by Chloe Lang
She could never separate them. Never choose one over the other. They were brothers. They were meant to share a woman. That was the Destiny way. She wished she could’ve been that woman, but clearly Dustin would never commit to her, especially if he ever learned her secret.
She brought out her cell. It had rang as they’d walked out of Phong’s, but she’d let it go to voice mail when she saw it was from Dr. Alex Champion, the man offering her the job in Nevada.
I could use a glass of wine before I listen to it.
She went into the kitchen, feeling the nervous trembles. They’d been brought on by Mick’s words. Part of her wanted to say “yes” to him. A big part of her. But the other part, the sensible part, the part that still loved Dustin, too, could never agree to marry just Mick.
She filled her wine glass, sat down, and listened to her message.
“Ms. Cottrell, this is Dr. Alex Champion. I hope you’re still considering our offer. I would like very much for you to come to Wilde. I’ll answer any questions you have, and you can look over our facility. I’m anxious to hear from you.”
Even though it was only 5pm, early enough to return Champion’s call, she set down her cell and brought her wine glass to her lips.
The call to the doctor in Wilde would have to wait. First, she wanted to relax and clear her head.
As the rich Malbec washed over her tongue, she leaned back in her chair, wishing her life had turned out the way she’d imagined. She closed her eyes and thought about the house she’d dreamed would be hers one day with Dustin and Mick. It had to be two stories, with a big wraparound porch. Large windows. With a big lot with lots of trees their children could play in.
But it will never be.
She placed her empty glass on the table next to her. One glass only, Paris.
Amber could go into labor any time, and she’d have to return to the clinic to help Dustin deliver the Stone’s baby.
Paris closed her eyes, feeling more loss wash over her. She’d wanted babies, too. Wanted Dustin and Mick’s babies.
“Stop it, Paris. You have to be strong. You know what you have to do.” She needed to leave Destiny and everything and everyone she’d ever known. The fantasy she’d built in her mind had to be left behind, too.
The detour to Wilde was something she’d never expected to have to take, but one she could no longer avoid, despite Mick’s proposal.
Would he and Dustin find another woman after she left? One they could fall in love with? Someone who Dustin could commit to? Deep down she couldn’t allow herself to even imagine such a thing happening.
If I leave, why shouldn’t I want them to be happy?
She should be selfless, but she couldn’t be.
“Damn, I hate this.”
* * * *
Mick drove to his parents’ house on Glenview Road. Dustin’s car wasn’t around, so he knew he must’ve already left. He thought about turning around and heading to the clinic, which was likely the place Dustin would be, but decided now that he was here it would be good to talk to his folks. They needed to be aware of his decision.
He walked up to the front door, knocked, and opened it. “Hey. Anybody home?”
His mom came out from the kitchen. “I hope you’re staying for dinner. I couldn’t convince your brother to. How are you, honey?”
“Not good, Mom. I have something I want to talk with you about.”
“With me and your dads, I’m guessing, right?”
“Yes, I hope they’re here.”
“You know your dads. Leo is in the garage working on that old jalopy and Larry is in the garden pulling weeds. I’ll put on a pot of coffee and call them inside. We can talk around our favorite spot to work things out, the kitchen table.”
“Thanks, Mom.” He followed her into the kitchen and sat down in his chair.
She opened the back door. “Larry, our other son is here. Go get Leo and come inside. He wants to talk to us.”
“Seems to be the theme today, sweetheart.”
“Hush up, honey. Both of you wash your hands in the garage sink and wipe your shoes off before coming inside.”
“After thirty-five years, don’t you think we know to do that?”
She smiled. “Love you. Now hurry up.”
“Love you, too, baby.”
She shut the door. “Now, what was I doing? Oh yes. The coffee. Mick, I still have some peanut butter cookies left.”
“Thank you, Mom, but just one, please. I had a big lunch with Paris and I’m still full.”
Dad Leo and Pop Larry came through the back door.
