Night Stars and Mourning Doves (Dearly Beloved)

by Margo Hoornstra

  Eric reached for the syrup bottle. “Use your manners.”

  The boy rolled his eyes then smiled at the little girl beside him. “Please.”

  Elyse picked up the bowl of multi-colored candy dots then turned to the other two children who sat with them. “Would you like chocolate sauce too? We also have strawberry.”

  “Chocolate, please,” they replied with paper bowls lifted.

  While Eric squirted on the requested topping, she added sprinkles then passed out plastic spoons. Stretching forward, she placed one in Eric’s opened palm then allowed her fingers to linger. Warm flesh closed briefly over hers as if in answer to a question she hadn’t asked.

  It took her a moment to let go. “As soon as we finish here,” she straightened and coughed. “Miss Carrie is going to read everyone a special story.”

  “On the cozy red reading rug,” Eric added and set his hand back on the table.

  “Allie got more sprinkles than me.”

  At the complaint from her right, Elyse picked up the container. “I don’t think so. But here are a few more.”

  “I could use another shot on mine.” The comment came from the other side of the table.

  With a leg now extended on each side of his chair, the man faced her straight on, pulling her in. Even with a solid table and four children between them, out of the blue remnants of her usual panic began to surface. With strict and sudden concentration, she forced her breathing to slow, her hands to steady but bobbled the container before she could get it under control. “Here you go.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” When she looked up, his focus had been diverted by Allie.

  “Where does Jay come from?” she was asking.

  Elyse forced her attention off him only to have it snap back again when he spoke. “We come from a small town north of here. About five hours away.”

  No child that age would understand those concepts. Elyse decided to help him out. “You’d have to get in the car and ride for a very long time, even stop for lunch before you get there.”

  “I already told her that,” Jay piped in, his voice reflecting a four year-old’s tolerance for the efforts of his elders. “At the very first. Allie just got a new baby brother—”

  Eric shot Elyse a look of sheer terror. “Well, I—”

  Ready to leap to his aid, she purposely closed her mouth.

  “Yeah, where? Where do we come from? Where do we come from?” one of their young table mates joined in and started the rest in the chant.

  This father in charge stared at the tabletop first then slid his gaze to the floor as he proceeded to flush eight shades of crimson. From the opened collar of his sport shirt to the edge of his hair line and back again.

  “Babies are born out of love,” he blurted after a moment and the chanting ceased.

  “But how?” one youngster persisted.

  Folding her arms on the table, Elyse would have commiserated with his plight, if she hadn’t been so charmed by his boyish discomfort. And she certainly had no intention of coming to his rescue again. She was having way too much fun as an observer.

  He coughed into the crease of his elbow, then rested his hands in front of him as he shot her a wary glance. His gaze swept along one side of the table then the other. “You all came about, we all came about because two people, our mommies and daddies decided they wanted us to be here. Very much.”

  At the emotion in his voice, her heart squeezed so hard it took a moment before she could breathe, let alone find enough voice to respond. The gaze she lifted was met with a surprising ration of warmth from his. With enough heat left over to wrap around her like a sweet and tender blanket.

  Oh, Eric. What a beautiful thing to say.

  Hands clasped together, she blinked away intrusive tears. “That’s a very nice way to see things, Mr. Matthews.”

  Luckily, her mind intervened before she spoke from her heart.

  Chapter Five

  Eric slammed open the door to the hospital emergency entrance nearly blinded by terror at what he might find once he was inside. The last time he’d been summoned to a hospital like this—

  The sharp smell of antiseptic invaded his nostrils, blurred both eyes. He paused to lean against a wall tiled in puke green to get his bearings. A woman in blue scrubs and a stethoscope looped on her neck walked by. He grabbed her arm. “Jay Matthews. Where is he?”

  “I don’t know, sir. You’ll—”

  When she attempted to pull away, he hung on. “My son. I got a call that he fell at his daycare. Someone brought him here.”

