Emily called the hospital in the middle of the night, hoping to ease her concerns that Kevin’s condition hadn’t worsened.
Get some rest, she told herself.
It was impossible.
“I’ll never tell anyone that again!” she said aloud.
Each time she thought of Kevin’s accident, she felt guilty for not calling him after returning from Wyoming. Had he been angry with her instead of concentrating on his work? Was she at least partially to blame for what had happened?
After a sleepless night evaluating every aspect of Kevin’s injuries and what his recovery would mean to his work, Emily began to worry. How solvent was his company? Had he overextended himself? Would he lose his business if he missed the deadline?
Kevin needed time off, and he wasn’t the type to sit back and let others do his work.
She pondered the problem. Kevin and his crew started around seven. Would his crew be able to continue working without Kevin at the helm?
On her way to the hospital, she took a detour by the clinic to see if any of the crew had shown up. When she saw the idle equipment, she immediately called Bryan. “Does Kevin have anyone who can run the project while he’s out of commission?”
“Not that I know of. He didn’t mention it last night when I visited. A couple of his men showed up as I left. He must have it under control.”
“No one is here. They usually arrive around seven.”
“I’m just the silent partner, Em. Sorry. Why don’t you ask Kevin?”
“Because he’s already a challenge to keep calm. The last thing I want to do is make him think about not meeting the deadline. I know the penalty is outrageous, and Kevin’s already cut the budget to the bare necessities on this, I’m sure. His bid was so much lower than the others—he has to be taking a risk as it is.”
Bryan wouldn’t confirm Emily’s suspicions. Not that she was surprised: the two men were as loyal as blood brothers. “He’s feeling okay, isn’t he? How long are you talking about?”
“A week or two, but that’s if he takes it easy.”
“Ouch.” Bryan paused, then added, “That’s going to hurt all right. Why don’t you see if the crew shows up later on today. Maybe Kevin put someone in charge.”
“I’ll keep an eye on it, but in the meantime I have an idea, and want your opinion. Did you reach any of Kevin’s family last night?”
“His mom picked up Alex at the airport, and they got in late. They’re staying at the Sodbuster Inn. Adam and the twins couldn’t make it. Why?”
“Since Alex and Kevin both worked for his father’s company, don’t you think Alex would be willing to help Kevin with the project until Kevin is back one hundred percent?”
There was a long silence at the other end of the line.
“Bryan? What’s wrong with the idea? I know Dr. Roberts isn’t going to let Kevin go back on the site for a few weeks. He might be able to handle things in the office within a few days, but I’m sure they need a foreman, too. Don’t they?”
“You and Kevin haven’t talked a whole lot yet, have you?”
Emily felt an emptiness, realizing there was so much that Kevin hadn’t shared with her. What could be so horrible that Kevin wouldn’t even ask his own brother for help? “I know there must be more than what he’s told me about the past few years, but—”
“Maybe it’s for the best. It might be the perfect opportunity to let those two make amends. After all, Alex did come.”
Emily stopped him. “Wait just a minute, Bryan. I need to know what happened.”
“Kevin hoped to rebuild the business after his dad passed away. Alex didn’t want anything to do with it, took off to fight forest fires. The family voted to shut down their dad’s company.” He paused. “I can’t imagine Kevin is still upset about it. They’ve celebrated several holidays together since then, and the house is still standing.”
Bryan offered to arrange a breakfast meeting between Kevin’s family and Emily.
“Thanks, I’d appreciate it. It’s going to be awkward enough to see them, let alone the fact that I want to ask a favor our first meeting. I need to make my rounds and see Kevin. If it won’t work to meet at 8:30, page me.”
Emily said a prayer that the breakfast meeting would go well. After her rounds she went to see Kevin. As she expected, he was flirting again—this time trying to convince the nurse to remove his IV so he could get back to work.
Darleen checked the IV in his hand, and pushed the stand closer to the bed. “No, Mr. MacIntyre, Dr. Roberts wants the IV left in for the rest of the day.”
“But it’s going to get in the way of my using the saw.”
