Stepping out onto the deck, he hollered down to her, “Ready to go celebrate?”
Jane turned and squinted into the sun, hollering back, “I don’t think your dog ever gets enough of this!”
“Come on up. She’ll get over it, I promise.” Samuel chuckled as Lucky tried to pry the stick out of Jane’s hands, but the woman won out and the dog finally followed her up the small path, heading straight for her water bowl once she entered the house.
“She wore me out!” Jane said, collapsing on his sofa and gratefully taking the bottle of water he handed her. Looking at Samuel, she noticed that some of the laughter had left his eyes, and she wondered about it. “Is everything alright?”
“For now. That was Stan. It seems that Hector and his lawyer convinced a judge to allow the transplant surgery. He’s already being transferred to an area hospital.”
“Is that safe? For Grace and Daniella, I mean.”
“Yeah. I don’t think Hector would do anything to jeopardize the surgery, but during his recovery time in the hospital, who knows. Stan’s putting some things in place so that we can keep tabs on him twenty-four seven.”
“Good. Grace and Daniella don’t need anything more upsetting their schedules. Daniella’s already having a hard time recuperating from the last two weeks.”
“What’s going on with her?” Samuel asked, leading her out of the house and back to his vehicle.
“I don’t really know. Grace seems kind of concerned, but she’s hoping it’s just the excitement and that once things get back onto a steady schedule, she’ll be fine. She’s been really tired, and seems to be bumping into things a lot.”
“Bumping into things? Like, knocking things over and such?” Samuel asked.
“No. In fact, neither Grace nor I have seen her bump into anything, but she has several new bruises on her arms and legs. Big enough ones that one would think she would have cried or something.”
“Did Grace take her to the doctor yet?”
“No. She said if things don’t improve over the next week or so, she’d make her an appointment.”
“Good. I hope nothing’s wrong.”
“Me too.”
Chapter 20
Belmont Park was an amazing place and as Samuel parked, Jane looked at the outline of the roller coaster in the distance and remarked, “The Boardwalk? Belmont Park is on the Boardwalk?”
“Yep. Surprise?” Samuel asked, hoping it was a good one.
“I love roller coasters. We are so riding in the front car,” she told him, getting out of the vehicle and looking at her surroundings. Seeing Grace pull up a few spaces over, she told Samuel, “There’s Grace now.”
Grace looked at her sleeping daughter in the booster seat and shook her head. Daniella had been talking non-stop for the first few minutes of their ride, telling her about each and every monkey she had met today and demanding to be taken to the zoo so she could see them again.
When she had finally taken a break to breathe, Grace had expected her to continue telling her about her day, but had glanced in the rear view mirror to see her sound asleep. She’s awfully tired lately! When her baby coughed in her sleep, Grace shook her head. Something’s not quite right. I’ll call tomorrow morning and get her an appointment for a check-up.
She rolled down her window as Samuel and Jane approached, “Hi guys! Daniella fell asleep on the drive over here.”
“Poor baby. She’s probably worn out from her first day of preschool. How did it go?”
“Great! She didn’t want to go at first, but then Mr. Simpson mentioned that a friend of his from the zoo was bringing in some monkeys and I ceased to exist.”
Jane chuckled, “Let me guess, she now thinks she needs a monkey as a pet.”
“No,” Grace told her, “I made sure Mr. Simpson impressed upon his young charges that monkeys were not pet material and they couldn’t have one. Even if they begged or threw a tantrum. No – my daughter now wants to go live at the zoo. It seems that it is my duty to take her by the zoo everyday so she can see her new friends.”
Samuel laughed, “You’re joking, right?”
“Afraid not. I was being lectured on how it was mean of me to keep her from her new friends right before she fell asleep.”
Jane looked into the backseat, noticing the dark circles beneath Daniella’s eyes. When she heard the little girl cough in her sleep, she looked at Grace with concern in her eyes, “Is she okay?”
Grace turned to look at her daughter as she said, “I don’t know, but I’m going to make an appointment for her tomorrow. Whatever’s going on with her seems to be getting worse, not better.”
Jane nodded, “How about we do this some other time?” she asked Samuel.
Samuel started to reply, but Grace interrupted him, “Don’t you dare cancel your plans because of us. I’m going to take Daniella home and put her to bed. You two go enjoy the boardwalk and celebrate. I want to hear all about your interview and the menu you’ve chosen for Sunday, but we can do that tomorrow. I don’t have to leave the house tomorrow except to take Dani to school.”
Jane smiled, “Great! We’ll catch up then.”
Grace nodded and rolled up the window. She would take Dani home, feed her a light supper, and then tuck her into bed. Hopefully, she would be feeling much better come morning.
*****
Sara hung up the phone after leaving yet another message. Trent had received several emails from Jane telling him she was having a wonderful time in California, but when she had briefly mentioned that Daniella hadn’t been feeling well, Sara had become worried and started calling her sister.
She knew that Grace was trying to get everything squared away for the new semester at the art center where she taught, and did not want to bother her there. Instead, she had left several messages for her at home, hoping that she would see the blinking light when she got home and call her back.
