*****
By the time Alex returned from town, Johnny’s temperature had dropped a half a degree. Sarah arrived on Alex’s heels. When the older woman entered the room, Laurel stepped into the hall. She leaned against the wall.
Several minutes later, Alex appeared. “Thanks for being here and for knowing what to do.”
“Will he be all right?”
“In two or three days, we won’t know he’s been sick. Sarah will sit with him. I need to talk to you.”
His deep voice sounded serious. She started down the stairs. “I have something to tell you.” Before he asked her when she planned to leave, she wanted to tell him about her job and the house. Surely he could tolerate her presence for another week. She entered the living room and sat on the couch.
“Would you like something to drink?”
“Iced tea.”
“Be back in a few.”
Laurel leaned against the back of the couch and closed her eyes. Mentally, she rehearsed what she would say. Several minutes later, he returned with two glasses of iced tea. She took one.
“Alex.”
“Laurel.” He grinned. “You first.”
“I’d like to thank you for taking me in. Megan was right. I would have buried myself in the apartment and done nothing. I have a job at the hospital. In the ED as triage nurse.”
“That’s great news. I’m sure your experience will make the idea work.” He sat on the couch beside her. “Several months ago, I almost lost a patient because the admitting clerk isn’t a nurse and didn’t understand the severity of the injury. Do you think you’ll like working there?”
She laughed. “Once I convince the doctors I know what I’m doing and conquer the nurse manager’s hostility.”
“She should love you. Her husband sold you the car. Brought his pressure down ten points.”
“And I made Anne Sutton’s rise at least that much when I refused to buy one of the over-priced, too large houses she shoved at me.”
“You’re looking for a house?” He put his glass on the coffee table. “I thought you were moving in with Megan.”
“I only intended to stay with her until I was settled. I bought a house today.” She reached for her tea. “Well, not exactly, but the closing’s next week.”
She saw the way his jaw tightened. The money, she thought. He really can’t handle that.
“I don’t understand.”
“I’m tired of being a gypsy.”
“Why Eastlake?”
She leaned forward. “Ever since the summer I stayed with your family, Eastlake has been my idea of home.”
“Then why did you leave when you finished at Grantley?”
“I was young and afraid.” She studied her hands. Part of her dream had died. That particular dream remained dead, but she was now able to live with her fractured dreams. She rose.
Alex reached for her hand. “Don’t go.”
“I’m tired.”
“Please stay. I need to talk to you about Johnny and how he’s going to accept your moving out. He depends on you.”
His touched burned. “I’ve always been honest with him. He knows I plan to move.”
“I heard what he said to you earlier.”
She swallowed. An ache built in her chest. “If you had been home, he wouldn’t have clung to me.”
“I don’t believe that. He misses having a mother. All his friends are part of two parent families. I believe he loves you.”
“And I love him, but I can’t be his mother.”
He pressed her hand. “Why not? Johnny needs a mother and I need a wife. Marry me.”
Laurel’s hands clenched. The ache in her chest expanded. She wanted to marry him. The urge to say yes was strong, but instead of joy, his proposal had brought pain. She felt numb. She had prayed for love and lost.
“There has to be more.”
“There is. Richard Cooper has threatened to sue for custody of Johnny. If I were married, no judge would listen to him.”
His reasons for marriage were so foreign to her desires that she wanted to scream. “I can’t.”
“Why not? It’s the perfect solution.”
“Though your offer is one I’ve wanted to hear, your reasons are all wrong.” She pulled away. Though his touch had once brought warmth and promise, all she felt now was a chill so deep her heart would shatter if she didn’t get out of here. “I love you. I’ve loved you since that summer, but I can’t marry you just because it’s convenient.” She rose and headed for the door.
He caught her before she left the house. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. Don’t say no. We could have a good marriage.”
“I don’t want good.”
His mouth covered hers. Once again, she felt the excitement of their mutual desire. She pulled free and ran from the house. Desire wasn’t enough.
Chapter 7
Laurel reached for the cold cloth and pressed it against her swollen eyes. She wanted to go to the house and check Johnny, but she couldn’t leave these rooms with the signs of the tears she’d shed last night written so clearly on her face.
“I didn’t mean to hurt you.” Alex’s words burned almost as much as his proposal. He’d offered her crumbs and she refused to be a beggar at his table. She wanted the whole meal.
She removed the cloth and dropped it in the basin of ice water. A glance out the window sent her heart into overdrive. Alex stood beside his car. The early morning sun gilded his light blond hair. She sighed.
He’d offered a marriage of convenience. A mother for Johnny, a wife for him, a way to thwart his father-in-law.
Instead of tears, she laughed. She didn’t think he understood how hollow his proposal had been. Weeks ago, he’d admitted to desire and last night to need. If he had hinted that he cared for her, she might have said yes in hopes that love would grow over time.
Her hands became fists, her body a rigid statue. She turned from the window and hurried to the bathroom. Staying here and brooding would never do. She dressed and walked to the main part of the house. After checking Johnny and promising to buy him a treat, she drove to Grantley to pick up information on the Master’s program. From the college, she drove to the mall to order furniture.
