Love Inspired March 2014 - Bundle 2 of 2: North Country Family\Small-Town Midwife\Protecting the Widow's Heart (35 page)

“No, I took her at her word that all she needed was some rest. It's hot and she'd been cooking crullers in the deep fryer.”

The short way Autumn answered troubled him, as if there might be a reason Autumn wouldn't take her word. Nana hadn't been feeling well earlier in the week but had told him it was fine for him to go on his trip.

“Thanks for looking after her.” He pushed the door open with his shoulder and let Autumn go out ahead of him. Whenever he thought he'd adjusted to Nana living with him, something like this would happen that would throw him off. How many minor illnesses had Nana had over the years that he knew nothing about? He'd never given it a thought. Living in close proximity of someone you cared for who also cared for you was new to him. He liked it, even if it was sometimes trying.

Jon glanced over the car at Autumn. He was beginning to understand her attachment to Paradox Lake and living near her family and friends. It was nice having Nana with him, and he'd miss her when she left or—he thought of the lake house she was buying—when he left for Haiti.

He picked up the newspaper that was on the passenger side seat and slid into the car.

“It's this week's
Times,
” Autumn said. “Look at the lead story. They've scooped the Glens Falls daily.”

Jon turned the paper over in his lap and read the headline, Adirondack Medical Center to Sell Ticonderoga Birthing Center. He slammed his hand on the dashboard. “He wouldn't!”

“You didn't know about this?” Skepticism laced her question.

He rolled the newspaper into a tube and rapped it against his leg. The pain he'd felt when he'd broken his ankle playing basketball in high school couldn't hold a candle to the pain caused by Autumn's accusation that he'd lied to her when she'd asked before about JMH buying the birthing center.

“No, I didn't know anything about Grandfather buying the birthing center when you asked me before, and I don't know anything now.”

“And you're not one of the consortium of private investors who's buying it with your grandfather?”

“Ha!” His laugh was bitter. She should know he didn't have that kind of money. He'd told her so. And while Autumn might be angry with him, he was equally angry. Only his anger was directed 100 percent at the proper target. His grandfather.

“No, I'm not one of the private investors. Can I call a truce here? I'm as much in the dark about this as you are.” One thing he did know was he wasn't going to let his grandfather kill what was between him and Autumn before it even had a chance to get started.

Autumn's shoulders slumped. “Sorry. That was harsh. I jumped to what I thought was the obvious conclusion. When you told me Tuesday that you'd recommend me for the new staff position if it's approved, it was the answer to my job prayers. Then I read that.” She poked a finger at the rolled newspaper. “I took my disappointment out on you. I can't work for your grandfather, even if the staff job is still a possibility.”

“I know.” The air conditioner ruffled a strand of hair at her temple that had worked loose from her braid. He lifted his hand and smoothed it back behind her ear. She turned her cheek into his palm, her skin soft against his. Maybe this was God's work. This could solve the problem of their impending separation. If Autumn didn't have a job at the birthing center, she might come with him to Haiti. His heart lightened. Grandfather could be doing him a favor.

Autumn pulled up in front of the duplex and turned off the car.

“I'm going to get a hold of Grandfather and see what details I can find out,” Jon said. If his grandfather would even talk to him after he'd ignored his order to send Nana home. “Since the medical center hasn't given me any official notification, I figure the deal is still in negotiations and, in that case, I'm not likely to learn much.”

“You'll let me know? The news article doesn't say how much of an interest the other partners have.” Autumn looked at him in expectation.

He longed to reassure her. But he couldn't imagine Grandfather going into business with anyone but like-minded dollar-first people. “I'll share what I learn, officially and unofficially. And Adirondack Medical Center will have to issue some kind of statement to employees now that news of the sale is out.”

“True. I'd better get in.” She opened the door. “I'm catching a movie tonight with Lexi.”

“What, no Josh? I thought he and Lexi were inseparable.” He was stalling to keep Autumn with him and put off his call to his grandfather. He had no real interest in Josh and Lexi's dating.

“Josh's high school girlfriend has returned to Paradox Lake and he wants to see her, too. Since Lexi is most likely here only for the summer, they've decided to cool it some. I thought I'd take Lexi out to cheer her up. Tessa is going to join us afterward.”

