Bouquet: Sequel to 'In Full Bloom': The Trilogy of the Rose (Volume 3) (11 page)

“Go, Woof.  Stop them,” Gus directed. 

Mark saw Woof pass him.  The dog was easily handling the deep snow.  Fearing for Sami’s welfare as the wolf-dog advanced, Mark yelled, “Stop, Sami.”

His words went unheeded as the distance between them increased.  Her snow boots and lighter body weight provided her with better traction in the deep snow. Frustrated, Mark could only watch with mounting fear as Woof collided into Sami, forcing her into the snow. Molly went on the offense and jumped at the larger dog, sending Woof rolling off Sami into the snow.  Mark envisioned a nasty dog fight was about to begin and he worried for Molly.  “No, Molly,” he ordered, trying with all his might to close the distance.

To his disbelief, the dogs did not fight.  Woof didn’t regain his feet, but only lifted his head.  Molly did not attack further.  She paced between Woof and Sami. There was no growling from either.  They just eyed each other suspiciously.  Mark’s focus shifted from the dogs to the lifeless form of Sami sprawled out in the snow, face down.  She had not moved.  “Sami,” he called as he neared.  Receiving no response, Mark dropped to his knees and rolled her over.  “Sami?” he asked.  “Are you hurt?”

Mark was not prepared for what he saw.  He expected her to be hurt or even mad, but what he didn’t foresee was the vacant look he was receiving.  He knew this look.  He had seen it countless times.  He had lost her; she had mentally retreated.  “No,” he cried, rocking her non-responsive body in his embrace.

***

Mark felt Molly’s tongue lick his hand.  Focusing on the Springer, he knew that this time even her dog would not bring her back to him.  Rotating his hand to pet her, he offered heavy-heartedly, “She is gone from us, Molly.  This time even ‘Mrs. Carter’ has lost.”  Mark looked back at Sami.  “I would even enjoy having ‘her’ with us at this moment,” he shared. 

He knew what he had to do, but the very thought of placing her in the hospital grated on him.  He had no other choice, as her care would need IV fluids and adult diapers — all of this because of his discovery of Adam being alive. 
Cause and effect
, he thought. 

Mark recalled her kneeling before the cedar chest containing Adam’s things, and had observed her as she lifted the ultrasound image to her lips; he had seen real emotions.  Sami’s belief that Adam had not survived the accident was plain to see. 
Where was Adam now?
Mark wondered.  He could just imagine the guilt she was experiencing as her shattered soul was clearly visible. Focusing on Sami’s face, Mark whimpered softly, “Stop blaming yourself.  It was not your fault.”

Sighing deeply, Mark detangled himself from her and rose.  He had to make arrangements; he had to talk to Gus.  He needed answers, and he would not find them sitting there in the snow.  Bending over, he gathered Sami into his arms.  As he stood, he shifted her dead weight in his arms.  A chill shook his body; he felt like he was carrying a corpse.  Moving back to the cabin, he called to the dogs.  “Let’s go.”

Grandma Jo’s voice reached him.  “She’s dead?”

“No,” he called back. 
She might be better off if she was,
he thought sadly.

“Out again?” she asked.

“Yes and no,” Mark answered truthfully.  “It is not the same.  It is no ‘watchdog’ this time.  This time she is conscious, but totally unaware.”

“Mark?” Grandma Jo asked, obviously distraught.

“I know,” he replied.

“Will she come back?” she asked.

“I really don’t know,” Mark confessed.

“What is the meaning of all this?” Gus asked.

“She has escaped inside herself,” Mark offered. “She has shut down completely.”

“Nonsense.  Mumbo jumbo,” Gus stated. 

“No, it is quite possible,” Mark retorted. 

“She just needs a real good kick in the ass like Hank used to do,” Gus remarked.

“Excuse me?” Mark asked, stepping onto the porch and adjusting Sami in his arms.

“Yeah, saw him do it a couple of times,” Gus shared.

“Great.  Add abuse to her list,” Mark barked.

“No, not abuse.  Just a firm hand,” Gus offered.  “Kid had a wild side.”

“Sami?” Grandma Jo cried.

“Don’t let her appearance fool you.  She was a hellion in her teen years,” Gus offered.

Mark recalled the ‘Mrs.  Carter’ side of Sami and cringed.  He could see her rebellious side.  He wondered just how far back this personality split went. 
Did the death and hiding of her twin split her?
  “You need to share more with me,” he said to Gus.  “I need to set her down first.”  Mark walked into the cabin and called, “Place a blanket over the couch.”

Seeing Grandma Jo move to do his bidding, he waited until it was positioned before placing Sami on the blanket.  As Grandma Jo secured another blanket over Sami, Mark directed, “Please make more coffee for us.  I need to make a call.”  Moving to the door, he reached for his cell and called out, “Gus, make yourself comfortable.”

