Melodic Dreams

by Walters, Janet Lane;

  “You don’t have to carry me,” Maria said. “I can hop on one foot.”

  “And throw us off balance so we’d both end up needing medical care. I don’t have time.” He gestured to Jamie. “Can you open the door?”

  “Sure.”

  “I’m really sorry to be such a bother.”

  Her hair brushed his face. The vanilla scent intoxicated him. He was in trouble. Only a fool would be attracted to a scam artist. He wanted Maria but there was no way he would act until he was sure of her motives.

  Jamie opened the door. Jay stepped inside and stopped at the desk. “Emma, does Manon have a few minutes?”

  Emma grinned. “Dragging them off the street, are you? We’re not that hard up.”

  “She fell at the house.” He shifted Maria in his arms.

  “Hi, I’m Maria Russo, the new OT at the hospital. I fell and twisted my ankle.”

  Emma reached for a clipboard. “I’m Emma, soon to be Manon’s nurse practitioner so I’ll be seeing you at Fern Lake. Welcome. Manon’s spoken of you.” She leaned forward. “This young man must be Jamie.”

  “Yes.” He grinned.

  “I’ll let Manon know you’re here. She’s with her last patient of the day.” She handed Maria the clipboard. “While you wait, fill these out.”

  Maria frowned.

  Jay sat her on a chair. “What’s wrong?”

  “Just wondering how expensive this will be. Until I work at the hospital for a month I have no insurance.

  “I’ll handle the bill. The accident happened at my house.”

  “Not your fault.”

  “That’s where we disagree. If I’d done what I promised there wouldn’t have been an accident.” He shoved his hands in his pocket and stooped to face Jamie. “I did play two wrong notes.”

  “I know.”

  Maria hugged Jamie. “Go find a book while I fill out these forms and see the doctor so we can go home.”

  Jay sat across from Maria and took a magazine from the table. He was becoming more involved with the pair than he wanted.

  Chapter 4

  Maria forced her attention to focus on the clipboard. After answering most of the questions, she glanced at the handsome man on a chair across from her. She nearly laughed when she saw he’d chosen a woman’s fashion magazine and held it upside down. Jamie sat at a small table turning the pages of a picture book. Their positions and actions were mirror images. She smiled. Father and son were so much alike.

  Inwardly, she groaned. Of all times to have an accident. What if her ankle was broken and she couldn’t start work on Monday? Though the position at Fern Lake General was temporary, she’d hoped for a miracle. Remaining in Fern Lake would give Jamie time with his father.

  She answered the last question and raised her head. Jay flipped the pages of the magazine so rapidly she felt sure he had no interest in clothes and models, especially with the way her held the book.

  “I’ve finished the forms.”

  His head jerked and he dropped the magazine. He rose and reached for the clipboard. Their fingers touched. Maria felt currents of heat flow along her skin. She drew back. The flash of desire in Jay’s green eyes startled her. His gaze captured hers. What was happening? She had no time for developing a personal relationship with him. When he stepped away, she released the breath she hadn’t realized she’d held.

  Emma appeared with a wheelchair. “Manon will see you now. You’re in luck. I caught the X-ray tech before he bailed. No hours waiting in the ER for you.”

  Maria eased onto the chair. Emma raised the right leg support and helped Maria settle. She bit her lip to keep from crying.

  Jay reached for the handles. Maria shook her head. “You need to stay with Jamie.”

  “Well…we could…all right.” Panic flashed in his eyes.

  Jamie jumped up. “I want to come.”

  Maria shook her head. “Stay with your dad.”

  “Why can’t I come?”

  You’ll be fine here. I won’t be long.”

  Emma wheeled Maria into the examining room. “Let me take your vitals and remove your shoe and sock. I’ll leave you in the chair until Manon sees you.”

  Maria gripped the arms of the chair. “I’m sure my pressure will be high.” As the nurse carefully removed the footwear, tears filled Maria’s eyes.

  Emma winked. “Never saw Jay so rattled when you told him to stay with his son.” She completed vitals. “Not high. A bit low. Do you feel faint?”

