Reflecting On Wishes (The Wishes Series) Read online

  She was thankful to be alive but devastated she wouldn’t even be able to go to the bathroom by herself at her dad’s house. Her family was doing some remodeling to help accommodate her wheelchair but they weren’t done yet. Papá tried to play it off like it was no big deal to carry her around where she needed to go until things were fixed so she could have free reign of the house, but she could see the sadness in his eyes. They mirrored her own. The counselors at the hospital told her there were programs she could enter into that would help further her mobility and teach her how to live with her new-found situation. Angel hadn’t told her family yet but she had applied for one in Savannah, a few hours away from Sugar Creek. It had a waiting list of a few months but she was told it could be available sooner. Angel knew her family wasn’t going to be happy about it but she couldn’t stand seeing the pity and sadness in their eyes when they looked at her now.

  In Savannah she would have her own little loft apartment that would be handicap assessable and she would be able to attend classes to find a new career so she wouldn’t be depending on her dad to take care of her. Independence was a must. It was important to her to be on her own, taking care of herself.

  The sliding glass doors opened drawing in the warm air and the scent of lilacs. It was a welcome smell that made Angel smile as her father walked through the doors to get her.

  “Ready to get outta this joint, mija?” he said with a smile.

  “Hell yes. Seven weeks is way too long to be cooped up in this place. I’m so ready to go home.”

  He laughed and kissed her forehead before he wheeled her out to the truck. Once they were out in the sunshine he opened the door and picked her up, cradling her against his broad chest before placing her on the seat. He was so gentle with her Angel felt tears well up in her eyes. He pulled the seatbelt out and started to buckle her in when she shooed him away. “Come on, Papá. I’m not a complete invalid. I can buckle my own seatbelt.”

  He let go and lifted his hands in surrender. “I know you aren’t an invalid. You are my baby girl though. I’m just trying to take care of you.”

  Angel saw the sadness in his eyes again and felt instant remorse for snapping at him. “I’m sorry, but I need to do things myself as much as I can. I know you’re only trying to help.”

  He kept quiet, shut her door and folded up the wheelchair, placing it in the back of the truck along with her bag of belongings. Angel watched him walk around the front of the truck, noting the worn look on his face and the way his shoulders drooped as if he were completely exhausted. Her wreck had aged him; hurt him nearly as much as it did her. For the last six years they had traveled all over together, from one race to the next. In off season they worked at the shop together. He was feeling the loss just as she was.

  He started the truck and turned the air conditioning on full blast. Georgia summers were hot and sticky, even more so in August. But today, Angel wanted to feel the hot breeze on her face and smell the lilacs that grew wild along the side of the road and sweet Georgia peaches in the orchards along the way.

  “Papá, can we roll the windows down? I need to get that hospital smell out of my pores.”

  “Sure thing,” he replied as he flicked off the air and rolled down his window, smiling over at Angel as she rolled hers down, sticking her arm out the window with her fingers spread wide.

  Angel rested her head on the back of her seat, looking out the window on the drive home. The grass was bright green following the rain they had the last three days. Sunflowers that were as tall as her swayed in the wind with their bright yellow flowers that were twice as big as her hand. The sun felt so good on her face that she closed her eyes for a moment and soaked it up. When the truck pulled to a stop she opened her eyes to see where they were.

  The Sugar Ridge Plantation brought back fond memories of her childhood and not so fond memories of her recent life. As early as she could remember her father took them there to pick peaches by the bushel a couple of times each summer. The Canes were a nice family. They owned the plantation for generations. They even had a vegetable stand where her family had bought produce and Mrs. Cane’s peach preserves. Angel would always venture the few miles out of town to buy the fresh fruit and vegetables when she was home. Now she couldn’t think of this place without thinking of Dakota.

