The Game of Denial (32 page)

Evey's face flushed before she spoke. She took a deep breath and said, "I'm in love with her, Fran." She looked at Brad when he joined them. "I fought my feelings as long as I could," she said. "I've been fighting them my whole life. I'm sorry."

"You don't have anything to be sorry for, Mom," Brad said as he kissed the side of his mother's head.

"Mom'll be okay," Fran added. She looked at Brad and smiled. "We'll all be okay."

Brad laughed. "Now we'll be one big happy family."

"Mom!" Beth called out as she and Kristie ran into the waiting room, holding hands.

Evey released Fran and Brad to hug her daughter. A moment later she looked at the petite blonde accompanying Beth. "And who is this?" she asked.

"Mom, this is Kristie Stinehour, my fiancé," Beth announced without hesitation as she placed an arm around Kristie's shoulders.

Evey glanced over her shoulder at Brad. "Well, welcome to our big happy family," she said and reached out to hug Kristie.

AFTER FRAN SAW her mother, she tip-toed out of the hospital room giving Evey a warm hug before she left. "Just tell her you love her. That's all she'll want to hear when she wakes up." Evey leaned against the door for a moment before returning to Joan's bedside. She pulled a chair closer and took Joan's left hand, bringing it to her lips for a warm kiss. She sat down and rubbed her thumb over the back of Joan's hand. Even sound asleep she was still the handsomest woman Evey'd ever seen. Evey touched the thick warming pad that was draped over Joan's torso. She was so tired. She finally laid her head on the side of the bed and drifted off in the dimly lit room.

Evey smiled in her sleep, dreaming about lying next to Joan. The hand stroking through her hair felt so soft and real. She reached up and took the hand, bringing it to her lips once again.

"I'd enjoy that more if you brought those beautiful, warm lips up here and really kissed me," she heard. Evey jerked upward and stared down into soft, brown eyes.

"You're awake!" she said.

"You're so beautiful," Joan said.

"How are you feeling, sweetheart?" Evey asked.

"Okay. Now that you're here. Are you all right?"

"Still a little chilly."

Joan gave her a half-smile. "Want to join me under these blankets? They're very toasty. I'd be glad to share."

Evey couldn't stop a chuckle. "I bet you would."

"Come up here, woman, so I can feel you close to me," Joan said.

"I don't want to hurt you," Evey said.

"You'd never hurt me unless you refused to let me touch you."

Evey shivered slightly.

"Cold?" Joan asked.

Evey shook her head. "Remembering the last time you touched me." Then her eyes filled with tears again. "I...I'm sorry you were injured because of me."

"Please Evey. I love you," Joan said. "Don't ever doubt that. I was injured because a deer decided to cross the road."

"I love you," Evey whispered as her lips met Joan's tenderly and passionately. Joan ran her good hand into Evey's hair as they both became lost in their newly discovered feelings.

"I don't know why the hell you're in a hospital," Charmaine's voice said. "Looks more like you need a hotel room to me."

Evey tried to move away, but Joan held her tightly. "It's customary to knock before entering a room, Charmaine," Joan said, her hand moving slowly along Evey's back.

Charmaine shrugged. "Nothing wrong with a little lovin' early in the morning," she said. "The others stopped for cafeteria coffee before coming up." She looked at her wristwatch. "So you've got about ten minutes to wrap up this love-fest before the thundering herd arrives." She turned to leave and stopped, adding, "Nice to see you again, Mrs. Chase. It's about damn time."

"What's she talking about?" Evey asked as she brushed Joan's hair back and stroked her cheek after Charmaine left the room.

"Charmaine knew I was in love with you before I was willing to admit it myself," Joan said. "I have very smart children and they apparently didn't get it from me."

Evey shook her head slowly. "You're brilliant."

Joan grinned. "You're biased."

"You're right," Evey said.

"I wouldn't have it any other way." Joan placed her hand on Evey's neck and drew her closer. "Now kiss me again."

There was no hesitation as Evey brought their lips together again, pouring everything she felt into the connection. A loud knock at the door brought them breathlessly out of the kiss.

"Damn," Joan breathed.

"You'll be home soon, baby," Evey said as she traced Joan's lips with her tongue. "Then I can show you how I really feel."

"Still decent?" Charmaine asked as Evey opened the door.

Evey smiled at Joan and said, "Unfortunately."

Charmaine laughed and embraced Evey. "She's needed you," she said.

"I've needed her my whole life," Evey whispered in return.

Pushing past the two women, the others quickly filled the room, chattering simultaneously. Evey released Charmaine and returned to Joan's side, grasping her hand again, grounded by the strength she absorbed from her lover. My lover, she thought as she gazed down at Joan who smiled up at her warmly.

"When can we spring you, Mom?" Meg asked.

"The sooner the better," Joan said.

"Karina and the crew are making a few adjustments to make room for a bed if we need it," Tucker said.

Joan turned her gaze to Evey. "I might stay a couple of days to make sure there aren't any complications. I was planning to fly back here on Friday anyway."

