A Texas Family Reunion

by Judy Christenberry

  “Are we interrupting?” Vivian asked with a smile.

  David stared at her. “Vivian, Will, we didn’t expect…I mean, how nice of you to come.”

  “Of course, we came. We wanted to be sure you were all right. Such a terrible thing to happen to you, David. And Pete, is it? I haven’t met you,” she added. “I’m Vivian Greenfield, Will’s wife and Vanessa’s mother.”

  The next half hour was enjoyable. Vivian had brought a box of Betty’s cupcakes for everyone to enjoy. And she tried to get both men to agree to come to their house the next day to stay until they were ready to go back to work. Both refused but expressed their gratitude.

  “I’ve never had anyone make such a generous offer to me,” Pete said.

  “Not even your mother?” Vivian asked.

  “She died when I was a little boy,” he said.

  Will grabbed his wife’s arm. “Watch out, Pete. You’ve said the magic words. Vivian will want to adopt you.”

  Vivian sniffed. “And why not? We have room for him. No one should be without a mother. Is your father nearby?”

  Pete sent a desperate look at David.

  “Um, Vivian, Pete is afraid to tell you that his father is dead, too.”

  “Oh, no! Then you have no one?”

  “I have David. He’s my best friend. And Susan. She’s…a friend, too,” Pete said.

  Vivian patted his shoulder. “Then you’re not alone. But we have plenty of room to include you in our family. So I expect you to come to dinner on Sundays with Susan and David. You’ll be out of the hospital soon, won’t you? Can you make it this Sunday?”

  David answered for all three. “Yes, Vivian, we’ll be there.”

  “Oh, good. And you, Alex, of course.”

  “Are you sure you have room, Vivian?” Alex asked.

  “Darling, it doesn’t matter if we eat with all of us sitting on the floor. We have room.”

  “Mom’s right,” Vanessa echoed. “And it will be nice to have some more women around who aren’t married or pregnant!” she finished with a big smile.

  Half an hour later, their guests had bade them good-night. Only the original foursome were there.

  “David, your new family is so nice!” Susan exclaimed. “I wouldn’t blame you if you forgot all about us.”

  David reached out his good arm to Susan and pulled her close. “Oh, no, you won’t get rid of me that easily, Susan.”

  She laughed. “Okay, but I feel really sad that our family isn’t like them.”

  David sighed. “You and I are okay, Suse, and we always will be. And I made a promise to Dad about Mom, so I’ll take care of her.”

  Susan hugged him.

  “Hey, any way I can get in on the hugging?” Pete asked.

  Susan gave a surprised giggle and spun around to the other bed to hug Pete.

  “Shoot, and I thought he wanted to hug me,” David joked.

  Alex grinned at David. “I’ll hug you, David.” She threw her arms around his neck and gave him a hug.

  Then she stood. “I think we’d better go and let you two get a good night’s sleep. I’ll be back in the morning after you have your breakfast to wait for the doctor’s decision. Susan, are you planning to come take Pete home?”

  “Yes. He’s going to call me when he can leave.”

  “Okay. I’ll be here around nine, if that’s all right, David?”

  “Yeah, that’ll be great, Alex. Thanks.”

  After tidying the room and putting the leftover cookies and cupcakes where the guys could reach them, along with their water pitchers and cups, Alex leaned over and kissed David’s cheek as she usually did. “Good night,” she called, waving to Pete who had been exchanging soft kisses with Susan.

  Susan hurried after Alex.

  “Tonight was fun.”

  “Yes, it was, wasn’t it? I told you you’d like his family.”

  “His new family,” Susan insisted.

  “Actually, his old family, Susan. But you don’t have to worry. He told you he would always count you as family, didn’t he?”

  “Yes, but I don’t know why he would. Mom is cold and unloving, like always. Daddy was different. He loved both of us. I can’t say the same about Janet.”

  Alex laughed. “No one could say the same about Janet.”

  “No, I guess not, but maybe she’s not as bad as I think she is. Maybe we were all too unwilling to accept each other.”

