The Guestbook (24 page)

They’d just finished Jason’s favorite breakfast, Frosted Corn Puffs and milk. The sugar rush was already making her dizzy. She had brought him to her house to sleep so he wouldn’t see the stained carpet where John had fallen. Lily waited while Jason got dressed in her room.

“I’m ready,” he said, joining her in the parlor. “Is Dad still at the hospital too?”

Lily nodded, pulling out her car keys. “Yep, let’s go.”

“Wait,” Jason said. “I want to pick some flowers to bring Grandpa.”

Why didn’t she think of that? The upper field near John’s was full of wildflowers, and they made a cheerful bouquet.  Just as they turned to go back to her car, a cab pulled up and a dark haired woman, deeply tanned and wearing bright colored clothes, jumped out with a suitcase.

“Jason,” she yelled, arms wide open.

“Grandma!” Jason ran into her arms.

This had to be Ian’s mother. He’d never said much about her before except that she was an artist and lived outside of the States.

The woman reached out her hand. “I’m Celeste. Do you know how my father’s doing?”

“Lily, I live next door.” She shook the woman’s hand. “We were just heading over the hospital to find out.” Lily directed Celeste to the passenger’s seat of her Honda. “As of late last night, John was stable but still unconscious.”

Celeste looked out the window. “After Ian’s last call, I figured I better get on the next plane. Lucky I caught the early shuttle or I would have missed you.”

The day was clear and sunny. Everyone out there was going about their business like nothing happened, but for Lily, time had stopped for a while. An antiseptic smell resounded in the air as they entered the hospital lobby and made their way to John’s room.

“Just act like we belong here,” Celeste said. “It may not be visitor’s time.”

They tiptoed into the patient room. A blue curtain was pulled around John’s bed, and Ian was sitting on the empty bed next to it. He looked like he’d slept in his clothes and hadn’t had a shower.

“Mom.” He rose from the bed and gave her a hug. “Glad you came. When the old guy finally wakes up, he’ll be happy to see you.”

A doctor pulled the blue curtain open and walked over to them. “Good morning. We have been monitoring Mr. McPherson, and things look pretty good right now. His heart is stable, but we’re going to run a few tests and see if we can figure out why he hasn’t woken up yet.”

“Is this normal?” Celeste asked.

The doctor looked concerned. “Could be the combination of the heart attack, the fall, and his age. If he doesn’t wake up by tomorrow, I’ll get the neurologist back in for a consult.”

Celeste walked over and stood by her father. “Hi, Pops.”

Jason followed. “Can we talk to him?” he asked the doctor.

“Sure thing, but not too loud. His head is probably still hurting from the fall.”
             
When the doctor left the room, Lily took Ian’s hand. He looked down at her, worry sketched across his face. “I’m here for whatever you need, so just ask.”

“Thanks,” he said.

“I think I’ll go back to John’s and clean up a bit before you all come back.”

“You don’t need to do that,” he said.

“Yes, I do,” she whispered. “There’s still some blood on the carpet and things knocked over.”

His eyes widened in his pale face. “Thanks.”

Lily waved goodbye after they promised to call if John woke up. Once she got home, Lily called Jude and told her what had happened.

“I’m so sorry,” Jude said. “I’ll meet you at your house, and we’ll tackle the cleanup at John’s together.

That was a relief. Lily was not looking forward to going back into the room she’d found him lying in last night.

Jude’s old Mustang pulled up in front of Lily’s house, and she ran out and jumped into the passenger seat. When they pulled up to John’s farmhouse, Lily felt the blood drain from her face. Instinctively, she grabbed the door handle for support.

“Lily, you’re not gonna faint on me now, are you?”

She shook her head no.

Gray clouds began to roll in, casting a dismal gray over the Sound. The lights were still on inside, and it seemed impossible that John would not be there, sitting in his chair, tinkering with something or watching TV. Jude pulled the car over to park under a large Madrona tree and turned to Lily.

“Are you up to this? I can turn this car around and take you home if you want.”

“Thanks, Jude, I can do it. It’s just so sad.”

“I know, Honey, I’m sure he’ll pull through just fine. Those farmers are strong as an ox.”

Lily got out of the car and leaned against the hood, staring out toward the water. Tall, aged pines stood guard over the gentle slopes of rolling green hills. In the distance, the hills ended abruptly and sandstone cliffs cascaded down toward the water’s edge. The overwhelming scent of jasmine made Lily feel light-headed. Without warning, her surroundings started to blur and spin. She seized Jude’s arm for balance.  Her heart felt like it would beat right out of her chest. “I just can’t bear the thought of losing him…oh, Jude.”

Jude hugged her tightly while she wept on her shoulder, then rummaged inside her purse and produced some Kleenex.  “I think we both need these. How about we just go inside and get this done so the family can come home and get some sleep?”

✦✦✦✦

The house still held John’s presence, she could almost hear his warm chuckle, but the leather recliner showed only the well-worn indent in the aging cushion. Lily started cleaning up while Jude scrubbed the carpet. How could this be happening? Was it only a week ago that John had come over to her house to sample breakfast menus? They had
laughed and, as so often happened, she had cried on his ever-ready shoulders. He was the wisest and most compassionate man she’d ever known. No wonder her grandmother had loved him so dearly.

Lily’s cell rang and she lunged for it, hoping to hear John was awake.

“I’m sorry to hear that, Ian. We’re almost done, come on home.” Lily ended the call and stared at Jude. “He’s still unconscious. The doctor told them all to go home and get some sleep for the night.”

Jude washed her hands in the kitchen sink. “Well, at least they’ll come home to a clean house. Guess I better get back to the café. Should I give you a lift home?”