Evey had made her decision the night before. "We can leave any time you're ready, sweetheart," she said, not looking at anyone except Joan.

"Are you sure?" Joan asked.

"I'm sure I want to be anywhere you are. I love you." Evey was certain she was blushing, but didn't care. "There's nothing here for me anymore."

"You know I want you with me, Evey. What about the farm?"

"There aren't many good memories there. I might offer it to Ralph. If he doesn't want it, I'll list it for sale. I won't be separated from you again."

"Am I old enough to hear this?" Meg asked, rolling her eyes.

"You're a Carmichael, for God's sake," Charmaine snorted. "Of course you're old enough. Now let's get organized. I've got a hot man waiting for me at home."

"It'll take me months to erase that image from my mind, Charmaine," Meg said.

"You're just jealous," Charmaine smirked.

As they all hugged and laughed before saying their goodbyes, Evey pulled Beth aside. "Would you pack some clothes for me? Tucker will get them on the plane."

"We'll see you again, won't we?" Beth asked.

"Of course, darling." She looked at Kristie. "You both will."

"You sure you're all right, Mom?" Tucker asked as he leaned down to hug Joan.

"I'm fine, sweetheart."

"I haven't seen you happy in a long time. We've all missed that part of you."

"I'm sorry, Tuck."

"We miss Mama, but not as much as you have. I imagine I'd feel the same way if I lost Giselle."

"It's an emptiness you can't begin to imagine." She glanced to where Evey was standing. "It takes someone very special to fill a void like that."

"I'm glad you've finally found someone. I think she really loves you, Mom."

"I hope so because I really love her." She patted his arm. "I'll see you all soon."

JOAN WAS EXHAUSTED by the time everyone except Evey was gone. She held her hand out and Evey took it.

"Tired?" Evey asked.

"A little. You're so beautiful," Joan said. "I'm so lucky."

Evey saw tears forming in Joan's eyes. "What's wrong?" she asked. "Do you need a nurse?"

Joan shook her head and looked up at a red-cheeked Evey. "There's something I need to tell you."

"You can tell me anything, honey," Evey answered softly.

"Promise not to laugh?"

Evey nodded as Joan's hand moved from under the blanket and took hers. Joan looked extremely worried. She didn't look at Evey as she opened her mouth to speak. "You're going to think I'm crazy. Maybe I am. I don't know."

"You're not crazy."

When their eyes met, Joan said, "Martine saved me." Once she'd said that the floodgates opened and she couldn't stop talking. "She was there and stayed with me until you arrived." Joan tried to continue, but was having a difficult time putting her words together. "When the water rushed into the car, I...I couldn't get out because my legs were stuck. I was going to drown. Then I saw her smiling at me, just like she used to. It calmed me and I knew I wanted to live." Her eyes searched Evey's face. "She didn't leave me. She told me how much she loved me and hated leaving me alone, but she didn't have a choice. She's waiting for me, Evey, but it wasn't my time after I'd found happiness again." She looked up. "Am I crazy? Was she only a hallucination?"

"No. No, she wasn't." Evey remembered what she'd seen and heard after Joan's rescue. Take care of her. "She loved you enough to want you to be happy now, sweetheart. Her love saved you. I promise to never forget that." Evey leaned down and kissed Joan's forehead.

A tap on the door brought the moment to an end as Dr. Douglas entered the room, pushing glasses up on his nose. "How is our patient this morning?"

"Ready to get out of here," Joan said.

"The good news is that your core temperature is up to almost normal. You should have your own physician check it out. The laceration in your leg will probably cause some discomfort, but heal in a few weeks." Douglas stopped as if thinking and scratched his head. "You were extremely lucky, Mrs. Carmichael."

Joan swallowed and held her hand out to Evey. "I have a lot to live for." She coughed and squeezed Evey's hand.

"I recommend plenty of bed rest and your stitches can come out in about a couple of weeks."

Joan looked at Evey and smiled broadly. "Spending time in bed. That is good news, doctor."

Evey smiled back. "Yes, it is. Very good news."

"When will I be released?"

"This afternoon unless you'd like to stay through dinner."

"Thanks, but I can wait until I get home. I'm sure I can find something to nibble on...in bed."

Evey covered her blushing face and shook her head while Joan laughed. The rest of her life would be everything she'd ever wanted but denied herself. She hoped she'd be able to adjust to the promise the future held.

About the Author

Originally from the Appalachian region of Eastern Tennessee, Brenda now lives in Central Texas, near Austin. She began writing in junior high school where she wrote an admittedly hokey western serial to entertain her friends. Completing her graduate studies in Eastern European history in 1971, she worked as a graphic artist, a public relations specialist for the military and a display advertising specialist until she finally had to admit that her mother might have been right and earned her teaching certification. For the last almost thirty years she has taught world history and political science. Brenda and her partner of sixteen years, Cheryl, are the parents of four occasionally grown children, as well as five grandchildren. Rounding out their home are three temperamental cats, a Poodle mix, and a Puggle puppy who snores like a freight train. She is looking forward to retirement sometime in the future. She may be contacted at [email protected] and welcomes all comments.

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