A Slice of Heaven (26 page)

“How’d it go? Where’s Annie?”

“She’s in the kitchen asking Erik if he can give her a lift home.”

“Why can’t she go with me?” Dana Sue asked.

“She wants us to have time alone to talk.”

Her gaze narrowed. “About?”

“How much trouble are you in with the whole blood-sugar thing, Dana Sue?”

“It’s no big deal,” she insisted. “I’ve always known I was at risk. Doc Marshall’s been watching it.”

“Has he put you on any medication?”

She looked toward the kitchen as the door swung open, hoping it would be Erik or Annie coming to save her from getting into this with Ronnie. Instead, Annie merely waved. “Erik’s giving me a ride,” she said, and let the door swing shut.

“Well?” Ronnie prodded.

“I’m not on insulin,” Dana Sue said, but she avoided his gaze.

“Any other medications?”

“Not yet,” she said with a touch of defiance. “I’m monitoring my blood sugar. That’s all.”

“Are you really?” he asked, with such skepticism it made her hackles rise.

“Why would I lie?” she countered irritably.

“Because it’s convenient,” he suggested. “You don’t want to deal with this in a meaningful way, so you’ll tell me lies or half truths just to get me off your case.”

“Maybe that’s because it’s not your problem!” she snapped.

Ronnie leveled a look at her that made her squirm.

“I love you,” he said quietly. “That makes it my problem. Annie loves you. That makes it her problem, too. And frankly, in case you haven’t noticed, Annie can’t cope with many more problems right now.”

“I’m fine,” Dana Sue said.

“I think Annie and I would both feel a lot better if we heard that from Doc Marshall,” he replied, not backing down an inch.

“Oh, for heaven’s sale, if that’s what it will take to get you two off my back, I’ll make an appointment.”

“Tomorrow,” he prodded.

“As soon as he can fit me in,” she said.

“Tomorrow,” Ronnie repeated. “Understood?”

“Whatever.”

He met her gaze. “Dana Sue, don’t take this lightly,” he pleaded. “Annie’s really scared. Now that she’s explained why, I have to admit I’m a little scared myself. This is not something you can ignore. Surely you, of all people, know the seriousness of uncontrolled diabetes.”

“I do, and I say you’re both worrying about nothing,” she insisted, even though she knew better. She was only slightly more informed than her mother had been. And almost as stubborn. Dana Sue pushed down the memory of how that attitude had turned out for her mom, because she couldn’t bear to think about it.

Well, she was going to be different. She was not going to get full-blown diabetes; she certainly was not going to die from its complications. Right this second she hated her daughter and her ex-husband for even raising the possibility and forcing her to face it. She needed them to believe in her, not to question her every decision.

She frowned at Ronnie. “Haven’t you noticed that in the last few weeks I’ve been sticking to my exercise program at the spa? And I’m watching what I eat.”

“Tell me you didn’t order cake or pie or ice cream the second I went out of here after Annie,” he said mildly.

She gestured toward the cheese and veggies. “Obviously I didn’t get any of that.”

He gave her a wry look. “Your choice or Erik’s?”

“Look, I’m doing the best I can,” she said. “Why isn’t that enough for you?”

“It’s enough if Doc Marshall says it’s enough,” Ronnie stated. “Call me in the morning and tell me what time your appointment is. I’ll pick you up and go with you.”

“That’s ridiculous,” she said. “I’m perfectly capable of getting to the doctor’s office on my own.”

“It’s not a question of whether or not you’re capable of doing it,” he said. “It’s a matter of whether you will.”

“I have to say I’m not crazy about the way you’re treating me. I’m not some irresponsible child, Ronnie.”

His hard stare never wavered. “Then don’t act like one.” He held out his hand. “Come on. I’ll drive you home. Annie shouldn’t be by herself tonight when she’s as upset as she was when she left here. You two need to talk.”

“You’re right about Annie, but my car’s here,” she said. “I can drive myself home.”

