and Olivia to join her.

“I've been studying. I have a big paper to write for one of my classes.” Elise turned to Maggie. “How's Seth?”

“Doing better. They moved him out of ICU and into a regular room today.”

“That's good to hear.”

“We took Olivia to see him for the first time.” Maggie glanced down at her granddaughter.

“Hi, 'Lise.” Olivia reached out and pulled on Elise's pant leg. “Daddy hurt.”

“I know.” Elise hunkered down next to Olivia. “I've been praying for your daddy. I'm glad he's getting better.”

Barbara tapped Elise's shoulder. “We came over to find out whether you'd be able to watch Olivia on Friday while Seth's belongings are unloaded from the moving van. Since you don't have class on Friday, I thought you could help.”

Standing, Elise saw a test in her mother's request. Now Elise knew why her mother had stopped by rather than calling. With Maggie and Olivia standing there, how could Elise refuse to watch the little girl? She felt the pressure to comply, drawing her back into Seth's life. “I should be able to do that.”

Maggie's expression was painted with relief. “Thank you.
Thank you. Having you watch her will make the move so much easier.”

“I'm glad to help.” Even as Elise said it she realized she meant it. Despite everything, she wanted to help.

“Wonderful!” Barbara clasped her hands. “That'll work for this week. I'm working on a plan for us to watch Olivia once Maggie returns home.”

“When will that be?” Elise took in the conversation with growing dread. What was her mother thinking? Fearing the direction in which this conversation appeared to be heading, Elise wished she could somehow send her mother a mental message.

“Unless Seth takes a turn for the worse, which is unlikely now, I have to be back to work on Monday.”

“We'll take care of Olivia, won't we?” Barbara turned to Elise.

Before Elise could formulate her reply, Maggie eyed Elise. “Could we talk?”

Swallowing hard, Elise wasn't sure what to think of Maggie's question. Did it have to do with watching Olivia or something else? “Sure.”

Barbara took Olivia's hand. “While you two talk, Olivia and I'll see about finding something to entertain us.”

Elise watched her mother and Olivia disappear down the hallway toward Juliane's office. Did her mother know what Maggie intended to say? Was that why her mother was leaving—to give them some privacy? “What did you want to talk about?”

Maggie licked her lips, then took a deep breath. “I know you and Seth didn't part on the best of terms, but he wants to make things right between you.”

Elise didn't know how to take Maggie's statement. How did Seth want to make things right?

Maggie didn't wait for Elise to respond. “Please give Seth a chance to talk with you.”

“Today?”

“I know he'd like that.”

“Is he up to it? He was pretty groggy when I saw him the last time.”

“He asked for you.”

Elise didn't know how to react. Mixed feelings about Seth charged into her thoughts. Part of her wanted to find an excuse not to see him, but the other part knew she had to give him a chance. The pressure to deal with him was coming at her from all quarters, and she couldn't make excuses to avoid him any longer. Besides, maybe Juliane was right. Maybe this was what she needed to finally put the whole mess behind her. “I'll try my best to find time to see him.”

Maggie touched Elise's arm. “I understand this can't be easy, so I appreciate it.”

Elise couldn't fault Maggie's concern for her son, and she seemed to understand any reticence Elise might feel about the visit. “Thanks for understanding.”

Olivia ran back into the room as she waved a piece of paper over her head. “Gramma, see my picture?”

“Very nice.” Smiling, Maggie patted Olivia on the top of the head. “Tell me about your drawing.”

“That's Daddy.” Olivia held up her coloring sheet higher so Elise could see.

“That's very colorful.” Elise glanced at the paper covered with a swirl of scribbles that looked nothing like a human, but the jumble of lines must have said “Daddy” to Olivia.

“You take it.” Smiling, Olivia held up the paper.

“Thanks.” Reaching it, Elise noticed for the first time how Olivia's little smile reminded her of Seth's—the smile that used to make her heart trip. A gamut of emotions inundated her as she held the crisp paper.

Barbara glanced at Elise. “You should put Olivia's drawing on your refrigerator.”

Elise smiled at her mother. “Okay.”

As Elise entered the kitchen, Juliane walked in from the garage. Elise slapped the picture on the refrigerator with a magnet advertising Keller's Variety, the family department store. “Hi, Juliane. We have company.”

“So I see.” Juliane plunked her purse and satchel on the kitchen table. “You don't seem very happy about it.”

Elise nodded toward the living room. “I'll fill you in after they leave.”

