Secrets of the Heart Page 2

  “He wants you there by 1 p.m. sharp. I know you don’t like to leave any loose ends when you leave a placement, so that should give you enough time to settle things with Mrs. Covington.”

  “That doesn’t leave me much time to get ready, but I’ll manage it somehow. Thanks again, Allison, for believing in me. I promise I won’t let you down.”

  “I know you won’t. By the way, have you thought any more about the France thing?”

  “You mean the study nursing abroad program? Yes, I’m still on the waiting list.”

  “I don’t know why you would want to leave a good gig like this. You can have a great future with this company.”

  Heather could hear Allison sigh on the other end.

  “But I understand your dream to explore the rest of the world.”

  “I’ve had the vision ever since I was a child, and I want to do it before I miss out on the opportunity. Plus, with this program, I can work and travel at the same time. It’s the best of both worlds.”

  “Heather, you’re a good friend and the best nurse I’ve worked with. I hate to lose you.”

  “Well, I doubt we need to be worried; I’m sure there’ll be several hundred applicants, and I barely got my application in in time. I doubt I’ll ever hear anything else about it.”

  “Well, for your sake, I hope you do; for my sake, well ...” Allison’s voice trailed off.

  “Yeah, yeah I hear you.” Heather chuckled. “Anyways if Mr. Robbins calls, be sure to tell him I’ll be there at nine sharp.”

  “Will do chica ... later”

  Heather bid her boss goodbye and ended the call. Her mind kicked into high gear as she planned out her departure. It was Sunday morning, and that gave her the rest of the afternoon and evening to pack everything and leave in the morning. The drive to Orange County from Janet’s house would take over four hours, and Heather wanted to stop and have lunch at her favorite Italian restaurant in Laguna Beach before heading down to Crystal Cove. That meant she needed to leave early in the morning to avoid the heavy traffic.

  While her immediate concern was helping prepare for Janet’s luncheon party, she couldn’t help worrying over how to break the devastating news to the old woman. Caring for Janet had been her duty for the last six months, and it was natural for the intimidating woman to form a bond with her.

  Heather returned to the parlor where she spent the rest of the morning setting up for the bridge game. She found Janet’s social gathering amusing as well as entertaining as she stood idly by, listening to the women gossip and discuss current events. Shortly after Heather had finished setting up the cards, the women began arriving with their traditional designer outfits and purses.

  “Oh Janet, this lunch is simply wonderful; you must give me the recipe for these crab cakes,” Maybelline Turrington drawled with a heavy accent as she delicately placed the last bite of crab cake into her mouth. The genteel woman had moved here from South Georgia over ten years ago but held tight to her southern roots and accent.

  “Thank you, Maybell. I’m happy you like it. It’s Alice’s secret family recipe. Only few are privy to her secrets in the kitchen, and I’m one of them.” Janet gave her friend a smug smile.

  “Surely she wouldn’t mind sharing such a delectable recipe with one of your good friends. I will ask her. Then I can give it to my precious Sandra and have her add it to the weekly menu.

  “Good luck, woman, but don’t hold your breath. Nobody is as loyal or as good as my Alice. Janet smiled proudly at her friends.

  “Yes, you are very lucky to have found her at the Culinary Institute. But we shall see how loyal your Alice is. I can be very persuasive.” Maybell tilted her head with confidence.

  “Ladies, shall we move on to our game?” Janet said with renewed enthusiasm in her voice.

  “Daria dear are you coming?” They both glanced over at their round-faced friend by the window. Daria was one of the most tranquil women Heather had ever met. Devout to a fault, she had a simple smile, and her easygoing personality put everyone at ease.

  “Yes, ladies, I was just thinking of how lucky we all are to have each other.” The women had a common thread of barrenness among them. Maybel had lost her only son during the war, and Daria married but never had any children. It was the lack of children, or in Janet’s case, absence from their lives, that drew the rich women together. Their desire for companionship in their golden years fueled their desire to indulge in the freedom of their wealth.

