Wanted--The Perfect Mom

by T. R. McClure

  Fritz drummed his fingers on his leg, first crossing his right leg over his left, and then switching back.

  “Something bothering you, Dad?”

  Shaking his head, her father leaned forward and rested his elbow on his knees. He stared at the linoleum floor. “Out of all my children, you’ve given me the majority of my gray hairs.”

  The familiar irritation stirred in her gut. “Why? Because I’m a girl?”

  He shot her a sideways look. “No. Your brothers made sure you could take care of yourself.”

  “What choice did I have?” Memories of summer softball games and fishing in the creek flooded her mind. Her youthful philosophy had been anything her brothers could do, she could do better.

  “Because of all our children, you’re the one who has taken the most risks. Joining the military, flying into war zones...”

  “For a week—that’s nothing. Lots of guys do multiple tours.”

  “I know, but still, we worried. We were never quite sure where you were or what you were doing.”

  Holly lay back on the stiff pillow and stared up at the fluorescent light over her bed. She tried to hold back the nagging question but failed. “Then why were you so against my coming home and starting the business?”

  Her father cleared his throat and glanced at the door, as if hoping for a reprieve. “I had mixed feelings, for sure.” His fingers drummed on the bars of the bed. “You have to understand, I’ve farmed all my life, up until I retired and Thomas took over. Farming is not an easy life.”

  Her father rubbed a hand over his five o’clock shadow, the stubble white against his gray-tinged skin. “You lost me. What do farming and running a coffee shop have to do with each other?”

  “Because you are solely responsible for the success of the operation. If you fail, you can lose everything. I had four kids to feed.” He gave her a wan smile. “I envied your steady paycheck, your opportunities. In fact, you shocked me, giving all that up. Why did you?”

  “No place else was home. I wanted some roots.” She laid her hand on her father’s fingers, still gripping the railing. “I missed the seasons...the first snow, the first crocus in the spring, the humidity in the summer...”

  “Yes, nothing quite like making hay on a hot, humid August day. Good way to lose five pounds.” Still holding her hand, he leaned back in his chair. “We don’t have many museums around here.”

  Holly shrugged. “Been there, done that...”

  Her father squeezed her hand. He blinked several times, his green eyes watery. “I wanted to know you were okay.”

  “What are you—” A lump formed in Holly’s throat and she swallowed. Her voice came out raspy. “What are you talking about, Dad?”

  “When you broke off your engagement with Nick, I figured well, she’s not interested in marriage. At least she’ll have a pension to fall back on. Then when you said you were leaving the air force...” He pursed his lips. “I thought, no family, no security... What will become of my little girl when I’m gone?”

  “Oh, Dad.” Holly pulled back her hand and rubbed her eyes. “I don’t need a man to take care of me.”

  “I know. I’m talking about someone to share your life with, like your mother and me. We watch out for each other.”

  “Mom says you work too hard.”

  He chuckled. “That’s just her way. She works hard, too.”

  Holly sighed. “Yes, helping me when she should be home puttering in the garden. You were right. I don’t know anything about running a business. My sales are down. I won’t be able to pay you back.” Tears burned at the back of her eyelids.

  “Do you think that’s important to me?”

  She sniffed. “You said you wanted to be paid back in a year.”

  Fritz sighed. “I was hoping making the payment plan more difficult would convince you to stay in the military.”

  “I can’t pay you back yet.”

  “You’ve only been in business a few months. Now stop worrying.” He squeezed her hand.

  The rings holding the curtain on the metal bar jangled as Rose pulled the material aside. She came to the other side of the bed, her gaze moving from the monitors to Holly’s face and back again. “Did the nurse come in yet?”

  Holly smiled at her mother’s look of concern. “Not yet.”

  Rose glanced up at Fritz. “The doctor did say she could go home, didn’t he? You don’t think—”

  “Mom.” Holly waited until she had her mother’s attention. “Quit worrying. I’m fine.”

