Snapdragon Way (Firefly Hollow Book 8)

by T. L. Haddix

  “I was just wondering. The last few weeks have been hard on him in a lot of ways not related to the injuries he sustained. And I worry. I want to see him happy and I don’t know that he’ll ever be there.”

  “That’s a question he’ll have to answer for himself,” Haley said softly. “No one can do it for him.”

  Sydney smiled. “I know. And I like you all the more that you didn’t try to rush in and offer to slay his dragons. Even though you’re just his therapist,” she teased gently.

  Giving up, Haley laughed. “You are persistent.”

  “Of course I am. It’s the Campbell in me.”

  A short time later, they’d said good-bye, and Haley and Eli were on their way back to their vehicles, which were parked beside each other.

  “I guess I should get going,” she said, not quite sure what to do with herself. She didn’t want to leave, but everything was finished and there wasn’t any reason to linger at the dealership. “What are you into this afternoon?”

  Eli shrugged. “I’ll probably get some food. What about you? How do you think Fred will like it?” he asked, nodding at the vehicle.

  She smiled. “He’ll love it. I was thinking about grabbing something to eat, then going to pick him up at Floyd’s, who’ll get a kick out of the new car, too.” She bit her lip, casting him a sidelong look, then spoke against her better judgment. “I could buy you lunch. Just as a thanks.”

  Eli watched her for a minute without speaking. “Okay,” he said quietly. “That’d be nice. Where?”

  She named a local diner known for its comfort food. “Do you want to follow me there?”

  “Sure.”

  As she drove along carefully, self-conscious at being in the new car and not being familiar with it, she had to keep reminding herself it wasn’t a date.

  “It’s simply a way of thanking him for all he’s done. That’s all.”

  But with Sydney’s words still echoing in her mind, she knew it wasn’t all. And she wasn’t sure how she felt about that, not really, but she also knew she couldn’t quite bring herself to care enough to do something about it.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Eli did his best Monday to act like he’d not spent a good portion of the day Saturday with Haley. He knew she was concerned about getting into trouble, even though it had only been the time at the dealership and then lunch. So while he was polite and he smiled and he teased her gently, he didn’t try to build on the intimacy that had started to develop between them.

  He was certain he’d pulled it off until he left the reception area after having confirmed his follow-up appointment for Wednesday with Lou. An older woman in a skirt and blouse met him at the door, opening it for him and moving ahead of him before he could hold the door for her.

  “Thank you, ma’am.”

  “You’re welcome. Eli, isn’t it?” she asked. “I’m Denise, the clinic manager. Do you mind if I walk outside with you?”

  A frisson of unease went through him, but he hid it behind a polite expression. “Of course not.”

  She waited until they were nearly to his vehicle before speaking again. “I hear that you came to Haley’s aid this weekend.”

  Eli drew abreast of her and sent her a steady look. “I did, yes.” He didn’t overtly challenge her but neither did he cower as he waited for her to get to whatever point it was she was trying to make.

  “We have a policy against fraternization here, Mr. Campbell, in case you aren’t aware of that.”

  “I am. Are you trying to tell me that helping someone who needed a ride constitutes the violation of that policy, ma’am?”

  She studied him with a shrewd, hard gaze. “No. But it was more than a simple ride home, wasn’t it?”

  He had to fight the urge not to fidget and squirm. He’d bet good money this woman had children if that look she was giving him was any indication.

  “My brother and I were driving by. She’d broken down, and she needed a ride. She and her grandfather,” he emphasized, “offered us supper as a way of saying thank you. And as it happens, my uncle is fairly high up on the food chain at a local car dealership. I saw the opportunity to help her again, something no one else in her life seems to be interested in doing. I wasn’t going to sit back and ignore her needs. And before you ask, if she were a three-hundred pound burly man with more hair than a grizzly bear and he’d done the same for me that Haley has, I’d have helped him just the same.”

  “I have three sons, Mr. Campbell, who aren’t that much younger than you. You might have helped a burly man in a similar way as you helped Haley, but don’t ask me to believe you’d have gone as far for him. And before you ask, I’m glad you did step in to help Haley. She’s a damned good therapist, and she’s a very sweet girl that I’m quite fond of on a personal level. No, she doesn’t have as many people in her corner as she should, especially when it comes to family. But I can’t have this facility’s professionalism called into question no matter how I feel about the matter on a personal level. Do you understand me?”

  “I do.” He sighed, galled to find himself embarrassed. “Have you spoken to Haley about this?”

  “No, and I don’t intend to unless I have to. I pieced things together based on what she said this morning. She’s pleased as punch with that new car. God knows she needed one.” She looked back toward the building, then at him again. “I’m not having this discussion with you with the intention of issuing a challenge. I trust Haley not to cross any lines she shouldn’t. But like I said, I have grown sons. Stubborn sons who like to get their ways in things. And they don’t always count the consequences before they act.”

  His mouth moved into a half-smile even though he didn’t feel the least bit of amusement. “And you want to make sure I don’t push her into a situation she’s uncomfortable with.”

