Chapter 10 #2
They worked in unison to transfer the patient to the ER bed.
The man groaned.
She unwrapped her stethoscope and prepared to use it. Steeling herself to look at her new patient’s face, she swallowed. Her breath caught in her throat. She froze. Her fear had become reality.
David lay in front of her, IV in his arm, and an oxygen mask covering his nose and mouth.
A hand touched her forearm. “Jennie?” Tammy’s whisper broke through her paralysis.
Jennie shook her head dislodging the cobwebs. Treat him like any other patient. She plastered a smile on her face and leaned over Detective Whitman. “I think Dr. Bennett was right. You can’t seem to stay out of trouble.”
Crinkle lines appeared at the corner of his eyes, indicating a smile, then disappeared.
Double checking his lungs and heart rate, Jennie opened the second drawer of the supply cart and removed plastic tubing. “Let’s trade out the mask for a nasal cannula, then you can tell me what hurts.”
David closed his eyes and relaxed his shoulders.
She exchanged the breathing devices. “David?”
He peered up at her.
“Here. Have some ice chips. Those oxygen masks tend to make your throat dry.” She spooned a couple of tiny chips into his mouth.
He swallowed and whispered, “Thank you.”
She nodded. “Now, tell me what hurts.”
***
What hurts? Everything hurts. The more time that passed, the more he remembered and the more aches and pains he discovered.
He chuckled, then closed his eyes and groaned. “Remind me not to laugh.”
“What’s so funny?” Jennie placed her hand on his arm.
“Nothing. Absolutely nothing.” His truck blew up, tossing him like a ragdoll, and the heat had licked his skin.
The entire situation was a serious matter.
But he couldn’t help but chuckle at the insane idea that he could pinpoint his pain.
He peered at her, taking in her narrowed gaze and the downturned corners of her mouth.
“Sorry. I feel as though I’ve been in a fight with a professional boxer. At the moment, my entire body hurts.”
She bit her lip. “Let’s do some tests and get x-rays and a CT scan to see what’s going on.”
He rolled his head from side to side and regretted it as his head throbbed harder. “I know you have to do it, but just so you know, other than bruises and ringing in my ears, I’m okay.”
“Really, doctor? You’re sure of that?” Her hands fisted on her hips.
He cracked a smile. The woman was cute when she was grumpy. “The only thing I’m sure of is that I’m sore, but I don’t think anything’s broke.”
“We meet again, eh detective.” Dr. Bennett strolled up to his bedside.
“What can I say? I like your company.” David rolled his eyes and grimaced. Even that hurt.
“Let’s get those tests run that Jennie mentioned and get you set up in a room for the night.”
David struggled to push himself up. “What?”
“Settle down, Whitman.” Bennett eased him down.
“I don’t suspect anything serious by the way you’re bantering with me, but I’m not jazzed about the story I heard of your flying through the air and losing consciousness.
And the force of explosions can cause organ damage.
I want to rule out any internal issues.” The man patted his shoulder.
“The stay overnight is only a precaution if the tests come back negative.”
He took in the doctor’s expression. Bennett wouldn’t budge on this one. “If I have to stay, can we please keep this amongst ourselves for a while?”
“Too late.” Bennett snorted. “I’ve already notified next of kin.”
“You. Did. What?” He was going to kill the man with his bare hands.
“Calm down. Your parents were relieved to hear you’re okay. Although, I expect they’ll be here in…” The man checked his watch. “…a couple of hours. So, what do you say we get you out of here and settled before they descend?”
So much for staying under the radar and easing into the conversation with his parents. Especially his mom.
Dr. Bennett made notes on his chart and handed it to Jennie. “Take care of him. I’ll check back in later.”
Jennie nodded and straightened to her full height. “Detective, are you ready to get those tests started?”
“Um, yes?” He studied her. Why was she acting formal? His head pounded and his body felt like he’d been hit by a train. He didn’t have the energy for games. “Look, I know something’s wrong, but I don’t know what I did to make you mad.”
“Mad? You think I’m mad?” Her bottom lip quivered.
“I’m trying not to fall apart.” Moisture dotted the corner of her eyes.
“I hear about an explosion and the next thing I know Mitch is rushing you into the ER. I’m not mad.