  “Yes, I’d say all our cups are seemingly full,” Janet said with a sarcastic tone.

  “God only gives us what he thinks we can handle, Janet, and for what we don’t have, we have each other.”

  Heather caught Daria’s smile and returned it as if she agreed with the slender woman’s outlook on life. Heather could remember plenty of obstacles throughout her life, but God had always been there to lift her up. After the unexpected death of her parents, it had taken her several years to fully appreciate the fact that God’s grace and love would always be sufficient to carry her through the valley of darkness.

  When the luncheon had finished and the women were picked up by their limos, Heather helped Janet to the formal living room where she routinely watched her favorite television show. The nurse grabbed a sketch pad so she could continue working on her favorite drawing while Janet drifted peacefully off to sleep for her afternoon nap. As Heather made herself comfortable in the plush chair, the comedy show began, and the tired woman’s head began to droop.

  Heather’s gazed drifted to the deep mahogany mantle inlaid with intricate patterns of gold. She wasn’t sure whether it represented the perfect example of extravagant taste or foolish waste. It amazed Heather how easily the rich lavished all their money on the luxuries of life and yet neglected to help those less fortunate around them. Though she wasn’t always that way, Heather felt the modest income God had blessed her with was a talent to be used unselfishly for His glory.

  But who was she to criticize the rich who were lost in their earthly desires? Wasn’t it not long ago that her own life had veered into a valley of darkness? Angry and bitter that her parents had been prematurely taken from her, she had lashed out at the world and everyone around her, including God. How could a loving God take her parents so early and send her to live with relatives whose first priority was to make her life a living hell?

  Aunt Amelia and her cousin Amanda had been the ones to receive the brunt of her anger. At first, she justified her wrath, knowing how awful they had been to her. But then a part of her appreciated the fact they had taken her in when her nana had passed away. Heather often looked at the good in people, but sometimes she wondered if her aunt’s benevolence was due to selfish motives, especially when they learned Heather had inherited a nice chunk of money.

  Nana ... she had been her whole world. Both teacher and confidant. She was her only comfort when they got the call about her parents’ fatal car accident. Heather felt a familiar ache in her stomach as she remembered the countless nights she would lie awake listening to the high-pitched voices of her parents fighting. It never seemed to end. Her father would drink, stay out late, and her mother would wait up ... not because she cared but because she wanted to be heard ... have her opinion shouted to the rooftops. There was no such thing as true intimate love in Heather’s world. At least not between the two most important people in her life.

  But that was before she met Jenny. Jenny had been the one who had rescued her from a prison of loneliness when she was fourteen. The summer before high school began Heather could still remember sleeping on the cold hard floor of the laundry room of her aunt’s house. Because her aunt rarely allowed her to leave the house, Heather had no friends and was left with nothing else to do around the house except clean. She could still remember the day Jenny walked by the house while Heather was raking leaves in the front yard. Instead of ignoring her like the other neighborhood kids, Jenny sauntered right up to the fence.

  “Hey, whatcha doing?” She leaned up
against the fence and smiled at Heather.

  “I’m raking the leaves ...”

  “Wanna have some fun with me?” Heather’s curiosity got the best of her, and she stopped raking for a moment. “Doing what?” She took a step closer to the fence.

  “Come with me to Bible school.”

  “What the heck is a Bible school?” Heather’s face creased with curiosity as she stepped closer to Jenny.

  “It’s the best! We do crafts and sing songs. But the best part is when we learn about Jesus and how much He loves us and gave us eternal life,” Jenny said with a grin.

  Heather lowered her brows with curiosity. “Loves us? He just loves us? But why?”

  Jenny wrinkled her nose for a second and gave a simple reply. “Because the Bible says so silly. Come on it’ll be fun.”

  “I can’t.” Heather went back to raking.

  “But why?”

