Rekindled Dreams (Moon Child) (6 page)

Tears of sadness joined those of exhaustion. She turned on her side and wiped her eyes on the sheet. Tiredness won.

Cries woke her. Confusion addled her. She rolled on her side and her arm dangled over the edge of the bed. What? Where? The cries grew louder. Her thoughts coalesced when she touched her belly. She’d had the baby. Jenny cried. Dana eased from the bed, turned on the light and lifted her daughter. The cries stopped.

After changing the infant’s diaper, Dana sat in the rocking chair and opened hr gown. Jenny nuzzled and began nursing. Dana smiled.

A nurse popped into the room. “Was on my way. You all right?”

“Think so. She seems to know what to do.” Dana shifted the infant to her shoulder and patted her back. A burp rewarded her and she shifted her daughter to the other breast. After a second burp she rocked until Jenny’s eyes closed. Warmth and contentment filled Dana’s thoughts.

The nurse returned with a cup of juice, a sandwich and a container of pudding. “Don’t fall asleep.”

“Not in the chair.”

The nurse took the baby and placed her in the bassinet. “You missed dinner. It’s not a cooked meal but this should tide you until breakfast. I also need to check you.”

Once the nurse left Dana ate. She finished and pushed the overbed table aside. She curled on her side. How could she tell Simon she didn’t want him to take her home? That was a lie. She wanted more time to learn where he’d been and what he’d been doing.

Her body jerked. Simon knew she’d had the baby. Would he tell May? Not that she didn’t want her former mother-in-law to know. Dana gulped a breath. A fear she hidden popped into her head. What if the Grantlans tried to take her child? When Randy had been alive his unwillingness to claim paternity had made her feel safe. Would his death cause other members of the family to interfere?

May had sent a magnificent layette and a cradle that fitted onto a stand. Had these gifts been kind gestures of had there been a sinister meaning? Dana couldn’t believe May would harm her. What about Patricia or her former father-in-law?

Troubled thoughts followed her into a restless sleep. Just before six AM Jenny woke. After a second feeding Dana dozed until breakfast arrived. Following the meal a nursing assistant waited while she showered.

When Simon arrived with the suitcase and infant seat, she wore a hospital robe over the gown. She felt conflicted about the trip home.

He placed the burdens in the closet and walked to the bassinet. “She looks peaceful.”

Dana yawned. “Woke me twice last night. I think a nurse gave her water once. Would you like to hold her?”

“I would but I might drop her.”

The yearning in his voice brought a smile. “Sit in the rocker and I’ll bring her to you.”

Moments later she placed Jenny in his arms. His expression shouted pure devotion. What was happening? Dana turned her head. Simon should have been the father of her child, not Randy. Her hands clenched. The past couldn’t be redone. The desire welling in her thoughts must be denied. She sat on the bed and looked at Simon and her daughter. Tears gathered. She pressed her fingers against the ducts.

“What will you do with the rest of your day?” she asked.

“Maybe ride to the lake and eat lunch there and head to the funeral home. I need to call Matt Gray and see when we can meet. He said not to leave tow before I do.”

“You and he were quite the team in high school. I’ve heard good things about the security firm he’s started. One of my neighbors had a system installed."

“He wants to hire me.”

“Would you take a job in Fern Lake?” She hoped the eagerness didn’t show in her voice.

Simon shrugged. “I’ll see what he offers. Even though we were buddies I’m not sure I want a boss.”

She chuckled. “You never did like being pushed around.”

“You’ve got that.” The baby fussed. He frowned. “You’d better take her and I should go.”

When Dana lifted Jenny her hand brushed Simon’s. Tendrils of heat flowed from the contact. She placed her daughter in the bassinet. “She needs to be changed and fed.”

“That’s my cue. See you tomorrow.”

“If you don’t want to bother, I could take a cab.”

He touched her shoulder. “I want to take you home.”

“I would like that.”

He paused in the doorway. “See you then.”

Dana stared after him. He hadn’t kissed her today. How did that make her feel? She wasn’t sure.

After tending to her daughter she changed into the nightgown and robe she had packed. Simon wanted to take her home. A plus. She halted her racing thoughts. Don't go weaving dreams.

After dinner Madge entered the room. “Sorry about being late.”

“What happened?” Dana asked.

“Left my phone at home.” Madge handed Dana a book. “I knew you didn’t like balloons and the flowers downstairs were sad. How did you get here?”

“Went to the funeral home. As I was leaving my water broke. An old friend was there. He brought me.”

“Who?”

“Simon.”

“As in the boy who broke your heart?”

Dana nodded. “I was lucky. Labor was short.”

“When do you go home?”

“Tomorrow. Have to be out before one PM.”

Madge groaned. “I’m working. We’re getting ready for that dumb inspection. How will you manage?”

“Simon volunteered.”

Madge arched a brow. “Sounds interesting.”

“Nothing’s going to happen. He returns to the city tomorrow.” She wouldn’t mention any chance of him returning. Her friend might invent some scenario that was impossible.

Chapter
5

As he left the hospital regret and yearning dueled in Simon’s thoughts. Dana and the baby were a family that could have been his. If he hadn’t been so angry that no one had come to his graduation he might not have pushed Dana for sex. Not just anger. He’d been hurt and envious of his classmates. Listening to the congratulations had hurt him deeply and made him feel alone.

And now. Watching the way Dana’s smile bloomed when she watched her daughter had raised a desire he couldn’t quite explain.

