Time to Laugh Romance Collection Read online

  “What’s your last name, Katie?”

  There was a long pause, then finally Katie smiled and said, “It’s Duncan. My name’s Katie Duncan.”

  “What’s your mommy’s name?”

  “Mommy.”

  In spite of the stressful circumstances, Tabby had to bite back the laughter bubbling in her throat. Children were so precious. That’s why she loved working with the kids at the day care. She’d probably never marry and have children of her own, and being around those little ones helped fill a void in her heart.

  “I have a dolly, too, but she’s not half as big as yours,” Katie said, looking at Rosie.

  Tabby chuckled. “Rosie’s a ventriloquist dummy. Do you know what that means?”

  Katie shook her head.

  “She’s kind of like a big puppet. I make her talk by pulling a lever inside her body.”

  “Can you make her talk right now?”

  Tabby sucked in her bottom lip. “Rosie’s control stick broke when she fell down the hill.”

  Katie’s chin began to quiver, as a fresh set of tears started to seep from her eyes.

  “I suppose I could make her talk,” Tabby said quickly. “Her mouth won’t move, though. Could you pretend Rosie’s mouth is moving?”

  “Uh-huh. I like to pretend. Mommy and I do pretend tea parties.”

  “That’s good. I like to play make-believe, too.” Tabby tipped Rosie’s head, so Katie could see her better. Using her childlike ventriloquist voice, she said, “I’m Rosie Right, and I’m always right.” Now what made me say that? That’s the line Seth always uses with his dummy, Rudy.

  “Nobody but God is always right. Mommy said so,” Katie remarked.

  Tabby nodded. “Your mommy’s right. Rosie’s just a puppet. She can’t always be right, and neither can people. Only God has all the answers.”

  “Do you go to school, Rosie?” Katie asked the dummy.

  “Sometimes I go to day care,” Rosie answered. “Tabby works there.”

  The next few minutes were spent in friendly banter between Rosie, Tabby, and Katie. Tabby was glad she could keep the child’s mind off the accident and her unconscious mother in the front seat, but when a low moan escaped the woman’s lips, Tabby froze. Now she had two people to try and keep calm.

  Chapter 19

  Oh! Oh! I can’t breathe,” Katie’s mother moaned. “My seat belt … it’s too tight.”

  Tabby pulled Rosie quickly away from the window and placed one hand on the woman’s outstretched arm. “Please, try to remain calm.”

  The woman moaned again. “Who are you?”

  “I’m Tabitha Johnson. I was in the car behind you, and I saw your car swerve then run off the road. You ended up going over the embankment, and now the car’s upside down.”

  “My name is Rachel Duncan, and I need to get this seat belt off. Do you have a knife?”

  Tabby shook her head. “That’s not a good idea. If we cut the belt loose, your head will hit the roof, and that might cause serious damage if there’s a neck injury.”

  Rachel’s eyelids closed, and she groaned. “Katie … Where’s Katie?”

  “Your little girl is still in the backseat,” Tabby answered. “We’ve been visiting while we wait for the paramedics.”

  “Mommy, Mommy, I’m here!” Katie called.

  Rachel’s eyes shot open. “I’m so sorry about this, Katie. Mommy doesn’t know what happened.”

  “From the looks of your right front tire, I’d say you had a blowout,” Tabby said.

  Rachel’s swollen lips emitted a shuddering sob. “I told Rick we needed to buy a new set of tires.”

  “Rick?”

  “Rick’s my husband. He had to work late tonight, so Katie and I went to a movie in Lakewood. We were on our way home when it started raining really hard.” She grimaced. “I hope someone gets us out of here real soon. I don’t think I can stand being in this position much longer.”

  “Are you in pain?” Tabby asked with concern.

  “My left leg feels like it might be broken, and my head’s pounding something awful.”

  “Would you mind if I prayed for you?” Tabby didn’t know where she’d gotten the courage to ask that question. It wasn’t like her to be so bold.

  “I’d really appreciate the prayer,” Rachel answered. Tears were coursing down her cheeks, but she offered Tabby a weak smile. “I’m a Christian, I know how much prayer can help.”

