“Thanks for your support,” Jewell murmured, stuffing the money in her pocket.
Turning to Saxon, the nurse said, “I assume you two want a word with your uncle. The charge nurse said he’s asked a dozen times if she’s seen you. He insists there’s something more he needs to say ASAP.”
Saxon grabbed Jewell’s hand. “Don’t leave. Come find out what’s on his mind. Then you can go do your chores. Depending on whether it’s tougher than hearing how my mom dumped him practically at the altar, I may need your moral support.”
Jewell smiled at his genuine anxiousness. “All right. Maybe you should assure the charge nurse we won’t do anything to upset him.”
Saxon did just that.
“I’m relieved you’ve come again,” she said. “He’s cranky. And Dr. Hamlin’s deciding what to do. We explained you’d agreed to help him out at home, but Leland is skeptical. Please reiterate that he won’t be going to rehab.”
“He could be stewing because he doesn’t want my help. In any event, we’ll make this a short visit. And I’ll give you a verdict afterward.”
“I know he’s still asking to see his lawyer.”
Rolling his eyes, Saxon set his hand on Jewell’s waist and they crossed to Leland’s cubicle. Before they reached it, she dug in her heels and gripped Saxon’s arm. “Wait. This has nothing to do with Leland, but I can’t forget this. Promise me you won’t sing any songs at our concert like the one you sang in Maryland. Back there no one knew I was the jewel you found and lost. Here my friends will know. I can’t handle them feeling sorry for me.”
Saxon pursed his lips. “I wrote several songs for or to you. I happen to like them all. But I’ll leave them out of my show. I can see it really bothers you.”
“Honestly, I’m grateful that you agreed to give the benefit for the snowy owls.”
His gaze slipped from her eyes to her mouth. “Uh...sure thing. Let’s go on in. He sees us and is motioning to us,” he said gruffly.
The minute they walked in, Jewell crossed and took Leland’s hand. “We can’t stay long. I’m running home to feed animals. I’ll be back to see you after surgery.”
“I’m not having it. I’m checking myself out. I’ll take a cab home.”
Jewell gasped. “Why would you entertain such foolishness? You almost died. Next time, if no one’s around, you could. Saxon, tell him he can’t do this.”
“Bah!” Leland spat. “I know how they treat old geezers like me at a rehab place. Lost two friends at the one connected to this hospital. Only prolongs the inevitable. And the families are still paying huge hospital bills and rehab costs. Didn’t do a lick of good, and both suffered mightily. I ain’t goin’. Not that I don’t have savings. I’ve even prepaid my funeral. Saw how smart it was that your dad did that in advance, Saxon. By the way, step closer so I don’t have to shout. There’s something else you need to know.”
Saxon moved close to Jewell. “Save whatever it is. The charge nurse said she told you I volunteered to care for you at the ranch once you’re discharged. Except for the owl benefit on Labor Day, I only need a few hours a day to compose new songs. I’m not the greatest cook, but I’m not the worst, either.”
The old man’s eyes watered. “You’d do that for me after I neglected you and all but left you to raise yourself? They told me, but I thought they were lying.”
Saxon shuffled uncomfortably. “I’m grateful you let me spend as much time at Jewell’s house as you did. Her mom was a great cook. And you didn’t skimp on basics. I never went hungry at school. You set up an account at the tractor supply store where I bought jeans and boots like the other kids wore. Then there’s college. I’m guilty of pretending I’d continued in the agriculture program when I switched to music.”
A muscle in Leland’s weathered jaw jumped. “Enough! I’ll take your word that you won’t send me to rehab. Here’s what else I need to say. Your folks had savings the court gave to me to raise you. I swear I never used one penny for myself.”
Saxon waved off the concern. “I know you worked long hours in your fields.”
