Crain's Landing (19 page)

I sat up straighter in my chair, I wasn’t aware anyone besides Grant knew about that. “Did Grant tell you about mowing my lawn?” My voice was defensive and slightly angry.

Ashley nudged me with her sandal. “Stop. Grant didn’t say a word, but you do live next door to one of the biggest gossips in the county.”

As I said goodbye to Ashley, she swore she would take care of everything at the library and tell everyone that Peyton was hanging in there. “Oh and one more thing, Ashley,” I called. She was nearly out the door.

“Yes?” Her cell phone now in her hand, a sly smile developing.

“Don’t think for a second we won’t be having a discussion as to why Drew was at your house so early in the morning.”

Martin and Grant came into Peyton’s room shortly before nine o’clock that evening. I was so busy watching Grant listen to my baby’s lungs and talk sweetly to her, that I missed Tiffany walking into the room. It was when Martin also leaned over and did an assessment that I noticed her eyes were locked on Grant’s ass.

“Her lungs are sounding much better, Natalie.” Martin’s voice caused me to forget Tiffany and get back to what really mattered.

“Does this mean the medicine is working?” I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, holding my breath as I waited for Martin to answer.

He slowly leaned away from Peyton and wrapped his stethoscope around his neck. “That’s exactly what’s happening. Actually, Grant wanted to use this medication first, but I overruled him.” Martin sighed, looking to Grant, whose eyes were still locked on Peyton.

I could feel the relief as it ran down my spine. I wanted so badly to exhale and let out the breath it seemed I had been holding since we had arrived at the hospital. I couldn’t, though, not until I had her home, running around and playing.

“I’ll stop by in the morning and see how you both are doing. Mom will no doubt send something for you.”

I smiled and nodded as the three left the room, noticing how Tiffany walked behind Grant, eyeing him hungrily while he was oblivious.

Ashley’s words floated around in my head as I tried to get a little sleep. Tiffany Garrison was just one of the many who wanted Grant. She was playing her cards right, though, in earning his trust as a colleague and not throwing herself at him. I had to give her credit; she wasn’t foolish enough to kill her chance at a great career for a quick romp in the sack. She was obviously beautiful, poised, and intelligent—a very desirable combination.

Then there was Rebecca. Clearly, she had been the love of his life and was for quite some time. According to Ashley, this woman had the heart and soul of an angel, everyone seemed to love her, Grant included. So, why did she leave if she knew Grant was coming back? With a solid career and able to take care of her. Something wasn’t right, but in the thick of things, I honestly didn’t care.

As much as I didn’t want to admit it to myself, or anyone for that matter, by Grant doing everything to help my baby, he was making quite an impression on me. That night, I dreamed of a warm spring day with bright sunshine. Peyton and Savannah were playing on a merry-go-round, laughing and having the time of their lives. I looked down to see my belly round with pregnancy and a silver ring on my left hand. A male hand, with a matching band, was securely wrapped around my middle.

“Mommy,” I heard Peyton say, her hair bouncing as she played with Savannah.

“Mommy!” I tried to answer her, but my voice would not come.

“Natalie,” the husky voice of Grant came from behind me.

I turned to find Grant was the owner of the arm that was wrapped around me. I gasped, and with a final call from Peyton, I woke with a start to find a very awake Peyton sitting up in her bed. Her curls were bouncing as she was laughing at Grant making funny faces.

“Oh, my God.” I jumped out of the chair and nearly tripped trying to get to Peyton.

“Mommy, I hungwy.”

I nearly cried with joy as her words were music to my ears.

“Well, it’s a good thing Nana Carolyn made you waffles then, as she hears they’re your favorite.” Martin’s voice sounded from the doorway, another brown bag in his hands.

“Pawpaw!” Peyton screeched.

My eyes widened and I knew I’d gasped.

Martin moved past Grant, who had removed the plastic tent from Peyton’s bed and had just finished listening to her lungs.

“It’s all right, Natalie. Savannah and Peyton play together so much that when she heard Savannah call me that, Peyton started as well.”

His words did little to calm me. Peyton was picking up so much and soon she would be acting like a sponge to everyone she met. Lily didn’t allow ‘baby talk’ in her daycare. She spoke to each of them like little adults. It was a positive thing, as Peyton’s vocabulary seemed to explode and she was speaking in nearly full sentences.

“H-how is she today?” My voice broke as my emotions regarding the situation took over.

“Well, according to the nurse’s chart, her fever broke around midnight and her lungs are much clearer. We’ll be moving her to the pediatrics unit soon and working on getting her home.”

Grant’s pager went off and he excused himself. Martin took the opportunity to close the door and then took a seat next to a smiling Peyton. “I’m glad to have a moment to visit with you, now that she’s doing much better.”

Peyton decided that was the ideal moment to demand to sit in Martin’s lap, which he did like a pro. As Peyton took his stethoscope and tried to place it in her ears, Martin began.

“I have a friend from med school who’s a pulmonologist.” My heart sank as I waited for the bad news to follow, the tears forming and my throat constricting. “I’d contacted him regarding something we saw on Peyton’s x-rays.” I couldn’t hold back anymore, the tears came and the sobs wracked my body. “No, no, Natalie, this isn’t bad news.” His hand covered mine, comfort finding its way to my chest.

Peyton had finally gotten the stethoscope in her ears and was listening to everything she could find. “There was an area that was shadowed a little darker and I just wanted his opinion on the cause.” I let out a small breath and wiped away the tears, watching as Peyton was still lost in her world on Martin’s lap. “He confirmed my suspicions as to the reason for the shadowing.” His pause felt like an eternity as I refused to blink.

“When I reviewed the tapes from the ER, I noticed a significant change in Peyton’s behavior over the course of your time in there. She went from fussing and crying, while you spoke to Trixie, to non-responsive as you sat in the chair waiting. I also noticed that Sophia watched this happen and did nothing but laugh.”

