Читать книгу: «A Groom Worth Waiting For», страница 2

Chapter Two

If she’d thought she’d had a choice, Amy would have said no. Definitely not. Going anywhere near a wedding ceremony was out of the question. The mere thought of bridal gowns, lace veils and cascading bouquets gave her the heebie-jeebies.

When he’d given her an out, she should have said she was from out of town, just passing through Lexington. It wouldn’t have been a lie. At this point, she didn’t know if she was going or staying.

But the man had saved her life, and in the fervor of the moment, she’d promised to do anything to repay his bravery. Why couldn’t he have asked her to do something simple, such as cooking his meals or washing his car for the next year? On top of everything else that had happened, a date to a wedding was one more headache she didn’t need.

Determined to back out of her promise before it became more complicated, Amy decided to tell Matt while she still had the nerve. After all they’d just been through, he couldn’t have been thinking clearly, either. He probably regretted acting on impulse as much as she did.

Touching Matt on the arm, she tried to get his attention, but failed. His body blocked the doorway between the storeroom and the retail area, preventing her from seeing whatever he stared at. Curious, Amy moved toward the door, only to have Matt stop her.

“Let’s stay in here a little longer,” he said.

While Amy appreciated his protectiveness, she wasn’t about to let him shield her from the truth. Though she couldn’t push past him, she did lean forward enough to see around him. She gasped. The convenience store looked like a tornado had ripped through it. Smashed bottles of soda, ketchup and pickles, as well as every other kind of food that came in a glass jar, speckled the beige tile floor. The white shelves and refrigerated units sat empty and exposed, their contents heaped in careless piles.

“Wow,” Amy said, realizing that the situation had been more volatile and dangerous than she’d imagined.

With her hand covering her mouth, she thanked God for sending Matt to save her. If Matt hadn’t been at her side… She couldn’t finish the thought. And she couldn’t tell him she wouldn’t be his date. She owed this man so much more than a few hours at a family wedding. This was a small price to pay for saving her life.

Having seen enough, Amy took a few steps backward. Matt quickly retrieved two chairs from the end of the room that served as an office area for the convenience store manager.

“Can I get you a glass of water or a soda?” he asked.

Amy shook her head, amazed he could remember to be so polite at a time like this. Then she noticed his nervous hands. As if it were beyond his means to control, he repeatedly clenched and unclenched the hands that had held her tightly. She understood then that his desire to attend to her needs was merely a way of covering his own distress.

“I guess we’re both still in shock,” Amy said.

Matt nodded. “Everything is just now sinking in.”

They lapsed into silence, neither able to put into words the intense feelings that surged through their hearts and minds.

Feeling too vulnerable to look at Matt, Amy focused on her trembling hands. Even pressed against her abdomen, they shook. Then his hands covered hers, bringing with them a warmth that made her feel safe.

Amy wasn’t certain how long they sat with their hands entwined. She just knew she wasn’t ready to let go of this stranger. She wanted to know more about this man who’d unselfishly helped her. Was he from Lexington? What did he do for a living? Had he ever suffered from a broken heart?

When the police officer cleared his throat, Amy glanced quickly at Matt, then suddenly felt foolish for the way she clung to him. Gently pushing his hands away, she concentrated on recreating the sequence of events in her mind.

“Let’s start from the beginning,” the officer suggested.

“I got here first, and I was the only one in the store besides the clerk. I picked up a newspaper and then made a cappuccino.” Amy’s voice quivered until she noticed the amusement in Matt’s eyes.

“And for the record,” she said, “it was the worst cappuccino I’ve ever tasted.” She ignored the officer’s impatient glare. The lighthearted comment relaxed her enough to continue. “The door buzzer sounded again, and that’s when Matt walked in.”

Matt picked the story up from there. “I said hello to Hank, and then I hurried to the back of the store to get a bagel and a cup of coffee to go. I’d promised to stop by Aunt Lila’s, and I was already running late. I said something to Amy about the cappuccino. I remember she had her back to the door when the buzzer sounded. By chance, I happened to look up and see the two men enter, and for some reason, I had this feeling something bad was going to happen. Because we were in the back near a stack of oil cases, they didn’t spot us. As soon as the man with the beard pulled the gun on Hank, I grabbed Amy and shoved her into the closet. One of the men made a quick check of the storeroom, but because the closet door is made from the same paneling as the walls, he overlooked the closet. From that point on, we didn’t see anything. We heard plenty of unidentifiable noises and shouting. But we didn’t move.”

