The Sheriff’s Christmas Surprise

by Marie Ferrarella

  Her eyes met Rick’s. “Which isn’t possible. Everyone knows the man runs on pure motor oil.”

  He came closer to her and touched her shoulder. She was hard-pressed to remember ever feeling anything more intimate, at least with her clothes on.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  A defiant smile rose to her lips as she tossed her head. “I am terrific.”

  He grinned in response. “You’ll get no argument from me. So, are you ready to go?” he asked, crossing over to where Bobby lay in the playpen.

  Rather than waiting for Olivia to make the first move, he picked up the baby and then grabbed hold of the diaper bag that was literally stuffed with everything that the infant would need for the day.

  Rick appeared so comfortable doing that, she thought, feeling a familiar warmth stir within her. When had this happened? When had she started longing for what she’d always turned her back on? A husband, a child. A family of her own.

  Tina had always been enough family for her. At times, maybe even too much family. And now, suddenly, she was thinking picket fences and all that went with them. What was going on with her?

  Had to be something in the water. Or maybe with the town. When she’d arrived, the various citizens of Forever had been busy decorating for Christmas. Now, she thought, it was like wandering onto the set of It’s A Wonderful Life, except that this was real.

  Turning around with Bobby in his arms, Rick paused. “What are you thinking?”

  The corners of her mouth curved just a little. “That maybe I’m the one who’s in a coma and that this is all a dream.”

  “You certainly didn’t act like someone in a coma last night,” Rick pointed out with a grin.

  Last night had been another magical night, except that there were no rats-on-steroids to drive her into his arms. It had taken just a look, the promise of a kiss, and she was there. Knowing full well their relationship was finite, she allowed herself to let down her defenses and really enjoy herself.

  She wasn’t quite sure how to respond to what he’d just said. When it came to legal matters, she had everything at her fingertips and there was no hesitation in her comebacks. But a lover’s compliment put her in uncharted territory. She had no idea what to say or do, other than to savor it.

  Before she could even attempt to form any sort of a response, her phone rang. Olivia didn’t bother suppressing a sigh.

  “Probably Norvil, calling to rescind the extension,” she guessed. Pressing the talk button on the cell, she said, “Blayne.”

  “Miss Blayne? It’s Dr. Baker.”

  The instant she heard the physician’s voice, her hand tightened on the small cell, almost snapping it in half. Was he calling to tell her that Tina had slipped away in the night?

  Tension rendered her whole body utterly rigid. She barely had enough oxygen in her lungs to be able to speak. “Yes, Doctor?”

  Rick had been about to step out of the room to give her privacy, but he saw her grow pale and knew that his place was here, to help any way he could. When he heard Olivia say “doctor” he became alert, nearly as tense as she was.

  “She’s awake,” Baker said without any preamble.

  Olivia went numb.

  Had she imagined what he’d just said? At this point, it was too wonderful to contemplate. Her breath was all but gone as she asked, “What?”

  “Your sister’s awake,” the jovial voice on the other end declared. “I thought you might want to know in case you were planning to skip coming today.”

  “Not a chance,” Olivia cried happily, tears filling her eyes. “Thank you. Thank you for calling. Thank you for being there for her,” she added. She bit her lower lip to keep from babbling.

  She’d gone to the hospital every day and every day, the doctor had made a point of coming in to give her an update of the hours since she’d been there last. He told her of any progress that had taken place, or any changes—both good and bad—that had been noted in the nurses’ files.

  “Just doing my job,” he told her without any fanfare. “I’ll be by to look in on her later,” he promised just before he hung up.

  “Good news?” Rick surmised as she closed her cell phone. She gave him her answer by throwing her arms around him and the baby. Bobby squealed. “I think you’re crowding him.” Rick laughed. “So, what did the doctor say?”

  “That Tina’s awake. That she’s finally awake.” Olivia’s voice cracked. She steepled her fingers before her lips, afraid of bursting into sobs. “She’s going to be all right, Rick. Tina’s really going to be all right.”