“Still not home?” Trent asked as he entered the living room with two plates in his hands.
Sara shook her head, “No. But it’s still early out there. I left her a message to call me back. Hopefully they’re just out sight-seeing and nothing’s wrong.”
“I could call Samuel if you’re really that worried about them,” Trent offered, sitting down next to her on the couch.
Sara smiled at him, “No. I’m just being a worrier. I’m sure everything’s fine. This looks amazing.”
This was Fettuccine Alfredo, which Trent had made from scratch. Sara took her first bite, closing her eyes as the creamy sauce contacted her taste buds. “Trent, I’m not sure who’s the better cook between you and Jane.”
“Why, thank you. I do have to confess that I learned everything I know about cooking from her and my mom. They used to cook up a storm when I was younger.”
“Do you miss your mom and dad?” Sara asked.
“Nah! They’ll come home when they’re ready to. I think it’s great that they can travel around and see the world.”
Sara nodded, taking another bite of her pasta and moaning in appreciation, “I met with Bill today.”
“How did that go? I’m sorry I couldn’t make it, but Jeb needed help taking down those Christmas lights and then we dismantled the nativity set. It sure was cold out there.”
“I bet. The wind was something else this afternoon. I’m going to miss seeing that nativity set each time we drive into town.” Sara thought about the life-sized nativity set that had decorated the front of the church lawn since her arrival in Castle Peaks.
“Don’t worry. It’ll be back up before you know it.”
Sara smiled, “I know. Time seems to go faster each year. Anyway, Bill showed me the preliminary building plans and I was blown away. Do you know how big a facility he wants to build?”
Trent smiled at her, “I figured it would probably be big. Bill Mercer doesn’t do anything half way, and for that you can be thankful. He’ll make sure that the place has the most innovative equipment and best technology that money can buy.�
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“I still can’t believe that he wants me to run this center. I’m really not qualified.”
“Then hire people who are and just administer the place. You’ve lived through the tragedy that cancer brings and come out on the other side. Bill only wants others to have the gift you gave he and his wife.”
Sara nodded her head, “I guess. I placed a couple of ads in some medical journals and at a few of the medical schools across the country. Bill and I agreed that it will take someone fairly young and innovative in their techniques to make this happen.”
“Why not contact the person who helped you with your mom?” Trent asked.
Sara’s smile faded, “I already tried that. Unfortunately, Mr. Calwell died a few weeks before Christmas of a heart attack.”
“Wow! I’m sorry to hear that.” Trent squeezed her hand, “Are you okay?”
“Yes, I spoke to his wife and she’s doing well. Her daughter moved back in with her so she’s not alone. She sounded sad, but I think she’ll be okay. Her daughter runs an assisted living care facility and has convinced her mother to join in on some of their outings.”
Trent nodded, taking away their plates and returning them to the kitchen. “So, did you and Bill come up with any other suggestions for luring natural medicine practitioners to Castle Peaks?” he asked as he returned to the living room.
“Yes. He wants me to put together a special preview session. He’s having someone build a model of the facility and we’re going to invite anyone who’s interested in learning about the center to attend an open house in a month or so.
“The goal is to have the center built and operational before the end of summer.”
Trent raised his eyebrows, “That’s aggressive.”
“That’s what I thought, but Bill assures me he’s already talked to several contractors and they say it can be done.”
Trent sat back against the couch, wrapping an arm around his wife’s shoulders and settling her against his side, “So, now that we’ve got the business of the day out of the way, how about we focus on us for a while.”
Sara turned her face up to his and kissed is cheek, “Why Mr. Harding, I thought you’d never ask.”
Trent leaned down and kissed her tenderly. They had been married a little under two weeks, but it felt so comfortable when they were together. After kissing for several minutes, Trent broached a subject they had left off the night before, “So, did you give any more thought to what we discussed last night?”
Sara sighed, “Kids?” When Trent nuzzled her neck and nodded, she giggled and then nodded her own head, “Yeah. I kept envisioning a little boy or girl running to greet me when I got home this afternoon. I do want kids. I was thinking maybe a dozen to start…”
Trent pushed away from her with a shocked looked upon his face, “A dozen? You can’t be serious! I was thinking more along the lines of two, maybe three…”
Sara couldn’t help but burst out laughing, “Got you. I’m still having trouble with the concept of being completely responsible for one tiny human. The thought of a dozen is beyond comprehension.”
Trent looked so relieved, she started laughing harder. “That was mean! Here I was, trying to have a serious conversation about our future progeny, and you…”
“Progeny? Who uses a word like that? Kids. Babies. Munchkins. Pick one, but progeny? Sounds like something futuristic rather than a human baby.”
Trent laughed, “Okay, but don’t I get some credit here for using such a big word?”
“No. Especially not that word.”
Trent tickled her, “Fine. But, on a serious note, you’re okay with trying to start our family now?”
Sara was silent for several minutes; she had thought of nothing else all day and her only concern was that she and Trent hadn’t been married that long. And had known each other even less time before they got married. Were they ready to have a child?
“I want kids, I do. I just want to make sure we don’t rush things and jeopardize what we have.”
