Carolina Grace (Southern Breeze Series Book 3)

by Regina Rudd Merrick

  “I’m doing great. Still a few twinges.” More than a few, but he would get over it. “What about you?”

  “Things are starting to work. Actually, started as soon as the surgery was over to hear the doctor brag about it.”

  “Clifton, I’m so glad.” Anna put her hands on the side rail of the hospital bed, and Clifton put his hand on hers.

  “Thanks, Anna. I appreciate you being here with Rance.” He grinned sheepishly. “If I hadn’t messed up years ago, you’d have been seeing after both of us.”

  “We both messed up, so hush about that. It’s a new day.”

  “It surely is.”

  Rance looked at his parents. What would their lives have been like? If the things that seemed so bad hadn’t happened, would they have found God? The thought astounded him. He supposed there was a reason for all they’d gone through.

  “Hey, when are they going to get you out of ICU?” Rance decided they needed to refocus.

  “This afternoon, hopefully. Hobgood said there was a bed opening up, and as soon as they had it ready, they’d move me to the fourth floor.”

  “Good. That’s where I am. They’re planning to send me home tomorrow. You might be my new roomie. The guy in the second bed is getting ready to go home.”

  “I hope so. Have you been walking much?” Clifton looked concerned.

  “Yeah, up and down the hall. This has been my longest trip. It’s getting in and out of bed that gets me, and I have a feeling I’ll have a backache until I can get a little real rest in my own bed.” Rance grinned. “Mom says I’m a bad patient.”

  “If they move me in with you tonight, we’ll show her what a double-dose of bad patient looks like.”

  Anna laughed, and looked more relaxed than she had in a long time. “I think I can handle it.” She sobered then looked at Clifton. “I saw Sam last week. We had a good visit.”

  “I’m glad. He called me this morning and told me he’d seen you. There’s a lot of forgiveness needs to be done in this family. I hope we can hang on to it.”

  “I think we can, Dad.”

  Clifton smiled tenderly at his son. “I appreciate it, Son. I’ve had a lot of time to pray, and a lot of that prayer has been for you.”

  “I don’t think you’re the only one.”

  “Have you talked to your young lady yet?”

  “Young lady? Why am I the last to know everything?” Anna swatted Rance’s arm gently.

  He flinched. “Watch the left side, Mom.”

  “That was your right arm. Now what young lady?”

  He sighed. “Charlotte Livingston. And no, I haven’t talked to her.”

  Clifton shook his head. “No time like the present. We’re not promised tomorrow, you know.”

  “I know.”

  Anna pondered. “Livingston. I used to know some Livingstons. North Litchfield Beach area?”

  “Yes. Her dad, Hayden, is dead, and her mother is Mary Ann Livingston. Did you know them?” He was still getting used to the fact that his mother knew people up here.

  Recognition dawned on Anna’s face. “Slightly. They were a little older than me, but we were in school at the same time. Mary Ann was the president of the Future Homemakers of America her senior year, and I was a freshman. She seemed nice. She got engaged to Hayden Livingston at their senior prom, I believe.”

  “She’s still a great lady. Her daughter takes after her.”

  “Then she’s a beauty.” She smiled tenderly at her son. “I’m sorry things have been so crazy I didn’t even know you’d been seeing someone. It’s been a while since you have, hasn’t it?”

  “I’ve been too busy.”

  “No, you hadn’t met the right girl.”

  “Your mother’s right.” Clifton spoke up. “When you find the right girl, don’t mess it up like I did. Don’t let her go, and don’t neglect her. That’s the kiss of death to a relationship.”

  Rance smiled. “Thank for the parental advice.”

  Anna and Clifton smiled at one another and reddened slightly.

  “It’s been a long time coming.”

  Chapter Thirty-One

  September

  “October is looking like a busy month. I hope hurricane season holds off.” Lucy sighed as she looked at the calendar, and the list of clients who had booked them for the upcoming fall months.

  Emma nodded. “We need to hire extra help. You are somewhat hindered by the fact you now have not one, but three children to look after.”

