Take a Deep Breath (Lake of the Pines) (12 page)

Kate whispered to Sara, “It’s okay honey. Let me help you.”
Kate then removed the tubing from Sara’s face.

“Mom?” she squeaked, her voice hoarse.

“Shhh. Yes, Sweetie. It’s me. Don’t try to talk.”

“Are they taking me to surgery now?”

“They already did. You’re back in the recovery room now. You
did great.”

“It’s over already?”

“Yep, it’s over already. I told you, you wouldn’t feel a
thing.”

Sara closed her eyes and struggled to open them again.

“It’s okay. Sara, go to sleep. You need to rest.”

“My ankle hurts, a lot.” Liv looked to Kate.

“I just put some pain medication into her IV. The pain
should go away in a moment,” Kate said anticipating the question before Liv
asked it.

“Better?”

Sara nodded. Her eyes closed.

“That’s it Sweetie. You rest. I’ll be here when you wake up
again,” Liv kissed Sara’s forehead.

“She’ll sleep for at least another hour. We’ll be taking her
up to her room soon.” She flipped to the front of the chart. “She’ll be in room
225. If you haven’t eaten supper yet, now would be a good time to go. The
cafeteria closes for the night soon.”

“Okay.” Liv’s stomach suddenly felt empty. She pressed
another kiss on Sara’s cheek and quietly left the recovery area. She found Cam
waiting for her in the hallway with her bag.

She smiled at him and placed her hand on his arm. “She’s
sleeping. They’re prepping her to go upstairs to her room, but it’ll be a while
before we can see her. The nurse said we might as well go down to the cafeteria
and grab a bite to eat.”

“Sounds good, I’m starting to feel a little hungry.” He
glanced up at the clock in the hall. It was almost 7:30. He’d totally missed
lunch and was on the verge of missing supper too.

“So, Dr. Preston,” Liv teased as they walked down the hall.
“You’re quite impressive in your element. You impressed me with all your
medical talk back with Dr. Brack. I think you’re very good at what you do.”

“Why thank you, I try.” They stopped in front of the
elevators and Cam pressed the down button.

“I…” Liv started to say when a loud voice boomed down the
hall.

“There you are! Where’s Sara?” Liv’s stomach turned over.
She suddenly felt flushed and pulled at the neckline of her shirt in an effort
to relieve the suffocating sensation enveloping her. She glanced at Cam as the
elevator doors opened and resisted the temptation to escape the impending
scene. Conflict always nauseated her, especially with Ron. The louder her got,
the smaller she felt. She didn’t move or say anything. Ron, now inches from
Liv’s face, narrowed his dark eyes as he lit into her.

“Answer me Liv. Focus! I’m talking to you!” He seemed
oblivious to the fact that Cam stood next to her.

“I…” Liv stuttered caught off-guard by his sudden
appearance. She knew she’d have to face his wrath sooner or later, but hope
it’d be later.
Much later.
She’d hoped to have time to prepare herself
for their inevitable confrontation, to rehearse the conversation so she could
hold her own. Now, she’d have to wing it. Suddenly chilled, she rubbed her arms
with her hands and crossed them in front of her body. She stepped away from the
irate man into Cam. He protectively circled his arms around her.

“God dammit, Liv. Now isn’t the time to fall apart. Your
flakiness is what got Sara here in the first place. I told you a hundred times,
you can’t just let her play outside by herself, but you never listened to me
did you? Turns out I was right as always.” Ron ranted as he pulled at his tie
to loosen it and unbuttoned the first two buttons of his dress shirt. Liv
stared at him as he ran his hand over his shaved head.
What did I ever see
in this man?
His mouth was still moving, but she didn’t hear what he was
saying.

"When did you…” Liv started to speak finally regaining
her composure.

He cut her off before she could finish. “I called the
cottage to set up a visit for next month. I wanted to talk Sara, and your
grandmother told me she was in the hospital. Not that you’d bother to let me
know my own daughter was hurt. I left on the next flight out. This is such bad
timing. I was right in the middle of a huge deal. I can’t afford to take time
off right now! This deal is likely to fall through now, all because you can’t
be bothered to parent your daughter." Ron continued to raise his voice and
people were staring. Liv closed her eyes, trying to block him out and transport
herself somewhere else.
Why is everything always about him? Does he even
care about Sara?

