by T M Morris
Lilly gave him a dismissive wave. “I’ll tell you about it later.”
Otter stood and stretched. As he began walking toward the ensuite bathroom, he said, “Why don’t you tell him on your way down to the cafeteria? Get something to eat and bring me back a tuna sandwich and a drink.”
Lilly glanced at Dusty. “I could eat. You?”
“Sure.” Dusty shrugged as he turned toward the door. He waited for her to pass him before he gave Otter a questioning look. Otter just smiled a little and winked. Shaking his head Dusty followed Lilly out the door wondering what was going on. Less than a week ago he was getting the most vitriolic lecture from Otter to stay away from Lilly, and now it appeared Otter was trying to get them together. At the elevator, he said, “Are you still mad at me?”
“Am I mad at you?” she asked. “I wasn’t aware that I should be. What have you done this time?”
Dusty put up his hands in surrender. “Oh no. I’m not stepping into that trap.”
Lilly snorted and shook her head. “Whatever. Are you excited that Erik is coming home?”
“Of course, I’m excited. When’s Erik getting back?”
The elevator slid open, and they walked toward the cafeteria. “It all depends on how soon Erik is well enough to come home. I’m hoping before the end of the year.”
“Well?”
Lilly explained the phone call to him while they made their selections and paid for their food. Finding a table away from the crowds, they sat down. She shoved a straw through the little hole in her cup lid, “That’s pretty much all I know. Erik’s wounded. He’s going to Germany for care and then he’s coming home.”
“I guess he’s hurt bad enough to warrant a medical discharge,” Dusty said shaking pepper all over his eggs.
Pausing with her apple cinnamon scone half way to her mouth Lilly looked at him with surprise. “I have no idea. Do you think it’s that bad?”
“How am I supposed to know? You’re the one who spoke with the chaplain. Maybe you should have asked him.” He shook the hot sauce bottle then poured some on top of his liberally peppered eggs.
Lilly growled at him. “If I had thought of it I would have. I was too busy being excited to find out he’s alive. Give me a break, Dusty, and that’s plain gross how much hot sauce you’re pouring on those. If you don’t like eggs, don’t eat them.”
“Get off my back about how I eat my eggs.”
She stuck her tongue out at him then jammed a bite of scone into her mouth and chewed. She had taken a long sip of her drink before she said, “I hope this transplant doesn’t take too long I don’t want Dad to have to try to take care of everything by himself.”
“I’m sure he’ll have help. I think Jimmy and your Uncle David can help out some. I mean Jimmy can spare some time from whatever he’s doing right now. Have you seen his work?” When Lilly shook her head no, he continued, “It’s amazing what he can do with metal. I’ll have to drive you by the sculpture he did for the city. It’s right out front of city hall.”
“That won’t be necessary. I can drive by it on my way home.”
Dusty studied her for a few minutes. “Are you trying to avoid me?”
“I’m sitting here with you right now.” She stood up. “I’m getting a refill. Do you want one?”
“Please.” She took his cup and walked away. Dusty watched her while he continued to eat his breakfast wondering what was wrong with her. She was acting weird, and he couldn’t figure out why. Lilly set his cup in front of him before sitting down again. “Thanks.”
Picking up another piece of scone she nodded and grabbed her fork to spear a piece of fruit. He let her eat the chunk of pineapple before he asked, “What’s wrong?”
She frowned at him. “Nothing.”
“Are you sure?”
Laying her fork down she said, “I said nothing. I meant nothing. Why are you trying to pick a fight with me?”
Dusty nearly choked on his food. “You’re going to blame me for your mood?”
Lilly ran her hand through her hair and sighed. “I think I’m going to leave before we do get into an argument. Thank you for breakfast.” She stood and walked away before he could say another word. What just happened?
Chapter Thirty
Lilly looked up at the knock on the door, and it opened slowly. “Can we come in and visit?” Lucy Caldwell, Lilly’s cousin, poked in her head.
“Lucy.” Lilly bounded from her seat and into Lucy’s waiting arms. “It’s been so long.”
