Promise Them (The Callahan Series Book 6)

by Bridges, Mitzi Pool

  “I have to be with him,” she said, shivering in the cold air.

  “You need something on your arms,” Shirley told her.

  “I’m fine. But I …”

  Shirley walked over to a closet to bring her a light blanket. Nellie put it around her shoulders. “Thanks.”

  “I know you want to be with him, but right now he’s in better hands. They’ll tell you what’s going on shortly.”

  “They’d better,” she muttered.

  Dugan came to stand beside her and handed her one of her shirts. She put aside the blanket and put on the shirt without thinking. Her heart and mind were with Beau. He lay on a cold table with a bullet in his shoulder. It should be her in there. She started to tremble. Dugan wrapped his arms around her. “You’d better sit down, Mom.”

  “I’m waiting right here until somebody tells me how he is.”

  Dugan didn’t argue. He simply went to find a chair and made her sit.

  She wasn’t there five minutes when the door flew open and they were rushing Beau down the hall. She jumped up to follow. “What’s going on? Where are you going?”

  One of the nurses stopped to tell them, “Surgery. The sooner the better.”

  Nellie stumbled. Dugan held her upright. “You’re going to sit, Mom, if I have to force you.”

  Donovan came striding over to take her other arm. She saw Phyl, her face contorted with worry. She saw Mark almost in tears. But the person she wanted to see the most was disappearing behind the surgical room doors.

  “Has someone called Rey and Dani?” she asked, her mind numb with shock. “They should be here.

  “They’re on their way,” Phyl said.

  Dani came in first and went straight to Nellie. “What happened?”

  Nellie grabbed the young girl and told her the story, then wrapped her in her arms when Dani burst into tears. By the time Dani calmed down, Rey was there, so Nellie told them what Jimmy had done.

  Neither could believe it. “Dad never said anything about a Jack Dorsey,” Dani said. “This is the first time I’ve even heard the name.”

  “Same here,” Rey said, his voice not his own.

  “Which means your dad did what he thought best at the time and put it out of his head,” Nellie said.

  Dugan pulled out his cell phone and called his deputy before he came to sit with the family. “They stopped the truck. It was on the way to San Antonio.”

  She looked around. The family was here for the duration. A small portion of her anxiety lifted. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and prayed. When she opened them, she turned to Donovan. “Would you call Father Mike?”

  “If that’s what you want.”

  “I do.”

  He went to do as asked.

  “Is Dad going to be all right?” Dani asked.

  “I pray so,” Nellie responded. He had to be.

  “How could Jimmy do this?” Rey asked. “He seemed like a regular guy.”

  “He was consumed with hate,” Nellie said. “I’m amazed he kept it hidden so long.”

  It didn’t take long for Father Mike to join them. They had three prayer sessions before someone came out of surgery to talk to them.

  “He’s going to be fine,” Doc Pullman said.

  “When can we see him?” Nellie asked. She wouldn’t believe the doctor until she saw Beau for herself.

  “He’s in recovery. We’ll come and get you when he wakes up.”

  Dugan and Donovan each took an arm and guided her back to her chair.

  “I’m not an invalid,” she said. But there was no sting to her words. They only wanted to help.

  It was another hour before someone came out again. “He wants to see Nell,” the nurse said.

  “Dani—Rey, you go in first. I’ll go when you come out.”

  “He wants to see you,” Dani said.

  “He knows I’m here, he doesn’t know you are…now go.”

  And they did. “We won’t be long.”

  Nellie couldn’t be still. She sat down between her two sons one minute and was on her feet the next. When Dani and Rey came out of the room, she all but ran past them and into Beau’s room.

  He was propped up in bed, his eyes shut. But there was more color to his face. Best of all, he was alive. She went weak at the thought of how close she’d come to losing him.

  “Hi,” she whispered, taking his hand in hers.

  He opened his eyes, smiled weakly. “Hi, yourself.”

  “How do you feel?”

  “Like a truck hit me.”

  “A bullet hit you. Why did you step in front of me like that? You could have been killed.”

