Читать книгу The Rancher's First Love - Brenda Minton - Страница 12

Chapter Four

On the last day of Sam’s four-day workweek, Dr. Jackson called her into his office. She stepped into the tiny room, files and papers stacked everywhere. Sitting behind his desk, he motioned for her to take a seat. She moved a few files from the chair and sat down to wait. He didn’t speak for a moment. His gray head was bent as he read over a manual of some type and he was clearly puzzled. After a few minutes, he shook his head.

“Have you ever put an entertainment center together?” he asked without looking up.

She laughed, because she’d thought he might be studying a new medical procedure or a research paper. He glanced up, his glasses perched on the end of his nose.

“That’s funny?” he asked.

“Yes, I thought this was about a patient. A treatment. Not an entertainment system. In answer to your question, yes, I have.”

“Of course you have. That’s something I like about you, Samantha, you’re independent.” He slid the paper across his cluttered desk. “Why does this seem wrong?”

She gave it a look and then turned it over and held it up to the light. “Because it’s backwards. Right to left, not left to right.”

“Gotcha.” He took the paper back and held it up to the light. “Well, I’ll be dipped in tartar sauce.”

That was a new one. He did like to make up his own sayings and the nurses all repeated them. She couldn’t wait to share “dipped in tartar sauce.” She waited for him to say more.

He looked up again and removed his glasses. “You live in Martin’s Crossing, correct?”

“Yes, sir.”

“That’s what I thought.” He reached for a file and pushed the glasses back on his face. “Parker.”

Her mood lifted, because Parker had that effect on people. He’d gone through so much but still had a way of making others a little bit happier.

“What about Parker?”

“As you know, he’s going home,” he handed her the file. “Today.”

“I knew he’d be released soon but didn’t realize it would be today. That’s wonderful.” But also frightening. She always worried when a patient went home.

“Yes, it is. But we’re not ready to turn him loose. Not completely. Which is why we’ve come up with a new service we’d like to do on a trial basis.”

“New service?” She really had no idea how this pertained to her.

“Yes, we’d like to do a continued care program for our patients.”

Home visits. Good idea. But then she realized why she’d been called in to the office. She lived in Martin’s Crossing, which meant he wanted her to look in on Parker. She looked at the file, then met the serious gaze of the man sitting across the desk from her. He must have seen on her face that she planned to object because he held up a hand to stop her.

“We need someone to check on him once a week. Nothing too time-consuming. A short visit to make sure he’s still progressing and coping with the home environment. Also to make sure the caregivers—the family—are coping. I think if we do this, we can catch infections and other issues before they become problems that could jeopardize the health and continued recovery of our patients.”

Brilliant idea really, but the thought of stopping by the Jenkins farm every week wasn’t really one she wanted to embrace.

“I think it’s a great idea. But someone else should do it,” she started.

“You live in Martin’s Crossing. Parker thinks you’re the best nurse ever. And I have confidence in you because you have experience in several areas.”

“Yes, but...” she started. Then stopped. What could she say to that?

“Is something wrong?”

She shook her head. “No, nothing is wrong.”

“Great, then we’ll get all of the appropriate paperwork taken care of. We’ll need you to keep track of your time and mileage.”

“Of course.”

He stood and rounded the desk. “Let’s go talk to his family.”

She could tell by his tone and expression that in his mind it was all settled. Because he didn’t know how much she wanted to avoid Remington Jenkins. He didn’t know how much it hurt to look at Remington and remember.

She chased away that thought because this was about a child. And children came first. Parker came first. He came before her fears, her doubts and her resentment.

When they got to Parker’s room, they found it filled with staff and family. Parker sat in his wheelchair with a big grin on his face and a new cowboy hat on his head. His grin grew even wider, if possible, when he saw that he had more guests for his going-home party. Every child who left the hospital got a party as a farewell and a celebration.

“Nurse Sam, look—I got a hat! And new boots. And I’ll have a new room at Uncle Gus’s.”

“I heard, Parker. I’m so excited for you.” She moved through the crowd, smiling at Gus and at Parker’s grandmother. Then her heart stuttered a bit when she made eye contact with Remington. He stood to the side, casually leaning against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest.

At that moment, she considered telling Dr. Jackson why it was impossible for her to take this job. But what would she say? That she’d been fifteen and crazy in love with a cowboy that her brothers didn’t approve of? That she’d been sent away from home and the cowboy had been sent packing, back to his parents in Austin?

It sounded like a romance novel. Young love. A broken heart. No big deal. To anyone but her. So she shoved it all aside because she wasn’t going to let it determine her future or the future of a boy who needed every opportunity to succeed.

She stepped in front of Parker, lowering herself to his level, accepting his big hug. Face-to-face with the child, her objections gave up their last stand of resistance. For Parker, for the other children, she would do whatever was necessary.

“You take care of yourself. And no stunts,” she warned.

“Ah, Nurse Sam, you know I’m not going to be good.”