Jon felt sorry for Lexi, even though there was a time not too long ago when he'd dated a different woman every few months and, at times, more than one woman and hadn't thought anything of it. He looked back at his former actions with distaste.

They got out of the car. He slipped her hand in his and walked her to her door. “I'll let you know what I find out,” he said again, squeezing her hand and releasing it before he trudged over to his side of the duplex.

He didn't get Nana's usual cheerful “hello” when he entered the house. She must still be resting. That left him nothing to do except make his phone call. He punched in Grandfather's number and paced the living room while the phone rang. He stayed out of his grandfather's life. Why couldn't Grandfather stay out of his? Finally, at the point where Jon expected the call to go to voice mail, his grandfather picked up.

“Grandfather, it's Jon.”

“Jay,” his grandfather said. “I've been expecting to hear from you.”

Jon gritted his teeth at his grandfather's intentional use of the nickname he'd dropped years ago. “I want the details. All of them. What are you doing with my birthing center?”

“Making it yours. But I'm the silent partner on this deal. If you want details, you're going to have to talk with your grandmother.” His grandfather clicked off.

Chapter Fifteen

J
on pulled his bike into the parking space on his side of the duplex. His ride had done little to blow off his anger at his grandfather for hanging up on him or help him puzzle out what was going on. He'd gotten as far as figuring out that Nana must be one of the private investors. But why? Grandfather had to be behind her investment. Maybe JMH was having credit problems. He'd long ago given up reading any press about JMH. That is, until today. In a childish action that matched his mood, he tossed his bike helmet on the couch, knowing that bugged Nana.

“There you are.” Nana walked in drying her hands on a dish towel. She eyed the helmet on the couch. “Did you and Autumn go for a ride? It's a beautiful evening, now that it's cooled down.”

“No, I went by myself.” He ran his hand over his hair. “How are you feeling?”

“Fine. It was only a headache from the heat. I hope Autumn didn't make it out to be more. Are you hungry or did you stop for something while you were out? We could have sandwiches and some of the potato salad from yesterday.” She danced around the elephant in the room.

“Nana, please, sit.” He dropped onto the couch next to his helmet. “What's going on?”

She twisted the towel. “I didn't mean for you to find out that way. We just made the offer. I don't know how the newspaper got wind of it.”

He patted the seat and she walked over and joined him. “Explain
it.
”

“After you asked me if I knew anything about your grandfather having designs on buying your birthing center...”

His
birthing center again. He swallowed, remembering that's what he'd said when he'd talked with his grandfather.

Nana folded the dish towel in her lap. “I'd had the thought in my head since shortly after I came up here and saw how well you're doing. I called the daughter of a friend of mine who's involved with raising venture capital and had her do some investigating for me.”

So that's why she'd seemed to be holding back when he'd first asked her about Grandfather's buying the birthing center.

She patted the towel. “I have all that money from my parents and time is running out to use it. I'm not young anymore, and your parents certainly don't need it. The financial adviser and I put together the offer to Adirondack Medical Center.” The smile she gave him radiated pride.

That was something, but it didn't answer the big question. “Why?”

“For you, of course.”

“I don't understand.”

“The birthing center is in financial trouble. You must know that. You are the director.”

He nodded.

“You seem to like it here. You've made friends, settled in at church.”

“Yes, but what does that have to do with buying the center?”

Nana shook out the towel and refolded it. “It was probably only a matter of time before your grandfather and JMH set their eyes on your center.”

Jon was still having trouble putting the pieces together. He drilled his gaze into hers. “Which, according to the newspaper article, they did. How is Grandfather involved? Did you really put together the offer yourself or did Grandfather make you? Did he want the center and need you and your friends to finance it?” He shot his questions at her.

She pulled back from him and hurt shone in her eyes. “I invited him in on the deal as part of a reconciliation.”

Jon stared at her.

“Don't look at me like that. I was going to go back to him eventually. I have nearly sixty years of my life invested in him and our marriage.” Her voice dropped. “And I love him.”

Jon shrank into the couch back, sorry about bombarding her with questions and his reaction to her reconciling with Grandfather. That was her business and he respected that, as Nana had always respected his decisions without trying to manipulate him to her way like his parents and Grandfather.

