Emma's Dream

by M. Lee Prescott

  “Hey, Peanut, what do you say that someday soon, I can give you a piggyback ride along the trail, and we can fight our way through the sagebrush together?”

  Emma rewarded him with one of her beautiful, contented smiles.

  “Okay ladies? Are you as hungry as I am? Let’s go see what Carmela packed for us. Judging by the size of the basket, there should be enough food to feed an army.”

  He spread a large patchwork quilt in shades of autumn. Delicate embroidered diamonds and triangles alternated with bright squares of gaily-patterned fabric. He brought out plates, cups, napkins, sandwiches, salsa, chips, guacamole, a tin of cookies, a thermos of lemonade, another of iced tea, and a large fruit salad in a Tupperware container. “See, I told you she made enough to feed an army. We have portabella on a baguette with Carmela’s special sauce, peanut butter and jelly, and turkey. What’s your pleasure?”

  Maggie and Emma decided to share the turkey and peanut butter and jelly, while Ben ate the mushroom baguette. As they loaded their plates, they chatted happily. From this ideal spot on the property, they had gorgeous views in all directions, north and south along the valley and east and west toward the mountains. After lunch, Ben lifted Emma to his shoulders, and they took a long walk on a path that followed the creek south to a small lake. Two thirds of it was dry, but the other third sparkled in the late afternoon sun, reflecting the green surrounding it. As they gazed across, they spied a small group of javelinas gathered at the water’s edge. A coyote howled in the distance. Hawks circled beyond the ridge, and the hooting of an owl signaled the coming of evening.

  As they headed back, Maggie took his arm. Ben hardly dared move for fear he’d spook her. His heart nearly burst with happiness as they neared the farmhouse. The woman he loved and his sweet, brave daughter were at his side.

  When they reached the quilt, they discovered Emma had fallen asleep on his shoulder. Maggie reached up, took her gently from his arms, and placed her on the quilt, wrapping the edges round her.

  He stowed the last of the food, then looked up at her. “Should we let her sleep or head back?”

  “How about one glass of tea before we hit the road?”

  They took their tea to the porch to sit side by side on the steps. “So, how was your week?”

  “Same old, same old. Pony camp in full swing, lessons crazy. Your buddy has been AWOL for a couple of days, so that’s added a bit of craziness for Jeb’s and my schedules, but the college kids are great. Fully trained now. We’ll hate to lose them.”

  “Sorry, that was my fault. Harley was doing a job for me that took him away.”

  “You’re the boss. Were your partners glad to have you back?”

  “Wasn’t easy.”

  “Oh?”

  “I’ve stepped out of the company. Still hold some shares, but I’ve sold my major interest to Chip and David.”

  “Why?”

  “I’m needed here. Dad’s not well, and I think I can help.”

  “I can’t believe it. Wasn’t it hard to say good-bye?”

  He nodded. “I’m proud of what we built. We’ve made a lot of money using ethical business practices to market sustainable products. I’ll also miss my partners. They’re good friends.”

  “What about your fiancée?”

  Ben gave her a wry look and decided that he did not have to describe Miranda’s last-ditch effort to win him back. He cringed inwardly as he recalled the elaborate meal she had prepared at his house. On his last night in Santa Barbara, she had let herself into the house with the key she still had and greeted him at the door, wearing a pale pink diaphanous dress that left nothing to the imagination.

  “As I’ve told you before, she is not my fiancée, except in her mind. Miranda and I broke up many months ago and should have split two years ago.”

  “Hmm…”

  “What about you? Have you got some secret fiancé hidden away?”

  She laughed. “Yeah, right.”

  “Seriously, we’ve never talked about it. You must date sometimes?”

  Maggie smiled at him. There has never been anyone since my night with you. “Well, let’s see, no one wants to date a pregnant teenager, and since Emma’s birth, then her accident, there hasn’t been much time for dating.”

  “No one?”

  “I was fixed up once. Not sure if you remember Dara Littlefield? She was my best friend in high school?”

  “Vaguely. Red hair and freckles?”