  “Susan, by the time you moved to town, Janet was already acting like she controlled the universe, because your mother taught her that. It’s your mother’s fault that your family isn’t a happy one. Not yours.”

  “You think?”

  “Yes, I do. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  ALEX GOT UP EARLY to prepare David’s room for him. She’d washed the sheets the night before and put them in the dryer before she went to sleep. This morning, she had soup cooking on the stove. In addition, she made sandwiches of sliced roast beef and stored them in the refrigerator.

  She admitted to herself, while showering, that she shouldn’t be so anxious to appear the perfect homemaker to her cousin. But she wanted to prove to him she could make a home. Somehow it seemed important to her, and she didn’t want to think too much about why.

  Dressing in a pencil-slim black skirt topped with a pale-blue sweater that showed off her dark-auburn hair, Alex added the light makeup she usually wore and grabbed her keys and purse. Time to leave for the hospital.

  When she got there, she was alarmed to see police cars by the emergency room. Her leisurely stroll was replaced with a jog.

  When she reached the front door of the hospital, she was stopped by a policeman.

  “I’m sorry, ma’am, but the hospital is shut down for the moment. I’m sure it will open up soon.”

  “Can you tell me what’s wrong? Has anyone been injured?”

  “No, ma’am, not at this time. We have a prisoner who escaped. He’s somewhere in the hospital. As soon as he’s caught, then you can go in and visit whoever you’re here to see.”

  “Please, I’m here to see my cousin. He was shot on Tuesday by one of two men who were quickly found and imprisoned. If one of them is the one who escaped, he could be planning another attempt to kill my cousin.”

  The officer frowned. “Who’s your cousin?”

  “David Buford. Could you please check?”

  “Just a minute, miss. Sergeant?” the officer called and crossed to another man in uniform.

  After a brief conference, the officer returned to Alex’s side. “They don’t think that was the prisoner who escaped, but my sergeant is going to check to be sure.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate your assistance.”

  “You look awfully familiar. Have we met before?”

  “No, but I was on the force for about eighteen months,” Alex admitted. “I’m Alexandra Buford.”

  “I’m Butch Erickson.”

  She smiled briefly, watching for the sergeant to return.

  “What are you doing now?” Butch asked. “Did you get married?”

  “No, I’m a private investigator.”

  “Really? Who are you with? Or did you go out on your own?”

  “No, I work for Will Greenfield.”

  “Hey, a guy from his office, Jim Barlow, helped wrap up that mess.”

  “Yes. There’s your sergeant.”

  “I’m sure your cousin is safe,” Butch said before he moved to his sergeant’s side.

  He came back with a smile on his face. “They caught the guy, but he wasn’t the one you were concerned about, anyway.”

  “Thanks, Butch. May I go in now?”

  “Yes, ma’am. Say, here’s my card. I’d love it if you’d give me a call sometime. We could go out for dinner and—”

  “Thanks, but I’m really busy right now.”

  She offered him a smile, dropped the card in her purse and headed for the hospital entrance. When she got in the elevator, she tapped her toe, the only anxious expressi
on she allowed. But once she was out of the elevator, she practically ran down the hall and flung open the door, anxious to see that both guys were all right.

  The room was empty.

  Chapter Eleven

  Alex stood staring at the empty beds, panic building in her. She couldn’t think of an explanation—except for one she didn’t want to think about.

  The door opened behind her and she spun around to see David. Without thinking, she threw herself at him, sobbing on his good shoulder.

  “Alex? What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”

  Alex tried to get herself under control. “I…I couldn’t g-get in the hospital because a…a prisoner had escaped.” At that point her tears grew heavier again. “I thought he’d come to murder you. And when I g-got here, you were g-gone!”

  David held her against him, shushing her gently. “I’m fine, honey, I’m fine. They moved me down the hall where several people were gathered for safety. But I knew you’d be coming, so I came back as soon as I could. I’m fine.”

