When I woke all I could see was glaring light. I opened my eyes and quickly closed them again.
“Shay? Are you awake?”
That was Drew’s voice. He was here with me? But where was I? My mind was muddled and I couldn’t figure out what had happened, and for the love of heaven why were there all these bright lights focused on me?
Someone reached for my hand and was kissing my fingers. I had to assume it was Drew, but I wasn’t opening my eyes with those lights blinding me.
“If you can hear me, squeeze my fingers.”
I squeezed Drew’s hand.
“Thank you, God. Thank you,” he whispered with such heartfelt emotion that I had to wonder what had happened.
My throat felt parched. He seemed to read my thoughts because I felt a straw at my lips and I sucked greedily. “Where…” I wasn’t able to finish the question, but apparently Drew knew what I was asking because he answered.
“You’re in the hospital. You’ve had surgery to relieve the pressure on your brain after you were attacked. You had a skull fracture.”
I’d been attacked? I had no memory of that. Who would want to hurt me this badly?
“I need to let the nurse know you’re conscious.” He released my hand and I heard the door open and close as Drew left the room.
Once more I tried opening my eyes, but I couldn’t against the intense brightness of the light. I felt like I was staring into the sun.
It didn’t seem that Drew was gone more than a few seconds when he returned with a nurse who immediately started taking my vital signs and talking to me. It didn’t take long for me to feel the urge to sleep, though. Voices surrounded me and whoever was speaking sounded reassured and pleased.
I attempted a smile. Pressing questions were asked of me that demanded answers I didn’t seem to have. I could feel the darkness inviting me back into the comfort of sleep again. Ah well, I was in no hurry and figured Drew would be able to explain it all to me later.
The next time I awoke, I again heard voices. One belonged to Lilly Palmer and the other was someone I didn’t recognize. I enjoyed listening in on their conversation. Lilly was telling the second person how we’d met over a year ago at Hope Center. She talked about how I’d arrived with attitude and how that had gradually changed. There was pride in her voice that made me realize how far I’d come, and at the same time, how far I had yet to go.
I wanted to explain that I’d had plenty of help along the way and much of that assistance had come from Lilly. The woman should have been a drill sergeant for the Marines. She’d pushed and prodded me until I’d wanted to scream, run, and hide. It wasn’t calisthenics she drilled into me, though. Lilly forced me to face the emotional garbage I’d been dragging around with me for years. Resentments, anger, fears—nothing was ignored or pushed aside. There’d been plenty of pain and tears but in the end it had been worth it. At one point in our counseling session I remember getting angry enough to stand up and scream at Lilly. She’d pushed me too far and I wasn’t going to take it any longer. What shocked me was the big smile that had come over her face. That moment had been the turning point for me.
“I hate that this has happened to her,” Lilly said.
Yes, interesting. I’d like to know what had happened to me, too.
Lilly continued, “From what I understand, the guy hasn’t been caught.”
“Do the police know who’s responsible for hurting her?”
“It’s a man from Shay’s past. He goes by the street name Shooter.”
Shooter. Shooter? My mind exploded and I must have cried out, because Lilly grabbed hold of my forearm. “Shay? Are you all right? Do you need me to get someone?”
I managed to shake my head. Shooter was the one who’d hurt me? How was that possible when he was supposed to be in prison? And why couldn’t I remember what had happened? None of this made sense.
After a few minutes I must have fallen asleep again.
When I next woke, the lights weren’t as bright or debilitating, and I was able to open my eyes for more than a few seconds. Right away I saw Drew sitting at my bedside. He had his Bible in his lap and appeared to be reading.
“Hi,” I whispered.
He looked up and a big smile came over him. Setting down the Bible he stood and looked down on me. “You’re awake.”
I attempted a smile.
“Would you like more water?”
“Please.” As he had before, he positioned the straw at my lips, and I took a long sip.
When he set the container aside, I raised my hand to my head and felt the bandages. As soon as I did, a bit of my memory returned. I remembered that Richard and Chuck had been with me and was immediately concerned they might be hurt.
“Richard?”
“He’s worried sick about you. He’s been at the hospital every day. He stands in the doorway and won’t come into the room. Haven’t quite figured that out yet. It’s very kind of him, though. He looks at you from the hallway, sniffles, and walks away, and then comes back, looks some more, sniffles, and leaves.”
“Richard tried to save me. Is Chuck okay?”
