The Doctor's Family Reunion

by Mindy Obenhaus

Blakely had to be one pretty pathetic person when an audit was her only bright spot. “The lady called this morning to say they’d have to postpone it until October.”

  “How come?”

  “Seems they couldn’t find a motel in Ouray that fit their per diem.”

  “In July?” Taryn rolled her eyes. “Gee, imagine that.” She leaned her backside against the display case. “Well, at least you got a reprieve.”

  Blakely nodded and grabbed another tissue. By then Trent would be a distant memory. Or so she hoped.

  “What’s the problem, then?”

  “Trent.” She faced the computer. Palmed the mouse. Closed the screen. “He did it again.”

  “What?”

  She took a deep breath, then let it out. “Turns out he’s leaving at the end of August.” She blinked back the threat of tears, refusing to give in. “He lied to me, Taryn. Led me on, made me fall for him again, all without mentioning that he was only here for the summer.”

  “He made you fall for him?”

  Turning, she glared at her friend. “You know what I mean.” She blew her nose and tossed the tissue in the trash.

  “If he didn’t tell you, then how did you find out?”

  “One of those doctors on Saturday’s tour.” She inched onto the stool. “Apparently he and Trent are opening a practice together.”

  Lips pursed, brow puckered, Taryn seemed to contemplate her words. “Maybe Trent was going to tell you. Maybe he was having second thoughts about leaving.”

  “Or maybe he was trying to butter me up so he could steal Austin out from under me.” Blakely slid off the stool.

  “You can’t really believe that.”

  Ignoring her friend’s remark, she tucked the stack of invoices into a folder, crossed to the files and yanked open the drawer.

  “Where is Trent now?”

  “Don’t know, don’t care.” He’d come by to see Austin yesterday, but she made certain she was nowhere in sight.

  “If that were true, you wouldn’t be crying.”

  Blakely slammed the file drawer closed. “This is why I was so guarded. This is why I didn’t want to give him the benefit of the doubt. But you and Gran, oh, you thought it was divine intervention.” She crossed to a display of T-shirts and started folding.

  Taryn followed. “Blakes, I agree Trent should have told you he was leaving. But he didn’t lie.”

  “Why are you defending him?”

  “Yes, he withheld information, but he didn’t lie. His feelings for you are true.”

  Blakely paused, daring to meet her friend’s ice-blue eyes. “And just how do you know that?”

  “Because there are some things that can’t be faked.”

  “Like what?” Finished with that display, she moved onto the next.

  “Like the adoration in his eyes when he looks at you. The spontaneous smile that erupts when you walk into the room.”

  She paused her folding. Had Taryn really seen those things?

  “The way he’s always there whenever you need him.”

  Blakely confronted her now. “That could have been planned.”

  “Face it, Blakes. When was the last time a man showed you that much love?”

  The door creaked open and Bruce Ball, the driver she lost to Ross Chapman, stepped inside. Like always, he removed his signature brown safari hat and ran a hand through his thick salt-and-pepper hair.

  “Hey, Bruce.” Taryn waved as Blakely laid the last shirt atop the pile and started toward him.

  What was Bruce doing around town on a Monday morning? He should be out on a tour. Unless...

  “Taryn.” He nodded, then turned his gaze to Blakely. “I heard about the other night. Thought I’d stop in to see how Austin is doing.”

  “A little banged up, but other than that, he’s doing great.”

  Any other time Bruce would have hugged her. Instead, he clutched his hat in both hands. “That’s good to know. The wife and I were praying for him.”

  “Thank you. We felt every one of them.”

  An awkward moment passed before the sixty-six-year-old man addressed her again. “I was wondering if I might be able to speak with you.”

  Taryn jumped and scurried across the blue-gray carpet. “Don’t mind me. I was just leaving.” She pushed the door open. “Catch ya later, Blakes.”

  Her former driver strolled around the space like he’d never been there before.

  “What’s on your mind, Bruce?”

  “Things, uh, going okay around here?” He fingered a couple of T-shirts on hangers. “You doin’ all right?”

  She shrugged. “Can’t complain.”

  He moved on to the display of bumper stickers, his back to her. “Looks like you’re keeping plenty busy. I seem to see pink Jeeps everywhere I go.”

  “Now that I like to hear.” She wandered to the glass display case and straightened the racks of maps. Something wasn’t right here. She’d known this guy all of her adult life and now he could barely talk to her. “How are things up at Mountain View Tours?”

  “Not so good.” He faced her now, regret marring his weathered features.

  “What’s the problem?”

  “I made a big mistake, Blakely.” He seemed to relax as he told her how Ross behaved as though he owned his employees, how he skimped on maintenance. “You know how he offered to double my pay?”

  “That’s why you took the job.” She moved to the snack bar and grabbed two waters from the fridge. “I understand how you couldn’t turn that down.” Closing the space between them, she held one out to Bruce.

  He accepted. “Not only have I not seen an increase, I’ve seen less. Chapman docks his drivers for anything and everything. If we blow a tire, we pay for it. If we’re late coming back from a tour, he docks us for every minute we’re late. Now how on earth is a guide supposed to treat his guests to an enjoyable tour when he’s worried about losing money?”

