Chapter 12

twelve

T hree days without a sale.

Could that even be real?

Sadie stood inside the empty store. The floors practically glowed after she mopped them, not a single dust bunny or cobweb could be found, but even with satisfaction of a job well done, the looming bank deadline flashed in her mind like a blinking neon sign.

Outside the store, children played across the street. A huge soccer game that David had watched through the window. When a couple of teens had stopped by to see if he would come play after he finished, Sadie had pushed him out the door. With no business, and the store clean, there had been no point in making him stay cooped up inside.

David passed the ball to someone who shot and made a goal. The two high-fived and a small celebration took place.

This could be life—in five years. Ten even. Working the store together, enjoying life together. The key word: together.

Maybe even a few kids of their own.

Lottie played on the playground, running with Lucy around the swing set in what looked like a game of tag.

Sadie settled onto a stool behind the register, pulled her phone out, and opened the group chat with her siblings. Funny how they'd never had a group before, but since they'd started texting, it had become so easy to share things with them.

Sadie: Three days without a sale.

Romee: Good thing you've got eye candy working for you.

Anna: Or not. Remember he broke your heart once. He can do it again.

Romee: *gif of the witch from Princess Bride shouting "Boo!" Don't be such a spoilsport, Anna. Besides, you haven't seen David after all these years. *hot emoji.

Toby: Gross. I did not need to know that.

Sadie: We've both changed. Things are different now. But that's not why I messaged. Focus on the problem—no sales.

Romee: *gif of two penguins wearing hats saying, "I'm sorry."

Anna: I can place an order. One hammer, please.

Sadie tucked her phone away. Obviously, they wouldn't be able to help with sales, but it did help that she could talk to them.

The welcome bell jingled, and Sadie's breath caught—could it finally be a customer? She turned toward the door. Nope, not a customer, just her mom.

"Oh, don't look so thrilled to see me."

Sadie stepped out from behind the register and hugged her mom. "It's not that. It's just been super slow today."

Her mom shook her phone. "I heard. Anna said she needed a new hammer and I had to come buy it right now. Right now . She was very emphatic."

Her mom's phone chimed as a message from Anna popped up. After opening the message, she typed a response to Anna while Sadie went and picked up a hammer—the one she carried to appeal to women—a pink floral grip on the handle and pink metal for the head.

"Here, let's send photographic evidence you're here." Sadie pulled out her phone and stepped close to her mom, holding the hammer between them, and snapped a selfie. She sent it to her siblings.

Sadie: Finally made a sale after three days. Thanks, Anna. *laughing emoji *golden heart emoji.

Anna: I'll pay for shipping. Just have her drop it in the mail for me.

Sadie chuckled. Even with her broken—and slightly bitter—heart, Anna was trying to help out.

Her mom walked toward the register and pulled out some cash.

"I can't believe she really wants a hammer." Sadie chuckled as she handed her mom her change.

"You've been busy in the store even if you haven't made a sale." Her mom looked around the shop.

"Until a few hours ago. Now I'm just watching Lottie at the playground." Sadie's cheeks heated as she motioned outside. Of course, her mom would see the bigger picture.

Her mom turned to look out the window and then bumped Sadie's shoulder. "Or David playing soccer."

"It doesn't hurt. He's so good with those teen boys."

"I ran into Hannah at the grocery store yesterday, and she was telling me David's been helping Jimmy out at the gym, too. Her son just adores David. I wonder if he could be content working with the kids at church?" Her mom's voice trailed off.

The church had grown since Nate took over as pastor. And the youth group had grown, too. Maybe David could help out there. Maybe he could be happy in Heritage.

With her.

Of course, she came as a package deal with Lottie included. But so far, David had worked well with Lottie, and the girl clearly adored him.

David stopped the ball with his foot and then kicked it to another teen. She really should learn the teens' names, but with no teen volunteers in the store, she hadn't needed to. But if David stayed around, she could help out with him. Be a team, not just at the store, but in life. In service. David ran forward, and then the kid passed the ball back to David, but David slid, his leg going out from under him, and he rammed into Otis.

Sadie's breath caught. That had to hurt.

"Oh dear." Her mom brought her hand to her mouth.

Sadie waited for David to jump up, shake it off. But instead, the boys ran over and knelt in front of him. Lottie jumped off the swing and ran over to David, too.

"Honey, why don't you go check on him." Her mom propelled her toward the door. "I'll watch the store. If you think you need to take David to the doctor, send Lottie back here, and I'll get her to ballet and have your dad close up shop. Now go!"

