“The books are completely fine, but I have a sort of emergency request that I’m hoping you can help me with,” Claire said, indeed sounding slightly desperate.
“Of course...”
“One of our live signings scheduled for Saturday canceled last minute and we need a replacement while the author is still touring through Alaska. Would your store have any openings this weekend?”
“Let me check...” Ellie scrolled through the events scheduled for that weekend on their site. It would mean rescheduling their weekend read-along, but she could accommodate the request. A surprise author signing announcement would have all the bookworms in town lining up around the block. “I can do Saturday afternoon around two. Does that work?”
“Perfect! We will make it work,” Claire said, sounding relieved. “Thank you so much, Ellie.”
“No problem at all. Would you like to email me the details and arrange for more copies to be sent to the store?”
“I’ll do that right away. Thanks again.”
Ellie disconnected the call and adjusted the weekend event schedule. As she opened her email, Mrs. Grayson carried chairs from the back room to set up for that evening’s book club chat. Ellie rushed to take them from her. “I told you I’d set up.”
Meredith waved a hand, almost as though insulted that she was thought too old to carry a few chairs. She set them down and started positioning them in a circle. “Did I hear you book an event, dear?”
“Yes, a little short notice, so I hope that’s okay. It’s for this Saturday—the new memoir, When the Lights Go Out.”
“Oh wow! I’d been hoping to get Darla Henshaw into the store. We went to school together, and her life story is truly fascinating. She was one of the first women working in the Coal Harbor mines. She’s survived a violent marriage and three rounds with cancer and is a huge advocate for women’s rights. The woman is incredible.”
Ellie nodded. “I can’t wait to read the book. I stashed one behind the counter already. Oh, and I also found a copy of Amelia Dash’s latest back there. Were you holding it for someone or can I reshelve it?”
“I think it’s Callum’s,” she said.
Ellie frowned. Callum wanted the latest chick-lit book club title? “Really?”
Meredith nodded. “I think he may know the author,” she said somewhat cryptically, and Ellie’s eyes widened.
“That’s his mom?”
Meredith just shrugged as though she would reveal nothing, but it was too late. It totally made sense that he’d want a copy. And how could she have missed the family resemblance between Callum and the woman on the back of the book. He may have gotten his height and chiseled features from his father, but the jet-black hair and blue eyes were the same as those of Amelia Dash...or Carolyn McKendrick.
Obviously, he was trying to support his mother’s career, even in this small way, and even if she didn’t know it.
“Are you staying for book club tonight?” Meredith asked.
“I don’t think so... I didn’t have time to finish the book.” She had been planning on finishing the latest historical thriller the previous week. She’d even taken it to the cottages, but it just hadn’t happened.
Meredith sent her a knowing look. “You didn’t tell me how your week went with your old friends.”
Ellie sighed. Talking about this was the last thing she wanted to do, but she couldn’t be rude. “Um, it was interesting... The week was full of adventure, I’ll say that much.” She wouldn’t mention the near-death experience. “Eye-opening,” she said softly.
Meredith nodded. “Well, good news is now you can move forward with that certainty and not have to continue to wonder what might have been.”
Only now she’d be wondering about a different man, a different possible future.
Ellie’s smile was forced as she hesitated before asking, “So, Callum—did he say why he was leaving?” The older woman was like a grandmother figure to Callum. The two were close. Ellie knew quitting must have been hard on him. On both of them. And she was the cause.
Would he have told their boss the truth? That he couldn’t work with her because she’d essentially used him and broken his heart by choosing the wrong guy?
“Your business is your business,” Meredith said gently. “But I suspect it had something to do with the enormous crush he’s always had on you.”
Ellie’s cheeks flamed. Nothing got past the older woman. Guess you didn’t live to be in your seventies without picking up on human nature. Too bad Ellie hadn’t picked up on it sooner.
Would it have mattered? Or would she have continued to harbor unresolved feelings for Brent and never considered Callum anyway?
“Of course, I’m sure that wasn’t the only reason,” Meredith said. “He also mentioned that it was time to move on...get serious...”
Ellie’s jaw clenched. “All his father’s words.” Callum had been happy working here, silently, secretly pursuing his own dream. It made her stomach hurt to think that because of what had happened between them, he now felt that the best choice was to accept his father’s offer when that wasn’t really what he wanted.
Damn, she’d really messed things up. Could she fix it? Would he give her that chance?
“Shame about his brother though.”
Ellie’s eyes widened. His brother? “What happened to Sean?”
Meredith looked at her in surprise. “I’m sorry, dear, I assumed you’d heard.”
Ellie’s heart raced. “No.”
“Attempted overdose.” Meredith shook her head sadly. “He’s still in the hospital. That poor boy always struggled...”
“I had no idea,” Ellie said quietly. She knew Sean had demons, especially after reading Callum’s work, but she’d never thought he’d do something so tragic. He must be in so much pain to think that was the only option. And Callum...
