Healing Hearts (3 page)

“Dominic, are you all right?” Samuel said, an urgency to his voice.

“Yes. My mind has been elsewhere. Call me when you know what’s going on in Costa Sierra.”

He placed his cell phone on the couch next to him and leaned back, wondering what he would do if the operation didn’t really fix Madi’s legs. He was ill equipped to deal with this situation. He’d wanted to be a father years ago. He’d even thought he had found the perfect woman to marry and start a family with. Then he’d made the mistake of bringing her home to the ranch to meet his father. Six months later she’d married his father and a year later Madi had been born. He loved his sister, but he’d had a hard time letting go of what Susie and his dad had done to him. His father had been grooming him to take over Winter Haven Ranch at the same time he was moving in on his fiancée. It was after that that Dominic had left Oklahoma and headed to Houston.

Now, after ten years of hard work, his company was finally what he had always envisioned it to be. He hadn’t depended on his father for anything. When Dominic had taken his inheritance from his maternal grandparents and started Winters Clothing and Textiles, he had broken all ties with his father and stepmother. But it was little Madi who brought him back to the ranch occasionally.

When the door opened, Ms. Harris entered and looked at him, concern dulling her brown eyes. “Is something wrong with Madison?”

He schooled his features into a neutral expression, not used to sharing himself with others, even a beautiful woman who had allowed him the use of her office. “No. I haven’t heard anything yet. I was just thinking.”

“Everything okay?”

He must be losing his touch. He usually could prevent his emotions from appearing on his face. That ability had served him well in the business world. But for the past six months nothing had been the same for him. And he was discovering Abbey Harris was quite perceptive, which was an asset as a social worker. “Problems with a work situation,” he said when he realized she’d moved closer, concern growing in her eyes.

“Your three missing employees in Costa Sierra?”

“How do you know about that? They were supposed to keep it quiet.”

“It’s all over the internet this morning.”

“Great. I really shouldn’t be surprised.” Why hadn’t Samuel told him? Probably trying to protect him while he was dealing with his sister’s surgery. He would let his second in command know that he wasn’t fragile. He needed to be aware of everything. That was the problem. He wasn’t doing his job adequately, and he wasn’t being a brother to Madi adequately, either. He didn’t tolerate failure in anyone, least of all himself, and right now he was letting everyone down.

“Sometimes when life comes crashing down around you, you have to step back and regroup. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Do you have someone handling the situation in Costa Sierra?”

That was his problem. He had a difficult time asking anyone for help—even the Lord. When all his plans with Susie had fallen apart years ago, he’d worked hard to make sure he never had to suffer through that kind of pain again. And yet he had—with the death of his dad and Susie. “Yes, my second in command is handling it,” he answered when he again realized she was waiting for a response.

“Then let him.”

“It’s
my
company,
my
employees.”

“What about your sister? If the operation is successful, she’ll be having intense physical therapy and will need someone there to cheer her on. It’ll be a long road for her until she walks again. And if the surgery isn’t successful, you’ll have a whole other set of problems, teaching her to deal with living in a wheelchair.”

“You sure know how to cheer me up.”

“I don’t take you as a guy who avoids problems. I have a feeling you like to meet a challenge head-on.”

That was a good description of how he operated—until his father died suddenly of a heart attack while flying his plane and left him guardian of his younger, injured sister, who seemed to need more than he could give her. He’d buried so many of his emotions years ago that he was struggling to give her what she needed.

His cell phone sounded again, and he scooped it off the cushion, this time noting it was the hospital calling. “Yes?”

“Madi has been taken to Recovery. The operation went well. You’ll be able to go back there in about fifteen minutes to see her. The doctor will stop by and talk to you then.”

“Thanks. I’ll be there.” He rose and stuffed his phone in his pocket, then bent over to pick up his briefcase.

“Is Madison out of surgery?”

He peered at Abbey with her red hair hooked behind her ears, small gold studs in them. His gaze shifted to her face. She was neither smiling nor frowning as he looked into those eyes of hers. Big. Expressive. And full of concern that he wouldn’t let himself respond to. He didn’t need any more complications in an already complicated life. “Yes, she’s being taken to Recovery.”

