The Curl Up and Dye (5 page)

Lily stood up so he could see her if he opened his eyes.

“Hey, Mike, it’s me, LilyAnn. You’re in the hospital, but you’re okay. Can you open your eyes?”

He licked his lips, then felt something wet and cool against them.

“I can’t give you water, but this might help,” she said, carefully wiping his lips with a wet cloth.

It did, but he couldn’t get that said. He tried to open his eyes, but they were so heavy.

She patted his arm. “Come on, sleeping beauty, open your eyes.”

He pushed past the lethargy until he saw her leaning over him. So close, as close as she’d ever been, and he was too damn weak to do a thing about it.

LilyAnn smiled. “There you are.”

“How…?”

“I brought you here. You fell through your shower door, cut your head, and ruptured your spleen. You’ve been in surgery, but you’re going to be okay.”

Now he remembered the fall.

“Damn.”

“Well put,” she said. “I called your parents. They’re snowed in, but they said to tell you they’ll be here as soon as they can get out and that they love you.”

His eyelids were getting heavy again. “Love…” he whispered.

She patted his arm again. “They know you love them, too. It’s okay, Mike. Just rest.”

He was too sedated to clarify. It had been her, not his parents, that he’d been thinking about, but all things considered, it was just as well that he never finished the thought.

It was nearly suppertime before the doctor made his rounds and found LilyAnn waiting for him.

Doctor Rollins knew nearly everyone in Blessings, and LilyAnn was no exception. He smiled when he saw her sitting near his patient’s bed.

“Hello, LilyAnn. I understand you’re the hero in this episode. How have you been?”

Lily frowned. “I’m no hero, Doctor Rollins. I just helped a friend. While you’re here, I would like for you to look in his ears. He mentioned that he’d been dizzy, and with everything that was happening, I forgot to mention it when I brought him to the ER.”

“What about his ears?” Rollins asked.

“He has a history of inner ear infections, and I think that might be why he had such a bad fall.”

“I see,” Rollins said, as he stepped over to the bed to examine his patient. After checking Mike’s vitals and the wounds under the bandages, the doctor pulled out his light and peered into each ear.

“Good call,” he said, as he straightened. “They’re both infected. I’ll order some antibiotics for them, as well.”

LilyAnn leaned back with a sigh, satisfied her job had been done.

***

It was dark before she left the hospital. Mike had awakened off and on, but never for more than a minute or so. Satisfied that he was in good hands, she grabbed the bag with her dirty clothes and left, pausing at the nurse’s desk on her way out.

“Would you please put a No Visitors sign on Mike Dalton’s door? His family lives in Colorado, and they’re snowed in. I’m not sure when they’ll be able to get here, and he’s still so out of it he doesn’t need the hassle of constant company. I have to work until noon tomorrow, and then I’ll be here to run interference for him.”

“Sure thing,” the nurse said, and promptly made up a sign and went to put it on the door as LilyAnn headed for the elevator.

When she got in Mike’s car to drive home, the blood on the front seat was a vivid reminder of what had happened, but he had leather upholstery, so she’d clean that up tomorrow. All she wanted to do was take a bath and get in bed.

Sunday night in Blessings was low key, and she was grateful for the lack of traffic. By the time she pulled up in Mike’s driveway, she was shaking. It took her a few moments to remember she hadn’t eaten a bite of food since breakfast. She grabbed her bag and locked his car, then walked across the yard to her house and went inside.

Her house was cold. She amped up the thermostat and dropped her purse and coat on the sofa as she headed for the kitchen. The thought of food actually turned her stomach, but she knew she needed to eat.

She dumped her dirty clothes in the washing machine and put them on soak in cold water, then peeled a banana and ate it slowly while she scrambled some eggs. She was used to living alone and thought nothing of the quiet, but tonight it was unsettling. She couldn’t quit thinking about how scared she’d been, and how helpless she’d felt when Mike had passed out in the car.

The phone rang as she sat down to eat, but when she saw the caller ID, she let it go to voice mail. She didn’t want to talk to Sue Beamon right now. Sue was a nice woman, but she was also a busybody, and the last thing Lily wanted was to be pumped for information.

