Читать книгу A Soldier's Reunion - Cheryl Wyatt - Страница 11

“Mommy! That’s Miss Mandy, the nice doctor lady who helped us,” a familiar voice pealed through the hospital corridor.

Mandy rose from her chair in the hallway outside the bustling Refuge E.R. waiting room. She smiled at the woman walking toward her with Reece and her stuffed bear in tow.

“C’mon!” Reece tucked Bearby beneath her arm and dragged her mother faster.

Upon approach, deep gratitude glistened from the young woman’s eyes. Uncanny how much she looked like an older version of Reece.

The woman breached the space between them like a close family member would and grasped Mandy’s uninjured hand. “I’m Amelia North, Reece’s mom.”

“I’m Dr. Manchester. Please call me Mandy.”

“Thank you for watching over our children on the bridge.” Amelia’s grip tightened when the words strained from her throat. The heartfelt tone put a sting to Mandy’s eyes. What’s with that? She hadn’t cried since she was a teen.

“I’m thankful they weren’t hurt. Truth is, they kept me brave.” It wasn’t a lie. Being responsible for them had lessened her fear and panic.

Reece plopped onto a chair. She danced Bearby on her knees.

“That couldn’t have been easy with you being injured.” Amelia eyed Mandy’s splint. “How did you stay strong for them?”

“Imagined myself in a parent’s place. Kept in mind they were depending on me. Acted as I’d want mine treated if I had any.” Mandy brushed fingers through Reece’s curls.

“You’re not a mommy?” Reece wiggled close to Mandy’s lap.

She leaned eye level. “Not yet.”

Reece lifted her comfort toy. “Bearby wants to know why not.”

Mandy faced Bearby. “I still have some doctor training left so I can learn how to take the best care of people.” She started to add that she’d also like to find a husband first, but the words caught in her throat.

She discreetly eyed Amelia’s left hand. A heart-shaped diamond winked back, but no wedding band. Gaze averted, her mind zeroed in on Reece. Thankfully Mandy hadn’t said anything. Wasn’t her place to judge or wonder about the situation.

“Bearby thinks you’ll make a good doctor, and a good mommy.” Making engine noises, Reece puttered Bearby in the air.

Mandy tilted her head. “Thank you. On both counts.”

“Is your hand in terrible pain?” Amelia set her purse on the chair beside her near the E.R. waiting room door.

TVs blared from different stations, all filled with images of the collapse. Her chest hurt at the sights playing out. Mandy turned away. But she could still hear the announcer describing the ordeal. Sweat broke out over Mandy’s brow. She tried to dab it but her arms felt robotic and numb.

Concern flashed across Amelia’s face. “Are you okay?”

Mandy stood on legs that felt as rubbery as the business end of a reflex hammer. As quickly as possible, she turned the TV volume down, ignoring caustic looks from waiting room patrons. “I am now,” she said to Amelia as she returned to the seat beside her.

The smells of antiseptic and sickness hung in the air. Call lights rang down the halls, and a hacking cough emerged from the room beside her that made Mandy want to whip out a prescription pad.

Reece peeped at the temporary splint Nolan had applied.

“Is it broken?” Reece blinked up at her.

Hesitation hovered inside Mandy’s thoughts. She wanted to be honest yet tread lightly. “I think so, but no one’s looked at it yet. They’re taking care of the worst injured first.”

“How will they tell?” Reece asked.

“They’ll take special pictures called X-rays.”

“Will they hurt?”

“If they have to straighten out my hand it might. Otherwise, X-rays usually don’t hurt at all.” She smiled at Reece.

“Mommy could go with you and hold your hand. She’s good at that. She holds my hand when I get shots. And you could hug Bearby during it. He makes people brave.”

“He sure does.” Mandy kneaded Bearby’s fuzzy misshapen head.

“Then him and Mommy will go with you.” Reece’s expression declared the matter settled.

Amelia fingered Reece’s curly brown hair. “I’m sure Dr. Manchester has someone who can sit with her.”

Mandy shifted uncomfortably. In the confusion, she had left her purse which contained her cell phone, in her car on the bridge. An officer had left a message with the nurses’ desk saying he’d recovered it and would bring it by when he had a moment. Not that she had anyone here she could call once she had it. Miss Ivy didn’t drive.

