Vegas Heat (32 page)

“Chue did a magnificent job on the sod and the shrubbery. It looks like it’s been here forever. The sign isn’t too much is it?”

“Nope. It blends right in. The Sunrise Rehabilitation Center. I apologize for my family’s lack of interest.”

“Don’t apologize. You’re here, that’s all that counts.”

“Fanny, why don’t our children have the same sense of family that you and I have?”

“I wish I knew. Time, progress, fast food, not enough money, who knows. It’s what it is. I tell myself when they get older they’ll feel as we do. Then I say, no, that won’t happen because you and I had that feeling from the day we got married. Bess did, too. Perhaps it’s our generation.”

“Fanny, Thad said he’d fly us to Virginia tomorrow morning. If we get an early start we can visit Josh Coleman and fly back in the evening. I’d like to do it.”

“Me too. More family. I wish there was a way for Sallie to know.”

“She knows. She trusted you, depended on you to follow through. It took a while, but you found Josh. Too bad you could never find that guy Jake. By the way, do you still have his money?”

“I certainly do. That money has been around the block so many times I’ve lost count. I used it outright, paid it back, borrowed on it, paid it back at least a dozen different times. I put it all in a mutual fund that pays off handsomely. Here come the kids and Bess.”

“Ash is parking. Oh, Fanny, Sunny is with him. I prayed she would come.” She squeezed Fanny’s hand. “Be cool, don’t give her any reason to regret coming.”

Fanny’s breath exploded in a loud sigh.

Ash came up behind Fanny. “I don’t know what to say, Fanny. It looks like it’s been there for a hundred years. It’s an oasis in the desert.”

“Where are the kids, Ash?”

“Tyler came up to the mountain last night and took them back to town. He’s coming today and will drop them off. There he is, he’s parking the car. Jake didn’t want to go with him. He wanted to stay with me. Can you beat that?”

Fanny looked around. “I guess we’re all here. We’re doing the dedication inside. One of the staff doctors is going to give a mini speech as we take the tour. He’ll explain the different methods of therapy He’ll probably tell us more than we want to know. Tomorrow, Ash, all one hundred beds will be full. A month from now, the patients’ families can come to visit for three days at a time. It’s wonderful, isn’t it?”

“Yes, Fanny, it is. Actually, it goes beyond wonderful. Billie’s calling you.”

Fanny took her place next to Billie, in front of the entire staff. She nudged Billie, who had tears in her eyes. “Fanny and I would like to dedicate this facility to the memory of my son, Riley Coleman, and—”

“And to my daughter, Sunny Thornton,” Fanny said. She could barely make out her daughter’s face through her tears. Fanny heard her, though, as she stumbled and shuffled forward to fall into her arms.

“We should be drinking this stuff instead of smashing it on the pillar,” Ash roared.

“I have another bottle,” Thad Kingsley roared back.

“Open it!” Ash said, his eyes on his ex-wife and daughter.

“What made you change your mind? Do you think you’re up to the tour, Sunny?”

“I’m checking in, Mom. My bags are in the car. Dad brought me down yesterday, and I had the tour, compliments of Dr. Samuels. He told me all the rooms were booked except one—mine. I’m tired of fighting you, Dad, Tyler, Billie, and Sage, not to mention the kids and I include myself. I’m so tired, Mom. Whatever stamina I had is gone.”

“Then we’ll get it back.”

“Dad needs you, Mom. The kids are too much for him, but he won’t admit it. He loves the mountain. It’s so strange, once he hated it. Will I ever be able to go back, Mom?”

“I think so, if you work real hard. Let’s not think about that right now. Let’s think about you getting settled here and what it’s all going to mean to you.”

“I’m not going to say I’m sorry, Mom.”

“That’s okay.”

“This is some place. It kind of looks like elves and gnomes should live here. It’s so snug if you know what I mean. It looks like it could be home. I guess it is home. I committed.”

“That’s the beginning of the battle, honey.”

“Hi, Mom,” Sage said, coming up behind her. Fanny whispered in his ear. His eyes wide, he marched off.

“What did you think of the pool and the whirlpool? The water exercises are supposed to be very good. Every hour of your day will be used up. You’ll make friends here, Sunny ”

“I know.”

“You’re allowed a pet. Actually, they want you to bond with a pet. That will be your one responsibility.”

“How do you bond with goldfish?”

“No goldfish. I’m talking about four-legged animals. I guess I should have said it’s mandatory. The animal will be with you at all times. It’s going to work out just fine, Sunny. The key here is no stress.”

