New Beginnings (17 page)

He eased into the chair beside her. “I thought that’s what children were supposed to do. Grow up and fly away.”

“You won’t be so complacent about the idea when Gideon goes off to the Naval Academy and you don’t get to see him but twice a year,” Elena said.

Picking up his sliced beef and cheese sandwich on wheat bread, he paused before taking a bite. “I see what you mean. But it turns out, Gideon is considering not going to the academy, maybe going to the University of Illinois instead.”

“No…” Anabelle dragged out the denial, swiveling to stare at James. “Why would he turn down the opportunity to go to the academy?”

He munched a bite of sandwich. “The short answer is because of a girl.”

“What happened?” Anabelle and Elena said in tandem.

“The usual, I guess. His girlfriend broke up with him just before Christmas to date a boy who’s going to stay closer to home. He’s been in a blue funk the entire holiday vacation. I’ll be glad when school starts again tomorrow.”

“Poor kid. That’s a shame.” Anabelle softened her voice with sympathy.

“Boys sometimes take young love much more seriously than girls do,” Elena added.

“I suppose. After this week of being snowed in with a teenager whose chin has been dragging on the floor, I think Fern’s ready to drive him to Annapolis herself and leave him there.”

The two women laughed aloud, and Anabelle decided that children of any age brought a mother an equal measure of heartache and joy.

After a perfunctory effort to eat her lunch, Elena excused herself and went back upstairs to the ICU.

She was being foolish to fret over Rafael leaving for the Sheriff’s Academy. Anabelle was right. He’d be home virtually every weekend to spend time with Izzy. Elena had to admit that given Rafael’s schedule playing in the band and her full-time nursing job, she hadn’t seen him all that often the past few years.

But—except for the months he’d lived in Chicago hoping to make it big in the music business, or had an overnight gig there—she’d always known he’d come home at night.

Now, setting off on a new career path, one she approved of, he was really growing up. In another six months, he’d be more independent than ever.

That’s what she and Cesar wanted for their son, right?

She watched the clock as the afternoon dragged on. By the time she left for home, she’d developed a nervous stomach with a knot right smack in the middle.

To her surprise, she discovered Sarah was at the house. Still in the white slacks and light blue top she had worn at work, she met Elena at the kitchen door.

“Rafael thought it would be easier for Izzy if I was here when he left.” Color rose on Sarah’s cheeks.

“Of course. Good idea.” Interesting, Elena mused. It used to be that Elena provided solace for Izzy if she got lonely for her daddy. Or skinned her knee. Or a thousand other foibles that befell a child growing up. It seemed Sarah had made a place for herself with her daughter. And with Rafael.

There was definitely something up with those two.

“Buela! Daddy packed me in his duffel bag but said I didn’t leave any room for his clothes so I had to get out.” Her dark hair mussed, Izzy’s cheeks were as bright pink as Sarah’s.

Elena tugged the child up close to her. “Then I guess you’ll have to stay home with me and Tito.”

“And with Mommy too.” She hopped over to Sarah’s side. “She’s going to take me for a sled ride after Daddy leaves.”

“That sounds like fun.” Elena met Sarah’s gaze, and she gave her a silent nod of approval. The sled ride would be a good diversion.

Cesar drifted into the kitchen. “Is this where we’re going to give Rafael his big send-off?”

“Maybe I should have bought some confetti and streamers to throw,” Elena said.

“Not if you’d make me sweep up the mess,” Cesar countered. He slipped his arm around her waist.

“Hey, guys,” Rafael said, his duffel hanging over his shoulder. “Let’s not make this into a big deal. I’m going to be home next weekend.”

“When Daddy gets home again, he’s going to play with me and Sarah.”

Rafael’s eyes met Sarah’s and something in them softened. “Yeah, we’ll have a great time.”

He turned to his father. “Guess I need to be on my way.” He extended his hand, but Cesar ignored the hand, pulling him into a hug instead.

“I’m proud of you, Son. You’ll do fine at the academy. I know you will.”

“I’ll do my best, Daddy.”

Cesar released Rafael and took his duffel bag from him.

Elena stepped up to give her son a hug and kiss. “Drive carefully, you hear? I don’t want you ending up in some ER between here and Springfield.”

