It was late, but Heather doubted she had the energy to undress. She compromised by kicking off her heels and lying across her bed. She’d stayed later than planned at the Crisis Center. Tomorrow was a work day and she could no longer sleep late in the mornings. September, with its cooler nights and bright sunny days, had brought a return to normalcy that Heather welcomed.
Congratulating herself on getting through the day without dwelling on what she couldn’t change, she jumped when the telephone on the nightstand rang. As she lifted the receiver, she realized her hands were trembling. It wasn’t him, she scolded herself. They hadn’t spoken since that disastrous July weekend. Late night calls from him were a thing of the past.
“Hello?”
“Heather, I know it’s very late, but—”
“Cynthia?” Heather’s heart was beating so fast she had to take a quick breath to calm herself. “What’s wrong, honey?”
“It’s Daddy!”
Heather sat up straight. “What about your father?” When Cynthia’s answer didn’t come fast enough, Heather demanded, “Has something happened to Quinn? An accident?”
“Nothing like that. But we rushed him to the hospital. It’s his ulcer, it’s bleeding on the inside. And they want to do surgery. Please, Heather... please come.” Cynthia was weeping.
“Of course. Just tell me where you are and I’ll get there as soon as I can.”
“We’re at Henry Ford Hospital.”
“You’re not alone, are you?”
“Miss Mattie and Mrs. Thornton are here. And Mr. Hunter brought us.”
Heather issued a sigh of relief. Miss Mattie had come for a visit at the end of the summer. After much prodding, she agreed to stay on as Mrs. Thornton’s assistant. The two had become substitute grandmothers to Cynthia.
“Hurry—”
“I’m leaving now.”
Heather was so upset that she had to calm herself before she could start the car. Getting into an accident certainly wouldn’t help anyone. As she exited the John C. Lodge Expressway just before West Grand Boulevard, she hoped she had her own emotions under control. But by the time she reached Cynthia in the upstairs waiting room, there wasn’t a doubt in Heather’s mind that she was still very much in love with Quinn Montgomery.
Cynthia rushed into Heather’s arms, weak with fright.
“How is he, baby?”
“He’s in surgery.”
Heather held her tight as she sobbed out her fear. “Calm down,” she soothed. “He’s strong and he’s going to be alright,” Heather vowed. She had said her own prayers on the way over.
Once Cynthia .had quieted somewhat, they walked arm and arm over to where the ladies were seated.
Heather greeted the two elderly women warmly. “I’m so glad you two are with Cynthia. Sit down, honey.” She patted the place next to her.
“I so glad ya came. T’is little gal wouldn’ believe us,” Miss Mattie said. Heather noticed how nice she looked in a pretty blue dress and hat.
Mrs. Thornton nodded. The two had become friends. “I thought we were going to have to put Cynthia in the next bed beside her dad’s.”
Cynthia clung to Heather.
“Where’s Darnell? I thought you said he drove you here?”
“He’s on the telephone.”
“What happened?” Heather looked from one concerned face to the other.
“Mr. Montgomery has been off his food for a while. Stomach always hurting, but he won’t go to the doctor.”
“Mrs. Thornton’s being nice. Daddy’s been a real bear ever since he got back from Washington. Every week he gets worse. Tonight was when he started throwing up blood. I knew he was feeling bad when he asked me to call Mr. Hunter to take him to the hospital.”
Heather frowned, unable to conceal her own fears. “And you couldn’t get him to see his doctor before this?” Heather was beginning to feel sick herself. She couldn’t stand it if something happened to him. Why didn’t he take better care of himself?
“I really did try.” Tears pooled in Cynthia’s dark gray eyes, eyes so like Quinn’s.
“I know you did.” Heather hugged her.
Heather knew better than anyone how downright stubborn Quinn could be. He had walked out of her life, walked away from her love. That kind of hurt didn’t just disappear. It lingered. And now she was scared, so much so that she didn’t ask how long he’d been in surgery. She closed her eyes and continued to pray for his recovery.
“Do you think he’s going to die?” Cynthia whispered.
“Stop t’at kind of talk, gal. He be fine, just fine,” Miss Mattie insisted. “The Lord lookin’ out for ‘im.”
“My mother died on the operating table. So I know it can happen,” Cynthia insisted, wiping at her damp cheeks.
“Listen to me,” Heather said, turning her young face toward hers. “Quinn’s a strong man. He’s in overall good health. He’s going to get through this. We’re going to be very positive. No negative thoughts allowed.”
“Oh, Heather.” Cynthia collapsed against her. She whispered so others couldn’t hear, “I knew you would come. I love you so much. And I know you love Daddy. I just wish you two would make up.”
Heather was thankful that Darnell Hunter chose that moment to return because she was totally lost for words.
“I’m glad you could come. Cynthia was frantic.” He gave Heather a hug.
“Darnell. Have you any news?”
“Nothing. They wheeled him up over an hour ago. We should be hearing something soon.”
“How’s Elaine?”
“Fine... Well not quite. She’s home recovering from the flu. That’s why she’s not here with us. Can I get you ladies some coffee?”