“Good to see you, son,” Dad Leo said.
Pop Larry placed his unlit pipe in the ashtray that had been by the back door for as long as Mick could remember. “How are things up at Steele Ranch?”
“Very good. The new heifers are ready for breeding. Rambo is really getting excited. Somehow bulls seem to know.”
“Shall we cut the chitchat short and get down to the real reason you’re here, son.” Dad Leo took the seat next to him.
His mom frowned. “You could’ve at least waited until I poured the coffee, Leo.”
“Louise, you’re pouring it right now, darlin’, so there’s no sense in putting this off.”
He should have guessed they already knew about his fight with Dustin that morning. “It seems you already know why I’m here, Dad.”
“Not entirely, but your brother was just here sharing his troubles. I’m betting your visit has something to do with that, and in particular you’re here to talk about Paris just like Dustin did.”
His mother handed him a hot cup of coffee and a plate of cookies. “Honey, give the boy a second to breathe.”
“He’s right, Mom. That’s why I came. I have been backed into a corner by Dustin and by Paris.”
She sat down next to him and grabbed his hand. “What do you mean?”
“Paris has a job offer in Nevada. The ten years she was away from Destiny nearly killed me. I can’t lose her again. I won’t. With or without Dustin, I intend to marry her.”
He could see on their faces how upset that news made them. No wonder. His dads were brothers, and so were their fathers. Even his mom came from a typical Destiny family, with three fathers, all siblings, and one mom. It was the way things were meant to be in this part of the world. Expected even.
Pop Larry sat his cup of coffee down on the table. “Son, I understand how you feel, but we just had a long talk with your brother. I really believe we made some headway for the very first time. Can’t you just wait on this proposal for a couple of weeks?”
“Pop, I can’t. I saw it in her eyes. She’s going to bolt again. She’s given up on Dustin.”
“But don’t you give up on him, honey.” His mother squeezed his hand tight. “Your brother has things he struggles with within himself. A mother knows these things. He’s trying to run Paris’s life and yours because he can’t face the demons in his own. Trust me, he will come around if you’ll just be patient. Surely, there’s something you can say to get Paris to turn that job down. She belongs in Destiny. She belongs with you and Dustin.”
“Mom, I just can’t.”
“Your brother promised to talk to Paris’s dad. You know how much Dustin admires Dr. Cottrell. He’s a great influence on Dustin. I’m sure he can turn your brother around.”
“Mom, I understand why you want to believe that. Hell, I’ve been clinging to the hope Dustin would change for years. No more. He’s not going to change. I know that now. It’s too late. I’ve got to do whatever it takes to make sure I don’t lose Paris.”
His mom sighed. “Does Dr. Cottrell know about her job offer?”
“I’m not sure, but I doubt it.”
“Then we need to go talk to him about his daughter. Maybe he can—”
“Sweetheart, just stop.” Dad Leo put his arm around his mom. “Mick has to do what he feels is right. This is his life, not ours.”
His mother’s lips trembled. “But this
isn’t how it was supposed to be.”
“Not how any of us imagined how it would be, but that’s just how it is.” Dad Leo turned to him with his unblinking eyes. “Son, I hope you plan on talking to your brother before you ask Paris to marry you.”
“Yes, Dad. I’m going to the clinic to talk to him now. I’m sure that’s where he is.”
“That’s where he always is,” Pop Larry said softly.
“I hate this, but it’s what I must do. I love her.”
“We know you do,” Dad Leo said. “And believe it or not, so does your brother.”
Mick stood, seeing how upset he’d made his parents. “I’m sorry. I really am.”
Chapter Six
Dustin sat in his office, reviewing some of the charts of his patients.
His parents had been right. He’d been an ass to Mick and to Paris, but even if he’d been too hard on them, he was right, too. They were two of the smartest people he knew, but were wasting their genius on whims.
I wish I could be more like Mick and Paris, unlike me, a sorry excuse of a doctor.
