Forever Series Box Set Books 1-3

by Mona Ingram

  Devoting herself to helping Danny, Jenna found herself relaxing. The youngster soon mastered the art, and although she would have been content to watch him, before long her blue butterfly had joined Danny’s odd looking kite dancing in the skies high above Dallas Road.

  Jenna spooled up her string and waited patiently until Danny was ready to do the same. He turned to look at her often, bright eyes seeking her approval.

  “Can we come back tomorrow?” he asked eagerly, his small body vibrating with enthusiasm.

  “I’m not sure if we’ll have time to fit it in.” She watched his face fall, then took pity on him. “I thought we’d stop by the pool on the way home and see if we can enroll you for swimming lessons. You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

  “That would be so cool.” The kites were momentarily forgotten. “Can we go now?”

  She checked her watch. “They enroll students between two and four in the afternoon. How about we have lunch? There’s a nice little restaurant on Cook Street with tables outside.”

  “We’ll eat in a restaurant? Outside?” His wide smile gave her his answer. “Do you think they have chicken fingers?”

  “Oh, I think so. Shall we go?”

  Danny kept up a running commentary throughout lunch. In stark contrast to yesterday, he included his father in all of his future plans. As he was cleaning up the last of his fries, he looked around the restaurant with a critical eye. “Do you think we should bring Daddy here on my birthday?”

  “Your birthday? When is that?”

  “The Saturday after next.” He paused, and a cloud passed over his face. “Daddy forgot last year, but my Grandma called from Calgary and then he remembered.”

  He shrugged, but beneath the lift of his shoulders, Jenna could tell that the pain of being forgotten still lingered. “He won’t forget this year, Danny. I promise you that.”

  “I know.” He gave her a too-bright smile. “Maybe we can take him kite flying. I think he’s going to like it.”

  “YOU’VE WORN ME OUT,” said Jenna, opening the back door when they returned home. She wasn’t exaggerating; it would take some getting used to the non-stop energy of her little sidekick. She wondered if he ever slowed down. She put away the few groceries she’d bought, put some potatoes into the steamer for potato salad, and collapsed into one of the comfortable chairs out on the patio.

  An idea had been forming ever since Danny mentioned his upcoming birthday. The clerk at the kite store had inserted a flyer in their shopping bag giving details on a kite flying competition in Parksville on the same weekend as Danny’s birthday. If she could pry Brett away from the hospital, perhaps he would be willing to take Danny to the famous up-island location for his birthday. From the sounds of it, he owed it to the child. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to visualize the three of them on the miles of sand along the shore of the resort area. It was dangerous to think of the three of them as a family, but even when she’d been with Phil, she hadn’t known the same closeness she’d discovered here in only twenty-four hours. Dangerous, but oh so comforting.

  Chapter Eight

  “DID HE WEAR YOU OUT?” Brett’s voice broke through her sleep. Shielding her eyes from the late afternoon sun, she struggled to wake up.

  “What? Yes,” she said, flustered by his sudden presence. “Did you just get home?”

  “Yes, I hated to wake you up.” His voice sounded huskier than usual. For a moment he stood looking down at her, then he tore his gaze away and headed back into the house. “I’m going to get a drink. Can I bring you anything?”

  “I’d love a Coke,” she said to his back.

  “Okay. I’m looking forward to hearing what you did today.”

  Was she expected to report on their activities every day? Somehow she didn’t think so. She should be up and fussing with dinner, but her nap had drained every ounce of pent-up tension from her body. She hadn’t felt this relaxed in a week.

  “Here you go.” He handed her a glass with ice cubes and a can of Coke.

  “This doesn’t feel right, having you wait on me, but thanks.” She accepted the drink with a smile.

  Brett swirled the golden liquid in his glass and then placed it on the side table without drinking. “I’m glad you feel comfortable enough to relax,” he said after a few moments. “It’s been a while since I looked forward to coming home.”

  “And you did today?” The words were out before she could stop them.

