Chapter 16
The night before Thanksgiving, Cole joined the team at the facility for a holiday gathering.
The women took over the kitchen while the men watched the kids play in the pool to burn off some of their excitement about the holidays approaching.
Sparky sat at the table and made the relish trays while Edie fussed over the desserts.
Bryanna pulled a pie from the oven while Kassie set the two tables with Samantha, Julie, and Catherine.
Lizzy rocked Beth while Claire held one of Doc’s twins.
Gabby fed Marcus. Tess checked the stuffing.
The grans sat in a circle talking while glancing over at the kids.
The scene appeared like complete chaos, yet the adults didn’t seem the least bit flustered.
Seeing Ivan limping across the pool area, Cole stood and offered him his chair and pulled another one close. “How’s the leg?”
“It’s healing fine,” Ivan assured him. “I’m only limping because Aleski tripped me while fussing over the homemade bread for the men.”
“I don’t know if I feel relieved or sorry for Aleski,” Cole teased.
Ivan grunted. “He’s the one person I won’t touch. He started out as my man. Like a dog, he pants after Victoria and she’s furiously protective over the traitor.”
Doc carried one of his twins while Taco climbed into the pool holding Tori.
“Listen up,” Taco called over the chaos. “We need a half hour of baby time. No splashing,” he ordered. The kids groaned loudly, protesting his dictate.
“All right then. I guess no one wants to play chicken,” he teased.
The kids squealed excitedly and moved further away from the babies as Leo climbed in with Derrick and Saint joined them with Gabriel. Michael walked out of the locker room carrying Faith. Patch held her while Michael stepped into the water, then took his daughter.
He shook his head while the grown men played with the babies. Never having seen anything like it, Cole realized they might be coworkers, but this team considered itself family.
“How are you settling in?” Doc asked him.
“I love the town. Everyone’s great at the hospital. The seniors have kept me busy this week. We filled the entire bus last night,” he informed Doc.
“They’re becoming more comfortable again. We’re very pleased. Barb, Edie, and Cherise, Ty’s mom, have cooked for weeks. Kassie has purchased supplies to pass out on the day after Thanksgiving when the veterans pick them up,” he said, watching Taco with Tori.
“When I picked up the Hendricks, their fridge barely contained anything. I’m sorry if I put you on the spot about the cash award for the bingo game. I hear they want it to continue. I’m happy to provide it,” Cole offered.
“There’s no need. Kassie has it taken care of.
Some of the families will be adopting a senior family for the year.
It’ll allow the community to care for the elders and ensure they aren’t going without.
She only posted the sign-up two days ago, and it’s filled.
We have a couple of families in town who seem in dire need of coats and essentials.
The team will play Secret Santa this weekend if you want to join us,” Doc invited him.
“Absolutely. Do I need to purchase some presents?” he asked.
“Nope. The kids went shopping and got everything. We started the tradition last year with one family. They enjoyed it and asked to do it again this year,” Doc explained.
“The women will have everything wrapped on Friday night while we deliver the supplies and keep the seniors occupied. We even saved them some presents to wrap.”
Cole grinned as Taco called time. The older kids cheered as the men exited the pool with the babies.
Ragu and Patch passed out towels and held babies as the men dried off and wrapped the kids.
They returned to the locker room to dress their children.
Victoria took Tori from Taco, leaving him free to jump in the pool. “Who’s ready for games?”
The kids yelled and raised their hands. Bear entered the area with Tommy and a heavily pregnant Julie.
“Sorry we’re late. Julie’s back hurts but she refused to stay home,” Bear grumbled.
“I’m pregnant, not sick,” she said firmly.
“How long has it hurt?” Doc asked.
“Since this afternoon,” Julie informed him.
“Did you want to swim, Tommy?” Bear asked his son.
“Yeah, but I want you to get in with me,” he admitted shyly.
“Let’s get changed,” Bear said, guiding Julie toward the women.
Tommy followed eagerly behind him.
“What’s wrong?” Cole asked Doc. “You seem concerned.”
“My wife will handle it,” he said confidently.
As soon as Bear and Tommy left to change, Kassie knelt beside Julie and he watched as she rubbed the woman’s back and spoke softly.
Julie nodded and glanced to where Bear and Tommy disappeared.
