Loving Lizzy (The Serenity Mountain Series Book 6)

Chapter Thirteen

Michael cringed with every bump in the road as he drove Lizzy home from the hospital. Even with the pain medication, she took deep breaths when the car got jarred by the road’s surface. Thank goodness the women thought of the pillow for her chest. She clutched it for dear life and closed her eyes making him wonder if she experienced more pain than she let on when the doctor came in to discharge her.

“We’re almost home,” he said aloud. He wasn’t sure if he told her to console her or himself at this point. He ticked off every mile behind them as he drove and silently cursed himself for moving to Serenity before the surgery. The time to the hospital from her condo only took ten minutes and now she had to endure the forty-minute drive.

“The pillow’s helping, don’t worry about it,” she told him.

He saw her clench the edge of the pillow as he drove over a small divot in the road, which now felt like a huge pothole, he plunged the car into. When did the roads become horrendous? He wiped the sheen of sweat from his brow despite it being winter.

“You’re exhausted,” she exclaimed as she wearily watched him drive.

“I didn’t realize the condition of the roads. I regret our move. Your condo’s located closer to the hospital. We’d already be home and getting you comfortable,’ he complained.

“I love the new house. It turned out nice and cozy. Samantha’s vanilla candles make it relaxing. It’ll be wonderful living closer to our jobs and our friends,” she defended their move. She winced as he swerved to miss a small limb in the road.

“Sorry,” he apologized.

She sighed heavily and squeezed his hand, giving up on trying to reassure him.

They finally turned onto their street, and he pulled into the drive. He jumped out of the vehicle and ran to the other side. He opened her door to help her out.

“Michael?” Lizzy hesitated. “Are you going somewhere?”

“No. I’m getting you settled.” He regarded her strangely for assuming he planned on leaving her as soon as he got her home.

“You might want to shut the car off then,” she glanced at his face, trying to keep from laughing.

Michael closed his eyes. Everything he attempted since he got her in the car went wrong. At this rate, she’d soon lose confidence in his ability to care for her. He didn’t practice oncology; he worked with little people.

“Take a breath, Michael. You’re overthinking everything. You’re tired and you didn’t eat anything for breakfast or lunch,” she softly scolded him.

“Because the damn doctor promised to come in this morning to discharge you. Thirteen hundred is not morning. It’s after lunch. You’ve not eaten anything either and you gotta eat before I can give you anything for the pain. Don’t tell me you aren’t hurting either. I see it in your eyes.”

Lizzy lifted her arm, and he knelt beside her when he saw her wince. She pressed her hand against his cheek. “Let’s start over. We pulled into the driveway. You need to shut the car off and help me inside. Then we’ll take a minute to gather ourselves.”

He held her hand to his cheek and closed his eyes. “I’m supposed to comfort you right now, not the other way around. I feel like I’m fucking this all up. I might call Chase down.”

“For what? Everyone returns home from surgery a bit sore and uncomfortable. You’re doing a great job caring for me and I appreciate it.”

She stroked his jaw, and he lowered her hand to her side. He ran back around and shut the damn car off shaking his head at his idiocy then sprinted back to her side and bent to help her ease out of the vehicle.

Looking toward the house, he panicked, “I forgot about the steps.”

“Hang on to me and we’ll conquer them together. Last time I checked they cut off my boobs not my legs,” she attempted to muffle the laughter to keep from feeling pain but didn’t succeed.

“It’s not funny, Lizzy,” he reprimanded her. How can she act nonchalant about something which has changed her life? He didn’t find any humor in the situation.

She stopped long enough to let the pain recede from giggling. “I’m sorry, Michael. At this rate, you’ll have a heart attack, if you keep this up. Why don’t you call Kassie and take a nap?”

He took a deep breath. “I can take care of you. This morning didn’t go as planned and I’m worried you won’t stay on top of your pain management and it’s only the first day home.” He held on to her as she climbed the step and then took another.

“I’m not due to take anything for at least another hour and I’ve no doubt you can help me. I’ll probably nap too, and I know you won’t rest while I’m asleep. Maybe if Kassie came down, it?—”

“I got this under control. Let me get you settled and like you said, we’ll start over,” he argued.

They finally made it to the top of the stairs, and he unlocked the door. The house smelled of fresh bread and the aroma of something cooking tickled his nose and made his stomach growl.

“My appetite came back at the smell of whatever’s in the kitchen. The bread smells amazing, I think it’s rosemary…” her voice drifted as he guided her to the recliner in the living room.

He placed the blanket over her lap. Her eyes closed as if it took all her strength to make it inside the house. He went out to the car to grab their bags and brought them into the house. He checked on Lizzy before going into the bedroom and putting the items from the bags away. He made his way to the kitchen to find a note from Kassie.

Chicken soup is ready to eat whenever you’re hungry and we stocked the freezer with banana popsicles. Welcome home.

He smiled as he left the message on the counter. He’ll text her later and say thank you. He lifted the lid to the crockpot and inhaled the smell of the simmering goodness. A still warm loaf of bread sat on the cutting board. Michael rubbed his eyes and returned to the living room.

