Better Late Than Never (5 page)

Chapter Four

Kristen looked over at Keirra when she began to whine. She sounded like one of her children at the day care. It was a sound that shouldn’t come from a grown woman. Keirra had been complaining and making all sorts of noises for about twenty minutes. Kristen found herself rolling her eyes at her sister’s antics before speaking.

“Whining isn’t going to help, Keirra.”

They were supposed to be shopping at Mandi’s, but so far, Keirra was more focused on food than clothes. She looked up to see if Mandi had come from the back yet, but she hadn’t. Mandi had been a year behind them in school, but she had been creative in fashion even back then so it was no surprise she owned a clothing store now.

“But I am hungry,” Keirra complained.

Kayla shook her head, unable to believe her grown sister had resorted to such tactics. “No, you aren’t. You just want Sam’s Café because you’re a glutton and
it’s
close by.

Kristen almost laughed at the expression on Keirra’s face. “Tell you what. You can go over to Sam’s Café and eat while Kayla and I finish shopping.”

“But that would mean I would have to eat by myself.”

“You could invite Darren along. I am sure he wouldn’t mind accompanying you,” Kayla said. The statement earned her another roll of the eyes from Keirra and laughter from Kristen. Darren was Keirra’s high school prom date, and he seemed to be happy that Keirra was back in Baxley.

“You are so not funny, Kayla.”

Kristen laughed under her breath as she looked at the clothes on the rack. Most of the items in the store were creations Mandi had designed. Amusement spread across her face as she admired the clothing.

“Well, I was wondering when you were going to come in and see me.”

All three of them turned at the sound of Mandi’s voice. She still looked the same with the exception of the sparkling gold diamond ring on her left hand. They each hugged her and congratulated her on her marriage and the store.

“I’d heard the three of you were back in town, but I have been so busy I haven’t had time to get by and see you.”

Kristen shook her head. “Don’t worry about it. Trust
us,
we understand what it is like to be busy.”

Mandi linked arms with her. “You are just the person I need to talk to.”

“I heard you have a day care center, and I have three children I would love to enroll.”

Kristen fought to keep a straight face. Mandi didn’t look like she was the mother of three children. It seemed she had been busy since high school.

“Come by first thing Monday morning, and we can talk.”

Mandi nodded. “I will be there. Now take a look around, and let me know if you need my help with anything.”

Kristen smiled and rejoined her sisters. They had always liked her advice when it came to shopping. Kayla had once told her she was jealous that somehow she always managed to look like she stepped off the cover of a fashion magazine. Even though they shopped at the same place, they always managed to have a different look.

Kristen tended to gravitate more toward the feminine-yet-modern-chic look, always wearing some shade of pink and a skirt. Keirra had more of the casual look mixed with a little athletic flare, always wearing jeans or khaki pants with a sweater, casual blouse or T-shirt. Kayla went for the professional look for the most part. She was always wearing nice slacks or skirts with a nice blouse or shirt. She was pretty certain Kayla owned three pairs of jeans at the most, complaining that she didn’t like how restrictive they were. Even though this was the case, there were always times when they strayed from the norm. Kristen had a way of putting outfits together for them to bring out the best look.

Kristen looked down at the two shirts that she held and grinned. “I think I have everything I want.”

Kayla put a shirt back on the rack. “I am right behind you.”

“Thank goodness,” Keirra called out in relief.

“It doesn’t mean we’re going to go to Sam’s,” Kristen teased.

Keirra turned to face them. “Oh, you two can be such pains in the ass.”

Kayla smirked. “I would rather have a pain in my ass than weight on it.”

It was Keirra’s turn to roll her eyes. “Oh, please, you run a mile or two every day.”

“Yes, I would like it if I didn’t have to make it three or four.”

Kristen laughed. “Give it up, Keirra. You—” Her cell phone rang cutting her off. She frowned when she saw Randy’s number. She looked at her sisters. “It’s Randy.”

Keirra rolled her eyes while Kayla gave her a pointed look. “Are you going to answer it?”

Kristen shook her head at Kayla. “No, I’m not ready to talk to him yet.”

Kayla sighed with exasperation. “Your obsession with avoidance isn’t going to help in this situation.”

She gave Kayla a warning look. “I don’t have—”

Her phone rang again, cutting her off, but it was a text message. She groaned, opening the message. Scanning it, she gasped. She hit the button to redial Randy’s number. When he answered, she sighed. “I hope this isn’t an attempt to get me to talk to you.”

She heard him exhale softly. “No, it isn’t. Mr. Feldon had a heart attack.”

She almost dropped the phone. “When? Is he okay?”

Her sisters interrupted at her horrified expression.

“What is it?” Kayla asked.

“Is it Wade?” Keirra added.

She shook her head at her sisters. “Hang on a second, Randy. No, it’s Mr. Feldon. Randy said he has had a heart attack.”