As soon as she finished eating, she went into the living room to turn on the television, needing the noise to remind herself she wasn’t alone in the world. After that, she headed for the bathroom to take a long, soaking bath.

***

The day dawned cold and gray; the air felt thick and damp. Lily dressed for comfort rather than work, knowing she was only going to be in the pharmacy half a day and then at the hospital until they ran her out.

She ran across the yard to clean Mike’s car, and then headed back to her house to get ready for work. She dug out a pair of navy blue sweats, found a sweatshirt that matched, and put her long hair up in a no-nonsense ponytail. The final touch was an all-weather coat instead of a jacket, in case it finally rained.

Because she had dressed down to such a degree, she put on a little more makeup than usual to spruce up her appearance. She went out of the house with mascara and a light dusting of eye shadow to go with the rose-colored lipstick. From the neck up, it was the closest she’d come to looking like her old self in years.

When she got to the pharmacy, she went straight to the back to talk to the boss before they opened the doors for business. She found him behind the counter in the pharmacy taking inventory.

“Hey, Mr. Phillips, I need to take off at noon.”

He frowned. “I don’t know if…”

“I promised Mike Dalton’s parents that I’d take care of him until they could get here.”

His frown deepened. “Mike? What happened to Mike? The wife and I were out of town yesterday.”

By the time she’d filled him in, he was in shock. “Good Lord, LilyAnn. You saved his life.”

She shook her head. “The doctors saved his life. I just got him to the hospital.”

“Still the same thing,” Phillips said. “Of course you can take off. If I need more help, I’ll call my wife. Margie doesn’t mind helping out.”

“Give Mike my best wishes,” he said.

“Thank you so much. I won’t have to do this after his parents arrive.”

“No problem,” he said. “In the meantime, count these out for me.”

And just like that, the morning began. When the doors opened later, nearly every customer who came in had heard about Mike’s accident and headed straight for Lily. They all wanted details and updates, and for the time being, she was a hot commodity on the Blessings gossip chain.

***

T. J. Lachlan drove into town for some paint and caulking. The sooner he got the old house fixed up, the sooner he could sell it. He hadn’t made up his mind what he would do afterward, but it didn’t matter. He liked living without encumbrances that tied him to one place for too long.

It hadn’t taken long to realize that hanging out with the Wilder brothers was not going to endear him to people in the upper levels of society, so he’d since steered clear of the pool hall. He wasn’t above conning a widow or two if the opportunity arose, but that couldn’t happen if he got a bad reputation here like he had back home.

He drove into town for breakfast and headed for Granny’s Country Kitchen for sausage gravy and biscuits. When he pulled up to the curb in front of the café, he wasn’t thinking about women, but his attention shifted the moment the café door opened and a pretty redhead walked out. He wasn’t intimidated by the man on her arm, because what she was wearing had the “come fuck me” look.

Her long hair was obviously dyed. Her boobs were Dolly Parton–sized, another aspect he definitely admired. Her skinny-leg jeans outlined every lush curve from her waist to her ankles, and while her chunky white sweater hung loose around her hips, the V-neck plunged most indecently. He’d never seen a more blatant invitation, but that was alright with him. He liked fine women who favored a trashy look.

He got out quickly, intending to make eye contact before she got away, but he need not have worried. The moment she saw him, she fixed on his face like a mongoose to a cobra.

He felt the force of her gaze and for a split second got a dose of his own medicine. The tables had turned, he was the one under inspection, and it caught him off guard. Then she looked away, seemingly oblivious to his presence, but he knew it was an act for the man beside her.

“Morning,” he said, tipping his hat as he stepped aside to let them pass.

Bud Goodhope smiled. “Morning,” he said.

Rachel’s sideways glance and the little smile on her face intrigued T. J. If he wasn’t mistaken, he’d just been invited to check her out further. It was an auspicious beginning to a Monday morning and put a smile on his face as he walked into Granny’s.

***

Although The Curl Up and Dye was not open on Mondays, Ruby always used the day for a thorough cleaning of the shop. Dusting, cleaning windows, mopping floors; it all had to be done and this was the only day to do it uninterrupted.