Perceptive awareness entered Amelia’s eyes. “Need to borrow my phone to call someone?” She pulled her purse onto her lap and extracted a cell phone.

Heat of a blush crept over Mandy. “No, I’ll be all right. Besides, I’m fairly new in town and really don’t know anyone. My mother lives in a different state.”

Called Oblivion.

“Would you like us to sit with you while you wait?” Amelia tucked her phone back in her purse.

“No, it’s fine.” But a thought struck her. Who would take her home? She’d be unable to drive herself if she took pain medication or if she had a sling on her arm. “Does Refuge have a cab service?”

“No. Small town. We could give you a ride if they let you go.”

“I’d hate to make you wait. I imagine it will be past Reece’s bedtime before staff get to me.”

“It won’t hurt her to get to bed late one night.” She gave Reece’s ponytail an affectionate tug. “Will it?”

Mischief alive in her eyes, Reece grinned like she’d just gotten away with something big. “I like staying up late!”

Mandy and Amelia laughed.

“We live at the Refuge Bed and Breakfast on the edge of town. It only takes thirty minutes to get here,” Amelia said.

Mandy shifted. “I don’t know…” Thirty minutes there, then here then to Mandy’s and back would take at least two hours out of Reece’s sleep time.

Despite Mandy’s hesitation, Amelia handed her a card. “Here are my numbers. I doubt they’ll have school tomorrow with what’s happened.” With what’s happened.

Knowing she meant the bridge collapse, Mandy studied the chic business card to block horrific images that threatened in her mind’s eyes. “You do caricature art?”

“In my spare time. I also manage Refuge’s B and B. Promise you’ll call if you need a ride?”

Suddenly, she didn’t feel embarrassed about being needy. “I will.”

“Maybe we can meet for coffee next week, too?” Amelia asked.

“I’d love that.”

Her face lit up. “Say goodbye, Reece.”

“Bye, Miss Mandy. I don’t like how we had to meet but I’m glad we did. So is Bearby.” Reece hugged Mandy.

Mandy reciprocated the hug. “I’m glad we met, too. I’m glad you weren’t hurt.”

“Or lost in the scary water.” Reece took hold of her mom’s hand. “Mommy would have been so sad.”

Mandy’s heart pounded with memories of watching cars in front of her plunge into the depths of Refuge River. Her hands trembled and so did her lips. Sounds from the wreck clanged in her ears and drowned out rational thought. She drew deep breaths and focused on Reece’s antics with Bearby until the impending flashback receded. She rubbed sudden moisture off her quaking palm by running it across her thigh. “I don’t blame her. I would have been sad, too. But you are safe—and you are here.”

But others weren’t.

Mandy fought debilitating dread at the grief and hardship that families of those who didn’t get out of their cars in time were going through this instant. Several survivors were permanently injured, which was why it was taking so long for her to be seen. “If there was a room or even equipment free, I’d go back there and treat myself.”

Amelia laughed. “You’re gutsier than me.”

“I seriously would, just to ease the staff’s burden and relieve someone of duty. The hospital is on trauma alert. Every available space is taken. And my injuries are minor.”

“Couldn’t waiting be bad for you if it’s broken?” Amelia eyed her wrist with concern.

Mandy shrugged, not wanting to think about things like nerve damage from swelling and how that would affect her work.

“What does a broken bone feel like, Miss Mandy?” Reece asked.

“Like it got hit.” With a sledgehammer. Hard. Twenty times.

“Owie.” Reece nuzzled Mandy’s sling with Bearby.

“Ah-ah-ah.” Amelia guided the bear away. “We don’t touch.”

“Bearby’s just trying to make Miss Mandy feel better. Hospitals are scary.” Reece darted wide eyes around, then scooted closer to Amelia.

She’s afraid. Mandy felt bad for them staying here on her account. “I work in hospitals all the time. I’ll be fine if you’d like to go home.”

“Can we, Mommy? I love Miss Mandy but I’m scared.”

“Sure.” Amelia held Reece and cast Mandy apologetic glances.

“It’s fine. Honestly. I will call you if I need something.”

“Okay. Would it be an imposition to get your phone number so I can check on you? And verify you’re still up for coffee?”

“Not at all. You have paper and something to write with?”

Amelia pulled out a notebook with an attached mini pen.

Mandy scribbled as best she could left-handed. “Here you go.”

