Stepping Up To Love (Lakeside Porches 1) (26 page)

“Eat breakfast?”

“No.”

“Then you’re as hungry as I am.” Manda directed their steps to the cozy breakfast room.

“Do you intend to take care of me?”

“I am taking care of me,” she clarified. “Yesterday six people told me I was too thin. I feel like I haven’t had a good night’s sleep in a year. And I’m trying not to obsess about Joel’s injuries or about what they’ll say to us at nine o’clock about his recovery. So thank you for the suite. It’s quiet and comfortable, and it has the best shower this side of the Manse. I’m just taking care of me, Justin, and you’re welcome to come along for the ride. But please don’t fight me about anything or I’ll cry. You don’t want to be there when I cry. Just ask Joel.”

Justin let out a comical sigh. “And I was just starting to think you’d make a good secretary.”

Manda’s laughter bubbled up. “You are so different from Joel.”

“How so?”

“You’re a solo drama production.”

“Why thank you.”

“I look like your Grandmother O’Donohue?”

“Not mine. Joel’s. My honorary Aunt Bridey Tompkins. She was a redhead, not a brunette, but she had your curls and your sparkling blue eyes. You’d have thought she ate sapphires on her breakfast cereal.”

“Why didn’t Joel tell me he’s a Tompkins?”

Justin sobered unexpectedly. “Ask him sometime. Except for Bridey, I think he’d rather not be part of the Tompkins family.”

Manda had to ask, “So, do you know what’s happening at the college?”

Justin was quiet. Judging by the cold, hateful look that passed over his face, he knew. She let him stay quiet all the way through their omelets.

Manda was the first to speak. “Thank you, all of you, for meeting with us this morning. Justin Cushman is Joel’s uncle and his only living relative. He arrived this morning from Africa.” She tried not to roll her eyes. She totally didn’t buy that story.

Justin requested, “In laymen’s terms, doctors, what are we dealing with?”

The four physicians exchanged looks. The one Manda knew as “Joel’s doctor,” took the lead. “Medically, Joel is in for additional surgery on the leg over the next month. Then he’ll need intensive rehab, rest, and quiet for about six months. He is fortunate that the pelvis was not fractured, although it is contused and will be painful for a few months. The ribs are bruised, not broken, and his lungs are clear. Internal organs have some bruising but will heal with rest.”

Justin praised, “I so appreciate your concise response, in words we can understand.”

The lead physician nodded and turned to his left.

Information from the next doctor in line was positive. “His brain function looks excellent, and we can expect full cognitive recovery.”

Justin and Manda let out their breath simultaneously.

“Some motor skills have been impacted in ways you would expect,” he continued, “nothing severe. We feel confident those will fully recover in concert with his physical therapy.”

Justin commented, “As you can imagine, that’s been a major concern.” He reached for Manda’s hand and gave it a squeeze.

The third physician, a woman, added, “One area for particular concern. We’re watching his right eye, which is not moving or tracking as it should.” Before Justin could respond, she told him, “In cases like this, there’s a good chance it will self-correct. We’re encouraging him to do some simple exercises, and he’s taken up the challenge.” She gave a graceful fist pump that garnered a hearty laugh from Justin.

Manda waited a beat before asking, “Does Joel have sight in the eye, doctor?”

The ophthalmologist nodded, and Justin gave Manda’s hand another squeeze.

“What would you do if the tracking didn’t correct itself?” Manda wanted to know.

“It’s likely we could correct it surgically, but we wouldn’t attempt that for a few months while the brain and skull are healing.”

Manda winced.

Justin changed the subject. “And the right arm and hand?”

The fourth physician in line answered, “The hand is badly contused, but miraculously there are no fractures. The upper arm took the impact. The humerus is well set and should not require any further surgery. Both the arm and the hand need time to heal before physical therapy. To reiterate my colleague’s point, he will need at least one surgery on the leg soon. However, assuming his recovery progresses as we expect, we can release him to a physical therapy facility later in January. That gives you time to find the best center for you and for him.”