  She stepped out of his hold. “Yes. Yes, I see. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…to act like a baby.”

  “A beautiful baby,” he teased.

  “Not right now! I’ve got red eyes and streaked cheeks. Oh—where’s Pete? I almost forgot about him.”

  “Susan got here around eight and the doctor had already released both of us.”

  “I’m sorry you had to wait. You could’ve called.”

  “It was only an hour. I didn’t want to rush you.”

  “Are you ready to go now?”

  “Yeah. But I don’t have anything to wear but this,” he said, stepping back to gesture at his pajama bottoms and hospital gown.

  “That’s all right. You’re just going home. And I bought two pair of pajamas, so you have a clean pair waiting for you.”

  David put his good arm about Alex’s shoulders. “You’re the best cousin in the world, Alex. I don’t think I’ve told you that, but it’s true.”

  “Thank you. Let’s go home.”

  “I’m ready.”

  When they got to the front door, the officer she’d met earlier called out, “Bye, Alexandra.”

  “Bye, Butch. Thanks for your help.”

  “An old friend?” David asked as he looked over his shoulder at the man.

  “No, but he helped me this morning. He got me some information.”

  “He looked very interested in you.”

  Alex gave a chuckle, a relief to her. “Oh, I know. He gave me his card, told me to call him sometime.”

  “And what did you tell him?”

  “That I was too busy right now.”

  “Huh. So you’ll call him when you’re not so busy?”

  “No, David. I just didn’t want to be cruel. He’d been very nice to me.”

  “I bet,” David returned, disgust in his voice.

  WHEN THEY GOT BACK to Alex’s condo, she’d laid out clean pajamas and a T-shirt for him. If he wanted to take a shower and change, he could do so at his leisure.

  David thought a cold shower might be a good idea. When she ran into his arms, crying, he hadn’t wanted to let her go. Not a good thought. He grabbed the clean pajamas and closed himself in the bathroom. Then he remembered the doctor’s instructions. He opened the door and stuck his head out.

  “Hey, Alex?”

  “Yes,” she answered as she walked into his bedroom.

  “Do you have any plastic wrap?”

  “Yes, why?”

  “I’m supposed to cover my bandage to keep it dry.”

  “Okay, I’ll bring you some.”

  He’d already figured out she would want to do the wrapping job, so he put his pajama bottoms back on and waited.

  “Shall I wrap it around the bandage?” she asked when she returned.

  “Sure, go ahead.”

  She carefully performed the task, then returned to the kitchen.

  David got in the shower and enjoyed the hot, steamy spray. When he’d dried off, he put on the clean pajama bottoms and the huge T-shirt, which would easily fit over his bandage. He was glad he didn’t have to wear the hospital gown again.

  He noticed the big television set that had been wheeled into his room. Nice. He could picture himself lying in bed watching television. That would help pass the time. But where had it come from? Did Alex have a spare?

  Once he’d entered the kitchen and sat down at the table, he asked, “Where did the television come from that’s in my room now?”

  Alex was busy making her own oatmeal-raisin-pecan cookies, so David would have something to snack on. “Oh, I pushed it in there for you. I thought it would entertain you while I’m at work.”

  “You mean it was in your living room?”

  “No, my bedroom. I watch television in bed some nights.”

  “Then you shouldn’t have put it in my room.”

  “I wanted to. It’s no big deal.”

  “Alex, you’re letting me stay with you. There’s no need to make any more sacrifices for me.”

  She stopped what she was doing and stared at him. “You’re being silly. Besides, you promised to let me help decorate your house. That’s a huge concession.”

  “No, that’s a huge taking advantage of you.”

  “We’ll just have to disagree on that,” she said with a big smile.

  He gave in and changed the subject. “What are you making?”

  “Cookies, so you’ll have something if you get hungry before I get home.”

  “You want me to get fat?”

  “No! But I want you to get better. Food, any food, will help.”

  “I’ll remember that.”

  “Here, I’ll turn on the kitchen television for you. You may have guessed by now that I’m addicted.”

