Melissa’s gaze was no longer on her friend. Instead, the matriarch was imagining a time of happiness. It was after Sam and Abby had been allowed to be more than friends. It was their first holiday together. It had been spent at the bed and breakfast. There was the image of a couple dancing together. It was one of the sweetest moments Melissa had ever been privileged to witness.
“I think I know how the story ends.” Tabby knew what Melissa had been attempting to tell her. If Abby hadn’t taken that huge step in admitting her attraction and growing feelings for Sam, they might never have married. The same could be said for Sam. If she hadn’t finally put her heart on the line and loved without fear of being hurt, the results could have been very different.
“Oh, Honey, I don’t think you do.” Melissa stood. She had heard Nicky running down the stairs. Or at least she thought it was the bundle of energy. There were so many, she lost track sometimes. The matriarch’s eyes twinkled at the thought of so many grandchildren running around the bed and breakfast. “You see, just like you and Emily, Sam and Abby’s story is just beginning.” Melissa winked before making her way back into the bed and breakfast.
For a moment, Tabby was stunned. Not that Melissa had said hers and Emily’s story was only just now beginning. It was the fact Sam and Abby’s story was just beginning. It took a moment for the nurse to realize what the matriarch was referring to. Every love story has a beginning, a journey and an end. But when it’s the journey shared between two soulmates, there is no ending. There is merely the next incarnation of the two people. So it’s always a beginning and never an ending.
Tabby smiled at the thought. She pulled out her cellphone. Still cautious with everything that was happening, she knew she had to make certain Emily knew their journey wasn’t over. That there was the likely possibility that soon they would be walking through life, side by side. And the distance was only a physical distance, never emotionally.
Her smile was radiant after hitting the send button. It was as if the weight of the world had lifted from her shoulders, if only momentarily. As Nicky made his way out the door, she heard footfalls on the porch coming from the visitor parking lot. A familiar figure was making her way towards the mother and son. One they both knew intimately.
The auburn-haired woman was stunning. Her five foot ten-inch frame had always caused her to tower over Tabby. It had been thrilling and intimidating at the same time. Her clear eyes seemed to twinkle as if seeing the best present ever. The woman was dressed for success in an emerald suit that went well with her hair. Nicky clutched at his mother, unsure what to do. All Tabby could do was say, “Helen.” And swallow as it felt as if she was having a heart attack and desperately needed her therapist.
Chapter 2
After the text, Emily felt more like herself than she had in quite some time. It was only a text. It only stated that she hoped the flight hadn’t been bad. But there was one thing that had given the tall blonde hope. The message had ended by saying they’d see one another soon. While that could still be as only friends, it felt like so much more.
The spray of the water beat down on Emily. It also beat into her that she needed to keep things in perspective. She needed to make certain that she didn’t get her hopes up. And yet, this was her soulmate. This was the other half of her soul. The therapist scrubbed her body in an attempt to wash off the past. The words she had said.
Emily stood under the showerhead, allowing the water to pour down her body. She stood with her palms against the tiles as the water massaged her aching body. It was not something she was used to, traveling in a tin can like a sardine. She was used to driving everywhere she went. She was used to being able to stop when she wanted and stretch her long legs.
Not that she had traveled much. Emily had only traveled in her teen years, leaving home as soon as she knew what she wanted to do. Part of her had wanted to take her mother up on her offer, just so she could drive the length of the country. But she knew her parents would cut her off financially, at least at first. If only so they could attempt to control her. To have her do as they wanted, as usual.
The therapist knew she was stalling. Emily knew she needed to eat. And visiting hours would end soon. If she knew her mother, it wouldn’t matter. Monica Dunst would make certain everything was the way she wanted it, no matter how it affected anyone else. Including her daughter that didn’t want to be here in the first place.
The water was turned off. It was like an instant comfort had been taken away from her. Though it was only drops of water, it had felt like the caress of a lover. It had felt like Tabby’s gentle touch as she softly caressed her while they made love. Emily had to lean herself against the sink the touches seemed so real. Cobalt eyes closed for a moment before she opened them.
Staring back in the mirror was a face she didn’t recognize. Emily sighed as she remembered how Abby had looked while she was separated from Sam. And the way Sam had appeared when she had stayed with her at the apartment. Their faces were like hers. The pain, the sorrow and longing was also written across the therapist’s face.
A deep sigh was released as Emily began crimping. Her stomach was rumbling. Partially it was from the lack of food. It had been several hours already since she had eaten only part of the fruit salad. Partially it was because she knew what awaited her. That was a visit with her mother and her making decisions regarding both her parents’ health.
When Emily looked in the mirror once again, the reflection was closer to what normally was reflected back at her. It was mostly because her blonde locks were styled as she normally kept them. It was because the light makeup she wore was just right. It wasn’t because the inner struggle of being separated from her soulmate had become easier.
Before leaving the sanctuary of her own private bathroom, Emily glanced at her cellphone. True, it had only been a short time since Tabby had finally broken down and texted her. If she was calculating things correctly, it was already two hours past Nicky’s bedtime and that meant her girlfriend was most likely in bed. Still, she couldn’t help hoping for another tidbit.