  “Maybe but I’ll be fine. The accident wasn’t Jay’s fault but he feels responsible.”

  “You’re a brave woman for invading the bear’s den. He’s a real grouch when anyone interrupts him in the studio.”

  Maria felt a twinge of envy. “Guess you know him.”

  Emma grinned. “Manon tried to fix us up last year. He’s definitely not my type.”

  “You weren’t his either.” Manon stepped into the room. “Maria, what happened?”

  “I tripped while trying to rescue your brother from Jamie’s attempt to correct the composition. Jamie heard two wrong notes. He has perfect and absolute pitch.”

  Laughter filled the room. Manon drew a deep breath. “So does Jay. Bet he exploded.”

  “Not as much as I expected.” Maria looked up. “Just tell me I can wrap this with an elastic bandage and do what I must.”

  Manon poked and probed causing Maria to bite her lower lip. “Tender. Swollen. Will bruise. Before I decide on how to treat you, I’d like some X-rays to rule out a fracture.”

  Maria gripped the arms of the wheelchair. “No break, please. I don’t know how I can afford all this. I don’t have insurance yet.”

  “Jay said he was responsible.” Emma pushed the chair down the hall. In the X-ray room, she helped Maria onto the table with the tech’s assistance. “Right ankle. All views.”

  Several times during the procedure Maria held back a cry. Her body shook. What would the film show? Tears burned. She couldn’t afford the time or the money to have surgery.

  When Emma returned to the examining room, she patted Maria’s hand. “You look wiped. Do you need to lie down?”

  “I’ll manage.” Maria drew several deep breaths. “This really hurts.”

  “No wonder with all the moving around.”

  A short time later Manon arrived. “No break. I think you dislocated the ankle, stretching tendons and ligaments. I don’t think any are torn. Sprains can be worse than breaks.”

  Maria nodded. “So an elastic bandage?”

  "That and a soft cast. I’ll email a prescription to the pharmacy and add hot and cold packs. Alternate using them. I’ll have them delivered. On Thursday I’ll drop by. If there’s no swelling, I’ll order an elastic ankle support.”

  Maria closed her eyes and wondered how much money she had in her bag. She breathed in relief. She had enough to handle the supplies. “Will I be able to work on Monday?”

  ”I see no reason why not.”

  “Aunt Ria, Aunt Ria.” Jamie cried. “Where are you?”

  Manon opened the treatment room door. Jay held a flailing child. “See, I told you she was here.”

  “I thought you runned away.” Tears streamed down the boy’s face. “Uncle Carlo said you would leave me.”

  Maria groaned. Her brother enjoyed upsetting others. “And you believed him.”

  “Sort of.”

  Jay’s face colored. “I tried to explain where you were. He wouldn’t listen.” He put Jamie on Maria’s lap. “What’s the verdict?”

  Manon stared at her brother. Maria wondered what the hint of a smile meant. “Positive if she follows orders. No walking and keeping the leg elevated for several days.”

  Jay frowned. “Doesn’t sound that good.”

  “True.” Maria fought to keep tears from falling. How could she manage Jamie? Who would care for him? She had no one in Fern Lake other than Manon and the man whose green eyes held a hint of something she couldn’t decipher.

 
Manon tapped Jay’s arm. “Maria needs someone to look after her and Jamie. A four year old is a lot of work.”

  He groaned. “What do you suggest? Do I hire a live in?”

  “At the apartment.” Maria hated the shrill note of panic in her voice. “There’s one bedroom and a restless child.”

  Manon arched a brow. “Take them to the house. There’s the suite Mother used when she was ill. Mrs. Greene is there most days and if needed she can stay late.”

  Though Jay glared at his sister, he turned to Maria. “Would that be all right with you? The suite is ground floor with easy access to the kitchen and the garden.”

  Maria hugged Jamie. If she accepted, her nephew had a chance to know his father. But…the attraction. Could she keep herself from revealing her interest? “Jamie and I can manage at the apartment."

  Emma grasped Maria’s shoulder. “Manon’s suggestion is good.”

