Chapter 28
CHAPTER 28
W ords were funny things. They had the power to hurt or heal. They had the power to strengthen or steal. I love you. Please forgive me. I’m sorry.
The whispers of this trio of phrases rolled to her ears, in and then out like the waves on the sand. I love you. Please forgive me. I’m sorry.
She recognized the deep voice, but not the rasp, not the wobble, not the break, like this man was in tears. She slowly opened her eyes, saw gray light wash over a bowed dark head, a man clutching her hand. Who?
Maybe she made a sound, for his muffled words ceased as he looked at her, his dark eyes widening. “Bailey? Oh, thank You, Jesus. Bails, do you recognize me?”
She squeezed his hand. “Luc.”
Tears slipped from his eyes and her heart grew sore. “I’m so sorry, baby. Please forgive me. I love you.”
She tangled his fingers with hers. “I love you too.”
He pressed his lips to her palm.
Her nose wrinkled at the smell of antiseptic, the white room, the unfamiliar sights and sounds. “What’s happened?”
His Adam’s apple dipped as he swallowed. “You… you don’t remember?”
She shook her head, then winced.
“Careful. The doc thinks you might’ve got a concussion.”
From what?
Then it rushed back at her. The man. The attack. The way Luc had saved her. “You were there.”
He nodded. “I got the alarm when I was on the way. I was going to surprise you and arrive earlier, but I didn’t get there in time, and I’m so sorry.”
“But you were there.”
“But I would’ve been there earlier, and could’ve prevented it from happening.”
“I had a class though, didn’t I?” So much felt foggy still.
“Yeah, I know you said not to come too early because of that, but because our plane got back early, I figured I had time to stop and get my hair done, and I wanted to surprise you.” He put a hand self-consciously though his newly shorn hair. The mullet was gone. “I shouldn’t have done that. I should’ve been there.”
“But you were there. You were there when I needed you the most.”
His lips pressed together and he shook his head. “None of this would’ve happened if it wasn’t for me. So it’s my fault Sean attacked you.”
“You can’t know what’s going to happen in the future, Luc. You’re not responsible for what others do or think.” She gestured for him to come nearer. Then she drew his head down and stroked his hair. “I like it,” she murmured. “And you didn’t lose your Samson strength, did you?”
He turned to face her, his cheek resting gently on her stomach. “I think I might’ve used one of your jive kicks on him.”
“Aren’t you glad you learned to dance?”
His lips twisted wryly. “I spoke to the police last night, and again this morning, and you don’t need to worry about him. The police have him in custody.”
She nodded, vague memories of giving statements to them last night piercing her mental fog.
“From what they’ve said this morning, between the footage on the video, his phone records, and his prior offences, there looks to be enough evidence to put him away for a long time. So you’re safe.”
“You’ve always kept me safe,” she murmured. “You never once let me fall.”
“I’ll always try to save you,” he whispered hoarsely, his dark eyes glistening like he was fighting back tears.
Her heart stirred with deep compassion. She stroked his hair. “And you? Are you okay?”
“Coach said the team management need to see me this morning, so I’ve asked the guys to pray. I’m guessing they don’t want a captain involved in this kind of thing.”
“You might be surprised. Who wouldn’t want someone who stands up for what’s right and does what he can to protect those he loves?”
He swiped at his eyes, then rasped, “I love you, Bails.”
She smiled. “I love you, Luc.”
He drew in a shaky breath, then lifted his head and moved closer, closer, his bristled jaw drawing nearer before he captured her lips in a kiss. The fog and pain disappeared as a sense of rightness, satisfaction, of coming home filled her, and her hand lifted to cradle his bruised cheek. Yearning for him made her long to deepen it, but he drew back, smiling, just as a nurse entered the room.
“Bailey, you’re awake.” She moved to the monitor and wrote something on a chart. “I’ll tell your parents and friend that they’re allowed to come in, if you like. They’ve all been very worried.”
“I should go and get ready for this team meeting.” Luc said. “Your dad wasn’t happy when I came late last night and insisted on staying, but the nurse was kind and snuck me in. She’s a fan.”
Her fingers tangled with his. “Of course she is. I’m a fan of yours too.”
“No.” He smiled. “She’s a fan of yours. From the show.”
A different nurse appeared, carrying a vase of roses, which she deposited on the window ledge along with half a dozen others. She glanced at their hands, smiled, then gestured to the roses. “Apparently these are from a Z. Parotti.”
Luc snickered. “Of course they are.”
“I haven’t met him, have I?”
