3

My mouth dropped open. I’d never expected to see her again. Never occurred to me to tell Bailey about it. Uh, oh. “Melissa.” How long had it been? Ten years? Of all things, and out of the clear blue sky. I should say something, but what? She hadn’t changed a bit, still beautiful.

“You two know each other?” Dr. Harkin crossed his arms and looked from me to Melissa and back again. Did he just frown?

“We were…uh,” she cleared her throat. “…were good friends after high school.” She pulled her hand away from mine.

“I see.” Dr. Harkin studied her. A pained expression crossed his face, and then he returned to all business again. “Well, Scott, I’ll look in on you again in the morning.”

“I’ll be in as well, and we’ll discuss a plan of action to get you up and going again.” Melissa’s comment sounded professional and detached.

Doctor and nurse left the room without another word.

Mrs. Brown entered with a tray. “Here’s your chicken broth.” She rolled the table over the bed and set the tray down. “Sip it slowly.”

I felt my stomach twist at the thought. “Maybe later. How about a clear soda?”

“Let’s try the juice.” She put the straw in my mouth.

I gagged at the watered-down apple juice. “I don’t think so. I’m not trying to be difficult, but no thanks.”

“I understand. Just do it for your health’s sake. The sooner you can hold food down, the sooner you can get out of here.”

“Mrs. Brown, you are wonderful. Getting out of here is my top priority.” If the soup would help, I’d drink gallons. Later.

“You know, Scott, this might not be the best time to bring it up, but I need to ask you something.” She blushed as she took the straw from my lips.

“Shoot.” Curious. Had she ever asked me for anything before?

“I’ve always dreamed that Bailey’s husband would call me ‘Mom.’ Would that make you uncomfortable?” She looked down at her shoes, but then looked me in the eye.

That’s pretty common, right? My mom would have loved that. She’d have welcomed Bailey and Mrs. Brown into the West family as if they’d always been there.

“That would be great, Mrs. Brown, I mean, ‘Mom’.” Might as well start now. I squeezed her hand. She bent over and pecked me on the cheek, a tear sliding down her nose.

“Son.” She grinned, her cheeks flushed.

“That sounds nice.” Yes, I liked the sound of that. Warmed my heart, as a matter of fact. My ‘mom’ busied herself straightening my sheets and tucking them lovingly around me. She’d been single since Bailey was small. I realized I would be responsible for her now, as well.

I needed to get out of that bed.

As if she’d read my mind, “Take it easy, like it or not. If you finish the soup and juice, I’ll come back later and see if we can get you sitting up comfortably.” She handed me the cup and repositioned the straw in my lips.

I reached up to hold it myself.

“I haven’t ever seen Dr. Harkin before. He and Mel-, uh, Miss Murphy, are they new here?” Surely no one knew that Melissa and I had a past. Yet.

“I think he arrived here about a month ago. Fresh out of his residency in Dallas. He brought Miss Murphy as his personal assistant. He seems to be a fine doctor, and she’s more than competent as his dedicated nurse practitioner. She handles only his patients for now. They make a good team.” She scribbled on my chart and headed for the door.

I nodded as I sipped my soup. ‘Mom’ meant business with that ‘finish your soup’ stuff.

Ten years. Just how much trouble would I be in with Bailey when she found out?

No use waiting for help to sit up. Bailey would find me getting back to normal when she saw me next. If I could just reach the button that raised the head of the bed. There, found it, and the ride up exhilarated me. I could take care of myself, thank you. Couldn’t everyone see that? I used my elbows to raise and straighten myself up against the bed.

‘Mom’ popped her head in just then. She pointed an accusing finger at me.

“I’m fine. It feels good, actually.” My smile would convince her.

“I’m turning out the light. If you don’t need anything, then go to sleep.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Sleep. That sounded good, but I’d nap sitting up in case Bailey came in.

The words to that chorus wafted through my drowsy thoughts again. “I shall not want...”

Did I dream? I ran into burning Pinewood Manor and retrieved Bailey’s precious belongings. Hadn’t I already given her those photo albums, diaries, and that box containing the letter? Without warning, my real mother stood before me in the flames. Mom? The robin’s egg blue of the dress she’d been buried in glowed in the flames. What did she want?

