by Donna Steele
“Yes, undergraduate. I got grants for medical school. We can’t take this.” She gestured with the envelope.
“Well, it’s not for her college fund anyway. We want to assist in buying her a backyard.”
As his father nodded in agreement, Dusty hastily slipped an arm around Dee when she blinked at tears forming in her eyes.
“Excuse me?” he managed to ask.
“Son,” Dad leaned forward, “I know now what you always wanted was a home and stability. I didn’t give you that, but you’ve found it with Dee. We just want to help you find a place to put your home. This condo is lovely and will work great for a newborn and even a toddler. After that . . .” He shrugged.
Ben nodded. “You mentioned something at Thanksgiving that you were thinking about a house. We want to be part of your search.”
“It’s too much,” Dee started to say.
“Hardly. Who else do we want to spend our money on? Besides, there are strings attached.”
“Strings?” Dusty echoed.
“A very nice guest room is a true necessity.”
Dee did laugh then, albeit tearfully.
“We didn’t mean to make you cry.” Ben took her hand.
“I’m not crying.”
“Maybe not, but you are leaking from the eyes. Just enjoy thoughts of a house and know we plan to as well.”
That got her up on her feet, hugging both fathers, and Dusty joined her. The ensuing babble lasted a long time.
Once more, Dusty’s fears were glossed over.
Chapter 31
“What are you doing up?” Dee asked when Dusty entered the kitchen, very early the next morning.
“I missed you, and I thought I’d enjoy a cup of coffee with you.” He leaned over and kissed her. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas to you too. I wish I could hang out here with you.”
“That would be nice, but since you’re a dedicated M.D., I have to kick you out to go help people. Besides, we menfolk will be bonding today.”
Dee rolled her eyes but took a seat at the counter to share the last of her coffee with him. “I’m still in shock about their gift.”
“Yeah. That was blown-away-time. They really want us to take it.”
“I know. I didn’t expect anything of the sort.”
“With a ‘nice guest room’ I do see the advantages.” Dusty sipped his coffee and lightly bumped her shoulder.
“Go ahead and start looking,” she urged. “You know what we can afford. Just make sure it’s not a bad commute.”
“I was hoping you’d say that. I’ll have Dad and Dad help me.”
~ ~ ~
The trauma unit was thankfully quiet. A couple of toy related injuries had presented, but both adults were patched up and sent home. Mostly Dee had been able to clear up her paperwork.
When it was time for her break, she headed for the cafeteria and reluctantly pulled out her phone. “Mom? I wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas. Is this a good time?”
“Dee, I’m so glad you called. Yes, it’s a wonderful time. Roger is napping. He does that a lot now. Are you doing okay? Do you know the sex of the baby yet?”
“I’m doing very well, gaining a lot of weight if you ask me, but the doctor doesn’t seem concerned. And you’re having a granddaughter.”
“A daughter. Oh Dee, I’m so happy for you. Is Dusty okay with a girl?”
“I think he’s relieved, and I’m quite certain she won’t be dating before she’s forty, if he has anything to say about it.”
Her mother chuckled.
“Did you and Roger have a nice Christmas?”
“Quiet. He didn’t want anyone over and we only saw a couple of people the last week or so, invitations we couldn’t refuse. By the way, the sweater you sent me is exquisite, as is the bag. I can’t wait to go to lunch with some of the ladies and show them off.”
“You’re very welcome. I thought Roger liked socializing.”
“Not since his hand was injured. The pain is manageable for the most part, but since he can’t use it, even to shake hands, he’s retreated more into himself.”
“Mom, is he taking it out on you?”
“Dee, you know—”
“I want a straight answer. Have things gotten worse?”
There was a long hesitation, and Dee visualized her mother ensuring their conversation would not be overheard.
“Actually things are better in that area, to be honest. Roger isn’t really angry anymore, he’s . . . depressed. Being angry takes more energy than he wants to expend.”
“Is he seeing anyone about the depression?”
“You know he would never talk to a stranger about his feelings. He misses his golf the most. He won’t even watch it on television any more. That’s one of the reasons we’re here. He didn’t want to go to the islands because it would remind him of all the Christmases he spent on those courses.”
Unaware of their traditions, Dee made no comment.
“Mom, do you love him?”
At the silence from the other end of the phone, Dee urged, “You could leave him. Get your life back.”
“No, I couldn’t. Dee, I’m in my upper fifties, I have no marketable skills. I know I sound rather like a gold digger or a kept woman, but I do live a comfortable life—”
“Even with the abuse?”
“It’s a comfortable life,” Mom repeated, “and I have some prestige and standing. That might not be enough for you, but it’s what I have.”
“Why did you stay with him, when things were bad?”
Again, silence dominated.
And a light bulb went off in Dee’s head. “It was to protect me, wasn’t it? You thought I needed the, what did you call it, prestige? I could have lived with Dad.”
“No. You’re my daughter and you needed to be with your mother.”
