Heather

by Chris Keniston

  “Good, very good.” He slapped her a high five and they eased the boat to a stop. “Okay. Let’s get ready to go.”

  With almost choreographed ease, they moved back and forth on the sleek boat. Everything in place, Jake went over the side, sank under the water and came up shaking his head like a wet sheepdog.

  “You okay?” she asked.

  “You were right.”

  “I was?”

  A grin spread from one side of his face to the other. “Too cold for skinny dipping.”

  Good thing she had a wet suit on because she was pretty sure she was blushing from her head to her toes. She slid his skis over the edge into the water one at a time, watching how easy Jake made putting them on look. Once he was all set, she gradually drove the boat forward as instructed, keeping an eye ahead at the wide open—and at this time of year—empty lake, before daring to look back over her shoulder.

  Raising a thumbs up, he let her know he was ready to go.

  “Nice and easy,” she mumbled and pushed the throttle forward.

  Behind her she saw Jake crouch low to the surface and slowly rise up like a phoenix from the ashes. Looking back and forth, the wind whipping at her face, the water sluicing along the sides of the sleek boat, and Jake sliding from side to side in the boats wake, she couldn’t remember having more fun.

  When his arms released the rope and he slowly sank into the water, her heart skipped a beat before she realized that’s how it’s supposed to happen. Carefully circling around she slowed, not too far, but not too close to him, and stopped. “Textbook perfect,” she shouted.

  Jake threw his head back with laughter. “Okay, your turn.”

  Back on board, he switched out his skis for hers and helped her into the water. She was both nervous and excited and didn’t know whether to dive in or pass out.

  “You’ll do great. Remember, don’t force it. Just let the water help you stand.”

  Nodding, she jumped over the edge and plunged under the icy water. Definitely wet suit weather. Carefully placing her foot into the rubber inserts, she slid on the first, then second ski, repeating to herself, “Nice and easy.”

  First attempt was neither nice nor easy. She face-planted into the water and swallowed at least half the lake. Okay, maybe not quite half.

  “Are you okay?” The look of near panic on his face had her smile through the cough.

  “Yes. Let’s do it again.”

  That face splitting grin returned. “You got it.”

  It took two more tries before she found herself on her feet and hooting at the wind. How had she never done this before? No wonder all the kids loved being on the lake. As a small child she’d loved swimming, but she loved reading books and the world they took her to just as much. She wasn’t so sure she would have so easily turned her nose up at waterskiing if she’d ever actually tried it. A good reason to spend more time on the lake next summer.

  Who was she kidding? She didn’t need waterskiing to make her want to come to the lake. The man in front of her, stepping out of the dripping wet suit and smiling at her as though she held the moon in her hand, was all the reason she needed to return more often. The thought of not coming back, not seeing him for years again, hurt more than it should. Reminiscent of the pain she’d felt when she’d lost her first patient. How could that be?

  Chapter Twelve

  “Well it’s awfully nice having you with us for dinner and cards twice this week.” Mrs. Hart looked up at Jake from her seat in the rocker.

  Tonight Lily paired up with Jake, most likely in an effort to save him from the General’s censure. Ralph, the neighbor and staple at the Hart card games, partnered with the General. That left Floyd the only man at the merry widows table with Louise Franklin from the drugstore, Thelma Carson from the antique store and Heather sitting in for Nadine Baker, the widows’ ringleader home with a cold.

  “Hope you plan to make this a habit,” Fiona Hart smiled.

  Smiling in her direction, Jake settled for a simple, “Thank you, ma’am.”

  “Floyd, if you don’t start paying better attention to trump I’m going to partner up with Jake.” Louise winked at him. “About time we had some decent eye candy at the tables.”

  Lily smothered a smile and kicked Jake under the table. “Your turn.”

  “Oh.” He looked at the cards in his hand and realized between the ruckus from the old card players and stealing glimpses of Heather, he didn’t have a clue what had been played. When all else failed, second hand low third hand high, and he was pretty confident Lily had dealt so he was second hand low and played his three of clubs.

