Cowboy Dreamin' (Thunder Creek Ranch Book 8) (13 page)

Torn between the two people she loved most, she didn’t know what to do. “How long has she had trouble breathing? Has she seen a doctor?”

“No, but I’m thinking she should. It’s been a couple days.”

“Can you take her to Dr. O’Brien and let me know what he says?”

“That clinic takes too much of your time. You should be home more often.”

Guilt … her mother had always been good at instilling that emotion. “I know, Mom, but it’s been difficult convincing the ranchers that I can handle their stock. I need to be here right now.”

She heard her mother’s heavy sigh. “All right. I’ll call you later.”

“Thanks, and give Bridget a hug for me.”

“Yeah, sure.” And the line went dead.

Yep, her mother hadn’t lost her touch. Allison stood there feeling guilty and stared at the phone for a minute. She wished she and her mother were closer, but life was what it was. The only bond they shared was their love of Bridget. She stuffed her phone back into her purse as she went in to sit with Jack. He was awake.

“Hey, handsome. How are you feeling?” she asked, summoning a smile for his benefit. She brushed a lock of hair back off his forehead and leaned over the rail for a kiss.

“Mmmm, you taste like chocolate. Yummy,” he said and wrapped his good arm around her. “I really do wish this bed was wider, as I’m feeling much better.”

Allison chuckled. “You heard what the doctor said. Too much movement is bad for you.”

“Not enough is bad for me too. I woke up wanting you, but you weren’t here.”

“My mom called, and I went into the hall so my talking wouldn’t disturb you. I’m here now. Is there something you need?”

“Yeah, but I guess it has to wait.”

He grinned lasciviously and flexed his eyebrows up and down. She couldn’t help but grin. “Yes, it does, but know that I’m in agony as well. I miss you, and I worry about you.”

“Ah, darlin’, hearing those words does a body good. But don’t worry, I’ll be up and about before you know it. We Graysons are a tough lot.”

“So I’ve heard.” She smiled and eased away from him to sit down, her legs shaky just thinking of making love with him. Jack was an excellent lover, but that wasn’t all she loved about him. He was smart, witty, caring, and gentle. He was quite a man.

“Penny for them,” he said, drawing her attention.

“Haven’t you heard? Pennies went out of circulation in Canada ages ago.”

“A nickel then. You looked mighty serious just now. Anything wrong?” he asked, his brows drawn together in concern.

“You mean other than you lying in a hospital bed?”

“Yeah, is there?” he asked.

“Nothing I can’t handle, so quit worrying. It’s not good for you.” Although she worried that her daughter was sick and needed her, Jack needed her, too. Allison was still undecided. Her mother tended to overreact and was probably exaggerating Bridget’s illness, but still, she wished she could be in both places at once. Maybe it was time to bring her daughter home.

“I can worry without moving my head. What’s up?” he asked as he reached out to hold her hand.

As sick as he was, he was still concerned about her. The time had come. “There is something you don’t know about me, and I didn’t want to bring it up while you’re recovering.”

“Sounds serious. Tell me.”

“I have a daughter. A beautiful little girl. She’s six years old. Her name is Bridget.”

Jack stared at her without saying a word.

“She’s been staying with my mother while I got things going at the clinic and settled in the apartment.”

He still didn’t speak, just turned her hand over in his and lay very still.

“Say something, Jack.”

“What do you want me to say, Allison? You could have told me from day one, yet you kept her a secret. Why?”

She shrugged and tightened her hold on her purse strap. “It’s not so much that she’s a secret. Who did you think the second bedroom in my apartment was for? I just wanted to get to know you first, and then it was a matter of waiting for the right time, I guess.”

“The right time? Sure. Whatever. Why did your mother call?”

“Bridget fell today and her asthma is acting up. She’s also weak and running a fever.”

“Good God, woman! What the hell kind of mother are you? What are you doing here? Go to her. She needs you.”

“And you don’t? Is that what you’re saying?”

