Bonita looked out the window and saw Callie heading toward the store, the expression on her face sober.
“Mom?” she called.
Ruby immediately came out of the back room, a shocked look on her face. When she saw her daughter’s expression, she forgot her surprise about Bonita speaking to her and joined her at the window. They were both waiting by the door when Callie came in.
“Hi. I printed up a special edition of The Lookout,” the journalist told them. “It has information about Daniel. Here’s three copies. You can post a couple outside and one in here.”
“Thank you,” Ruby said. She looked down at the headline. It said, “Hope Island’s Minister Fights For Life.” Her eyes went back to the reporter. “How serious is it, Callie?”
“It’s pretty bad. Everyone was hoping that the anticoagulants they were giving him to break up the hematoma would work, but just before I was ready to run this, Molly called and told me that the MRI they just did shows that not only has the hematoma not started breaking up, but it’s gotten bigger. They’re going to do another MRI tonight at eight.”
“What happens if these anticoagulants don’t work?” Bonita asked. “We heard that they might have to operate.”
Callie nodded. “They’re trying to avoid that because it’s so dangerous with Daniel being as weak as he is. I’ve tried to explain things as best as I can in the article.”
“How is Alex coping?” Ruby asked.
“She looks terrible. I’ve never seen her look so bad.” The journalist gave the older woman a penetrating stare. “Ruby, you know a lot about what’s going on when it comes to the hearts of the islanders. Alex is in love with Daniel, isn’t she.”
Ruby sighed and nodded. “Or at least that’s what I’ve been suspecting. And, from what I’ve seen, the feeling is mutual.” She closed her eyes. “This is all just so horrible. I can’t bear the thought that Daniel might die. We’ve been praying for him constantly.”
“I know. I have too.” The journalist looked down at the papers in her hands. “Well, I need to get the rest of these over to the Widow’s Walk.”
“Thank you, Callie,” Bonita said. As the door closed behind the reporter, she picked up her chalkboard. She began to write something, then stopped and slowly put the chalkboard down. She met her mother’s gaze.
“I’m worried about him, Mom,” she said aloud.
“I am too. I’m worried sick,” Ruby replied, also aloud, making a silent agreement with her daughter that, when it came to this, it was all right for them to speak. “He is such a wonderful man. It just isn’t right that this is happening.” She shook her head. “I so wish that I had been nicer to him when he first came to the island. I was so terribly rude that first day.”
“You didn’t know who he was, Mom, neither of us did.”
“I know, but I still shouldn’t have said what I did. All he wanted was to use the phone. I could have called Agatha back.”
“That was a long time ago. Daniel never let it get in the way of being a friend. I’m sure he hasn’t given it another thought.”
“That’s because of the kind of man he is. We almost drove him away. Between the way people treated him and Brian’s scheming, Daniel almost left that first Sunday. Yet he forgave us all and never said a word about.” Ruby’s eyes brimmed over with tears. “And now, he’s lying there in that hospital, possibly dying. It’s just so unfair.”
Bonita hugged her mother. “It’s going to be all right, Mom. Daniel’s going to make it.” She forced a smile to her lips. “Hey, how about if we close the store for an hour and go up to the church to pray.”
Ruby nodded, daubing her eyes with her handkerchief.
The two women posted the articles about Daniel on the wall outside and hung a sign in the window, then got in the truck and headed for the little white church on the hill.
Brian looked around at the people sitting at the tables. The mood in the place was about as festive as a funeral. Just about everyone had read or heard about the article Callie had printed about Daniel. Those who hadn’t read it themselves had been called by those who had and told all about it. In three hours time, the news had spread throughout the island. Both Callie and Kevin had received dozens of phone calls asking for updates as soon as there was more news.
It was now dinnertime, when the place was usually full of talking, laughing people. But this night, it was so quiet that even the sound of a fork scraping against a plate sounded loud. Everyone’s voices were hushed, subdued.
Watching the diners, the mayor wondered what everyone’s reaction would be if it had been him in the hospital rather than Daniel. For years, he had sought the respect and recognition of the islanders. That desire had been the main reason why he wanted to be mayor. Daniel Cooper, on the other hand, had never purposefully sought respect from the people of Hope, yet he had found it anyway. But more than being respected, he was also loved. Brian found himself envious of the young minister who had so quickly and easily won the hearts of Hope Island.
A man Brian didn’t recognize sat down at the bar. The mayor went over to him.
“What can I get you?”
“Gin and tonic, please.”
Brian nodded, glad that it was an easy drink. He’d gotten more than one complaint from people about his bartending skills.
The stranger glanced about at the other patrons. “Is it always like this around here?”