“How did she do?” Abbey took a step toward him. Then another.

Trapped by the warmth in her gaze, he remained still, the space narrowing between them. “Good, I think. I’ll know more when I talk with the doctor.”

Silence fell between them. He needed to leave and yet... He clenched his briefcase tighter. “How was your patient?”

“Gone,” she said, then quickly added, “Not dead, but he left earlier than expected for the nursing home.”

“I’m glad he’s all right.” Dominic backed away. “Thanks for allowing me to sit in your office. I even managed to catch a catnap.”

“Good. Rest can be one of the hardest things to get in a crisis.”

“I don’t think I’ve had a good night’s sleep for the past six months. I’ll never take it for granted ever again.”

“I’ve been there. I know what you mean, Mr. Winters.”

With another step, Dominic encountered the door. She did understand. “Please call me Dominic. After all, you shared your office with me, and I appreciate that, Abbey.”

She smiled, her brown eyes shining. “Tell Madison I’ll come by and see her soon.”

He remembered his sister’s comments about Abbey’s dog last night. “Would you bring Gabe with you?”

Her grin widened. “If you want me to, I will.”

“Yes, I was wrong yesterday. Madi enjoyed seeing Gabe. She hasn’t talked much about losing her dog. In fact, she hasn’t said much about losing her parents. Not even to the counselor. So mentioning it to you was a good thing, even with the tears.”

“I’m glad she did.”

The gleam in her eyes turned them to a cinnamon shade that made Dominic want to see close up. But he quickly abandoned that notion. “I’d better be going. I want to be there when she wakes up.”

Abbey moved toward him. “I’m taking Gabe to see the patient who went to a nursing home today. After I see him, I’ll bring Gabe by for a short visit when she’s out of Recovery. If it goes well, I can bring him back again. That is, if it’s okay with you.”

“Let’s see how it goes. This is all new for me, and I have to admit I’m struggling with my new role in Madi’s life. I knew how to be a big brother, even a long-distance one, but this...” As the words spilled from his mouth, surprise flitted through him. Through the years, he’d worked to present a tough facade in a cutthroat business world. To admit he didn’t have all the answers seemed so strange, but it was true. He needed help. After six months, he could finally admit he was totally in over his head, and barely treading water.

“You’re still her big brother, too. When they become parents, most people have to learn as they go. Raising children is predictable at times but also very unpredictable. That’s what keeps it interesting, as well as...” Abbey’s voice faded.

She averted her eyes, but not before he saw a sheen to her eyes. Was she thinking about her own daughter? “You okay?”

She cleared her throat. “Yes.” The corners of her mouth hitched up for a few seconds but didn’t stay. “You’d better get a move on it. I’ll see you two later.” She leaned around him and opened the door.

Her scent—like a bouquet of flowers—wafted to him. He drew in a deep breath, thinking about a special place on the ranch in the spring where the wildflowers grew abundantly and filled the air with their aroma. Since returning, he hadn’t had time to ride as he used to. He missed that.

“Bye,” he murmured, and walked into the hall. He felt her gaze on him and glanced back. A connection arced between them. They both had lost someone important in their lives. With a nod, he continued his trek toward the recovery room. He knew how hard it was for him to lose a father—even one who had betrayed him. He couldn’t imagine how awful it would be to lose a child.

* * *

Abbey rested against her door, desperately fighting to hold back the tears. Normally she was fine, except at odd moments when she felt overcome with her grief. She had so much to be thankful for. The Lord had given her a new direction, helping others rather than pitying herself. She had to focus on that, or she would let her sorrow overwhelm her again. But with Dominic, she felt his loss, too. And she felt something else—an attraction.

I can’t go through that again
.

Chapter Three

“I
thought you forgot me,” Mr. Johnson said the second Abbey came into his room at Shady Oaks Nursing Home later that day.

“I’d never forget you. I didn’t know they were moving you earlier than planned.”