Lizzy dozed and her head angled off to the side. He frowned. Her position promised to leave her with an aching neck. Sitting on the side table next to her chair sat a basket. Someone left a travel pillow, heating pad, lotion, and warm socks. He gingerly removed her shoes and changed her socks to the clean pair. Grabbing the U-shaped pillow, he cupped her head and slid it into position. Lizzy never woke.

He sat on the couch and pulled out his personal computer. He bookmarked pages he wanted to save while he glanced at his phone to check the time. Knowing the importance of staying ahead of the pain, he hated the thought of having to wake her if she didn’t rise on her own within half an hour. Hopefully, the food waiting in the crockpot agreed with her tummy. Then, he planned to give her meds.

He took out his phone and texted Kassie.

Thank you for the wonderful welcome home present.

Three dots appeared and he waited for her response.

Bryanna made the bread, Samantha brought over the fresh herbs for the food and the recipe is Maddie’s. Carol made fresh butter in the fridge.

He shook his head. Knowing her, she organized the entire thing and refused to take any credit. He knew she secretly did things for the team members who saved her life. She built the cabin for Leo, ensured Whiskey’s family received counseling, and asked Joe to talk to his friend concerning Samantha’s products.

Whiskey and Samantha’s relationship seemed rocky, yet she supported both. Michael went with her when she decided to rescue Saint’s daughter. He accidentally walked in on a conversation when she stopped by the house to check if the contractors did everything to their preferences. On the phone outside, she argued with the banker over Whiskey’s home loan. Apparently getting declared dead and showing up alive played havoc with his credit. The banker never stood a chance when Kassie guaranteed the loan, allowing Whiskey to accomplish something on his own and save his pride. She didn’t fool him one bit.

A low moan escaped Lizzy’s mouth. Michael rose and bent over her. “Hey. Do you feel like trying some soup and a piece of bread?”

She sleepily nodded and winced as she wriggled her butt in the chair to find a comfortable position. Wearing the gown the women gifted her at the hospital, she at least appeared warm and cozy.

He made his way to the kitchen and dished out the delicious meal and cut her a slice of bread. He added the fresh butter and placed everything on a tray. He sat it on a TV tray in front of her before returning to grab her a drink.

When he rounded the corner, he caught Lizzy’s face scrunched up in discomfort as she attempted to eat the hot soup. At the rate she moved, her soup was guaranteed to cool before she finished. He knelt beside the chair and took the spoon.

“I can feed myself,” she insisted.

“Consider it a preview of when we grow old,” he teased.

“Ha, I’ll be the one feeding you. I plan to run circles around you when you grow old and gray,” she shot back.

“May I remind you, you’re only a year younger than I am?”

“I’ll always stay young. You won’t ever see gray hair on me. I’ll stay active and catch all the younger men’s eyes while I push your wheelchair. Wanna know the best part?” She innocently gazed into his eyes and batted her lashes.

“What?” He fed her another spoonful and waited for her to swallow her food.

Lizzy gripped her side, and she sucked in her lips as if she were about to burst. He knew her face meant trouble and he raised his brow at her.

“My boobs won’t sag.” She burst out. Her eyes filled with merriment as his mouth fell open in shock. She attempted to contain the laughter to minimize the tenderness, but her body still quaked.

“What the hell has gotten into you? You don’t ever joke like this and I gotta tell ya, Lizzy, you’re beginning to worry me. Did you decide to use humor as a coping mechanism?” He sat back on his heels.

Her face turned to one of a chastised child. “I think I’m loopy from all the meds. You must think I’m so crass right now. Everything feels incredibly dire, and I felt we needed a laugh. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. Believe me, I’m terrified of what the biopsy will show. I hate seeing you serious all the time. You’ll scare all your little patients away when they catch sight of your face.”

“I’m worried about you,” he whispered.

“I know. Unfortunately, we can’t control cancer. Honestly, I struggle more because I can’t plan and fix it. My brain doesn’t know how to fight something I can’t prepare for,” she told him.

“Your jokes are terrible,” he grumbled.

“Kassie says Victoria told her even when it’s dark to always find the light. It meant a lot to me when they showed up yesterday. I’m excited about getting to know everyone better. My one liners might be in poor taste, but the expression on your face made it totally worth it.” She grinned from ear to ear in a genuine smile. Not the one she used when she tried convincing everyone she felt fine.

“My dark began when I lost you and you’re my light,” He stroked her face with his thumb. “If telling terrible wisecracks relieves your stress, then by all means, keep it up.”

“Can I take my meds now and get one of those popsicles?” She shifted slightly and he noticed her face start to pale.

“I’ll get them.” He stood and went into the kitchen. He pulled the bottle of pills from the pharmacy bag and took out one. He noted down the time and returned to Lizzy. He watched as the drugs did their job and her features began to relax. He hung his tired head for a moment before shaking it off and getting up to cover her. She only ate half of the food and never touched the bread. He thought about texting Chase before deciding he didn’t want to bother him.

He checked Lizzy’s drains and yawned. Michael walked to the bathroom and splashed cold water on his face. A fear settled low in his gut he couldn’t shake. Lizzy dealt with the crisis by telling bad jokes. All he managed to do was survive the day.