Page 21 of Tethered Hearts
“I’ll put the kettle on,” he said at the same time.
“I don’t want to intrude.” And she really, really didn’t want to be alone with him. Helen would have been a good buffer between them, but now she would be left to fend for herself. In Matt’s domain.
“As Aunt Helen said, you’re not intruding.” He stepped past her into the kitchen and flicked the kettle on. “Besides, you can’t let those cupcakes go to waste.”
“No, of course not.” Brie’s laugh sounded more like a cackle than an attempt at acknowledging his comment. She wiped her palms over her pants.No need to be nervous, right?They were just catching up, as Helen had so implied. “But if I’m staying, what can I do to help?”
“You’re a guest.”
Yes, a guest. Her gaze slid over the mugs already set out on the counter. The pot of coffee. The sugar bowl and jug of milk. And she silently chastised herself for thinking Helen had somehow concocted an excuse to leave her and Matt alone. How foolish she’d been for doubting her integrity. No one was trying to push her and Matt together. It was just her vivid imagination dreaming up silly notions that had no place in reality.
With the kettle boiled, Matt fixed a pot of coffee and set it on a tray with the cups, milk, and sugar. Brie added a couple of her cupcakes and followed him out onto the deck carrying the tray.
“It’s absolutely beautiful out here,” she gasped, placing the tray on the wrought-iron table before stepping over to the railing and eyeing the stunning landscape before her. Gentle waves lapped at the golden sand, and the water sparkled and danced beneath the cloudless sky.
“It is.”
“It’s so peaceful. I could easily sit out here for hours. You’d have to drag me away, kicking and screaming.” The view of the ocean through the swaying trees and over the crest of the sand dunes was a sight she would never tire of if she had the privilege of living so close to the water. She could imagine early mornings reading her Bible and sipping coffee while watching the sunrise over the ocean. How glorious.
A chair scraped across the deck as Matt sank down and set his crutches next to his feet. “It’s been quite good for my healing.”
“I can imagine.” She lowered into the chair on the other side of the table for two and clasped her hands around her cup. “I seriously would never be able to leave or get anything done if I had that view.” She lived a few streets away from the beach, and the view from her backyard consisted of a six-foot timber fence on all sides. She considered herself lucky that it was only a short walk to the beach from her house, but this, being a few steps away from the sand, was something else.
“I probably don’t come out here as much as I should, or as much as Aunt Helen would like me to.” Matt sighed, stretching his legs in front of him. Brie’s gaze drifted over the tight, red skin covering his legs. She’d seen the scars in the clinic when she’d rolled up his sweatpants. But here in the full light of the afternoon sun, the smooth and shiny skin was a glaring reminder of just how severe his injuries were.
“You’re wearing shorts,” she blurted out. Closing her eyes, she huffed out a breath, her stomach sinking with her audacious remark. She hadn’t meant to draw attention to the ugly mess that remained of his once muscular limbs. Somehow the filter between her brain and her mouth disappeared whenever she was around him.
“I’m at home.” Matt shrugged, lifting his cup to his lips, seemingly unfazed by her outburst. She nodded, understanding his simple answer, as well as his need to cover up whenever he went out. She could only imagine how cruel people could be. She wondered if he would ever reach a point where he was comfortable enough not to hide behind long pants. Everyone was different as to how they hid their pain and scars behind whatever façade they chose. She elected to hide her insecurities behind her talkative nature, although it wasn’t fair to compare her issues with Matt’s.
“Any more rescues of late?” His fingers drummed on the table, a dull thud that matched the beating of her heart.
“No. Which is good.” There hadn’t been a call since the rescue at Mt Pullman weeks ago. She missed the rush from being involved in precarious situations, but the plus side was that no one had been in adverse circumstances that required their help. Plus she hadn’t seen Brett in weeks, which was a huge bonus.
“How did you get involved in all of that? I mean, it’s not something most people would consider.”
Brie averted her gaze as Matt lifted his cup to his lips. He’d shaved since she’d last seen him, and instead of his usual unkempt growth, he now sported a faint dusting of stubble which highlighted the sharp angles of his jaw and cheekbones. Her gaze tracked a cargo ship out on the horizon before shifting to the seagrass swaying in the breeze among the dunes. “I’ve always enjoyed helping people, and I love the outdoors. So, I thought it would be a good way to combine the two. Plus, I get to give back to the community.”
“Ever have some tricky situations?”
“My ex-boyfriend,” Brie said without hesitation, followed by an abrupt laugh as Matt shot her a frown. “Don’t mind me. I know you were talking about rescues and not my relationship status.” Why she’d thought to mention Brett, she didn’t know. Something about Matt made her lose the ability to think or speak with clarity. Drumming her fingers against her chin, she told Matt about the time when a severe hailstorm had smashed the coast, damaging houses, cars, and businesses. The team had been joined by a few other search and rescue teams from neighbouring areas, and they’d worked rotating 24-hour shifts, often with only a few hours’ sleep before they were required to work again. It had been extremely tough work, physically and mentally, as they’d lugged sandbags, erected makeshift levees, and worked to ensure the safety of everyone in the community. By the time they’d finished, Brie had rope burn on her hands, cuts and grazes all over her skin, and could barely lift her arms. She’d slept for days afterward and now had an aversion to ham, cheese and tomato sandwiches, the staple daily lunch supplied by the volunteers from the local CWA.
“I can secure a tarpaulin to the roof of a house in my sleep.” Brie chuckled, shaking her head. That had been such a crazy time, and she’d never experienced such exhaustion. But it had been a wonderful bonding opportunity as everyone worked hard together toward a common goal, and she’d also been able to pray with many of the people she’d helped.
Enthralled, Matt’s gaze didn’t leave her as she spoke. Intense interest filled his features, and feeling awkward beneath his scrutiny, Brie shifted in the chair and reached down to pat Winston who was basking in the sun near her feet.
“What’s that scar?” Matt’s words sliced through the air.
Her hand shot to the raised ridge near her collarbone, and she tugged on her shirt to pull it over the scar. She hadn’t realised her shirt had slipped.
“I’m sorry.” Matt shook his head, running a thumb over the outside of his cup. “I didn’t mean to sound rude.”
“No, it’s fine. Sometimes I forget it’s there.” It was hardly an issue; it was her daily reminder of the goodness of God in her life. But for some reason, she was self-conscious now that Matt had noticed. Running her fingers over the smooth skin, she informed him that it was from a portacath.
“Is that for …” He didn’t say the word, but Brie watched the myriad of expressions cross his face as he processed her truth. Curiosity. Surprise. Empathy.
“Cancer. Yes.” She flicked a gaze his way before turning her attention toward the ocean. She’d never kept her diagnosis a secret from people. What was the point? They were going to find out soon enough. But she also hadn’t broadcast it to everyone. Those who needed to know knew, and that was all that mattered. Besides, she couldn’t well hide when her treatment made her unwell, and her hair had fallen out. She’d become an expert in wearing scarves and buffs to hide the bald patches until her hair finally grew back. She’d never been one to talk about her problems for sympathy’s sake or announce them to the world on social media. But if people asked, then she always answered truthfully.
“Cancer.” Matt regarded her solemnly.