“Take who, where?” Dorian asked as he piled in beside Morgan.
Morgan spoke, not looking at him. “She wants to take Mrs. T back to be with Meadow for a while. I guess that’ll be all right. She can be her feline nurse.”
“Just make sure you ask Mrs. T,” she commented to Jenn.
Not missing a beat, Jenn teased, “Already have. She said it was okay with her if it was okay with you.”
Morgan sensed the tightness in Dorian’s body and added, without casting him a glance, “I think I’ll stay around here for a bit. Until we get things straight.”
She felt him relax next to her. He smiled and popped half a bun in his mouth.
Morgan smiled as well, taking a sip of coffee. God, she hoped she was doing the right thing.
“Oh,” Dorian piped up. “I have news…or gossip, as you ladies might prefer.”
Jenn and Morgan put down their food and looked attentive. “Yes?” they encouraged simultaneously and smiled at one another.
“Well,” he stretched out the moment, watching the anticipation grow. “Teresa says Rob has checked out. He said something about having to get back to the University earlier than expected. He told her to tell you,” he looked at Morgan, “to call him when you get home.”
“It’ll be a rainy day in hell,” she muttered under her breath. Her body relaxed, not having to deal with him as well as everything else.
“And to give you a hug,” he threw his arm around her, squeezed and let go. “Mission accomplished.” He reached for another bun.
John came through the door. “Sorry guys. Got a call from Abbott House. Driver’s on his way. Plane’s waiting at the airport. Looks like weather’s heading this way. He wants to be up and gone before it gets here.”
Everyone sprang into action.
Chapter Ten
For a group of people unfamiliar with one another’s ways of doing things, they became synchronized fairly quickly. Jenn made phone calls to confirm the hospital was set up for an early arrival, while Dorian and John conferred on security set-ups. Kayla was getting their things together. Morgan, a little out of her element, decided it would be a good time to talk with Meadow about Mrs. T.
“You’re sure you won’t mind taking care of her while you get better?” Morgan watched the young girl beam, a smile spreading from ear to ear. She hugged the cat tightly to her. Mrs. T, for all the indignity, seemed not to mind. She looked up at Morgan from beneath Meadow’s chin, as if to say,
Don’t worry. I’ll take care of her.
Morgan reached over and took one paw, holding it gently in her hand. It was astonishing to look at the dual pair of eyes so alike—and like hers. The cat seemed truly content with Meadow. Morgan felt her chest tighten. It would be the first time in two years, since she’d found Mrs. T on her doorstep—meowing indignantly, as though she’d forgotten to let her in—that they had been separated for any length of time. Morgan knew this was goodbye. She could never take Mrs. T away from Meadow. They belonged together. Just as the image blurred from sudden tears, she felt Meadow’s hand on her arm, squeezing. She blinked. Meadow was frowning and when she caught Morgan’s attention, she looked from her to Mrs. T.
“Oh, no, sweetheart. It’s okay. This is where Mrs. T wants to be. I’m going to miss her, that’s all. You promise me you’ll keep in touch and let me know how she’s doing, okay?”
Meadow stroked Morgan’s arm in reassurance. Morgan leaned over and kissed the young girl on the forehead.
Dr. Yancy stepped into the room. “Sorry to interrupt. I just wanted to take a look at our patient, if you don’t mind?”
Morgan stood. “Here, let me take Mrs. T for a moment. I can say goodbye while you visit with the doctor.” Meadow handed the cat to Morgan, who immediately turned and looked back at the bed. “We’ll be right in the other room,” she said, not quite certain if she was telling Meadow or the cat.
Dr. Yancy took her place on the bed and proceeded to explain to Meadow what he was doing. Kayla stood, ever vigilant, at the foot. From the slight droop in Kayla’s shoulders, Morgan guessed that Kayla hadn’t slept in a while. Once they got Meadow to the children’s hospital and through surgery, Kayla could relax and get the sleep she obviously needed. Morgan opened her mouth to say as much and closed it again, knowing Kayla wouldn’t take reassurances at this point. Instead, she walked into the outer room.
The room was bright and cheerful with the daylight flooding into it from the myriad of windows. The crystals and rocks sparkled in the sunshine. It seemed so different with Meadow here. She’d almost forgotten the darkness it hid. Mrs. T squirmed, wiggled out of her arms, and scooted through the door Dorian opened.
Morgan started to go after her when he grabbed her arm. “She has her own potty place and will return shortly. I’ve seen her do this several times.”
