Promise Made (The Callahan Series)

by Mitzi Pool Bridges

  “Same here,” Dugan volunteered.

  Kate managed a smile. “We have it covered. Gram won’t have to lift a finger.”

  Doc Pullman nodded in approval.

  “Can I see her?” Kate asked.

  “She’s still under the influence of the anesthetic, but sure.”

  Kate hurried down the hall. A nurse walked toward her. “Gram?”

  “In here.” The nurse held the door open for Kate to enter. “Yell, if you need me.”

  “Anna?”

  The nurse smiled hesitantly. “Do I know you?”

  “Kate…Kate Maroney, from high school.”

  “Of course. I should have recognized you.”

  “Did all the Jacobsen girls go into the health care field? Your sister was on the ambulance.”

  Anna chuckled. “We did. Our oldest sis, Mary, is in med school.”

  “How wonderful.” Kate turned toward the bed. Gram’s arm was in a pale pink cast, her eyes shut.

  “How is she?”

  “She’s fine. In a few weeks, she’ll be completely over this.”

  “I hope so. I can’t stand to see her in pain.”

  Anna patted Kate’s arm and left the room.

  “Gram?”

  But her grandmother’s eyes were closed. “I’m so sorry, Gram. I wish with everything in me that this hadn’t happened.”

  “It was just an accident, Katie-Girl,” she whispered.

  “You’re awake!”

  “Not quite. Where am I?”

  “The hospital. Doc Pullman said you could go home tomorrow.”

  Gram struggled to sit up. Kate gently restrained her.

  “I have to go home now.”

  “Why? There’s nothing pressing. I’m right here.”

  “Ed,” she said. A lone tear trailed down her face.

  “He’s here, Gram. I’ll send him in.”

  Kate dabbed Gram’s cheek with a tissue. It was serious between Ed and Gram—more serious than Kate originally thought.

  She left the room to get him.

  As he hurried down the hall, she couldn’t help but smile.

  “Is Grace okay? Is that the reason for the smile?” Dugan asked as he walked up to meet her.

  “She will be fine. Do you see? Ed and Gram are in love.”

  “What?”

  When the door closed to Gram’s room she turned to Dugan. “You don’t, do you? It’s so obvious.”

  Dugan shook his head.

  “Take my word for it. They’re in love.”

  Her eyes pricked with tears.

  “Hey! Everything will be okay. Isn’t that what you just told me?”

  She looked into his emerald-green eyes—eyes that had always made her think of wonderful, cool places. For a fleeting moment, she wondered what her life would be like now if she had married him.

  The doctor hurried by on his way out. Kate caught up with him at the door. “I’ll stay the night with Gram.”

  “No need, Annie’s here and there are a couple of others on duty as well. Just leave your number in case she needs you.”

  “I should stay.” Gram would stay with her. Had stayed with her the time right after Kate arrived in town, contacted pneumonia, and had been in the hospital for three days.

  “No need. Get some rest. You’ll need it when she gets home tomorrow.”

  “Doc is right, Kate. I’ll take you home. You can pick her up first thing tomorrow morning.”

  “Let me check on her again.”

  Doc Pullman waved and left.

  Dugan took a chair to wait.

  She hurried to Gram’s room, knocked softly, and opened the door. Ed sat by her bed stroking her hand. The look on his face made Kate’s heart hitch up a notch.

  The man was definitely in love.

  From the contented look on Gram’s face, it was mutual. “How do you feel?”

  “Not too bad,” she said. “Ed is making all kinds of promises—like cooking meals, washing dishes, and mopping floors until I get better.”

  “I’m not leaving you, Gram. I’ll be here until they take the cast off and you’re back to normal.”

  “But…you never stay in town this long.”

  “Plans change.”

  “Your job?”

  Kate put her hands on her hips. “What? You don’t want me?”

  Gram’s eyes slid to Ed.

  “Ed can help. I’m not a great cook.”

  Gram smiled weakly. “Good. I’m glad.”

  Kate chuckled. “Glad I’m not a good cook?”

