“No. I’m too worried.”
“Sure, I understand.” He opened his office door. “Let’s talk. Tell me about what’s going on at the farm.”
“Do you have an hour or so for me to explain?”
“It’d be nice, but we’re swamped tonight.” His pager went off before he could elaborate. “Sorry, Tyndal.” He gave her a quick hug. “Someone will know how to find me. Right now, I’m heading for surgery.”
“Thanks, Rob. When we left Emergency, an aide gave me Fee’s room number. I’ll wait there for her and stay overnight. We’ll be fine.”
“I’ll check in when I can.”
“Okay. Go save a life.”
“I’m gonna try.”
Tyndal called Jared from Fionola’s room. “They’re doing tests right now.”
“Normal procedure. Did you speak to Rob?”
She answered his questions and felt some of her fear loosen its grip. “I miss you,” she whispered.
“I miss you too. But, Tyndal, you’re where you need to be, and Rob knows better than to listen to Fee. If there’s something going on, he’ll find it.”
“It’s just the uncertainty.”
“Sweetheart, this is one of those hard places where we have to trust she’ll be fine.”
“I know. I just don’t like not…”
“Being in control. That’s what makes you such a good trainer, Tyndal. The horse knows it can trust you. Now you have to trust Rob. And Fee. It’s okay, love.”
“I’ll hold you to that.”
She heard the smile in his voice as he told her goodnight. When Fee came back from the tests, she was tired. Tyndal tucked her in with some extra blankets and tried to sleep on the chair near her bed.
After sunrise, Rob came in, read the overnight observations Fee’s nurse made, and motioned to Tyndal for her to follow him.
“Coffee and a little breakfast?”
“Sounds like heaven.”
“Good. We need to talk. I have Fee’s test results and a treatment plan to discuss. After we’re done, maybe you’ll get some rest and come back later this afternoon, sound good?”
“That all depends on how I feel about what you tell me. I hate to leave.”
“I know that’s true. However…” He grinned. “I have it on good authority; rest is likely what you both need. Rest and little TLC, or so I’ve been told.”
“Really? And who is providing you with such interesting details?”
“Seth Matthews. Your vet friend cares very deeply for Fee and for everyone at Morgan’s Walk. I had an interesting talk with him last night and have a pretty clear picture of what you all have been dealing with at the farm.”
“He’s in love with Fee.”
“I know. He said as much. He told me what happened to your colt. Sounds like a nightmare.”
“It has been. And now with Fee, I don’t know how much more we can take.”
“Well, let’s start with Fee. This is what I propose…”
Her eyes glowed when he finished. “She’s really going to be okay?”
“Tyndal, there’s no damage to her heart or brain, and no neurological damage. It looked like a mild stroke to the EMT’s. They did everything right and got her here quickly. Her blood pressure was a little elevated. She complained of fatigue and headaches. She said she felt dizzy earlier in the night and thought she must have fainted. There’s reason for concern and we’re going to watch her. At her age, we can’t rule out the potential for a number of things, but I think what happened is a combination of exhaustion, stress, and worry. When you go home, I’ll continue to check on her. She’s going to have to deal with the fact I intend to know what’s going on.”
“Good luck with that.” Tyndal smiled.
“No luck at all. Around here, I’m the boss. Now, I want you to take off for a while. I made reservations for you in the guest suites across the street. The hospital keeps a few rooms in reserve. It’s not home, I know, but the accommodations and the food are pretty decent. Eat something. Take a nap. Come back later, okay?”
“Thank you.” She smiled at him.
“No thanks needed. I don’t want two patients instead of one. Get some rest, Tyndal. I mean it. Fionola will be fine.”
“Let me get my things from her room. I’d love to know what she says about your, um”—Tyndal giggled—“plan.”
“Come with me. I don’t mind an audience when I work.”
When they approached Fee’s room, her nurse stood in the hallway, staring at a firmly closed door.
“Did she run you off?”
“She tried to, sir.”
