Fresh-Start Family Read online

  Please, Lord, let us get to the hospital quickly.

  Jenna didn’t have the same phobia of flying her father did. Well, not quite as severe, anyway. But she’d never gotten past her apprehension for takeoffs and landings, even though, unlike Brian, this trip was far from the first time Jenna had flown in a plane. Thanks to her late husband, she had plenty of experience in the air. But she didn’t want any of those memories to come charging back now, when she needed to focus on her son.

  She held on to Brian in the backseat and trembled, the cold from her run in the rain finally seeping into her bones, praying his fever had stabilized.

  “Are you doing okay, honey?” she asked Brian.

  He nodded, wide-eyed and quiet. She hated that this was Brian’s first time in a small plane. When he was feeling well, he was an adventure seeker who’d love flying in a plane like this, and would probably have asked Tag fifty questions already. It broke her heart that he couldn’t even enjoy this opportunity, thanks to the fever. She didn’t dare hope there’d be other chances. If her late husband had lived, Brian most likely would have already logged plenty of flight time with his dad given the fact that Kent had been a veteran air force pilot. But Kent wasn’t there for them anymore. And truthfully, he hadn’t made much of an effort even when he’d been alive.

  Kent hadn’t been inclined to be much of a father at all, especially to a child who wasn’t healthy, and Jenna had made peace with that long ago. Soon after Brian’s birth, they’d discovered the gravity of their son’s fragile condition when he was diagnosed with polycystic kidney syndrome. Her marriage to a man she’d once loved enough to follow around the world had soon crumbled under the weight of Brian’s medical troubles. Learning to do without Kent’s support was a trick she’d mastered long before his death.

  Right now she just needed to get through the next few hours, until she heard in the doctor’s own words that Brian would be all right, that this sudden temperature wasn’t the start of the collapse of Brian’s remaining kidney. She could be strong for Brian until then.

  “How long do you think the flight will take?” she asked. In all the confusion she realized she’d never learned her neighbor’s name.

  “Not long. The wind is on our side, so it should take about forty minutes or so.”

  “Wow. That fast, huh?”

  “We don’t follow highways in the sky. We’ve got a nice straight line ahead of us,” he said. “And things should move pretty fast when we land, too. When I radioed my flight plan in, I asked the tower to contact the hospital so they could expect Brian. There’ll be an ambulance waiting for us right on the tarmac.”

  Jenna nodded and looked out the window into the darkness, a mixture of relief and anxiety coursing through her.

  “The real estate broker who sold me the house made it a point to mention Chesterfield had a hospital,” he said next. “I thought it was equipped for emergencies.”

  “It is for most emergencies. Simple bone break or a bad flu. But my son was born with kidney disease. If his fever has anything to do with his kidneys, they can’t handle it there. He was born with only one kidney, and it’s not working properly. Whenever he spikes a temperature, like tonight, it could be…bad.”

  The plane hit an air pocket and bobbed, then shook. Her stomach lurched, and she focused on her son to take her mind off it.

  Any other time her son’s curious nature would have had him unable to contain himself in his seat. Instead, he was slumped back against her, virtually still.

  “I’m sorry. I just realized I never even asked your name,” she finally said, slightly embarrassed.

  The man turned back briefly and said, “Tag.”

  “Tag? That’s an unusual name. Is it short for something else?”

  From the angle at which she was sitting, she watched the corner of his mouth lift into a quick smile. “It’s what people called me in the marines. I’ve gotten so used to it, I rarely introduce myself by my real name.” He turned quickly to her and said, “Tom. Tom Garrison.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Tom,” she said. “I wish it were under less stressful circumstances, though.”

  Tom nodded a reply and kept his eyes on the controls of the plane as it bobbed and pitched in the weather.

  She heaved a sigh, hoping to find the words for the small talk she’d need to stay calm. Her father knew how to chatter nonstop to keep her mind distracted on the long drive. But her father wasn’t here. So if she wanted conversation to take her mind off just how quiet and still Brian was, it would be up to her.

