Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
Machines beeped, and before long, I found myself counting the seconds between them. Tiredness weighted each of my limbs as I perched in an uncomfortable hospital chair next to Declan’s bed.
His color was still off, but the machines beeped steadily, signaling that even though he was still unconscious, he was very much alive. I still couldn’t believe it and looked at the screen displaying his heart rate over and over, just to convince myself that we’d both made it out of the woods.
Declan stirred, muttering something so quietly that I missed it. I scooted forward and reached for his hand. It was warm but clammy in my grip.
“You’re okay. You’re safe,” I said.
His lips moved, but no sound came out. A nurse appeared, her smile as bright as the overhead lights as she bustled in.
“Looks like he’s coming out of it,” she said as I moved to give her access to the bed. “Let me just check his pulse. His temperature is a little high, but that’s good. Are you his sister?”
A sharp bark of laughter escaped before I could stop it. I’d been up all night, and even though I craved sleep like it was a drug, I couldn’t let myself close my eyes until I knew Declan was going to be okay.
“No. Just a...friend. I have authorization to be here.”
She gave me a strange look, but half-shrugged and continued checking Declan’s vitals.
“All right. Well, he’s a lucky man.”
She noted something in her chart and glanced at me again, her eyes straying to my sweater. I followed her look and winced. I hadn’t changed, and the bottom half of my sweater had been steeped in Declan’s blood.
“Seems like you’ve got quite a story to tell.”
I tore my eyes from hers and focused on Declan.
“Is he going to wake up soon?”
“It’s hard to say. Everyone’s different.
The anesthesia has worn off, and he’s stabilized.
He could wake up in ten minutes or ten hours.
Ultimately, his body is the one in charge.
Would you like me to have a cot brought for you?
Or we’ve got an area where you can get a little sleep.
If you don’t mind me saying so, you look like you could use it. ”
I snorted and brushed back my hair, catching a small twig with my fingers. I looked at it and shook my head.
“No. Thank you, though. I’ll just stay here until he wakes up.”
“Well, he’s lucky to have a friend like you. I’ll be back in an hour. If he wakes, just hit that button right there, okay?”
I nodded as she left the room, her shoes squealing softly on the tile floor. I sat back down on the edge of the hard chair and sighed.
“Quite a story, indeed.”
Declan’s leg moved, rustling the sheets.
I checked the clock near the door of the tiny room and sighed.
Just after four in the morning. I missed my cat.
Rob had been able to get me authorized to watch over Declan, but the hospital drew the line at bringing in a cat.
He had her, and she was likely sound asleep, sleeping off whatever she’d done that had enabled us to catch and hold Natalie.
Restless, I stood and walked to the window, peeking through the blinds.
The sparkling city lights of Denver twinkled merrily.
I had no idea which direction I was facing, but my soul longed for the mountains.
It was too dark to see them, but I imagined them there in the distance, their white caps soothing my soul slightly.
“Wha... where am I?”
I spun in place to Declan staring at me. I hurried back to the bed, reaching for the button the nurse pointed out.
“You’re awake! I need to let the nurses know...”
He stopped me, his hand clutching mine before I could reach the button.
“Not... yet... Natalie?”
I sank into the chair again. His hand was still clammy, and his grip surprisingly strong.
“In custody. How are you feeling?”
“Like I just got shot,” he said, his words coming faster now. “Where am I?”
“Denver. Your wound was pretty bad. They had to airlift you here. We followed as soon as we could.”
“I don’t remember... Fang! Where’s me dog?”
He gripped my hand harder, grinding the fragile bones within. I schooled my expression and patted his arm with my free hand.
“Safe. Rob’s got him with a rescue group that specializes in... difficult animals. He went a little... well, let’s just say he wasn’t happy when Natalie went down. Rob called animal control, and they were able to safely tranquilize him. He’s okay.”
He released me, and I cradled my sore hand in my lap.
“Good. I thought... I don’t know what I thought. I remember feeling like I got kicked in the stomach, and then everything went hazy. They won’t... put him down, will they?”
“No, it’s not that kind of rescue. They have a rehabilitation center on the outskirts of town. I didn’t even know it was there, but Rob knew about them. Is Fang... did Natalie used to own him? I remember her saying he was her dog.”
Declan’s face crumpled, and he turned away, staring at the wall.