“Is there anything you’d like to add to this story?”

“I wish I could have done more to help Hank. But I was afraid that if I entered the store I’d only put him in more danger, and I didn’t want to leave Amy.”

Amy shook her head. While Matt had supplied all the facts, he’d left the heart of the story untold. There was the way he’d held her tightly. The way his moist breath had crawled down her neck. The way his heartbeat had filled the tiny, square closet and had turned the cramped space into a safe refuge. And even more important were the roller-coaster emotions that still traveled on invisible tracks between them.

Turning toward Amy, the officer said, “I need an address and telephone number where I can reach you.”

Amy bit her lip as she was painfully reminded that she was temporarily without a home or a job. Inhaling deeply, she said, “I’ve just arrived in Lexington…this morning…and I don’t have a permanent address yet. But I’m planning to stay at the hotel near the airport until I can find a place. I’m headed over there to check in as soon as we’re finished,” she promised.

“Do you have a work number?”

“I thought I had a job and an apartment, but they both fell through this morning. But that’s another story,” she said, hoping to conceal the embarrassing state of her personal life.

The concerned expression on Matt’s face bothered her. It was almost as if she could see another hare-brained idea percolating in his deep blue eyes. She may have needed his help during the robbery, but only she could put her life back together. No one could help her find her place in the world again or rebuild her relationship with God.

Turning toward Matt, the officer wrote down an address as well as home and work telephone numbers that meant little to Amy. But in another week or so—if she stayed—she’d know her way around Lexington.

Thinking they were free to go, Amy walked into the convenience store, only to come face to face with a crowd of media reporters. With microphones thrust in front of their mouths and bright lights glaring in their eyes, Matt and Amy once again recounted their story. And when Matt got to the part of the story where they were huddled in the storeroom closet, he paused to look at Amy for just a second. It was a moment the reporters missed but a moment Amy would always remember. She had shared something extraordinary with this man that she would never forget. In those closet moments, they’d lived in an unreal world where their fears and hopes had meshed into one.

But this was the real world, Amy told herself. Matt Wynn was a stranger and a man. And she’d learned the hard way that if you trusted a man he would eventually break your heart.

When the media prolonged the interview, Matt gripped Amy’s arms and with a move that caught both the media and Amy off guard, he guided her through the store, out the door and into his car.

After locking the doors, Matt quickly left the parking lot and headed down the highway.

“Now, why did you do that?” Amy demanded.

“I was doing us both a favor,” Matt said. “The media wanted to make a lot more out of this story than there was.”

“You’re talking about the way they focused on us being in the closet together for over an hour.”

“Exactly. They’ll make a mountain out of a molehill.” Matt concentrated on the road, which was still wet, though at least the fog had lifted and the rain had stopped.

“And nothing happened in the closet,” Amy said, wanting to be very clear on this point.

“No, nothing happened. Well, we can’t exactly say that. We shared a very unique experience, but that was all.”

Amy looked out the window. He’d said precisely what she’d wanted to hear, and yet his declaration left her disappointed.

Turning toward him, she asked, “Then why am I in the car with you, and where are you taking me?”

“To Aunt Lila’s,” he said as if his response should make perfect sense.

“To Aunt Lila’s?” she echoed.

“Like I told the police officer, I was on my way to see Aunt Lila before we were detained at the convenience store. The local stations always cut into programming when there’s a crime or emergency in progress, and if Aunt Lila didn’t have her television on, I’m sure someone in the family did and has called her. She won’t be satisfied until she sees both of us in person and she can judge for herself that we’re both fine.”

Amy started to object, but closed her mouth. What choice did she have? She couldn’t exactly jump out of the car. She’d go see his aunt Lila and then she’d take a cab back to the convenience store to pick up her car and her meager possessions, which were stored in the trunk.

Glancing at Matt, she sensed an urgency behind his serious countenance. He was up to something, and she had an uneasy feeling his plans involved her.