"Thanks, Mom." Having support made such a difference. The bell jingled as Sadie pushed open the door and crossed the street. The teen boys backed up as she jogged closer and knelt next to David. His brows crinkled even though he laughed at something one of the guys said. His face had lost its usual color, and his shoulders were rigid.

Lottie sat next to him and patted his shoulder. "It's gonna be okay, Mr. Williams. Otis is fine. See? He doesn't even look sore."

Be still her heart. That might be the sweetest and craziest thing Lottie had ever said.

Lottie stood up and Sadie gripped her hand. "It's time to get ready for ballet. Oma is in the store—can you run see her?"

Her daughter kissed her on her cheek and skipped off to the store.

She lowered her voice and leaned in close so the teen guys wouldn't hear—since he was putting on such a casual face in front of them. "You okay?"

He shook his head slightly, but his resolve was clear. "Can you help me stand up?"

She nodded as she stood and offered him a hand. She pulled him up as he balanced on one leg. He turned to the guys and offered his fists. Several of the boys bumped knuckles, or whatever they called it, and David waved them off, telling them he was fine and that he'd just sit out the rest of the game. All while balancing on one leg.

The guys ran back to the game, and David's entire demeanor changed. His shoulders fell, and the pain he'd been hiding from the guys etched across his brow. Sadie slid her arm around his waist to support him as he hobbled off the field.

Sadie got him to her car, which she'd left on the street earlier. "Let me take you to the doctor and get that checked."

David shook his head. "If I take some time, maybe some pain meds, it will be fine."

"Don't be like that. It hurts bad enough you needed me to help you cross the street."

"Lottie—"

"Mom's in the store, and she'll take care of Lottie. Dad's going to close up tonight." Sadie knew the moment he decided to go along with her request because he relaxed and gave a single, short nod. She opened the passenger door for him. "Let me go grab my purse. I'll be right back."

When Sadie returned to the car, David sat with the door open. His face was even more pale than before.

She closed the passenger door and jogged around to the front of the car. A short while later, she pulled into the ER parking lot, thankfully finding a spot right next to the door. She looked over at David sleeping. She placed her hand on top of his and squeezed.

He inhaled as his eyes fluttered open. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep."

Sadie brushed his hair off his forehead. "You needed it. We're here now. Do you want me to go get a wheelchair to get you in?"

David shook his head. "No. I'll walk."

To say he was stubborn would be an understatement. Sadie tucked herself under his arm, and with her help, they managed to make it into the ER. Thankfully, the afternoon was slow, and they were seen quickly.

David sat on the exam table in the room they'd been placed in after he'd been taken for X-rays. She pulled the hard, plastic chair next to him and sat down. He offered her his hand, and she quickly interlaced their fingers.

Warmth radiated up her arm as his thumb circled the back of her hand. He'd held on to her since they got here, except during the X-rays, giving Sadie as much comfort as she hoped she could offer him.

"Hey, now." David tugged her to standing and guided her in front of him. She stepped between his knees and his arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her a little closer. "Thank you for bringing me to the ER and staying with me."

Sadie relaxed in his embrace, his warmth seeping into her frozen body. ER rooms always ran so cold. She inhaled David's clean, soapy scent, happy to block out the sterile fumes.

"I'm sorry, David." His hand ran down her spine and back up, stopping between her shoulder blades, pressing her close.

"Not your fault." His hand slowed and pressed her closer still.

"No. It's not my fault you tripped over the town's lovable statue."

David shook his head. "I hardly tripped over Otis."

"Then what? Your own foot?" Sadie let her arms rest on his shoulders, her hands playing with his thick hair at the nape of his neck.

"Not my finest move." He puffed out a small laugh.

"I'll say."

"Hey now." David pushed her back a little as he brought one hand to his chest. "You wound me."

"You do that to yourself."

He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Sparks fluttered across her skin, and her breath caught. "Sadie…I want…"

Me. Say it, please. She held her breath, waiting for his next words.

Silence stretched between them as he studied her. A million possibilities, but they'd made promises the first time around. The pain of those broken dreams was almost more than she could bear the first time. Maybe it would be better not to say things that would make another break up even more painful. "Let's not make promises, instead, let's enjoy today."

David shook his head. "I can't do that."

He tugged her a little closer, and she melted against his warm frame. Buried against him, she let a little bit of her fear slip out. "I'm not sure what you mean. Why can't you?"

