Ryan's Crossing (15 page)

“So why turn it down?”

Ryan glanced at her from the corner of his eye. “Because I’m slowly learning to look a little farther than the near future. And I’m beginning to see greater value in some intangibles.”

“Intangibles?”

They reached the edge of the river, and he looked appreciatively at the flowing water and the sturdy firs along the bank. “Things like having time to relax with family, forming relationships that last.”

He turned and looked directly at her. “Love and family have definitely moved way up on my priority list over the last couple of months.”

He looked for something in her eyes that would give him the courage to proceed, but he saw conflict. He’d sensed she was holding something back since their dinner at Romano’s last night, but he couldn’t tell if it had to do with him or not. Hope of a life with her fought to survive.

She turned from him and stepped closer to the river, seemingly fascinated by the small branch that was floating past. “So does that mean you’re going to try to get the job in Crossing?”

Ryan stood behind her, uncertain. “I’ve already talked to my boss’s contact in human resources. He’s sending my application packet through the proper channels, but he doesn’t think it will be a problem. He’s trying to rush it so Dr. Williams won’t be on his own for too long.”

He waited quietly. Come on, B. Deflect or change the topic. Give me the sign that this is important to you, that this hits close to your heart and you don’t want to talk about it.

She appeared to be looking upstream, staring off into space. Finally, she turned around as if she had come to a decision. “Come on, I’ll show you my mom’s favorite spot not too far from here.”

Ryan suppressed a grin as she pulled him along the path and continued talking.

“How are the repairs to your Mustang going? I saw it was covered in primer. Does that mean it just needs painted now?”

Two weeks later, Ryan pulled into Frank and Faye’s driveway as the evening stars began to appear overhead. The night was clear and slightly warmer than normal for early March.

After parking in front of the garage, he made his way to the porch. He took a deep breath and knocked on the front door.

“Ryan!” said Faye as the door swung open. “This is a surprise. Come on in! What are you doing here?”

Ryan wiped his shoes on the welcome mat and stepped inside. “I’m hoping to catch you and Frank alone. I need to talk to you.”

“Of course, dear. Come on in.” Faye closed the door behind him and led the way into the living room. Frank was comfortably seated in a chair with a book. He stood when Ryan walked into the room.

“Ryan. Good to see you.”

“Thank you, sir. I was hoping you’d be home tonight,” said Ryan.

“We’re usually home,” said Frank. “You just never know how many will be here with us!” He winked at his wife.

“Now, you talk like I have people over all the time,” said Faye, pretending to be offended.

“Quite frequently, love. Not that I’m complaining, mind you.”

“Ryan, I’m sure you don’t want to talk about all this,” said Faye. “Sit down. Tell us what’s on your mind.” Faye sat down on the couch nearest Frank, allowing Ryan the chair where he’d be able to face them both at the same time.

“Well, as you know, I’ll be starting to work at the clinic in a couple weeks with Dr. Williams.”

“We’re all very excited about that,” said Faye with a nod.

“I plan to maintain my paramedic license for now. But I’ve already started the enrollment process at the university so I can finish my bachelor’s and then work towards a physician’s assistant.”

“What’s that?” said Frank. “Is that like a nurse?”

“Not really. It’s more like a doctor, but it’s less school. I’ll still have to work under a licensed M.D., but I’ll be able to do pretty much everything Dr. Williams can do, except for surgery.”

“That sounds wonderful, dear,” said Faye, tilting her head and waiting for more.

“With Dr. Williams and I, plus Betsy at the front desk, that almost fully staffs the clinic on a regular basis. Everyone lives in Crossing, so medical care should improve drastically. The only thing we’ll be missing is a regular nurse.”

“Well, that all sounds pretty good. Certainly better than we’ve had in a long time.” said Faye.

“Yes, ma’am.” Ryan looked at Frank.

“Have you decided where you’re going to live?” said Faye.

Frank covered Faye’s hand with his own. “Love, I think the boy has more to say.”