  Jenna needed to talk about nonsense. Surely Tag could concentrate on flying and talk about some senseless topic at the same time.

  “How does your wife like the new farm?” she finally asked.

  Tom’s hand stiffened on the controls as soon as the words left her mouth, and she groaned silently. Had she brought up a touchy subject? She hadn’t recalled seeing anyone downstairs with him. She hadn’t been in a clear frame of mind when she’d stormed his door earlier, but she didn’t remember any sign someone else was even in the house. Was he going through a divorce? Was that why he’d moved to her small town—to get away from it all?

  After a long hesitation, Tom answered, “I live alone.”

  “Oh, I see.”

  Embarrassed, she looked away and glanced down at Brian. He appeared to be snoozing against her—another bad sign, if not even the excitement of being on a plane was enough to keep him awake.

  Bending her head, she kissed his scorching forehead and continued her small talk.

  “Your farm has been vacant for almost two years. I was surprised, and thrilled, to see the lights on when we drove by. Have you been here long?”

  “Little over a week.”

  “That might explain why I haven’t seen you around town.”

  He shrugged. “I’m not likely to be found around town much. I spend most of my day working the fields. They’re quite a mess now. And there is still a lot of repair work needed to the barn and fences. If I’m not working the farm, I’m usually in the air.”

  In the air, she thought, remembering how Kent had filled all his free time in much the same way. Of course, with him, it had been an attempt to avoid home life. She forced her thoughts away from the bone of contention that had plagued her marriage. On nights like this, old resentments had a way of resurfacing.

  Reaching for something to say, she added, “It’s good that you’re giving the farm some care, then. My father said that Mr. Nelson was old and sick for quite a while before his son finally convinced him to sell the property and move out to Michigan with him. I’m sure he’s glad that someone is taking care of things for him here, even if the farm doesn’t belong to him anymore. I never knew Mr. Nelson had an airstrip on his property, though.”

  Tom smiled. “It’s not an airstrip, really. It is just an access road running through the fields. But it’s level and straight and works like a charm as an airstrip. First thing I did when I moved in was modify the road with lights so I could fly.”

  Jenna thought back to their takeoff. She hadn’t really been paying too much attention at the time. She had been more concerned with making sure Brian was securely strapped in and comfortable, but they certainly hadn’t appeared to have any problems. Whatever modifications Tom had made had definitely paid off.

  She smiled. “Brian told me at breakfast the other day that a plane had flown overhead and woken him up. I told him it was too soon in the season for someone to be out dusting crops. Some of the farmers around here have planes they use for dusting crops. Those are usually the only planes we see around here. Was that you? If so, I owe my son an apology.”

  “Guilty. I like seeing the sun kiss the horizon in the morning. Sorry I woke your son.”

  Jenna chuckled. “Mr. Garrison, I’m not sorry at all. You have a plane, and right now that makes you my new best friend.”

  “It’s Tom. And I’m happy to help.” He turned briefly and glanced at Brian. “How’s he doing
?”

  Jenna stroked her son’s cheek. “Still really feverish.”

  “Has he been like this long?”

  “It always comes on quick with him. Brian will be playing, and before I know it, he’s limp and tired. Tonight he went to bed fine and then just woke up drenched from the fever.”

  She didn’t like the sudden shift in conversation to Brian’s health. She wanted their talk to be a distraction from her fears.

  “Did you learn to fly in the marines?” she asked, knowing in advance Tag probably had. Kent had learned to fly in the military. Sometimes she wondered what their life together would have been like if he hadn’t joined the service. If he’d been on the ground instead of in the air when his kidneys had failed. Would they have been able to save him?

  She quickly dismissed the thought. She couldn’t change what had happened to Kent. The military hadn’t been what killed him, or what destroyed their marriage. It was merely a means for Kent to escape from the one thing that had pushed a wedge between them, their son’s illness.

