Divided Dreams

by Walters, Janet Lane;

  You want to go to college and become a doctor. Though that’s not my choice for you, I’ll accept your decision. Your brother will have the place I reserved for you. Do you want college?

  Yes.”

  Ditch Andi Sherman. She’s poor white trash. Members of her family are known criminals. Unless you tell her what she is, forget your plans. Forget any inheritance. Your brother will be near your trysting place and will report to me.

  He’d followed his father’s orders. Rob still remembered that evening and the tears in her eyes. He swallowed memories of his failure to face his bullying father.

  The young woman turned. She studied the rows of waiting people. Her face blanched.

  His felt on fire. Andi Sherman was back in town. Why? She had no family in Fern Lake. His hands clenched. Her beauty stunned him. He wanted to go to her, but that would be the wrong move. She walked toward him. Her braced shoulders and stiff spine showed this wasn’t her choice.

  “I’m sorry.” His voice sounded hollow.

  “No reason. What happened in the past should remain there.” The coldness in her voice chilled him.

  “That’s not what I meant.”

  She shrugged. “The woman at the desk told me the driver of the wrecked car I came upon was your sister.”

  “She was.” He drew a deep breath and caught a faint aroma of lilacs. “Is your baby all right?”

  Her laughter held a strange note. “The child wasn’t mine.” She dropped the diaper bag on his lap. “The infant was in the car your sister drove. I tool the little girl to my car and grabbed this. Forgot to give it to the EMTs. Looks like the baby is your responsibility.”

  Rob swallowed. She was right, but he was uneasy with the news. What did he know about children? “What are you doing in Fern Lake?”

  “I’m joining a friend’s pediatric practice.”

  “You’re a doctor. Congratulations.”

  She shook her head. “I’m a nurse practitioner.”

  The door to the treatment room opened. Josh Patton waved. “Andi.”

  Without another word she walked toward the other man. She turned her head and glared at Rob. He clenched the diaper bag when Josh embraced and kissed Andi.

  He sank back in the chair. Andi was back in town and she’d found someone else. He owed her an apology but her glaring brown eyes didn’t promise an easy time.

  He pressed his hands to his head. The baby was Patricia’s. Since his sister had fled the alcohol rehabilitation facility about a year ago, he had learned nothing about her whereabouts. Why had she returned to Fern Lake? Who had fathered her child?

  Chapter 2

  The door into the treatment area opened. Andi turned her head. Josh waved. She strode away from Rob and hurried to meet her friend, and new partner. His fair hair looked as if he’d just leaped from bed. Appealing to some women, but not to her. For a moment she questioned her reasons for accepting the offer to join Fern Lake Pediatrics. Though Josh was no more than a friend his presence blurred the emotions stirred by the meeting with Rob and the dive into the past. Those memories had nearly swamped her.

  Along with the emergence of a dream turned into a whirlpool of anger flowed. Droplets of meetings at the lake bubbled past. The old attraction remained strong. The heat of desire lurked beneath jets of fury stirred by thoughts of their final meeting.

  “I won’t see you again. I’m a Grantlan. You’re poor white trash. Your eagerness to go all the way proves what you are.”

  Though the words had hurt, every time she recalled that evening, his comments had sounded rehearsed. Had her mind played tricks then and now? Years ago, she’d wanted to believe he lied. Today the same thought bubbled.

  Andi chewed on her lower lip. She hadn’t cried then, and she wouldn’t now. During the past twelve years she had learned she didn’t need him. She’d learned to live without him and without love.

  “Ambulance chasing,” Josh teased.

  She smiled. “Why not?”

  He hugged and lightly kissed her. “I’m glad you’re here. Are you all right?”

  She turned her head to avoid his gaze. He would see her roiling feelings. “I’m fine.” And she was. The first meeting with Rob had happened.