She was at the front washing the inside surfaces on the plate glass windows when she saw T. J. Lachlan park and get out at the café across the street. At the same time, she saw Bud and Rachel Goodhope come out of the café and guessed that the bed and breakfast didn’t have any guests or they wouldn’t be eating out.

When Ruby realized Rachel was actually giving the stranger the come-on, she shook her head. The only thing that kept Rachel from hooker status was that she didn’t charge men money. She married them first, then took them for all they had, after which she kicked them to the curb. Rumor around town was that Bud was on the downhill slide and didn’t know it. It appeared that rumor was right.

LilyAnn hadn’t given a thought to her new lifestyle program when she stopped by her house on the way to the hospital. She was so busy with all that was happening that she grabbed an apple and a stick of string cheese and ate them on the way.

Once she arrived, her appetite appeased, she headed for an elevator. Now that she was here, she was anxious to get to Mike’s room. He’d been out of her sight since ten o’clock last night, and she just needed to make sure he was okay.

When she got off on the fourth floor, she saw a number of people standing near the nurses’ station but thought nothing of it. It wasn’t until she got closer that she realized they were women from the Ladies Aide at the First Methodist Church, one of whom just happened to be Rachel Goodhope. LilyAnn was so pissed that she wanted to scream. The gall of that bitch! She was so determined to get in to see Mike that she was actually using the cover of the church to get into his room.

When LilyAnn passed the nurses’ station, she paused long enough to wave and let them know she was there, then strode down the hall to Mike’s room and went in, closing the door behind her.

“She just went inside!” Rachel cried. “I don’t understand why we can’t, too.”

The nurse had already guessed this was part of the reason Miss Bronte had asked for the No Visitors sign: too many well-meaning people too soon.

“She is considered family. Are any of you related to Mr. Dalton?” the nurse asked.

They shook their heads.

“She’s no kin to him,” Rachel argued.

“Oh, we know that, but she has been asked by Mr. Dalton’s family to stand in for them until they can arrive from Colorado. I’m sorry, but rules are rules, and until Doctor announces Mr. Dalton is strong enough for guests, you’ll have to leave.”

The women left the plant they’d brought, along with a little card that said “We are praying for you,” and headed toward the elevators.

Rachel was fuming. She knew she’d been bested and had to face the fact that she wouldn’t see Mike until he got back to work. But that was fine with her. When she was there, LilyAnn Bronte was not. Then she would have him all to herself.

***

Mike was sitting up in bed, glaring at the cup of chicken broth and the bowl of red Jell-O on his lunch tray. When he saw LilyAnn, his mood and pulse went up, as was evidenced by the sudden beep of the heart monitor. Thankfully, she didn’t notice.

“I hope you brought me something to eat,” he muttered.

Lily was so happy to see him awake and making sense that she wanted to hug him. Instead, she laughed.

“Sorry. Looks like you’re on a liquid diet for a while.”

Mike frowned. “Lots of help you are. Save my life and then let them starve me to death.”

When she laughed, the sound did crazy things to Mike’s heart, making it very difficult to maintain that frown.

“At least drink the broth,” she suggested.

“You taste it and then say that to me again.”

She shrugged as she took a quick sip. Her eyes widened as the tepid liquid oozed down her throat.

“Ick. Okay. It’s definitely missing something,” she said, then saw a packet of salt beneath his napkin and stirred it into the mug. “Try it again,” she said.

He took a small sip. “Yeah, that helped. Thanks.”

Lily beamed. “You’re welcome. Have you heard from your parents yet?”

“Dad called early this morning. He said Faith’s husband rented a helicopter to come get them. It took them to the airport and he’s having them flown here in the company jet, so they should be here within the five or six hours.”

Lily’s eyes widened. “Wow! What does Faith’s husband do, anyway?”

“I have a dummied-down explanation about his company making something that is part of the guidance system on army jets.”

“Way to go, Faith,” Lily said, as she plopped down in the chair beside his bed.

He frowned. “Yeah, I guess every woman wants to marry a rich man.”