“Are you going to let her?”
“You know, she’s worse than my brother. I survived him. I’ll survive her. Sir.”
“Good deal.” He smiled. “Have someone get both of these.” He handed her a note. “And wait here. I’ll let you know when to come in. This is going to be fun.” He opened the door and marched into Fionola’s room. Tyndal followed.
“Get back into bed, Fionola Morgan! Don’t even start. It’s been a long night and I enjoy old birds like you for breakfast. I’m not finished with you around here, no matter what you may think. And another thing, quit scaring my nurse. You want to yell at somebody? Yell at me. You got anything to say so far?”
He glanced at Fionola who hadn’t budged an inch. She sat in a chair, fully dressed, her shoes on, and her chin high.
“Good. How are you this morning?”
“Fine. I want to go home. I’ve been a pincushion for everyone with a needle in their hand in this whole blessed hospital and have had every test known to medical science. Since I’ve lived through that, I figure I’m strong enough to deal with most anything.”
“Well, your disposition is about normal.” His sharp eyes searched her face. “Did you sleep?”
“I did. At least, I tried to fit it in between all the tests you ordered. Which was tough because the mattress in this bed is hard enough to pass for a cast iron skillet. I ate what I could of that excuse you called a breakfast. Then I showered, dressed, and am ready to go. Did I mention that? I also want a decent cup of coffee.”
“Noted. Anything else?”
“Like I said, a discharge slip and a ride home would be nice. If you can’t provide that, I’ll call somebody from the farm.”
He leaned forward, his eyes level with hers. “Okay, Fee, I’ve heard your side. Now you can hear mine. And before you start, don’t forget our little talk about choice. You can argue or you can listen. Pick one.” It didn’t take skill to see which she’d prefer.
“I will have the last word though,” she muttered. “And I’ll deal with you later too. I assume you’re in on this.” Fee glowered at Tyndal.
She worked at keeping her face straight. “You’ve scared all of us and I think Dr. Rob’s idea is workable. We’ve already discussed it and you should listen.”
“Well, isn’t that nice. Spit it out, child.” Fee looked at Rob. “Some people have things to do and I need to be home doing them.”
His outline was simple.
A massage therapist would be in her room in an hour.
After that, she was to rest, although sleep would be better.
He’d order lunch, which she was to eat. Then she was to take a nap.
Occasionally there’d be tests, but if nothing proved worrisome, Tyndal could accompany her on a walk through the hospital gardens. The orchids were in bloom.
Following the walk, she was to lie down and rest.
He’d have a selection of books sent to her room and not a single one of them would pass for ‘serious reading.’
If she got bored, tough. She could sleep.
Later, she was to enjoy as much as she wanted of the carefully extravagant dinner he’d order for the three of them. Tyndal would join them. For dessert, if she didn’t overly irritate him, she could have one luscious chocolate truffle.
The next morning, following a good night’s rest and a soak in the whirlpool, the
stylist of her choice would come in and do her hair. She’d have a manicure and pedicure, after all, she wanted to be beautiful for the Social if, make that if, he allowed her out of the hospital. By early afternoon, provided a healthy lunch was dispatched with equal vigor and that all her tests came back in a good range, she could go home.
Then he’d give his entire staff the rest of the afternoon off. And possibly, hazard pay.
Such were his conditions for escape. If she refused, he’d assign a very large, “think Sumo wrestler, Fionola” male nurse to watch her every movement, day and night for at least another forty-eight hours.
Maybe seventy-two.
“Try me, Fee. I promise I mean it. One way or another, you will rest.”
“Of all the impertinent, domineering, high-handed tactics I’ve ever heard. Sumo wrestler, indeed.”
He shot a hard look at her. “Remember, you’re in my house now, Fionola Morgan. You want out of here tomorrow afternoon, take the deal. Your choice. It’s totally up to you.”
When not a single word escaped her lips, Tyndal knew he’d won. She winked at Rob.
