“I've come to an important decision, Vanessa. I've already explained to Clinton when I phoned him earlier.”
“What is it?”
“I'm leaving tonight.”
“Tonight?” She felt as if someone had pierced her chest with an arrow.
“Yes--but not back to L.A.”
“Then where are you going?”
“A while ago, just before Morrison left to go back to the Fish and Wildlife headquarters, he offered me a job with the department. I accepted.”
“I see.” Her words caught in her throat. “Well. Congratulations.”
He stopped pacing. “First thing in the morning I'm calling my boss on the L.A. force and my landlord too. My rent's paid up till the end of the month. Morrison's agreed to give me a long weekend off then so I can drive back down and take care of loose ends.”
“Yes...yes, of course.”
He reached for her hands and pulled her to her feet. “I just wanted you to know, I believe this is the right move for me. Coming back to the northwest has put me in touch with my roots, helped me define who I really am. I don't want to let go of that.”
“But why must you leave tonight?” Her thoughts ricocheted between wanting to prolong their inevitable good-byes and doing so as quickly as possible.
“Morrison needs me immediately. He's offered me his guest house till I can find a place to live. The department’s been short-handed far too long.” His gaze flitted down to her lips, then rested again with her eyes.
“Well then...” She swallowed against the sting of tears. “I guess the time has come a little earlier than we'd planned.”
He shrugged. “What difference does a few days make?”
“Right. What difference?”
“Later tonight after I get settled, I'll call the hospital and ask about Eldon. And as soon as they'll let me see him, I plan to do that too.” His voice was heavy with regret. “I...I need to tell him I'm sorry. If I'd known what had been going on before he left, there's no way I would've overslept that morning.”
“You'll have your chance,” she forced herself to reply airily. But would he? What if Dad took a turn for the worse and died before Lowell could see him?
“Good luck with the teen support group,” he added thickly, “...and...everything else you do in the future too.” He gave a wry smile. “All those times I've teased you about your causes...I do hope you realize I was only teasing.”
“Yes. I knew that.” She averted her gaze.
He reached out and turned her chin till she had no choice but to meet his eyes again. The heat in his hand seemed to sear right through her. “Good-bye, Nessie.”
“Good-bye, Lowell.”
He brushed her lips with a soft, fleeting kiss, then escorted her back to the conference room where Clinton was waiting.
* * *
“The charge nurse says Dad's in x-ray,” Vanessa told her uncle as she slumped down in the white leather couch across from him in the waiting room on the fifth floor of the hospital. “They're doing chest x-rays, then a longer procedure--an x-ray of his heart.”
“So the doc suspects pneumonia? And more heart problems too?” Clinton asked shakily.
“The pneumonia they're already fairly certain about. Dr. Conford, his physician, says Dad's chest is congested. The x-ray of Dad's heart--an echo cardiogram, the nurse called it--is to rule out any not so obvious problems.” She paused to dab a wadded up tissue at the corner of her eyes. “They want to make sure the fluid on his lungs is not an indication of a weakened heart. And if the fluid backs up, Dad could have even worse problems.” Two nurses in pale green surgical scrubs hurried by.
“But Eldon stayed right on schedule taking his heart pills. Wouldn't that have helped?”
“Hopefully yes.” Through Vanessa struggled to sound as controlled as possible for her uncle's sake, inside she was crumbling into a million pieces. What an emotional roller-coaster the day had been. The joy over Dad's rescue, only to be complicated by the reality he could still die.
And now--she choked back a sob--Lowell's bittersweet farewell. He said he'd be calling the hospital. Perhaps stopping by. She prayed that when he did, she would no longer be there. The prospect of seeing him again nearly ripped her in two. They'd already said their good-byes. She simply couldn't bear it one more time.
Later, after Eldon had returned from the radiology department back to his hospital room, he drifted into a deep sleep. The x-ray had shown an advanced case of pneumonia, and the heart monitor now indicated an irregular rhythm. Only moments earlier, the charge nurse had informed them a cardiologist would be evaluating the echocardiogram within the next hour.