  That’s when he noticed a small portable television on the kitchen cabinet. “Ha. No more than I am,” he assured her. He discovered reruns of Magnum P.I. and settled in to watch. He hardly had to shift his gaze to keep an eye on Alex, too.

  An hour later Alex dished up two bowls of tomato basil soup with cheese sprinkled on top. David took a sip of the soup and was immediately won over by her cooking skills. “This is delicious!”

  “Thank you. I don’t often make it just for myself, but I thought you’d help me eat it.”

  “Gladly.”

  A few minutes later, Alex put the roast beef sandwiches she’d made on plates, and set them on the table. Then she filled a bowl with potato chips and brought it to the table, too.

  “I thought the soup was going to be all we were having,” David confessed.

  “No, you need protein to get well. I hope I gave you enough roast beef.”

  “Yeah, this is great.”

  After they finished eating, Alex started taking the plates to the sink. “Go climb in bed. I’ll clean up here before I come in to say goodbye.”

  “You’re sure you have to go?”

  With a grin, Alex said, “Yes, you big baby. You’re going to take a nap, anyway. You won’t even miss me.”

  “Humpf,” he said, and left the room, leaving a smile on Alex’s face.

  When she went into his room, after knocking on the door, he was in bed, pillows piled up behind him and the television on.

  He was lying at an angle, and she took another pillow to put behind his wounded shoulder. “Is that better?”

  “Yeah, thanks.”

  She bent over to kiss his cheek, but he turned his head and she touched his lips.

  Jerking back, she swallowed before she said in a falsely cheerful voice, “Sorry. I’ll see you later.” And she hurried out of his room.

  David watched her go. When he heard the garage door close, he relaxed against the pillows. And thought about their accidental kiss. Her recent habit of kissing his cheek had intrigued him. He’d speculated how a real kiss would feel.

  Of course, that brief touching of their lips hadn’t actually been a real kiss. He’d seen families who casually kissed one another on the lips. H
e didn’t really think it was a good idea, but then, no one asked him.

  Still, he wouldn’t mind kissing Alex like that. Only, he’d be tempted to take it beyond a family kiss. And there was his problem. He’d known he had one. He’d just refused to put his finger on it.

  He wanted a romantic relationship with Alex.

  She, on the other hand, had become more family oriented than he’d ever seen her. Her mother, Gladys, wasn’t as cold as June, but she still wasn’t a warm person.

  Not like Alex.

  Alex had never asked his advice or wanted his approval. She’d joined the police force without asking him anything. He hadn’t found out about it until she was already three weeks into her training. Then she’d started dating that cop. Susan had told him that. He’d hated the man, sure he wasn’t worthy of Alex.

  When she’d suddenly changed jobs, Gladys had asked him to check on her new employer. That had been the same day his mother had wanted him to turn plumber to please his sister Janet. It hadn’t been a good day. His mood had gone from okay to furious.

  After taking Alex to lunch, which he’d enjoyed, he had decided to take control of his situation and back off from his mother. Then he’d been confronted by more family. All he could see at first were more demands on him. And panic about how his adopted mother would try to control his thinking about his new/old family. That afternoon hadn’t been one of his finer moments. Lucky for him, they’d forgiven him. And seemed to have inspired Alex about family.

  So now what?

  He needed to talk to someone. Pete, maybe, but he thought he needed someone with more experience, especially in the heart area.

  Jim. Yeah, that was it. David was no longer the big brother with all the answers. Now he had a big brother of his own. He’d kept his cell phone by his bed, and he reached for it.

  When he got Jim on the line, he couldn’t find the words. “Uh, Jim, I, uh, are you busy?”

  “No, not terribly. What’s up?”

  That was Jim. Straight to the problem.

  “I need some advice and I thought you might be able to, you know, help me.”

  “I’ll try. What’s the trouble?”

  “Um, I thought maybe we could do this in person. But not when Alex is around,” he hurriedly added.

  “Sure. When would you suggest? On Sunday when you come over for lunch?”