Secrets of the Heart Read online

  Secrets of the Heart

  A Crystal Cove Series: Book One

  By Kelsey MacBride

  Contents

  Book Description

  AVAILABLE TITLES BY KELSEY MACBRIDE

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Book Description

  If you would like to be notified about sales and new book releases, be sure to sign up for my free newsletter at the following link: http://kelseymacbride.com/newsletter-signup

  Secrets of the Heart is Book #1 of 3 Christian Suspense Romance books and introduces you to the Crystal Cove Story. It begins with the story of nurse Heather Parks and her new assignment to care for the daughter of Michael Robbins, a wealthy widowed bachelor. Her job is to supervise Evelyn Robbins chemotherapy at home. Over time Heather finds herself falling for Michael, but her horrible childhood memories overshadow any romantic feelings she has developed towards him. Heather tries to keep her distance from Michael, but the more they interact, the harder it is for her to resist him. This story highlights Heather’s journey of healing from the past, her hopes, her struggles, and her achievements as she trusts God to help her grow.

  Michael Robbins is a wealthy resident living in the exclusive community of Crystal Cove. He still mourns the loss of his late wife Carla who died at the hands of terrorists several years back. Even though he has given up hope on finding someone to replace Carla, he succumbs to the peer pressure of his friends and gets engaged to a flashy high society woman named Cynthia Wilson. But when he gets to know Heather, his heart is drawn to her and soon he finds himself falling in love with the nurse. The only problem is Heather seems reluctant to let him into her heart. Can Michael soften Heather’s heart and show her that true love can be wonderful? Or will he fail and lose love a second time? Download this free preview to find out what happens.

  AVAILABLE TITLES BY KELSEY MACBRIDE

  The Crystal Cove Series

  Secrets of the Heart (Free)

  Shadows in the Night

  Beyond a Broken Dream

  The Grand Bay Series

  Second Chance Love (Free)

  Unfailing Love

  The Colorado Springs Series

  Dreams of Gold (Free)

  Heart of a Champion

  The Hawaii Love Series

  Courageous Love (Free)

  Perfect Love

  Inspiration Point Series

  Free to Love (Free)

  Unforgettable Love

  Glen Ellen Series

  Fall From Grace (Free)

  Saving Grace

  Bradley Sister Series

  Choices of the Heart: Lauren’s story (Free)

  Desires of the Heart: Megan’s story

  Passions of the Heart: Tiffany’s story

  Redemption of the Heart: Katie’s story

  Please visit www.KelseyMacBride.com for release dates of future books and to find out how to join my community of followers.

  Copyright © 2016 by Kelsey MacBride

  All rights reserved.

  Cover design by Jimmy Gibbs.

  Book design by Kelsey MacBride

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Kelsey MacBride

  Printed in the United States of America

  First Printing: December, 2016

  New Prosperity Publishing, Inc.

  ASIN-

  Chapter 1

  I can’t fail her now, or she’ll throw a fit.

  A surge of nervous energy coursed through Heather Parks’ body as she scurried down the elegantly decorated hallway of her patient’s mansion. White cathedral ceilings accented with intricate wood moldings provided a safe haven for an exclusive collection of Rembrandt and Degas paintings.

  Working as a private duty nurse for the wealthy certainly had its privileges. But those perks often came at a sacrifice, especially when it came to catering to her patient’s idiosyncrasies. And Janet Covington was no exception. There were two things she knew about the rich widow. One, she was impatient. And two, the elderly woman hated the darkness.

  She walked past a pair of antique Chinese vases laced with gold paint before making a sharp right. Maintaining her brisk pace, she closed in on the last curtained window of the second floor with the precision of a golden eagle. With two swift strokes of her arm, the lace curtains whisked into place and Heather forced a sigh of relief from her lips knowing her morning tasks had been completed. A smile formed on her lips as she closed her eyes to soak in the warmth of the white morning sunlight. The light warmed her spirit, and she thanked God for blessing her with another great day. It was a routine she started about a year ago and never missed. After whispering a short prayer, she turned and navigated her way back through the five thousand square foot estate to the parlor where her patient Janet was waiting.

  The old woman had told Heather during her first week of assignment that she wanted to experience as much sunlight as possible before her life went dark in the end. Always one to tend to her patient’s needs, Heather made sure every curtain in the estate was open, allowing the bright light to flood throughout the halls, walkways, as well as the room she knew the woman would occupy that day.

  Today was Thursday, and knowing the woman’s weekly schedule by heart, she knew it was a day that would be spent downstairs in the parlor. Besides herself and Janet there would be three other ladies who would come just before lunch to play bridge until the early afternoon. Tea would be ready and waiting, as well as appetizers and snacks for the women to enjoy.

