Small-Town Girl (Mills & Boon Vintage Superromance) (Mills & Boon Superromance)

by Carmichael, C. J.

  Feet pounding against the packed gravel on Willow Road, Russell ate up the yards leading toward the golf course clubhouse, determined to wear off some of his nervous energy. The midafternoon sun was warm on his back, although the air still held a nip of that morning’s frost.

  Knowing his pace would be too strenuous for Watson, he’d left the forlorn puppy standing at the living room window this morning. He’d take him for a walk later to make the disappointment up to him. Right now Russell needed speed and solitude.

  He hadn’t heard from Julie since she’d left. His messages at the hotel had gone unanswered. When he’d tried her cell phone, his call had been forwarded to voice messaging.

  What was going on? Why didn’t she want to talk to him?

  He was afraid he knew the answer to both those questions. Julie had left him. She wasn’t coming back. Had left with the intention of never coming back.

  As a father, Russell’s main concern ought to be Ben. When their son found out his parents were splitting up, he’d be devastated.

  But at this moment, Russell could only think about himself. Somehow he’d known, even on the day of their wedding, that he wouldn’t be able to keep her. And the fear of losing her was as overpowering as ever.

  Life without Julie. The emptiness of it would kill him.

  Hearing a car coming up from behind, Russell automatically angled to the left-hand side of the road. Expecting the vehicle to pass, he was surprised and annoyed when it first slowed, then stopped.

  Spotting Heather’s signature red hair, he felt like cursing. What was she doing? He wasn’t up to discussing their past, not today. He knew that he owed Heather, yet right now only one woman mattered to him. He wished he could just ignore Heather and run across the baseball field to his right. Instead, he waited politely for her to roll down the window of her Tracker.

  “Russell.”

  The way she said his name changed everything. He realized right away she was here for reasons that had nothing to do with the two of them. Something had happened.

  “I’m sorry to have to tell you this. Craig’s parents have been trying desperately to reach you.”

  He’d been afraid the bad news would have to do with Julie. Now his panic shifted from fears about his wife to a desperate anxiety for his son. “Is Ben okay?”

  “I think so, Russ. But he’s at the hospital in Yorkton. He fell off the barn roof this morning and hurt his arm—it may be broken.”

  A broken arm could be serious, Russell knew, but poor Ben had suffered worse. “Did he injure anything else in the fall?”

  “I’m not sure. Craig’s mother didn’t say.” Heather brushed her hair back with her hand. “I’m sorry. I should have asked.”

  He noticed the sheen of sweat on her forehead, the stern line of her mouth. He’d thank her later, he promised himself, as he jumped into the passenger seat. “Could you drive me home?” Too late, he remembered his car was at the airport parking lot in Regina. Maybe he could borrow his mother’s vehicle.

  “I’ll take you to the hospital. You shouldn’t be driving, Russ. You’ve had a shock.”

  They’d arrive that much faster, so he didn’t argue. This was no time to be polite. “Do you happen to have a cell phone in here?”

  “In the glove compartment. I keep it for emergencies.” She gave him a tiny smile. “I guess this qualifies.”

  “Thanks.” He fumbled with the latch on the compartment, his hands shaking. It was probably a good thing after all that he wasn’t behind the wheel. Carefully he punched in the number of Julie’s hotel—a number he had memorized thanks to all his previous calls. When he inadvertently struck the wrong key, he swore, then tried again.

  Not surprisingly, she wasn’t in her room and he had to leave a message. Next he tried her cell phone, not hoping for much.

  “She might be in a meeting,” he said to Heather as he prepared to face another recording. He counted the rings. One. Two. Three. On four, the answering service would kick in. But he never made it that far.

  From more than a thousand miles away, his wife sounded unusually tentative—perhaps the connection was at fault.

  “Russell, is that you?”

  “I’m so glad you answered.” He just couldn’t have handled another recording.

  “Is something wrong?”

  “Ben’s had a little fall.” He tried to downplay the incident. “He may have broken his arm. I’m just on my way to the hospital in Yorkton.”

