“Thank you.” He sipped the coffee Josie had quietly brought him. After last night, he didn’t want to tell Lisa he’d decided to have her live with him. Not until he was certain he’d made the right decision. Until he knew she would cooperate, that he would be able to keep her under control. And safe. “I’ve decided to stay around a little longer, to give you time to feel comfortable about leaving with me. I’m going to try to rent a house near Josie’s.”
“But your work…”
“As long as everything goes smoothly with your uncle Gary, I’ll be fine staying with you a while longer.”
“I guess I don’t deserve this.”
“Of course you do. You’re my…niece. You’re family. And I want to make sure you’re ready to leave before we go back to Charleston.” He patted her arm. “Now get to work before Bud fires you.”
“Okay. I’ll see you later.”
“I’ll tell you what. Josie’s working a double today, so why don’t we go hiking this afternoon?”
“Kind of like boot camp?”
He smiled at her. “Something like that.”
Once Lisa had gone to the kitchen, Michael watched Josie as she continued to ignore him. Enough was enough. He wouldn’t let her ignore what they’d shared. Even if it was only temporary.
He stalked toward her. “Excuse me.” He tapped her on the shoulder. “Could we go for a quick walk?”
“No,” Josie said. “I’m working.”
“Bud,” he called. “Could you spare Josie for a few minutes?”
She glared at Michael. “I can’t—”
“That’s up to Josie,” Bud said. “But we can do without her for a half hour now that Lisa is here.”
Josie went with him grudgingly, only to keep from making a scene. Once outside and down the street a ways, she stopped dead in her tracks. “How dare you manhandle me into taking a break.”
“I didn’t—” He took her hands. “What’s wrong, Josie?”
She snatched them back to her sides, trying to find the words to describe the horrible fear that had struck her last night after he’d left.
“Speechless, huh? That’s a first,” he teased.
“Okay. You asked for it.” She stuffed some hair back up into her ponytail. “I’m freaking out over last night.”
“Not over Lisa, I take it.”
“Well, I freaked over that, too. But I’m talking about us. Me and you.”
“Over one hug?”
“It was more than just a hug between friends, Mike, in case you didn’t notice.”
He stepped closer. “Believe me. I noticed.”
She moved back the same distance he had moved forward. “You know good and well it was much more than a hug or holding hands. There seem to be feelings developing.”
“That’s funny. I sure couldn’t tell by the way you were acting this morning.”
She looked away, then forced herself to maintain eye contact. “I guess I’ve got ‘morning after’ guilt.”
Laughter roared out of him. “I love your humor. And the way you tell it like it is.”
Wasn’t that just like him, to hit her right in the spot where she was vulnerable? The spot inside her that wanted to live loud and be allowed to be herself. She’d found a man who could appreciate those very qualities in her that had isolated her so many times.
The temptation to launch herself into his arms was like jet engines strapped to her feet.
He’ll be a different person in Charleston.
Yep. Put him back in the bank, in the community, in his family, and he’d be the same man who’d walked into the diner exactly one week before.
No one changed that much in one week. Not for good anyway.
“Mike, you’re only fascinated with me because I’m different from the women you’ve typically dated.”
“You can say that again.”
She laughed even though she didn’t want to. “See, you’re learning to speak your mind, too.”
“I admit it is kind of nice. Can you teach me more?”
“You want to be a big mouth?”
“I want to be spontaneous.” He pulled her closer. “Teach me to have more fun, Josie. I enjoyed last night so much.”
As long as he was going to be in town, she could do that for him. Couldn’t she?
Hard as it was, she managed to push him away. “Sure. Lisa and I can teach you to have fun.” But she wouldn’t let her heart get involved. She couldn’t afford to.
They could make it work. As long as she could forget any crazy notions she’d had for long-term. They could enjoy each other’s company and then say goodbye.
Michael spent the morning filling out a three-month lease agreement, the minimum he could get. But even if he only needed it a week, it would be worth every penny. He could afford to take the loss.
He then went about securing enough furniture to survive for a short while and buying a few groceries. Luckily, the house near Josie had all the appliances he would need—refrigerator and washer and dryer. The range would probably be an untouched bonus. Wal-Mart provided a microwave, linens, paper products, cleaning products and toiletries.
He felt as if he were setting up a college dorm room.
By the time he got sheets put on the bed—straight out of the package and as stiff as a nicely starched shirt—he barely made it on time to pick up Lisa.
She fell asleep in the car during the short drive to Josie’s house. He woke her as he passed his new house.
“Lisa, wake up. I want to show you something.”
She opened her eyes, but appeared addled. “What is it?”
“That house right there.” He pointed. “I rented it today. I’ll get you a key.”
“Oh, okay. Am I going to live there, too?”
He couldn’t tell whether she wanted to or not. “You’re going to stay with Josie for now. But if you decide you’d like to move across the street, just let me know. We might be able to work something out.”
She rubbed her hand over her eyes. “I’m cool with that.”
Once they were at Josie’s house, Lisa went to wash her face and change clothes. When she came out, she looked young and scrubbed clean, like a kid right out of the bathtub.
“So are you ready to hit the national park?” he asked.