“Really?” Morgan had been so vigilant about keeping her indoors, she now felt a little guilty.
Dorian nodded and realized he was still holding her arm, letting the current flow between them. She pulled away as he let go, each aware that they were prolonging the contact.
Dorian cleared his throat, yet his voice still came out a little husky, “Everything’s about ready. The car’s here. As soon as Dr. Yancy finishes, we can get her situated.”
As if on cue, Dr. Yancy appeared. “She looks okay. I think I’m going to go up with them.” Morgan saw concern in his face.
“Dorian,” the doctor motioned for Dorian to follow him outside. Morgan followed.
“She’s weak,” the doctor stated. “Also, a bit dehydrated—”
“I keep Ringer’s Lactate in the pharmacy. Also saline. Will either of them do?” Dorian said.
“Let’s go with saline; she’s pretty small. That’ll keep her hydrated until we get her to the hospital.”
“Be back in a minute.” Dorian took off for the shop.
Morgan and the doctor stepped back inside. Mrs. T slipped back in before she closed the door, walked past everyone and went into the bedroom. Instead of lying next to Meadow, she carefully curled up at the foot of the bed. Kayla reached down, stroked her, and looked at Morgan. “Pretty remarkable cat.”
“Pretty remarkable kid,” Morgan replied and left for the main house.
She walked in on a discussion between Dorian and John. Jenn stood to the side, her expression tense.
“I think I need to go with them,” John’s warm voice rose.
“John, think about this. That son of a bitch is crazy. It would be a lot easier for him to track them if you’re with them, than if they go by themselves. You know I’m right.” Dorian tried to keep his voice calm, steady.
“You’re asking me to just let them fly off to God knows where…” he sighed the last words.
Jenn stepped in, touched his arm. He jumped. She quickly removed her hand, but stayed standing next to him. “Listen.” She spoke softly but firmly. “I know you don’t know me, but this is my job; I’m damn good at my job.” Her voice got stronger with each word. “I haven’t lost a family yet. And I’ve helped one hell of a lot.” She turned to Morgan.
“She’s right, John. Her safe houses are in five states and opening on the west coast. She knows what she’s doing. Trust her. She won’t let any harm come to them.”
He turned to Jenn and looked at her. “I didn’t mean to offend you…they are my family…” he spoke quietly but she saw the fear in his eyes. “He’s one scary son of a bitch.”
“I understand. I’ve talked with the people from Abbott House. They are backing up my security teams. We’ve got them covered. No one, and I mean no one, is going to find them once they come into my care.”
“What about me?” John asked.
Jenn laughed. “I think we can fix things for you to be in touch. However, it will have to be through me. That’s the only way.” She looked at Morgan. “Or through her or Dorian, which might be even better—the less direct access the better.”
Dorian, having disappeared into his workroom, reappeared with IV in hand. “Sorry, I need to get this to Yancy,” he stated and left.
Morgan fixed a cup of coffee and urged John to sit down while they got Meadow situated.
When she saw Jenn’s fingers tremble, she went to her friend. “Hey, before everything gets hectic,” she laughed, “why don’t you let me show you my room? We can take this suitcase upstairs and make sure you brought enough of my favorite things. Come on,” she grabbed the huge suitcase and trudged it up the steps.
John stood. “Want me to—”
“No!” both women answered a bit too quickly. Their laughter followed them up the stairs.
Jenn followed Morgan into the master bedroom and headed straight to the picture on the dresser. “Wow. I hadn’t seen any pictures. You really do look like her.” She set it back gently.
“We can talk about me some other time. What’s going on?” Morgan flung the suitcase up on the bed, unzipped it and flipped back the top. “Oh, Jenn,” she sighed and pulled out her underwear, “you are definitely my best friend.”
“Nothing like wearing your own,” Jenn sat up on the bed.
“Speak,” Morgan commanded.
“It’s John. I was terrified he was going to come with us.”
“You’re afraid of him?”
“No. I’m afraid of me,” Jenn looked down at her hands. “There’s something about him. I want to focus on Kayla and Meadow and I’m afraid if he were around, I wouldn’t.”
Thinking of Dorian, Morgan nodded. “I know exactly what you mean.”
“Yeah,” Jenn drawled out the word. “Dorian’s some kind of gorgeous. And, it’s not like you’re involved with Rob anymore. Speaking of which, what was he doing here, anyway?”