“Humor me,” he retorted. “That way you’ll have to call me in the morning because you’ll need a ride.”

“You’re not the only person in this town I could call for a lift,” she grumbled.

“But I am the only one who will hunt you down if I don’t hear from you when I expect to,” he warned.

She sighed and went with him, turning out the inside lights and locking the front door behind them. She paused on the patio. Normally being surrounded by the fairyland of lights made her smile, but tonight her mood was too dark to enjoy the moment.

As they crossed the parking lot, Ronnie draped his arm across her tensed shoulders. When they reached his pickup, he pinned her against the side and framed her face with his hands.

“I love you, Dana Sue. I want you around for a long, long time. I won’t let you do anything that could cut that time short.”

She regarded him wearily. “You say that as if you think I’m trying to kill myself.”

“Not trying to,” he said. “Just not doing all you can to make sure it doesn’t happen. If I have to, I’ll bully you the way we’ve had to bully Annie.”

“I could wind up hating you for it,” Dana Sue threatened.

He grinned. “Annie said that a time or two, as well. It didn’t make us back down. Some things are just too important for me to worry about how mad you might get.”

Just as Annie had, Dana Sue wanted to lash out, but it was one thing for their sixteen-year-old to throw a tantrum. It was something else entirely for a mature woman to do it.

“I’ll make the appointment,” she promised.

“And call me first thing in the morning to let me know what time to pick you up,” he reminded her yet again.

“Yes, fine,” she said impatiently. She knew she should appreciate his concern, and Annie’s, too, but right now all she felt was pressure. And fear. What if there
was
reason to worry? What if she was much sicker than she’d realized?

Ronnie winked at her in an obvious attempt to lighten the tension. “If you’re a really good girl, I’ll bring you a sugar-free lollipop.”

Dana Sue rolled her eyes. “Trust me, you’re going to have to come up with a better reward than that.”

“Well, there is one other possibility,” he said. “And since you’re being so agreeable, I could give you a preview tonight.”

Despite her annoyance at the moment, she regarded him with real regret. “Annie,” she reminded him. “Home alone.”

“Darn, I knew there was something I was forgetting. Too bad I can’t just come home with you.”

“You could, but I hear the guest room mattress is really uncomfortable. Didn’t you insist on that so your folks and mine wouldn’t stay too long when they visited?”

“What was I thinking?” he grumbled good-naturedly.

“Probably that there would never be a time when I’d make you sleep on it,” Dana Sue said as they pulled up in front of the house. In the window, the huge tree Ronnie had helped them lug home and decorate was sparkling with colored lights. That was yet another sight that normally cheered her, but failed to move her tonight.

“Good night, Ronnie.”

“’Night, sugar. Sleep well.”

He waited until she was inside and had switched off the porch light before backing out of the driveway.

After he was out of sight, Dana Sue leaned against the door with a sigh. Coming home from an evening with Ronnie, as if they were seventeen and had just been on a date, was getting old.

Before tonight she’d have said he was getting close to putting them both out of their misery by asking her to marry him, but now that he knew about her health issues, she wasn’t so sure. What if he was scared off? Just one more reason to avoid Doc Marshall as long as possible.

Of course, avoiding Ronnie if he found out she hadn’t made an appointment was going to be a whole lot trickier.

A
nnie could hardly wait to get her session with Dr. McDaniels over with. Ty had driven her to the psychologist’s office and was waiting for her outside. They were going to Charleston to do some Christmas shopping afterward.

“You seem awfully eager to get out of here,” Dr. McDaniels said, regarding her with amusement. “It wouldn’t have anything to do with that young man I saw with you in the parking lot, would it?”

Annie beamed. “That’s Ty.”

“I thought it might be. How’s that going?”

“Well, it’s not like we’ve had a real date yet, but we talk almost every day, and I think maybe he’s going to ask me to a party over the holidays.”

“Will you be okay if he doesn’t?” Dr. McDaniels asked.

“Yeah, I guess so,” Annie said, then met the shrink’s gaze. “Can I ask you something that isn’t about food?”

