The Nature of Love (Love in the Spotlight #3)

Chapter 37

Thirty-Seven

Lamont

Is Chris really fine?

Tuck

Right? If he uses “fine” one more time, I’ll have to fly up there and see how he’s doing myself.

Nevaeh

Guys are never fine when they’re injured. You’d think after dealing with women, you’d realize no one is when using that word.

Piper

Erykah, feel free to ignore us until you’re able to chat. We know you’re busy.

Tuck

Totally. I had a break in my own schedule, which is why I replied.

Lamont

Same. I didn’t mean to bombard you, just concerned for him.

Erykah

He’s not fine, but I don’t know how to help. Most of the time he pretends to work on the computer but really just stares out the window looking lost.

Neva eh

Praying for him! Should I send another care package?

Tuck

Guess sending a gag gift didn’t help.

Lamont

Yikes. I sent one too.

Erykah

It made him laugh, so thanks. And I know you all are praying.

Piper

Without ceasing! That’s in 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

Nevaeh

Ooooh. You reading the Bible, girl?

Erykah

I am. I’m finishing up Ruth.

Lamont

The Psalms are my favorite. Check that out next.

Tuck

No! Book of James is the best.

Piper

How about we pray God leads her?

Lamont

Even better.

Tuck

We’ll leave you alone now, Doc. We’ll be praying God gives us wisdom on how we can best help Chris.

Erykah

Amen

I put away my phone and stared out of the hospital window. Though the office didn’t have the views Chris’s living room offered, the snow on the rooftops certainly gave me a little peace.

Yesterday when I’d arrived home, Chris had been in a sour mood. He’d seemed so withdrawn. Yet when I asked him if anything had happened, he’d been curt in his reply and refused to give any more information. I wasn’t born yesterday. I hadn’t lived four decades on this earth not to realize when something more than a broken leg was going on. But what?

Could he be depressed? Had the trauma of the event taken a hidden toll my eyes couldn’t see? I wanted so badly to fix what ailed him, but I couldn’t if he wouldn’t open up and tell me what was wrong.

God, please show me what to do. Please help Chris see I’m trustworthy and can share the weight of his burden. Please.

I bit my lip, not knowing what else to say. At least talking to God was becoming easier. It felt weird to bow my head, clasp my hands, and voice my problems as if Someone were really listening. But He’d shown me He was listening. Lately, when I prayed, my body felt warm. Almost like I was being wrapped in a hug.

Of course I’d researched on the internet to find out if others had felt the same sensations. There were articles saying that God sometimes physically touched a person, but I wasn’t sure what to think. Was my desire to be seen and heard just manifesting these sensations?

No. Don’t fall into unbelief again. God has shown He’s real, and He’ s watching over you. He’ll continue answering your prayers in some way.

I had to keep my thoughts from straying to unbelief, but, boy, that was easier said than done. My gaze drifted to the sticky note I’d placed on the edge of my monitor. Piper texted me Scriptures that she thought might help me, and some hit me right in the heart. I’d taken to writing those down, placing them where they’d be visible so I could reread them. I even had some on the bedroom mirror at Chris’s house.

Maybe I needed to place some verses for him to read to keep him from being so ... unhappy . I simply wanted to see him smile again.

My computer chimed, a new email popping up from my Realtor. I clicked on her name, then read the message.

Dr. Kennedy,

I found the perfect place. Good school district. Not too far from your work. The current owners want to close by the end of the month. Here’s a link to the listing. Let me know if you want to view it. I have availability this evening or tomorrow evening.

Sincerely, Kate

I clicked on the link and then the photos. As I scrolled through them, excitement coursed through me. This was the best listing she’d sent. Though I’d obviously change some of the wall paint colors—who used neon yellow in the living room?—and I would have to update some of the appliances. I definitely wanted to see it in person.

Could I leave early to look at it this evening? I clicked on my calendar. All clear. It would allow me to grab some dinner on the way home so that no one had to starve either.

I quickly typed up a response, and Kate confirmed our time for viewing. I grinned. If all worked out well, we’d be in a new place by February. I couldn’t wait to tell Chris.

My grin fell. Chris . How could I leave him? His mobility wasn’t the best, and I’d promised him I would stay until he was on his feet. Surely the physical therapist would give us a better idea of recovery time when he attended the evaluation appointment next week. Though that wasn’t my biggest worry.

I’d been so excited to know that Chris had romantic feelings for me. Knowing I wasn’t the only one in that boat had been comforting as well as exciting. But since his accident, we’d almost reverted to pre-confession. I didn’t know if it was because we were still living together or because of his injury. Regardless, Chris stayed holed up in his room most of the time, and when not in his room, he put all his focus on the girls. It was almost like he was avoiding me, but I had no idea why.

When I moved, would that make him retreat even further?

“What do I do, God?” I whispered.

The intranet system beeped, alerting me to a message request. I clicked on the bubble and read the message. There was an emergency that required a consult. I replied, then opened the patient’s info on my iPad. After studying the images, I agreed with the radiologist. Spiral fracture.

I responded with my assessment and informed them the scheduler would reach out to make the necessary appointments. Since it wasn’t a compound fracture, the patient would have to wait for an opening in the orthopedic schedule. Most likely they’d get in in the next couple of days. My next few surgery days were already booked, so odds were another doctor would be tagged.

