A Hero for Tonight (14 page)

Shane picked up her wrist. “When was the last time you had a physical? You’re always on Dad about his heart, what about yours?”

Mary pulled away from her son. “I’m healthy as a horse. I just got light-headed. Krista’s probably right, I need to eat more and drink less coffee. Stop fussing. I’m fine.”

“No, she’s not. Call your dad.” Krista didn’t like the way Mary’s color wasn’t returning.

“Don’t you dare bother your father! Shane David, I swear if you call him—”

“Calm down. I won’t. But we’re calling your doctor’s office right now to get you in for an exam.”

Krista was already at the counter and pulled up her list of contacts. She picked up the phone and dialed the doctor’s office. Shane turned to look at her and she swallowed hard at the worry in his eyes. She felt the same way. Mary was never sick. She was the rock that had held them all together when Gary had heart issues last year. She was always so young and healthy and energetic.

As the receptionist answered the phone, Krista quickly explained what was going on, then walked back to hand Mary the phone. “They need you to talk to them.”

Shane’s mother took the phone and Krista stepped back.

“What happened?” he whispered.

She shrugged. “I don’t know. One minute she was saying goodbye to Melissa and Brittany, and the next I turn around and she’s almost on the floor.” Krista glanced at Mary again. “She’s so pale.”

“Yeah, I’ll get her home and wait for Dad to make sure she tells him what happened. You okay here alone?”

“It won’t be busy this afternoon. I’ll close it early and come by so you can go to work.”

Shane shook his head. “I’m not going in today. I’ll let them know what’s going on.”

“Don’t tell them too much. Your mother will have a fit if the town starts to think she’s got some ailment. You know how she is. Wants to be in everyone’s business, but doesn’t want anyone knowing hers.”

She started to say something, but then heard Mary say goodbye to the doctor’s office. She held out the cell phone to Krista who came back over and took it. “What did the doctor say?”

Mary sighed. “The usual, he wants to see me, run tests, etc. All this fuss because I had a little dizzy spell. This isn’t necessary.”

Krista reached for her hand and squeezed. “With everything that we went through last year with Gary, you have to know how important it is to get it checked out. That’s all we’re asking; just get checked out. What can it hurt?”

Mary dropped her head to her hand. “I suppose you’re right. I really think it’s just a bug or something. They want me to come right to the office. I guess we should close the shop.”

Krista nodded. “I’ll finish up here while Shane takes you to the doctor, and then I’ll meet you there.”

She looked at Shane, telling him without words that if his mother had to go on to the hospital, to let her know. He nodded in understanding.

Within seconds, Shane had pulled the car up to the door and Krista settled Mary into the passenger seat.

****

Krista shut the oven door and set the bowl and basting brush on the counter. Behind her, Mary and Melissa chatted about recipes and Thanksgiving traditions. She hadn’t really believed Mary would take a backseat and let her handle the dinner, but she did. Even now, she sat at the kitchen table rather than bustling around the stove.

From the front room, male shouts of victory at the football on TV drifted back to the kitchen. Brittany sat on a stool, an apron wrapped around her as she studiously worked at stirring the cupcake batter. It reminded Krista of the years she sat on the same stool working alongside her mother and Mary. From as long as she could remember, Thanksgiving was spent here at the Donovan household. She glanced at her older friend. This year was different though. Something was still wrong, but any time she tried to bring it up, Mary got annoyed and brushed it off. The fact that her friend was resting told her something still wasn’t quite right.

“Anyway, as much as I love the Apple Basket, by the time we close the day before Christmas, I’m more than ready to be done with it,” Mary stated to their guest.

“I bet you feel the same way, don’t you, Krista?” The slender blonde pushed back from the table and brought the peeled potatoes over to the counter.