Gabe tugged on his leash and dragged her toward the older man sitting in a chair positioned by the window that overlooked a garden bursting with the bright colors of summer. She let go, and Gabe made a beeline for Mr. Johnson, who greeted him as if he hadn’t seen him in days.

“Neither did I. I told them they couldn’t operate like that. People need to plan for changes.”

“If only that could be the case every time.”

He chuckled as he stroked Gabe’s fur. “Yeah. It would make my life much better.” When he patted the arm of his wheelchair, her dog propped himself against it so Mr. Johnson could hug him. “I sure missed this, boy. I didn’t know what I was missing not having a dog for all these years.”

Watching the man’s face glow with contentment made her heart fill with joy. “You know I could check with the nursing home and see if they allow pets for the residents. I have an abandoned dog left at my father’s veterinary clinic that needs a home.”

“What kind?”

“A bichon frise. She’s about this tall.” She indicated a few inches over a foot. “Pure white with a curly tail.”

Mr. Johnson shook his head. “Nope. I want a manly dog. Like Gabe. He’s perfect for me.” He rubbed his face along Gabe’s neck.

“I’ll be on the lookout for one, but first I need to see if you can even have a pet.” She couldn’t give Gabe away. He was a part of her family, had been there for her through the good times and bad, but maybe she could find a similar dog for Mr. Johnson. As her dad had pointed out, people left animals on his doorstep for him to take care of because he was a vet, so it wouldn’t be too long before another one turned up at the animal hospital. “Before I leave, I’ll see if the director is here.”

“The old battle-ax.” Mr. Johnson snorted. “Forget it. She won’t allow anything to disrupt how Shady Oaks is run.”

“And you know this after being here less than half a day?”

“Yes. I saw and heard things at lunch. She runs a tight ship.” He tapped his temple. “Not much gets past this steel trap. I may have lost the ability to walk, but my mind is sharp as a tack.”

“Keeping things running smoothly can be a good thing. You know what to expect.”

“You’re right. I expect her to say no.” As he patted Gabe, he continued, “Did I ever tell you about that time in the navy when we snuck a couple of cats aboard our ship to rid it of the mice and rat problem?”

“No.” Abbey took a chair across from Mr. Johnson so she could listen to one of his many stories.

When Mr. Johnson finished telling her his escapade that landed him in the brig, he yawned. “I can’t believe my own story almost put me to sleep. You’re a jewel to listen to this old man.”

“I told you I was a good listener. But I still have a young lady to take Gabe to see.”

“I have a rival for his affections?”

“Yep, she’s eight years old and had surgery today. She needs some cheering up.”

Mr. Johnson took Gabe’s head in his hands and said, “You hear that? You go make that child happy and tell me about it when you visit again.” He peered up. “You two will come again?”

“Just try to keep me away. Tomorrow after work.”

On her way out of the nursing home, she stopped by the main office and asked to speak with the director, Mrs. Rosen. When Abbey greeted the fortysomething woman, her mouth pinched together and she pointed at her dog.

“How did you get him in here? We have a rule about no animals in the building.”

She should have checked beforehand, but so many nursing homes allowed them inside. “Pets are wonderful therapy for people who are lonely and depressed. It would be nice to bring some small pets in.”

“No way. Not. Possible,” Mrs. Rosen said. “Our patients aren’t lonely. And pets can be so disruptive. I have a full staff that engages the people on their ward whenever they can. They don’t have time to take care of animals on top of patients.”

“I brought Gabe to cheer up Mr. Johnson. This move has been hard on him. I take care of my dog, so the staff doesn’t have to. Mr. Johnson expects me to come tomorrow with Gabe. Do you have a problem with that?” How could this woman not see how good animals were for people?

“That’s fine so long as you and he meet out in the courtyard. Animals belong outside, not in here, even for a visit.”

Her blood starting to boil, Abbey counted to ten before she responded to the manager. “Do you know who I am?”

The lady arched a brow. “Abbey Harris, according to my secretary.”

“I’m the social worker at Cimarron City Hospital. I often have to place people in nursing homes when their hospital insurance runs out, but they still need care. From the literature I’ve read an animal can calm a patient otherwise agitated, lower a person’s blood pressure. I can run off some copies of those articles for you to look at.”