“No, the island’s minister is in the hospital in critical condition, and we’re all worried about him.”
The man’s eyebrows rose. “He must be an extraordinary man to have the whole population reacting like this.”
“He is very well liked. And we’re a pretty close-knit community.” Brian set the drink in front of the man.
“That’s nice. You certainly don’t see things like this in the big cities.” The stranger took a sip of his drink. “I understand that this is the only inn in town. I’ll be needing a room for the night.”
Caught by surprise, Brian paused for a moment, then began searching for the guest registration book. This was the second guest to check in that day, but Nub had attended to the other person.
Finally finding the book, the mayor opened it to the right page and handed it and a pen to the man.
“New on the job?” the stranger asked casually.
“Actually, I’m just helping out my daughter and the owner. They’re both at the hospital.”
“That’s nice of you.” The man filled in the required information in the book and slid it back across the bar toward Brian. “So, what do you normally do for a living?”
“I’m the mayor.” He held out his hand. “Mayor Brian Brewster at your service.”
The man blinked. “The mayor?” He shook Brian’s hand.
“Yes, and I also handle the real estate on the island and public relations, among other things.” Brian looked down at the information the man had put in the book. Joseph Mann from Boston. He wondered what someone from Massachusetts was doing here on a small island in the Pacific Northwest. Probably on vacation. Maybe he could talk the guy into looking at some vacation homes.
“Really. That’s interesting. Actually, that’s quite impressive. I don’t know many mayors who would ‘get their hands dirty’ by working regular jobs.”
Brian straightened his shoulders and lifted his head a little higher, a proud smile coming to his face. “Well, I’ve always believed in good hard work and playing an active part in the community.”
The man smiled. He finished his drink and stood. “Do you have a room key for me?”
“Oh. Yes, of course.” Brian grabbed a key at random, having no idea which rooms had one bed and which had two. “The rooms are through there and up the stairs.”
“Thank you. I guess I’ll see you here in the morning, or is your daughter and the owner coming back tonight?”
“No, they’re staying in Seattle.”
The man nodded. “I hope your minister gets well. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Mister Mann.”
Nub walked down the hallway carrying a glass of milk. Two people had checked into the inn today. One was an elderly woman who was demanding that she be waited on hand and foot. She was now clamoring for a warm glass of milk to settle her sensitive stomach, for which she was blaming Boris’s cooking. Nub suspected that the woman complained about pretty much everything. He had already been up to the room twice, once to give her extra pillows because she said the ones on the bed were too flat, and once to replace the bulbs in the bathroom with ones that were a lower wattage because she claimed that the existing ones were too harsh for her eyes.
Delivering the milk and receiving nothing in return but a frown and a complaint about how long he had taken, Nub headed back down the hall. As he walked by the room where the other guest had been put, he heard a voice beyond the door. What he heard made him pause.
“I think I’ve found what we’ve been looking for.” There was a pause as the man apparently listened to the person he was talking to. “Well, I’m going to do some more checking tomorrow, but this place has the most potential of any I’ve seen so far.” Another, longer pause. “Yes, I know all about it, but I’ve got a feeling that, this time, I’ve struck pay dirt. From what I’ve seen of the locals, it’s perfect. In fact, it’s even better than we could have hoped for. Get this. The mayor is downstairs tending bar because the people who normally run the inn are at the hospital visiting their minister, who is in critical condition and is apparently such a beloved figure that the whole population is walking around like their best friend is dying.” The voice paused again. “No, I’m not kidding.” The man laughed. “Will do. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
His brow knitting in puzzlement over the strange conversation, Nub resumed his journey down the hall, then the stairs.
“Hey, Nub?” Brian called. “Tomorrow morning I’m going to talk to that Joseph Mann about getting a vacation home. You can handle the morning crowd by yourself, right?”
“Uh. . . .” the younger man began hesitantly.
Brian clapped him on the back. “Good!” One of the diners held up their coffee cup. The mayor grabbed the pot and went to fill the cup.
“Um, who is that Joseph Mann guy?” Nub asked when Brian returned.
“I don’t know. He’s from Boston, and I’d say that he’s got big bucks by the clothes and the watch he was wearing.” Brian’s eyes lit up. “Hey! Maybe I can get him to invest in some real estate. This might be my ticket to getting out of the, uh, situation I’ve found myself in.”
“I don’t know, Brian. Are you sure there isn’t something fishy about this guy?”
“Fishy? Why would you say that?”
Nub shrugged. He was trying to decide if he should tell the mayor about the conversation he’d overheard. Knowing Brian, he’d probably think that the guy was looking for a place to build a giant resort or luxury hotel. Nub decided that it would be best not to say anything to the mayor. He would keep an eye on this Joseph Mann himself.
