Seeing with the Heart: A Novel

By Claudia Terry Pemberton

Emma Sloan, an elementary school teacher from Huntington, West Virginia, has just become a mother to a precocious and loveable five-year-old girl named Gracie.
After being involved in a car accident, Emma meets firefighter and rescuer, Spenser Adams. There is an instant attraction between the two, but fate has a way of spoiling any chances of a budding romance between them.
Seeing with the Heart is a poignant Christian story of the love between two generations of mothers and daughters with an underlying thread of the hope of romance between Emma and Spenser.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Oct 6, 2020
• ISBN: 9781663208415

Claudia Terry Pemberton

Claudia Terry Pemberton is retired from the Cabell County Public School System where she worked for thirty-eight years. The award-winning author of the novels, Love Leaves No One Behind, Love Leads the Way, Her First Breath, The Cost of Her Heart, The Butcher’s Run, Seeing with the Heart, and Come Back to Me is a proud member of the Military Writers Society of America, the West Virginia Writers, Inc., and is also a PRO member of the Romance Writers of America. Claudia resides in Huntington, West Virginia.

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Copyright © 2020 Claudia Terry Pemberton.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

iUniverse

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

ISBN: 978-1-6632-0842-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6632-0841-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020916988

iUniverse rev. date: 10/05/2020

Contents

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1

Hope

Chapter 2    The Unforeseen

Chapter 3   Heroism

Chapter 4   Home Again

Chapter 5    The First Surgery

Chapter 6   First Sight

Chapter 7   Growing Up

Chapter 8    Happy Birthday

Chapter 9    Normalcy

Chapter 10   Bad Timing

Chapter 11   Twice as Much

Chapter 12    Return Visit

Chapter 13    Mother’s Day

Chapter 14   School’s Out

Chapter 15    Mothers and Daughters

Chapter 16   Another Tradition

Chapter 17   Back to Reality

Chapter 18    Divulgence

Chapter 19    Sunday Dinner

Chapter 20   Progress

Chapter 21    Betrayal

Chapter 22   Aftermath

Chapter 23    Moving On

Chapter 24   Tragedy Strikes

Chapter 25    Time Marches On

Chapter 26    Church at Christmas

Chapter 27   Communication

Chapter 28    Christmas

Chapter 29   Baptism

Chapter 30    A New Year

I would like to

dedicate this book to the selfless and courageous first responders who gallantly put their lives on the line to protect and serve us every day.

In addition, I would like to thank the heroic military men and women of this great country of ours, who tirelessly serve to defend our freedom and keep us safe from harm.

All of you have my utmost gratitude, admiration, love, and respect. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for your service and protection.

Acknowledgments

I have many people to recognize and thank for generously sharing their expertise and knowledge with me in reference to my book. In my endeavor to keep my work of fiction as realistic as possible, the following individuals were paramount in helping me reach that goal. I thank each of you for your kindness, patience, and willingness to talk and share with me.

Ed Genthert, retired fire chief and firefighter

Maurice Hartz, retired firefighter and deputy fire marshal

Becky Howard, specialty care manager

Jodi Lewis, elementary schoolteacher

Joseph LoCascio, MD, ophthalmologist

Patrick Marcum, NRP (nationally registered paramedic)

Steve Murray, MCCP (mobile critical care paramedic)

Jan Rule, FNP (family nurse practitioner)

Lt. Ian Trent, firefighter

To my editors and proofreaders—Allyson, Hannah, Karen, Keri, and Pam—thank you so much for your hard work on my behalf. I appreciate you more than I can say.

Chapter 1

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Hope

With Gracie waiting patiently by her side, Emma Sloan waited for the doctor’s receptionist to register them for their appointment with one of the most respected ophthalmologists in West Virginia.

The woman stopped typing and looked up. Wearing a pleasant smile, she said, We’re all done here. Please have a seat, and Dr. Lavenio will be with you shortly. You’re his first appointment of the day.

After thanking her, Emma took Gracie’s tiny hand and led her to a vacant area of the waiting room.

Once they were seated, Gracie asked, What color are the walls?

Emma smiled. Gracie was the most curious soon-to-be six-year-old she had ever met. They are snow white, Sweet Pea.

What color are the chairs? Gracie asked as she smoothed her hands over the fabric of the seat surrounding her.

They are blue. Just like your beautiful eyes.

