by Cindy Kirk
She assured him she would, but Tripp knew she’d hesitate to disturb him. It didn’t matter. He planned to call the nurse’s station every couple of hours during the night to check on his dad’s status anyway.
He exited the room and saw Hailey and Anna approaching with a cup of coffee in each of their hands. They’d offered to go to the snack center at the end of the hall and get coffee for everyone. He knew it had been an excuse to give him some alone time with his mom.
“How’s Daddy?” Hailey asked when he drew close, her eyes wide.
“Better.” Tripp offered her a reassuring smile, thankful the news was good. “He’s sleeping comfortably.”
“Good.” Hailey expelled a shaky breath, her eyes still red-rimmed from earlier tears.
Tripp shifted his gaze to Anna. He’d shamefully neglected her since they’d arrived at the hospital. But she’d been a trouper and hadn’t complained. “I’m sorry for keeping you out so late. I’ll take you home now.”
“Your father is your priority. He’s a wonderful man. I’m just happy to hear he’s doing—” Anna broke off as her voice fractured “—better. I can find a ride if you want to stay.”
“I appreciate the offer, but Mom kicked me out.” Tripp forced a chuckle. “I’ll be back in the morning so she can go home and get some rest before he’s released.”
“I’m staying.” Hailey nodded decisively. She held up the cups of steaming coffee in her hands. “This will keep Mom and me going all night and then some.”
“It might be best to go home so you’re rested when Dad is released. But it’s your choice,” he added when he saw her chin lift in a stubborn tilt.
“I’ll talk to Mom. See what she wants.”
Tripp rested a hand on her shoulder. “Call me if anything changes.”
Tears sprang to Hailey’s eyes. “He is going to be okay, isn’t he?”
For some reason, Tripp found himself glancing at Anna.
“He must be doing well if they’re talking about releasing him in the morning.” Anna’s tone soothed and reassured not only his sister but Tripp as well. “These kinds of reactions can be scary, but most people bounce back quickly. Your dad is a real fighter.”
Hailey fished a tissue from her pocket and wiped away a tear. “Thanks, Anna.”
A look of puzzlement filled the midwife’s eyes. “What did I do?”
“You’re here. You listened to me rattle on and on. You let me cry on your shoulder.” Hailey gave a wobbly smile. “I can see why you’re so good at your job. You make me believe that everything is going to be okay.”
“Well, thank you.” Anna appeared touched by his sister’s declaration. “And I do believe this is just a minor bump in the road.”
Tripp left the hospital via the side entrance. He didn’t think he was capable of smiling at one more jokester flashing the peace sign.
He told himself he should keep his distance from Anna until he figured things out. But he couldn’t stop from reaching for her hand as they headed to the truck. Because, like his sister said, just being with Anna made him feel that everything was going to be okay.
* * *
Instead of taking her to her condo, Tripp surprised Anna by asking if she’d spend the night at his place. Even though he’d stayed with her many times, this would be the first time she’d spent the night at his town house.
After what had happened at the party, for an instant the anger and hurt she’d held under tight control reared up and she briefly considered responding with a snarky jab to let him know she was irritated by his behavior under the mistletoe. But he was tired and worried about his father and she’d never been one for such games.
Discussing what had happened at the party could wait for another time.
She accepted his offer but made him stop at her place first to pick up a change in clothes and some needed toiletries for the next morning.
While she wondered what she’d do if he wanted to make love, once they got to his place and crawled into bed, he simply pulled her close and held her tight. Exhausted, they slept the entire night.
Tripp was in a panic the next morning when he realized he hadn’t called the hospital once. Before he pulled on his clothes he was on the phone. Anna saw the relief on his face after he’d talked with his mother. He’d wanted to go straight to the hospital, but his mother told him they were already signing dismissal papers.
Then his dad had gotten on the phone and insisted they both come out to the ranch for lunch. They could talk more then. So, instead of a big breakfast, she and Tripp settled for a quick bowl of cereal.
While she munched on her Shredded Wheat, Anna inspected her surroundings. Last night, she’d been too tired—and stressed—to pay much attention.
Tripp had purchased the townhome several months after he’d moved back. His place was less than five miles from Jackson, in a development that was a nice blend of single-family homes and town houses.
“Do you miss living on a ranch?” She cast a wide glance around the professionally decorated living room where everything matched and was in perfect order.
With no personal items or pictures sitting out, the place could have been a show home.
“I don’t right now.” He came up behind her and kissed the back of her neck. “I’m not here often enough to make it matter. Eventually I’d like to build a place on some of my family’s ranchland.”
Eventually.
She wondered when that would be. When he married? Had a family?
Anna stepped from his embrace and walked to the sink, pouring the remaining milk in her bowl down the drain. “Once I brush my teeth, I’m ready to go.”
She glanced down at the jeans and pumpkin-colored T-shirt she’d stuffed into her bag last night and sighed. Even though she wished she were dressed a little better, she knew Kathy wouldn’t care.