Matt turned onto the long, winding drive, which was edged by a white wooden fence. Though he didn’t look at Amy, he felt a huge measure of satisfaction at her awe-inspired gasp. Even though he’d driven this quarter-mile drive thousands of times, he never took its beauty nor its history for granted.

When the main house and stables came into view, Matt couldn’t resist stealing a glance at Amy. With widened eyes, she didn’t miss a single detail of the two-story white antebellum home that had been in his family for five generations. Turning slightly, she shifted her gaze to Aunt Lila’s formal garden, then to the white barns and corrals, all of which were framed by low rolling hills and a lush meadow on the north and east. He purposely kept his back toward the west so the sprawling housing development wouldn’t intrude on the picture-perfect horse farm.

“It’s beautiful,” Amy said. Leaving the car, she completed a slow three-hundred-sixty-degree turn. “Do you live here?”

Matt shook his head. “It belongs to my aunt. However, I oversee the upkeep for her, so I spend a lot of time here. Plus, she boards my horses.”

“You have horses?” Amy asked.

Matt nodded. “Do you ride?”

“Oh, no,” Amy said, shaking her head for emphasis. “But I once had dreams of owning a horse until my father explained that a collie puppy would make me just as happy.”

“Well, if you’re going to live in Lexington, you’ll have to learn to ride.”

Amy shook her head again. “Maybe later. I’m going to be pretty busy for the next few weeks.”

Matt looked toward the grassy meadow while he silently debated whether it was wise to even consider his plan. After all, what did he really know about this woman? One quick glance at her intent eyes squelched his doubts. He’d held this woman in his arms for an hour, and while he might not know much about her life, he knew enough about her heart and spirit to believe he wasn’t making a mistake. And if Aunt Lila felt she could trust the woman, too, then that would confirm his instincts.

“You told the officer you were between jobs,” he said.

“Yeah,” she answered, obviously unwilling to volunteer any more information than necessary.

“What kind of work are you looking for?”

Amy looked at the ground, then let her gaze roam the green vista. In that moment, he wanted to view the Wynn land through her eyes. Did she see the same beauty he did, or did she just see another wide-open space ripe for development?

When Amy finally met his gaze, he sensed a hesitation that grew from embarrassment. “Actually, I’m looking to change fields and I’m not certain what I’m going to do. I’m thinking of going back to school. If I do, I’ll need something that will pay the rent, yet be flexible enough to accommodate my class schedule.”

Matt read more into the response than he believed Amy wanted him to. Guessing her age to be mid-twenties, he further assumed she’d never really decided what she wanted to do with her life. It was a feeling he understood too well. He had worked several dead-end jobs after college before settling down in a career as an accountant. But it was his hobbies—the horses and the Wynn family land—that truly satisfied his heart. He chose to work as an accountant in order to make a living for the family he one day hoped to support, but he was most content and fulfilled when he was riding or caring for his horses or walking on the land where his great-grandfather and grandfather had walked before him.

“So, you’d be open to a variety of positions,” Matt clarified. When Amy hesitated before answering, he knew it wouldn’t be easy to get her to go along with his idea. But then maybe he was pushing too hard to keep her in his life. Still, he was convinced Amy and his aunt Lila were a perfect match. While his plan served his desire to keep Amy in his life, it also greatly benefited his aunt. And Aunt Lila’s health and well-being were major concerns of his, as well as the rest of the Wynn family.

“At this point, I can’t be picky,” Amy finally admitted.

“Well, maybe I can help,” Matt said, deciding to leave it at that until Amy and Aunt Lila had had a chance to meet.

Silently, he sent a prayer heavenward. Dear Lord, if it’s Your will for Amy to stay here, let Aunt Lila and Amy both see how much they need each other. It was out of his hands for now. It was in the care of someone who saw the bigger picture.

The front door of the stately house flew open, and Aunt Lila stepped onto the wide veranda. A month ago, she would have run across the yard with both arms flung wide, eager to hug him and feel for herself that he was okay. But recent surgery had slowed the sixty-year-old woman down, and for the first time Matt was worried about the aunt he adored. Then he saw her bright, youthful smile, and fifteen years melted from her countenance.

Taking off at a jog, Matt rushed toward her. She hugged him tightly, then sandwiching his chin between her agile hands, she looked him over.