  Flexing his fingers and shaking his head, Ralph held back a cough and Jake wondered if the man was getting sick or if playing that card had been a mistake. From how the whites around Lily’s eyes widened, he was absolutely positive he’d made a mistake.

  Lily blew out a frustrated breath. “I may take Mrs. Franklin up on her offer to trade partners. Clubs are trump and I didn’t deal.”

  “And that’s why he’s yours tonight.” The General laid down a lowly four of clubs and scooped up the trick.

  “I bet the boy’s in love,” Floyd said over his shoulder. “My bet is on that pretty new waitress at Mabel’s.”

  “Nah,” Ralph muttered, shook his free hand then flexed his fingers—his left hand—before playing the next card. “A strong, good-looking guy like him, he’s probably got his eye on Kathy from the Soak and Spin.”

  A sixth sense that had come in handy more than once pricked at the back of Jake’s neck.

  Louise frowned. “Now why would he like Kathy from the Laundromat over the new waitress?”

  Jake kept a careful eye on Ralph while wondering if he should point out that he was right here. Playing another card, he glanced briefly to the table beside him. As far as he was concerned, there wasn’t anyone in or out of town that compared to Heather Preston.

  “Of course, there’s no shortage of nice girls in this town. Right, Lily?” Louise winked at Jake’s partner.

  “Don’t look at me. I could never marry a man who cannot remember trump,” Lily teased through a smile.

  Jake avoided meeting Heather’s gaze and giving his feelings away. Instead, he turned to Lucy coming through the door with a tray of cool drinks. “Actually, I’m still holding out for Lucy. She had me years ago with her French toast casserole.”

  “That’s me.” Lucy burst out laughing. “Cougar extraordinaire.”

  All players at both tables joined in the laughter. Only Ralph’s laugh shifted to another stifled cough as he played the next card. His left hand steady as a rock, at least he’d stopped the flexing.

  “You guys seem to be having too much fun without me.” Callie came through the screen door and plopped in the seat next to her grandmother. “Next time the principal asks me if I can take on the girls’ JV basketball team on top of the varsity team, someone just shoot me. I’m exhausted.”

  “Nonsense.” Her grandmother didn’t look up from her knitting. “You love the game and the girls.”

  “True.” The smile slipped from Callie’s face, her expression contorting as her head tipped sideways staring at the sprawling yarnwork. “I thought you were making a baby blanket.”

  Lily snorted a stifled laugh.

  “No, I got a little carried away. It’s now a blanket for your mother,” Mrs. Hart answered sweetly.

  “A little,” Ralph muttered and Louise Franklin skewered him with a tight-lipped glare.

  “Coach Callie,” a smiling teen with long blonde hair in a pony tail popped her head in the screen door, “do you want us to set up on the Point or the sand?”

  “The sand. Give me five minutes and I’ll be right there.”

  The girl nodded, then turned to the other adults. “Evening General Hart, Mrs. Hart. Thanks for letting us have our marshmallow roast.”

  Fiona Hart lifted her gaze to meet the young girl’s. “Any time, Susie.”

  Growing up, it had always marv
eled Jake how every adult in town had known every kid’s name, who their mother and father were, what mischief they might be creating or what achievements they’d reached. Apparently some things never changed.

  “You win again?” the General asked.

  “Yes, sir,” the girl beamed. “Overtook them by three points just before halftime and never lost control of the court again. We’re heading to semi finals.”

  “Well,” the General grinned at the excited teen, “that sounds like reason enough to celebrate to me.”

  “Coach Callie is the best.” The blonde’s smile held strong.

  “You guys put in the hard work. That’s what did it.” Callie pushed to her feet. Brushing off her exhaustion, she slapped her hands and rubbed them together vigorously. “We’re going to roast marshmallows tonight.”

  “Sounds like I’d better whip up some of my hot chocolate for those marshmallows.” Lucy smiled at the still grinning girl in the doorway. “Maybe add some graham crackers and chocolate bars too.”