“The way we butted heads, I figure you probably wonder why I started trying to contact you a year ago. I didn’t want to say this in a letter that might have gone astray... Your parents both had life insurance, Saxon. You were their sole beneficiary. Each plan stipulated you couldn’t access the money until age thirty. Peeved as I was over your leaving, I swear the policies skipped my mind. They’re locked in the top drawer of my old rolltop desk. The key is in an empty juice can in my freezer. Your name’s on the can. I didn’t keep this from you to be mean. I forgot about them until I received a notice from the insurance company.”
Jewell saw Leland had sagged against his pillows. “It’s only a year past his thirtieth birthday,” she ventured. “Really, what harm’s been done?”
“I’m rocked by the news,” Saxon said. “But I’m here now. As young as my folks were, I doubt the policies amount to much.”
“There’s where you’re wrong.” Leland looked pained. “Each has a payout of five hundred thousand dollars. A million bucks doesn’t buy what it used to, but it’s nothing to sneeze at. I’m sorry. I should’ve flown to Nashville last year and run you to ground. Except that’s when the doc said I had a bad ticker and couldn’t fly. I needed you to come here.”
Jewell choked at the amount. Saxon, too, reeled. But Leland rambled on with his apology until Dr. Hamlin charged into the room wearing a smile.
“So I just spoke to the charge nurse. She tells me the matter of rehab is settled. I assume that’s what you’re all discussing. However, if I’m going to get this guy to surgery at five, a prep team needs to come get started.”
“I now believe my nephew will help out, if he’s still of a mind to. I mean, you can take the money and get out of Dodge, son,” Leland muttered, staring straight at Saxon.
He lifted his head. “I’m staying. And I’m not rummaging in your freezer or your desk on my own. I still need someplace to pen new lyrics. So are we cool now?”
This time Leland frowned. “We are if I make it.”
“Dang. I’m going to ride out to Jewell’s clinic with her. Don’t you be cashing in your chips. I’ve still got a lot of holes when it comes to family. You’re the only one who can fill in the blanks. Deal?”
“Deal,” Leland said thickly. “Doc, I hope that spare part you ordered up for me comes from a tough old boar.”
The young doctor grinned and winked at Jewell and Saxon, who spared small smiles as they left the room.
Riding with him to the lobby, Jewell wished she knew how to ask Saxon not to go with her. But he probably wanted a break, too. He’d been right earlier when he said he’d had a lot dumped in his lap, none of which he expected. Now he had even more.
The woman seated at the reception desk jumped up when they started to walk to the front doors. “Saxon. Saxon Conrad...could I get your autograph?” she asked, boldly coming around her desk with a pad and pen.
Saxon stopped and asked her name.
Jewell lost count of the women who kept appearing to crowd around him. He didn’t seem the least bit bothered, but Jewell was antsy to leave.
“Is it like that everywhere you go?” she asked once he finally finished and they escaped to the parking lot.
“Mostly at performances. Sometimes when our buses pull into small towns if we stop to eat or get gas. Keeping fans happy is part of the job, Jewell. More than I imagined before I had records that climbed the charts.”
“You didn’t seem uncomfortable with all the attention,” she remarked after unlocking her pickup.
He held her door until she climbed in. Then he circled the cab to hoist himself up into the passenger seat. “It’s mostly fine. I don’t like when someone gushes like a couple of those women did. That’s embarrassing. More so on a tour, where o
ften it’s clear some would like more than my signature.”
Jewell pondered his statement as she pulled out of the lot. “I’m a volunteer vet at the rodeo. I see the same thing happen to cowboys on the circuit. It’s never been my impression that too many dislike the attention.”
“It gets old. I can’t speak for other performers, but label handlers push their rising stars to mingle. Then they freak out if something gets out of hand.”
“Huh. Will they freak out over me?”
“No,” he said quickly. “Don’t worry.”
“You said that like someone who doesn’t believe it.” She turned off the highway onto a gravel road. “Hey, look to your right. You’ll see my clinic. I renovated my folks’ garage and barn into an office and surgery facility. But a lot of my work is out on ranches.”
“You painted the house. I like the cream siding and the dark brown trim. I know your parents moved to a warmer climate. I bet you miss them.”
