15. Daisy
FIFTEEN
Daisy
MELISSA
Melissa’s body protested every movement, but she didn’t care. The only way out of the hospital was to move, and she needed less help every day. The nurses who’d provided her care were terrific, but she wanted to go home.
“You’re being discharged.” Dr. Sims boomed his announcement during his morning rounds. At six in the morning, his jovial voice had jolted her awake and left her a grinning fool despite the early hour.
Freedom!
She couldn’t wait to sleep in her bed and make food that had taste, texture, and didn’t make her want to gag.
The best part? Her favorite nurse was back on shift, and she’d get to say goodbye to Charles. Compassionate caring wasn’t a quality she associated with men, but Charles had a heart of gold and healing hands.
“Easy does it, Miss Evans.” Charles helped her transition from the hospital bed into the wheelchair.
“You can call me Melissa, you know.” She took her time maneuvering her battered body. Her muscles objected, and she guarded her side, bracing against the pain.
“Old habits, I guess.” He grabbed a clipboard and tucked it under his arm.
“I can walk,” she insisted.
“Hospital policy.” Charles gave her one of his easy smiles. “Everyone is discharged in a wheelchair to the curb. Now, you sure there’s no one I can call?”
Melissa pursed her lips and crinkled her forehead. Her so-called ‘friends’ had all scurried under the woodwork after her husband’s …ex-husband’s …arrest. She needed to stop thinking of him as a husband. He was dead, and she didn’t belong to him anymore. By the time Scott had been tried and convicted, there’d been no one left she called a friend. Her parents had passed away years ago, and she’d been an only child, as had her parents. No uncles. No aunts. No cousins. No family. And no friends.
There wasn’t anyone to call, let alone someone to take her home.
After three years, she hadn’t found a job. No one wanted to hire a serial killer’s wife. She lived off Scott’s bank accounts and had years left before she’d be forced to work.
In the meantime, she worked toward the marketing degree she abandoned after meeting and marrying Scott.
“A cab will do.”
She shifted in the wheelchair, giving a weary sigh. Not for the first time, she contemplated moving from this small town. It’d been her home her entire life, but she’d been treated like a pariah since Scott’s case broke. Moving would mean leaving her parents’ gravesites behind, and honestly, she didn’t have the strength to leave that part of herself behind.
The pain medications messed with her head, making her feel sluggish and distanced from the world. While she’d asked Charles to find out about Scott’s execution, he’d been too busy, and she felt terrible asking again. Instead, she’d flipped through the news channels, but the reporters seemed more interested in covering tornado damage than an execution. The first item on her list, call her lawyer when she got home.
“Okay.” Charles made sure her feet were in the footrests of the wheelchair. “You ready?”
She wore the only clothing she had, CJ’s baggy sweatpants and sweatshirt. It was either his clothes or head home in a hospital gown. CJ’s clothes held the lingering scent of him, a hint of musk, the tiniest waft of his laundry detergent, something woodsy and fresh, like eucalyptus leaves.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
Melissa took a breath and blew it out slowly. It had been only a handful of days, but it already felt like a lifetime ago when CJ had rescued her from the tornado. She clutched at the fabric and breathed deeply. Strong and masculine, the scent soothed her.
Her gaze landed on her lap. The harsh fluorescent lights made the diamond of her wedding ring glitter. She twisted the platinum band as she had a thousand times before. With a tug, she tried once more to remove the ring, but the damn thing wouldn’t budge. Her swollen skin trapped it there just as Scott had held her captive for so long.
Charles squatted in front of her, holding a tissue. It amazed her how he always seemed to have exactly what she needed. His ability to care for others was a real gift.
She reached out. “Thank you.”
He was kind enough not to ask why she was crying.
A shadow passed to the side; she turned at the unexpected movement and bit back a groan at a twinge of pain. The same deliveryman who’d brought the noxious tulips held a bouquet of crimson roses sprinkled with baby’s breath. His gaze locked on her as he knelt to present the arrangement with another odd flourish.
Scott hated roses. Could these be from CJ? Her heart leaped with hope.
Charles gave an appreciative whistle. “Now those are beautiful, not like the tulips.”
The deliveryman flashed Charles an irritated glare. He turned to her, fixing a smile to his face. “I told my boss you didn’t like the tulips. He insisted we replace the arrangement.”
That excited feeling in her belly died out. Not from CJ then, but it was probably too much to have hoped for flowers.
“Who ordered the tulips?” She had a million questions. “Can you tell me when the order was placed?”
The man shrugged. “I’m sorry, I don’t know. I just deliver them.”
His voice held a complex timbre. Smooth and hypnotic, it was bigger than his lanky frame, and magnetic in an unsettling way.
She felt a need to apologize. “I’m sorry you had to come back. The tulips weren’t your fault. I was just feeling nauseous after surgery.”
“Well, flowers are supposed to cheer a person up. I chose roses. I’d hoped they might make you happy.”
She didn’t want the flowers, but he seemed kind, and she hated making him feel bad. Besides, he had gone above and beyond to replace the tulips.
“Thank you, they’re beautiful.”
A look of elation filled his face, more than she would have expected from a simple ‘thank you.’
Charles pointed to the bandages on the man’s hands, a note of concern edging his tone. “What happened to you?”
“A boxing injury…comes with the territory.” The deliveryman shrugged.
“You don’t look like a fighter.” Charles eyed him dubiously.
“I give better than I get. You should see the other guy.” His swagger wasn’t convincing.
Melissa hid a frown. She didn’t like boxing, didn’t understand the need for grown men to beat on each other until they bled.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t have money for a tip.” She never carried a wallet when she ran. It had made for an interesting conversation with hospital billing, but they’d worked out payment for her hospital stay.
The delivery man made a dismissive gesture. “None required. Your smile is good enough.”