“I don’t know. He just showed up. Now, he’s left. Rather strange, if you ask me.” Morgan hadn’t had time to think about it at all. However, she planned to, as soon as things calmed down. There was something not quite right about him “just showing up.”
“Your parents felt badly about letting him know where you were.” Jenn jumped off the bed, “God, I almost forgot.” She dug into her cargo pants pocket. “They sent this for you.” She handed Morgan an envelope. “Said it’s not urgent.”
Morgan took the envelope, saw her mother’s neat scrawl across the front and held it to her breast before setting it on the bedside table. “Then I’ll read it later, when I have more time. You’ll let them know I’m okay, won’t you. I know they’re worried and I haven’t had time to talk with them. I should call them.”
“I think that’s what that’s about. They told me they wanted you to feel free to take all the time you need. Not to worry about them.” Jenn saw the tears in Morgan’s eyes. She put her arms around her. “Honey, they know you love them. I know that you know they love you. We’ve been friends too long for me not to feel like you guys are family. I’ll look in on them. You just do what it is you have to do.” She pushed Morgan to arm’s length and stared into her green eyes. “Somehow I know it has to do with things I probably don’t understand. Things that make you and Meadow alike.” She handed Morgan a tissue.
Jenn turned and walked over to the armoire. “This place is to die for, by the way,” then realized what she’d said. “Oh God, Morgan, I’m—”
“Not a problem, girlfriend. I miss those feet sticking out of your mouth.” Morgan threw her arm around her shoulders. “We better get back. You’re going to have a busy day.”
“Don’t forget me...” Jenn whispered as they headed down the steps.
“Never,” Morgan promised.
****
It was after eleven and Morgan was snuggled under mounds of comforter, freshly bathed, and wearing her own pajamas. Finally—she didn’t feel like she was staying on someone’s borrowed dime. They had supped at the B & B, not wanting to tackle making a meal, despite Morgan’s earlier offer.
The promised storm broke during dinner sending them back to the shop in torrential rain pushed by howling winds.
Jenn had called and said that Meadow was resting comfortably in the Children’s Hospital and surgery was scheduled for the morning. Kayla was set up in Meadow’s room, the hospital having private rooms for their patients with large window seats that converted to beds for a staying parent to sleep. Dr. Yancy was staying close by and had already conferred with several of the doctors.
Morgan was glad Dr.Yancy was there. He was the one physician that knew about patients like herself and Meadow. Since Meadow couldn’t or wouldn’t speak, he was more than her doctor; he was her advocate.
From what little Morgan had gleaned from Dorian, Mike Yancy had been around for quite some time. Long enough, in fact, to have been engaged to Teresa Abbott before she met Bill Ruthorford. Morgan bet that was one interesting story. It might also explain why he always asked after them but wouldn’t go see them when he was in town. She wondered just how long it had been since they’d spoken to one another.
John was a nervous wreck. He was going to go down to the B & B but Dorian convinced him to stay in the cottage. Morgan had left them strategizing about Kayla’s ex-husband when she got so tired she could barely keep her eyes open and excused herself to go on to bed.
She’d found it amusing that for about an hour after Jenn had left, John had done nothing but question her about Jenn and Safe Harbor. At first, she figured he was getting information to reassure himself about sending his family off with a virtual stranger. As the questions progressed, however, they became more personal. Finally, Morgan told John that some of those answers would have to come from the source herself. He’d reddened slightly and changed the subject.
John hung around until word came that Meadow’s surgery had been successful and they expected a complete recovery. They’d found a benign tumor and removed it. They also expected her speech to return, believing the loss to be because of the tumor, not from the attack. John planned to take a trip to Virginia once she was settled in and healing. He wanted to know what had happened to her and Jenn assured him she had the right staff of psychologists to help gain that information, without overly traumatizing Meadow. Morgan caught certain expressions on John’s face that told her retribution would be swift.
Mrs. T was safely ensconced back at Morgan’s apartment for the time being, until Meadow was released from the hospital. Jenn said she’d lifted her head, crooked her tail and assumed her customary position atop the hutch as though she’d never left.
Morgan’s conversation with her parents had been another matter. Their letter had been sweet and loving, trying to let her know they supported whatever she chose to do. She’d picked up the phone and spent the next half hour with the three of them talking, filling them in on everything she could think of. At one point, both of her parents were firing questions simultaneously, first at her, then at one another, until the conversation was completely between the two of them. Picturing them standing not five feet apart and talking to each other on the phone had her doubled over in laughter. She missed their easy banter and the camaraderie the three of them enjoyed.