Chapter Five – Alison
Alison closed her eyes and leaned her forehead against the cool metal of her locker, letting out a long, contented sigh. Her first shift at Bear Bluff Hospital had gone better than she’d dared hope. The staff was friendly, and the patients were kind and encouraging as she got her bearings. She’d also found handling the smaller-scale chaos of a rural hospital a refreshing change from the urban mayhem she’d grown used to.
“Hey, Alison,” came a voice from behind her. She turned to see Suzie, a petite nurse, in stature at least, who had introduced herself earlier, approaching. “How is it going?”
“So far, so good,” Alison said, smiling as she straightened up. “I’m really liking it here so far.”
“I think you’ll fit in just fine.” Suzie fiddled with the stethoscope around her neck, then shot Alison a conspiratorial grin. “Listen, a few of us nurses get together for a drink once a week. It’s kind of a tradition. So, if you’re free on Thursday night, do you want to come?”
Alison hesitated.
Making friends in a new town was always tricky, and Suzie and the rest of the staff had been so warm and welcoming… She’d love to get a chance to get to know them better outside of work.
But what about Tessa?
Her hand went to her pocket, brushing against the card Mary had given her with her phone number.
“I’d love to,” she said, and Suzie’s face lit up. “ If I can arrange a babysitter.”
“Awesome! We meet at the Grizzly Bar at around seven,” Suzie said as if the whole thing was settled.
“Great.” Alison watched as Suzie strode away down the hall, then turned back to her locker, biting her lower lip.
Was she doing the right thing?
She didn’t want Tessa to think she was abandoning her by asking Mary to babysit. Not to mention, she barely knew Mary. Leaving her daughter with someone new wasn’t a decision she took lightly.
But she desperately wanted to fit in. To make friends.
Alison closed her locker and started down the hall, trying to figure out if there was a way to carefully balance work, motherhood, and now…a social life.
As she rounded the corner, she collided with a solid figure and stumbled back a step.
“Whoa there,” said a deep, almost familiar voice. She looked up at the tall and imposing figure. “You all right, honey? I’m sorry, I was miles away.”
“No need to apologize,” Alison said, gripping the strap of her tote bag. “I was miles away, too.”
“No harm done.” He smiled, and Alison could instantly see the family resemblance between him and Jay. The same deep brown eyes, the same strong jawline.
“Are you…” She pointed toward Jay’s room.
“Jay’s dad.” He nodded and put his hand to his head. “Waylan Thornberg at your service.”
“Alison,” she replied, suddenly feeling awkward. “How is Jay doing?”
“He’s doing fine,” said Waylan with a nod.
“Really?” Alison asked, raising an eyebrow. She had seen Jay’s struggle firsthand and wasn’t entirely convinced by Waylan’s casual assurance. She also knew what it was like to want to paper over the cracks, to pretend everything was fine when it was not.
Waylan let out a breath and ran a hand through his hair. “I’m trying to persuade him to come home.”
They began walking toward the elevator, passing wall-mounted posters promoting health and wellness.
“I’m sure it’ll do him good, to be surrounded by his family,” Alison said, wishing there was some way she could help. But she didn’t want to probe too deeply.
No, that was a lie. She did want to probe. She wanted to know everything there was to know about Jay. She closed her eyes briefly, recalling the touch of his hand on hers.
What was wrong with her? She’d always been so professional. And falling for a patient was anything but professional. It was a line she could not, would not cross.
But she also had a duty to her patient. Which meant doing whatever she could to help him heal. Both physically and mentally.
“I think so.” Waylan shook his head slowly, his eyes fixed on a distant point. “I don’t know if Jay feels that way. He’s always been the type to bear his burdens alone, even before all this.”
They reached the elevator, and Alison pressed the call button. The dull hum of the hospital’s machinery blended with the distant murmur of voices and the occasional beeping of medical equipment. It was the soundtrack to her working life.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” Alison asked.
Waylan studied her for a moment before offering a grateful smile. “That’s kind of you.”
“I’d like to help.” Alison blushed slightly and looked down at her shoes.
“I just wish I knew what any of us can do to help,” Waylan admitted. The elevator doors slid open with a soft ding, revealing an empty car. “After you.”
They stepped inside, and Waylan pushed the ground floor button. He leaned against the handrail, crossing his arms over his chest. She couldn’t work out if he was relaxed or defensive.
“Time,” Alison said. “I know it’s a cliché, but sometimes time is the greatest healer.”
Waylan let out a heavy sigh. “You’re right. But it’s hard. We just want what’s best for him, you know?”
“Of course.”
“It’s hard seeing him like this, not remembering anything.” Waylan’s jaw tightened. “The amnesia has taken more than just his memories. It’s taken his sense of self.”
Alison studied Waylan’s face, the worry lines on his forehead, and the tightness around his eyes told her he was a man carrying the weight of his family’s troubles on his shoulders. Every inch of him spoke of a deep, enduring concern for his son.
Alison wished Tessa’s father shared the same concern for his daughter, but he never had.
“I can’t imagine how difficult this must be for all of you,” Alison said.
The elevator descended slowly, the soft whirring of its motor the only sound as Waylan gave her a crooked smile.
“Family can be a double-edged sword,” she added carefully. “Sometimes the people who love you the most are the ones who push you away without meaning to.”
