Chapter 117
ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEEN
Bluff County Hospital
Hazel rode in the back of the ambulance with Iris and Lou Lou to the hospital while Ellie and Derrick drove her Jeep. Using her hands-free, Ellie called Beth Ann Benton.
“We found Iris,” Ellie said without preamble. “She’s safe and appears unharmed.”
“Oh, my goodness, that’s wonderful,” Beth Ann said in a shaky voice. “Where is she? Can I see her?”
“She and the other little girl are on their way to the hospital for routine evaluations. If you want to meet us there, you can.”
“Of course. I’ll be there ASAP.”
The excitement in Minnie’s sister’s voice warmed Ellie’s heart.
“I’m glad her sister wants her,” Derrick said.
“Me, too. At least she’ll be with family.”
“Dana Jo and her mother will be excited and relieved, too. Maybe now Dana Jo can overcome her trauma and start living without fear again.”
Ellie spun into the hospital parking lot and parked just after the ambulance did. She and Derrick met Hazel and the medics at the door. Iris was clinging to Hazel, and Lou Lou had fallen asleep, so one of the medics carried her inside.
Ellie and Hazel hurried beside them while Derrick hung back in the waiting room for Beth Ann to arrive. A nurse met them, and Ellie explained the circumstances as they escorted the children to an exam room.
“Let’s keep the girls together,” Hazel suggested. “They were holding hands on the way over.”
Ellie nodded and stepped into the hall as a pediatrician entered. “They’ve been through an ordeal,” Ellie told the young woman. “I imagine they’ll need counseling.”
“We’ll discuss that with the families,” the doctor said.
Ellie thanked her then walked to the waiting room and told Derrick she planned to check on Dana Jo.
Her pulse raced as she walked down the hall to Dana Jo’s room.
Her mother sat in a chair beside Dana Jo, hugging a cup of coffee, and Dana Jo sipped water through a straw.
She looked like hell, bruised and battered, and was still shell-shocked.
Having her daughter back would lift those spirits.
She tapped on the door then stepped inside. Dana Jo looked up with a mixture of fear and hope just as her mother did.
“Are you up for a ride in a wheelchair?” Ellie asked.
Hope lit Dana Jo’s eyes, although wariness followed as if she’d been disappointed so many times she was afraid to hope.
“It’s okay,” Ellie assured her. “Everything’s going to be all right.”
Relief echoed in Dana Jo’s breath as she released it then Ellie pushed a wheelchair in, and Dana Jo’s mother helped her daughter stand then sit down. They covered her lap with a blanket, and Ellie pushed Dana Jo, with her mother walking close beside the chair.
Worry and anticipation filled the silence as they made their way to the ER. By the time they arrived, Beth Ann had rushed in and Derrick and Beth Ann walked with them to the girls’ exam room.
Ellie found the nurse. “Is it okay if we take the families back to the girls now?”
The nurse beamed a smile. “I think that would be the best medicine they could ever have.”
Beth Ann winced as she looked at Dana Jo, then offered her a tender smile and they followed the nurse to the room.
The pediatrician stepped to the door, and Ellie made the introductions.
“Is Lou Lou okay?” Dana Jo asked
“Both children are fine. A little confused but it appears that after the initial abduction, they were well cared for. Counseling might be necessary in the future. But for now they’re safe and physically unharmed.”
“Can I see my little girl now?” Dana Jo asked in a raw whisper.
“Yes,” the doctor said.
“I’m Iris’s aunt,” Beth Ann said. “I want to meet her.”
The doctor motioned to the door. “Go on in. Hazel’s been keeping them calm.”
Ellie followed them inside but before she could introduce Hazel, Lou Lou squealed, “Mama, mama!” Mrs. Glasser scooped up the toddler and placed her in Dana Jo’s lap and Dana Jo and her mother wrapped Lou Lou into a big hug as they cried happy tears.
Beth Ann looked nervous, fidgeting with the buttons on her sweater, but Hazel reached out her hand. “I’m Hazel,” the kind woman said softly. “I loved your sister, hon, and I love Iris, too.”
Emotions overcame Beth Ann. “I wish she’d told me about her. I… would have been there for her.”
“You can be now,” Hazel said softly. “This little girl needs a mother.”
Beth Ann stared at the tiny little girl. “She’s so beautiful.”
“So was your sister,” Hazel said. “She wanted you to raise her, that is, if you want.”
Even as Beth Ann trembled, she gave a little nod. “But I don’t know much about kids.”
Hazel pulled Beth Ann close to her. “Well, I happen to know a right good bit, so you can lean on me like your sister did.” Hazel waved Iris’s little hand playfully. “Iris, this is your aunt. You mommy’s sister.”
“Hi, Iris,” Beth Ann said in a tender voice.
“Mommy,” Iris murmured.
Tears trickled down Beth Ann’s cheeks. There would always be sadness in the fact that Iris’s mother was gone.
“I loved your mommy,” Beth Ann whispered. “And I’m going to love you and take care of you just like she would have.”
Iris reached her arms up as if she wanted to be held. Hazel nodded encouragement, and Beth Ann lifted the child into her arms and planted a soft kiss in her hair.
Ellie nudged Derrick’s arm and they left the room, grateful the families had been reunited and that the little girls could go home with their families tonight.