She laughed at his honesty. “At least be safe.”

“I can do that.”

“And I’m going to stop by and check on you in a few days so you don’t miss us too much.”

“That’s great,” he said. “I can show you the ranch. And someday I can see the ranch where you live. And I’ll go to school there in a few months.”

“Super. I have a niece who goes to school in Martin’s Crossing. She’s a few years older than you, but I’m sure she’ll show you around.”

“Does she ride horses? Remington said everyone in Martin’s Crossing rides. I’m sure I could learn to ride.”

“Let’s take one thing at a time, Parker.” His grandmother moved to his side, her look a little unsure, Sam thought. But of course she was. She was going to raise this little guy. It had been only a few months since the accident that took his parents. Just a few months of healing and learning a new way of living.

“Oh, Granny, I know that. It’ll be okay.”

Big words from a little boy. He reached for his grandmother’s hand and held it tight.

“We should go,” his grandmother said. She moved behind his wheelchair. “We have a lot to do when we get home.”

“Like have burgers on the grill,” Parker said. “Rem and Uncle Gus are cooking tonight. You should come over, Nurse Sam.”

“Oh, no, that’s okay. You’ll have a lot to do, getting settled. I’ll be by soon enough.”

“You’re more than welcome to join us tonight,” his grandmother offered. “I know Parker thinks the world of you. We’re all so glad you’re going to continue to be involved in his care.”

“I’m glad, too.” Out of the corner of her eye she saw Remington push away from the wall. He moved around the room, grabbing the suitcase and a box that held Parker’s prized possessions. “Okay, Parker, time for you to say your final goodbyes and head home.”

Parker looked around the room that had been his for several very long weeks, his expression suddenly showing the case of nerves he’d been hiding. He bit down on his bottom lip and nodded. “I’m ready.”

“You’ll do great, tiger.” Dr. Jackson placed a hand on his shoulder. “We’ll walk you out.”

As they exited the room, the real party started. The children and nurses were lined up and down the hall with balloons, noisemakers and hats. Parker laughed, waving at his friends. He stopped a few times for extra hugs from staff who had taken care of him through the long months of recovery and rehab.

Sam walked along behind the group. On her way out the door Dr. Jackson had asked her to escort the family to their car and get them all settled. If she didn’t know better, she’d think the man was plotting against her.

Remington walked alongside her.

“I had no idea going home would be like this,” he said.

“We try to make it a special occasion.”

“Thank you for taking us on. I know it means the world to Parker, to know that you’ll still be in his life.”

She kept walking, following the slow procession of Parker, his grandmother, Gus and Dr. Jackson as they made their way down the hall toward the double doors, the lobby and then to the front exit. She took the bag that Remington carried, lightening his load.

“The invitation stands, if you’d like to join us for burgers on the grill,” he continued.

She glanced up, into gray eyes that she knew so well. “I don’t think so.”

“We’re going to have to get used to being around one another. You might find—” he grinned as he said it “—that you want to spend more time with me.”

“I doubt that.” She bit back the smile he probably expected. “I’m not interested in going back and revisiting my fifteen-year-old self. She was a mess.”

“I remember liking her a lot but I understand not wanting to revisit those days. But it won’t hurt for us to be friends right now.”

“No, it won’t hurt.” But she worried it might.

There was so much more between them. More than he realized.

* * *

Remington glanced at the woman walking next to him. He’d give anything to know why her expression seemed so troubled and why something as simple as friendship set her on edge. Yes, they shared a past. It wasn’t as if they were enemy states trying to find a way to sign a peace treaty.

He knew one thing: pushing wasn’t going to get him anywhere with Samantha Martin. He guessed she’d been pushed enough. Pushed away from him, from her home, away from everything safe and familiar.

He’d just gone home to Austin and his family.

Gus said she’d never been the same. She’d come home from time to time. Every now and then she’d ridden in a local rodeo or eaten dinner at her brother’s diner, but she hadn’t been the girl he’d known in Martin’s Crossing.

Gus said she was angry and bitter.

Remington saw it as pain. Deep down pain. He saw a woman who was willing to help animals and children but wasn’t as willing to let people into her life.

He watched as she helped Aunt Lee put Parker in the car, something Lee had been learning to do in rehab. For the past month his aunt had worked with the staff because there would be things she’d have to do for Parker. He and Gus would help her. They’d given their word they wouldn’t let her do this alone. But they all knew that most of it would fall on Parker’s grandmother.

Which is why it made sense for him to give up his job in Austin and settle here on his granddad’s ranch, the Rocking J. To help Gus, Aunt Lee and Parker.

After Parker was settled in the backseat, Sam leaned to kiss his cheek, then she took a step back, letting his grandmother say something to him. Dr. Jackson moved in to share a few words. And then they called Remington forward.

“Will you pray?” Dr. Jackson asked. “I’d like to send you all home with the best support system available.”