  Janet had made it clear to Heather that she lived with one main motto in life. That was to enjoy the rest of her remaining time on earth. Being a widow of a prominent California banker who founded Republic National Bank of California certainly had its perks. She would easily spend hundreds, even a thousand dollars on lavish luncheons or dinners with friends without blinking an eye. This she so casually told the nurse, was because she couldn’t take it with her when she kicked the bucket.

  Heather greeted Janet with a smile as she entered the parlor.

  “Good morning, my dear Heather. I hope you slept well?”

  “Yes, I did, Mrs. Covington. And you?”

  “As best as can be with this terrible hip pain I have to live with.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. Is there anything I can do for you?”

  The woman pressed her lips into a frown. “Yes, dear. Would you be so kind as to hand me the white pillow over there?” Janet pointed a hand at the leather sofa next to her.

  Heather handed Janet the fish scale looking pillow and watched the woman tuck it behind her back.

  “You know this happened during a missionary trip to Africa when I was married to my first husband. That was where I gave birth to Jonathan. After he was born, I suffered terrible blood poisoning, and the infection permanently damaged my pelvis. Ever since then, I haven’t been able to sleep well at night.” The woman grimaced as she shifted her body in the French style wing ch
air.

  “It must be awful to suffer with that pain for so many years. But at least something good came out of it. You have three wonderful children.”

  The woman shook her head. “As you can see my dear, my family can’t spare me a minute of their time. I’m not important enough for them to even stop by for five minutes just to say hello. After all I’ve done to give birth and raise them, they treat me like an outcast. Therefore, they shouldn’t be entitled to any of my money. Since I can’t take it with me, I plan on spending it on charities and myself with whatever days I have left in this world.”

  Heather nodded her head. “I understand.”

  “Do you my dear?”

  Heather gave her a sympathetic smile. “You spent a good part of your life raising your children. It’s only right they make time to remember you in your later years.”

  The wrinkles on Janet’s face faded as she smiled. “Good then. At least there’s one other sensible person around here who sees things the way I do. Now, let’s see what game we’ll be playing this evening.”

  Heather hooked an arm around Janet’s and accompanied the elderly woman down the long hallway to the foyer. The nurse could never understand why the woman didn’t sell the large estate and downsize to a single level. Every time Janet came downstairs, Heather worried the woman would fall and break a hip. If there was one word to describe the old woman, it was stubborn, and Heather knew Janet wasn’t someone to contend with. If you said something that offended the edgy woman, she wasn’t afraid to let you know it. She vividly remembered the time Janet yelled through the window at the newspaper boy for throwing the paper on her award-winning daffodils.

  Janet could be as strict as a Japanese schoolteacher and was often regarded as an old buzzard, but she was always polite to Heather. While the mature woman often refused her help, Mrs. Covington treated Heather as a person instead of an employee. Heather figured it probably had something to do with the fact she was the woman’s only companion most of the time.

  Becoming a nurse had been a calling for Heather in spite of the challenges life had thrown at her after the death of her parents. After becoming a born again Christian, she found renewed hope and purpose in her career. But the emotional pains of a little girl whose world had been turned upside down remained frozen in time, locked away inside her heart. Even though she appeared normal from the outside, she was emotionally handicapped and afraid to be vulnerable to anyone, especially with guys.

  After seeing her parents argue every day, she feared relationships and ran from any boy that had shown a hint of romantic interest in her. In fact, she had gotten so good at keeping other men away, she had built a wall of steel around her heart that even a superhero couldn’t penetrate.

  Instead of focusing on the desire to be loved, she decided to bestow loving kindness to her patients in the hopes of ministering to her own soul. She cherished the smile on their faces and took delight in helping them make the most of their final days before their bodies returned to dust. She wanted to be the one person they could count on and remember for the rest of their life.

  Heather didn’t need to do anything special for these patients. Just her presence seemed to calm them and make them feel more at ease. Whatever they needed, it brought joy to Heather’s heart to help these people. She believed that God had a plan for everyone’s life and that her destiny was to help those in need by offering an understanding smile, a warm hug, and uplifting words of encouragement.

  “OK, dear. What sounds good today?”

  Heather looked into Janet’s eyes. “You had ham salad and croissants last week. How about a seafood dish this time?”

  “For heaven’s sake, child. You can stop being so formal and call me Janet.” She patted the cushion next to her. “Sit down. You make me nervous when you stand over me like some giant.”

  To an unknowing stranger, her harsh comments could seem intimidating. But Heather knew better than to take anything personally. She took a seat on the love seat next to the woman and waited for an answer.

  “You know you have a point, dear. How about cocktail shrimp and crab cakes with some veggies and dip. Maybe we will pair it with lemon tarts for dessert. What do you think?”

  “I think, as always, you have remarkable taste. You should have been an event planner.”

  “Yes, but then who would have run this elaborate and never-ending house for my husband?” The wrinkles around the woman’s mouth melted away as she laughed.