“I’ll be careful, Mama. I promise.”

He scooped Izzy into his arms. “You be good for Buela and Tito and Mommy, mi bonita. I’ll be home before you know it.”

She gave him a loud kiss on the cheek. “I’ll be good, Daddy. I promise, promise.”

Still holding Izzy, Rafael leaned forward to brush a kiss to Sarah’s cheek. “Take care, shortcake,” he whispered.

Elena checked for Cesar’s reaction to the affectionate moment, but he simply smiled and nodded.

“See you next weekend.” Rafael lowered Izzy to the floor. “Gotta get on the road before it gets too late.”

They all followed him out the kitchen door. Cesar tossed the duffel bag into the back of the van. Sarah stood on the porch holding Izzy’s hand.

Shivering, Elena wrapped her arms around herself, trying not to let the tears fall that filled her eyes.
Please watch over him, Lord
.

Rafael gunned the engine, tooted the horn, and backed out of the driveway. They watched as he pulled out onto the road.

“All right, little angel,” Sarah said. “Let’s get our coats and mittens and go for a sled ride.”

“
Yay!
” Izzy dashed into the house, perfectly content to spend her time with Sarah, who followed after the child, a smile on her lips.

Elena lingered at the door hoping to get one final glimpse of the van as it turned the corner onto the main road. She’d felt the same hollow ache the morning of Rafael’s first day of school.

“It’s going to be all right, querida.” Cesar looped his arm around her again, and she leaned her head against his shoulder.

“I know. I’m just being silly.”

“I’ve got some news that will perk you up. I talked with Margo, our travel agent. She’s got us booked for our trip to Spain in February.”

Elena’s mood instantly lifted. “February?”

“
Hmm
. The weather ought to be decent then. We leave on February 19 and return home on March 3. And, mi querida”—he kissed her temple—“we’ll be there for Carnival.”

She squealed and hugged him. “Really? We’re going for Carnival? That’s such an exciting time. All the singing and dancing and parades. The costumes!” She kissed him hard on the lips.

Grinning, he kissed her back. “Guess you approve of the plans.”

“Oh yes, a million times yes. It’s as if my cancer scare turned into a blessing. Without that we might never have actually made it to Spain. We will this time.”

“I brought home a bunch of brochures for you to look through.”

“Perfect.” Excitement and plans for the trip immediately tumbled through her brain like acrobats vying for a prize. “We’ll have to get costumes for ourselves. Should we buy them here? Or wait until we get to Spain? And we’ll need some new clothes.”

“You bought a whole wardrobe of clothes for the December trip,” he complained.

“But the weather will be much warmer. If we go to the Costa del Sol we’ll need swimsuits. I haven’t had a new one in years.” She started walking into the house. “After I read the brochures, I can check on the Internet to see what we’ll need. Goodness, where on earth can we buy swimsuits this time of year?”

She kept talking and walking, and it was only when she reached the living room that she realized Cesar hadn’t followed her. He was still standing by the kitchen door, laughing.

Her lips twisted into a reluctant grin. The man knew her far too well. And loved her just right.

M
R. VARNER WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOU.”

Anabelle winced at Penny Risser’s request for a command performance with the hospital CEO and held the phone away from her ear.

“Would now be convenient?” Penny asked.

“Now?” Instantly Anabelle knew that was the wrong response. When the CEO wanted to see her, she didn’t put him off or keep him waiting. The fact that she was working on next week’s work schedule, a task she performed each Friday, was not an excuse.

“Yes, now, unless you are otherwise occupied with some important task.”

“No, no. Now is fine.” She pulled her lower lip between her teeth and stared at the computer screen. “Do you know what this is about, Penny?”

“He has not informed me of the topic of your meeting.”

Of course she knew. There wasn’t anything about running the hospital that Penny didn’t know. Penny was also a master at keeping information confidential.

“I’ll be right down.” Anabelle repressed the sigh that attempted to escape her throat.

She hung up, saved the incomplete shift schedule and logged off the computer, and then dropped her reading glasses in the breast pocket of her lab coat. If this meeting was about who would replace Leila Hargrave, if Varner intended to offer Anabelle the job, she wasn’t ready to give him an answer. She hadn’t yet had a chance to weigh all the pros and cons.

