Chapter Six

“So what do you think of our doctor now?” Regina asked as she stacked ham and turkey sandwiches into a picnic basket Saturday morning.

“I don’t know what to make of him.” Nicole made a mental count of Wendy’s boxes. She had three. That’s all the worldly possessions the young woman had, but still, it seemed Wendy had never been happier. She was making a clean break from her abusive boyfriend. She now had a job, a home and—best of all—her self-respect back.

“Well I think it’s wonderful Sam’s helping us today. Wendy will be moved into her new place in no time and then we can all have a nice relaxing afternoon.” Regina closed the lid of the picnic basket and placed it on top of one of Wendy’s boxes.

“I’ll miss Wendy. She’s such a sweet girl. I hope she has a lot of success and happiness from now on.”

Regina opened the refrigerator and took out a couple of gallons of lemonade and put them on the table. “Don’t worry, she will. She’s made a lot of progress in her therapy sessions and she’s going to continue with the Wednesday night group at the church. She’ll be fine.”

Nicole sighed. With Wendy gone, Grace House would be empty except for Joshua, Regina and her. But with summer on the horizon that would change. Warm weather didn’t always bring out the good in people and soon enough there would likely be many tear-streaked faces on people standing in the Grace House foyer, looking for a place to stay.

“They’re here,” Wendy called from the front of the house.

Regina rushed out of the kitchen while Nicole squelched an urge to put a hand to her hair. This wasn’t about looking good for the doctor, this was about helping Wendy get a fresh start.

However, Nicole’s determined focus didn’t prevent her heart from racing when she saw Sam standing in the foyer, wearing jeans and a tight white T-shirt. When he put his hands on his hips the shirt stretched a little more, showing defined muscles and strong biceps. Clearly Dr. Morgan took good care of himself. Another thought niggled in the back of her mind. Vicky claimed he never was home, always working or at the gym or doing who knows what. Always putting himself before his family. Yet, he was here today to help Wendy. Could this all be an act to get Joshua back quickly?

Before Nicole could think more on that, Wendy, in her usual zealous way went right up to Sam and gave him a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here. We need a strong man like you to get the job done.”

Sam’s face turned redder than the geraniums the preschoolers had transplanted into the flower beds last week.

“Hey, what am I?” Pastor Martin laughed.

Wendy backed away from Sam and playfully tapped the reverend in the shoulder. “Oh, Pastor. You’re always a hero to me.”

“That’s what I like about you, Wendy. You’re always good with the flattery.”

At the sound of the pastor’s voice, Joshua came flying down the stairs. “Pastor M, Pastor M…” He stopped dead halfway on the staircase when he saw Sam. A deep frown creased his face.

Yesterday when Sam gave the lesson about eating healthy foods for healthy teeth, Joshua had hung back. He had to be coaxed into letting his father do the exam. Joshua wouldn’t even take the tongue depressor his father offered to each student after the exam. The tyke may have short term memory loss, but he remembered one thing clearly: His father wanted to take him away from Grace House.

The room fell silent. Nicole gingerly approached the staircase and held out her hand. “It’s okay, Joshua. Your dad is here to move Miss Wendy.”

The child eyed Sam warily and cracked a weak smile. Joshua pulled his lower lip into his mouth and cautiously walked down the steps and then grabbed Nicole’s hand. Sam didn’t say a word or move a muscle. She knew that stance—of fearing she’d make things worse. She had used it often enough with her own father.

Fear of upsetting the apple cart…

Fear that one slight move might cause a child to bolt up the steps or, as in her case, a father might get the itch to move again. Feeling like if you only stayed silent and still, things wouldn’t get worse. For a brief moment her heart ached for Sam. But she pushed her sympathy away. Vicky’s words echoed in Nicole’s mind. ‘He never was around and when he was he could be cruel. He yelled all the time. That’s why we left Guatemala.’ If that were true then Sam Morgan didn’t deserve her sympathy. But if Vicky had exaggerated or even lied…

“The boxes are in the kitchen,” Regina said, breaking the tension and pulling Nicole to the present. “If we all grab something we’ll be out of here in no time.”