  “Yes,” he said, regarding her steadily. “I did.” He reached for his glass and took a small sip. “How did it go with Danny today?”

  Jenna’s smile started somewhere down in her chest and ended up on her lips. “It was great. Exhausting, but great. I left your kite in the kitchen.”

  He nodded. “I saw that. Was it fun?”

  Jenna thought for a moment. “Yes, although I wish I’d taken my camera. It’s an older one, but it still takes decent pictures.” She glanced back into the kitchen to ensure they were alone. “Speaking of pictures, would it be all right for Danny to have a picture of his mother?”

  Brett stared into his glass. “Why?”

  “I found him this morning in what I assume was her studio. There’s an incomplete watercolour of him in there, and based on our conversation he goes in there fairly often to feel close to her.” She leaned toward him. “He’s afraid he’s going to forget her, Brett. I may have overstepped my bounds here, but I told him it would probably be okay.” She smiled to herself. “I also told him he only needed to look in the mirror.”

  Brett’s head came up.

  Jenna continued. “He looks so much like her. It’s uncanny.”

  His fingers tightened around his glass, but when he looked up, he had his emotions under control. “You’re right. He should have a picture of her if he wants one. We could give him the one from the living room.”

  “Thank you, Brett. He’d like that.”

  He continued as though she hadn’t spoken. “Last night after you went upstairs, I looked at that picture for the first time in ages.” A faint smile touched his lips. “It’s been hard to let it all go, but I think the time has come.” He gazed into the distance and a slight tremor shook his body, almost as though he was in the snow storm all over again. “Arisa died in my arms. We were hit by a truck on a snowy night.” His eyes came back into focus. “All that surgical training and there wasn’t a damned thing I could do to save her.” He held up his glass, catching the last rays of the sun. “For a while I indulged myself by drinking far too much. My mother had been here right after Arisa died, but someone must have told her I was acting the fool, because she came back and told me to shape up or she’d take Danny away.” He shot her a quick, embarrassed glance. “I stopped the heavy drinking, but I couldn’t bear to look at Danny. You’re right, he’s the spitting image of his mother.”

  He drained his glass and then set it down with a deliberate motion. “So after I sobered up, I decided I’d save the world. I took on every surgical procedure they offered, as though that would make up for the fact that I couldn’t save Arisa.”

  Jenna remained silent.

  “It’s taken this long for me to realize what I was doing to Danny. I’m ashamed that I didn’t see it myself, but better late than never.” He paused and gave her a lop-sided grin. “What I’m trying to say is thank you. Especially for being in that park yesterday.”

  “Believe me,” she said with a wry smile “I wish the circumstances had been different, but it all seems to have worked out okay.” She rose. “Unless you fire me for not having anything ready for dinner.”

  “That’s not gonna happen, but while you do your thing, I think I’ll check on Danny. He’s upstairs?”

  “Yes. Playing games, no doubt.” She touched him on the arm. “And Brett?”

  “Hmmm?”

  “If he talks about his birthday, please be vague. I have an idea I’d like to run by you after dinner.”

  “Right.” He changed direction and headed into the l
iving room. “I think I’ll take that picture up now.”

  BRETT HID A SMILE AS Danny described his prowess with the kite. “Don’t worry, Dad. I can teach you.” He munched thoughtfully on a carrot stick. “It takes a lot of skill, but I think you can do it.”

  “I hope so. I don’t want to be the only one in this family who can’t fly a kite.” The look on his face was almost comical as he realized what he’d said.

  “Yeah.” Danny examined a cherry tomato and then popped it into his mouth. “The lady at the kite store thought Jenna was my mother. I was going to tell her that Jenna’s my friend, but I didn’t want to embarrass her.”

  “Who?” asked Brett. “The kite store lady or Jenna?”

  Danny gave him a disbelieving look. “The kite store lady. Jenna didn’t mind.” He grinned at her. “Did you?”

  Jenna shook her head and turned to Brett. “Are you sure he’s only eight years old?”