  Charly spoke up. “I’ve already decided I’m not taking any classes this semester. They would have started last week. I’m two classes shy of my master’s, and I’ve decided I don’t have to rush it.” Charly had the calendar app on her phone up.

  “Who are you, and what have you done with my sister-in-law?” Lucy stared at her. “I thought you were on track to get the fastest master’s degree on record?”

  Charly laughed. “I’ve started listening to my mother.” She cut her eyes at Lucy. “Don’t you dare tell. If you do, I’ll never hear the end of it.”

  Lucy nodded. “Noted. Are you saying you’d like to keep working weddings when you can?”

  She arched a brow. “I don’t seem to have anything else going on, so yes, I’d love to. This way maybe I can save up and pay cash for my classes.”

  Emma had been quiet during the exchange. She was beginning to need a little more time off, and she didn’t quite know how to approach it, business-wise. “Charly, that would be perfect. You’re so good with the clients and can easily take my place when I have to be two places at once, or if I have to be out.”

  “I wouldn’t go that far, but it’s fun, and I get to try things out with other people I might want to try someday.” Charly wrinkled her nose. “Although right now it’s looking like I have plenty of time to experiment.”

  Emma smiled. “It can happen fast.”

  “I’ll say.” Lucy put her chin in her hand and leaned her elbow on the table. “So, how are things in your love life, Emma Quince? I’ve seen almost as much of Rafe Jernigan as I have of you.” Lucy waggled her eyebrows comically.

  Emma felt heat rush to her face. That redhead complexion. “It’s going well. Sophie likes him.”

  “What about Emma?” Lucy wasn’t going to let it go.

  “Emma likes him too.”

  “A lot, if your face is any indication.”

  Emma put her hands to her face to hide her blush and her smile. She felt a laugh bubble up. “I’m giddy as a schoolgirl.”

  Lucy and Charly laughed out loud. Lucy finally stopped laughing and said, “Finally!”

  “Honestly, I never thought I’d feel this way again. And it was such happenstance we even met.”

  “No such thing.” Lucy shook her head.

  “I know. God’s in control. It was so random.” Emma wiped the tears from her eyes that had come with the bout of laughter. “You know, now that I think about it, maybe it wasn’t random. When you had the twins, it started making me think about how Sophie hadn’t had a father influence in her life and hadn’t had any brothers or sisters. All of it made me wonder, even at forty, if maybe . . .”

  “Maybe you weren’t only here to fulfill other people’s dreams after all?” Lucy grasped her friend’s hand. “Girl, it’s not over ’til it’s over, and you have so much to give. I’ll admit, the first time I met Rafe, five years ago, he scared me a little. He’s certainly a different man than the one Sarah met the summer she came to South Carolina.”

  “He is. At first, I thought I was attracted to him because he knew Daniel. I thought it would be nice for Sophie, and for me, too, to be around someone who could talk to us about the things they had experienced together, but you know, the more I know him, the less Daniel comes up. Sophie asks questions because she has no memories of her dad except in snapshots and home movies, and I’m enjoying getting to know Rafe as himself, not Daniel’s friend.” Emma shrugged her shoulders and smiled. “He told me the other night he thought he was f
alling in love with me.”

  “Get out of town.” Lucy’s mouth hung open.

  “Are you serious?” Charly sat up straight. “What did you say?”

  Emma paused. “I told him I thought I might be falling in love with him too.”

  “Can I get you anything, Rance? Tea? Maybe cookies?”

  “I’m fine, Mom. I think I’ll go upstairs and take a little nap.” Rance had been stuck here at his parents’ house for two weeks, the length of time before the doctor would consider letting him drive. He was getting stir-crazy. Funny, a year ago he would have been annoyed because she seemed so nervous all the time. Now it was cabin fever.

  “Are you sure you’re okay? Do you feel feverish?”

  “No, Mom. I’m tired and need a little time to myself.”

  She shook her head and grinned. “I know. You’re a big boy, and I’m hovering.”

  He grinned at her and winked. “You got it. I’m tired. Tomorrow’s a big day.”