  “I didn’t want you hurt, Nell.” His voice was weak and raspy.

  “Can you have water?”

  “Ice.”

  She gave him some, rubbed it over his lips, put it in his mouth.

  “Was I dreaming? Did I hear you say ‘I love you’?”

  She chuckled. “You weren’t dreaming.”

  He pulled her as close as he could, then touched her lips with his. “Wait until I get well,” he growled.

  “Do I hear a promise in there somewhere?”

  “You bet you do.”

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  The next month passed in a flurry of activity. Nellie couldn’t believe all that was going on at the diner. Molly’s had been painted and re-furbished until it gleamed. Best of all, Dani was ready for the grand opening of the new dining area.

  Nellie couldn’t have been more proud of Dani if she were her own daughter. Tonight, she was having a preview with a few invited guests. All of whom were ordered to give her an honest appraisal afterward.

  The new girl Dani had hired, Jeanie Newcastle, stood at the door to escort the guests to a table.

  “I’m excited and nervous,” Nellie whispered to Beau.

  “I know what you mean. This is a huge undertaking.” He looked around. “Do you know who is on the guest list?”

  Nellie chuckled. “Donovan and Phyl, Dugan and Kate, Nolan Murdock, Rey and Marissa, Emma and the two of us. I think that’s all. Doesn’t the place look wonderful?” she said as they stepped into the dining room. Flowers from Emma’s yard sat in bud vases in the center of each table, which were covered with snow-white tablecloths. Sconces on the walls shone with muted lighting, giving the space a romantic air.

  “I’m impressed,” Beau whispered in Nellie’s ear.

  She looked at him and smiled. “Aren’t you proud of your daughter?”

  “Bursting.” He grinned. “Where did the artwork come from?”

  Nellie chuckled. “Dani’s new friend, Marissa Armstrong. There she is.”

  They turned to watch as the young lady came in the door. She hesitated, as if uncertain she should be there. Nellie hurried over. “I’ll introduce you to those you don’t know,” she told the pretty dark-haired girl.

  “Thank you,” Marissa said in her soft voice.

  “This is Rey, Beau’s son,” Nellie said. “Marissa teaches art at the high school.” She glanced around. “Dani couldn’t resist hanging a few of her paintings.”

  “I’ll finish introducing her, Nellie.” He took Marissa’s arm.

  Nellie watched with amusement as the two dark-headed young people walked around the room.

  Though there were a dozen tables, the guests occupied only one. Rey managed to sit next to Marissa.

  When Dani walked in, they stood and gave her a round of applause.

  Dani had a look of panic on her face. Who could blame her?

  “I knew Dani could do this. She may be cranky, but she’s smart,” Emma announced.

  She sat down amid laughter.

  Beau had remained standing. “Congratulations, Dani. I know you will make a success of this venture, because, like Emma said, you’re smart, and boy can you cook.”

  Everyone had something to say. By the time they were finished, Dani was smiling. “Thanks. I don’t have a menu tonight. But starting tomorrow, there’ll
be two choices each night and the menu will change weekly. How does that sound?”

  “It sounds wonderful,” Nolan Murdock said. “Can we eat now?”

  Dani sat down between Rey and Nolan. “With everything ready in the kitchen, I left Zach in charge.”

  “Good for you,” Nellie agreed. “You should be here to enjoy this night.”

  The food was melt-in-your-mouth wonderful. Pan-fried trout topped with a wine sauce full of crab and tiny shrimp followed a fresh salad. Asparagus, scalloped potatoes, and fresh made rolls completed the menu. After that came dessert and flavored coffee.

  When everyone finished, the accolades began.

  “This is just what the town needed, Dani,” Kate said. “The only thing I’ve missed about the city is fine dining. I feel like cheering.”

  “Amen,” Phyl said. She turned to Donovan. “Now there’s a place to eat that won’t take so much of your time.” She turned to speak to everyone. “His excuse is always that it takes too long to drive to San Antonio and back for just a meal.” She looked at him fondly. “No excuses now.”

  “I’m afraid every husband in the county is going to be forced to bring their wife here,” Dugan laughed.