“I won’t share this info with anyone.”

Mandy laughed. “Didn’t think you would. No one ever calls me anyway. Not even telemarketers.” No one ever calls me.

Why had she revealed that? Especially when bursts of sympathy spritzed from Amelia’s eyes? No one needed to burden themselves with her loneliness. Yet something about Amelia North beckoned. She emanated warmth and trust conducive to friendship.

“Be glad about the telemarketers. We get calls all day long.” Laughing, Amelia picked up Reece. “Let’s skedaddle so Miss Mandy can rest.” They made their way to the exit.

Mandy missed the company immediately. The chatter had kept her mind off the pain. She closed her eyes to mentally wash it out but instead, images of water swirling through broken car windows rushed in.

She jerked open her eyes and sat up. Sweat broke out over her cheeks, forehead and palms. Whether from the flashback or the pain, she couldn’t be sure.

A hand rested on her shoulder. She looked up.

“Dr. Manchester?” Nurse Bailey hovered. “How’re you faring?”

Mandy tilted her good hand sideways and back. “Hanging in.”

“It’s gonna be another couple hours before someone can set that fracture. All the docs are in surgery. Sure you don’t wanna pain shot?” Her face revealed empathetic apology.

“I’m sure.” She’d never had narcotics and didn’t want to lose control in front of staff. “I can wait.”

Nurse Bailey looked doubtful. “All right then. Call me if you change your mind.”

The more Mandy watched her coworkers, nurses and other medical personnel scurry about, the more restless she became.

She blew out a frustrated breath. Feeling a snooze coming on, she leaned her head against the wall and closed her eyes.

Warmth spread across her stomach, arms and chest. She stretched open her eyes. Sound trickled into her consciousness.

Someone stood above her. Someone familiar. She blinked awake.

“Nolan?” Her heart began to pound and she reached for him.

Then remembered.

She tucked her hands back beneath the gauzy white hospital blanket he must have brought and spread out over her torso.

“Hey.” He knelt in front of her. “You haven’t been seen yet?”

She shook her head. “They’re swamped.”

“How are you holding up?” He tugged the blanket back and palpated her fingers, peeking through the stretchy bandage he’d applied on the bridge.

“Fair.”

“It’s twice as swollen as on the bridge. What did they give you for pain?”

Her voice caught at the softness in his. “I—I haven’t had anything.” She dipped her face, partly to avoid the compassion in his. How she hated to be weak in front of him again.

Nolan rose, looking determinedly down halls, probably for a nurse.

Mandy straightened. “They offered but I declined it.”

He inclined his head. “Now why would you go and do a silly—”

“Dr. Manchester?” Nurse Bailey approached.

Thank goodness. Saved by the Bailey.

“Yes?” Mandy stood.

Nolan stepped back but put his hand to her unaffected elbow.

Bailey motioned toward the unit. “You’re up next. Come on back.”

Nolan made motions to follow. Mandy held her hand palm up in halt position. Comically annoyed but steadfast, he looked at it like it was no barrier. When his gaze reached hers, he stopped and drew a long breath that made his chest bigger. Like it needed it. Not!

“Look Mandy, I came here to see how you were. But also, I wanted to set up a time to meet. We need to talk.”

Her hand jammed to her hip. “Not interested in discussing anything.” Knees trembling, she turned to go.

A strong hand curled around her healthy wrist. “Don’t be mule-headed.” He moved toward the room with her still in hand.

She stopped, tugged her hand free and shot him a caustic glare. “Bye, Nolan.”

His body tensed, but paused. The knot in his jaw rippled. Always a sign of frustration in Nolan. Yet rarely, if ever, had it been directed at her.

She turned to go to the room Nurse Bailey disappeared into.

“This is far from over, Mandy.” The decree floated from somewhere behind her.

She ignored him until she reached the room entrance. Then mistakenly cast a glance over her shoulder to see if he’d actually listened to her and left.

Right.

He stood, stubborn and tall, feet planted right where her words had left him. And according to the steel-plated glint in his resolute eyes he not only wasn’t going anywhere, her words may as well have fallen on deaf ears.

He wasn’t budging.

This is far from over.

Then an unspoken version of that message traveled, mesmerizingly slow and daringly potent, down the corridor from his eyes to hers. And his immovable jutting stance said exactly the same yet fractionally different:

We are far from over.