  “Why don’t I see what’s going on?” Her father patted her hand. “I’ll be right back, honey.”

  “I still can’t believe this happened in a quiet little town like Bear Meadows. What’s this world coming to? I’m glad Mac brought you to the emergency room. You could’ve hit your head harder than we thought.”

  Yes, Mac can do no wrong. Her mother had always had a soft spot for the fatherless boy. “Well, that’s what he does. He knows how to handle emergencies.”

  “He cares about you, Holly. He told me you could stay at his place if I was too busy with our guests. He’s so thoughtful.”

  “Why would I stay at his house?” Would Mac really want her spending more time with Riley?

  “Might be easier, is all.” Rose smoothed Holly’s hair back from her forehead.

  Irritated, Holly brushed her hand away, and then picked at a loose thread on the smooth white sheet. “I’m not sure I need to stay at Mac’s place. My room is pretty quiet, being on the third floor.”

  “True, but I still expect him to offer. You’ve been spending a lot of time together. He cares about you.”

  Holly was more surprised than her mother when her eyes filled with tears. The words came out before she could stop them. “He can’t care, Mom. He needs a mother for Riley. Everyone knows I don’t have a maternal bone in my body.”

  “For goodness’ sake, Holly, women aren’t born maternal. Like any skill, practice makes perfect.” She chuckled and raised one eyebrow. “Poor Sonny. When he was born I knew nothing. I was the youngest, too, remember. Sonny was my experimental baby.”

  “Which explains a lot.” She shared a laugh with her mother.

  “You want it all—a career and a family. So join the club, Holly. We all want it all.” She pulled a tissue from the box on the stand and handed it to Holly. “All I know is, I saw the way Mac took care of you tonight and it wasn’t because he’s the chief of police.” She peeked around the curtain at the sound of voices. “Be right back.”

  Holly took a breath and stared up at the tile ceiling. Wow. She should visit the ER more often. She hadn’t had such a deep conversation with either of her parents in a while. And the revelations... Was being a parent wanting to see your child always safe, taken care of? She was dabbing at her eyes when her parents returned.

  “The nurse is coming down the hall.” Sitting in the chair next to the bed, Fritz sipped from the cup in his hand, then grimaced. “This coffee is strong.”

  “It’s not strong, it’s—” Holly caught her father’s raised eyebrow. “On second thought, you’re probably right.” Returning his smile, she realized they hadn’t laughed together in a long time.

  She was holding the hands of both of her parents when the nurse walked in, followed closely by Mac. “I have some instructions for you, and then we can send you on your way.”

  “See, Mom,” Holly said. “I’m fine.”

  The nurse, who looked to be in her midforties, reviewed a clipboard. “You should have someone with you for twenty-four hours. Watch for signs of confusion, dizziness, memory loss. Take acetaminophen for pain.”

  “I can go back to work, can’t I?”

  Pen poised over the clipboard, the nurse peered over her glasses. “What do you do?”

  “I
own the coffee shop downtown.” Certain she would be cleared for work, Holly waited for the nurse’s answer.

  The nurse’s face lit in recognition. “You’re Louise’s friend.” She smiled. “I hope she comes back to work. We miss her. But being on duty when a loved one is brought in would get the best of any of us.” She looked down at the chart as if just remembering her instructions. “The doctor says you should rest, Holly. In fact, you shouldn’t be climbing stairs, either, in case you get dizzy.”

  Rose sighed. “Our house is full of parents moving their kids into Penn State for fall term. Where can we put her?”

  Fritz put an arm around his wife. “She can take our room.”

  Holly glanced from one parent to the other. “Hey, you two,” she lowered her voice and said, “I can make it to my room.”

  The nurse shot her a look. “I—”

  “I’ll take her to my place.” Mac’s voice was full of authority. “Everything’s on one floor. The house is quiet with just my mother and Riley.” He grinned. “Well, pretty quiet for a house with a five-year-old.”