Clinton ran his hand across a gray-white stubble of beard. “Did you bring your cell phone, Vanessa? I need to get in touch with Ruby. I'm sure everyone back home is on pins and needles, wantin' to know.” She gave a wry grin. “And there are also a few things I want to tell Ruby in private.”
“Yes, my phone’s right here, Vanessa replied. She reached into her purse, pulled it out, and handed it to him. I noticed a nice little sunroom just off the elevators where you can talk,” she added with a conspiratorial wink. “Be sure to tell Ruby we're all holding up just fine. I'll stay right here till you get back.”
No sooner had Clinton left, Dr. Conford appeared at Eldon's bedside. He was a stout man, early thirties, Vanessa guessed.
“When can I talk to my father?” Vanessa asked him. “In a while. Don't disturb him now. I doubt if he's slept this well in weeks. When he awakens, you can visit briefly. But take care not to tire him.”
Nodding, Vanessa noted that the pallor in her father's face nearly matched the whiteness of the two pillows supporting his head. He was receiving oxygen through a nasal cannula and his medications through an intravenous drip. As she continued to watch him, a solitary tear wetted her cheek.
“Yes, Dad. Do rest,” she murmured as the doctor hurried from the room. There were so many words that needed to be spoken...reminders of her love for him, her appreciation for the devotion and nurturing he and Mama had given Andy and herself.
Wearily she sank down into a chair next to his bed and stared unseeingly at a spot on the opposite wall. It was already past midnight. Her body and mind felt weighted with fatigue.
“Vanessa...kitten. Look at me.”
Her gaze darted to his face. A trembling smile hovered on his lips. His eyes were fixed solidly on hers and a little of his former robust color had risen back into his cheeks.
“Dad! You're awake,” she said in a hushed tone. “How...how're you feeling?”
“B...better.”
“Good! You're looking better. Do you know where you are? Do you know what happened to you?” Though her father had been conscious the entire time, she couldn't help but pose the question.
“Yes...kitten.” He coughed, then asked weakly. “Where's Clint?”
“Making a phone call. He'll be back soon.”
He nodded, closing his eyes. Slowly he opened them again. “What about Lowell? Is...is he still back home?” She forced herself to meet his inquiring gaze as she explained about Lowell's sudden leaving. Yet all the while, the words nearly stuck in her throat. Could her father read the longing inscribed on her heart? Could he sense how much she loved Lowell? She was certain her need for him was as transparent as the glass of water next to Dad's bedside.
“So the lad's not far away...that's fine. He's a good man, kitten.”
“Yes...yes he is.”
“While we were working together...before I was kidnapped...Lowell asked about you...night and day...so many times...” Eldon's voice trailed off.
At the sound of his words, her heart twisted. Yes, perhaps Lowell had asked, but what good was mere asking? Especially after all that had happened between them. He'd said himself he would never love her. Why had he shown his interest in her? Mere duty--even back then?
“You mustn’t try so hard to talk, Dad. You must rest now. The doctor said so.”
&n
bsp; A spark of determination flashed in his eyes. “I...I must talk. The sight of my little girl is...a sight for sore eyes...That young upstart of a doctor...he's ain't dry yet behind the ears--”
Vanessa held back a smile. Dad certainly hadn't lost his fighting spirit. For that she was grateful.
Another coughing jag wracked Eldon's body. She lifted his head, supporting him with a pillow as he sipped water through a straw. At length, the cough subsided.
“I love you, Dad. Just sleep now. Sleep and get well...” She leaned over and kissed his forehead, swallowing back fresh tears.
* * *
Sitting inside the Fish and Wildlife Service’s headquarters, Lowell gulped down the remainder of his black coffee. It'd been the fourth cup--he'd brewed it strong--but so far his usual caffeine fix hadn't kicked in.
He stifled a yawn as he stared at his computer monitor, then clicked on a link to access a website. The colorful images wavered before him and his head throbbed.
