“Dr. Flynn, good to see you. It’s been ages.” A heavy-set woman wearing a floral print dress moved lightly toward them. “Mama came home yesterday. Saw Aunt Hazel Smithton when we was waiting for her. She said Uncle Ben was doing good.”
Tony grasped her hand. “So I’ve heard, too. Is your son keeping his stitches dry?”
“He’d better. He’s grounded.”
As the woman spoke, she studied Carrie. Carrie’s hands curled into tight balls.
“Mildred Greene, this is my wife, Carrie.” His hand slid to Carrie’s waist. “I’m sure you’ll be seeing each other at the clinic. Carrie’s on board there. Mildred has
three boys and a daughter.”
The woman laughed. “And everyone is an accident waiting to happen. Welcome to the tavern, Mrs. Flynn. Sure surprised everybody when the doctor got married in such a rush but, seeing you, I can understand why.”
“Surprised me, too,” Tony said. “Carrie and I’ve been friends for ages. Hadn’t seen each other for a bit. When she stopped by, I figured I’d better grab her before she got lost again.”
Carrie swallowed. She wished he meant the words that sounded so sincere.
“Saved you a table in the back room by the fireplace. Bit more private than the main room.”
She led them through a large rectangular room with a pair of trestle tables on either end and several smaller ones in the center. They entered a dimly lit room with four tables placed to ensure privacy. Candles in globes cast light and shadows on the pale green tablecloths.
“I almost feel like I’ve stepped back in time.” Carrie studied the muskets above the fireplace.
Tony held her chair. “I know the feeling.”
“So where’s the menu?”
He pointed to a small slate on the table. “The winter menu. Only the soup and desserts change.”
“So what do you recommend?”
“Everything. Beef Wellington’s great. Brunswick Stew’s terrific. Country Ham’s succulent and so’s the Seafood Platter.”
A waitress in a bright green tee shirt brought mugs of steaming cider. “Compliments of Aunt Mildred. Congrats. Ready to order? Soups are beef barley and chicken rice. For dessert, there’s apple dumplings and lemon chiffon pie.”
After the waitress left, Carrie sipped the cider. “This is heavenly.”
“And packs a punch. It’s laced with rum.”
By the time the soup arrived, Carrie felt mellow. She stared at the flames that leaped and changed colors. There was something strange about Tony’s mood and she couldn’t decide why he was on edge and so polite. He seemed so different from the man she’d loved last night. What was he trying to tell her?
The food was delicious. A steady stream of people, some she’d met at Chad’s school or at the clinic and several new people, stopped by the table for introductions and consultations. It wasn’t the romantic evening she’d dreamed of and certainly not the place to discuss the future of their marriage.
After finishing an apple dumpling topped with cinnamon ice cream, Tony pushed his chair back. “Ready to go?”
“I’m not sure I can move. You were right about the
food, but I ate too much.”
Tony nodded. “Always do here. The cook is Hazel’s cousin. They grew up together.”
“Is Hazel related to everyone in town?”
“About half and Ben to the other half.” Tony chuckled. “Most of the old families have connections to each other.” He steered her through the common room and through the now crowded bar.
Outside, a brisk breeze had blown the clouds away. The moon rode high in the dark sky. Tony’s hand at her elbow seemed casual rather than the lover’s touch she craved.
As he started the car, he cleared his throat. “We need to talk about what happened last night.”
She huddled against the door. “Why? It was no big deal. Can’t we wait until after we see Mr. Hurcutt to talk about things?” If she went to the lawyer’s office knowing how soon the marriage would end, she wouldn’t be able to keep silent.
“You have nothing to worry about.”
She frowned. “I never thought I did.”
“Remember what the will says. After last night, all the conditions have been met.”
“The will. I never had a chance to read it. You took my copy. What conditions do you mean? Mr. Hurcutt knows we’re married. He was at the wedding.”
“The marriage has to be a true one or the money goes to charity. Last night, we took care of that obstacle.”
Tension gathered in her gut. Why was he telling her this? Had last night been nothing more than a way to insure she collected the inheritance?
Of course it was, she thought. She had coerced him into marriage. He’d never said he loved her. Last night had she confessed how she felt? She couldn’t remember.
She glanced at him. In his blue eyes she saw desire, not love. Was he hoping for a repeat performance? Not without love.
She straightened. “Thanks for your help. I’ll be out of your life as soon as I can.”
He groaned. “Carrie --”
“You’ve said enough.” She turned her head and stared out the side window. When they pulled into the driveway, she jumped out of the car and ran to the house.
Tony gripped the steering wheel. So much for the rest of his confession. He’d been going to ask if she would consider making theirs a real marriage. He couldn’t promise love, but he could give her loyalty. Her flight had provided her answer. She wanted nothing more than a husband in name only.
He went inside. The family room was dark as was the kitchen. He poured a mug of coffee. This would be another
long night.
***********************************************
By five AM, Carrie knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep another minute, and by six, she’d had her first cup of coffee. At seven, she heard Tony on the stairs. She grabbed her purse and slipped out the kitchen door. An hour later, she was waiting outside Grace’s apartment, and when her friend appeared, Carrie got out of the car.