“I still don't understand how I fit in. After the takeover, I'm sure Grandfather's first move will be to fire me as director and put in one of his people.”

“Jonathan Mitchell Hanlon.” Nana punctuated each syllable of his name with a wave of her finger. “While you and your grandfather have your differences, he's not the devil incarnate you make him out to be, which is why he agreed he and JMH would be a silent partner. My investor group wants to be able to call on his experience without applying his usual business model to the center.”

“When I called, he told me that he's only a silent partner. I didn't believe him. He also refused to give me any information about the takeover, said to ask you and hung up on me.” In his frustration, Jon didn't care if he sounded like a petulant child.

“His people skills aren't the best. One of the reasons he needs me.” She touched his hand. “He's happy to have you in on this family venture. Trust me.”

He pushed against the old longing to have family ties that didn't come with strings attached. “Good to know I won't be out of a job. I hope the rest of my staff won't be, either.” His thoughts went to Autumn and the new position he'd requested.

“Staffing would be up to you as director, and your new contract would have stock options to give you an ownership interest in the center.”

He froze at stock options. It was as if Nana were trying to tie him to the center for some reason. Autumn? Although Nana obviously liked her, he couldn't see his grandmother going to such extremes to play matchmaker. Nor did she have to.

“Nana. What aren't you telling me?”

“I thought you'd be happy with my helping you do want you want to do, like when I helped you with medical school. Brad was right.”

Brad?
Jon rubbed his temples. What did Angie's husband have to do with this? If he didn't know his grandmother had been instrumental in putting together a major business buyout, he'd be concerned about senility.

“You don't intend to stay at the center. You never did. You really do plan to go to Haiti.” Nana's voice grew quieter with each word and Jon's temperature rose.

She wanted to buy the birthing center to keep him from his medical mission? A pain split his head that no amount of rubbing his temples would relieve. Nana didn't do that. She didn't use money to manipulate him. That was the realm of his parents and Grandfather. While Grandfather was involved, he wasn't the instigator this time.

“You knew that. I told you I'd been called to serve in Haiti.” Jon tamped down his disappointment and anger to keep his tone even.

Nana's eyes glistened with unshed tears. “I thought you'd change your mind once you found a position you liked that would let you practice the way you want, among people who needed you. I thought you'd found that here.”

He had in a lot of ways. But he still felt compelled to go to Haiti and help set up a better program of maternal care so Angie's death wouldn't seem so senseless. He believed that was his calling, what God wanted him to do. To be there for the women of Haiti who, like Angie, needed his medical expertise and had no one else to provide it.

“I wanted to keep the center open so you wouldn't lose what you've found. When Angie's husband mentioned that you'd applied to Help for Haiti and plan to leave when your contract in Ticonderoga is up next year, I got scared. I lost Angie. I can't lose you, too.”

Now she
was
being irrational. “You're not going to lose me if I go on a medical mission to Haiti.” He took a breath. “You could lose me if you use your money to manipulate me.”

“I'm not doing that. I didn't mean to do that. I simply wanted to give you the support your parents never had. I'm an old woman. Forgive me if I've hurt you. I mean well.”

He hugged her. “Of course I forgive you.”

And I pray you—and Autumn—will forgive me for what I have to do.

* * *

Nana was gone when he got up the next morning. She'd left him a note saying she'd gone ahead to adult Sunday school without him and would be leaving right from church to go visit Grandfather. She hadn't mentioned the visit yesterday. He hoped his silent treatment last night hadn't caused her to leave. There hadn't been anything more to say after their evening talk. He was glad that the note said she was picking up his youngest cousin from college in Schenectady to share the drive downstate. Westchester County was a long drive from Paradox Lake for someone Nana's age.

He rubbed his eyes and looked at the kitchen clock again. Ten-fifteen. He'd slept past the start of service, too, which wasn't surprising since he hadn't fallen asleep until sometime after three-thirty. He needed to talk with Autumn. Tell her what he'd found out from Nana. See if talking with someone else could dispel the emptiness inside him that had kept him awake most of the night.