“I’ve been watching the live coverage on TV. You had me worried,” she said, a glimmer of tears in her eyes. Though she’d never had children of her own, it hadn’t stopped her from spoiling Matt as if he were hers. “You don’t know how glad I am to see you.”

“To tell the truth, I was a little worried, too,”

Peering around Matt, Aunt Lila said, “And you must be Amy Jenkins.”

The older woman extended her hand, and Amy gracefully accepted the warm welcome.

“I’m pleased to meet you. I owe your nephew my life.”

“I suspect you had to depend on each other in order to survive,” Aunt Lila said matter-of-factly. “And after such an ordeal, you must be starving. I set out an early lunch. You can tell me everything while we eat.” Pointing a finger at Matt, she said, “Don’t leave out a single detail.”

“Aunt Lila,” Matt protested. “You shouldn’t have. You know the doctor released you from the hospital on the promise you’d take it easy.”

Looking beyond Matt, Aunt Lila spoke to Amy. “You understand, dear. There’s nothing like puttering in the kitchen to soothe the nerves. Besides, my sister, Louise, brought a roast and deviled eggs yesterday. I just set them on the counter. You’ll have to help yourselves.”

Amy smiled with understanding, and Matt felt a glimmer of hope.

The lush pastures, the magnificent home and Aunt Lila’s feisty spirit were too much for Amy to take in at once. Several times she’d lost track of the conversation and hadn’t realized Aunt Lila had spoken to her as her gaze roamed the spacious kitchen, admiring the unique collection of antiques or enjoying the view through the large window. At first, she worried that she’d offended the woman with her wandering mind, but she soon realized Aunt Lila was pleased to find Amy entranced with the home she dearly loved.

To her surprise, she answered Aunt Lila’s questions when she’d been reluctant to share personal information with Matt. For some reason she couldn’t fully identify, Aunt Lila put her at ease. She felt comfortable in this house, and after the unsettling morning, she wasn’t in a hurry to leave the older woman’s nest.

“They said on the news you’d just moved here.” Aunt Lila pushed her food around her plate, then nibbled on an egg.

“I grew up in a small Ohio town,” Amy volunteered. “There wasn’t much opportunity there, and when I decided to leave, Lexington seemed like a great place to make a fresh start.”

Aunt Lila nodded as if she understood completely what Amy meant, though that was impossible. From a corner chair, Matt sipped a cup of coffee while he quietly observed the exchange between the two women. Amy hadn’t given him a second thought until the curious look in his eyes turned smug. She had the oddest feeling that this moment was progressing exactly as he’d choreographed. And that bothered Amy.

“How long ago did you move here?” Aunt Lila asked.

“Today was my first official day.”

“Oh, my,” she exclaimed. “What a fine welcome you’ve received!”

“This morning was certainly more exciting than I’d hoped for,” Amy admitted.

Aunt Lila rose slowly, refilled the coffee mugs, then set a plate of sugar cookies on the table. “They’re Matt’s favorite. I know as long as I keep them stocked he’ll keep hanging around.”

Matt smiled, as if he’d heard this comment before. “Now, Aunt Lila, don’t be giving away my secrets so soon.”

“Don’t be certain this young woman hasn’t already seen clear through you,” Aunt Lila quipped.

“What’s there to see?” Matt joked. “I’m an open book.”

Amy looked from Matt to his aunt, suddenly feeling like the outsider. She’d been right, Matt was up to something. Impatiently, she stood, having had enough of the conversation. “If there’s something to be said, I wish someone would come out and say it. Otherwise, I’ve got to be going. While I appreciate your hospitality, I’ve got important matters to attend to.” Like finding a place to live and a decent job.

Matt opened his mouth, but didn’t say anything.

“Well,” Aunt Lila prodded. “Are you going to ask her or do I have to?”

“I’m not sure what you mean,” Matt said.

Aunt Lila rolled her eyes.

When Matt didn’t respond quickly enough to please Aunt Lila, she charged ahead. “It’s fairly simple, actually. I’m only a few days home from the hospital, and my family is worried that I’m overdoing it. They’ve tried to convince me to hire help, but until now I’ve refused.”

Amy nodded, beginning to understand the situation. “And your nephew knows I’m out of work, not to mention that I’d like to repay him for his courage.”