  She watched as they passed by the vegetable stand, waving at Mrs. Cane as she weighed out tomatoes on the scale for a customer. They passed Dakota’s parents’ house, a beautiful two-story log cabin that was almost completely shielded by majestic oak trees that lined the front like bodyguards protecting a treasure. Next was Dakota’s house. It was also a log home but it was laid out in a ranch style with one floor and a beautiful wrap-a-round porch complete with log rocking chairs and a porch swing.

  She felt a pang of guilt for how she treated him when he came to see her in the hospital. Refusing to see him had hurt her too but it was for the best. At the time, she didn’t want him to see how terrible she looked. Her brother told her that Dakota had followed them to the hospital and stayed overnight without sleeping just as they did. He told her how wrong she was for barring Dakota from seeing her when it was obvious how much he cared. She spent three days in intensive care. Those three days he had barely taken the time to sleep, but for a few hours here and there, and going home to take shower before returning to sit with them. Rage said Dakota helped him make sure papá got rest and made sure they were all eating and taking care of themselves. It crushed him when she was moved to a room and refused to let him visit. Once she was stable and coherent she had been adamant that no one was allowed in except for her family. After weeks of being rejected, Dakota had stopped asking to see her. She didn’t blame him for it either.

  When she was checking out of the hospital, she asked the administrator about the bill, knowing she needed to make arrangements that would probably take her years to pay off. The shock from hearing her bill had been taken care of by an anonymous donor had brought her to tears. It had to be Dakota or his family. Everyone in the state of Georgia knew the Canes had won the lottery years ago and were multi-millionaires that helped fund the hospital along with many other charities. She would have to talk to him eventually to thank him and try to figure out a way to pay him back. Angel didn’t want to give him the wrong idea. She was grateful. But she couldn’t continue trying to build a relationship with him like they were considering exploring before her accident. Things were different now. No way would she be a charity case or a burden on anyone. Besides, he was a nice guy, he deserved better than a pissed off, scarred up invalid who no longer had a career or could walk on her own two feet.

  Angel wiped the tears from her eyes and took a deep, calming breath.

  “You okay, Angel?” her father asked in a concerned tone.

  “I’m fine, Papá. I’m just tired and need to lie down for a while. Who knew getting dressed and riding home would wear a person out so much?” She tried to keep her voice positive but by the look on his face he knew she was putting on a front to keep him from asking why she had been crying.

  Vito reached over and patted her hand, “Nahni said she would have an early dinner ready by the time we get there. Once you eat something we’ll get you settled so you can rest.”

  Angel nodded her head and clasped her father’s hand in hers, thankful for the small comfort of his work roughened hand lending her strength.

  ***

  They pulled in the driveway and the first thing Angel saw was a big sign that hung on the garage doors that said, Welcome Home Angel in bright pink letters with flowers and hearts drawn around it. Her sister-in-law had to have made it. Her dad and brother were both to manly to have done such a girly thing. The front door swung open just as her dad put the truck in park and Rage came out onto the porch, jogging down the newly built ramp with a huge grin on his face.

  “There’s my favorite baby sister!”

  Angel rolled her eyes and unbuckled her seatbelt as he opened her door. “I’m your only sister, R
age. I have to be your favorite,” she called out the window.

  “True story,” he said, laughing when she swung her hand out and smacked his arm.

  “You’re still a smart ass I see,” Angel smirked and patted his cheek, placing a kiss there when he reached in to hug her.

  “Admit it; you wouldn’t want me any other way. If I wasn’t a smart ass, you would think I was mad or somethin’.”

  This time it was Angel’s turn to laugh then say, “True story.”

  Rage chuckled and slid one arm behind her back and the other gently under her knees, picking her up and placing her in her wheelchair that their dad had gotten out of the truck.

  “Okay, hot-wheels let’s try this sexy ramp out that we built ya.” Rage took off with a jog, wheeling her up the ramp fast, making her laugh.

  “Crazy ass,” she replied, still grinning when Nahni opened the screen door waving them inside.

  “Surprise!”