Kassie turned to Catherine and said something. A minute later, she calmly walked toward Doc.
“Julie’s in labor. She’s scared and doesn’t want Bear to know she’s terrified,” she explained.
“Victoria and Maddie will watch the twins and Tori while we take Julie to the maternity ward. Shadow and Avie will care for Tommy,” she told Doc.
“You get to inform Bear once Shadow brings Tommy out. We don’t want him upset. ”
Doc winked at Cole. “See, she has it all under control.”
Kassie gave him a grin before she turned back toward Julie. She supported the pregnant woman from the chair while Catherine wiped her eyes, reassuring her. They walked down the hall together as the elders watched.
Doc went into the locker room as Shadow brought Tommy to the pool. A minute later, Cole watched as Bear shot out of the room, followed by his best friend.
“Amateurs,” Patch said, shaking his head beside him.
“Why do you say that?” he asked.
“These people multiply like rabbits. Bear will panic the entire time Julie’s in labor, and I bet you fifty bucks it’s a boy,” Patch said, watching Shadow recruit Deni to keep Tommy distracted.
“How do I know you haven’t seen the ultrasound or Bear didn’t tell you the gender of the baby?” he asked.
Patch rolled his eyes. “You belong here more than ya know.”
“I’ve fallen for enough of your tricks. My eye still hurts from Sparky,” Cole said, laughing.
“How’s it going with the Hannah chick?” Patch asked.
“Other than the fact Samantha sent me to read a spicy romance to her, we’re doing good,” Cole informed him.
“We?” Patch’s eyebrow went up.
“You know what I mean. She’s a nice lady,” Cole insisted.
“Listen, I know you’re new here. It’s nice you visit with her, but don’t get your hopes up,” Patch advised as he threw one of the balls back into the pool.
Cole’s hackles went up. “What do you mean?”
“She’s one of the longest residents on Serenity Mountain.
Her parents have come to visit a couple of times and they leave disappointed.
Kassie refuses to give up on her because it hits close to home.
You know we can’t save everyone. It’s the reality of our jobs,” Patch said softly.
“I don’t want you to think you can cure her.
My fiancée believed she and Kassie might be able to bring Hannah around.
Here we are, eighteen months later and she hasn’t uttered a word. ”
“It doesn’t mean we give up on people,” Cole ground out.
Patch held up his hands. “I, of all people, will never tell you to give up. This place saved me. Claire rescued me. For the life of me, I don’t understand what they saw in me, but they persevered until I saw the light.
I see your interest in this woman and I worry what will happen when she doesn’t come around for you. ”
“I’m not giving up. She may not speak, but she’s in there,” Cole insisted.
“She has feelings. I don’t know what happened to her, but it’s not difficult to see she suffered something traumatic.
I’m not taking the stance that not everyone can be saved.
One day, she’ll prove us wrong.” Cole turned and walked down the hall, fighting the urge to slam his fist into Patch’s jaw.
His hands clenched, itching to strike something. His phone rang, and he took it out to see Cookie’s name flash across his screen.
“Hey, man,” he answered.
“Whoa, you don’t sound too good. I called to check on how you’re doing in Serenity,” Cookie said.
“I don’t know, man. I’ve made some big blunders since I arrived and I’m doubting if I truly belong here,” he confessed.
“What do you mean?” Cookie asked. “You’re one of the best.”
“It’s not important,” he sighed.
“It’s important if it has you this worked up. Tell me what’s going on,” he demanded.
“There’s a woman here, a patient. She’s a long-time resident. I volunteer to visit with her. She really likes Brody and Canine Nine when I bring them to her room. I see some progress in her and yet this guy, Patch, warned me off. He says we can’t save everyone,” Cole vented.
Cookie listened to his rant. “Do you believe she’s worth saving?”
“Hell, yeah, I do,” he said vehemently.
Cookie paused and spoke to Fiona, excusing himself from the room.
“Do you remember how I met Fiona?” he asked.
“Yeah,” Cole said, wiping his forehead.
“I gave you the condensed version. Those assholes hurt her and drugged her. I traipsed through the jungle with Fiona while she went through withdrawal. She begged me to leave her behind if she slowed me down,” Cookie admitted.
“Shit,” Cole muttered.
