Forever in Good Hope

by Kirk, Cindy

  Not wanting to waste time arguing, Jeremy slid behind the wheel of the BMW and pulled out of the lot.

  Despite what he’d said to Fin about the call likely being no big deal, he was concerned. There’d been an edge to the nurse’s voice, and he knew they didn’t admit anyone without a good reason.

  As they reached the Good Hope city limits, he punched the accelerator. The vehicle leaped forward. “Thanks for the use of the car.”

  “Mi car-sa es su car-sa.”

  Jeremy laughed and some of his tension eased.

  Reaching over, Fin hit a button that had the top of the convertible retracting. After settling a pair of oversize sunglasses on her nose, she leaned back, appearing not at all concerned about the wind blowing her hair.

  He liked the way the thick blonde and brown pieces flowed together in no discernible pattern. At Marigold’s wedding in June, her hair had been shorter and more jagged on the ends. The straight, blunt-cut strands now brushed her shoulders.

  Even after all these years he remembered the feel of those soft tendrils against his bare chest. He shoved the memory aside. They’d been teenagers then, barely more than children. Neither had known what they’d wanted out of life.

  If the thought didn’t ring completely true, it was accurate enough. He’d moved on. She’d certainly moved on.

  Then how, Jeremy wondered, could simply zipping down the road in a red convertible with her in the passenger seat so easily transport him back to a time when the sun shone brightly and life held endless possibilities?

  Simple nostalgia, he told himself, for a time when I was convinced the girl I desperately loved had loved me back.

  “What brought you by today, Fin?” His voice came out brisker than he’d intended.

  Fin pulled her gaze from the sparkling waters of Green Bay and slowly turned to face him. Very deliberately, she lowered her oversize sunglasses, and he found himself pinned by unshaded emerald green eyes. “Did I say or do something to offend you, Jeremy?”

  The tone might be pleasant, but those sea-green eyes were razor sharp and assessing.

  “Of course not.” He kept his voice neutral. “Why do you ask?”

  “Something in your tone sounded . . . off.” Fin shrugged, still not answering his question. The sunglasses were back up when she reached over and placed her hand on his arm. “Will Grandma Ruby be okay?”

  Fin may have walked away from him without a backward glance, but he didn’t doubt for a second that her concern for his grandmother was genuine.

  “Will she?” Fin pressed.

  “She had a mild heart attack last month.”

  “My dad said she recovered fully and was doing great.”

  “Tests at the time showed three vessels significantly blocked.” Though his parents weren’t overly worried, the doctors Jeremy had spoken with after the event had been very concerned. “She needs a triple bypass.”

  “Sounds serious.”

  “Any operation is serious, but another heart attack could be fatal.” Jeremy tightened his grip on the steering wheel. “Grandma Ruby refused the operation, so they put her on medication and have been monitoring her.”

  Jeremy paused to get his emotions under control. He couldn’t lose his grandmother. He’d do whatever necessary to get her to agree to the lifesaving operation. “She was at the clinic this morning for a routine follow-up. What they found had them admitting her.”

  “Ruby is smart and savvy.” Fin’s quiet voice soothed his raw nerves. “Why is she refusing the surgery?”

  “Her father died after a similar procedure decades ago.” Though they were the only two in the vehicle, he lowered his voice. “She’s scared.”

  Fin cocked her head. “Do you think it’s worth the risk?”

  “Absolutely.” When the doctor had mentioned the operation, Jeremy had combed reputable medical websites for information about the surgeon, the procedure, and the risks. Though his voice remained steady, his grip on the steering wheel tightened until his knuckles turned white. “The surgeon is experienced, the hospital in Milwaukee has a good success rate with these procedures, and my grandmother is in overall excellent health. All these factors up the odds of a positive outcome.”

  “Then I hope you convince her.” Fin was silent for several seconds. “If there’s anything I can do, just ask.”

  “I appreciate the offer.” Jeremy barely noticed the bright patches of wildflowers alongside the highway or the fields of corn giving way to groves of cherry trees, then to houses.

  As the village of Egg Harbor came and went on the drive to Sturgeon Bay, Jeremy realized he still had no idea why Fin had come to see him. “Are you ever going to tell me what brought you by the office this morning?”