“Of course.”

“Why are boys so hard to understand?”

Dr. McDaniels laughed. “They say the same thing about girls, you know.”

Annie didn’t believe that for a minute. “I’m serious. I don’t get why Ty hasn’t figured out how great we’d be as a couple. We can talk about everything. We’ve known each other forever. We’re practically best friends.”

This time Dr. McDaniels didn’t laugh or even crack a smile. She took the question seriously. It was something Annie liked about talking to her.

“Sometimes it’s hard to change an old pattern,” she told Annie. “Or maybe Ty is afraid if you two start dating and it doesn’t work out, it’ll ruin the friendship you have. Given how close your families are, that could be really awkward.”

Annie nodded slowly. “I see what you mean. Does that mean I should just give up?”

“Absolutely not. Just keep your expectations in check and don’t be in too big a rush to change things. Best friends often have the best relationships in the long run. Weren’t your mom and dad friends for a long time before they got serious about each other?”

Annie grinned. “That was just because my dad knew it was the smart way to keep my mom interested.”

“Well, going slowly worked out okay for the two of them. Maybe you and Ty will follow the same path. One day things will just click. Can you be patient and wait for that?”

“I can wait for Ty for as long as it takes,” Annie said. “He’s definitely worth it.”

“
You’re
definitely worth waiting for, too. Don’t forget that,” Dr. McDaniels said. “Now, one last thing before you go. Do you have any questions at all about how to get through the holidays with all the food that’s going to be around? Sometimes it’s really hard to see so much food. It can make you feel as if you might lose control and eat everything in sight. Some people panic and revert to avoiding everything, not just the food, but all the social interactions and parties that might involve it.”

“I don’t think I’ll do that,” Annie said. “But if I start to get anxious or anything, I’ll call you.”

“Good. That’s exactly the thing to do. Or talk to your mom or dad. Or come to one of those support-group meetings we’ve talked about. You have the schedule.”

Annie had been to one meeting at Dr. McDaniels’s insistence. It had felt kind of good to know there were other kids who’d been through what she had, but she hadn’t been back. Going there made her feel as if she was still sick, as if she had to focus on the anorexia all the time, when all she wanted was to put it behind her. Seeing Dr. McDaniels once a week was reminder enough.

Apparently her expression must have given her away, because the doctor said, “I know you don’t want to join a support group, Annie, and I’ve gone along with that because you seem to be doing well on your own. It can be a really good resource, though, especially when you’re facing a social occasion with a lot of food—the kind that come up during the holidays. You’d be welcome at any meeting.”

“I’ll remember,” Annie assured her. “Are we finished now?”

“Yes, you can go,” Dr. McDaniels said, smiling. “Enjoy your afternoon with Ty.”

“Thanks, I will.”

Annie turned and bounded out the door. She skidded to a stop before she walked into the parking lot. She didn’t want Ty to think she was too excited about this shopping trip.

Halfway to the car, she could hear the music blaring from the radio, tuned to their favorite rock station. Thank goodness they had the same taste in music. A lot of kids at school liked rap, but Annie just found a lot of the lyrics disgusting.

She tapped on the window of the car, then opened the door and got in. Ty grinned at her and immediately turned the music down. “How’d it go?” he asked, starting the car.

“Okay,” she told him.

He turned and studied her before putting the car into gear. “You sure?”

Annie nodded.

“You’d tell me if you were having problems again, wouldn’t you?” he asked.

She flushed under his scrutiny. “Do we have to talk about this?”

He frowned at her sharp tone. “I’m just saying you can talk to me about stuff.”

“I know that,” she said impatiently.

He cut the engine. “Okay, spill. What’s going on?”

“Nothing,” she insisted, not sure why her mood had turned sour when she’d been so excited and optimistic earlier. Maybe it was the reminder that Ty couldn’t seem to forget she had an eating disorder. Sometimes she wondered if the concern he had for her health was the only thing between them.

