Chapter 15
“Do you think his dad is ok?”
Kaley asked as we pulled into the drop off lane.
“I don’t know,”
I answered honestly.
“I hope he’s okay,”
Eve mumbled as she threw her backpack on.
“Remember, Brett will pick you guys up tonight. Eve, I’ll text you with updates.”
They both nodded and climbed out of the car once we pulled up to the front of the line.
“Love you guys. Have a great day.”
“Love you,”
they said in unison as they headed inside.
“Alright, Liam. Let’s get you to Gran.”
He babbled in the seat as I drove. My mind was going a million miles an hour thinking of all the possible scenarios of how today could play out. But nothing prepared me for what Gran said as I placed Liam in her arms.
“I think I saw Myra walking down the path towards Garrett’s.”
“Shit, okay.”
I took off down the path, pausing to message Garrett once I saw Myra walking as fast as she could towards the farmhouse.
“Myra,”
I called to her as I caught up.
“I need my dad. The gentleman at my house fell. I need my dad.”
She clearly wasn’t in the present today. At what point in her life her mind was in; I wasn’t sure yet. She nodded to herself, wrapping her arms around her midsection. Myra was woefully underdressed, still in her long nightgown, as she continued to make her way to the house.
“Here.”
I shrugged out of my coat, wrapping it around her shoulders. “Take my coat. I’ve got a sweater on over my scrubs.”
“He fell. He’s hurt.”
Myra whimpered as she shuffled her feet, still donning her slippers.
I glanced at the fence outlining the farm and hoped the words that were about to come out of my mouth would be enough to convince her to come back with me. “I just spoke with his son. His name is Garrett. You may remember him. They are taking him to the hospital now. He got help.”
Her face lit up with relief as she visibly relaxed. “Oh, good!”
She hesitated for a moment, frowning as she looked down at her slipper covered feet, then back up to me. “Lucy? Dear, why are we out here? It’s cold.”
She shivered beneath my coat.
“Hey, Myra. We were walking the path from Gran’s to Garrett’s. Are you ready to head back home now?”
She pulled my coat closed over her chest and nodded. “Yes, thank you.”
I redirected us back towards my car, thankful it wasn’t snowing yet.
Going to the hospital with Dad. Are you sure you’ve got everything with Mom? Garrett’s text pinged.
I’ve got her. All is well.
Garrett liked my message as I helped Myra into the passenger seat.
“Ah, Winnie lives here.”
She pointed to Gran’s house.
I smiled and nodded. “Yes, she does.”
Myra tilted her head and took in Gran’s Victorian home. “I always loved her house. Do you think she’s home? I haven’t seen her in a long time.”
“She is home. Why don’t we get you changed into some warmer clothes, then I can bring you back,”
I offered, waiting for her response before getting in the driver’s seat.
She looked down at her nightgown and blushed. “Yes, you’re right.”
We made quick work of getting her back home. She went straight to her room to change while I called Garrett.
“Hey,”
Garrett’s worn voice answered on the first ring.
“Hey, what’s the verdict?”
I paced the living room as I asked.
“He bruised his hip when he fell and has a concussion. He will be here for a while. I tried calling my brother but still can’t reach him. I don’t know, Daze. I’ll need to make some decisions soon and I don’t know what’s best.”
“Take a deep breath, Garrett.”
I waited until I heard his exhale rattle the speaker. “We will figure this out. One step at a time, okay?”
“Okay. Thanks, Lucy. I’m glad you are here.”
“I’m glad to be here. Now, go be with your dad. I’ve got everything covered with your mom.”
He said something to a doctor, then to me, “Hey, I have to go. I’ll call you in a little bit.”
“Alright. Talk to you soon.”
He hung up just as Myra stepped out of her bedroom. “Where is Grant?”
She looked around the living room, moving to the kitchen when she saw it was only me.
“Myra,”
I began as I followed her.
“Where is he?”
Her voice raising as her worry sunk in.
“He’s ok. Garrett is with him at the hospital right now,”
I reassured her.
“Why are we still here? Get your things, you’re driving me to the hospital.”
She pulled her coat on and marched to the shoe rack.
