Love Inspired March 2014 - Bundle 2 of 2: North Country Family\Small-Town Midwife\Protecting the Widow's Heart (55 page)

“Can we go home now? I need to see Elliot.”

Ty wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “He's at Mom and Dad's. I told them to keep this from him until you could explain it in person.”

“Thank you.” She raised her eyes and looked into his.

His heart swelled, then thudded in his chest. He kissed her lightly on the lips, then gently turned her toward the door. “You'll need to give a statement to the police, but I'll come with you. Or I can make arrangements for you to talk to them tomorrow if you'd like.”

“No. I want it over with, so I can go home.”

Home. Did she mean the cabin or her mother's?

* * *

Ginger's heart rate had finally returned to normal but left her feeling drained and shaken. Ty squeezed her hand again. He'd touched her hand several times on the short ride to his parents' home, as if seeking reassurance she was all right. Elliot was waiting on the back porch when they pulled into the driveway and ran to meet her as she got out of the car.

“Mom, they said you were having trouble at the church with some guy. What happened?”

Ginger pulled him close. “A man came into the church. He was very upset and angry. He had a gun.”

His eyes grew wide. “A bad guy? Like the one who shot Dad?”

“Yes. But Ty came in and talked to him, and made him give up the gun.”

“Ty saved you?”

“Yes. He did. He's was a real hero.”

EJ darted to Ty and hugged him. “I love you, Tyster.”

Ginger's heart lurched. Tonight had changed everything. But she knew what her future would be, and she knew without a doubt what Ty's would be. They would be going in different directions. How was she going to tell her son that Ty wasn't going to be part of their lives anymore?

* * *

Ty stole a glance at Ginger seated beside him in the SUV. She'd been silent and withdrawn during the ride home. Something had changed between them, and he had a sick feeling in his gut that he knew what it was. He just wasn't sure how Ginger knew.

Focusing on the road ahead, he finally faced the truth. From the moment he'd reached out and taken the gun from Beano's hand, his fear had vanished. His mind had cleared. But his realization would cost him the people he loved most.

Ginger slid out of the car the moment it came to a stop at the cabin, urging EJ up the steps, reminding him that tomorrow was still a school day. Ty followed at a distance, giving them space to talk. In the cabin, he heard Ginger and EJ in the bedroom. Taking the tea pitcher from the fridge, he poured a glass and sat down at the counter to wait for Ginger.

Ty glanced up as she came into the kitchen, her expression showing her surprise that he was there. She avoided his gaze and moved to the sink. Wetting down a rag, she began wiping the counter. “Ginger, we need to talk.”

She shook her head, keeping her back to him. “No. Not tonight. I'm too upset.”

“Talking about it helps. I'm here for you. You know that.” He saw her shoulders tense.

“Please. I need time alone to sort through all this.”

Clearly, she wasn't going to let him help. Exhaling a slow sigh, he stood. “All right. We'll talk tomorrow.” He turned and walked toward the door but stopped when she called his name.

“Thank you for keeping us all safe tonight.”

He turned to look at her, his gaze caressing her lovely face. She looked vulnerable, lost and confused. He longed to hold her close and chase away her fears. “I'd keep you safe forever if I could.” Tears suddenly appeared in her eyes. He took a step toward her, but she backed up, shaking her head.

Ty rubbed his neck, turned and left the cabin. Maybe she was right. Tomorrow everything would look different.

* * *

Ginger stirred the spaghetti sauce slowly to keep it from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Ty stood beside her, slicing vegetables for the salad. The simple, familiar routine gave her a measure of security and comfort. Still, she wished Ty wasn't here. She knew he was itching to talk about last night, but she wasn't. She'd avoided him today by leaving for work early and coming home late, hoping to forestall this discussion altogether. Tomorrow she and Elliot were leaving for Arizona. She wasn't looking forward to telling Ty. Or EJ, for that matter. She'd tell him in the morning.

The meal was quiet and awkward. EJ did most of the talking, which suited her fine. But once her son was tucked in bed, she knew time had run out. Ty was waiting for her on the sofa, feet propped up on the ottoman, a cozy fire in the fireplace. This was going to be harder than she'd imagined.

He looked at her, and from the stern set of his jaw and the darkened shade of his blue eyes, she knew it was time to confront the elephant in the room. She took her time joining him, sitting as far from him as possible on the sofa. She sensed him searching for a place to start and decided to take the initiative.

“I understand it now.”

“What?”

“Who you are. Last night I saw firsthand what you're born to do. You're supposed to help and protect others. What happened last night cleared everything up for you, didn't it?”

Ty gazed into her eyes, a deep puzzled frown creasing his proud forehead. “Yes. It did.” He shook his head. “I can't give it up, Ginger.”