Most of the boxes were placed in Wendy’s car. Sam and Pastor Martin crawled into the U-Haul truck while Regina, Nicole and Joshua followed in Nicole’s car. Wendy would go to her apartment with the boxes while the rest of them would head to Jeff White’s place to pick up the furniture and appliances.

“Come on in,” Jeff said, greeting the group at the door. He extended his hand to Sam. “Why Dr. Morgan, it sure is nice to have you home. And right in time to help us move.” He chuckled.

“The pleasure is mine, Jeff. How’s the missus?” Sam asked as everyone stepped into the house.

“Why, I think she’s doing fine. Phoebe is already living in Boston. Been there for two months on account of her job. We’ve had a hard time selling the house. Seems more people are moving out of Golden Ridge than moving into it…” He shook his head with regret. “Gotta go where the jobs are.”

Nicole’s insides did a tumble as Sam vigorously nodded his agreement. Sure, things were changing in Golden Ridge. More chain stores were being built by Silver Ridge and more vacationers at Big Golden Ridge Lake. People didn’t have to come into Golden Ridge to buy their groceries or other supplies anymore. But Golden Ridge had other things to offer such as personal service and friendly faces and…

Nicole’s spirits fell. Those were the same words many of the larger stores were using to bring people in. They could advertise all they wanted, but they would never have Golden Ridge’s warmth and charm.

“Well, where would you like to start?” Jeff asked.

Sam scratched his chin. “We’ll start with the appliances and we’ll let Joshua and the ladies take the end tables out. Does that work for you, buddy?”

Joshua nodded his head and then quickly scooted behind Nicole. The men headed to the kitchen where they spotted the two small tables in the living room.

“Why these are some fine tables. I’m surprised Jeff doesn’t want to take these,” Regina said as she ran her hand across the smooth oak surface.

Joshua scampered over to the green couch and began bouncing up and down on it. The large living room had beautiful crown moldings and tall ceilings. Cheerful cream walls and the wide oak trim spoke of the grace and the beauty one could find in a small town.

“Jeff told me that they’ve bought a condo in South Boston and a lot of this furniture wouldn’t fit.” Nicole let her fingers trace the carved mantle above the fireplace.

“He seems really excited about the move.” Regina bent over the small table. “Let’s start with this one.”

The table was quite light when Nicole picked it up. “I think I can manage this table alone. I’ll take it out; you just keep an eye on Joshua.”

By this time, Joshua was jumping from the cocktail table to the couch, proclaiming he was Superman.

Regina threw her hands up in the air. “Good heavens, get down from there. You could hurt yourself.”

The child just giggled. Nicole laughed as she exited the living room. Joshua could be a handful, but that was one of the things she loved about him. Her steps faltered. Grace House would be a lonely place once he left.

Despite her deflated feelings, Nicole picked up her pace and placed the table by the curb just as the men were bringing out the stove. Sam gripped the back of the appliance and Pastor Martin and Jeff had the front. Jeff barked out orders; Sam seemed to take them all in stride. With teamwork they managed to bring the stove down the steps and then hoist it into the truck.

Sam then turned to Nicole, concern etched on his face. “Everything okay?”

“Yep, the tables are a cinch.”

He then looked around.

“Joshua is inside with Regina.”

Sam nodded approval, without comment.

Jeff came up from behind and slapped Sam on the back. “Now we got the tough one.”

“Meaning the refrigerator,” Sam said, keeping his gaze on Nicole.

Jeff wrinkled his brow and rubbed the back of his neck. “You know, I think I got a small dolly in the shed that might help us get that one out.”

“Now he thinks of that after the stove is already in the truck.” Sam let out a heavy sigh.