“When we got to our safe house, we treated her for the drugs. She tried escaping. After I convinced her to come home with me, she went to the mall with the women and freaked out. She hid in a hotel room, believing they found her again. Tex became her only lifeline until I returned home and got to her. Maybe you’re this woman’s lifeline,” he suggested.
“Can I ask a favor of you? Do you think Fiona might talk with her? Sometimes I glance at her and see stark fear. If only I could find a way to reach her…” his voice drifted off.
“I don’t think the hospital will approve such a visit. Let me talk to Fiona and maybe we can come for a weekend. Whatever you do, don’t give up,” Cookie encouraged him.
“I won’t,” he promised while scratching behind Brody’s ear. “Thanks for the pep talk.”
“Anytime. Show them what you’re made of Cole. You’ve got this,” he said before disconnecting the call.
Cole put away his phone and leaned against his truck. Hannah’s eyes came to mind, and he knew without a doubt he’d continue to fight for her.
Entering the facility, he made his way back to the chaos. The guys hauled the kids out of the pool and dried them off. Shadow spoke quietly with Tommy away from the group. How can such an accepting group advise him against the woman he looked forward to seeing at the end of his day?
Patch’s hand clasped his shoulder. “Listen, I owe you an apology. I’m probably the negative Nelly among this group of do-gooders.
Leo caught us up on what happened on your tour.
I understand your loss since I lost my entire unit.
When I arrived here, I pushed everyone away.
Claire saw me. Maybe you see Hannah. I don’t want you to leave because of a bad experience here. We need you.”
“Ha,” Cole grunted. “Since I arrived, I’ve attacked a Russian and got held at knifepoint by his mafia wife. Let’s not forget I sparred with a blind woman and got the shit kicked out of me.”
Leo’s daughter, Melody, tugged on Cole’s shirt. “Excuse me. We have a rule around here about saying bad words. You owe us five bucks,” she said, holding her hand out.
“Can’t you give him a break? He’s the new guy,” Patch attempted to dissuade the little girl.
Her eyes zeroed in on her Uncle Patch. “Daddy says you’ll say anything to get out of trouble. We treat everyone fairly. Sorry, Uncle Cole, pay up.”
He dug out his wallet and placed a five in her hand.
Her eyes lit up and she grinned from ear to ear.
“Yay, thank you for providing money for our pizza and ice cream party.” She turned toward the group of kids and waved the cash in her hands.
“I caught Uncle Cole saying one curse word. See, Gran Victoria was right, we’ll have our money by the end of the day. ”
The men glanced up to see the woman holding the pretty tumbler Cole gave her. Victoria lifted it, toasted them, took a sip, and smiled.
“You don’t have to worry about me, man. You hurt Ivan. Consider yourself Victoria’s victim,” Patch whispered as he gave her a chin lift. “Cover your balls.”
“But I apologized and gave her the mug,” Cole insisted.
Patch chuckled and walked off, leaving Cole to his imagination.
The family gathered at the table. He sat at the opposite end, feeling like the odd man out as Joe sat at the head of the table. Everyone clasped hands, including the children.
“Today, we gather here to give our thanks for another year together. The empty chair represents Debbie and her daughter. They may not be here with us physically, but they’re here in spirit.
Tomorrow we’ll gather at the hospital and celebrate the day with the staff and patients.
I can’t tell you how proud I am of each of you for the community we have built here.
We welcome Cole and his buddy, Brody, to our family and the newest little one making an appearance today.
Whether by blood or by friendship, we’re blessed to have one another,” Joe said, smiling at his loved ones.
Cole watched as Ragu kissed Annabelle. Saint leaned over to help his daughter cut her meat.
Michael took Beth from Lizzy. Whiskey put his arm around Samantha and glanced down with pride at his family.
Leo held Grace while Catherine burped Derrick, smiling at each other.
Ty lovingly embraced his wife. Victoria and Ivan seemed grateful for their adopted son, Nick.
Joe and Maddie’s eyes gleamed with love at Doc and Kassie’s kids.
Knight placed the sleeping Marcus in his arms and encouraged Gabby to eat first.
The only person missing at the table, Cole thought, was Hannah. Something told him she’d love to have such a loving, loud, and obnoxious family. Brody whined at his side as if thinking the same thing. He leaned down and petted his buddy. “Don’t worry, we’ll see Hannah soon.”