Chapter 20

Clint

Sneaking a peek at Laura’s ultrasound records, I see that my future niece or nephew is looking healthy and vibrant. Just as I suspected. One worries when a woman nearing forty is about to have her first. Laura is no exception. Whether she’s my sister or not, I would still be concerned. As I pass through the vestibule between each of the two examination room hallways, where the receptionists are sitting behind a glass wall, my eyes scan the waiting area, in an attempt to gauge how busy the rest of my day will be.

When I look, I stop dead in my tracks. As I live and breathe, I thought I’d never see her again. Cassie Michaels is still as beautiful as the day she left Huttonville. The day she left for another man. The day she broke my heart. Sure, Laura tried to set me up with Lisa and countless other women, but they only filled a physical need for me. Cassie, she was my heart and my soul. I loved her like I have never loved a woman again since her.

As she sits there, scrolling through her phone, she is oblivious to the set of eyes watching her. I ask the receptionist if she’s been registered yet, and she nods yes. And I wonder…is she here for me? “What’s the reason for her call?”

“Possible urinary tract infection. I already had her provide a sample. It’s over there.” She says, pointing to the small plastic basket next to the counter, marked ‘Lab’.

“Did she make an appointment, or is she here for the walk-in clinic?”

“Walk-In.”

So she doesn’t even realize that I’m here. She’s not here for me. My name isn’t posted on the wall anymore. It’s general knowledge that I’m the doctor here. Grayson’s name is still posted, but not for long. His patient roster is nearing full. Our clinic has a generic name, so she wouldn’t even know that this is my operation. I can’t decide if I should let Grayson take her, or if I should. Then I look at her record up on the screen. She’s still using her maiden name. Did she never marry that son of a gun she left me for? Or did she leave him too? Did she come out here, back to Huttonville, to return to her roots? My mind is racing as I stand here, staring at the screen from behind the glass.

I decide to take her, if nothing else, to find out what she’s doing back here in Huttonville. But then Grayson appears, and I lose my nerve. “Hey, Clint.” He says, as I watch the patient he just attended to, come up to the glass. The receptionist hands her an order for some kind of diagnostic procedure, and she leaves.

“Hey, Grayson.” I say in return. “How’s Laura feeling today?”

“Good.” He grins.

“Baby moving yet?”

“She thinks so but isn’t sure. She’s had a lot of gas.” He chuckles, waving the air in front of him.

“It feels like bubbles at the start.” Katie, one of the receptionists, supplies. “Then it feels like little flutters, and then it turns into full-on kicks.” She smiles. “She getting big?”

“Yeah,” Grayson chuckles, good-naturedly. “All in front though. Her belly is round and firm. She’s cute pregnant.” He changes the subject. “Lisa’s coming along.” He volunteers.

“Laura was telling me. I’ll have to catch her at the ranch one day.”

“You should. She’s been asking about you.” Grayson says. “Hear Carson’s moving back to Huttonville?”

“Yeah, I was talking to him yesterday.” I smile. “He was flip-flopping the idea around when you two got married, but he’s finally decided.”

Katie flips around. “Carson? Carson Kelsey? He’s coming back to Huttonville?”

I tilt my head. “Yeeesss, ma’am.”

“Didn’t he move away to Dallas for a teaching job?” Katie asks.

“That he did. He couldn’t get the one he wanted out here, but now one’s come available. One of the teachers is going on maternity leave.” I mention the name of the school.

“Laura offered for him to stay at the ranch until he’s settled.” Grayson adds. “He sold his house when he moved away three years ago.”

Katie whistles through her teeth. “Carson Kelsey…wow.”

Grayson and I exchange a look. “Something you want to tell us, Katie?”

She giggles, staring off into space. “No. Not really.”

Grayson looks at the lone patient sitting in the waiting room. “You want to take this one, or shall I?”

I hesitate, looking at her.

“Something wrong?” Grayson asks.

Bridget, the other receptionist, is newer. She finishes the task she was working on a moment ago, and her attention comes to me. “You want me to test her sample, Doctor Kelsey?”

Katie, breaking out of her dreamy spell, looks over at Bridget’s screen. “Wait a minute. Cassie Michaels…where do I know that name from?”

“That’s another…blast from the past.” I volunteer.

Grayson looks at me. “You know her?”

“Yeah…kind of.”

Katie and I are the same age. We went to high school together. Recognition comes to her face. “Wasn’t she…oh…” she looks at me. “Yes, you do know her, Clint.” Another giggle.

“You want me to tend to her, Clint?” Grayson asks levelly.

Another hesitation. My heart pounds. Do I want to go down this road? Do I want to know her story? Do I want to be reminded of our story? “Yeah. Yeah, you go ahead.” I state finally.

Katie and Grayson are looking at me. I take a step outside the viewing area, scratch my head, and walk away.

 

***

Kurt

When I pull up to the ranch this morning, I see will’s truck in the driveway. It was difficult saying goodbye to Lisa this morning. After making love half the night last night, she didn’t want to let go. We’re both exhausted this morning, but it was worth it. She’s coming by for breakfast in a while, once she’s ready for work. It’s so early, the sun hasn’t even finish rising yet. I’m curious why Will is here at such an hour.