It pleased Emma how much she and Gracie physically favored each other. They both had shoulder-length, curly blonde hair and sky-blue eyes, and they both were thin and petite.

Gracie giggled. Blue just like my new dress you bought me, she said as she patted her lap. She loved wearing dresses, just like Emma.

Exactly, Emma said. You look lovely in your blue dress. My dress is pink.

Gracie turned and placed her outstretched hands on Emma’s face. She slowly trailed her fingers around Emma’s eyes, nose, and mouth. Her gentle little hands touched Emma’s face, but mostly, they touched her heart. You are so pretty, Gracie said.

The child’s sweet declaration brought tears to Emma’s eyes.

Thank you, Sweet Pea, she whispered. You are just as pretty as a picture yourself.

I am? Gracie asked as she placed her hands on her own face.

Yes, you are. You are beautiful both inside and out, although being beautiful on the inside is much more important than the outside.

Gracie smiled. I know. You already told me that.

Emma looked up as a door opened, and a young woman wearing green scrubs called out Gracie’s name. The woman smiled at them as Emma took Gracie’s hand and led her to the open door.

You look awfully nice this morning in your pretty spring dress, Miss Gracie, the woman said.

Thank you, Gracie replied with a smile. I like dresses.

I do too, the young woman said.

What’s your name? Gracie asked.

The young woman smiled at Emma. My name is Rebecca, but my friends call me Becky.

That’s a nice name, Gracie said. Can I call you Becky?

Of course you can. The nurse laughed.

After leading them to an optical examination room, Becky asked Emma to help Gracie into the patient’s chair. Gracie’s smile disappeared. Is the doctor nice like you, Becky? she asked as Emma lifted her up into the oversized chair.

Dr. Lavenio is the nicest man I know, Becky said. You’ll like him very much.

Do you promise?

I promise, the nurse replied. She then sat down in front of a computer and began to type. Emma took a seat opposite Becky.

Can Gracie recognize any of the letters on the eye chart? Becky asked quietly.

No, ma’am, Emma answered. She can only see light and shapes. That’s all.

The nurse smiled apologetically. I’m sorry, she whispered.

Emma returned her kind smile. Thank you. We’re praying that Dr. Lavenio will be able to restore her sight.

I will pray for the same, Becky said. She then stood and walked to the door. The doctor will be in to see Gracie in just a few minutes, she said as she closed the door behind her.

Emma looked over to find Gracie wringing her tiny hands. Where are you, Mommy?

I’m right here, Emma answered as she went to her daughter and took her by the hand.

I wish the doctor was a girl, Gracie said solemnly.

I know you do, but remember what I told you about the doctor. All men aren’t bad men. Dr. Lavenio is a good man, and he won’t hurt you. I promise. Besides, I’ll be right here in the room with you.

Is this chair big enough for both of us? Gracie asked. I can scoot over.

Emma laughed. No, you silly girl. It’s a special chair just for you.

Gracie laughed too.

Before Emma could take her seat again, Dr. Lavenio opened the door and walked in. He was a distinguished-looking man who appeared to be in his early sixties. He had a short gray beard and salt-and-pepper hair.

Good morning, he said to Emma as he reached out his hand for a handshake. I’m Dr. Lavenio. It’s nice to meet you.

Emma grasped his hand and shook it. His grip was smooth and gentle.

He continued. I want to thank you for your letter explaining Gracie’s eye injuries. I found it most helpful.

You’re welcome. I thought that was the best way to explain what had happened to Gracie.

It was, he said. Please have a seat.

At first blush, Emma liked Dr. Lavenio very much. She hoped Gracie would like him too.

The doctor then turned his attention to Gracie. And who is this lovely young lady sitting in my examination chair? he asked. And where is her smile?

Gracie’s chin began to quiver. She stretched out her hand and called for her mommy. The doctor smiled and nodded. Emma walked over and took Gracie’s trembling hand. She bent down and kissed her child’s cheek. It’s okay, Sweet Pea. Remember what I told you.

My name is Dr. Lavenio. What’s your name? the doctor asked softly. I have to know your name if we’re going to be friends.

My name is Gracie, she answered timidly.

The doctor reached out and took Gracie’s hand and shook it. All right then, Gracie, now we can be friends, he said. Would you mind if I examine your eyes? I promise I won’t hurt you. The light might be a bit bright and warm, but it won’t hurt.

Okay, Gracie answered, all the while tightly clutching Emma’s hand.