I tried very hard to remember if Peyton had still been crying, but all I could remember was deciding to get her help sooner. “Natalie, the spot on her lung was an area that had begun to collapse. Had you gotten into that car...”

“Oh, my God...” The words rushed out of my mouth as I took in what he was saying. “You stopped me.” I could feel the cold chills running down my arms. “Martin, you took her out of my arms and into the hospital and you...you saved her!”

There was no use in trying to stop the tears of pure joy. I rounded the bed and threw my arms around both Martin and Peyton. I held them both so tight that Peyton began to fuss. “Oh, baby girl, I missed you so much.”

I tried to take her out of Martin’s arms, but she refused to go anywhere. She was laughing and turning the stethoscope cord in her hands, not a care in the world. Martin noticed my small grin as I continued to look at a perfectly-fine Peyton.

“It’s amazing, isn’t it?”

I looked to Martin, his eyes still on Peyton. “What is?” I asked; my voice full of joy.

“How children bounce back.”

I began to chuckle. He was correct, not even twelve hours ago this little miracle had been burning up with fever.

“It’s because the world hasn’t told them they have to act a certain way to be sick. All she knows is that she feels better and wants to play.” He was right.

“How am I ever going to thank you?” My words were spoken so softly that I wasn’t certain I’d said them out loud.

“It’s my job, Natalie.”

I looked to Martin; his words were true, but not what I wanted to hear. “I know that you do this because you want to, because you care about making people better, I get that. But Martin, she’s my entire world and you’ve given me my world back.” His eyes welled up with tears, but I wasn’t finished. “You’re a father and I know you feel the same way about your children. I have to do something, take out an ad in the paper, stand on the street corner and sing your praises, I don’t know...something.”

I watched as Martin placed Peyton back in the bed. He slowly wrapped the forgotten stethoscope around his hand and then placed it in his pocket. He opened the bag and handed Peyton a piece of waffle, which she devoured. “You’re right, Natalie, our children are our entire world, we’d do anything to make them happy.” Thank God he understood.

“If you truly want to thank me by doing something...”

I didn’t even let him finish. I just had to show him my gratitude for saving Peyton. “Yes, Martin, anything, just name it and it’s yours.”

“Anything?” he asked. I rolled my eyes and circled my hands, silently telling him to get on with it. “And then we’re even?” His words were spoken very carefully.

“Yes. You ask, I do, we shake hands and all is even,” I answered then giggled.

“Fine, Natalie. There is one thing I want.”

“Name it.” I nodded with conviction and assurance.

“Go on a date with Grant.”

IT’D BEEN SAID THAT YOU
should be careful what you wish for, you might get it. Judging by the face of the man who stood in front of me, I could honestly say no truer words had ever been spoken.

A look of pure joy was written across Martin’s face. I had practically begged him to give me something I could do to thank him, but never in a million years had I thought it would be what he had requested of me. I had hoped, admittedly, that he would just tell me it was all part of his job. I had opened my mouth and my calendar. Now, I would be doing something I didn’t really want to do.

Martin had asked me to go on a date with Grant, but not to tell him the small details which brought that about. Martin said Grant felt strongly that all I needed was a little push. Well, I supposed this could be considered pushing—pulling or even shoving—depending on how you looked at it.

Peyton was transferred to the pediatric ward so quickly I didn’t have time to blink. However, I thought we had been wheeled into the wrong room as I took in the amount of flowers, toys, and teddy bears that filled the space. Her face all aglow, hands clapping wildly as she noticed Savannah sitting on the edge of the bed.

“You’ve made quite an impression on this small town,” a young woman commented as she gestured to the bounty filling the room. The candy stripper, whose name on her uniform read Simone, was all too informed about who had sent what. I didn’t care for the nosey Nelly candy stripper, especially since she had opened all of the cards and read personal notes that had been meant for my eyes only. That was a huge no-no in my book and a major invasion of privacy. Granted they weren’t national security worthy notes, just the standard get better fair, it was the principal of the thing.

“Hello, I’m Melissa and I’ll be your nurse this morning.” A middle-aged woman walked in, a chart in one hand and a pitcher of, what I assumed was, water in the other. Her dark, wavy hair had a large area of snow white in the right front, cascading in soft waves, following the dark hair that rested beside it. Her lips were painted with a bright red lipstick and far too much blush to be considered professional. Her uniform was stark white and by the looks of the creases, professionally pressed. She carried herself as a seasoned veteran, not like the quick-fingered candy pusher.

“Thank you,” I responded as I helped get Peyton into her new bed. She was happy after finishing her entire waffle. Martin was pleased when she would reach into the bag and take another piece, if she felt he wasn’t feeding her fast enough.

Melissa set the pitcher near the sink then turned and began to write her name followed by Dr. Crain’s on the white dry erase board that hung by the door. “If you need anything at all, the call button is at the side of her bed, here.” Melissa pointed to a small button that had a red light in the center. “We encourage our parents to remain with our patients on this floor, not that it seems to be an issue for you.” Melissa seemed genuine, or perhaps leery with the news of two nurses being dismissed for bad behavior. “Normally we don’t allow siblings to stay with them.” She pointed to Savannah. “However, considering the notoriety of this particular patient, that shouldn’t be an issue, at least for a little while.”

Lily walked across the room and pulled Savannah into her arms. “We aren’t staying, Mel. Besides, you know this isn’t Peyton’s sister.” By the look exchanged between the two, I knew I didn’t want to know what just happened. I surmised it was just another case of infatuation with Grant.

Martin had informed me that once Peyton was on the pediatric floor, Grant would be her only physician. Peyton was no longer considered a trauma patient now.