“I think that’s the point, Kevin.” Emily smiled and stepped into his room. “Thanks, Darleen. I’ll handle this charmer.” She turned to him. “You should be ashamed of yourself, trying to sweet-talk the nurses into breaking doctor’s orders.”
His smile was as mischievous as ever, and his eyebrows lifted as he shrugged. “Well, now, I can go right to the source of the problem. You’re slowing me down here, Doc.”
“Not nearly enough, obviously.” She leaned over the side of the bed and gave him a chaste kiss on the cheek. “If you don’t behave, I’m going to have to order round-the-clock supervision—”
“Well, now, that just might be worth it.”
“—from one of the security officers. How are you feeling?” Emily smiled.
“I need to get out of here. I don’t like hospitals.”
She smoothed his sheets, wondering how she was ever going to convince him to slow down enough to let his body recover from the accident. “It won’t be long ’til you can go home, if you cooperate and follow doctor’s orders.”
“I have a job to do, Emily. You know as well as I do what a tight schedule we’re on. I can’t afford to sit in here.”
“I understand, and I want you back at work, too. But more important, I want to make sure you’re okay.” Emily gazed into his blue eyes. I want you around forever, Kevin. “Do you have anyone who can take over for a while?”
He laughed. “You’re looking at him. I have a small operation. Until I cover the expenses for this project, I can’t afford to pay a foreman. Everything rides on finishing this project on time. Can’t you check me out of here? Ple-ea-se?”
Emily was torn between laughing and crying. “No, I can’t, and even if I were able, I wouldn’t. You need rest!”
Kevin pushed the breakfast tray aside, slid his legs over the edge of the bed and looked around the room. “Where are my clothes?”
“I took them home to wash them. Your wallet and keys are at home. I didn’t think they should be left around here. Of course, the shirt’s ruined. I’ll bring you some clean clothes before you’re dismissed.”
He frowned. “You think that’s going to stop me from checking out of here?”
Emily smiled. “It works on most patients.”
“Smart aleck.” Kevin let out a weak chuckle and let his head relax against the pillow, then tossed it aside when its plastic cover crinkled. “As long as you’re going to make me stay here, could you please bring me a decent pillow from home?”
“You want me to get things…from your house?” She didn’t mean to hesitate.
“Does that bother you?”
“No, I just didn’t want to presume anything, I guess.” She looked at her watch and realized she didn’t have much time before her meeting with Kevin’s mom and brother. “I have an appointment in a few minutes. You need to rest, Kevin. We’ll talk later.”
After a quick goodbye, Emily drove to the Sodbuster Inn. Bryan arrived just as she did. “You ready?”
She had hardly had time to think about the fact that she was going to be seeing her former potential in-laws for the first time since the broken engagement. Her main concern right now was getting Kevin to slow down for a few weeks, which meant finding someone to help during his recovery. “I was before I saw Kevin. He’s ready to check himself out and go right to work at the clinic. I know something has to be done, but are you sure I should do this?”
“Bryan!” Alex bound down the stairs and offered his hand. The two men embraced. “Looks like marriage agrees with you.”
“Yes, it does. I’m anxious for you to meet the family. We’ll plan on you and your mom coming over for dinner tonight.”
Alex turned to Emily then, and back to Bryan. “Oh, I thought for a minute that this was your wife, but—” He did a double take, and there was a glimmer of recognition in his expression.
Mrs. MacIntyre’s soft voice came from somewhere behind her. “Emily?”
Emily turned toward the woman she’d been too proud to accept help from all those years ago. “Mrs. MacIntyre, I can’t tell you how sorry I was to hear about your husband.”
“Thank you. What are you doing here?”
Emily had hoped Kevin had at least mentioned they were both living in the same town, though she doubted he would have mentioned they were dating yet.
Emily looked to Bryan for support, thankful suddenly that he had come along. “I’m a doctor at the clinic Kevin’s company is working on.”
“Well, that explains a few things, doesn’t it?” Alex chuckled. “So, are you here in an official capacity?”
“Not completely.” I’m not going to hide from the truth. “Kevin and I started seeing each other a few weeks ago, though it’s not serious, yet.”
“Better have that staff of yours run a few more tests on him, then, Doctor. Until that little brother of mine realizes he needs to make it serious, I think he has a few more priorities to get straightened out.”