  Tabby placed Rosie on the ground and leaned in as far as she could. “Heavenly Father,” she prayed, “Rachel and Katie are in pain and need medical attention as soon as possible. I’m asking You to bring the paramedics here quickly. Please give them both a sense of peace and awareness that You are right here beside them.”

  Tabby had just said “amen” when she heard the piercing whine of sirens in the distance. “That must be the rescue vehicles,” she told Rachel. “I think I should go back up the hill to be sure they know where we are. Will you be all right for a few minutes?”

  “Jesus is with us,” Katie squeaked.

  “Yes, He’s by our side,” Rachel agreed.

  “All right then, I’ll be back as quick as I can.” Tabby pulled away from the window and started up the hill as fast as she could, thankful the rain had finally eased up.

  A police car, a fire truck, and the paramedics’ rig were pulling off the road by her car when she came over the hill. Gasping for breath, she dashed over to one of the firemen. “There’s a car down there,” she panted, pointing to the ravine. “It’s upside down, and there’s a woman and a little girl trapped inside.”

  “Could you tell if they were seriously injured?” one of the paramedics asked as he stepped up beside her.

  “Rachel—she’s the mother—said her head hurt real bad, and she thinks her leg might be broken. Katie’s only five, and she complained of her head hurting, too. She also said her arm was bleeding.”

  He nodded then turned to his partner. “Let’s grab our gear and get down there.”

  The rescue squad descended the hill much faster than Tabby had, but she figured they’d had a good deal more practice doing this kind of thing.

  Tabby followed, keeping a safe distance once they were at the scene of the accident. She did move in to grab Rosie when a fireman stepped on one of the dummy’s hands. Poor, dirty Rosie had enough injuries to keep her in Seth’s shop for at least a month. Right now, Tabby’s concerns were for Rachel and her precious daughter, though. She kept watching and praying as the rescuers struggled to free the trapped victims.

  When they finally had Rachel and Katie loaded into the ambulance, Tabby breathed a sigh of relief. The paramedics said it didn’t appear as though either of them had any life-threatening injuries, although there would be tests done at the hospital. Before the ambulance pulled away, Tabby promised Rachel she would call her husband and let him know what happened.

  One of the policemen, who identified himself as Officer Jensen, asked Tabby a series of questions about the accident, since she’d been the only witness.

  “You are one special young lady,” the officer said. “Not only did you call for help, but you stayed to comfort that woman and her daughter.” He glanced down at the bedraggled dummy Tabby was holding. “From the looks of your little friend, I’d say you went the extra mile, using your talent in a time of need.”

  Tabby smiled, although she felt like crying. For the first time in a long while, she’d forgotten her fears and self-consciousness, allowing God to speak through her in a way she never thought possible. Throughout the entire ordeal, she’d never stuttered once. It seemed like a miracle—one she hoped would last forever. Up until now, she believed that unless her family treated her with love and respect, she could never become confident. How wrong she’d been. How grateful to God she felt now.

  When Tabby got into her car, she reached for the cell phone and called Rick Duncan at the number Rachel had given her. He was shocked to hear about the accident but thankful Tabby had called
. He told her he’d leave work right away and head straight for Tacoma General Hospital. Tabby could finally go home, knowing Rachel, Katie, and Rick were in God’s hands.

  Tabby awoke the following morning feeling as though she’d run a ten-mile marathon and hadn’t been in shape for it. The emotional impact of the night before hit her hard. If she could get through something so frightening, she was sure the Lord would see her through anything—even dealing with her unfeeling parents and self-centered sister. Instead of shying away from family gatherings or letting someone’s harsh words cut her to the quick, Tabby’s plan was to stand behind the Lord’s shield of protection. She could do all things through Him, and as soon as she had some breakfast, she planned to phone Tacoma General Hospital and check on Rachel’s and Katie’s conditions. Then her next order of business would be to visit Beyers’ Ventriloquist Studio.

  Seth had dialed Tabby’s phone number four times in the last fifteen minutes, and it was always busy. “Who is on the phone, and who could she be talking to?” he muttered. “Maybe I should get in my car and drive on over there.”

