by Patt Marr
Isabel, however, was showing surprising courage these days, probably because Ry had led her to the Lord. The baby would have a Christian mommy, and that was better than all the wealth and position Trey could provide.
Meg drove into the clinic parking lot, praying for a good attitude. She wanted to be kind to Trey, Deborah Brennan and the rest of the family. They were going to be her family, too, and, like Ry, she wanted them to know God.
The whole family made a habit of putting Ry down, and he was so easygoing they didn’t know how their words cut. To them, Ry would always be the rebel, the maverick, the paramedic who’d gone his own way and didn’t want any part of their world. But things would be different now. She would not let them disrespect Ry because he had a mind of his own.
This party, emphasizing Beth’s success at completing her residency and the family’s pride in her decision to join the clinic, would also emphasize Ry’s failure…at least in the family’s eyes. Meg was happy for Beth, but she would stand up for her guy if she had to.
The spacious lobby with its skylight and atrium was a lovely spot for the party. Meg recognized many of the guests as the same people at the Brennans’ New Year’s Eve party, though she didn’t see Ry or Beth.
“Well, if it isn’t little Meggy,” Uncle Charlie said, giving her a smacking kiss on the cheek. “What’s this I hear about you dragging our boy Ry to the altar?”
Meg cringed, but she put on a bright smile. “I love him, Uncle Charlie. Ry’s the best.”
“At what? Fixing toilets?” The old man bent over, laughing at his lame joke.
“Don’t mind him,” Isabel said with an apologetic smile. “He hasn’t heard the good news.”
“I think he has,” Meg said dryly, still feeling the sting of his crude remarks. “Apparently, he’s not all that happy about it.”
Isabel frowned. “On the contrary, Meg. Everyone is ecstatic.”
Meg could hardly believe that. “Everyone?” Would Trey and Deborah Brennan be coming to the wedding now?
“Well, everyone who knows. I think Grandfather Brennan plans to make sure the whole crowd knows after Beth is formally introduced as the newest staff member.”
If that were true, Meg thought she’d better find Ry. She ought to be standing beside him when they announced their engagement. Maybe even more of the family would want to attend their wedding.
Meg edged her way toward the staging area. Surely, she would find Beth and Ry there.
“Darling Meggy!” Deborah Brennan threw her thin arms around Meg and bounced up and down like a high school girl who’d just been named Homecoming Queen. “Isn’t this the most wonderful day?”
Deborah and her mood swings. Meg wondered how long it would last, but she put on a happy face and agreed. “It is a great day. I’m very proud of Beth.”
“And Ry!” Deborah said, as excited as one human being could be. “I’m coming to the wedding, Meggy! So is Trey. Oh, let’s have everyone come. I’ve never been so happy.”
Okay, something wasn’t right about this, unless Deborah had given her heart to the Lord. Nothing short of that could account for this wild euphoria.
From the corner of her eye, Meg saw Ry’s grandfather shuffle out of a nearby office, followed by Ry’s father, Beth and Ry. The senior Brennan leaned heavily on a cane, but he smiled broadly as he shook hands with guests on his way to the podium.
Meg waved at Ry, and he headed her way, a worried look on his face. Now what had his family done?
“Babe,” he whispered into her ear, “we need to talk.”
That was fine with her, but it looked as if his grandfather was ready to speak. He tapped the microphone to make sure it was on.
Ry slipped his arm around her waist, bent down and said, “I love you, Meg. Please, don’t forget it.”
As if she could. She leaned against him and smiled. The butterfly troop danced because their guy was so near.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the senior Brennan began, steadying himself with both hands on his cane as the crowd came to a hush.
Dr. James Thomas Brennan, once chief of staff at Cedar Hills Memorial and founder of Brennan Medical Clinic, was still a handsome man at some eighty-odd years. His white hair had thinned, but intelligence shone from his eyes.
“Colleagues, family and friends,” he said in a voice that trembled ever so little, “it is with the greatest pride that I introduce to you the prettiest pediatrician my old eyes have ever seen. Please welcome to the staff of Brennan Medical my beloved granddaughter, Dr. Elizabeth Brennan.”