  Brett joined in the good-natured banter. “I’m beginning to wonder. Maybe I should check his birth certificate.”

  Danny wasn’t easily dissuaded. “You didn’t mind, did you Jenna?” he seemed to be holding his breath, waiting for her reply.

  “Of course not.” Jenna tousled his hair. “If I ever had a son, I’d want him to be exactly like you.”

  Danny looked from Jenna to his father, then back again. “And if I ever have another mother, I want her to be like you.”

  Jenna laughed to break the tension. “That’s because I’m such a pushover. Next thing I know, you’ll be expecting pancakes tomorrow morning.”

  “You said twice a week.” He sent a sideways glance in his father’s direction. “And she bought pancake syrup at the store today. I saw.”

  “Busted.” Jenna rose and started to clear the table. “I also bought laundry soap, so if you guys have stuff you need washed, put it in the laundry hamper tonight, okay?”

  Brett remained at the breakfast nook after Danny had run off. “You handled that well,” he said, arranging the carrot sticks in a cross-hatch pattern on the plate. “Danny didn’t mean anything by it.”

  “I know,” she said easily. “I think he’s just happy with all the attention he’s getting.” She slapped at his fingers, then drew her hand back, embarrassed. “Sorry. See, I told you... I have no idea how a housekeeper’s supposed to act, but I don’t think slapping her employer is one of her duties.”

  “You’re doing fine,” he said softly. “Mrs. Jessup was an excellent housekeeper, but I just realized I never felt relaxed in my own home when she was here.”

  “Really?” Jenna stopped to examine him. “You look pretty relaxed now.”

  “I am,” he said. “Let’s make some tea and sit out on the patio. And while we’re being honest, I didn’t really enjoy that jasmine tea last night. I prefer Orange Pekoe.”

  Jenna smiled to herself. “Honest is good. I’ll be out in a minute. What do you take in it?”

  “Just some milk.”

  BRETT’S FINGERS BRUSHED against hers as he accepted the mug of tea. Jenna wasn’t sure if the contact was intentional, but prickles of awareness danced up her arms at his touch.

  “I forgot Danny’s birthday last year,” he said, wrapping both hands around the mug. It was unusual behaviour for such a warm evening, but perhaps the memory chilled him. “Fortunately my mother called from Calgary, but he knew I’d forgotten all the same.”

  “He mentioned that.” Nothing she said could make it worse, and she didn’t want to hold anything back. “What’s your mother like?”

  He didn’t have to think long. “She’s very independent. I was surprised that she decided to stay in Calgary after Dad died. They’d been together forever, and I always thought he was the strong one, but she’s proven that she can take care of herself.” His gaze drifted around the yard for a moment. “She told me later that she’d considered moving out here, but decided against it because she didn’t want to become a clingy grandmother... her words. Besides, her friends are in Calgary, and several of them are widows now. They travel together.” He glanced up quickly. “I hope you get to meet her.”

  “She sounds a bit intimidating.”

  He looked up. “Does she? Oh, I guess you’re referring to the part where she straightened me out when I was drinking. Let’s just say she loves her grandson and would do anything for him. Speaking of which, what was your idea for his birthday?”

  Jenna told him about the kite festival. “But I know we have to work around your schedule. That’s why I haven’t said anything to Danny.”

  Brett didn’t answer right away. “This is good,” he said, drinking some tea. “Not too strong.”

  They sat together in companionable silence for several minutes, enjoying the aerobatics of some swallows in the back yard.

  He continued the conversation a few moments later. “I talked to the chief surgeon today and told him that I’d like to cut back on my workload so I can spend more time with Danny. He thought that was a good idea.” He gave a soft chuckle. “I wasn’t sure if I should be insulted or relieved.”

  Jenna held up her hands. “Don’t look at me. You already know what I think.”

  He laughed again. “Anyway, I have four days off that weekend, and Parksville sounds like a wonderful way to spend Danny’s birthday. I have a friend who owns a condo up there, right on the beach. He loans it out when he’s not using it. I’ll talk to him tomorrow.” He pushed himself upright, his enthusiasm growing. “This will be the first holiday we’ve had in a couple of years. I’m already looking forward to it.”