She swallowed her last morsel of hope. “I know, and I would never ask you to. It would be cruel and unfair.”

Ty leaned toward her. “And what does that mean for you and me? I love you.”

“And I love you, too, but Ty, I need security. A safe place to live my life and for EJ to grow up. I thought it might be here with you, in Dover, but even here there's no safety.” Tears filled her eyes. She wiped them away. “I need to go home, to my mother's. I know it sounds childish and irrational, but I need her right now. We've been separated for so long. EJ needs a family.”

“I
want to be his family.”

Ginger sucked in a sharp breath. She didn't need to hear this now. It was too painful. “No, it won't work. We're going in two different directions. You're heading back into danger, and I can't live knowing you might not come home one day. I can't risk putting EJ through losing another father.”

“I wish...”

“No. Don't.” She stood and moved away. “I won't let you regret this decision. God has given you a purpose, and you have to fulfill it, Ty. I want you to go back to being a cop. It'll make me happy knowing you're doing what you love.”

“And what about you?”

“I'm going to my mom's, and we're going to catch up on all the lost years, and she's going to get to know her grandson. I'll find a job and try to put the past behind me.”

“Ginger, maybe we can...”

“Ty, please understand. I have to be safe. I have to find a place where I can stop worrying about the next disaster, the next threat. I can't live through the uncertainty again.” She pressed her hands against her abdomen. “My stomach is in knots just thinking about it.”

Ty stood and came to her side. “So you're just going to walk away. Forget this month ever happened? Forget me?”

“No. Not you. Not Dover.” Leaving him, leaving Dover, was going to be one of the hardest things she'd ever done. “Dallas isn't that far from Phoenix. You could come visit. Once we're settled.”

“Sure.” Ty turned away, running a hand through his hair. “Maybe EJ can come to Dallas. I could take him to a ball game.”

“He'd like that.”

“Would you come with him?”

“I don't think that would be a good idea.” Ty reached out for her, but she held up her hands and stepped back. “You'd better go. Please.” She looked down at her hands. They were shaking. “We'll be leaving tomorrow.”

“So soon? But your job isn't finished.”

“I talked to Pastor Jim today. He understands.” She braved a look in his blue eyes. “Please, Ty. I need to go home.” He hesitated for a moment, then nodded, sending a wave of regret through her heart. A small part of her wanted him to stop her from leaving.

“I understand.” He walked to the door and stopped. He looked over his shoulder at her. “Goodbye, Ginger.”

The door closed behind him as her tears fell.

Chapter Fourteen

H
e couldn't watch them drive away. He couldn't bear the thought of them not being at the cabin, so he'd covered his heartbreak the only way he knew how—by helping. First thing this morning he'd gone to the storage shed and started transferring all her belongings to the car. Every item he stowed was one less link to Ginger and EJ. And yet, another part of him was strangely at peace. He knew now he truly belonged in law enforcement. But it required a painful sacrifice—losing the two people he loved most in the world.

Ginger wanted what was best for him. She wanted him to be happy. And he wanted that for her, too. She needed her family, she needed to find safety, and what better place than with the mother she'd lost so long ago? So, if they both wanted what was best for each other, why did it hurt so much? His heart was wrenched in two, confident of his future, but devastated by the cost.

He repacked the car twice before accepting EJ's bike wasn't going to Arizona. He set it aside just as the boy rounded the corner. The realization and disappointment in the boy's eyes cut Ty deep. “Sorry, buddy. I'll ship it to you. Promise.”

“You could bring it yourself.”

Ginger appeared behind him, setting her suitcases on the ground, then placing her hands on her son's shoulders. “Elliot. Ty's going back to work, remember?” He nodded. “Time to say goodbye. We need to be going.”

EJ ran to him, wrapping his arms around his waist. Ty lifted him up, hugging him tight against his chest. “I'll miss you, buddy.”

“I love you, Tyster.”

“I love you, too, EJ.” Ty set him down, blinking away the moisture threatening to cloud his vision. Ginger motioned her son into the car, then came toward him. When Elliot was buckled in, she looked up at him, her eyes moist with unshed tears. “Thank you, Ty. For everything. For helping us. For taking care of things, for sharing your family. For saving my life.” The tears trickled down her cheek. “I can never...tell you...” She lowered her head, and he pulled her close.

“I know. Me, too.” He kissed her forehead, letting his hand trail down her cheek and wrapping her stray curl around his finger. “Take care. Be happy and safe, Ginger. I'll be praying for that.”

She nodded and stepped away, climbing into the car and starting the engine. He lifted his hand, then turned and walked around the cabin toward the boathouse, the sound of the departing car lingering in his ears like a bugle playing taps.

Safely inside the boathouse, he pulled off his jacket and threw it across the room. What did he do now? How did he forget them? They'd both made the right decision. If the Lord wanted them together, it would have worked out.