His mother was a sweetheart. As was his father. Seeing Frank so ill had hit her hard, but Anna had done her best not to let her fear show. Without realizing how it had happened, Tripp’s parents had become important to her. In fact, she’d come to love them as if they were her own mom and dad.
“I swore it was right here.” Tripp shut the cabinet in the living room, a look of dismay on his face.
“I promised Mom I’d bring her my portable DVD player.” His lips lifted in a rueful smile. “Now I can’t find it.”
“This place is so organized, I wouldn’t think it’d be hard to locate.”
“How about you check around up here?” he said. “I’ll look in the basement.”
“You sure you want me poking around in your stuff?”
“I don’t have anything to hide, Anna.”
He headed downstairs and she wandered through the main level, trying to think of a logical place he might have stowed it. After rechecking the cabinets in the living room, she moved to the master bedroom.
In the closet, his clothes hung in an orderly fashion. She was pleased to see he had only a handful of shoes and boots. When a man had more shoes than her, it always made her suspicious.
Nothing jumped out from the shelf above the clothing racks except a large brown box. As organized as Tripp was, she could imagine him placing his rarely used small electronics all in one place.
The box was surprisingly heavy. She placed it on the closet floor, then tugged it out into the main part of the bedroom before looking inside. The scattered pictures on top told her this wasn’t a box of electronics. This was Gayle’s stuff.
She recognized the ultrasound picture Gayle had emailed her. There were baby-shower cards intermixed with pictures of her and Tripp. Pictures of a very pregnant Gayle looking radiant stared back at her. She lifted a pregnancy journal and flipped through it, noticing that it was almost complete.
“What are you doing?” Tripp’s voice sliced the air like a whip.
Anna stiffened, dropping the journal back into the box. “I thought this might have electronics in it.”
His expression was closed, guarded. “I’m sure you didn’t need to bring it out of the closet to realize you were incorrect.”
He’s stressed about his dad, she told herself and bit back a harsh reply.
“When was the last time you looked through this stuff?” she asked instead.
Tripp didn’t answer. He simply lifted the box back on the top shelf.
“Gayle looked so happy in those pictures,” Anna said cautiously.
He held out his hand to her. “We’ll be late.”
Anna let him draw her from the bedroom, casting one last glance in the direction of the closet. Why wouldn’t Tripp discuss Gayle with her?
For that matter, why had he given her such a chaste kiss under the mistletoe?
She thought she’d gotten to know Tripp pretty well this past month. Now she had to wonder if she knew him at all.
* * *
Lunch with his parents was a pleasant affair. Frank was in high spirits. It was hard for Anna to believe the man who joked and laughed over chicken and dumplings was the same one who’d been rushed to the hospital less than twenty-four hours ago in an ambulance.
To allow Kathy to relax with her husband, Anna and Hailey offered to clean up. Tripp insisted on helping. She watched him filling the dishwasher and a surge of love swamped her.
“Your mom makes the best dumplings,” Anna said as she wiped the counter. “I hope she doesn’t feel like she always has to cook a big meal when I come out.”
Tripp looked up and smiled. “She enjoys cooking. And she likes spoiling you.”
Spoiling, Anna thought with a warm flush of pleasure, was something a mother would do.
“Well, I always love whatever she makes.” Anna patted her lean hips. “Though I think I’ve gained weight from all her good foods.”
“You’re perfect the way you are.” Tripp straightened and pulled her to him, turning strands of her hair loosely around his fingers. “Absolutely, positively perfect.”
He kissed her then, long dreamy kisses that sent warmth flowing through her veins like honey.
With a contented sigh, Anna wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders. Her head fit perfectly against his chest, just under his chin. Now, this was more like it. “Compliments like that are going to get you every—”
“Break it up, you two.” Hailey entered the kitchen, her hands filled with dessert cups with the remnants of strawberry shortcake.
Anna started at the interruption. She tried to put some distance between her and Tripp but didn’t get far. He kept one arm around her waist.
Once Hailey had placed the dishes on the counter, she turned to her brother. “I can’t figure you out, Tripp Randall.”
Tripp grinned and played with a lock of Anna’s hair. “Thanks for the compliment. I like being a mysterious kind of guy.”
A chuckle formed low in Anna’s throat. She opened her mouth to tell Hailey not to encourage him when his sister continued.
“This thing with you and Anna,” Hailey mused, her brow furrowed. “It’s confusing. And not just to me.”
Anna’s breath froze.
Tripp dropped his hand from Anna’s waist and tilted his head back, his gaze firmly fixed on his sister. “What are you babbling about?”
“At the retro party.” Hailey rested against the counter. “You know, I had people actually ask me if you two were dating or just friends.”
“Who asked you that?” he asked, clearly puzzled. “And why?”
“While I didn’t see it myself—” Hailey paused “—the consensus seemed to be that when it was your turn under the mistletoe, you kissed Anna like she was a good buddy.”
A wave of humiliation washed over Anna. It was bad enough she’d noticed it. But her cheeks burned now, knowing everyone had been talking about her and Tripp.
Tripp’s brows slammed together.