“You look like a wreck,” Grace said. “Marriage problems?”
“Major ones.”
“Like?”
Carrie felt her face flame. How could she explain without looking foolish. “We made love.”
“That’s a problem? You need a reality check.”
“Wait until you hear the whole story.”
“Good thing I’m off today. Let me shower and change.”
“No problem.”
Carrie followed her friend inside. She slumped on the couch and waited for Grace. When her friend appeared, Carrie began her tale. “So you see, he took me to bed to make sure I get the money. Typical Tony.”
“Are you sure? I saw the way he looked at you before,
during and after the ceremony. He looked bemused.”
“A performance for the attorney.”
“Did he know who the man was?”
Carrie frowned. She’d introduced Tony to the Hurcutts after the ceremony. “Someone could have told him who they were.”
“You say he flipped over the outfit his friends gave you. I know your taste in underwear. Just wander around the house in them.”
“There’s a seven year old living with us.”
“I have the answer. You still wearing those shapeless scrubs to work and jeans and sweats around the house?”
“Why not? They’re comfortable.”
“But they’re boring.” Grace unfolded her long legs. “We’re going shopping. After brunch at the mall, let’s max your card. We’ll hit the uniform shop and then the department stores.”
Though Carrie didn’t think new uniforms would make a difference, she agreed. Just last night, she had considered changing her image. If she and Grace spent the day shopping, she wouldn’t be at home avoiding Tony and waiting for him to set a date for their divorce.
*********************************************
Where was she? Tony paced from
the kitchen through the foyer and into the family room. She’d left the house four hours ago. He had reached the door in time to see her car shoot out of the driveway. Why was she so upset? He’d been the one who’d been dismissed.
The phone rang. His heart hammered. Had she been in an accident? “Flynn residence.”
“Tony, it’s Beth. Must be silly season. Today, it’s roller blades and skateboards.”
“I’m on my way.”
“Tell Carrie it’s not often like this. I heard the two of you had a quiet dinner at Greene’s.”
“Are there no secrets in this town?”
“Hardly.”
Tony grabbed his jacket and stepped outside. Carrie would be back, but when? What if Hazel brought Chad before either he or Carrie returned home? He dashed inside and wrote a note for the housekeeper and left it on the kitchen table.
**********************************************
Carrie dragged three shopping bags, two boxes and a hanging bag into the house. Tony’s car wasn’t there. Maybe he’d gone for Chad or had been called to the clinic. She carried the packages to her room and put everything away. Then she went to the kitchen for coffee. Shopping with Grace used more energy than a marathon. She saw the note on the kitchen table and picked it up.
“Hazel, if I’m not here when you bring Chad, call the clinic. If I’m not done, you can bring him here.”
She crumpled the note. Didn’t he trust her to watch Chad? Did he hope she’d left for good?
Though she had taken off without a word, he should know her better. She sighed. New clothes wouldn’t solve the problems with the marriage.
Some honest conversation might.
But he doesn’t care about me.
You closed him out last night and took off this morning like a spoiled brat.
But --
The silent conversation was interrupted by Chad’s shout. “I’m home. Hazel had to go right back.”
Carrie stepped into the front hall. “Is Ben worse?”
“No, just grumpy.”
Carrie relaxed. What if she hadn’t come home? Would Hazel have taken Chad to the clinic or would she have waited here?
“Did you have a good time?” she asked.
“Awesome. Where’s Dad?”
“At the clinic.”
Chad shook his head. “Thought he was off.”
“Things happen. So tell me about the weekend.”
“It was real cool.”
“That’s all?”
He paused on the stairs. “The hospital was really big and interesting. Ben’s in a regular room with a TV and a roommate and a bed that goes up and down. He might come home soon. His doctor knows Dad. Wants to know if he’ll come back. I’m gonna ask him.”
“Would you like that?”
He shrugged. “It’s neat living here, but we could find a house near Mom’s and I could go from one house to the other. Me and Hazel drove past Mom’s new house. It’s a mansion and there were all these big cars going inside. Maybe she’s home.”
“Haven’t you ever been in the house?”
“Not this one. Brian bought it for her. I went to his old house once, but I was bad and she brought me home. Then I came to live with Dad.” He continued up the stairs. “Did my stuff come?”
“Sure did. Hey, aren’t you going to wait for your Dad?”
“Who can wait?” He ran up the rest of the stairs. “I have to put my things away, right?”
“Guess you do.”
A moment later, she heard him shout. “Wow, it’s fab and cool.”
Carrie paused at the door. “Guess you like what we’ve done.”
He climbed to the upper bunk and flopped on the mattress. “Wonder if mom will buy me a set like this for her house? Dad says these stay here.”
A knot formed in Carrie’s stomach. She held in the comment she wanted to make. Tony thought Chad understood he wouldn’t be going to his mother’s. She was afraid to ask the boy what his dad had said.
“I’ll miss you if you leave.” That was true, except she was the one who would go. “Wouldn’t you rather live with your dad?”
“Yeah, but remember what I said about Mom.” He swung from the upper bunk and landed on the floor. “You don’t know her. She’s...she’s...”