On Saturday and Sunday, she shopped. Curtains, linens, dishes and other household furnishings were loaded in the car and taken back to the guest suite. A feeling of accomplishment accompanied her as she walked to the house for Sunday dinner.
Johnny jumped up from his place at the table. “Where you been? I missed you.”
“Shopping for furniture for my new house.”
“Wish you wouldn’t move. Stay and be my mommy.”
Laurel couldn’t help glancing at Alex. She watched him gulp a breath. “Can’t.’ she said. “To be your mommy, I’d have to be an old wife. Didn’t you tell me you didn’t want one of those?”
Sarah chuckled. Jake guffawed. Johnny looked at his father. “Is that true? Would she have to be an old wife?”
Color stained Alex’s cheeks. “She would.”
Laurel sat beside Johnny. “We’re friends. Wait until you see the bunkbeds I bought for one of the guest rooms.”
“I never sleep in a bunkbed.” Johnny perched on the chair beside her. “Daddy, can I stay with Laurel when she moves?”
“We’ll see.”
Laurel smiled. “Would you like to be my helper on the day the furniture arrives? I’ll need someone to help me unpack the books and dolls.”
He nodded so vigorously his hair flopped onto his forehead. She smiled. He seemed to be completely recovered from his recent illness. She picked up her fork and ate a bite of pork chop smothered with apples. “Sarah, this is delicious. I want the recipe, not that it will taste this wonderful.”
Sarah smiled. “I’ll write up the recipes for your favorites though you’ll have to cut them down for just one person. We’re sure going to miss you.”
“I won’t be that far away. You can come and visit.”
&nbs
p; “Chances are you’ll be as busy as Megan. We hardly see her these days. When is she comin’ home?”
Alex shrugged. “Next week or the week after. She’ll pop in one day full of schemes and stories and we’ll forget she was ever away.”
And learn the one she set in motion failed, Laurel thought.
When she finished eating, Laurel helped Sarah clear the table. She lingered in the kitchen both hoping and fearing Alex would want to talk.
Once the dishes were in the dishwasher, Sarah pushed Laurel to the door. “Get along with you. Won’t take me but a minute to finish up.”
Laurel slipped out the kitchen door. She inhaled the scent of roses. The setting sun stained the clouds in shades of red and pink. As she started across the lawn, Alex emerged from the front door. She swallowed and hurried toward the guest suite.
“Don’t run away,” Alex called. “I’m sorry Johnny made you uncomfortable.”
“He didn’t.” Laurel reached the door. Alex was the one who made her feel edgy.
“I never mentioned marriage to him.”
“He’ll forget the idea soon.”
Alex put his hand on her arm. The warmth of his touch filled her.
“I haven’t handled this very well,” he said. “These past two days, I’ve missed watching you and Johnny play and hearing your laughter. I’d hate to think my ineptness will keep us from being friends.”
Laurel thought she had shed all her tears Thursday night, but once again, she felt her eyes sting. “I’ll be in Eastlake. I’d like to spend time with Johnny.”
“And me?”
She inhaled a shuddering breath. “You know how I feel about you. I can’t set myself up for more hurt.”
“Even if Johnny’s with us?”
Being with them made her think of family. “I don’t know.”
“When are you moving?”
“The closing is Thursday. On Friday, Jen, and Sarah are going to help me hang curtains and line shelves. The furniture and rugs will be delivered on Saturday.
“You promised Johnny could help.”
She nodded. “You can bring him Saturday morning. I think I’ll sleep there Friday night.”
“Without a bed?”
She laughed. “I’ve spent the greater part of four years roughing it. I’ll have mounds of comforters.”
He brushed his fingers along her chin. “Would you drive to Shadow Lake with us on Wednesday afternoon? Dad wants me to check the cottage.”
The heat of his fingers lingered on her skin. She wanted to say yes she would go, yes she would marry him. She swallowed. “I’ll let you know.”
*****
Alex glanced through the window of the Shadow Lake Ice Cream Parlor. His body tensed. A man stood in the recessed doorway of the building across the street. Alex rose and went to the window but the view was no clearer.
“What’s wrong?” Laurel asked.
“I’ll tell you later.” He looked at his son and felt panic rise. What if Richard carried out his threat to take Johnny? Alex returned to the table and stared at the melting ice cream.
Johnny scraped the last bite of chocolate from his sundae glass and licked the spoon. “That was delicious. Why you don’t eat yours?”
“I ate too many French fries,” Alex said.
“Laurel not finish hers,” Johnny said.
She smiled. “Give me a minute. I have three bites left.”
When they left the restaurant, Alex held tightly to Johnny’s hand. The doorway where he had seen the man was empty. Alex wondered if he’d imagined the lurker. Except, he had seen a car follow them from Eastlake and speed past the private road when he’d stopped to unlock the gate.
He fastened Johnny in his car seat and closed the door. Laurel stood on the sidewalk.
“What was wrong earlier?” she asked.
“I thought I saw my father-in-law. He threatened... threatened...” Forcing the words out seemed impossible. “To take Johnny.”
