Chapter 11
Arthur held Maren’s hand as he rested his forehead on the hospital bed. Medical equipment beeped in the background. IV bags hung from a metal post, pumping fluids and medicine into her veins. An oxygen tube was in her nose.
The broken ribs would heal.
The punctured lung would mend.
But it had been three days since the accident, and Maren had yet to wake up.
“Arthur,” Gretchen’s voice rang out soft and sweet. “You didn’t sleep here again, did you?” Her warm hands came down on his shoulders. “You really should go home for a few hours.”
“I’ll go home when she wakes up.”
“I know you care very much for my daughter, but really, you’re not going to do her any good if you end up getting sick because you’re so run-down from not taking care of yourself.”
He reached up, patting her strong hand. “I’d be in worse shape if I left.”
“You’re a good man.”
He hoped… prayed he’d get the chance to prove he was good enough to have Maren on his arm.
“Anything happen overnight?” Gretchen asked.
“Not really. They said the swelling in her brain is down,” he said, lifting his head, watching Gretchen tug and pull at the sheets.
“That’s a good sign.” Gretchen moved to the other side of the bed, stroking Maren’s hair.
The cuts and bruises had started to heal, and she looked peaceful.
“Have you had anything to eat since last night?” Gretchen asked.
“I’m not that hungry.”
She shook her head. “I’ll go get you something.”
“You don’t have to do that. Really. I’ll get something later.”
Maren’s hand twitched in his.
He stood up. “Maren?” he whispered.
Her eyelids fluttered.
“Maren, sweetheart,” he said a little louder.
Her head rolled to the side.
“I’ll go get the doctor.” Gretchen shuffled out of the room.
Arthur’s pulse raced. His hand trembled as he reached out and cupped her cheek. “That’s it, honey, open those beautiful eyes.”
“Arthur?” she asked with a raspy voice. “Where am I?”
“In the hospital.”
She tried to lift up her head and groaned. “My head feels like a bomb exploded.”
“Shhhhh.” He kissed her forehead. “You’ve been asleep for a few days with a concussion.”
“A few days?”
Before he could explain what happened, the doctor and a nurse came in.
Arthur stepped back, leaning against the windowsill, tears threatening to break free, while the doctor examined Maren.
The doctor asked a series of questions, and Maren answered them all. Other than her physical injuries and a whopper of a headache, she seemed to be just fine.
A tear rolled down his cheek. He turned toward the window and quickly wiped it away. He wasn’t going to break down in front of them. They needed his strength.
“You’re looking good,” the doctor said. “I’m going to keep you here another day or two, just to make sure.”
From the moment Arthur had looked at her in the bait and tackle store, she’d been under his skin, worming her way into his psyche. The first time he’d pulled her from a wreck had been intense as a life was at stake.
But the second time, his heart was on the line and now he had to find a way to show her how much he cared and wanted her in his life.
“If you feel nauseous or disoriented at all, please hit the nurse call button, okay?” the doctor said.
“I will,” Maren said as her mother helped her to a sitting position. “Can I eat something?”
The doctor laughed. “Being hungry is an excellent sign. Until dinner, all we have here is Jell-O and pudding.”
Maren scrunched her nose.
“I can get you something from the cafeteria,” her mother said.
“Peanut butter toast would be great.”
“You always loved that when you were sick as a little girl.” Her mother patted Maren’s leg. “I’ll go see what I can find.”
“I’ll go to the cafeteria,” Arthur said. “Would you like anything, Gretchen?”
“Coffee would be great.” Gretchen squeezed his biceps. “You’re a good man, Arthur. I don’t know what we would have done without you.”
He leaned in and kissed her cheek, his heart thick with emotion. “I’ll be back in a jiffy.” He stepped into the hallway, pausing once out of the wing. He leaned against the wall by the elevators and took a long breath.
His eyes burned and he couldn’t stop the tears that poured. He snagged his cell from his back pocket and found Darius’ contact information.
It rang once.
“Hey, man, how are you holding up? How’s Maren?” Darius asked.
“She’s awake,” Arthur said. “The doctor says she’s no worse for the wear.”
“That’s excellent news. I’m sure her mother is as relieved as you sound. Only, I can tell there’s something in your voice that’s got you all twisted up. What’s wrong?”