  Seth figured Tabby was still mad at him, and he wondered if she’d even let him into her apartment. Well, he didn’t care if she was mad. He’d made up his mind to see her today.

  Seth left the red-nosed clown dummy he’d been working on and walked into the main part of his shop just as the bell on the front door jingled. In walked Cheryl Stone.

  “Good morning, Seth,” she purred. “How are you today?”

  Seth’s heart sank. The blue-eyed woman staring up at him with a hopeful smile was not the person he most wanted to see. “Hi, Cheryl. What brings you here this morning?”

  “Does there have to be a reason?” Cheryl tipped her head to one side and offered him another coquettish smile.

  Seth felt the force of her softly spoken words like a blow to the stomach. Cheryl was obviously interested in him. “Most people don’t come to my shop without a good reason,” he mumbled. “Are you having a problem with Oscar again?”

  Cheryl gave the ends of her long red hair a little flick and moved slowly toward Seth. “Actually, I’m not here about either one of my dummies.”

  Seth swallowed hard and took a few steps back. Now here’s a perfect woman. She’s talented, confident, poised, and beautiful. How come I don’t go after her? He groaned inwardly. I’m in love with Tabby Johnson, that’s why. There was no denying it, either. Shy, stuttering Tabitha, with eyes that reminded him of a wounded deer, had stolen his heart, and he’d been powerless to stop it.

  With determination, Seth pulled his thoughts away from Tabby and onto the matter at hand. “Why are you here, Cheryl?”

  “I’ve been asked to be part of a talent contest sponsored by Valley Foods. My father works in the corporate office there,” Cheryl explained.

  “What’s that got to do with me?”

  “I was hoping you’d be willing to give me a few extra lessons.” She giggled. “I know I’m already a good ventriloquist, but I think you’re about the best around. Some more helpful tips from you might help me win that contest.”

  Seth cleared his throat, hoping to stall for time. At least long enough so he could come up with some legitimate excuse for not helping Cheryl. He had an inkling she had a bit more in mind than just ventriloquist lessons.

  His suspicions were confirmed when she stepped forward and threw her arms around his neck. The smell of apricot shampoo filled his nostrils, as a wisp of her soft red hair brushed against his cheek.

  “Please say you’ll do this for me, Seth,” Cheryl pleaded as she placed her arms around his neck. “Pretty please … with sugar and spice … now don’t make me ask twice.”

  Seth moaned. Cheryl was mere inches from his face now, but all he could think about was Tabby. He opened his mouth to give Cheryl his answer, when the bell on the door jingled. Over the top of Cheryl’s head, he saw the door swing wide open.

  It was Tabitha Johnson.

  Chapter 20

  Seth expected Tabby to turn around and run out the door once she saw Cheryl in his arms. She didn’t, though. Instead, she marched up to the counter and plunked her dummy down. “I’m sorry to interrupt,” she said in a voice filled with surprising confidence, “but I need you to take a look at Rosie. Do you think you can spare a few minutes, Seth?”

  Seth reached up to pull Cheryl’s arms away from his neck. He was guilty of nothing, yet he felt like a kid who’d been caught with his hand inside a candy dish. He could only imagine what Tabby must be thinking, walking in and seeing what looked like a romantic interlude between him and Cheryl.

  He studied Tabby for a few seconds. She looked different today—cute and kind of spunky. Her hair was curled, too, and it didn’t hang in her face the way it usually did. Her blue jeans and yellow T-shirt were neatly pressed, and she stood straighter than normal.

  “Do you have time to look at Rosie or not?” Tabby asked again.

  Seth nodded, feeling as if he were in a daze. Tabby wasn’t even stuttering. What happened to Timid Tabitha with the doe eyes? He glanced down at Cheryl and noticed she was frowning. “Excuse me, but I have to take care of business,” he said, hoping she’d get the hint and leave.

  Cheryl planted both hands on her slim hips and whirled around to face Tabby. “Can’t you see that Seth and I are busy?”

  “I’ll only keep Seth a few minutes; then he’s all yours,” Tabby said through tight lips.

  A muscle in Seth’s jaw twitched. “I’ll call you later, Cheryl,” he said, turning toward the counter where the dummy lay.