Keeping his eyes steady on Frank, Ryan said, “I’d like to encourage Brittney to ask for a transfer to the clinic.” Ryan swallowed. “I’d also like your permission and blessing to ask Brittney to become my wife.”

Faye gasped, putting one hand up to her mouth. “Oh, Ryan, dear.”

Ryan remained focused on Frank’s eyes. It’s all out in the open. All my plans. Frank, say something.

“I’ve been watching you, son, ever since you first came here,” said Frank. “You seemed to be sittin’ the fence, not sure whether or not you liked God’s path.”

“That’s true.”

“Has that changed?”

“Honestly, yes. When I first came here, I watched everyone a lot. As I watched my sister and saw how much she was learning to trust God, it made me realize that He was only God to me, some figurehead in the sky watching to see how closely I followed the rules. I didn’t really want to get close to Him if that’s all He was. But as I’ve been here, as I’ve watched you and learned more of the history of this family, I discovered that you believe in more than I dreamed was possible. That your God not only wanted a relationship with me, but that He might actually be pursuing me. So, I put Him to the test.”

“A test?” said Faye.

“Yes, much like Gideon in the Bible,” said Ryan. “I asked for clear direction in my career. And things began falling into place. Within a week, I’d become aware of the issues at the clinic and been given the opportunity to help both Eleni and Billy with non-emergency conditions. And Brittney, not fully knowing what was going on in my head, suggested I go back to school to become a doctor.”

“Gideon didn’t exactly ask for clear direction in his career, son,” said Frank.

“No, sir. He didn’t,” said Ryan.

“Then why focus on Gideon?” said Frank.

Ryan looked down at his hands for a moment, then back at Frank. “I hesitate to tell you because I just… I’m not quite sure how to explain it.”

“Try us,” said Faye.

Ryan took a deep breath. This is a huge risk. “The morning of my sister’s wedding, I… well, to be truthful, I don’t really know what it was. At the time, I thought I was awake, but when it was over, I woke up. So maybe it was a dream.”

He paused and looked at Frank and Faye. Both were paying close attention. Well, that’s good. I haven’t freaked them out yet.

“In this dream, or whatever it was, a man stood by my bedroom door. He said that I was being sent. He said that I’ve been made for more than I’ve taken hold of. Then he told me to read Judges six through seven so I’d know what God does for those who obey.”

“You saw an angel?” said Faye. She looked at Frank.

“He didn’t happen to have blond hair and blue eyes,” said Frank. “Dressed in blue jeans and hiking boots?”

Ryan’s jaw dropped. He stared at Frank in disbelief. “How’d you know that?” said Ryan.

“Peter’s seen him,” said Frank.

“The morning of the wedding?” said Ryan, still slack-jawed.

“No, just before Christmas,” said Faye. “And just after Christmas, Andy talked to him.”

“His name’s Matthew,” said Frank by way of explanation.

“Yeah, he did say that.” Ryan stood and paced over to the hearth, rubbing his jaw. An angel? Ryan had considered the possibility, but to say it out loud seemed ludicrous. Since when do angels talk to humans? Sure, the stories in the Bible, but… modern America?

“Do you know what he was trying to tell you?” said Faye.

Ryan turned to face her. “I think so. He, uh, Matthew, said something I didn’t understand at the time. He said, ‘Being sent does not necessarily mean a change in location. Sometimes it simply refers to a destination.’”

Ryan sat down on the ottoman and rubbed his knuckles. “I realized that in my own way, I’ve been running just as much as my sister had been. I stayed in contact with my family, but I didn’t support them much in their search for her, and I certainly didn’t spend a lot time with them—like Christmas. I’d use any excuse to not be with them, even for holidays.”

Ryan rubbed his jaw. He told himself that he’d already shared so much with Frank and Faye that continuing wouldn’t cost him too much more. “I also changed jobs every time a co-worker wanted to get close. It didn’t matter whether they wanted to meet for coffee or have me over for a barbeque. I didn’t want to take the risk of being hurt again like when Amber left home.”

“So now you’re moving to Crossing and determined to stay put?” said Faye.

