Miracles in Disguise (The Trampled Rose Series) (2 page)

“Whoa,” the man threw his hands in the air. “I was just going to offer you the phone.”

Relief washed over her, and on its heels came humiliation. She felt the heat of her embarrassment flood her cheeks.
Get it together Kristina!

“I’m sorry. I guess it’s been a long trip.” She unrolled the window, but just a little. “My car just died and I can’t get it to start. And my phone doesn’t get service here”

“Well, ma’am, if you want, I can check it out.” He shrugged as he walked to the front of her car, adding under his breath, "Course, don’t know how much I can do?”

Several minutes after Kristina popped the hood, she heard him say, “Ma’am, would you mind trying to start it again?”

Though she turned the key, the car remained silent. Kristina debated whether to join him, or remain behind locked doors. Before she could make up her mind, he came around to her side.

“I’m going to try to see if a jump will get you heading on your way again.”

Ten minutes later, after several unsuccessful attempts, he was back at her window. “Ma’am, like I said, I don’t know much about cars, but it doesn’t appear to be the battery.” Running his hand through his sandy brown hair, he added, “I could’ve helped you with that."

The man pulled out his phone again, “But I can call a tow truck and get you to Hamilton. That’s the closest town from here. I’m afraid you might have to stay there tonight, until you can get the car repaired. Then we’ll have you off and on your way.”

“Well, actually, Hamilton is my destination. And I would just be happy to get there, even if the car sputters and dies on the way into town.”

“Well, you can use my phone to call whoever you’re visiting.” He chuckled and added, “But you might have to get out of your car. Service is really spotty in this area; you might have to move around to get a couple of bars.”

She blushed, feeling foolish for acting so scared. Clearing her throat, she said, “Actually, I’m not visiting anyone. I’m going there to live.”

“We don’t get many newcomers to Hamilton, especially all the way from New York.”

Kristina heard the question dangling from the end of the man’s sentence. It wasn’t Kristina’s intention to be rude, but she didn’t plan to reveal any more personal information than was needed. She forced a cheery smile on her lips, “I’d appreciate your help in calling a tow truck so I can get to town."

“Sure thing, ma’am.”

He dialed a number on his phone, turning and walking away from her. “Hey Mike, I got a stranded driver here two miles past the Cordova Ranch. Do you think you might be able to help her out?"

Kristina felt bad for her brusque manner; the man had done nothing wrong, and she could have told him why she was here without revealing her life story. How long before the effects of David evaporated from her life?

“I’ll wait with her until you get here.” He glanced back at her, still gripping the steering wheel, safely locked in her car. "That is, if she’ll let me.”

Feeling a little foolish, she stepped out of the car and leaned against it. As he closed his phone, she thanked him again for all his help. “No problem. He should be here in fifteen minutes or so.”

He held out his hand, “By the way, I’m Nathan McKinley.”

“Kristina Talbot.” She was startled when he laughed, and his gaze raked her from head to toe.

“You’re Kristina Talbot?” At her incredulous look, he continued, “I should have made the connection when you said New York. But you’re not supposed to be here for another week.”

“How do you…”

“Small town,” as if those two words were sufficient explanation.

For Kristina, it brought up an additional question. Had she made a mistake in coming here?

“Besides, Ms. Talbot, you don’t know how glad the town is you’ve decided to take the job. We've needed a new English teacher for at least a year now. Mrs. Rose’s mind...” he coughed, “...her health just isn't what it used to be. But bless her heart, she wouldn’t quit until we found a proper replacement.” Nathan placed his hand on her shoulder, “And here you are!”

Kristina stiffened at his touch, wanting to back away. She was relieved when he let his hand fall to his side. “I guess you haven’t had the best trip. But I’ll make up for that. I’ll take you to town and get you settled in.” He pointed at the pepper spray. “But you have to put that thing away."

Kristina looked down at the forgotten canister in her hand. “I should probably wait for the tow truck.”

“Suit yourself, but I can call Mike and let him know.” He shrugged, “Beats waiting out here.”

Before she could protest, he added, “Besides, I can get in touch with May, from the church. Even though we didn’t expect you until sometime next week, the ladies will get your house ready for you."

My house?
Pulling the keys from her hand, he turned toward her trunk, leaving a confused Kristina in his wake

“Boy, have those ladies been praying for you. Some people in the town figured it would take a miracle to fill the teaching position” He stuck his head out from behind the open trunk, “I mean, who wants to come to a small, rural town in the middle of the desert. But the ladies never gave up hope.”

“My house . . . ?”

“Yeah,” he continued, as he loaded some of her suitcases in the back of his truck. “The church keeps a small house open for visiting pastors, missionaries, speakers . . . the church just figured it would be more welcoming than a room at the local motel, and it would make the transition to a new town smoother if you didn’t have to worry about finding a place right away.”

Taken back by the thoughtfulness, she absently watched him transfer the last of her suitcases, and call the director of the ladies group.

“Hey, May, it’s Nate. Ms. Talbot is here, stranded near the Cordova ranch.” After a few moments, he said, “Well, no ma’am, I don’t plan on leaving her here. Mike’s coming to tow…”

Kristina turned from him and gathered her belongings from the front seat.

Tossing the can of spray in her purse, she shook her head. What a great first impression! Slinging the purse over her shoulder, she closed the doors and whirled around, colliding with Nathan. He reached out to steady her, and she stiffened against his touch. “Okay, ma’am, if you will allow me the great honor, I would be happy to escort you into town.”