  “Jesus doesn’t love us ... nobody could love me. That’s for sure.”

  Jenny gave her a puzzled look. “Of course He does. Why do you say that?”

  “Because He took my parents; now I live in this miserable place I’m supposed to call home, and they hate me here. God must really be mad at me to send me here, and I’m willing to bet He doesn’t want me at His Bible study either.”

  “That’s ridiculous to think that way. I can prove it to you. Just come for one night. I promise I won’t bug you anymore after that. By the way, what’s your name?”

  “My name’s Heather.”

  “Mine’s Jenny.”

  Somehow, Jenny convinced her to go. Her aunt and cousin had gone to a movie that evening, so Heather was able to sneak out to the study. Like Jenny had said, it completely changed her life, and now she had a renewed hope for a brighter future with God by her side. For the first time in a long time, she could remember drifting off to sleep with a calm peace inside her heart.

  And now that Heather was an adult, she lived a very different life. God continued to be the stabilizing force in her life, and she constantly gave thanks to him for everything she had. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Janet’s voice.

  “Oh my, that was a funny episode wasn’t it dear?” She glanced over at Heather as the credits were rolling on the show.

  “Yes, Mrs. Covington it was.” Heather smiled. She knew better than to argue with the woman, even though she knew it had only been a few minutes.

  “It’s Janet dear ... Janet. Mrs. Covington makes me feel so ... so ... old.”

  “Yes Mrs ... I mean Janet. Sorry for the slip of the tongue. It’s just a habit of mine to address my older patients with respect.” Heather gave her a smile. “But I do have something I need to talk to you about if you have a moment.”

  “You’re leaving me aren’t you, dear?” She gave Heather a half smile. “I already got the call from that simple-minded girl you work for. What’s her name again?”

  “Allison is her name.” Heather smiled. “So she called already then.”

  “Yes, dear, and I can tell you that I’m not very happy with her decision to transfer you somewhere else. I’m just starting to get comfortable with you.”

  “I’m really sorry for having to surprise you with this at such short notice. But there’s a little girl who really needs me.”

  “A girl? Surely your agency can find someone else to take this assignment. Tell them you’re not interested. If it’s a matter of money, tell that Allison woman I’ll pay more.”

  A sigh escaped Heather’s lips. “I’m sorry. I really appreciate everything you’ve taught me, and I’m going to miss all your bridge gatherings. But somehow I feel God is calling me to this job. I have to go.” Heather rested her hand on the woman’s shoulder.

  “You’re actually letting go of the ole geezer are you? Now you’re reminding me of my sorry children.” Janet pursed her lips together with indignation.”

  Heather rested a hand on Janet’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. Your friendship means a lot to me. I would never forget you. I promise to still come by and visit you when I get the chance.”

  “So you say.” Heather watched as the woman released a sigh before her shoulders slumped with resignation. “Very well; I suppose I have no other choice.” She shook her head. “You young people today can be so disrespectful. We seniors still have feelings you know. We’re not some used piece of furniture to be discarded when we’re old and worn.” Her face softened as she turned to pick up something from the side table by the bar.

  “I have something for you.” Janet stuck an object wrapped in cloth at her. “When I found out you were leaving, I wanted you to have something to remember me by. I know I’m cranky and bitter sometimes, but understand my dear ...” she took a step toward Heather, “being bossy and angry is one of the few simple pleasures I have.” She smiled as she handed Heather a bundle covered in cloth.

  Heather unwrapped the cloth, exposing a leather-bound book hand stitched and aged with time. She flipped open the cover and found the most beautiful Bible she had ever seen. Inside the cover were these handwritten words.

  “To my beloved bride Janet on our wedding day, with God we only become stronger.”

  “Oh, Mrs. Janet, this is beautiful ... but it’s yours. I can’t possibly take this.” She held out the keepsake only to feel Janet push it back.