“It has. Too long.” Lucy pulled away from Lilly and went to hug her aunt. “Aunt Addie. I came as soon as I heard. Can you imagine my surprise when Eli turned up with Claire at my boss’s Thanksgiving dinner? Claire is Devon’s sister. Oh. This is Devon James, by the way, he’s my boss. As soon as we found out about you, we had to swing by on our way to a job site up this way.” She smiled at Devon and pushed him forward to meet her aunt. “Aunt Addie, this is Devon. Devon, this is my Aunt Addie and my cousin Lilly.”
“Hello. I wish our meeting were in better circumstances.” He shook Lilly’s and Addie’s hands then leaned back against the wall.
Addie said, “Bless my soul I thought we’d never see you again after what Otter said to you when he bought your daddy’s land from you.”
Lucy’s smile wavered. “Yeah, well, truth be told I would never have expected to come back either, but when I saw Eli I got an overwhelming dose of homesickness. Besides, I hear you need a marrow donor, and I’m here for testing. Where do I go?”
“Oh you are precious, and I thank you for offering, but it’s no longer necessary. We found out just yesterday that Lilly is a match. Isn’t it wonderful? I’m sorry you made the trip in vain.” Addie leaned forward and put her bony hand on Lucy’s.
“What are you doing here, and who are you?” Otter challenged once the door had closed behind him.
Devon offered his hand. “Devon James, sir. I’m here with Lucy.”
Otter shook his hand while studying him closely. “Otter Caldwell.”
Lucy nodded to her uncle. “Uncle Otter. It’s good to see you again, too.”
Otter glared at her suspiciously. “Spent all your money and have come back for more?”
Devon straightened, but Lucy put her hand on his forearm. “No, Uncle Otter. I’m here to see Aunt Addie. Eli just so happens, by some twist of fate, to be dating Devon’s sister and Devon is my boss. Eli told me everything at Devon’s family Thanksgiving dinner. Needless to say, we came up so I could get tested. I’m happy Lilly’s a match, though, and you don’t have to worry about me, I’m doing fine.”
Otter grunted as he sat down rubbing his leg. “Doesn’t explain why we have heard neither hide nor hair from you in five years.”
Lilly watched Lucy glance at Devon before turning her attention to Otter. “It’s not hard to understand, Uncle Otter. Just think back on it. You’ll remember.”
“Don’t want your boss to know you sold your father’s property to me even before the dirt settled over your parents’ graves?”
“It wasn’t like that, and you know it.” Lucy snapped.
“Otter. Not now. I, for one, am happy to see Lucy. Now stop it.” Addie said. She leaned back against the pillows looking completely exhausted when just a few minutes earlier she looked happier and more energetic.
Lucy turned to her aunt. “Obviously, Aunt Addie, I’ve worn you out with all this excitement. I’ll go now. We’ll stop back in on our way back to Nashville, okay?”
Otter snorted. “Going out of town with the boss. Never would have expected that from you, Lucinda.”
“It’s not like that, Uncle Otter.” Again Lilly watched Lucy clutch Devon’s forearm.
Lilly hugged her mother saying, “I should probably go too, Mama. Dad, I’ll see you tonight?” At his nod, she took Lucy by the arm. “I’ll walk out with you.”
Out in the hall, Lilly pulled Lucy into a hug. Stroking her back, she said, “I’m sorry, Lucy. You know how Dad can be su
ch an ass sometimes. I’m sorry, Devon. I’m sorry you had to meet him on one of his bad days.”
Devon shrugged, “I’m not the one he upset. Lucy, are you okay?”
Lucy blinked back tears. “I’m okay, Devon. Uncle Otter has never been the most loving of people. I guess I should have prepared to see him.”
Lilly folded Lucy into another hug in front of the elevator. “It’s so good to see you. I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed you.”
“I’m not the one who went off to New York.”
“Oh. You’re that Lilly Caldwell. I thought you looked familiar.” Devon chuckled as he pushed the call button for the elevator.
Lilly and Lucy shared a knowing look. Lucy turned to Devon. “She was always the pretty one.”
“You were always the smart and pretty one.” Lilly teased as they entered the elevator compartment. She punched the floor number for the floor that connected with the parking garage.
“You’re just as smart, and you know it.” Lucy bumped up against her with a big teasing grin on her face.