  “Yeah!” Nolan Murdock said. “But after that first trip, I’ll bet they won’t have to be forced again.”

  Nellie stood. “Before you leave, I want to tell everyone here that you are all invited to my birthday bash next Sunday.” She looked over at Dani. “You’ll get a break from cooking. The boys do a pretty good job with barbecue. So everyone come. Please. One o’clock.”

  The crowd broke up. Nellie followed Dani to the kitchen where Zach was cleaning up.

  “You are a stunning success,” she told Dani, giving her a hug.

  “Thanks. I was scared to death.”

  “Everything looks great. The diner is brighter; the new space is spectacular. You are demanding reservations, aren’t you? Otherwise you won’t be able to seat everyone.”

  “I am,” she said. “I’m so excited. My own place.”

  “Molly’s Diner and Dani’s Fine Dining. Two separate experiences. It’s wonderful for you and for the town. It was especially nice to keep Molly’s name on the door.”

  “Molly couldn’t help she got sick. Besides, she started Molly’s years ago. If I changed the name, no one would come.”

  Nellie laughed.

  “I’ll finish up here,” Zach said. “Why don’t you go home?”

  “I think I will,” Dani said. “Be sure and lock up when you leave.”

  “I will.” His grin was as wide as the plate in his hand.

  “You’ve made him a happy young man,” Nellie said as they walked out to join Beau. Nolan stood next to Beau waiting for Dani.

  “What’s going to happen to Jimmy?” Nellie asked Nolan.

  “With the evidence we have and an eye-witness, he’ll do jail time for rustling and for attempted murder. He’ll be in the pen a very long time.” He smiled down at Dani. “I’ll walk you home.”

  “Home? I don’t really have one,” Dani said. “But Emma is renting me a room, which is great because I can walk to work. Or not.” Emma joined them and they strolled out of sight.

  Beau held his arm out for Nellie. She took it and smiled. “Ready?” he asked.

  “Oh, yes.”

  “I’m glad. I have plans for you tonight.”

  “You do?”

  Of course he did.

  Nellie couldn’t wait.

  ****

  Nellie woke up, stretched. She felt wonderful. Today she would celebrate her sixtieth birthday. She didn’t feel sixty. She felt young and loved. Her body still hummed from Beau’s lovemaking last night. Since the shooting, their time together seemed more precious. Not a night went by when she didn’t tell him again how much she loved him. He always responded in kind, except he didn’t ask her to marry him.

  She sighed.

  Now that she would say yes, the question wasn’t forthcoming. The children might not be happy with her decision, but Nellie had grown past the time when it bothered her so much. Her children loved her. They liked Beau and in time would come to appreciate how happy he made their mother.

  She reached up, touched her earlobes. Last night, Beau had given her a pair of diamond earrings for her birthday. Sparkling dewdrop earrings. She didn’t want to think of what he paid for them.

  She glanced at the clock and jumped out of bed. It was late. Though the kids had told her she didn’t have to do a thing today, she wasn’t about to sit around and let them do all the work.

  Dressing carefully, she pulled on a new dress. Green in color, it matched her eyes. With its V-neck and flare at the ankle-length hem, she felt young and flirty again.

  Going to the mirror, she started to apply makeup. Her reflection startled her. She didn’t recognize the woman she saw in the mirror whose eyes shone like emeralds—whose cheeks flushed a bright pink.

  She was a woman in love. She’d loved Duncan, and never doubted his love, but she’d never felt free to glory in it. Never allowed herself to feel so confident or free. With Beau things were different. She’d never felt so ‘in love’, or so giddy.

  Did the woman who had such a traumatic past fifty years ago have the right to feel like this?

  You bet she did!

  And she had Beau to thank for it.

  Thanks to her sessions with Father Mike, she’d come to grips with her childhood and the aftermath of her rape. For the first time in her life she was truly content. The only thing that would make her life better was to be with Beau on a permanent basis.

  She applied a touch of lipstick and turned to look at herself.

  The dress made her eyes a deeper green. As an added bonus, it made her look slimmer.

