Mending Hearts (18 page)

“
Oh, my God, Emma. That is
perfect,” Brooke whispers. 

I smile and look at Molly, who is also
smiling. Molly and Brooke jump up and hug everyone. Alec smiles and
looks at me before he walks over to me. “Looks like they have a
great idea.” 

“
It sounds like they have it
all planned out, too,” he says as he hugs me.

“
We also have a name picked
out,” Millie says as they all laugh. 

Alec and I smile and turn to look at them.
“What name did you decide on?” I ask. 

“
Grannie Nannies,” they all
say in unison. 

“
Grannie Nannies,” Alec and
I repeat. “I love it,” I say. 

Alec, Molly, Brooke, and I walk around the
room and hug everyone. This is the best idea — ever. Brooke is so
excited. She tells me that after yesterday, she and Brice were
talking about moving back to Oklahoma. But now, with the school
issue solved, they won’t have to. 

“
You guys woke us up,”
Raelynn says as she and James slowly walk down the stairs. Rae is
rubbing her eyes and James is carrying a stuffed animal.

“
I’m sorry, Rae and James,”
Millie says as she walks over to them. 

Alec, Molly, Brooke, and I watch as all the
grandmas walk over and attend to the kids. Bridget and Doris pick
up the kids and place them on the couch. We smile as we listen to
the grandmas explain the news to James and Raelynn about the new
school. Both children smile and their eyes light up as they hear
the details of their former house being turned into their very own
school. 

“
Our mothers are brilliant,”
Molly says.

“
They sure are,” Alec
agrees. 

I walk over to Brooke and say, “I know I
offered the house to you and Brice so you can expand your
business.” 

“
Oh, please, Emma. This is a
much better use for it. Something else will come
up.” 

“
Are you sure?” I
ask. 

“
I’m
positive.” 

I get a text and check my phone. It’s from
my dad. 

Dad: Don’t let them take all the credit for
this. We guys had a hand in this grand scheme, too.

Emma: I figured
that.
 

Dad: They did come up with
the name Grannie Nannies. Who in the world would come up with a
name like that?”
 

Emma: It’s cute, I like it.
What are you doing today?
 

Dad: We are getting a sign
made up for the school and shopping for school desks, chalk boards,
and whatever else is on this list.
 

Emma: Thank you, Dad. This
means so much to us.
 

Dad: You didn’t think we
could let our grandkids return to public school, did
you?
 

Emma: No, but I never
imagined this either. Thank you.
 

Dad: You’re welcome, Kiddo.
Kiss the kids for us, I gotta help load the
truck.
 

Emma: I love you,
Dad.
 

Dad: I love you,
too.
 

Alec gets a call and takes it outside on the
lanai. I see an emotion on his face I can’t place. I excuse myself
and follow him outside. Sitting on the swing I watch as he paces
back and forth. The ticking has returned in his jaw — a clear sign
he is upset.

“
Just one minute,” he says
as he cups his hand over the phone. “It’s the
Manatee Tribune;
they want an
interview about yesterday.” 

“
How did they find
you?” 

“
I have no idea.” I walk
over to him and he says, “I need to give them a quick phone
interview. I’ll be just a minute.” 

I kiss him before going back
into the house.
James seems to be feeling
better as does Raelynn. I know this is a big relief for everyone. I
am amazed they came up with this idea and how well they have it all
planned out. Excitement has filled the somber mood of the house. We
stay home and the grandmas, Brooke, and Molly leave. Molly asks if
she can come back after her Addicts Anonymous meeting this evening,
and Raelynn is happy that she’ll get to see her mother again
today. 

Molly

I go home and shower, and then I go straight
to church. My little girl is safe, and I have so much to be
thankful for. My mother, with the mothers of Alec, Emma, and her
deceased husband have come together to create a safe haven for our
kids to attend school. My mother dropped me off at home today and
left like she was on a mission.

I go to the same church
where the Addicts Anonymous meetings are held. I know they leave
the side door open for people to come and pray. I pray and don’t
ask God for anything.
I pray to thank my
God.
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for
keeping Raelynn, James, and Alec safe yesterday. Thank you so much
for having Alec know exactly what to do. Dear God, thank you so
much for making it possible for, not just ours, but for all the
children, to go home safely to their loved ones. It was all very
frightening, but I have so much to be thankful for today. Although
it may take some time, with love and support Raelynn will be able
to recover fully. In your name I pray, Amen.

“
Molly?”

I turn around and see Adam McDaniel standing
there, looking very handsome in his jeans and a cotton yellow tee
shirt. “Hi.” 

He walks over to me with concern on his
face. “I have been worried about you. Why haven’t you returned my
calls?”

I stand up from the pulpit and walk over to
him. “I’m sorry, but with everything that has happened, my phone
was the last thing on my mind.” 

“
I saw the news. Are the
kids okay?” He takes my hand and leads me to one of the pews.
“Molly, it’s all over the headlines.” 

“
I know, Raelynn was in the
cafeteria in the middle of it.” 

“
Is she all right?” he asks
with such sincerity.

I look at him sadly and say with a shaky
voice, “She isn’t physically hurt, but she is an emotional wreck.
Adam, if Alec hadn’t been there I don’t know what would have
happened.” 

He scoots over and wraps his arms securely
around me. “Molly, you can’t think about the what-ifs. The most
important thing is she wasn’t injured and her emotional scars will
heal in time.” 

We talk about the deaths of
the principal and the vice-principal. He tells me there will be a
candlelight vigil outside of the
Courthouse
tonight at dusk. I tell him about the grandmas opening up a school
to teach the kids. I still can’t believe that they are doing this.
It is nothing short of amazing.

“
I have to get back to work,
but would it be all right if I call you later?” 