  Josh’s presence had helped. He’d been her friend since the day they’d collided outside a lecture hall at the university. He’d been there to attend a series of lectures on recent developments in Pediatric medicine. She’d just begun the Master’s program. After the lecture they’d had coffee. He mentioned Fern Lake. She’d told him of her connection to the town. Several months later he’d offered her a chance to become a partner in his practice. Thoughts of Rob had brought hesitation. Because of him…Because of memories…Because of…

  “Did you come to check on the baby?” Josh asked. “One of the EMTs mentioned you’d reported the accident. You impressed him.”

  Andi laughed. “I took the baby from the car and grabbed the diaper bag. Forgot to give it to them.” She smiled. “Guess I am an ambulance chaser.”

  She turned her head and glanced at Rob. He looked ready to spring to his feet. His scowl and the way he gripped the arm rests of the chair alarmed her. She didn’t want him to create a scene. What right did he have to interfere? “Let’s go.”

  Josh nodded. “He’s watching.” He leaned forward to attempt another kiss.

  Andi pushed on the door. “Don’t act like a teenager.”

  “Tell me what you observed at the scene.” He pulled her into the treatment area.

  Andi drew a deep breath filled with a multitude of aromas that spelled hospital. Though the huge room with curtained cubicles and a few contained examining rooms and milling people was new she felt at home.

  “So what happened?” Josh asked. “Why were you on that road? A bit out of your way.”

  “An attack of nostalgia to look at the old homestead.” She continued to tell him about hearing the crash and stopping. “The baby was crying, so I acted.”

  “Did you do an exam?”

  “Yes. She needed a diaper change and that gave me an opportunity. Found no injuries, but I couldn’t do a complete neurological.”

  He opened the door into a nursery set-up. “I’ll write orders. You can do the exam.”

  An odor wafted toward her. “I see. Diaper change needed. Correct.”

  He grinned. “Be my guest.”

  “Coward.” She swatted his arm. A small crib with clear sides stood at the rear of the narrow room. On a shelf she found diapers and wipes. She gloved and carried the small girl to a changing table. After completing the change and disposing of the old diaper she lifted the baby.

  “You’re a cutie.” Andi held the baby against her chest. “Sure hope your mommy makes it. If she doesn’t, you have an uncle to watch over you.” Would Rob take responsibility for his niece? She knew nothing about his life except he’d given up practicing medicine. Maybe he planned to jet around the country or the world.

  Josh entered. “Your opinion on her condition?”

  “She’s healthy. No latent bruises emerged. There’s no problem I can see.”

  “I agree but as a precaution I’ll admit her overnight for observation.” He smiled. “I’ll tell Grantlan he can come for her in the morning.”

  The infant shoved her fist against her mouth and sucked. Then she cried, and the cry became a scream. Andi couldn’t see the pacifier in the crib.

  Josh halted. “Sounds hungry.”

  Andi walked to the door. “The diaper bag. I bet there are a bottle and maybe a container of the formula. I’ll check.”

  At the door of the waiting room Josh grasped her arm. “Aren’t you avoiding him?”

  She looked into his eyes. “If we’re both going to be living in Fern Lake I need to build immunity.”

  “Point taken.” He clasped her hand. “I’m glad you haven’t taken flight.”

  So was she. Josh’s presence lessened her tension. Yet somehow she knew this sense of comfort would cause trouble. She’d to
ld him a dozen times there could be nothing between them beyond friendship. But she was in Fern Lake, and she would remain here. Running from the past had to end.

  When Josh first asked her to join the practice she had refused. Then she’d learned Rob had decided to give up medicine and sell the nursing home. She’d believed he planned to leave town.

  Dumb. Assumptions were a fool’s belief. She drew a deep breath. Avoiding a second encounter wouldn’t help the baby.

  The moment she stepped into the waiting room her gaze flew toward Rob. His slumped position drew her across the room. He looked up. His blue eyes captured her. She shook her head and grasped the strap of the diaper bag.

  After opening the zipper she found a bottle in an insulated pouch and three containers of formula. She turned and saw Josh had followed. She handed him the box of formula and retained the bottle. “I’ll give this to the nurse. You can handle the rest and write the orders.”

  “Will you stay?” Josh stepped back.