  He looked at her solemnly and merely nodded. And then a smile peeked through as he said, “Told you so.”

  “Go ahead and gloat.” She laughed, blinking back tears. “I’m too happy to care. Besides, you earned the right. You told me not to give up—and you were right.”

  “I’m the sheriff,” he reminded her. “I’m supposed to be right. It’s in the town’s bylaws.” He glanced at the baby in his arms. “Do you want to take the baby with you to the hospital instead of dropping him of with Miss Joan?” he asked. She looked at him quizzically. “It might do your sister some good to see her son looking so well, especially if you decide to tell her about her boyfriend.”

  She should have thought of that, Olivia upbraided herself. Rick shouldn’t have to be the voice of reason.

  Her head was swimming, and it was hard for her to grab on to a coherent thought. She smiled at him, feeling incredibly close to this man she knew so little about.

  “I’m glad you’re here,” she told him.

  He told himself not to take the remark to heart. She was just reacting to the situation and didn’t mean what she said. Soon, she’d be leaving and it wasn’t a good idea to allow himself to become too attached.

  “Just doing my job.”

  That was the second time she’d heard that in the past five minutes. No one in these small towns thought they were doing anything out of the ordinary, going out of their ways for someone else. Collectively, these people were just the best people she’d ever encountered.

  “C’mon,” Rick told her, pressing a kiss to her forehead, “we’d better hit the road. If she’s up to it, you and your sister have a lot of catching up to do. But you have to tell me one thing,” he said as he ushered her out of the room, one arm cradling her nephew, the other pressed to the small of her back.

  “Sure,” she agreed freely, an act that took her completely by surprise and that she found oddly liberating, “if I can.”

  “If you’re so happy—and you should be—why are you crying? Because you shouldn’t be,” he said. He had never been able to understand why women cried if they weren’t upset or devastatingly unhappy.

  Olivia couldn’t explain the logistics, she just knew she was happy enough to burst, not to mention relieved. For some reason, this brought moisture to her eyes. She shrugged helplessly as she felt another wave of tears forming.

  “Just happiness spilling out, I guess,” she told him.

  He shook his head as the three of them left the house. He didn’t bother locking the door behind him. Her explanation hadn’t really shed any light on the situation. “If you say so.”

  THOUGH NO TRAFFIC impeded the way, getting to the hospital seemed to take twice as long this time. Toward the end, Olivia grappled with the very real urge to jump out of the vehicle and run the rest of the way. The same feeling she’d had the first day Rick had driven her here.

  She leaped out of the car before he’d barely pulled into a parking space. It was Rick who grounded her, who acted like the voice of reason. By example, he forced her to calm down and behave rationally, or at least with some semblance of rationality.

  They entered the hospital together, although Olivia led the way by some several steps. When they reached the ICU, Rick hung back.

  “Why don’t I stay out here with Bobby and you go in first?” Rick suggested. “Spend a little time with her and see how well she’s doing and what you think she m
ight feel up to?”

  Olivia nodded. Again, he was the calm in the middle of the storm. She should be the one thinking logically instead of acting so scattered.

  Now that she stood outside her sister’s room, she was almost afraid to enter. Afraid that Tina had slipped back into her coma, or that she’d sustained brain damage during the accident and was no longer the Tina she knew. She hadn’t thought of that until just now and the prospect of it put fear into her heart.

  Taking a deep breath, she slowly opened the door and walked into Tina’s room.

  Tina’s eyes were closed. Olivia pressed her lips together, fearing the worst, that there had been a window of opportunity to catch her sister awake and she’d missed it. She hadn’t gotten here fast enough.

  She’d known someone whose cousin had come out of his coma for a full half hour before slipping back and dying the same day. She couldn’t bear that. She just couldn’t.

  Starting to pray, she tiptoed over to her sister’s bed and took hold of Tina’s hand. “Please wake up, Tina,” she begged in a fervent whisper. “Please wake up.”