  There was a knock on the door. With one last look in the mirror, she went to answer, wondering if it was Beau. Her brow wrinkled. No. She’d told him to meet her at the main house, as she wanted to go early and see if she could help.

  She opened the door to see Mark standing there.

  “Hi, Gran.”

  “Hi, yourself. Come in.” She held the door open. “Did your dad send you to get me?”

  “No. I just wanted to make sure you were all right.”

  Ever since the episode with Jimmy, Mark had been exceptionally protective. She understood. He’d been scared to death for her, for Beau, even for himself.

  “Are you coming to the house now? You should see all the food. And the desserts. Everybody made something different. Mom made a huge chocolate cake. Aunt Kate made a coconut one.”

  Mark loved both.

  Nellie laughed. “I can’t wait.”

  They went out the door together.

  ****

  Excitement reigned over the Callahan ranch. Children and grandchildren were busy getting food ready for the big event.

  “You went to too much trouble,” Nellie told Donovan as she checked the pit where brisket, sausage, and ribs were turning a nice shade of done.

  “Nothing is too good for you, Mom.” He laughed.

  “You kids spoil me.”

  Douglas came over to plant a kiss on her cheek. “It’s time we spoiled you. Goodness knows you spent enough years spoiling all of us. Except for me,” he added with a grin.

  “Yeah, right!” Darin said, punching Douglas playfully in the shoulder. “You were the most spoiled.”

  “Nope,” Dugan said. “TJ gets that prize.”

  “What prize is that?” TJ asked her brothers, as she walked out with a huge bottle of barbecue sauce.

  “Most spoiled Callahan,” Donovan retorted.

  “I challenge that comment.” TJ chuckled.

  Nellie listened and watched with amusement.

  Dani, with Emma in tow, had arrived earlier with her friend, Marissa, and were helping out, except for Emma who couldn’t stay away from the dessert table.

  Rey, who was running errands for Donovan, saw Marissa and made a beeline her way. The two of them did make a love
ly couple.

  Beau pulled up in his truck with Helen and Lela. “There he is,” Nellie said, and went to greet him.

  It took a while to help Lela out of the truck, but she immediately gave Nellie a hug. “Happy Birthday.”

  Nellie waved her daughter over. “Introduce Helen and Lela around, would you?”

  She took Beau’s arm, and they walked over to the children who were gathered at the food table.

  The women brought out large bowls of potato salad and slaw along with a huge pan of baked beans, while the children were ordered into the house to wash up.

  Nolan Murdock’s truck pulled into the drive. After telling Nellie happy birthday, he hurried over to greet Dani.

  Beau made the rounds, shaking hands with each member of the family.

  Nellie couldn’t take her eyes off him. He looked so handsome in his neatly pressed jeans and shirt. Even his boots were polished to a high shine.

  The grandchildren bounded out of the house.

  Then, they were all talking at once, a million questions about his wound and how he felt. Finally, he held up his hand. “I want you all to know how happy I am to be here.” He looked over at Nellie and smiled. “Alive. I’m sorry to say it took getting shot to realize how we take life for granted.”

  He went to Nellie and took her hand. “There’s something else I want all of you to know. I love your mother.”

  Nellie’s heart stood still.

  There were audible gasps. Beau ignored them. “What you may not know is that I intend to marry her.”

  The boys started to grumble. Beau raised his hand. He wasn’t finished.

  Nellie’s heart was beating ninety miles a minute. This was so unexpected and right in front of the family.

  “I know Nell pretty well by now, and I don’t think she would be totally happy unless her family is accepting of her choice.

  “I’m asking all of you if I can have your mother’s hand in marriage.”

  There was dead silence.

  Nellie held her breath. What would they say? The boys were against any change. The girls more accepting. With all her heart, she begged them all to say yes.

  “All those opposed say, nay,” Max said with a grin.

  There were no nays.

  Maybe because they were in shock, Nellie thought.

  Whatever the reason, Beau took advantage of the silent acceptance, waved at Mark, who ran to him with a big smile and handed him a box.