  “Don’t think so.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “To the apartment to settle in. See you in the morning.”

  “Meet Grace and me in the hospital cafeteria at seven. We’ll have breakfast and show you around.”

  “Sounds good.” As she strode away, she avoided looking back. Her shoulders itched. She delivered the bottle and left by the ED door. The desire to run flooded her thoughts. When she reached her car she slumped in the driver’s seat. She didn’t like what roiled in her gut.

  She drove to the apartment complex and searched for her parking space number. After parking she found a cart in the utility room and unloaded her car. Building one, apartment two on the third floor. She rode the elevator and used the key to open the door.

  In the foyer she unloaded the cart and returned it to the utility room. Back in the unit she dragged the hanging bags and suitcases down the hall to the bedroom. Unpacking went quickly.

  As she worked Rob’s face flashed like a neon sign in her thoughts. Why had he remained in Fern Lake? She’d convinced herself he would be off to see the world and become a jet-setting bachelor. Another thought rose. If his sister died, would he become the baby’s guardian? Was his mother still living in town and would she be willing to raise the baby?

  She stored the empty luggage in the rear of the walk-in closet and strolled to the kitchen. On the day the furniture had been delivered her partners had unpacked the boxes. She started the coffeemaker and checked the freezer and found meat, vegetables, and ice cream, a brand she didn’t recognize but her favorite flavor. Josh and Grace had also stocked the pantry closet.

  What a great homecoming. She had to thank them. Maybe a dinner invitation to some good restaurant in town. Her cooking skills were minimal.

  Andi pulled a container of chocolate mint ice cream from the freezer. Dessert before dinner seemed like a great idea. After digging a spoonful she sat on a chair at the small table and considered being in the same town with Rob.

  As a teen she’d loved, and then hated him. For years she’d tried for indifference but never reached that goal. Most of the time she shoved all thought of him behind her studies and career.

  For a moment she thought of Burger Bounty and her job behind the counter. One spring afternoon Rob had walked in. Tall, dark and handsome. He’d placed his order, the same as her favorite. Their gazes had locked. In that instant she’d known he was the one.

  Flirtation had led to evenings at the lake. Spring became summer. She fell in love. He said he’d fallen, too. Touches had led to kisses. One night they’d made love and for almost a month nearly every night had found them in each other’s arms.

  His brother had discovered them. His knowing leer had frightened her. Two weeks later the end had occurred.

  Sex, not love.

  A sob shook her body. Why had the fragments of the love she’d felt for him lingered? She had no idea how to erase them.

  * * *

  Rob stared at Andi and Josh Patton. His hands clenched and he half-rose. She glanced toward him. Her glare pinned him in place. Though protests rumbled through his chest he clenched his teeth. He had no right to the emotions roiling through his head. Andi wasn’t his. He’d thrown away any chance by his blind obedience to a bully.

  Seeing her again had fractured the concrete he’d mortared over his love and need for her. Being a coward had cost him a lifetime with the woman he loved.

  Memories of evenings, of closeness, laughter, and of sharing visions of the future filled his thoughts. Months ago he’d achieved his dream of becoming an author. His excitement over the contract seemed flat now. Andi was the one he wanted to tell. He searched today’s unexpected meeting for a pinch of hope and failed to find even a grain.

  Seeing Josh Patton embrace Andi had abraded his awakened feelings. The kiss had nearly caused him to react with a jealous explosion. A surge of possessiveness gripped him. Not possible. Andi wasn’t his to protect and love.

  The closing door ended his vision of them. A knife twisted in his gut. The reaction though well deserved forced air from his lungs. He had no right. He’d thrown his chance away.

  Rob straightened and stared at the television. Someone had changed the station from cooking to news.

  Some time later the door leading to the treatment area opened. Andi and Josh stepped into the waiting room. They strode toward where he sat. Andi lifted the diaper bag and removed a bottle and a box. “Here’s the brand. I’ll take the bottle to the nurse.”

  Rob’s gaze flowed along her long legs and followed the sway of her hips. He lowered his head hoping Josh hadn’t seen the lust in his eyes.