  “Actually,” Tom said, “I learned to fly before I joined. Flying missions in the marines just gave me the means to do what I love. You still buckled?”

  His quick change of subject threw Jenna off balance. She had to glance down at her lap and touch her buckle to make sure. “Yes. Is there a problem?”

  Her heart picked up an extra beat.

  “We’re coming in to Valentine. We’ll be landing shortly.”

  “Already?”

  “The wonders of modern flight. I’ll check with the tower to make sure our ambulance has arrived.”

  She gently nudged Brian to wake him. He was sick and probably wouldn’t care one way or the other, but it was his first airplane landing, and she didn’t want him to miss it. As she looked out the window, she could see the runway lights. It was an awesome view. Under normal circumstances it was something she was sure her son would enjoy.

  “Brian, we’re getting ready to land. Do you want to look at the lights, honey?” she said softly with her lips against his forehead.

  His skin was still scorching to the touch. The lip test, she’d always called it. When he was much younger, he used to refuse to let her take his temperature. Instead, she’d lavish him with kisses. She’d gotten so good that she could gauge the severity of his fever based on just that. He was older now and didn’t fight with her about using the thermometer anymore. Still, tonight she didn’t even have to take his temperature to know they needed to go to the emergency room pronto.

  As they landed at the airport and taxied down the runway, she saw the flashing lights of the ambulance waiting for them. A mixture of apprehension and relief washed over her.

  When the plane came to a stop, the EMTs moved the gurney into place as Tom opened the door. A rush of cold air hit Jenna’s face as a whirlwind of activity centered on Brian. Her heart raced watching them place her son on the gurney and strap him in.

  “This way, ma’am,” one of the EMTs said as they moved toward the ambulance. After they loaded Brian, Jenna lifted one foot up to climb into the back, but stopped and turned.

  Tom was standing by the plane, shutting the cockpit door.

  “Aren’t you coming to the hospital?” she called out.

  His eyes widened. “Ah, um. I need to secure the plane.”

  “Oh, right.”

  “Ma’am?” The EMT motioned for her to climb in.

  “Yes, coming.” She blinked as the bright lights inside the ambulance stung her eyes.

  She looked back toward the plane one more time as she sat down next to the gurney.

  Tom waved and called out, “I’ll meet you at the hospital when I’m done.”

  She nodded and they shut the door.

  As the ambulance sped toward the road and the EMTs took Brian’s vital signs, she held Brian’s hand and wondered what on earth she’d been thinking, assuming Tom would be coming with them. She’d just met the man. He’d done a wonderful thing helping her tonight by flying her and Brian to Valentine. There was no reason for him to come to the hospital.

  The look of surprise on his face should have clued her in that her assumption he’d join them was wrong. He probably wanted nothing more than to get back in his plane and fly home. Now she’d guilted him into babysitting her until her father arrived.

  The ride to the hospital was a little surreal. Jenna answered questions when she was asked, and kept quiet as the EMTs worked with Brian. She’d been through this before. It didn’t make it any easier.

  When they reached the hospital, Brian was taken in to the E.R. As soon as the doctor ordered an ultrasound of Brian’s kidney, she took that moment to slip out and collect herself in the waiting room. She was both surprised and elated to find Tom there.

  His face registered alarm at the sight of her.

  “What’s wrong? Why aren’t you in with Brian?”

  Jenna tried to smile. “Dr. Healy was already here when we arrived. He took Brian down right away to do an ultrasound of his kidney to see if there are any new cysts or changes.”

  His brow furrowed with a puzzled expression. “Why didn’t you go with them?”

  She heaved a sigh and tried her best to stand tall. “I’ve learned that when Brian is in a crisis like this, I need a moment to collect myself once I get him to the hospital. If I don’t, I’ll break down in front of Brian, and I can’t do that. I need only a minute or two. With the ultrasound as a distraction, I know Brian will be okay without me until I get back in there.” The muscles in her face were twitching as she tried to hold back what she knew was the inevitable. “My father will be here soon,” she added.