He started the car and drove toward the lake. Just before the turnoff he saw the food truck parked in the same spot as years ago. On an impulse he pulled off the road and walked to the window.

“Be with you in a few,” the gray-haired man said.

Simon waited until the man appeared at the window. “Two chili dogs and a soda. He paid for his lunch and sat on a bench near the truck. He lunched on the spicy hotdogs and memories of trips to the lake with Matt, Dana and other friends.

After wiping his mouth he drove to the parking lot overlooking the lake. He stood on the path leading through the trees. The west side had been the meeting place for his high school friends. The east had been the turf of the private school crowd.
Seldom had they met and some of the meetings had brought trouble. Did the divide remain?

Instead of walking to the shore, he called Matt.

“NA Security, Matt Gray speaking. How can I help you?”

“It’s Simon. When can we meet?”

“I’m on a job that will take all day. What about tomorrow, say around three?”

Though Simon wanted to leave the moment he left Dana at home, he could wait. “Sure.”

“Going to the Grantlans after the funeral?”

“Never. I’ll be taking Dana home from the hospital. Doctor won’t let her drive.”

“Dana as in Collins who married and divorced Randy?”

“Yes.”

“What happened? I thought I saw her pull into the funeral home parking lot as I left. Did Patricia slug her again?”

Simon nearly dropped the phone. “What do you mean by again?”

“Story was all over town. Happened right after the engagement party at the Club. Patricia got in Dana’s face. Called her a tramp and not good enough for her twin.”

“What did Randy do?”

“He was busy at the bar. Patricia slapped Dana and Dana bloodied her nose. Rob dragged Patricia home. Randy laughed and toasted the champ.”

Simon’s hands clenched. From what he’d heard Patricia’s attitude toward Dana hadn’t changed.

“Why was Dana in the hospital?”

“She gave birth to a daughter last evening.”

“I’ll tell my wife. What will Dana do?”

“She’s started a billing service for people in the health care profession.”

“My wife might be interested,” Matt said. “Bev’s a clinical psychologist and practices part-time. Every week she complains about having to resend bills to insurance companies to get paid.”

Simon smiled. “That would be great. See you tomorrow.”

He put the rental in reverse and drove back to town. As he drove down Main Street he saw a sign that brought a surge of memories. Burger Bounty. He wished he’d remembered the best burger he’d ever eaten. Before leaving town he had to visit.

He pulled into the parking lot of the funeral hone and saw only a black luxury sedan had arrived. Aunt May. Good. He’d wanted a few minutes with her alone. He entered the building and stepped into the room. “Where is everyone?”

“Rob’s at the nursing home. There’s an inspection coming up and he needs to make sure everything’s on schedule. Robert went to the office. Patricia’s still in bed. Where did you go last evening?”

“Took Dana to the hospital. She had the baby.”

“And?”

“A girl. Forgot to ask for the details.”

His aunt smiled. “I’m glad. Robert will dismiss a girl as useless. He has little use for women unless they’re rich. Even his own daughter is ignored.”

“How sad. I’ve found women to be as competent as men. Sometimes more.” Was Robert Grantlan’s attitude responsible for Patricia’s attitudes? He met his aunt’s gaze. “Why do you stay married to him?”

“I happen to love him. Always have.” She sighed. “Attitudes have changed. Women in my day tended to accept whatever they found in their marriages.”

Simon looked away. “I’ll head out. Just wanted you to know about the baby.”

May patted his hand. “Come to dinner tonight.”

“I can’t.” Though he had no plans, the dining room at the mansion held no appeal.

“We’re not eating at home. We’ll dine at Lake House.”

Reluctantly Simon nodded. “Then I’ll come.” He would do this for her. Enduring the company of his other relatives for a meal would be hard but he vowed to keep his anger dampened.

Robert Grantlan strode into the room. He nodded curtly to Simon. His gaze when from Simon’s head to his toes before walking to the casket.

Simon turned to his aunt. “I’ll return later. Didn’t want to leave you alone.”

She patted his hand. “Dinner’s at six.” A smile crossed her face. “Early for Robert but we’ll need to return here.”

Simon drove to the motel and relaxed on the bed. There was no reason to return to the funeral home this afternoon. His thoughts bounced from the past to the present. Until he found a direction for his life he couldn’t do anything about the things he wanted. Maybe the job with Matt would provide answers, but did he really want to return to Fern Lake?

At six he reached the converted Victorian mansion that stood on a rise overlooking the lake. He wasn’t seated with his relatives a bonus he hadn’t expected. The Fern Lake chief of police and the county sheriff were among his companions. He asked about Matt’s security firm. Both men praised Simon’s friend.

With quick glances Simon studied his relatives seated at another table. Aunt May looked exhausted. Robert Grantlan’s hands moved in angry gestures when he spoke to Rob who looked ready to bolt. Patricia must have had four cocktails plus several glasses of wine.

Simon left before dessert and drove to the funeral home. He stood at the coffin and stared at his cousin. The carefully groomed hair, the touched up features blurred. Simon drew a deep breath. “Goodbye, Randy. May you rot in hell.” He turned away and saw his relatives had arrived.

Simon left. His trip here had been both a waste and an eye-opener. He had one more day in Fern Lake and then back to the city. Matt’s offer tempted him but he wasn’t sure he could handle being in the town if Dana was indifferent to him. Her talk of taking a cab home from the hospital had bothered him.