“Myra, Garrett is with him. He will be home soon. We should wai-”
“That is my husband, young lady. Lord knows how long I will be lucid this time. You will take me to the hospital, or I will start walking.”
She shoved her foot in the wool lined boot before throwing her hands to her hips, waiting, eyes narrowed and ready to put up a fight.
“Yes, ma’am.”
I diligently grabbed my purse and texted Garrett.
Your mom is demanding to visit. There was no arguing. We will be there soon.
His response came as we loaded into the car.
Ok. We are on the second floor.
There was something about emergencies that really switched my brain into overdrive. It raced with items to complete as if there was a revolving checklist: buckle into the car, get Myra to her husband, mentally prepare for her lucidity to pass, speak with a few nurses in the event she doesn’t remember why we were at the hospital, text Brett and Gran to check on the kids, assess Garrett to see what he needs, make sure lunch, snacks and dinner are taken care of.
I was lost in the checklist when we pulled into the hospital parking lot. Myra stared at the fluorescent lights glowing through the glass doors.
“I hate hospitals,”
she mumbled as she took a deep breath and squared her shoulders.
“Everything’s going to be ok.”
I placed a hand on hers.
She swallowed and nodded before exiting the car. “But one of these days it won’t be.”
She pulled her jacket closed over her chest. “We aren’t getting any younger, Lucy. One of these days, it will be our last hospital visit.”
I took her hand and squeezed. “But that day isn’t today. Today everything will be ok.”
She looked at me with glassy blue eyes and nodded. We walked through the doors hand-in-hand and made our way to the elevator. Once on the second floor, a young nurse in a bright pink smock that felt too cheery for the day, pointed us in the direction of the reception desk.
The woman who greeted us at the desk was clearly at the end of her shift, but she did her best to push past the tiredness. She took our information and gave us visitor stickers, pointing a wrinkled finger down the sterile hall to our left.
“First door on the right.”
“Thank you.”
I smiled politely and handed Myra her sticker.
She absently put it on her chest and stared down the hallway.
“I’m right here with you.”
I waited for her to look at me before proceeding to Mr. Williams’ room.
She met my eyes and took a deep breath. “Okay.”
I nodded. “Okay.”
We walked slowly down the hall until we reached the thick wooden door. “Grant Williams”
was written on the whiteboard.
Myra opened the door and stepped inside. “Grant?”
“I’m here, darling.”
His voice was strong, but he looked exhausted and utterly small in the hospital gown.
Myra rushed to his bed and wrapped her arms around his neck. Smiling as a tear ran down his cheek, he embraced her, closing his eyes as she laid her head on his chest.
Garrett strode over to me and pulled me into his arms. “God, I’m glad you’re here.”
His lips pressed against the top of my head.
I breathed him in as I hugged him back. “I’m glad everything is okay.”
He held me in his arms, as if holding me was the only thing keeping him calm. I rubbed small circles with my thumbs on his back until he took a stuttering breath and released me.
“Dad and I were talking,”
he began with a glance at Mr. Williams who nodded in confirmation. “And I think it would be best if you guys moved into the farmhouse with me until he heals. What do you think, Mom?”
Myra looked up from where her head laid on Mr. Williams’ chest, to gauge her husband’s feelings on the matter.
“I think it’s for the best, dear.”
Mr. Williams tucked Myra’s hair behind her ear.
Myra nodded. “Then, it’s settled.”
“I can get one of my brothers to help get things moved over,”
I offered.
Garrett looked at me as a wave of relief washed over his face and nodded, taking my hand in his, lacing our fingers together. “Thank you.”
I smiled up at him. “I’m happy to help.”
Myra stood up and wiped at her cheeks. “Well, I never thought the day would come.”
“Mom,”
Garrett grumbled full of half-hearted warning, but a smile tugged at the edges of his lips.
“Let the poor boy be, Myra.”
Mr. Williams said with grin and a teasing wink at me.
Blushing, I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Well, the kid has been pining for the last twenty years. It’s about damn time.”
“On that note!”
Garrett squeezed my hand until I looked up at him. “Are you hungry? Do you want to go get something from the vending machine?”