  “That’s Dara. Well, her brother, Ed, brought home two friends from U of A one weekend, and she and I went out with them. Nice guys. My date’s name was Gary Something. I can’t even remember.” She did remember tall, gangly Gary Sinclair and his rough, urgent lips attempting to woo her with a good night kiss, but for some reason, she didn’t want to admit it to Ben.

  “One date?”

  She nodded. “He called a few times, but Emma was a baby and I really wasn’t interested.”

  “What about Jeb?”

  “Are you insane?”

  “I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. Jeb’s like my little brother.”

  “I’d be surprised if he views it that way.”

  “This is a silly conversation, and I see my little cherub moving around. It’s unsettling for her when she wakes up lying down in a strange place. Maybe we should think about packing up?” She handed her empty glass to Ben and hurried down to help Emma sit up and orient herself.

  Ben watched her go and smiled at her obvious discomfort. He knew there was nothing going on between Jeb and Maggie, but he also knew that, given the slightest hint of encouragement, Jeb and half the men in the county would be lined up at her door. He also knew that if he wasn’t careful, he’d spook her again and perhaps lose her forever.

  * * *

  Chapter 49

  “What the hell are we supposed to do while you’re on a two-week vacation?” Harley asked as he went over the day’s chores with Jeb and Maggie. It was only Tuesday, three days before Emma’s surgery, and her boss could see the terror in her eyes. He and Jeb had been walking on eggshells for two days, and his attempts to lighten the mood did not seem to be working.

  Maggie hopped up and began pacing. “I’ll be home. You guys can call. I can come in if needed, and Dad can stay with Emma. Ben said he’d help, too. Or I can see if we can get some townies in, temps for the lessons and—”

  “I was kidding, Mags. Kidding! You can relax. We’ve got it covered.”

  Jeb nodded in agreement. “We’re cool, Boss. The crew is working like a well-oiled machine, and there won’t be any new mustangs in till mid-September.”

  She gazed down at Harley, looking like a deer in the headlights. “What about when you’re away?”

  “The next pack trip isn’t for a few weeks, and Ben says he can handle it alone, or he’ll take Ruthie with him. She volunteered.”

  “Ruthie?”

  “She’s done it before. She’ll be fine.”

  Maggie continued to pace, muttering to herself. “I’m so sorry. This is the worst time to be away. What’ll we do about the fence repairs?”

  “Okay, that’s enough. I’m the boss, and if I say we’ll be fine, we’ll be fine.”

  “But, we’ve got Saturday lessons and no crew and—”

  Harley stood, exchanged a look with Jeb, then reached out and grabbed her shoulders, bringing her closer for a hug. “She’s gonna be fine, Mags. She’s a trooper. She’s gonna sail through this.”

  She collapsed against him as sobs wracked her thin frame, which Harley noticed had grown thinner these past few weeks.

  “Okay, sweetie. Let it out.” He held her until her sobs subsided. “Do you want to go home?”

  “Absolutely not! There’s a ton of work to do, and I’d like to get it done. Thank you both. Now let’s get to work!”

  At 3:30 a.m. Friday morning, Ben arrived to find Maggie and Emma waiting in the driveway. Gently he lifted his daughter from her chair. “You
ready, Sweet Pea?”

  Emma burrowed her face against his chest, and he looked up to study her mother, who was ashen-faced, dark circles under her beautiful eyes. “Neither of us got much sleep.”

  It was still dark as they pulled into the clinic.

  “Ready or not, here we come,” Ben said as he lifted Emma, holding her tight. “We don’t need the chair, do we? I’ll hold her, and they have chairs inside, right?”

  Maggie nodded and walked beside him, her hand on Emma’s thigh, as they headed into the steel-and-glass lobby. They were surprised to find Rose Dillon, dressed in street clothes—gray slacks and a soft pink sweater waiting for them.

  Rose waved. “Hi, Emma.” Emma smiled shyly, peeking from under Ben’s arm. “I’m so glad to see you again. I’m going to be with you all day, sweetie.” Rose smiled at Maggie and patted her arm as she led them into a small office, where a slim blonde in Sesame Street scrubs sat at a desk, a basket of toys beside her. Cucumber-green eyes smiled at the child as she patted an empty chair for Maggie.