  “Maybe.”

  Manon walked to the door. “I’ll have the things delivered to the house.”

  Maria’s heart thudded. Being in Jay’s house might cause problems she wasn’t ready to face. Why hadn’t he protested?

  “Aunt Ria, let’s go there. I could see the kitty.”

  She buried her face against his neck. “You could do that. I guess we’ll accept the offer.”

  Jay stepped behind the wheelchair. “Thanks for the loan. We’re taking this.”

  “There are two, so all right,” Manon said. “On Thursday, Rafe and I will come for dinner so I can check Maria’s progress. Warn Mrs. Greene.”

  Maria cleared her throat. “I’ll cook. Lasagna with my mom’s special gravy.”

  Manon frowned. “I don’t want you standing for long periods.”

  "I won’t. I’ll sit at the table and use a chopping block to prepare what I need. A large slow cooker so the sauce can simmer. This Mrs. Greene can do the standing.”

  “Is this gravy what I call marinara?” Manon asked.

  “Yes.”

  Jay eased the chair forward. “Then lasagna sounds great. Mrs. Greene will do the shopping if you make a list.”

  “I will.”

  Manon wrapped Maria’s ankle and fastened the soft cast with Velcro binding. “See you Thursday.”

  Jay pushed the chair to the car and helped Maria inside. He fastened Jamie into the child’s seat. When they arrived at the apartment complex, Jay parked in Maria’s space. They rode the elevator to the third floor.

  “Just tell me what you need,” Jay said.

  “Push me to the bedroom. The hall’s wide enough and so are the doorways.”

  “Then what?”

  “In the closet you’ll find two duffels. We’ll need enough clothes for three or four days.”

  Once they reached the bedroom, he set the wheelchair at the foot of the twin beds. Jamie ran to the bathroom for their toothbrushes, and other things Maria told him to find. She pointed to Jamie’s dresser and named the clothes he would need. Jay placed them on the bed and filled the case.

  “Now yours.”

  “Maybe I can do my own.”

  Though they tried the wheelchair couldn’t be maneuvered to her dresser. “Just tell me,” Jay said.

  “Top drawers, underwear and socks. Second drawer knit shirts. Robe and nightgown in the third.” Thoughts of Jay handling her underclothes made her cheeks flame.

  He grabbed a handful of panties and bras and dropped them on the bed as if they were too hot to handle. He pulled four shirts. Maria chose shorts and skirts since jeans wouldn’t fit over the soft cast. She filled both cases.

  “I’ll take these to the car and return for you.”

  “We’re not done yet. Jamie will need some books and toys.” She pointed to a volume on the table between the beds. “That’s our bedtime story book.”

  Jay pushed her to the living room. “Keyboard. Yours?”

  “Jamie’s.” Maria held a smile at his double take.

  “His? Why?”

  “He plays. I’ve been told he has perfect and absolute pitch. He can play the melodies of songs he hears on TV and the radio. Taking it with us will keep him from invading your music room.” Maria handed Jamie a tote. “Books, a truck or two, ball, crayons and workbooks.”

  “My xylophone?”

  “Yes.”

  “Oh, my top. I left it at his house.”

  She patted his hand. “It will be there.”

  His eyes filled with mischief. “Paints?”

  She shook her head. “We don’t need to make a mess in your dad’s house.”

  Soon after Jamie had stocked his bag, Jay returned. As he settled them in the car, he paused. “I thought we’d stop at Burger Bounty and take dinner home. What would you like?”

  “We’ve never been there.”

  “Best burgers in town. They have almost any cheese you’d like. My favorite is bacon blue and an order of giant fries. They’re quarter potatoes.”

  “I’ll have the same. What about Jamie?”

  “They have children’s sizes. Any cheese he likes.”

  “Make it cheddar.”

  Jay pulled into a parking space. Maria watched him jog to the shop. For a man who spent hours in the music room he had a great body. How would she handle living in the same house? Tension pulsed between them with the same force as blood rushing through the aorta. What she wanted and what she should do were at opposite sides of an equation and could only equal trouble.

