“I’m going to hold you to that.” Amanda shifted in the bed. “The doctor is releasing me tomorrow. We’re staying with Mom and Dad for a day or two and then heading home.”
“Good. That will give you a chance to rest while your Mom watches your tiny new boss.” Susan headed toward the door. “Bye. I’ll talk to you soon.”
*
Two weeks later, after a particularly grueling morning at the bank, Susan strode into the coffee shop around the corner from work intending to grab a quick takeout lunch. She stopped seconds before crashing into her unofficial nemesis. Dusty’s nurse stood there, meeting Susan’s eyes.
“May I speak with you for a moment, Ms. Walters?” blurted Susan, without thinking.
“Um, sure, Ms. Sanders. Please call me Linda.” The nurse pointed to a booth in back, and they took a seat across from each other.
“Call me Susan, and go ahead and eat your lunch while we talk.” Susan smiled and waved the waitress over. “Could I have the soup and sandwich special to go, please?”
“On white or whole wheat?”
“Whole wheat, please. And skip the mayo.”
“Sure thing, Susan. It’ll just be a couple of minutes.”
“Thanks, Ellie.” Susan met Linda’s eyes. “I work nearby and I eat lunch here four days out of five. I’m on a first name basis with all the waitresses. One of them invited me to her baby shower.”
“That’s nice.” Linda picked up her soup spoon and tasted the hearty root vegetable soup. “Mmm. Delicious.”
They sat in silence for a minute before Linda met her eyes. “I know what you want to discuss, Susan. Judging by the expression on your face the day Dusty hired me, you’re not at all pleased with me working for him at the ranch.”
“Was I that transparent? I thought I’d hidden my disappointment well. I intended to play Nurse Nightingale to Dusty myself.” Susan slumped in her seat.
“And I don’t doubt you would do a splendid job of caring for the man you love.” The nurse waved off Susan’s attempt to protest. “It’s quite evident you love him dearly, and he loves you, too. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so determined to keep you at arm’s length. He believes he’s sparing you the trouble of caring for an invalid, which is how he sees himself.”
“He’s hardly an invalid, Linda.”
“True, but sometimes a man in his condition can’t face having loved ones around when he’s weak and unable to walk, barely able to move about. He’s a virile young man whose life almost was destroyed in a second. He doesn’t want anyone’s pity, and he doesn’t want to burden you. But don’t worry. I’m simply the hired help.”
“But you’re gorgeous hired help. I’m afraid that Dusty will…”
“Forget it. There’s nothing going on between us, and there never will be. I’m his nurse, he’s my patient. Period. I’m involved in a relationship with one of the doctors at the hospital. We’ve kept our love affair under raps for a couple of years now, and I’d appreciate it if you kept this between us for a little while longer.”
Susan bit her lower lip. “Is he married?” she whispered.
“Good heavens, no. I said I was in love, I didn’t say I was an idiot.” Linda Walters laughed. “He’s one of the specialists, and he’s from a well-to-do family. We don’t want the media involved in our lives: speculating when an engagement will be announced, wondering whether his family approves. Which they do, by the way. I’ve met them and we get along wonderfully.”
“I’m happy for you.” Susan reached for the nurse’s hand. “I mean it.”
“I know you do. Can you keep a secret?”
“I’m the bank manager at the Helena branch of the Ellis Bank. Bank accounts, loan arrangements, investment portfolios. Linda, I keep people’s financial secrets for a living.” Susan chuckled.
“Okay. We’ve been secretly engaged for six months now, and we’re getting married two days before Christmas at a destination wedding. I cannot tell you how excited I am about this new stage in my life. But if Dusty isn’t fully recovered by then, would you mind taking over his care for a few weeks while I’m away?”
“I’d love to. Providing Dusty will let me anywhere near the ranch by then.”
“He will. He might even be walking a bit by then.” Linda clasped Susan hands. “At least, I’m hoping so. He’s making progress every day, and although he’s only been home for three weeks, you wouldn’t believe the change in him.”
“I can’t wait for Dusty to realize his future isn’t nearly as hopeless as he thinks.” Susan’s lunch arrived packed in a brown paper bag.