Matt leaned forward in his chair. “Well, it just seemed to me that you both—”

“What do you think, Amy?” Aunt Lila interrupted.

“I don’t know what to say. You don’t really know me.” And I don’t know you at all, she thought. Though the offer seemed to be the answer to her immediate problems, was it prudent to move into the home of a virtual stranger?

“We’ll need to exchange references, of course,” Aunt Lila said, taking charge. “We could give it a try. See if it works, and if it doesn’t, what harm has been done?”

Amy bit her lip. “I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but I need time to think this over.”

“I’d like to sleep on it, too. Let’s trade references now. That way we can both make an intelligent decision by tomorrow evening.”

Amy glanced at Matt, and by the amusement in his eyes knew the situation was as much out of his control as it was hers.

Amy was relieved when Matt didn’t talk on the drive back to the convenience store. He saw her safely to her car, then waited until she’d driven off. As she watched him through her rearview mirror, the oddest feeling overwhelmed her. She felt like she was leaving her best friend behind, and yet twenty-four hours ago she hadn’t even known him.

Forcing thoughts of Matt from her mind, she focused on the task at hand—securing a room for the night. When the hotel near the airport turned out to be more expensive than she felt she could afford, she passed it up. An hour later, she settled into a budget motel near the interstate. Despite the thin walls and veneer furniture, it was new and clean, and the woman who’d checked her in had assured Amy several times it was safe. Though the clerk didn’t come right out and say so, Amy had the distinct impression she’d recognized Amy from the news.

Only one day in town, and she’d already made a splash. This was hardly the fresh start she’d planned. Yet, there was much to be thankful for, and she wouldn’t forget that. She thanked God for safely seeing her through the day.

“And Lord, I know we haven’t been on the best of terms lately, but I’d really like to change that. I’m just not sure how. I know You haven’t abandoned me. You proved that today. Don’t give up on me. I’m really trying to find my way back to You.”

She sat for a few minutes in silence, and her thoughts turned to Teresa, her close friend from high school. They’d had a big falling out during their senior year, over a boy, of course, and hadn’t talked for months. And when they did try to rebuild their friendship, the first few meetings had been awkward and uncomfortable. Yet, she’d always known Teresa would have been there for her in a pinch if she’d really needed a friend. That was sort of the way she felt about God right now. When He’d sent Matt to protect her, He’d proved He hadn’t abandoned her. But the lines of communication remained strained, and it would take time and effort to get back to the level of faith and trust she’d treasured before her ex-fiancé had destroyed her innocence.

As for things between her and God, she had a lot of hope. However, it would be a long time, if ever, before she’d trust her heart to a man.

Those thoughts led her back to Matt and Aunt Lila’s proposal. But before she could even entertain their offer, she needed to decide whether or not she would stay in Lexington. She had no ties here. Maybe losing the job and apartment this morning that she’d secured two weeks ago on her initial visit, along with the robbery, were signs from God that she didn’t belong here.

But if she didn’t stay in Lexington, where would she go? Who was to say bad luck wouldn’t follow her wherever she went? A quick check of her wallet convinced her Lexington was the practical choice. She only had a limited amount of funds, and she didn’t want to spend her nest egg looking for another city and moving her belongings. She’d already seen how quickly the expenses added up. If she was going to make it, she needed to be settled with a job yesterday.

Maybe she was supposed to go home.

But she didn’t want to go back to Ohio.

And it wasn’t just because of the humiliation she felt every time she bumped into Garry in public, which in her small hometown was often. No, much more was at stake than her pride.

Between Garry’s betrayal and the robbery, she felt vulnerable and unsure of her own capabilities, and she needed to prove that she could take care of herself. That she could make it on her own. If she went back to Ohio, she’d never have the opportunity to prove this. Her parents, though well-meaning and loving, would shelter and protect her.

In the lonely motel room, she admitted to herself and God what she wouldn’t admit to anyone else. She was scared. But deep in her heart she knew this was a turning point in her life, and what she decided today would affect her forever. She could go back to the past she knew, or she could move forward to an uncertain but promising future.

Lost in silent prayer, she felt the peace that had eluded her for months. She would stay in Lexington.