“Okay.” Juliane headed into the living room.

Elise followed Juliane and stood off to the side as Juliane greeted their mother, Maggie and Olivia. After a few minutes of conversation that included filling in Juliane about the plans for watching Olivia, the visitors left.

After the door closed, Juliane turned to Elise. “I see what has you a little unhappy.”

“The plans for watching Olivia are only part of it.” Shaking her head, Elise sighed. “Seth's mother asked me to visit with him because he wants to talk with me. Something about making things right between us.”

Juliane nodded and gave Elise a knowing look. “I'm in complete agreement. It's time to deal with Seth. Get the talk over with, and after that, if you want to keep your distance, at least you've gotten the discussion out of the way.”

Elise didn't want to admit that her sister was right, but she was. “Okay. I might as well get it over with. I'm going to go up to the hospital after we eat supper. Will you go with me?”

“How are you going to talk to him if I'm there?”

“I just need your support when we first get there.”

“You mean, after we're there for a few minutes I can make my excuses and leave?”

“Yeah. That's kind of what I had in mind.” Elise made
her way into the kitchen to start cooking supper. While she worked, she tried to figure out what she was going to say to Seth. One thing topped the list. Why did he now have custody of Olivia?

E
lise hoped the beauty of the setting sun that painted the sky in red and gold was a good sign for this visit with Seth. Taking a deep breath in an effort to calm her herself, she walked into the hospital, holding the door open for Juliane.

“Are you sure you're going to be okay with this?” her sister asked. “You've never been very good with blood and stuff like that. I don't want you fainting on me.”

Elise let out a long harsh breath. Lifting her chin, she squared her shoulders. “I'm not going to faint. Remember, I saw his injuries before.”

“Okay, then. Let's go.” Juliane strode toward the reception desk.

“We're here to see Seth Finley. Can you tell us what room he's in?” Elise held her breath as she waited.

“Let me see.” The bespectacled woman turned to her computer screen.

The beat of Elise's heart matched the
clack, clack, clack
of the keyboard as the woman typed.

The woman looked up from her computer screen. “He's in room two fourteen.”

“Thanks.” Elise headed to the elevators.

While Elise and Juliane rode to the second floor in silence, Elise tried to figure out what she would say to Seth. Maybe all she had to do was listen. Would he have an excuse for what he had done?

As the elevator doors opened, Juliane glanced at Elise. “Are you ready?”

Elise nodded. “This isn't going to be easy, but I'm ready.”

“Good.” Juliane pointed down the hall. “Room two fourteen is that way.”

“Okay.” Elise followed, taking in the medicinal smell and the beeping machines. “Thanks for coming with me.”

“Glad to help.”

Elise said a prayer as a new sense of dread that hadn't been there just seconds before inundated her mind. But she could do this. Slowly, she put one foot in front of the other as they passed the bank of monitors along the wall in the nurses' station.

As they drew near the room, Dr. Daubenmire came out, followed by a nurse. He glanced up from the chart he carried. “Elise. Juliane. Are you here to visit Seth?”

Elise nodded. “Is he doing okay? Can he have visitors?”

Dr. Daubenmire nodded. “You can visit, but he's still in quite a lot of discomfort. The pain medication may make him somewhat incoherent.”

“Thanks, Dr. Daubenmire.” Elise wondered whether Seth would be able to carry on a conversation.

“Are you ready?” Juliane's question stopped Elise's speculation.

Elise turned. “I am.”

“Good. Let's go.” Without waiting for Elise, Juliane charged into Seth's room.

Summoning her courage, Elise hurried after Juliane. Elise surveyed the room. Eyes closed, Seth lay on the bed, one leg
elevated and encased in a cast. Bandages peeked out from under the hospital gown that fit loosely across his torso. Machines and wires surrounded him. As she observed the red mark across his forehead that contrasted with the paleness of the rest of his face, a huge hand seemed to be pressing down on her chest.

Elise stepped closer to Juliane and whispered, “Do you think he's sleeping?” Juliane shrugged.

Elise gazed at Seth's face. Even with his injuries, he was handsome. Her heart did a little flip-flop as she watched him. How could she let that happen? She'd spent months telling herself that she was over him, that she couldn't care about someone who had clearly never cared for her. So how could she still respond just to the sight of him, even after all her prayers to take her feelings for him away? Her prayer hadn't been answered…or had it?

How did God want her to deal with Seth?