I laughed and shook my head. “I’m technically working. I should stay with your mom.”
Myra laughed, her smile reaching her eyes. “Go, we will be okay.”
I frowned as I took in the scene. What if her awareness left while I was gone? I wasn’t left with the doubt for long because the young nurse in pink knocked on the door.
“Mind if I check your vitals and fluids, Mr. Williams?”
With a sigh of relief that someone else would be in the room, I looked to Garrett and nodded.
We exited the room and Garrett let out a heavy breath. “Thank you again, Daze. This would have been a shit show without you.”
I lifted his hand and placed a kiss on his knuckles. “I’m glad everything worked out.”
We made our way to the vending machine, Garrett clearing his throat and rubbing the back of his neck as he said, “So, about what my mom said…”
I chuckled and looked up at him. “Twenty whole years, huh?”
He punched in the selection he wanted on the machine. “I dated. I didn’t necessarily pine.”
I placed a hand on his shoulder. “Garrett, I know you dated. I know you were in relationships. We’ve talked about it. I know your mom was giving you shit.”
He reached down and grabbed the two candy bars, handing me the Reese’s, my favorite.
“But she wasn’t entirely wrong, Lucy. I mean, it’s always been you. You are the one I always pictured my life with. You are the one I prayed to grow old with in the farmhouse with the horses and kids. I wanted all of that, with you.”
I stared at him, mouth gaping for longer than was probably appropriate. “I-I didn’t know.”
Garrett smiled and placed a tender kiss on my forehead. “You weren’t supposed to. You were madly in love with David and had a beautiful life to live with him. I never wanted to get in the way of that. I was happy to be your friend.”
This whole time. I had been blind to him this whole time. I fidgeted with the wrapper of my candy. “I should reach out to my brothers and see who can help get your parents moved to the farmhouse.”
Garrett frowned. “Daze…”
“I should also get lunch ordered for everyone, and be sure your mom is prepared for the coming days, and-”
“Daze,”
his voice rose as his hands landed on my shoulders.
“And you will need dinner, and I need to get the kids,”
I rattled on, ignoring him until his hands trailed up my neck to cup my face and his lips crushed mine.
My heart sputtered as my arms suddenly had a mind of their own and wrapped around his neck, pressing my body against him, completely forgetting that we were in the middle of a hospital hallway.
His hands trailed down my shoulders, hands landing on the swell of my hips. He groaned into my mouth. I swear, parts of me that I thought died with David lit up like the fourth of July, especially when his fingers wove into my hair and tugged just hard enough to elicit a gasp.
“Breathe, Daze,”
he whispered before pressing a kiss to the tip of my nose. “Breathe.”
I nodded, still riding the high of the kiss.
“I’m going to take the rest of the day off. Dylan and Margot are manning the station.”
He caressed my face, lightly trailing his fingers over my cheeks as he carried on and I fought for any last semblance of my sanity. “I’ll stay with Mom and Dad if you wouldn’t mind grabbing the essentials and getting the guest room ready at the farmhouse. Also, the horses and Charlie will need fed and let out.”
“I can do that. Send me a list of essentials and I’ll make sure it gets done.”
I will not jump this man’s bones in a hospital hallway. I will not jump this man’s bones in a hospital hallway. “Um, what do you want to do for lunch, I can have it delivered.”
“We can make do with hospital lunch. I have some frozen pizzas at the house that can work for tonight. I’ll get you the list soon.”
Garrett took my hand as we made our way back to the room. Myra had taken a seat in the chair next to Mr. Williams and was holding his hand, smiling lovingly up at him while Mr. Williams told the nurse about the day they met.
I grabbed my purse and smiled at the happiness in the room, praying that Myra stayed present for the rest of the day.
“I’ll see you at the house,”
I said to Garrett as I began to leave.
Garrett pulled me into his strong arms and placed a quick kiss on my lips. “I’ll see you there.”
Without pausing to assess the reaction of his parents, I turned to leave only to receive a playful swat on my butt.
Spinning on my heels to face him, I gasp, “Garrett Michael!”
“Lucy Marie,”
he copied with a devilish grin as his parents laughed in the background.
