Chapter 26
Julia snapped her eyes open with a sharp gasp, her eyes darting around the sterile room. The scent of antiseptic stung her nostrils as the constant drone of her heart monitor slowed from its speedy beat.
“Hey, it’s okay,” Grant whispered as he sprang from the chair next to her bed. “You fell asleep.”
She shifted in the uncomfortable bed, wincing as her fluids IV pulled in the crook of her elbow. “Sorry.”
He squeezed her hand as he stroked her hair. “You don’t have to apologize. You need rest.”
She let her head fall back onto the flat pillow. “I’d rather get it at home. The beds there are much nicer.”
He chuckled as he settled back into his seat, their hands still clutched together. “Soon, hopefully.”
“Why aren’t you with Sierra?” she asked.
“Sierra was discharged hours ago. She went back to the house.”
Julia breathed out a sigh. “How did she get sprung?”
“Her tests came back okay, and I think she threatened a nurse or two.”
Julia laughed at the typical behavior of her stepdaughter. “Oh, is that all it takes to get out of here?”
She shifted again. “I can’t believe my test results aren’t back yet. If Sierra’s were fine, mine should be, too. Let’s just go.”
“Julia,” Grant said, his voice a warning, “you can’t leave until we know you’re okay.”
“I’m fine!” Julia insisted.
“I really wish you’d let professionals make those determinations, Julia.”
Julia’s heart leapt into her throat at the sound of the familiar voice. Her features went slack as Dr. Kyle Carter swept into the emergency room cubicle with his tablet in hand, settling on the side of the bed opposite Grant.
The annoyance on Grant’s features was obvious as he rose from the chair, his unimpressed stare landing on Kyle.
The doctor scrolled through the results.
“Uh, perhaps under the circumstances another doctor would be best.”
Kyle finally pulled his glance up from the screen. He weighed the words with a bob of his head. “Well, you could get another doctor, yes. Or you could keep the best doctor on this staff to make sure Julia is okay.”
“I’m fine,” she answered, attempting to diffuse the situation.
Grant’s jaw flexed, a gesture she now recognized as him trying to show restraint. “I’m certain another doctor would be capable of handling this case.”
“I am, too. But there is no reason for that. While this situation may be awkward due to our recent, and as yet unresolved interactions, I am a professional. And I happen to care about Julia’s wellbeing.”
Grant heaved a sigh.
Julia flicked her gaze between the two of them. The tension still hung heavy between them. She didn’t care which doctor read the results, though, as long as she could go home. “Can we just get the results and get out of here?”
Kyle lifted the tablet and toggled the screen on again. “Yes, you can have the results, but no, you cannot leave here.”
Her heart sank at the news.
“What?” Grant barked.
“You have quite the mix of drugs in your system including benzodiazepines, phenobarbital, and muscle relaxants.”
Julia heaved a sigh at the long list of medications swimming in her system. “But Sierra had the same thing, right? And she went home.”
Kyle offered her a concerned smile with a flick of his eyebrows. “Yes, she did. But she was not also dehydrated with a heart rate that’s elevated enough for me to be concerned.”
“Elevated enough for you to be concerned or any doctor to be concerned?” Grant asked.
Kyle clicked his tongue, setting his narrowed eyes on Grant. “I don’t care for that implication.”
“I’m simply asking since you seem to harbor a great amount of concern for Julia beyond the standard of care.”
Julia interjected again as the tension between the two men heightened. The last thing they needed was another fistfight to ruin the burgeoning relationship between father and son. “Okay, I’ll drink plenty of water when I get home.”
Kyle pressed his lips together as he shook his head. “That’s not good enough. I’m recommending you stay overnight for observation.”
“No!” Grant and Julia said simultaneously, her voice sounding more pleading while his resembled an order.
“Julia, you have a very dangerous combination of drugs still floating around in your system. And I’m concerned it’s taking a toll on your heart. I would not feel comfortable sending you home at all.” He flicked a glance to Grant. “Even if someone kept an eye on you.”
“Which I would,” Grant answered through clenched teeth.
“It would be far better for you to be here with professionals who can give you the proper care you need if any adverse events arise.”
“Adverse events?” Julia questioned as she let her head fall back against the pillow again. “Staying here is an adverse event.”
“Look, if she’s not comfortable staying here, I’m taking her home.”
Kyle heaved a sigh as he flicked his gaze to the floor before he shrugged. “Okay, if it makes you more comfortable. I’ll get you a second opinion. But if the second doctor agrees with me, you stay, deal?”
“Fine,” Julia said with a sigh.
Grant rubbed her shoulder as Kyle left them behind. She slid her eyes closed and rubbed at her forehead.
“I don’t like this either,” Grant said, “but maybe you should stay just in case.”
She popped her eyes open, her features pinching. She wanted desperately to go home and stretch out in her own bed. She longed for the quiet solitude of Harrington House, along with the security it offered. She trusted the security team there more than the uniformed officer posted outside her cubicle.
But she also didn’t want to experience any adverse events either. “Maybe.”
The curtain around her space shook as a new doctor hurried inside, followed by Kyle. He handed the man the tablet. “The patient’s chart and test results.”
The man scanned them before he flicked his gaze to Julia. “You had quite a cocktail in your system.”
“So I’ve heard,” she answered.
Grant waved a hand in the air. “Look, doctor, all we’d like to know is if there is enough concern that an overnight stay is warranted.”
“I’d say there is more than enough concern. The elevated heart rate alone is enough to warrant monitoring until the drugs leave her system. And she could benefit from more IV fluids.”
