Long Ride Home

by Boeshaar, Andrea

  Kevin did his best to grin at the man who had been a father figure to him the past nine years.

  “Do you remember me now?” asked a fresh-faced kid with a buzzed hairstyle.

  Kevin studied his facial features but drew a blank. He looked at the other man, his “best friend,” but again, he couldn’t recall a name or how he knew him.

  “No. . .not yet.”

  “It’ll come,” Lara said.

  “Just don’t strain yourself, Wink,” the other cowboy said, narrowing his brown eyes. “Weren’t too many brain cells in your head to begin with.”

  The younger man laughed, and Quincy told them both to have a little decency.

  “Can’t you see Wink’s hurtin’ right now?”

  Kevin couldn’t suppress the grin that reached his lips, and as he regarded his supposed best friend, intuition told him he’d met his match—in more ways than one.

  ❧

  “So tell me everything you know about rodeos.”

  Sitting outside on the second-story porch of her parents’ home with Polly, Lara laughed. “I know about as much as you do.”

  “No, you know more. You knew what a bucking chute was. Please. . .I want to be able to talk to Brent about something.”

  “You might start by talking to him about Jesus.”

  “I will. Whenever I get a chance.”

  “Sorry to say, but I don’t think you’ll get that chance.”

  “How do you know?”

  “He’s leaving tomorrow morning. I think you should just forget about Brent Yiska.”

  Lara lifted her long legs, planting the heels of her bare feet on the porch railing. Tonight as they had dined in County General’s cafeteria, it seemed to Lara as though Brent purposely tried to catch her eye. In a word, flirt. Once she realized it, she tried not to glance in his direction as he sat catercorner from her across the long table. The whole scene had made Lara feel uncomfortable, especially since Polly appeared to be hopelessly infatuated with the handsome cowboy.

  “He’s too charming for his own good,” Lara told her friend. “He’s a lady’s man.”

  “Are you interested in him?”

  “Me? No!” Realizing her reply sounded overly enthusiastic, she calmed her voice, adding, “I want a man who’s walking with the Lord, someone who will care about my spiritual well-being.”

  “You don’t know that Brent’s not a Christian.”

  “True. He’s a nice enough person, and I’ve never heard him curse. He’s never given me a reason to think he isn’t a believer. But, Polly, you know me. I would rather err on the side of caution than get emotionally involved with a man who doesn’t share my beliefs.”

  “I know, I know. . .and I feel the same way.” She paused for a long moment. “Lara, this is going to sound insane, but when I first set eyes on Brent, it’s like God said, ‘That’s him.’?”

  “Are you sure it was God?”

  “Positive. Who else speaks to my heart like that?”

  Lara shrugged. Leaning her head back, she gazed up at the dusky sky. A soft breeze rustled the treetops that canopied the Donahue’s front yard.

  “Whenever I imagined myself married to someone, I imagined. . .Brent and everything about him. His dark brown hair and somewhat cynical brown eyes, broad shoulders—”

  “Okay, okay. Spare me the details.”

  “You don’t like him?”

  “It’s not that, Polly. Brent seems nice. But he’s a. . .a player.”

  “You really think so?”

  “Yep.”

  Polly grew quiet, obviously thinking everything over. Silence filled the space between them, except for some chirping birds in one of the nearby treetops.

  “Do you think Brent is worse than Bob Robinson?”

  Lara deliberated, recalling the last time she’d seen Bob at one of the Christian singles’ functions. “No one is worse than that dude.”

  “Good, he’s got one up on Bob, anyway.”

  Lara laughed.

  Just then, Tim burst through the screen door and stepped onto the porch. “Hey, look what I printed off the Internet. It’s the PRCA’s unofficial standings as of yesterday. Brent’s in third place in bull riding with nine thousand two hundred thirty-six points. Kevin slipped to seventh place in bareback riding, but there’s an article about his accident and a couple of pictures.”

  Tim handed the pages to Lara. She glanced over the information before handing them to Polly.