I pursed my lips and pointed at his chest, “Behave.”
Rolling his gorgeous blue eyes, Garrett shook his head. “Never.”
I scoffed and shook my head as I left the room. Only when I was out the door did I allow myself to grin like a fool.
The afternoon passed in a blur. I brought Gran and Liam lunch, then Brett and I met at the Williams’ house. I packed most everything in their dressers and bundled up the bedding on their bed, trying to bring something familiar to the different environment for Myra. Once we had everything loaded, Brett and I parted ways. He went to get the girls, and I made my way to the farmhouse.
Garrett had texted me that the spare key was under the green flowerpot at the base of the stairs. The fact that Mr. Sheriff had a hide a key at all seemed rather ironic, but I appreciated his trust in our tiny town.
As I pulled into the drive an adorable German shepherd came barreling towards my car. I smiled as I got out and dropped my hand to let him smell me before I pet him. “You must be Charlie.”
The dog licked my hand as if to confirm that I was correct.
I scratched behind his fluffy ears before grabbing an armful of items from the car. “Well, let’s get started, shall we?”
The exterior of the farmhouse hadn't changed much since I had been a kid. It was still pristinely white with navy blue shutters on either side of the windows. The wrap around porch had received a facelift with updated planks and new outdoor chairs sat under one of the bay windows. Flower planter boxes hung beneath the kitchen window, now decorated with Christmas garland.
Smiling at the hominess, I lifted the green pot at the base of the stairs and retrieved the spare key.
Where the outside of the house had remained mostly the same, the interior had changed drastically. Gone were the wood paneled walls and dim lighting. In their place was drywall painted a soft shade of blue. The once bulky staircase in the hallway was now open with decorative banisters. The living room was wide open with a cobblestone fireplace. I went down the familiar hallway, taking in the old family pictures and entered what I thought was the spare room.
I was wrong. It was Garrett’s room and for a moment, I just stared. His bed frame was a cedar log style with a warm red and black checkered duvet and a fluffy white blanket at the foot of the bed. It was perfect for Garrett.
Forcing myself to close the door and not investigate further was something that should be marked on my list of accomplishments when I died. Alas, I did close the door and opened the room opposite of his.
It was a crisp and clean spare room. A queen bed sat on the far wall under the window and a dresser with a mirror was placed opposite of the bed. I set the duffel bags down on the bed and made quick work of bringing the rest of the items in.
Around 3 p.m. I messaged Garrett to see if he’d mind if the kids came over because I wasn’t quite done unpacking and taking care of the animals yet.
Make yourselves at home. Maybe start the fireplace if you don’t mind? It’s supposed to drop into the negatives tonight.
I responded with a thumbs up emoji, which if you asked Eve was basically a middle finger in the realm of response emojis, but honestly, I still gave people thumbs up in real life, so it was fine. Right?
I called Brett to have him bring the kids and placed a mobile order for Marcos. Once the clothes were all put away and the bathroom supplies stocked in the guest bath, I made my way to the barn.
“Well, aren’t you all a delightful bunch,”
I beamed as I was greeted by a host of snorts and whinnies when I opened the door.
The grey spotted white horse’s name tag on the door said Herman. He craned his neck out to sniff me, pressing his snout into the palm of my hand.
“What a gentleman.”
I smiled as I scratched the side of his face.
Moving down the line, I was met with an all-black horse whose name tag read Flash. He did not seem overly pleased that his caretaker had been replaced with me. Flash huffed just inside his stall.
“That’s okay. I have some treats that might change your mind.”
Turning, I looked at the brown mare with white on her snout. Brenda. “Oh, I’ve heard about you. You seemed to really like my daughter. What are your opinions on me?”
I slowly held my hand out for her to sniff.
Those brown eyes stared at my hand as if it was diseased. She hesitated for a long while before sniffing and pressing her nose into my hand.
“I knew you were a sweet girl.”
She huffed as if to disagree entirely.
Laughing, I gave her a few scratches before opening the door to the pasture.
“Okay, when I open your stalls, none of you have my permission to trample me, capisce?”