Linda rose from the bench seat and pulled Susan up to stand beside her. “I’ve got to get back to the ranch. Dusty will expect me back in time to dispense his meds at two o’clock, after I drop off some papers at his lawyer’s office.”
Susan handed Linda her business card. “Will you call me with updates on Dusty’s condition?”
“Be happy to. And don’t worry about me staying at the ranch. Dusty is all yours. He’ll realize it again in time. One of these days you’ll be looking forward to your wedding with Dusty.”
Susan scoffed, “Yeah, right. I’d be happy if I could just visit him.”
“I’ve got an idea.” Linda leaned in closer and whispered her idea in Susan’s ear.
“Oh, yeah,” said Susan, feeling a smile crease her face. “Let’s do it!”
Chapter 15
Sunday afternoon, Susan drove her BMW up the long winding lane leading to the house on the East Canyon Ranch. After she parked the car, she wiped her sweaty palms on her jeans and checked her appearance in the rear view mirror. Please, God, Linda’s plan has to work.
Linda met her at the front door and winked. “Susan, I’m glad you made it. Come on in. It seems ages since we saw each other.”
“What smells so good?” asked Susan, slipping out of her jacket and unwinding the scarf from around her neck.
“Technically, I’m off duty so I made a batch of cookies and a fresh pot of coffee for our visit. Come on back to the kitchen, and we can catch up on the latest news.”
Susan hung her outdoor clothing on the mahogany coat tree. “I noticed you were dressed in street clothes, not your uniform. Lead the way.”
The women strode down the hallway, their fashion boots tapping a synchronized beat on the wide-plank hardwood floor. They passed by the den’s open door and continued into the kitchen.
“Dusty is just wrapping up a therapy session in the living room,” whispered Linda. “I’m almost positive he saw you.”
“Oh,” she replied. Suddenly, she questioned the plan she’d concocted with her new friend. Was this wise? Or could their plan backfire on them? Would Dusty realize what they were attempting to accomplish? Would he be accepting of it, or angry with them? Worst case scenario, they were placing Linda’s job in jeopardy. Surely, he wouldn’t fire her.
She was here now—no turning back—so she might as well let their plan play out and see where things went.
“How’s work going? Did you get behind when you spent so much time at the hospital?” inquired Linda, smiling and crossing her fingers that Dusty might overhear their conversation.
“Not really,” replied Susan, crossing her fingers, too. “The assistant manager handled things nicely. A couple of days ago, I visited our head office. The board of directors introduced a few innovative ideas to draw in new customers. Even in this economy, the Ellis Bank is doing well.”
“Glad to hear it.” Linda poured two cups of coffee, carried them to the kitchen table where a plate piled high with chocolate chip cookies sat.
“How’s the job here going?” Susan bit into one of the still warm treats. “Mmm. These are so good. You’re as talented in the kitchen as you are in a hospital ICU.”
“Thanks. I love cooking and baking and don’t get me started on cleaning. That must be the nurse in me, keeping everything sterile and tidy. Until my two nephews come over to my apartment to visit. I just let them have fun and wor
ry about the mess when they go home.”
“I didn’t know you had nephews. My girlfriend just had a baby boy recently. JJ is so adorable.”
“I hope my sister has a daughter. She’s three months pregnant again, and although she’d love the baby regardless, I know she really wants a girl this time.” Linda sipped her coffee and reached for a second cookie.
“How do you keep your figure when you can cook like this?” Susan groaned in pleasure as she took another bite.
“Genes. All of my family eats whatever they want, and none of us ever gains a pound.” Linda grinned and glanced over Susan’s shoulder at the man who just rolled himself into the doorway. “Hi, Dusty, I see your therapy session is over.”
Susan whipped around on the chair and met Dusty’s eyes. “Oh. Hi, Dusty,” she said, nonchalantly, and then turned her attention back to her cup of coffee.
“What are you doing here?” asked Dusty, through clenched teeth.