Rem agreed. They could all use a guiding hand in this situation. “Of course I’ll pray.”

His gaze strayed in Samantha’s direction. She looked away. But he saw the flicker of doubt, the anger. He hadn’t expected that.

He bowed his head and prayed. For strength, for healing, for peace. He prayed for a special blessing on the staff that gave such great care to these children.

After he ended the prayer, he glanced her way again. Sam’s blue eyes were on him, full of questions. He had answers, but he doubted she really wanted to hear them. Not yet anyway.

He met her clear blue gaze. She raised her chin a notch and walked away, back to the hospital. He told himself not to take it too personally, but he did. He’d never expected this reaction to his decision to go into ministry. He’d dated a woman who didn’t like that she sometimes had to share him with others. He’d dated another woman who had finally admitted she just couldn’t be the wife of a pastor.

“Time to go,” he said to no one in particular.

“Time to go,” Parker echoed as Remington got behind the wheel.

Remington glanced in the rearview mirror and made eye contact with the little boy. He saw a flash of nervousness before Parker smiled, pretending everything was okay. Going home was a big deal. After months in the hospital, he was headed for a new life, new obstacles. Parker would make it, but no one could blame him for being lost and more than a little apprehensive.

It took twenty minutes to reach the Rocking J. The ranch had a long rutted dirt driveway. On each side of that driveway the ranch spilled out as far as the eye could see. It was Texas Hill Country, so the terrain was rugged and a good portion of the thousand-acre ranch was hilly with clear creeks and plenty of trees. It was about the prettiest place Remington knew.

“This is a ranch!” Parker exclaimed from the backseat. “I’m going to live on a real ranch.”

“Yes, sir, you are,” Gus answered. “We’ll make sure you have a few cows of your own so you can start your own herd. Rem started his own herd that way. He has one here and one on his folks’ place.”

“I’ll have my own cows?” Parker whistled. “And a horse?”

“One thing at a time, Parker.” His grandmother brought him back down to earth. “Let’s focus on you getting better.”

“I’m better, Granny. I am. I can feel my toes sometimes and Dr. Jackson said someday I might be able to use crutches. He said not real good. But maybe a little.”

Remington glanced in the rearview mirror and caught the look on his aunt’s face. She was nervous. She wanted the best for Parker. She also didn’t want him to get his hopes up. His spinal injury had been in the lower portion of his back.

“Here we are.” He pulled up to the two-story farmhouse with a newly built ramp.

“Wow, is this house really old?” Parker had the door open and was peering out at the land around him.

“It’s not that old,” Gus responded. “The original house got hit by a tornado thirty years ago and we rebuilt.”

Remington left them to discuss the ranch. He retrieved Parker’s wheelchair from the trunk and had it out and ready when Gus picked up the boy and settled him in the seat. Parker was still talking.

“Do you think Nurse Sam lives on a ranch like this?” he asked.

Gus shot Remington a look, a grin hidden behind his bushy mustache.

“Yeah, but bigger,” Remington responded. He pushed the wheelchair toward the ramp but Parker took over, his hands on the wheels pushing hard. Remington let him go.

“You’ve seen where she lives?” Parker asked.

“Yes, I’ve seen it.”

Parker stopped at the top of the porch, catching his breath. His face was a little red from the excitement and the exertion. He looked around, and then he settled that excited gaze on Remington, grinning big.

“She’s the best nurse. We all think she’s the prettiest.”

Gus coughed as he inserted the key in the lock and pushed the front door open. Remington watched his grandfather, slightly stooped and a little bowlegged from years in the saddle. He thought about telling Gus to keep his comments—and coughs—to himself.

“You boys had too much time on your hands,” Remington answered. “And now you’re going to have less time and more work.”

“Yeah,” Parker practically shouted as he pushed himself through the front door. “And Nurse Sam will be here to check on me. Wait until I call Danny and tell him.”

Remington let Aunt Lee follow the boy inside and he stayed on the front porch where there was fresh air and fewer excited statements about a certain nurse. He looked out over the ranch his father had grown up on, the ranch he’d now help his grandfather care for.

In the field beef cattle with red coats and broad backs grazed on spring grass, biting off the tender morsels. The distant crow of a rooster broke the silence. As did the sound of a car on the highway. His thoughts weren’t as settled or as peaceful as his surroundings.

Samantha Martin. She wanted distance. He wanted her close. He wanted to mend fences that had been broken. If things had turned out different, he wondered if he and Sam would have dated a few years, then gotten married. Or would they have broken up after that summer? That’s what his mom had predicted. She’d told him that was how most summer romances ended. It felt like something that would last forever. But usually, she’d assured him, it faded with time and distance.

He’d actually believed her until he saw Sam at the hospital.

Seeing her made it all come rushing back as if they’d never been apart. Unfortunately Sam didn’t seem to feel the same way. She seemed to have put him and their relationship behind her.

He guessed he’d either have to accept that, or change her mind.