“I got it Ron. You’re angry. Please, stop yelling. People
are starting to stare. I’m sorry I didn’t call you right away, but you were on
a business trip and I didn’t think…” Liv tried to defend herself.

“Isn’t that typical. You never do think do you? Let me
guess? Did you have your head in a book again? Or were you texting one of your
sisters? Can’t you pay attention to your own daughter for more than five
minutes? You’re so selfish! You always were. I never could count on you for
anything. You never bothered to be a good wife, why would being a good mother
be any different?” He continued to berate Liv.

Finally, Cam couldn’t take it anymore. “Excuse me.” He
stepped forward and stood between them.

“And another thing.”

“I said, excuse me.”

Ron finally acknowledged Cam’s presence. “Who’s this guy?”

“This is Cameron Preston. He’s an old friend from Lake of
the Pines.” Liv took Cam’s hand. “Cam, as you might have already guessed, this
is Ron Reynolds, Sara’s father.” Liv continued the introductions.

“Isn’t that grand, so what? You and lover-boy here shacked
up and left poor Sara to fend for herself?”

Liv flushed. Guilt filled her. Little did he know how close
to the truth he actually was.

“That’s enough!” Cam was close to decking the guy, but
didn’t want to make a bigger scene than what was unfolding already.

“Is everything all right here?” a security guard asked.

“Yes, sir, everything is fine,” Liv answered with a quiet
calmness, “Sorry we caused such a commotion.” She turned back to Ron. “Sara is
in room 225. You should be able to go in and see her now. I’ll be up in a few
minutes.”

“Fine,” Ron answered flatly. “That’s what I wanted to know
in the first place.” The elevator doors opened and he stepped inside. He
punched at the “two” button several times and the doors closed.

“Are you okay?” Cam could tell Liv was shaken.

“Yeah I’m okay I don’t have much of an appetite anymore,
though.”

“Me either.”

“I’m sorry you had to hear all that.” Liv was clearly
embarrassed.

“I’m sorry you did too. Promise you won’t let what he said
get to you. You know it was garbage.”

“I know,” Liv sighed, “but he does have a point, though. I
was being selfish. I should be concentrating on Sara and not some fairytale
fantasy
.”

Cam felt like someone had stabbed him with a knife.
“Fairytale fantasy?” His brows furrowed in confusion. “I hope you aren’t
implying that we’re a
fantasy
. This is
real
. I
know
you feel it too. Everyone has a right to be happy and it doesn’t make you
selfish to want it.” He tried to keep the hurt and anger out of his voice.

“We’ll keep in touch this time.” Liv didn’t make eye contact
with him. “It’s not like we won’t see each other again like before. But, we
have separate lives. You live in Chicago and I’m in Ohio. It would’ve come to
this at the end of the summer anyway. It’s just a little sooner than we’d
hoped.” Liv rationalized hurting him.

“Don’t do this Liv. Don’t walk away. We just found each
other again. You haven’t given us enough of a chance yet. You don’t have to
sacrifice your happiness to be a good mom.”

“I just need a little space right now, Cam. Everything is
happening so fast. I’m confused. I need time to think.” Liv felt like vomiting.
She swallowed hard and tapped down the panic rising in her. She concentrated on
Cam’s face and the words he was speaking to her.
God, I love him so much,
she thought.
He deserves so much better than a crazy woman with an
overbearing ex-husband.

“Just promise you won’t make any decisions about us tonight.
It’s been a long day and you’re upset. Don’t let Ron taint what we have. He
said those things to hurt you, not because they’re true.”

“I know in my head that you’re right. I shouldn’t let Ron
influence my decisions, but sometimes it’s so hard. His words circle around in
my mind and make me crazy. I just need to work things out in my head.” The urge
to escape grew stronger, but she resisted.

“I understand, Liv. Really, I do. Just please promise not to
make any decisions until you’ve had a chance to sleep and put everything that’s
happened into perspective.”

Liv nodded. “I promise I won’t make any decisions tonight.”
She said the words aloud, but in her heart she’d already made her decision.

“Do you want me to go?”

“I think that’d be best for now. I don’t want Ron to make a
scene in front of Sara.”

“No, that wouldn’t be good for Sara.”