It had taken Heather what was left of the summer to get herself together. Weeks of heartache and disappointment. Empty days without him and even lonelier nights. It seemed the harder she tried not to think of him, the more readily he came to mind.
Heather considered herself lucky. Quinn had been generous with his daughter. Heather and Cynthia saw each other on a regular basis. Heather had been the one to take her shopping for her school clothes. Heather had been the one to listen to the girl’s dreams for the future. They talked about all sorts of things. Everything, that was, except Quinn. By unspoken agreement, Quinn’s name was never mentioned. That is until tonight.
“Cynthia?”
She’d been standing near the window. Cynthia jumped, whirling around. “Yes, Dr. Grant. How is he?”
Heather was right beside her.
The doctor had been their family physician for a number of years. “He’s made it through surgery just fine. He’s in temporary serious condition.”
Relief seemed to wash over them. Heather and Cynthia held on to each other.
“When can we see him?”
“Not for a few hours. He’s in the recovery room.”
“Thank you, doctor.” Darnell offered his hand.
Heather quickly added, “Yes, thank you.”
“When?” Cynthia asked with youthful impatience.
“He’ll be in a great deal of pain when he wakes up. You may want to wait until morning before seeing him.”
“Whatever you think best.” Darnell looked at the others. “Why don’t I take you ladies home? You’ve got to be exhausted.”
The two older women were clearly in need of rest. Cynthia had so much nervous energy that she couldn’t sit longer than a few minutes. Heather was still in such a state of shock that her emotions were chaotic.
She was finally at the point where Quinn Montgomery wasn’t her first thought every morning or her last each night. Yet she couldn’t seem to stop herself from loving this stubborn man, not even when she knew he couldn’t ever return her feelings, and it hurt like hell—but Quinn being ill hurt worse... much worse.
“We’ll wait, Mr. Hunter. Cynthia’s too upset to leave without seeing her father,” Mrs. Thornton said, while Miss Mattie nodded in agreement.
“No. You ladies go on ahead,” Heather volunteered. “I’ll stay with Cynthia and bring her home after she has seen her dad.” Like Cynthia, she wasn’t about to leave the hospital until she’d seen for herself that Quinn was alright.
“Then it’s all set.” Darnell nodded. He whispered near Heather’s ear, “Call me if there’s any change.”
She nodded, knowing he meant if Quinn took a sudden turn for the worse. Her stomach knotted with fear.
Cynthia was so quiet once they were alone that Heather said, forcing a reassuring smile, “It won’t be much longer before you can see for yourself that he’s alright.”
Willing herself not to cry, Heather decided she had done too much crying already over that blasted man. All the tears in the world wouldn’t change how he felt. Yet she, like his child, couldn’t draw an easy breath until she knew he was out of danger.
“His ulcer has been bothering him a lot. He doesn’t eat right, skips lunch, and has just coffee and a muffin until dinner time. I hear him at night. He walks the floor until late. He has been miserable since the two of you stopped talking.”
“Where did you get the idea that I have anything to do with this?”
“Heather—at least be honest with me. Stop treating me like a kid.”
“No... I... I didn’t mean to treat you unfairly. I just don’t understand where you got this idea from.”
“I’ve got eyes. I live with him and I spend time with you. Before we went on vacation at Traverse Bay, I knew you and Daddy talked all the time. Heather, I’m not stupid,” Cynthia said impatiently. “But since we’ve been back, it’s been terrible. It’s like I can’t mention his name to you without you getting upset. And Daddy’s even worse than you. Now he demands to know everything that you and I do... what you said... what you have on. He’s always asking me questions about you. Why can’t you two make up?”
Heather didn’t know what to say. She had no idea what to think of Quinn’s behavior. Why would he care when he was the one who insisted their relationship had to end? Heather looked at Cynthia. “You’ve changed your mind?”
“About you and Daddy? Yes. My daddy’s so unhappy. I don’t like seeing him this way.”
“Thank you, Cynthia. It’s nice to know you no longer believe I’m trying to take your father away from you. I appreciate your trust. But it’s over between us.” Heather swallowed with difficulty, her heart felt so heavy. “But it has nothing to do with you. Your father and I don’t have to be friends to love you. So honey, don’t worry about it. We’re both adults—and we’ve made our choices,” Heather ended as calmly as she could manage.
She’d lived on hope for months. No more. It had ended last summer, and she had come to accept that. It didn’t matter that she still loved him. What mattered was he no longer wanted her. Nothing was keeping them apart but Quinn. Although Quinn apparently still found her desirable. Evidently that was all it was... desire.
“Miss Montgomery?” a nurse asked.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Your father’s awake now. You can see him for a few minutes.”
“Thanks! Come on, Heather.”
It wasn’t until they reached his room that Heather began to doubt the wisdom of her presence. She questioned whether Quinn would welcome even a brief visit from her. They hadn’t parted very amicably. The very last thing she said to him was that she wished she’d never met him. Heather hung back, allowing Cynthia to go ahead.
