The Doctor's Family Reunion

by Mindy Obenhaus

  “You sound as though you’re rethinking that stance.”

  Trent looked up at the shrouded mountaintops. I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from?

  My help comes from the Lord.

  Peace flooded his soul, eradicating the turmoil he’d let cloud his judgment. God would help him through this rocky patch as He had every other time life didn’t go as Trent had hoped. But first he had to give God the reins.

  A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Not at all. But He is going to make me work for it.”

  “He has a habit of doing that.” Dan sent him an understanding look along with a slap on the back. “But if you follow His lead, I guarantee it’ll be worth it.”

  The sound of happy children interrupted the afternoon lull, and Dan shifted his attention to the opposite corner. “School’s out.” He scanned the darkening sky. “And, from the looks of things, just in time, too.”

  “You have kids?”

  “One.” Dan stood and pointed toward a trio of little girls. “See the girl with the dark ponytail?”

  “Looks like Lisa.”

  Dan choked out a laugh. “Lucky for her.”

  Trent pushed to his feet, a sense of hope renewing his strength. “How old?”

  “Six.” Dan started toward the crosswalk. “Why don’t you come meet her?”

  “Trent!” Across the street Austin waved, and Trent’s spirits soared.

  Dan nudged him. “I had a feeling he’d be close by. Austin watches out for my Alyssa.”

  Pride swelled in Trent’s chest. Austin was a good kid.

  He had Blakely to thank for that.

  “You know what, Dan? No matter how hard I have to work to make things right, it will definitely be worth the effort.”

  Chapter Eight

  Blakely closed the spreadsheet on the computer screen, her office chair groaning as she slumped against the padded back. She’d never ripped into anyone the way she’d ripped into Trent. On the drive back to town, she couldn’t even look at him. The expression on his face. So genuine. Raw. Like how she felt when she learned of her father’s plane crash. Denial, hurt and anger all rolled into one excruciating emotion.

  Could someone really fake that?

  She stared at a collage of snapshots on the wall. Austin with his first bike. His first day of school. His first puppy, Ellie Mae. Years of memories. And Trent had missed every one of them.

  I loved you.

  Her eyes fell closed. She used to dream of hearing Trent say those words. Dream he’d come back for her and Austin.

  But he didn’t.

  Because he didn’t know.

  “Everything okay in here?”

  Blakely opened her eyes to see Lisa leaning against the open door. Forcing a smile she certainly didn’t feel, she hoped to erase any trace of melancholy. “Of course. What would make you think otherwise?”

  “School let out over ten minutes ago. You’re usually out front waiting on Austin.”

  Blakely jumped to her feet, eyeing her watch. “Goodness. You’re right.” She pushed past Lisa. Since when had she become so predictable? “I guess I got so caught up in payroll that I lost track of time.”

  “Funny. You usually hate doing payroll.”

  Lisa was too observant.

  Blakely continued around the counter, toward the front door. “I know. Weird, huh? Thanks for keeping me on task, Lisa.”

  The screen creaked open, and Blakely stepped onto the porch, hoping to rid herself of the funk that had plagued her all afternoon. She didn’t want Austin to see her like this.

  She zipped her jacket and folded her arms to ward against the chill that had invaded the air. It would rain soon. And from the looks of the steely clouds racing over Hayden’s peak, they could be in for another stormy evening.

  Across the street, a doe snacked on the neighbor’s lawn. Given the impending weather, Blakely was surprised the animal hadn’t run for cover. Perhaps things wouldn’t be as bad as she thought. Goodness knows she had a habit of overthinking things.

  She descended the concrete steps, turning her focus in the direction of Main Street. Austin was already at the corner, talking with Dan and Alyssa. Not a care in the world. Would you look at that megawatt smile?

  His sweet disposition would go a long way toward improving her mood. Hard to believe her little man would be ten in less than a week. Definitely a cause for celebration. His party had been booked at the hot springs pool for more than a month, but she still had to give Taryn the details on his cake. Nothing but fudge marble would do.

  Dan waved as he and Alyssa walked away, and Blakely’s heart wrenched when she spotted the source of Austin’s delight.

  Even from half a block away, she could see the pain etched on Trent’s handsome face. And regardless of their past, it was a handsome face.

  Blakely, I promise you, I never received any letter.

  Squeezing her arms tighter, she stared at the gathering clouds. Blinked away moisture.

  God, could it really be true?

  Mentally turning back the pages of time, she thought about the young man she’d met so long ago. She’d been smitten almost from the moment she laid eyes on him. He was fun and easy to talk to, and he understood her like no one ever had.

  Even as a young woman, she recognized a gentleness and compassion that would make him a wonderful doctor.

  She glanced up the street. What if he hadn’t received her letter? That didn’t negate the fact that he’d betrayed her. And the pain of that wound left a jagged scar on her heart.

  Like Taryn said, though, people change. She certainly wasn’t the same person Trent met all those years ago.

  She blew out a breath. Losing her mother as a little girl, her father six months before her high school graduation... To say she’d been angry with God was an understatement.

