Terri Reed - Love Comes Home and A Sheltering Love - Love Comes Home / A Sheltering Love

He hugged her close again. “What are we all going to do? She’s been a rock in all of our lives.”

Rachel nodded, remembering how fond Mom G. was of Rod. Rachel had always wondered if their relationship went beyond friendship. Neither would admit—at least not to anyone else—to anything deeper nor act on it.

Speculatively she glanced at Rod. “You two are close, aren’t you?”

His eyes twinkled despite an obvious sadness. “Yes, we are.”

“How close?”

“Close enough.” He winked.

“You…” A noise from the bed made her pause. Mom G.’s eyes were open.

“She’s awake.” Rachel breathed out a sigh of relief, thankful sleep hadn’t turned into a coma. Each time Mom G. closed her eyes, the chance she wouldn’t reopen them increased.

“She is indeed.” Rod sat next to the bed and took Mom G.’s hand in his. “Olivia, my dear. I’m glad to see you. I came by early yesterday but you were sound asleep.”

Mom G. smiled and her eyes glowed with affection. Rachel swallowed back the sadness that threatened to choke her. Mom G. and Rod obviously cared for one another, but now Mom G.’s illness was robbing them of their happiness.

“Time’s…short,” Mom G. said softly. “There’s much to do.”

Rod nodded. “Yes, Olivia. It’ll all work out, don’t you worry.”

Rachel had no idea what they were talking about, and felt like an intruder.

“Rachel’s…”

“Here,” Rod interjected.

Mom G. shifted her gaze and Rachel stepped forward. “I’m right here.”

“She’s all grown up, Rod. All grown up.”

Rachel savored the motherly words, tucking the tender feelings they evoked away in her heart for safekeeping.

Rod grinned. “That she is, my dear. And a doctor, to boot.”

The praise in Rod’s voice pleased Rachel.

For a brief space of time, Rod and Mom G. silently communicated. Rachel watched, growing decidedly uncomfortable. The look in Rod’s eyes as he gazed at Mom G. was more than affection.

He loved her.

A funny ache throbbed within Rachel’s chest.

She refused to call it yearning.

But even if it was, she wasn’t stepping off God’s chosen path for her life. No matter what the cost to her heart.

Wanting to give Mom G. and Rod some privacy, and needing a moment to cool her thoughts, Rachel went to the window. The dew on the needles of the pines glinted in the sunshine like little teardrops.

“Rachel, would you mind getting me a cup of coffee?” Rod asked.

“Not at all.” Rachel headed for the door, grateful for the task.

“Cream and sugar,” Rod called after her.

She stopped at the nurses’ station and smiled at the four nurses who bustled about. “Where could I get a cup of coffee?”

“I’ll get you one,” said a red-haired nurse who looked vaguely familiar.

“Do I know you?” Rachel tried to remember where she’d seen the striking woman.

The nurse smiled. “My name’s Jamie. You were in my older brother’s class. Bob Forbes.”

“Okay, I remember him.” She smiled back, remembering the red-haired boy who’d been the class clown.

“I’ll be right back with your coffee, Rachel.” Jamie walked away.

“Cream and sugar, too, please,” Rachel called after the retreating nurse.

It was strange being in a place where people knew her. Not the doctor she’d become but the girl she’d been. That girl was gone, replaced by the professional woman who knew exactly what her life was meant to be. Giving hope and health to those who needed it. She never pretended to think she could save their minds or their souls. That wasn’t her calling.

But their bodies she could fix by making sure the care in the E.R. was better so no one else would needlessly lose a mom. Yet a wave of helplessness swept through her. The one person most important to her needed her skills as a doctor and she didn’t know how—She cut that thought off abruptly. She’d find a way to help Mom G. She had to.

Dr. Kessler came down the hall. “Dr. Maguire.”

She tensed. “Doctor.”

“I was hoping to see you before I made my rounds. We found some chaparral tea.”

“Good.” It may be a long shot but it was all she had.

“You realize the use of this tea is only effective when used regularly over a period of time.”

She shot him a hard glare. She didn’t need the reminder that time was an issue. “I’m well aware of the situation, Doctor.”

She gritted her teeth against the gentle, pitying look in his eyes.

“Here you go.” Jamie sailed up and handed her a disposable cup. Steam billowed from the milky, brown liquid.

“Thank you, Jamie. Doctor.” She headed back to Mom G.’s room. She opened the door and slowly walked in, hovering just inside the room. Her throat tightened. Rod leaned in close to Mom G., still holding her hand. They talked in quiet tones. Rachel stepped back, intending to give them more time, but her elbow bumped the wall, making a dull thud. Rod glanced at her, and the corner of his mouth lifted before he turned back to Mom G.

Rachel continued forward. As she approached the bed, she heard Rod say, “I will do my best, my dear. I promise.”

Mom G. nodded. “We have to try.”

Rod stood. “Here’s Rachel, back just in time. I have to take off, but I’ll return this evening.”

“Your coffee.”

“Thank you.” He took the cup and walked from the room.

“Such a nice man.” Mom G. stared after him.

“He is.” Rachel lifted a brow. “You and Rod have become close. You never said anything in your letters or phone calls.”

Mom G. smiled slightly and a blush brightened her pale cheeks. Rachel laughed, loving the life shining from Mom G.’s eyes. If only she could hold on to that.

“Where’s Josh?” Mom G. asked.

Rachel sat in the chair. “He said he’d be here.”

Mom G. took her hand. “I’m going to rest until he arrives. Please wake me.”

“Of course.”

Mom G. closed her eyes. Rachel listened, thankful Mom G. breathed easier than she had earlier, but she couldn’t shake the fear Mom G. might not reawaken.

Dropping her head onto the side of the bed, Rachel squeezed her eyes shut. Lord, Your word says to count it all joy when we fall into various trials. This sickness is a trial that affects so many people. Mom G., Rod, Josh, me. Where’s the joy, Lord? Show me, teach me. I don’t understand.

The low beeping of the machines, combined with Mom G.’s soft breathing, lulled Rachel’s senses. Heart heavy with concern, she allowed herself to rest.

Josh pushed opened the door to Mrs. G.’s hospital room and stepped in. He stopped short when he saw Rachel sitting in the chair, her body bent forward and her head resting against the blue covers of the bed. He could see the steady rise and fall of the blankets over Mrs. G.

They were both resting. He started to leave, but found himself staring into Rachel’s crystal-blue gaze. She straightened and her black hair brushed loosely across her shoulders. She wore the clothes he’d seen her in yesterday. She hadn’t left and he doubted she’d had more than a few moments of rest.

She blinked several times. “Hi,” she said softly.

She sounded young and vulnerable, more like the girl he’d known. His heart twisted with longing. He pushed the unwanted emotion aside and told himself he felt sympathy for her for what was to come. Nothing else. “Where’s my dad?”

“He left.”

Josh frowned. “We came together, but he sent me to get coffee for him.”

Rachel smiled ruefully. “With cream and sugar.”

“Yes.” He smiled and held out one of the cups in his hand. “I brought you one, too.”

She stood and took the cup from him. Her hands shook slightly.