Now it was Dee who remained silent.
“Dee, you can’t judge me. We’ve both done well in life, gotten ahead. You might not think such things are important, but they are.”
“I need to get back to work, Mom.”
“You’re at work? Are you calling from the hospital?”
“Yes, I’m on call today. I’ll be going home after three. I’m on lunch break now.”
“Is . . . is your father there?”
“Yes. He and Evan came up.”
“Evan?”
“Dusty’s father, you met him the night of the dinner.”
“Oh yes. An attractive man, single?”
Dee tried to keep the disgust from her voice. “Yes. I need to go. Merry Christmas, Mom.”
“Merry Christmas to you too, dear.”
Dee pushed the conversation away. Dwelling on it wouldn’t help her pass the time until she could get home to Dusty.
Attempting to cleanse her mind of the conversation, Dee went looking for one of the new nurses.
She could have sworn she’d spotted a growth on the woman’s arm.
Chapter 32
Dusty G accepted the glass of wine Dee handed him and settled in the chair. “Thank you, dear. It was so nice of you to invite me over to your home. I hope you haven’t gone to a lot of trouble.”
“It’s wonderful to see you again and not have to wear shoes.” Dee chuckled. They had considered inviting Sherry and Leonard over tonight to meet Dusty G but decided not to overwhelm him yet. They wanted to add him to the new circle of friends they were making. There was time for that.
“You’re looking very well. It won’t be too long, will it, before there’s a baby to bounce on your knee?”
“It depends on whether you’re the one having it or waiting for it. I think it’s still a long time. Dusty is complaining I
haven’t let him complete the nursery yet. In fact, we’re looking for a larger place.”
“Am I being maligned in there?” Dusty called from the kitchen.
“Of course. Don’t tell me you don’t deserve it,” Dusty G joked. “I should be maligning you myself. I haven’t been so busy since I retired before I met the two of you.”
“Goodness,” Dee protested laughingly. “What have we done?”
“You reminded me of all those little stories my grandparents told me. I started jotting them down and have half a notebook full already. Plus, I read the biography of Silas Jordan you mentioned. It was fascinating.” He took a sip of wine. “I never met the man. He was traveling quite a bit by the time I came along, what with factories in so many countries. I went by his Braddock’s Crossing home often.”
“We saw it when we were there. It’s still a private residence so we couldn’t tour it, but it’s lovely from the outside,” Dee said.
“Silas never forgot Braddock’s Crossing, despite his wealth. His legacy keeps the museum up of course, but he was responsible for quite a few buildings in town, like the preservation of the Tillman house. His name isn’t on them, he didn’t want that according to Grandmother, just like the name of his company. I believe the use of his father’s name offended him, so he never promoted it. He was quite the philanthropist. I’d say Braddock’s Crossing was always his true home.”
“Did you grow up in Braddock’s Crossing?” Dusty took a seat beside Dee and tasted his wine.
“No, Dad got a job in Alexandria. It wasn’t far, so I spent a lot of time there. I think of it as home in any case.”
Dusty G continued to talk, but Dee found herself scanning his throat, his wrists, though she knew her actions were stupid. She wouldn’t see any scales on him. He wasn’t some sort of lizard creature, but she found herself looking for such evidence on everyone now.
“. . . contacted the author of Silas’ biography.”
Dee mentally shook herself to bring her concentration back to the conversation.
“Did she respond?” Dusty asked.
“She did.” Dusty G grinned. “She had already learned a little about my grandparents when she did her research for Silas’ book. She wants to meet with me and get a look at some of the stories I’ve recorded. Nothing may come of it, but you thought of such a good idea, I decided to pursue it.”
“You’re authorizing a biography of Elizabeth and Marcus?” Dee asked, finally catching up.
“If the author’s interested or can give me the name of someone who is. I’m no writer and jotting down the stories I remember takes me above my level, but it’s triggered so many memories. If you have any stories about your ancestors, Connie and William, I’d love to share those with her as well.”
“I don’t know what help I could be.” Dusty glanced over at her. “My father never mentioned them and my mother died when I was a child. I don’t have stories from my history.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Dusty G replied. “I’ll wrack my brain for all the stories including Connie and impart those to you. As I recall, Connie and William had three children together. Their oldest was Deanna, no doubt named for Dee. She was a friend of my father in school, I believe. And Connie was the principal of the institution that grew out of the one-room schoolhouse you must have seen at the museum. She was the first head of a co-ed school in the nation. She even continued working after having a family.”
A smile creased his weathered face as he pondered for a moment. “It was a new idea at the time, but since Grandmother started up Grant-Hill Nursing School, most everyone was supportive. I’ll try to find some pictures. I know they started taking a group picture of each class about that time.”
“I would love to see those. Dusty and Deanne indeed,” Dusty mused, as Dee laughed softly.
~ ~ ~
The evening flew and Dusty thoroughly enjoyed the visit with Dusty G. Dee had appeared distracted several times during the visit, but she was probably tired. That happened too often now but she wouldn’t hear of taking maternity leave.