I continued the rest of my paperwork day until I was able to clock out and head to the property. By the time I pulled up to the for-sale sign, my nerves had me feeling like I’d drunk one too many cups of coffee. I walked up the sidewalk and checked the doorknob. Unlocked. I stepped into the foyer. Huh. The neon yellow didn’t look as horrid as it had in the pictures, but only because the light from the windows softened the shade somehow. Guess you really could paint a living room that tint.

“Dr. Kennedy, you made it.” Kate beamed at me. “Have a look around, then let me know if you have any questions.”

“Thanks, Kate.”

I walked through the place, taking my time to observe the amount of space in each room. I searched for any cracks, water stains, and other deformities. Chris had given me that tip. Yet nothing looked suspect. Even the bold colors on the walls grew on me as I lapped the house to view everything for the second time. If this was the one I went for, I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss a thing.

Satisfied, I went back to the kitchen, where Kate stared at her phone.

“This will work.”

Her eyes widened in surprise, then she beamed. “Fantastic. Does that mean you want to put in an offer?”

“Yes, please.”

We talked about the particulars and then split ways. Kate had to go to the office to work up the documents. She would email them to me so I could sign the offer electronically. I placed an online to-go order at a restaurant near Chris’s house, then put my car in drive. By the time I made it to Woodland Park, the order would be ready.

I headed to the daycare and picked up a happy Ash. She was babbling more but had yet to say auntie . I figured chanting that in her ear on a daily basis was easier than getting her to say Aunt Erykah.

She grabbed my face and pressed her cheek to mine. “Mama.”

Tears pricked my eyes. All this time I’d said auntie in her ears, and she skipped right over that. My love for her grew daily, but my heart hurt for Ellynn. Still, I lingered in the hug, embracing the moment, before moving her into her car seat.

Kid music streamed through the speakers as we drove home. At least Cheyenne wasn’t here to demand we listen to “Baby Shark.” Chris was still triggered from our road trips. When I caught sight of his house, my lips drifted into a smile. When I’d first moved in, I’d been a little horrified at the log-cabin style. Not my thing. But now ... now I was filled with anticipation, knowing I’d get to see my people. This had become home. If only I could cheer Chris up and remind him he would heal.

I parked the car, then grabbed Ash and the paper bag holding our dinner.

I’d sanded the steps earlier this morning. (Chris had informed me salting steps only added to water pollution.) Thankfully, no snow had fallen. I wasn’t ready to shovel another layer anytime soon.

Charlie barked a greeting when we walked into the living room, and Cheyenne cheered.

“Did you bring dinner?” She peeked into the bag.

“I did. Think you’re strong enough to carry this to the kitchen?”

Cheye gave me a Girl, please look.

“Right. I’ll do it.”

“I’ll take Ash.” Chris looked at me from his spot on the sofa.

I handed the baby over, discreetly trying to figure out his mood. He wasn’t curt like yesterday, so maybe that had been a bad pain day. Please let him be feeling better today, God .

“Welcome home,” he murmured in a husky voice.

Chills went up and down my spine. What I wouldn’t give to turn and place a kiss on his lips and really be welcomed home. “Thank you,” I whispered.

I drew back, hoping my face didn’t look flushed and my expression didn’t say Kiss me, please. As much as I wanted to finally find out how his lips would feel, I needed to get him to let me in. If he was worried about his recovery or if yesterday had simply been too overwhelming, I needed to know. I wanted us to work, and communication was key.

Are you going to tell him about the house?

My heart skipped a beat. I’d definitely wait until the girls were in bed.

Cheyenne kept up most of the chatter as we ate our meal. Ash babbled as if adding to the conversation. A few times, I saw a ghost of Chris’s smile. Not the full-blown one that made my heart flip and made me want to clasp a hand to my chest and flutter my eyelashes like Tai from Clueless . No, this one sparked hope that the Chris I knew would make it out of this. Whatever this was. I just wished he’d talk to me.

Then ask him how he feels.

Right. I could do that. Walk up to him and try to get down to the heart of the matter.

All through the bedtime routine, my brain kept preparing for the upcoming talk. For finding out what made Chris so sad and me trying to figure out how to tell him I’d found a place. Surely he would be happy I’d no longer be freeloading. He’d have his house back to himself and would be able to enjoy the quiet once more.

Now that Charlie was crate trained, I could safely leave him by himself while I went to work. Right? The backyard at the new place would be perfect on the warmer days, but until then, Charlie could stay in the crate while I was away. I’d be able to drive home for lunch to let him run around a bit.

I’d just have to remember those points in case Chris worried about the girls and the pup. But will he worry about me?

I changed into a hoodie and sweats and put my twists in a bun on top of my head. Then I went to the living room. Chris still sat in the same position I’d left him in when I took the girls downstairs for their baths. Instead of the TV playing a show, it showed a caption that read Are you still watching?

Chris stared at the screen as if the words hadn’t penetrated. A lost expression I was growing all too familiar with resided on his face.

“Chris, please talk to me.” I sat down, scooting close enough to lay a hand on his arm. “Please tell me what’s wrong.”

He turned his head and looked at me. His gaze seemed to catalog every feature on my face before his chest rose, then fell. “Erykah, I think you should leave.”