  “No, Katie-Girl. Glad you’re staying.”

  Gram shut her eyes. “I think I’ll sleep now.”

  Kate kissed Gram’s cheek. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  When she got to the door she looked back. Ed still held onto Gram’s hand as if he were afraid she might leave him.

  The ride home was mostly silent. Kate was too aware of Dugan next to her—too many memories. Dugan was a big man. An intense one. He’d loved her all those years ago with a roaring passion. He loved his family the same way. Well—maybe not quite the same. She enjoyed the stories he told her how they helped one another. If one member of the family had a need they were there offering their all. It was a trait she admired. Not like her own family. Except for Gram, of course.

  Apparently leaving Dugan stranded and taking off to Austin hadn’t erased her muscle memory. Now, just as before, the scent of his aftershave made her heart beat faster. She gritted her teeth. She’d stay as long as Gram needed her. Nothing else mattered. Not her problems, or her job. Or the fact that being close to Dugan could be pure misery.

  At least there was no trace of anger about him now. It was still there beneath the surface though. She’d have to do something about it. Just not right now. She was exhausted.

  Soon they were at the house. “Thanks for the ride. You don’t have to get out,” she said when he opened his door. “I’ll be fine.”

  He ignored her, was out and around to her side, walking up the steps to the porch with her. “Really, Dugan. It was nice of you to stay with me at the hospital. I appreciate it.”

  “You know how much I care about your grandmother,” he grunted, then walked into the house without being invited.

  “It’s late, Dugan,” she said as Yogi greeted them with loud barks of pleasure. Heidi raised her head up from her perch on the couch, looked at them and lay back down. Typical.

  Kate let Yogi out.

  “Is that the reason?” Dugan nodded toward the ladder lying on the floor, the curtain rod hanging by one end.

  Kate went to the ladder. “I fell asleep.” She grabbed the curtains, started to put a foot on the bottom rung of the ladder.

  “I’ll do it.” He took the curtains out of her hand. In minutes they were hung, the ladder put away. “Grace should have told me she wanted this done.”

  “I think it hurts her to ask for any kind of help. A matter of pride, you know.” Dugan did things with such ease it took her breath away. Had he always been like this?

  “Foolish pride.”

  “I agree.”

  “Have you eaten?”

  “Eaten? No. I’m not hungry.”

  “Figures.” He opened the fridge, scrounged around, then brought out a few things. “I’ll make an omelet and toast. You’ll sleep better if your stomach’s full.”

  He walked to the cabinet, gathered what he needed.

  “You don’t have to do this, Dugan. I can take care of myself.”

  When he simply ignored her, she went to him, took the skillet out of his hands. “You can go now.”

  He took the skillet back and put it on the stove. His steadfast silence made her nervous.

  “Gram will be all right, won’t she?” Just the thought of losing her sent shivers up and down Kate’s spine.

  “Grace will be fine. People break various parts of their bodies every day. The doctor patches them back up. Before you know it, they’re good to go.”

 
She couldn’t seem to stop shaking.

  Dugan watched her with a lifted eyebrow. “Sit down at the table. I’ll fix you a cup of tea.”

  For some reason, she wanted to cry and didn’t know why. Gram would be all right. So what was it? Was it because Dugan was being so darned nice? “I’ll take the tea, then you need to leave. You’ve spent enough time away from your job.”

  “Ever stop to think this is my job?” He put the cup in front of her. “Make sure you eat something.”

  “Thanks, Dugan. Taking care of me is beyond your scope of duty, but I appreciate it.”

  “If you get sick you won’t be able to take care of Grace,” he said bluntly. Then he turned to leave.

  Despite the growl in his voice, and the fact she knew he was only being kind because of Gram, Kate didn’t want him to go. She made herself walk him to the door, thanked him again for all he’d done, and shut the door behind him.

  What was wrong with her anyway? He was a lot nicer to her than she’d be to him if the tables were reversed and he had left her at the altar.

  Heeding his advice, she fixed a piece of toast, slathered it with peanut butter and ate it while drinking her tea.