He shook his head, knowing that self-pity didn’t serve anyone.
Throwing himself into his work was the only thing that seemed to shake off doubt, his ever-present companion since the event ten years ago.
He opened Ethel O’Leary’s records. Ethel was his first patient he would be seeing tomorrow. The wonderful woman, in her eighties, had more energy than people half her age. Being the judge in Swanson County, married to Patrick and Sam O’Leary, and shot last fall by a Russian mobster in the sheriff’s office hadn’t slowed Ethel down one bit. But her blood pressure had remained low, too low. He’d prescribed some medication after her last appointment. If her pressure didn’t normalize, he was going to put her on some additional medication and run a battery of tests.
He closed Ethel’s file, thinking about her two husbands. Dustin felt the weight of his responsibility every day. He had to keep his patients well, for them and their families and even the town.
He was going to have to ask Ethel about her diet. Something was causing the drop in her blood pressure, and he wanted to get to the bottom of it. Patrick and Sam would come with her for the appointment tomorrow like they did for all her checkups. The three eldest citizens of Destiny were amazing examples of the power of love.
His door opened and Mick stepped forward. “We need to talk.”
His brother’s tone was unusually firm. “Have a seat.”
Mick shook his head. “I’d rather not.”
“If this is about what I said earlier, Mick, I stand by every word. And more. Your grasp of the law and articulation talents are proof positive you should be practicing law. And Paris is afraid of pursuing medicine, but I know she would make a great doctor, maybe even greater than her father. Maybe I should soften my approach, but it is what I believe is right for both of you.”
“She and I are very aware of how you think we should live our lives, but that’s not what I’m here to talk about.” Mick, who was always a straight shooter just like Dad Leo, seemed to be struggling to get out what he had come to say.
“Spill it. I’m a big boy.”
“I’m going to ask Paris to marry me, Dustin.” His brother’s words sliced him to the core. “She and I have waited long enough on you. She wants children. I want children. I love her. And I’ve wasted too many years on you deciding how we should live our lives. I’m done. She and I are going to get married. I would much rather you wanted to marry her, too, but obviously that’s not going to happen.”
Dustin’s jaw tightened. He’d never imagined it would come to this. “Now is not the right time, Mick. Neither of you are ready. Can’t you see that?”
“We are ready. There is never a right time for you, bro. Never. But it is for us.” Mick stepped to the door, but turned back before he walked out. “She got an offer for a job in Nevada, Dustin. Did you know that? Of course you didn’t. You’re too busy preaching to her about how she’s wasting her talents instead of listening to her about how she’s been feeling. I’m to blame, too. I should’ve stopped hoping you would change a long time ago. You’ll never change. I know that now. I love you, but I can’t lose her, Dustin. She’s the love of my life and I’m going to make her my wife.” Mick stood still, as if waiting for him to respond.
But what can I say? He’s right. I can’t change.
“I guess that’s it then.” Mick sighed and left.
Dustin pounded his fists on the desk. “Fuck.”
He opened his desk drawer and brought out the picture of him, Mick, and Paris at her graduation from nursing school. Happier times. I could’ve married her then. Why didn’t I?
But he knew why he’d put the brakes on so hard. He wanted the best for Paris. She deserved the world. Mick, too.
With all his heart he wanted to give them everything. But he couldn’t.
That woman died. I couldn’t save her.
A knock on his door pulled him from his thoughts. “Come in.”
Paris’s dad, Dr. Edwin Cottrell, entered his office. “Dr. Ryder, how are you this fine day?”
“I’ve been better.” He stood and motioned for the good man to take a seat. “Thanks for coming on such short notice.”
“You said it was urgent.”
“More urgent than I knew. Mick was just here. He’s going to ask Paris to marry him.”
“Him?”
“Yes, just him.”
“Hell, Dustin.” Paris’s dad sat down and sighed. “You’re breaking my daughter’s heart.”
“I’m not sure what else I can do. She’s not ready to get married, Doc.”
