by Barbara Lohr
How many times had Bryn heard that from Trevor years ago? The Daniels had rules about what was polite and what wasn’t. Growing up, she’d tried so hard to obey them, or else he wouldn’t be allowed to play with her.
Daisy sank back but her sulk didn’t last long. The girl’s energy seemed boundless. Marching their dolls across the table, the twins made up all kinds of games.
From time to time, Bryn and Trevor looked across the table at each other.
Then he jumped up. “I have a surprise for you, girls. I’ll be right back.
“Do you know what it is?” she asked the girls. Eyes round, they both shook their heads. Bryn loved this playful side of Trevor.
He came back waving two butterfly nets. Scrambling from the table, Daisy and Annabelle rushed toward him. While Annabelle took the pink one, Daisy grabbed green.
“Where did you get those, Trevor?” Bryn asked.
“The hardware store. I thought it would be easier for them.”
A bluish grey light filled the yard. Bryn couldn’t blame the girls for getting bored and setting the nets aside. When they wandered over to the flower garden, Bryn followed. She was about to ask if they wanted to pick a bouquet when Annabelle screamed. “Daddy, Daddy!”
“A bee bit Annabelle,” Daisy announced, running over from the flower beds. “Do something, Daddy.”
“Ice.” Bryn took off for the house. “The kitchen. Quick.”
Trevor swept Annabelle into his arms. The poor thing was hysterical as her daddy carried her up the steps. Coming up behind, Daisy’s face had gone white.
“You’ll be fine, honey.” Bryn tried to reassure Annabelle and her father. “I was bitten by a bee once. It does sting, but it goes away.” Grabbing ice cubes from the freezer, she rolled them in a towel. “Sit down and hold this on her arm. I’ll be right back with a tweezers to get the stinger out.”
Oh, why had she let them go near the flowers? But the bees usually weren’t around in the evening. They preferred a sunny day to collect their pollen and had never stung anyone that she could recall. Annabelle must have accidentally hit one, sweeping her hand over the zinnias. Grabbing the tweezers, she ran back to the kitchen where Trevor sat, holding a towel on Annabelle’s slender arm.
“Now where is it?” Noticing that the area looked swollen, Bryn became more concerned.
“Daddy, it hurts.” Annabelle’s eyes were wide with terror and Daisy didn’t look any better. She studied her twin, rubbing the same place on her arm where the bee had stung Annabelle.
“It will feel better soon.” Rocking her in his arms, Trevor tried to calm his little girl while Bryn plucked the stinger from her arm.
Luckily it came out easily. “Got it,” Bryn told them. “But it will still sting. I’ll look around for a spray or ointment.” What did she have in her medicine chest?
“My tongue feels fat.” Annabelle’s words came out a lumpy mess.
At the sound of the garbled words, Bryn turned. Trying to appear calm, she went back to take a closer look.
“Bryn, I think she’s having a reaction.” Trevor’s words were deceptively quiet. The crazy pulse at the base of his throat told her he was worried.
Raised pink areas were forming on Annabelle’s arms and neck. Looking from one twin to the other, Bryn could see the difference. “I have an Epi pen, Trevor.”
Yanking open a kitchen drawer, she searched through pens, paper clips and grocery coupons. “I keep one because of Nanny. She’s asthmatic. Three years ago I had to use one with her. Now I buy a new one every year.”
Finally she found the pen and retrieved alcohol and cotton balls from the bathroom. This felt like a bad dream. Clearly Trevor was shaken. The doses were marked and she read the directions twice. “You okay with this?”
Trevor nodded. Retrieving rubbing alcohol from the bathroom, Bryn swabbed Annabelle’s arm. “This will sting a little bit.”
Annabelle yelped when Bryn used the pen. The poor girl. Oh, how Bryn wished she could take the hurt for her. But the pen took time to act and Annabelle’s lips seemed to be swelling right under their eyes.
“I think we should go to the urgent care center.” Trevor stood up, Annabelle in his arms.
“I wanna go too.” Daisy clung to her daddy’s leg.