“Tyler wants to take the kids to New York. I told him no. I can’t do that to Dad. Tyler doesn’t really care, and all you have to do is look at his girlfriend to know she doesn’t want them. I have custody, Mom. I’m not giving that up. He can come here as often as he wants to see them. He’s a doctor, and he’s on call. His girlfriend works, so the kids would be with a stranger. Can you handle it for me?”

“If that’s what you want.”

“Mom, how long does Dad have?”

“I don’t know, Sunny.”

“You need to help him, Mom. He’s like a real father these days. I wish ... I wish so many things. Dad said you’re getting a divorce.”

“Yes.”

“Too bad. Here comes Tyler. I don’t want to talk to him. I’m going to walk to my room. Come say good-bye before you leave.”

“I will, Sunny.”

“Hello, Tyler.”

“How are you, Fanny?”

“I’m well, thank you.”

“This is wonderful. You have no idea how badly places like this are needed. I wish ... They’ll help Sunny. It’s what it is, Fanny. We can’t turn the clocks back.”

“If I hear that phrase one more time, I’m going to scream. What happened to ‘for better or worse’?”

“I’m not going to get into that, Fanny. It happened, it’s over, and Sunny and I are moving on. I could ask you the same question, but I won’t.”

“You want the children?”

“Yes.”

“No. I’ll take them. I’ll fight you, Tyler. Don’t make me do that. The kids need to be here, close to Sunny. She’s going to need them more than you. You’re young. You’ll have other children. They love the mountain. It’s their home. I will not allow you to disrupt their lives.”

“Is that another way of saying you’ll throw the Thornton money in the ring with a slew of high-powered lawyers?”

“That’s exactly what it means. We can work out a holiday schedule. I would never, ever, stop you from seeing your children. I think you owe Sunny a little more consideration. You don’t have to make a decision today, Tyler.”

“I’m not an ogre, Fanny.”

“I hope not.”

Tyler extended his hand. Fanny brushed it away before she hugged him. “We were family once, Tyler. Sallie adored you, as did I. It seems like time is changing everything. Have a good life, Tyler.”

“You make it sound so ... terminal.”

“That’s because it is. You’re going back to New York. Sunny is someone you used to know. You’ll have other children, and these two little ones will become a memory. Your new life will take hold, and, before you know it, this part of your life will fade completely and it won’t even be a memory It’s called life.”

“I’ll say good-bye, Fanny”

Fanny nodded as she walked away “He’s just someone I used to know, too,” she muttered.

“Yo, Mom, wait up!” Sage called. Daisy barked as she raced across the carpeted floor. “Why’d you want all her gear? Oh, Jesus, Mom, you’re giving up Daisy. You are, aren’t you? You can’t do that. You’ll die without Daisy I don’t mean literally. How’s Sunny going to take care of Daisy?”

“She needs the challenge. Don’t make me cry, Sage, this is hard enough as it is. Bring all her stuff.”

Sage’s voice was gruff when he said. “Daisy only knows the penthouse and the mountain and that place you lived in California.”

“See. She adapts. She likes Sunny. I’ll come and visit.”

Fanny leaned her forehead against the wall outside Sunny’s room as she tried to choke back her tears She bit down on her lip until she tasted her own blood.
Love is putting the other person first. Remember that, Fanny Thornton.
She bent down to pick up Daisy.

“Sunny, it’s me and Sage. Can we come in? I have something for you.”

“You brought Daisy.”

“Sort of. I’m giving Daisy to you.”

Sunny started to cry as she bent down to pick up the little dog. “I can’t take Daisy. You love Daisy She’s yours. Daisy loves you, too,” Sunny said as she squeezed Daisy so hard she squealed.

Fanny tried to clear her throat. “She’ll love you, too. It’s all she knows how to do. Maybe you can teach her some new tricks. She’s a tremendous responsibility. She gets her nails clipped every two weeks. She goes to the groomer once a week because she gets matted. You have to brush her every day Once a week you have to clean her teeth so she doesn’t get plaque. Dogs get a plaque buildup just like people. She sleeps with her blanket and her mouse. You have to walk her three or four times a day, and you have to play with her.” She burst into tears as Sunny started to wail.

“That’s it! That’s it!” Sage bellowed as his arms circled his mother and sister. “Okay, that’s enough now,” he bellowed again. He handed out tissues from the dispenser on the dresser. “Everyone blow.”

“What if she doesn’t want to stay with me?”