The question zipped through her mind while she thought of the changes she'd made in her life since returning home. She was finally feeling settled and working to keep her life in tune with God. Would Seth throw all of that out of whack? Or was his return into her life part of a higher plan?

Elise placed one hand over her heart and leaned toward the bed. “Seth.”

His eyes flickered open. He seemed to be trying to focus. Then he smiled. “Elise? You're actually here. Or am I dreaming?”

She swallowed a lump in her throat. He didn't seem to remember she'd come to see him while he'd been in the ICU. Everything in her wanted to reach out and take his hand, but she feared her own reaction and what it might mean.

Despite her questions, Elise knew she couldn't let him draw her in. No matter what his role was meant to be in her life, for
her own peace of mind she had to remain aloof—detached. It hurt too much to even think of caring for him again. She wanted him to get better, but she couldn't get involved in his life.

“You aren't imagining.” She forced herself to remain calm even though her insides were scrambled. “How are you doing?”

“I'm alive. That about says it.” His eyes drifted shut. “I'm feeling…well…a little drowsy.”

“Do you want us to leave?”

His eyes fluttered open. “No. Stay.”

The weariness in his voice made her want to comfort him. She pushed back the urge. “You do sound tired. So we won't stay long.”

“I'm dopey from the painkillers.” He smiled weakly. “Have a seat.”

“I'll stand.” Elise resisted his request out of self-preservation. “So you're feeling better?”

Seth nodded. “You two still don't look like sisters.”

Although his statement was true, Elise thought it came out of the blue. Figuring the drugs were talking, she ignored the comment. “I'm glad you're doing well.”

“I wouldn't say ‘well' exactly. I've got a long road of recovery ahead. But considering the alternative, I'm certainly grateful.”

Juliane stepped closer to the bed. “You're lucky to be alive.”

Seth touched his forehead. “Yeah, this big red mark is from the airbag, which definitely saved my life.”

Elise swallowed the lump that formed in her throat as Seth explained only one of his injuries. “The airbag did that?”

He nodded, then touched his shoulder. “And the seat belt, another lifesaver, tore up my shoulder, but I'm here.”

Elise didn't want to think about how close Seth had probably
come to death. “Any idea how long before you get out of the hospital?”

“No. Broken leg, broken ribs, internal bleeding. They patched me up, but no telling when they'll let me out.” Seth gave her a weak smile. “Your dad saved my life. I don't know how I can ever thank him.”

Elise didn't know what to say as another lump rose in her throat. An image of the accident flitted through her mind. Pushing it away, she tried to focus on the thought of her dad's calming voice, not his description of Seth's car wrapped around a tree. “Dad was glad he came back to find you.”

“Me, too.” Seth closed his eyes, his voice sounding tired again.

“Are you sure you're up for company?” Elise's gaze traveled to Seth's face.

“Yeah. Please stay.” Opening his eyes, Seth tried to sit up. “We haven't had a chance to talk yet.”

“But you seem tired.”

“I'm fine.”

Before Elise could say another word, a nurse, sporting a colorful smock, bustled into the room and looked at Elise and Juliane. “You'll need to leave the room for a few minutes. As soon as I'm done, you can come right back.”

“Are you here again?” Seth grinned. “You just can't live without me.”

“I know.” The nurse chuckled. “I have to keep checking those vital signs. We don't want you expiring on us.”

Elise took in their exchange. Nothing much had changed about Seth. Even lying in a hospital bed, he was charming the women. Clearly the end of their relationship hadn't left him too broken up. He certainly hadn't forgotten how to flirt. Well, she wouldn't worry about it. She'd listen to what he had to say, and that would be the end of it. He might be here in
town, but she was determined to lead her own life, and he could lead his.

“Okay.” Without glancing his way, Elise motioned to Juliane and headed for the door. “Elise?”

She turned as she reached the door. “Yes?”

“You're coming back, right?”

“As long as the nurse says it's okay.”

The nurse smiled. “Absolutely. You can come back in as soon as I'm done.”

With Juliane close behind, Elise stepped into the hall and leaned against the wall.

Joining her, Juliane touched her arm. “Are you okay?”

“I'm good. If you want to go, you can.”

“Are you sure?”

Elise nodded. “I can deal with it.”

“Okay, but you want me to call you on your cell in a little while in case you need an excuse to leave?”

Elise chuckled. “No, I can make my own excuse.”

“You're sounding a little more in control.”

“Not me so much, but I'm trying to let God be in control.”