The corners of Kyle’s lips turned up at the man’s words. “Thank you, Dr. Crane.”
“Of course. Good luck to you.” He thrust the tablet back toward Kyle before he disappeared.
Kyle offered them a triumphant grin. “Well, is that enough to convince you?”
“Sadly, yes,” Julia said.
“Good. I’ll get you moved to a room.” Kyle disappeared from the room as Julia let her head thud against the uncomfortable pancake of a pillow.
She shifted her gaze to Grant who settled into the chair with a less-than-happy expression. “You should go home and get some rest. Spend time with Sierra.”
“I’m not leaving you here.”
“There’s nothing you can do here. And I’m sure you’re exhausted.”
Grant gave her a determined look. “I’m not leaving you. I don’t care if he’s my son, I still don’t trust him.”
“Well, I’m not going to complain. I don’t want to stay here alone.”
He pulled his phone from his pocket and typed a message. “I’m telling Sierra now. I’m sure she’ll–she’s coming back. So, I can spend plenty of time with her.”
Julia tugged her blanket up higher. “Are you going to tell her?”
Grant heaved a sigh. “I think I have to. I’m afraid he will, and I’d rather it came from me.”
Julia stared out through the slightly open curtain, her mind focusing on Kyle. “He is a wild card.”
“Yes, he is. I’m so sorry you got caught in the middle of this.”
“It’s okay,” she answered. “I just hope this works out for the better rather than the path it was heading down.”
“If it does, it’s because of you.”
The arrival of the transport team interrupted their conversation. Within ten minutes, they had her settled in a room for the night. Sierra stomped her way into the room twenty minutes later, looking much better than the last time Julia had seen her.
“Julia,” she chided as she perched on the edge of the bed, “I can’t believe you have to stay here.”
“Same,” Julia said with a sigh. “Let’s hope it’s only for the night.”
Silence stretched between them for a moment before Grant leaned forward in his chair, settling his elbows on his knees. “Sierra, there’s something I need to tell you.”
Julia pressed her lips together as her stomach twisted into a knot. She couldn’t imagine this was easy for him. And with an audience, it probably was all that much worse. “If you’d like to get some air, I’ll be fine.”
“No, here is fine.”
Julia’s fingers twisted around her blanket as she prepared for the news. How would Sierra react? She was another wild card.
Sierra focused on her father. “What is it? Is it about the kidnapping? Did they catch the people?”
“No, they didn’t. And it’s not really about the kidnapping.”
“Well, what is it?”
Grant heaved a sigh. “A long time ago, I spent a night with a woman.”
“Ew! Daddy! I don’t need to know about this.”
“Yes, you do.”
“Uh, that’s TMI. Cut to the chase. Just give me the bottom line.”
“Kyle Carter is my son.”
Her eyes went wide as she stared at him. “What? Are you serious?”
“Yes, I think it’s true.”
Sierra stood and stormed a few steps away, her purse still dangling from around her arm. “He just…told you that?”
“No. Julia surmised it, he confirmed it, then he told me.”
“And you’re getting a DNA test, right? Because it could be a shakedown.”
“Yes,” Grant said with a nod, “I’d like definitive proof, but his story adds up and so does the supporting evidence.”
Sierra spun to face them, stalking back to the foot of the bed. She drummed her fingers against the foot rail. Julia tried to gauge her response to the information. Was she in shock? Upset?
She finally crossed her arms and shook her head. “I can’t believe Crazy Kyle Carter is my half-brother.”
“I’m not crazy, Sierra, but the rest of it is true,” Kyle said as he stalked into the room.
Sierra eyed him as he strode in to check Julia’s monitors. “Umm, you’re not exactly the portrait of sanity.”
“I prefer eccentric genius, but we can’t all have your impeccable judgment, can we?”
“Eccentric genius?” Sierra rolled her eyes. “Just don’t pull any more crazy stuff, okay?”
Julia stared at the two of them as Kyle settled next to her at the foot of the bed. They had a long road ahead of them as they started a new, complicated chapter in their lives.
As night settled in and only Grant remained in the room, Julia struggled to sleep. The events of the day replayed in her mind over and over every time she closed her eyes.
“Go to sleep, Julia,” Grant said.
She heaved a sigh. “I’m trying. I would have been able to sleep at home.”
“I guess you’ll have that to look forward to tomorrow.”
She drummed her fingers against the bed as she stared at the ceiling.
“You need to rest.”
“I’ll rest tomorrow.”
“But we’ll be busy tomorrow.”
She snapped her gaze to him, his face lit only by the glowing monitors and the light spilling in from the hallway through the sliver of opening in the doorway. “What do we have to do tomorrow?”
“I’m taking you to dinner.”
She flicked her gaze back to the ceiling. “I think I can handle that.”
“Really? Are you sure? The place I want to take you is pretty far.” His voice was teasing and light.
“How far?”
He grinned at her, a twinkle in his eyes. “Paris.”
“Paris?” she choked out.
“Oops, maybe I shouldn’t have said anything. Your heart rate just spiked.”
“Don’t you think that’s a little far?” she asked with a chuckle, lightness entering her voice for the first time since the incident.
Grant responded with a warm smile. “No. After everything you’ve been through, I think you deserve the world. And Paris is just the start.”
Julia settled back in the bed, her eyes growing heavy as she imagined Paris. It sounded like a dream, but it would only provide a glamorous distraction. Their lives had changed today. Nothing would ever be the same. But they had to face it. And for the next few months, they would do it together.
The End