Dr. Grant was just leaving. He cautioned, “He’s still groggy from the medication. So only stay a few minutes.” The nurse was just finished getting him settled when they entered. Cynthia slowly approached the bed.
Quinn’s rich dark brown skin had taken on a grayish tint. He looked to be asleep, but he opened heavy lids groggily when Cynthia said his name and took his hand.
Heather remained near the door, taking in all the changes in him. He was thinner, much thinner than she remembered. Heather made no move to approach the bed.
“Daddy, how do you feel?”
“I’m fine, baby girl. It’s just the medication making me sleepy,” he said thickly, then groaned softly.
“Daddy, I was so scared.”
“I’m...”
“Heather is here with me.” But Quinn didn’t hear her. He was asleep.
“Heather!” Cynthia spun around in alarm.
“He’s fine, honey. But he’s sedated. He needs to get lots of rest so he can heal properly.” Heather was in danger of crying herself. She was just as grateful as Cynthia to see for herself that he had made it through surgery. “Come on, honey. Let’s get you home.”
As they walked arm in arm to the car, Heather gave Cynthia’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “I know it’s tough seeing him sick like that. But remember, he’s going to get a little stronger every day. Before long he’ll be just like new.”
Once they were under way, Cynthia sighed. “I forgot to ask what time visiting hours are tomorrow morning.”
“Morning? What about school? Your father won’t like it if you miss classes.”
“Just this once. I have to make sure he’s okay.”
“Well...”
“Please, Heather.”
“This one time. After this, your visiting hours will have to be after school hours, correct?” Heather didn’t want to leave Quinn alone in the hospital anymore than Cynthia did.
“Thanks. I just want to make sure.”
Heather brought Cynthia to the hospital the next morning. Although she spoke to his doctor, she didn’t see him herself. Quinn had a quiet night and was definitely on the mend. For nearly a week Heather dropped Cynthia off at the hospital after school and picked her up after visiting hours each evening.
When Cynthia questioned her as to why she hadn’t visited Quinn herself, Heather claimed that she didn’t want to tire him. He needed the rest. Although not pleased with her answer, Cynthia didn’t press. But the very next day Cynthia relayed a message from her father. Quinn asked to see Heather. She was so upset she didn’t notice the speculative gleam in the teen’s eyes.
Heather concentrated on her driving, refusing to panic. It didn’t matter why he wanted to see her. All that was significant was that he was the one who had ended their relationship. It was Quinn who didn’t have room in his heart for her, not the other way around. But she was the one looking forward not backward. He had lost the best thing that ever happened to him.
So why did she have to bite her lip to keep from crying? So what if she loved him with all her heart? So what that she was thrilled he’d be able to go home within a matter of days? Her emotions were no longer open for his inspection.
She still thought of him late into the night. She’d gotten to the point where she dreamed about him almost nightly... sweet, wickedly sensuous dreams... memories of their lovemaking. Damn! He was buried so deep in her heart that Heather wasn’t certain she could visit him without making a fool of herself.
Despite her misgivings Heather arrived a mere half hour before visiting hours ended the next evening. Quinn was alone in his room.
“Hi,” he smiled, gingerly easing himself up a bit straighter in bed. The television was on, but he hadn’t been watching. He clicked it off. “It’s good to see you.”
Heather sent his senses soaring in spite of the pain in his gut and the medication in his bloodstream. Her fire-engine red coat dress was piped in a thick black braid and accented with a double row of jet buttons trimmed in gold. She carried a small black leather bag. Heather was stunning. Her soft golden frame was a bit slimmer than the last time he’d seen her. But she was every bit as beautiful. Dear God, he had missed her.
“I’d hoped you’d stop in,” he said hesitantly, his dark gaze lingering on her full plump lips.
“I saw you the night of your surgery. How are you feeling?”
He chuckled, holding his stitches. “No wonder I don’t remember. I’m better.” His medical condition wasn’t uppermost in his mind. If his conscience hadn’t been kicking his behind, they would still be together. He was responsible for the shadows under her eyes. And he hated it.
“Where’s Cynthia?” Heather stood with her arms crossed beneath her breasts, black three-inch heels tapping.
“She went to the cafeteria for a soft drink. She’ll be back in a minute. Please sit down.” He motioned toward the chair beside the bed.
“No, it’s late. Quinn, I’m glad you’re feeling better.”
Quinn nodded. “You’ve been very kind to Cindy. Heather, I want you to know—”
Heather had never been particularly interested in his gratitude. She interjected, “I love Cynthia.” And she loves me back, unlike you, she thought angrily. “Take care of yourself, Quinn. Oh, tell Cynthia I’ll meet her in the lobby. Good night.”
“Hea—”
Heather hurried out, telling herself how glad she was she hadn’t stayed in a relationship with him. She’d learned from the experience. Unfortunately, she hadn’t gotten over it or him. She shouldn’t have come at all. It was over between them.
Quinn couldn’t see the tears running down her face or hear the bitter sob she choked down. But he felt an ache in his chest that had nothing to do with his medical condition.