Crain's Landing

by Cayce Poponea

  “Well, according to the nurse’s chart, her fever broke around midnight and her lungs are much clearer. We’ll be moving her to the pediatrics unit soon and working on getting her home.”

  Grant’s pager went off and he excused himself. Martin took the opportunity to close the door and then took a seat next to a smiling Peyton. “I’m glad to have a moment to visit with you, now that she’s doing much better.”

  Peyton decided that was the ideal moment to demand to sit in Martin’s lap, which he did like a pro. As Peyton took his stethoscope and tried to place it in her ears, Martin began.

  “I have a friend from med school who’s a pulmonologist.” My heart sank as I waited for the bad news to follow, the tears forming and my throat constricting. “I’d contacted him regarding something we saw on Peyton’s x-rays.” I couldn’t hold back anymore, the tears came and the sobs wracked my body. “No, no, Natalie, this isn’t bad news.” His hand covered mine, comfort finding its way to my chest.

  Peyton had finally gotten the stethoscope in her ears and was listening to everything she could find. “There was an area that was shadowed a little darker and I just wanted his opinion on the cause.” I let out a small breath and wiped away the tears, watching as Peyton was still lost in her world on Martin’s lap. “He confirmed my suspicions as to the reason for the shadowing.” His pause felt like an eternity as I refused to blink.

  “When I reviewed the tapes from the ER, I noticed a significant change in Peyton’s behavior over the course of your time in there. She went from fussing and crying, while you spoke to Trixie, to non-responsive as you sat in the chair waiting. I also noticed that Sophia watched this happen and did nothing but laugh.”

  I tried very hard to remember if Peyton had still been crying, but all I could remember was deciding to get her help sooner. “Natalie, the spot on her lung was an area that had begun to collapse. Had you gotten into that car...”

  “Oh, my God...” The words rushed out of my mouth as I took in what he was saying. “You stopped me.” I could feel the cold chills running down my arms. “Martin, you took her out of my arms and into the hospital and you...you saved her!”

  There was no use in trying to stop the tears of pure joy. I rounded the bed and threw my arms around both Martin and Peyton. I held them both so tight that Peyton began to fuss. “Oh, baby girl, I missed you so much.”

  I tried to take her out of Martin’s arms, but she refused to go anywhere. She was laughing and turning the stethoscope cord in her hands, not a care in the world. Martin noticed my small grin as I continued to look at a perfectly-fine Peyton.

  “It’s amazing, isn’t it?”

  I looked to Martin, his eyes still on Peyton. “What is?” I asked; my voice full of joy.

  “How children bounce back.”

  I began to chuckle. He was correct, not even twelve hours ago this little miracle had been burning up with fever.

  “It’s because the world hasn’t told them they have to act a certain way to be sick. All she knows is that she feels better and wants to play.” He was right.

  “How am I ever going to thank you?” My words were spoken so softly that I wasn’t certain I’d said them out loud.

  “It’s my job, Natalie.”

  I looked to Martin; his words were true, but not what I wanted to hear. “I know that you do this because you want to, because you care about making people better, I get that. But Martin, she’s my entire world and you’ve given me my world back.” His eyes welled up with tears, but I wasn’t finished. “You’re a father and I know you feel the same way about your children. I have to do something, take out an ad in the paper, stand on the street corner and sing your praises, I don’t know...something.”

  I watched as Martin placed Peyton back in the bed. He slowly wrapped the forgotten stethoscope around his hand and then placed it in his pocket. He opened the bag and handed Peyton a piece of waffle, which she devoured. “You’re right, Natalie, our children are our entire world, we’d do anything to make them happy.” Thank God he understood.

  “If you truly want to thank me by doing something...”

  I didn’t even let him finish. I just had to show him my gratitude for saving Peyton. “Yes, Martin, anything, just name it and it’s yours.”

  “Anything?” he asked. I rolled my eyes and circled my hands, silently telling him to get on with it. “And then we’re even?” His words were spoken very carefully.

  “Yes. You ask, I do, we shake hands and all is even,” I answered then giggled.