  “It can wait. You have a lot on your mind right now.”

  “Did you come to tell me about your engagement?” Though what he and Fin had shared had been over years ago, the sight of the engagement ring on her left hand this morning had been a knife to the heart.

  Before she could respond, the hospital came into view. Jeremy wheeled the car into the closest parking stall. Seconds later he was out and striding toward the state-of-the-art medical center.

  Fin reached his side just as the automatic doors swooshed open and a faint medicinal scent replaced the cool outside air.

  Jeremy paused at a circular counter at the end of the shiny hallway. A middle-aged nurse with bright red hair lifted her gaze from a monitor.

  “I’m Jeremy Rakes. My grandmother, Ruby, was admitted to observation this morning.”

  “Ah, yes, Mr. Rakes.” The RN cast a curious glance at Fin before refocusing on Jeremy. “As I said on the phone, your grandmother experienced some chest pain when she was in our clinic. The doctor was also concerned about a blood pressure spike, so he admitted her for observation. Once Dr. Passmore adjusted her medications, her BP returned to normal.”

  Jeremy glanced around. “I’d like to speak with him.”

  “He’s with a patient right now but shouldn’t be long. Your grandmother is in our VIP suite at the end of the hall.” The nurse slanted a glance toward a long hall to her left. “I’ll let him know you’re here.”

  “I’d appreciate it.” Jeremy offered a slight smile, his worry ratcheting up with each step down the corridor.

  They’d nearly reached the VIP suite at the far end of the hall when Fin’s steps stopped. “You go ahead.”

  “You’re not going in?” Disappointment flooded him. He hadn’t realized how much he was counting on having her beside him. “I thought you’d want to say hello. See for yourself she’s okay.”

  “You have a lot to discuss with your grandmother and the doctor.” She took a step back. “I shouldn’t intrude.”

  “She’ll want to see you.” Without giving himself a chance to reconsider the wisdom of the action, Jeremy held out his hand. “And I’d like you with me.”

  A second later, her fingers curved around his.

  Chapter Four

  Fin knew taking Jeremy’s hand was a mistake. Especially now that she was engaged. She should be putting more distance between them, not less. And regardless of what Jeremy said, this was family business. She didn’t belong here.

  “Fin.” Just her name.

  Jeremy wasn’t Xander. He wouldn’t push. If she insisted on remaining in the hall or returning to the car, he wouldn’t stop her. Yet despite the confident set to his shoulders, a flicker of . . . something . . . in those liquid depths told her Jeremy was more rattled by all this than he was letting show.

  “I suppose—” she began.

  “Mr. Rakes.”

  The name, spoken in an imperious manner, had her and Jeremy turning as one.

  The man marching toward them wore green scrubs and had the well-toned body of a dedicated gym rat. He stood around six feet and appeared to be close to Jeremy’s age. That’s where the similarities ended.

  The guy, who Jeremy introduced as Dr. Nolan Passmore, wore his brown hair short. His polished
look, coupled with the bold confidence in his hazel eyes, reminded Fin of Xander.

  The surgeon’s gaze lingered on Fin as Jeremy performed the introductions. “I’ve met your sister, Ami, at a function she and her husband attended. You could be her twin.”

  “That’s not the first time I’ve heard that,” Fin said with a smile.

  Dr. Passmore’s lips quirked. “I imagine not.”

  “Tell me about my grandmother’s condition,” Jeremy demanded.

  While no one appreciated good manners more than Fin, she agreed with Jeremy. It was time to get down to business. This wasn’t a cocktail party where small talk was de rigueur. The focus needed to be on Ruby.

  “The nurse said her blood pressure spiked,” Jeremy prompted.

  The doctor glanced pointedly at Fin, lifted a brow.

  “You may speak freely in front of Ms. Bloom.”

  “Your grandmother’s condition has become more tenuous. Not only was she experiencing some chest pain while waiting for her appointment, her blood pressure rose to an unacceptable level.”

  A lump formed in Fin’s throat. She slanted a sideways glance and saw lines had formed between Jeremy’s sandy brows.