Emily placed the cellphone in her jeans back pocket. They weren’t designer like her mother would approve of. Neither was the bright blue, pocket T-shirt. She had been tempted to wear the outfit on the plane, but decided to save this for confronting her mother. It wasn’t the nicest thing, but her mother always pushed her buttons. Why not push hers?
Rick’s eyebrow rose when his sister walked into the kitchen. Normally, he and his parents ate all their meals in the dining room. He had taken it upon himself to inform the cook that they would have the meals in the kitchen, at least during the time Emily was staying. The elder Dunst simply shrugged as she sat at the head of the table.
Mitch was already sitting at the table. He hadn’t bothered with showering or changing his clothes. He wasn’t going anywhere near his brother or sister-in-law. The bounty hunter only hoped that Emily would understand his wish to wait in the main waiting room. If it weren’t so hot, he would gladly have waited in his pristine pickup truck.
“Thanks for asking for a light dinner and here in the kitchen.” It was Rick’s turn to shrug. While they hadn’t been close growing up, he held no animosity towards his sister. In fact, he wished he could be more like her. If only so he could escape the life he lived. “I don’t think I can even eat much of this wonderful salad.”
“Thank you.” Emily looked up at the sound of the sultry voice. Somehow the therapist had missed the petite brown-haired woman standing by the stove. Whatever the young woman was making smelled delicious. “I’ve taken it upon myself to make you something special for breakfast. I hope you have your appetite by then, Miss Dunst.”
Emily wondered if it was her imagination. While she was a natural flirt herself, she hadn’t even noticed anyone, man or woman, flirting with her. Here was the cook flirting with her. If it hadn’t been for the wink that had just occurred, she might have thought she had been mistaken. Suddenly not hungry at all, she shoved the plate
away. “Mitch, I think it’s time we get going, if you don’t mind.”
Mitch hadn’t noticed the way the cook had flirted with his niece. He had noticed how suddenly her complexion had turned a little green. He had also noticed how she had shoved her plate away. It wasn’t like her. He wondered if it was because of the impending visit or if it was something else. “I’m always ready when a beautiful young lady is my date. Let’s go, my sweet Darlin.”
The ride to the hospital was relatively quiet. It wasn’t until they were attempting to find a parking spot in the huge parking garage that Emily finally found her voice. “Do you know anything about the cook?” If her uncle thought it was an unusual question, the bounty hunter never allowed it to show. The therapist knew he was good at that, concealing how he truly felt. Still, it was sometimes disconcerting.
Especially when she was worried about someone. In the past, harmless flirting from both men and women never bothered her. Could it be because she was in a committed relationship? One that was already strained? Or was it because she was now paranoid of people? After dealing with Jenny, Anthony and hearing tales of Leslie, Emily had a right to be a little paranoid, didn’t she?
“I don’t know a thing about Miss Lena.” Mitch finally found a parking spot he thought he could squeeze his rental into, without possibly having to pay for a banged up door or scratch. Their eyes met as they sat there. He knew his niece well enough to know she was stalling. But she was also concerned about the woman who had been flirting with her. “I’ll do some checking. I promise. Now let’s find someplace cooler for me and you go face the music.”
“Thanks!” Emily couldn’t help but laugh. As she noticed her uncle carrying his tiny laptop, she felt a little better. It meant he would be doing exactly what he said. The therapist had not doubted for a moment the fact he would follow through. It was only slightly surprising that he had his laptop and would be investigating the woman immediately.
Emily left her uncle sitting in the main waiting room. It was more like a place one could have a day to themselves. Other than the constant bustle being a distraction, there were free snacks, free coffee, free juice and a television every five feet or so. Part of the therapist wanted to stay and enjoy the hospitality. She was still slightly hungry, now that her stomach wasn’t churning quite so much with the distance from Lena.
The moment the elevator binged announcing she was on the floor both her mother and father were housed on, Emily’s stomach was churning once again. With all that she had been through, why was it facing her mother and father were what could work her up so? She sighed and swallowed hard as she attempted to steel herself for what lay ahead.
“Miss Dunst?” Emily was surprised when she was recognized. But then she shouldn’t be. Most likely her parents had donated generously to the hospital. And her mother would make certain she was readily available to her right away. The therapist managed to nod. She wished her self-confidence would return. “Your mother asked I show you to her room, immediately.”
For some reason, that right there was enough for her self-confidence to return. It might not have returned with a vengeance; it was enough for her to do as she wanted instead of what her mother wanted. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to see my father first.” From the reports her brother had given her, her father was still unconscious. The prognosis was not favorable for recovery. The prognosis was not favorable for him even waking from the coma he was in.
“But your mother…” The nurse, slightly shorter than Emily with wavy blonde hair sighed heavily. She had seen the same look on Mrs. Dunst’s face. She knew there wasn’t any arguing with the daughter, any more than there was the mother. “All right. Just please don’t tell your mother it was me who showed you to your father’s room.”
Emily could empathize with the woman. She had been on the receiving end of the ‘looks’ and orders her mother had given over the years. Somehow she had become immune to them. But the nurse had only recently been subjected to them. Gently, she placed a hand on the shorter woman’s back. “Your secret is safe with me. I appreciate this, I really do.”