  “Fine, Natalie. There is one thing I want.”

  “Name it.” I nodded with conviction and assurance.

  “Go on a date with Grant.”

  IT’D BEEN SAID THAT YOU should be careful what you wish for, you might get it. Judging by the face of the man who stood in front of me, I could honestly say no truer words had ever been spoken.

  A look of pure joy was written across Martin’s face. I had practically begged him to give me something I could do to thank him, but never in a million years had I thought it would be what he had requested of me. I had hoped, admittedly, that he would just tell me it was all part of his job. I had opened my mouth and my calendar. Now, I would be doing something I didn’t really want to do.

  Martin had asked me to go on a date with Grant, but not to tell him the small details which brought that about. Martin said Grant felt strongly that all I needed was a little push. Well, I supposed this could be considered pushing—pulling or even shoving—depending on how you looked at it.

  Peyton was transferred to the pediatric ward so quickly I didn’t have time to blink. However, I thought we had been wheeled into the wrong room as I took in the amount of flowers, toys, and teddy bears that filled the space. Her face all aglow, hands clapping wildly as she noticed Savannah sitting on the edge of the bed.

  “You’ve made quite an impression on this small town,” a young woman commented as she gestured to the bounty filling the room. The candy stripper, whose name on her uniform read Simone, was all too informed about who had sent what. I didn’t care for the nosey Nelly candy stripper, especially since she had opened all of the cards and read personal notes that had been meant for my eyes only. That was a huge no-no in my book and a major invasion of privacy. Granted they weren’t national security worthy notes, just the standard get better fair, it was the principal of the thing.

  “Hello, I’m Melissa and I’ll be your nurse this morning.” A middle-aged woman walked in, a chart in one hand and a pitcher of, what I assumed was, water in the other. Her dark, wavy hair had a large area of snow white in the right front, cascading in soft waves, following the dark hair that rested beside it. Her lips were painted with a bright red lipstick and far too much blush to be considered professional. Her uniform was stark white and by the looks of the creases, professionally pressed. She carried herself as a seasoned veteran, not like the quick-fingered candy pusher.

  “Thank you,” I responded as I helped get Peyton into her new bed. She was happy after finishing her entire waffle. Martin was pleased when she would reach into the bag and take another piece, if she felt he wasn’t feeding her fast enough.

  Melissa set the pitcher near the sink then turned and began to write her name followed by Dr. Crain’s on the white dry erase board that hung by the door. “If you need anything at all, the call button is at the side of her bed, here.” Melissa pointed to a small button that had a red light in the center. “We encourage our parents to remain with our patients on this floor, not that it seems to be an issue for you.” Melissa seemed genuine, or perhaps leery with the news of two nurses being dismissed for bad behavior. “Normally we don’t allow siblings to stay with them.” She pointed to Savannah. “However, considering the notoriety of this particular patient, that shouldn’t be an issue, at least for a little while.”

  Lily walked across the room and pulled Savannah into her arms. “We aren’t staying, Mel. Besides, you know this isn’t Peyton’s sister.” By the look excha
nged between the two, I knew I didn’t want to know what just happened. I surmised it was just another case of infatuation with Grant.

  Martin had informed me that once Peyton was on the pediatric floor, Grant would be her only physician. Peyton was no longer considered a trauma patient now.

  “Dr. Grant makes his rounds around lunchtime. However, I think you’ll see much more of him than the rest of the floor.” She winked and wiggled her eyebrows.

  “Talking about me again, Melissa?” Grant’s voice was dripping with sarcasm. It was cute and, honestly, a little sexy. When my eyes finally landed on him, my knees nearly gave out from under me. He was dressed in black slacks with a yellow shirt that made his dark hair more vibrant. His eyes were shining behind a pair of sexy black-framed glasses. I had never told a soul I had a thing for guys who wore glasses. Growing up as a bookworm tends to send you in search of like items. Dr. Grant was currently making every crush I had in the past a fading memory. His white lab coat was the only thing that brought me back to Earth, until Tiffany Garrison came into the room behind him.

  “Good morning, Natalie,” her all-too-chipper voice interrupted.