What he'd give for a decent night's sleep. He'd struggled through two long nights without more than a few hours--the first while waiting to get the goods on Matt Redding, the second while he'd packed up his truck, caught the 1:15 A.M. ferry, and tried to bed down at Morrison's guest house. But in those few remaining hours till morning, thoughts of Eldon kept parading through his mind--and Lowell found himself getting up still one more time to call the hospital and ask about him.
“Sorry. We can only give out information to family members,” the same stern-sounding nurse kept reiterating. Lowell gave his head a quick shake as if shaking off the memory. His only choice now would be to contact Vanessa, who'd undoubtedly stayed at Eldon's bedside all night long.
And that choice he quickly rejected.
“More coffee?” the young receptionist with auburn hair asked, breezing past his desk.
As Lowell glanced at the clock on the wall, a sudden picture of another auburn beauty sprang to his mind. No one could hold a match to Vanessa. He thought of her silky flowing hair, those blue-gray eyes that so openly mirrored her emotions, her fierce protectiveness for those she loved.
He thought of the feeling of her pressed against him, the passion of her kisses, the fire within himself he could no longer deny. Suddenly if felt so right. There was no room anymore for doubt, kidding himself about some over-inflated sense of duty. He and Vanessa were meant to be together.
Forever.
“Mr. Maxwell?” The sound of Millie's voice brought him back with a start.
“Uh...what?”
“I said would you care for more coffee?”
“No, thanks. “I've had plenty. Too much. Right now I need to clear my head and check in with Morrison.”
“He hasn't arrived yet, sir. He called to say he was stalled in traffic on I-5. Said to tell you he'd be there as soon as he could, but it might take a while.”
“Morrison should see the freeways in L.A.,” Lowell said wryly as he glanced at the clock on the wall. He slumped back down in his chair and propped his feet on his desk, thinking again about Vanessa. Why? Why did he care about her so much? And was it really only a matter of caring? Could he truly let go of his own problems and admit the love for her he'd been struggling to deny? Make a lasting commitment to the one woman who'd captured his very soul? The sudden realization jolted him.
“Well, well. Maxwell old boy.” Ralph Morrison approached from behind and slapped him on the shoulder.
Lowell sprang to his feet. “Ah, you're here.”
“Yes. I've wanted to talk to you. Congratulate you again for a job well done.”
“I had lots of backup, don't forget. The other agents on the task force, the sheriff's department on the island--not to mention your help too.”
Morrison dropped a leather briefcase on the desk, snapped it open, and produced a stack of papers. “We counted one hundred eighty-nine sea otter carcasses. They're being held right here in our seizure room till the courts authorize their release.”
Lowell let out a whistle. “I expected it'd be close to that.”
“Have you heard anything about Mr. Paris? Any news about how he's doing?”
“Nope. I tried calling several times, but no one would tell me anything substantial.”
Morrison narrowed his gaze on Lowell and frowned. “You look awful.”
“Thanks, pal.”
“No, Maxwell. I mean it. Take the day off and get some sleep. I shouldn't known better than to insist you start work so soon.”
“But there's still too much paper work to finish.”
“Maxwell.”
“Yes?”
“I thought I made myself perfectly clear. Forget the paper work and get out of here.”
Less than an hour later, Lowell had driven back to the guest house and gone straight to bed. But he'd only managed to sleep for a few hours, and couldn't drift back.
He gave the bed sheets one more yank as he flipped over on his side. The room-darkening shades in the room were tightly drawn. He’d turned his cell off. So what was the problem? Maybe he was too wired. That happened sometimes. Going so long without sleep, you'd passed the point of no return. But before, he'd always managed to snap back in record time.
Once again he couldn't quiet his restless thoughts. What had Vanessa learned about Eldon? What if her father did die?
He pushed himself up on one elbow and hung his feet over the side of the bed, mulling it over as he stared at his cell phone. He couldn't keep taking no for an answer. He had to call the hospital one more time.
