Holidays at Crescent Cove (14 page)

When she returned to the kitchen, David had done the dishes.

“You didn't have to do that,” she told him.

“You should accept help when you can get it. You have your hands full with those two.”

“I wouldn't have it any other way.”

“They're asleep?”

“Yep. And in their own beds. Well, they're both in Lily's bed. They'll crawl into mine before the night is through. Sometimes we sleep in the great room. On the floor. It's cozy.”

“And warm.”

“Yes. The heating has been brought to code, but we mainly stay downstairs to save on the heating bill. And to tell the truth, they don't like to be left alone.” She shrugged. “Maybe I should be encouraging them to get used to sleeping alone, but I don't have the heart. Not quite yet.”

“It takes as long as it takes. Just make the transition as easy as possible and do it before it becomes a new habit.”

She frowned at him.

“Sorry,” he said. “I'll mind my own business.”

“Don't be, but that sounded like the voice of authority.”

“Not me. Just something my mother used to say.”

“Your mother?”

“Yeah.” He hesitated. “My parents were . . . kind of missionaries.”

Missionaries? Bri rapidly went back through their conversations to see if she had made any cracks about religion or used any dirty words. She didn't think so. She was much more careful now that she was a mother. “And you're a—”

David laughed. “Don't worry, I'm not. I'm not even a believer. It's just the reason I know a little about a lot of stuff.”

“And why you speak so many languages. And why you help people in need.”

He lifted one shoulder in a semblance of a shrug. “Mainly I waded through a lot of red tape, argued with frightened locals, and got pissed off a lot. But I did learn a few words and phrases.”

“Still . . .”

“It's been a long day. If you can manage, I'll get going to my deluxe accommodations.” His face clouded over. “Thanks. You didn't need to be so kind.”

He headed for the door.

“You want a cup of coffee before you go? I might even be able to rustle up a bottle of wine.”

He hesitated. Considered, then came back. “Sure.”

She reached into the fridge and came out with a bottle. “I don't drink much these days. And I don't have any beer. But I've been waiting to drink this.” She looked at the wine bottle's label. “White, dry. Do you like wine?”

“Good enough. Where's the corkscrew? I'll open it for you.”

She pulled open the utility drawer, fished out the corkscrew, but kept it. “You haven't stopped doing stuff since you walked through that door yesterday morning. Take a load off. I'll open it.”

“Am I being pushy?”

“Nope, you're making my life ten times easier, but I don't want to take advantage of you.”
And I don't want to get used to it.

“You're used to doing things for yourself.”

“Yes, I am.” She laughed. “Now that I have a bunch of friends always ready to help me out, I find that I don't want to use them unless I have to.”

“Use them?”

“I didn't mean it like that. I used to use people all the time. Not anymore.”

“How did you hurt your leg?”

“Is it that obvious?”

“Only in the barn yesterday and in the snow.”

“When I hurry or get off balance.” She handed him the corkscrew. “Open the wine and I'll tell you.”

Chapter Seven

“
A
ND THAT'S THE
story.” Bri stretched back on the couch and watched while David poured her another glass of wine. “Fast living, drugs, drink, a guy driving too fast, and this runway model woke up in a Paris hospital, crippled in mind and body, unemployed and unemployable.”

“Would I still find your name if I Googled you?”

Bri shrugged. “I don't know. I don't look. Sometimes you really can't go back again.”

“Would you if you could?”

Bri thought about it. It was a question she never asked herself. And now that David had asked it, she realized she had known the answer all along.

“No. It was a great gig and I'm glad I had the chance to do it. But I would have had to retire a few years later anyway. Models these days get started around fourteen and are in their prime before they hit twenty.”

“Whew. I had no idea. Actually, I never thought about it. I'm not much into fashion.”

“I can tell.” She laughed at his expression. “Fashion does not make the man, no matter what the ads tell you. Take Nick Prescott, totally clueless about how to dress. Margaux, before she moved back to marry Nick, was a major designer in New York.”

“What's with this town? Is everyone an ex-famous person?”

“Not by a long shot. But it is a place to fix broken lives, build new lives, and dream new dreams. It's got a fantastic diner. You'll meet Dottie at Margaux and Nick's on Christmas day . . .” She paused, glanced at him. “If you're still here. And for the three months of summer, we're a real cosmopolitan mash-up,” she said more brightly. “The summer houses open up and there's an influx of tourists. Most locals work their butts off during the season, then relax again after Labor Day.

“Kind of the best of both worlds.” She stifled a yawn.

David stood. “I'll let you get to sleep. I—I'll see you in the morning.”

He grabbed his glass and headed for the kitchen.

“David,” Bri said.

He stopped, turned around.

“I didn't mean to make you feel pressured to stay for Christmas, but you're welcome if you decide you'd like to share it with us. Everyone will be glad.”

“Thanks. Good night.” And he was gone. Bri sat where she was until she heard the back door close. Waited until he had time to reach the caretaker's cottage, then she began turning off the lights.