  “Sweet!” Susie did a fist pump.

  Mrs. Hart set her knitting down beside her and looked to Lucy. “If the whole team is here, you’ll need some help.”

  “Since when can I not handle a beachfront of teens?”

  A booming laugh came from the General. “She’s got you there.”

  Rolling her eyes, Fiona Hart walked past her husband and patted his shoulder. “An extra pair of hands in the kitchen never hurt. Especially with hot drinks.”

  “Of course.” The General reached up and squeezed her hand before letting go and facing the teen still in the doorway. “What do you think of having the team here tomorrow afternoon for a nice barbecue? I’ll put out the horseshoes and the volleyball net and we’ll celebrate in style.”

  “Yes!” Susie gave out another joyous cry. Had Jake ever had that much energy?

  “All right.” Callie nudged Susie out the door. “Let’s get the fire started, and everyone can work out who’s coming tomorrow and let my grandmother know.”

  Susie hurried toward the lake, shooting questions at Callie. Do you think he’ll let us use the paddle boats? Oh I hope it’s not too cold. Slowly their voices disappeared into the distance. Jake understood their excitement. Nothing went better with teenage years than bonfires on the sand, games on the Point, and all the food you could eat.

  “Let’s go, Lucy.” Fiona Hart followed the housekeeper inside.

  “I could use a change of luck.” Lily skewered him with a pointed glare. “I think I’ll help Grams and Lucy for a minute.”

  “Good idea.” Heather and the remaining card playing ladies stood and followed Lucy and Mrs. Hart into the house.

  “I suppose.” Ralph gathered the cards in front of him and paused to flex his fingers and rub his forearm.

  Jake cut off the rest of his thought. “You feeling okay, Ralph?”

  “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “You seem to have hurt your hand.” Right about now, Jake wished Heather had stayed with the men and could get a look at Ralph.

  “Just my arthritis kicking in. As I was saying,” Ralph continued, “maybe we should go see if the women need a hand?”

  “Good idea, Ralph.” Jake shoved to his feet. “Let’s go.”

  “Me?” the older man’s eyes widened. “I was thinking you.”

  Jake nodded. If Mohammed wouldn’t go the mountain, Jake would just have to bring the mountain—or Heather—to Ralph

  ***

  “I’d better get a head count.” Lucy spun on her heel. “Be right back.”

  “You two look awfully cute.” Lily pulled a couple of saucepans from under the sink.

  “Are we going there again?” Gallon of milk in hand, Heather shoved the fridge door closed.

  Lily waved her free hand in the air. “Just making an observation.”

  “Did I miss something?” One of the merry widows asked, setting Styrofoam cups on the counter.

  “You’re not the only one.” The other woman counted out napkins.

  “All I meant was…” Staring at the doorway, Lily’s words fell off.

  “If I were a little bit more insecure, I’d think you were talking about me.” Jake crossed the threshold and strode straight for Heather. “I’m worried about Ralph.”

  “Ralph?” She set the milk container on the counter by the stove. “Why?”

  “Something about the way he keeps flexing his left hand. I keep remembering that story you told me.”

  “What story?” Lily looked up.

  “Heather!” Lucy’s voice came screeching from the front hall.

  “Uh oh.” The two card playing women echoed.

  Already at the doorway, Heather stopped at the sight of Lucy rushing through the living room. “Hurry. I think he’s having a heart attack.”

  She didn’t have to ask who. “Jake. Run upstairs. I’ve got my medical bag in my room.”

  He nodded and bolted up the stairs two at a time.

  The same two teens stood beside Floyd and her grandfather. She’d need to talk to him about having a defibrillator on hand.

  Susie turned and backing away, her face pale, nearly cried. “We came to help Lucy with the hot chocolate. We’ve already called 911.”

  The lake emergency services covered a lot of territory. Sometimes things worked out better than others. “Excuse me,” she mumbled, hurrying past the General and kneeling beside her cousin, another young teen she didn’t recognize and Ralph.