  “Just five more minutes, Livy,” Tina murmured. Her eyes were still shut.

  Olivia suppressed a cry, tried to tamp down a sudden surge of joy. Tina always used to beg for more time each morning when she tried to get her up for school.

  And then Tina opened her eyes, a very weak smile on her lips. It took her a second filled with disbelief to realize what was happening. Tina was playing a joke on her. It meant that Tina’s mental faculties were working. No brain damage.

  Thank you, God. I owe you. Big time.

  “No, you get out of bed right now, Christina,” Olivia said, trying to remember exactly what she used to say every morning as she bullied her sister out of bed. “School’s not going to come to you, you have to go to it.” And then she gave up the ruse, unable to continue. She blinked back tears. “Welcome back, kid. You gave me quite a scare.”

  Tina smiled weakly at her. “You came for me, Livy. I knew you would. I knew you would,” she repeated, her voice growing reedy. And then her eyes filled with tears. “I’m sorry about the car.”

  Olivia shook her head. “Cars can be replaced, Tina.” She touched her sister’s cheek. It felt cooler than she was happy about. “You can’t. And you’re still here,” she added, giving her hand a small squeeze. “Everything’s going to be all right,” she promised.

  Events began to come back to Tina. Memories unfurled like flags in the wind. Her last waking hours flashed through her mind.

  Her eyes widened in horror.

  “Bobby.” Her fingers dug into her sister’s wrist in alarm. “Oh God, Livy, I had to leave him on this cop’s doorstep. Don said he wanted us all to die together. He was talking crazy, but I managed to convince him to let me leave the baby behind. I didn’t have much time. And now I can’t remember where—”

  “Tina, I have him. I have him,” Olivia cried, breaking into her sister’s sob. “Bobby’s safe.”

  “Thank you.” Tina closed her eyes, relieved. “Thank you,” she repeated. Tears seeped through her lashes onto her cheeks and then slid down until they reached all the way down her neck. “You always could manage things so much better than me.”

  “That’ll change,” Olivia promised her. “When you’re better.”

  Tina opened her eyes again. “I only wish,” she murmured softly.

  “Look at me, Tina,” Olivia ordered. “You are going to get better.”

  “But nothing’s going to change,” Tina cried sadly. “Don’ll never let me go.”

  “Don’s not a threat to you any longer,” Olivia told her.

  Tina shook her head, refusing to be comforted. “You don’t know him like I do, Livy. Don won’t stop until he—”

  “Tina, sweetheart.” She took her sister’s hand between hers. “He can’t hurt you anymore. He can’t hurt either one of you anymore,” Olivia told her. “Tina, Don’s dead.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  For a moment, it was so quiet in Tina’s room that all Olivia could hear were the machines as they monitored her sister’s vital signs. Maybe she shouldn’t have said anything yet. Tina seemed blindsided by the news. She was about to call for a nurse when Tina finally spoke.

  “He’s dead?” the younger woman asked in a small, still voice that was devoid of any emotion, any indication of what, if anything, she was feeling.

  Olivia braced herself. For what, she didn’t know. “Yes.”

  Tina’s eyes held hers. Tina’s were filled with disbelief and confusion. “You’re sure?”

  “Yes.” Olivia thought she perceived an inkling of relief in her sister’s voice. “Morgue, toe-tag, autopsy sure.” What she would have wanted to add was “good riddance,” but Tina had been in love with the monster, at least at one point, so she did her best to sound neutral. Most of all, she wanted to be supportive of her sister. “I’m sorry, Tina, but he is gone. The doctor told me that Don died immediately when the car struck the utility pole.”

  Tina’s blue eyes shimmered as they filled with tears. “That was what he wanted.” She raised her chin ever so slightly, an unconscious sign of triumph that she had managed to survive. “Except that he wanted the baby and me to die with him.”

  How dare he? Olivia’s hands clenched into fists. She struggled not to let her temper flare and rail at the man who was no longer there. “Yeah, well, I’m very, very glad it didn’t happen that way.” She heard the door opening and knew without turning around who had come in. Rick was bringing the baby in for Tina.