  The shouts caught Angel off guard and she gasped, slapping her hand to her chest as she looked around at the living room full of people. Tears filled her eyes when she saw the rest of the guys from the shop there, coming up to hug her and kiss her cheeks one at a time.

  Next, Ms. Lola came up and wrapped her in a warm hug, “Sweet baby girl, you are a sight for sore eyes. Goodness I have missed you girl. Been a prayin’ for your recovery and I’m just so glad to see you home finally. I told your daddy to bring you up for breakfast in the mornin’. I’m gonna fix you up somethin’ good darlin’. Too damn skinny. That hospital food ain’t fit for no one, I tell ya.”

  “Thank you, Ms. Lola. I’m looking forward to your home cooking. Nobody makes pancakes like you do.” Angel fought to keep the tears that were filling her eyes from spilling over.

  “Now, now, darlin’. Everythin’s gon’ be alright, don’t you worry bout a thing. The good Lord’s got a plan for you, baby. He sho’ does. Now I’m gon’ go fix you a plate while you say hello to everyone. Me and that sweet sister-in-law of yours been a cookin’ all mornin’.” Lola kissed Angel’s cheek and went into the kitchen where Nahni was pulling fried chicken out of the pan on the stove.

  “Hey, Angel,” the all too familiar voice came from behind her. She tried to turn her chair around, wincing when she put pressure on her left hand. Her wrist still wasn’t completely healed after being broken in the wreck. She could move it better now, but turning the wheel on her wheelchair wasn’t something she could do very well as of yet.

  “What are you doing here, Dakota?” The least she could have done was sound cordial. Seeing him there, knowing she still looked like hell even though most of the gashes had healed to red scars, was one thing. But she couldn’t hide the fact her legs still hung from her body like limp noodles, completely useless.

  “A hello would have been nice, but okay. We have to start somewhere right?” He crouched down in front of her and leaned forward to kiss her cheek. Angel noticed then that everyone had gravitated to the kitchen and dining room, filling their plates and obviously giving her a little privacy with Dakota.

  Angel sighed and looked down at her legs then whispered, “Hi, Dakota.”

  “See, that wasn’t so hard, was it?” He put his fingertips under her chin and lifted her head so she looked at his face.

  “I’ve missed you. I don’t really understand why you refused to let me see you in the hospital. I’m thinking maybe it was a girl thing, ya know, not wanting me to see you hurt and bandaged. But I want you to know I’m here. I’m not going anywhere. I want to be here for you and help you through this.”

  Tears burned her eyes and she had to look away. She hated this depressing weakness she felt and the fact she couldn’t go five minutes without wanting to cry. She didn’t want to need anyone. Angel Vega was a tough chick. That’s what she kept telling herself every single time she felt like breaking down.

  “I don’t want you here. I don’t need you. I can take care of myself, Dakota. So just go on, live your life and find another charity case.” She tried to turn her chair again and gasped when a sharp pain went from her wrist to her fingers and back again.

  “You’re not a charity case. Stop being so damn stubborn, Angel, and stop using your wrist. You have it in that brace for a reason. If you re-injure it you’ll be back in a cast. We need to get you a motorized chair for now until…”

  “No! Dammit, Dakota—just leave. Go home and leave me be.”

  “I don’t want to leave you be. I care about you, Angel and I know you care for me too. Let me help you through this.”

  Angel felt herself breaking down. Tears were sliding down her cheeks now and she couldn’t even roll herself away. “Papá! Please take me to my room. Please…I can’t…” her voice was shaking and her face was pale.

  Vito was at her side immediately. “Dakota, why don’t you fix yourself a plate and sit down to eat. Angel is worn out.” Vito nodded to Dakota as he rose up and backed away from Angel. Vito pushed Angel to her room, shutting the door and turning the covers back on her bed. He lifted her gently from her chair and set her on the edge of the bed, kneeling down to take her shoes off her feet. “Angel, you can’t cut everyone out of your life that cares for you and that you care for. It’s not fair to them either.”