“See? Was that so hard?” His eyes were on Fionola.
“You have no idea.”
“Oh, I think I do.” He shot her a fast smile. “Now then, since we understand one another, I’ve ordered something for you and I want to see if it’s in.”
When he got to the door, Fionola spoke softly but distinctly.
“One way or another, Rob Layton, I will get even with you. We know each other too well for you to have any doubt. That much, I promise.”
He grinned, gave her a wink. “That’s what they all say, honey.”
The nurse smiled as she placed the bouquet of white roses on Fionola’s bedside table. And put a cup of fresh-ground coffee in her hand.
Chapter Nine
Tyndal walked beside Rob as he personally helped Fionola and her into the helicopter that waited to return them to Morgan’s Walk. Tyndal hugged him hard.
“Thanks for being my friend,” she said. “And for what you did for Fee.”
“Anytime. Give Jared and Seth my best. Tell grumpy over there I want a dinner invitation one of these days.”
“Grumpy heard that. I don’t feed smart-aleck doctors who irritate me.”
“Yeah, yeah. Give me a hug anyway.” He held out his arms to Fionola. She laughed and pulled him close.
“Here.” Fionola slid a couple of tickets to the Symphony into his hand. “I happened to have these in my purse.” She grinned at him. “Just don’t think you’re forgiven this easily.”
“Never. I’ll be looking for that box of rotten tomatoes.” He kissed her on the cheek. “Stay well. Both of you.”
****
Jared met them on the lawn at Morgan’s Walk. “The doc called and said you’re to rest all afternoon. If you do, you can come for a little while to the Social this evening. If not, I have his blessing to hog-tie you to the bed.”
“That’ll be the day.”
“He also suggested I tell you he’s given me the name of an on-call Sumo wrestler. He said you’d understand.”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake. I do and that’s the last I want to hear of it.”
“Welcome home, Fee.” Jared wrapped her in a hug. “We’ve been anxious about you.”
“I know. That’s part of what makes this whole episode so embarrassing. I hate causing a fuss.”
He felt her pull back, look around. “Where’s Seth? I thought he’d be here.”
“He’d planned on it, but he’s got a horse in surgery. He’ll join us at the Social, if not before. He said to tell you to listen to your doctor.”
“Enough! Everybody has an opinion on what I should or shouldn’t do. I’m going to my room and lie down, if for no other reason than to find some peace and quiet.” With all the dignity of a queen, she walked up the stairs. From the gallery, she paused and waved at the two who stood below, watching. “Shoo. Both of you. Go whisper sweet nothings to one another.”
“What a good idea.” Jared grinned at Tyndal. “Shall we?”
“Absolutely.”
“Right answer.”
Jared led her toward the overlook beyond Chase’s grave. It was one of those hidden, unique places where red sandstone boulders reflected the sun. Juniper scented the air. He sat and pulled her close. He’d missed her fragrance, the way she fit in his arms. Nestling her small form against his chest, he breathed out the days and nights of worry. She was the sun to his shadow, the marrow of his heart, and the heart of his soul. She completed him.
“I missed you, Tyndal.” Simple words, he thought. Too simple for all they meant.
With his mouth moving warm across hers, she clung to him. “I missed you too. We weren’t even gone that long. It just seemed like it.”
He nodded. “Fee told me that after she and Chase were married, they struggled with the reality of their schedules and with being apart. He still worked as a judge for shows all over the globe, and she had a contract to ride for Scotland. They did what they had to do, but found their careers weren’t enough. They wanted more. They wanted to build a home and start a family. I think she said that was when Chase started looking for land.
“Tyndal…” With her hand in his, Jared stood, pulled her to her feet, and took a step back. He wanted to see her face. “That’s what I want for us too. To build a future together, work together, and love together. To make children together and raise our family in a home built on trust and commitment. Will you marry me, love? Will you share that dream with me?” He pressed his lips to the soft skin just inside her wrist.
She touched his face.