The light on the coffeemaker was off, so the half pot on the burner was most likely cold. He poured a cup anyway and stuck it in the microwave.
Something physical might help.
He peered out the window. By the looks of the gray clouds moving in, he should have just enough time to run his usual route around the lake before Autumn got home from church and the rain started. His heart thumped in trepidation about facing her.

* * *

Autumn watched Jon out of her window, something she'd found herself doing all too often. He jogged up the front walk and hesitated a moment before taking the path to his door, allowing her a nice view of his T-shirt plastered across his chest. No one, not even her, could argue that the man wasn't beautiful. She'd missed him at church and wondered why he hadn't come and why his grandmother had hurried off without stopping in at coffee hour. But that wasn't her business. Her only business today was finding out what he'd learned about the birthing center sale.

She went upstairs to change out of her dress and was in the middle of making her bed when a knock sounded at the door. Her breath caught. Jon with the information about the birthing center? She ran downstairs.

“Hey,” he said through the screen, looking every bit as handsome in the dry polo shirt he'd changed into as he did in his T-shirt.

“Hey, yourself. Come on in.”

He let himself in and stood by the door. “I talked with Grandfather and Nana about the birthing center sale. Nana was the one with more information.”

Her chest tightened. Was that why Mrs. Hanlon had acted strangely when she'd gone over yesterday to find Jon? She knew about the takeover? But she'd told Jon before that she hadn't. “Sit down.”

He strode over and lowered himself onto the couch. She sat in the chair across from him on a premonition that she'd want to have some space between them when he shared what he'd found out.

“Nana is one of the individual investors on the buyout deal. In fact, she put it together.” He leaned back and studied her.

She wasn't going to let him disarm her with his slow, steady perusal. This was her livelihood they were talking about. “Why? And what about JMH?” she shot back.

“JMH is involved for its and Grandfather's expertise. And as part of a reconciliation between Nana and Grandfather. JMH is a minor, supposedly silent, partner.”

“Your grandmother is buying the birthing center in order to reconcile with your grandfather?” She knew that Jon's family moved in a different world than she and her family did, but what Jon had said still sounded crazy to her.

His shoulders slumped. “No, she put the buyout deal together for me.”

That made no more sense than what he'd said about his grandparents.

“I'm not doing this very well,” he said with a lopsided grin that went straight to her heart.

“No, you're not.”

“I'll start over.” He explained what he'd learned from his grandmother. “She and Grandfather, so she says, thought the buyout was a good way to bring me back into the family.” He leaned forward, elbow on knees. “You have to understand that with my family, business and career is all there is. They think you can buy love.” His voice dropped. “They're not like your family, except Nana.”

His grandmother's going in with his grandfather to buy Jon a medical facility sounded like she also ascribed to the “buy love” philosophy, too. At least in part. “This is your family's way of reconciling. Your grandmother and grandfather and your grandfather and you?”

“As strange as it sounds, yes. And Nana wanted to keep me at the center.”

Finally, something that Autumn could understand. If JMH alone or another health-care corporation took over the center, Jon very well could be asked to leave so it could appoint its own director. With his grandmother's deal, the center could stay open with Jon as director. Her mind jumped to the staff position Jon had all but offered her. Joy filled her. She and Jon could continue to practice at the center, stay in Paradox Lake. Together with the rest of the current staff, they could model the center as the caring facility they both wanted.

“But I can't stay.”

Autumn jerked up in the chair. “You're leaving?”

He dropped his head in an almost-imperceptible nod. “I signed a one-year contract with Adirondack Medical intending to leave when the contract is up and serve with Help for Haiti for a year or two.”

A sense of betrayal immobilized Autumn. But Jon didn't owe any loyalty to the center beyond the terms of his contract. Her stomach churned. Or to her, really. As much as she wanted it, their feelings for each other were too new to bind them.

“Now I'll have to leave sooner. Nana admitted that she did all this to keep me from going to Haiti. She has an irrational fear that she'll lose me like she lost Angie. I can't let her, however well-meaning her intentions, manipulate me, keep me from my calling to serve in Haiti any more than I could accept my parents' and grandfather's machinations to make me become a surgeon.” He opened his hands, palms out toward her. “I'm committed to using my training to do everything I can to protect other women, families, from facing the tragedy Angie's did, to do my part to right her death. And I'm called to do that work in Haiti.”