Lily frowned back. “No, Mike. Most of us just want to love the man we marry.”

His heart dropped. “Yeah, so at the rate you’re going in the love department, I assume you’ve taken yourself off the market?”

The tone of his voice was only slightly less shocking than what he’d said.

“What on earth made you say a thing like that?”

“I don’t see you dating. I don’t see you even interested in dating.”

Before she thought, she spouted off, “Maybe that’s because you aren’t paying attention.”

All of a sudden he felt light-headed as the blood drained from his face. Now the diet and wanting to change her life were beginning to make sense. Son of a bitch! It was happening again, and just like before, he was not part of the equation.

“I guess I wasn’t,” he said softly, then shoved the tray away, leaned back, and closed his eyes.

“You didn’t eat your Jell-O,” she said.

“I don’t want my Jell-O.”

She frowned. “Okay, I just thought—”

“I’m going to rest now. Stay if you want, but I don’t feel like talking.”

LilyAnn knew he was mad, but she didn’t know why.

“Okay. I’m here if you need me,” she said softly.

I
will
always
need
you, LilyAnn. You just don’t need me
. But the thought went unsaid.

***

Lily knew something was wrong—very wrong. Mike had turned off communicating. Every time she tried to get him in a better mood, he either looked right through her or wouldn’t look at her at all.

The entire afternoon passed with hardly a word spoken between them. His supper tray had come and gone, and he’d rejected it as blatantly as he was rejecting her. Her stomach was in knots. She couldn’t go home tonight without knowing what was wrong. After the shift changed and the new nurses came on the floor to do rounds, the room was finally quiet again. Lily took it as her chance to try and straighten things out.

“Hey, Mike?”

He glanced over at her. “What?”

“Are you mad at me for some reason… or am I reading too much into this, and it’s just because you’re in pain?”

His nostrils flared slightly. She could tell she’d struck a nerve.

When he didn’t answer, she persisted. “Have I done something wrong?”

He closed his eyes and leaned back against the pillow for so long that she thought he wasn’t going to answer, and then she realized he was staring at her.

“No, LilyAnn, you haven’t done anything wrong. I’m the one with some issues to face.”

She frowned. “Like what? Is there anything I can do?” She thought there were tears in his eyes but decided she was mistaken.

“No. This is all on me. You’ve been telling me something for eleven long years, but I didn’t want to hear it. Now I get it, and I’ve got to figure out what comes next.”

She stood up, her hands suddenly shaking. “I don’t understand. This sounds so final. If I’ve done something to ruin our friendship, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. You’re my best friend.”

“You don’t need a friend, LilyAnn. You need to get a life. Obviously you’re moving on. I wish you all the happiness.”

“Moving on? I’m not moving—”

All of a sudden the door swung inward and Mike’s parents rushed in.

Carol was in tears, and Don looked as anxious.

“Mike! Oh my goodness, honey! I’m so sorry. Are you okay? How do you feel?” Carol cried. Then she slid her arms around his neck and hugged him gently, but with fervor.

Mike winced as he managed a grin.

“Hey, Mom. Hey, Dad. Great to see you. I’d have taken a header sooner if I knew that’s what it would take to get you to visit.”

Their laughter was one of relief as they turned to Lily. Carol came toward her with her arms outstretched.

“LilyAnn, sweetheart! I shudder to think what might have happened to Mike if you hadn’t been there for him. Thank you! Thank you so much!”

Lily suffered their hugs and kisses, somehow managing to react normally, but her heart was breaking. Something awful had happened between her and Mike, and she didn’t understand.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” Lily said. “Mike needed you guys. Faith really came through for you, didn’t she?”

Carol rolled her eyes. “Faith’s husband is a jewel. We feel blessed to have him in the family.”

Lily smiled and looked at Mike, but he was, again, ignoring her and talking to his dad.

“So, Mrs. Dalton, how long can you stay?” she asked.

“We’re definitely staying through Thanksgiving.”

Lily smiled. “Great. You’re having it at my house. My mom and Eddie are coming here for Thanksgiving before going on to his daughter’s house. She just made him a grandfather for the first time.”