Krista couldn’t help but stare a little bit at the other woman. Even though they’d insisted Thanksgiving was casual, Melissa had worn a beautiful blue dress that made her eyes stand out. If possible, her slip-on high heels made her legs look even longer. Compared to the blue jeans and casual top Krista wore, she definitely looked amazing. Still, when Shane had greeted Melissa, he hadn’t given her even the casual hug he’d given Brittany. Simply said hello and went back to his football game.

Right now, the two other women were talking about the farm market, and Krista bit her lip, pulling her attention back to her other problem.

Needing to say something, she turned and smiled at both of them. “I don’t know. Once it’s closed, I find myself wishing it was still open.”

It was good to start laying the foundation of what she wanted to do, but she didn’t dare look directly at Mary. Although she was dying to see her mentor’s reaction, she was too scared.

“Really?” Melissa wrinkled her nose. “I would think it would be pretty cold and barren back there in the dead of winter. I mean, what would you sell?”

Krista shrugged. “Maybe set up a tea room where we could sell local crafts. Maybe we could even put in a fireplace and have a crackling fire and some homemade soups. I don’t know. But you’re right, the winters are long, so I think it would give me something else to do.”

“Actually, that does sound really quaint.” Melissa held the bowl of potatoes out. “Are you ready for these?”

Krista had to know what Mary was thinking. She glanced to her friend who was studying her face. The older woman knew her way too well; she’d zeroed in on what Krista was saying without saying a word. Even as she realized Mary was reading her mind, she couldn’t help but notice how pale the older face was. Her eyes looked sunken in the sockets.

Krista turned away, swallowing back her shame. Mary was sick. Something was seriously wrong, and here she was thinking about herself and her dreams. Mary didn’t need more to worry about.

Turning back to Melissa, she forced a laugh. “What am I talking about? It would only take one heavy snowfall and I’d not want to go open up and that would be the end of that. I mean, who wants to trudge out there when it’s three degrees outside?” She forced another laugh and picked up the long-handled wooden spoon as Melissa slid the potatoes into the boiling water.

“How’s that batter, Brittany?” Krista crossed the room to where the grinning young girl had more chocolate on her hands and face than in the bowl.

“I think it’s good.”

“Looks like it is.” She reached for the bowl and spoon. “Let’s get this poured into the pan, and then when that turkey comes out we can pop the cupcakes in.”

“Wasn’t having cupcakes a great idea?” Brittany licked the icing from her fingers.

“I think having cupcakes on Thanksgiving is an awesome idea. And you know what? Chocolate is Mr. Donovan’s favorite; he’s going to be so happy.” Gingerly, she scooped the batter from the messy bowl into the portioned cake molds.

“Melissa, why don’t you take Brittany up to the bathroom at the top of the stairs to clean up?” Mary offered.

“Come on, pumpkin.”

The two left the room, and Krista set the bowl in the sink.

“Gary and I had dinner at the diner last night,” Mary stated.

She turned on the water and rinsed the beaters. “Yeah?”

“I had the chicken potpie, and Gary had the meatloaf.”

Why am I getting the play by play?
“Was it good?”

“Oh yes, as always. We ran into Drew McDonald.”

The beaters clattered in the sink.
Uh, oh.
Drew McDonald ran the cab service in town. “He mentioned he picked you up from Shane’s house last week, right before dawn. Said you were wearing one of Shane’s marine sweatshirts and looking a bit...well, I won’t say what he said, but it appeared you’d been sleeping there.”

Krista turned off the water and left the bowl in the sink. Turning around, she faced Shane’s mother. “I was at Karen and Dave’s. Shane and I both were...for dinner, and it was the night of that bad storm.”

Mary held her gaze steady. “It’s not my business, and you know I never interfere in my son’s life.”

Krista smirked. “You don’t?”

“Don’t get sassy to me, miss.” Mary’s eyes narrowed. “You’re like a daughter to me.”

She leaned back against the sink for support. This couldn’t be more embarrassing. “It’s fine. Trust me.”

“I love you, but I don’t want to have lunch with you, too.” Mary set down the vegetable peeler and wiped her hands on a towel from her lap.