  Holly’s mother smiled. Just as she had said. Holly’s protests fell on deaf ears. The other four all agreed Mac’s suggestion was the best solution to the problem. Twenty minutes later Holly sat in the passenger seat of Mac’s patrol SUV as the vehicle traveled the quiet, dark streets of Bear Meadows.

  When they passed the strip mall, Holly sat up and peered at her shop, dark except for the light over the counter. Someone had placed a Closed sign in the window. She sank back onto the seat. “Do you have any clues yet?”

  “No. The only thing we know so far is they must have come in through the open window in the alcove.” He pulled into the driveway of his sprawling ranch house. A single light burned in the front window. “I called Mom. She said the guest room is all ready for you.” He came around to help her out of the vehicle, and then with his arm around her waist led her toward the back door.

  “Stop.” Holly leaned her head back, staring into the night sky. Mac’s house was located at the edge of town, so there were no streetlights on the road. The night sky glittered with stars. “I saw a shooting star.”

  Just as the words left her mouth, two more stars streaked across the sky. Even though she wasn’t the woman Mac was looking for, she would savor this moment. Nights when she was alone, she would pull the snapshot out of her mind’s photo album and relish the feel of his arms, the quiet of the night, the flash of the stars.

  Someday Mac would find the woman who could step into Anne’s English riding boots. But now, wrapped in the warmth of his arms, she leaned against him. Meteor after meteor shot across the sky and burned out entering the atmosphere.

  Mac’s voice was quiet. “We better get you inside.”

  Holly fixed her gaze on his face and for just an instant wondered what her life might have been if they had become a couple all those years ago, if the hurt had faded and they’d seen each other differently. She sighed. “Okay.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  “ARE YOU ASLEEP?” The whisper edged into her consciousness. Through closed lids, Holly noted the room was lighter. She slowly opened her eyes.

  “You’re awake.” Riley’s face, inches from hers, broke into a smile. One of her bottom teeth was missing. “Holly, look. I lost another tooth last night.” She opened her mouth wide and then slammed it shut. “Why are you sleeping in our house? Is something wrong at your house?”

  Mac strode into the room, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. “Riley Anne, we told you not to wake Holly.”

  Riley eased onto the bed, sitting cross-legged and staring at Holly with a happy face. “I didn’t wake her up. She waked up all by herself, didn’t you, Holly?”

  Holly couldn’t help but laugh. When Riley took it upon herself to wriggle under the covers, she threw Mac an apologetic look. “I certainly did.”

  Mac perched at the foot of the bed, his face unreadable. “How do you feel this morning?”

  Holly stretched and yawned. “I feel surprisingly good, considering. What time is it?”

  “Eight o’clock. I thought I’d stick around and make sure you’re okay, and go into the office later. Would you like a cup of coffee? Ours isn’t as good as yours but it’s better than nothing.”

  Holly leaned back on the pillow and glanced at Riley, who had cuddled next to her and now watched them both with bright eyes. “I don’t suppose you’ll let me go to work?”

  “I’m afraid you’re a captive here, ma’am.”

  “We can watch cartoons, Holly. Do you like Dora the Explorer?”

  Holly wriggled her fingers into the cartoon horse embroidered on the girl’s shirt until she giggled and disappeared under the covers. “I love Dora the Explorer.”

  “Are you hungry, Holly?” Erma came into the room carrying a tray. “Riley thought you might like some blueberry pancakes this morning. John, put that little table on the bed, will you?” She started to set the tray on the short-legged table when she paused. “You can’t eat like that. John, prop her up a little, put a pillow behind her back.”

  “Wait a minute, you guys are going to way too much trouble for—” She stopped when Mac leaned in, put his hand behind her back and pulled her forward.

  “You’re wasting your breath,” he whispered, his breath fanning her cheek. Shoving a pillow behind her, he eased her back until she was in an upright position. “How’s that, Mom?”

  “Much better.” She set the tray in front of Holly.