D
AVID TRUDGED TOWARD
the cottage, the rime of snow crunching beneath his boots. It wasn't her invitation to stay for Christmas that had rattled him. It was her description of Crescent Cove.
A place to fix broken lives, build new lives, dream new dreams.

But not for the likes of him, a man who walked away from his job, his avocation, from the people who needed him, from his responsibility and promise to help them.

But he had nothing left to give. Ever again. To anyone. Any illusion he might have of finding meaning in his life was gone. The job was just too big, too difficult, too overwhelming, and just damn depressing.

What vindictive God had led him here, to this woman and these children? To a son who would never know his father. To a man who shouldered his responsibility and didn't complain. He knew those kind of men. Had seen them come and go. Had thought for most of his life that he was one of them.

And the longer he stayed here, with all this talk about welcome and fixing broken lives, the longer he was kept from admitting his failure. And finding a place to land.

He'd pack tonight and leave tomorrow. It was the best way, before he started thinking about trying once more to make a meaningful life for himself. Make himself meaningful to others. Maybe someday he would find some kind of acceptance, but not here, not now. He'd given what he could give and he had nothing left.

He threw his backpack on the bed, shoved his few clothes and belongings into it and fastened it. Pushed it to the floor and lay down on the bed fully clothed. At first light he would walk away. Leave a note and go. They would forget him soon enough.

B
RI AWOKE WITH
a start. She was in her own bed, alone. Then she heard what had awakened her. Someone was crying. One of the girls. She sat up, looked at the clock. Three o'clock. She pushed the covers away and hurried next door.

Mimi slept, but Lily tossed in her sleep, pushing the covers away. Overstimulated, Bri thought, too much excitement with the tree and the decorations and having David around. She should have taken more time with them before bed tonight. But they'd barely been able to stay awake. Lily had fallen asleep before Mimi even got into bed.

Lily moaned, and Bri sat down on the edge of the bed and put a hand on her back.

“Mama's here, Lily. Mama's here.”

“Mama,” Lily whimpered.

“Right here, beautiful girl. Mama's right here.” She ran her hand lightly over Lily's back. She seemed warm. Maybe she'd gotten too hot under the comforter.

Bri pulled it away and straightened the sheet that had become twisted during Lily's tossing.

She started to sing, quietly in her deep contralto, “Hush little baby don't say a word . . .” Lily stilled, seemed to sleep. Bri covered her again, this time with a lighter blanket, and tiptoed out of the room.

She'd barely drifted off again when a high piercing scream rent the air. This wasn't normal. Not even when the girls had nightmares had they screamed like that. The scream turned into a cry; was joined by another cry. Mimi was awake and crying, too.

The cries became hysterical, and Bri panicked. She nearly fell out of bed, stumbled to the next room, dragging her weak leg rather than waiting for the circulation to return.

Mimi sat straight up in bed wailing. But they were both safe, and Bri castigated herself for that momentary betraying fear that David had come back in the house and was a psychopath after all.

Lily flailed now, tossing from side to side, holding perfectly still and screaming again to restart the process. Bri turned on the light and rushed to Lily's side of the bed. She was flushed. Bri touched her forehead. She was burning up.

“It's all right, baby.” Bri gathered Lily into her arms. Mimi continued to wail, rocking back and forth, her eyes wide and unseeing.

Lily tried to push Bri away.

Was it the flu? But this wasn't an ordinary flu. Why was she screaming as if she were in pain?

“Lily, what hurts?”

Lily cried out words, but the only one Bri could understand was
mama.

“Show Mama what hurts.” She tried desperately to remember the Chinese word for pain. Her mind went blank.

Baby Tylenol to bring down the fever.
But as Bri let go of Lily she let out another piercing scream. She should take her to the hospital, but Lily wouldn't even be able to tell them what was wrong.

But David could. He would understand. And then she would know what to do.

“Mimi, please stop crying and look after your sister. I'm going to get David.”

Mimi kept crying but crawled to sit by Lily, who had suddenly gone very still.

“No!” cried Bri. Reached for Lily, and Lily moved beneath her hand. Bri shuddered out a breath.

“Stay,” she told Mimi. She ran for the mudroom, pulled on boots, grabbed her coat, and raced toward the caretaker's cottage.

There was a light coming from inside. She didn't stop to question why David would be up at this hour. She zeroed in on the light and concentrated on not falling down on the icy snow.

She was out of breath by the time she reached the cottage. She threw herself at the door. Knocked. “David!” Hesitated only a second and knocked again. Called out. Where was he? “Lily's sick! I can't understand her. David!” She pounded on the door with both fists . “David! Damn you, open the door!” The last plea ended in a sob. “Please,” she said, and fell against the door.

It opened and she almost lost her balance.

He was dressed but looked dazed. She grabbed at him. “Lily's sick. You have to ask her what's wrong. She just screams when I try to move her.”

He just stood there, and for one horrible moment she was afraid he wouldn't help.

Then he took her by both arms. “Pull yourself together. I'll get my coat.”