  “I’m not sure if you’re ready to drive or not.” She frowned.

  “We’ll see what Dr. Hobgood says. If I can drive, I can pick Sam up next week.”

  “If not, I’ll take you.” She looked down. “I had a good visit with him the other day. He filled in a lot of blanks for me. I wish I could get over the guilt that wells up from time to time.”

  “I know. Sam has forgiven you, I have, and Clifton has.”

  “I think Ashton still has a way to go.” Anna wiped a tear from her cheek. “I’m trying. I do love him, Rance. So much.”

  “I know you do. And he loves you. It’s all been a lot to take in. You keep a secret like this so long, and it feels wrong for it to be out in the open. Am I right?”

  “You are.” She gave him a half-smile. “You go on up and rest. I’ll get supper started.”

  He walked over to his mom and hugged her. “God’s got this.”

  She returned his hug and kissed his cheek. “Love you, Son.”

  “Love you, too, Mom.”

  As he walked up the carpeted stairs, barely feeling the twinge that had been a full-on ache a few days before, he thought about the change in his family over the last two weeks.

  Charly.

  He wanted to talk to her. It had been nagging at him ever since he saw her last. Today he hadn’t been able to get her off his mind.

  He pulled out his phone and pulled up her name and the picture that accompanied it. Her clear, hazel eyes, her long blonde hair, and a prim smile on her face that looked both happy and pensive at the same time. She’d been battling things too. He wanted to battle them with her.

  As soon as he got to his bedroom, he closed the door, sat cross-legged on the bed, and pushed the call button. He could text, but it wasn’t enough. He needed to hear her voice. He needed her to hear his and not in a drunken state.

  The meeting with Emma and Lucy was breaking up when Charly’s phone began to ring. Since it was on the table, Rance’s picture came up for all to see. She looked down, and when she saw who it was, she froze.

  “Aren’t you going to answer it?” Lucy looked at her, her eyes round with anticipation.

  “I . . . yes.” She swiped the window to answer the phone and walked out of the room, through the front of the shop, and into the parking lot. “Rance?” She got in her car, started it, and rolled down the windows.

  “Hi, Charly. Did I catch you at a bad time?” He sounded subdued. Kidney removal surgery would do that to one.

  “No, I was finishing up a meeting with Lucy and Emma.” She swallowed. “How are you?”

  “I’m good. I have an appointment with the doctor tomorrow, and I’m hoping to get my freedom back.”

  “What kind of freedom?”

  “My car. I haven’t been able to drive for two weeks.” He chuckled.

  “That’s rough.”

  “I feel like I’m back in middle school, living with my parents.”

  “How’s . . . Mr. Watson?”

  “My dad? He’s doing great. He went home a few days ago. He was so weak before he had the surgery they had to build him up before they would let him out of the hospital. He’s recovering nicely.”

  “I’m glad. I guess things have been . . . strange.”

  “Yes and no. We’ve actually been able to work through most of the family stuff.” Rance paused long enough that she wondered if the call had been dropped. “Charly, I want to see you. We need to talk.”

  She closed her eyes. She had prayed. Oh, how she had prayed, for him to call. She had tested God. She had prayed that if God wanted them together, she would have a dream they had reunited. She had the dream and then wondered, since she knew something about how dreams worked, if it hadn’t happened simply because she had been thinking about him. She didn’t know what to say.

  “Listen, if I get the all-clear to drive tomorrow, can I see you after school?”

  She grimaced. She was helping Sarah with their children’s choir musical from four until time for prayer meeting at six, and then choir practice.

  “I can’t.” This was so frustrating.

  Nothing. “I understand.”

  He thought she didn’t want to see him. She rushed her answer. “No, you don’t. I have children’s choir, then prayer meeting, then choir practice, and I’m tied up from about four o’clock to nearly eight o’clock.”

  “Okay, then I’ll come to prayer meeting, and then I’ll go wait at your house while you’re at choir practice. Please?”

  “Are you sure? We can plan for Thursday.”