  “Dr. Garrison, we address our parents by their surnames, unless they grant us permission otherwise.” Grant’s voice was harsh; I could surmise she had been told this before.

  “My apologies, Dr. Crain, Ms. Reid.” The smile never left her face, but her tone was forced; she didn’t mean a word of it to either of us. I’d be surprised if she wasn’t flipping one or both of us off behind her back or making a voodoo doll to jab stick pins into when she got home tonight.

  “My father told me she ate well this morning. With most children, that’s a good sign. Still, I want to continue the antibiotic for a little longer.” His eyes were so beautiful. I couldn’t figure out why I hadn’t seen this before. How had I missed how the smidgen of facial hair scattered across his chiseled chin, defining where his cheek and chin met? His cologne was more than pleasant to enjoy, it was nearly orgasm reaching. His bottom lip was a little puffier in the middle, begging me to suck on it.

  Having these thoughts about the man whose current job was to make your child well was considered tacky, regardless of the region of the country you lived in. However, trying to tell my screaming ovaries to settle down was a futile mission, I assure you.

  “I trust you, Dr. Crain.”

  I wasn’t sure if I was talking only about with Peyton or with me, as well. For years, I’d kept men like Dr. Crain at a safe distance, guarding the crevice Holden had created when he left. I repaired it the best I could, years of denying male attention my sole reinforcement. What I hadn’t failed to notice was the smile that highlighted his face. It was so infectious it mutated to mine, complete with a shiver of warmth radiating down my spine.

  “I’m glad to hear that, Ms. Reid.” His voice was low and husky, sending heat straight to my lady bits.

  “Please, Dr. Crain, after everything you’ve done for us, it’s Natalie.” Our eyes were locked and I couldn’t have broken away if I had wanted to. The wall surrounding my heart showed signs of failure, small crystals of healing floating to the surface. This was new territory for me, being consumed from the inside by a man I didn’t seek out. I knew Dr. Garrison was standing close bedside Grant, but for the life of me, I simply didn’t care.

  “Natalie it is, then.” His voice was soft and caressing.

  I liked it. I liked it a little too much. Gone was the cautious and calculated Natalie, in her place, the thirteen-year-old with a boy band crush, complete with banners and high-pitched screams.

  “Dr. Grant, can I borrow Dr. Garrison, please?” Melissa’s voice burst the bubble that was creeping in around us. Thankful, I looked to the door where Melissa and two other nurses stood, each smiling with knowing looks on their faces.

  “Of course, Melissa. I’ll meet you at the nurses’ station when I finish in here, Dr. Garrison.” He dismissed her with his eyes never leaving mine. Maybe this trace was a two-way street.

  I waited until I heard the door to the room close before I spoke. “I’m glad Melissa needed her, I wanted to talk to you privately about something.”

  Grant placed Peyton’s chart on the bedside table and then turned his attention back to me. Tracing an imaginary loose thread on Peyton’s blanket, my eyes falling to the white material. Facing my agreed upon deed was much harder than I expected.

  “I haven’t been very fair to you and for that I’m truly sorry. I’d like to accept your invitation for dinner, if the offer is still open.” My voice was low and frail, emotions climbing to the surface. I expected a cocky reply, something along the lines of checking schedules, but when I looked up, it was the smile on his face telling me the truth, as it had grown tenfold since he entered the room.

  “Yes, Natalie, it’s very much still open.”

  I returned his smile with one of my own. “Of course, I’m certain you understand that I have to wait until Peyton is fully recovered.” Shaking my head quickly, I rolled my hands around in her direction. “I mean what kind of mom leaves her sick child to go out on a date?” The word date slipped out. I was comfortable with dinner, but somehow the word “date” made it personal. I knew I was finding myself very attracted to him, but I wasn’t ready for personal...yet.

  “I completely agree and understand. You name the date and time and I’ll take care of the rest.” Grant completed his notes on Peyton’s chart, the smile never leaving his face. He wished me a good day and said he would be back once his office hours were finished.