The wink was something Emily hadn’t meant to do. It was what she fell back on when her self-confidence wasn’t what it should be. It was what she had done when she was unsure of herself after everything that had happened with Simon. And yet, she had been embarrassed when Lena had flirted with her. She internally sighed as she was escorted to her father’s room.
“Your mother’s room is in the corner, all the way in the other wing.” There was an uncertainty in the nurse’s voice. Emily turned to look at her. The tips of the stranger’s ears were red. It could be because of the wink. It could also be from having to inform the therapist of exactly what she would think. And that was her mother would insist on separation.
After all, her parents had stopped sleeping in the same bedroom when she was six. Why would it be any different when her father was in a coma, unable to speak and her mother was literally at death’s door. Emily sighed audibly this time. “Thanks, Nancy.” The nurse nodded, before hesitating a moment. She touched the therapist on the arm before turning to go.
Emily hoped that the touch was one of acceptance. The wink really had been simply because she had been comfortable with the young woman. It was her way of thanking her. Was there a bit of flirting? The therapist had always been a natural flirt. There was the old saying she might be married but not dead. In her case, she was as good as married until Tabby told her otherwise.
As she made her way into the room, Emily hoped that day would never come. While they had made strides to reconcile, this distance of the heart was nearly impossible to overcome. The therapist finally made her way to the bed. The sounds of all the medical equipment essentially keeping her father alive were all too familiar. It was one thing she didn’t miss about working either in the emergency room or on the floors.
There were many things Emily didn’t miss. The long hours. The sometimes physically or mentally abusive patients. The doctors who thought nurses were nothing but slaves. It was how she had met Abby, way back in nursing school so she would always be grateful for the time she’d spent as a nurse. And she wouldn’t allow her credentials to lapse, just in case.
The man attached to all the machines barely resembled the man Emily remembered sitting behind the large desk in the study. It was shocking to her to see the man. Lucas Dunst was a big man, or had been, the last time she’d seen him. He was still as tall as ever, but he’d lost so much weight she could actually see the bones in his face protruding.
It couldn’t just be from the plane crash. Emily cursed not having access to his medical records. Instead of paper ones hanging from the end of a bed, one needed passwords to log onto computers. It was better for the patient’s privacy, but she needed to know what was wrong with her father. If she didn’t know any better, she’d say he was either suffering from alcohol abuse or long-term poisoning.
“He’s going to need a liver transplant.” Emily turned, startled at the strong voice. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to disturb you.” The man was only in his mid-fifties. He was clearly a doctor. The hair was military cut and the therapist wondered if he was retired from one of the armed services. “I’m Dr. Reynolds. I’ve been treating both your parents.”
When a blonde eyebrow arched in question, Dr. Reynolds chuckled. “Your mother made certain everyone knew who you were by showing everyone your picture.” His grey eyes looked her up and down. “I must say the picture she has doesn’t do you justice.” Emily rolled her eyes. “Sorry. That was unprofessional of me.”
There was awkward silence. Once again Emily felt uncomfortable with someone obviously flirting with her. Yet she could wink at a complete stranger? Dr. Reynolds’ posture straightened with the glare he was receiving. “As I was saying, if your father is ever deemed able to live without aid of the machines, he’ll be added to the transplant list. I’m afraid, as with them all, the list is too long. Not enough donors, I’m afraid.”
“T
he only question I have is what caused the need for the liver transplant?” When the doctor was clearly surprised by her question, Emily quickly continued. “I’m a nurse, or was until recently. I’ve maintained my ECUs. From what I was informed of the plane crash, the injuries wouldn’t be enough to cause his liver to begin to fail. The two main causes would be long-term poisoning or long-term alcohol abuse. So which is it, Doc?”
Dr. Reynolds wanted to say it was neither. He wanted to inform the woman she had no right to be informed that tests hadn’t been performed as to the cause of the liver function declining on a near epic pace. But Emily had medical power of attorney. She had the right to know and she needed the information to make an informed decision. “I don’t know. Orders have been given not to make those tests.”
“Let me guess…” Emily trailed off. There was no need to say it. Her mother had been, she thought, the more understanding of her two parents. She had been at least somewhat maternal, unlike her distant father. “I think those tests should be run. I’ll sign whatever I need to. Please have them ready before I leave.”
“That won’t be necessary.” Dr. Reynolds immediately made his way to the computer. He began typing away. It wasn’t long before a nurse was joining them. It was the same nurse who Emily had flirted with. Or was it her naturally friendly manner. Still, the therapist was uncertain. “These tests will take a few hours. If you want, you can visit your mother. And then return home. I assure you, either I or Miss Foster will call you, personally.”
“Thank you. Though it doesn’t have to be personally.” Emily had made it to the door before she turned back to watch. Everything seemed on the level. She searched her memory, not having to have administer similar tests only a handful of times in her career, nothing looked abnormal to her. But a man who was, last the therapist knew healthy, declining health in a matter of weeks was anything but normal.
Distance of the Heart Page 3