The silence that followed told Manda they had no recommendations. Maybe it was time to build one at Cady’s Point, even though that would not help Joel now.

Justin tested the silence. “Are we to assume you have no rehab here that would meet my nephew’s needs?”

The same physician answered, “Certainly, there are fine facilities in and around Rochester, but he’s likely to do better closer to friends and family. A qualified physical therapist dedicated to his case would communicate with us, and we’d also suggest a warm-water therapy pool accompanied by aquatic therapy for the first few months of his recovery.”

“That gives us good, clear direction, doesn’t it?” Justin praised with a look to Manda for agreement.

Manda nodded and smiled. But she wasn’t finished with her questions. “Doctor,” she addressed her remarks to the doctor who had taken the lead, “you qualified all of this by saying ‘Medically’. Why was that?”

She saw Justin sit back wearily. She realized he was more stressed than she was. She gave him a confident smile, and he rallied.

The doctor was saying, “It was obvious Joel was mentally stressed throughout our conversations yesterday, even when we gave him the good news about his condition. He acknowledged that a professional situation is weighing heavily on his mind, but he would not share the details. We wonder how much you know?”

The doctor was looking directly at Manda; panic paralyzed her. She was supposed to be Joel’s fiancée; she was supposed to know these things. “The college,” she stammered and could not continue.

Justin took her hand in both of his. “I can tell you in confidence that Joel’s been dealing with very serious problems at the college that bears his family name. As chair of the board of trustees and the major donor, he feels personally responsible for fixing it, and he has come to the conclusion it cannot be fixed. On the one hand, resigning his position and withdrawing financial support from the college would certainly cause it to fail, putting many good people out of work.

“On the other hand, purging the thieves and pretenders and rebuilding with new personnel would be a monumental undertaking and would almost certainly bring the scandal to the attention of the public. Which, in turn, would destroy the college’s reputation with donors and potential students. I have given him my blessing to resign and withdraw his support, but my nephew is a warm-hearted soul, committed to the economic health of his community. He is agonizing.” Justin folded his hands.

Manda was stunned. She stared at Justin in disbelief. She’d never guessed the extent of the problems. How could Joel be dealing with all of that and not ask for her support? What kind of life partner was she? She heard someone clear a throat.

“Perhaps he needs to delegate this particular business decision to you, Mr. Cushman,” the lead doctor said sternly. “We are in agreement that the degree of stress Joel demonstrated yesterday is a serious complication. His recovery will be both delayed and compromised if he continues to carry this burden. In short, Joel cannot afford it, medically or mentally.”

Justin asserted, “I will insist on taking responsibility for that decision and all it entails, doctors.”

“I support that, Justin,” Manda added.

All of them stood as if on cue.  Justin, Manda, and Joel’s team shook hands all around. Manda repeated their names with each handshake, then put their business cards in order and tucked them in a pocket in her tote.

Justin made overtures about a donation, and the second doctor, the neurologist, suggested they talk again in the near future.

Justin asked them, “Can I visit with Joel today?”

The neurologist assured him, “Joel will be immensely relieved you’re here. I recommend you spend a quiet ten minutes reassuring him you’re taking responsibility for his affairs while he focuses on his recovery.”

Manda did a slow burn. How clever of Justin to throw around his money and take over as Joel’s only visitor.

The lead physician added, “One visitor at a time may be enough for today.” He smiled at Manda. “Nevertheless, he will want to see his fiancée, I have no doubt. I’m sure he’s grown accustomed to hearing your voice several times a day without fail, every day since the accident. Perhaps a short afternoon visit.”

Manda wanted to kiss him; she settled for giving him a radiant smile.

However, Justin’s head had swung toward Manda, and he nailed her with a look. “Fiancée?” he mouthed.

“You’ve been away a long time,” Manda said sweetly and paused for emphasis. She knew her statement gave every appearance of being a gracious acquiescence that Justin’s visit to Joel ahead of her was exactly the right thing. “Joel will be relieved you’re here.”