  Then she let Yogi back in and smiled to herself when both animals followed her to her room.

  Nothing was the same though. Gram wasn’t there.

  ****

  Dugan shut the door to his cruiser and just sat there. Wondered why being with Kate most of the day felt normal. She was the same Kate who left him, yet not the same. She was more brittle. As if she were holding back something. It wasn’t his problem. His wish was for her to go back to Austin. Maybe she’d take his anger and hurt back with her. He didn’t like the way he felt now.

  He pounded the steering wheel, started his cruiser, and headed to the office.

  Though he’d been over her a long time, there would be no way to avoid her now. He cared deeply for Grace and would check on her as often as he could.

  I’ll see Kate every day.

  Why couldn’t she have just stayed away? It would have been easier. And why did it feel as if just being around her reopened a wound he thought had healed? He’d spent five years hardening his feelings, now they were so mixed up he wondered how to handle them. Anger mixed with caring. Okay. He had to admit it. He still cared about her and about what happened to her—the same as he would about anyone else.

  Mary Jo had been right to break it off. She was a nice person, had been good company, a fun dinner partner. But she wanted more. He couldn’t give more. Not until he settled his confused emotions about Kate.

  Mary Jo didn’t disturb him. What he felt for her was quiet, soothing, and comfortable. Not the wild, passionate lust he’d had for Kate. He’d loved her so deeply then his heart almost burst from the joy of it. At the time, he was sure Kate felt the same. She couldn’t have faked the desire in her eyes or the passion when they made love.

  He’d thought they were meant to be together. At the time, he couldn’t wait to ask her to marry him, to share their lives, to make a family.

  Hell, all he had to do was think about her now and the old hurt came over him. Mary Jo had sensed the truth. What a dilemma. He had to get Kate out of his system once and for all.

  If five years hadn’t done it, he didn’t know what would.

  It would be at least two months before Grace completely healed.

  His stomach clenched into a knot.

  It would be a long two months. Hoped he could live through it without making a fool of himself. He didn’t want to lash out at Kate as he once wanted to. Probably because he loved Grace so much he didn’t want to hurt her. Since he’d never known his own grandparents, she was like one to him.

  He’d simply stay away from Kate. It shouldn’t be that hard to do.

  Chapter Five

  The next day, Kate held onto Gram’s good arm to help her up the steps and into the house. “Take it easy, Gram.”

  Behind them, Ed made clucking noises. “We’ll have you in bed in a minute. Just hang in there.”

  Gram halted inside the door. “Enough! The two of you act as if I’m at death’s door. I broke my arm, not my back, not my head, not even my leg. All I want to do is sit in my chair and watch my shows. I missed them yesterday.”

  Kate chuckled as she led her into the den. “Gram, you’re incorrigible.”

  Yogi was so glad to see them he wouldn’t stop barking.

  “Enough!” Kate warned. On cue, he stopped.

  Once in the den, Ed led Gram to her chair. “What can I get you?”

  Gram shook her head. “I won’t have you treating me like an invalid for the next six weeks. Get me a glass of water and go home. Aren’t you behind on your work?”

  Ed’s dark eyes widened with hurt. Gram smiled to ease the sting.

  Kate disappeared into the kitchen for the glass of water, leaving them alone for a minute. But she couldn’t stop herself from eavesdropping.

  “Didn’t you tell me you wanted me here?” he complained.

  “Of course I do. But right now, I have Kate and you have work to do.”

  “You haven’t told anyone, have you?” Ed asked.

  “Not a soul. Now, go. You were at the hospital way past your bedtime last night. I know you’re tired. If you’re not, finish your canvas. I like it.”

  What was that about? What canvas? What work? Ed was retired. When he bent down and kissed Gram on the lips, Kate covered her mouth. Gram’s soft smile and the way she stroked Ed’s cheek made Kate’s heart turn over.

  Tears threatened. She blinked them back before entering the room. “Here you go.” She put the glass on the table next to Gram’s chair. “What else can I get you?”

  “Nothing.” Gram took the remote, flipped it on, and sat back to enjoy the next hour.