“Daisy loves one-on-one attention. Let her sleep on the bed with you tonight. By morning she’ll be fine. Call me if there’s a problem.” Sunny held on to Daisy, crushing the little dog to her chest. “We should leave now. Take her for a walk and give her a light supper because she’s excited.”

“Mom ...”

Fanny kissed her daughter on the cheek. “Don’t say anything. It’s okay. You be a good girl for Sunny, Daisy. I’ll see you next week.”

Fanny ran down the hall, sobs choking her. She’d just given away the one being that loved her unconditionally. The one little creature who listened, never criticized, and only wanted to please.

She was outside, the wind in her face, running straight into Marcus Reed’s outstretched arms.

Marcus Reed held Fanny a moment, aware that other eyes were on him. He drew in his breath moving her at arm’s length. “Fanny, what’s wrong?”

“Everything. Nothing. I didn’t know you were coming today.” Fanny blew her nose and wiped at her eyes. “You look terrible.”

“That’s because I feel terrible. I could lean up against this car, close my eyes and you wouldn’t be able to wake me for three days. I don’t think I’ve had six hours’ sleep in the last week. Add jet lag on top of that, and it should give you a fairly accurate picture of the shape I’m in.”

“Then what are you doing here?”

“I wanted to see the center. I wanted to congratulate you and Mrs. Kingsley. I wasn’t sure anyone else would ...”

“Notice?”

“In a manner of speaking. Now, what’s wrong?”

Suddenly voices came from everywhere. Fanny heard snatches and bits of conversation and couldn’t make any sense of it until Daisy ran to her and leaped into her arms. “Oh, no, Daisy, you have to stay here,” Fanny sobbed.

“Mrs. Thornton, we can’t allow Daisy to stay. I’m sorry if we didn’t explain that to you. These canines are specially trained to work with our patients. They don’t roll over to have their bellies scratched every five minutes the way Daisy does.” In a soft whisper he said, “Giving Sunny your dog was the best thing you could have done. She understands your motives were sincere and that’s what counts. We already have a dog for Sunny. Look!”

Sunny stood under the portico, a magnificent German shepherd at her side. Her arms flopped in the air. “His name is Zeus!” she shouted. The dog let out a deep belly woof. “The staff is trained to recognize the dog’s distress,” the attendant told Fanny. “He will not leave her side for any reason. You can take Daisy home, Mrs. Thornton.”

Fanny blubbered, “She’s all I have that is really mine.” Only Marcus Reed heard the tearful words as Fanny cuddled the little dog, who was licking at her tears.

Fanny turned at the sound of Ash’s chair approaching. A soft linen handkerchief was suddenly in her hands, compliments of Marcus Reed.

“I’m heading back to the mountain, Fanny. Jake and Polly want to say good-bye.”

Fanny set Daisy on the ground so she could hug her grandchildren. “Ash, are you up to this?”

“You bet. Chue is sending up two of his granddaughters to help days. With Mitzi and Nellie, we got all the bases covered. Ash Thornton,” Ash said, extending his hand to Marcus Reed.

“Marcus Reed.”

Fanny watched both men. She didn’t realize she was holding her breath until she saw Ash’s imperceptible nod. Ash’s opinion of Marcus was important to her.

“I’ll walk you to the car. I want your promise, Ash, that you’ll call me if there’s any problem at all. I can be there in forty minutes.”

Ash whispered, “Fanny, watch Jake buckle Polly into her seat. He’s the best kid.”

“What did you promise him?” Fanny whispered in return.

“That we would go fishing and I’d give him a cherry Popsicle if he caught a fish. I want you to know Chue now has
real
fish in the pond. We catch ‘em and throw ’em back.”

“Good luck.” Fanny waved until the van was out of sight.

“Somehow I didn’t think Mr. Thornton was the grandfatherly type,” Marcus said.

“I didn’t either for a long time. Jake and Polly adore him. Those children are his world right now. They’re all he has left. In a way it’s sad, and in another way it’s quite wonderful. Oh, look, here come Iris and Sage with the baby. This is your chance to meet Lexie.”

“I’ll drop off Daisy’s gear on the way home. It was a close call for a minute. I hate to say this, Mom, but Daisy can’t hold a candle to Zeus,” Sage said.

Fanny was oblivious to her son’s words as she reached for baby Lexie. She rubbed her nose against the baby’s nose until she squealed with laughter. “When can I baby-sit?”

“Anytime you want. We’re due for a night out. A day out, a week out. I could use a month.”

“Just call,” Fanny said as she handed the baby over to Iris.