  Yet He’d restored her faith and given her the greatest blessing of all.

  Her gaze collided with Trent’s. How would they even begin to forge a friendship?

  Austin.

  As her son started toward her, Trent turned and crossed the street in the opposite direction. Hands jammed in his pockets, his shoulders were slumped, his gaze downcast.

  Her heart went out to him.

  “Hey, short man.” She held her arms open expectantly.

  “Hi, Mom.”

  She dropped a kiss atop Austin’s head, enjoying his all-too-brief embrace. “How was your day?”

  He lifted a shoulder. “Okay.”

  “Then why do you look so down?”

  His fluid eyes met hers. “Trent said he can’t come to my party.”

  Blakely felt like someone had slashed her tires. This was her fault. She’d taken aim at Trent’s heart and let her arrow fly.

  Though the direct hit hadn’t brought near the satisfaction she expected.

  “Did he say why?”

  Austin shook his head, his frown reminding her of Gran’s words. That it wasn’t just about her.

  But it was up to her to make it right.

  * * *

  Despite his optimism, the ache in Trent’s heart throbbed into the next day. The way Austin’s smile dissolved when he told him he couldn’t attend his birthday party had Trent seriously rethinking the decision. But given the sour ending to his last conversation with Blakely, he figured it best to bow out until they could come to some sort of agreement.

  When that might happen, though, was anybody’s guess. So he was shocked to find a message waiting for him at the clinic the next day. Even more so when she’d asked him to meet her at the church that evening.

  Now he waited in the small, empty sanctuary that smelled of lemon oil.

  He shifted in the back pew, watching the light fa
de behind the stained glass windows. What if Blakely had decided not to tell Austin who he was? What if she didn’t want him seeing Austin at all? Could she do that? And if she did, how far was Trent willing to go to ensure a place in his son’s life? Paternity tests. Court battles. What would that do to Austin?

  The rapid-fire questions came to a halt when the front door of the church groaned open. Gentle footfalls trailed down the hall. Closer.

  “Hi.” A nervous smile flitted across Blakely’s face as she settled into the pew in front of him. “These are for you.” She held out a disposable plastic container.

  Accepting the package, he peered inside. “Your grandmother’s peanut butter cookies.” Rose still had his back. “She didn’t have to do this.”

  “Um...she didn’t.”

  “You made these?” He gestured at the container, unable to hide his surprise.

  She nodded.

  Thoughts whirled again. His gaze narrowed. Was this an olive branch or the calm before the storm?

  Recalling all the times she’d brought him cookies that summer, he softened. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Silence filled the subsequent moments, as though both seemed afraid to move past the small talk.

  He focused on the cross over the baptismal; she kept her head bowed.

  “I owe you an apology.” Her words were barely above a whisper.

  “For what?” He was the one who’d broken faith with her. And all these years she’d believed he’d chosen Lauren and their child over her and Austin. The thought made him sick.

  “I was very harsh with you the other day.”

  “By speaking the truth?”

  “Perhaps.” She absently traced a figure eight on the ridge of the pew. “Although I know things aren’t always what they seem.”

  When she finally looked at him, he saw understanding in her blue eyes. Or maybe resignation.

  “Blakely, you’re going to have to cut me some slack here. I’m a guy. We don’t always get things. Exactly what are you saying?”

  “I’m willing to believe you never got my letter. That you didn’t know about Austin.”

  “Willing to believe or you do believe? There’s a big difference.”

  Her gaze drifted away. She inhaled deeply. Exhaled, searching him out once again. “I believe you. The man I knew would never have turned his back on Austin.”

  “Or you,” he added, unable to help himself.

  Her lips pursed. She swallowed. “Whatever the case, I want you to come to Austin’s party.”

  “You do?”

  Had he not been watching her every move, he’d have missed the subtle nod. “It’s important to him.”

  “And you?”

  Straightening, she regarded him full-on. “Whatever is important to my son is important to me. The best birthday present he could receive is meeting his father.”

  Did she have any idea how much her words meant? “You think so?”

  “I know so.”

  He fell against the back of the pew, reality gradually seeping into his thick head. He used to dream of meeting his father. Had Austin had those same dreams? Would learning Trent was his dad be a dream come true, or would it rock Austin’s stable world?

  “Okay. So how do we do this?”

  She puffed out a laugh. “I have no idea.”

  * * *

  Thirty minutes later they sat in Rose’s living room. Blakely’s grandmother excused herself as Blakely joined Austin and Jethro on the beige sofa. Trent perched on the matching loveseat, Ellie Mae collapsed at his feet.

  Temps outside were in the low fifties, but sweat still beaded his brow. He swiped clammy palms over his denim-clad thighs.

  “Am I in trouble?” Austin tugged Jethro closer, his worried look drifting between Trent and Blakely.

  “No, sweetie.” She rested a loving hand on the boy’s leg. “We just need to talk to you about something.”

  “Okay.” The kid still looked scared to death. But with their grim expressions, what did they expect?

