Chapter 20
Melinda watched as Adam blanched. She was by his side in two quick steps. “Adam, what’s wrong? Are you in pain?”
With a frown, he said, “I’m fine.”
“Should I call the hospital to see if you can take your pain meds early?”
“No. It’s not my hand that’s giving me a problem.” He brought his eyes up to meet hers. “I’m shocked that you’d think we’re not compatible.”
“What?” She sat down, dumbfounded.
“Wait, that didn’t come out right.” He seemed to fumble for what he wanted to say. “Over the last few weeks, we’ve become close. If there wasn’t some sort of chemistry or connection, we wouldn’t have any kind of a relationship.”
Stunned, she asked, “Are you asking me out?” Her heart thudded in her chest.
“All I’m saying is you’re an amazing woman. If I had met you before asking you to be my matchmaker, I would have asked for your number.”
Stuttering she said, “I-I don’t know what to say.” She began to arrange items on the top of his coffee table.
“Melinda. Relax.” He gave her a reassuring smile. “No need to get all flustered.”
“I’m not.” She was mildly annoyed he could read her so well. “You haven’t eaten your snack yet.”
He picked up the milk and downed it in one long gulp. He grinned. “How’s that?”
Hearing a car door close, she crossed to the window that overlooked the driveway. “Stacey’s home. I’m going to run down and see if she’ll run me to my place. I can bring back dinner and have my car for later.”
“When you tell her what happened, please assure her I’m fine. She tends to worry about me.”
“I won’t be gone long.” She placed his cell phone within easy reaching distance. “If you need something call.”
“When will you be back?”
“About an hour, if not before.” She watched him closely, looking for signs of distress. “I’m going to put a casserole together at my house and bring it back. It will be better for you than takeout.”
“I don’t want you to fret over me.” His voice was stern.
“I hear that disapproving tone in your voice, mister, and I’ll do as I please,” she teased.
“If that’s the case, can you swing by the store and pick up something for dessert?” He wiggled his eyebrows, causing Mel to laugh. “After the day I’ve had, I deserve something decadent.”
“Is this how you got around your mom as a kid?”
He grinned. “My sister was way better at getting what she wanted compared to me.”
“Good to know.” She picked up her handbag and looked at him. “Are you sure you’re going to be all right?”
“Melinda, I’ve sustained injuries worse than this and I’m still standing.”
Her eyebrow arched. “Really, I sense a story lurking.”
“Nothing to tell here.” He teased, “Just don’t come back without something sweet.”
“Sir, yes, sir.” She gave him a mock salute, which caused him to laugh. “I’m outta here.”
She closed the door behind her and heard the television click on. Stacey was opening her back door. Melinda called out to her. “Stacey!”
Turning, she looked up the stairs. Surprise was apparent on her face. “Melinda, what are you doing here?”
“Adam was working at my place and had a little disagreement with a saw. I took him to the ER and they stitched him up. But I was wondering, any chance you could give me a lift home?”
“Is Adam okay?” Stacey placed a foot on the bottom rung of the stairs. “I need to check on him.”
Melinda walked down a few steps. “Adam told me to tell you he’s fine and not to worry.”
She looked up at the closed door and hesitated. “Are you sure?”
Melinda made a cross sign over her heart. “Trust me, I wouldn’t steer you wrong.”
Stacey stepped back and said, “Why don’t you come in for coffee first? You can fill me in on the details.”
Melinda descended the stairs. “Thanks for the offer, but I need to get home. I’m going to fix something for dinner for us and bring it back. I want to help Adam out as much as I can until he gets a handle on the pain meds.”
“How bad is it?”
“The blade missed the bone, but the gash was long and he bled a lot.” With an involuntary shudder, she pushed away the mental flash of the ER.
Stacey reached out a steadying hand. “Are you okay? You’re as white as a ghost.”
She swallowed hard. “Hospitals and I don’t get along.”
“Let me get you home and we’ll have coffee at your house while you cook.”
Melinda allowed Stacey to steer her toward the car. Maybe it was a good thing that she was going to be sitting down; the ground seemed to be very uneven under her feet.
During the short drive to Melinda’s house, Stacey asked a lot of questions, most of which Melinda couldn’t answer.
“He is so testy,” Melinda stated. “Like, I thought he’d be more comfortable taking off his work boots, but when I suggested it he flipped out.”
Stacey gave her a sidelong glance. “Maybe his feet smell.”
With a snort Melinda said, “After what I saw at the hospital, the last thing that would gross me out would be stinky feet.”
“Men are funny creatures.” Stacey slowed and turned into Melinda’s driveway. As they entered the house, Stacey looked out the back door. “Where’s your hose?”
“Why?”
“I’ll wash the patio down while you brew the coffee.”
Melinda sank onto a bar stool and laid her head on the cool counter top. She mumbled, “I forgot about the blood.”