  “Papá please, not right now,” Angel whispered. Her frail body shook as she gave in to silent sobs of sorrow.

  “Oh, mija, I’m so sorry you have to go through this.” For the first time Angel could ever remember, her father cried with her. He sat on her bed with her, held her in his arms and kissed her forehead, wiping the tears that streaked her face while his own tears dripped down onto his shirt.

  “You will not let this beat you. You are too strong and special to let this keep you down. Try to remember that those of us who love you are hurting with you. We all just want to help.”

  “I know—I’m sorry,” she cried, resting her weary body against his until the sobs subsided and stroked her hair while she tried to control the hiccups her crying had caused.

  “It’s okay. Everything is going to be alright. You need to get some rest but I want you to eat something first okay? I’ll go get that plate Ms. Lola was making you and you can eat in here and maybe watch some television to relax.”

  Angel nodded her head, propping her pillows behind her while he lifted her legs onto the bed and pulled the sheet across her lap. “I’ll be right back.”

  A few minutes later there was a knock at her door. Ms. Lola came in holding a tray with a plate heaped with food and a glass of sweet tea. “Darlin’ I hope you don’t mind but I told your daddy to sit down and eat so’s I could come spend a little more time with you before I head out.” She set up the tray in front of Angel and leaned over to kiss her cheek.

  “It’s always good to see you, Ms. Lola. Thank you for coming over today and helping Nahni. She’s gotten so big with my niece she looks like she’s about to bust.” She took a sip of sweet tea and scooped up a bite of cheesy scalloped potatoes, groaning when the flavorful mixture melted in her mouth.

  “Oh lordy, that girl gon’ be spittin’ that baby out any day I tell ya. Them doctors try they best to predict a birthin’ date but when the baby is ready, she ready no matter what the date is!”

  Angel laughed. The tension and sadness in her face easing in the presence of her sweet, motherly friend. Lola had been the closest thing to a mom she had ever known.

  “Now, child, I ain’t tryin’ to butt in your life, but I can’t help but want to be here for you. You know you’re like family to me. All of you are like my own kids. I hate to see you hurtin’ darlin’. I know you’re goin’ through tryin’ times and it seems your world has flipped upside down. I may not be able to do a lot of things in my old age, but I can sure listen and give advice. I have been round the block a time or two, sugar pie.”

  “Thank you, Ms. Lola. You’ve always been like a mother to me. I appreciate you more than you know. I just don’t feel like talking about it right now.” Angel put her fork down and re
sted her head back against the headboard.

  “That’s just fine, darlin’. Just you remember, if’n you needs me, I’m always here for my girl. Alright then?” She picked Angel’s fork up and stabbed a bite of coleslaw, “Now eat up and I’ll get you some of Vivi’s peach cobbler she dropped off earlier for ya.”

  “Mmm, Mrs. Cane made me her famous peach cobbler? Do we have vanilla ice cream too?” Angel dug into the food, moaning when Lola nodded yes and smiled at her.

  “Sho’nuff, darlin’. Her and Mikayla both came by with food while Dakota was helping make your welcome home sign with Nahni. Cutest thing I ever did see, that big o’ hunka man colorin’ pretty pink letters, flowers and hearts when Nahni told him it was your favorite color. That man got it bad for you, sugar pie. He sho’ do.”

  Angel cocked her head to the side, her lips turning up in a slight grin. “Dakota was coloring? Hearts and flowers…?” she started giggling when she pictured him in a crafting session with her sister-in-law. Ms. Lola joined her, cackling until they were both breathless.

  Before she knew it, her plate was empty and she was being served the warm peach cobbler and vanilla ice cream that Vivi had brought over. “This is a slice of heaven. I need to call Vivi soon and thank her for spoiling me.”

  “I’m sho’ she would love to hear from you, darlin’. That’s a good family, the Canes. You’d be welcomed with open arms if’n you give that man a chance.” Lola moved the tray from Angel’s lap once she finished her dessert.