Chapter 18
EIGHTEEN
Fisher
We pull into the driveway. “Shall I stay in the car?” I ask. I don’t want to make anything more stressful for Juniper than it already is. I can’t imagine what it would be like to have a daughter who isn’t well. She must be worried sick.
“No, come in. Mom will be preoccupied with Riley. You’re safe.”
“I’m not worried about chatting to your mom,” I say. I don’t want to abandon her but at the same time I don’t want to be in the way.
“Don’t go,” she says, and she squeezes my arm.
I kill the engine and she’s out of the car and through the door to her house so quickly, I barely have time to blink.
I follow her, wondering if I should just go back to the Club.
I take a seat on the porch and wait. It’s all I can do.
Keep out of the way but be here. I can’t pretend to know the best thing to do for a child.
I’ve never even considered having children before.
Back in New York, the only person I have to take care of is myself.
I can’t imagine the pressure Juniper must feel being responsible for Riley.
I remember my mother being worried one time when I was sick.
She and Dad both took me to the emergency room when I had stomach pain.
Huh. Maybe the signs that they weren’t happy had been there, but I hadn’t noticed because I was a kid and they weren’t yelling at each other.
“We need to get Dr. Picuri to come out,” I can hear Juniper say.
“You think we should bother him?” Juniper’s mom asks. “It’s a lot of money.”
If money’s an issue, I can cover a doctor’s visit. But is it inappropriate of me to offer?
I hear nothing for a few moments.
“He’s not answering. It just goes right to voicemail.”
“Maybe he’s at the hospital,” Mom says. “The signal always goes dead if he’s at the hospital.”
“Shit,” Juniper says.
I feel useless. As much as I want to stay out of the way, I want to be able to help.
I stand and open the screen door, poking my head in. “How’s Riley?” I ask.
Juniper’s face is ashen and they both look concerned. Juniper shakes her head. “Her temperature isn’t coming down and she has a headache. She never has headaches. I just want someone to check her over.”
“And the doctor?”
She shakes her head. “Not answering. And the drive to the hospital is over an hour.”
I pull out my phone. “Hang on,” I say, as I dial Byron’s cell. “I’m going to check with Byron. I’m sure he has medical people up at the Club.”
He answers on the second ring. “I thought you were out?”
“Riley’s sick. The town doctor isn’t available. Do you have anyone at the Club?” I ask.
“No. If she’s really sick, we have a helicopter on site if she needs to go to the hospital.”
I try to think. A medical evacuation seems like a big deal, but if Juniper’s worried, then we should consider it. She may push back because of the cost but if we don’t have any other options—
Then it hits me. Vivian’s husband, Beau, is a doctor. I’m just not sure what kind.
“Okay, I’ll let you know.” I hang up. I don’t think twice before I’m bringing up Vivian’s name and pressing the call button.
“What’s up, Fisher?” she answers, as if I call her at ten every night.
“I have a favor to ask you. The town doctor isn’t contactable and the daughter of a friend of mine is sick—”
I don’t even finish before she says, “Beau will be on his way. Tell me where he should go?”
I give her directions and then hang up the phone.
“My artist’s husband is a doctor. He’s on his way.”
Juniper bursts into tears. “Oh my god, thank you, Fisher!” I step forward to comfort her, but she steps back, out of reach. Then she straightens and dries her eyes. “Sorry, just relief. That’s all.”
“You don’t need to be sorry,” I say.
“I’m going to make us all coffee,” Juniper’s mom says. She takes my hand and squeezes. “I’m very pleased you’re here.”
“I’m sorry,” Juniper says, stepping toward me. “I knew if you touched me, I’d completely collapse, and I need to be strong.”
“I get it.” I want to say Riley will be fine. That she doesn’t have anything to worry about. Something that will make her feel better. But I don’t have a clue what’s going on. “The doctor will be here soon. You’ll be able to speak to him and then…”
She nods vigorously. “Yeah. It’s probably nothing. I’m just… her temperature normally goes down with Tylenol.”
“It’s okay.” I want to reach out and touch her. Do anything that will comfort her, but she doesn’t need that. She just needs a doctor.
“Go in and sit with her. You’ll feel better.”
“Thank you,” she says, and turns and heads down the hallway.
“That’s very kind of you to call your friend like that,” her mother says from where she’s making coffee.
“I just made a phone call.”
“Well, I appreciate it. How do you like your coffee?”
I head over to the counter. “Black works.”
She hands me a mug that says New York University on it.
I must look confused, because Juniper’s mom says, “That’s where she was supposed to go to art school.
They all wanted her. Everywhere from Yale to the School of Art in Chicago.
She had scholarships coming out of her ass, that kid.
” Shit. I had no idea Juniper gave up so much.
“But she wanted New York,” her mom continues.