  “Thankfully, she responded well to medication.” The doctor continued to speak to Jeremy, ignoring Fin completely. “For now everything is stable.”

  For now.

  A chill traveled up her spine. Just as she was sure it did Jeremy’s. If the doctor hadn’t been there, Fin would have reached over and looped her arm through Jeremy’s. She’d have given it a supportive squeeze, offered him an encouraging word.

  But this wasn’t LA. Even though Sturgeon Bay was twenty miles from Good Hope, Jeremy was well known throughout the Door County peninsula.

  And Fin, well, she was engaged. Not that anyone in LA—or Good Hope—was aware of the engagement.

  “I suggest you revisit the benefits of bypass surgery with your grandmother.” Dr. Passmore’s eyes were solemn. It wasn’t arrogance but concern reflected in the hazel depths. “If you think it’d add weight, I’ll come in with you.”

  “Thanks, but I think it’s better if Fin and I discuss this with her.” Jeremy blew out a shaky breath. “The last thing I want is for her to think we’re ganging up. Then she’ll really dig in her heels.”

  Jeremy reached around Fin to open the door, and she found herself propelled into a bright and sunny area more suited to LA than Door County. The striated floor’s mirror finish gleamed as if it had been hand waxed. Thick draperies in frosted emerald were open, and light streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the hospital’s rose garden.

  Several paintings depicting pastoral scenes hung on moss-green walls in a sitting area. A modern work unit against one wall held a computer and printer. Two leather chairs and a sofa were grouped for conversation. A glass-topped coffee table held an enormous bouquet of spring flowers.

  If not for the hospital bed in an adjacent room partially separated by a six-panel divider, this could be the interior of any upscale apartment.

  “Isn’t this a delightful surprise.” Ruby lowered the newspaper she’d been reading and set it aside. She wore silk lounging pants and a matching tunic. Only when she rose did Fin notice the monitor wires peeking out from one of her pockets.

  “Don’t get up—”

  Jeremy should have saved his breath. His grandmother was already on her feet and crossing the room.

  “Delphinium.” Ruby opened her arms, her deep whiskey voice at odds with her diminutive appearance. “What a delightful surprise.”

  Fin stepped forward and found herself enveloped in a warm hug. The jasmine-and-rose scent of Chanel No 5, Ruby’s signature scent, wrapped around her.

  “When the nurse mentioned they’d called my grandson, I hoped you’d be with him. Come. Sit beside me.” Ruby gestured to the sofa, then turned to Jeremy. “It’s about time you came to your senses.”

  “Good to see you, too, Gram.” Jeremy leaned over and brushed a kiss across Ruby’s weathered cheek. “I came as soon as the nurse called. How are you feeling?”

  “Lots of concern about a minor blip. Besides, we have more important things to discuss than my ticker.” Ruby winked at Fin before refocusing on her grandson. “When were you planning to tell me?”

  “That I’m concerned? That I’m worried about you? Well, I am.” Jeremy expelled a frustrated breath. “Dr. Passmore is also concerned. He’s—”

  “Forget about Passmore.” Ruby leaned forward, her blue eyes sparkling. “When’s the wedding? I’m thinking spring would be nice. The church for the ceremony, then the reception in the barn.”

  Ruby patted Fin’s hand. “Trust me. We’ll do it up right.”

  Jeremy frowned. “What are you talking about?”

  Ruby rolled her eyes before wrapping bony fingers around Fin’s left hand. She lifted it high, where the overhead fluorescent lights caught the pear-shaped stone and sent prisms of color scattering.

  “It’s a lovely enough ring.” Ruby scrutinized the diamond with the intensity of a pawn shop owner about to make an offer. “But I believe our Delphinium would have preferred something a little more personal, more tailored to her preferences.”

  Ruby released Fin’s hand. “I assumed he picked out the ring without asking for your input?”

  Fin dropped her gaze to the diamond. “He surprised me with it.”

  Ruby made a tsking sound and turned to Jeremy. “When’s the date?”

  Fin had no idea why Ruby would ask Jeremy. Then it hit her. The older woman obviously thought her grandson had known and withheld the news. Even she knew how much Ruby Rakes hated being out of the loop.