“Damn straight. You didn’t even trust me enough to tell me about your daughter. What were you afraid of?”

“You and I have both been in danger. Why would I bring my daughter into our troubles here? She safer with Mom.” Allison gathered up her purse and stood, her heart lodged somewhere in her throat. It felt as if it had stopped beating. “And besides, you didn’t want Loreena’s unborn child. Why would I think you’d want someone else’s? Goodbye, Jack.” She pivoted quickly and walked out of his room as fast as she could.

Chapter Thirteen

Tears pooled in her eyes as she made her way to the elevator. She hadn’t had to choose after all. Jack didn’t want her. He’d made that pretty plain.

She didn’t remember driving home, yet suddenly she was parked behind the clinic and staring at the apartment door. She banged her fists on the steering wheel several times and then the anger left her in a whoosh. She felt alone and exhausted. Slumped over the steering wheel, she cried … for Jack, for Bridget, and for herself and what might have been.

Later, her tears spent, she unlocked the door and, walking on legs that felt made of wood, went inside. The phone in the clinic rang, but she ignored its insistent peal as she made her way to her bedroom. She wanted to crawl into bed and pull the covers over her head, but she knew she wouldn’t sleep. Instead, she packed a bag, left a note for Donald that she had a family emergency and to fill in when he could, then she locked up and got into her truck. With one last look at the clinic, she put the truck in gear and headed east.

Tears spilled onto her cheeks, and she dashed them angrily away. Jack was right. Bridget needed her even if he didn’t.

I’m coming home, sweetheart. Mommy is on her way.

****

Allison could have sworn someone was watching her, but that was impossible. She was driving the posted speed on a busy highway. A glance in her rearview mirror now and then had her becoming paranoid. Had that black van three vehicles behind followed her from the clinic? Or the dark blue sedan in the slow lane?

Too tired to drive any further, Allison pulled into a motel on the outskirts of Regina around eight that night, relieved when the two suspicious vehicles drove on by. The first thing she did when she got to a room was to kick off her shoes, sprawl across the bed, and call her mother. There was no answer at the house, so she called her mother’s cell phone.

“Hello.”

“Hi, Mom. I hadn’t heard from you so I thought I’d call. How’s Bridget doing?”

“We’re sitting at the hospital. The doctor sent us over for X-rays and blood work. The results aren’t back yet.”

“X-rays? Why?”

“Dr. O’Brien thinks Bridget may have busted her ankle when she fell.”

“Oh no! Can I speak to her?”

“No, she just fell asleep, poor thing. She’s been in so much pain. When she wakes, I’ll tell her you called.”

Disappointment was a crushing weight in her chest. She wanted to speak to her baby. “All right. Call me when you know anything.”

“Yeah, thanks for calling. I guess that’s the least you could do.”

Allison counted to ten. “I’m on my way home, Mom, but don’t tell Bridget. I want to surprise her.”

“Well, it’s about time.”

“Good night, Mother. I’ll wait for your call.”

Allison hung up the phone. She got up and dug the charger out of her purse and plugged her phone in by the bed so she’d hear it if it rang. Then she stripped and crawled between the sheets. With everything that had happened that day still whirling around in her mind, she doubted she’d sleep, but she closed her eyes anyway.

The next thing she became aware of was the sun streaming in through the partially open blinds. Excited to see her daughter, she threw back the covers, rummaged through her case for clean clothes, and then showered and dressed. As ready as she was going to be, she packed up and took her bag to the truck. Spying a little restaurant off to the side of the motel, she walked over for a bite to eat. Coffee. She needed coffee.

The restaurant was full and she didn’t want to wait for a table, so she just got a coffee to go. If she got hungry, she’d stop along the highway somewhere. It was early yet, not even six o’clock. If she made good time, she’d be home for lunch.

She sipped her coffee and dialed her mother’s number. The woman hadn’t had the decency to call her back—unless Allison hadn’t heard the phone. She should have checked for messages, but it was too late now.