  “I’ll go then,” Ed said with reluctance.

  It was clear he didn’t want to leave. “Come back at five and help with dinner, Ed,” Kate arbitrated.

  “Glad to.” He grinned.

  When the door shut behind him, Kate turned to her grandmother. “Why don’t you put the man out of his misery?”

  Grace turned innocent eyes on her. “I don’t know what you mean, Katie-Girl.”

  “Like hell you don’t,” Kate mumbled under her breath. Louder, she said, “He’s in love with you. Unless I’ve lost every last bit of my intuition, you’re in love with him.”

  Gram’s cheeks flushed bright pink. “Why would you think such a thing?”

  “You didn’t raise me stupid, Gram.”

  “Ed and I like things the way they are,” she said primly.

  Kate shook her head. Stubborn woman. Didn’t she know to grab onto love with both hands and not let go?

  Dugan’s face popped into her head. Her stomach plunged to the floor. “If you’re all right, I’ll be in my room.” She got out of there, fast.

  Kate left her door open in case Gram needed her, and sank into the nearest chair. She was good at seeing clearly what others couldn’t see about themselves. Her failings were another story. At every turn, she’d failed in the love department.

  She’d walked away from Dugan and from Erik. Just then her cell phone rang. Erik. She didn’t want to talk to him, but knew she had to since she’d flown out of her office like a Texas tornado after his unexpected proposal.

  “Hi,” she said.

  “Kate, are you all right?”

  “I’m fine. The only thing is, my gram broke her arm.”

  “Sorry about your gram, but I asked you to marry me and you walked away. What’s with that? Do you need time?”

  “I was surprised.”

  “Take your time. I know you’ll say yes in the end. I need you here, Kate. You’re good for me. We’re good for each other. And we just took on another big case.”

  “Didn’t you hear me? Gram broke her arm. I can’t come back now.” If ever. But she didn’t voice her concerns.

  “I’m serious, Kate. This case will bring in a huge fee. I’ll
give you a big enough raise to hire a nurse to take care of your grandmother.”

  Kate couldn’t believe what she’d just heard. Didn’t Erik have an inkling as to how she felt? Evidently not or he wouldn’t suggest something so outrageous.

  “It would be cheaper to hire another lawyer. Maybe screen them so they don’t have a family.”

  She hung up, took a deep breath and went to check on Gram. She hadn’t seen this side of Erik before. But then she’d never had a family emergency before either.

  Stories of how the Callahans were always there for one another, how Gram had always been there for her, made her realize how Erik would never fit in here.

  Kate stood by the lounge chair, looked down at Gram. Despite her anger over Erik and his lack of consideration for others, she couldn’t hold back a smile. Gram was asleep, the TV giving background noise to her gentle snoring.

  Walking to the kitchen, she tried to figure out what to have for lunch. Then she’d have to worry about dinner.

  How long would it be before she was screaming to escape?

  ****

  One week later she was close to pulling her hair out. If she didn’t get out of the house soon, Kate thought she might burst. She loved Gram. Had enjoyed Ed’s constant presence until even he got on her nerves.

  Then there were the daily visits from Dugan and the townspeople. The daily calls from Erik. He wouldn’t stop even when she asked him not to call or at times ignored them. He’d asked so many times if she’d thought about his proposal that she was ready to scream. Even though she knew the answer, she put him off. She didn’t know why. She’d known her answer the day he asked.

  Heaven help her. If it weren’t for Yogi and Heidi, she would be crazy.

  Tending to Gram’s personal needs took little time. Kate made breakfast, read every book the library had that sounded interesting, and piddled around the house. Ed made it clear he’d make lunch and dinner. She didn’t argue, but she needed something to do—something to keep her mind busy.

  She was accustomed to being busy all day and half the night. The law office in Austin was a busy one with a constant flow of case files crossing her desk.

  She’d never complained. She loved the work too much, and wished for some of it now. Out of the question. But it was time to give Erik an answer to his proposal. She’d put it off too long. Now it was time to step up and make at least one decision.