“I appreciate that bit of warning.”
“Yep, I thought you might.” Quincy stood to his feet. He wore a black cotton shirt with silver buttons and black jeans. A rather dark outfit, Lara decided, for a guy employed as a rodeo clown. Regardless, he was a likeable fellow.
“Quincy, it’s been a pleasure to meet you.” Lara stuck out her right hand, and he gave it a firm shake.
“Likewise. We’ll check in with Wink every couple of days. We drive from here to South Dakota for this next weekend’s rodeo. The summer schedule is intense.”
“I understand.” Lara escorted Quincy to the lobby.
“It’s a blessing you’re here, Miss Lara,” he drawled. “At least we’re not leaving Wink in the hands of complete strangers, bad enough we’ve got to leave him at all.”
Lara caught the word “blessing,” and it piqued her curiosity. “Quincy, are you a Christian?”
He paused. “I have my own faith.”
She sensed no open door, so she didn’t pursue the matter. “Um, I see.” She smiled. “Again, it was really nice to meet you.”
Quincy’s guarded expression crumbled, and he smiled. “Nice to meet you too.” He took a few steps forward, then paused. “Oh, and. . .I got the impression your friend Polly’s set her cap for Brent.”
“It’s that obvious, eh?”
“Sure is. But she should know that he’s not the marrying kind, either.”
“I suspected as much, and I tried to warn her. Polly wouldn’t listen.”
“Tell her again.” Quincy grinned. “Both he and Wink learned from my mistakes. I made ’em swear they wouldn’t follow in my footsteps.”
“Oh?” Lara tipped her head, curious.
“Yep. I was married three times, and I can honestly say there’s no such thing as wedded bliss.”
“Talk to my parents about that subject,” Lara countered. “They’ve been married for thirty-five years.”
A frown crinkled Quincy’s brow. “I’m referring to happiness.”
“So am I.” He seemed to weigh her reply before giving her a friendly smile. “Well, there’s always an exception, isn’t there?” He chuckled, then continued the trek into the lobby.
Lara watched him go, thinking how sad it was that Quincy thought “for better or for worse” was an exception. To her, marriage vows meant forever, and for herself, Lara wouldn’t consider anything less.
Eight
Lara debated whether to stop in and see Kevin before leaving work. Her parents, Tim, and Amanda were planning to visit, so he wouldn’t be without company, and Lara felt exhausted. She wanted nothing more than to go home, change clothes, eat supper, and watch a few mindless television programs. But she surmised that, by not stopping in after Quincy made a point to explain about the “Mac Attack” this morning, Kevin might think she was disappointed in him or worse. The truth was, Lara couldn’t have cared less. At least she kept telling herself that.
Riding the elevator to the fifth floor, Lara exited and made her way to Kevin’s room. She walked in and immediately spotted all the flowers lining the wide window ledge. Glancing at Kevin, she saw that he slept despite the noise from the TV hanging up in the corner.
Lara strode to his bedside, located the controls, and muted the local newscast so it wouldn’t disturb Kevin. She noted the steady rise and fall of his broad chest, then her gaze moved upward to his shadowy jaw. The small cleft in his chin was still visible through the stubble. Without intending to, Lara found herself studying the perfect shape of his mouth, and after remembering this morning’s passionate scene, Lara wondered what it would feel like to be the recipient of Kevin’s kisses.
What am I thinking? I must be deranged!
Glancing at the flowers again, she steadied her thoughts. But when she looked back at Kevin, she discovered his blue eyes staring at her.
“Lara,” he said sounding groggy. “I’m sorry. Did I fall asleep while you were talking?”
Her cheeks burned with embarrassment. She hadn’t meant to ogle him while he lay sleeping—and now he’d caught her at it!
“I–I wasn’t saying anything. I just came up to see how you’re doing.”
“You’re a sweetheart, Lara. You’ve always been a sweetheart.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that.” She glanced down at her hands, resting on the metal guardrail.