“I think you’re going to.”
He mentioned some other names, but she barely heard. So much love, from people she knew, and those whom she might one day. Then there was this man, his heart, his lips, his life ready to help her, to protect her, and help her be more brave. She reached for his hand, and gently squeezed. “I love you.”
His face softened, and she thought he might try for another kiss, when noise drew her attention to the door.
“Bailey?”
“Mom.”
Her mother rushed to her, her father not far behind, followed by Poppy, and she was clasped in hugs and rained with more tears. “Oh, honey. How are you feeling?”
“Like I’ve been hit by a truck.” She caught Luc’s wince, and grabbed his hand again. “I didn’t mean you.”
Her mother turned to Luc, and hugged him. “Luc, I can never thank you enough. From what the police say, Bailey owes you her life.”
“I love her, Mrs. Donovan. And I once promised to never let her down. And I mean to keep that promise all my life.”
Her mother glanced at Bailey, then back at him. “And I want you to know we’re very sorry we haven’t always treated you as we should have.”
“I understand.”
“You’re a more gracious man than some,” she murmured.
Like Bailey’s father, who had barely looked at Luc since entering the room. Bailey’s heart hurt.
Luc soon made his apologies for leaving, blew her a kiss, his exit pulling a plug on what remained of her energy, and she soon closed her eyes and fell back into sleep.
When next she awoke it was to see her father in the room, no one else. “Dad?”
He looked up from reading his Bible. He looked older these days. “You’re awake. Thank You, Lord. How’s your head feeling, sweetheart?”
“It hurts, but I think the meds they gave me before are helping.” She pushed up against the pillows. “Where’s Mom?”
“She’s at the studio with Poppy, seeing the police are finished there now. They’re covering your classes, as they figured that’d be easier than cancelling and giving all kinds of explanations.”
“And Luc?”
“He’s still at his meeting with the club.” He swallowed. “The police told us what he did, that he saved your life. I… I haven’t been fair to him, have I?”
She could lie and pretend in order to keep the peace, but those days were done. “No. Luc is a good man, and I love him. And I wish you’d learn to like him for my sake. And you know he only did that to protect me.” She smiled. “He’s obviously got as big a protective streak as you.”
Her father shook his head, and her heart dropped. Did her father still resent Luc?
“I should’ve been the one to protect you, but I didn’t know…” Her father’s gaze met hers. “I didn’t know about this stalker person. I wish you’d told me.”
“I didn’t realize it would escalate like that. I thought it was just a few random people and I didn’t want to worry you and Mom.”
“Because of my overprotective streak?”
In the quiet of the room with no one else here, perhaps this was the time to finally be honest. “Dad, I know you love me, but I am an adult. I’ll be twenty-five next month. And sooner or later you’re going to have to let me make my own decisions even if you don’t like all of them.”
“But honey—”
“No, Dad, please let me finish. See, I know you didn’t like some of my costumes or routines with Luc. You know I was given my outfits and told by the producers to make my routines more sexy.”
His nose wrinkled, and she realized that she’d never said that word aloud to her father before.
“And I’m sorry you were upset, but looking back on the experience I’m so glad I did it. You know they’ve asked me to do a second season?”
“That’s exciting.”
She nodded, then winced at the pain. “It is, but it means I’m going to have to put some new measures in place.” She swallowed. “Especially with the business.”
He frowned. “I don’t understand.”
Lord, help me to be honest. Help him to hear. “Poppy and I have been talking with the bank and we need a new accounting system to make sure things like fees and loan repayments get paid on time.”
“I can try and learn a new program.”
She reached to clasp his hand. “It’s okay. We’ve talked to someone who can help us who deals with this kind of thing all the time. But thank you.” There. That was kind and yet honest.
Her father nodded and looked down. “It’s hard to get older, seeing your children live their own lives. I want to help my children, and you and your mother always had dance in common, but I haven’t known what I can do. You know we’ve always just wanted to support you.”
“You do support us. I know you love me, but sometimes what I need most is a hug and a listening ear.”
She swallowed. This time of raw openness was so rare, it felt like God had opened this door to say what had been left unsaid for far too long. “I know both Rhett and I have felt supported by you, but I know that Chrissy would like that too.”
His lips pressed together.
“She’s hurting, Dad. She feels rejected by God and by us, and she’ll never come back unless she knows we want her home.” She motioned to his Bible. “She’s the prodigal daughter, and just like the Father ran to welcome the lost son, so we need to run and hug her.” Her eyes filled. “I miss her, Dad. I hate that she’s not around anymore.”