Lilly sobered and asked, “I’m supposed to meet Dusty for lunch. Would y’all like to join us?”
Devon looked at his phone screen for the time and grimaced. “I’m sorry, Lucy, but if we’re going to make it to the site on time, we need to leave.”
Lucy shrugged and sighed. “I guess next time, maybe.”
“I hope so. We have like ten years to catch up on.”
Lucy grinned sheepishly. “I think you have more to tell than I do.”
They reached the connector floor and exited once the doors slid open. Lilly hugged her cousin several more times before they parted in the garage to go their separate ways. Lilly could have cried. Lucy was her closest friend next to Beth. And here she was trying to help the family with Otter dumping ice water on the whole reunion. What was the matter with him? Wasn’t learning the truth about his mother and his wife enough to cure him? He seemed different, like a new man, until he walked in to see Lucy standing by Addie’s bed. Never in a million eons would she be able to figure out her father, not that anyone should try.
Chapter Thirty One
“Lilly? Lilly, it’s time to wake up.”
“I don’t want to,” Lilly muttered wondering why her bed felt like it was moving.
“Come on Lilly. You need to wake up. You want to go home, don’t you?”
“Where am I?”
“You’re in recovery. You had some bone marrow removed, remember?”
Lilly blinked and yawned. She tried to focus on the woman who was removing the thermometer tape from her forehead. “Is that why my back hurts?”
The nurse smiled. “It is. I can have some pain medicine prescribed if you need it. How bad is it?”
“Not too bad. I’ll let you know if I change my mind. Where are my clothes? I’ll get dressed.” Trying to sit up Lilly was barely able to raise her head before collapsing back onto the gurney. “Maybe I’ll wait while.”
The nurse chuckled. “Honey, it’s going to be at least an hour. You need to let the anesthesia wear off. You need to drink something and keep it down. And your ride needs to come back.”
“Dad’s not here? He was when y’all rolled me in here.”
“I’m sure he’s around. He probably went to get a coffee or a snack.”
Lilly yawned as she said, “I guess.” She was asleep again before she finished speaking.
“Are you in there, Lilly?” Miss Hazel asked as she poked her shoulder.
Lilly groaned. “Unfortunately, yes. What are you doing here, Miss Hazel? Where’s my dad?” Lilly tried to sit up.
“He went to tell Addie you’re out of surgery and doing all right. He’ll be back. Goodness knows I can’t take you home.”
“You don’t want me?” Lilly whined.
“I didn’t say that. Goodness Otter gave you issues, didn’t he? What I’m trying to say is I’m getting a little too old to be helping feeble people walk around and go upstairs. Why, if you were to fall we’d both end up in a heap of broken bones at the bottom.”
“Oh.”
“Here,” Miss Hazel shoved a bent straw in her mouth. “Drink up. You want to go home, don’t you? I know the staff around here does. You’ve been out a long time. Is this the first time you’ve been under anesthesia?”
“Yes,” she yawned, “Let me up. I need to pee.”
Miss Hazel stood and walked to the door. “Nurse. Nurse. She’s awake and needing to use the toilet.”
Before Lilly knew what was happening she was being led by the hand to the bathroom by a chattering young nurse who barely stopped to breathe. Something about celebrity and how awesome she was to donate marrow to a nobody. Lilly stopped walking causing the nurse to stop talking. “I’m not anyone special, and the recipient of my marrow is not a ‘nobody’. She’s my mother.”
Sufficiently cowed the nurse mumbled her apologies before opening the bathroom door. “If you need anything pull that cord. It’s a call switch. Someone will be in to help you. Do you think you can walk back to your room?”
Giving her a frigid look, Lucy said, “I’m sure I’ll be fine, thank you.”
Lilly shuffled back into her little room to find Dusty sitting there talking to Miss Hazel. “What are you doing here?”
“Little grumpy aren’t you? I’m here to take you home. Otter wants to stay with Miss Addie.”
“Great. Let me get dressed so we can go home. I’m tired.”
Dusty stood. “You don’t have to act excited about it. I’ll be out in the hall if you need me.”
She glared at him. “I’m sure Miss Hazel will help me if I need any.”