“And now to you, Mr. Reed. Thank you for coming. Tell me, what do you think?”

“I think it’s wonderful. More places like this are needed.”

“Wait till you hear this, Marcus. Yes, Billie and I funded this place, we built it and got it started. Smart businesswomen that we are, we didn’t think beyond opening day. We did, but we just didn’t think far enough ahead. And then the most marvelous thing happened. My
friends,
and I call them
friends,
with all due respect, gave me a check for five million dollars and promised more each year. It will cost more than that to keep this place operational, but it can be done. I feel ... and Billie feels the same way that we are accepting accolades and aren’t sharing the glory, for want of a better word. It’s not right. It’s still their side of the street and my side of the street. If the public knew, perhaps it could simply be called
the
street. I really have to do some serious thinking about this.”

“Obviously your friends on the other side did all the thinking and want it to be this way. If they wanted publicity, they would have announced it on the six o’clock news. My advice would be to do nothing. Accept things the way they are. Are there any strings?”

“None.”

“Then that’s your answer.”

“Where are you going now, Marcus?”

“Probably a hotel somewhere. If I knew where there was a secluded place with no telephones, no television sets, no radios, I’d snap it up in a second. I have two weeks off, and don’t ask me how that happened. I feel like my head is empty, and I need to fill it back up. It’s another way of saying I’m on overload.”

“Are you in any condition to drive, Marcus?”

“As long as I don’t close my eyes.”

“I know where there’s a place, Marcus. You can be there in an hour and a half. Here’s the key,” Fanny said, removing a solid brass key from her key ring. “It’s a wonderful place nestled in a grove of cottonwoods. When you see it, you’ll recognize the similarities to this center. This will probably sound idiotic to you, but when you drive up to it it’s as though it holds out its arms to welcome you. Sallie left it to me as a sanctuary. I think you need it right now. I’ll draw you a map. Chue maintains the grounds, and he keeps fresh supplies in the kitchen. I’ll make sure he doesn’t disturb you. I need to warn you, though, it’s out in nowhere land. There are a lot of books on the shelves. Do you think you can handle the solitude?”

“God, yes. I accept. This is very kind of you, Fanny.”

“It’s a very good place to come to terms with one’s life. If you get bored, you can build a tree house, since you’re so handy with a hammer.”

“Don’t count on it, Fanny. Are things all right now between you and your daughter?”

“For now. I’m sure we’ll work it out. All we can do is try.”

“Have you heard from your son?”

“A postcard here and there. The last card was from Costa Rica. Birch joined the Peace Corps. He’ll come back when he’s ready.”

Marcus settled himself in the car, Fanny’s map in his hands. “And you, Fanny, how are you?”

“Last week I wasn’t so good. This week ... I think things are going to work out. I’ve learned to take it one day at a time. Simon served me with divorce papers last week. I read the papers and knew in my heart it was going to get ugly. I asked my friend from the other side of the street if he knew a good divorce attorney and the next day one showed up at my door. I can’t shake this feeling that
they’re
watching over me. I know that sounds crazy but it’s how I feel. Her name is Clementine Fox.”

“The Silver Fox?” Marcus whistled. “In that case, I’d say you’re in good hands.”

“I liked her.”

“That’s half the battle.”

“You should see her, Marcus. She’s gorgeous, and she has this air about her that she can do anything. I felt like a den mother compared to her. Anyway, when she walked out my door, I knew my affairs were in good hands. Go already. Your eyes are starting to close.”

“Give me the tour some other day, okay?”

“When you come back from your R & R.”

“It’s a date. A real one. That means you get dressed up, I get dressed up, I ring your doorbell and I bring you back to your door where I kiss you good night.”

“Yes, that’s a date. Well... I ...”

“Decide, Fanny, before I fall asleep.”

“Okay. We have a date.”

“Good-bye, Fanny. I’ll see you in two weeks.”

“Drive carefully, Marcus.”

“The last person to tell me that was my mother. She said it because she cared. I hope you said it for the same reason. It’s comforting to know someone worries about you.”

“My middle name is worry.” At Marcus’s questioning look she said, “Yes, I care if you get there in one piece.”

“Thank you for saying that, Fanny. Bye.”

“Good-bye, Marcus.”

Fanny turned around to see her daughter sitting under one of the cottonwoods. She walked over to her and sat down. “Wanna talk?”

“I guess so. Who was that guy?”

“He’s a friend. A good friend. He’s managed to get me through some tough times.”

“Are you in love with him?”