“Hello,” said the groggy voice belonging to her mother.

“Hi, how’s Bridget?”

“Just a sprain. They wrapped it. Also changed her meds for the asthma. She’s sleeping now, as I was.”

“Okay, sorry for waking you. I’ll call back later.”

“You still coming home?”

“Yeah. Talk to you later.” Allison disconnected the call before her mother could ask any more questions. Her hands were shaking as she finished her coffee and started the truck. She missed Jack’s loving kindness. If only his strong arms were wrapped around her now.

Since her father died, her mother had changed, become somewhat bitter. Nothing she did seemed to be good enough to please her mother. But the woman was good with Bridget. Allison couldn’t fault her there and wouldn’t have left her daughter with her otherwise.

It was time to have her baby with her again. She didn’t know what to do about a sitter, but it was summer break. She could take Bridget with her if she had to. With that decided, she put the truck in gear and began the last leg of her journey home.

As she merged onto the highway, a black van pulled out right behind her, but with her concentration focused on her daughter, Allison didn’t even notice.

****

Allison braked to a stop in front of a small, white, ranch style bungalow … her mother’s house. Estella Wakefield had sold the farm and bought the house on the outskirts of Winnipeg only a few months after Allison’s father had died.

As excited as she was to see Bridget, her heart filled with dread at the lecture sure to come. Her mother never missed a chance to make her feel inadequate as a daughter, a vet, and as a mother. She grabbed her purse and opened the door. Might as well get it over with.

She walked up the steps onto the side deck and entered the house without knocking. She wished her mother would lock the door, but they’d had that argument too many times to bother with it again.

A few steps took her to the French door separating the entry/laundry area from the kitchen. She slid the pocket door back and stepped inside, then closed it behind her.

No one was in the kitchen, so she set her purse and keys on the counter, kicked off her shoes, and walked through the dining area to the front of the house. She didn’t find anyone in the living room either, so she went down the hall to Bridget’s room.

Her mother held a book open in her lap. She had fallen asleep in the rocking chair next to Bridget’s bed. Her daughter was also sleeping.
Must have been a boring book
, she thought with a grin. Should she wake them? Had they had lunch? Or had they slept through it?

Deciding a reprieve was in order after the long drive, Allison retraced her steps to the kitchen and put the kettle on. There were a few dirty dishes in the sink, so she rinsed them and loaded them in the dishwasher while she waited for the kettle to boil.

Her tea made, she went out through the patio doors onto the back deck. Her mother was still an avid gardener and her yard displayed a variety of beautiful, fragrant flowers and shrubs. A cushioned two-seater porch swing sat off to one side. It was the perfect spot to sit and unwind.

Allison sipped her tea and enjoyed the ambiance of the setting. Her mother had added a fountain since she’d left. Cute little cherubs held buckets from which water streamed into the fountain. It was really quite pretty and the sound of the water equally soothing.

Her cell phone beeped, signaling a message. She took it out of her pocket and saw that it was from Donald.

Got your message. New boss gave me the week off, so your clinic is in safe hands. No need to rush back. Take care.

She messaged a quick thank you and put the phone on the seat beside her. It was nice to know he’d take care of the clinic, but she’d hoped it was Jack messaging. She hadn’t heard a word from him, but then, she hadn’t expected to—not really. Not after the way he’d kicked her out of his room.

A lone tear managed to slip down her cheek, and she hastily brushed it away. It wouldn’t do any good for her mother to walk out and see her crying. She’d contribute Allison’s tears to self-pity, whereas Allison felt her heart was bruised and battered and on the verge of breaking. If that was what love did to a person, she didn’t want it. She’d been so certain of Jack’s love. Boy, had she been wrong!

Never again. She had her daughter and her clinic. That was enough. It had to be enough. She never wanted to hurt like this again. Her cup empty, she set it on the floor of the deck and rested her head back against the cushions. The sun was warm on her face and the afternoon breeze delightful, keeping the heat at bay. She closed her eyes against the glare and must have dozed off. The next thing she heard was the sliding of the patio door.