Trent kissed her softly, “That’s not going to happen. I love you, and any children we create will just be an extension of that love and someone else for me to shower with my affections.”
Sara melted, “Then yes, I’ll think about it. About starting a family.”
Trent pulled her up from the couch, taking her hand in his and almost dragging her towards the bedroom, “Trent. I didn’t mean right now.”
He stopped long enough to look her in the eye, “Did you have another suggestion for how we should spend the next few hours?”
Sara blushed, shaking her head, “No…”
Trent turned and continued the trek towards their bedroom, “Good. Neither did I. Isn’t that convenient.”
He entered their bedroom, turning around and then walking her towards their bed backwards, “It looks like now would be the perfect time for us to look at the subject more thoroughly. Any objections?”
Sara shook her head and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “No. No objections.”
Chapter 21
Grace and Jane had just finished talking with Sara and Trent when Grace’s cell phone rang. Looking at the time, she was relieved as she dug in her purse for the phone that she hadn’t lost track of time and been late to pick up Daniella.
She glanced at the number, but didn’t recognize so she answered it cautiously, “Hello?”
“Grace? This is Brad Simpson over at the preschool.”
Grace sat down on the edge of the sofa, “Yes, Brad. Is everything alright?”
There was a brief silence on the other end of the line before he spoke again, “Well, I hope so. Have you seen the bruises on Daniella’s arms and legs?”
“Yes, and I honestly have no idea where they’re coming from. She’s not a rough and tumble little girl. She’s more the princess and tea party kiddo.”
“That’s what I assumed as well. She doesn’t even play rough when we’re on the playground.”
“Well, I’ve only noticed them the last week or so. She had a similar bruise over her spine when we returned from Montana last week as well.”
“Have you taken her to a doctor?” Brad asked, concern in his voice.
“No. I was planning on seeing how she was after school and then calling if she wasn’t feeling better.”
“Look, I don’t want to worry you, but I’ve also noticed that she has a slight cough, and she fell asleep during reading time a few minutes ago.”
“Oh my, I’ll leave right now to come pick her up. I’m so sorry…”
“Don’t be. She’s obviously not feeling well. Why don’t you have her see a doctor to make sure nothing more serious than a cold is going on?”
“I’ll do that as soon as possible.” Sara started looking up the pediatrician’s number before she hung up with the preschool teacher.
“Is Daniella worse?” Jane asked.
“Yes. She fell asleep during reading time. And the preschool teacher is asking about all of the bruises now. Luckily, he didn’t come right out and accuse me of abusing her.”
“Honey, anyone who’s seen you with that child knows you wouldn’t abuse her. He’s probably just concerned for the same reasons you have been. Call the doctor and I’ll go with you to pick her up. Maybe they can still see her today?”
Grace placed the call and luckily, the doctor was able to see Daniella as his last appointment of the day. Jane went with her to pick up the little girl, alarmed when she saw how big the dark circles beneath her eyes had become.
“Dani, what did you do in school today?” Jane asked as Grace headed for the doctor’s office.
“Stuff.”
“Like what, sweetie?” Jane asked, trying to encourage her usual enthusiasm for life.
“Drawing. Reading. That’s all.” Daniella sounded so lethargic and devoid of excitement both Grace and Jane became more worried.
The doctor’s nurse took them straight back to a room as they arrived. Jane had offered to stay in the wai
ting room, but Daniella had become tearful and she found herself sitting in the exam room, watching the elderly Dr. Patterson examine his young patient.
“So Daniella, it looks like you’ve decided to become a football player, what with all of the bruises you’ve acquired. Can you tell me what happened?”
Daniella shook her head, “Nothing. I promise. I haven’t knocked anything over or bumped into stuff. I haven’t even spilt my tea for days.”
“That’s good to hear. But see these blue and purple marks on your arms and legs?” He pointed them out to her and when she nodded, he asked, “What happened to make those marks?”
“I don’t know. They don’t hurt like when I bump into something.” Daniella took a finger and poked at a rather large bruise on her arm really hard. Looking up at the doctor, she smiled and said, “See. It doesn’t hurt at all.”
Dr. Patterson smiled and whispered to his nurse. After she left the room, he told Grace, “I would like your permission to draw some blood samples. Just to make sure we’re not missing anything.”
Grace swallowed before asking, “What sickness would cause those bruises to just appear like that?”
Dr. Patterson shook his head, “Grace, you know me better than that. I’m not going to play the ‘what if’ game with her diagnosis. There’s nothing to be gained from it and it will only cause lots more worry. We’ll have the test results back tomorrow afternoon and then we’ll talk facts.”
Grace smiled, “Thank you. I know you’re right, but I’m really perplexed as to how she keeps injuring herself. I even put the rails back up on her bed, just in case she was falling out in the middle of the night and putting herself back to bed.”
“I don’t think that it’s anything she’s doing or not doing. But, let’s just wait for the test results.” Jeanine, the nurse, came back in with a tray holding a butterfly set up and several blood test vials.
Turning to Daniella, he showed her the tray and explained what was about to happen. “Will it hurt?” Daniella asked.
[Second Chances 02]California Dreams Page 9