“I wish I’d never told you about this job.”
London laughs and hugs her tight. “I am trusting that the Lord wants me to bloom where I’m planted. I’m trying to do that.”
“I know, but at what cost?” she says, touching London's shoulder. “Don't let your pride keep you from asking for help. We're always here for you.”
London wipes a tear and sniffs back a second wave of tears. “I know. Thank you.”
Dillon and Elliot give her a ride back to the house. Watching her walk around the back-entrance, Dillon reaches out and squeezes her husband's hand. “How do we help her, Elliot?”
“We will pray and be there for her when she needs us. For now, that is all we can do.”
As they ride away, London turns and waves before hurrying inside. “What a day this turned out to be.”
London makes it to her room without incident and changes into her own clothes, stashing the dress in a drawer. She will use gloves to hide the burn on her hand. In a short time, Declan is set to marry into a family that almost killed him. Now the plan they set in place will work if she doesn't do something.
The only remaining option is to buy the stocks before they do. It will take all of her savings, but surely once she explains everything, he will reimburse her. Tomorrow she will be able to think clearly, for tonight exhaustion is seeping in.
She yawns and falls into a heavy sleep. Her dreams are full of Declan screaming for help through a fiery door.
Chapter 7
“What about his vision?” Declan asks, “I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name?”
“Doctor Elliot Bradley, at your service.” Elliot snaps his bag shut and glances at the door. “I agree with Dr. Culp’s assessment from yesterday. “It’s already much improved. His eyes will be sore for a few days and swollen, but I’d say he’s one lucky man.”
“That he was,” Declan shakes Elliot’s hand and smiles.
“He seems more concerned with finding his savior than the accident.”
“We owe her for saving his life,” Declan frowns. “I’m not ready to lose him yet. He’s all the family I have left.”
“Lord Sheridan is in excellent health. He will make a full recovery and be driving you to distraction by tomorrow.” Elliot picks up his bag and glances at Declan. “This person he’s looking for might not want to be found, but it is a good distraction for him.”
“That’s one way to look at it. Why wouldn’t she want to be found, unless she took part in the fire?” Declan frowns and runs a hand over his face.
Elliot looks at him closely. “Have you seen a doctor yet? Breathing in that much smoke isn’t good for anyone, no matter the age.”
“Yes, thank you. I’m fine.”
“If you have any concerns for his health, don’t hesitate to send for me,” Elliot says.
“I will, thank you.” Declan pays him and walks him to the door. After Elliot leaves, Declan thinks about his caution as he walks inside.
His grandfather is propped in his bed with a cold compress over his eyes. “How are you feeling?”
“Fine,” he grumbles and removes the rag. “Did you find her, Declan?” Matthew asks from his bed.
“No.” He sits beside the bed. “Tell me what you remember.”
“The same thing I told the police this morning.” He grumbles and runs a hand over his face.
“A female tried to help open the bay doors. It’s got to be the same woman. The firemen remember a woman dressed as a maid. They couldn’t give any details. Too much chaos going on,” Declan says.
“The smoke was so thick after the explosion.” Matthew rubs his bruised head. “I was blinded by smoke and fire, Declan. I couldn’t see anything. She put her life at risk and helped me get to the door. Just before the second blast, she shoved me to safety. That young woman saved my life. There is no way I would've found my way to the door in my state.”
“Don’t worry, we will find her,” Declan promises and takes the withered hand in his. “Did she say anything?”
“No, though she seemed to know us by name.” Matthew describes in detail the moment after the explosions. “Declan, I’m sure I wouldn’t have escaped without her help.”
“I'm sorry I couldn't get to you. When I turned to run to you, the explosion happened, raining debris and flames in between us. I ran to the doors, but they were stuck…”
“You don’t owe me an explanation, Declan. Though I wish you’d get those doors fixed. Like I told you to months ago.”
Declan stares at his grandfather and takes in the bruises, scrapes, and scratches, and his heart sinks. “It's being taken care of today. You rest.”
Chapter 8
“Fire at Sheridan Furniture!” George Hubbard snaps the paper with triumph and grins at his partners. “It's all going according to plan. We simply wait for the investors to start dumping the stocks, and we scoop them up.”
“Are you positive they won't just write it off as a loss. I mean, the family is titled over in Europe. They obviously have money, why would they care about a furniture company?”
“I asked Declan the same thing, over dinner a few nights ago. It would seem that he invested all of his savings into the new product line. They are counting on the it to increase their holdings,” George grins.
London stays perfectly still as usual against the wall and fumes as she listens. Sweat covers her forehead and her injuries are throbbing. He is planning to ruin Declan's business, and he injured his grandfather, not to mention her!