“Sure. And I’ll even give you time to buy some boots this time.”
Michael’s new heavy-duty hiking boots squeezed his toes a tad, but he felt prepared for anything.
Lisa eyed her own new boots. “Thanks, again, Uncle Michael. I’ve wanted some like these for a long time.”
“You’re welcome.” The most amazing part to him was that she’d had him buy himself a pair that matched hers.
He locked the car and slung the new backpack over his shoulder.
“You’re such a Boy Scout.” Lisa snorted a laugh. “A ton of supplies for a measly hike on a trail blazed by tourists of every age.”
“Hey, my motto really is to be prepared.” Especially when alone with his niece who would most likely blaze her own trails throughout life.
Just like Josie.
He had to laugh at his lack of preparedness when it came to Josie, though. Including his failure to protect his heart.
He and Lisa headed up the worn path not far behind some other hikers. But it didn’t take five minutes for Lisa to point the way down a rocky slope. “These boots are made for hiking,” she sang. “Not meandering.”
With no other choice, he started out after her. “Okay. At least I brought my cell phone in case we get lost.”
“Good luck getting a signal.”
They made their way through overgrown vines and underbrush. He followed her, checking a compass every so often.
“Oh, good. There’s a stream up ahead,” she said. “I’m getting a blister on my heel.”
“And I, the Boy Scout, have a bandage.”
“I guess I’ll have to quit teasing you if you’ll give me one.”
He sat on the grassy i
ncline and watched her peel off one boot and sock, then stick that foot into the icy water.
It was hard to believe this was the same girl who had hiked at the river only days before.
She smiled at him and his heart lurched. “You look so much like your mom,” he said.
She lifted her foot out of the water and stood on the other like a stork. “Do I really? ’Cause she was, like, really pretty in old pictures.”
“She was really pretty. And so are you.”
Lisa stood on both legs once again. “Tell me something about her. Something good.”
The good memories were so buried in the more recent bad memories that it took him a minute to reprogram his musings.
Forget the alcohol and drugs, Michael. Find Patricia.
Suddenly, he had a picture form in his mind. “Your mom loved dolls. Especially one baby she got when she was about five or six. She got new ones through the years, but none ever compared to that worn, ratty-haired one.” He tossed a rock into the stream. “She took such good care of it. I couldn’t figure out how she learned. Your grandmother was never very maternal.”
“Maybe she treated the doll like she always wished Grandmother would treat her.”
“I suppose you’re right.” He unzipped his pack to get a bandage for her blister.
“What was the doll’s name?” She peeled off the paper and applied it to her heel.
He recalled Patricia putting the baby in a toy high chair and feeding it. What was it she’d called the thing? She’d rocked the doll and sung to it, calling it—The name hit him like a kick in the gut.
“Lisa,” he choked out. “She called her Lisa.”
Tears puddled in his niece’s eyes but didn’t spill over. She put her sock and boot back on and started to climb on the rocks. “Thanks for telling me, Uncle Michael.”
“Any time. I’d be happy to tell you anything you want to know.”
“Come on, old man. You need to test out those boots.” She hopped to a nearby rock, landing easily with perfect traction. “They’re great!”
He eased onto a rock near the edge of the water, scuffing his sole back and forth, testing the treads. “They do hold pretty well.” He leaped out to a rock beside the one she was on.
The air was nippy, but the sun shone brightly, lighting her rosy cheeks. She was the picture of wholesomeness—if he could imagine her with brown hair instead of green.
He could do this. He could take her home and form a two-person family. How hard could it be? Josie had prepared him well. He could take Lisa shopping. Even if he couldn’t cook much, he could take her to restaurants. They could have fun together playing golf, hiking, maybe going to movies or whatever else teens liked to do.
He could even ground her when it was necessary to discipline her.
This wasn’t so hard after all, as long as he was willing to try new things. To be more spontaneous.
“Come on, Uncle Michael. I’ll race you across the stream. Last one there buys pizza for dinner.”
“I don’t know. Maybe if we take it slow.”
“Ready, set, go,” she yelled, then took off.
The boots did grip well. And she was getting ahead.
He jumped to a nearby rock, hoping to find a shortcut from the path she seemed to be taking. Once he landed, he saw the perfect sequence. He quickly pulled ahead of her. “I’ve got it now. You’ll never win.”
“You’re dreaming.” She laughed. He could hear her huffing behind him, drawing closer. She squealed.
His heart pounded from the strain. He’d been holding his breath each time he leaped. He took a deep breath and made the last lunge toward land. With his arms in the air, he turned to celebrate his victory and rub it in.
She was gone.
He searched, his lungs feeling as if they might burst out of his chest.
He saw her lying on her back in the water, her face barely above the surface. “Please God, no.”
Chapter Twelve
Michael ran to Lisa, splashing in water over his ankles. When he reached her, he knelt and gently felt for a heartbeat. She had a pulse, and was breathing, but she was unconscious. A quick search showed blood oozing from a wound on the back of her head.
She must have fallen backward and hit her head on a rock.
He yanked out his cell phone and dialed 9-1-1, praising God that he had one bar of signal. After giving approximate directions to where they were, he followed the dispatcher’s instructions to carefully move her out of the frigid water while trying to stabilize her neck.