“Yes. They used to visit me at Christmas. But because I get calls to see sick cows and horses during harsh winters, the last two holidays my folks begged off. They also claim flights to Billings get diverted or canceled.” She parked and gestured toward the infirmary. “After I see to the cat I’m monitoring, we’ll feed the dogs in the house.”
From the time they exited the vehicle, they could hear the dogs barking.
“Are they yours?” Saxon asked. “You used to always talk people into taking strays you found, or that found you.”
“That howl is Lila’s dog. He’s a big yellow Lab. White, really. Hence his name of Ghost. The sharper bark is a spaniel I found cowering in my bushes when I returned from my trip east. I posted flyers. No one has claimed him. I tried not to get attached, but I couldn’t help it. I named him Shadow, because he trails me everywhere.” She shrugged.
Saxon wandered around looking at her setup while she fed the cat, checked its stitches and cuddled the animal for a bit.
“Daisy’s ready to go home.” She led the way to the house. Saxon stood aside while she unlocked her kitchen door. They were both nearly bowled over and licked to death by two excited dogs who’d come in through a still-flapping doggy door.
“Hey, they’re giving you the most attention.” Jewell pretended to pout at Saxon. “Here, you feed them while I phone Daisy’s owner and arrange a time tomorrow for pick up.” She opened a cupboard and handed him a bag of kibble, then made her call.
He poured the bowls full and drew fresh water at the sink without Jewell asking.
“You’re kind of handy,” she remarked after ending her conversation with Daisy’s owner. “Oh, I see I have messages on my answering machine. If you’d like instant coffee or tea, the fixings and cups are in the cupboard by the microwave.” She pointed with one hand and hit Playback on her machine with the other.
Tawana’s voice boomed out. “Eddie came by from Conrad’s ranch saying Leland collapsed. He said Saxon showed up and you two saved Leland. Since you aren’t answering your cells and I’m not catching you at home, I hope you’re not dealing with worse news. Call me when you can. By the way, the country station I listen to was full of rumors about Saxon sneaking off to meet an old girlfriend. His rabid fans were in a tizzy until his agent said he’s off writing new songs. Is any of that true? Incidentally, we’ve sold six hundred tickets. I hate to ask what happens if Saxon’s uncle, ah...doesn’t make it? I hope you hear this and get back to me.” Tawana hung up.
Jewell looked everywhere but at Saxon as the next caller began talking over the ding of the microwave. Doreen Mercer came on sounding frantic.
Saxon removed a steaming cup of coffee and eyed Jewell, who kept listening to Doreen’s pleas. “...I’m tied up at the café until eight tonight. Porter stopped for coffee. He said Leland had a heart attack. I pray he’s okay. I’m worried sick, but can’t raise you on your cell. I phoned the hospital. Since I’m not related, no one will even verify he’s there.”
Jewell dug her phone out of her pocket. “I forgot I silenced it at the hospital,” she mumbled. “Doreen sounds panicked. But I’m still steamed at her for gossiping to Leland about my...uh...condition. What’s to say it wasn’t her tattletales that caused his collapse?”
Saxon stepped around the counter and hovered over Jewell. “Stop rambling about Doreen. Don’t you really want to ask me about Tawana’s concern?”
“She’s worried because she talked our group into contacting you.”
“I’ll do your benefit no matter what else comes up.”
“Such as... What else might come up, Saxon? An old girlfriend?”
“It’s you they’re referring to. Your showing up in Maryland caused a stir among my band. I didn’t explain us.” He gestured with his mug. “I’ll have to let Fred Harmon know I may need more time off to care for Leland. He’s sure to give me grief. He’s positive my uncle popped up to fleece me, which would cause a tabloid nightmare. In case you wonder why I phoned you after the way you ran out on me, that’s why. You were the only person I knew of who might find out why, after so many years, he seemed desperate to see me.” Pausing, he took a bigger swig of coffee.
“Saxon, I... Well, won’t they feel like fools when you inform them Leland really wanted to make you a millionaire?”