  “Or try to tempt her into something that would put her at risk. With her grandfather’s illness having progressed the way it has lately, she’s under enough pressure as it is without having that sort of stress to deal with. That’s another reason why I’ve not mentioned this to her. I’d love nothing more than to see the girl happy. But not at the expense of her career.”

  Eli nodded. “Fair enough.” It was fair, more than, really. “I’ll make sure things stay on the side of the line they should.” What he didn’t say was how hard that was going to be.

  “You only have a few more weeks of therapy, from what I’ve gathered. You’re making a nearly miraculous recovery as I understand it.”

  “I am. I have good genes,” he said. “Is there anything else?”

  “No. I appreciate you taking the time to listen.” She held her hand out.

  Eli took it. “One last thing, ma’am,” he said, holding on gently.

  She lifted her chin. “Yes?”

  “Once I’m off your rosters? All bets are off.”

  To his relief, a very pleased smile lit her face. “I was hoping you’d say that. Have a good day, now.”

  “You do the same.” He watched her walk back to the building, thinking about what she’d said as she went.

  “You should have known better, you dumbass. You’d better be thanking your lucky stars that Haley has the kind of boss she does, else she’d be in trouble right about now.”

  Of all the difficult things he’d been through in his life, he thought that keeping his distance from Haley over the next few weeks might be right up there at the top of the list.

  “It’s probably for the best,” he said into the quiet interior of the vehicle as he got in and started it up. “You need to figure some things out in your personal life, anyhow. You don’t even have a job, Eli, and no prospects for such. Maybe you should figure that out first, huh?” he asked his reflection in the rearview mirror.

  And maybe by the time he did, the problem of being Haley�
��s patient would have sorted itself out.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Over the next couple of weeks, Haley couldn’t help but notice the shift in Eli’s attitude toward her. He was still friendly, charming, and yes, watchful, but it almost felt like he’d erected a shield between them emotionally.

  As disappointing as that was, she was also a little glad. It would hurt less that way when he finally was discharged and not a regular part of her life anymore.

  That day was coming faster than she’d ever anticipated. The progress he’d made… she didn’t have any words to explain it. He was months ahead of schedule. At this rate, another two or three weeks would be it.

  Driving home Friday evening two weeks to the day after the night the Hulk had died, she told herself losing Eli’s company would be for the best.

  “Damned shame you don’t believe that, Haley.”

  But when she got home, all thoughts of Eli’s upcoming departure fled. She found Fred sitting in his recliner, listless and with a fever.

  “Gramps?”

  Despite the heat of the day and the window AC’s puny efforts to cool the house down, he was shivering.

  “I don’t feel so good, Haley-girl.”

  Her heart skipped. For him to admit he was ill was a huge red flag. “What’s bothering you? How long?”

  The cough he answered her with took his breath and shook his body. “Chest. Most of the day. Feels like pneumonia again.”

  “Do you think we can get you in the car, or do we need an ambulance?”

  He looked at her, his eyes reflecting his concern and a fair amount of resignation. “Better do it up fancy this time, sweetheart. I’m sorry.”

  Swallowing back her alarm, she nodded. “Okay.”

  She lost no time in dialing the ambulance service. As calmly as she could, she explained the situation to the dispatcher who answered. “His color’s bad, and I don’t think he’s getting enough oxygen,” she said as she hurried into his room to get his medicines and a bag ready to go. This wasn’t their first rodeo, but it was no less terrifying for all that.

  By the time she had the dispatcher’s assurance that an ambulance was on the way, urgently but not emergently, Fred’s bag was ready. She dashed back to the living room to check on him.

  “I’m still here,” he told her. “They coming?”

  “On the way. She said it would be about fifteen minutes. Do you need anything?”

  He shook his head. “Get your things, and once you’re ready, call the boys.” He coughed again, this time having to hang his head over the garbage can beside his chair.

  Haley had to help him sit back up once he was finished, and for a moment, he clasped her hand. “I’m not on my way out yet, girl. But I’m gonna need a good kick in the pants from the old doc to get over this one.”

  “He’ll be sure to give it to you. I’ll call him here in a minute,” she promised him softly.

  Once he let go of her, she hurried into her own room and grabbed the bag she kept ready. She glanced inside to make sure she had everything she needed, then hurried back to the living room to get Fred’s bag.

  “I’ll move the car so they can get in the driveway. Don’t try to get up, okay?”

  He gave her a thumbs up as she went out the door.

  As awful as it might sound, she waited until the very last minute before calling her Uncle Dudley. The shorter the amount of time she had to endure his drama, the better for everyone, including Fred. She knew her grandfather would understand that, and as long as he knew she’d called Dudley, he’d be satisfied.

  “Is he that bad, that you had to call an ambulance? We could take him,” Dudley said. “We can get him in the car.”

  “No, Dudley. He needs oxygen. He needs an ambulance. They should be here any minute.”

  He gave a hard sigh. “Well, I’ll let the wife know. We’ll be down to the hospital as soon as we can.”