Dusty glanced at Miss Hazel who shrugged and said, “Leave her alone and let her get dressed. She’s not up for teasing right now.”
Dusty closed the door as Lilly collapsed into the chair he had vacated. “Miss Hazel, do you mind handing me my clothes?”
“You haven’t eaten anything since last night have you?” Miss Hazel asked as she began to give Lilly her clothes one piece at a time. “Get that one on and rest a minute. I’ll give you another when you’re ready. You’re too weak to manage more than that. You’ll have to make a note to tell them next time that you’re sensitive to anesthesia.”
Lilly was pulling her sweater over her head when there was a knock on the door. “Is everything okay in there?”
She rolled her eyes and shook her head in exasperation. “Everything is just peachy. I’m putting on my shoes now,” she said grateful they were the slip on kind.
“Can I come in?”
Miss Hazel growled a little under her breath and went to open the door. She flung it open and said, “Go get the nurse with her wheelchair. It’s time to get out of Dodge.” She turned to Lilly. “If you felt up to it, I’d tell you to come to supper, but I’m thinking you need to go on home. I’ll go and see Addie now before I head home. I’ll be out tomorrow to check in on you and make sure you and Otter aren’t starving.”
“Thank you, Miss Hazel.”
Miss Hazel leaned into Lilly and hugged her. “It’s nothing, child. Besides, I don’t have anything better to do tomorrow.” She laughed as she bent to pick up her bag. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Dusty followed the nurse pushing Lilly toward the exit. “Why don’t you let me go around you and I’ll get my truck, so you won’t have to wait as long.”
“All right.” The nurse slowed and let him by them. When she started pushing the wheelchair, and he was out of sight, she asked, “Is he your boyfriend?”
“No.”
“Your brother?”
“No. Dusty’s just a friend.”
“So,” she paused, “is he single?”
Looking over her shoulder at the nurse, Lilly laughed. “You like him? Don’t. He’s allergic to commitment.”
“Maybe he hasn’t found the right woman.”
“Listen,” Lilly looked at her identification badge. “Cassie, Dusty’s blind to love. He doesn’t see i
t when it’s right in front of him. It could hit him square in the face with a frying pan, and he wouldn’t notice you.”
“Maybe it’s you.”
Looking at Nurse Cassie in disbelief Lilly snorted and shook her head. “If you think you can catch his eye you go right ahead.”
Dusty pulled up and parked the truck. He jumped out and jogged around the front to open the passenger door as Cassie rolled Lilly out of the hospital. He smiled at Lilly. “You ready to go home?”
“I think so.”
“Okay then. Let me help you.” Scooping Lilly out of the chair he turned and gently placed her in the seat. “Buckle up,” he said closing the door. He turned to thank the nurse.
Lilly, who was struggling to buckle her seatbelt heard the nurse ask Dusty if he would like to get a coffee wither the next time he was there, and she was on duty. She nearly choked when she heard Dusty’s reply. He said, “I appreciate your offer, err, Cassie, but you see I’m not in a position to accept invitations from pretty women at this time. I do thank you, and I am flattered, but no. Sorry.”
Cassie sputtered. “Oh, that’s okay. I was under the impression you were unattached.”
Shrugging, he started backing around the front of his truck. “Sorry.”
Lilly looked out the window to see Cassie glaring at her. Lilly gave her a look she hoped conveyed how surprised she was too. She shrugged for emphasis.
Dusty opened his door and climbed in. “You ready to go?”
Turning to him, she nodded before asking, “Who’s keeping you from accepting invitations from pretty women?”
He glanced at her briefly before turning his attention to driving out of the hospital parking lot. “Eavesdropping?”
She leaned against the seat trying to get comfortable. “It’s not as if this truck cab is sound proof. I didn’t know you were involved. Who is she?”
“Seriously, Lilly? What kind of game are you playing?” He stomped on the brake a little too hard at the red light causing them to lean forward then bounce back slightly.
“I’m not playing anything, Dusty. I’m not the one who thinks they need permission to have a relationship with someone. I do appreciate you taking me home, but right now I don’t want to talk. I’m tired, and I’m in pain. Just leave me alone please.”