  “Ben broke his arm? Is he with you?” Julie’s voice, alarmed now, came through clearly.

  “No. He was at Craig’s farm when it happened.” Guilt kicked in then. He’d known when he gave Ben permission for the sleepover that Julie wouldn’t have approved. But hell, could anyone have guessed something like this would occur?

  “Oh, God, he’s alone.”

  She meant without family. “I’m almost there. I’ll take care of him. Don’t you worry.”

  As he disconnected, he remembered other occasions when he’d made her the same promise. And he prayed that this time he’d be able to live up to it.

  JULIE SPOTTED AN EMPTY CAB and stepped out in front of it. Brakes squealed.

  From the open window, the driver swore. “Jeez, lady. Lookin’ to get killed today?”

  “I need to get to the airport. And fast.” She was already in the passenger seat, leaning forward to speak to the driver. “Please,” she added belatedly.

  The driver’s expression, reflected in the rearview mirror, switched from annoyed to compassionate. As he swung the car back into traffic, he asked, “Family emergency?”

  How had he guessed? She remembered she’d been crying before. The tracks probably still lined her face. Nodding, she held her breath, not wanting to start up again, even though she knew from past experience she wouldn’t.

  Some types of pain were beyond tears. At least for her.

  From beyond her window, storefronts passed in a blur, attractive window displays just a jumble of things. She felt helpless, trapped in a recurring nightmare with no hope of waking in relief. How many times could a mother survive rushing to the hospital to check on her injured child? Why did this keep happening?

  She already knew the answer. Of course she knew. The first time had been inexcusable. This time—well, she deserved every heart-wrenching second of anguish that she would suffer before she finally got to the hospital.

  She considered trying to call Russell, to ask for more information. He’d been unbearably brief. Perhaps he’d withheld details, not wanting to cause her worry. But she needed to know.

  Before she could try to get through to the hospital in Yorkton, though, the cab stopped at the airport. A dense fog intensified her feeling of being encased in a dream. She paid the driver, then stepped outside. The scent of rain filled her lungs. She stood alone on the sidewalk, feeling something was wrong.

  She had no suitcase. It was still at the hotel.

  She would call from home and have them send it to her. Or not. Did it matter if she ever saw any of that stuff again? Nothing mattered. Only Ben.

  Inside, she lined up to speak to someone who could help her change her ticket to an earlier flight. One seat was available now. She’d have to pay for business class. And run to the boarding gate.

  Her lack of luggage a decided benefit, Julie followed the employee’s pointed finger and sprinted. She passed through Security, then charged ahead to her gate. The attendants were expecting her and rushed her onto the plane.

  She dropped into her seat, out of breath, and closed her eyes.

  She heard someone whisper, “Her son’s been in an accident.” How did they know? She must have told someone. The man who’d transferred her ticket? She couldn’t remember.

  What if Russell hadn’t relayed the whole story? What if Ben had other injuries, besides the broken arm? He could have hurt his head again. Russell hadn’t actually said Ben was conscious. She’d been so stupid not to think to ask.

  A size-three Converse runn
ing shoe, flying through the air, laces untied…

  Oh, God, why had she left him? Taking this trip had been such a selfish act. She’d missed the city; she’d missed her job. So what? Nine-year-old boys needed a mother who put them first. They needed supervision and rules and…

  A little freedom, a little fun? If Russell were here, that’s what he’d say. Betty and Larry, too.

  Maybe after today they’d see they’d been wrong. Ben was more fragile than they’d realized. He hadn’t even recovered from his first accident. Now his body would have to cope with more trauma….

  Strong winds made the ride over the Rocky Mountains bumpy but thankfully short. Once the doors were opened for deplaning, passengers waved her to the front of the line. Too choked up to even murmur thank-you, she managed a tight smile as she clutched her purse and hurried out.

  In the Regina airport, Julie bypassed the luggage carousel and headed for the parking lot. As she passed through the glass doors, her reflection shocked her.