  “You’ll have to ask at the desk. Down there.” Reaching over to pry away his fingers, she indicated the direction he needed to take with a nod of her head. As soon as he glanced that way, she yanked free.

  “Where’s my son?” He lunged for her then stumbled when she hurried away. “What?—”

  A hand clamped on his shoulder from behind; he spun around and found a green-eyed gaze holding his.

  He clutched at Elyse’s upper arms. “Where is he?”

  “They took him down for a CT scan.” Her voice cracked then lowered. “You’re hurting me.” In one motion, her forearms came up and out.

  Grip broken, her defensive move stunned him like the snap of a hypnotist’s fingers to end a trance. Pain twisted her features. His palms rubbed over the area where she said he’d hurt her as he struggled to bring his breathing and his voice under control. “Elyse. God, I’m sorry.”

  As his hands came up to rake through his hair, she backed away. “You won’t do Jay any good if you let him see you like this.” As she took the same number of forward steps, something in the strength of her tone made him pay attention. “Behaving like a madman will frighten him and I don’t think you want that.”

  “I’m his father. I—”

  “—have more reason than anyone to protect him.”

  “Jay’s been through more than most.”

  She stood her ground. “I understand that. All the more reason to not alarm him over this.”

  Hands tight at his sides, he faced her. “What happened?”

  “He’s fine. Sheila Clemmens, his pediatrician arrived shortly after us. Jay has a badly skinned knee and she thinks a sprained forearm, not a broken one, thank God.”

  “Thank God,” he echoed.

  She took another stride forward. “He and Allie were running. She somehow got out in front of him. He tripped and landed hard on the sidewalk. The children were lined up at the back door. Diane had reminded them all to walk.” Shaking fingers came up to push at her bangs. “They were just so anxious to get to the playground. I was in the art area at the time, cleaning up the paints we’d used that morning. I came outside in time to see him fall.” She blinked again but didn’t move away. “I’m positive he didn’t hit his head, but they ordered a CT scan.”

  He was careful to make his voice level and keep it there. “When can I see him?”

  “He’s been assigned a room down the hall and they told me he’d be back from x-ray shortly. I’ll take you there.”

  “Please.” She jerked when his fingers touched her hand.

  Lights recessed into wall panels lit the wide corridor with a sheen of muted gold; their footfalls were hushed by the well-worn carpet.

  After a moment, Eric felt compelled to speak. “Doctor Clemmens’ father was my pediatrician. I feel pretty comfortable with the care Jay’s received since we arrived back in town.”

  “She seems very competent. Compassionate yet professional. Just what your son needs.”

  At the doorway to Jay's room, they paused before going in.

  “Do you like super hero stickers, champ?” The orderly addressed his patient as he wheeled the gurney the boy was on back into place against one wall.

  Jay’s reply came out clear and strong. “Only if they’re from cartoons. My daddy won’t let me watch any other kind.”

  “I should be able to find you some.” He handed Jay a red popsic
le. “Here’s the prize I promised you for being such a good patient.”

  “My favorite. Cherry.” He glanced toward the door as the man left. “Daddy! I’m havin’ cherry popsicle.”

  “I see that.” Fearing his knees would buckle at any moment, Eric hurried forward anyway and just made it to a chair near the bed. “How are you feeling?”

  “Okay now, Daddy.” Between icy bites of popsicle Jay said, “Miss Elyse took care of me.”

  “I know she did. She’s the one who called me to come here.”

  “Yeah.” He slurped up the last morsel of his frozen treat. “Take this, please.”

  “Sure.” Eric accepted the licked clean wooden stick and searched the room for a second before he spied a wastebasket in one corner. He flipped the stick into it.

  “I had my pictures taken,” Jay supplied. “For the doctor to look at.”

  “So they can figure out how to make you feel better.” Leaning forward, Eric pulled up the pint sized hospital gown from where it had drooped off one shoulder.

  “That’s what Miss Elyse said. They want me to feel better.”

