Cal stared out the window and thought about how grateful he was. He was alive. He didn’t feel as bad as he did yesterday. He was out of ICU and sitting up in a bed near a window. Benny had found traces of his blood in the basement of the video store. Mitch was under arrest. His finger-prints had been found on both handles of the basement door as well as the latch of the half door in the pharmacy.
He thanked God for all these things, and then he faced what he could no longer ignore. He had to break things off with Tammy. Poor girl was here all the time.
And Lia wasn’t.
He tried not to dwell on that fact, but it bothered him. He couldn’t help wondering why she didn’t come. Of course she would be busy recovering herself, not to mention regrouping business-wise. Tammy said that Dot was working today, Saturday. They were opening next door to Aaron Thompson’s office.
Then, too, Lia was independent…impressively independent. Nothing like Tammy…
Also, visitors had been restricted in ICU. Even Brady, who should have been nearer a family member than Tammy, was only allowed five minutes, just long enough to let him know he talked often with Cal’s mother. Her health wasn’t the best, and it was difficult for her to leave home in Florida. Cal had talked with her himself yesterday, assuring her that she needn’t come.
Tammy had been granted special privileges because for some reason they believed she was his fiancée. One of the nurses had referred to her that way when they moved him this morning. Now that he thought about it, she did act more possessive than ever, as if they were engaged.
Well, he’d had enough. Why should he be chasing a passing fancy rather than the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with? That lesson had hit home about the time he passed out on Lia’s basement steps.
A knock woke Cal from one of his perpetual naps. “Come in.”
It was Brady. “Hey, bud. I hardly recognize you without all the tubes. And sitting up even.” He walked over to the bed and grasped his hand. “Man, I’m glad to see you’re coming back. You sure put us all through one rough week.”
Cal grinned. “You think you’ve had it rough?”
Brady laughed.
“Combining over?”
“It’s raining.”
He glanced out the window. The sky had grown dark and a steady rain beat against the window. “Hmm. Guess I missed that development this afternoon. I sure hope this sleepiness goes away soon. Is it still Saturday?”
“Last I checked it was.”
“So what are you doing here? If you’re not in the fields, you should be with Gina. Win back that woman’s trust.”
Brady’s grin widened. “Already did.”
Cal held up his palm for Brady to slap. “What’s your secret? More flowers?”
“No way. Flowers wouldn’t touch this one. God had to intervene. She went to Isabel’s youth group. I don’t know what happened there, but she said it helped her understand more about trusting God instead of people. And then after this incident with you.” He shook his head. “I don’t know. It really scared all of us, but she said it also woke her up. She took time off from work for a week just to ride around in the combine with me.”
Cal let out a mellow whoop.
“We’re going out for a special dinner tonight. I’m going to propose to her all over again, this time in private, on my knees.”
“Congratulations, Brade.”
“Thanks. You’re still planning on being my best man?”
“It’d be an honor. Just give me a few days to get back on my feet.”
Brady smiled. “Just a few days, huh? So where’s your sidekick? Tammy has been here every time I’ve come by.”
“Well.” Cal took a deep breath. “Got a little catching up to do with you. This morning I broke off whatever it was she thought we had going between us.”
“What?”
“You know I wasn’t in love with her. We had some good times together. But after I met Lia, I knew the difference between a good time and sharing a life. I haven’t stopped thinking about Lia for weeks now— What’s wrong?”
“Cal! You’re not this callused, I know. I mean, I don’t hold it against you. We all make mistakes, but you made a commitment to Tammy.”
“I did not. The nurses seem to think we’re engaged, but that’s hogwash.”
“You can’t turn your back on her now!”
“Brady, what is it I’m missing here?”
He groaned. “Oh, man, she didn’t tell you.”
“Tell me what?”
“Cal, Tammy’s pregnant.”