In her eyes, he saw the wonder, the sparkling gladness. He saw the laughter and tears, the quiet evenings at home and the noisy days of working side-by-side. He saw that for as many days as God allowed, neither of them would ever be alone again. In her eyes, he saw his life.
“I will.” She said the momentous words so clearly. “I want that dream too. I want you. For all of my days and if it’s possible, for an eternity beyond. I love you.”
He opened his arms to her. She moved to him, filled them. He bent his head, took her mouth. Soft and sweet, dream to dream. Her lips moved under his as both of them felt the promise and its answer.
“Tyndal?” Pulling back just enough, Jared’s whisper was soft, intimate. “There’s one more thing.” He shifted her so he could reach into his pocket. “Maybe you’d wear this?”
He opened a velvet case that protected a diamond, the stone was almost as large as his thumb. The ring was set in platinum and surrounded by other smaller diamonds, so bright and clear it seemed as if rainbows burst from its depths.
He held the ring so she could see the inscription. For all our days, love. “I mean that, Tyndal. For all our days, you’ll never have to wonder. I love you.”
“It’s beautiful. Jared, it’s so beautiful. You know how much I love sunlight, and this looks like it’s made of it!” She watched as he lifted her hand and slipped it on her finger. “I feel like a bride.”
“You glow like one.” He took in the wide, shining eyes that met his with such happiness. She laughed as she spun away and twirled in a circle.
“Oh, I wish Chase were here, that he could share this moment with us. I can’t wait to tell Fee and Seth. Jared, this is our beginning. This is real.” She burst into tears.
His laugh was low and tender. “Let’s see if we can’t do something about all those tears, love. Come here.”
He lifted her, wanting the feel of her in his arms, her skin, her body, her taste. He brought her lips to his and neither of them noticed the warmth of the sun, the soft summer breeze wrapping its arms around both of them, or heard the quiet chuckle not so far away.
Now that’s more like it.
****
Fionola stood at the window in her office and looked across the barns and arenas of Morgan’s Walk. She tried, honestly tried to sleep. And honestly wound up so frustrated with the effort, sh
e figured it would be less nerve-wracking if she went to her office.
Given the situation, it was probably the best choice. Especially if she took into account the good doctor himself specifically told her to avoid worry and stress. It made sense that if she knew everything that was going on, she wouldn’t be stressed.
She smiled and began to read. Jared left a dossier on her desk, knowing she’d want to be brought up to date on all they’d learned. It was the news they’d waited for. But even with the information Keno and the investigators had compiled, it would be hard to be patient.
As was her habit, when she thought through a problem, she moved to the window.
The meadows had become parking lots filled with cars, with people and their trailers, tents, and enormous RVs.
Some would be at the Social later that evening.
Most would be snuggled in, enjoying their own campfires. Did they know such harmless simplicity was a gift?
“God keep them safe,” she murmured, and rested her head against the window pane. It seemed when so much counted, time dribbled slowly. Or if not in dribbles, it roared past like a river at flood-stage. In either circumstance, no one could afford a reckless moment.
The first rounds of show jumping would begin the following morning. Tyndal wouldn’t be riding. But Jared, mounted on his incredible Pyralis, would. The flame-colored horse could jump like he had wings, and the man rode as if he and the horse were one.
But both were flesh and blood.
She sighed, returned to her desk, and opened the thick file once more.
What she found filled her with dread. Deliberately she unclenched her hands, took a deep breath. Chase would have said, “Woman, you have the best people possible on the job. Let them do what they’re trained to do.”
But they could get hurt too, she argued.
“They know that, honey.” She could swear she heard his voice sometimes.
She closed her eyes.
After a single knock, Seth walked in. “I thought I’d find you here.” He handed her a cup of tea. “Worried, my dear?”
“Have you seen this?” She pushed the report across the desk toward him.
“No, but Jared told me what it contained.” He swallowed some of his coffee. “Doesn’t the show jumping start tomorrow?”
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