  “What’s PRCA stand for?” Polly wanted to know.

  “Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association,” Tim informed her.

  “Boy, do I have a lot to learn.”

  Lara grinned and looked at her brother. “Kevin said you could visit him tomorrow evening.”

  “Oh, great, I’ll plan on stopping at the hospital after work. Mom said Kevin is doing better today.”

  Lara nodded. “Yes, but one of the residents told me that he’ll be surprised if Kevin ever returns to the rodeo circuit.” Her heart broke for him, and she wondered how he’d take the news.

  “Well, you never know,” Tim said. “Doctors have been wrong before.”

  “That’s true.” Lara stood. “I’m going to make some popcorn. Be right back.”

  As she walked through the living room and into the kitchen where her grandmother stood at the sink, peeling an apple, Lara prayed that Kevin would make a full recovery. The rodeo had obviously been his whole life for the past ten years—and even before that. Kevin was always involved in the statewide junior rodeos in high school. As Lara recalled, he always did well. It didn’t surprise her that Kevin was a two-time world bareback champion.

  Suddenly, she remembered Brent’s claim that Kevin had stolen his “girl.” Was it true? If so, what sort of life had Kevin been living?

  He’s a Christian. Things happen like that. . .even to believers. Besides, it is none of my business.

  “You’re deep in thought, Muffin,” Gram said.

  Lara extracted herself from her musings. “Yeah. . .just thinking about Kevin.”

  “Doing a lot of that lately.”

  “More than I should.”

  “Well, you were awfully fond of that boy,” Gram said with a knowing twinkle in her rheumy eyes. “Maybe you still are.”

  “No, Gram.” Lara chuckled. The insinuation sounded as foolish as Polly hearing God tell her that Brent Yiska was “The One.”

  Nevertheless, deep in her heart of hearts, a question sparked. Lara quickly extinguished it. She wasn’t about to get emotionally involved with one of her patients. True, Kevin was a childhood friend, but it was also true that she had a job to do, and Lara took it seriously.

  Shaking off Gram’s implication, Lara flung a package of unpopped corn into the microwave, punched in the time, and waited for it to cook.

  Seven

  “I came to say good-bye.”

  Kevin stared at the woman hanging over his bedside. For the life of him, he couldn’t remember who she was. She did look familiar. . .but probably because she’d been in his room yesterday with Quincy and the other two cowboys. Kevin had also concluded that she was a redheaded spitfire with a tongue so sharp it could shred a man in seconds flat. He’d seen her rip apart that younger guy named Jimmy after he’d made some inane remark.

  “I’ll miss you, but I have to get back to Houston,” she said in a sultry tone. “Daddy’s expecting me.”

  “Okay.” Kevin didn’t know what else to say. With no one else in the room, he felt vulnerable, defenseless. Only one word described this woman—scary. He wished a nurse would walk in right about now and take his vitals. Give him a shot. Anything.

  Taking a deep breath, she leaned closer. Kevin smelled her heavy perfume, and it made the bridge of his nose ache. “Of co
urse, Daddy’s upset about your accident. It’ll cost the company millions. But I’ve got a plan. We’ll play up your injuries, get some magazines to write your story, and once you return to the rodeo, you’ll be a hero. . .and so will we for standing by your side through thick and thin.”

  “What company?” Kevin felt more confused than ever.

  The woman straightened and gave him a glare. “Sabino’s Authentic Mexican Foods, of course. You must remember. We’re the leading brand of salsa, con queso, hot sauce, and bean dips.” She heaved an impatient sigh. “Come on, Wink.”

  “Sabino’s. . .yeah. . .” He’d heard the name before.

  “We’re your sponsor.”

  Kevin might not remember much, but he knew that cowboys needed their sponsors.

  “But don’t worry,” she said, turning on her velveteen voice again, “I’ll soothe Daddy’s ruffled feathers.”

  “Well, thanks.”

  Seeing the smile curve her red-painted lips, Kevin gave her a polite grin.