  She’d forgotten about the snagged hem on her skirt, her untucked blouse—she peered closer—her tear-streaked face. No wonder everyone on the plane had been so solicitous. She looked as though she’d been the one in the accident.

  The two-hour drive to Yorkton passed in a blur. Dimly she noted the shining sun, the nakedness of freshly harvested fields, the dwindling traffic as the miles increased between her and the city.

  For once she found the space and the quiet comforting. Opening the window, she breathed in pure air, and that helped, too.

  The Yorkton Union Hospital lay on the southern edge of the city. Built of pale-yellow brick, it had a solid, approachable aura. As she parked, Julie wondered how Russell had driven here. Had he borrowed his parents’ car? In her glance at the visitors’ parking section, Julie couldn’t spot it. But she didn’t waste time searching.

  She hurried inside, then stopped at the information desk for directions. Julie wished for something to lean on as she followed along the corridor as directed. Her legs were awfully weak all of a sudden.

  In Emergency, waiting patients filled about a third of the available seats. She spotted the admitting nurse and went to inquire about her son.

  “Oh, so you’re the mother. Come on, this way.”

  The woman, in her late twenties, with her dark hair pulled tight into a ponytail, led her down yet another hallway. This time she stopped at a room with an open door.

  “Here he is. Got your cast yet, buddy?”

  Dizziness swept over Julie as she took in the scene. Ben sat on the examination table, fully conscious, actually beaming.

  “Look, Mom! I’ve got a cast! Isn’t it the coolest thing you’ve ever seen?”

  Oh, Ben! She stepped up beside him, stroked his hair. “Yes, that certainly is one terrific cast.” He was okay. Conscious and well. Truly all that had happened was the broken arm. From the corner, behind the door, she heard Russell’s wry comment.

  “Let’s hope he still thinks it’s cool in another couple of weeks.” He came up from behind her and put an arm on her shoulder. She turned slightly, and only then saw that a third person occupied the room.

  “Heather?”

  The redhead had on jeans and a thick blue sweater that brought out the color of her eyes and turned her hair to pure copper.

  “I gave Russ a ride to the hospital. I’ve been running gofer ever since. Want me to get you something? You look a little pale.”

  Julie hardly took in a word that was spoken. All she wanted right now was for Russell to hold her. The relief at seeing Ben patched up and healthy was making her head spin.

  “I’d better get you something to drink.” Heather backed out of the room, leaving the three of them alone.

  “Honey, what’s wrong?” Russell whispered so Ben wouldn’t hear. He smoothed his thumbs over her cheeks and she remembered she still hadn’t washed her face.

  She couldn’t answer, afraid she’d start crying.

  “Maybe I shouldn’t have called. I didn’t mean to worry you.” He kissed her forehead. “Though I have to admit it’s awfully nice to have you back.”

  Julie filled her lungs with air and forced a matter-of-fact tone. “Of course you did the right thing in phoning me. Now, what about Ben’s arm?”

  “It’s a clean break. The doctor thinks the cast can come off in about four weeks. And Ben will be good as new.” As he spoke, Russell stepped back. She noticed he wore his running clothes and that he hadn’t yet shaved.

  She thought again of Heather, who’d been here when Julie had not. She knew she ought to feel grateful toward the other woman. Not angry and resentful. Still, she had to force a smile when Heather reappeared with a granola bar and orange juice.

  “I’ll bet you haven’t eaten anything all day,” she said, handing the items to Julie.

  “Thanks.” She hadn’t. Not even breakfast. Though she still didn’t feel hungry, Julie forced herself to open the juice. Her hands trembled as she raised the bottle to her mouth.

  “Well, I’m going to head off now. Want me to call your parents on my cell, Russ?”

  That was how Russell had called her, Julie realized. From Heather’s car. Had they been together when they heard about Ben’s accident? Had they been together since the moment she’d left town?

  She hated the ugly suspicions. Didn’t she trust her husband?

  Yes. No. Oh, God, she just couldn’t think straight right now. She’d have to worry about this later. Once Ben was home and safe.