“I’ll get it taken care of.”
Melinda lifted her head. “The hose is hanging on the side of the garage.”
Stacey gave her a sympathetic look before she hurried outside, leaving Melinda to collect herself. Her hands started to shake and then her whole body followed suit. She wrapped her arms around herself and held on. This too would pass. It always did.
She closed her eyes and concentrated on taking slow, deep, cleansing breaths. She focused on breathing in through her nose and out of her mouth. Counting to herself would help her get a handle on the panic attack. It had been a long time since she had one.
She lost track of time. Forgetting that she wasn’t alone, she was surprised to hear, “Melinda?” She felt Stacey gently shake her. “Talk to me.”
Slowly unfolding her arms, she stretched them over her head as if she was limbering up to exercise. “I’m fine.”
“I’m not buying it.” Stacey pulled up the stool and sat quietly, for what seemed like forever to Melinda.
Her voice cracked. “I hate the smell of the hospital.”
“And…” Stacey prodded. Melinda started to get up, but Stacey placed a hand on her arm. “Everyone needs a shoulder to lean on.”
Melinda hung her head. “Today, being in the ER, was a razor-sharp reminder of the day John died.” She blinked away the tears that threatened to blur her vision.
“I’m sorry.”
“I told Adam. Everything,” she stated with simplicity.
“I’m sure he was sympathetic. He is a good man, one of the best.”
Melinda exhaled softly. “He was sweet. Despite being in extreme pain and unsure if he was going to lose part of his finger, he was more concerned when I passed out than for himself.”
“I didn’t know you fainted.”
Melinda felt a flush of embarrassment. “I think the stress of the entire situation overwhelmed me. Before I could stop myself, everything went black and I was down for the count. If I had been a boxer, I would have lost the bout.”
“Interesting analogy.” Stacey gave her a half smile. “You’re one tough cookie.”
“Ha. You wouldn’t say that if you could have seen a nurse help me up off the floor. He brought me some water while Adam was waiting to be wheeled to X-ray.”
“I’ve known Adam for a long time, and I’m sure he didn’t give a thought to his situation. His concern would have been for you.”
Melinda looked at Stacey. “You do like him, and not just because he’s Will’s best friend.”
“Adam has become my dear friend too.”
Deciding to divert the subject from the emergency room, she said, “I found a match for him.”
Stacey said, “I know.” She smiled. “We drove by the lookout to make sure that he didn’t need a reason to escape.”
“I had no idea people still did that.” Her smile grew. “What did you think of her?”
“We only saw her from a distance, but she was very pretty.” Stacey grinned. “You may have just let your Cupid’s arrow find a new target.”
“I wouldn’t liken me to Cupid.” Melinda cocked her head and then the corners of her lips twitched. “Well, maybe I could add that to my website and business cards. Cupid’s Matchmaker.”
“It has a nice ring to it.” Stacey nodded. “Now, how about I help you whip up something delicious for dinner?”
“I’d like that.” Melinda opened the refrigerator and studied the contents. “I’ve got nothing suitable to cook. I told Adam I was going to throw together some kind of casserole but all I have are eggs. I could make a frittata.”
Stacey picked up her handbag and keys. “I’ve got a stew in the crockpot and more than enough for four.”
“Are you sure? If you provide dinner, I’ll swing by and pick up some bread and dessert.”
Stacey held up her phone. “I’ll text Will and let him know the plan. He can take the crockpot up to Adam’s and we’ll meet him there.”
“I’m going to call Adam and make sure he doesn’t need anything else. Then I’ll meet you at his place.”
Stacey threw her arms around Melinda and hugged her tight. “Tomorrow is going to be a better day. That’s a promise.”
Melinda held Stacey and nodded. The lump in her throat made it difficult to talk. She finally said, “Thanks.”
Stacey stepped back and gave her a smile. “See you in a bit.”
Melinda waited until Stacey closed the door and then called Adam. He answered on the second ring. “Hello.” He sounded groggy.
“Adam, its Mel. Are you doing okay?”
“The pain pill kicked in and I’m feeling pretty darn good.”
“Are you still in the recliner?” she asked. I need to get my butt in gear and get back there. He sounds really out of it.
With a chuckle he said, “Yup, with Skye on my shoulder.”
“Do you need anything besides dessert?”
“Any chance you could pick up some sweet tea? I have a hankering.”
Melinda smiled into the phone. “Not a problem. Oh, I hope it’s okay—Stacey and Will are going to have dinner with us. Stacey had the crockpot going.”
“Cool, the more the merrier.” She heard Adam yawn.
“I should be there in about thirty minutes.”
“Drive carefully and just walk in when you get here.” His voice was fading.
“Adam, take a snooze and I’ll be there before you know it.”
He chuckled. “Okey dokey. I’ll be waiting for you.”