  Tom glanced quickly at his watch. “Unless he’s doing one hundred twenty miles per hour, I wouldn’t expect him for another half hour, at least.”

  “There is a distinct possibility he might do just that.” She glanced over at him, saw the panic on his face and said, “Don’t worry. He’s a good driver.”

  “That’s not what I was thinking. I’m not worried about the truck.”

  “Oh.”

  Her sneakers were still soaked and made a squishy suction sound on the polished floor as she paced. She glanced at the door behind which her son was now being cared for by doctors and nurses. She just needed a moment to catch her breath and she’d be back in there with him.

  Breathe in. Breathe out.

  It was times like this that her resentment toward Kent multiplied tenfold. He should be here with her, standing beside Brian. And if not with Brian, with her. But he’d never been. Even before his death. And now it was too late.

  Jenna hugged her middle and turned to Tag. “What time is it?”

  “About two forty-five in the morning.”

  She sighed, sat down on one of the chairs in the waiting room and pressed her hands to her tired eyes. The night had already been long and was getting longer. But sitting didn’t calm her nerves the way it should, so she stood up again and paced. It gave her something to do, some way of draining the nervous energy flooding her.

  “Hey, do you want me to go down to the cafeteria and get us some coffee or some—”

  “The cafeteria is closed,” she said quickly. “It won’t open until about eight o’clock. If you want some coffee, I think there is a vending machine on the second floor, by Radiology, and maybe another one just outside the gift shop. I hear it’s nasty, though.”

  Tom placed his hands gently on both of her shoulders, the contact surprising her. She peered up at him, only to be greeted by a warm smile. “I was asking for you.”

  She swallowed a gulp of air. And then another. “Oh, sure,” she said and then nodded.

  “Good. You’re soaking wet, and you look like you’re freezing. Maybe some hot chocolate will help warm you up.”

  Her bottom lip trembled violently as she watched him walk down the corridor to the vending machine. And without any more warning the floodgates opened.

  Tag went stiff as he walked back into the waiting room with a cup
of vending-machine hot chocolate in his hand. Jenna was sitting in a seat, leaning forward, with her face in her hands. Her shoulders rocked, as if she was crying.

  How on earth…or rather, what on earth had happened in the few short minutes he’d been gone?

  He set the hot chocolate down on the end table and quickly sat down next to Jenna, gently placing his hand on her back.

  “What…happened?” he asked, a sudden panic rising up in his throat as the possibilities raced through his mind.

  Had the doctor come out with bad news about Brian?

  He patted her back, the sudden closeness between them crowding in around him. Jenna continued to cry for a few minutes, before she sniffed a few times and sat back, shaking her head.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry,” she said, swiping at her cheeks with her fingers.

  Tag placed a napkin in front of her. She quickly took it and began to dry her face.

  “How awful of me. You don’t even know me, and I’m blubbering like an idiot.” And she began to cry again, covering her face with her hands. The sobs were softer now, but still heartbreaking.

  Just when he thought she’d back away, she leaned in closer to him. Not knowing exactly how to comfort her, he draped an arm loosely on her shoulder. “It’s okay. You’re upset.” Cautiously, he added, “Is Brian okay?”

  Jenna’s shoulders shook, and he braced himself for another round of heavy sobs. But when she lifted her head, she wasn’t crying. She was sniffing and shaking her head at the same time.

  “No news on Brian yet. That’s not why I fell apart. I really am sorry. I’m so embarrassed. I can’t believe I did this in front of you, especially after you’ve been so kind tonight.”

  He quirked a smile, relieved he didn’t have to deal with more tears for the moment. They’d only be his undoing.

  “Yeah, well, my talents are many.”

  Jenna was truly a mess, Tag thought as he stared down at her. When she’d first appeared at his door earlier, he’d thought she looked like a mop. Now her matted hair was beginning to dry and frizz, her nose was red and her eyes puffy. With the rolled-up napkin, which was now soaked, she swiped at her wet cheeks and sniffed a few more times.