“Let’s all go,” Bryn said. “We’ll all help Annabelle get better.” What was she saying? This had been different with Nanny. An older person knew what was happening. Annabelle didn’t and she was scared by the welts that had popped up.
They rushed to the jeep. “I’ll sit between the girls in the back,” Bryn said, opening the back door.
“Tight fit but fine.” Throwing her a grateful look, Trevor strapped Daisy into a carseat. Bryn did the same with Annabelle. Somehow she wedged herself between them.
The jeep bounced through the streets. “Thank goodness the urgent care center isn’t far away,” Trevor muttered. “Everything good back there?”
Bryn could see his worried eyes in the rearview mirror. She held Annabelle’s hand on one side and Daisy’s on the other, murmuring reassurances.
“Annabelle’s got spots all over,” Daisy told her father in a matter-of-fact voice, as if he didn’t already know.
“Those will go away.” Trevor sounded so certain, but this had rattled him.
The urgent care center’s lights were on. She’d seen an ad for the center in the Sweetwater Gazette. They were welcoming a new doctor or something like that.
Trevor pulled in and parked. They unbuckled the girls. A receptionist looked up when the doors swung open automatically as they swept through.
“Reaction to a bee sting,” Trevor said through tight lips.
If they were going to be plied with paperwork, Bryn would scream.
But the woman knew an emergency when she saw it. “Right this way.” The receptionist took them directly to a cubicle. The doctor, a young good-looking guy, appeared immediately. Luckily they weren’t busy right now.
Tall and attractive, he seemed to take everything in with one glance. “Hi, I’m Dr. Darling.”
“What?” She couldn’t help it.
The poor man blushed, as if he heard this all the time. “I know. So what’s going on?”
Quickly, Trevor filled him in.
Bryn dug in her purse for the Epi pen and packaging. “This is the dosage. I only gave half. The pen was for an adult. My neighbor has asthma.”
“Good thing you had it.” He smiled at Annabelle, putting a pediatric cuff on her arm. “So what’s your name?”
“Annabelle.” She got the word out but it still sounded funny.
The doctor kept smiling. “Do you go to school yet?”
“Play school.” At least she’d stopped crying. Trevor seemed to relax. They were in good hands. The questions continued, and heaven bless her, Annabelle was able to answer. Once he had some information, Dr. Darling stepped out and spoke to the nurse in the hall. Then he was back.
“I had no idea that she was allergic to bee stings.” Trevor looked totally done in, as if he were responsible. But Bryn felt this was her fault. Her flowers, her bees.
“Today gave you a warning,” Dr. Darling told Trevor. “Now you can take precautions.”
The nurse wheeled in an IV pole. A needle was involved. To Bryn’s amazement, Annabelle didn’t make a peep. Not so with her sister who said a very audible “Yuck.” The young doctor smiled. Maybe he had kids himself.
“Now Mom and Dad can relax,” Dr. Darling said, sitting on the bed next to Annabelle. Her flush seemed to be fading but maybe Bryn was just seeing what she wanted to see. “You’re a brave little girl,” the doctor said. “How about a sticker for your shirt?”
“Can my sister have one too?” Annabelle asked. She looked so tiny on that big bed, with the IV in one arm.
“I think we can manage that.”
“You bet.” Betsy’s white clogs squeaked on the floor as she left, returning shortly with two stickers in hand.
“Does Mom want
to put these on?” The nurse held out the red and blue stickers.
“Oh, I’m not...” Bryn began.
Absolutely.” Trevor cut in. They exchanged a look. Feeling a hot flush work its way up her neck, Bryn peeled off the backing. The girls looked thrilled. A dog smiled on the sticker and it said For Bravery.
By the time they left the urgent care center, Bryn felt drained. This time only the twins sat in the back and promptly fell asleep. If this was what it was like having children, maybe it was a good thing that Bryn didn't have any. She didn’t know if she could endure this uncertainly on a daily basis. Trevor probably wouldn’t want to come anywhere near her house with all the flowers...and the bees.
The ride back was quiet. The air conditioning felt too cold and she cracked a window.