  Blakely took a sip of her drink. She may not know much, but she knew that was not good business.

  “And you know the Active Life Seniors Group out of Grand Junction?”

  The one she lost to Ross. “Yes.”

  “They did not have a pleasant experience at all.”

  “How come?” She recapped her bottle and set it aside.

  “Well, for starters, most of those young fellas over there don’t know diddly about the area, so there’s no narration. Then the trip was abbreviated because of rain.”

  “Didn’t he have a rain canopy? Ponchos?”

  “You know those blue tarps you find at the discount store?”

  Her eyes widened. “You’re kidding?”

  Bruce shook his head. “It definitely wasn’t the kind of service the group was used to.”

  “That’s for sure.” She moved back behind the desk, appalled that she’d entertained the idea of selling to Ross. No matter how fleeting the thought.

  Next year she’d be the one wooing the senior group, and she’d make sure they had the time of their life.

  Bruce stepped up to the other side. “One little old lady recognized me from Adventures in Pink and told me I should be ashamed of myself.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry, Bruce.”

  “Don’t be.” His voice was firm, full of conviction. “You and your grandfather have always run a top-notch business. And, to tell you the truth, that woman was right. I should be ashamed of myself. Leaving you like that. You know, sometimes we just don’t appreciate what we have until we don’t have it anymore.”

  The comment had her thoughts drifting to Trent. She’d come to rely on him more than she thought. He was her rock. Without him...

  “Bruce, have you quit Mountain View Tours?”

  “Can’t afford to.”
<
br />   She moved to the counter. “But you could if you had another job lined up, right?”

  “In a heartbeat.”

  She smiled. “Adventures in Pink is your home, Bruce. Would you please come home?”

  His green eyes glistened with unshed moisture. “I’d be honored to.”

  The telephone rang.

  “Excuse me one sec.” She turned on the handset. “Adventures in Pink, this—”

  “Mom.” Austin was crying.

  “What’s wrong, honey? Are you okay?”

  “Dad’s gone.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Monday evening, Trent strode up the driveway of the modest single-story stucco home in northeast Albuquerque, past Scott’s ancient Honda Civic. The crossroads of his future lay before him. Only God knew which direction he would take.

  With a bolstering breath, he knocked on the door.

  A minute later, it swung open and Rebecca smiled out at him. “Trent.”

  Her four-year-old daughter clutched her leg, all the while eyeing him with a bashful grin.

  He sent her a wink, remembering the day she was born. “Hi, Daisy.” He’d had the privilege of watching her grow. Something he’d missed with Austin.

  The pretty brunette lifted the child into her arms, then stepped aside with a sweeping motion, inviting him in. “We weren’t expecting to see you.” She leaned in for a one-armed hug. “We’d hoped to meet up with you in Colorado, but they kept us so busy.”

  “That’s all right. Is Scott around?”

  “Yeah. Come on in.”

  Her flip-flops slapped against the tile floor as she led him down a short hallway into the kitchen.

  Scott hovered over a pile of papers at the kitchen table.

  “Honey, look who’s here.”

  Scott’s blond head popped up. “Hey, buddy.” Smiling, he pushed to his feet and greeted Trent with a hug and a slap on the back. “I was actually going to call you tonight. Looks like you saved me the trouble.”

  “Well, I’ve kind of been looking forward to talking to you, too.”

  “You won’t believe it, Trent.” Scott led him into the comfortable living area adjacent to the kitchen. “This thing is taking on a life of its own. Because of our location and our faith-based principles, I’ve had two established doctors contact me, wanting to know if we’re looking for more associates.” He plopped onto the red sofa.

  “Really? That’s incredible.” And almost unheard of. Established doctors coming to them? Trent and Scott couldn’t have done that if they tried.

  Moving aside a baby doll, he joined his friend.

  “Yeah. It’s crazy.”

  Trent saw the glint of excitement in his friend’s brown eyes. Felt a little excitement of his own. Was this part of God’s plan? He prayed so. “How do you feel about bringing on more doctors?”

  Scott shrugged. “I think it would give us some great opportunities. More exposure.”

  “I’m glad to hear you say that.” Trent scanned the family photos atop the mantel, thoughts of Austin filling his heart and mind. “Because I learned some things while I was in Ouray.”

  “Yeah?”

  Forearms on his thighs, Trent clasped his hands together. “I have a son, Scott.”

  “A son? That’s...” His friend looked perplexed. “Okay, don’t get me wrong, buddy. I’m happy for you. Just a little confused.”

  Trent spent the better part of the next hour filling Scott and Rebecca in on the treasures he unearthed in Ouray and all that had transpired with Austin and Blakely.

  “Oh, Trent. I’m so happy for you.” Rebecca sat on the edge of her chair, bouncing Daisy on her knee.

  Scott looked serious, something usually reserved for work. “When did you find out about Austin?”

  “Less than a week after I arrived in Ouray.”

  Scott’s gaze narrowed. “Then why would you sign off on a practice in Albuquerque? Unless you’re bringing him here?”

  “No. Austin belongs in Ouray.” And so did Trent.