She understood why he’d think that fulfilling his family obligation now was the right decision, even if it wasn’t what he ultimately wanted. He was such a great man. Kind, considerate, talented—and the only one in a very long time to have her feeling something real and meaningful.
And the man she was falling in love with was hurting and dealing with so much, and she had no idea if he’d appreciate her reaching out.
Meredith seemed to read her thoughts. “Despite whatever happened...or didn’t happen, you never turn your back on a friend,” she said, tapping Ellie’s shoulder gently before heading into the back of the store.
Her boss was right. She’d never turn her back on a friend, and Callum was so much more than that.
* * *
IN HIS BROTHER’S hospital room, Callum sat in the chair that he’d occupied for the last twenty-four hours. Erika had called to say that Sean was stable and showing signs of improvement and that they were hoping he would regain full consciousness soon. Callum had stayed by his brother’s side, not wanting Sean to wake up alone. Sean had drifted in and out, mumbling incoherently and tossing and turning in his sleep. Callum hoped that when his brother finally did wake up fully, he’d feel a bit better.
His laptop open, Callum scanned the resort’s latest board report. Numbers and stats about tourist traffic the previous year and marketing plans and budgeting all boring him to tears, but he needed to really pay attention to all of this stuff from now on. He couldn’t just gloss over everything and leave it in Sean’s hands.
He ran a hand over his face as he tried to focus, but his manuscript was calling to him. Especially now. The rawness of their current situation had his emotions so close to the surface that the words were desperate to escape onto the page. Writing had always been an outlet for him during challenging days with his family, but he didn’t have time for that now.
Sean stirred on the bed and Callum glanced at him as his eyes fluttered open. When they stayed open and Sean scanned the hospital room, he put his laptop
aside and stood. “Hey, look who’s awake.”
Sean looked slightly confused and disoriented as he continued to scan his surroundings and turned to look at Callum. “What happened? Where am I?”
He’d asked the same questions twice before, but obviously he hadn’t been lucid enough to understand what was going on. His eyes looked clearer now and he seemed more alert. “Well, you are in the hospital, and I was hoping you could help me with the ‘what happened’ part,” Callum said gently.
Sean slumped low in the bed as though wanting to sink all the way through. “Shit. I’m sorry, man,” he whispered, his pained expression instantly full of remorse and regret.
Callum shook his head. “No, I’m sorry. I should have tried harder to reach out when we had trouble connecting.”
“You shouldn’t have to babysit me,” Sean said. “You have your own life.”
“It’s not like that. We are family and I’m here for you, whatever you need. Sorry, I wasn’t there this time.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I had no idea the pressure was mounting so much...” He should have known. He shouldn’t have constantly turned his back on the family obligations, leaving Sean to deal with it all alone. It had been selfish.
Sean shook his head. “Most days, I think I’m doing okay. The hotel is running smoothly, and I’m making plans for the upcoming seasons. I mean, not up to Dad’s standards and expectations,” he said, his voice hardening. “But I’m managing.”
His brother was more than managing. He was doing a great job, and he’d be doing even better if he had confidence in himself. If their father could recognize the effort he was making and offer praise instead of constant criticism.
“Then some days, like the other night, something goes wrong. Then other things start to go off the rails—little things, but suddenly they feel insurmountable. I just can’t take it all, you know. I start to think Dad is right and the pressure and anxiety mount to this unbearable level, and I don’t see a way out.” Sean released a deep sigh.
Callum should have been there to help his brother find that way. Mental illness wasn’t something his brother should have to be battling on his own. Once they left the hospital, things would change. Callum took his brother’s hand in his and squeezed tight. “I do know, or at least I’m trying to, and I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you. I will be from now on.”
Sean frowned. “What do you mean?” His voice was hoarse and his throat sounded dry.
Callum reached for the water jug on the table and poured his brother a glass. He handed it to him. “I’m going to help...”
Sean shook his head as he took the glass with a shaky hand. “No. That’s not what you want.”
“It’s my responsibility too, and I’ve made a decision.”
“No, Callum. I can’t ask you to do that. You have your own plans...”
“You’re not asking me to do anything. This is what I should have been doing all along.” Maybe life really was about doing the right thing, even if it meant sacrificing his own happiness. When did anyone really get what they wanted? “We’ll talk about it in a few days. Just rest and know that you won’t have to deal with all of this—with Dad—on your own anymore. You never should have had to.”
Sean looked relieved but mostly distraught. “Dude, I don’t want you giving up your own life for this.”
“I’m not giving anything up,” he said, and it wasn’t a lie since he didn’t have anything real to give up anyway.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
HOSPITALS HAD TO be the most anxiety-inducing places on earth. Ellie supposed no one really liked them, but for her especially, hospitals and funeral homes were two places she always felt nauseous entering. With her parents’ illnesses, enough of her life had been spent in both. The smell of sickness and cleansers, the sterile cold-beige walls, and the buzz of doctors and nurses—so serious and often pulled in all directions—was an unsettling atmosphere for her.