But as she considered the pros and cons of Aunt Lila’s offer, that answer was not so clear.

Matt recognized the blue car as soon as it came into view, traveling slowly up the meandering driveway. He was certain Amy had returned in order to politely turn down his aunt’s offer. And why shouldn’t she? Taking care of Aunt Lila while she recuperated from surgery wasn’t exactly an exciting career move.

Latching the corral gate, Matt jogged toward the main house, leaving the horses and stables behind. In shape from the many hours he spent working outdoors, he wasn’t a bit winded by the time he reached Amy. Approaching her as she shut the car door, he realized how glad he was to see her.

“Hello,” he called.

Though Amy shielded her eyes from the late afternoon sun, she wasn’t able to conceal her surprise, and perhaps even her disappointment.

“I thought you’d be at work.” She turned away briefly. “I didn’t mean that like it sounded. It’s good to see you,” she added with false brightness.

Though he couldn’t be certain, he sensed she felt the same mixed emotions he did. It was crazy that a woman he’d just met could capture his interest so quickly, and he couldn’t help but wonder if she were the one. No, he had to let those thoughts go. He didn’t believe in love at first sight. Love took time to grow and mature, and as lonely as he was and ready to settle down, he wasn’t going to do anything foolish. Still, what harm would it do to take the time to get to know this woman? To find out if something special could grow between them.

Matt swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple sticking in his throat as he looked into Amy’s bewildered eyes and instantly knew that if she left today he’d never see her again. Oddly, that made him feel sad. Yet, if that was God’s plan, then it was for the best.

“This is such a lovely farm,” she said.

As her gaze wandered, he realized she was stalling. That perhaps her mind wasn’t made up.

“Are there any questions I can answer for you?” he asked.

Amy pursed her lips as she gave the matter serious thought. “We didn’t discuss specific terms yesterday. I really need to know more before I can make a decision.”

“Then you’re interested?”

Amy nodded. “Your family has a sterling reputation. I’d be remiss not to consider working for your aunt.”

“You checked us out?” Knowing she was treating this offer seriously pleased him.

“I called the references, plus I stopped at the library to do some research on the Internet. Your family seems well established and respected. I understand they’ve played an important role in Lexington’s past.”

“That’s true,” Matt said with pride. And he hoped to do his part by preserving the family property, where it all began.

“If you stay in Lexington, you’re bound to run into us Wynn cousins. We’re a pretty active bunch.”

“And about this job?” Amy asked, as if she had dismissed any qualms she might have felt concerning the family.

“Basically, we’d like you to live with Aunt Lila and oversee the house and her needs. Your job would include everything from light housework and fixing meals to making sure she takes her medication on time and to help her with the exercise routine her doctor prescribed. Most importantly, you’ll need to make sure she doesn’t try to do too much too fast.”

Amy smiled. “And I have a feeling that’s harder than it sounds.”

Matt grinned, too. “Trust me, I’ve already tried and failed. She’s a stubborn woman with a heart of gold. And when she gets an idea in her head, there’s no stopping her.”

“Gee, I wonder who takes after her.”

Matt shook his head, enjoying the light banter.

“Does this mean you’ll take the job?” Looking directly at Amy, he held his breath as he waited for her answer.

Biting her lip, Amy still couldn’t make up her mind. For some reason she couldn’t explain, she wanted to say yes. But before she did, she wanted to make sure she was saying yes for the right reason. That she was doing what was best for her and not what was easy.

After having paced the motel room floor for most of the night without reaching a decision, she’d hoped once she reached the Wynn farm the answer would be obvious. And maybe it would have been if Matt hadn’t been here. Though she wanted to show her appreciation for the unselfish way he’d protected her during the robbery, she didn’t want to take the position out of obligation.

When Aunt Lila called, both Amy and Matt looked up. “Where are your manners, Matt? Show the lady to the house.” When neither moved, Aunt Lila waved them to come in.

“You heard my aunt,” Matt said.

“Yeah,” Amy said. As they walked toward the house, she found her answer. This home and this woman had a spirit that drew her. It was as if God had provided a safe haven where she could heal her broken heart.

She would help Aunt Lila get back on her feet, and in return, she’d use this opportunity to take stock of her life and make plans for the future. After all, this was only a temporary arrangement.