  “No dear, I want you to have it. My sweet James was the best man I ever met, and that was the best gift he ever gave me. I learned to depend on God for my strength when my family dwindled away, when James left me here alone, and especially now when my children don’t make time to remember where they came from. God has always guided me, and I know he will guide you as well. No, I want you to have this. I want to go to my grave knowing the main inspiration for my life is safe and making a difference in another’s person’s life.” She gave out a chuckle as she turned around to head upstairs.

  “I think you’ll have a very long time before that happens, Mrs. Janet.” Heather scurried along behind her, helping guide the fragile woman back up the broad stairway to her bedroom.

  Heather prayed with the woman before tucking her into bed for the last time. Before she stepped over the threshold, she gave one last glance at the woman as she snuggled under the blue satiny comforter.

  “I will cherish it always.” With a wave of her hand, the tired woman said her good night, and Heather headed down to her room at the end of the hall.

  It was a restless night for Heather as several dreams brought anxiety throughout the night. One time she dreamed about her parents fighting, and another time her body shivered from the cold floor in the unheated laundry room of her aunt’s house during the winter. During the early morning hours, she whispered a silent prayer, asking for God to calm her nerves. After a few minutes of tossing and turning, she finally drifted off to sleep.

  Morning came full of sunshine and with it a headache. The rays spilling into her room were warm and sunny, but the lack of sleep left her moody and with a slight headache. She enfolded her hands and said a quick prayer, asking God to take her headache away and to bless her first day at the Robbins household. She swung her feet past the edge of her bed and shuffled over to the antique Victorian dresser across from her bed where she began packing her final belongings.

  When everything was packed, Heather quietly made her way downstairs, lugging her large paisley suitcase and matching garment bag. She knew Janet would still be asleep and didn’t want to disturb her. Once she had finished loading everything into her compact sedan, she navigated her way into the kitchen to say her last good-byes to the cook.

  A grin pushed up Alice’s cheeks as she greeted Heather with a firm hug. “Heather, I’m so glad you didn’t leave yet. I made you some breakfast.” She held out a rugged hand. “Now don’t you say a word. Just sit right down and eat. I won’t take no for an answer.” Heather knew there was no point in arguing with her. When Alice told you to do something, nothing would change her mind. Heather situated herself at the table and placed a pressed line
n napkin into her lap.

  “I’d never leave without saying good-bye, Alice; you know that.” Heather surprised herself at how hungry she was. She worked through the scrambled eggs, sausage links, and pancakes before washing it down with a cup of strong black coffee. Even though food was one of her passions, she was lucky to maintain her good figure. At 5’7 and 135 pounds, she was completely happy with her shape. Her body had a healthy curve coupled with an energetic metabolism, the perfect combination to match her straight black hair and green eyes. In her own mind, Heather considered herself an average woman. A far cry from the head turning anorexic-looking women that frequented the gym back home. Maybe it had something to do with the fact she resented the way she looked so skinny and sickly during her younger years, especially after moving in with her aunt. Looking back, Heather knew it was because she rarely had anything to eat, except for the leftover food on her aunt’s and cousin’s plates when she cleaned up each night. Now that she was an adult and in control of her own life, food and traveling ran a tight race for her favorite things to do.

  When she had finished her last sip of coffee, Heather gathered up her dishes and took them to the sink. She gave Alice a final hug and said her good-byes before heading out the side entrance. As Heather stood by her car, she stole one last glance at the white Victorian mansion before climbing into her sedan. She twisted her hair into a tight bun before donning her tortoise shell sunglasses. Then she pulled her subcompact car away from the estate and vanished down the winding brick driveway toward the next new chapter of her life.

  Chapter 3

  Michael Robbins stared at the gold framed family photo at the corner of his desk and took another long sip of his drink. A sigh escaped his lips as his body slumped deeper into the leather chair behind his large executive desk. He tried to fight the blanket of sadness that threatened to dampen his mood, but nothing could stop the flood of memories rushing into his mind.