Margaret Daley - Heart Of The Family

Jacob’s long strides chewed up the distance between him and Hannah. Her heartbeat kicked up a notch. Even inhaling more deep breaths didn’t alleviate the constriction in her chest.

A huge grin appeared on his face. He nodded toward Laura, then his warm brown gaze homed in on Hannah. “It’s good to see you again. How’s Andy doing?”

Lord, help! When she had decided to come back to the town and settle down, she’d discovered Jacob Hartman still lived in Cimarron City and was a doctor, one of nine pediatricians, but why did he have to be involved with her children?

“Hannah, are you all right?”

His rich, deep-toned voice penetrated her thoughts. She blinked and focused on his face, his features arranged in a pleasing countenance that made him extra attractive—if she were interested, which she wasn’t. His casual air gave the impression of not having a care in the world. Did he even comprehend the pain his actions caused?

“I’m fine.” Hannah stuffed her hands into her pants pockets. “Andy’s doing okay. He’s going around, having everyone sign his cast. If any good has come out of the accident, I would say it has been an icebreaker for him with the others.” When she realized she was beginning to ramble, she clamped her lips together, determined not to show how nervous and agitated she was.

Jacob’s smile faded as he continued to stare at her. “I’m glad something good came out of it.”

Tension invaded his voice, mirroring hers. She curled her hands in her pockets into fists and forced a grin to her lips as she turned toward Laura. “I’d better get back to the house. I just wanted to let you know about Andy. Good day, Dr. Hartman.” If she kept things strictly formal and professional, she would be all right.

Hannah started across the pasture toward the refuge, the crisp fall air cooling her heated cheeks. Keep walking. Don’t look back. She thought of her Bible in her room at the house and knew she needed to do some reading this evening when the children were settled in their beds. Somehow she had to make enough peace with the situation to allow her to do her job. She wanted what was best for the children and if that meant tolerating Dr. Hartman occasionally, then she could do it. The needs of the children came first.

“Do you get the feeling that Hannah Smith doesn’t like me?” Jacob followed the woman’s progress across the field.

Laura peered in the same direction. “There was a certain amount of tension. I just thought it was because of Andy’s accident. I think she blames herself.”

“I think it’s something else.” Jacob kneaded the nape of his neck, his muscles coiled in a knot. “Tell me about our new Stone’s Refuge’s manager.”

“She just completed her bachelor’s degree in social work from a college in Mississippi.”

“What brought her to Oklahoma? The job?”

Laura laughed. “In our short existence we are garnering a good reputation but not that good so we can attract job candidates from out of state. She used to live here once and wanted to come back. She heard about the job from a classmate, who lives in Tulsa, and applied. Personally I think the Lord brought her to us. She’s perfect for the job and beat every other candidate hands down.”

“High praise coming from you.”

“When the third house is finished, we’re going to need someone highly organized and capable. We’ll have almost thirty children, ranging in ages from five to eighteen. I’m hoping to bring in another couple like Cathy and Roman for the third home and eventually have one in the second cottage, too.”

“What happens to Hannah Smith then? I understand she’s living in the second cottage right now.” He had heard and sensed Hannah’s passion for her job earlier and agreed with Laura she would be good as the refuge’s manager.

“We’ll need someone to oversee all three homes. I can’t do it and run the foundation, too. Raising money is a full-time job. If she wants to continue living on-site, we’ll come up with something, but I’d like a man and woman in each cottage in the long run, sort of like a surrogate mother and father for the children.”

He had pledged himself and his resources to the Henderson Foundation because he knew how lacking good care was for children without a home and family. “I’ll do whatever you need.”

“I want you to find out what’s going on with Hannah. If there’s something concerning you, take care of it. She’s perfect for the job, and I don’t want to lose her. You can charm the spots off a leopard.”

“I think you’ve got me confused with Noah.” He peered toward the group homes. “Are you sure there isn’t something else I could do?” He wished he had the ease with women that Noah did. His foster brother rarely dated the same lady for more than a month while lately he had no time to date even one woman.

“Yeah, while you’re over there, check and see how Andy is faring. I worry about him.”

“You worry about all of them.”

“Hey, I thought I heard your car.” Peter emerged from the barn, a smile of greeting on his face. “What brings you out this way? Is someone sick?”

“Do I have to have a reason to pay good friends a visit?”

Peter slipped his arms around Laura’s waist, and she leaned back against him. “No, but I know how busy you’ve been, and it isn’t even flu season yet.”

Watching Peter and Laura together produced an ache deep in Jacob’s heart. He wanted that with a woman, but Peter was right. His work and church took up so much of his life that he hadn’t dated much since setting up his practice two years ago. And you have to date to become involved with a woman, he thought with a wry grin. Maybe Noah could give him lessons after all.

Laura’s gaze fastened on him. “Jacob’s just leaving. He’s going over to check on Andy.”

A scowl descended over Peter’s features. “Andy’s situation is a tough one. His mother is fighting the state. She wants him back.”

“To use as a punching bag.” Jacob clenched his jaw. He couldn’t rid himself of the feeling Andy and his situation were too similar to his own experiences growing up, as though he had to relive his past through the child. He’d been blessed finally to find someone like Paul and Alice Henderson to set him on the right path. “If at all possible, I won’t let that happen.” He needed to return the gift the Hendersons had given him.

“Stop by and have dinner with us when you’re through. I want to discuss the plans for a fourth house.”

“Peter, I love your ambition, but the third one isn’t even half-finished.” Jacob dug into his pocket for his keys.

“But maybe it will be by the holidays. What a wonderful way to celebrate Christ’s birthday with a grand opening!”

“I can’t argue with you on that one, but the weather would have to cooperate for that to happen and you know Oklahoma. When has the weather cooperated?” Jacob headed toward his car. He twice attempted to start it before he managed to succeed and pull away from the barn. He had a woman to charm, he thought with a chuckle.

Andy held up his cast. “See all the names I’ve gotten. All in green.”

Hannah inspected it as though it were a work of art. “You even went to the other cottage.”

“Yep, I didn’t want to leave anyone out.”

Because he knew what it was like to be left out, Hannah thought and took the green marker from Andy to pen her own name on the cast. “There’s hardly any room left.”

He flipped his arm over. “I had them leave a spot for you here.”

Hannah wrote her name over the area above his wrist where a person felt for a pulse.

“I’ve saved a place for Dr. Jacob, too.”