As they rode down the elevator—just the two of them—Justin asked sharply, “Since when are you and Joel engaged?”

“That was a myth perpetrated by Joel’s AA friends at the hospital, since it was the only way I would be allowed to see him. He had no one,” she snapped.

Justin hesitated. When he spoke, it was to say, “We were a good team back there, you and I.”

Manda thought it sounded as much like a warning as a concession.

Chapter 9

They had gotten through the meeting with the four physicians okay, but Manda had an uneasy feeling Justin did not regard her as his ally. Maybe she was being paranoid. They were both stressed. She suggested they decompress at a coffee shop she and Gwen had found that had a first-rate barista, salads, and desserts.

Justin sipped something called a
doppio con panna
while Manda stirred honey into her green tea. She saw Justin eyeing her hand; her spoon rasped against her stoneware mug. “Sorry.” She set down her spoon.

Justin pondered, “How can we get Joel to release his hold on the college?” He was hunched over the table, as though the burden pressing on his shoulders was too much.

Manda thought it was another dramatic ploy. She corrected him, “It’s the college that has the stranglehold. Joel is the one in agony.”

Justin countered, “You must admit, Manda, it is an agony of his own making.” He stole a look at her and raised an eyebrow at what he saw.

Manda felt her face flame with anger.
How dare he say that about Joel?

“I didn’t expect that would get a rise out of you.”

She smiled sweetly. “You’re completely right, Justin. If Joel had no heart and no conscience he’d walk away and let the college self-destruct.”

She saw something menacing flash behind his eyes. She figured she had the same look in her eyes just before she smiled and slammed him.

“Let’s start again, shall we?”

Manda said calmly, “The way I see it Joel will turn the college over to you, but only if your strategy includes ousting the bad guys and watching out for the economic needs of the good guys.”

Justin’s eyes were slits. “I underestimated your interest in the college.”

“I don’t know much, honestly. I’m just thinking that’s what Joel would be most interested in.” Manda felt him watching her. She looked around the coffee shop thinking of all the coffee and salads and bagels she’d consumed here with Gwen since Joel’s accident.
I need to talk things over with her. What did she mean about Justin conning me? Can I trust anything about him?

“I want to visit the Manse,” Justin was saying, “after I see Joel.”

“Are you going to run it while Joel’s out of commission?” Manda’s tone was sharper than she intended. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Justin’s head jerk as though he’d been slapped.

“Nonsense. I’m on the hunt for an area we can turn into an apartment and therapy suite for a few months.”

Manda backed off. She took a deep breath and said a silent prayer.
Help me find a way to work with this guy.
“Harold will help you with that,” she offered. “Buildings and grounds. There’s a roster of names and emergency contact numbers at the main desk.”

“Very helpful,” Justin conceded. “Any other advice?”

“Tony Pinelli is a good carpenter, and he’s available over the college break. I’ll give you his phone number. Tony is Joel’s good friend; he was driving the truck when they had the accident.”

“Has he recovered?”

“That’s what I heard yesterday. I think it would help him to be part of Joel’s recovery this way.”

Justin blinked in surprise.

“What?”

“You’re snapping my head off one minute and making compassionate recommendations the next.”

Manda looked down at her tea. “Sorry. I’m so tired and so stressed. And confused. I want to be able to trust you, but…”

Justin reached a hand toward her, then pulled it back. “Manda, I want us to work as a team for Joel.”

She nodded her understanding. She felt him watching her again, heard him take a noisy sip. She wished he would let it alone.

“I know you’re upset with me, and I need to know what it’s about.”

Manda leveled him with a look. “I don’t believe the whole Africa fabrication. Why did it take you two weeks to show up?”

Justin drew in a breath and sat up to his full height.  He held the breath and then blew it out as if he had reached a decision. “I’ve been ill. I was undergoing diagnostic tests and receiving treatment, and there was no way anyone could reach me.”