Meg applauded enthusiastically as Beth and her grandfather embraced. Not only was it a big moment for Beth, this new job meant a lot to Meg, too. Finally, after all these years, Beth would have more time for her.
The senior Brennan waved to the crowd, indicating he had more to say. Here it came, Meg thought, the announcement of her engagement to Ry. She squeezed his hand and looked up at him with a heart full of love.
“I have another announcement, too,” his grandfather said, looking straight at them. “Come up here, Ry.”
Ry smiled, but shook his head, clinging to her hand so tightly it hurt.
“Don’t be bashful, Ry. Get on up here.”
Short of outright rebellion, Meg didn’t know how Ry could resist. She gave him a little shove toward the podium.
“You’re not going to like this, Meg,” he murmured.
How could he say that? She absolutely loved it that his grandfather was making a point of being proud of Ry. That was long overdue.
His grandfather laid his wrinkled hand on Ry’s shoulder and leaned into the mike, saying, “One of these days—and it had better not be too long if I’m going to be around to have the honor—I’ll be introducing another Dr. Brennan.”
Meg’s heart froze. How embarrassing! This took the prize for manipulation. How could Ry stand his ground in the face of this grandstand play?
“My grandson, Rylander Hamilton Brennan, the namesake of the late Dr. Rylander Hamilton, has just been accepted at Southwest Cal Medical School!”
The crowd roared their surprise and approval. Ry’s eyes found hers, begging her to understand. Meg forced a smile to let him know she felt as bad as he did about this unfair maneuver. There wasn’t much he could do now, being put on the spot like this, but together, they would straighten it out.
His grandfather quieted the crowd. “There’s more good news! In a few short years—about the time one of us old-timers will be ready to retire—this young man will need an office, right here at Brennan Medical, in the specialty of his choice.”
The cheers and applause began again. The noise was loud, but not as loud as the sound of Meg’s heart, pounding at this terrible lie.
Deborah Brennan rushed to Ry’s side, kissing him on both cheeks. His dad, Uncle Charlie, Uncle Al and the rest of the Brennans crowded around Ry, shaking his hand and patting his back, all with the greatest enthusiasm.
Meg could only stare, frozen to the spot.
“Meg,” Beth said, touching her shoulder.
“How could they?” Meg gasped. “It’s such a lie.”
“Actually, Meg, it isn’t,” Beth said sympathetically.
“But of course it is.”
“Meg, Ry was accepted to medical school.”
“How could he be accepted unless he applied?”
“He did apply.”
He couldn’t have. Repeatedly he’d said he wanted no part of being a doctor.
“Isn’t this wonderful?” his mother asked, joining them.
“No, it is not wonderful,” Meg said firmly. Someone had to stand up for Ry. “You will not push Ry into this.”
“Oh, Meggy,” his mother said, laughing at her, “you don’t know my son nearly as well as you think you do.”
“I know he doesn’t want this!”
“Meg,” Beth said softly, “this is what Ry wants.”
How could Beth say such a thing? Meg stepped away from both of them, swamped with anger
and disbelief. “Ry doesn’t want to be a doctor. He loves being a paramedic. It’s just what you want for him, all of you.”
His mother stiffened. “Young lady, you need to change your attitude. If you’re going to be a Brennan, your place is to support my son in the career of his choice.”
“I do, but this is not his choice!” She would not let his family railroad Ry into this. “And it wouldn’t be mine, that’s for sure.”
“Well! If you feel that way, why are you wearing Ry’s ring on your finger?” Deborah stared at Meg’s beautiful diamond. “You don’t deserve to wear it.”
That was hardly for Deborah to say.
“Mom!” Beth protested.
“Well, she doesn’t! If Meggy doesn’t realize what an honor it would be for her to be the wife of Dr. Rylander Hamilton Brennan, then she should take that ring off and leave my son alone!”