“I invited Susan for coffee since we became friends while you were in the hospital.” Linda hopped up and poured Dusty a cup of coffee. “We ran into each other at a diner the other day when you sent me to town to drop those papers off, but we hardly had time to chat before Susan had to return to work.”
“Coffee was an excellent idea, Linda. Both of us have time to catch up today.” Susan winked at Linda over her coffee mug.
“Do you want to join us, Dusty? Or would you like me to carry your coffee into the den?” Linda set a couple of cookies on a plate and turned to meet Dusty’s eyes.
“I’ll join you, I guess.” Dusty wheeled the chair up to the table where one of the chairs had been removed to accommodate his wheelchair.
“Good to see you again, Dusty. You’re looking well.” Susan set her mug on the table. “Brock filled me in on all the new customers the ranch has acquired. You must be thrilled with the way the name ‘Happy Hooves Stables’ has spread. I hung the posters Brock had printed in the bank lobby and the diner and at my condo. Lots of the bank’s customers own horses. Most of them live on their own ranch or farm, but a few of them are city dwellers and might become customers.”
Dusty sat, speechless.
“Totally off topic, Susan. I meant to inquire if you were going anywhere at Christmas time?” asked Linda.
“Nowhere special. Why?” Susan crossed the floor, grabbed the coffee pot, and refilled her mug and Linda’s, too.
“As you know, I’ve tendered my resignation effective three weeks before Christmas. I agreed to find a replacement for Dusty, but I haven’t found anyone yet. Do you know of anyone who could fill in if I’m not able to find someone before I leave?” Linda leaned back in her chair.
Susan returned to the table, frowning. “I don’t know any nurses personally. There are a few that deal at the bank, but all of them work at various hospitals or senior lodges in the city.”
Linda slid forward in her chair. “It doesn’t have to be a nurse. I’m certain by then Dusty won’t be on many meds, if any, and the job will entail preparing meals and sleeping on the ranch in case Dusty requires help during the night. We need someone to co-ordinate his therapy treatments and doctor visits. Cook meals and tidy up the place. Anyone could do it.”
“Well, I’ll be working full time, or I would do it. I’ll ask around at the bank and see…”
“That would work,” chirped Linda.
“Asking around?”
“No. You could do it. Prepare Dusty’s breakfast and lunch the night before. Leave them in the fridge and he can help himself. You would be home in time to prepare dinner and stay the night in my room to be nearby in case of an emergency.” Linda reached out, grasped Susan’s hand. “Please? You know how important this is to me.”
“Well, I wouldn’t want you to miss…” Susan glanced at Dusty and then back at Linda.
“What?” asked Dusty, looking from one woman to the other, frowning.
“Go ahead and tell him.” Linda nodded her approval.
“Tell me what?” Dusty glared at Susan.
“I wouldn’t want Linda to miss her honeymoon because…”
“You’re getting married?” blurted Dusty. “You never even mentioned you were engaged.”
“Oh, didn’t I?” purred Linda, innocently. “Nurses don’t wear their rings while on duty so I guess you’d have no way of knowing. And I didn’t believe it was information that was relative to my employment.”
Dusty met Susan’s eyes. “You knew Linda was engaged? You two are actually friends? I thought you made the whole thing up to… Never mind, what I thought.”
“I’m sorry, Linda. I forgot. Dusty did forbid me to be around him. I only came out here today because we were getting together for coffee. I didn’t realize Dusty would even be joining us. There’s no way I can work for him for three weeks in December and maybe even into the New Year if a replacement can’t be found. I’m sorry, but we need another solution.”
“Wait a minute.” Dusty’s fingers tapped his wheelchair’s arms. “If you can’t find anyone else, Linda, then it’s okay if Susan stays here. In fact, I’ll start advertising for a live-in housekeeper. Maybe I won’t require special care by then, just someone to cook and clean.”
“That’s an excellent point, Dusty.” Susan beamed. “The therapist could come and go as required and the housekeeper could cook and clean. I could stay until January if she can’t start before year end. Everyone wins.”
“Then it’s settled. Anyone want more coffee? Another cookie?” asked Linda, smiling.