“Hey, man.” I say when I enter. He’s standing in the doorway of Laura’s study, talking to her.

“Hey,” he shakes my hand. “How’s it going?”

“Can’t complain.” I tip my chin at him. “What brings you here before the roosters are up?”

“I haven’t been over in a couple of weeks. Got a busy day ahead. Thought I’d stop by before work and see Laura. Word has it around town that she’s really sprouted.”

“She has.” I grin at her.

Grayson comes down the stairs. “Hey, brother.” He says to me. “Hey, brother-in-law.” He says to Will, before going over to Laura and giving her a kiss.

“Hey, man.” Will says.

I address Laura. “Hey, I saw that the one corporate van is due for some maintenance. I think the mechanic opens at seven. You want me to haul it over there before the rest of the crowd wakes up?”

“Sure.” Laura says, handing me the keys.

“Hey, you mind if I tag along?” Will asks. “I need to ask Reggie’s opinion on a matter.”

“Hey, the more the merrier.” I say to Will.

“Breakfast will be ready any minute.” Laura says.

“Save me some.” I respond. “Lisa and I ate a load last night thanks to you. I’m not even the least bit hungry yet.”

“Okay.”

We saddle up into the service van and buckle up. “Hey, you don’t mind if I drive, do you?” I ask Will.

“No. Not at all.”

When we get to the mechanic’s shop, he’s just arrived. “Morning, boys.” Reggie says. “What can I do for you?”

“This here van needs an oil change and a tune up. You think you can manage?”

“Sure. You know the drill.” He says. “Troy should be here any minute. I can get started. How’s Laura doing?” he asks, pulling his coveralls on.

“Good.” Will answers. “Good and pregnant.”

“She sure had a nice wedding. I liked the horses bringing them down the aisle. That was a nice touch.”

“Sure was.”

We see a car pull up out front. When the patron enters the shop, Will’s face changes drastically.

I watch him intently as I tip my head to the gentleman who stands before us. “Harlan.” Will says curtly, tipping his head slightly in greeting, although I get the feeling that the greeting is strictly perfunctory.

Harlan? Is this the Harlan that broke my baby’s heart? I look at Will and I can see his jaw muscles working. It must be him.

“Morning, Mister Rex.” Reggie says. “What can I do for you?”

“Just need you to have a look at my brakes. Making noises.” He says. “The wife left me the junk box. She took the Lexus.”

“Sure. Troy’ll be here any minute. Mind waiting?”

“Nope. Not due to work for another hour.”

Reggie nods and looks at me. “You got the keys?”

“Sure.” I hand him the keyring and walks towards the front door. “Mister Rex, Will, Kurt, err…coffee machine ain’t up yet. If y’all don’t mind getting it going if y’all want a coffee.”

“Na, we’re fine, Reggie. Thanks.” I say.

Will does everything to avoid looking at this Harlan fellow. But I’m checking him out with every opportunity I have. I’d love to figure this guy out.

“I hear Lisa was in a bad way.” Harlan says to Will.

My fist balls up at the mere mention of her name from his mouth.

“Was. She’s doing well now.” Will answers, still not looking at him.

“That’s good.” Harlan nods.

You’ll keep your mouth shut about my girl if you know what’s good for you.

“Word is she’s seeing some guy from out of town.”

Will exchanges a look with me. My fingernails are digging into my palms.

“Not that it’s any of your business.” Will says.

Harlan ignores the jibe. “I hear he works with the horses. How come he came all the way from El Paso to do the same thing is beyond me.”

“He’s helping Laura out, dickwad.” Will seethes.

Lifting his hands in the air, Harlan chuckles. “Hey, buddy. I don’t mean any harm here. I’m just making conversation.”

“It’s none of your business what goes on with Laura or Lisa.” Will says pointedly.

Again, stupidly, Harlan ignores Will. “Shoot, Lisa and I go way back. I’m separated now, eh? She tell you that?”

“Big shocker.” Will scoffs.

My nostrils are flaring, my heart is pumping. Just…say something stupid, asshole. My fist can’t wait to break your teeth.

Harlan laughs. “I’m surprised she didn’t come crawling back to me when she heard Patsy left me.”

That’s it. “That’s because she’s with me, asshole.” I blurt. “And if you like them teeth of yours, I suggest you keep your big mouth shut.”

Harlan is the same height as me, but he’s got a big ponch in front, and a fat face to match. Definitely a drinker. He’s wearing a baseball cap over greasy, black hair. From the look of him, he was probably decently handsome back when he and Lisa were together. He probably had tact at one time or another, too. But clearly he’s lacking it now. “Are you threatening me?”

“You catch on quick.”

He looks me up and down, smirking like he thinks he can take me with one hand tied behind his back. Losers like that fold with a simple kick in the groin. “So, you’re Lisa’s new flavor of the month, are you?”

Harlan Rex didn’t know what hit him.