by Leah Atwood
Alarm pulsed through him. Was it acceptable to ask what it was for? “Are you sick?”
She wouldn’t look at him, which worried him more.
He shifted the box to one arm and guided her to face him with the other. “You’re scaring me.”
Raising her head, she looked at him with downcast eyes. “I’m not sick or anything like that. I have anxiety and take a daily pill to control it.”
Relief flooded him. “That’s it?”
“Hardly anyone knows, okay? It’s embarrassing.” She swiped at a fleck of dust. “Tim thought it was all in my mind.”
“Tim’s an idiot.” His blood boiled, and his dislike for the man intensified. “Listen to me, Amie. There’s no shame in having anxiety, and anyone who would suggest otherwise has no understanding of it.”
“You don’t think less of me?” Her bottom lips quivered.
He’d never seen her so vulnerable. “How could I? That changes nothing of how I feel about you, but if anything it only makes me admire you more for all that you’ve accomplished while battling it.”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“Is there anything about it that I should know? Anything I can do to help?”
“Most of the time I’m fine, but after Tim had left, it started up again. Small things, like mailing a bill could cause me extreme worry. I’d worry about it not getting there, or the stamp falling off. Inconsequential things, but they’d drive me insane because I couldn’t stop worrying about them.”
“Have you always dealt with it?”
“Since college.”
“Thanks for trusting me with that information.” He saw her rubbing the tip of her shoe on the ground and realized he needed to change subjects to ease her comfort. “I’m never going to live down today.”
A shaky smile materialized on Amie’s face. “You’re performing a service for the community. What’s a Fourth of July parade without Uncle Sam?”
“There’s Lady Liberty, the founding fathers, any number of other characters.”
“But Uncle Sam is the highlight of Jasper Lake’s.”
“Where do I go?” With all the people streaming around, there was no clear direction.
She gave him a playful nudge. “You act like you’ve never been in the parade before.”
“It’s been a while,” he said dryly.
“Everyone lines up at Frog Bottom Park. The concession stands at the ball fields are used for dressing rooms. You’ll find yours at Field B.”
“Then what?”
“Find your float. You’ll be on the last one.” She brushed a fallen hair from her face. “If you need any help, Lorraine Hestman can help. She’s in charge of lining everyone up in the proper order.”
“For the record, you owe me big time.” He threw her a wink, complemented with a waggish grin.
Tipping her head, she kissed him. “Here’s your first payment.”
“Hmm. This might not be so bad after all.”
The explosive sound of a bullhorn interrupted them.
“That must be Lorraine signaling everyone to their stations.” Amie took the box from him. “I still need to take care of these.”
“See you soon.” Furrowing his brows, he issued a warning. “No pictures.”
Smiling, she shook her head. “Not a chance I’ll agree to that.”
He heaved an exaggerated sigh. “Have fun.”
“You, too.” Amusement filled her smirk.
After they parted ways, Drew strode to the Frog Bottom Park and found the building Amie had mentioned.
Before he entered, Lorraine approached him with her perpetually buoyant attitude. In his twenty-seven years, he couldn’t remember ever seeing anything but a smile on her face. “Thank you for filling in for Lloyd. When Sally and Amie told me yesterday you would fill in, well, my heart nearly exploded with gratitude.” Her hands crossed her heart. “You’re the town’s hero today.”
Lorraine hadn’t changed since she’d taught drama at the church when he was a child. Theatrics spilled into every aspect of her life, but she also had a heart that went deep. Then he realized what she’d said—Aunt Sally and Amie had volunteered him yesterday. Which meant they’d hidden it from him for an entire day.
They probably spent the evening deciding how to best approach him. The joke was on them, though, because, for all his grumbling, he would have said yes.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
She handed him a bag. “These are what you’ll toss to the children. Once you’re dressed in costume, go all the way down to field D. You’re the last float, and you can’t miss it. Red, white, and blue, streamers and foil fireworks.”