Her sisters gasped.
Kirsten and her sisters had spent a lot of time in his office, and most of the time, they hadn’t been in trouble. Outside the few times when they had been in trouble and deserved to be in the office, they had gone to him in need of advice—fatherly advice they couldn’t get anywhere else, and Mr. Feldon had been happy to give it when he could. If he couldn’t give them advice, he had always led them in the direction of someone who could. Because of that, they had always appreciated him. Up until a year ago they had maintained very regular contact with him. After that it seemed like everyone had been swept up in their respective lives, and they had lost contact.

While she got the rest of information from Randy, she was in search of Mandi. When she found her, she and her sisters dumped their clothes into her hands.

“Mandi, is there any way you can hold these items for us? We need to get to the hospital.”

Mandi looked at them with concern. “Is everything okay?”

Kristen shook her head. “No. Mr. Feldon has had a heart attack.”

Mandi’s eyes widened in shock. “Is he okay?”

Kristen shrugged. “We have no idea, but we’ll let you know when we find out.”

Mandi nodded and took the clothes out of their hands. “Please let me know what is going on.”

Kristen led the way out of the store. They made their way to Kayla’s car, and she drove them all to the hospital. Once they arrived she realized the Baxley community hospital had been expanded upon a lot since they had left. It now had a Trauma unit and ICU.

Randy was waiting outside the entrance for them. He gave her a brief look before greeting Kayla and Keirra. Zebbie was right. Randy did look as if he were suffering. She closed her eyes. Now wasn’t the time to think about the problems she had with Randy. Instead, she wanted to see Mr. Feldon. Opening her eyes, she looked at Randy. “How did you know Mr. Feldon a heart attack?”

He gave her a small smile. “I heard the emergency call on my radio.” They stepped onto the elevator, and he pressed the button to the floor they needed to be on. “I have just spoken with the doctor who stated he only had a mild heart attack, but he needs to take it easy from here on out.”

The elevator sounded out to let them know they had arrived on their floor. They stepped out and Randy led them toward the ICU. He spoke when the nurses acknowledged him as they walked to Mr. Feldon’s room. A nurse was coming out of the room. Randy stopped her.

“How is he doing?”

The nurse’s expression was reassuring. “He is doing much better. We’re getting ready to move him down to a regular room. We are going to keep him over night.”

Randy nodded, and the nurse continued on. They entered the room, and Mr. Feldon opened his eyes. Mr. Feldon had aged well, but he looked tired. Kristen was the first to approach the bed, and he grinned.

“I’d heard you ladies were back in town. I just wish I was in better shape for your company.”

She leaned down and gave Mr. Feldon a kiss on the cheek. “It would help if you took better care of yourself.”

He smiled when she straightened up. “I do the best I can.”

She took a seat on the edge of the bed when Kayla came over. “Well, I guess you need some assistance.”

Mr. Feldon laughed. “And I am sure you are more than willing to help.”

Keirra was the last to come forward. “Just like you were willing to help us when we needed it.”

Kristen stared at Mr. Feldon with appreciation for everything he had done for her and her sisters.

Sitting here on the edge of his hospital bed, Kristen hated the lapse in communication. “Is there anyone you need for us to call?”

He shook his head. “I have already called my family, and a few people should be here sometime tonight or in the morning.” Mr. Feldon smiled, and he reached out and squeezed her hand. “I thank you for coming to see me.”

“You are more than welcome, and we will come by tomorrow just to check on you.”

Keirra’s expression was stern when she looked at Mr. Feldon. “And we won’t have any argument from you.”

Mr. Feldon laughed but it was cut short when he grabbed his chest. When they went to call for the nurse he waved them off.
“I am okay.
I just laughed at little too hard.”

Kristen placed a hand on his arm. “You must try not to overdo it, Mr. Feldon.”

He chuckled. “I don’t know. With you girls around, it might be hard to do.”

Kayla rolled her eyes. “I can guarantee you our wild days are over, Mr. Feldon.”

His expression was pure humor. “I would hope not. You ladies are too young not to have a few wild days left in you.”

Kristen felt her eyes widen. “Mr. Feldon, I can’t believe you said that to us.”

The older gentleman closed his eyes. “It is okay. You all are human. You ought to know it by now.”

Kayla leaned down and placed another kiss on Mr. Feldon’s cheek. “Trust me when I say we are, but we are going to go so you can get some rest.”

Keirra was next. “We will leave our number at the nurse’s station. Have them give us a call if you need anything.”

“I will do, but before you go, I would like to talk to Kristen alone.”

She looked at Mr. Feldon in surprise but nodded in agreement. Randy shook his hand, and then left the room. Keirra and Kayla said good-bye and left the room as well. With the room clear, she turned to look at him. “What did you want to talk to me about?”

He smiled at her. “I am glad to see you and your sisters are back in town. I have been meaning to come by and see you guys.”

Kristen’s lips curved upward in amusement. “And we should have come by to see you. I have to admit my sisters and I have been busy, but it’s no excuse.”