He squeezed her hand, but didn’t say anything, and she prayed that what he read would change his heart.
A noise stole her attention to the door. Luc stood there with her mom, her mom’s makeup smudged like she might’ve been crying. “Mom? Is everything okay?”
Luc wrapped an arm around her and gently escorted her to Bailey’s father. Were her mom’s tears because she’d overheard that exchange?
Bailey glanced up at Luc, and he reached to clasp her hand. “She’ll be fine. Give her a minute,” he murmured. “You’re looking better.”
She sighed. “I feel like I’ve been run over by a bus.”
“Sometimes speaking the truth can be like that.”
So he had heard her.
Luc’s strength wrapped around her as he leaned down and gently hugged her. “I’m really proud of you, Bails.”
She closed her eyes, clutched him tighter, savoring his nearness. “Don’t let me fall back into fakeness.”
“I’ll keep you honest,” he murmured.
“And you?” She drew back, glanced up at him. “How did your meeting go? Are you okay?”
His smile was crooked. “Never better.”
“Really?”
He nodded. “The club is fine, the police have officially cleared me. It’s all good, truly.” His gaze was deep. “You can always trust me, Bails. I’ll never lie to you.”
She nodded, knowing this was true. Luc Blanchard might be tough and know how to use his fists, but she could trust him. Her protector, her best friend, her courage-giver, her number one cheerleader. The one whose presence cheered her heart most of all.
* * *
Luc glanced at the woman standing next to him, gnawing her nails. “Hey, it’s gonna be okay.”
“Why are you doing this?”
Admit that as soon as he’d heard Bailey’s words to her father in the hospital room and seen the tears trickle down her mother’s cheeks that he’d felt a solid yes in his spirit about what he could do? That he’d been so proud of her he’d determined then and there to make her deepest wish come true? “Because it’s Bailey’s birthday, and you’ll be the best present.” He shrugged. “And if it means she thinks I’m the best because I got her the best present, then I’m okay with that, too.”
She laughed, the sound tinkling like Bailey’s. “You’re weird.”
“Yes I am.” He nudged her. “But you’re weirder, doing this with some random guy you’ve never met before.”
The amusement faded from her face. “Haven’t you heard? That’s what I do. I’ve always been the weird one.”
“I think we can all be weird in our various ways. Which is just as well, right? Imagine if we were all plain vanilla.”
The elevator stopped, and he led the way to his apartment.
“You’re wrong, you know,” she said. “About being random. I recognized your name. I watched you both on that dancing show. You and she were…”
He glanced at her, recognized the blinking back of tears. “That bad, huh?”
She laughed again, pushed his shoulder. “No, I was gonna say amazing, and that it was everything Gran and I hoped for, but now I won’t.”
“Fair enough.”
She snickered. “I understand why she likes you.”
“I’ve been told I can be very charming.” He held out his arm. “And that I look great in a pink suit.”
She grasped his arm, glancing up with nervous eyes that looked so much like Bailey’s.
“It’s okay. You’ve got this. And so does God,” he added for good measure.
Her chin dipped, and nerves stole over him. It was one thing to plan this with Mrs. Donovan, quite another to enact this and hope all went as he’d prayed. Secret-keeping might have its issues but he hoped this one would count as a good surprise.
He opened the door, leaving her at the foyer and walked through various groups of chattering people and scores of pink helium balloons.
“What took you?” Bailey asked, from her chair—the leather chair that matched his that he’d bought so she could always feel at home here. “Let me guess, you got bailed up by fans wanting pics with you in that pink suit.”
Yeah, there’d been a moment or two like that while he’d waited downstairs for the taxi to arrive. Zac’s dare of a pink suit had seen Luc wear it on more than a few occasions. And because he was so secure in his masculinity, he’d even themed tonight’s party around that very color. The room was filled with floral bouquets of that color, from everyone from his teammates to Ryan and Sylvie, Chris and Diana, and Dan and Sarah. “Apparently the captain is supposed to be nice to fans. Who knew?”
“They like you a lot around here.”
So they should. That’s what a five-game winning streak should earn a man. He slapped his chest. “Hey, there’s a lot to like about a sharp-dressed man.”
“Didn’t you get any ice cream?”
“Ice cream? Oh man. I forgot.” He studied her, loving how comfortable and easy she looked sitting there, among her family and friends, like last month’s attack was a distant memory. “But I did get you something better.” He stepped to the foyer, and gestured his special guest forward.