  “Emma,” Rose said, “this is my friend Lanie. She’s going to talk to Mom and get you all checked in, okay? While you do that, I’ll take Ben and show him where we’ll be. Is that okay with you?” Emma nodded. Ben settled Emma on Maggie’s lap, then disappeared with Rose.

  “Are you ready for this?” Rose asked as they headed down a long hallway. “Emma is in good hands, but it’s going to be a very long, rough day for Maggie. I’ll be in the OR the entire time, but is there anything I can do before that?”

  “Thanks, but you’ve been great, Rosie. I’ll take care of Maggie.”

  She stared at him, a wistful expression on her lovely face. “I’m sure you will. She’s very lucky, you know.”

  “I’m the lucky one.”

  “I hear you’re moving back to Saguaro.”

  “News travels fast.”

  “I ran into Kyle this week. It’ll be nice to have you back.”

  “Thanks. I hope so.”

  “Kyle says you’re thinking of fixing up the farmhouse.”

  He nodded, remembering how close Rose’s parents’ ranch sat to the south end of Morgan’s Run. As if reading his thoughts, she said, “We used to ride up there sometimes and play house on the porch, pretend we owned it. It’s a beautiful spot.”

  “Yes, it is.”

  “I suspect you won’t be living there alone for long.”

  He shrugged. “Are there things you wanted to show me?”

  “Oh, yes, of course. The OR is on the third floor, but the parents’ lounge is on the second floor. If you’d rather be alone, you are welcome to use my office. My assistant, Sadie, can let you in. I told her you might want to use it to rest or get away. Sadie can also get you food and drinks if you don’t feel like braving the cafeteria.”

  “Thanks, but we may need a break from the lounge.”

  “Well, don’t hesitate to call upon Sadie at any time. She’s expecting it. Waiting for a someone to come through an operation of this length is excruciating, especially a beloved child.”

  After Emma was prepped, they waited in Rose’s office until the nurses and Rose appeared along with Dr. Heavers. After the IV was inserted, Heavers directed most of his conversation to Emma, who cowered against her mother and whimpered, refusing to look at him.

  As soon as the entourage disappeared, Emma began to wail. “I don’t want to, Mommy. I changed my mind! I wanta go home. Please, Mommy, I want to go home.”

  “There, there, baby, it’s okay. It’ll be over before you know it.” She cradled her daughter, fighting to control her own tears that threatened to burst forth.

  Ben’s arms circled the two of them, their little family joined in a united front as if to ward off evil spirits.

  “No, I don’t want to. I want to go home! I want Grandpa!”

  Ben leaned back and studied Maggie. He could see she was unraveling fast. “Okay, let’s go. Let’s forget the whole thing. I’ll call the nurse and have her take that contraption out.” He pointed to the IV.

  Instantly, Emma stopped crying, her eyes big as saucers as she stared at him. Maggie’s jaw dropped and she sat back, patting her daughter’s back. “What are you talking about?”

  “She doesn’t want to have the operation. That’s good enough for me. Let’s get out of here.”

  “But…” Emma said, looking from one adult to the other.

  “What’s that, Sweet Pea?” Ben leaned close, taking her tiny hands in his rough, calloused ones.

  “What about walking?”

  “We can come back another time, when you’re ready.”

  “But, I wanta walk now.”

  “Well, you know what that means.” His kind eyes smiled, hoping the love he felt would come through and give his daughter courage. She took his hand and nodded. “Are you sure, baby?” She nodded again and leaned against her mother, a tear trickling down her cheek.

  At that moment, Rose appeared. “Well, Emma, it’s time. Are you ready?”

  Chin out, Emma nodded.

  “I’m going to put something in your IV bag that will make you sleepy. When you wake up, your mom and Ben will be here, holding your hands, okay?” Rose held the syringe and waited several moments, until Emma said, “Okay.” Before she could count to five, Emma was asleep. Only then did Maggie stand, step away from the bed, and lean into Ben’s arms.

  “And, now we wait,” he said softly. “Take good care of her, Rose.”