“Alex, stop teasing Emily.” Mrs. MacIntyre put her arm around Emily in a welcoming gesture. “I hope everything works out this time. Kevin…well, Kevin wasn’t quite the same without you.”
Me, neither.
Emily didn’t know what to say. Everything in her life had turned upside down in the last week. She had no idea how or where to start straightening it out. Especially now.
While they ate, Emily filled them in on Kevin’s condition. The only thing remaining was to ask Alex to do his younger brother a favor. Why did she feel as if she were asking for the world? They’re brothers. Of course he’ll help. Won’t he? Since she didn’t have brothers, she could only go on her relationship with her sisters. And she knew from experience, they wouldn’t hesitate for a minute.
She glanced at Bryan, who winked. When she couldn’t speak, Bryan interjected. “Alex, Emily and I have discussed an idea, and we could use your input on the matter. Emily, go ahead.”
“As I said, I’m not Kevin’s primary-care doctor, but I’m certain Dr. Roberts won’t want Kevin working for a few weeks. You know Kevin as well as I do. That won’t stop him from trying, unless he has someone capable and trustworthy to do the job in his place—someone who knows the business—who knows the way Kevin works.” Her gaze met Alex’s. “I’m sure you all know how much this job means to his company. There’s no way he can shut down for that long.”
Alex took a deep breath and leaned back in his chair. “Who-ee, gal, I thought I was the only fire-fighter in the family. You sure you’re ready to put out this blaze?”
Emily’s eyes grew larger and she looked at Bryan, pleading for an explanation before she finished. Silently, she prayed, Am I doing the right thing, God?
Bryan chuckled. “I’ll take the heat if sparks start flying.”
With a glance to Kevin’s mother, Emily cleared her throat. “I’m not only gambling with my feelings for Kevin, here, but—” Emily stopped. She’d almost blurted out that she had a child to think of, as well. “I’m not sure this is the right thing to do, but I can’t let Kevin risk losing his company.”
Alex took her hand. “I came to do this job, whether or not anyone asked. I can’t think of any better way to show my support.”
Emily’s mouth fell open. “He already asked you?”
Alex let out a deep laugh. “Don’t get happy. What’s he going to do, kick me off the site? If Kevin forgives me for the past mistakes in the process, all the better. If not, at least I tried. One thing for sure, I’m not going to let him down this time.”
Emily felt tears sting her eyes. “Thank you, Alex.”
“You take care of my brother, and I’ll take care of his business—’til he’s back in shape.”
Mrs. MacIntyre’s soft voice broke in. “Since we’re clearing the air, I’m glad you’re here, Emily. I look forward to visiting again later.” She looked at Alex. “I want to see Kevin. Are you ready?”
Emily didn’t know how to respond. Little by little she was discovering why Kevin was so different from the man she had almost married. “I’ll see you all later, I’m sure.” She pulled a card from her purse. “Here’s my pager number, if you need anything.”
They all rose and pushed the chairs in behind them.
“Oh, I took the clothes he was wearing when the accident happened home to wash. I told him I’d bring them back later, but I’d recommend we hold off on that as long as possible. He just may go AWOL if he has any opportunity.”
Bryan gave her a hug before heading off to work. “Don’t give up on him, Em. You know Kevin’s too stubborn to do anything the easy way.”
When she visited him that night, Kevin didn’t mention Alex’s helping out. She decided that it was between the brothers now. Maybe they needed more time. But could the project afford to sit idle while the two made amends?
Dr. Roberts was due anytime. Kevin turned to look at the clock again and shifted in the bed, perspiration gluing his back to the mattress. It had been two days since the accident, and he had to get to work. He was tired of sticking to the bed, eating tasteless mush and being poked and monitored.
Not only that, but being around the hospital so much was obviously bothering his mother, as well. After failing to convince her he’d be okay, and that she could go on home, they finally reached a compromise. She’d keep her hospital visits short. She and Alex would stay at his house. She could stay to take care of him for a few days after he was released from the hospital.
He had to get home before she gave his bachelor pad a whole new look—one with those feminine touches that would remind him of all that was missing in his life.
