Chapter 8
Delilah
Iwas worried sick,” my mother complained. “I’ve been trying to call you since you sent that text that you weren’t feeling well.”
“I know, Mom. I’m sorry I worried you, but I just didn’t feel like talking.”
“Are you feeling better now?”
“Yes, much better. I think it was just something I ate.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re feeling better.” She paused for a moment, then asked the question I knew was coming. “Did you make it over to Danny’s?”
I’d taken a couple of days to collect my thoughts before calling her, hoping I’d be able to come up with something to tell her when she asked me about him.
Sadly, nothing had come to mind. I wanted to just tell her the truth.
It would’ve been so much easier—at least it would have been for me.
The weight of being the only one who knew was soul crushing, but I simply couldn’t tell her what was really going on.
Even if I wasn’t worried about what Hawk and his friends would do, I knew my mother wouldn’t be able to take it.
The truth would destroy her. Doing the only thing I could, I lied.
“Yes, ma’am. I went by there, but he wasn’t home. ”
“Oh, good heavens. I wonder where that boy could be.”
“I don’t know, but Mom ... he’s old enough to take care of himself. He doesn’t need you to worry so much about him.”
“But something could’ve happened to him. He could be in trouble.”
Guilt washed over me as I thought back to Danny in that room, beaten and fighting for his life. I quickly swallowed back the emotions that were building in my throat, then said, “He’ll be okay, Momma. I’ll make sure of it.”
“Thank you, sweetie.” I heard a commotion in the background, followed by the sound of a man’s voice. Before I could ask her what was going on, she said, “I have to go, sweetheart, but I’ll call you back tomorrow.”
I didn’t have a chance to respond before the call ended.
My focus was quickly redirected when I heard the rumble of a motorcycle outside.
I went over to the window and looked out only to spot Hawk pulling into my parking lot.
A cold chill ran down my spine as I noticed him looking in my direction.
Cursing under my breath, I quickly stepped out of his line of sight and froze.
I’d been driving myself crazy thinking about Danny and what might be happening to him, and knowing Hawk was lurking right outside my apartment was making me even crazier.
Partly because I knew if he caught me doing something I shouldn’t, he’d kill me, and partly because every time I saw him, I’d start thinking about that kiss—the one that set my entire body on fire, making me feel more alive than I ever had before.
The whole thing was insane. I knew that.
I just didn’t know what the hell I was going to do about it.
The next morning, I decided it was time to get back to work.
I’d been gone for four days, and I hoped it would help keep my mind off things.
Besides, I missed seeing and talking to the residents there, along with the other nurses I worked with—especially Krissy.
She and I had gone to nursing school together and quickly became best friends.
We didn’t have secrets. We told each other everything ...
but not this time. I’d have to use all my restraint to keep what was going on with Danny under wraps—for both our sakes.
As soon as I walked through the front doors of the nursing home, Janet stopped me at the front desk with a concerned expression.
“What are you doing back? I was expecting you to be out until next week.”
“Well… I started feeling better, so I thought I’d come on in and see if you needed me.”
“Are you sure?” She cautiously kept her distance as she asked, “Have you been fever free for at least twenty-four hours?”
“I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t.” Janet was a stickler for the rules, so I wasn’t at all surprised by her question.
She would never want to put any of our patients in danger, and I hoped she knew I felt the same way.
I smiled as I reassured her, “I’m fine, Janet.
I don’t even think it was really the stomach bug.
I think it was just bad sushi or something else I ate. ”
“Well, that’s good to hear because we could really use the help today. Carol and Nikki both called in with the flu, and Mr. McClanahan and Ms. Rice have been all out of sorts. I can’t seem to get either of them settled.”
“I’ll see what I can do.” I put my purse and keys in the desk drawer, then asked, “Is Ms. Rice in her room?”
“Yes, but be forewarned, she’s not herself today.”
“Thanks for the heads up.”
I started down the hall, and when I walked into Ms. Rice’s room, I could see what Janet was talking about.
Ms. Rice was normally very social, spending most of her days visiting with her friends or watching her favorite game shows, but today, she was sitting in the corner of her room alone.