“Yes, ma’am,” said Ryan. “I don’t know if Brittney said anything, but I had the option to stay in McWilliam and take a promotion. I turned my boss down. Whether Brittney agrees to move here or not, I’ve made my decision. I know I’ve still got a long way to go with God, but I know that Crossing is where God wants me.”

“You’ve come a long way, son,” said Frank. He paused, looking at Faye before continuing. She nodded her agreement, and he looked back at Ryan. “It’d be my honor if you’d get that girl of mine to say yes to marriage.”

Ryan beamed. He stood to offer his hand to Frank. “Thank you, sir. Thank you.”

Chapter 22

“MORNING, NICOLE,” SAID BRITTNEY AS
she arrived at the nurses’ station. “How’d the night go?”

“Good. Everyone’s looking great this morning. Dr. Vanwert wants a call once the morning labs are back on Joshua.”

“Okay. Did Lori sleep through the night?”

“Pretty close. She got about six hours in, much better than the last three nights.”

“Awesome. Sounds like we’re through the worst of it until her next dose of chemo Tuesday.”

Brittney logged onto the computer and checked emails while Nicole finished making her notes.

“Morning, Brittney!”

Brittney looked up from her computer to see Melody walking towards her. “Hey, girl! How’s that Army man of yours?”

“He’s good. He’s preparing to deploy right now, so I don’t expect to see him for awhile. He’s going to try to get down here one more time before they leave, but you never know with the Army, right?”

“I suppose.” Brittney looked at the girl, wondering how it would feel to watch the man she loved go off to war.

“Anyway, I came out to tell you that Dr. Goldner wants to see you a.s.a.p.”

“Dr. Goldner? Did she say why?”

“Nope. She just called and asked me to pass on the message. Said sooner was better than later.”

“Okay. Thanks, Mel.” Why would one of the top doctors in the hospital want to see me? She’s not part of Joshua’s or Lori’s care teams. “Nicole, you got a few to hang out while I go track her down this morning?”

“Sure. As long as you bring me something chocolate on your way back.”

“Deal.”

Brittney walked over to Dr. Meggan Goldner’s office in the main hospital. She knocked on the open door, noticing the simple, muted décor. The hospital’s soft green walls were accented in Dr. Goldner’s office with grey furniture and black and white framed prints on the wall. The otherwise depressing room was brightened with the occasional burst of bright yellow through the pillows and wall clock.

“Ma’am, you wanted to see me?”

“Brittney Yager?” said Dr. Goldner, looking up from her computer.

“Yes, ma’am,” said Brittney.

“Please, come sit down.”

Brittney sat in a comfortable grey and white plaid chair. Dr. Goldner sat back in her office chair.

“I wanted us to talk before anyone else got to you. I don’t know how much you may have heard already, but someone is trying to make trouble for you.”

Brittney had not expected to hear that from the doctor. “Trouble for me? Why?”

“Well, I’m not exactly sure. I’ll be honest enough to tell you that I’ve made some quiet inquiries, and I’m impressed with all I’m hearing. Your peers find you compassionate and well qualified. Your employment record shows no sign of discord among patients or supervisors. And a couple parents I talked to bubbled with enthusiasm about the difference you’ve made to their understanding of their child’s treatment and prognosis.”

“Thank you. But I don’t understand. If everyone’s happy with my performance, then who’s causing problems?”

“I’m hoping you can spread some light on that. The person is Stephanie Malone.”

Understanding flooded through Brittney. She immediately stood and walked to the window overlooking one of the parking lots.

“I take it you know her?” said Dr. Goldner.

“That woman is a walking drama camp,” said Brittney. She clenched her fists, striving to keep her emotions in check. She turned and looked back at Dr. Goldner. “Can I be honest?”

“Please do.”

“My brother used to drive to Portland about a once a week from Crossing where he and our parents live. He would typically meet Stephanie somewhere for dinner or a show. I never liked her, but they’d met in college, and he was trying to redeem her or some such nonsense.”