“That’s ok, I’ll wait here and see if they need anything.”  Lily took a seat on the couch in the den. She didn’t have to wait long before the three McPhersons pulled up and entered the house. She hurried for the door. She heard Ian’s voice, but when she spotted him, her legs would move no further. Ian…the raw pain in his eyes was more than she could bear. Jason was right beside him, steady, growing taller every day, so like his father.

And then Ian caught her gaze. In that moment, as their eyes locked, Lily knew with stunning certainty the truth—this was not a guilt-driven or rebound affair. The truth was, to the very depth of her soul, she loved Ian…and Jason. Goosebumps rose with a prickle to cover her arms and legs—
a sure sign of confirmation
, Kyla had said.

With an unexpected effortlessness, Lily walked over and stood beside Ian. A look of recognition passed between them.  Jason took Lily’s hand, and Celeste moved in for a group hug.

“By the way, Celeste,” Lily said, “I put your suitcase in the back bedroom.”

Celeste sat down on the couch and raised her feet onto the coffee table. “Thanks. I’m sure I’ll be wanting to go to sleep soon.”

Ian turned to Lily. “Thank you.”

Lily looked at her two boys, both pale, both hoping the same thing she was: Grandpa John would wake up and be home soon.

Jason curled in beside his grandmother on the couch and put his head on her shoulder.

“You both look like you could use a glass of wine,” Celeste said, waving them to go. “Ian, why don’t you let me put Jason to bed and you go take Lily home?”

Ian stopped pacing and looked at Lily.

“Are you up to coming over, Ian?” she asked.

“C’mon,” he said, “I’ll walk you home.”

They walked up the steps to her house and into the parlor. “Wine?” she asked.

He tossed off his jacket and sank down with a sigh.  “Something warm would be good.”

Lily retreated to the kitchen and started a pot of tea, happy to have something to keep her hands busy and to feel useful. She entered the living room with steaming mugs in hand and placed them on the coffee table.

“Have a seat,” he said.

Lily curled up beside him and laid her head on his shoulder. Neither spoke for a while, and the companionable silence echoed tenderly into the night.

“Ian…would you like to get back home so you can get some sleep?”

He turned to her, his deep blue eyes raw with emotion. “What if Gramps…? I just couldn’t bear…”

Lily hesitated for a moment, then stood up and reached out her hands to him. “Come on.” She guided him to her bedroom. The bright light of the moon filtering through the window reflected silver white. They both needed each other tonight.

Ian held her gently by the shoulders. “Lily, you mean so much to me.”

She took a step back. He stroked her cheek with his fingertips. “Don’t be afraid,” he whispered into her hair as he kissed her forehead, her eyelids, the tip of her nose. “I don’t want to take anything from you, I just want you to be happy.”

She fell into his arms. “Ian, my Ian,” she whispered.

He lifted up her chin and his lips pressed against hers. “I love you, Lily, of that I am sure. I can and will wait if you want.”

She looked up into his languid eyes. He was everything she wanted; she did not want to wait. She wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him, pulling him to her. A startling heat shot down her body, making her legs quiver. Her knotted heartstrings broke open, and the love she had so carefully held at bay poured out. “Ian, my love.”

He moved to the edge of the bed and awkwardly tried to unbutton his shirt. She watched his artist’s hands, each beautiful, long finger, struggle with the buttons, then reached over to help. She stood before him, longing to give comfort and with the intense desire to touch. She stroked his cheek and let her trembling hand explore the smooth lines of his shoulders.

He grabbed her wrists, his tear-lined face staring into hers. His coarse black hair tumbled over his face. He smelled of forest and mist, of sweat and lust. Her fingers slid to his mouth, across his full lips.

Ian wrapped his long arms around her waist and buried his face in her breasts. Heat and longing rushed through her as the room melted away and only this moment, this man existed. Trembling, he drew her down onto the bed beside him. Hands in her hair, he pulled her mouth to his, their lips crushing against each other. Hearts pounding, their grip tightened, both frantically trying to merge into the other, to reclaim life and block out the grasping hand of grief.

Ian’s kisses trailed down her neck, his warm breath setting every nerve on fire. She moaned with pleasure, melting into his arms. She was lost, swept away into the blissful sensations rippling through her body.

She ran her hands across his incredible body. Her bold eyes met his, and it was the last signal he needed. Hardly breathing, she watched as he unsnapped his jeans and slid them down his strong legs and onto the floor. She could feel the hardness of his body, the warmth of his raspy breath as his hands wandered along the curves of her back and then lingered between her thighs.

“Lily, you’re so beautiful,” he whispered, pushing aside her hair. His deft hands removed her pants and drew her naked body to his.

Their bodies entwined, Lily melted into the blissful union. Complete ecstasy; this was the man of her heart, the love of her life.

✦✦✦✦

Robins sang, cherio, cherio. Lily opened her eyes to the early bird calls that often woke her at 4:30 in the morning. She turned toward the window and was startled by Ian’s profile. The creamy olive skin of his cheek lay on the pillow next to hers. His jet-black hair lingered down his neck and touched his bare shoulder. A day-old beard roughened
his cheek.

Not wanting to let go of his image, the robin’s cry alerted Lily to the sun’s light and the necessity of Ian going back home.

She caressed his shoulder and shook him gently. “Ian, it’s time to wake up.”

He opened his eyes, pools of black staring back at her. He reached out and pulled her close for a kiss. “Good morning,” he whispered.

“Ian, the sun’s coming up. Probably best if you get back home before your mom and Jason wake up.”

He sat straight up in the bed. “Right, I forgot. Someone distracted me last night.” As he pulled his jeans and t-shirt on, she watched his face fill with yesterday’s worries. “Sorry to have to leave like this.”

Lily rose on her toes and let her lips linger on his. “It’s fine, go.”

She followed him to the front door. “Call me as soon as you hear anything.”