Alex made regular visits early in the morning and later in the evening. What he was doing with the rest of his time, Kevin wasn’t sure. In fact, he wasn’t sure why Alex was still here at all. When asked, his brother mumbled something about getting too old to be jumping into flames and looking for a new job.
It was good to see him, without the past acting as a barrier.
The alarm on the IV went off, indicating the fluid was getting low. It was also a not-so-subtle reminder that he had to convince the doctor he was well enough to go home.
Emily’s visits were the highlight of his day. Being on the staff, she was the only one not kicked out when visiting hours were over—the only thing that kept him from losing his mind in here. How Emily stayed so cheerful around all this pain was beyond him.
Kevin could still see the fear in her eyes when she told his mother and Alex details about the accident. She ended by telling him over and over again that he’d “better never, ever scare her like that again.”
He saw the love in her every action. And it scared the daylights out of him. If anything, the accident had proven to him that no matter how much control he thought he had, in the flash of an eye, it could be taken away.
How can I do this to her? He’d seen what his father’s death had done to his mother. She still couldn’t handle being in a hospital. He couldn’t do that to Emily.
“Pride goeth before a fall,” his father used to tell him. What a time for him to think of his dad—while lying in the hospital.
He thought of him and Alex running the family business in his father’s absence—
It hit him like a ton of bricks.
Alex.
That’s what he’s been doing all day. I’ve got to get out of here, get back to work before Alex shuts down my company, too.
Kevin sat up in bed and swung his bare legs over the side, trying to figure out how he was going to get to the construction site.
Alex probably has my truck, too.
“Morning, Kevin. How are you feeling?”
Dr. Roberts had rotten timing.
“Well enough to get out of here.”
The doctor laughed. “Let’s take one more look and see what your file says before you check yourself out of here.” He looked at the chart and set it aside. “No more headaches, dizziness…”
“None,” Kevin snapped.
The list of questions went on and on, adding to Kevin’s irritation. “Dr. Roberts, I really need to get back to work.”
He thought of his mother. Emily. Alex.
None of them had given him a clue as to what was happening in the outside world. “I have people to see. I don’t have time to sit around here doing nothing.”
“Now, now, Mr. MacIntyre. Let me review a few things with you.”
Before Kevin knew it, he’d been sidelined for a indeterminate length of time.
In the back of his mind he heard the doctor mention seeing him in three to four days for a checkup without saying exactly how long he would have to stay away from work.
No lifting, no physical exertion, nothing.
The old codger winked. “I’d hate to have to pull the clinic contract in order to make sure you take care of yourself. Don’t worry, your brother has everything running smoothly.”
Kevin snapped inside, but somehow managed to remain calm on the outside. “My brother may have come to help, but I still run the project. With all due respect, I can’t afford to stay off clinic property for another day.”
Dr. Roberts chuckled. “Fine, but I’d better not see you lifting even a hammer, Kevin. First it’s a hammer, then the saw, then a plate-glass window. Don’t push your luck. I’m serious.”
Kevin laughed. Weren’t all doctors always serious? Must be an occupational hazard.
Kevin couldn’t believe that Alex filling in hadn’t crossed his mind earlier. Kevin hoped he didn’t look half as foolish as he felt. His brother wasn’t just looking for any job; Alex was taking Kevin’s job.
“When can I go home, Dr. Roberts?”
“I’ll sign the release—shouldn’t take too long. Why don’t you get dressed and call a ride to get you out of here.”
Kevin held out his hand. “Thanks, Doc. See you in a few days.”
The doctor gripped Kevin’s hand firmly and smiled. “Someone upstairs gave you a second chance. Don’t take that for granted.”
Nodding, he waited for the physician to finish signing the papers.
Kevin knew better than to look for his clothes—all he would find were empty closets. He’d searched for a way out yesterday, hoping Emily had put them away while he wasn’t looking.
Now, not only did he need to call home for a ride, but he had to wait for his clothes to arrive, as well. When he called the house, no one was home.
He called Emily. In the background he heard pounding and sawing. “Emily, my brother is doing my job, isn’t he?”