  “Yeah, okay,” Cheryl mumbled.

  When he heard the door close, Seth heaved a sigh of relief. At least one problem had been resolved.

  Tabby was trembling inwardly, but outwardly she was holding up quite well—thanks to the Lord and the prayer she’d uttered when she first walked into Seth’s shop. Seeing Cheryl Stone in Seth’s arms had nearly been her undoing. Only God’s grace kept her from retreating into her old shell and allowing her tongue to run wild with a bunch of stuttering and stammering. It still amazed her that ever since the car accident last night she hadn’t stuttered once. God really had changed her life.

  “What in the world happened to Rosie?” Seth asked, breaking into Tabby’s thoughts. “She looks like she got roped into a game of mud wrestling. I’d say she came out on the losing end of things.”

  Tabby snickered. “It was something like that.” Then, feeling the need to talk about what happened last night, she opened up and shared the entire story of the accident she’d witnessed.

  Seth listened intently as he examined the dummy. When Tabby finished talking, he looked up from his work and groaned softly. “I’m sure thankful you’re okay. You were smart to keep a safe distance from that car when it began to swerve. It could have been your little hatchback rolling down the hill.”

  Tabby swallowed hard. Was Seth really concerned about her welfare? Was that frown he wore proof of his anxiety?

  “Now about Rosie …,” Seth said, pulling her back to the immediate need.

  “How bad is the damage? Will Rosie ever talk again?”

  Seth’s green eyes met Tabby’s with a gaze that bore straight into her soul. “She will if you want her to.”

  Tabby blinked. “Of course, I do. Why wouldn’t I?”

  Seth cleared his throat a few times, as though searching for the right words. “After that program at the crusade, you didn’t seem any too anxious to continue using your ventriloquistic talents.”

  She nodded. “You’re right about that, but since last night I’m seeing things in a whole new light.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “You are? In what way?”

  “For one thing, God showed me that I don’t have to be afraid of people or circumstances that might seem a bit unusual or disturbing,” she explained. “I was really scared when that car went over the embankment. When I found Rachel and her daughter trapped inside their overturned vehicle, I nearly panicked.” Tabby drew in
a deep breath and squeezed her lips together. “Little Katie wouldn’t even respond to me at first. I was stuttering so much I scared her. Then I thought about Rosie in the backseat of my car, and I climbed back up the hill to get her.”

  Seth nodded. “Kids will react to a dummy much quicker than they will an adult.” He smiled. “Guess we’re a bit too intimidating.”

  “I dropped Rosie on the way down the hill, and by the time I got to the wreck, I realized her mouth control was broken.” Tabby shrugged. “I had to talk on my own, and I asked God to help me do it without stuttering. I wanted Katie to be able to understand every word, so she wouldn’t be afraid.”

  “So poor Rosie took a trip down the muddy incline for nothing?” Seth asked, giving the dummy’s head a few taps with his knuckle.

  Tabby shook her head. “Not really. After Katie and I talked awhile, I began to gain her confidence. Then I put Rosie up to the window and made her talk, without even moving her lips.”

  Seth tipped his head back and roared.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “If Rosie’s lips weren’t moving, then who was the ventriloquist, and who was the dummy?”

  Tabby giggled and reached out to poke Seth playfully in the ribs. “Ha! Very funny!” She wiggled her nose. “I’ll have you know, Mr. Beyers, my dummy is so talented, she can talk for two without moving her lips!”

  Seth grinned, and his eyes sparkled mischievously. “And you, Miss Tabitha Johnson, are speaking quite well on your own today.”

  Tabby felt herself blush. “I haven’t stuttered once since last night.” She placed her palms against her burning cheeks. “God gave me confidence I never thought I would have, and I’m so grateful.”

  “I think it was because you finally put yourself fully in His hands.”

  Tabby was tempted to ask Seth if he thought she was worthy of his love now. After all, he’d wanted her to change. Instead of voicing her thoughts, she nodded toward Rosie. “Is there any hope for her?”

  Seth scratched the back of his head and smiled. “I think with a little help from some of my tools and a new coat of paint, Rosie will be up and around in no time at all.”