II
Kaitlyn stopped by again on Saturday to examine Jasper in the living room of his cabin. She didn’t expect much of a change since Thursday evening, but she hoped that the stronger prescription she’d dropped off last time would bring some relief soon. Though he downplayed his discomfort, she knew he had to be suffering.
Outside, Mitch was waiting for her to finish the examination. Mitch understood that Jasper wouldn’t be able to carve with him yet, but he’d insisted on coming along anyway. More surprising was Casey’s desire to tag along, but the reason quickly became clear. As soon as she’d buckled herself into the Suburban, she’d casually mentioned that the local Ford dealership had just received four new Broncos, and she’d asked Kaitlyn whether they could swing by on the way home to check them out. “Just to look,” Casey quickly promised, and when Mitch chimed in excitedly, Kaitlyn felt outmaneuvered. She knew there wasn’t a chance they’d buy one today, but she reluctantly agreed to go.
“The kids really seem to get along with Tanner,” Jasper observed.
Following his gaze out the window, she saw Mitch and Casey crowded around Tanner as he explained the ongoing construction of the ramp. Despite the cool temperature, Tanner wore a long-sleeved T-shirt that clung to the tapered shape of his torso. For a split second she flashed on the image of his smooth golden skin as she’d unbuttoned his shirt, but pushing it away, she turned her attention back to Jasper.
“Yeah, they’ve spent some time together.”
“He talks about them quite a bit.”
“Who? Tanner, you mean?”
“He thinks you’ve done a terrific job with your kids.”
“I try,” she said, wishing Jasper hadn’t brought it up. Seeing Tanner at the hospital and at Jasper’s hadn’t been easy. After returning home, she often had to resist the temptation to drown her regrets in a bottle of wine. She’d thought when she ended things that she’d be able to avoid seeing him until he left town, but it was obvious the universe had other plans.
“He talks about you an awful lot, too,” Jasper said, persisting.
“We went out a couple of times.” She busied herself packing up her medical bag. “But it didn’t work out.”
“He mentioned that, too.”
Though part of her wanted to know what else Tanner had said, she reverted to professional mode. “I think that’s it. I’ll come by tomorrow night, before I see my other patients, okay? But you know to call me if anything comes up before then.”
“I will,” he said. “You’re too good to me.”
“Can I get you anything while I’m here? A glass of water maybe?”
“I’m not thirsty. But since you’re asking, would you mind bringing me my Bible and my readers? They’re on the end table.”
She retrieved them. “Anything else?”
“Yeah, just one more thing.” His expression was earnest.
“What’s that?”
“He loves you, even if he hasn’t had the courage to tell you yet. I think he’s afraid that you might not feel the same way. But I can’t help thinking you’d be good for each other.”
Kaitlyn felt a sudden heat in her cheeks. “Thank you for telling me that. But what’s the point? He’s leaving soon.”
Jasper nodded, watching the trio outside the window again. When he turned back to her, his gaze was penetrating yet gentle.
“Is he?”
At Jasper’s words, Kaitlyn’s eyes flicked toward the window a second time. Mitch was holding the drill and concentrating while Tanner held one of the struts to the railing and coached him through the task. She heard the sudden whine as the drill started up; when the sound faded away, Mitch beamed and both Casey and Tanner offered him high fives.
Jasper’s comment hung in the air, but when she turned back to him, he was already thumbing through the Bible. Slinging her bag over her shoulder, she stepped out onto the porch.
“Mom!” Mitch called out. “I’m helping to build the railing! Mr. Tanner showed me how to use the drill.”
“I saw that,” she said. “If you two want to say hi to Jasper, you can go on in now.”
Casey, her eyes flitting from Kaitlyn to Tanner, took her brother by the arm. “C’mon, doofus. The sooner we visit, the sooner we can go check out my new car.”
“Yeah!” Mitch shouted, skipping up the steps.
Kaitlyn watched as they vanished inside. When she faced Tanner, she saw that the ease she’d witnessed between him and the kids seemed to have vanished.
“Hi,” he finally said. He didn’t seem to know what to do with the drill, ultimately laying it on the step and shoving his hands in his pockets.
“Hi,” she said.
“How’s he doing?”
“He’s on the road to recovery, but it’ll take time.”
“Anything in particular I need to watch out for?”
“Same as the other night. Fever, shortness of breath, and let me know if the psoriasis or swelling in his knuckles seems to be getting worse. Of course, make sure he eats and drinks and gets plenty of rest.”
“He never eats much.”
“Just do your best,” she said, beginning to descend the stairs. “He likes you,” she said.
“I like him, too.” His expression was a mixture of bemusement and pleasure. “It’s still hard for me to believe he’s my grandfather. I’m not sure it’s sunk in completely yet.”
“How long do you think you’ll be around to take care of him?” she asked. She tried to say it with what she hoped was a nonchalant air.
“As long as it takes, I guess.”
She could feel his eyes on her, and she turned to him, serious now. “He’s going to be in a cast for another eight weeks. And after that, he’ll need physical therapy.”
“I know,” he interjected.
“What about Cameroon?” She tilted her head, inquisitive.
A slow smile spread across Tanner’s face. “He told you, didn’t he? That I emailed Vince and let him know I wouldn’t be coming?”
She suppressed a smile. A little bubble of happiness surfaced somewhere inside of her, like the pent-up fizz of a soda bottle.
Tanner went on. “Jasper has been telling me something about what his own family meant to him, and it has had a big effect on me. And once I made the decision not to go, I knew immediately it was the right thing to do.”
“Does that mean you’re going to stay in Asheboro for a while?”
“That’s the plan.”
“Do you have any idea how long?”
“Hard to say,” he began. “There’s Jasper and he’s the only family I have left. I’d hate to leave him, especially since we’ve just started getting to know each other.” He caught and held her gaze. “And, of course, there’s always the possibility that I could decide to settle down for good.”
Kaitlyn felt a slow flush climb up her neck. “Are you going to live at the cabin with Jasper?”
“No. I get the sense he’s gotten used to being alone and he’d prefer that.”
“Then where are you going to live?”
“I don’t know yet,” he said. “I was thinking I might see what’s available in town.”
She arched an eyebrow. “What about work?”
“Didn’t I tell you?” He feigned surprise. “I have a bit of a cushion. But, if I do ever end up needing to or wanting to, I have a friend nearby who’s willing to let me work with my Delta buddies again.”
“Interesting,” she said, letting her heavy medical bag slide to the ground.
“I think so.”
He moved closer then, reaching for her hand. His eyes, heavy-lidded with promise, traveled over her face.
“I’ve missed you,” he whispered.
“Me, too.” She breathed. She placed her other hand on his chest, creating a little space between them. “But I’m going to need some time to process all this. And I don’t want to rush into anything.” She looked up at him with a determined expression. “We’re going to have to start over.”
“I understand.”
“I’m serious.”
“I am, too. I’d be delighted to start over. Did you have anything special in mind? I know a great pub in town.”
She raised herself on her toes, trying to stifle the sudden urge to do a pirouette. “How much do you know about cars?”
“I know a bit,” he said. “Why?”
“Because Casey wants to go look at some new Broncos today.”
“You’re going to buy her one?”
“I think it’s time. Do you want to come along?”
“What about Jasper?” said Tanner.
She glanced in the direction of the cabin, then leaned closer, conspiratorial. “I think he’ll be okay for an hour or so, don’t you?”
He leaned in to kiss her then, his lips promising much more.
“You’re the doctor,” he whispered. “I trust you.”