  “No, I’ve already wasted enough time. Like Dad says, we’re not promised tomorrow, so we’re pushing it as it is.”

  She could tell he was smiling. His voice sounded different when he did, and it made her smile. “Then tomorrow it is.”

  “Thanks, Charly.”

  “I’m glad you called.”

  “Me too.”

  Charly watched as the red button went gray when Rance ended the call on his end. He wanted to see her. She felt her lips curl up in a smile she couldn’t pull down, and a tune bubbled up from somewhere deep inside. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound . . .

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  “Young man, you’ve apparently done everything I’ve told you to do, or you’ve had an extra-special nurse for the last week and a half.” Dr. Hobgood looked at his chart and then back at him, over his reading glasses. “I suppose you want me to tell you that you can drive and do all the crazy stuff you did before the surgery.”

  “I’ll be happy if I can drive.”

  “Good, because driving is about all you can do, and that very carefully. No hot-rodding. You can start walking and jogging but absolutely no weight-lifting or strenuous exercise for a few more weeks.”

  “I understand. I’ve been reading up on recovery, and it looks like I’m right where I need to be.”

  “Physician, heal thyself, huh?” The older doctor laughed. “You’re learning good practice, as long as you’re not self-diagnosing too much. Sometimes we doctors need someone else to point out what’s going on. Our minds have a way of convincing us we know our body better than anybody, but our minds can lie to us.”

  “I hear that.”

  “Is your mother here?”

  “She is. She’s taken good care of me.”

  “Good.” He looked down at his desk again. “Saw Clifton yesterday, and he’s doing well. I think you may have added another ten years or more to his life.”

  “I hope more. I told him my goal was to jump out of an airplane with him someday.”

  Dr. Hobgood laughed. “Oh, don’t tell me that. I’ve put too much work into you two to think about it.”

  Rance smiled. “I appreciate it, doctor.”

  “Call me Clay. I’m a friend of the family now, and we’re both doctors. Before you leave, the nurse at the front will give you appointments for your re-checks. Will that be a problem? What have you decided as far as your job situation? If I need to refer you to a kidney specialist in another city, I�
�ll be glad to.”

  “I haven’t signed anything, but I’ll let you know when I do. I plan to take the next few weeks off to keep healing. I don’t want to start a new job in a weakened state.”

  “I understand.” Dr. Hobgood stood and held his hand out, and Rance rose to grasp it. “Take care of yourself. And remember, nothing over ten pounds.”

  “Got it. Those weights in the corner will have to gather dust for a while.”

  Rance picked up the list of appointments from the nurse and walked over to his mother. “I’ve been granted my freedom, with limits.”

  “You can drive? Are you sure? Do I need to talk to Clay?”

  “No, Mom, I’m fine. He said I can drive, to be careful, and to not lift any more than ten pounds for a few more weeks.”

  “All right. Well, what now?”

  “Now, you take me to my car, and you go home.”

  He could see the sheen of tears in her eyes. “I hate to leave you. Are you sure you won’t come back home and stay a few weeks?”

  “No, I need to be here.”

  When they got to his car, still parked in the employee parking lot at the hospital, he turned to her. “I’m going to see Charly tonight, and I want to see Dad.”

  She put her hand on his cheek tenderly. “I know. Don’t forget Ashton.”

  “I won’t, Mom, I promise. We’ve come to a new understanding in the last few weeks. I think we’re closer than we’ve been in a long time.” He smiled and put his hand over hers.

  “That makes me happy.”

  “Good. Now, I have to go.” He held his hand up when she started to talk. “Don’t worry. I’m fine. I’ll take it easy.”

  “I saw that grimace. I don’t think you know how to take it easy.”

  “I’ll figure it out. Just think, this will make me a better doctor.”

  He kissed her quickly and opened the car door. “Thanks, Mom.”

  Getting in and out of a low-slung Jaguar wasn’t as easy as he thought it would be. It reminded him of the pain he felt getting in and out of bed when the surgery was fresh. He wouldn’t complain. He had his wheels, and he was going to see Charly tonight.