“I’m sorry about this, Alex, but I have to go in to work this morning. How ’bout if I call you later? Maybe we can still make it to the fair this afternoon.” Debby held her phone tight against her ear and ran her free hand through her hair. She hated last-minute cancelations, especially if she had to make them.
“It’s okay. I understand. A resident with seizures sounds serious.”
“Yeah, and the wife of the Sunday pharmacist went into labor last night, so he’s at the hospital with her. Thanks for understanding. I’ll call you later.”
“Sure, whenever. No biggie. Bye.”
Debby disconnected the call and hurried to get showered and dressed, trying not to let Alex’s blasé response bother her. It was the response of a friend, and that’s how she needed to look at it. And Alex was right. Seizures were serious, especially in an eighty-nine-year-old.
Seizures in the elderly weren’t uncommon, but certainly weren’t normal either, and there were many drugs or conditions that could cause them. Mrs. Martinez was one of the newer residents, and she didn’t know much about her. The nursing facility certainly would have called her doctor and the consultant pharmacist already. She mentally reviewed the prescribed drugs she’d delivered over the past few days. She couldn’t remember the name Martinez being on her list, but there were forty residents in the home, and she had been the only pharmacist working all week. She hurried into the building, sliding into her lab coat as she walked.
“Morning, Deb. Sorry we had to call you in.” Kelly stepped out from behind the nurses’ station, holding a chart as Debby passed by.
“Hey, Kelly. What’s up? Janis called me early this morning.”
“Yeah. Fernanda Martinez starting seizing about four o’clock this morning. Her doctor’s with her now, and she’s resting comfortably. I’m sure Jan will fill you in, but I think she just wants to go over all her prescribed medicine with you.”
Debby rushed to the pharmacy where she found Janis waiting for her.
“Thanks for coming in today, Debby. Mrs. Martinez is one of our new patients. Her grandson moved her in a month ago, and she hasn’t had any problems until this morning. I have her chart here, and I’d like to review her pharmacy records.”
Debby and Janis spent the next hour reviewing computer files and notes for Fernanda Martinez.
“I don’t see anything here that seems off.” Debby spoke as she continued her analysis. “She was treated for a urinary tract infection two weeks ago, but that’s about all I see as a potential possibility.”
Jan wrote the dose prescribed and closed her notebook. “I’ll go talk to her doctor about it. Thank you again for coming in today. I don’t think it’s necessary for you to stay if you’re willing to be on call.”
“I’m here now. I’ll go check on Mrs. Martinez and leave after lunch.”
Debby stopped at the nurses’ desk to find out which unit Mrs. Martinez occupied and followed one of the nurse assistants to her room.
A stocky man with shiny black hair stood speaking softly next to the elderly woman’s bed. He turned and she knew what the term “hard eyes” meant as his, black as coal, narrowed slightly, assessed, and then dismissed her.
“I’m Debra Johnson, one of the pharmacists at this facility.” She offered her hand, which he stared at for a moment before speaking.
“Good.” He nodded and turned back to Mrs. Martinez.
“That’s her grandson, Miguel,” the nurse assistant whispered.
“Ah. Well. Call me if you need anything. I’ll be in the pharmacy.” Debby spoke into the room for anyone who was listening. It was rare she had to deal with rude people anymore, and she found she had zero patience for it now. If they didn’t want her input, that was fine with her.
She rushed to the pharmacy to give Alex a call and wait for any new developments.
*
“It’s good to hear from you. How’re things going?” Alex sat on her couch and propped her feet up on the coffee table.
“It’s going. I’m still not sure what the issue was, but the resident seems okay now. Her grandson is here watching everyone like a hawk.”
“Do you think you’ll make it home this afternoon?”
“I’m planning to leave at noon, as long as everything stays quiet. I’ll have to be on call in case they need me, though. What’re you doing?”
“Right now, I’m sitting on my couch with my feet up, and quite honestly, I wouldn’t mind staying this way for the rest of the day. I have a new book from the library I’d like to read.” Alex shifted so Abby could fit on the sofa snuggled against her.