“Thanks, Cam.” Liv rushed into his arms and gave him one
final embrace. The elevator doors opened and she escaped inside just before
they closed again. Cam stood staring at the closed doors a few moments longer.
He had a sick feeling he’d just lost the woman of his dreams.
Again.

I just need a little space right now, Cam. Everything is
happening so fast. I’m confused. I need time to think.
Liv’s words echoed
in Cam’s head all night and into the morning.
Okay
, he thought.
I
can give her space, but I don’t know for how long.
The clock read 7:15.
This was the longest he’d lain in bed in years, yet he couldn’t bring himself
to get up. He rolled over and closed his eyes. A cupboard in the kitchen opened
and shut. The microwave hummed and the scent of coffee brewing made him realize
he was hungry. Cam sat up and stretched. His body ached everywhere, but that
was nothing compared to the ache in his heart. He hoped Liv would realize being
with him and being a good mother were not exclusive. She could have both. If
only, she’d let him show her. How could he do that and give her space at the
same time, he asked himself. He shook his head and got out of bed. Pulling on a
pair of old jeans, he headed to the kitchen.

“Good morning, Dad.” Cam greeted his father flatly and
walked over to the cupboard above the sink to look for a mug.

“Morning, Cameron. I didn’t realize you were home. Aren’t
you usually out running by now?”

Cam ignored his father and poured the steaming hot coffee
into his mug and spooned two scoops of sugar into it. He opened the fridge to
look for some milk to add to it.

“The milk’s already on the table,” Max gestured to the table
visible through the window cutout between the kitchen and the dining room.

“Thanks,” Cam acknowledged and picked up his mug and took it
out to the table. Max followed him. He looked his son up and down. Something
seemed off, but Max couldn’t quite figure out what.

“So are you headed out to the hospital to see Sara then?”

“What’s with the twenty questions this morning?”

“Sorry son. I was just trying to make conversation.” Max
backed off.

“What’s going on?” Roger asked as he came into the room with
Eric.

“Nothing. I’m the one who should apologize.” Cam slumped
into a chair.

“Apologize for what?”

“I just bit Dad’s head off for no reason. I guess I’m still
a little tired from yesterday. I decided my body needed to sleep more than it
needed to run.” Cam answered his father’s first question. “And, the reason I’m
not going to the hospital to see Sara is because Liv’s ex-husband, Sara’s dad,
showed up last night. He made quite a scene in the hall. Liv got all worked up
and started second-guessing everything. She said she needs some space to
think.”

“Ahhh. I see,” answered Max.

“You see what?”

“I see why you’re in a mood this morning. I’m guessing Liv
is just overwhelmed by everything that happened yesterday. I’m sure she’ll come
around once she has time to catch her breath and things get back to normal.”

“I hope you’re right. I’m not so sure though. You didn’t see
her face when I left her last night.”

“Well, if it helps,” Roger put in, “From what I saw of the
two of you together she’s totally, how do they say it these days, into you?”

“That’s what I thought too.” Cam nodded. “But for some
reason she thinks she can’t be a good mother and have a relationship with me at
the same time. She’s made it an either-or in her mind. I can’t compete with her
daughter and don’t want to.”

“It sounds like she’s confused,” Eric said joining the
conversation.

“That’s what she said.” Cam took a sip of his coffee and
burned his tongue. “Damn, that’s hot!”

“Well, I still think she’ll work it out in her mind and
realize she can have both,” Max reiterated.

“It doesn’t help with her ex berating her and accusing her
of neglecting Sara. He practically said it was all Liv’s fault that Sara got
hurt. He seemed more upset that Sara’s injury interrupted his business deal
than he did about how Sara actually was.” Cam replayed the scene in his head.

“He sounds like a piece of work,” Eric said.

“Speaking of Sara, though, how’s she doing?” Roger asked.
“It must’ve been late when you got in. I didn’t even hear you pull in.”

“Yeah, I went out for a long drive after I left the
hospital. I needed to clear my head and think. Sara’s a trooper. Liv and I
talked to the surgeon last night. Sara broke both bones in her ankle. The
doctor stabilized the bones with a metal plate and some pins. She has a cast
right now, but in six weeks or so she should be walking on it again.”

“That’s good news.”

“It really is. She’s a lucky girl. She should get to go home
from the hospital today or tomorrow.”