“Annie, I know you,” he persisted. “There’s obviously something on your mind. If it doesn’t have anything to do with your session, then what is it?”

“It’s my mom,” she said, seizing on the first thing that came to mind so she wouldn’t have to explain that she was frustrated because he still didn’t see her as a potential girlfriend. “She’s not taking care of herself the way she should.”

“Have you told her you’re worried?”

“Last night. My dad talked to her, too.”

“Well, my mom and Helen have this whole bet thing going with her. Maybe they’re on top of things.”

“I don’t think so,” Annie said wearily.

Ty reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. “I’ll tell my mom to talk to her again, okay?”

Annie could hardly breathe for fear Ty would drop her hand. She liked the way his felt, all warm and strong, the skin rougher than her own. His holding her hand wasn’t such a big deal, but he’d never done it before.

“Annie?”

“Hmm?” She lifted her gaze from their clasped hands to his face.

“You’re all flushed,” he said, dropping her hand to touch her cheek. “Is something else wrong?”

“Nothing,” she said with an exasperated sigh. She reached for the knob on the car stereo and turned up the music.

Ty turned it back down, regarding her with a confused expression. “Are you mad at me?”

Annie decided to be honest. “Not mad, frustrated,” she said.

“Why?”

“I like you.”

He still looked befuddled. “I like you, too.”

“No, I mean I
really
like you, and you treat me like your kid sister or something.”

“Oh.”

Annie shook her head. “I knew I should keep my mouth shut,” she said, filled with self-disgust. “It’s okay that you don’t like me that way.”

He glanced at her, appearing far more uncertain than she’d ever seen him look before. “Maybe I do,” he said quietly.

Annie’s pulse scrambled. “You do?”

His gaze met hers. “I just don’t want to mess things up between us, you know?”

She nodded, filled with relief. “I know. Me, too.”

“And I’ll be going away to school next year,” he reminded her. “It would be crazy to start something and then have to leave.”

“You’re probably right,” she agreed, her hopes deflating.

“Still, maybe we could spend some time together,” he said, as if he was working it out in his own mind as he spoke. “Like today, this shopping trip. We could think of it like a date, sort of.” He regarded her hesitantly. “What do you think?”

“I think it’s a really good place to start,” she agreed.

A grin spread across his face and he reached for her hand again. “You mind?”

“Not at all,” she said, then winced. “But you’re supposed to drive with both hands on the wheel.”

He released her reluctantly. “That’s one of the things I like about you. You follow the rules.”

“Not always,” she said. “But I have learned that some rules are there for a reason.” She gave him a quick sideways glance as he started the car. “But you could hold my hand when we get to the mall. I can’t think of a single rule that would break.”

Ty’s mouth curved into that smile that made her knees weak. “Me, neither,” he said.

Annie felt as if she were floating on air. She’d taken a risk and it had paid off. She and Ty were a couple. Or almost a couple. Better than just friends, anyway. Heck, she didn’t know what they were, but it felt good.

Ronnie was spitting mad. Dana Sue had successfully evaded every single attempt he’d made to get her in to see Doc Marshall. Tuesday’s promise had turned into Wednesday’s, then Friday’s. He’d spent most of each day trying to catch up with her, but it seemed no matter where he looked or called, he’d just missed her. Either she was slippery as an eel or her friends were covering for her. And he had too much respect for her professionalism to barge into the kitchen at Sullivan’s and make a scene—though he was only a hairsbreadth away from doing so.

In fact, the only thing that would prevent the two of them from having a major blowup at the restaurant tonight was the presence of Butch Thompson. If Butch hadn’t especially requested dinner at Sullivan’s, Ronnie wouldn’t have gone within ten miles of the place, fearing what he might say or do when he finally crossed paths with Dana Sue.

Butch and his wife were already seated at a table when he arrived. Ronnie forced a smile, greeted Jessie Thompson with a kiss on the cheek, then shook Butch’s hand.

“Sorry I’m late.”

