Bouquet: Sequel to 'In Full Bloom': The Trilogy of the Rose (Volume 3) by B. A. Beers Page A

Subconsciously, she treated them differently.  She would view AJ through more rose-colored glasses then her own. Her admission of him being special was a warning sign. Treating Linda was not his focus; he had to think of Sami. Rotating, he looked at Grandma Jo.  “Her things?”
     
    “Right there,” she replied, pointing to the tote next to his bag.
     
    “Thanks,” he stated, picking up the two items. “Ready, Linda?”
     
    “Yes,” she replied as he walked out of the room.
     
    Returning to the living room, Mark handed the bags to David.  “Please stow these in the truck and lower the back bench,” he directed.
     
    “Got it,” David said, leaving the cabin.
     
    “One phone call to make,” Mark said, seeing Linda move to the couch.  
     
    Moving to the roll-top desk, Mark pulled out his wallet and withdrew the piece of paper with the Clark’s number.  Dialing the number, he hoped to talk to Stacy directly.  On the fourth ring, the machine answered. Sighing, he waited for the beep and briefly left a message telling them that he and Sami were returning to the valley and he would call them later that evening.
     
    Hanging up the receiver, he moved over to the couch.  Getting Sami settled into the truck would not be easy.  In her current unaware state, securing her on the narrow, back bench of the truck would be problematic. She was small enough to position on the bench, but the potential for her to roll off was high.  The shoulder-strap seat belt wouldn’t work on her reclining position.  Mark scanned the room for anything that would cushion her securely.
     
    “What is the problem?” Grandma Jo asked, seeing Mark’s search.
     
    “Securing her on the bench,” Mark stated.
     
    “Put her in the passenger seat,” she suggested.
     
    “I can ride in the back,” Linda offered.
     
    “Need pillows to cushion her,” Mark indicated.
     
    “I’ll get them off the beds,” Linda offered, racing off to the back of the cabin.
     
    “Thanks,” Mark called, deciding how to position Sami in his arms to ensure that she would be minimally jostled during the exchange.  He needed her head positioned on his left shoulder. However, she was situated on the couch such that lifting her would place her head on his right shoulder.  He had to reverse her.
     
    As Linda returned with two large pillows, Mark directed, “Take them to the truck and send David back here.  I need his help.”  Linda hurried out the door, calling for David.  Mark drew back the blanket and the strong scent of urine rushed over him.  “We have a problem,” he said, looking at Grandma Jo.
     
    “What is it?” Grandma Jo asked, coming over to stand by him and catching the odor.  “Oh, my.  What do we do?”
     
    “The urine is trapped in the snow bibs.  It is too long of a drive to take her in this condition.  She will need to be changed,” Mark indicated.
     
    Grandma Jo nodded.  “I will need her things back,” she said.
     
    “It would better if we had a robe to place around her instead of fighting to redress her.  Ask Linda if there is one around here,” he directed.
     
    Grandma Jo moved to the door and stepped out on the porch.  Mark looked down at Sami.  “Can you make this any more complicated for me?” he asked her. Hearing laughter, Mark looked up and saw David before him.  “This is not funny,” he fumed.
     
    “Oh, Dr. Stevens.  Lighten up a bit.  I am sure this is not the first time you have been in this situation,” David chuckled. 
     
    “It is to be expected, I know.  I should just be delighted that it was now instead of during the trip,” Mark replied.
     
    “There should be a robe here somewhere,” Linda stated to Grandma Jo as they reentered the cabin together.  “Give me a minute.”
     
    “If not, we could secure sheets around her,” Grandma Jo offered, following Linda down the hall.
     
    Mark envisioned Sami in the towel she had around her when he first encountered