“Got it.” Carrying the bag, he entered the makeshift dressing room.
Uncle Sam’s costume hung in a clear plastic bag, taunting him with its shimmery, sparkly material. Just get it done and over with. First, he pulled on the red and white striped pants over his shorts. The costume bottoms came several inches above his navel. Next came the white shirt with an attached blue vest patterned with white stars. He already felt ridiculous and still had half the costume to put on.
The gold trimmed blue overcoat was a mite snug in the shoulders. He’d filled out in his adult years and had a broader build than Lloyd. He rolled his arms, maneuvering for a more comfortable fit. When he pulled out the top hat, he groaned. A fake beard fell out. He also kept his own facial hair shaved because he couldn’t tolerate anything on his face. Any chance of getting away with not wearing it?
Silly question—the beard was a trademark. It’s only for an hour, at the most, he reminded himself.
Slipping the beard over his head, he positioned it in the least obtrusive way possible. His nose twitched when the fibers tickled his nostrils. He stooped down to slip on the polished white shoes, then stood and put the foot-tall hat on his head.
Dare I look in a mirror? There were none available, but he caught his reflection in the stainless steel industrial refrigerator.
“The things we do for love,” he muttered.
Chapter Eleven
Amie sat next to Aunt Sally, watching each float pass in front. At the parade’s end, three judges would cast votes for the best float and act. She wasn’t a judge, so had the luxury of watching for sheer enjoyment.
Her favorite float to date had been the one created by Clint’s company, a re-creation of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The men on the float dressed in period costume, and a few even wore powdered wigs. As it was tradition to throw a treat from the float, they distributed miniature copies of the Declaration of Independence rolled up to look like a scroll.
The end of the parade advanced. She spotted Drew in costume for the first time, and her affection for him grew. He’d been reluctant to participate, but he was a natural. His charisma attracted people to him, and little children flocked for a chance to catch a bracelet. Drew took the time to wave to each child who made an effort to greet him, and a warm smile was evident behind his white beard.
If she had her guess—despite his belly-aching—Drew was having fun, genuinely enjoying himself. She knew he would because that’s who Drew was. If she’d honestly thought he would have been miserable in the role, she never would have asked. She respected him too much to push him into an activity he’d hate.
After the final float paraded past the grandstand, the crowds of spectators dissipated to the myriad of events occurring next.
Amie glanced at Aunt Sally, who’d paled considerably. “Are you okay? Maybe we should take you home?”
Clutching a hand to her chest, Aunt Sally gasped for air. “Call an ambulance.”
Fear paralyzed her.
Several men and women rushed to Aunt Sally’s side, and Mr. Tatrem called 9-1-1.
Mr. Zumbrum took charge. “Everyone clear out unless you have medical expertise.”
Several people backed away but didn’t go far. Aunt Sally was a beloved member of the community and worry was written on the face of many.
Findi
ng her feet, Amie took the two steps to reach her Aunt, crouched down, and clasped her hand. “You’re going to be fine, Aunt Sally.”
“I think…” Aunt Sally paused to catch her breath. “Heart attack.”
“Shh.” She drew soothing circles on her aunt’s hand.
“Ambulance is on the way,” Mr. Tatrem announced.
Yolanda Jeffers pulled a bottle from her purse and dumped out a pill. “Give her this aspirin. If it’s a heart attack, it will help.”
Having no medical expertise, Amie hesitated. She didn’t want to make the situation worse.
“I’m a nurse practitioner. It’s safe and recommended.” Yolanda smiled gently.
Mr. Zumbrum nodded and took the aspirin. “Take this, Sally. Try to chew it if you can.”
Once Aunt Sally put the aspirin in her mouth, Mr. Zumbrum lifted a bottle of water to her mouth and helped her take a drink.
In less than two minutes, sirens blared announcing the ambulance’s arrival. Paramedics rushed in, immediately assessing Aunt Sally. They took her vitals and lifted her onto a stretcher. They asked several questions about her medical history and current medications.