“Thank you,” Trevor said, reaching over to take Bryn’s hand. His touch penetrated the shock of the evening. “I couldn’t have done this without you.”
Surely he didn’t mean that. “But, Trevor, this wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t been in my yard.”
“Life happens. Last year a neighborhood boy swung a toy golf club with Daisy right behind him. Four stitches above her right eye.”
“I never noticed.”
“Children heal.” He squeezed her hand before returning both hands to the wheel. “Tonight I made some important discoveries.”
The statement was so Trevor, seeing the study side of this family emergency. She smiled. “What were those?”
He heaved out a breath. “First of all, Annabelle’s sensitivity to bee stings. Glad it happened with you and not at a school picnic.” His voice broke. Reaching out, she rubbed his shoulder. Suddenly self conscious, Bryn dropped her hand.
Trevor gave her a sidelong glance. “That felt good. Anytime you want to rub my back, feel free.” His chuckle broke the tension.
But then his eyes darkened. “I have to straighten some things out with my mother.”
“Oh, but Trevor...” No way did she want to come between them.
Looking exhausted, he shook his head. “Sounds like she downright lied to me. And I want to know why.”
“I’m not good enough for you,” she said softly, glad it was dark in the car. “In your mother’s eyes, I mean. I’m not suitable.”
His nostrils flared when Trevor took in a deep breath. “That’s ridiculous.”
“She has high hopes for you.” Her heart twisted.
“I do too. Let me straighten this out.”
They didn’t say another word. Taking her hand, Trevor held it until they arrived at her house. He jumped out and came around to open her door. She’d hardly put her feet on the ground when he swept her into a kiss. “I’m going to fix this,” he murmured against her lips.
“I know you will.” Her faith in him felt absolute. Hadn’t she always trusted Trevor? He was a guy who followed through on his word. But Bryn sure wouldn’t want to be in his shoes tonight.
Chapter 16
Driving home, Trevor felt exhaustion seep into his bone. In the backseat, his little girls were fast asleep, their heads tucked into their shoulders. The quiet drive made it easier to think. Tonight had gotten his adrenaline going. Bryn had been incredible with Annabelle, while he felt totally inadequate. Maybe he’d been in shock. The horror of almost losing one of his girls overcame him.
That night there had been so many things he wanted to say. Then the bee sting took the evening in another direction. If Bryn hadn’t stepped in, what could have happened? He didn’t want to think about that.
Things with Bryn had shifted. Malcolm wasn’t in the picture anymore. He could feel the change, just like those tectonic plates in California that made the earth heave under people’s feet. His whole world had changed. And he hoped Bryn felt that way too.
Traffic was light on the two lane highway. An endless ribbon of road unrolled before him, just like his thoughts. No way could he go home and call it a night after he got the girls tucked in bed. He hoped his mother was still awake. What he had to say couldn’t wait.
When he swept under the portico and into the dark garage, the lights were on in the bonus room up above. Mother might be watching one of her favorite British mystery shows.
Turning off the engine, he decided to carry one girl in at a time. Hopefully, he could slip them into bed. But he’d just maneuvered Annabelle into his arms, when Daisy’s eyes flew open. Reaching out with those little arms, she murmured, “Me too, Daddy. Me too.”
Somehow he managed to get them both out of the car and into the kitchen. When he reached the steps, he set Daisy down. His girls were growing up. They were getting heavier. No way did he want to risk an accident. “Can you wait for me here?”
“Sure.” Slipping from his arms, she had curled up on the steps when he heard a rustle behind him.
“You’re back late.”
He turned. Mother stood clutching the collar of her robe, the familiar netting on her hair.
“Something unexpected came up.” His eyes went to Daisy, willing her not to say anything. He wanted to approach this on his own terms.
But that was a pipe dream. “Annabelle got bit by a bee right here.” Daisy pinched her upper arm. “Bryn saved her life.”
“Oh, my.” His mother reached for the banister. “What happened?”
Shifting Annabelle in his arms, Trevor nodded up the stairs. “I'll be right down.”
