Lisa Dyson - A Perfect Homecoming

That was the last thing Paula expected Ashleigh to say. “Where did that come from?”

Ashleigh’s lips quivered as she spoke. “Kyle and I—” She cleared her throat. “We talked last night. He wants me to go back to Richmond. That way there would be less stress on you.”

Paula couldn’t believe her ears. She hadn’t wanted Ashleigh here in the first place, but she’d known it was for the best. Not because she and the boys needed someone they could count on, but because she and Ashleigh needed to work things out.

“Kyle said that?” Paula’s words came out harsher than she’d intended. “You know, I’m getting pretty sick and tired of everyone making decisions for me without even consulting me.”

“He just wants what’s best for you—we both do,” Ashleigh said.

“We?” Paula spoke sharply, her temper flaring. “Since when are you and Kyle we?” She could feel herself becoming irrational, but it ticked her off that everyone was ganging up on her.

“Paula—”

“I don’t want to hear any more.” She’d lost her appetite and shoved the food tray to the other side of the bed.

Paula didn’t want anyone’s help. She wanted to manage on her own like she always did.

The mix of emotions flowing through her was enough to make her want to bawl her eyes out. But she’d be damned if she’d give Ashleigh the satisfaction of knowing she’d upset her.

“You really should eat.”

Paula stared at Ashleigh until she silently picked up the tray and stood at the end of the bed as if waiting for Paula to say more.

Instead, Paula got her oversize, pregnant self out of bed and walked into the bathroom with her head held high. She slammed the door, essentially ending the conversation with the stranger who had never felt less like a sister than right at that moment.

* * *

KYLE TOOK A healthy swig of coffee in the nearly empty hospital cafeteria. His cell phone rang. The caller ID read “Paula” so he answered immediately.

“Is everything okay?” His heart rate accelerated. Paula rarely called, preferring to text instead.

“No,” Paula barked into his ear. “Everything is not okay.”

Was she in labor? He didn’t have a chance to ask before she continued. “What right do you have telling Ashleigh to go home?”

This was not good. How much did Paula know about last night? “So you’re okay? Physically?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Still pregnant, still on bed rest, and now I’m ticked off. What did you say to Ashleigh?”

“I thought you didn’t want her here.” Kyle remembered to moderate his voice in the public cafeteria.

“I don’t,” she shot back. “But she’s my sister, in case you’ve forgotten.”

“No, I haven’t forgotten,” he said gently. “Do you want me to ask her to stay?” Please say no. After he’d kissed Ashleigh last night, he’d wanted to kick himself.

He’d also wanted to kiss her again, and again, if truth be told. He’d always been physically attracted to her, no matter what was going on emotionally.

“It doesn’t matter.” Paula’s voice caught. “She told me she’s here for the duration. Even if I asked her to go, she wouldn’t. Not that she’s ever listened to me.” A sound like a sob came from Paula.

“Are you crying?” He couldn’t tell if she was angry or sad, but he knew better than to point out her irrationality.

Another sob. “No, I’m not crying,” she said before succumbing to actual crying.

“Listen, would it help if I talked to her and apologized?”

“I don’t care. I’m tired of people plotting behind my back.”

“You know that’s not what we’re doing.”

“Really?”

“We’re trying to do our best for you and your baby.”

Paula sniffled. “I know. I’m sorry.” She sobbed, a choking sound that nearly broke Kyle’s heart. “I just want to be back in charge of my life.”

Kyle grasped for something to say. “This will all be over soon and you’ll forget about the bad stuff when you hold your baby.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

Paula ended the call and Kyle wasn’t sure if he was supposed to talk to Ashleigh or not.

* * *

LATER THAT MORNING, after Ashleigh got the boys off to school and knew Paula would be okay until lunchtime, she headed out to run some errands. Paula’s stress level would be lower without Ashleigh hanging around. Besides, she had her cell phone with her if an emergency arose.

First off was her pediatric practice to see how things were going.

“Good morning, Dr. Wilson.” Cammie Varrone, the fortysomething office manager, greeted her with a welcoming smile. “I didn’t realize you were in town.”

Ashleigh returned her smile. “I’m helping out my sister. She’s having some pregnancy complications.” That sounded like a reasonable answer, as long as no one asked about her relationship with her sister.

“Tell her we’re wishing her well and let us know if we can do anything.”

“That’s very kind of you,” Ashleigh said. “Is Dr. Mitchell in?”

“He’s returning calls in his office. His first patient isn’t due for another fifteen minutes.”

Ashleigh pointed to the closed door that led to her father’s office when he’d owned the practice. “I’ll peek in for just a minute.”

She knocked quietly on the door and heard, “Come in.” She slowly opened the door and stuck her head in the room.

Stan Mitchell’s eyes widened and he smiled. He held up one finger and ended his phone call. “Let me know if the fever continues with the new antibiotic.” He hung up the phone, rose slowly from his chair and came around the desk. “Come in, come in! It’s so good to see you!” He hugged Ashleigh and it crossed her mind that this man she didn’t know that well was giving her such a warm welcome, while others she’d known for years had barely acknowledged her presence.

He held her at arm’s length and looked at her. “So how are you? What brings you here?”

She quickly updated him on her life and explained in minimal terms why she was in town. Yet, during their conversation, she got the distinct feeling that there was something wrong with Stan.

“Are you feeling all right?”

“Busy as usual,” he said. “You know how it is.”

When Ashleigh moved to Richmond, Stan had taken over the pediatric practice she’d inherited from her father upon his death. Stan had grown up in Grand Oaks but had spent his medical career at a children’s hospital on the West Coast. The high stress level had worn him down, so he’d gratefully accepted the position in Grand Oaks.

“Well, just make sure you’re taking care of yourself.” Ashleigh wasn’t convinced he was simply overworked. “I can help out while I’m in town, you know. Come in a few hours a day to give you a break.”

“What about your sister? I thought you were here for her.” At least Stan didn’t give her a flat-out no.

“She doesn’t need me twenty-four seven—in fact she’d probably like the break. The boys are in school during the day, so I can come in the morning, go home to get Paula lunch and then come back for an hour or two until the boys get home.”

Stan lowered himself onto the corner of the desk. “If you think you can do it all, then I’d be grateful. I am feeling kind of worn-out these days. My wife’s been complaining that I barely have enough energy to eat dinner.” He laughed, but Ashleigh’s concern heightened. “I probably need some B vitamins to perk me up.”

They set up a schedule for the rest of the week and Ashleigh went on her way. Other than forcing him into a doctor’s office for a physical, she wasn’t sure what else she could have done. Next time she saw him, though, she’d push the physical idea. One step at a time.