At eight o’clock Daniel was taken away again for the second MRI. Everyone in the room knew that, this time, when the doctors came back, it would be with news that could mean life or death for the minister.
As the agonizingly slow minutes passed, Alex paced the floor, unable to stay still for more than a few seconds at a time. Her stomach was a tight knot of anxiety, making her feel ill and jittery. With her whole soul she was wishing for the news to be that the hematoma was going away. She couldn’t even bear thinking about the news being the other way.
When Daniel was brought back, she went to his side, and clung to his hand tightly. She was so focused on him and her thoughts that she was barely aware of Bonnie on the other side of the bed holding her son’s other hand.
Sometime later, the door opened, and every pair of eyes went to the two doctors as they came in the room.
“Is it gone? Are the drugs working?” Alex blurted out.
The physicians glanced at each other, then Lily stepped forward. “I’m sorry, but I’m afraid it isn’t good news. The hematoma has grown larger, and there’s no indication that the anticoagulants are working. We have no choice but to operate.”
“No,” Alex whispered, swaying on her feet. Molly was instantly by her side, holding onto her shoulders. ‘No, no. This can’t be happening. He’s going to die. He’s going to die.’
“What does this mean?” Cliff asked, his face pale. “What are his chances of surviving the operation?”
Doctor Watson shook her head. “I can’t say. In his weakened condition, the odds are lower, but he has a chance, and he’s got the best surgeon available doing the surgery.”
“How long will the surgery take?” Bonnie asked. For the first time, Alex could see fear and doubt in her eyes.
“It’s hard to say,” Doctor Harding said. “It all depends on how things go. I’m afraid it’s going to be a long night.”
“When will you be operating?” Molly asked.
“Right away. We don’t want to wait any longer. We’ll be taking him to be prepped in around twenty minutes.” The neurologist looked around at all the worried faces. “I will be in the operating room as they perform the surgery, and Doctor Watson will be viewing the procedure. The moment the operation is completed, we’ll let you know. We’re all hopeful that Daniel will make it through just fine.”
As the door closed behind the doctors, Alex stared unseeingly at it. Her respiration was coming hard and fast. She felt like her heart was being crushed by the weight of her pain and anguish. Her nightmare was going to come true. Daniel would be taken into that operating room, and she’d never see him alive again.
Closing her eyes tightly, she choked back the cry that was clawing at her throat to get out. She couldn’t fall apart, not now, not with Dylan, Molly, and Daniel’s parents in the room.
“Why do they have to operate?” Dylan asked, terror in his voice. “Why can’t they wait? If they wait, maybe the stuff they gave him will work. If they operate, he could die.” He began to cry.
Molly knelt before him. “They can’t wait anymore, Dylan. It’s too dangerous. The hematoma is getting too big. If they keep waiting, it could kill him. They have to operate now before it’s too late.”
Dylan turned to his mother. “Mom?” he cried in a small, shaking voice.
Alex pulled him to her and held on tightly. “Oh, baby,” she whispered.
“I’d better go call Kevin,” Molly said. Wiping away the tears that had begun to fall, she left, dreading the call she was now going to have to make.
Cliff swallowed painfully against the tight, burning lump in his throat. “I think . . . I think that each of us would like to be alone with Daniel for a while.”
Nodding, Alex left with Dylan. She was followed a moment later by Bonnie. Alone with his son, Cliff gazed down at him.
“I don’t--” his voice broke, and he started again. “I don’t know what words to speak. For thirty-one years, you’ve been a part of my life, but it hasn’t been until now, with you lying in that hospital bed, that it has become so clear to me how much emptier my life will be if you’re no longer in it. All these years that I’ve spent standing before those television cameras talking about God and his love seem like such a hypocrisy now because, throughout those years, I never gave you the love and attention that you deserved from me. I failed you, Daniel, as a father and as a teacher. Yet, despite my failure, you have become a person whom any man would be honored to call his son. I am so proud of you.” He lifted his son’s hand and held it in his own. “I love you, Son. I would give my life for you not to be here. Please give me the chance to be the kind of father you deserve. Please don’t leave us.”
Gently laying Daniel’s hand back on the bed, Cliff fought for a moment to compose himself, then went out into the hall. Bonnie searched his face, smiling encouragingly, then entered the room. She sat in the chair, laying her hand upon Daniel’s forehead.