Carrie felt a hand on her shoulder. “Tony?”
“Who else?”
“I’ll see to dinner.” She ducked under his arm and ran downstairs.
Tony swallowed past the lump in his throat. She must have returned before Chad. How had she spent the day? He entered his son’s room. “So what do you think?”
“It’s great. Just hope Mom will buy me bunk beds.”
Tony sat on the bottom bunk. “Come here. There’s something...” Lord, this was hard. “It’s like this... You’ll be living here always. I have custody now.”
“You told me that, but I have to have something to sleep in when I visit her.”
“Maybe not. You’re going to be here always.”
“Doesn’t she want me?”
Tony held back a groan. “Did I say that? I’m sure you’ll spend time with her but not for a bit. She needs time to settle into her new home. You okay with that?”
“I won’t be going to her for Thanksgiving?”
Tony nodded. “You’ll be with Carrie and me at her Mom’s.”
Chad looked up. “That’s cool.”
The grin surprised Tony. He’d expected anger. He’d expected tears and arguments. “Did you have a good time with Hazel?”
“You bet. We went to the museum and saw dinosaurs and stuffed animals and lots of neat stuff, like knight suits and swords. Ben and me watched football. He taught me a card game where you have to count to twenty-one. I won ten pennies. Hazel yelled at him and made him laugh. We ate in the hotel restaurant and had room service for breakfast.”
“Sounds like a good weekend.”
Chad nodded. “There was this doctor. He knew you. Said I look just like you. Wants you to come back. Will you?”
Not in this lifetime, Tony thought. “I don’t think so.”
“Dad, we could live near Mom and then I could see her every day and she’d never...”
Tony sucked in a breath. Marilyn was so involved in her new life, she wouldn’t have time for her son even if they lived next door. “We could, but the patients here need me.”
“Patients. Patients. Mom always said you cared more about your patients than you did for your own family.”
Tony heard his ex-wife’s demanding tone in Chad’s voice and her attitude in his words. He rested his hand on Chad’s shoulder. “Forget what your Mom said when she was angry. What do you think?”
“I don’t know. Would you think about moving there?”
“If we did, it would be like it was before. More patients, more night calls, no Hazel. I know you’d like to see your mother, and when she’s ready, I’ll let you go for a visit. Okay?”
Chad turned and hugged Tony. “What did you and Carrie do?”
“Painted your room.”
“Guess you had fun. Carrie likes to paint.”
Tony laughed. “She sure does. Ready for dinner.”
“What are we having?”
“Spaghetti with Hazel’s red sauce. Carrie said she’d get it started.”
“Let’s go.” Chad headed to the door. “Remember when she burned the soup.”
Tony followed his son downstairs and paused in the kitchen doorway. Carrie was standing at the stove with the phone cradled against her shoulder. She waved a wooden spoon in time to the music on the radio.
“Chad, would you set the table?” she asked.
“Sure.”
“Organizing dinner,” she said. “Yeah, I cooked, sort of.”
Tony considered kissing the back of her neck, but that was a step into madness he couldn’t handle. “What should I do?”
“Make a salad...Mom, I am organized...Yes, we’re coming...Hazel and Ben...I don’t know. He’s in the hosp
ital but I’ll ask...Sure you can talk to him.”
Tony took the phone. “Mrs. Graham, how are you?... That’s great Be like old times...You do...I’m glad you feel that way. Carrie will, too...Chad, it’s for you.” He handed the phone to his son.
Carrie turned from the stove. “What did she say?”
“She’s glad we’re married and she’s not angry about the money.”
Carrie smiled. “That’s what she told me.” She gasped. “Help.”
Tony heard sputtering from the stove. He reached Carrie’s side in time to see the pasta water foaming over the side of the pan. “Got it, honey.” He turned off the burner.
Chapter Ten
With her white shoes in one hand, Carrie crept down the stairs. Any minute, Tony would leave his room to wake Chad. She had to escape the house before he saw her new uniform. She shouldn’t have given into the impulse to wear it today. She should have worn her scrubs. This uniform fit entirely too well. Coffee and toast? Or a quick change into the familiar and the comfortable?
What? Lost your nerve?
You’ve go it.
Coward.
She was. Yesterday when Grace had dragged her into the uniform store, the idea had seemed reasonable. That was then. This morning, the image in the mirror had shown the picture she’d thought she wanted to project, except she knew the new Carrie would stir Tony’s lust. That wasn’t the emotion she wanted to see in his blue eyes.
She sat on the stairs and put on her shoes. As she grabbed her jacket and ducked into the kitchen, she heard Tony begin Chad’s morning wake-up ritual. She filled the coffee-maker, dropped bread in the toaster and put on her jacket. Too late to change and risk Tony seeing her. The jacket would hide most of the uniform.
“Coffee about done?”
Carrie gasped. “Soon.” Tony looked like he hadn’t slept last night.
He arched a brow. “You in a hurry?”
“Sort of. It’s Monday and there are probably new orders and new patients.” She grabbed the toast, buttered it and waited for the coffee to finish. “Chad up already?”
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