  The adrenaline surge that had sustained him for the last hour was beginning to wane. All remaining strength vanished as he slumped further into the chair. “And do you feel better?”

  The little head nodded. “Uh-huh. I was scared, but Miss Elyse said she’d keep me safe.”

  “She did, did she?” Eric glanced around until he found her standing in the doorway. “That was very nice of her.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “We’ll have to thank her for that.” His attention returned to his son but when he looked back up, she was gone.

  “My arm doesn’t hurt anymore, Daddy.”

  He pulled his gaze from the empty doorway. “That’s good. How about your head?”

  “My head,” he repeated. “Why would my head hurt? I landed on my arm.”

  “That’s right. I forgot.”

  A kind-faced nurse entered the cubicle and stopped at the foot of the bed. “The doctor has given me your discharge papers, little man.” Eric stood when she moved to the side of Jay’s bed. “She doesn’t see any reason to keep your son overnight.”

  Flipping the pages of the sheaf of papers she held, she explained what was written on them. “If you’ll initial here and here then sign here, please, to acknowledge you understand what has occurred and what is expected of you.”

  “Sure.”

  After he did as she asked, she handed him half of the pile then turned to Jay. “Someone is coming to give you a special ride downstairs.”

  “On a motorcycle?”

  Her head raised slightly before she let out a deep laugh. “I’ve never heard that one before. No motorcycle, I’m afraid. Just a funny wheeled chair.”

  Jay pursed his lips and nodded his head. “Okay then.”

  “You gotta take what you can get,” Eric countered with a wink at both of them as the nurse began to help Jay get dressed. He set down the hospital papers. “I’ll go see if the wheelchair is here yet.”

  A ways down the dim hallway, he came to a mid-sized waiting room off to one side. Its walls were lined with plush brown chairs. Elyse sat in one corner with her head down, where it remained, even when he walked over to stand before her.

  He bent to put his hand on top of hers and declared a victory when she didn’t jerk away. “Jay’s being discharged. He’s going to be fine. Just like you said.”

  Her shoulders flexed downward. “That’s good to hear. Are you going home now, the two of you?”

  “As soon as the patient escort comes up with a wheelchair.” His words were immediately followed by the approaching squee-squee rhythm. “Which I think may have just arrived.” He glanced over one shoulder as a maintenance worker pushing some bulky medical apparatus passed by in the hallway. “Or not.”

  She lowered her head to stare at their hands. “Maybe if I had been outside—”

  “The exact same thing would have happened. It was an accident. Not your fault.”

  “But I—”

  “Did all you needed to. Bringing Jay here. Calling me.”

  When her gaze lifted to meet his, he never expected the reddened eyes and damp lashes. “I should have been out there, Eric. I’m sorry.”

  More tears brimmed her lower lids. She inhaled air she released on a shudder as she stood and he so wanted to pull her into his arms.

  “Things happen.” A strand of hair stuck to her cheek. He reached up to brush it aside, but she flinched.

  “The nurse said they’d give him a mild sedative to help him relax. Lessen the pain.” Her voice shook as she relayed the information. “Have they done that yet?”

  “I’d say so. He claims his arm doesn’t hurt anymore and he’s acting a little loopy.” He offered a small smile. “Even for Jay.”

  As he went to put his arm around her, she stiffened. He did so anyway and instinctively pulled her close. “So stop apologizing. I don’t blame you or Allie or any of the teachers for that matter. Jay’s a typical, fearless little boy. Things happen. It’s nobody’s fault.”

  After a brief second, she shut her eyes, then took one step to the side. “Thank you for telling me that, Eric.”

  “You’re welcome. The escort should be coming soon.”

  “And you can take Jay home.” As she started toward the hallway, Eric walked with her. When they got there, she turned to go in the opposite direction from Jay’s room.

  He circled one wrist with his thumb and forefinger to stop her. “Aren’t you going to tell him goodbye? For now?” Without thinking about it, he intertwined their fingers. “He’ll be disappointed if you don’t.”