If the cold night hadn't sobered her, his words did. She took a breath and turned back to the house. Before she got far, David was by her side, had laced his arm through hers. “Just lean on me. And fill me in.”

Lean on him.
At this point she would welcome someone to lean on. She must have been crazy to think that she could raise two girls with whom she couldn't even communicate.

“Bri. What are her symptoms?”

Bri jerked. “I heard her crying. Sometimes she does. She seemed a little warm, but she went back to sleep. Later she screamed again and when I went to see, I realized she was burning up. I was going to give her some Tylenol but I wasn't sure. I asked her what was wrong. I couldn't understand her. I couldn't understand anything. I couldn't remember any word of Mandarin. Oh God. What's wrong with her?”

“Come on. We'll take a look, okay? Maybe I can figure out what she's saying. But you need to be calm so you don't frighten her. Or Mimi.”

Bri looked sideways at him. How could he be so calm when her baby was—

“Can you do that?”

She nodded jerkily. Sniffed back tears she hadn't been aware of. And somehow they were back at the house.

David dropped his jacket in the mudroom and went straight through the kitchen.

“The door on the right,” she told him.

He didn't wait for her but plowed ahead.

And she was grateful.

He was already sitting beside Lily when Bri reached the bedroom. He was talking to her, saying something to Mimi. He felt Lily's forehead, pressed his fingers under her ears and jaw. Talking gently the whole time he poked and prodded.

“What is it?” Bri asked, only vaguely aware that he was doing more than asking Lily what hurt. He was examining her. Like he knew what he was doing. His hands moved to her stomach and he pressed gently. She whimpered. But when he pressed again she let out a wail.

“Okay, Lily.” He rattled something off in Mandarin. And said over his shoulder, “It looks like appendicitis. How far is the nearest hospital?”

Bri's tongue cleaved to her mouth. “Ten, fifteen minutes. The hospital?”

“Get your purse, insurance cards, cell phone. Call Nick Prescott and ask him to call ahead and tell them we're coming. That it's a suspected case of acute pediatric appendicitis and we may need emergency surgery. Got that?”

Bri nodded. It was all she could manage. Who was this man?

“Then go warm up the car and come back for Mimi. I'll bring Lily. Remove her car seat. I'll sit in back with her. Bri, just stay calm. It should be all right.”

Should. Should be all right
, Bri thought as she gathered her purse, checked her wallet. Got her cell phone and hit speed dial for Nick.
Should be, not would be.
Lily had to be all right. She just had to be.

“Prescott,” Nick answered in a groggy voice.

“Nick, it's Bri.”

“What's happened?” He was fully awake now. She could hear him moving around.

“Lily's sick. We're taking her to the hospital. David said—” Her voice caught. “David said to tell them we're driving her there and that it's acute appendicitis, pediatric appendicitis, and we may need a surgeon. Oh Nick.”

“I'm on it. Here, talk to Margaux.”

“I can't. I have to get the car warm. I'll call her later.”

“Okay, I'll call the hospital. You go. Be careful. I'll meet you there.”

She started to say he didn't have to but he'd already hung up.

When she came back from the car, David was talking to Mimi, who had at least calmed to a whimper. She saw Bri and scampered off the bed. She'd put her slippers on over her pajama feet and was clutching her teddy bear. She was trying to help. Bri's heart was so full of love and fear she thought it might burst. But she managed a smile at Mimi and scooped her up.

Mimi was docile as Bri put her into her snow jacket, all the while murmuring every comforting word she knew in her broken Mandarin. And promised to become proficient if they just made it through this crisis.

Mimi clung to her as she carried her out to the SUV. She began to cry again when Bri strapped her into her car seat and grabbed at her when she tried to close the door. Bri hugged her, kissed her, reassured her, and shut the door. Mimi let out a howl.

David had wrapped Lily in her comforter and he carried his bundle out the door. Bri opened the car door and he climbed in back with his bundle. As he did, something fell to the ground. Bri reached over to pick it up. Lily's scruffy stuffed bunny.

He'd remembered to bring the stuffed animal. Bri picked it up and their eyes met. She handed him the bunny and shut the door.

The ride to the hospital seemed interminable, and Bri had to fight not to floor the accelerator. But the roads were icy in the dark and she was carrying too precious a cargo to fail now. So she kept her eyes on the road, trying to block out Lily's cries and Mimi's responding whimpers.

And Bri began to sing, unaware of what she was doing, and it calmed her and the backseat grew quiet and she prayed and sang until she saw the lights of the hospital.

She stopped the SUV at the emergency room entrance. David got out and carried Lily through the automatic doors. Bri looked around for a place to park, found nothing, She didn't have time to look. She got out, fumbled with Mimi's car seat, lifted her and the stuffed bear out, and rushed inside, only to see David carrying Lily through double stainless steel doors.

“Are you Mrs. Boyce?” A wiry African-American woman in blue scrubs was holding a clipboard. “Dr. Mosley is examining her in room four if you'd like to come with me.”