  Heather’s gaze drifted around the large interior, and she knew there was only one reason why the woman had never moved. Regardless of her ranting and raving and her need to be aloof and temperamental, Janet Covington loved her deceased husband and missed him. The spacious and uncomfortably quiet home was her only connection to him, and she refused to let it go. Her hardened exterior was something Janet could appreciate. Janet was a tough egg to crack, but when you gave her respect, she would be your closest confidant. It made her sad to think that Janet’s family never seemed to be there.

  Heather glanced over at the gallery of photos lining the hall. A younger and more vibrant Janet Covington graced the walls of a mansion that had once been the hub of countless gatherings of the elite in San Simeon. There was no doubt in Heather’s mind the woman had been and still was a respected figure in the community.

  She had three children. Although she never talked about them much, Heather knew deep down that her hardened exterior was a byproduct of the neglect they gave her. Her oldest was Jonathan, a war hero who could never adapt back to civilian life. Then there was her middle son, Alexander, who was spoiled and selfish with a mean streak that sent a chill down her spine. He was a compulsive gambler and saw money as a way out of his own misfortunes. Lastly, there was her daughter, Isabelle. Janet never spoke of her, and Heather respected her privacy.

  In spite of all of her complaining, Heather knew the strict woman loved her children despite their absence. Why else would the bitter sounding woman continue to pay her son’s gambling debts when collectors showed up unannounced at her door?

  Heather grabbed the blanket from the armchair in the foyer and tucked it around Janet.

  “Stop fussing now. I’m not dead yet.”

  “I know Mrs. Janet; I’m willing to bet you’ll outlive us all.” Heather glanced down and caught the half smile before the woman’s lips relaxed.

  “I’ll give the cook your instructions for the luncheon. Unless you need something else?”

  “No, no, dear; you go on. I’ll just rest here until my friends arrive.” She gave Heather a brief smile.

  Heather tried to hide her concern for Janet. Within the last few weeks, the elderly woman seemed more winded and tired, and Heather worried if her health was taking a turn for the worse. Before she could express her concerns, the sound of her cell phone startled her. She reached into her pocket to retrieve her phone and answered the call.

  Chapter 2

  “Hello this is Heather.”

  “Hey, its Allison. How’s Miss Grumpy doing?” Allison gave a chuckle.

  Heather caught Janet’s attention and motioned toward the door before walking out. “She’s actually a very nice woman, Allison. Be nice.” She smiled into the phone. “What’s up?”

  “I know most of your assignments have been with our elderly clients, but I just had a new client sign up, and I think you would be perfect for the job.”

  “What kind of illness will I be dealing with?” Heather slanted her brows.

  “Leukemia, and this time your patient’s a young girl.”

  “A girl?” Heather’s felt her spirit dampen. The thought of an innocent young girl dealing with such a debilitating illness brought sadness to her heart. She felt children were a gift from God, and they had every right to a carefree childhood growing up.

  “But why me?”

  “Because the father wanted someone with a big heart and a love for people. You were the first person who came to mind.”

  “Wow, I’m flattered you chos
e me. When do I start?”

  “You, my friend are being reassigned first thing tomorrow.”

  “What? Tomorrow? That’s such short notice. Mrs. Covington isn’t going to be happy about this. She’s been so good to me, and I can’t just leave her stranded. Who’s going to help her when I’m gone?” Heather sat down on the burgundy chaise longue in the hall.

  “Don’t worry; I’ll have Carla fill in for you. She just finished with the Carlson home, so she’s available to take over for you. Your girl is seven.” Allison’s voice turned businesslike. “You’ll be watching for the Robbins family in Crystal Cove.”

  “Crystal Cove ... really?” Images of a scenic shoreline with jagged cliffs flashed across Heather’s mind. She knew it was one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the Newport Beach area. A neighborhood few outsiders had the privilege to admire unless you were one of the lucky visitors to make it past the guard station.

  “I know, can you imagine? This is going to be some assignment, Heather. You’ll have private quarters during your entire assignment. But let me warn you, it’s not all peachy. I just got off the phone with Mr. Robbins, and he seems a little abrasive. So watch out!”

  Heather waved her hand in the air. “Oh, don’t worry. I’m sure he’ll be fine. After all, who wouldn’t be grumpy after seeing their daughter suffer from leukemia.” Heather stood back up and headed to the kitchen as she spoke.

  “Well, I don’t know, but he seems like a real pain in the—”

  “Allison, I get the point. You seem to forget I know how to manage people,” Heather interrupted.

  “Alright, girl. Anyway, you have more patience than the rest of us, so I think you’d be a perfect fit.”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment.” Heather smiled.

  “Hey, are you coming by the office anytime soon? I’m dying to show you these pictures of me and James from this weekend. It was so nice and the food ...” Heather could picture Allison rolling her eyes with delight.

  “I’m not sure. It really depends on how long it takes me to get situated at the Robbins home. What time do I need to be there?”