Tell me about no one being able to reach you.
Manda was glad she only thought the words. The pain on Justin’s face looked genuine, partly physical pain and also emotional pain. It dawned on her that Justin regretted he hadn’t been available for Joel when he desperately needed him. She also sensed that right now Justin needed Joel pretty desperately, too.

“I’m sorry,” she choked.

Justin grabbed both her hands and hung on tight. “You were here for him, Manda, and I’m profoundly grateful. I mean to make up for it. I mean to be here for him now. And for you.”

Tears flooded Manda’s face. She pulled one hand away and reached for a brown paper napkin from the holder on the table.

“You’ll need more than one of those, lass.” Justin made his way to the creamer bar for a fistful of napkins and a glass of water.

Manda worked her way through eleven napkins. When the flood was under control, she gave him a self-conscious laugh. “I warned you.” She watched her hand shake as she brought the glass of water to her mouth.

“Careful there. Yes, you warned me. And I fought you anyway. My apologies.”

“I probably I needed that. I’ve hardly cried since the accident.”

“You were overdue.”

“He is going to be all right, isn’t he?”

Justin nodded. “With you at his side, he’ll come through this.”

“He needs you, too. Not just to get the college off his shoulders.”

Justin tapped his glass mug with a nervous rhythm. “What’s your advice about the college?”

“I have none, other than what I’ve said already. Joel and I haven’t talked about the college. I don’t know why? Maybe he was protecting me. I acted like such a dunce about what happened to me. He was probably never going to bring it up again. I feel so bad that he was carrying it alone.”

Justin winked at her. “He does that sometimes. It’s a serious character flaw, you know.” He went for another glass of water, dipped a napkin in it and tipped her chin up. “You have a little mascara on your nose.”

Manda figured she had mascara everywhere except her eye lashes.

Justin set about dabbing off the mascara. He told her, “He’s shared some with me—the nature of the problems, the extent of them, and a few words about who can be trusted. I’ll clean it up, one way or another.”

“But that means you’d have to stay a while.”

Justin pursed his mouth, and his eyes twinkled. “Would that be such a bad thing?”

“For you, I would think?”

Justin was shaking his head.

“You’d stay here? In Tompkins Falls, I mean?”

“I need to be here. Live here again, be part of this place. Not just while Joel’s recovering. I can’t explain it any better than that.”

“Justin, are you—?”

“I’m not dying, if that’s what you mean.” He gave a chuckle and set down the damp napkin. “Good as new.”

Manda pulled out a compact and scrunched her nose. “Clean anyway. Thank you. You’d be a good dad, you know.”

He waved it away with a dramatic flourish, but she could see he was touched.

“So what’s in it for you, returning to Tompkins Falls?”

“We’ll find out. I know I’m ill, though the doctors don’t know with what, and I will continue that investigation the best I can from here. But more important, at the moment, anything I can for Joel I will do.”

“Thank you.”

His features softened, and his eyes sparkled. “You’ll be a beautiful wife for him.”

Manda felt her face flame.

“Now you look like a blushing bride. Joel will like that look.”

“But first, he’ll wake up to you. He needs you.”

Justin checked his watch and took one last sip of his espresso. “I’ll call you later. We’ll have dinner tonight, shall we?”

Manda nodded needlessly, as he was already out the door.

She listened until his rental BMW surged away from the curb. She met the barista’s eyes and signaled that she’d like another tea. Then she speed-dialed Gwen.

“Hey, chickie, I’m halfway to Rochester and realized we never set a meeting place.”

“Our favorite coffee shop?”

“Sure. You okay?”

“Yes. So is Joel. We have a lot to talk about.”

“You’re stressed. Walk around the block and then order me a market salad. See you in twenty minutes.”

“Nice celebration,” Gwen decided, buttering the last slice of Italian bread. “I don’t need that chocolate cake that’s calling to me from the pastry case.”

“But I might.” Manda eyed the two tiers of tortes and cheesecakes. “They have Joel’s favorite Turtle Cheesecake.”