  Then, in a flash, she put her hands on either side of his face and brought her mouth to his, in a devouring kiss. She might have even crawled into his hospital bed, had Kevin not pushed her back with his left hand.

  “Whoa,” he said, catching his breath. “What do you think you’re doing?”

  “I love you, Wink. Tell me you love me too. Say we’ll get married just as soon as you’re out of this horrible place.”

  Kevin opened his mouth to inform her that he didn’t even know her name, let alone love her.

  “Better yet, let’s transfer you to Houston’s medical center so I can keep my eye on you.”

  Kevin knew he didn’t want that.

  “Say you love me.”

  “I–I. . .”

  “Yes? Say it, Wink.”

  “What are you wantin’ him to say, Mac?”

  Kevin swung his gaze to the doorway and sighed with relief seeing Quincy standing there.

  “I told you I needed some time alone with Wink,” the woman spat. “What are you doing here?”

  Quincy stepped forward, met Kevin’s gaze, and shook his head. “You’ve got lipstick all over your face, Son.”

  Taking the small Kleenex box off the rollaway tray, he tossed it at Kevin who caught it with his strong hand. Pulling out several tissues, he proceeded to wipe his mouth.

  “You’re nothing but a meddling old man,” Mac spat, making her way around Kevin’s bed. “You’re a has-been bull rider reduced to being a clown people laugh at—even when you’re not made up and dressed in your ridiculous outfits.”

  “Hey!” Kevin felt defensive for his friend. He tried to sit up, but Quincy placed his hands on his shoulders and held him back.

  “You need to stay still, Boy.”

  Mac had long since stomped out of the room.

  “Whoo-whee, that woman has a wicked tongue.” Kevin felt suddenly exhausted after the encounter. “Who is she?”

  Quincy grinned. He seemed unaffected by the insults flung at him only moments before. “That’s Mackenzie Sabino. Her father is owner and CEO of Sabino’s, your sponsor. Mac has followed your career for years. She’s a regular rodeo groupie and tells everyone that she’s in love with you.”

  “Do I love her back?”

  “I sure hope not, otherwise I’ll have to give you another head injury.”

  Kevin laughed, causing his temples to throb. “Oh, man, I think my pain medicine is wearing off.”

  “Want me to get the nurse?”

  “Yeah, would you?”

  “Sure, and I think Miss Lara was on her way in to see you. I met her by the elevators. Maybe she saw Mac kissing you and decided you were indisposed.”

  “Oh, no. . .” Kevin rolled his head toward the windows. The blinds were partially open, allowing in a sprinkling of morning sunshine.

  “What’s wrong?”

  He looked back at Quincy. “When we were kids, Lara thought the world of me, and well, I know this sounds odd considering my track record with women, but I don’t want Lara’s opinion of me to slip because of that. . .that redheaded vixen.”

  Quincy hooted. “You’re right. It does sound odd coming from you. You’re a regular Casanova. Won’t be long, and you’ll have every female nurse on this floor fawning all over you. But, if it’ll make you feel any better, I’ll stop by on my way out and tell Miss Lara what really happened up here.”

  “Yeah. . .” Kevin disliked Quincy’s character description, even though he knew it was true. “Yeah, will you straighten Lara out for me?”

  “Will do.”

  ❧

  Lara felt troubled and distracted when she returned to her office. With the ED relatively quiet, she’d made the trek to the fifth floor to say good morning to Kevin. Unfortunately for her, she’d walked in on a love scene that wasn’t exactly PG-13.

  In her mind’s eye, she could still see Mac plastered against Kevin’s chest, her delicate hands with their long, red, manicured fingernails caressing his face. Kevin had placed his left hand on Mac’s shoulder, and Lara imagined he drew Mac nearer to him. Obviously, the two of them were involved in a serious relationship. Kevin must have suddenly remembered Mac, and perhaps the intimate exchange was their way of celebrating.

  Lara tamped down her jealous feelings. Where had they come from anyway? Probably Gram and all her teasing about my schoolgirl crush on Kevin. . .