Bailey’s jaw dropped, then she squealed, and in a leap worthy of a ten she wrapped her arms around her sister, a hug which was soon joined by her mom, her brother, and her father, and plenty of tears. “I can’t believe you’re here!”
“Told you.” He smirked at Chrissy, before moving to the kitchen island where Cindy sat near Poppy and Molly, who were both watching the reunion with “Aww” faces.
He cracked his knuckles and glanced at his mom. “See what they’re like? So huggy. Man.” He rolled his eyes and smiled.
“You need to marry that girl, Lucas. I want grandbabies.”
He kissed her cheek. “You’ll get ’em. One day, when it’s the right time.”
He glanced at Cindy, who had behaved herself so far but was now frowning.
He was tempted to go talk to Travis, but felt his hosting duties—and maybe God—prompt him to ask, “So, is there anything I can get you?” He motioned to the pink mocktail Sarah Walton had described as a “Fairy Floss Delight” when he’d messaged her and Bree about girly drinks they thought Bailey might like. “Need a refill?”
She shook her head.
He longed to go, but his feet had rooted to the ground. “Thanks for coming.”
“You don’t mean that.”
“Hey.” He touched her arm. “You are part of her family, and you know that’s important to her.”
She ducked her head.
“What is it?”
“It’s not that easy, you know.”
“What isn’t?” Being accepted by them? Well, Wayne liked him enough now, apparently having swallowed his pride and finally heard Bailey’s request to give Luc a chance. Luc and Rhett were tight, and he was pretty sure Bailey’s mom was like his and saw a wedding next year. As for Chrissy, he hoped his actions in bringing her home meant she’d give him a chance, too.
“Having babies,” Cindy whispered.
Oh. He glanced around, but everyone else was busy in other conversations. Looked like this was something God wanted him to step into. Lord, You better help me here. “I’m sorry.” It was always good to start with the truth.
She shook her head. “I just want one. You know how hard it is to see everyone else achieving their dreams and I can’t even get pregnant?”
The despair in her voice cracked the wall he’d had in place since she was so mean to Bailey. “Do you trust God?”
“I’m trying.”
“I can’t give you any answers, except if you’re God’s child, then you can always know He’s got you in the palm of His hands and you can trust Him with your future. That whatever happens, it’s ultimately going to be for good.”
She ducked her head, blinking rapidly. He grasped her arm. “I’ll be praying.”
Her chin dipped, then she slid off the stool and took her drink to the window, staring out at the sunset. He prayed for her, his gaze slipping to Bailey as she wrapped her arms around his waist. “What was that about?”
“She’s hurting, but I think we might’ve turned a corner.”
She nodded, clasping his hand as they used to do for their dancing. “Thank you so much for bringing Chrissy here.”
He spun her, then lowered her into a dip. “You’re very welcome.”
He pulled her upright, and her hands stole around his neck. “Best boyfriend ever.”
“You know it.” He pressed his lips to hers, happy to let the world fade in this moment of perfection.
“Luc, stop kissing her. We’re going to be late,” Poppy called.
“Late to what?” Bailey asked.
“To your party.”
“But this is my party, isn’t it?” She glanced up at Luc.
“This is the pre-party. The real one is at the studio, with all your kids.”
“Really?” At his nod her jaw dropped. “Will there be dancing?”
“You betcha.” His head tilted to Poppy. “She’s been arguing with me all week about the best tunes.”
“I can’t believe it.” Bailey’s blue eyes lit with stars. “You’re throwing a dance party for me?”
“Of course I am. You’re worth it.” He smiled. “And I love you.”
“Aww!”
He shot a look at Molly and Poppy, both of whom were doing the chest pat and tilted head move. “What are you two looking at? Don’t you have another party to get to?”
Poppy pointed her finger at him. “We’re having a jive-off, just warning you.”
“Bring it.” He pointed to Travis and Rhett. “I hope you two are ready to learn some boss moves to do with your ladies.”
“From you?” Bailey said, smiling up at him.
“Nah. I’m still a learner, but I’m happy to demonstrate a few moves with you, if that’s okay with the birthday girl.”
Her laughter rippled, his favorite sound. “One hundred percent.”
He wrapped his arm around her, looked down into those shining eyes. “You and me. We’re partners forever, right?”
She grinned. “They didn’t know what they were doing when they put us together to dance all those months ago.”
“But God did.”
She nodded. “God definitely did.”
And she leaned against him, offering her lips which he claimed in a kiss that sparkled light and hope and joy and a future shinier than any mirror ball.
THE END