“I should be jumping up and down for joy. Ferro’s behind bars and he’s not getting out. Justice for Sarah and her family is finally being served. Gretchen doesn’t have to worry and she and the marina will be fine.”
“Ah. I get it now. You don’t know where you fit in Maren’s world. If she’s coming or going.”
“Something like that,” Arthur said. “I didn’t want to feel like this again. I’ve successfully avoided it for years. But her life is in New York.”
“Jesus, man. Aren’t you the one who told me she quit her job and dumped her loser boyfriend.”
Arthur chuckled. “Both true. But that doesn’t mean she’s coming back here and it’s not like I can ask her to stay right after?—”
“Of course you can,” Darius said. “Don’t be an asshole. Give her a day or two to catch her breath and tell her how you feel. Otherwise, you’re going to let the best thing that ever happened to you walk right out of your life because you’ve got shit for balls when it comes to your emotions.”
“I don’t want to come on too strong. She’s already called me out on being a controlling prick.”
“You’re such a dumbass sometimes,” Darius said. “There’s a difference between barking orders at someone and being honest. One of these days you’ll figure it out. Hopefully, before she gives up on you.”
“I wouldn’t want that to happen.” He pushed from the wall and hit the elevator button. “I gotta go get her some toast and her mom some coffee. I’ll talk with you later.”
“Don’t fuck this up, or I’ll have to fly out there and beat the crap out of you.”
“Like that’s possible.”
“Catch you later.”
Arthur stepped into the elevator. His old friend was right. He needed to give Maren a few days. She’d been through a lot physically and emotionally. Once she was back at home, he’d tell her what he was feeling and what he wanted.
Maybe she wanted the same thing.
“Can I have some water, Mom?” Maren shifted in the hospital bed. Every inch of her body ached. Her head felt as if something exploded.
“Of course, little one.” Her mom handed her a Styrofoam cup with a straw. She took a napkin and blotted her cheeks. “It’s been a long few days.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You’re awake now and that bastard and all his buddies are going to jail, thanks to Arthur and his friends.” Her mother patted her leg. “You should know that this is the first time Arthur has left your side since we brought you to the hospital. He’s been such a mess. I’ve never seen him so worried.”
Maren blew out a puff of air. Her heart swelled. “I’m sure he went home at some point.”
Her mother shook her head. “No, little one. I would leave in the evening, and when I came back in the morning, he would still be right in that chair, holding your hand. I’ve tried to get him to go home, but he wouldn’t. I’ve tried to get him to eat, but he hasn’t touched a thing. About the only thing I could get him to do was change his clothes.”
So many things raced through her mind. Arthur had a heart of gold. Even his controlling ways had grown on her, but only because she knew that when he cared, he cared with every fiber of his being. She’d only known him for a short time. However, it felt like a lifetime.
She had no idea if that was good or bad.
But what she did know was she wanted more time with Arthur.
“He insisted I get my rest,” her mother said. “He told me that if there was a change, he’d call me. While I do believe he wanted me to take care of myself, I also think he couldn’t bring himself to leave the hospital until he knew you were okay.”
“That’s a lot to take in,” Maren whispered.
“He cares about you.” Her mother sat on the edge of the bed and took her hand. “I know I pushed Arthur on you. But all I wanted was for the two of you to meet. I can’t force people to like each other.” She lowered her chin. “I can see it in his eyes how he feels about you. But right now, all I see in yours in confusion.”
“Oh, Mom. I’m not confused about how I feel. I obviously like Arthur a lot. I don’t know what to make of it all. Or my life. I came home to help you figure out the next steps with the marina. We’re still in that boat.”
“You know what I really want, little one. I wish you did too.”
Maren smiled. “There’s only one thing that I know for sure and that’s that I have no desire to go back to New York.”
“You mean that?” Her mother blinked.
“Yeah, Mom. I mean it. My lease for my apartment is up in a month and I’m not going to renew it.” Maren held up her hand. “I’d like to move back into the family home. As far as the marina’s concerned, let’s see how things go for the next few months. Okay?”
“That’s a deal I can live with.”
“Just promise me you won’t say anything to Arthur. That’s my job.”
“My lips are sealed,” her mother said.
Now all she had to get was get up the nerve to take the next step and lay her heart on the line.