“I don’t think so. He’s never even kissed me. I think, if the circumstances were right, I might be able to love him. He’s a comfortable person to be with.”

“Uncle Simon?”

“He served divorce papers on me last week. He wants part of Babylon. I won’t give him any part of it.”

“That’s good. Dad talks to me a lot. He told me how it was, growing up with his brother. Everything isn’t all black and all white. I think we all learned that. What I don’t understand is, how could Grandma Sallie be so cruel to her firstborn son?”

“We can’t change the past, Sunny. What you’ve done for your dad is remarkable. You gave him a reason to live. I will be forever grateful for that.”

“I like it that you two get along these days. How did it happen?”

“There was no grand scheme or plan. Things just fell into place. We’re different people today. I guess you could say we came to an understanding.”

“Do you have any feelings for Uncle Simon?”

“They died when he refused to understand I had a commitment to my family. At first I tried to overlook it, then I realized it was too important to overlook. My eyes must have truly been full of stars for me not to see the obvious. Now when I think back, all the little signs were there. I chose to ignore them. Simon is a control person. If you’re looking for a defense, the only one I can offer up is, I wanted to be loved. I wanted to believe someone could love me for me. Your dad ... never loved me the way I wanted and needed to be loved. That’s not to say he didn’t care about me in his own way. He did. Simon gave me what I needed for a little while. Even then I think I must have subconsciously known that something wasn’t right. I was afraid to leave his side for fear he wouldn’t be there when I got back. That’s why I ... didn’t do what you had every right to expect me to do. I was the loser, Sunny. I can never get those three years back again. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you and Jake. One of these days I hope you can forgive me. Not right now. Don’t make promises unless you mean them.”

“I worry about Tyler trying to take the kids.”

“Put that worry right out of your mind. It will never happen. Tyler and I had a talk. He left here with a clear understanding of what would happen if he crosses the line.”

“Mom, are you sure?”

“Look at me, Sunny. Do you think, even for one second, I would let someone come between you and your children? It will never happen in this lifetime.”

Sunny let loose with a loud sigh. “Mom, Iris said something to me today. We were sort of talking about Dad and ... the future. She said she would take Jake and Polly if ... Dad found it to be too much. Sage agreed. Lexie will need a playmate later on when she gets older and Polly ... Polly would do well with her. For those times when I have to be here. What do you think?”

“I think it’s wonderful. Jake needs a male presence in his life, and Sage is the one to fill that spot. I adore Iris.”

“Me too. Mom, about Daisy.”

“Shhh, there’s no need to talk about Daisy. It was my mistake.”

“It was the single most wonderful thing you ever did for me. It’s something only a mother would do.”

“Sunny, there’s nothing in this world I wouldn’t do for you, for any of my children.”

“Then you get Uncle Simon by the balls and when you got them in your hand, you squeeze!”

Fanny burst out laughing. “Clementine Fox will be doing the squeezing.”

“The Silver Fox is representing you! Where’d you get her? More to the point, how did you get her?”

“The people on the other side of the street arranged it. She showed up at my door.”

“No kidding.”

“No kidding. I’ll be out to see you next weekend.”

“Sorry, Mom. Once a month. We both have to live with it. I’m psyched for this. I’m going to give one hundred percent. You aren’t allowed to call either.”

“Okay. If those are the rules, then those are the rules. Thad is going to fly Billie and me to Virginia tomorrow. We found Sallie’s brother Josh. We’re going to meet the rest of the family. I’ll take pictures and show them to you when I get back. Billie brought the Coleman family albums, and I’m taking the Thornton albums. Your dad brought your albums down with you. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Are you kidding? I love showing off my kids.”

“We’ll say good-bye then. I’ll be back on visiting day. C’mon, Daisy, we’re going home.”

Fanny climbed from the rental car, Billie behind her. “Do you think we should have called ahead?” Billie asked.

“No. Surprise is always best. Sallie would have just showed up, like she did when she went to Sunbridge to see Seth the first time. Too late now.”

“This place looks as big as Sunbridge. All you can see is miles and miles of split-rail fencing. Raising Thoroughbreds must be big business.”

“Oh, Billie, look at the arch! Look what it says.”

“SUNSTAR Farm.” Billie sucked in her breath. “Guess the Coleman children had a thing about the sun. Sunbridge, Sunrise, and now SunStar.”

“I know the answer to that even though it wasn’t a question,” Fanny said. “Sallie told me there was a crack in the shack’s roof and if she squinted really hard, she could see the stars at night. I would imagine Josh must have lain in the same cot in the same spot before Sallie came along.”