  * * *

  Jay loaded the luggage in the wheelchair and pushed it to the house. He freed Jamie and lifted Maria into his arms. Her scent drifted around him. He drew a deep breath of vanilla and woman and wished he hadn’t. Having her in his house was a mistake. Torn between desire and distrust, he wanted to escape into the studio. With relief he set her in the chair trying not to jar her leg.

  Her pallor troubled him. Pain shone in her eyes and he hoped she wouldn’t faint.

  The doorbell rang. Jay turned and took a bag from the delivery man. He slipped several singles in the man’s hand and signed a slip. Once he closed the door, Jay pushed the chair to the kitchen.

  At the table, Maria opened the insulated bag. Jay inhaled the aroma of burgers. She opened Jamie’s burger and the package of fries. She put two on the paper.

  “Wow, they are big,” Jamie said.

  Maria laughed. “Now we have another place to eat when I’m too tired to cook.” She bit her burger and sighed.

  For a time silence ruled. Jamie finished his food. “Aunt Ria, when will we put the piano together so I can play?”

  “Later, impatient one. Your dad and I want to finish our dinner. Then we need to unpack and settle into the place where we’re staying.”

  The child’s lower lip thrust out. Jay braced for a tantrum.

  Instead, Jamie looked at Jay. “Will I have my own room and not have to share?”

  ”Yes.” Jay turned to Maria. “The suite on this floor was created when my mother was ill. There’s a bedroom where her nurse slept. Jamie can have that one.”

  “Thanks.”

  Jamie patted Jay’s arm. “Are you sad about your mother?”

  Jay met the boy’s gaze. “For a long time but every day the sadness is less.”

  “Good. My mom died first. Then Nana. I was very sad.”

  The phone rang. As soon as Jay heard the raspy voice, he tensed. What would Amos say? Jay walked to the kitchen door and stepped into the garden. “What have you learned?”

  “The boy is yours. Delivered by a C-section. Papers are good. Congratulations, you’re a father.”

  “How did you miss the birth?”

  “Just followed your orders. All you wanted was for me to locate your wife. I did.”

  “Doesn’t matter now.” A smile lifted his lips. Jamie was his. “I believed she ended the pregnancy.” What was he going to do with the child?

  “There’s something else you need to know.”

  “And that is?”

  “About the sister, this Maria. Unders
tand she’s a real smart gal. She vanished and took the boy along.”

  “What are you trying to say?”

  “Rumors in this burg say she’s looking for a big pay-off.” Amos coughed. “Brother seems to be a real loser.”

  Jay’s gut clenched. Was Amos’ information valid? He wanted to trust Maria. She intrigued him more than Delores had. Maria had taken a job at the town’s hospital. She had asked for money but only enough for Jamie’s pre-school. Then she’d had an accident at the house and was staying here for several days. Part of a scheme?

  He could grill her. Would she reveal her true intentions? He would find a way to ask but not tonight. As soon as his guests were settled he had to work on songs for the musical.

  “What do you want me to do?” Amos asked.

  “It won’t hurt to dug further.”

  “Need a bit of cash.”

  “How much?”

  “Maybe five hundred.”

  “I’ll wire the funds.”

  He returned to the kitchen and finished the burger and fries. For a moment he nearly told Maria about the call. Not yet. He wanted to know what Amos might learn about her. “I need to show you the suite before I head to the studio. Just a warning. Once I’m there I’ll work until I can’t play another note.”

  “Have you always been that focused?”

  “A good deal of my life.”

  She grinned. “How did my sister like being in second place? She always wanted top billing.”

  “For a time back then I was fooled by her flattery and she had my full attention. That got old.” He gathered the remains of their dinner. “We fought about my neglect. I wrote a new song for her and we made up.” He tossed the wrappers in the garbage.

  Maria wheeled to the door leading to the garden. “Jamie, come in. We need to see our rooms. If Jay will help I’ll set up the keyboard.”

  When had the child gone outside? Jay wondered if he had heard any of the conversation with Amos.