That was so outrageous, even for Deborah, that Meg had no words to reply. She clenched her teeth and waited for Ry to straighten this out.
He made his way toward her, but slowly, for he was accepting good wishes and shaking hands as if the announcement were real. Could he have taken such a big step without talking to her? She glanced at Beth. Deborah Brennan would say any crazy thing, but not Beth. If Beth knew the truth, she wouldn’t lie to Meg.
The sympathy in Beth’s eyes sent a chill down Meg’s spine. Ry had done this? He had planned a life she wanted no part of? He knew how she felt. She’d just been through it with Beth. Was this how he thought their marriage should begin?
And then he wanted her to live his mother’s life…and Isabel’s? He wanted that for her, too?
His mother was right. If Meg couldn’t support Ry’s decisions, she shouldn’t be wearing his ring. He’d made all these plans without one word to her. What did that say about the two of them making one life?
He’d let her shoot her mouth off, defending him while his mother laughed at her. What kind of love would set her up for this kind of embarrassment? And Beth had been a party to the whole thing. That didn’t say much for Beth as a friend.
Meg was so angry with all of them that she tugged at her ring, eager to have it off her finger. She wouldn’t be a Brennan if they offered her the moon. Since Ry had included Beth in his big secret, let Beth be the one to give him the ring.
“Here,” she said, putting the ring in Beth’s hand. “Your mother is right. I don’t deserve to wear this.”
Beth grabbed her arm. “Meg! Don’t do this! It’s not like you think.”
Maybe not, but it was close enough. She glanced at Ry, still busy collecting congratulations. Well, good for him. He’d been in the doghouse with the family long enough. Let the happy celebration continue, but she was out of here. She headed for the door, wiping tears from her eyes.
“Well, little Meggy,” Uncle Al said, catching her elbow. “It looks like our boy is going to amount to something after all.”
“He has always amounted to something,” she said fiercely, shrugging free and moving on. Why couldn’t they have seen that and accepted Ry as he was?
Chapter Thirteen
Hemmed in by his family and their colleagues who couldn’t wait to welcome him to the fold, Ry struggled to show that Christ’s love had changed his life. It was a sham. Rage boiled inside, mostly at himself for telling Beth that he’d received his acceptance letter today.
Before he’d had a chance to tell her the letter made no difference because he wouldn’t be going to med school, she was off and running, eager to make Mom happy and Dad proud. Mom was telling everyone while Dad bragged to Grandpa.
Since it was Beth’s day, Ry hadn’t expected Grandpa to make that premature announcement. His heart almost stopped when he saw the shock on Meg’s face. She should not have found out that way, especially when he had no chance to assure her that he would never make a decision like that without her blessing. Being accepted was a dream come true, but he could find another dream a whole lot easier than he could find another Meg. There wasn’t another Meg. No one loved him like she did.
What could he have done when Grandpa started that announcement? He could hardly interrupt and say, “Just kidding, folks.” Nor could be blurt out the truth and say, “While it is true that I did apply, I was accepted and I would love to go to med school, I won’t be going because the woman I love hates the idea.”
That would hardly have endeared Meg to the family. They wouldn’t understand her perfectly justifiable feelings, but he did. Maybe he could reapply after they were married and Meg felt secure in their marriage. Maybe not. He had to trust the Lord for all that. If God wanted him to be a doctor, it would happen someday.
He shook one hand after another, all the while wondering what he could do to make up for not telling Meg before now. It was his pride that had gotten him into this jam. He’d been so concerned with potential rejection that he hadn’t trusted Meg to love him, successful or not. No matter how angry she was about this, he had to remember that he had no real defense.
But Ry knew Meg. One of the darling things about her was she never stayed mad for long.
She loved pink roses. He’d get her dozens of them, and he would take her on the dream date she described, complete with that boat ride to Catalina, no matter how seasick he’d get. She would forgive him when he apologized and promised that he’d never do anything behind her back again.
When he finally broke free of the well-wishers, he saw his mother and Beth standing where Meg had been. Mom wore a tremulous look of pride, but tears ran down Beth’s cheeks. Her eyes begged forgiveness as she held out her hand.