A deep rumble sounded in David's chest. Great, she'd made him laugh. She pushed off him, but David caught her hands, keeping her close. "Because you are strong. Independent. A single mom. You've taken over your family business. You have come through the fire, and you're even more irresistible than I remember. I'm not playing around, and I want to make sure you know it." David cupped her face, his fingers tangling into her hair, his thumb brushing her cheek. His eyes darkened and dropped to her lips. Oh, sweet mercy.

"What are you saying?" She held her breath. David pulled her closer still, and the heated look he gave her warmed her from the inside out.

A knock sounded and Sadie jumped back.

"I'm here. For you and with you. We'll talk more later." David winked at her. "Come in."

Sadie sat back in the plastic chair next to him. She slipped her hand into his. She might not know what the future would hold, but he was here. Right now. Could this moment be enough? If she didn't at least try, she'd never know.

The doctor opened the door and walked in, reviewing David's file.

"Hello, David. I've got the results of your X-ray."

David's ankle protested as he shifted on the chair at his kitchen table a few hours later. His foot was propped up on a pillow with an ice bag on the chair in front of him. At least it wasn't broken.

A simple sprain. The trip to the ER had been a total waste of time—except the time with Sadie hadn't been a waste. He'd told her he wasn't playing around, and he meant every word. The doctor had wrapped his ankle and gave him some pain medication and anti-inflammatories—since his ankle had swollen up to the size of a small melon.

Sadie had stopped for takeout next to the ER, but it had cooled off on the drive home. She stood at the stove, heating things up again.

"You could just microwave it," David said, his stomach rumbling. Lunch was hours ago, and he would have eaten dinner cold.

Sadie shook her head and threw him a playful look. "I'll have you know, that after we finished college and I moved to Grand Rapids, I became a whiz at reheating my Chinese takeout. Don't mess with my skills. Besides, you're finally home. Chill, okay?"

She turned back to the skillet, and David couldn't deny the sweet and tangy scents were making his mouth water. But stale bread sounded appetizing at this point.

His phone rang in the other room, and Sadie put down the wooden spatula she'd found next to the stove. "I'll go get that for you. Don't move."

David yawned. What a day. The pain medication was working, and his bed called to him. Not that he'd give up this time with Sadie. Especially since she hadn't pushed him away when he'd told her he wanted more.

His stomach rumbled again. He wouldn't give up the food either.

Sadie walked back in with his cell still ringing. Lance. The call went to voicemail before David could answer.

"You can call him back." Sadie picked up the wooden spoon and started dishing up the chicken chow mein.

Not with food coming. Lance could wait. "He'll leave a message or call back. I'm with my girlfriend."

His phone pinged a voicemail notification. His hand itched to check it. He hadn't lied to Sadie when he said he would be there for the court date. For the grand reopening. He wanted to be here for those things. And if this call was finally letting him know he'd been cleared to return? He'd set the date for next month.

"Girlfriend?" Sadie walked toward the table, two plates in hand, and placed one before him.

"We're not too old for that term, are we?" He caught her hand and pulled her down so he could brush his lips across hers.

"I don't think we are."

He kissed her again, quick and fast before she returned to the cupboard for two glasses and filled with them water.

His mouth was suddenly dry. Before he'd started working at the hardware store, he'd waited for Lance's call. Convinced the next would be the one to deliver the news that he could return to Costa Rica.

Now? Now the thought of returning—the thought of leaving Sadie—soured his stomach.

Sadie set a glass of water in front of him, and he gulped it down.

"I didn't realize you were so thirsty. You should have said something." She refilled the glass and sat next him, settling her hand on his. "You can call him back or listen to the voicemail. I can step out for a moment."

"No. I'd rather eat with you. That call will be there later." He flipped his hand over and intertwined their hands. He needed the extra contact, the security of her gripping his hand.

David blessed their food and dug in. Sadie hadn't been wrong. Heating the food up on the stove made it…crisper? Fresher? Whatever, it was delicious.

After dinner, David started to stand up, but Sadie's hand shot out and pressed his shoulder. "What do you think you're doing?"

"The dishes. You cooked. I clean. A pretty good deal, right? That's what we do at your place."

"Normally I enjoy that philosophy, but tonight I will clean up. Then I'll get you some more painkillers before I leave. Don't come in tomorrow. Rest up and stay off that foot." Sadie washed the dishes, put them away, and scrubbed the counter.

David kept the place clean, comfortable. But with Sadie here, the place could really be a home.

Home.

David's phone lit up with another call from Lance. Sadie noticed. "I'm going to go get your painkiller. I think I left it in my purse in the car. You answer that call. I'll be back."