“A million is chump change to Fred, and I sometimes earn that per tour. Actually, I’ve no intention of telling them about any of this. I have a right to my privacy.”
Jewell’s hackles ticked up. “So you’re glad Snowy Owl Crossing is way off the map of country-western media.”
“That is lucky. Hey, do you want coffee? It’s not bad for instant.”
Jewell shook her head. “Coffee upsets my stomach,” she said offhandedly.
Shadow trotted up and butted his head against Saxon’s leg. Bending, he rubbed the dog’s ears. Ghost ran over, nosing in for his share. After Saxon gave attention to both animals, he dumped the rest of his coffee in the sink and rinsed the mug. “Unless you have more to do here, let’s head back to the hospital. It’s almost five. I’d like to be there when Leland goes into the operating room.”
“Sure.” After gathering her house key and cell phone, Jewell loved on the dogs, then told them to stay. Her mind was in a muddle over Saxon’s careless reference to her. Not that she wanted him to tell the world about them. Neither did she appreciate being relegated as a hidden problem.
She’d barely driven away when he faced her and slid an arm over the back of her seat. “In a matter of hours you’ve heard my life dissected about every way possible, including personal stuff I didn’t know. Isn’t it time we talk about you?”
“Me?” She glanced at him, startled. “You saw my clinic, the house, and you met my dog. With all the hours you spent with my family, you should know that compared to yours, my life is boring.”
“Jewell,” he said gently, “it’s time we talk about the baby.”
“What about it? I said we won’t interfere with your life, Saxon.”
He ran a finger down the side of her face, forcing her to take her eyes off the empty country road to look at him. “If you know me like you should, you know that’s not possible. It’s nothing a guy likes to admit, but how often did you catch me crying over losing my parents? Yet you seem to believe I’d walk away from a kid I had a part in creating.”
Tightening her hands on the steering wheel, Jewell returned her teary gaze to the road. “This is different. Your mom and dad were ripped away from you in a terrible accident. Our lives aren’t like that. Your home is a bus, for pity’s sake. I have roots here. Deep roots. Logically, which of us is better situated to raise a child?” She pulled up at the stop sign and flexed her fingers around the wheel before turning onto the highway that would take them back to the hospital.
“It’s plain you’ve had time to give this serious thought. I know you said you intended to tell me
while I was here. It’s equally plain you never intended to give me any say in the matter.”
“I take full responsibility for what happened the night of the storm, Saxon.”
“Really?” Tossing back his head, he gave a snort. “You’re claiming immaculate conception?”
“Don’t be a smart-ass. Can’t we be adult about this?”
“That depends if your idea of being adult and mine are the same.”
She fidgeted, chewing on her lower lip. “Can we at least get through one crisis at a time? I can’t talk about this while we wait to hear how Leland’s surgery turns out. Then you’ll be looking out for him as he recovers. I’m willing to set aside a day before you leave to discuss how our divided obligations affect our baby.”
“That’s darned decent of you,” Saxon drawled, giving an irritated eye roll as she drove into the hospital parking lot and stopped next to his rental vehicle.
“I don’t know what you expect of me,” Jewell said, shoving the gear shift into Park.
“Seems I recall telling you at least twice what I hoped could be our joint future.”
“Oh, right. Around here they still call what you last offered shacking up. I can’t see anything’s changed, Saxon. My clinic isn’t portable.”
He let her shut off the engine before adding softly, but with steel, “I’d say you being pregnant with my baby changes a whole lot.”
She pocketed the pickup key, rubbed her neck and sighed. “We have the results of a seven-dollar digital test I took in the bathroom at a gas station. I haven’t even seen an OB. Can we at least shelve talk until after I see a doctor and get professional advice as to what to expect next?”
“Will you allow me to go with you to the appointment?”
“Saxon!” She threw up her hands. “Not unless you want to make this as hard on me as possible. I know you’ve been away from here a long time. This is still old-fashioned Snowy Owl Crossing, where people still whisper about shotgun weddings. Please give me a few months to become the object of gossip.”
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