Herman snorted. The other two looked at me like I was insane for speaking to horses. Regardless, I opened their stalls one by one. Brenda and Flash darted out of the barn, whereas Herman followed me like a shadow as I worked to clean their stalls and fill their buckets.
“Mom!”
Kaley’s voice rang from the driveway.
“In the barn!”
I shouted back as I finished adding hay to Brenda’s stall.
“Oh my gosh!”
Kaley’s hands clasped her cheeks as she stared in wonderment at Herman.
“Can we pet him?”
Eve asked as she dropped her backpack by the barn door.
“Sure, just walk up to him slowly with your hand extended so he can sniff you.”
Kaley beamed; eyes alight with excitement as she tiptoed towards Herman. He chuffed and closed the gap between them, pressing his forehead against her chest. Kaley’s smile was electric as she wrapped her arms around his head in a gentle hug, laying her cheek against his fur.
Eve watched in a trance before stepping up tentatively. He watched her movements, still in Kaley’s embrace. Slowly, Eve lifted her hand and ran it down his front shoulder. Kaley eventually let go, which was when Herman surprised me even more. The horse dropped its head over Eve’s shoulder, bringing her closer as if to give Eve a hug. She grinned and laid her head on the shoulder she’d been rubbing.
Brett joined us and wrapped an arm around my shoulder. “This certainly is something.”
I swiped at a runaway tear that seemed to appear out of nowhere. “He’s a sweet horse.”
Brett chuckled as we watched the girls grab carrots from the bucket to hand feed him.
“They are so happy.”
My comment hung heavy in the air. Days like this, seeing their smiles, felt like a win, like we were all making progress. God, I hoped that was the case. I hoped that moving wouldn’t cause more trauma for them. “I just want them to always be this happy.”
Brett squeezed my shoulders. “You can’t make that happen for anyone, Lu. Happiness is like the ocean; it comes in waves that ebb and flow. We just have to ride those waves when they come.”
I leaned my head on his shoulder and chuckled. “You sound like my therapist.”
“It’s probably because I’m seeing one.”
The statement was so quiet, I almost missed it.
Glancing up at him, I offered a soft smile. “I’m proud of you.”
He cleared his throat and nodded. “It was needed, for more than just my marriage.”
I squeezed his hand. “If you ever need anything, I’m here.”
He smiled down at me, brown eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Same for you, little sis.”
The sound of tires crunching on gravel pulled our attention. Charlie bolted out of the barn, barking at the incoming car.
Kaley peeked her head out the door and announced, “Garrett is home, and the pizza car is behind him.”
“Thank goodness, I’m starving,”
Eve declared and rushed out the barn.
I chuckled and moved to usher Herman out the door. He leaned against me as we walked towards the gate.
“Go, be free, my guy,”
I patted his butt gently. The horse looked back at me before huffing and setting out into the frost covered field.
“If you guys are good, I’m going to go check on Hannah and the kids,”
Brett said as he read a text on his phone.
“Go. Thank you so much for your help today.”
He nodded and headed out. I followed close behind, closing the barn door as I joined the girls who were swarming the pizza delivery man.
I took the food and handed the driver their tip.
“Was my frozen pizza not good enough for you?”
Garrett teased as he helped his mom up the stairs.
I shrugged and followed behind them. “I just thought this would be easier. I didn’t know what all the horses would need, so I just hit the easy button.”
Once Myra was walking through the front door, Garrett pulled me into a hug. “Thank you, Daze.”
I smiled up at him, getting lost in those eyes that promised passion. “Anytime.”
“Mom, can I take my pizza outside to eat with Herman?”
Kaley asked as she jumped up and down in the living room.
“Yeah, can we?”
Eve looked at me with pleading eyes.
I shook my head, smiling. “It’s already almost ten degrees outside, and that’s not including the windchill. Let’s eat first and you guys can help get them back in their stalls for the night, okay?”
Kaley deflated, her bottom lip jutting out to pout. “No fair.”
I ruffled her hair and laughed. “It’s plenty fair. Go wash your hands before we eat, bathroom is down the hall on the right.”
She peered down the hall and asked, “Which right?”