“I will never leave you.” Her lips weren’t moving, but I heard her voice. She turned and disappeared into the flames.

“Mom? Wait! Don’t go.” What did she mean? She had left me. So had Dad. The frightful images woke me. I needed water.

Melissa stood beside me. “Are you all right? You’re drenched.” She took tissues from the nightstand and dabbed at my forehead.

“Bad dream, I guess.”

Melissa took my blood pressure and temperature, but didn’t seem concerned.

“So, you moved back to Marshall.” Lame, but I couldn’t think of anything else.

“I didn’t necessarily choose Marshall, but I wanted to work with Dr. Harkin. He chose this hospital.”

“The doc looked a little unhappy when he realized we knew each other. I wondered if you two are sweethearts, as well as colleagues. Are you two doing more than just working together?” Nothing like jumping in with both feet.

Melissa frowned. “He’s my boss, that’s all.” She snapped up a page on my chart and wrote furiously on the next.

“Sorry, just making conversation.” What’s that all about? Maybe he likes her or the other way around, and the feeling isn’t mutual?

“I see you’ve kept fluids down for several hours. If that keeps up, you can have some solid food tomorrow.” Her words sounded polite and professional, but a scowl remained on her face.

I’d better change the subject. Couldn’t afford to anger the woman in charge of my exit plan. “I’d like to get out of here as soon as possible. I’ve got lots of work to do, and I’m getting married in a little over a month.”

This news softened her expression. “You are? Congratulations!” She extended her hand for a shake, and then a grin spanned her face. “Well, in that case, you will have to be a really good boy in order to be at that wedding in good health.”

I chuckled at the drop of her professional demeanor. Weddings reduced women to teenage glee.

“The workload, though, that’s just part of the problem. If you stick to the program I’m putting together for you, it should happen on schedule.”

While my mind conjured up excuses, she pulled up a chair and sat down.

“I was sorry to hear about your mom and dad. Losing people you love is incredibly stressful. How did it happen?”

“Mom died of breast cancer a little over a year ago. Dad had a stroke soon after.” Such a hard time. I took a deep breath, and then exhaled it with a shake of my head.

“How severe was his stroke?”

“Besides general overall weakness, it mostly affected his speech. He spoke everything in threes. He decided we should call him Peeps. His first meeting with Bailey didn’t go well, and he called her Queen o’ Sheba, Queen o’ Sheba, Queen o’ Sheba.”

She nodded. Melissa had always been easy to talk to. A great woman, but nothing held a candle to Bailey. Still, it felt good to talk about it.

“I took care of him, the diner, the washout, and Mom’s inn, too. Well, the inn went by the wayside. I didn’t really know how to foof things up the way she did. But Bailey is a big help.”

“I’m sure she is, but that’s quite a lot of work and stress. I wonder if you’ve even had time to grieve. Now you’re about to be married. You’re not still wondering why you’re lying in that bed, are you?” She shook her head.

No way I’d tell her that those thoughts were what sent me to the ground the day before. Or that I’d seriously considered calling off the wedding.

Melissa cocked her head sideways waiting for an answer.

“I guess I put on a few pounds, is all.” I sucked in nearly thirty years’ worth of burgers and fries.

“You always did have a paunch, even in high school.” She patted my stomach.

Thanks a lot. Memories poured across my mind like water spilling from a glass. Yeah, she had been a health nut, and me? Not, with a capital N. One of the reasons we ultimately didn’t get along.

She frowned. “Extra weight is a factor, but so is stress. You need to learn to delegate or something. You can’t go back to the way things were if you want to live long enough to have a life with a wife and family.”

Good grief. I’m going to be all right. “I’ll be fine. I’ll even go on a diet. No need to worry about me.” Sheesh.

“I’m serious. It’s part of my job to help you map out a recovery plan. Everyone has to know that you need something different. It’s not just one-size-fits-all. We need to get your fiancée involved, and the rest of the family and friends to get you a support system in place.”

Great. Line everyone up and tell them I’m an invalid. What else? Power chair, domino tournaments, social security? Maybe I could make some inroads with the doctor. Surely another man would understand.