“If I kiss Anna, the way I kiss Anna is none of your business,” he snapped. “It’s no one else’s business either. Besides, Anna happens to like the way I kiss her. Isn’t that right, sweetheart?”
“Well, actually—” Anna began.
“Okay, okay.” Hailey rolled her eyes. “I was just curious. By the way, Dad said to remind you Radley Meints is coming over Thursday, so make sure the meeting is on your calendar.”
“I’ll be there,” Tripp said.
Anna cleared her throat, her insides still churning over that “good buddy” comment. “Who’s Radley Meints?”
“He’s a political adviser.” Tripp straightened and wiped his hands on a dish towel. “We’re going to discuss what’s involved in mounting a campaign for mayor.”
“You’re seriously considering running?”
A watchful look filled his eyes. “Sounds like you don’t approve.”
“It’s not up to me to approve or not,” she said lightly, turning away. “I just didn’t know your plans were this far along.”
Had Tripp ever mentioned meeting with a political adviser? No, he hadn’t. That was something she’d have remembered. A twinge of disappointment mixed with rising anger nipped at her.
“I need to know what you think, Anna,” he said. “This will affect you, too.”
She forced a little laugh. “How will it affect me?”
“You know how politics is...anyone close to me will be under the microscope.”
Close to him. That was her. His good buddy.
“It’s your life, Tripp. You have to do what’s right for you,” she said in a noncommittal “buddylike” tone. “Once we’ve cleaned this up, I think you’d better take me home. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day.”
Chapter Nineteen
Tripp was thankful when Monday morning dawned and he could go into the office. Ever since Saturday night, he’d felt off-balance. He’d been happy that his dad had been able to return home Sunday, but the relaxing day he’d anticipated hadn’t materialized.
First Anna had found the box. He couldn’t blame her for getting into his closet because he’d given her carte blanche to search his home. But standing in the doorway, seeing her looking through Gayle’s things had been...difficult.
It was like watching his past and present collide. Like seeing Poppy, the box of photos and baby stuff had brought back memories—and emotions—he thought he’d put to bed. Or at least had under better control.
He tried to concentrate on his computer monitor, but instead of the spreadsheet of figures, he saw Gayle’s smiling face on their last day together just before she’d left for the cabin in the mountains. He’d kissed her goodbye, promising to join her as soon as his late-afternoon meeting was over.
Even though Gayle had experienced some ambivalence about the pregnancy early on, she’d seemed excited and happy that day.
When he’d gotten the phone call telling him both his wife and baby had died, Tripp’s mind had gone blank. It was as if he’d heard the words but couldn’t comprehend. They were both...gone. No warning. No time to say goodbye.
He remembered swallowing against rising nausea. Once his brain had started buzzing, the pain had hit like a Mack truck.
Everyone had told Tripp to give it time, assured him that the pain would lessen. They were right. But no one had told him there would be all those dark days first, when he wished he’d died with them.
Anna’s texts had been a bright spot during that hard period. He realized he’d never thanked her. Never told her how much those friendly contacts had meant to him.
A buzz sounded and he automatically pushed the intercom button, welcoming the reprieve from his thoughts. “Yes?”
“A Ms. Poppy Westover to see you, sir,” Paula said in her official voice.
“She’s not on your schedule. I wasn’t sure of your availability—”
“I’ve got time.” Tripp pushed back his chair and rose to his feet. “Please send her in.”
Seconds later, Poppy strolled into his office. Gone were the beehive and exaggerated makeup, the pearls and the sixties dress. In their places were sleek dark hair, trendy amber glasses and a dress with blocks of colors that reminded him of fall.
She looked, he thought, more New York City than Jackson Hole.
He rounded the desk to greet her.
“Poppy—” he extended both hands “—I’m glad you stopped by. We didn’t get a chance to visit on Saturday.”
“Thanks for seeing me.” Her red lips curved up in a smile and she gave his fingers a brief squeeze.
“I like the glasses.” He gestured for her to take a seat, then took the one beside her. “Are they new?”
“Relatively recent,” she admitted. “Wearing contacts had become a chore. But I desperately need the vision correction. Without glasses, I can barely see ten feet.”
She’d been squinting at the party, he realized, not scowling. Some of the tension he’d held inside eased. They hadn’t had a chance to talk privately after Gayle’s death. At the funeral, he’d gotten the feeling she blamed him for letting Gayle go to the cabin alone.
“I probably should have phoned for an appointment.” She sounded uncharacteristically unsure. “I hope I’m not interrupting any lunch plans.”
Tripp glanced at the clock on the wall. He hadn’t even realized it was already that time. He briefly wondered if Anna was available, then remembered she’d told him her day would be a busy one.
“Actually, I haven’t eaten. If you don’t have plans we could grab a bite. Catch up.” Tripp may have spoken impulsively, but inviting her felt right. She’d been a good friend to Gayle and to him.
A look of surprise followed quickly by pleasure crossed Poppy’s face. “I’d like that.”
“Are you in the mood for anything in particular?”
She gave a little laugh. “Is Perfect Pizza still in operation?”
He nodded.
“When I first moved to New York, I craved their chicken Tuscany.”