“Well, I do. You always rushed to the aid of someone in need.” Kevin’s words came out in slow succession, as if it took a great effort to form each one. “You were like the little mother of the neighborhood, taking care of everybody, running to the grocery store for the old ladies, comforting little kids who fell off their bikes. That’s the Lara Donahue I remember.”
Lara grinned. “I tried. I guess I wanted people to like me since most of my peers made fun of me because I was fat.”
“Kids can be mean.”
“You and Clayt were never mean. Your parents raised you right, that’s for sure.”
Kevin’s blue eyes widened, and an anguished expression washed across his face.
“Did I say something wrong? I’m sorry.”
Kevin blinked back whatever emotion had momentarily gripped him. “That’s okay. I’ll be fine.”
“Are you in pain? Should I get your nurse?”
Kevin didn’t reply, and Lara began to worry. Was this some reaction to medication? Was something occurring because of his head injury?
She put her hand on his forearm. “Kevin?”
He stared straight ahead, looking across the room at nothing.
“Kevin, please tell me what’s wrong.”
His gaze inched its way to the left until it reached hers. “I haven’t seen or talked to my brother in nine long years.”
Lara raised her brows at the unexpected reply. “Oh—”
Kevin bent his arm at the elbow and clasped her hand. “We had a big fight the second Christmas after Mom and Dad were killed. I didn’t feel much like celebrating. I hadn’t planned on staying through the holiday. That made my aunt and uncle mad. Then, when I told Clayt I just wanted my half of our parents’ estate so I could be on my way and live my own life, things got really nasty. In the end, I had to hire an attorney to get what was rightfully mine. You see, my aunt and uncle were control freaks. Still are, as far as I know.”
“I’m so sorry, Kev.”
“Why are you apologizing?” He gave her hand a squeeze. “Not your fault.”
“I’m sorry for you—that you’ve been estranged from your brother. That’s sad. You’re flesh and blood. Family.”
“The only family I need is my rodeo family. But I could use all the friends I can get.” He paused and searched her face. “Will you be my friend, Lara?”
“Of course.” She smiled into his deep blue eyes. “You won me over in junior high by being nice to me and teaching me how to ride. I’ll always be your friend, Kev.”
❧
As the week progressed, Lara made a point to visit Kevin every day on her lunch breaks and after work. Her parents, Gram, and Tim stopped at the hospital twice to say hello, and Kevin remembered them. Lara noticed he enjoyed reminiscing—to a point. However, when the subject touched on his brother Clayt, their deceased parents, or the Lord, Kevin grew quiet, his discomfort evidenced by his silence. The Donahues, out of politeness, changed the topic of discussion.
Then, on Thursday, Mackenzie Sabino called, insisting that Kevin be transferred to a facility in Houston. But when Lara presented him with the option, Kevin refused it.
“My rodeo family is traveling,” he said, still sounding groggy, “so I might as well stay put. This hospital is as good as any, I imagine.”
Lara relayed Kevin’s decision to Mac, and the woman put up such a fuss that Lara was forced to involve the Patient Relations department. The
y managed to deter the unrelenting Texas belle, but Lara figured it wouldn’t be for long.
And it’s none of my business, she reminded herself on Friday night as she changed clothes. Tonight marked the monthly Christian singles’ group dinner, and neither she nor Polly felt like attending. Lara grinned as she recalled Polly’s suggestion for their weekend plans. She wanted to drive to South Dakota to watch Brent in the bull-riding competition.
“By the time we get there, you nut,” Lara had replied, “we’ll have to turn around and come home.”
“It can’t take that long to drive to South Dakota. . .”
The telephone rang, startling Lara out of her thoughts. Walking to the other side of her bedroom, she lifted the portable phone and pressed the TALK button.
“Hey, it’s me.”
Lara smiled, hearing Polly’s voice. “Hi. What’s up?”
“I’m getting bold in my old age.”