“We don’t have to go to the fair today if you don’t want to. Relaxing with a good book sounds like a wonderful idea to me.”
“Do you like pizza?”
“I love pizza. Why?”
“I’m going to order whatever kind you’d like, if you come over and sit and read with me.” Alex swung her feet to the floor and held her breath.
“I’ll have to stop home first, feed Shadow and Buddy, and get my book and change. How does three o’clock sound?”
Alex exhaled. “Perfect. I’ll see you then.” It’s just pizza. And reading. That’s not exactly romance on fire.
She disconnected and phoned Jennifer.
“Hey, Alex. How’re you doing?”
“I’m good. I stopped by your place a couple of times this week, but you weren’t home.”
“I worked every day this week, and Phil and I went to the show a couple of times. Something up?”
Alex shifted the phone to her other ear. She had deliberated telling Jen about Martinez, but she was an adult as vulnerable as Alex was and deserved to be aware of any threatening issues.
“Well, I’m not sure it’s anything to worry about, but I worked a wedding a couple of weeks ago for a couple named Martinez.”
“Oh, crap. Like the drug cartel, Martinez?”
“I’m not sure, Jen. You know how common the name is, but there was a hell of a lot of money being thrown around, and it did feel…off, I guess. I’m still waiting for confirmation from Joe, but the last time I talked to him, he assured me that the marshals were on top of it. They have someone undercover gathering intelligence, and he told me not to worry.”
“Huh. Easy for him to say. I suppose we need to trust him, though.”
Alex understood the frustration in Jen’s voice. Their peace of mind was at the mercy of the U.S. Marshal Service. She considered calling Joe after hanging up with Jennifer, but decided to wait until her weekly check-in, the following day. Joe had kept them safe so far, so she had to trust he was still there for them.
She sat back and allowed herself to feel the anticipation of Debby’s visit while questioning the wisdom of letting herself get too close. The ease of being with her was both comforting and scary. It was natural for new friends to talk and get to know each other, but she feared how long she could avoid so many of her questions. She rested her feet on the table, picked up her book with one hand, and placed her other on Abby’s warm belly. She’d take it a day at a time.
Startled awake by Abby’s bark, Alex sprang from the couch and pulled a baseball bat from beneath it. The knocking at the door slowly crept into her consciousness, and she realized Debby must have arrived. Abby stood between her and the door growling. “It’s okay, Abby. Good girl.” She stuffed the bat back under the couch, recognizing how unnerved she was about Martinez. She hadn’t been this jumpy since she had first moved in. She took a settling breath and opened the door. Normal life. A friend to read with. Normal.
*
The first thing Debby noticed when Alex opened the door was her slightly disheveled look and wide eyes. Like she’d just woken up, but something wary lingered in her gaze, and gentle Abby stood as if on guard until her tail began to wave in recognition. “Everything okay?” She waited for Alex to answer before entering the room.
“Of course. Come on in. I fell asleep reading, so I’m a little groggy. Sorry.”
�
��No problem. I brought tea and a couple of light beers.” She held up the plastic grocery bag as she pushed past Abby.
“Cool. Have a seat and I’ll order the pizzas. Olives and extra cheese okay?”
“Sounds good.” She picked up the book lying on the floor next to the couch and recognized her favorite author. She reads romance. Number eleven.
She looked up when Alex came back into the room and was glad to see she looked considerably more relaxed.
“The pizzas will be here in twenty minutes. I think I’ll have one of those beers you brought. Can I get you one?”
“Sure. Thanks.”
Debby sat on the end of the couch with Abby curled next to her when Alex returned with the beers.
“I see you’ve made a friend.”
“It seems so.” She scratched Abby’s belly as she rolled to her back. “Kelly’s sister has a Maltese that she brings to the nursing home every week. He makes the rounds of the place visiting the residents. Do you think Abby would like to do that occasionally? It seems to be good for morale.”