“What are you doing out here?” her mother asked. “You could’ve announced your presence instead of sneaking in and helping yourself.”

“Hello, Mother. The door was unlocked. I came in and you were both napping, so I made a cup of tea and brought it out here. I love the addition of the fountain.”

Appearing flustered by the unexpected compliment, her mother stood and stared at the fountain. Finally, a smile emerged.

“Bridget was with me in town one day and spied it in front of the hardware store. She said if we had it, she could make wishes every day and then maybe her mommy would come home. She sounded so forlorn, I couldn’t not buy it.”

“I’m sorry, Mom. I had no idea it would take so long to get the clinic up and running. A lot of the regular customers weren’t impressed at having a ‘lady vet’ thrust on them. I had to prove my worth, and then there was the apartment. I had it added onto the back of the clinic, and it looks real nice. You’ll have to come visit.”

“I might. How long are you staying?”

“I’m not sure. Another vet is covering the clinic temporarily, but he has a full-time job elsewhere.”

“Why not just sell it and move back home? I’m sure vets are needed here, too.”

“Yes, I’m sure they are, but I’ve worked hard to establish myself in Fort Macleod. I can’t just up and walk away.”

“Humph! Sounds as if there’s a man involved,” her mother said sarcastically.

“And what if there is? Why should that make a difference to doing a job I love?”

“You can do the job here, where your daughter and I are. We are the
only
family you have left.”

“Mom, we’ve gone over this before. The air is drier in Alberta and the doctor told us that it would be better for Bridget. You know how bad her asthma acts up.”

Her mother walked over to the fountain and sat on the edge to trail her hand through the water. “You intend to take her back with you? Don’t you?”

Here it comes.

Allison swallowed past the lump in her throat. “Yes, I do. I want her with me.”

“What about me? I’ve tended that child since she was born.”

“I know, and I appreciate your help. You’re welcome to visit whenever you want.”

Her mother turned and locked gazes with hers. What was she thinking?

“Good, then I’ll be going with you when you leave here.”

Stunned, it took Allison a few minutes to find her voice. “What?”

“I want to see what kind of home you’ve built for my granddaughter.”

“You still don’t trust me to do the best I can for my daughter.” It was a statement, not a question.

“Of course I trust you, but I’ve been a mother longer and I can see things you may be blind to.”

Allison sat back and crossed her arms over her chest. “Such as?”

“Is it a safe neighborhood for kids? Just because your clinic is there, doesn’t mean it’s a good area to bring up children. And the stench from having sick animals in the same building… Appalling. Not to mention that one of those animals may not like kids. What then?”

If her mother ever found out that her apartment had been broken into, she’d fight tooth and nail for custody of Bridget. And by leaving her daughter behind while she settled in, she’d played right into her mother’s hands. She’d have to call and arrange for a cleaning service to tackle her apartment before she headed home if her mother really did intend to accompany them.

She grabbed her cup and stood to face her mother. “It’s a perfectly safe and quiet area. I own five acres at the edge of town so there’s plenty of room for Bridget to play. There is no stench. I run a clean practice. And Bridget loves animals, as I do. If we ever get a mean one, she’ll stand clear. Any other concerns before I go in to see
my
daughter?”

Allison didn’t wait for an answer. She walked in, placed her cup on the counter, and went straight to Bridget’s bedroom. She was still asleep and looked so angelic and contented lying there. Allison didn’t have the heart to disturb her rest, so she sat in the rocker, prepared to wait until her daughter woke up. What a surprise that would be for Bridget—for her to wake up and see Mommy, not Grandmom.

She smiled as she glanced around the room. Bridget had wheedled some new posters out of her grandmother. One was of three cute kittens, another of Barbie in a princess gown, and the third was of the ever present Dora and Boots, this time in roller skates. Bridget’s room was bright and colorful, as a child’s room should be.