Conflicts of the Heart (24 page)

“No, we couldn't.” She felt betrayed. Teal, so consumed with fear over material things, had lost all perspective. She had put Dana’s job in jeopardy and probably all likelihood Teal’s chances of ever getting into Templeton. The pain she experienced watching her friend act so desperately rattled her nerves. So many times in the past she’d reached out to Teal and tried to save her from doing things that she knew were only going to hurt her. Now Teal was hell-bent on doing everything her own way and Dana could do nothing to help her. Teal had used her and Dana had to reconcile that fact. Their friendship as they knew it was over.

“The one chance I had of making any headway was to get to the night shift. I did it. I know I shouldn't have, but it's done now. Why don't you let it go?” She went to her breakfront and pulled open the drawer. “See.” She waved a thick stack of three by five cards in the air. “These are employees signed up for an election. They like me. I can get the rest in a week.
Legitimately. Don't block me,” she said with a tortured expression on her face. “I won't break another rule.” She raised her hand in the air. “Promise. Everything will be on the up and up right down to the wire. You know you can handle Gil. Hell, he'll do anything for you. And Patrick? I guess I don't have to paint a picture.”

“What exactly do you mean by that remark?”

“Oh, hell, I know how he feels about you. You've got him eating out of your hand. I don't have to remind you how you feel about him.”

Dana grabbed her purse and headed for the door. “This little get-together is over. We'll let the chips fall where they may regarding an election at Templeton.”

“Does that mean you'll back off and let me finish what I've started?”

“That'll be up to the other players.”

“You won't defend me in this?”

“I can't. Don't you understand? If Patrick pushes, I have to do follow-up.”

“One word from you, and I promise your little trysts with his nibs will be bigger news than you can handle. You'll have a helluva time proving you didn't give me permission.”

The tone in Teal's voice sent a chill down Dana's spine. Teal acted differently now - brash, and with less fear than she expressed previously. “What has happened to you?”

“Nada, honey. I've grown up while you were away. Been knocked around too many times.” Her hands were on her hips. “Don't act like I'm the only one who's ever taken advantage of you. What about that fancy ex-old man of yours? Seems to me his only interest is in Number One, doesn't give a damn what he does to you.”

“Leave Joel out of this.”

“Gladly, just don't get in my way. Your career depends on it.”

Ranting, Teal was like a stranger standing before her
. “I hope I never have to stoop to your level to save my job. It wouldn't be worth it.” On the way out, she slammed the door behind her.

Hands shaking, heart pounding, tears stinging her eyes, she slid into her Toyota and drove off to her mother's. The hateful expression distorting Teal's face lingered in Dana’s mind.

Not wanting to be a glutton for more punishment, she pulled over to the curb, picked up her cell phone, and called her mother to cancel their meeting. Enough! Her mother didn’t answer, and the machine wasn’t turned-on to take a message. Dana drove home, promising to call her later and apologize.

Dana and Michael waited for Patrick to come by and take them for ice cream at Baskin-Robbins.
Patrick had called and wanted to talk more about their problems and see Michael again. She sat at the kitchen table with Michael while he built an intricate army tank with Tinker Toys. She dreamed about the day when all her troubles were resolved, and she could live a normal life again. What had she done to cause her myriad of problems? Was it unfair for Joel to take responsibility of his debts and pay more child support? Had she been unreasonable for not helping an old friend, even if it were a conflict of interest? Why in God's name did her mother have to be so remote and selfish since Dana's father died? Daddy had left her mother financially comfortable. She could have remarried. But she couldn't redo anything.

Patrick's knock at the door rescued her from her negative thoughts. Michael charged ahead of her. He hadn’t seen Patrick since the night Teal unexpectedly came by. He yanked the door open and leapt into Patrick's arms. Seeing Michael so happy tugged at Dana. In the short time he and Patrick had spent together, they’d developed a strong bond.
Perhaps, too strong.

“No ice cream.”

Michael's chin dropped.

“I've changed our plans.” He put Michael down and took Dana's hand. “Since you finished your business earlier than expected, I thought it’d be more fun to go on a picnic at Shaver Lake.”

Michael broke into a smile

“It's a mere hour away. I've picked up chicken, salad and the works. I've got a cooler full of cold drinks. What do you say?”

“Sounds wonderful.” A glorious feeling of happiness swept through her. Her negative thoughts melted away in the presence of this warm, caring man. She might have to change her life for him, if all the stars were in the right places. The stars weren't and she mustn't.

A picnic by the lake.
How could he have known she needed a day like this day? She hadn’t been to Shaver since she was fourteen, on a picnic since she was eight. Michael experienced the same joy and excitement she felt. His grin matched hers.

Michael jumped up and down.
“Boy, oh, boy. Lake.” He clapped his hands and shut his eyes. She reveled in his happiness. Dana's heart contracted at the sight.

She watched Patrick, pondering their future. Forever is as long as it lasts.

“How about it?” A question he didn’t have to ask with all the excitement radiating throughout the cozy little room.

“Wonderful. Can I bring anything?”

“You and Michael are all I need.”

Those seven little words clanged in her head. Say what? Change the subject. Quick!

He’d slipped. She could tell by the surprised expression on his face. Rescue him, dummy.

“Let's get on our way before we lose the afternoon.”

The ride through the winding, narrow roads through the pines, dogwoods and thick, lush green ferns gave Dana a second wind. For an entire afternoon, she could pack up all her worries and let herself go. Nothing could spoil her fun. She felt young again, out on a date with a guy, who, with a smile or a wink, made her feel she as though she were nine feet off the ground.