“Both are fine. I heard what Richard did. The man has a lot of courage.” Drew looked at me and a slow grin came over him. “I’ve been waiting a long time for you to wake up and talk. Now that you have, I don’t think you’ve ever looked more beautiful.”
I couldn’t help it, I snickered. “Yeah, I’ll bet. How long have I been out of it?”
“Awhile. Four days. Three of the longest days of my life.”
He touched my cheek with a look of such tenderness that I bit down on my lip, afraid I was going to start crying. Everything that had happened threatened to overwhelm me.
“The police haven’t found Shooter?”
Drew shook his head and his face darkened. “Not yet. It’s only a matter of time until he’s caught.”
I swallowed hard. “He’s looking for my brother.” Seeing that I’d managed to survive this attack didn’t mean Shooter wouldn’t try again. He knew where I worked and it was highly probable that he had my home address. Fear immediately gripped hold of me in a vise so strong and tight that I found it difficult to breathe.
“How do you think he found you?” Drew asked.
That was the same question that had played in the back of my mind ever since I learned Shooter was responsible for my injuries. “Richard. He’s kept his eye out for Caden. I don’t want anything to do with my brother, but I wanted to know if he was in the area. Richard had asked around about him. I think he hoped to find him, help him if he could without involving me. I tried to warn him. As much as I love my brother, he’s on a path I can’t follow. I thought I was helping him before, but I was the one who ended up paying the price.”
Drew’s frown thickened.
“Shooter believes he can get to Caden through me and he won’t stop until he gets what he wants.” I knew Shooter and he wouldn’t take no for an answer. He refused to believe me before, which was why he’d attacked me. There was nothing to keep him from trying again, and when I didn’t give him the information he needed, I’d pay the price. Shooter would think nothing of killing me. He had nothing to lose.
“I’m not going to let that happen,” Drew insisted.
With everything in me, I wanted to believe I was safe, but experience told me otherwise. “He probably knows where I live.”
“Not anymore.”
His answer hung in the air. I blinked, uncertain at the implication. “What do you mean?”
“You’re not living in the tiny house any longer.”
“What?”
Drew’s shoulders relaxed as he reached for my hand and held it in both of his. “I don’t know if you remember this or not. Awhile ago I mentioned that there was a small apartment in the basement of the church. At one time the youth pastor lived there. It’s a tiny space, but it has all the essentials.”
“I don’t remember anything about any apartment.” Well, maybe vaguely I recalled Drew mentioning something about it, but that had been weeks ago.
“It’s been used for storage for the most part. The elders thought it would be a good idea to rent it out. The extra income would help the church meet its budget. In the beginning I was against it because it would require a lot of work to ready for a tenant. I’ve since changed my mind.”
“You want me to move to that apartment?”
“Yes. Actually, I made that decision for you as soon as I heard what had happened and that Shooter hadn’t been apprehended.”
“You did?”
He gripped hold of my hand, squeezing my fingers. “I refuse for you to be in danger. Linda Kincaid and Lilly Palmer and a couple other volunteers have been working tirelessly to get the apartment ready for you to move in. If Lilly has anything to say about it, you’ll be completely moved by the time you’re released. You won’t even go back to your old place.”
“My job…”
“Will be waiting for you when you’re ready to go back, only I’ll be driving you there in the mornings and picking you up when you’re finished with your shift.”
“Drew—”
“If you plan on arguing with me, then save your breath,” he said, cutting me off. “It’s all been decided. Not one of us is willing to give Shooter another chance to get close to you. The church basement is secure, with an alarm system. I had new lighting installed as well. Plus I’m practically living next door.”
The idea of being close to Drew and the children appealed to me on a number of different levels. “Thank you,” I whispered, overwhelmed by the love and care shown to me by my friends.
“You’re welcome,” Drew said. “Oh, and before I forget, Sarah drew you a picture.” He turned away and reached for it.
I laughed out loud when I saw it. The nine-year-old had drawn me as a stick figure, lying in a bed with my head twice the size of my body. She had an IV pole next to the bed with a night stand with a Bible on it. Then in large letters below the drawing she’d printed HURRY AND GET WELL.
This was the longest since the attack I’d been awake, and it tired me out. Although I struggled to keep my eyes open, they kept drifting shut. “I think I need to sleep a bit.”
“You do that.”