There must've been something in his voice. She gave him a long, serious look before turning and disappearing into the kitchen, the robe flapping with authority.
“Use the handrail, Daisy.” They started up. Going to bed that night was a somber affair. The echoes of what might have happened made the usual ritual serious tonight.
Luckily, Annabelle was out for the night. Either the shot Dr. Darling had given her had worked its magic or the emotional upset had drained her. Getting her to bed was no problem. To his surprise, Daisy slipped into her super hero nightie without complaint. Then she climbed into her canopied twin bed and huddled under the light summer blanket.
“I love you, Daddy,” she whispered when he gave her a hug. She was so skinny that he could feel her backbone. They were growing up. That baby powder scent had been replaced by the smell of a little girl who’d played hard outside. He probably should have given her a bath. But they were both too tired. And he had one more job ahead of him.
Trevor kissed her forehead. “Love you too, pumpkin.”
“And I love Bryn.” Daisy’s eyes were round and solemn. “I have to tell her that the next time I see her.”
Maybe his daughters would be better at communication than he was. “I think she’d like that, sweetie.” Smoothing her tangled hair, he smiled. The words made him happy because they echoed in his own heart. If he were measuring his feelings as he measured the salt in tidal pools with a salinometer, they’d be off the charts.
Probably shouldn’t approach it that way with Bryn, though. The feelings he had for Bryn were so much more than the friendship they’d developed. Sometimes the very thing you try to avoid comes sneaking in through a side door. If you’re smart, you welcome it.
Amazing but he knew that deep in his heart. He loved Bryn.
The words rang in his head with dizzying certainty. Trevor wanted to grab them, put them into a time chart and examine them from every angle. When had this happened? What were the differentiating factors? But as he kissed his little girls good night, he knew Bryn would roll her eyes and laugh at him.
He had to find better words. The right words.
Snapping on the nightlight along the wall, he turned off the lamp between the girls’ two beds. “Sleep tight,” he whispered.
“Don't let the bedbugs bite.” Daisy giggled. She'd heard that in play school. Not his favorite good night message.
Walking down the steps, Trevor took his time. His mother had been so helpful since the divorce. Still, boundaries had to be made. Things had to be made clear.
The smell of coffee filled the kitchen, an
d he grabbed a mug from the cupboard. Wearing an apprehensive smile, his mother sat at the kitchen table. “Have you eaten anything?”
“I’m not hungry.” He poured himself a cup of coffee. His mother started to get up from the chair.
“Please stay. I want to talk to you about something.” Nerves tumbled in his stomach as he took the chair across from her.
Mother sank back into her chair. The overhead light wasn't kind to the cold cream she used on her face every night. She was aging. And she had given him so much. But things had to be set straight.
“Why did you tell me that Bryn had left a message saying that she’d be away?”
Her veined hands clasping and unclasping on the table, she fidgeted. “Did she?”
The denial surprised him. “When I was sick. She left a message.”
“Trevor, things were chaotic then.” Dropping her head, she rubbed her forehead. “I don’t recall exactly. But I thought that’s what she told me.”
He hated half-truths. In his world, things either happened or they didn’t.
“Bryn saved Annabelle tonight.” He shook his head remembering. “She had one of those Epi pens and used it.”
“Shouldn't a doctor be doing that?”
“There wasn’t time, Mother. Annabelle was swelling up, covered with blotches.” To his horror, his voice broke. Shocked, his mother began to get up but Trevor waved her back.
“We took her to the urgent care center. She’s fine.” Although he knew his mother wanted details, he had to stay on course.
“Your attitude toward Bryn has to change. I don’t know where it’s coming from. Maybe it was always there, back in my grade school years. But no more. The girls have picked up on it. I don't want that environment in this house.” There was more he had to say but not now. “Bryn means a lot to me.”
Her face coloring, his mother clenched her jaw. He’d seen this before. Usually it meant she was going to bide her time. But not this time. “That girl is not suitable for you.”
How could he get through to her? “That's your opinion. You'll have to change your attitude if you're going to spend time with the girls. With us.” There he’d said it, probably not the best words, but he’d drawn the line.