“Is that Tory? I met her and MacIntosh at the last riding event.” Alex sat on the opposite end of the couch and took a drink of her beer.
“Yes. Tory’s her sister.”
“I think Abby would love to go visiting. Let me know when.”
“I’ll talk to Janis Tuesday and let you know.”
“What book did you bring?”
“It’s my favorite author’s latest. I see you like her, too.” Debby held up her book for Alex.
“Oh yeah. I haven’t gotten that one yet.” Alex grabbed it out of her hand.
“You can read it when I’m done, if you’d like.”
“Cool. Maybe we can get together for another reading event.” Alex handed the book back to her and smiled.
“Sounds like a plan.”
They discussed a few of the other authors they liked and found they had a number of them in common. It just keeps getting better. Debby shook off the thought.
Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the pizzas, and Debby and Alex settled at the kitchen table to eat. “So, was something up just before I got here today?” Debby asked.
“No. Why do you ask?” Alex took a bite of pizza and didn’t meet her eyes.
“I don’t know. You seemed…scared, maybe. And Abby definitely looked like she was shielding you.”
Alex shifted in her seat and finally looked directly at her. “There are things in my life that I can’t talk about. It’s not that I don’t want to. I just can’t.”
“You can’t? Meaning you don’t trust me?” Debby hoped she was getting close to the reason Alex seemed so reluctant to open up to her.
“It’s not a matter of trust, Debby. Honestly. I’m just not at liberty to talk about some stuff. Please don’t pry.”
Debby stopped her questions, moved by Alex’s imploring stare. She stood and stretched before taking her plate to the sink and following Alex into the living room.
“I have to tell you something, Alex. Honesty is very important to me.” Number one on the list. “In fact, I consider it essential in any type of relationship. We agreed to no dating, but we’re friends, and I respect your privacy. I just wanted you to know that I like you a lot, and I’d hoped you felt you could openly share who you are with me.”
Alex shook her head and opened her mouth as if to speak and then closed it. She looked stricken, and Debby reached out and gently pulled her into a hug.
“I’m sorry,” Alex mumbled against her chest.
Debby felt her tears soak through to her heart. Whatever Alex couldn’t talk about clearly hurt, and Debby felt bad for her part in making Alex cry. Like Kristen said, I don’t need to know everything about her to be her friend. So be it.
She brushed away the tears on Alex’s cheeks. “What do you say to us getting down to some serious reading?”
Alex stepped out of her embrace and smiled. “You’re pretty good at making me feel better. I’m not sure I deserve your compassion. You said you have a brother and sister. I’m presuming you’d avoid doing anything that would endanger them. Please try to understand. That’s what’s going on for me right now. I’ll open up to you the best I can because I like you a lot, too, and I want us to be friends. It’s not that I don’t trust you. I don’t trust me.”
“Okay. It means everything that you want to be open and honest with me. Let’s agree to do the best we can. We’ll be as truthful as possible, and I’ll work on respecting your boundaries.”
“Thank you. I think we can make that work. It’s early, and I have some ice cream in the freezer.” Alex looked at her expectantly.
“I think ice cream goes great with lesbian romance novels.” Debby shook off her vision of licking ice cream off Alex’s nipples and followed her into the kitchen.
Chapter Fourteen
Alex rushed Abby through her morning walk, anxious to get to work. The state fair was a fun event, even though she would be busy most of the day checking in and out guests who were there for the whole weekend. But she planned to spend half an hour of her lunch break checking out the equestrian show rings. Thoughts of the horses reminded her of Debby, and she winced, remembering her behavior the night before. She had fallen apart in Debby’s arms, and unexpectedly, Debby had held her and allowed her to have her feelings without censure. She had left with a warm hug and a gentle good-bye. Alex wondered now if it was a final good-bye.