Carol clapped her hands. “I am so excited to see Grace again and to meet her husband. It will almost be like old times.”

Lily looked at Mike again, but this time he was staring out the window, seemingly oblivious to the conversation.

“Yes, like old times,” she said. “So, I’m going to leave you guys to have private time with Mike. I’ll see you soon. Come for supper tomorrow night… around seven if you can make it.”

“That sounds wonderful.”

Lily wrote down her cell number. “Here’s my number. Call me if you need anything… anything at all. I still work at Phillips’ Pharmacy.”

Carol laughed. “Blessings is an amazing place. It’s very comforting to know things never change here.”

Lily felt like crying. She had to get out before she came undone.

“I’m leaving now. Mike, you know where I am. Call if you need something.”

“Now that Mom and Dad are here, I won’t bother you again,” he said.

She managed to smile as she made a smooth exit and held it together on the way home. But by the time she pulled up in her driveway, tears were running down her face. She got into the house, turning on lights as she went, and made it all the way to her bedroom before she collapsed on the bed, sobbing uncontrollably. Her heart hurt to the point that it was hard to breathe. Mike was on the mend. His parents were here. They were all having Thanksgiving together. She should be happy. So why did she feel like someone had just died?

***

One week later

“Lily! LilyAnn! How much are these cough drops? I don’t see a price on them anywhere.”

Lily glanced up from the cash register, at the woman waving to her from an aisle away.

“It’s on the shelf,” she said, and kept ringing up Willa Dean Miller’s purchases.

Willa Dean leaned over the counter in a conspiratorial manner.

“The reason Sue Beamon can’t see the price is because she’s too vain to wear her glasses,” Willa Dean muttered.

Lily managed a smile, but it was hard to find the joy in even the simplest of things.

“We all have our vanities,” Lily said.

Willa Dean frowned. “I guess.”

“That will be forty-two dollars and fifty cents,” Lily said, as she dropped the last item in the bag.

Willa Dean ran her credit card through the scanner, signed her name on the screen, and then glanced over her shoulder. Sue Beamon was her next-door neighbor, and she was heading this way. She’d been trying to corner Willa Dean for a solid week, and she wasn’t in the mood to be grilled about anything.

“Thanks a bunch, LilyAnn,” Willa Dean said. She grabbed the receipt Lily handed her and sailed out of the store before Sue could get to the checkout counter.

“Well, shoot,” Sue said, as she laid the bag of cough drops on the counter. “I wanted to talk to Willa Dean.”

“You guys live on the same street,” Lily said.

Sue shrugged. “I know. But these days she’s always working or gone. And when she leaves on her little shopping trips, she leaves Harold behind. Kinda weird, if you ask me. I think something is up.”

Lily frowned. “You shouldn’t say that. Someone could get the wrong idea and start a rumor about Willa Dean that wasn’t true.”

Sue blinked, taken aback by the not-so-subtle scolding.

“Well, yes, of course you’re right. I was just… uh, how much do I owe you?”

“It comes to three dollars and seventeen cents.”

Sue counted out even change, took the receipt and her cough drops, and hustled out of the store.

Lily sighed. It was Friday, almost noon, and where the heck was Mitchell? Her head hurt. Her neck hurt. She couldn’t wait to get to The Curl Up and Dye for that shampoo and head massage that Ruby gave her.

And just like that, Mitchell came hurrying in the front door, waving as he went to put up his things. He came back just as quickly. She dropped the register key in his hand.

“Go, girl. You look like you need a break,” Mitchell said.

“I need something,” Lily muttered.

She left the pharmacy with a less than hurried step. When she passed the fitness center, she couldn’t help but look in. Stewart was behind the counter, and she could see his wife in the back. She knew Mike wouldn’t be back to work this soon, but she couldn’t help but look.

Just thinking about Mike made the ache in her heart worse. Day before yesterday, he’d come home from the hospital, and when she’d gone over that evening after work to say hi, Carol had said he was asleep. Lily had tried again last night with the same result, and this time she knew Carol was as uncomfortable lying as she was getting the rejection. She wouldn’t go back. She knew when she wasn’t wanted. She just didn’t know why.