“It was always New York.” She nods. “It was her dream. And then Riley became her dream. You’ll sacrifice anything for your kid.
” She looks at me pointedly, as if she’s trying to convey more than she’s saying.
I offer her a smile. Juniper mentioned she had a place at art school in New York. I guess that’s the heart of the art scene in the US. It makes sense. I can’t think what else her mom is wanting me to know.
“I’m going to give this to Juniper,” she says, lifting the mug and heading out. “Make yourself at home.”
I take my mug of coffee out onto the deck to wait for Beau.
My thoughts are swirling, trying to piece together the scraps of information I just got from Juniper’s mom.
I can’t shake the feeling that she was trying to tell me something beyond the words.
Was she saying that Juniper would never come to New York because of Riley?
I already know that. And I’m two dates in with Juniper. There are no expectations.
Two dates in and head over heels for her.
Minutes later, a car pulls into the drive and I stand.
Beau opens the back passenger door. Byron has drivers on standby twenty-four hours a day. Thankfully.
“Thanks for coming,” I say as he comes up the steps. “I wouldn’t have asked, but the family is really upset.”
“It’s not a problem. I’ve worked in a lab for a long time, but I think I still remember the basics. If nothing else, I’ll know if we need someone else to look at her.”
“Great.” I lead Beau inside and call out. “Juniper. The doctor is here.”
Juniper’s mom appears in the corridor. “Please, come in. My granddaughter is in here.”
Beau disappears, and I start pacing. If necessary, we can be up at the Colorado Club in ten minutes.
I’m not sure if there’s a helicopter pilot on standby, but knowing the standards Byron insists on at the Club, there will be.
We can be at the hospital quickly. Unless…
maybe there’s no landing pad at the hospital.
I pull out my phone and search for nearby hospitals. It might be closer by car.
Juniper’s mom appears from the bedroom and heads right to the kitchen. She starts searching through cupboards.
“Can I help?” I ask.
“Got it,” she calls out. “Ibuprofen,” she says to me as she passes me, heading back to the bedroom.
It feels like hours they’re in there. I hear the low mumble of voices, but no one else comes out. I figure that must be a good sign.
I check my watch. It’s been twenty minutes.
The voices grow louder, and suddenly Juniper appears. She’s backing out of the bedroom and moving awkwardly. I step forward to help, and then I realize she’s got Riley in her arms.
Oh god. Does this mean we’re having to go to the hospital?
She doesn’t see me and heads into another room across the hall.
The sound of running water follows, and I realize she must be going to the loo.
I’m not a doctor, but is that a good sign?
Unless she’s vomiting or… I sit down and take a breath.
I’m heading into a tailspin. I need to stay calm.
I’ll know what’s happening when I need to know.
Riley and Juniper head back into the bedroom. The murmur of voices picks up and I get the impression someone’s leaving. I stand.
I hear a chorus of thank-yous, and then Beau appears.
“Hey,” I say, wondering if he’ll tell me anything.
“It all looks fine,” he says, and my shoulders drop from up by my ears, where they’ve been for the last hour.
“I’ve told them I can come down if things escalate, but I don’t think they will.
It’s almost certainly just a virus.” I sigh with relief.
“Her temperature has come down a little and she’s been to the loo, so I think we’re good.
But she should be monitored. Call me at any time. ”
“Beau, you’re a superstar, man. I’m so grateful.”
“It’s good to blow off the cobwebs every now and again,” he says. “Anything for a fan of my wife.” He nods over to the bedroom. “She has quite the poster collection.”
I chuckle. “A Vivian Cross fan, huh? Well, isn’t everyone?”
“You’ll get no argument on that from me. Take care now. I’ll catch up with you later.”
Juniper appears as Beau drives away. “Thank you so much, Fisher. Having a doctor examine her is so reassuring. I’m sorry if I made the biggest fuss over… nothing.” She sighs.
“Don’t apologize. Your daughter’s sick. You don’t have a magic wand to make her better. It must be frustrating and worrying and all these emotions I can’t even imagine.”
She smiles and presses her hand on my chest. “You’re wonderful.”
“I’m sitting here drinking coffee. I can’t lay claim to wonderful. That’s your thing.”
She grins up at me. “I’m going to stay here with Riley, though. Do you mind?”
I chuckle. “I’d insist you went to the hospital if you didn’t. Do you want me to stay?”
She hesitates. “Maybe.”
“How about I stay for a little while?” I suggest. I don’t want to leave her. I can’t do anything, but abandoning her doesn’t seem like the right thing to do.
She steps forward and leans against me, and I envelop her in a hug. She feels so warm and like she fits perfectly. “Thank you.”
I press a kiss on her head. “Go be with your daughter. I’ll be here if you need anything.”