“Well, thank you. I appreciate the flowers.”
He glanced left then right. “Are you switching rooms?”
“I’m being discharged.”
“Oh, that’s good news.”
“Thanks.”
Charles pushed her toward the elevator and jabbed at the down arrow while the man followed. He rode with them and then continued walking beside her through the lobby and to the curb.
“You waiting on a ride?” The lanky man pulled out a set of keys from his pocket.
Melissa looked up. “I’ve got a cab coming.”
“Cab was supposed to be here already, Miss Evans. I apologize.” Charles’ head swiveled, his gaze casting across the parking lot and the drive leading to the hospital entrance.
The deliveryman shook his head. “You shouldn’t have to take a cab.”
She shrugged, and the roses shifted in her lap, nearly tumbling to the ground. She grabbed at them and then buried her nose into the delicate petals, inhaling the light fragrance.
“I could save you the price of a fare,” he offered. “Where are you headed?”
Charles placed a hand on her shoulder, squeezed, and answered for her. “Thanks for delivering the flowers, but Miss Evans will take the cab.”
The deliveryman raised his hands. “Hey, just trying to do a good deed. It’s really no problem. I don’t mind.”
She hesitated, unwilling to appear unappreciative, but he was a stranger.
“Look.” Charles’ voice deepened, taking the edge of a challenge. “She’s not getting into a car with someone she doesn’t know.”
“I think she can decide for herself…”
“Listen,” Charles’ tone had gone arctic. “We’re not discussing this. Probably time for you to leave.”
The deliveryman scowled, but after a glance at Melissa, backed down.
Melissa braced herself and struggled to her feet. Someone needed to diffuse the situation before it got out of hand. Charles and the deliveryman locked stares.
A familiar voice called out.
“Melissa?”
CJ jogged toward her from the direction of the parking lot. Her heart fluttered, and her knees wobbled, making her sway.
Charles gripped her shoulder. “I’m calling another cab.” He supported her as a wave of dizziness overcame her. The unsteadiness passed after a few seconds.
Devouring the distance in long, measured strides, CJ’s pace quickened. A huge man jogged behind CJ. She blinked. If she thought CJ was a large man, she’d been mistaken. The guy jogging behind him was massive. A head taller, his chest and biceps were twice as broad as CJ’s.
CJ stopped his easy lope just shy of the curb. He held a white daisy, pinched between his thumb and forefinger. The poor flower’s roots still clung to a clod of dirt.
He thrust it at her. “Um, here.”
“It’s beautiful.”
It was more than beautiful.
Daisies had always been her favorite. Their ivory petals reminded her of better days, innocent times when she’d dared to dream of a future filled with smiling children, a huge family, and a warm bed with a man who protected her from the world.
Her life had taken a decidedly different turn.
“Are you being released?” CJ asked.
She wanted him to pull her against his chest and wrap those powerful arms around her again. She wanted to inhale his rich, deep scent, not the lingering essence of him from his clothes. But, CJ didn’t take her into his arms.
“Guess I heal fast.” She rushed to fill the silence.
“I thought they were going to remove your spleen.” His gaze dipped to her stomach.
She shook her head. “It wasn’t as bad as they thought. They did a lapra…lobora…”
“Laparoscopic surgery.” Charles finished her sentence.
“Yeah, what he said.” The medical jargon blurred into unintelligible nonsense.
“Makes sense then.” CJ’s gaze swept from one end of the curb to another, taking in the scene. His vision hitched on the deliveryman standing behind the wheelchair and then moved on. “How are you getting home?”
“I’m waiting for my cab.”
His brows drew together. “No one came to visit you?”
Odd question.
She brought the daisy to her nose, breathing in the faint scent. “Nope.”
“Well, shoot. I’ll take you.” He dragged a hand over his close-cropped hair.
Charles leaned in to whisper. “Is this him?”
She gave a curt nod. Charles knew all about her disappearing hero.
The huge man standing beside CJ rumbled something unintelligible. From the tone, it sounded like he had a problem with what CJ suggested.
“You’re the guy who saved Miss Evans. Nice to meet you.” Charles thrust his hand forward and pumped CJ’s arm up and down.
“Nice to meet you. Were you her doctor?”
Charles laughed. “No, a common mistake.”
“Charles was my nurse,” Melissa explained.
CJ gave her a wink. “Well, thank you. She needed someone to watch over her.”
“Yeah, that’s been my experience,” Charles teased. He glanced at the tall, Black man. “Hello?”
“Hello.”
CJ grinned. “Sorry. Melissa, this is…”
“Name’s Mac. Nice to meet you.”
She smiled at CJ’s friend. “Likewise.”
He scratched his head. “CJ and I work together.”
Charles glanced at her. “You okay with him taking you home?”
CJ pulled her to him. When he touched her hand, a bolt of electricity shot from his fingers up her arm.
She gave a brief nod to Charles, letting him know it was okay.
CJ gathered her in his arms. “Can you walk, or should I pull the car around?”
The little daisy got crushed between them.
“I’m good.” She wished her voice didn’t waver. Charles and CJ both lifted a brow.
“Don’t push yourself too hard.” Charles touched her shoulder, an affectionate gesture goodbye.
“I promise I’ll go slow.” She lifted on tiptoe and brushed Charles’ cheek with a friendly kiss. “Thank you for taking such good care of me.”
He smiled. “My pleasure. Remember, you have an appointment in a week.” His tone sounded almost scolding, but the smile reaching his eyes told her he meant well.
“I promise to be a good patient.” She gave Charles a final hug. “Thanks for everything.”
Charles jockeyed the wheelchair out of the way while CJ picked up the plastic bag holding her paperwork.
Charles blew an exaggerated kiss. She clutched the daisy to her chest and left the roses behind.