  “So why would you...?” His friend’s brow puckered with confusion.

  “I gave you my word.”

  Scott’s brown eyes went wide. “Seriously? Trent, we’re talking about family. I mean, I love you to death, but even you would lose out to my family.” He leaned back against the cushions and raked a hand through his short hair. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.”

  Staring at Scott’s family photos, Trent thought back on all the turmoil and indecisiveness. “Me, either.”

  “So Austin’s mom owns the Jeep tour company?” His friend was still trying to piece things together.

  “Blakely, yes.”

  “Strawberry-blonde. Gorgeous. She was great with Daisy.”

  “She gived me Jeep stickuhs,” said Daisy.

  Trent chuckled. “That’s Blakely.”

  Rebecca smoothed her daughter’s blond hair. “Now I understand why she looked so stunned when we mentioned you coming back to Albuquerque.”

  Scott regarded him again. “Are you in love with her?”

  Trent took a deep breath, more certain than he had been in a long time. “Yes. Yes, I am.”

  “Does she love you?”

  A week ago he would have said yes. Now... “I don’t know.”

  Scott glanced to his wife, then back. “Trent, buddy, you gotta find out.”

  * * *

  Pain radiated up Blakely’s right leg. She’d done it again. This time tripping over a box in her bedroom.

  “Are you okay, Mom?” Austin’s eyes were wide as he watched her clutch her ankle.

  “I think so.” Though she couldn’t be certain.

  “Wait.” Austin held up a hand. “I know what to do. I’ll be right back.”

  She heard him thud down each and every step, say something to Gran, then thud back up each and every one.

  “Here.” He handed her an ice pack. “You need to keep it on your foot.”

  “Okay, just a sec.” She scooted across the carpet until her back was against the bed. “That’s better.” She laid the ice pack atop her ankle, then eyed her little man. “Like that?”

  “Yep. That’s just how Dad did it.”

  If only Trent were here now. In the week that he’d been gone her emotions had volleyed between regret, anger, disappointment and hope. How she wished she’d taken the time to listen to his side of the story. Then again, he was the one who’d left. Still, he never turned in the key to his apartment. She figured she’d give that one another week. If the first of the month came and went with no rent...

  “When did you do this?”

  Looking up, she saw Austin standing alongside the box she’d tripped over. The one that usually lived in the back of her closet. He was holding the small canvas she painted of Trent all those years ago.

  “That was back when I first knew your dad.”

  Austin came over and sat beside her, still holding the painting. “I miss him.” His head fell against her shoulder. Trent had been good about calling Austin every day, but she knew it wasn’t the same.

  She leaned her head against his. “You wanna know a secret?” She felt his nod. “I miss him, too.”

  “Do you think we can ever be a real family?”

  As mad as she was that Trent hadn’t been completely honest with her, she wanted them to be a real family, too. “I don’t know, Austin. I wish I did. We’re just going to have to trust that God has a plan.”

  “Pastor Dan says God’s ways aren’t like our ways. But that all things work together for good. We just have to trust.”

  Blakely blinked away the unbidden moisture in her eyes. “He’s right.” Though trusting was the hard part.

  Her boy pushed to his feet. �
��Well, I’m gonna trust that Dad’s coming back. I don’t know when, but God knows.”

  The faith of a child.

  She held out her hand. “Want to help me up?” She set the ice pack aside. “I think my foot’s better.”

  When she finally made it to her feet, she knew she was right. Just a little bruise.

  “Come on.” She snagged the ice pack off of the floor. “Let’s go watch a movie.”

  “I get to pick.” Austin was out the door and halfway down the stairs by the time she made it into the hall.

  “No superheroes,” she called after him. They’d just remind her of Trent. Her heart couldn’t take it.

  Gran had the popcorn ready by the time the three of them settled on the couch for another viewing of Ice Age.

  Blakely couldn’t get enough of that little prehistoric squirrel.

  There was a knock at the door. “I’ll get it.” Austin popped up, maneuvering around the barking dogs. “Dad!”

  Trent? She glanced at her comfy basketball shorts. The ones she only wore when she was sure no one would see her.

  The door flew open as Blakely shot to her feet. Her pulse raced. How could Trent have grown more attractive in only a week?

  Austin threw his arms around his father.

  Trent embraced his son, joy evident in his brilliant smile. “You have no idea how much I missed you.” His gaze lifted to Gran, then Blakely. “All of you.”

  “It’s not dark yet.” Austin pulled away. Peered up at his dad. “Maybe we could shoot some hoops.”

  Trent looked down at him with all the love a father could possess. “Buddy, I am so ready for a game of one-on-one. But right now, I need to talk to your mom.”

  Her heart leaped somewhere in the vicinity of her throat. “Um... T-to me?”

  “Preferably in private.”

  “Private?” She glanced around the room. Nope. No privacy there.

  “Think we could go over to Adventures in Pink? Talk there.”

  Alone? “Sure. Just let me put on some shoes.” And jeans.

  The sun had dipped below Twin Peaks, casting shadows over the town as they strode down the alley.

  “How have things been going?” Trent shoved his hands in the pockets of his shorts. Relaxed. Casual.