“I’m sure she’ll be happy to get home,” Roger added. He
buttered a piece of toast and spread strawberry jam on it.

Cam tentatively sipped his coffee again and nodded
agreement. “What about you Eric? How’re you feeling today?”

“Very well, thanks for asking, Dr. Preston.” Eric laughed.

“That’s good. Just don’t overdo it today and make sure you
keep drinking lots of fluids.”

“Aye! Aye!” Eric saluted.

“I’m serious.”

“I know you are. Don’t worry. I’m always a good patient and
do what I’m told.” Eric winked.

“So what’s your plan today, Cam?” Max asked. “Do you want to
play cards with us or we could go fishing?”

Cam inwardly groaned. The last thing he wanted to do was
spend the day with his father. As much as Max always meant well, it didn’t and
wouldn’t take long for him to rub Cam the wrong way. On the other hand, Cam
thought, he did need to keep himself busy.

“Actually, I’m going to go check on Liv’s grandmother. I
thought I’d finish cleaning up the fallen branches in their yard.” Cam made up
his plan for the day on the fly.

“That’s sounds like a good plan,” Roger said. “I’m sure
they’d appreciate it.”

“Well, I better get a move on it, before it gets too hot out
there.” Cam pushed his chair away from the table and stood up. He finished off
his coffee and put the mug in the kitchen sink. Less than ten minutes later,
his teeth brushed and a clean t-shirt on, he laced up his boots and headed out
the door into the sunlight. The chainsaw along with his work gloves and other
tools were still in the back of his pickup. In the front of the cab sat a soft,
purple, stuffed hippopotamus and the get well card that he’d gotten at the
hospital gift shop for Sara on his way out the night before. He planned to ask
Mrs. Adams to take it to Sara for him. He shifted the truck into reverse and
backed out. As he rounded the last curve, he saw Hannah’s car parked in the
driveway next to Liv’s. He pulled up behind Liv’s car and cut the engine. He
sat in the cab a few minutes gathering his thoughts and looking around the
yard. Most of the small sticks and branches were gone. The large branch of the
birch tree still needed to be chopped up and hauled away though. He noticed
Sara’s empty wagon on the porch. He heard Pup-Pup barking inside, announcing
his arrival. Grabbing Sara’s gift, he slid out of the truck.

He knocked on the front door and waited. Pup-Pup went wild
inside, barking and scratching at the door.

“Hello? Anyone home?”

“In here. Come on in! I’m just pulling a batch of chocolate
chip cookies out of the oven.”

The smell of the fresh baked cookies made his mouth water.

“It smells wonderful in here, Mrs. Adams. It looks like
you’ve been busy!”

“When I get worried, I bake!” Hannah gestured to the counter
full of cookies. Dozens and dozens lined the long counter that ran from the
oven to the fridge.

“Have you talked to Liv this morning? Did something change
to worry you?”

“No, no. Everything is fine with Sara. I spoke with Liv
earlier this morning. Sara slept through the night as best she could with the
nurses coming in every ten minutes to take her vitals. They’re just waiting for
Dr. Brack to make rounds so they can find out when Sara can come home. Liv is
hoping later today, but it may be tomorrow. I think I just have left over
energy from yesterday. Please, have a cookie and take some home with you to your
father. I couldn’t possibly eat all these.”

“Thanks.” Cam bit into one of the warm, gooey cookies. It
melted in his mouth. “Mmm. This is really good.”

“Have another one.”

“I really shouldn’t, but I can’t resist.” He smiled at
Hannah.

“I’m heading over to the hospital in an hour so. I’m going
to try to persuade that granddaughter of mine to have lunch with me. I also
hope I can convince her to let me sit with Sara for a while so she can come
home and get a little rest. Would you like to ride with me?”

Cam hesitated. “Actually, I wasn’t planning on going to the
hospital today. I kind of hoped you’d give this to Sara for me and let her know
I’m thinking about her.”

“I don’t understand. Why aren’t you going Cameron? I know
Sara would love to see you. Liv would too, for that matter.”

“As much as I’d like to, under the circumstances, I don’t
think it’s a good idea.”

“What circumstances?”

“Let’s just say I met Ron last night and he didn’t take an
immediate liking to me. I don’t want to cause any scenes in front of Sara.”