She readjusted her purse on her shoulder, surreptitiously stepping away from his touch, “I would appreciate that. And I’m sorry about the pepper spray.”

“You’re just not used to small town ways. It will take some time to shake those old ghosts.”

A shiver ran down her spine as she thought of David.

“Well, let’s get you in the truck and safely in town.” He opened her door, and jogged to his side of the truck, calling out as he did, "You are going to have to wake your lazy bones up, David.”

She froze at the sound of her husband’s name. Just as if he had dumped a bucket of ice over her, her smile faded and her face must have mirrored her fear.

“I’m sorry, are you afraid of dogs?” Nathan scratched the German Shepherd behind the ears. “He may seem a little big and frightening, but he is really tame, especially when it comes to women.” To the dog he added, “Aren’t you, David?"

“Don’t worry; he’ll ride in the back." The dog let out a mournful whimper.

“I’m sorry, I was mistaken…I mean I thought...” she stopped, not wanting to explain further. Trying to recover, she went to stand next to David, and the dog immediately perked up. Laughing, Kristina scratched him behind his ears and his tongue lolled out of the side of his mouth as he opened it wider.

“Don’t get all excited there, boy. You still have to ride in the back.” David closed his mouth and stared at his owner with what could only be categorized as a doggy glare.

Kristina slid into the space the dog had vacated. Moments later, Nathan hopped up into the truck. As they pulled from the shoulder of the road, the dog poked his head in the open window in the back of the cab. The dog gave Kristina a quick, sopping lick. The combination of the exhaustion and stress from her trip finally came to a head, and she let out a startled laugh.

“David . . .” The dog gave its owner an innocent look.

At Nathan’s sharp command, the dog reluctantly pulled his head out of the window, and Nathan slid it closed. “I’m sorry, Ms. Talbot.”

Kristina assured him that she wasn’t offended. “And, please, you can call me Kristina.”

Laughing had released the tension building within her, but his steadfast, steely blue stare was back on her. Despite his warm, laid-back manner, she felt that every time he looked at her, he was dissecting her, trying to discern her deepest secrets. She shook herself; that was just the fear David instilled in her. She was no longer walking around on eggshells and looking over her shoulder. She looked down at her purse and wondered if time would heal the darkness that now resided in her heart, or had her light been snuffed out forever?

Chapter Two

While the two drove into town, Nathan noticed her fidgeting with her purse. He turned his head when he heard her snort of laughter, and saw her holding the can of pepper spray in her hand.

“I must have looked ridiculous, threatening you with pepper spray. Not exactly the esteemed English teacher impression I wanted to make.” After a moment, she peeked out from behind the veil of her hair and confided, “I thought you were going to pull out a knife when you reached for your cell phone.”

“And I was worried that you were going to spray that thing while the window was still up.”

With a derisive laugh, she mumbled, “So much for the big city girl who can take care of herself.”

Under his gaze, she shifted a little in the seat. Though she certainly looked like a big city girl, with her designer silk pantsuit and heels, she seemed more like a frightened little girl stepping out of the nursery for the first time. Her mahogany hair fell in soft curls around her face and down her back. She was tiny and petite, and with perfect features and huge hazel eyes framed by long sooty lashes. She reminded him of the porcelain doll his sister had when they were little. He turned his attention back to the road and thought,
she looks just as fragile, too.

“So where are you from?” He asked, shattering the silence.

“New York.”

Nathan raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to elaborate.

“Near Albany.”

Nathan shook his head at her cryptic answers. “What made you decide to move here?”

“I was informed your school had an opening in your English department,” she said with tight lips, “and here I am.”

Thinking she was being glib, he continued, “I heard you taught at some elite private school, so what made you decide to come teach at a public school?” At her non-committal shrug, he added, "You said you don’t know anyone here, so why travel... ”

“I know Mr. Shirley’s niece,” she interrupted. Before he could fire off another question, she asked, “How did you know where I used to work?”

“Most of the town knows everything there is to know about you. You are an answer to our prayers. Like I said, to some, you're a miracle.”

“I’m no miracle.”

Nathan heard the derision in her tone, and he wondered what caused it.

“What’s the high school like?” She turned her head to look out the window.

As they drove into town, he told her of the school, and about some of her students. Nathan could feel her begin to relax beside him as she listened, all the while taking in her first sights of her new home.

He watched her smile as they rolled through the main street in town. The sun was just beginning to set, casting an amber glow on the town and the small shops that lined the street. A national discount store dominated over the local stores and restaurants, struggling to give the town a big city appearance. But nothing could erase Hamilton’s hometown feel, and he wondered if, with time, she would regret moving here.

The immaculate silk pantsuit and designer heels she wore couldn’t be found in any of the local stores. With her skittish and nervous attitude, she definitely didn’t fit into the relaxed and carefree life of Hamilton.
Maybe that is why she moved here…and it really isn’t any of your business.

He finally stopped in front of a small stucco house, landscaped with mauve colored rocks. In the center of the front yard was a variety of cacti marooned on an eggplant-shaped island of dark red rocks. Large wooden beams made up the roof of front porch, and a heavy wooden swing hung in the corner.

“Here we are, your new home.” He smiled down into her hazel eyes. She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

Hopping out of the truck, he came around to her side and opened her door. He led her up the stone path as a petite woman, not much taller than Kristina, came through the door and wrapped her in a firm hug. “I’m May Williams, the Mayor's wife and leader of the ladies’group. On behalf of the entire town, we are just tickled to have you here, Ms. Talbot.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Williams. Mr. McKinley told me you and the other ladies prepared this home for me. I cannot thank you enough”