  Chapter Nine

  “NICE WORK TODAY.” ROD slipped into the elevator beside Brett just as the doors were closing. The anaesthetist was frequently assigned to work with Brett; they appreciated each other’s work.

  “Thanks.” Brett checked his cell, but there were no messages. What did he expect? As far as he knew, she had no reason to message him.

  “Going to the picnic on the weekend?” Rod’s comment cut through his daydreaming.

  “Picnic?”

  “Yeah, the hospital employee’s picnic. It’s for the kids, mainly.”

  Brett scoured his memory. “I don’t recall hearing anything about it.”

  “Danny would enjoy it. Games for the kids, races, hot dogs. You know the drill. They do a nice job of it.” The elevator doors opened and Rod held them. “It’s at Thetis Lake, if you can make it.”

  Brett nodded. “Thanks, I’ll look into it.” He wandered in the direction of ER and found it in one of the quiet periods that happened several times a day. He ducked into the staff room, hoping to find his friend Stella.

  “She’s on the floor somewhere. Can I help you?” One of the new male nurses recognized him.

  Brett turned to the bulletin board. “I was hoping to find a notice about the staff picnic on the weekend.” He scanned the notices, spotted it, and removed the tacks. “I’ll get this copied and bring it right back.”

  The nurse nodded.

  Stella found him waiting. “Here, I’ll do that for you,” she said, stepping around a distraught mother who was giving her information to the admitting nurse. She handed him the copy and walked back to the staff room beside him.

  “Would Danny enjoy this?” he asked, waving the paper.

  “I think so. My kids have gone the past couple of years. Just remember to bring his bathing suit and beach towel. Maybe even a change of clothes.”

  “I’ll mention it to Jenna.” He liked the way that sounded.

  “Who’s Jenna?” Stella was nothing if not direct.

  “Oh.” Brett felt heat rise into his cheeks. “She’s our new housekeeper.”

  “Really?” Stella maintained a bland expression. “Then by all means, bring her along.”

  FOR THE FIRST TIME in ages, Brett looked forward to getting home after work. In just a few days, he’d settled into a relaxing after-work routine. Full of stories about his daily activities, Danny would race down the stairs to greet his father. With Jenna pu
tting the final touches on dinner, he would listen to Danny’s stories, glancing up from time to time to see Jenna smile at the boy’s frequent exaggerations. Brett didn’t feel the need for a drink anymore, but he enjoyed the quiet time shared with the new housekeeper. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been this content.

  “The police called today,” she said when they were by themselves. “They wanted to let me know that they’d found some of my things in a second-hand store over in Esquimalt. Unfortunately, if I want them back, I have to buy them, but it was nice of the police to let me know.”

  Brett eyed her carefully. “Do you want me to get them back for you?”

  Jenna shook her head. “Thanks for offering, but no.” Her gentle smile touched his heart. “If they’d found my camera, that would be different, but in the meantime, I’ve been getting some great shots with my little camera.” She toyed with her glass. “Will I be coming with you to the picnic? I heard you tell Danny about it.”

  “Of course!” He thought back to his conversation with Stella. “Some of my friends at the hospital are already looking forward to meeting you.” He rose and held out a hand. “Whatever you’re cooking for dinner smells great, and I’m starving.”

  “It’s just meat loaf.”

  “My favourite.” He called upstairs. “Danny! Come on, dinner’s ready.”

  “DAMN.” BRETT DISCONNECTED the phone. “One of my patients is in emergency with a ruptured gall bladder, and I’m on call.” He looked from Jenna to Danny. “Can you two go to the picnic without me? These procedures don’t take too long nowadays. I should catch up with you in an hour or two.”

  Jenna stepped in and put an arm around Danny’s shoulders before he could upset his father. “We’ll be fine, won’t we Danny? I’ll just go out and move Danny’s stuff over to my car.”