  A plate of steaming blueberry pancakes was surrounded by coffee, orange juice and a pink tea rose in a small vase. Overwhelmed at the attention, Holly blushed. “You guys are spoiling me. I might never go home.” Riley shot a look at her father and he gave a quick shake of his head.

  “Can I eat my pancakes with you?” Riley asked.

  “Sure.”

  No sooner was the word out of her mouth than Riley shot out of the room. A minute later she returned at a slower pace, balancing a plate and a small glass of orange juice. Holly made room on the tray and, with a grin of satisfaction, Riley set her plate down next to Holly’s and cuddled close. She stuck a bite in her mouth.

  “These are great.” Holly nodded at Erma, who stood by the bed watching them with a smile of satisfaction.

  “The berries are fresh. I have a few bushes out back.” She waved a hand in the air and backed out. “I’ll be in the kitchen if you need anything.”

  Holly glanced at Mac. His fingers were tapping out a rhythm on his thigh, as if he wanted to be anywhere else but here. “Your mom seems happy this morning. If she likes having guests, maybe she should open a B and B, too.”

  Frowning, Mac shook his head. “She likes to travel too much. She just informed me she’s going on a medical mission’s trip in October. A month in South America.”

  Holly glanced at Riley, busy eating a syrup-dripping pancake. “What about...”

  Mac shrugged.

  Riley reached for her juice. “Are you staying in bed all day, Holly?” Her eyes grew wide when her father took a bite of her pancake. “Daddy, stop eating my pancake.”

  “I’m hungry.” Holding Riley’s fork, Mac took another bite.

  Riley crossed her arms in indignation, and Holly nudged her shoulder. “I suppose we could share.”

  Riley rolled her eyes. “I suppose.” And the three of them sat on the bed sharing blueberry pancakes.

  Holly grinned as father and daughter pretended to fight over the fork. Watching the strong man she had known since childhood playing with his little girl, she felt happy for him. Apparently people could change.

  Riley’s fork dropped to the plate with a clatter. “Daddy, I forgot about Miss Molly.” She jumped off the bed and ran from the room.

  “Where’s Miss Molly?” Holly finished the last of her pancake and reached
for her cup.

  “Let me get this out of your way.” Mac took the tray and set it on the table in front of the window. Rescuing his coffee, he returned to the bed. “Miss Molly is being crate trained. Riley’s supposed to take her outside first thing in the morning.”

  Holly chuckled. “I disrupted her routine, didn’t I?”

  Mac smiled, bringing the cup to his lips. “You sure did.” He was about to take another sip when he stopped and balanced the cup on his knee. “Last night, the nurse mentioned something about Louise being on duty when a loved one was brought in. She wasn’t talking about Louise’s husband, was she?”

  Holly leaned back against the pillow and nodded. “Louise is a registered nurse. She was working the night shift in the emergency room when her husband was in a bad accident on the interstate. The roads were a sheet of ice. He didn’t make it. She hardly left her house the first year. In fact, I was surprised when she offered to help me with the coffee shop.”

  Mac didn’t answer, just continued to stare into the depths of his coffee cup. The screen door banged. Holly could hear Riley giving instructions to her dog, but after a moment, the words faded away.

  She realized in that moment what she had to do. A shiver ran through her as she studied his mouth and remembered the long-ago kiss. Why remember a thirteen-year-old kiss and none of the kisses in the intervening years? Like the Italian guy she dated in Rome. One would think she’d have an album of remembered kisses from him, but the only thing she recalled was the great pasta dish they’d had on a side street on their way to the Colosseum. Or the pilot she dated briefly in Florida. Instead she remembered the stomach-turning, awesome ride in an F-15. And certainly Nick. The man had occupied four years of her life. Nothin’.

  “You know, Mac, I’ve been thinking.” Holly took a deep breath. Her decision as they sat laughing over pancakes had seemed simple. But now, the memory of that summer day still fresh in her mind...not so much. But doing the right thing doesn’t always come easy. “Wendy wasn’t right for you.”

  Mac shrugged, his mind obviously on something else. “No kidding. She’s just getting started in life.”