  Doing her best to dismiss the less-than-professional thoughts from her mind, Lara tucked her portfolio under her arm and headed into the ER. At the physician’s request, she entered a patient’s room and began an amicable conversation that soon became a lengthy interview. Lara discovered the young woman named Amber was three months pregnant and wanted help with her drug addiction. Lara scheduled an appointment for her, then supplied Amber with a bus ticket, courtesy of County General, so she’d have transportation to the treatment center.

  “Thanks,” Amber said with a shaky smile. Her complexion looked so pale, it seemed almost transparent.

  “You’re welcome. Call me and let me know how you’re doing.” Lara held out one of her business cards. After accepting it, Amber gave her a hug.

  Feeling satisfied to have helped someone, Lara returned to her office. She sent up a prayer for Amber, asking the Lord, somehow, to reach the young lady during this crisis. Sitting down at her desk, Lara begun to make some notes, and then her pager sounded. She dialed the extension illuminated on the device’s tiny screen and was informed by a registrar in the front lobby that someone was waiting to speak with her.

  Gathering her portfolio once more, Lara left her office. When she entered the lobby and saw Quincy chatting with the security guard near the front doors, she hid her surprise.

  “I thought you’d be long gone by now,” she said walking toward him.

  “Couldn’t leave town without saying adios to Wink.”

  Lara replied with a tight smile.

  “I also wanted to thank you for being so kind to Jimmy, Brent, and me. Mac too.”

  “Just doing my job.”

  Quincy narrowed his gaze, and Lara looked away, glancing down at the end of the lobby where a tall African-American man dropped coins into one of the vending machines.

  “You’re upset, aren’t you? Wink thought you might think badly of him, so he asked me to explain. See, what you saw up there—”

  Lara touched her forefinger to her lips, silencing Quincy. The last thing she wanted was to become the subject of gossip, and judging from the security guard’s interested expression, he was all ears. “Why don’t we discuss this in my office?”

  “Good idea.”

  Lara led the way back to her cramped work area at the far end of the emergency department.

  “It’s cozy,” Quincy said.

  Lara lau
ghed. “That’s a nice way of describing my. . .cubbyhole. It’s not even mine, either. I have to share it with two other social workers.”

  Quincy chuckled and lowered himself into one of the two armchairs near her desk. “Now about Mac. . .”

  Lara held up a hand. “You really don’t have to explain. Kevin’s personal life isn’t any of my business. I involved myself in his case because we knew each other as kids.”

  “Well, since you’re involved now, you need to know that Mac throws herself at Wink anytime she sees an opportunity. She’s like gum on his shoe, and Wink’s gotta be nice to her because her father owns the company that sponsors him. Making the gum even stickier is the fact that Mac convinced her daddy to invest more money in Wink and promote his career with the idea that the more famous he gets, the more money Sabino’s will make. Personally, I believe Mac thinks if she has a hand in furthering Wink’s career, he’ll marry her. Little does she know that Wink’s not the marrying kind.”

  Lara sent him a polite smile. She wondered if Quincy was trying to warn her in some roundabout way. But, of course, there was no need for cautionary words. “Look, it’s true that I do care about Kevin more than if he was a regular patient here at County General. Our parents attended the same dinner parties, and the Wincousers went to our church. But that’s the extent of it.”

  “You told me all that, and it’s understandable why you’d take a special interest in Wink. That was clear from day one—or maybe day two.”

  Lara’s smile broadened. “I love people in general. That’s why I went into this profession.”

  “And that’s about as obvious as a bull in a teashop. I’m not concerned,” Quincy said with a hint of smirk. “Wink sent me here because he didn’t want your opinion of him to lessen. . .you know, since you happened to walk into his room during that latest Mac Attack.”

  Lara laughed. “Mac Attack?”

  “Yeah, that’s what me and the boys have taken to calling those. . .um. . .incidents.”

  “I see.” Another giggle escaped before Lara could stop it.

  “But the good news is Mac’s flying home to Houston today, although I doubt that’s the end of her.”