Amie did her best to answer them for her aunt, but Aunt Sally laboriously answered what Amie couldn’t.
When they went to put her in the ambulance, Amie followed.
A paramedic put a hand out to stop her. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but you can’t ride with her.”
“But she’s my aunt, the only family she has here.”
“It’s policy. We’ll be taking her to Farthington General, and you can follow behind.” His expression softened, and he gave her a sympathetic smile. “Your aunt is in good hands.”
She hated leaving her aunt alone but didn’t want to waste valuable seconds arguing. “Thank you.”
Tears pressed against her eyelids as she watched Aunt Sally being taken away.
Yolanda came up to her and wrapped a comforting arm around her. “Sally’s going to be just fine. She’s a strong woman and the whole town will be praying once the word spreads.”
“I hope so.” She swallowed her worry to apologize. “I’m sorry for not trusting you about the aspirin. I didn’t know your career, and I was scared.”
“No worries, sweetheart. You only wanted what was best for your aunt.” Yolanda squeezed her shoulder. “Do you need a ride to the hospital?”
“No, Drew will take me.” Drew! He probably was just circling around to the park and didn’t know. “Excuse me.”
She stepped aside and called Drew. When he didn’t answer, she dialed a second time. “Answer please.”
“Just got off the float. I’ll meet you in a few minutes.” His casual tone told her he didn’t know about Aunt Sally.
“They took Aunt Sally to the hospital. We think she’s having a heart attack.” Saying the words out loud broke the dam of tears. “Can you come get me and take me there? They wouldn’t let me go with her.”
“Are you still at the grandstand? I’ll be right there.”
“Yes, and thank you.”
Yolanda and Mr. Zumbrum waited beside her until an out-of-breath Drew ran in three minutes later.
Despite the fog of worry in her mind, a laugh escaped. “You could have changed first.”
Drew glanced down at his red, white, and blue attire. “It didn’t even cross my mind. Getting to you was my first thought.”
His consideration reached into her frazzled soul and soothed her. “That means a lot.”
“Where are they taking her? Farthington?”
“Yes, but I don’t know how to get there.”
“Don’t worry, I do. Come on.” He jutted a shoulder in the direction of the truck.
“I’ll finish overseeing the celebration today and then drive up and see how she’s doing.” Mr. Zumbrum was a touch pallid himself.
“Keep us updated,” Yolanda called.
“I will.” Amie accepted Drew’s outstretched hand and then ran to the truck.
Once they were on the interstate, Drew pulled off the fake beard. “That feels better.”
“An era of Drew with facial hair comes to an end.” Making a small joke helped get her mind off Aunt Sally.
“The shortest era ever to exist.”
“You really could have changed first.” She couldn’t picture him sitting at the hospital dressed as Uncle Sam.
“No point wasting that time. My regular clothes are on underneath, anyway, so I’ll slip the costume off once we get to the hospital.”
“I should have forced the issue this morning. I knew Aunt Sally wasn’t feeling well, but she didn’t want to miss the festivities.”
Keeping one hand on the wheel, Drew reached over with the other and held her hand. “It could have happened even if she’d stayed home. If it was a heart attack, at least she was around people who were able to assist instantly.”
“I didn’t think about it that way. What if anything happens to her?” Anxiety burst alive, rampant and powerful.
“Only God knows the answer to that, and all we can do is pray.”
She heard his words, but they were difficult to process through the anxiety attack. She took deep breaths and found an object to focus on—the discarded top hat. Counted to ten, then backward to one. The initial bout passed, and she glanced up to see Drew staring at her. Only then did she realize he’d pulled off to the side of the road and was rubbing her back.
She appreciated that he didn’t offer the usual clichés such as “it’s not so bad,” or “just calm down.” His presence and comfort were the best things for her. “I’m okay now.”