Eve rolled her eyes and grabbed Kaley’s hand. “Come on, I have to wash my hands too.”
“The house is lovely, son,”
Myra said as she patted Garrett on the arm. “You’ve done well.”
The smile and pride that washed over Garrett made me want to fling myself in his arms and kiss the ever-loving heck out of the man. Dear lord, my libido needed a freaking chill pill.
His gaze found me, and his smile grew to blinding proportions. My panties immediately melted when he winked. Fuck’s sake.
“You going to set the pizzas down, Daze, or are you going to keep staring at me?”
That freaking smirk. Dammit.
I squared my shoulders and replied, “Who says I can’t do both?”
I pushed past him and set the boxes on the black marble countertop of the large island in the kitchen.
Garrett’s hand found my waist and he bent to whisper in my ear, “Why don’t you go get Liam, and we can put up the Christmas tree and watch a Christmas movie?”
I looked up at him in disbelief. “Really?”
He pressed a kiss to my temple. “Really. My mom has been lucid all afternoon. It probably won’t last into tomorrow. I want to make it a great day. Christmas is her favorite holiday. What do you think?”
I thought that my heart was about to race out of my chest. “Let me ask the girls.”
He nodded and moved to get plates out of a cabinet.
Kaley and Eve were walking back talking animatedly about riding horses when I met them in the hallway.
“Would you girls be okay if I went to get Liam and when we get back, we all put up Garrett’s Christmas tree and watch a movie?”
I asked as I nervously fidgeted with a piece of lint in my pants pocket.
“Yes!”
Kaley shouted and immediately began bouncing in place.
Eve smiled as she thought about it. “Can we hang out with the horses too?”
“Yeah, can we?”
Kaley clasped her hands together in front of her chest as she looked at me with saucers for eyes.
I laughed and nodded. “Yes, we can tuck the horses in tonight if Garrett’s okay with it.”
“I’m okay with it,”
he called from the kitchen.
“Well, what are you waiting for Mom?”
Kaley asked as she kicked her shoes off by the door. “Go get Liam so we can get started.”
“Eve? You cool with staying, or do you want to come with me?”
I zipped my coat as I waited for her reply.
She looked between everyone and pursed her lips. “I’m really hungry.”
“It’s okay. You can stay. I’ll be right back.”
She nodded and took off her boots. Kaley ran to the kitchen to grab a plate.
Eve paused before following her sister. “I don’t think I hate Garrett.”
I hugged her, kissing the top of her head, which nearly reached my chin. Man, she was growing so fast. “It’s okay if you don’t hate him, but it’s also okay if you don’t know how to feel, alright?”
She nodded and pointed to the pizza boxes with her thumbs. “I’m going to go eat now.”
I smiled. “I’ll be right back.”
The giddiness that filled my chest as I loaded into the car, rivaled that of my teenage self, going to her first dance. I was practically bouncing when I pulled into the drive and headed inside to pack Liam’s diaper bag and baby food. I couldn’t stop smiling as I threw the bag over my shoulder. Gran clocked it the moment she laid eyes on me.
“So, it’s official?”
She asked as she rocked in her chair next to the fireplace.
I blushed as I bent to pick up Liam. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t bullshit a bullshitter, Lucy Lu.”
Liam pressed a sloppy kiss to my cheek, and I sighed with an irrepressible smile. “It’s new.”
She raised a brow. “It ain’t new, girl. That boy has been in love with you since you were children.”
I leaned a cheek on Liam’s head. “He said something to that effect today.”
As did his mom.
“How do the girls feel about it?”
She asked as she watched me and rocked.
“I think Eve is apprehensive and Kaley seems unphased, but ready to interrogate Garrett at a moment’s notice.”
Gran smirked and took a sip of her coffee. “I think those are all good responses. Have a great night.”
“We will.”
I hugged her goodbye and carried Liam to the car.
“Momma,”
he babbled, reaching for my hair as I buckled him into his seat.
“I love you, buddy.”
I pressed a kiss to his forehead.
The ride back to Garrett’s passed in a blur. I may have been just like his mom, in that Christmas was my favorite and I couldn’t wait to decorate together.