She just looked at me. “Just focus on getting better for now. We’ll talk more about this tomorrow. How are you feeling right now?”

“Tired. Sore. Groggy. Stronger than earlier today, though.” How ‘bout them Cowboys, nice weather we’re having, any other subject would do.

“Good deal. Dr. Harkin and I will be here in the morning. Nurse Brown is headed home for the day, but your night nurse will call us if anything comes up. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Her voice softened. “It’s nice to see you again, and I’m so sorry for your loss. Your parents were wonderful to me. Oh, you said Shelley passed a little over a year ago. How long since Paul died?”

“A couple of months ago.”

“And you’re getting married when?” Her incredulous expression cast doubt on the wisdom of a fast-approaching wedding date. In her mind, maybe, but not mine.

She seemed to think better of more lecture. “I loved Paul and Shelley, Scott. I’m sorry for your loss.”

Bailey and her mom entered the room just then. Had they heard Melissa’s comment?

“Oh, I thought you’d gone home.” Melissa smiled at my new mom.

“I’m just leaving, but this is my future son-in-law, and I wanted to say goodnight.”

“Then is this the bride-to-be? I’m Melissa Murphy.” She held out her hand toward Bailey. “Scott just told me about your wedding.”

Bailey shook her hand, and then put her arm around Melissa’s shoulders for a brief hug. “Welcome to Marshall. How did you know Scott’s parents?”

Busted.

“We’ve been friends since after high school.” Melissa looked at me, then at my chart.

There went my chance to tell Bailey myself. The puzzled look on her face made me wonder if I should just blurt it out now, or wait until later.

“I studied nursing at the college here in Marshall. Some of us used to drive to West House Diner to eat and study. Shelley and Paul adopted me, as they did everyone else.” Melissa’s lighthearted comment seemed to satisfy Bailey.

“I wish I had known Shelley, but I did know Peeps, and I can well imagine they took you under their wings.”

“Peeps, yes I’ve heard the story,” Melissa said.

“You’ll have to come by the diner when you get a chance. I work there most mornings with Scott’s uncle.” Bailey followed Melissa to the door.

I swallowed hard.

“Sure. I’d love to. It’ll be good to see the old place again. Bye, now.”

She left, but I couldn’t breathe easy relief just yet.

“Wow, an old friend turns up as your nurse. Who would’ve thought?” Bailey bent down and kissed me. I’d have to tell her soon.

“Imagine that, yeah. Some friend! Sounds like she’s about to make me change my life. Diet and exercise are just the beginning. She’s Dr. Harkin’s assistant, commissioned to plan my life out for me.”

“You have such a good team, Scott, you could take a couple months off and things would continue to run just fine.” Bailey sat down and then reached for my hand.

“I know, I know. They all work hard. Greg and Todd are dependable at the washout, and Uncle Toppy knows how to run the diner. Tracy never misses a day, and your pals Mandy and Macy help out a lot. You have the inn running like a top. But someone has to be in charge, pay the bills, order supplies. That would be me, last time I checked.” I pushed myself farther up in the bed.

“Of course, you’re the boss. I’m not saying that. It’s just that you need to trust us all. We can handle more than you think we can. You don’t have to be everywhere every day.” Bailey’s sympathetic tone irritated the socks off me.

“I see.” Just what did this woman think was my life, after all? I’d been my dad’s right hand man from the time I graduated high school. Hadn’t I taken over completely when my parents passed? Did she think we could live on her money? My short answer hurt her.

Tears rimmed her eyes, and she looked away.

Would everyone please just quit feeling sorry for me?

“I’m sorry, Bailey honey. I’m not myself.” I spread my fingers out to her, and she entwined hers into them again.

“No, it’s me. You don’t need all this lecturing. You’ve had a heart attack.” She smiled her forgiveness and pity at me.

Greg and Todd Pearson shuffled into the room at that moment.

“Hey, Boss, you look good.” Greg shook my hand.

Todd gave me a gentle chuck on the shoulder.

“Wasn’t that your old fiancée that I saw at the nurses’ station? Melissa was her name, right?” Greg crossed his arms and waited for an answer.

Todd blushed red as he glanced at Bailey.

She dropped my hand.