Fear shot through his body. It looked like Meg’s ring in Beth’s hand, but it couldn’t be. Meg wouldn’t do that. She wouldn’t bolt without giving him a chance to explain.
“Darling,” his mother said, “I couldn’t be more thrilled! Finally, you’re following your destiny!”
Meg was his destiny. “Where did she go?” he asked hoarsely, looking to Beth for a straight answer.
But Beth wouldn’t meet his eyes. She just put the ring in his hand. Heavy as a boulder, fear crushed his chest. He closed his eyes, imagining what it must have taken for Meg to leave this way.
“It doesn’t matter where Meg went,” his mother said spitefully. “She doesn’t belong in this family, not after the way she talked to me.”
“No,” Beth protested firmly. “Ry, that’s not what happened.” His sister finally had the guts to look at him.
“What’s going on here?” his dad asked, joining them.
Ry showed him Meg’s ring.
His dad clasped Ry’s shoulder in sympathy. “What happened, Beth?”
“When Grandpa announced that Ry was going to be a doctor, Meg thought Ry had been set up, and she stood up for him like always. Mom scolded her and said that Meg didn’t deserve to wear Ry’s ring.”
“Well, she doesn’t,” his mother snapped.
“Mom! How could you say such a thing!” Ry had been on the receiving end of his mother’s venom so often he was practically immune, but Meg wasn’t. The thought of her taking his mother’s abuse made him so angry he shook.
“Deborah, this time you’ve gone too far,” his dad said in a quiet but intense voice, his face flushed with anger.
“You will not speak to me that way,” Deborah snapped imperially.
“It’s time someone did. Son, go after Meg. I’ll deal with your mother.”
“Deal with me?” she shrilled. “No one deals with me. I’m the daughter of Dr. Rylander Hamilton!”
Pity blended with rage on her husband’s face. Looking at Beth and Ry, he said, “I’m so sorry. I should have done something about your mother long ago.”
“Do something about me?” she repeated in rage.
Grasping her elbow, her husband said, “You will not destroy one more person’s happiness, Deborah.” He moved her through the amazed crowd.
“Let go of me!” she protested wildly, grasping at people to slow their departure.
&
nbsp; Uncle Charlie took her other arm. “Settle down, Deborah, or James will have you institutionalized.”
“He wouldn’t dare!” she screamed. “He can’t do that!”
“Actually, Deborah, he can,” Uncle Charlie said. “I’ve waited for years to see you in a psychiatric lock-down unit.”
The three of them disappeared down the hall. Ry wouldn’t have believed it if he hadn’t seen it himself.
“That’s something I never thought I’d see,” Beth said in awe. “Maybe some good will come of this, Ry.”
“But at Meg’s expense?” he said bitterly.
“I’m so sorry, Ry. Meg may never forgive me, and you may not, either, but I’ll be praying for you both.”
Ry headed for his car, thinking how great he would have felt, hearing Beth say that she would be praying, if he wasn’t so worried about getting to Meg. Hopefully, she had gone home, and he would find her there.
Meg locked her door, slid the dead bolt into place, pulled the shades and crawled into bed, intending to stay there forever. She couldn’t think, couldn’t pray, couldn’t begin to understand how she could have been so wrong about Ry. Had it been a game for him, making her fall for him, telling her one thing and planning another?
The thought went round in her head, an endless cycle of disillusionment. Nothing made sense, and the hurt went so deep, it might never go away.
She should pray. In times like this, you were supposed to pray and rely on the Lord to work things out. She couldn’t even speak her prayer aloud.
Lord…
That was as far as she got before the tears took over. Wiping them away, she tried again.
Lord…I need Your help. Please, let this pain go away. I know that all things work together for good to those who love You. I’m one of those who love You. Though I can’t see how this is going to work for my good, it will.
Your Word says that You have a plan for my life, a plan for my good. I’m remembering that and saying these words in faith, barely believing them, because my heart feels broken.