  “We will.” As two nurses wheeled Emma out, Rose turned to Maggie. “My assistant, Sadie Thomas, will try to come out every hour or two and let you know how things are going. It’s sometimes difficult for the team to break and give updates, so please don’t worry if you don’t see her, okay?”

  They stood and watched as the group made their way down the hall, through double doors to the surgery elevators. When the doors closed behind them, Maggie broke down completely. He lifted her, carrying her to room 203. There they found a short, compact brunette with kind doe eyes and a lively gait.

  “Hi, Maggie and Ben. I’m Sadie. Can I get you anything? Tea or coffee? Water? A soft drink?” As she spoke, she smoothed the front of her bright pink scrubs, patting her midsection.

  He smiled at Rose’s kind, very pregnant assistant.

  “Just a quiet place would be great.”

  Sadie ushered them into Rose’s office. “If you need anything at all, just ask.”

  She closed the door behind her, leaving Emma’s parents clinging to one another on the office love seat.

  * * *

  Chapter 50

  Ben said a silent thank you for the privacy of Rose’s office as he held Maggie and she sobbed into a brightly colored pillow decorated with desert plants and animals. Finally she calmed, leaned against him, and closed her eyes. Shortly after, Sadie brought coffee and packets of cookies. Ben nodded, afraid to move a muscle.

  Observing his dilemma, Sadie moved a small table within his reach and set a coffee mug and cookies down.

  “Thank you,” he whispered.

  “Anything you need, just let me know.”

  She tiptoed from the room and closed the door.

  It had been a lonely few weeks without his girls, and he had missed them terribly. How good it felt to hold Maggie with no expectation of anything but to give comfort and support to this woman he loved with all his heart. A short time later, he, too, nodded off.

  Sadie’s knock woke them, and Maggie sat upright and smoothed her rumpled shirt.

  “Sorry to disturb, guys. I’ve just come from Dr. Dillon. She wanted you to know that all is going well. Emma’s comfortable, and there have been no surprises so far. That’s a good thing.”

  Her eyes teary and wild with fright, Maggie gazed from Ben to Sadie. “Surprises? What kind of surprises? They didn’t say anything about surprises.”

  Sadie looked stricken. “I’m sorry. That might have been the wrong word. Everything is going well.”

  “Thank you,” Ben said, smiling up
at the kind young woman. “That’s great news. Have you got any questions, sweetheart?”

  “So it’s going as they expected?”

  “That’s what Dr. Dillon said. They are progressing well. Can I get you anything?”

  “I think we’re set, thanks,” Ben said, his arm around Maggie’s shoulders.

  After Sadie closed the door, he turned to her and cupped her chin for a soft kiss, noticing the fresh tears that snaked down her cheeks.

  “Hey, hey, we’ve got nothing but good news here. Em’s doing fine. That’s what we want to hear.”

  He kissed her softly and Maggie nodded, resting against his chest.

  “Want something to eat? I could run to the cafeteria or ask Sadie to go.”

  “No, but I could use a walk. Let’s go down for a change of scene.”

  “That’s the spirit.”

  They held hands and walked the second-floor halls as people scurried back and forth around them. Eventually they headed for the cafeteria, where they took a seat by the window and nibbled at their sandwiches.

  Ben held up his veggie wrap. “I’ve had cardboard that tasted better than this. How’s your chicken salad?”

  Maggie had barely touched her sandwich, but his comment coaxed a smile. “I couldn’t have gone through this without you.”

  “Well, I’m happy you don’t have to.” He reached across and took her hand. “There’s nowhere I’d rather be, my darling. No matter what the outcome, I can’t wait to kiss those rosy cheeks and rumple those curls.”

  “Did you have curls as a child?”

  “Masses. Mother would be more than happy to spend hours showing you my little Lord Fauntleroy photos. I believe when I was a toddler, she was going through her ‘get me off the ranch and over to merry old England’ craze, so she dressed me in knickers and let my hair grow to shoulder-length curls.”

  “Oh, I’d love to see pictures of you. I have only a tiny handful of photos of me growing up. My mom left when I was so young, and Ned wasn’t the picture-snapping type. He was always working, too. His sister, my Aunt Nina, might have taken a few.”