They were getting ready for bed when he remembered the trip. “Dee, I forgot. Leonard and I have to go to Atlanta for two days at the end of this week. I hate to leave you, but I don’t think your doctor would want you to fly and we’ll be in meetings the whole time.”
“Atlanta?”
“Yes. We sold a contract and have to meet with the team. I won’t be making any other trips down. This one is just to get them started and let them pick our brains for what we didn’t settle on paper. You’ll be okay for a couple of days, won’t you? I bet Sherry would come over.”
“I don’t need Sherry to babysit me. I’ll be fine. I’ll be at work most of the time anyway. Of course, I’m good with it.”
“You’re a doll. This is my last trip out of town before the baby comes. I swear.”
“You act like you’ve been traveling all over. You haven’t been out of town since Denver when we first got back.”
He smiled at her phrasing, “got back.” It was as though they’d gone on a short vacation rather than traveled back to 1891.
“Let me feel a little guilty for leaving you.”
“Well, when you put it that way, go for it. Sounds like presents are in store when you return.” She grinned at him.
And Dusty knew he wouldn’t remark on the flash of fear he thought he saw in her eyes.
~ ~ ~
Dee removed her top and stepped into the closet to hang it so it wouldn’t wrinkle. With Dusty out of town, she’d had to remind herself several times already that it was only for two days. She was a grown woman, a doctor for crap’s sake. She could certainly stay here alone for a couple of days. She had lived on her own for months before meeting Dusty.
Yes, his presence steadied her, but she was far from incompetent. She would be a mother in a few weeks. She had to get her act together. He hadn’t left her, just gone on a short business trip.
So why can’t you believe it?
After taking him to the jetport and seeing him and Leonard off, she’d returned home. Though this time of day he would have normally been at work, their condo had a different feel to it. Knowing it was nonsense didn’t make a difference.
Taking a nap, since she was working the evening shift, would be a good idea. Only the thoughts of the dreams awaiting her made her hesitate.
She couldn’t work up any hunger but did force herself to gulp down one of the protein drinks Dusty kept around. She turned on the TV. When nothing caught her attention, she finally decided to attempt to nap with the scent of Dusty around her.
Dee managed to sleep nearly an hour before the nightmare jerked her awake. The dreams were becoming more graphic and she was remembering them now.
The alligator people.
She hadn’t admitted that to Dusty. He worried about her enough.
Rising, she wandered into the living room. There was nothing here to frighten her. This was her apartment. She’d lived here alone before meeting Dusty. There was no balcony, so even Spiderman couldn’t get inside easily. And alligators couldn’t climb.
The fear was real, though it was silly to fear a damned cartoon-looking thing. There were no reptile people, no alligator men. The scales she’d seen on Angie’s throat were only part of the dream. The woman was no threat to her.
Dusty hadn’t seen her except that one night.
Had he?
And the scales she thought she’d spotted on others weren’t there when she checked again.
Why did knowing that not help?
Chapter 33
Dee glanced down at her patient’s leg, then took a closer look.
She blinked. There were no scales on the man’s leg. It was skin, normal healthy skin. He had only sprained his ankle biking and needed it wrapped.
There. Are. No. Scales.
“Dr. Stevens? Are you all right?”
Who was speaking? Oh, her resident.
“Do you need to sit down?”
Dee forced her eyes away from the man’s leg. “I’m fine. I just remembered something I meant to research. Sorry.”
The young man still eyed her as if gauging her honesty. She made all the male students nervous. Most hadn’t taken their obstetric rotation yet, and her girth usually caught their attention.
Wait until I’m due, then they’ll be goggle-eyed.
To change the subject, she asked, “Have the x-rays been uploaded?”
“Yes, Dr. Stevens. They’re available now.”
Dee moved over to the screen and examined them, motioning the resident to join her.
“Your diagnosis?” She managed a smile for her student.
“No breaks. Just a bad sprain.”
“I concur. Would you like to wrap it?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
“Explain what you’ll be doing first,” she advised him, and stepped back to let him take the lead, gratified to see him remain clear and concise with the patient.
As she scrubbed up following the procedure, Sherry joined her. “You doing okay?”
“Just pregnant,” she responded.
“I noticed. Want to grab a bite of lunch when you’re on break?”
“Love to.”
Sherry looked like she was going to say something else but instead winked and moved on.
No doubt checking on me for her resident. I’m fine, damn it. Haven’t lost my mind, yet.
Of course, her patient displayed no scales. Yet it was the third time she’d thought she’d seen such a thing.
Angie returned to Dee’s mind. Those blue-green scales on her throat were part of a dream. The woman wasn’t some cosplay character.
Dusty had reassured her after their conversation, and led her back to bed, making slow, and thorough, love to her. There had been no dreams of alligators or eerie scales the rest of the night, and she slept well. But as always, the dreams returned.