“You’re right.” Waylan uncrossed his arms, standing up straighter. “Anyway, enough about me. How are you doing? Mary told me you moved here on your own, with your daughter. That’s a brave thing.”
“We needed a fresh start,” she said, downplaying her own struggles. “And Bear Creek seems to be a good place for that.”
The elevator doors slid open, and they walked out into the bustling lobby. Alison glanced at the large clock mounted on the wall above the reception desk. She still had a bit of time before she needed to pick up Tessa from school.
“I can’t think of a better place,” Waylan said as they made their way toward the exit. “Mary said she gave you her number.” He paused, then added, “If you ever need anything. You know, help with Tessa, or just someone to talk to. Don’t hesitate to ask.”
Alison took a deep breath. Could she really ask this of them? “Actually…” she began as she stepped into the fresh air.
Waylan waited for her to continue.
“I was wondering if it would be okay to ask Mary to watch Tessa for an hour or two on Thursday evening. I have an opportunity to…get to know some of the other staff better. But I don’t want to put her out or anything.”
Waylan’s face broke into a reassuring smile. “Mary would be delighted. She loves kids, and besides, it’s not putting us out at all. We know what it’s like to need a little help from friends.”
Friends. Alison liked the idea of counting on the Thornbergs as friends. Or, in Jay’s case, more than friends.
Her cheeks flushed pink. Maybe this was not a good idea after all.
“I don’t want you to feel you have to…” Her voice trailed off.
“Not at all. Listen, why don’t you bring Tessa over to the ranch tomorrow after school?” Waylan suggested. “She can get to know us. Kids love the animals.”
As they walked toward the parking lot, Alison’s thoughts drifted back to Jay. How lucky he was to have parents like Mary and Waylan.
Which made it harder to imagine exactly what had happened to make him leave. And not return for so long.
Alison glanced at Waylan. “That’s incredibly kind of you.”
Waylan chuckled. “Don’t mention it. We’re just paying forward what others have done for us. This community…it’s like a big extended family. You’ll see.”
Alison unlocked her car and slid into the driver’s seat but didn’t close the door yet. “Thank you, Waylan. Really.”
With a nod, he walked off toward his truck, and Alison leaned back in her seat, exhaling deeply.
Paying it forward. She liked that idea.
She started the engine, her eyes resting on Bumpkin who was seated in the passenger seat, right where she’d left him. As if he could be anywhere else.
“I hope Tessa has had a good day, too,” Alison told the teddy bear as she pulled out of the parking lot.
On the drive back to Bear Creek, she replayed the events of the day in her head. She’d been so nervous this morning, uncertain about her new job, unsure if she was making the right decision for herself and Tessa.
But she’d been shown such kindness.
Such acceptance.
Her hands tightened around the steering wheel. Had she ever felt that before? Truly felt it?
Her thoughts drifted back to Jay. As since she’d met him, except when she was focused on a patient. It was as if he was calling out to her, on some deep, unseen level. As if he were lost in a vast, endless ocean and she was the only one who could guide him home.
Could she help him come out of the brooding darkness and into the light?
Had fate brought her to Bear Creek at this exact moment for that reason?
She blew out a breath, shaking her head at herself.
She was a woman of science. She didn’t believe in fate.
Not a benevolent fate, at least.
If fate were kind, would it have given her a husband like Ronald? Would it have chosen such a man to be Tessa’s father?
Her jaw tightened. No. Fate wasn’t some guiding force looking out for her.
But then she pulled into the school parking lot, easing into a space to wait for Tessa, and she remembered something important.
Fate had given her Tessa.
For all the hardships, all the bad times, and there had been many, she wouldn’t trade a single moment if it meant not having her daughter.
Tessa was her joy, her light.
Seeing her happy made everything else worth it.
As if on cue, the school doors burst open, and a small whirlwind of blonde hair and boundless energy came racing out, laughing and talking with a cluster of boys and girls. She looked so damn happy as she spotted Alison and skipped over to the car, clutching something in her small hands.
Alison smiled as Tessa yanked open the car door. “Someone looks happy.”
“I am.” Tessa grabbed Bumpkin and squeezed the teddy bear tightly against her chest. “Bumpkin! I hope you and Mommy had as good a day as me.”
Alison chuckled, reaching over to place a quick kiss on her daughter’s forehead. “I’m not sure it was as good as yours, but it was a good day.” She checked Tessa was safely buckled in her seat, then pulled away from the school.
“And you made new friends?” Tessa asked eagerly as they drove home.
“Yes, I believe I did,” Alison said, with a small amount of pride in herself.
Tessa nodded as if she’d expected nothing less. “I knew you would. With Bumpkin’s help.”
She set the bear in her lap and stretched out her arm, pulling up her sleeve to reveal a woven bracelet of bright pink, blue, and green threads. “See? I even have a friendship bracelet!”
Alison glanced in the rearview mirror and smiled. “It’s beautiful. Who gave it to you?”
“This girl named Katie. She has a whole box of them, and she makes them during recess. She said I could have one because I helped her with her math problems.”
Alison cracked a wide smile. “That’s wonderful, Tess. I’m so proud of you.”
Tessa beamed, kicking her legs excitedly. “Katie’s nice. She invited me to her birthday party next month. Can I go?”
“Of course you can,” Alison said, relieved beyond words that Tessa was fitting in so quickly.
Moving to a new town had been a gamble, but so far, it seemed to be paying off.
For both of them.