You scared me to death.” Her voice rose in pitch.
“I have a job to do and worrying about you is making it difficult.”
He clasped her fingers and rubbed his thumb along the back of her hand. “I’m okay, honey. I’m in one piece and I’ll live. At least until my mother gets a hold of me,” he muttered the last sentence.
“And I’m grateful, but my mind won’t stop playing the ‘what if’ game.” She tugged her hand away and held the edges of the stethoscope draped around her neck like her life depended on it. “You get your tests done, and I’ll come find you later.”
What choice did he have? “Promise?”
“I promise. I’ll send Randy in to take you to x-ray, then go talk to your partner. I’m sure he’s pacing a hole in the floor of the waiting room.” She straightened his blanket and ran her finger across his hairline. “I’ll see you later.”
With that, she pivoted and strode out of his room.
He closed his eyes and exhaled. When had his heart betrayed him and fallen for the beautiful blonde who’d just walked out the door?
Three hours later, he laid his head against his pillow and closed his eyes.
Thanks to Randy, he’d been able to take a short nap before his parents had received permission to enter his room twenty minutes ago and had fussed over him.
But his energy had waned, and he didn’t know how much longer he’d be able to stay awake.
Familiar lips kissed his forehead. “I’m just so glad you’re okay.” His mom’s voice quivered.
“Give me a couple days and I’ll be as good as new.” He peered into the eyes of the woman who’d raised him and smiled.
“You better be, son.” His dad patted his leg.
David grimaced, then recovered before his father saw. At least he hoped he’d covered the pain.
The door squeaked open.
Jennie took two steps in and froze. “I—uh—I didn’t know you had company. I’ll come back later.” She spun to leave.
“Stop.”
She paused and turned toward him.
“Please come in.” He fumbled to find the bed controls to raise his head.
The bed rose, and he moaned at the movement.
Jennie rushed to him. “Hold on, tough guy.” She adjusted his pillow and helped him move so the new position wouldn’t hurt.
His breaths came quick and heavy. “Thanks.”
“Sure.” She started to back away.
He shot out his hand and grasped hers, stopping her retreat.
She stared at their hands then at him.
He cleared his throat. “I’d like you to meet my parents. Mom, Dad, this is Jennie.”
***
Jennie lifted an eyebrow at David.
He wanted to introduce her to his parents?
“I’m Helen, this guy’s mother. Thank you so much for taking care of him.” His mother hugged her then handed her off to an older gentleman that was undeniably David’s father.
The man held out his hand and she shook it. “Nice to meet you, Jennie. I’m James.”
“It was wonderful meeting you, and I’m sure David would love to continue having you with him, but I need to check his injuries and confirm his next dosage of medication. I hate to do this, but I need you to step outside for a bit.”
“No problem.” James smiled at her. “He needs his rest anyway. We’ll come back tomorrow to see how he’s doing.” David’s father laced his fingers with Helen’s, and the pair left the room.
David tipped his head back on his pillow and groaned. “I don’t know how to thank you. I love them, but they can be a bit overwhelming at times.”
Placing her fingers on the controls, she lowered his bed. “You looked ready for some peace and quiet.”
David raised his arm and covered his eyes. “Who knew that mimicking a ragdoll shot from a cannon would hurt so much.”
She paused adjusting his IV line. “David, you’re lucky it didn’t kill you.”
“I know. I’m just grousing. Please, forgive me.”
“Nothing to forgive. You’re allowed.” She grasped the fingers of his hand lying on the bed. “Get some sleep.”
She started to step away, but his grip tightened, halting her motion.
“Jennie?”
“Yes.”
“I know I don’t have the right and you have a daughter waiting on you, but would stay with me for a while?”
How could she say no to this man? He’d been there for her ever since Zoey had called him.
“Of course.” She scooted the easy chair next to his bed, never releasing her hold. “Get some rest.”
A few minutes later, his breathing evened out and his hand went limp. She curled up in the chair and watched him for the next hour.
Her heart twisted when a nightmare struck, and David twitched and groaned.
She rose and smoothed her palm over his forehead. A tear slipped down her cheek.
“Who did this to you, tough guy?”