  Peyton slept for a few hours and then wanted to play. The hospital had more toys and games than the toy store. One of the nurses brought in an armful of puzzles and books and I spent several hours helping Peyton put them together and reading to her. It felt good to have her returning to the little girl I had brought into this world.

  It was just after lunch when an excited Autumn dropped by. She was loaded down with stuffed animals and more games and puzzles. Peyton started to clap when she laid eyes on Autumn. The nurse came in and helped to rearrange Peyton’s IV tubing so she could get out of bed and play. “So, I got a very excited phone call from a very handsome doctor this morning.” Autumn spoke in a chipper voice, never looking up from the puzzle Peyton had conned her into helping with.

  “Really? I’m glad you and your father are so close,” I joked without looking at her.

  “Nice try, Natalie,” she replied as she smacked my arm. “I can’t tell you how glad I am that you finally agreed to give him a chance. He’s an amazing guy and you’re wonderful, too. You guys seem to go so well together.”

  I did feel slightly guilty since part of me was doing this for Martin, but a larger part of me, and I wasn’t sure how strong that part was, had agreed to this for me. I decided diversion was the easiest route. “It’s just dinner, Autumn. Two people eating at the same time. Don’t make more of it than it is.”

  Her face never faltered. “Keep telling yourself that, Natalie. You’ll be the only one to believe it.”

  Maybe I should have been honest with her. I agreed not to tell Grant about Martin’s and my agreement, but I knew that once word was out, it would get back to him. I couldn’t hurt him like that. He was showing Peyton such kindness and compassion. It was only dinner after all. Grant himself had stated if I agreed to one dinner then he would leave me alone. This could conceivably solve two issues with one fork. One, it would finally show Grant I wasn’t the kind of woman he really wanted. Two, it would put an end to all the small-town meddling and pressure I was receiving. What it didn’t do was change the sting in my chest I felt for even thinking about not seeing Grant anymore.

  “So, I did have a purpose to my visit; other than to talk about my brother and see this little munchkin.” Autumn tickled Peyton’s neck, causing her to squeal with joy. “The annual county fair is coming up in a couple months and I wanted to see if you would like to rent a booth for the library.”

  I thought back to the small fair we had vi
sited on our drive to Crain’s Landing. Peyton had such a good time with the puppies. I would make certain to take her this time, as well. “That’s a great idea. We could remind the townsfolk about the many events and services the library offers them.”

  My mind was in overdrive as I thought about printing up coupons for free movie rentals or e-book uploads. This could really help with those services. Not to mention the coffee shop.

  “Just make sure you leave an evening open for you and Grant. Walking along the midway can be quite romantic.”

  I only smiled at her. I hoped to have this dinner over and done with by the time next weekend came. The fair wasn’t for a while so I wasn’t really worried. “We’ll have to see about that. Your brother may not even want a second dinner with me after he takes me out the first time.”

  Autumn looked at me with a questioning glance. “Whatever do you mean?”

  I took Peyton into my hap and helped her comb the hair on the doll Autumn had brought her. “Have you ever heard the saying ‘she’s a Mona Lisa’ before?” Autumn slowly nodded her head yes. “Well, what if that’s me? I look good from far away, but when you get close to me, I’m far less desirable.” Broken and with too much baggage, I thought silently.

  The skin on her forehead wrinkled in frustration. “Are you trying to say you’re not pretty? Because...”

  I placed my hand on hers. “No, I’m not talking about looks.” I adjusted Peyton in my lap; she was getting fussy again, wanting to do the puzzle on her terms and not how it was intended. “I once read that Matthew McConaughey doesn’t use deodorant. He’s an attractive man, but I couldn’t snuggle up next to him if he smelled bad.”

  You could see the light bulb go off in her head. “Natalie, I can assure you my brother uses deodorant.”

  I gave her the look, the one that said…really? “Autumn, I’m trying to say that just because I come in a nice little package, he may not like what he unwraps.”

  She seemed to understand that, or maybe she just didn’t want to continue this particular conversation. She told me she would email me the booth rental agreement and that if I wanted her help in organizing the fliers, she would be more than happy to come over.