Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
SAMANTHA
H ow had this happened? She’d ruined everyone’s day with her lack of coordination. Had she been trying to make a point? It had been ages since she’d cross country skied. The only attraction had been spending the morning with Marlowe. And now she was incapacitated and a burden on everyone. Having Josh show up was an added embarrassment.
When they reached the hut, Josh helped her in and got her situated on a bench. “I’ve got some supplies in my vehicle. Be right back.” Reaching into his back pocket, he turned to his children. “Why don’t you two get yourself some hot chocolate. And maybe some for the ladies, okay?”
Mia and Hayden took off for the counter but they didn’t look happy. Had she ruined their day? Josh was back in a jiffy. When she slipped her gray sock off, she wished she’d had a pedicure before she came on this trip.
“So this is a family vacation?” Josh asked as he wrapped her ankle. “Marlowe’s here too? Haven’t seen her up here for a long time.”
“Yep, we’re all here.” And now she was injured. Her misery must have been obvious because Josh gave her an understanding look. Empathy had always been one of his strong points. Patients must love him. He was holding her heel in his hand gently but firmly as he wrapped. Obviously he’d done this a million times.
“Guess I spoiled your morning. Do you think you’ll go back out?” she asked, her guilt growing. His children came back with hot chocolate and sat down at the checkerboard.
Josh shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe. All depends on Mia and Hayden. They are the masters of my schedule this week.” And he grinned.
Sam glanced over at the pair, hunched over the big board. “They seem to get along well.”
“Most of the time. Mia can be bossy.”
“Maybe you can go back out.”
“Like I said, all depends on them. It’s a good day for skiing, I guess. It’s a shame that this happened to you.”
“I haven’t cross country skied in a long time.”
“You’ll want to ice this when you get home. Ibuprophen for the swelling and any pain.” Seeing him in this role of physician was fascinating.
“So when did you decide to become a doctor?” Sam had to ask.
“In college. All those science classes. I discovered that I loved sports medicine.”
College was kind of a sensitive topic. She had stayed in town for school while he had gone off to Notre Dame in South Bend. After a year or so, Josh had fallen for a girl from St. Mary’s. But Sam had never blamed him. Her focus had been her sisters. Eventually she’d met Kurt.
“I guess you always were interested in science.”
His eyes warmed. “Remember chemistry?”
That question brought back a lot of memories and made her laugh. “Sure do.” One Christmas holiday when they’d come up to Charlevoix for Christmas, she had to study to pass chemistry. How many times had she told her parents that she was going to the library to study? That Marlowe and Izzy were too noisy for her to concentrate? Josh was always sitting at the table in the back, his chemistry book open and ready to help.
Getting up, Josh packed up his kit and then sat next to her on the bench. “How has life been treating you… I mean, besides this accident?”
“Pretty good.” No way was she going into her divorce. But she didn’t want to appear callous about his own situation. Izzy lived here and he might assume that she had kept Sam updated. “Hey, I’m so sorry about your wife. Izzy told me.”
Giving a sigh, Josh ran a hand through his thick hair. “Bad situation. Hard on everyone.”
“I can imagine.”
“Cynthia was very brave through it all,” he said. Obviously he’d come to terms with his loss. “And you? The usual husband and kids, I suppose?”
Don’t I wish . She looked away. “Nope, no husband. Not anymore and no children either.”
The shock and sympathy in Josh’s eyes cut her to the core. “I’m so sorry, Sam.” The sincerity of his words touched her. But she didn’t want anyone’s pity.
“Life happens.” But the words felt and sounded empty. Josh dropped his eyes. Had she embarrassed him?
Didn’t some people end up marrying their childhood sweetheart? But her plans had changed so abruptly with the death of her parents. Josh had done what he could to help her long distance. But after what happened, they didn’t want to spend time at Sunnycrest. Even though Aunt Cate had come to live with them for awhile, Sam had spent most of her time with her sisters, trying to ease their pain.
In the years that followed, she had no time for letters to Notre Dame or phone calls. Sam withdrew completely. Stopped taking his calls and didn’t acknowledge his cards. No wonder he’d turned to someone else. Who could blame him? But Josh had married and had these two great kids.