“You go right ahead, chickie. I’m glad your appetite is back.”

“Now that you know everything about Joel and about me, I need to talk about Justin. I don’t think I get him.”

Gwen put her fork and knife in the middle of the salad bowl and pushed the bowl away from her. “Has he tested you six ways to Sunday?”

“Tested me?”

Gwen nodded. “He’s not going to let just anyone marry his nephew.”

“What do you mean?”

“Look, Joel is his only living relative, and he loves him beyond all reason. He’s been Joel’s surrogate father for most of his life. Even Lorraine was not good enough in Justin’s eyes. So, Justin is going to make very sure you’re compatible with Joel, make sure you’re in love with him and marrying him for the right reasons.”

“Which I am.”

“Which you are. The other thing is, you’ll be heir to Joel’s fortune if anything happens to Joel, and you’ll carry the Cushman name, so he has some interest in that.”

Manda thought about it. With a rueful smile, she told Gwen, “I should have realized.”

“So, chickie, have you passed so far?”

Manda shrugged. “I guess.”

“And do you think you two can be allies for Joel’s recovery?”

“I think it will be a challenge, and we’ll just keep working it out. For Joel. We had a scene right here, right before I called you.”

Gwen thumped her hand over her heart. “I saved you?”

“By the time I called you, he had already left in his too-cool Beemer.”

“When did he have time to buy a car?”

“He had the concierge at our hotel arrange a rental.”

“The man has too much money.”

“The man is ill. Seriously, from the look of it.”

Gwen sat back heavily. Manda watched a succession of emotions pass over her face.

“Do you have a thing for Justin?”

Gwen’s eyes opened wide. “
Moi
?”

When Manda continued her eagle-eyed stare, Gwen shrugged.

“I suppose every teenage girl in Tompkins Falls flirted with the idea of growing up to be Mrs. Joel Cushman or Mrs. Justin Cushman.”

“And isn’t Joel more your age?” Manda teased.

“Justin’s fascinating, that’s all. He has a genius for manipulating people and making them smile the whole time. As a psychologist, that has always fascinated me about him, even before I became a psychologist.”

“That’s what you meant about not letting him con me?”

“Did I say that?”

“Your very words. It kept me awake the whole drive last night.”

“Yes, I suppose that’s what I meant.”

“He’s going to stay in Tompkins Falls, you know.”

Gwen snorted. “Lord help us.” But she was smiling.

Manda told her, “I think it will be good for Joel to have him here. And for Justin to be here with us mere mortals,” she added with a grin.

Gwen reached her right arm over the back of her chair. “You don’t like Justin?”

“Like him? I don’t know, but sometimes it feels like we’re old buddies. He says I remind him of Joel’s grandmother.”

Gwen grinned. “The one that read tea leaves?”

Manda nodded. “Did she ever read yours?”

Gwen thought back, frowning in concentration. “I think mine said, ‘you will see deep into the heart and soul.’ And I grew up to be a psychologist.”

“She was good.”

“What was Joel’s?”

“Joel’s tea leaves said, ‘You will kiss many women before you find the one.’ Pretty cool, huh?”

“Wonder what yours would have been?”

“Wonder what Justin’s was? I can’t imagine him giving up his life’s work and moving back here.”

Gwen shrugged. “It’s not like Justin to be idle. He must be planning something.”

“Well, first he’s going to take over for Joel at the college.”

“Why would he need to?”

Manda slapped her hand over her mouth and mumbled, “Can’t tell you.”

Gwen narrowed her eyes. “Sure you can. We’ll play 'Pay the lawyer a dollar and then everything you say is protected by confidentiality.'”

“You’re not a lawyer.”

“That’s just the name of the game, silly. I’ll pretend to be the lawyer.” Gwen winked.

Manda sat a moment longer, sizing up Gwen, thinking about how desperately she wanted to confide in her. Finally she pulled her hand away from her mouth, rummaged in her purse, and slapped a dollar on the table. “Let’s walk. I don’t want to talk here.”