David grabbed the phone and swiped to answer. Something was up for Lance to call again. "Hey, Lance. What's up?"

"Glad I got ya this time, David." Lance's perky voice meant something was up. "I have news, and I wanted to talk to you about a new position. Have a few?"

A new position? The front door slammed. It would take Sadie a second to bring his meds back in. "Just a few."

"I'll jump right in then. Marco says the principal at Escuela Bíblica de San José wants to retire. Are you interested? It would get you back to Costa Rica."

Principal? David had never considered that before. He'd been happy in the physical education department. "But what about?—"

"I know we said you weren't ready before, but Nate has been really impressed with all you are doing. He seemed confident in your abilities. So, what do you think?"

He could go back. Make sure the teens in Costa Rica had a consistent influence. They wouldn't think he'd abandoned them. But if he took the position, he'd have to leave Sadie.

He'd just called her his girlfriend. Told her he didn't want to leave.

"David? You still there?" Lance probably pulled the phone away to make sure the call was still connected.

"Still here. I had never considered principal before."

"Here's the thing. Wesley just found out his mother-in-law has stage four cancer. He and Jill want to come home as soon as possible to be with her in the end. Why don't you fly down to Costa Rica this weekend. I'll get you a ticket, and you can visit with Wesley in person. Maybe being there will help you make the decision."

"This weekend?" That was really fast. Sadie's face flashed in his mind. He'd already told her he wasn't going back. Weeks ago, the desire to return consumed him, but now? Did he even want to go back? Maybe this was God's way of pointing him in a new direction. Shouldn't he go back and see if this is what God wanted? He still had supporters to consider. Maybe Lance was right, and being on-site, talking to Wesley, visiting all his old hangouts would make the final decision easier.

Or give him peace if he walked away.

He wiggled his ankle. If he wrapped it good, it should be fine. "Okay. Let's do it."

David hung up the phone, with Lance promising to send the flight information later that night.

Just then, the front door slammed, and David looked up to see Sadie breeze into the kitchen, a large smile on her face as she filled his water glass and handed it to him with his pain pill. "Here you go. Drink up. Want me to help you walk down the hall?"

"Totally unnecessary. See?" David stood. Pain shot up his leg, and he sucked in a lungful of air.

"I see a stubborn man." Sadie quickly wrapped one arm around his waist and dropped his arm around her shoulder. Her spicy scent broke through the pain, her soft frame pressed up against him.

Right. He'd wanted to say goodnight and perhaps leave her with a lingering kiss. Not use her as a crutch to maneuver the hallway.

But she nudged him forward. "Come on. I'll help you and then bring the ice pack for you."

Maybe he should have taken the doctor up on those crutches, but he didn't want the hassle of returning them. And he didn't want to buy them and have them around. He could totally tough this out. Besides, it would make traveling easier if he didn't have crutches.

"Thank you." He said the words as he sank onto the bed. He should tell her about the trip. He started to say something, but the pain medication must have been kicking in, because his words jumbled together.

A chuckle escaped Sadie, and she bent down and brushed her soft lips across his cheek. "Any time, David."

She stood up and backed away. His hand itched to reach out to her, to touch her, to hold her, but it wouldn't move.

"I'll bring you a glass of water and the ice pack. Be right back." Sadie slipped out of the room.

The next thing David knew, his phone was ringing. His heavy eyelids blinked open. Sunlight shone through the window. His mouth was dry, a disgusting aftertaste lingering. His phone went quiet, and he rolled to his side. On his nightstand was a glass of water and his phone.

Sadie.

She'd told him she'd be right back, but he must have fallen asleep before she returned. His hand scrubbed his face and landed on his chest. The throw from the couch. Tres protested as David moved, snuggled against him. Cinco stretched and jumped off the bed. Mamá Gata slept at the foot of the bed, but not close enough for David to reach without sitting up.

He grabbed the phone and saw a message from Lance with his flight information.

He hadn't mentioned it to Sadie last night. But in the light of day, he couldn't picture leaving her. Didn't want to picture life without her. He'd already done that. There was no reason to cause her concern with a change in the status quo if there wasn't going to be one. He'd travel down and back without anyone noticing he was gone, and no one would be the wiser.

But what if God did want him to return?

He'd have to leave behind connections he'd made in Heritage. With the teens playing soccer, with Lottie, even with his family. The hardest person to leave behind, though, would be Sadie.

Last time he'd sprung Costa Rica on her, it had ended in disaster. He had no desire to recreate that fight.

It would better to wait and see.