  Trent made a lame attempt at a smile. The steady tick-tock of the grandfather clock across the room seemed to accentuate the seriousness of the moment. He rubbed Ellie Mae, gladly accepting whatever comfort the dog offered.

  About the time he thought he couldn’t wait one more minute, Blakely said, “Honey, Trent is your father.”

  Excitement and disappointment were the first emotions to cross the boy’s face. “You’re my...dad?”

  “I am.”

  His son slouched against the overstuffed cushion, pondering the news. “How come you didn’t tell me?”

  Blakely must have caught Trent’s panicked expression because she came to his rescue. “He didn’t know, Austin.”

  Confusion muddied the boy’s innocent features. “How come?”

  She sighed. “Austin, that’s a really long story. One with a lot of miscommunication.”

  As she broke things down into Austin-size pieces, Trent couldn’t help thinking what an amazing woman she was. One that could easily capture his heart again. With all the stuff between them, she still managed to put her son’s needs above her own desires. Not everyone would do that.

  “Austin, there’s only one thing I’ve ever wanted more than being a doctor, and that’s a family. If I had known about you, I would have been here.”

  “So...does this mean you and Mom are getting married?”

  “Well—”

  “No.” Blakely adjusted a stack of magazines on the coffee table. “Trent and I haven’t seen each other in ten years. We barely know each other.”

  “But, you could get married? Later.”

  Trent liked the way the kid thought. “This is a big shock for all of us. It’ll take time to adjust. I want to know everything about you, Austin. And I’m sure you’re going to want to get to know me, too.”

  “Yeah. So we can still hang out?” He squirmed to the edge of the cushion.

  “I’m counting on it, bud.”

  “What about Mom? Can she hang out with us?”

  “If she wants to.” Judging from the way Blakely was fidgeting, though, Trent doubted she’d be on board with that. “The most important thing I want you to know right now is that I love you, son, and I will always be here for you.”

  “Can I call you Dad?”

  Trent managed to speak around the lump in his throat. “I would be honored to have you call me Dad.”

  “Okay. Dad.” Austin’s grin was so big his cheeks would probably hurt tomorrow. “This is so cool. Mom, can I call Zach and tell him?”

  Her reaction was a little more reserved. She smoothed a hand over his hair. “Go ahead.”

  Austin leaped to his feet and charged toward the rolltop desk. He grabbed the cordless handset and bounded up the stairs.

  Forearms on his knees, Trent looked at Blakely. “You’ve just given me the greatest gift of my life. Thank you.”

  “I heard someone running upstairs.” Rose approached from the office, her concerned gaze darting between Trent and Blakely. “How’d it go?”

  “He couldn’t wait to call Zach, if that tells you anything.” Blakely pushed to her feet.

  “Oh.” A relieved smile blossomed on Rose’s face. “Well, I guess everything went all right, then.”

  “Yes, it did.” Trent stood and stretched, watching Blakely cross the room, arms wound around her midsection in a protective mode. If only it were so easy to gain her trust. Regardless of what she said, he recognized the hurt embedded below the surface. Hurt that only time, persistence and the Good Lord’s grace could overcome.

  And when she finds out you’re leaving?

  Good thing he wasn’t one to give up without a fight. Because Blakely Daniels wa
s definitely worth fighting for.

  Chapter Nine

  “That’s awesome, Mr. Burk. Thank you for calling.” Blakely did a little happy dance as she hung up the phone at the front desk. News that the parts for her damaged vehicle had arrived early was the best she’d had all week. According to Mr. Burk, an old friend of Granddad’s from the body shop in Montrose, she should have the truck by next weekend.

  With a definite spring in her step, she scurried around the counter and went back to unpacking a shipment of T-shirts that had arrived in time for the long holiday weekend. A good weekend it was setting up to be, too. All but one of her rental Jeeps had been reserved and there was limited seating on most of Saturday’s tours. Sunday was filling up just as quickly, so she’d already decided to call Tomboy—a four-door Jeep 4 X 4 with a jump seat in the back—into action should the need arise.

  She admired one of the new men’s shirts. Electric pink with black lettering with the Adventures in Pink logo on the left breast and Real Men Aren’t Afraid of Pink emblazoned on the back. Her favorite. Though for the less adventurous males, she had black shirts with pink lettering.

  The front door swung open and Blakely turned to greet her guest. Her smile evaporated when she spotted Ross Chapman.

  “It’s after six o’clock. Shouldn’t you be getting home to your family?” He continued across the blue-gray carpet and fingered one of the shirts. “Cute.”

  The man could set off her Irish temper faster than anyone she’d ever known. A fact she was determined to keep to herself.

  “I don’t see how that’s any of your business, Ross.” She folded another shirt, trying to keep her frustration at bay. She set the shirt atop the previous one.

  “Come on. We both know your grandmother’s not a young woman.”

  Blakely couldn’t help but chuckle. “Don’t let her hear you say that.”

  “Nonetheless, with old Bill gone, somebody needs to look out for her. Not to mention that boy of yours.”