  Callie, arms locked, was pumping on Ralph’s chest. “You wanna step in and I’ll take over for Jimmy?”

  Heather glanced at the young man looking a bit green about the gills but focused on blowing measured breaths into Ralph’s lungs. “Shift.”

  Callie moved to kneel at Ralph’s head. A siren sounded in the distance growing louder. “Thank you, Lord.”

  Taking a second to check for any signs of breath or heart beat, Heather said a silent prayer and took over where her cousin had left off.

  A blaring siren came to a screeching silence and the two sets of thundering footsteps sounded like an army of angels to Heather. Within seconds the defibrillator was set up, oxygen on the ready. “Clear!” she shouted.

  Most everyone on the porch jolted with Ralph.

  “Again.” Watching the meter rise, years of Ralph grumbling over hooligans on the trains and bad card players flashed through her mind as easily as oxygen passed through her lungs. “Clear!”

  Another jolt and he was back in sinus rhythm.

  She and everyone around her expelled a unified relieved breath. Moving like a well practiced team the EMT’s had Ralph on the gurney ready for transport, Heather hurrying alongside.

  “Want me to drive you to the hospital?” Jake asked.

  So focused on Ralph, she hadn’t noticed Jake rushing beside her. Something inside went warm and fuzzy that he didn’t ask if she would go with him but whether she needed a ride. She shook her head. “I’ll ride in the ambulance.”

  He nodded. “I’ll meet you there.”

  “No.” She grabbed the handle and hefted herself inside before turning to face him. “I’m not sure how long I’ll be there. Please stay and make sure everyone’s okay. I love my grandfather but he can be a bit...”

  “Military.” The way his eyes studied her face and the muscles along his jaw line tightened, she thought he might object, but heaving a deep sigh, he nodded. “Got it covered. Keep us posted.”

  Violet came running up to them, dangling keys, paused long enough to huff out, “I’ll follow. Make sure you have a ride home,” then flew past them and climbed into the driver side of her old Honda.

  “Count on me.” Jake gave her a reassuring smile as the ambulance door slammed shut and she knew that counting on him might come a little too easily.

  ***

  Not till the taillights of the ambulance disappeared up the hill did Jake turn to the General standing beside him.

  “Tomorrow isn’t promised,” the older man mutt
ered.

  “No, but if you have to count on anyone, I’d count on Heather.”

  “You got that right.” The General sighed.

  “Yes, sir.” Jake could imagine too well the thoughts running through the retired general’s mind. He, like Jake, had no doubt seen countless buddies hauled off behind the closed doors of an emergency vehicle and only time would tell if they would see them again. At least this time he could rest assured that Ralph couldn’t be in better hands. Seemed saving lives came as naturally to Heather as breathing.

  Fiona Hart had sidled up beside her husband, her arm casually slipping around his waist. A silent comfort that had come from years of standing as one. For the first time that Jake could remember, the General looked old. Heather must have anticipated the toll this would take on him.

  Turning, he was almost surprised to see everyone including the basketball team had gathered behind them, stunned.

  “Is he going to be all right?” Susie asked softly.

  “He got the best care he could as fast as possible.” Not only did Ralph have an experienced cardiologist on hand, but Callie had been on the job before Heather could reach Ralph. Putting on the reassuring smile that Heather would have wanted, he looked to Callie. “What do you think if we get that hot chocolate and wait on the beach for an update?”

  Callie looked from her grandfather to her students, then slowly nodded. “Yeah, I think being able to process what happened together would be a good idea.”

  Following Callie and her students, Jake paused and glanced one last time at the empty road where the ambulance had been. Who was he kidding? Nothing would be the same once Heather returned to her world. A world that needed her as much as he did.

  His mind drifted to earlier in the day. Heather, her smile intact, and her eyes sparkling from a day experiencing the lake to its fullest. The sheer joy on her face. Thoughts of how to keep the twinkle in her eyes rattled around in his mind. There was still one more thing he could do before she returned to her life in Boston. One more memory to hang on to.