“That’s okay. That still doesn’t address the care it would take if individual patients had their own pets. Like I said, not possible. This place would become a kennel, not a nursing home.”

Anger festered in the pit of Abbey’s stomach. Mrs. Rosen wasn’t even willing to check into the benefits of animal therapy and make some concessions. “If this home isn’t friendly toward its patients, I’ll have to consider others in town.”

“I’m a good friend with the director of the hospital. Mr. Hansen won’t be happy to hear about your threat.”

“It’s part of my job to offer the best options to our patients, which include animal therapy. According to Mr. Hansen, the patients come first. Good day, Mrs. Rosen.” Abbey hurried from the woman’s office before she made the situation worse.

Abbey had let her anger get the better of her. Indeed, Mrs. Rosen might have more influence with Mr. Hansen than she did. She’d been working at the hospital for less than a year and had hardly seen the man who ran the place. But she did believe strongly in the power of animals to help people and speed the healing process along.

Somehow she would change Mrs. Rosen’s mind, so Mr. Johnson could have a pet or at the very least regular visits from Gabe inside, where the heat of summer wouldn’t be an issue. In a few weeks the temperature could be in the hundreds. Once Gabe had started visiting him on a regular basis, it had transformed an angry man into an affable one.

Twenty minutes later she pulled into the hospital parking lot and strolled toward the back entrance. Using the stairs, she and Gabe climbed them to the floor where Madison’s room was. Before she’d left for the day she’d checked to make sure the little girl was back in her own room. Caron had told her Madison was doing great, more awake and alert than after her previous two operations.

She knocked on the door and waited to hear “come in” before she entered.

Dominic stood on the opposite side of the bed from Abbey. “She’s been sleeping awhile now. I’ll tell her you and Gabe came when she wakes up. Maybe you can come back another day.”

“We can stay awhile, if that’s okay with you. I don’t have anything special to do other than pick up a new dog Dad wants me to take.”

“How many will that make?”

The sight of his smile, which quirked the corners of his mouth, fluttered her stomach. “My fourth one. I’ll have to apply for a kennel license if I get too many more. This particular dog was left on the doorstep of my dad’s clinic.”

“He’s a vet?”

Tired after a long day, Abbey came around the bed and sat on the couch. Gabe stretched out on the floor at her feet. “Yes, and I’m the first person he tries to pawn any abandoned animal off on. I’ve had to put my foot down a number of times or that would be my full-time job.” She grinned when she thought of her dogs greeting her when she came home from work. “Actually that wouldn’t be too bad a job. It just wouldn’t pay anything for me to live on.”

Dominic scooted his chair around to face her. “I used to have a horse when I lived at the ranch, and Lightning had a dog that shared his stall with him. Dusty was a mutt that wandered into the barn one day and never left. My dad was a sucker for a stray animal. Used to drive my mom crazy. After she died, Dad stopped adopting animals. I asked him one day why. He told me her death took all the fun out of trying to find a way to have one more pet.”

Abbey chuckled. “That kind of sounds like my parents. The problem is my mother is a cat person and my dad a dog person. That’s caused a few arguments through the years.”

“You took after your dad then?”

“Not really. I have two cats, too. I won’t be surprised if Mom tries to give me another cat to try to even out the numbers some.”

“It sounds like you have a zoo at your house.”

“I grew up with animals all around me and loved to help Dad at his veterinary hospital.”

“Why didn’t you become a veterinarian like your father?”

She let out a long breath. “That was a bone of contention with my dad. He thought I would and didn’t understand why I wouldn’t. He didn’t count on the fact I loved animals so much I couldn’t deal with seeing them hurt all the time. I don’t know how he does it day in and day out.”

Dominic looked away, a frown carving deep lines in his face. “Sometimes what our fathers want isn’t what’s good for us.”

Abbey wanted to ask him what he meant by that last statement, but an expression descended on his face that stopped her. Anger? Hurt? She wasn’t sure, but she did know one thing—Dominic didn’t want to talk about it. She searched her mind for something else to talk about. “I think I might be banned from Shady Oaks Nursing Home after today. I let my temper get the better of me.”