“Oh, and Nicole,” Jeff called as he headed for the shed, “there’s a few boxes of china and stuff Phoebe wanted you and Regina to look through. Maybe there’s things you can use at Grace House, or maybe there’s something else Wendy can use.”

“Sure. We’ll take a look after we get the tables out of the living room.”

Nicole reached to pick up the end-table to put in the back of the truck, but Sam put his hand out to stop her. At his touch a warm flush of heat sped up her arm and caused her heart to hammer.

“I got this. Just leave the tables at the curb. I’ll put them in after we’ve loaded the refrigerator.”

In a quiet voice she muttered her thanks, but didn’t raise her eyes to his, fearing one look would speed up her heart even more. She walked back to the house, her mind a jumbled mess.

So far Sam’s actions didn’t live up to Vicky’s words. Nicole shook her head. They didn’t mix with her own reaction to him either.

Why did Sam Morgan seem to get under her skin more than anyone else? She’d think about that later…when he wasn’t around to distract her.

* * *

Nicole brought out the other table and then Regina, Joshua and she retreated to the dining room to get the china boxes. On top of the table, Joshua spied a large old picture book about ships. He took the book to a corner in the room and sat down. Convinced he’d be okay, Nicole and Regina tackled the boxes.

Inside they found blue-and-white china, no two pieces exactly alike. “Why on earth doesn’t Phoebe want these?” Regina asked.

“Perhaps because they don’t match?” Nicole offered, though she couldn’t understand it either. “Everybody has different tastes and maybe now Phoebe and Jeff want all new things to go with their fresh start in Boston.”

The next box was full with every type of gadget and kitchen utensil imaginable. “This I understand,” said Regina. “Phoebe told me Jeff was really into kitchen utensils. Can openers, spatulas, strainers, you name it. While other men were into tools, Jeff was exploring the culinary arts. Which reminds me, I got to get his lemon bar recipe. His bars put mine to shame.”

They took their time looking at every gadget in the box and had a good laugh. What Wendy already had they decided to donate to the local homeless shelter. They were always in short supply of things like that.

The last box was full of books and many picture books. Nicole looked up to call Joshua over, but the corner was empty. The ship picture book lay open on the floor but the tyke was nowhere in sight. Her heart sank and her stomach twisted like it was being crushed by a python.

“Where is he?” she cried.

Regina stood and looked around the room. “I’m sure he’s somewhere close by. Calm down. We’ll find him.”

What if they didn’t? What if something terrible happened to Joshua while everybody was paying attention to other things? He could have wandered out of the house or fallen down the basement steps. The possibilities were endless.

“Joshua,” Nicole called as she exited the dining room. “Joshua.”

A rush of relief unscrewed the knots in her stomach when he spotted Joshua crouched down next to Sam who sat on the floor in the parlor. The couch lay on its side and the pair was examining a leg of the sofa.

Nicole raced to his side. “Joshua what are you doing?” She cringed at the forcefulness of her question.

He peered up at her, puzzled. “Unscrewing the couch leg. It’s a big job.” He then, with the tip of his tongue hanging outside his mouth, returned his attention to his task.

With two fingers Sam helped guide the screwdriver into the slot.

“Careful…steady… There. Now slowly turn it in the groove in the bolt,” Sam said softly.

When the screwdriver slipped out of the notch, Joshua whimpered.

“That’s okay, you’re doing great. Let’s try again.” Sam calmly placed two fingers under the screwdriver again to guide it back to the correct spot.

After five attempts they managed to unscrew the leg. By then, everyone had gathered in the room. Joshua held up the wooden support as if it were a trophy. Everyone cheered and clapped.

“Let’s do the other one,” he pronounced.

Most in the room mumbled and moved on to other tasks, except for Sam who just moved over to the other couch leg. “Let’s do this,” he said, smiling up at his son.

Just like a caring father would do.

Was this the real Sam? Could she trust that it was? Nicole’s head ached. If so, then Joshua would be leaving very soon. She should be happy…but she wasn’t and she wasn’t sure why.