“No, son, you’re the one not ready to get married and you know why. You’ve got to forgive yourself about that woman.”
“Easier said than done.”
“Have you given any thought to my suggestion of telling Paris and Mick?”
“No. I can’t. You’re the only one who knows in Destiny and I want to keep it that way.”
“I think you’re making a mistake, but I will keep your secret.”
“Paris has been keeping a secret, too, it seems. Did you know she has a job offer in Nevada?”
Dr. Cottrell frowned. “No, I didn’t.”
“It’s true and that’s why my brother has decided to propose to her. I can’t blame him. She’s disappeared before.” Dustin sighed. “Maybe this is for the best. She deserves someone better than me. With Mick, she can build a future.”
“Better than you? Stop it, Dustin. You did all you could do, son, with that poor woman.”
“Did I? I’ve gone over it and over it a million times. Could there have been other choices a better doctor would’ve chosen?”
“Damn it, Dustin, absolutely not. You know I’ve reviewed the case myself. You did all that could be done. No one could’ve saved that poor girl. You must let it go, for your own sake and for my daughter’s.”
“I’m not sure I can or if it would be best for Paris. Maybe she and Mick should get married without me.”
Dr. Cottrell shook his head. “Is that what you really think?”
“I’m not sure.” His cell rang. “Excuse me for a second. Hello.”
“Doc, this is Emmett Stone. Amber’s just had another pain. Should we bring her in now?”
“How long between the contractions?”
“Ten minutes apart.”
“There’s no rush. This is completely to be expected. Keep track of the time between labor pains. When it gets to five, call us and bring her in.”
“Okay, Doc. Thanks.”
“And don’t speed. We have plenty of time, Emmett.”
“Got it. Thanks again.”
He clicked off the phone and turned back to Dr. Cottrell. “Amber Stone is having labor pains. I think she’ll deliver sometime tonight or tomorrow. Hayden is recovering from his tonsillectomy. I’m double booked with appointments tomorrow. Would you mind pinch-hitting for me and seeing some of the patients tomorrow? With Amber
being in labor, I sure could use your help.”
“I wish I could, but I’m leaving in an hour for the Denver airport. I’m flying out for a conference in New York this evening.”
“Oh yes. I forgot. You’re the keynote speaker.”
“It’s a free trip, so I just couldn’t turn them down, could I?”
“You’ll be great, I’m sure.”
“If Amber goes into labor, just reschedule all your appointments. I had to many times during my career. Destonians understand. Besides, most will want to be at the clinic for the new arrival anyway.”
“I will. Would you mind looking over some of our patients’ records before you go? I’d like to get your opinion on them.”
“I don’t mind taking a look, Dustin, but they aren’t our patients. They are your patients.” Dr. Cottrell smiled. “I’m retired, don’t you remember?”
“I keep trying to forget. This is still your practice. It always will be. You built it. People around here love you.”
“And they love you, too, son. You’re a wonderful doctor. Better than I ever was.”
“You and I both know that isn’t true.” Dustin closed his eyes. “I’m no good for Paris, Doc.”
“But you are. A father knows.”
He shook his head.
“I wish I could say more, but don’t give up on Paris or Mick and don’t give up on yourself. Until they walk down the aisle together there’s still hope.”
“I’m practicing medicine. I haven’t given up.”
“You know what I mean. I want you to believe in yourself again, Dustin. I want to see the fire for medicine I saw in your eyes when you were just a boy asking me a million questions.”
Dustin remembered the passion he felt in those days. “I’m not a boy any longer, Doc. I’m doing the best that I can.”
“Yes, you are and it’s time for you to agree to my idea.”
“I know where you’re going with this line of talk, but no. I can handle things on my own. I’ll work it out.”
“You’ve been suffering for years now. I’m done asking, young man. You’re going to talk to Sam O’Leary about this. In his profession, he has to keep secrets, too.” Paris’s dad got choked up. “He helped me when I lost my dear wife.”