Chapter 12
CHAPTER 12
W ith the kitchen cleaned, Aaron followed Belle into the living room. He clapped his hands, which brought up the children’s heads. “I thought we’d watch a movie when we get back from the hike?”
“Yes!” Kelsey sat up straight.
“What movie?” Lyle’s eyes widened.
“Underground.” Aaron raised his brows a fraction. Every kid wanted to see that movie—even big kids.
“Yes,” Lyle whispered and pumped his fists.
“Hang tight, and I’ll set up the service, so the movie will be set when we get back.” Aaron stepped to the television and opened the menu.
After a short hike, everyone gathered on the sofa.
By the time the movie logo rotated on the screen, everyone was ready.
As the movie’s tension mounted, Aaron glanced at Belle. Her glowing smile and the light in her eyes made his body warm. Even in a loosely woven sweater and joggers, she looked elegant. The sensations that had confused him as a teenager surged inside now. Filled with surprise, he barely had the presence to watch the movie.
He’d resist what he felt toward her. With her unsettled life, she had other things on her mind. He’d stand back and be there for her—should she need him. He’d wait even if it were for nothing. Being with Belle was the gift he never expected.
Halfway through the movie, he glanced at Belle’s children. Eyes closed, their chins resting against their chests, he smiled at the exhausted faces that showed the strain of the past few days.
He paused the film as the hero and villain faced off for the earth-crumbling final battle. Feeling Belle’s gaze, he lifted his face to hers. She glanced at her children, her smile filled with sympathy, then whispered she’d go the kitchen and fill a pitcher with water. Aaron understood. Out of staters found the dry climate a surprise. Aaron followed her. In the kitchen, he filled a pitcher with water and ice. When he turned back to her, surprise, then gratitude, filled her face. She said nothing, but turned to a cabinet.
“I didn’t realize how tired they were.” Belle kept her voice low as she set glasses on the counter.
“I’m sure it’s a myriad of reasons.” Aaron lifted a tray from the pantry.
“You didn’t tell us exactly what you found during your hike.” She looked at him while she stacked glasses on the tray.
“Because I didn’t want to give anyone false hope,” he said softly. “I found the road crew and talked to them. They’re close. They have a couple of emergencies ahead of us, but the crews believe they can start working on the county road to my place tomorrow morning.
“Thank God.” Quick tears filled Belle’s eyes. “Sorry,” she murmured and dashed them away.
Her knees bent, and he grabbed her. “Hang in there, Belle.” His voice was clear.
Her eyes closed and her head dropped back.
Lord, no.
He slipped an arm behind her knees. Cradling her to his chest, he strode to the window seat and propped her legs on a pillow.
“Stay with me,” he whispered, his voice ragged. He stepped to the powder room, dampened a face cloth, then strode back to her. He pressed the cloth to her forehead, then wrapped a hand around hers. It was cold and damp, making his heart beat dully.
Her lashes fluttered. Her eyes dark with confusion, her gaze shifted. Air rushed from his lungs. As long as she was awake, he could help her.
“You fainted.” He rasped a laugh.
She gave a start as if surprised to see him next to her.
“I …” She struggled to her elbows.
“Don’t move.” He pressed a hand to her shoulder, then touched the back of his hand to her cheek. She felt cooler
She blinked as if unused to such concern. A deep anguish gripped his chest. Too many times he’d seen that in the faces of other women he’d treated. They’d devoted their lives to giving care, not receiving it. Too late, those around them realized this rock of strength they’d taken for granted needed care, too.
“You said we would be rescued soon.” Her voice was strained and weak.
“Maybe tomorrow. Maybe the next day.” He berated himself for carelessly telling her something that could be doubtful. He had wanted to give her hope, not realizing the delicate balance of her mental and physical state. He knew better.
“It doesn’t matter,” she said on a soft exhalation. “It’s more than I expected.”
“I’m going to check you.” He rose. Stepping to a door next to the pantry he withdrew his medical bag.
“Is this necessary?” she asked, surprised and dismayed.
“You fainted.” He wrapped the blood pressure cuff around her slim arm, an arm that was too thin. It made sense. She’d been going through something for a while. “It’s necessary.”
He checked her quickly, relieved her vitals checked out, but he’d watch her anyway. Like now, things could change in a moment.
“So, Doc, what’s the verdict?” Her heavily lashed eyes lifted to his. Her mouth twitched.
“For now, everything’s fine, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of the woods.” He tucked his equipment into his bag.
“What happened?” Lyle’s voice behind Aaron made him draw a breath.
“Your mother needed to lie down for a minute.” Aaron turned to him. “How are you doing?”
“Okay. You had to check my mom with your stethoscope?” His gaze shifted to the medical bag.
“Just as a precaution.” Aaron smiled.
“Everything checks out.” Belle’s voice was soft, her eyes hopeful.
“That’s good,” Lyle said quietly. His shoulders relaxed.
“Are you ready to eat?” Belle lifted her head from the window seat pillow.
“Getting there.” Lyle still watched him and his mother.
“I’ll start dinner,” Belle said with reassuring calm.
“Why don’t you stay put?” Aaron asked casually. “The kids and I can get dinner together.”
Belle looked hesitant.
“What do you say?” Aaron glanced at Lyle.
He didn’t want to worry her children, but they would have seen how she was struggling to keep their lives together.
“I’m ready,” Lyle said.
The boy would need cooking skills someday. There was no time like the present to learn something new.
“All right.” Belle relaxed. Her breathing slowed.
Aaron felt the tension drain from Lyle.
“Where’s your sister?” Aaron turned to the boy.
“Still sleeping, I think.” He frowned. “How did the movie end?”
“I don’t know.” Aaron grinned. “I paused it. We can watch the rest after dinner.”
Lyle looked relieved.
“How come everyone’s in here?” Kelsey stood in the archway. Her features tight with confusion, she rubbed sleep from her eyes.
“We’re talking about dinner.” Aaron rose. He offered his hand to Belle, his jaw tightening when she rested her slender hand in his palm. He balanced her against his arm and helped her sit up. “Can you walk?” If he needed to carry her, he would.
“I’m not going anywhere.” Her direct look dared him to argue.
“How about you supervise?” He kept his voice low. If her kids weren’t here, he’d be firm.
Her mouth curved at the corner in the typical Belle way that would never stop affecting him.
“What’s the matter with Mom?” Kelsey’s concerned voice broke through the tension.
“She needed to lie down for a moment.” He picked up his medical bag and returned it to the closet.
“Why did you have to check her?” There was apprehension in Kelsey’s tone.
“Just as a precautionary measure. Your mom checks out fine.” Aaron wanted to allay the girl’s concern. She’d lost one parent. She didn’t need to worry about losing another.
“Lyle and I are going to make dinner. Do you want to help?” Aaron looked past Lyle to Kelsey, who still studied her mom.
“Yes.” She lifted her gaze to Aaron’s, excitement in her eyes. “Mom’s already taught me how to do some things.”
“That will come in handy.” He glanced back at Belle, whose doubtful look made his chest tighten. “Your mom’s going to supervise.”
He moved away from Belle but was glad she would be in the room. As he talked the kids through the steps they should take to boil water for the spaghetti and mix the ingredients for the sauce, something different came over him. Growing up with seven brothers, he knew what family felt like, but what he felt now had an attachment he’d never experienced before.
His heart picked up speed. What would it be like to call Belle and her children his family?