“I don’t want to.” If I fell asleep I’d be wasting the precious minutes Drew was with me, and I most definitely didn’t want to do that. “I’ll miss seeing you.”
“I’ll be here when you wake.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.” He leaned forward and kissed my cheek.
It felt wonderful to have him close. The battle was already lost, though, and I could feel the pull of sleep and was unable to resist.
Time was of little consequence, and I woke to the sound of whispered voices. Drew’s I recognized right away. The second voice was vaguely familiar. I tugged at my memory for a name.
“How is she?”
Drew answered. “Better. She was awake earlier, and we spoke. She seems to stay awake longer each time. That’s a good sign.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
It took a moment, but I recognized the woman’s voice as belonging to Linda Kincaid.
“Everything ready at the apartment?” Drew asked.
“Yes, we have all of her belongings moved in. Lilly is there now unpacking. Everything should be shipshape for Shay once she’s released from the hospital.”
I should let them know I was awake, but it was easier to soak in the warmth and the soft voices and relax.
“I’m grateful,” Drew said.
I was, too. With no idea how long it would take me to recover from this surgery and my other injuries, it would be weeks before I could have found the energy to pack up and move. Having everything prearranged and managed for me was a totally unexpected gift.
“Are you sure you’re doing the right thing, Drew?”
I heard the hesitation in Linda’s voice.
“What makes you ask?”
An edge of defensiveness etched his words, I noticed, as if he resented Linda’s question.
“I know you’re fond of Shay.”
“It’s beyond being fond. I deeply care about her.”
He does? A warm sensation fanned out from my heart. More than anything I wanted Drew to know I felt the same way about him.
“What’s the problem?” Drew asked.
Linda paused as though considering her words carefully. “Don’t misunderstand me, Drew. I think Shay is great, it’s just that word has spread that she’s been in prison.”
Drew was silent, but even with my eyes closed I could feel the frustration radiating off him.
“And?” he pressed.
“And, well…there’s talk.”
“What kind of talk?” His voice was tight.
“Some of the church members have wondered how trustworthy she is. Having her live in that basement apartment has raised several eyebrows.”
“Are you one of the people who has questions?” Drew asked.
When Linda didn’t respond right away, I knew her answer, and my heart sank.
“My concern is not about Shay,” Linda continued. “I wonder how appropriate it is for you to associate with her when there are other women—”
“More appropriate choices, you mean?” Drew finished for her. “I appreciate you mentioning this. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. At the same time, I know that once my church family has a chance to know Shay, they’ll have a change of heart. She’s an amazing woman, and with time, the congregation will recognize that as well.”
“You’re sure of that, Drew? I’d hate to have the issue of Shay in your life raise questions with the congregation about your role as our pastor.”
This time Drew seemed to be the one searching for the right words. “That surprises me, Linda. I tend to think better of my church family, but if what you say happens, then so be it.”
Linda seemed to be speechless. “Drew,” she said, shock vibrating in her voice. “Are you seriously saying you’d leave the church for this woman? A felon, a woman with a tainted past, an ex-con?”
“Yes.” Drew didn’t waver in his decision.
A stunned silence followed before Drew spoke again.
“This shocks me, Linda, because I’ve always seen you as someone with generosity of spirit. In your defense, you don’t know Shay as well as I do. For as long as I’ve known her, she’s never once taken advantage of others. I’ve never heard her speak a negative word against anyone. She’s caring, considerate, genuine, and a hard worker.”
Linda’s response came quickly. “Drew, please, don’t misunderstand me. The only reason I mention this is because I felt you needed to know.”
“And I appreciate it.”
“One of the elders might approach you about having Shay move into the church. You squelched the idea when it was first presented and then went ahead and rented the space to her with no further discussion.”
“I sent the elders an email. It had previously been discussed and I couldn’t see that there would be a problem. If the subject comes up at the next meeting, I’ll deal with it then.”
The talk of Drew resigning as pastor because of me had my mind screaming. I refused to even let him consider such a thing.
“Lloyd and I will do everything within our power to make sure nothing gets in the way of Shay moving into the apartment,” Linda assured Drew. “I just felt you should know that there’s been talk.”
I continued to pretend to be asleep until I heard both Drew and Linda leave. My heart sank with what I’d overheard. While I loved the idea of living close to Drew, I didn’t want to hurt him or his career. I was falling in love with him, and the one thing I couldn’t, wouldn’t, do was put him in a position where he had to choose between me and the church he served.