“We were early,” Butch said. “I’ve been itching to get a look at this menu all day long. Even Jessie’s declared a night off from her no-meat rule.”

Ronnie chuckled. “Then I highly recommend the meat loaf. It’s one of the specialties here. With red bliss mashed potatoes, you’ll think you’re back in your mama’s kitchen.”

“Not my mama’s,” Jessie declared. “She couldn’t cook worth a lick. That’s why I learned so young, so the family wouldn’t starve to death or die from eating too many things turned to charcoal. I did everything the old-fashioned, Southern way, too. It’s a wonder our blood can still find a way through our arteries.”

Butch patted her hand. “You’ve made up for it, Jessie. We’re eating real healthy now. In fact, I’m sure all that oatmeal has sopped up any cholesterol that’s slipped past you. A break tonight won’t hurt either one of us.”

She laughed. “It’s not that bad,” she told Ronnie. “Butch likes people to take pity on him.” She gave Ronnie a knowing look. “The way you did when you took him out for that steak a few months back.”

“Whoops!” Ronnie murmured. “I guess she caught us.”

“Said she could smell it on my breath,” Butch confessed. “But I think it’s just some sixth sense she has about when I’ve strayed from the straight and narrow.”

Butch winked at his wife, reminding Ronnie of what a lasting marriage could be—two people who might bicker and tease, but who loved each other despite all their foibles.

“So, Ronnie, are you going to lure your ex-wife out of the kitchen so we can meet her?” Jessie asked.

He stiffened. “We’ll see,” he said tightly.

Butch gave him an odd look, obviously picking up on the tension in his voice. “Things going okay on that front?”

“We’ve hit a little impasse over something, but we’ll fix it,” Ronnie assured him, his gaze drifting toward the door to the kitchen, where he was hoping to catch a glimpse of Dana Sue as the waitstaff went in and out.

Brenda bounced up to the table just then and grinned at him. “Hi, Mr. Sullivan. Does Dana Sue know you’re here?”

“No, and don’t bother her. I’m sure she’s busy.”

“It’s crazy in there,” Brenda confided. “Karen called in and bailed on her again. Third time this week. Dana Sue’s looking pretty frazzled.”

Frazzled wasn’t good, Ronnie thought. If he could have, he would have canceled this meeting and gone to lend her a hand. Instead, he forced a smile for Butch and Jessie. “You ready to order?”

“The meat loaf’s come highly recommended,” Butch said. “I’ll have that.”

“Make it two,” Jessie chimed in.

“Might as well be three,” Ronnie said.

After the waitress had gone, he looked at his partner. “Any particular reason you wanted to meet tonight?”

“Aside from the prospect of a good meal, you mean?” Butch said. “I just wanted to congratulate you on the way things are going. I’ve looked over those reports you’ve been faxing to me, and you’re well ahead of projections. That tells me you’re working hard.”

“Trying to,” Ronnie said. “Things should really start hopping after the first of the year. I want to justify the faith you had in me.”

“Maybe you’re trying a little too hard,” Butch suggested, his expression one of concern.

Ronnie stared at him. “What do you mean? How can I possibly be trying too hard?”

“This business wasn’t the only thing that brought you back to Serenity, was it?”

“You know it wasn’t,” Ronnie said.

“How much time have you spent with your daughter and your ex-wife since you opened the business?”

“Not as much as I’d like,” he admitted.

“Don’t take your eye off the real prize here,” Butch told him. “What good is a thriving company if you don’t have someone to share your life with?”

Jessie smiled. “Listen to him, Ronnie. He’s the voice of experience. I said something very much like this to him thirty-five years ago. He took it to heart, which is one reason we’re still together. I wouldn’t have given you two cents for the likelihood of that after our first five years of marriage, when he lived and breathed that construction company from early morning till late at night.”

Butch covered her hand with his, then turned to Ronnie. “What did you see when you looked at those reports you’ve been sending?”

“A positive bottom line,” he replied. “Four-month goals being met in one-quarter of that time.”