She focused on her driving as she considered various explanations to defend her evasion, although she wasn’t sure she needed to, now that she’d simply said there were things she couldn’t talk about. Maybe that was enough. She arrived at the center early enough to spend a few minutes meditating before going inside. She hoped she hadn’t ruined her chances of friendship with Debby. She recognized what she didn’t want to admit, that she was beginning to desire more than just the companionship they’d agreed to. She craved the connection she had felt when they had held each other dancing, and the closeness and familiarity when they had sat together quietly reading. What she craved and what she desired wasn’t to be. Debby had made it clear how important honesty was to her, and it was the one thing Alex couldn’t give her. She hoped Debby would follow up and let her know about taking Abby to the nursing facility. If not, she planned to call the Serenity Care nursing home herself to find out. It would be good to work on her skills of interacting with people to try to make it feel more natural, if not easier. She stepped out of her car and slammed the door shut, slightly too hard.
“Good morning, Betty.” Alex greeted her boss, stepped behind the front desk, and booted up the computer. The busy morning did little to keep away thoughts of Debby’s arms around her, comforting her. By lunchtime she was more than ready for a break. She logged off her computer and headed outside to lose herself in the festivities.
She wandered through the midway carrying a lemonade, another reminder of Debby, and watched the squealing kids on the Tilt-A-Whirl. She passed the Ferris wheel and envisioned herself and Debby, feet dangling, holding hands as the bucket swung and the breeze blew that piece of hair Debby always had to move off her face.
There were only two riders performing in the show ring, but they were impressive. She watched the choreographed dressage performance for a few minutes, thinking how much more she enjoyed watching Debby ride.
She checked her watch and turned to head back to work when she caught sight of Miguel Martinez walking toward her in the middle of the walkway. Her gut twisted, but she held her head up and smiled as he approached.
“Alex!”
She didn’t like the way her name sounded in his heavy Mexican accent. She smiled anyway.
“I’m so happy to see you. You remember my beautiful bride, Rosita?”
“Yes. Of course. Hello, Rosita. Are you enjoying the fair?” Alex reminded herself that he only knew her as Alex, the hotel employee. She pressed her palms tightly to her thighs inside her trouser pockets to keep them from shaking.
“Oh yes.” Rosita’s accent was lighter than her husband’s and made her words float melodiously. “I love the Ferris wheel.” Her chestnut eyes sparkled as she spoke and her black hair shone in the late summer sun. She was a beautiful woman and projected an air of innocence Alex hoped was genuine.
“It’s good to see you both. I have to get back to work now. Enjoy yourselves.” Alex smiled and began walking back to the hotel when she spotted several men dressed in all black flanking the couple from behind. She started when she recognized Phillip, but he was walking away and didn’t see her. She picked up her pace, looking back over her shoulder every few feet.
She finished her workday and rushed to her car, where she locked the doors and pulled out her phone.
“I saw Martinez again today, Joe, at the state fair. Do you have any more information about him?” Alex checked the area surrounding her car as she spoke.
“We don’t have any intelligence linking him to your father’s case, Alex.” She heard Joe sigh and waited for more. “It’s not much, but I’ll tell you what I know right now.”
“Thank you. I may be paranoid, but I’m worried.” She wondered about Phil, but decided to wait to hear what Joe had to say.
“We’re watching a warehouse full of drugs we discovered in the area, and the FBI suspects the cartel is involved. So far, they’ve only seen sporadic activity, so they’ll continue to monitor the situation.”
“What the hell does that mean? Sporadic activity! It seems to me there’s activity or there isn’t. Is it Martinez of the cartel family or not, Joe?” Alex didn’t try to disguise her agitation at Joe’s rhetoric.
“I don’t know for sure yet, Alex, but we’re on top of it. You have to trust us. We…I…promised to keep you safe, and I will.”
Alex tipped her head back against her headrest. “There’s something else, Joe. Remember the guy, Phil, you met at my place who’s dating Jennifer? I saw him with Martinez today. I’m really concerned that if this Martinez is part of the drug deal, that Phil could be a dirty cop. I need to keep Jennifer from being hurt.”
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