  “Call Mo, please. I still have to call Gramps’s doctor.” Without letting him protest the demand that he call her other uncle, she hung up. She stood on the ramp for a moment, her eyes closed, her hands shaking, as she gathered her composure. It was bad this time, she felt it in her bones.

  Drawing in a deep, steadying breath, she opened her eyes and went on inside. Fred was sitting up in the recliner now, his color still as bad, but he gave her another thumbs up.

  “Don’t try to talk unless you need something,” she said. “I’m calling Dr. Wells now.”

  By the time she was off the phone with the doctor, the ambulance had arrived and the EMTs were taking Fred’s vitals.

  “Let’s get you on this gurney here, sir,” the female partner said. “Do you think you can stand up with our help?”

  A hint of a scowl crossed Fred’s face, and he looked to Haley to explain.

  “He doesn’t walk. You’ll have to lift him.” She moved to his side to help with the transfer. When the male EMT gave her a hard glare, she gave it back. “I’m a physical therapist. This is what I’m trained for. I know how to do this without hurting him. You steady the gurney.”

  The female EMT nodded at her across Fred’s chest as she supported his other side. “On three…”

  Haley didn’t give a rat’s ass if the man got offended or not. He’d treated her grandfather like he was an imbecile from the time he’d walked in the door. She didn’t trust him not to drop Fred or not injure him.

  “Girl’s a bulldog,” Fred rasped once he was on the gurney and strapped in. “Protects me.”

  “Of course she does. You’re her papaw,” the female EMT said with a kind smile. “I’m a papaw’s girl myself. I’ll be in the back with you while Rodney drives us. You ready?”

  Haley knew that statement had been as much for her benefit as Fred’s, and she appreciated it. “I’ll follow you in my car.”

  As she locked the door behind them, the sight of her grandfather being wheeled down the ramp nearly brought her to her knees. It might be the last time he was ever on this property, and she couldn’t bear the thought. She bit the inside of her cheek to stem her tears as she hurried after them, making sure he was secured in the back of the ambulance.

  “See you there,” the woman told her with a reassuring nod. “I’ll take care of him.”

  “Thank you.” Haley gave Fred a thumbs up as the EMT put an oxygen mask over his mouth and nose. With nothing else to do, she hurried to the car and started it, backing up in the road to wait for them, leaving enough room for the ambulance to back out of the driveway and onto the road. She took the two minutes or so to calm her shattered nerves and focus on her breathing.

  Even if he made it through this bout, the time would come when no amount of butt-kicking-doctoring would save him.

  “Please don’t let it be now,” she whispered. “I’m not ready for that.” Even as she spoke, though, she knew the words were useless pleas to a universe that was often harsh and cruel. He’d either make it through this or he wouldn’t, and there wasn’t a damned thing she could do about the outcome either way.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  When Eli got to therapy Monday, Lou met him at the reception desk with a tense smile. “Hey, sweetie. How was your weekend?”

  “Good. Yours?”

  The phone rang before she could answer, and promising he’d catch her later, he took a seat and waited for Haley. When the door opened, however, the skinny blond therapist—Neesa—was standing there instead.

  “You get me today,” she said in a cheerful voice that irritated him. “Haley’s out.”

  “Out where?” He scowled as he walked past her into the hall. “Is she okay?”

  “She’s fine. Her grandfather got sick. Come on in and let’s get started. Where do you and Haley usually start? Wound check?”

  But Eli balked at the door t
o the private therapy room. “Can’t we skip to the exercise room?”

  Neesa sent him an incredulous look, accompanied by a head-to-toe survey. “You have a problem with me doing the one-on-one therapy?” she asked, her mouth pursed into a frown.

  The expression, her posture, her coloring, and her attitude all reminded him straight up and down of Erica. His scowl deepened. “I’m sure you’re a great therapist. I’m just more comfortable with Haley, that’s all.”

  Denise and Jeanne came down the hall then, walking straight into the tension emanating off Eli. The clinic manager frowned.

  “Is there a problem?” she asked, peering around the edge of the door to Neesa.

  The blonde shrugged. “He doesn’t want to do the one-on-one.”

  Denise and Jeanne both looked at him, and feeling like he was on display and not even a little bit happy about that, Eli shrugged. “I’m used to working with you and Haley,” he told Jeanne. He jerked his head toward Neesa. “I don’t know her.”

  “Therapy is a personal thing,” Denise said, holding her hand up to stop Neesa’s protest. “Jeanne, can you take over?”

  “Sure. I’ll be glad to. Eli?”

  He gave a single nod. “That’s fine.”

  Neesa stiffly handed his file to Jeanne. “Good luck.” She marched down the hall, back as straight as a poker.

  “Let me know if there’s any problem,” Denise said. She got an agreement from Eli before she continued down the hall in the opposite direction Neesa had gone.

  “Come on, sweetie. Let’s get through this together.” Jeanne gestured into the room.

  With a sigh, Eli went. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cause a problem. She just… reminds me of someone.”

  “And she isn’t Haley, but that’s between you, me, and the therapy couch.”