“Good thinking. I'll see you later.” Juliane gave Elise a hug. “You can fill me in when you get home. I'm going to stop and see Lukas on the way. I've got some wedding stuff to run by him.”

“Does he really care?”

Juliane gave Elise an impish grin. “Probably not, but I want him to feel like he's involved.”

“Have fun.” Elise motioned for Juliane to go. “Talk to you later.

While Elise waited, questions buzzed through her mind. How would God use this reunion with Seth? What was God trying to teach her?

She couldn't help thinking about Juliane's relationship with Lukas. They had known each other in college, but Lukas's alcohol addiction at the time had led to behavior Juliane had found very hard to forgive. It had taken time for him to prove to her that he'd changed, but eventually they'd let go of the past and had fallen in love. Now this accident was making her face the stuff about Seth she'd conveniently pushed to the dark recesses of her mind.

These unforeseen circumstances had changed everything and forced her to face Seth and the past. Had he changed, as well? It seemed unlikely, but how could she be sure? Talking things out was the only way to know.

Could she face Seth alone? She'd leaned on Juliane earlier, but now she had to stand on her own. What was Seth going to tell her? Was she ready to hear his story?

 

When Elise reentered the room, Seth breathed a sigh of relief. She'd actually stayed, and Juliane wasn't with her. That would give him a better opportunity to explain his life in the past year and a half to Elise.

“Juliane couldn't stay. She had to go meet Lukas.” Elise stepped closer to the bed, but she still appeared tense and wary, staring at him with those brandy-colored eyes. They made him remember the love that used to radiate from them. Could that ever happen again? “I'm glad
you
could stay.”

Elise looked as if she wanted to bolt. “If you're not up to visiting tonight, I can come another time. Your mom told me you were ready for visitors. She wanted me to talk to you.”

“I'm fine.” Seth's heart took a nosedive. Elise wasn't here because she wanted to see him. She was here again because his mother had probably badgered her into coming.

“You're sure?” As Elise gazed at him, the golden highlights in her brown hair shimmered in the overhead lights.

Seth nodded, knowing no matter how he felt he had to take advantage of her presence now. So he'd better start talking, or Elise would probably decide to leave. “If you don't mind, could you please bring the chair closer to the bed and sit down?”

“Sure.” She pushed the chair toward the head of the bed and placed it so she was facing him. Looking like a child who had been called into the principal's office, she sat straight-backed with her hands folded in her lap.

Seth wanted to tell her to relax, but that wouldn't get them off to a very good start. The tension in her shoulders told him that she wasn't eager to be here. He wished he could make her feel more at ease. How was he going to start this conversation?

He needed to collect his thoughts, not an easy task considering the pain medication. He might as well get right to the point. “I suppose you're wondering how I came to have Olivia. I guess I should start there.”

Wide-eyed, she nodded. “That would be good.”

Telling Elise about Olivia had been his idea, but now that he had a chance to explain, his mind was numb. The words wouldn't form in his mouth. “I've changed.”

“How?” Her skeptical tone stabbed him in the heart.

“I know I said I'd start with Olivia, but I have to tell you what came before in order for it all to make sense.”

“Go ahead. I'm here to listen.” Nothing in Elise's expression changed.

Seth's heart sank when she crossed her arms—a sure sign she didn't want to be here. Convincing her that he was different wouldn't be easy. “The day we saw Sophie with Olivia, I was very angry. She'd lied to me the last time we'd spoken.”

“What lies?” Elise's inflection and unchanging demeanor made her continued skepticism very evident.

Pain that the medication couldn't blunt surrounded his heart
as he told Elise about Sophie's deceptions. “She was stringing me and her current boyfriend both along so she could get twice as much money. Once I found that out, I cut all ties. I convinced myself that Olivia wasn't mine at all and refused to even have a paternity test. Looking back now, I can see how wrong I was, how I punished an innocent baby for her mother's mistake. But I was too angry to see that at the time. Then everything changed.”

“How?” This time genuine interest sounded in Elise's question as she dropped her arms.

Elise's response filled Seth with hope that she would finally understand the reasons for what he'd done. “I told you about my dad's sudden death the other night. His death caused me to examine my life. At the funeral, I saw the influence he had had on the people who knew him. I vowed then and there to be a man like my dad.”

Nodding, Elise leaned forward. “I remember your dad from when your parents came on one of our cruises. He impressed me as the kind of man you describe.”