  Meanwhile, Russell was answering Heather’s question. “It would be great if you called Mom and Dad. Tell them Ben’s just fine and Julie’s home now.”

  “Right.” She turned to Ben, mussing his hair. “See you later, mister. And no monopolizing my classroom on Monday morning with the tale of your daring adventure. Okay?”

  He grinned and nodded.

  “Thanks for everything, Heather.”

  Julie purposefully looked away as her husband said goodbye to his friend. She didn’t want to see the emotions crossing each of their faces. At this point she couldn’t deal with anything but Ben. Making sure he truly was okay.

  “So what happened, buddy?” She perched on the examination table next to him. As he talked, she stared at her legs, noticing a run in her stockings.

  “I had a great time at Craig’s farm, Mom. You should see the barn. It’s huge. They’ve got about four cats, and one of them has kittens. And they milk their cows with machines….”

  “I’ve already heard the gory details,” Russell said. “I’m going to check out where they hide the washrooms in this place. Be back in a minute.”

  Julie nodded at her husband without interrupting her conversation with Ben. She couldn’t remember him speaking this much since before his first accident. “And did you get to taste the milk?”

  “Yeah, it’s real different from the kind that comes from the store. I didn’t like it much. But the cows were nice.” Ben provided so many details about his sleepover and the farm and all the animals that sorting out how the accident had actually occurred was difficult.

  In the end, Julie surmised that Craig and Ben had scrambled up a ladder onto the roof of some sort of shed used to store equipment. Ben had lost his balance and tumbled onto a stack of hay bales, which fortunately broke his fall.

  “Your arm must have really hurt.”

  “It did.” Ben leaned into her then, and Julie wrapped him in a hug. “It looked freaky, too,” he confided.

  “Poor Ben. I’m sorry I wasn’t there to drive you to the hospital.”

  “That’s okay. Craig’s dad took me.”

  “I’m glad he did. But I bet you wished either Dad or I had been there, didn’t you?”

  He tucked in his chin and nodded.

  Julie squeezed him harder. “I’m so sorry, Ben. Every time you get hurt I’m just not around. I don’t know why it happens that way. I love you so much. I want to keep you safe all the time.”

  “I don’t remember much about the first
accident, Mom.”

  Probably a good thing, Julie thought. But it might be wise to talk about it anyway. Maybe this was the time.

  “You were on your way to the aquarium.”

  “Yeah. I used to love that place.”

  “Yes, you did. Jeff’s mom drove the van and you and Jeff were sitting in the back. You probably don’t remember why, but for some reason you hadn’t put on your seat belt.” Ben always wore his seat belt when he rode with her or Russell. So why hadn’t he this time?

  The police officers who’d investigated the accident were pretty sure that had his seat belt been fastened, Ben’s injuries would have been as minor as Jeff’s.

  “I remember, Mom. Jeff’s mom told us we better have our shoelaces tied or she wouldn’t let us out of the van when we got there. I had to take off the seat belt to reach my shoe. After that—” he frowned “—everything goes black.”

  Julie wanted to scream. All these months of suffering boiled down to this: Ben’s seemingly innocent decision to unbuckle his belt for a few seconds while he did up his shoe. Jeff’s mom probably hadn’t even realized what he’d done….

  “I’m glad you don’t recall the accident, Ben. I think it must have been very scary. But do you remember that I was supposed to go to the aquarium with you guys that day?”

  She’d planned to take Ben for a haircut first, then meet Jeff and his mom at the aquarium. Only, that emergency meeting had been called at the magazine. And she’d backed out of the outing. At the time, the meeting had seemed very important to her….

  Again the thought came: if she’d skipped it, Ben wouldn’t have been in the van when it crashed. He would have been fine.

  “That’s okay, Mom. You took me to the aquarium lots of other times.”

  Her son was trying to comfort her. Julie pressed a hand to her mouth, sucked in a breath, then steadied her voice. “I’m just so glad you’re getting better, buddy. Did you have any headaches while I was gone?”