  The man was good, she thought. He’d even had the timing for his entrance right.

  “And so is someone else,” she told Tina.

  Turning, Olivia held out her arms and Rick passed Bobby to her. Though most doctors would argue against it, she was certain that Bobby recognized his mother. A contented sound escaped the small, rosebudlike mouth.

  “Oh Bobby, Bobby, you’re all right,” Tina sobbed. She pressed the control attached to her bed until she was almost in a sitting position.

  Olivia moved around so that Tina was able to see her infant son more easily.

  “I think you’re probably too weak to hold him, Tina, but I can hold him against you,” Olivia offered, extending her arms so that Bobby could nuzzle against his mother.

  Tina closed her eyes for a moment as she breathed in the very sweet, powdery smell that all babies had in common. When she opened her eyes, she looked at Olivia with gratitude. “This is all I need to get well, just to see my baby. I’m going to do better, Livy. I swear I’m going to do better.”

  Olivia smiled. “I have no doubts,” she answered Tina with feeling.

  For the first time since he’d entered, Tina became aware of the other person in the room.

  “This is Sheriff Enrique Santiago, the man whose doorstep you left Bobby on,” Olivia explained.

  “Are you here to arrest me?” Tina asked hesitantly.

  “No, ma’am, I’m here to see you reunited with your son,” he told her. “Leaving him was clearly an act of desperation. You did it to save him. It’s what mothers do,” he assured her gently.

  Not his mother, of course, he couldn’t help thinking, but at least she’d had the presence of mind to leave his sister and him with her mother-in-law rather than skipping out on them entirely, leaving them in an empty apartment to fend for themselves.

  OLIVIA AND BOBBY, with Rick keeping to the background, remained with Tina as long as they could. When she began showing signs of growing tired, they left, promising to return the next day.

  Before leaving, Olivia stopped at the central desk and had her sister’s attending physician paged.

  Baker saw her standing in the hallway with the sheriff as he came around the corner from the emergency room. “I take it you saw her,” the physician said. The smile on the man’s somewhat craggy face was a combination of satisfaction and warmth.

  She hadn’t thought he had it in him to actually help Tina, but she was wrong.
Olivia was more than willing—and happy—to give the surgeon his due. “I can’t tell you how relieved I am to see my sister finally open her eyes again.”

  Baker laughed, nodding. His features softened. “You’re not the only one. I’ve been at this doctoring gig a long time, but I still get a rush with each patient’s recovery,” he confessed.

  His honesty surprised her. The doctors she knew were excellent, but for the most part, removed. There always seemed to be an invisible barrier between doctor and patient. Maybe it wasn’t so bad in these small towns after all. “When do you think that she’ll be up to being transferred?”

  The surgeon thought for a moment before answering. “Tina needs to stay here a few more days,” Baker told her. “Then, if everything continues on this path, she can go home.”

  He didn’t actually mean home, did he? “To the hospital.” It was half a question on her part.

  Baker’s smile widened as his glance took them both in. “Not unless she lives in one,” he told her.

  Olivia stared at him, afraid to believe what she thought he was saying. “You mean she can go home-home?” She heard Rick suppress a laugh behind her but she didn’t turn around. She waited for the doctor’s answer.

  “Yes. Home-home,” he said, echoing her phrase. “Tina’ll need follow-up care, of course. For that she can see her own physician or, if you like,” he continued, taking a prescription pad out of his pocket, “I can refer you to someone.” He began writing the man’s name and phone number. “Dr. Mike Delaney, he practices out in your area.” Finished writing, he tore off the four-by-six sheet and handed it to her. “We interned together at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. He’s excellent.”

  Johns Hopkins was one of the best hospitals in the country, she thought. They didn’t turn out mediocre doctors. The physicians who graduated from there were top-notch. And yet, Baker was here. It didn’t make any sense to her. Very slowly, she folded the paper with one hand and slipped it into her purse.