“You mean as in kidnapping.”
Alex nodded. “Richard is a ruthless man.”
“But kidnapping.” Laurel’s eyes widened. Alex wondered if he’d triggered memories and fears. “Why?” she asked.
“I don’t know.”
“Do you have a picture of him? If I’m going to spend time with Johnny, I want to be alert.”
Alex opened the passenger’s door. “I’ll show you one when we get home.”
*****
On Thursday, Laurel signed the papers that gave her possession of the house. Though her guardians had signed over money from the trust fund, she intended to make regular payments just as if she held a mortgage. The feeling of elation lasted until she reached Alex’s house and caught sight of Johnny’s sad face. She wished she could stay, but accepting Alex’s offer of a marriage with no love on his side would be one that ended in anger and bitterness.
She hurried across the lawn. “Want to have a picnic for lunch?”
He shook his head. “Not hungry. Why you not stay here? Mrs. Rodgers said it’s Daddy’s fault.”
Laurel put her arm around his shoulders. “She’s wrong. I came here for a visit. Tomorrow after school, you can help Jake bring all the boxes and packages I’ve collected. After lunch today, we can do something special if you like.”
“Okay.”
*****
The next morning after Johnny left for school, Laurel and Sarah packed the bags of curtains and drapes in the car along with the new ironing board, iron and the lining paper for the shelves. They reached the red brick house just moments before Jenessa.
“I can’t believe you make things happen so fast,” Jenessa said.
“The power of a trust fund,” Laurel said. “Though it has a negative side.”
“Alex, I bet.”
Laurel nodded. “I can’t help who I am. Until I came here, I never took advantage of my resources. I used to donate most of my quarterly allowance to IHRM.” She opened the front door and dropped the packages on the floor and returned to the car for a second load.
Sarah carried the box with the shelving paper and scissors. “I’ll work in the kitchen and the bathrooms. Jake and Johnny will bring lunch when they fetch the other things.”
At a little after two, curtains hung at every window. The kitchen and bathroom shelves had been lined. Jenessa grabbed the last ham and cheese sandwich and headed for the door. “See you. When Eric and I move, you can return the favor.”
“Will do.”
Jake lifted a nodding Johnny and carried him to the truck. Sarah stopped in the doorway. “I’ll head home with them. See you for dinner.”
“I might stay here tonight.”
“Do what you think is best. I’d like to give that man a rap or two. Don’t know what’s eating him.”
Laurel laughed. “He doesn’t love me. That’s something that can’t be forced.”
“I know.” Sarah closed the door.
Laurel stood in the living room and planned where the furniture was to go. An idea occurred and she grabbed the leftover shelving paper. She sketched the living room and marked where she thought each piece of furniture would look best. Then she did the same for all the other rooms.
The doorbell rang. Who, she wondered as she ran downstairs and opened the door. “Alex, hello.”
“Thought I’d stop by and see the house.”
She stepped aside. “Would you like a tour?”
He grinned. “Why not?”
After the tour ended, Alex stood in the foyer. “Very nice. Will you be happy here?”
“Content.” Happiness called for things she didn’t hope to have.
He looked at the paper attached to the study door. “Efficient.”
“Let’s hope the delivery men can follow directions.”
He leaned against the door and crossed his arms on his chest. His gaze held hers. Waves of heat centered in her lower abdomen. “Are you ready to leave?”
“I’m planning to spend the night.”
“Don’t. Sarah’s planned a special supper. I’ve rented a video Johnny wants to see. You can leave your car here and come in with us in the morning.”
Her thoughts were bittersweet. Once again, he dangled the idea of family for her to grab. She sighed. “No sense disappointing Johnny and Sarah. Let me get my purse and a change of clothes.”
*****
The next morning, Johnny ran ahead of Laurel to the porch of her house. “This is neat,” he said.
“I’m going to buy a swing.”
“Can I ride with you?”
“Of course.” She opened the door and let him scamper ahead of her. “This will be your station.” She turned on the study lights. “I’ll open the boxes and you can put the books and dolls on the shelves.”
“What’s my station?” Alex asked.
“The kitchen. There’s a chart on the counter that marks where everything goes. Start with the dishes and the groceries. We stocked the refrigerator yesterday.”
He laughed. “They’re going to love you in the ED, especially if you make order out of the usual chaos. Where did you learn to be so efficient?”
“South America, I think. We learned to tear down a health station in hours so we could move to the next place and be ready for patients in hours.”
The doorbell rang. Laurel answered and soon was involved in telling the delivery men where each area rug should be placed. She had considered installing carpeting but felt the gleaming oak floors were too beautiful to be covered.
Soon after the last rug was in place, the furniture arrived. Laurel stood in the study and watched the room take shape. A dark brown leather sofa and matching recliner, a small rolltop desk, two end tables and an entertainment center filled the room. She opened a bag of bright pillows chosen to match the splashes of color in the drapes and placed them on the sofa.
Johnny tugged on her hand. “I’m ‘most done.”
Minor Opposition Page 9