Page 90 of Rescued Heart

Mary released Bianca’s hand and cradled the tissue box. She adjusted one of the beads on her necklace. “On one of Joel’s last book tours, I held a woman’s baby while she spoke to Joel about finding her own happiness. The babe grabbed hold of my finger and smiled at me. That’s when my heart knew I was ready for my next step in happiness. Joel agreed that we’d be an ideal environment for child and would feel content helping another person out.”

Eddie fisted his hands. “You’re adopting a child?” With the raised pitch at the end of his sentence, it was both a statement and a question.

One of many Bianca had as well.

Mary’s smile never wavered. “A boy. I wanted to tell you that you’re going to be a big brother. Tonight was supposed to bring so much clarity.”

The soda machine in the corner blinked out of order, and that’s exactly how Bianca’s brain processed the moment. She had no real-life experience or previous scripts to draw from for any kind of guidance on the scene that was playing out before her.

Eddie’s chest heaved. “It brought clarity all right.”

Mary sniffed and nodded. “I knew it. Now Joel just has to get better so we can bring a sweet babe home who needs us. A nanny’s already lined up who’s willing to travel with us. Joel’s editing his next book, and it’s centered around happy parenting. It’s perfect timing. Which leaves zero time for a heart attack.”

Eddie lifted his chin. “No one ever has time for a heart attack. But you can’t adopt a child to help with Joel’s book promotion.”

Bianca rose and walked over to Eddie.

Mary fisted her wad of tissues. “Joel said you wouldn’t understand. We can offer so much to a child. He will want for nothing, and we’ll prove to you and everyone else that I’m a good and happy mother now because of Joel’s books.”

Eddie gripped the back of the chair in front of him. “You can’t fake life so people can see that Joel’s next book does what he proclaims. That’s not how parenting is supposed to work. I still see your selfish heart. The one that promised me monster-truck tickets and vacations and new shoes if I’d steal a box of cigarettes or stay overnight at my friend’s house while you partied or go to school when I didn’t feel well. You haven’t changed. You’re still planning to manipulate things to make yourself happy.”

Bianca placed her hand on top of Eddie’s. He tensed but didn’t move his arm.

A tear rolled down Mary’s cheek. “I’m not the same woman you used to know.”

“I hope that’s true.” Eddie shook his head. “But God knows our hearts. We can’t hide anything from Him.”

A nurse came through the door, and Mary jumped up to greet her. “Is Joel okay?”

The nurse nodded. “He’ll be up to his room in a moment if you’d like to come with me.”

Mary followed the nurse while Eddie laced his fingers through Bianca’s and led her out of the waiting room. Bianca followed his lead to the elevator and then out to his truck in the parking lot. Without a single word, he released her and hopped into his truck.

Lord, please be with Eddie’s heart.

Once he started the vehicle, Bianca locked her fingers around her seat belt to keep from reaching for Eddie’s hands, which gripped the steering wheel as if it were his life support. She was supposed to be his support system tonight. But what words would make any of this okay?

God had canceled the ball game with rain. Given Eddie the brief desire to call Mary, and at a time when Mary had been available. So what had been the point of tonight’s meeting? To have Eddie be told his mother was starting over again with another son? One she wanted instead of Eddie?

Bianca’s chest ached, and she rested her hand on Eddie’s thigh. “I’m sorry you didn’t get closure.”

Lord, how long would it take for restoration?

For Eddie. For her own family.

There had been no answers uncovered. Zero mending. No healing.

The only good had been that Eddie’s CPR compressions had provided time for the ambulance to arrive and get Joel off for emergency surgery.

Maybe it had been to simply save Joel’s life.

Eddie’s words from the night of the fire hit her.You’re far more priceless than any material stuff. If only more people realized their true worth.

What if Joel’s heart needed changing? Wouldn’t tonight’s pain be worth it?

God knows our hearts.

Eddie was right. God knew Mary’s…and Bianca’s.

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