She checked her hair in a small mirror hanging in the supply room and noted there was a smudge of something on the front of her white lab coat. She decided Mr. Varner probably wouldn’t notice.

She hurried downstairs, arriving at Penny’s office slightly breathless. Pausing at the doorway, she tried to brush out an invisible wrinkle on her skirt.

“Go right in.” Penny gave her a welcoming smile. “He’s waiting for you.”

“Thank you.” After a brief hesitation, she walked into Mr. Varner’s spacious office.

A dozen or more potted plants and hanging baskets nurtured by Penny’s green thumb were placed around the room: on the credenza behind Mr. Varner’s desk, on top of the filing cabinet, on the corner of his desk, and dangling from the ceiling. The overall effect was like walking into a well-kept jungle.

Behind the desk, Mr. Varner popped to his feet. “Good. You’re here. Have a seat.” He gestured in the direction of the two leather chairs in front of his desk. “I trust you had a good Christmas and New Year’s.”

Anabelle sat down. “Because of the storm, I spent a good deal of time here at the hospital.”

“Yes. Marvelous show of commitment by our staff. You led by example, I’m sure.” Dressed in his usual dark suit and conservative tie, he was the picture of a successful executive as he sat down again behind his walnut desk.

“I think all of the staff members should be commended for their devotion,” she said. “Many of them were forced to overcome difficult obstacles just to make it in to the hospital during the storm. I’m sure they’d appreciate a letter of thanks from you.”

“Oh yes, good idea.” Flustered, he pulled a yellow notepad in front of him and scribbled a reminder to himself. Or perhaps a note to Penny, who had to implement his orders. “That’s an excellent example of why I value your service here at Hope Haven. You’re an idea person. Can’t have too many idea people, right?”

“I suppose that’s true.” Anabelle wished the CEO would get to the point of this meeting.

“Well now, as you’re aware, Ms. Hargrave has left us. She will, of course, be sorely missed. Big shoes to fill and all that.”

Anabelle nodded, sensing what was coming and having no idea how she should respond.

“To replace her,” he continued, “the hospital needs a broadly experienced, mature nurse with administrative skills who is a well-respected member of the Hope Haven community.” He fussed with the pens on his desk, lining them up in a neat row. “I believe you encompass all of those attributes and more, Anabelle. Which is why I’m offering you the position of nursing administrator.”

The weight of indecision settled in her chest. A few years ago she might have leaped at the opportunity. But now, she simply wasn’t sure.

“I’m flattered by your offer, Mr. Varner. My long career at Hope Haven has meant a great deal to me. Working with people I care about has made every day a blessing. But…” Looking down, she clasped her hands in her lap. “I’m not sure—”

“I know this must come as a surprise to you. I’m perfectly willing to give you some time to think about my offer.”

She hid a smile. The offer was no surprise. Among the nurse supervisors, she had the most seniority. But that didn’t make her decision any easier.

She looked him directly in the eye. “Thank you. I would like to consider your offer for a few days and talk to my husband about it.”

“Good. Good.” He stood and so did she. “I’ll look forward to your answer sometime next week? We don’t want to leave the position open too long, do we?”

“Of course not. I completely understand.” Nothing like the boss adding a little pressure.

He walked her to the door of his office, and she headed back upstairs.

There were so many issues to weigh, she simply didn’t know how she could decide. Cam had always been good as a sounding board when she had a problem to solve. This weekend seemed like a good time to put their heads together.

She’d barely gotten back to the nurses’ station and started working on the schedule again when Candace appeared.

“Did Mr. Varner offer you the nurse administrator job?” she whispered.

Anabelle looked over the top of her glasses. “How did you know I talked to Mr. Varner?”

“Heath was downstairs. He saw you go into Varner’s office. He figured—” She shrugged. “Everyone’s been talking about who would get the job.”

Removing her glasses, Anabelle let them dangle from their chain. “Yes, I spoke to Mr. Varner. Yes, he offered me the job. I haven’t decided yet if I’m going to take it.”

“But, of course, you’ll take the job. You’d be perfect.”

“Furthermore”—she used her sternest, don’t-mess-with-me voice that she employed to get patients’ hysterical family members to behave themselves—“I do not want the entire hospital buzzing about me getting or not getting the promotion. Do you understand?”