  “Don’t,” Josh warned.

  “What?”

  “Do a number on her again. She’s a good friend. I don’t like seeing a friend hurt.”

  How good? Rob couldn’t halt the flow of envy. Was Josh hinting he and Andi were a couple? “I won’t step over the line she has drawn. Since I won’t be coming to town often we may not meet for months.”

  “Are you leaving Fern Lake?”

  Rob shrugged. “Who knows? I’m living outside town and will be a hermit.”

  Josh crossed his arms. “What about the baby?”

  “Baby? Andi handed me this diaper bag, but I know nothing about a baby.”

  “The infant Andi pulled from your sister’s car. The child is Patricia’s, unless she’s added kidnapping to her other offenses.”

  Rob gulped a breath. “No kidnapping. Patricia has done many wrong things, but I doubt she’d want someone else’s baby.”

  “The infant will remain overnight for observation. You can take her home tomorrow or have her placed in foster care. A social worker will speak to you about your decision.”

  Rob’s hand clenched. Trust Patricia to complicate his life. Add Andi’s returning to compound the problem. “Do I have to decide right now? I haven’t heard anything more about my sister’s condition.”

  Before Josh responded Dr. Reed strode into the waiting room. “Rob, thought I’d find you in the surgical waiting room. Someone told me you were down here. The news isn’t good. Patricia died during surgery.”

  “Had she been drinking?”

  “Blood alcohol zero. I found signs she’d been beaten recently. Bruises are too well developed for the accident to have caused them. A rib fracture. I believe that contributed to her death.”

  “Did she say anything?” The few words he’d heard only added to the puzzle.

  “She died moments after we opened her.”

  “Is the baby hers?”

  The older man nodded. “I’d say she gave birth two months or more ago.” Dr. Reed grasped Rob’s hands. “Sorry.”

  Rob supposed he should feel more than numbness. But gathering any emotion seemed impossible. “I have some calls to make.” He lifted the suitcases and the diaper bag.

  He stepped into the warmth of the afternoon. After storing the luggage he pulled his phone from his shirt pocket. The first call went to Fern Lake
Funeral Home to arrange for Patricia’s body to be prepared for the funeral. Then he called Florida.

  “Hi, Mom.”

  “Did something go wrong with the sale?”

  “Went through without a hitch. Are you alone?”

  “Why so mysterious? Hattie’s preparing lunch.”

  He felt a surge of relief. Her cousin and companion would help with her grief. “Call her.”

  “Why?”

  “It’s about Patricia.” He heard a sharp intake of breath. He wished he was there. This was the third family death in a little more than a year.

  “Hattie’s here. I have the phone on speaker so we can both hear. What has my daughter done this time?”

  “She died following a car accident.”

  “Was she drunk?’ His mother and Hattie spoke in unison.

  “No. She must have lost control of the car. Dr. Reed said there were signs she’d been abused.”

  “Who did that?”

  “I don’t know. Mom, she had a baby. A little girl about two months old.”

  “Did the child die?”

  “She’s alive and fine.” He paused for a moment. “Would you like to have the baby with you?”

  Silence hung until he feared she’d hung up. Finally she spoke. “I’m too old to raise a baby.”

  “Then what should we do?”

  “You can raise her. You need a family. You’re alone too much.”

  He groaned. “What do I know about babies? I’m not sure I’m capable.”

  “What about the child’s father?”

  “Haven’t a clue. He might be the one who beat Patricia.”

  “Find out.”

  If he could. Was there a clue in her luggage? “The funeral is Wednesday morning.”

  “Hattie and I will come for the day, but I can’t stay.”

  Rob told her what he’d discussed with the funeral director. “Service begins at ten. Let me know your flight data. I’ll pick you up and give you and Hattie beds for the night.”

  “Where are you living?”

  “At the cabin.”

  “You know how I feel about that place. I’ll book a suite at Sulley’s Bed and Breakfast. I’ll hire a limo for a trip from the airport. The trip there and back is too much for an infant.”