His gaze fell upon his old football. The one he and EJ had used until Ty had bought him a smaller one. How could he ever walk into that cabin and not think about Ginger? Or fish on the dock and not long for his little buddy at his side? Maybe it was time to sell the cabin. Cut all ties with Dover. Matt was happy, Laura newly married. He had little in common with them now.

He dropped into the recliner. The old mechanism groaned and creaked when he leaned back. He looked over at his Bible on the table beside the chair. It was open to Psalms. Maybe it was one of the angry ones, where David cried out his frustration to God. He picked it up, reading the first verse his eyes focused on.
Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.

The words spilled over his soul like a soothing ointment, chasing away any doubts and regrets—a confirmation of his decision. He was exactly where he was supposed to be. Tomorrow he'd go back to Dallas and back to his career.

* * *

Traffic on Interstate 10 West was thinning out as they left Baton Rouge behind. A full tank of gas ensured they'd make Lafayette, Louisiana, before they had to stop. The more miles she put between herself and Dover, the better. Distance would ease the pain and regret. A quick glance at her son punctured her confidence in her decision. He remained slumped against the car door, refusing to talk.

She reached out and touched his arm. “EJ?”

“I don't see why we had to leave. I liked it there. I had friends. Why couldn't we stay with Tyster?”

Ginger gripped the steering wheel, her own heart aching. “Ty is going back to Dallas and his job as a police detective. He won't be at the cabin anymore, Elliot.”

“EJ. My name is EJ now.”

“Sorry. I'll try to remember that. It was nice of Ty to give you a special name.”

“Tyster's a hero. He protected you from that bad man.”

“I know that, but he can't protect us from everything. And I want you to be safe.”

“But I am safe. Jesus watches over us all the time. And Tyster will keep you safe, too, because he likes you.”

“What makes you say that?”

“He said you're special, and very brave, and I'm lucky to have a great mom like you.”

“He said that?”

“Yeah. And then he said he liked to look at you because it made him happy.”

Ginger tried not to dwell on what EJ had told her. Looking at Ty made her happy, too. His dazzling smile, the wavy hair, the broad shoulders, so capable and strong. She shut down the images flooding her mind. It didn't matter now.

Elliot focused on his game player for the next hour. Lake Charles, Louisiana, was a short distance ahead. They were over three hours from Dover. So why wasn't the distance making her feel better?

A blue rest area sign flashed by, filling her with a sudden need to talk to her mother. She pulled into the right lane, then eased onto the exit ramp.

“Why are we stopping, Mom?”

“Time to stretch a bit, and I want to call your grandmother and let her know our progress.”

“Can I run around under those trees?”

“Sure.” Ginger followed him across the grassy area, taking a seat at one of the covered picnic tables. Pulling out her cell, she selected her mother's number. “Hey, Mom.”

“Oh, Ginny. Honey, I'm so glad you called. I was going to call you as soon as things calmed down around here.”

“What happened?”

Her mother sighed. “Oh, it's awful. Our complex was robbed last night. Three different units were broken into.”

Ginger's throat seized up. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, yes. They didn't rob me. But my friend Mary had her jewelry taken, and her TV and other things. It was awful. I'm a nervous wreck.”

Tears sprung into her eyes, her chest tightened, making it hard to breathe. “Oh, Mom.”

“Honey, don't worry. It's all fine now. The police were here, and they already have a lead on the thief. It's a grandson of one of the neighbors. So sad.”

Ginger's hand began to shake. A tidal wave of fear began to swell up from deep inside. “Mom, I'm glad you're all right. I just wanted to let you know that we're in Louisiana. I'll call you later, okay?”

“Honey, are you all right? You sound funny.”

“I'm fine. I'll call you soon.”

“Don't let this event upset you. Remember to place your trust in the Lord. He loves you even more than I do. Bad things happen all the time, but the good Lord is always by your side, and He'll help you through it all.”

Sobs escaped Ginger's throat the second she ended the call. She buried her face in her hands, fear and hopelessness swamping her mind. There was no peace, no safety anywhere. Even in the idyllic town of Spring Valley, danger and violence had reared its head. Why couldn't she find a safe place to live? Why was God doing all these things to her? She was a good Christian. She'd tried to live a good life, she'd tried to... Her mind froze on an image. The gunman—his face contorted in anger as he blamed God for his situation. She'd found his words ludicrous at the time. God hadn't put the gun in his hand. But what about her situation? God hadn't sent the man into the restaurant just so John could be shot.

So what did that leave? If God wasn't to blame, who was? She thought back over her life and the choices she'd made. Her own youthful resentment and rebellion had turned her away from her family and her faith, not God. So, where did she turn now? Where was her safe place?