At the entrance to Edison Campgrounds, past the small village of Shaver, Patrick paid the day fee, and they drove down next to the lake. Dana spread a blanket out on a bed of dried pine needles under a lofty redwood. She placed a red and white checked tablecloth on the picnic table. Then, after letting out a deep, relaxed breath, she sat watching while Patrick and Michael went to the water's edge, drawing lines in the sand with driftwood sticks.

The bright sun dappled the water. Having a man taking an interest in her son made her feel the three of them were a family. Watching them caper on the beach brought her happiness. If only a man like Patrick had been Michael's father, her life would have been perfect. Too bad their friendship had to remain a secret, and they could only share a few stolen moments such as this. As soon as negotiations ended, Patrick would be leaving for New York. Dana returned from her musing when she realized he’d spoken to her. “I'm sorry.” He stood tall, broad shouldered, a new contentment on his ruddy face. The breeze ruffled his blond hair. “I didn't hear what you said.”

Patrick squatted down next to her, his knee joint cracked. “I said, Miss Daydreamer, why don't we go over to the pier and rent a boat. Do a little fishing. Come on.” He pulled her up from her comfortable position on the blanket, drawing her to his chest.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Michael admiring the fishing poles leaning against the car. She gazed into Patrick's eyes. The very air around her seemed electrified. He moved his face within a few inches of hers.

“You wouldn't."

His eyes gleamed with a devilish sparkle. “Dare me?”

“No…yes.”

He tightened his grip around her waist and brushed her lips with a kiss.

“Come on. Let's go before I throw you down on this blanket and do something,
yada yada, yada…” He released her.

She grinned.
“Dirty old man!”

Michael laughed, squealed and jumped around for the entire twenty minutes it took to get to the dock and rent a boat and for Patrick to secure him into the little aluminum seat at the bow. Michael had never been so happy and excited. Reacting to everything she or Patrick did lifted her spirits to heights she hadn’t experienced in years.

“Teach…fish,” Michael demanded.

“As soon as we get out on the water, we're going over the basics. You'll be a pro in no time, lad.” Patrick talked to Michael the same as any normal boy his age.

Dana folded a blanket behind her, and laid back to catch a few rays while Patrick taught Michael to fish. The motor sputtered, the water lapped the side of the boat, and Dana sank into a blissful moment of peace with her eyes closed.

“Ouch!” Michael stuck his finger with a hook. Dana cracked open an eye.

“Let me see that.” Patrick took Michael's little hand in his. “Just a scratch.” He ruffled the boy's hair, then took a clean rag from his tackle box and dabbed antiseptic on the punctured finger.

Michael looked up at Patrick, his eyes filled with admiration. A smile returned to Michael's face when Patrick scooped up a piece of orange Power Bait with his index finger and showed Michael how to wrap a neat little fish ball around the shiny hook.

“Now just sit quiet,” Patrick whispered. “We'll troll until we catch something.”

“
Twoll?”

“Barely moving, so we don't disturb the fish.
Trout take the bait better when it's moving.”

“Oh,” Michael whispered back, staring down into the deep green water.

* * *

Later, Patrick's gaze roamed over to Dana, lying back against her blanket, her eyes closed behind her oversized sunglasses. How beautiful. Her hair tousled from the breeze, her skin lightly tanned and shiny from suntan oil. Life’s a bitch and then you die.

They shared a mutual attraction but didn’t have time on their side.Her strength across the

table
accentuated her vulnerability and warmth away from work. She had all of the qualities he always wanted in a woman. Even Michael's autism wasn’t a problem for him. If anything, it increased the love he had for the boy. He believed with the right guidance and love, Michael could eventually lead a near-normal life. He'd seen autistic children before, and Michael wasn’t nearly as bad as some he’d seen. That Michael responded to him with such open affection and trust touched his heart to the depths.

Off in the distance, he noticed a boat with a man and woman frantically waving at him. Even though they had spotted him, he couldn’t make out the new comers. Thankfully, Dana was lying down, barely visible to anyone that far away. He turned up the engine, and without acknowledging the strangers, motored off in a different direction.

Once in the clear, he said, “Dana,” then thought better of saying anything since the intruders couldn’t have seen her. No need to worry her more.

“What?” She lifted her glasses and sat up. “Why are we going so
fast?”

“Just trying to find a hotter spot.
The fish aren't biting there.” Patrick surveyed the lake. The other boat now a mere speck headed farther away. He let out a relieved sigh.

“The only time I've seen Michael this happy is when he's with you.” She spread sunscreen over her skin. “I can't deprive him of that for my own selfish reasons.” She paused and glanced over at Patrick. “Every moment of happiness for him is worth anything I might have to go through because of our situation.”

A wave of relief swept through Patrick. She hadn’t seen the other boat. “He's your life, isn't he?”

She smiled.
“A good part of, for sure.”

Patrick checked his line and bobbed his pole in an off-handed manner.
“If I were going to stay

here
in Ashton, we might have a chance to get to know each other better, but I have to take that job in New York.” He tilted his head, and asked boyishly, “You wouldn't be interested in moving to New York, would you?”

Dana pulled her sunglasses down her nose, as bewilderment filled her eyes. “Is that a proposal, Mr. Mitchell?”

He cleared his throat. “I just thought if we had more time together…who knows what might happen.”

“I have too many things to work out here. Joel would just love it if I moved out of state. That would tighten his case. Patrick Mitchell, you’re something else. You make all the right offers at the wrong time.”

She scooted upright. “We'll enjoy what moments we have.” She reached out. He took her hand.

“I got a bite.” He yanked his rod back over his shoulder. Michael started cheering.
That broke the mood. Patrick had the first fish of the day on a hook. He yanked again. The line pulled down, hard. The rod bowed. “It's a big one.” He extended his arms to Michael. “Hook your rod