The doctor took a seat on a stool and rolled a large stainless-steel apparatus up to Gracie’s face. He put his hands on the sides of Gracie’s head. Can you scoot up and rest your pretty little face on this chin holder for me? he asked.

Gracie nodded as the doctor helped her position herself in front of him.

That’s perfect, Gracie, Dr. Lavenio said softly. Now you just stare straight ahead while I look into your pretty eyes. I’m going to touch your face and help you keep your eyes open. Okay?

Okay, she whispered.

Dr. Lavenio examined both of Gracie’s eyes, all the while reassuring her in a low, soft voice.

After he finished his examination, he moved the large piece of equipment off to the side. He smoothed his hand down his beard. His brow was furrowed as if he were in deep thought. Well, this is how I think we should proceed, he said. I think we should repair her right eye first, as it will be the easiest to restore. Very extensive cataracts have formed as a result of nutritional deficiencies and the trauma to her head and eye. The doctor paused for a moment before continuing. Now, the damage to her left eye is much more critical. The scars on her cornea are extensive. I’m afraid it will require a corneal transplant in order to fully restore her sight.

So you think you can help her to see again? Emma asked tearfully.

Absolutely I do, Dr. Lavenio said. We will have to put her under general anesthesia for both surgeries. There are minimal risks with that type of sedation, but it’s the only way. Would you like for me to schedule the procedures? the doctor asked.

Emma squeezed Gracie’s tiny hand. What do you think, Gracie? Would you like for Dr. Lavenio to fix your eyes?

Gracie nodded her curly head. Will it hurt? she asked the doctor.

Dr. Lavenio laughed. You won’t feel a thing, Gracie. You’ll go to sleep and sleep right through the whole thing. When you wake up, you will have a patch over your eye, and when you come back to see me the very next day, I’ll remove the patch, and you will be able to see out of your right eye. You’ll like that, won’t you?

Gracie nodded again.

What about the corneal transplant? How long do you think we will have to wait for a donor? Emma asked.

The wait won’t be very long. It generally takes two weeks to a month. Of course, that will be a more extensive procedure, but we’ll do it under general anesthesia as well. Complete healing time for that will be about three to six months. There’s always a risk of rejection of the transplanted cornea, but we will start her on some anti-rejection medications.

Emma’s concern must have shown on her face.

The doctor smiled. Please don’t worry. I’ll take excellent care of my brand-new little friend.

When do you think the first surgery will be? Emma asked.

I’m not sure, but I’ll ask my secretary to schedule it as soon as possible. She will have to get approval from your insurance company and then coordinate my schedule with the hospital, but that shouldn’t take very long. The doctor stood up. Do you have any other questions? he asked.

Emma shook her head. No, sir, I don’t think so.

How about you, Gracie? Do you have any questions for me?

No, sir, Dr. La … La.

Dr. Lavenio laughed heartily. Why don’t you just call me Dr. Joe? How would that be?

Gracie smiled. Okay, Dr. Joe.

Well, I think we’re ready to proceed, he said as he walked toward the door. You ladies check with my receptionist on your way out, and she will give you some literature about the surgeries. I’ll see you both later, he said as he exited the door.

Are you ready to go? Emma asked Gracie as she helped her out of the examination chair.

I’m ready, she replied. Can we get ice cream on the way home?

Of course we’ll get some ice cream. What flavor would you like?

Strawberry! Gracie exclaimed happily.

Okay then. Emma laughed. Strawberry it is. Let’s go get some.

Per the doctor’s instructions, they stopped at the receptionist’s desk on their way out. The woman handed Emma some literature on both of the procedures to be performed on Gracie’s eyes. She also asked Emma to sign a consent form for the surgeries. It made Emma’s stomach churn to sign the forms. She knew too well that general anesthesia was slightly risky, but if it would restore Gracie’s sight, how could she possibly, in good conscience, deny her that?

They had taken the first step. Plans were in motion. She took Gracie by the hand, and the two walked out of the office building into the pleasant early spring air.

Let’s get that ice cream, Emma said. She smiled, thinking she had her day planned out perfectly.

Chapter 2

The Unforeseen

Let’s get you strapped into your big-girl seat, Emma said as she opened the rear passenger door of her car.

I can get in by myself, Gracie announced proudly.

Okay then, Emma said, laughing at her precocious little girl.

Gracie put her hands out and felt for the car