Krista crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m not Shane’s girlfriend, so you don’t have to worry about me joining the exes club.”

As she held her stare, Mary’s eyes filled with tears. “Your mother and I used to fantasize sometimes that you and Shane would grow up and fall for one another.” She swiped at her eyes and chuckled. “But as the years went by, it was more than apparent you two were more likely to kill each other than love each other.”

Unbidden and unable to stop it, scenes from the night with Shane flickered like an old-time movie in her mind. Shane’s eyes as he teased her, his smile, and the way his hands caressed her, taking her to heights no other man ever had. Her mouth went dry and her palms dampened. “I’m not going to lie and tell you nothing happened between us, but trust me when I tell you it was...” She waved her hand trying to find the delicate word.

“A hook-up?” Mary offered. “I get it. I was young once, believe it or not. I know all about such things, even at my age. Just be careful. The last thing this family needs is to lose you because of Shane.”

Krista watched Mary tear up again and reach for a tissue. This was exactly what she’d wanted to avoid. What she and Shane did wasn’t just between them. It affected everyone, and that was the reason it had to stop. Mary was sick. She didn’t need anything to get worked up about. As far as Krista knew, the doctor hadn’t gotten back to them with any test results yet, but the overemotional woman before her wasn’t the normal Mary. Until they knew what they were dealing with, everything else had to be pushed aside.

She choked back her fear as Brittany and Melissa returned.

The little girl held up her hands. “All clean.”

Mary beamed and grabbed the wiggling fingers. “Beautiful.”

“Shane, we’re having cupcakes!” Brittany bounded to the doorway.

Krista looked up as he stepped into the kitchen. His gaze held hers for a half a heartbeat.

“Chocolate or vanilla?” Shane bent toward the little girl, grabbed her hand and twirled her around as if they were dancing.

Brittany laughed as her dress billowed around her. “Chocolate! They are so good. You’re going to want to eat ten!”

“You think I can eat ten of them?” He patted his stomach.

“If Shane eats ten cupcakes, he might not pass his PT test at the end of the month.” Krista’s gaze took in his rock hard abs. It would take more than a few cupcakes for Shane to be out of shape.

She looked up, and he had this sparkle in his eyes that told her he would love to say something to her if they were alone. But the company in the room held his tongue.

“What’s PT?” Brittany danced across the room to the table where Mary still sat.

“It’s sort of like you have in gym class,” Mary explained. “As a marine, Shane has to pass a test to show that he’s physically fit every year.”

“Oooh.” Brittany reached for a piece of cheese from the platter and then stopped. “May I have a piece, please?” she asked.

Krista watched her friend beam at the little girl with pride as if she’d taught her the manners. Mary was dying for grandchildren; it was so obvious. If only Shane had fallen for Melissa. She glanced at the two of them who were having a conversation about the tests Shane would have to pass at the end of the month. Her heart twisted at the thought of Shane with the other woman, but she knew him way too well. She could tell by his body language, the way his eyes shifted, he had absolutely no interest in the other woman. The notion filled her with pleasure even as she knew the two of
them
together weren’t a good idea. When his eyes met and found hers, she looked away.

Mary pushed back from the table. “Brittany, can you carry that platter and we’ll take it out to the living room?”

When she stood up, Krista noted the way she swayed for a second before grabbing the table.

Shane was by his mother’s side in a second. “Ma? What’s wrong?”

Mary put her hand to her head. “Nothing, I’ve been getting a bit lightheaded when I stand up too fast. That’s all.”

“When did Dr. Sullivan say he’d have those tests back?” His voice was short and clipped.

“I’m fine, dear.” She brushed off her son’s help and walked across the kitchen to the doorway. “Its Thanksgiving week; I’m sure I’ll know something Monday.”

Shane met Krista’s gaze, and he could see she was as frustrated as he was. There was no telling his stubborn mother what to do.