“My beautiful baby boy. From the moment you were born, I knew that you would grow to be a special man. Though I had wanted more children, that was not to be. But God chose to bless me with the finest son I could ever have hoped for. You have so much love, and compassion, and strength. I see the best of myself and your father in you.” She brought his hand to her lips and kissed it. “I still have faith that you’re going to make it through, Daniel. I still believe that God’s plan for you here on Earth is not yet complete. You have so much good left to do, so many people to help.” Bonnie rose and pressed a kiss to Daniel’s cheek. “I love you, my son. We’ll be waiting for you to return,” she whispered.
Alex watched Bonnie come back through the door. She then looked down at her son, who had not let go of her hand since they left Daniel’s room. She knelt before him.
“Dylan, honey, would you like to go in there and talk to Daniel alone?”
The boy shook his head.
“Why not?”
“Because if I do, it means he’s going to die. It means I’m saying goodbye to him.” Dylan was starting to cry again.
“Oh, sweetheart, that isn’t true. You’re not saying goodbye, none of us are. We’re just going in there and telling Daniel how we feel about him and letting him know that we want him to be okay. Wouldn’t you like to say those things to him?”
This time, Dylan nodded.
“Then you go in there and do that. I’ll be right out here waiting for you.”
Dylan headed for the door. Pausing a moment, he pushed it open and went inside. Hesitantly, he approached the bed. He looked down at Daniel as the seconds ticked by. Suddenly, he threw his arms around the minister.
“Daniel, please don’t die. I love you. You’re my best friend in the whole world. I want you to be my dad. Please, please don’t die.”
Outside, Alex heard her son’s outcry, then his weeping. She moved toward the door, then paused, uncertain what to do. Her eyes met Bonnie’s.
“Go to him, Alex,” the woman said softly. “He needs you.”
Not needing any more encouragement, Alex went into Daniel’s room. She rushed to her son’s side and went to her knees. Seeing her, he threw himself into her arms, clinging tightly to her neck.
“I don’t want him to die, Mom,” he wailed as the floodgates opened and he cried his heart out.
“Oh, baby. My poor baby,” Alex crooned, stroking his hair. She let him cry, knowing that he needed to get it all out.
At last, Dylan grew quiet in her arms. She cupped his face in her hands, wiping his tears with her thumbs.
“You okay?” she asked gently.
Dylan nodded, sniffling.
“Is it all right for you to stay with Bonnie for a while? I want to talk to Daniel.”
With another nod from her son, Alex took him out. She could see tears in Bonnie’s eyes.
“I’ll watch him, Alex. You go back in there and spend a few minutes with Daniel,” the woman said.
Taking a deep breath, Alex turned around and went back in. She went to the bed and sat in the chair.
“When I. . . .” She stopped, took another deep breath to steady her, then tried again, fighting to keep her voice from shaking. “When I first met you, I didn’t think I was going to like you. I really didn’t want to like you. You were a mainlander and a clergyman, two things I had no great love for. And when I found out that you’d made Dylan your acolyte, I was positive that we would never get along. But there was something about you that touched something inside me. I didn’t know what it was, but it made me see that you being a clergyman and from the mainland didn’t make you an enemy. As the days and the weeks past, I came to see the kind of man that you were, how much you cared about people, how dedicated you were to helping in whatever way you could. I know now that I was falling in love with you even back then. When we kissed during the rehearsal of the play, I should have known then what was happening. I should have recognized what I was feeling. I so wish that I had. I wish that I could have spent these months loving you and being loved by you.”
Abruptly, she pushed the chair back and got down on her knees beside the head of the bed. “You listen to me, Daniel Cooper. Don’t you dare die! I won’t let you. You have to live. You have to.” Breathing hard, tears running down her face, she grasped both of the minister’s hands. “I love you, do you hear me? You can’t leave me. Dad left me. Steve left. I am not going to let you leave too!” A sob caught in her throat.
There was a noise behind her. She looked over her shoulder to see Bonnie coming into the room.
“They’re here to take him, Alex,” the woman announced gently.
The redhead turned back to Daniel. Her grip tightened on his hands as her eyes moved over his face frantically, trying to burn every tiny part of it into her memory forever. “Daniel, please. Please come back,” she begged in a ragged whisper.
Bonnie helped her to her feet and held onto her as Daniel was placed upon a gurney and wheeled out of the room. Just then, Molly came running up. She headed immediately to Daniel’s side.
“Daniel, it’s Molly. You keep fighting, okay? We don’t want to lose you. Hope Island needs you.” She kissed her fingers, then pressed them to Daniel’s lips. “We’ll be waiting for you right here.” Straightening, she stepped back, then joined the others as they followed the gurney bearing the minister to the elevator. There, they stopped, watching as the doors slid closed and the elevator carried Daniel Cooper away.