“What happened? Did that involve the patient who moved to the nursing home?”

Abbey related her conversations with Mr. Johnson and Mrs. Rosen. “My impulse is to bring a ton of articles on animal therapy to the lady and dump them on her neat, well-organized desk, but I suppose she wouldn’t appreciate that.” Abbey smiled. “I might mess up her routine and that is not allowed. I don’t think the woman is an animal lover.”

Dominic’s laughter echoed through the room. She liked hearing it. Rich and deep. The corners of his eyes crinkled and dimples appeared on each of his cheeks.

“Maybe I should teach you the art of negotiation,” he said when he finished laughing.

“I’ll have you know I’m usually quite good at it. I even know how to compromise. She just riled me today.”

“What are you going to do about Mrs. Rosen?”

“Win her over, somehow.”

“I have a feeling you’ll succeed.”

His declaration sent goose bumps flashing up her arms, and she felt a blush heat her cheeks.

“I think I see some bulldog characteristics in you.”

Abbey burst out laughing. “I’m trying hard not to take offense. I’d rather believe you meant I’m simply a determined person.”

His gaze riveted to Abbey. Intense. Probing. Assessing. For the life of her she couldn’t look away. In that moment a connection sparked the air between them, heightening her senses to the man struggling to help his sister.

“In the short time we’ve known each other, that’s one of the things I’ve learned I like about you. You know what you want and go for it. I won’t be surprised if Shady Oaks has more than one dog there before this is over. And I agree, taking care of an animal can be good for a person.”

“It can turn their focus to something other than their problems. There are two wings that have patients who only need assisted living. They should at least have an opportunity to have a pet if they want.” She finally dragged her gaze from Dominic and noticed Madison stir in the bed. Abbey gestured toward the girl. “She may be waking up.”

By the time Dominic turned around to face his sister, Madison’s eyes eased open, and she spied Gabe. “You brought him.” She smiled.

Abbey pushed to her feet and covered the distance to the bed. “There is no way I would disappoint you. Besides, Gabe was excited to come up here to see you. Weren’t you, boy?”

Her dog barked, his tail wagging.

Madison’s grin widened. “I’m glad.”

“We won’t be able to stay long, but we’ll be back tomorrow. Gabe wants to make sure you’re getting better. He loves to listen about your day.”

“He does?”

“That’s one of his gifts. When my daughter was sick, he was there for her every day.”

“You have a daughter?”

Abbey pushed her sorrow down so she could answer the child. “Yes, but she went home to be with the Lord.”

“Like Mom and Dad.” Madison’s eyes misted, and her smile drooped.

“Yes.” Abbey cupped her hand over the girl’s. “So remember Gabe’s gift. He’s special.”

“I will.” Her eyelids began to slide close. “Thirsty.”

Since Abbey was closer than Dominic to the water pitcher, she poured some water into a pink plastic cup and helped Madison sit up enough to sip out of a straw. “How are you doing?”

“O-kay.” Madison sank back on the bed and drifted off to sleep again.

Dominic stood beside Abbey. “Even when I know she’s in pain, she doesn’t say much. I worry she’s holding it all inside, especially about her parents, and it’s building up. She doesn’t even talk much with her counselor, and they’ve been together for months.”

“How someone copes with trauma varies from person to person. If you’ll be okay with it, I can have Gabe visit every day, and we can leave them alone some. She may talk to him when she won’t to a person. I found that worked with my daughter. Even at five, Lisa was trying to be brave for me. But once, when I had to leave the room for a few minutes, I heard her talking to Gabe. I found out how she was really feeling, and it helped me to help her.”

“I’m willing to try anything. I want my sister well and able to be a child again.”

“How long is she going to be in the hospital this time?”

“A week. It’ll depend on her pain level and her progress after the surgery.”

“Then tomorrow I’ll bring Gabe by at the end of my day. I can go home to get him and bring him back. I usually make the rounds with him to certain patients a couple of times a week. Are you staying here all the time?”