“
I’ll be here for the
meeting tonight, so I’ll see you then.”

“
It’s a date.” He stands and
smiles at me as he walks towards the door. He turns around and
asks, “Do you want to have dinner with me at the diner
afterwards?” 

“
I would love
to.” 

“
Good, I’ll see you later.
If you need me or if there is anything I can do, please call
me.” 

“
Thank
you.” 

He leaves and I drive by Emma’s old house.
To my surprise the driveway is full of cars. The Grannie Nannies
are all working and the grandpas are all working, too. Emma sees me
and waves for me to come in.

“
Where’s Alec and the kids?”
I ask.

“
He’s home with the kids. We
don’t want to take Raelynn out of the house yet and James, although
he is feeling better, is still sick. I can’t stay long, I just left
to get some things from Publix.” 

Walking into the house, I can’t help but
smile. The entire house is being transformed into a schoolhouse.
Some people are hanging chalkboards on the walls and bright
lettered valances across the windows, and some of the guys are
assembling desks.

“
Can you believe this?” Emma
asks, excitedly. 

I honestly say, “I can’t. This is so
amazing.” 

“
Who knew our parents could
be so driven by fear? Look at what they all have accomplished
overnight.” 

“
It’s
incredible.” 

“
Wait until you see the sign
we ordered,” mom says as she walks past. 

“
Sign?” 

“
Yes, the schoolhouse needs
a name.” 

“
Wait. You named the house?”
Emma asks. 

“
Not the house, Emma. We
named the schoolhouse,” my mom clarifies. 

“
What did you name it?” I
ask. 

“
Grannie Nannies: Lessons
from the Heart,”
all the grandmas say in
unison. 

Emma and I look at each other and smile. “I
love it,” we both say.

“
Walk out back, some of the
guys are working on something special for the kids,” Doris says as
she walks past.

Emma and I walk through the house and out
the backdoor. I have never been in her house before. Some of the
grandpas are installing a wooden swing-set and a wooden sandbox.
“How on earth did you guys get all this stuff in a day?” Emma asks
and I was wondering the same thing.

John says, “We went to Lowes
on
S.R.70 and explained the need to get
these items as quickly as possible. I explained my granddaughter
was at the school yesterday, and we decided to homeschool our
grandkids. The man was touched, called around, and found what we
wanted, he gave us a discount, and they even delivered it for
free.” 

 
I walk over to my dad
and hug him. “Thank you for doing this. Thank you all for doing
this for the kids.” 

“
I hope this is everything.
We bought everything they had.” I look up and Adam is walking
through the yard with Bobby. I smile at the thought of seeing both
of them. I just saw Adam and he said he had to get back to work,
but he didn’t mention anything about this. 

“
What on earth are you both
doing here?” 

“
We got a call this morning
from Alec, so here we are, Doll.” Bobby walks over and hugs
me. 

“
Emma, these are my friends,
Bobby Grether and Adam McDaniel.” 

“
We already met at the
hospital. It’s good seeing you both again.” Emma reaches her hand
out to shake theirs. “Thank you both for helping.” 

“
We’re always glad to help a
friend,” Adam says.

“
That’s right, and a worthy
cause,” Bobby adds. “How are the kids doing?” 

“
Thankfully, neither one was
injured, but Raelynn is pretty shaken up,” I say. 

“
As she should be. What I
heard on the news was pretty grim.” 

“
Yeah, thank God Alec was
there.” 

“
Are you guys going to talk
to the pretty ladies all day or are you actually going to work?” my
dad says, then smiles as he raises the hammer to nail
something. 

“
Sorry, I would love to
chat, but we have a deadline we have to meet,” Adam says, walking
away from me.

“
I guess I have to go, too.
Your dad is cracking the whip, so to speak,” Bobby
says. 

“
Thank you guys for helping,
and I’ll see you both later,” I say. 

“
Yes, you will. Leah and I
have started going to the meetings at the church. We’ll both see
you there tonight.” 

“
That, you can count
on.” 

Emma says that she needs to
get back home and asks me if I am still coming over
to their house later. She says that Raelynn was
feeling a little better today. 

“
I was actually going to
stop over soon. I wanted to pick up some things
first.” 

“
Good, I’ll let her know
that you’ll be coming then.” 

“
Emma,” I say as I get
closer to her. 

“
Yes.” 

“
I just want to apologize to
you for everything. I was in a really bad place and I was wrong. I
never should have acted the way I did.” 

“
Molly…” Emma starts to say
before I interrupt her.

“
Please, let me
finish.” 

“
All
right.” 

“
Alec and Raelynn are lucky
to have you, and I am so sorry that I stalked you and said things
to you that I never should have said. Please, I hope you can
forgive me. You have been nothing but nice to me and I know your
intentions to Raelynn are nothing but pure.” 

“
I love Alec, and Raelynn
for that matter. I will never hurt either one of them. You made a
mistake, and it seems like you have learned from it. I’m just glad
that we can move on from the past and work together to make it a
brighter future for Raelynn and for James. They both can benefit
from us working together.” 

“
Thank you, I
agree.” 

“
Good, so I’ll let Rae know
you’ll be there shortly.” 

“
Yep, I’ll be there in an
hour. Thank you again, Emma.”

I spent the afternoon with
Raelynn, and I was relieved to see that she seemed to be doing
better. James was also feeling better, although he spent most of
the time lying around on the couch. Alec received several phone
calls from local news stations and radio stations wanting a
face-to-face interview with him. Alec declined but offered a phone
interview instead. CNN and Fox News also called wanting an
interview. There was
another school
shooting yesterday, and it ended more tragically than ours. The
news stations are calling Alec a Hometown Hero.