  “We haven’t set a date.” Fin spoke before Jeremy could, knowing only she had the information Ruby sought. “The ring has been on my finger less than twenty-four hours. Even my family doesn’t know about the engagement.”

  At Ruby’s disbelieving look, Fin added, “But they will. As soon as I leave here, I’m heading over to tell them.”

  “I’m honored you told me first. And I am over the moon with happiness.” Ruby’s voice turned husky with emotion. “You’ve always been special to me, Delphinium.”

  Tears stung the backs of Fin’s eyes. “You’re special to me as well.”

  For the second time in less than ten minutes Ruby’s arms stole around Fin. Once the hug ended, the older woman dabbed at her eyes with a delicate lace handkerchief before fixing her gaze on her grandson.

  “Inform Passmore I’ll have the operation.” A determined look settled on the older woman’s face. “Make it clear I want it scheduled as soon as possible.”

  Startled surprise mixed with relief stole across Jeremy’s handsome face. He jumped to his feet and strode to the door. “That’s wonderful news. I’ll let—”

  “It isn’t every day there’s a wedding in the Rakes family.” Ruby smiled broadly. “I want to make sure I’m around to toast you and Delphinium.”

  Jeremy froze, his hand on the door latch. He turned in slow motion. “What did you say?”

  “I said it isn’t every day that a woman’s favorite grandson gets married.” Ruby rested a hand on Fin’s arm. “I know you thought I was foolish and sentimental when I told you Rakes always marry their first love. Now you can see I was right.”

  “But Gram—”

  “I’ve long dreamed of dancing at your wedding, Jeremy.” Ruby’s voice softened and her eyes held a sheen. Then her voice firmed and she was in control again. “Go. Tell the doctor I’ll have the procedure as soon as he can get it scheduled. I’m ready to get this show on the road. We have a wedding to plan.”

  Over the years Jeremy had developed a stellar poker face. When a citizen said something outrageous at a town board meeting, he never let his shock show.

  Just like now. He placed a smile on his lips and extended a hand to Fin. “Come with me, please.”

  Her manner equally calm, Fin smiled back. But the turmoil Jeremy saw reflected in those beautiful
emerald depths confirmed he wasn’t the only one reeling.

  Even as his hand closed around hers, Fin’s gaze drifted back to his grandmother.

  “Go ahead, honey. He doesn’t want to let you out of his sight.” Ruby sighed. “My Eddie was the same way. Except he didn’t want me out of his bed.”

  Jeremy stiffened. Yet when his grandmother cackled with laughter, he saw a light in her eyes he’d worried he might never see again.

  With Fin’s hand firmly clasped in his, they exited the room. Walking side by side, neither spoke until they veered into an empty waiting area down the hall.

  Fin caught her bottom lip with her teeth. “She thinks I’m engaged to you.”

  “I’m aware.” Jeremy blew out a breath. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t caught on when Ruby had begun to press for wedding details. He’d thought his grandmother was simply being polite.

  Fool.

  Jeremy began to pace, conscious of Fin’s eyes following him.

  When he stopped directly in front of her, she lifted her hands. “Once I realized she’d gone down the wrong path, I didn’t know what to say.”

  “She said she’ll have the operation.” Jeremy breathed the words. Hearing his grandmother agree to the bypass had been an answer to his prayer.

  He had tried numerous times to make his parents understand the seriousness of the situation, but they refused to intervene. What had his dad said when Jeremy had begged him to come to Good Hope and convince Ruby to have the procedure? Ah, yes. His mother was an intelligent woman who should be allowed to make her own decisions.

  Fin rested a hand on his arm, her voice soft and low. “You know what Ruby means to me.”

  Jeremy’s gaze searched her lovely face, made even more beautiful by the smattering of freckles lightly dusting the bridge of her nose. He thought back to the years they’d been together in high school. Her affection and kindness for his grandmother had been only one of the many things he’d loved about her.

  But that, he reminded himself, had been a lifetime ago.

  “It’s just so . . . difficult. If she doesn’t have the operation, she could die.” Jeremy cleared his throat. “In fact, it’s very likely.”