Gently, he carried her to the grass. Once she was bundled under his coat, he applied pressure to her wound with sterile gauze out of his first-aid kit.
She opened her eyes. “Uncle Michael?”
“Yeah, honey. I’m here. You must’ve fallen.”
“Did I win?”
A laugh worked its way through the fear and panic. “You sure did. I’m buying tonight.”
“I don’t think I feel like eating pizza.” She heaved herself up and lost her lunch on the ground.
At least her back and neck weren’t injured. But she needed to get to a hospital to be checked for a concussion. And maybe stitches. “Come on, honey. Hold this gauze against your head, and I’ll carry you up to the car. There should be an ambulance soon.”
“Okay.” She looked pale. And in pain.
What had he been thinking, racing across slippery rocks? Why had he ever thought he could take care of someone?
Josie shuffled into the house, thankful Regina had made it to the diner so she didn’t have to work a full double, but still worn out. All she wanted was a hot shower and to wash the grease out of her hair.
Once she’d indulged, she came out fresh and peachy. While toweling her curls to absorb the excess water, she went to the kitchen to get a glass of iced tea. The flash of the answering machine caught her attention. She didn’t get many messages, so she pushed the button.
“Josie, it’s Michael. Lisa’s had an accident.”
The blood rushed from Josie’s face leaving her light-headed.
“We’re on our way to the hospital to have her checked. I’ll try you at the diner.”
The machine clicked off. No other messages.
“Mike! Which hospital?”
Paralyzed with fear, Josie’s brain had to kick into gear and make her body start moving. First shoes. Then call the closest hospital to see if they’re there.
Ice froze Josie’s insides as she grabbed the phone book, her leaden hands almost too stiff to turn the pages. Once she found the listing of the nearest hospital, she punched in the number.
“Emergency room.”
“Could you tell me if you’ve had a Lisa Throckmorton admitted?”
“Hold, please.”
Josie gripped the phone cord to her chest. Please, God.
“Yes, I see a Throckmorton came in around a half hour ago.”
Josie swallowed, almost unable to speak. “Can…can you tell me what happened? What her condition is?”
“I’m sorry, unless you’re a member of the immediate family, I can’t give out that information.”
Josie fought tears as she realized how much Mike and Lisa meant to her. “Look, lady. They’re the only family I have.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, Mrs. Throckmorton. All I know at the moment is that it’s a head injury, and she’s gone for a CT scan.”
Oh, dear Lord. A head injury? “Thank you.” Josie slammed down the phone, grabbed her keys and ran out to her car. She raced to the hospital emergency entrance and parked among the ambulances.
Mike had left her name at the reception desk. They led her through a set of double doors to an examination room. She barreled in and saw Lisa lying on a stretcher with a bandage around her head. “What happened?”
Mike startled. “Shh. You’re going to hurt her head banging around like that.”
“Tell me what happened. Is she okay?”
He took Josie’s hand and led her to the bed. “We we
re in the park, and she slipped on a rock in the stream. Has a concussion. But she’s going to be fine.”
Tears gushed out of Josie’s eyes as she started to shake all over. “I got home…Your message…I was so scared.”
“It’s just a stupid bump on the head and a few stitches,” Lisa muttered. “It’s not like they had to take a kidney or somethin’.”
Tears of relief mingled with the tears of fright. Then Josie started laughing.
“Do you do a lot of that?” Mike smiled at her. “That laughing and crying at the same time?”
“Only since I realized I love this green-headed renegade.” She looked at Lisa and tried to smile through wobbly lips.
“I love you, too, Josie.” Lisa’s face crumpled. Tears welled up and she started to cry. Then she, too, ended up laughing. “Ouch. That hurts. Stop it, Josie.”
When Josie let out a hysterical laugh-wail, Lisa laughed harder. Which led to a pain-filled groan from the patient. “Oh, that hurts.”
“Are you two going to be okay, now?” Mike asked.
Lisa passed the tissue box to Josie, who took one, wiped her eyes, then blew her nose with a loud honk.
Lisa swiped at her tears. “I know I don’t show it. But I love you, Uncle Mike.”
“Uncle Mike?” he said, unsure of how to answer her. He’d never told anyone he loved them before, not even Gloria. And he couldn’t remember anyone telling him, either.
“Yeah,” Lisa said. “I think you’ve earned the nickname.”
Michael reached for his niece. Maybe it wasn’t possible to plan for moments like this. Maybe you just had to go for it. “You know, I love you, too. From the minute I first saw you bundled in a pink hospital blanket.” He caressed her face.
“Ouch,” Lisa said.
He jerked his hand away. “Did I hurt you?”
“It’s okay. Like I said, it’s—” she took in several puffs of air “—it’s only a stupid—” tears spurted out of the corners of her eyes “—bump on the head.” She began to sob.
He leaned over to comfort her, trying not to cause any pain. He patted Lisa’s hand, a safe area. “What’s wrong, pumpkin?”
“Pumpkin? No one’s called me that in…so…loooong.” The wailing began in earnest, then.
Her Unlikely Family Page 14