Nodding an acknowledgment, he maneuvered the truck back on the road. “Would you mind sending Dena a text to let her and Clint know what’s going on? I’m sure they’ve heard by now, but I don’t want them to think we’re ignoring them.”
“Sure.” She welcomed any activity to keep her mind occupied.
After sending Dena a text, she called her parents and told them what happened. She ended the conversation with a promise to update them when more information became available.
“We’ll be there in five minutes,” Drew told her once she finished on the phone.
Fear of the unknown pitted dread in her stomach. “If it’s bad news, I don’t want to know.”
“You’ll have to find out either way, sweetheart.”
“I know.” Clutching her phone, she fixated on the cracked cover. “You’re coming in with me, right? You won’t drop me off first and then go park somewhere?”
“No. I’ll be by your side the entire time, as long as you need me.”
“Do you mind if I pray before we get there?”
“Not a bit.”
She closed her hands and bowed her head. She’d never prayed out loud in front of anyone, but she had to pray for Aunt Sally. “Dear Lord, I lift Aunt Sally into Your arms. Only You know fully what’s happening with her and what her future holds. I ask for healing for her if it’s Your will and please protect her. I’ve only just gotten to know her as an adult, and she still has many pearls of wisdom to pass on to me. Please allow her more time on this earth. In Your name, amen.”
When she opened her eyes, the blue hospital sign greeted her.
“The emergency room is on the back side of the hospital.” Drew put the turn signal on and made a left turn.
Her pulse quickened the nearer they got. She wasn’t ready to face the possible truth. Silently, she added a request for peace and strength to her prayer. “Is the lot always this empty?”
“Not in my experience. Holidays tend to bring in even more patients.”
“That’s good then. Aunt Sally shouldn’t have to wait to be seen.”
Drew pulled into an empty spot in the first row. “No, but she’d be taken in right away regardless, because of her condition.”
That knowledge settled her churning stomach a notch. She gulped a deep breath. “Everything will be okay.”
“Yes. Keep thinking positive thoughts.”
/> She averted her eyes when Drew began removing clothing. Even though she knew he was covered underneath, the act made her uncomfortable. She turned back around in time to see him pull a pair of men’s sandals from under the front seat. “You carry spare shoes in your car?”
“Actually, Clint left them in here the other day, and it’s sort of gross, but beats wearing those white dress shoes that pinch my feet.”
The laughter which erupted from her brought a welcome release of tension. “If you say so.”
He came to her side of the truck and wove his hand with hers. The action told her he wouldn’t leave her side. “Let’s do this.”
Drew kept her close to him as they walked toward the entrance. An ambulance with flashing lights was parked up front. Was it the one that brought Aunt Sally? The double doors to the ER slid open, inviting them into the lobby.
Taking deep breaths, she marched to the nurse’s station.
A male nurse behind the desk slid open the window. “How can I help you?”
“My aunt was brought by ambulance. Could you give me any information on her?”
“Patient’s name please?”
“Sally Cooper.”
He typed the name into the computer. “And your name?”
“Amie Reynolds.”
“I do see you listed as next of kin, but I need to verify your identity before I am able to divulge any information.”
She withdrew her wallet from her purse, maneuvered her license from the plastic slot, and slid it across the counter.
The nurse studied it for a second then handed it back to her. “She’s in a room now. I’ll let the doctor know you’re here, and he’ll come out shortly to speak with you.”
“Thank you.”
“I have a good vibe.” Drew squeezed her hand.
“Me, too. God’s giving me the strength I asked for.”
“Do you want to sit?”
“No, but if I don’t, I’ll pace and distract the waiting patients.” She spotted an empty row of seats. “Those look good as any.”
She stopped at a magazine rack on the way and snagged an issue of Mountain Living. Drew grabbed a tattered copy of Sportsman. They sat down, each flipping through the pages of their respective magazines. The words blurred, none absorbing into her focus. She must have read the recipe for strawberry muffins ten times without knowing any of the ingredients except strawberries.