She sat in her vehicle in the visitor parking lot of Wild River Community Hospital, staring at the building. She wanted to be here for Callum, in case he needed her. She knew he wouldn’t reach out. He was too proud, and she’d hurt him with her rejection. But Mrs. Grayson was right. She’d never turn her back on him when he needed her. If only she could reassure him of that. He’d always been there for her, and she knew if she needed him again now, he would be.
She desperately wanted to apologize and make things right. Now wasn’t the best time, but she hoped he’d at least let her be there for him and his family—even in just a small way that would show him how much she cared about him. And eventually, maybe they would get back to where they’d left off before she’d made the worst decision of her life.
Getting out of her car, she headed across the parking lot and pushed through the revolving doors. Ignoring the twisting sensation in her stomach, she approached the nurses’ desk. She hadn’t seen or spoken to Callum since he’d left the cottage. What if he didn’t want to see her? What if her being there only made things worse?
She had to try. At least he’d know she cared, and right now that mattered more than anything.
But her heart dropped seeing Alisha at the desk talking to the triage nurse. She hadn’t spoken to any of her former classmates since they’d dropped her home a few days before. Things would probably go back to the way they’d been before, with them all living in the same small town, seeing one another in passing, but Ellie continuing to be outside the circle, not really a friend. She doubted she’d hear from any of them again.
Brent had already unfriended her on Facebook and blocked her on Instagram. Guess that was his way of moving on and making a clean break.
She was okay with that. If he hadn’t, she probably would have. No sense keeping in touch when they’d said all they needed to.
But this first run-in with Alisha was sure to be awkward. Would they have sided with Brent and think less of her now?
Damn, why did their opinion of her still matter so much?
“Ellie!”
Oh well, so much for Alisha not noticing her. She forced a small smile as she stopped at the desk. “Hi, Alisha... How are you?”
“Good...that time away was exactly what I needed to regroup, and now it’s back to all the craziness around here.” She smiled warmly. “How are you?”
Such a loaded question. That week at the cottages, she’d done a ton of soul-searching and had discovered things about herself that she’d never taken the time to uncover before. She’d opened old wounds, started to heal and then made more mistakes and created even more heartache. But she was also ready to start rebuilding and using her new self-awareness to make positive changes. How did she say that in five words or less? “I’m okay,” she said simply. “I’m actually just here to see Callum... I think his brother is here.” She knew he’d be here.
Alisha nodded sympathetically. “Yeah, he’s here. Unfortunately, we don’t allow visitors to that ward of the hospital. Family members only.”
Right. Of course, that made sense. Had Callum’s dad been by to see Sean? Was he here now? And what about Callum’s mom? Did she know her son was in the hospital? Either way, this would all be awkward and tense for the family. Damn, she wished there was a way she could be there for Callum. “Okay...no problem. I should have called to check,” she mumbled.
“I can let Callum know you stopped by though,” Alisha said.
“Thank you.” Ellie turned to leave.
“Hey, I’m about to take my break...want to grab a coffee?”
She didn’t. She was hardly in the mood to chat or gossip casually with someone she’d realized she couldn’t truly be friends with...but maybe not all friendships had to be super deep and meaningful. Maybe she and Alisha could be casual friends who met once a year for a coffee and catch-up if they ran into one another. And she didn’t want to be rude, so she nodded. “Sure, okay.”
She w
aited for Alisha near the hospital cafeteria doors, and a few minutes later, the two of them headed toward the coffee dispensers. “So did you have any fun last week?” Alisha asked, almost apologetically.
“Yes! I did...” It wasn’t a lie. There had been several moments with Callum that had made the entire week worthwhile, that had brought them closer and had opened her eyes to who he was—to the fact that he was everything she’d ever wanted.
So, for that, she was grateful for the week away. She only wished it had ended differently. And she could have done without the near-death experience.
“Good. I still feel terrible about the accident.” She shook her head. “Brent can be a little reckless. He was always that way—except when he was with you—and I think while alcohol definitely played a factor that day, so did jealousy. At that point, he still thought you and Callum were a thing,” she said, reaching for two packets of sugar and ripping them open.
Ellie’s cheeks flushed. Right. Her lie. Couldn’t expect to get out of this visit without that being brought up again. “About that...again, I’m sorry about deceiving all of you.”
Alisha laughed. “You two were really convincing. Especially Callum. I know Nick loves me, but I don’t think he will ever look at me the way Callum looked at you. He missed his calling as an actor,” she said, stirring the creamer in her coffee and putting on the lid.
Ellie gulped. Or he was really that much in love with her. And she’d blown it, blown any opportunity she had with him—to have a man that wonderful and special—because she was an idiot. “He’s a great guy.”
Alaska Reunion Page 24