Lara laughed. Polly was only twenty-six. “What did you do?”
“I called the Cyprus Ranch and left a message for Brent. He called me back.”
“How did you manage that? You’re still at work.” Lara recalled all the many times Polly showed up late at their singles’ dinner because her shift ran from eleven in the morning to seven-thirty. Polly worked what was called a “split shift.”
“I took a break and used my cell phone, and Brent called me back in the unit. We’re really slow tonight. Only three patients up here. Anyway. . .I told him you and I were looking for something to do this week and that we thought about making the drive to South Dakota. Brent said it wasn’t much more than ten hours from Milwaukee, and he sounded pleased that we wanted to come. He also mentioned that he’s got some of Wink’s things he’d like to send back with us. So, what do you say? If you can’t do it for me, do it for Kevin.”
Lara rolled her eyes. “Nice try.”
“No, listen. Seriously. I figure I can get home, throw some stuff into a suitcase, and pick you up by nine tonight. We’ll get to South Dakota by seven tomorrow morning. We’ll check into a hotel, sleep until about one o’clock, then head over to the rodeo. It doesn’t start until eight at night, but—-”
“But you’d like to get some time to talk to Brent.”
Polly gasped. “Why, Lara, you read my mind.”
“You’re crazy!” She laughed as the words tumbled out of her mouth.
“Lara, we never do anything exciting. It’s the same thing all the time. Let’s live a little. Let’s do something impulsive for once.”
“Impulsive can be dangerous. Besides, I already told you what Quincy said about Brent. He’s not the marrying kind, not to mention he might not even be a believer.”
“The same is true about Kevin. You told me that too.”
Lara frowned. “What’s Kevin got to do with anything?”
“You are as hung up on Kevin as I am on Brent. Admit it.”
“No, I won’t admit it because it’s not true.”
“Yes it is. You never got over your eighth-grade crush on him.”
Lara clenched her jaw, feeling defensive. She opened her mouth to lash out at her friend for stating such untruths but caught herself just in time.
Collecting herself, she said, “If I’m acting like I still have a crush on Kevin, then I need to adjust my behavior.”
“Why?”
“Because. . .I’m a professional.”
“You’re a woman. . .and he used to be a friend.”
He is my friend, Lara thought. At least, she’d promised to always be his friend.
Polly sighed. “Look, we’ll have ten hours to hash this out. Be ready at nine.” With that, she disconnected the call.
Lara’s jaw dropped, and she stared at the telephone as if it suddenly grown horns—bull’s horns, to be exact.
I can’t believe I’m going to do this. But I am!
Walking to her bedroom door, Lara opened it and sauntered into the living room where her grandmother was watching television and crocheting a gorgeous afghan for Tim and Amanda.
“What’s the matter, Muffin? You look like you just lost your best friend.”
“No, Gram, I’m okay. I just came to tell you that, well, that I’m driving with Polly to South Dakota for the weekend. We’re going to another rodeo.”
Nine
Kevin stared at the white porous ceiling tiles as he lay in his hospital bed. He had a phone number whirling around his mind, but no clue as to whom it belonged. Feeling more cognizant than he had in days, Kevin lifted the phone off the rolling table and placed it on his abdomen. Then, with his left hand, since his right still felt a little more than useless, he pressed in the number and brought the receiver to his ear. It rang at the other end twice, then a familiar male voice answered.
“Hey, it’s Wink. Who’s this?”
“Well, hey yourself. It’s Brent.”
A memory flashed across Kevin’s mind. A bull rider. His dark brown chaps flinging outward with each kick of the animal’s hind legs.
“Brent.”
“You remember me yet?”
“Sure do.” Kevin realized he’d been here at the hospital with Quincy.
Then another image. A woman with golden blond hair and lying blue eyes. Emily.
“She wasn’t good enough for you.”
“What? Wink, what are you talking about?”