Back on the porch, Mark spotted the two dogs at the bottom of the steps eyeing him.  “Not your fault.  Go in and get warm,” he suggested.  As the two dogs darted into the cabin, Mark closed the door and dialed the clinic. When Mrs.  Mills answered, he ordered, “I need Jon, now.”

Mark paced the porch while he waited for Jon to pick up.  His mind was racing.  The completed puzzle was far from done.  The added pieces were coming fast. Prioritizing everything was key.  Her physical needs were at the top; he had to get her back to Phoenix into the hospital as quickly as possible.  And, he needed to get in touch with her attorney.  Mark had bankrolled the ER care for her arm, but admitting her to the hospital?  He needed to know if she had insurance, and his exploration of her wallet provided no evidence of insurance.  Jon would need to be his point on finding out this information for him.  Plus, he needed to talk to Gus.

When Jon’s voice sounded on the phone, Mark informed his former mentor of the current situation and his need.  Without hesitation, Jon assured him that all would be arranged by the time Mark returned to the valley.

***

Pleased with the outcome of the call, Mark reentered the cabin.  His eyes immediately went to Sami.
As if. . .
, he thought.  S
he is gone until you work your stuff
, he hoped.  He knew of cases where the soul never re-linked with the world, resulting in bodies kept alive by machines.  He prayed that Sami’s current state would not last very long.  Shifting his eyes, he spotted the two dogs before the fire, stretched out, but watchful.

The sound of soft voices behind him caused him to laugh softly.  “You don’t have to whisper,” he directed. “You won’t disturb her.”

“Oh, Mark,” Grandma Jo gushed.  “He was there.”

“Where?” Mark asked, moving over to the table and taking a seat.

“At the accident scene,” Gus answered.  “Used to be a voluntary fireman up here.”

“Tell me,” Mark requested.

“First on the scene, after the police,” he began, grimacing.  “Bad accident.  Jackknifed tanker truck.  Six cars impacted, including June’s.  Didn’t know that fact until later.  I knew they were up for the weekend, but I thought they had left before the storm started.  I was assisting the police when I noticed Sami.  She was walking down the middle of the road, covered in blood. She was dazed. . .out of it. . . when I got to her.  I am the one who took Molly out of her arms and called for the paramedics.  When they saw her condition and her obvious stage of labor, they got her into the ambulance fast.  After seeing Sami off, I searched for June.  She and Sami’s husband had not survived.  Her car had gone under the tanker; the impact took the roof off.  Police figured they were the first to have been impacted.  I explained to the police that I was a family friend and about Sami.  They authorized me to get her purse.  I retrieved her purse and with Molly in my arms, got in my truck and drove to the hospital in Flagstaff.” 

“At the hospital, I inquired about Sami and showed them her ID.  They informed me that she had delivered a baby boy and was refusing to see it.  Lost on what to tell them, I searched Sami’s purse and located a contact list. Finding her attorney’s name and calling the number, I was surprised when he answered the phone.  I identified myself and explained the situation.  He requested that I wait at the hospital until he arrived.  I assured him I would and was thoroughly impressed by his immediate offer to drive to Flagstaff, thinking he was one hell of an attorney.  Didn’t know at the time that he was also the father of Sami’s best friend, Linda.”

“When the two arrived at the hospital, I knew Sami was in good hands.  I informed him that I had Molly in my truck.  Linda immediately requested that she take over caring for Molly.  I agreed and handed over the dog.  She thanked me for my care and said she would keep me informed.  I gave her my number and left.  True to her word, Linda still provides updates on Sami.  She and her husband, Rick, come up every summer to visit with me and stay here in this cabin.”

“Here?” Mark asked.

“Sure,” Gus answered, confused.

“Sami’s cabin?” Mark asked again.

“Linda has Adam?” Grandma Jo offered.

“Of course,” Gus replied.

“I need to talk to this Linda,” Mark stated.

“Got her number at my place,” Gus offered.

“Let’s go,” Mark directed.  “On the way, you can tell me more about her hellion years.”

“You should ask Linda about it.  From what I heard, they were a team,” Gus suggested.

“Oh, I will,” Mark stated, getting to his feet.

***

ELEVEN

O
n his feet, Mark scanned the cabin.  “What are you looking for?” Grandma Jo asked, seeing his search.

“That damn coat,” Mark stated roughly.

“Whoa, Mark.  No need to jump down my throat,” she retorted at his tone.

“Sorry,” Mark replied, taking a breath.  “Have a lot on my mind.”

“That damn coat you are seeking is on you,” Grandma Jo offered.

“Stunned, Mark looked down and moaned. “I never took it off?” he asked.

“Good guess,” Gus chuckled.

“Where is my mind?” Mark asked, shaking his head.

“Where it should be,” Grandma Jo answered with authority, coming at him fast and shoving him to the door.