Susan leapt out of her chair and winked at Linda when Dusty wasn’t looking. “No thanks. I’ve got to run. But it’s been great seeing you again, Linda. I’m sorry I can’t attend your wedding, other commitments that Saturday. But I’ll gladly fill in for you here if necessary.”
“Thank you so much. That takes a load off my mind, and I’ve got dozens of wedding plans swirling around in my head as it is. But I will continue to search for a replacement.”
Susan hugged Linda warmly. “No problem, girlfriend. Call me if you find yourself in the city. We’ll get together for lunch again.”
“You know I’m addicted to that soup…”
“Do you mean the diner around the corner from the bank?” Dusty actually sounded interested.
“Yeah. Have you eaten there? The soup is to die for.” Linda rubbed her tummy.
“I know. I met Susan for lunch there a couple times, too.” Dusty grinned. “The waitresses know her by her first name.”
“She knows all of them, too.” Linda chuckled.
“Gotta scram. I’ll talk to you again soon, Linda.” Susan headed toward the front door to retrieve her jacket and scarf. On the way down the hallway, she called. “By the way, it was nice seeing you again, too, Dusty. Take care.” She grabbed her jacket, scarf and purse and headed out the door before she burst into laughter. She could strangle Linda for not forewarning her, suggesting she care for Dusty. But if this nursing and banking thing didn’t work out for Linda and herself, they could try their hands at acting.
That had been an academy award winning performance if she’d ever seen one.
****
“Want a cup of coffee, old timer?” Dusty wheeled his chair over to the kitchen counter. He was actually getting quite adept at maneuvering the wheelchair around the house. His therapy moved along at a snail’s pace, in his opinion, but he could stand and take a few tentative steps. He still didn’t dare hope he’d be as good as new someday.
“Sure. Cream, no sugar.” Brock strode across the room and tossed a file folder onto the table.
“I remember.” Dusty poured two cups of coffee and doctored them to their liking.
Brock grabbed the mugs off the counter and seated himself at the kitchen table. Dusty wheeled up beside him.
“Was that Susan’s car I saw parked out front awhile ago?”
Dusty nodded.
“About time you put things right with her after treating her like crap while you were in the hospital.
She spent every day there, worrying about you, praying you’d wake up and be able to walk again. You don’t deserve her. You know that, right?” Brock sipped his coffee.
“She came to visit Ms. Walters.” Dusty scrubbed his face. “Apparently, they became good friends during the time I spent…”
“So you haven’t apologized for your unforgiveable behavior?” Brock frowned.
“Actually, I shared a cup of coffee with them. Did you know Ms. Walters is getting married in December?” Dusty grabbed another cookie off the plate on the table. “She’ll make a good wife, a good mother. She’s very kind-hearted, an exceptionally caring person. And she makes the best cookies ever.” Dusty grinned. “If you ever meet the Branigans’ housekeeper, please don’t repeat what I just said.”
“You didn’t answer my question. Did you apologize or not?”
“Not exactly. She agreed to stay here until we find a replacement for Ms. Walters.” Dusty cleared his throat. “I didn’t apologize but should have. I just couldn’t get the words out.”
“I know, son. No one blames you for feeling the way you did. It was a stressful time for all of us. But now, I think you’d better swallow your pride and do the right thing.”
“I wanted to spare her from living the remainder of her life with a cripple. There’s still no guarantee I’ll walk again, that I’ll be able to operate the ranch like I…” Dusty didn’t divulge the other reason for breaking off the relationship with Susan. What he suspected was the true reason behind his shoddy behavior.
Could he admit those fears to Susan?
“That’s where you’re wrong, Dusty.” Brock reached for the file folder and flipped it open. “I’ve been checking out a few things, and they’re ready for your approval. A few other decisions have to be made after you provide your input on the idea. Between the two of us there’s no reason we can’t run this ranch together until you’re back in top form again.”
“You’re assuming that day will come.” Dusty waved off the idea. He still wouldn’t allow himself to believe in miracles, or modern medicine. His therapist encouraged him to work hard, assured him that anything was possible.
When Dreams Collide Page 16