The silence lengthened, and he heard Emily close her door to the noises that were as comforting to him as a worn-out sweatshirt. “This is no time to let your stubborn pride stand in the way, Kevin.”
“I want a straight answer, Emily.”
“I don’t know where he is right now, but yes, Kevin, Alex is making sure things continue to run smoothly with your project.”
“You couldn’t have told me two days ago?” he said, and failed to keep the anger from his voice.
Emily’s words were tart with professionalism. “Two days ago, you were so out of it you wouldn’t have understood what I was saying if I had told you. I thought you’d appreciate your brother’s help. He’s making sure the work is getting done.”
“You just had to take over, didn’t you?” The minute he said the words, he was sorry.
“It won’t happen again.”
“I’m sorry, Emily—” She’d already hung up.
Kevin closed his eyes. Great way to make amends, Kevin. He wove his fingers together behind his neck and lay back on the bed. I think it’s time we have a talk, God.
An hour later his brother walked into the hospital room, carrying a change of clothes and the keys to Kevin’s truck. “I understand you’re not terribly happy with me.”
Alex always did know how to make an entrance.
“If you wanted a job, you could have asked.”
Alex nodded slightly, not looking at all remorseful or worried. “A lot less headache this way. When that old codger gives you your life back, I’ll be tossed aside like a dirty shirt, and you know it.”
Kevin didn’t know how to deny it. Though he had forgiven his family for the decision they’d made years ago, he wasn’t sure it was good business to bring “family” into the picture again. “It isn’t that I—”
Alex dropped into the chair across from the table and crossed one ankle over his opposite knee. “I want to help, to tell you I’m sorry. To let you know how proud I am of you and what you’re doing. You’re not too proud to accept that, are you?”
He struggled with his stubborn pride, afraid of making matters with his brother worse. It wasn’t that he didn’t want Alex here. Admittedly, he wasn’t up to speed yet, and he would have been scrambling to run the job from afar. But he was in no position to offer his brother what a foreman should earn—even temporarily.
Kevin took a deep breath and repeated the verse silently: “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
“Thanks. I’ll admit, I’m not at all happy with having to sit the bench on this, but if there’s anyone I trust to do it right, it’s you. About the pay—”
“Don’t worry about it.” A look of trepidation crossed Alex’s face.
Kevin knew the spring thunderstorms made this the busiest season for smokejumpers, and Alex’s presence here was costing him plenty. “I plan to worry about it. And I plan to pay you.”
“You don’t need to, okay?”
He looked suspiciously at his brother. “You dropped your job, flew down here on the spur of the moment—which couldn’t have been cheap—and you don’t want to be paid? What’s going on, Alex?”
Kevin heard dainty footsteps enter the room.
“I paid him already, and before you start yelling, I asked him not to say anything,” Emily’s soft voice explained. “I wanted to help.”
He turned toward her. It was bad enough that he was incapacitated physically and facing his ex-fiancée who’d already saved his life once, but to have her taking care of his business obligations was totally out of the question, and he didn’t hesitate to tell her so.
She looked at his hospital gown and back at his face. “So, let me get this straight. It would have been okay for your parents to pay for me to go to medical school, yet I can’t help you out?”
“This isn’t at all the same situation, Doc. We aren’t—” He stopped short of saying they weren’t committed to one another the way they had been then. “I pay my own employees.”
She looked as if he’d just punched her, and an unwelcome tension stretched between them.
“I see.” Emily’s eyes revealed her mounting anger. “Consider it an investment, Kevin. The sooner you finish the job, the sooner we can both move on with our lives.”
Emily whirled around and walked out of the room.
Kevin tripped over the hospital tray and headed after her, the tails of his gown flapping as he ran down the hall. She ran into the elevator, and the door closed before he could stop her.
Kevin hit the button and pounded his fist against the stainless-steel door.
“Ah, Kevin?”
“What?” he growled. What could his brother have to say now?
Alex stepped behind him, tugged the back of Kevin’s gown together and whispered, “You’re putting on quite a show, little brother.”
Kevin turned and waved to the wide-eyed audience, furious that his brother and the hospital staff had seen him chasing after a woman—especially Dr. Emily Berthoff. “I can’t wait to get out of here,” he muttered.