Free Bouquet: Sequel to 'In Full Bloom': The Trilogy of the Rose (Volume 3) by B. A. Beers Page B

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.
     
    Mark backed away from her and collided into the couch on which Sami had been placed. Startled, he viewed her deadpan eyes.  Silently, he stood, watching her and willing her to blink to moisten her eyes.  He was not an advocate for taping the eyelids closed to protect the eyes from dryness.  He knew blinking was a reflex and for some, a gauge to evaluate the extent of her withdraw.  Reaching over the back of the couch, he snapped his fingers above her face.  He