Tears spilled down her cheeks, and she dug in her purse for a tissue, coming up with a rumpled one and the small card Pastor Jim had given her on her last day. The picture on the front featured a tall brick tower bathed in a ray of light from above. Phrases of comfort her mother had taught her bloomed in her mind.
Strong tower. Come to me. Peace I give you.

Like fog lifting on a winter day, she saw her path. There was no city safe enough, no job free from danger, no person she could depend on completely. Only the Lord never changed. He alone had the power to overcome fear. She'd forgotten that and lost her way in the fear created by one violent act.

Ginger let her gaze travel to Elliot playing in the grassy park. She wanted him to be safe always, but now she saw that it wasn't up to her. Mom had told her to trust the Lord. Maybe it was time she took the last step and released all of herself into His care. Like the prodigal son, she'd started toward her Father, and now He was running to meet her, in a rest stop in Louisiana.

Bowing her head, she prayed, giving all her fears, doubts and pain over to the only one strong enough to carry them. When she opened her eyes again, she saw her son, her gaze landing on the ball cap he always wore. The hat Ty had given him.

Wiping her eyes, she remembered her prayer the first night in the cabin. She'd longed for a safe place to start over. The Lord had brought her to Dover and given her Ty. A man who loved her and loved her son as his own. He was a man who would protect them with every fiber of his being. It was all she could ask from a man. God had led her to Dover and restored her peace, shown her a different kind of security, but she'd been too bound by fear to see it.

“Mom, you okay? You crying?”

She reached out and took his hand. “I'm very okay.”

“Is it time to go?”

She stood, draping her purse over her shoulder as she turned toward the car. Where should she go? Home to mom or home to Dover? Was it too late? What if Ty had changed his mind? EJ tugged on her arm.

“Mom? Are we going or not?”

She swallowed a lump of anxiety. Which direction did she go?

* * *

Ty's SUV was parked near the cabin. Ginger exhaled a sigh of relief. He was here, but how would he feel about them being back? EJ was out of the car before she shut off the engine. He raced up the cabin stairs shouting for Ty. She got out of the car more slowly, her heart pounding. She had so much to say. But she couldn't let fear keep her from telling him. Fear had stolen too much of her life already.

EJ bounded down the stairs again, racing around to the front of the cabin. She heard him shout for Ty once more. She walked around to the front, her gaze landing on Ty as EJ threw himself into his arms. As she drew nearer, she could see the worry and concern on Ty's face. She smiled, searching his eyes for the welcome she'd hoped for.

He hurried forward, his gaze raking her from head to toe. “Are you all right? What happened? EJ said you're back, but he didn't say why.”

She reached out and touched the center of his chest, taking comfort from the solid strength of him. “We realized we needed to come home.”

Confusion darkened his blue eyes. “Ginger?”

“Something happened at my mother's, and it made me realize you were right. Fear has dominated my life and kept me from reaching out for what I want most.”

“What happened?”

She waved him off. “It doesn't matter. What matters is that I know what I want now.” She looked into his eyes. “I want you.” Ty sucked in a sharp breath, and for a second she feared she was too late, that he'd changed his mind.

“I thought I'd lost you forever.” He pulled her into his arms, his hand cradling the back of her head. “I didn't know how I was going to live without you and EJ.”

She allowed herself to bask in his embrace a moment before pulling back. She wanted him to understand. “Ty, I love you, and I'm all right with your job. It's part of who you are. God chose you to do this work, and I'm going to trust Him to protect you.”

“Are you sure? I mean—”

She stood on tiptoe and kissed him. “I'm very sure.” He crushed her to him, kissing her with a passion that promised a future together.

“I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

A giggle interrupted them. “You guys were kissing. Yuck. Can I ride my bike?”

Ginger smiled and slipped her arm around Ty's waist. “Sure, but wear your helmet.”

Ty looked down at her with a searching gaze after EJ disappeared around the cabin. “Are you sure you want to be a cop's wife? It's not easy.”

“I want to be
your
wife. The rest we'll work out.”

He pulled her close again. “Well, I think I have a solution that will make things easier for both of us. I just got off the phone with Brady. He's offered me a job here in Dover as the head of the patrol division. I'm seriously considering it.”

“Are you sure?”

He reached out and touched the cowlick strand of hair near her cheek. “I realized that serving the people of Dover, the people I care about, gives me more satisfaction than chasing down violent criminals. I want what Matt and Laura have. A family and a home. With you and EJ. Marry me. Let's start our life together here in Dover.”

“Yes. When? Tomorrow?”

Ty laughed. “Tomorrow? I thought you'd at least want time to plan a big wedding.”

She shook her head. “I want a simple wedding with Pastor Jim and your family. How about Valentine's Day?”

“That's only two weeks away.”

“I know, but maybe your family will help me pull it together.”