“Em. Every time you turned your back, she was giving me calf eyes. One night I gave in to her just to prove to you that she wasn’t what you thought.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“She ain’t worth bustin’ up our friendship,” Kevin drawled, “that’s for sure.”
“You feeling better?”
“Sort of.” Kevin realized Brent had changed the subject on purpose. “The doctors still have me pretty doped up. They don’t want me moving around and injuring my brain worse than it is.”
“How would they tell if that happened?” Brent chuckled. “You’ve been falling on your head for the last decade.”
Kevin smirked, figuring half of Brent’s remark was probably true. How much could a head take, anyhow?
“So guess who’s coming to see me this weekend?”
“Who?”
“Lara the sweet social worker and her friend.”
The news surprised Kevin. “Where are you?”
“South Dakota.”
Kevin still remembered his geography. “What does Lara want to travel all that way for?”
“Guess I’m worth it.”
Kevin could hear the animosity in Brent’s voice. Obviously, he wasn’t over Em yet. But did he think he could use Lara as payback? Kevin failed to see how that plan would unfold since he had no romantic designs on Lara, but he hoped he was wrong. Lara didn’t deserve to get caught in the middle of this skirmish.
“A couple of things you’d best know about her,” Kevin began, suddenly feeling exhausted. “One, she’s a born-again Christian, and two, she’s a package deal, comes with an entire family, including an overprotective father. So consider yourself fairly warned.”
“Don’t worry about me. But do you think you can live without that woman fawning all over you? It was a pitiful sight if I ever saw one.”
Kevin grinned. “Yeah, you’re just jealous.”
“Oh, right. I sure wish I was lying in a hospital bed, losing points and money, not to mention my standing.”
The dig struck the core of Kevin’s being. While part of him figured that Brent was still sore about his two-timing girlfriend, another part of Kevin sensed his friend was taking his cutting comment and going for the jugular. Maybe their friendship had already been irreparably damaged.
“Time to hang up,” Kevin said, trying to keep his emotions in check. “You have f
un this weekend.”
He hung up the phone, and for the first time in a very long while, he felt like he might cry. He replaced the phone on the rolling table and located the remote. Pressing the ON button, he sought some distraction from the TV. He flipped through the channels, then the loud jangling of the telephone almost startled him.
He lifted the receiver, hoping it wasn’t Mackenzie Sabino. That’s about all he needed right now.
“Yeah, hello?”
“Wink, it’s me. Hey, look, I’m, well, I’m sorry about what I said. I hit an all-time low rubbing your injuries in your face like that.”
Hearing Brent’s apology, Kevin swallowed hard. What was wrong with him anyway? When had he become such a softie? “Forget it.”
“Okay, it’s forgotten. Get better, you hear?”
“Will do.”
Hanging up the phone for the second time, Kevin couldn’t restrain the tears that blurred his vision. He squeezed his eyes shut. Then, the oddest feeling overtook him. He suddenly yearned for Lara, wishing she were at his bedside, “fawning all over him.” She made him think everything was going to be okay. Her presence comforted him.
My head must be a mess. I’ve turned into a regular sissy.
Clearing his thoughts, Kevin willed himself to fall asleep.
❧
“Okay, I admit it. I never got over my childhood crush on Kevin Wincouser—and I probably never will. He was the first and only guy who treated me with dignity and respect when I was a chubby, self-conscious junior-higher.” Hiking the strap of Tim’s video-camera case back onto her shoulder, she glanced at Polly who walked beside her. “There. Are you happy?”
“After ten hours of listening to your denial. . .yeah, I’m happy now.”
Smiling, Lara rolled her eyes as they neared the trailer in which Brent lived. Another cowboy on the grounds had pointed it out to them.
They reached the door, and Polly knocked just as Lara’s cell phone rang. Fishing it from her purse, she pushed the tiny green button, answering the call.
“Hi, it’s Tim. I’m at the hospital. . .”
Sheer dread poured over Lara. “Is Kevin all right?”
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