He turned the phone back on and punched in the numbers. Drumming his fingers on the bedside table, he listened to the succession of rings on the other end. What was taking so long? At last the operator at the hospital switchboard answered and transferred his call.
“Fifth floor. Ms. Scheller, ward clerk, speaking.”
“Who did you say you are?” Lowell asked. “A nurse?” He couldn't help feeling like a blundering fool.
“I'm Ms. Scheller, the ward clerk,” she repeated evenly. “How may I help you?”
“I need to talk to a nurse! The nurse in charge of Eldon Paris.”
“Are you a family member?”
There it was again. That same lousy question. “Yes,” he lied, his voice rising. “His son-in-law!”
Quickly he clenched his jaw, taken aback at his own words. What had made him say that? Was it because deep inside he longed for it to be true?
“Please hold,” the ward clerk replied.
“Okay, but hurry.” Lowell heaved a sigh. Family, he thought. The Paris family. Vanessa's image once again came to him--and this time it refused to leave. The thought of the possible family ties tugged inside his gut.
The line remained silent. He tapped his foot impatiently as the minutes wore on. Then he lost the connection. Blasted phone! He knew the cell coverage was sometimes iffy there on the islands, but what a lousy time to be cut off.
Raking a hand through his hair, he decided what to do next, he started dressing. He'd hurry to the hospital. He'd go straight to Eldon's bedside and say what he needed to say--even if someone tried to kick him out.
And if going there meant he might have to face Vanessa again, so be it. If the news about Eldon was bad, at least he'd be there for her. He couldn't let her experience grief in the same way he had. No, he simply could not.
* * *
Vanessa stood outside her father's hospital room, crying softly, when rapid footsteps in the hallway caused her to look up.
Her breath caught, whisper soft. “Lowell!”
He was back--just as she'd dreaded--yet her love for him made her head reel.
He rushed up to her, alarm registering on his face.
“Vanessa. What is it?” he asked. “Why on earth are you crying? Is it...is it bad news? Isn't Eldon going to make it?”
“It looks as if he's going to be fine!” More tears streamed down her face. “I...I'm crying because I'm happy. And relieved...so relieved. The doctor just told us he's certai
n the crisis is over. The fluid on Dad's lung is clearing. His heart rhythm has returned to normal and his temperature has been down for several hours.”
“Thank God,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “I knew Eldon would pull through. He just had to.” He reached out and touched her shoulder. “You must be exhausted.”
“Yes...yes, Uncle Clint and I both are,” she admitted. “Right now he’s on the phone again, telling the good news to Ruby
“Is Eldon sleeping?” Lowell asked.
“He just woke up.”
“I need to talk to him. Alone.”
“The staff might not let you go in. Only family members are allowed.”
“Fine. So consider me family. I might as well be, you know...”
She bit her lower lip. “What about your job? Why aren't you at the wildlife headquarters?”
“Morrison insisted I take the rest of the day off. I'll explain more later--after I talk with Eldon.”
“All right.” She gave a tentative nod as he brushed her side to enter the room. The musky scent of his after-shave tugged at her. What dreadful timing. Why couldn't he have come later? Later, after she and Clinton had ferried back to the islands. This time, saying good-bye would be even more heart-wrenching. Maybe she should leave right now so she wouldn't have to face him again.
Yet she couldn't.
The wait while Lowell and Dad talked seemed an eternity. She must've skimmed through at least a half a dozen magazines, not comprehending a word. She must've downed at least another half dozen cups of coffee from the courtesy refreshment cart in the corner of the waiting room. At last she got to her feet and wandered to the large aquarium in the hallway to watch a family of black striped fish.
“Eldon's in excellent spirits,” Lowell said, jolting her from her reverie as he reappeared at her side.
“Another sure sign of his recovery,” she agreed, trying to control her escalating pulse rate. She hesitated. “Well? Did you get to tell Dad everything you planned to?”
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