“I see. Ron can be difficult at times. He’s already gone
back to D.C. though. He made his obligatory appearance and split.”

“Really? I would’ve thought he’d at least stay until they
released Sara from the hospital.”

“Yeah, well, Ron’s more about appearances than anything
else. It would’ve looked bad if he didn’t come see Sara at all once he found
out about it. So, he came, he saw her and then went back to his “important”
life.” Hannah scowled. Cam got the impression that Mrs. Adams didn’t have much
use for Ron. “So, the coast is clear.”

If only it were that simple,
Cam thought.
“Actually, Ron’s only part of the reason I wasn’t going to go see Sara today.
Last night Liv asked me to give her some space and time to sort things out. She
felt like our relationship was going too fast and she was neglecting her
responsibilities as a mother.”

“That sounds like Liv.” Hannah sighed. “She constantly
worries about being a bad mom and feels guilty anytime she is remotely happy.
Don’t let her push you away.”

“I don’t plan to, but at the same time I want to respect her
request.”

Hannah looked thoughtful and nodded her head. “Whatever you
think is best. I know I shouldn’t get in the middle of your relationship, so I
won’t say anymore. Other than to say or rather ask that you don’t give up on
her.”

“I won’t. So, in the meantime, I thought maybe I’d work on
clearing those branches away seeing as we got a little side-tracked from that
job yesterday.”

“Are you sure? I was just going to call a local tree service
to see if I could get them to come out.”

“Nah. Don’t do that. I’m sure there’s a waiting list with
all the storm damage around here. It won’t take me long and it’ll give me
something to do to take my mind off things.”

“Well, if you’re sure.”

“I am.” Cam grabbed another cookie off the counter. “I’ll
let you get back to your baking.” He smiled at her again and strode out the
door.

Hannah turned off the oven. She watched Cam through the
window as she washed the bowls, measuring cups and beaters. He’d already put on
his work gloves, safety glasses and hearing protection. He pulled the starter
cord on his chainsaw three or four times before the engine finally caught and
the familiar whirring sound filled the air. Hannah continued wiping down the
counters. She put the cooled cookies into plastic containers and set one aside
for Cam and another to take to Sara. The rest she put in the freezer for later.
She glanced back out the window at Cam. The chainsaw sliced through the birch
branch smoothly.
Well
, thought Hannah,
he certainly won’t be able
to think with all that noise. I certainly can’t.
She wasn’t complaining
though. He was doing her a huge favor taking care of the fallen branches.

Hannah’s thoughts turned back to Liv. She hoped Liv came to
her senses soon. Cam was a good man. Hannah couldn’t help feeling they were
meant to be together. From the time they were nine years old she’d watched
their friendship and love for each other grow. When Liv got pregnant with Sara
and married Ron, Hannah thought maybe she was wrong about them. However, after
spending more than five minutes with the man Liv married, Hannah knew the
marriage was wrong. Ron had given them Sara, but that was the only gift he
gave. Hannah cringed every time he opened his mouth and put Liv down or
belittled one of her accomplishments. She couldn’t decide if he did it on
purpose to make himself feel better or if he was just that oblivious to how
much his words hurt Liv. It didn’t matter anymore though; they weren’t together
now. Liv had finally brought herself to leave the broken relationship. Hannah
was proud of the courage it took Liv to walk away. Yet, she still worried when
Liv second-guessed her decision. Liv had to realize it was the right decision
for both Sara and her. Hannah sighed as she gathered her purse and keys. Cam
almost had the entire branch cut into smaller logs. His back muscles rippled
beneath his sweat-soaked t-shirt. His long-sleeved shirt hung over a branch.
She couldn’t see his face, but knew he was hurting.

Nothing stood in the way between Cam and Liv now, except
Liv’s guilt. Hannah knew guilt was a powerful force, but had faith that love
would conquer it. A romantic at heart, Hannah instinctively wanted to meddle
and help them find a way back to each other, but from experience knew it was best
to let the two of them settle things for themselves. Hannah smiled to herself
as she let herself out and closed the door behind her.
It couldn’t hurt to
have a little chat with Liv, though could it? Not at all,
she reasoned.
That’s
not meddling at all; it’s just talking to my granddaughter about life and
relationships.
Her husband’s voice whispered in her ear, “Yes it is.”