Over at the chessboard, Mia and Hayden were arguing. Jumping up, Marlowe left for the ladies room. Sam hoped this day wouldn’t be a total loss for them. “I feel terrible about dragging you away from a day with your children.”
He stretched his long legs out in front of them. “No problem. This was my kids’ idea of fun. They don’t understand that their dad might not be in great shape.”
Josh was looking a lot better than she was feeling. Her ankle wasn’t the only thing throbbing. She felt a headache pulsing behind her eyes. Had she eaten any breakfast that morning? “Maybe you really do need some rehab. Isn’t that what Mia said?”
“Right. Two weeks of it. She’s determined.”
“How about your folks?” She’d always liked his mom and dad.
“Dad’s been gone a while. Mom still lives in their old house. Won’t leave it. I cut her lawn during the summer.” He smiled. “She helps a lot with babysitting, although Mia doesn’t feel that they need a babysitter anymore.”
“Are you being overprotective?” How had those words slipped out? Holly’s fall had proved that Sam knew nothing about raising children.
“Maybe. Who knows? I don’t want to screw up.” Mia and Hayden wandered over to join them, with Marlowe trailing behind. Josh stood up. “So are we ready to go back on the trail or do you want to go home?” His voice sounded hopeful at the end.
“Let’s go home,” Hayden said.
But Mia wasn’t having it. “Dad, you promised.”
Josh didn’t argue. “Okay, back to the trail. But first, I’m going to help Samantha to her car.”
Marlowe gave Sam a look that said they would talk about this later. “First, I’ll load these skis in the back of the SUV.”
“Kids,” Josh said, motioning to Marlowe who was already shouldering the skis. “A little help, please.”
Without a grumble, Mia and Hayden grabbed a fair share of the skis and poles. The three set off, talking away like crazy. Sam imagined that Marlowe was milking them for information.
When her sister came back for her, Josh insisted on helping her outside. Finally, Sam was in the front passenger seat. When would this throbbing end? Thank goodness this wasn’t her right ankle. How would she drive? The sun was shining when they said goodbye. Hayden and Mia were waiting for Josh back at the hut and already had their skis strapped on.
Reaching into his quilted vest, Josh produced a card. Taking out a pen, he scribbled something on the back. “Any trouble, give me a call. Ice your ankle when you get home and take aspirin or ibuprofen for any pain.”
“I think you already told me that.” His concern was touching.
Josh smiled. “If memory serves me, you were a girl who had to be told some things twice.”
What was he talking about? But a couple examples came back to haunt her and Sam felt her face flush. She’d been headstrong and Josh knew that.
“If you feel aspirin isn’t handling your pain,” Josh said, nodding at the card in her hand. “Let me know.”
“Yes, doctor.” She hated taking medicine, especially pain killers. “And thank you.”
He merely nodded, the sun shining on his chestnut curls, now streaked with silver.
The SUV was silent as they drove down the snow-packed road and out of the park.
“What a day.” Sam glanced down at her wrapped ankle. Darn it. This stupid injury was going to hamper family plans in the coming days. Of course Marlowe would have to drive.
“Don’t be silly. This is partially my fault. I never should have pushed you on that trail.”
“I should have been able to handle it.” That was only partially true.
“Maybe.” When her sister fell silent, Sam stole a look. Marlowe had this silly grin on her face.
“What is it?” Sam asked.
“I would have paid admission to see Josh McCall tend to your ankle. ‘Oh, Dr. McCall.’” And Marlowe fluttered her long eyelashes.
“Don’t be an idiot. I wasn’t like that.” But Sam was smiling.
When Marlowe’s phone pinged, Sam glanced down. The phone was resting in a cup holder. “Want me to get that for you.”
But Marlowe quick flipped the phone over. “Nope. Probably the new girl. I’ll call back later.”
“For a woman on vacation, you sure get a lot of calls,” Sam said, surprised that her sister seemed flustered.
Marlowe tossed her head. “Indispensable me,” she said with a grin that held a nervous edge.
Why did Sam feel that something was going on with her sister? Something she did not want to talk about.