  “Okay. But just for a second. I don’t want to bother you.”

  “Trust me. There’s no chance of that.”

  In place of an answer, she loosened her fingers from his and drew her hand away. And he had all he could do to not reach out to grab hold of her again.

  That was when all the adrenaline drained out of him for good, reality set in and he reminded himself this woman was married.

  Chapter Six

  Elyse scattered a handful of cherry tomatoes among the cucumber slices, raw cauliflower, broccoli, and baby carrots on the white plastic platter.

  “I’ll take this outside. Is there anything else?”

  Ginger Watts, hostess of the couples shower now in progress, glanced up from a partially prepared tray of sliced cheeses and cold cuts. “Nope. That and this are the last food items to go on the table. Grab yourself a glass of sangria then join the others and relax.”

  “Can do.” Elyse bumped the kitchen door open with one hip.

  After depositing the munchies on a table in the screened gazebo, she took a direct route away from the spirited party goers on the side patio, opting for the comfort and solitude of a cushioned lawn swing on the back deck.

  It had been four days since Jay’s playground accident the previous Tuesday. And her subsequent encounter with Eric at the hospital emergency room. Except, her mind had yet to let up on mulling over details of the event, leaving her in no mood for a Saturday afternoon party. Especially one that gave all indications it could stretch well into late evening.

  Though good sister she was, she’d put up a brave front.

  What bothered her most, it wasn’t like her to obsess the way she was. Other students of hers had fallen down before. But never had a simple mishap affected her so deeply. It had to be the family connection. Or more likely, her interaction with Eric that had her so preoccupied.

  To his credit, he admitted Jay’s accident wasn’t her fault. Plus, her reaction to his initial aggression had been spot on. She broke contact as she’d been taught over the course of so many self-defense classes. She’d used a commanding tone and bearing to demand his respect. Then later she blew it.

  Idly pumping her legs, she put the swing into motion. She never should have allowed him to see her cry. She needed to do a better job of presenting a strong front regardles
s of what might be going on with her inside. Lord knew she’d had enough experience to be a bona fide pro at suppressing her true feelings.

  “You look lonely over here by yourself.”

  With the deep voice so near, she automatically shrank back, then scolded herself at the show of inattention. Eric stood directly in front of her, yet she hadn’t noticed his approach.

  Holding two plastic fluted glasses, one in each hand, he froze. “Hey, I’m sorry. Guess I scared you, again, huh?”

  Duty made her lean forward with a gracious nod. “Not at all.”

  “It’s me then,” he said with a tentative grin. “I took a shower before I got here.” The grin expanded to include a wink. “Or could you tell?”

  The smile she returned was weak, but all she had. She could tell all right. No man had a right to smell so—inviting. With another scolding at the suggestive, rather the only word that came to mind, she stole a glance his way. Or look so damned appealing when they dressed in Bermuda shorts and a sports shirt.

  “I was—uh—lost in thought. Thinking about Jay. How’s he doing?”

  “To use your word at the hospital, fine.”

  She accepted the glass he offered. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” The swing creaked as he sat down beside her. “You should have seen him just before I left the house. In true grandmother fashion, my mother has him settled on the couch in the den, pillow behind his head, peanut butter and jelly sandwich, oatmeal cookies and milk on a tray and the TV remote within reach.”

  “Sounds like a true man of leisure.” She took a sip and set her glass on the side table. “When is he coming back to school?”

  “First thing Monday morning. It would have been sooner than that if he had his way.”

  “I’ll do my best to make sure he doesn’t get hurt again.”

  “I know that.” He tipped his glass to take a drink. “You seem to enjoy being around kids.”

  “Kids are safe for me. If you think about it, they ask for so little—”

  “—and give so much. I don’t know what I would have done these past few months without mine.” When his voice quivered, some of the defenses she’d so meticulously constructed around her heart began to wear away.