“Yes. I convinced her to let me have him when I saw how she treated him. But I was too late. I did my best, but he only knew violence and anger at that point. And still... he loved her. We both did.”
“Well, maybe once the center works with him, you can have him back.”
He met my eyes again. His light green eyes were filled with sorrow.
“I don’t think they’d let me keep a dog in prison. And that’s where I’m going, sure as God made little apples.”
I looked at him for a moment.
“Well, maybe not quite that sure. See, the thing is, the only thing you did wrong is break into my shop and attempt to steal something. And honestly, I don’t feel like pressing charges.
As for taking the bag once Moorehead was dead...
Well, I’m certain if you offer to testify against your...
Natalie, that Rob would consider that, even. Given what you’ve gone through.”
“Who knew getting gut shot would have so many benefits?”
A smile flitted across his face before vanishing, as if it had never been.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I didn’t... I wasn’t...”
“It’s not your fault. You’re not my crazy sister. If it wasn’t for you, we’d both be dead and Nat would be long gone. I can’t say I’m sad to see her behind bars. If this Rob wants me to testify, I’ll do it.”
My chest loosened a little at his words. We’d been worried he wouldn’t do it. That somehow his family connection would keep his lips glued. This was good. I reached for the call button.
“I’d better let them know you’re awake.”
A chime sounded down the hall, and within seconds, the nurse I’d seen earlier appeared.
“Ah, you’re awake now. How are you feeling, Mr. Fairmont?”
His eyes lit, and some of the paleness left his face.
“Well, I must have died and gone to heaven to be attended to by such an angel as yourself.”
His lilt was back, stronger than ever, and I rolled my eyes as the nurse blushed a little. He was too handsome for his own good. I walked over to the window, staring out across the skyline while he flirted with her. Once I heard the squeak of her shoes departing, I turned back to the bed.
“You’ve a rare gift,” I said. “I didn’t think she was capable of being charmed.”
He waved a hand weakly.
“It comes and goes. What now, Olivia? What do I do with myself now? Me sister is in jail, and no one will believe me if I try to publish that book as my own. Not now. I worked my whole life to produce that manuscript. I don’t know what to do now.”
I sat again and looked at him.
“Well, you’ll need to stick around for the trial. That might take a few months. You know, Timber Falls is a great place to start over. There’s a pub in town that is looking for help. I know Josh, the owner. I could put in a good word for you.”
“You’d do that? After...”
“Of course I would. And maybe, just maybe, after the dust settles, the creative bug will bite you again. The library is always looking for volunteers, too. I read to the children there every week. You might find some inspiration there. I think Ruthie would like to meet you.”
He smiled then and somehow looked older and more human in that moment.
“I might have to take you up on that. Thank you... for staying with me. You didn’t need to do that. You don’t know me from Adam.”
I patted his hand and gave it a squeeze.
“No need to thank me. You should probably rest.”
“She says to me, looking as though she hasn’t slept in a week,” he mumbled. “You should rest, too, Olivia.”
“I’ll be heading back home, but as soon as you’re ready, I’ll be here to pick you up. And I might pop in a few more times before you’re released. Just to check on you.”
“I’d like that.”
His breathing deepened as his eyes slowly closed. I turned to see someone standing in the doorway, holding a bag. He walked into the light, and I smiled.
“Rob! How did you...”
He brought up a finger and winked.
“It’s good to be a cop. I’ve found not many people question what you’re carrying when you’ve got a badge. How’s he doing?”
“He woke up. I have a feeling he’ll be staying in Timber Falls for a while. Oh, I might have mentioned that you’d be willing to overlook the whole briefcase theft thing in exchange for testifying against Natalie. He’s agreed to testify. I hope...”
I winced, waiting for his anger, but it never came. Instead, he nodded.
“Good. I appreciate that, Olivia. Ready to head home?”
I nodded and gathered up my coat, looking one more time at Declan as I headed for the door.
“I hope he’ll be okay. That was...”
“He’s got the best care he can get here. He’ll be up and spinning blarney in a week, mark my words.”
I chuckled as I leaned over and booped Millie through the mesh of her bag.
“Too late. You should have seen him charm the nurse.”
We headed for the elevator, and once inside, I leaned against the wall, fighting the urge to yawn. I’d lost count of the hours I’d been awake. Rob put an arm around my shoulder, cradling me to him.
“Just a little longer and you can sleep in the car.”