She was still in her robe, and instead of watching TV, she was staring out the window with the saddest expression I’d ever seen.
My heart ached for her as I walked over and knelt down beside her.
I placed my hand on her arm as I smiled and said, “Hey there, Ms. Rice. How you making it today?”
She didn’t even acknowledge my presence—not so much as a blink.
I didn’t know what to think. Ms. Rice was younger than most of the residents, so her mind was still pretty sharp.
Her health was a different matter. She had moved into our facility after she fell and fractured her hip, and because of one complication after the next, she’d been with us for over two years.
Thankfully, that hadn’t broken her spirit.
She’d always smile and look tickled to see me whenever I came to her room to do my rounds.
We’d talk about her day and whether or not she’d spoken to her daughter, but today she seemed like she was a million miles away.
Hoping I might be able to get to her, I just started talking like we normally did.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been to see you in a couple of days.
I was sick with this stomach bug thing, but I’m feeling a lot better now.
How have you been feeling? Aren’t you going to watch your shows this morning? ”
I waited for a moment, hoping she might say something. She didn’t. I wasn’t ready to give up, so I said, “Well, if not, I’m sure you can get caught up with them later. Has Leslie called or come by?”
At the sound of her daughter’s name, Ms. Rice turned and looked at me, letting me know I’d struck a chord. After several moments, she finally muttered, “Leslie’s sick. She has the flu and won’t be able to come see me.”
“Is that what has you so upset?”
“I’m just so worried about her and the children. Things have been so hard for her since Tim left her. I just wish I could do more for them.”
“I understand why you might be worried, but Leslie will bounce back from this. The kids have gotten older, too, so they can help look after their mom.” I gave her leg a little pat as I assured her, “You’ll see. Leslie will be back on her feet in no time.”
“I’m sure you’re right, but I still worry.”
“Of course, you do. You’re her mother. It’s your job to worry about her, but everything’s going to be okay.
” I could tell she wasn’t completely convinced, so I asked, “What if I gave Leslie a call this morning? I could check on her and see how she’s feeling for you. Would that make you feel better?”
“Oh, yes. That would be wonderful.”
“Then consider it done.” As I stood up, I asked, “Can I do anything for you before I go? Walk you down to the cafeteria for some breakfast or turn on one of your shows?”
“I’m fine for now.” She smiled. “I’ll turn it on in a minute.”
“Okay. I’ll let you know when I get in touch with Leslie.”
“Thank you, dear.”
“No problem.” As I started towards the door, I told her, “Just give me a shout if you need me.”
I left her room with every intention of going to find Mr. McClanahan, but as I walked down the hall, I was sidetracked by Krissy. She came running up to me with a big smile on her face. “Thank god, you’re back! I don’t know if I could take another day in this place without you.”
“Been that bad, huh?”
“It’s been insane, but no more than usual. I just didn’t realize how much better things are when you’re around.” She leaned towards me and whispered, “Janet has been a mega-twat the last few days. Word is, she’s been all pissy because she got a bad eval from—”
Before she could finish her sentence, Lacey, another one of the nurses, called out to her and said, “Hey, Krissy! Can you give me a hand with Mr. Larkin? I need to change his bedding.”
“Sure thing,” she answered before turning her attention back to me. “I’ll catch you up at lunch break.”
“Sounds good.”
As soon as Krissy left to go help Lacey, I tried once again to make my way down to Mr. McClanahan’s room.
Unlike Ms. Rice, he was older, and while his health was better than Ms. Rice’s, his mind was not.
He preferred to be alone, often isolating himself in his room for days, and the rare times he was around others, he was often antagonistic, starting arguments over petty things.
Mr. McClanahan was easily set off, so Janet ordered all the nurses to limit their interactions with him and only do mandatory routine checks.
Considering his normal temperament, hearing that he was in rare form today was more than a little concerning.
As I quietly slipped into his room, I was expecting to find him angry, hostile, and ready to start an argument, but that’s not what I found at all.
Mr. McClanahan was sitting in his chair and actually smiling. I was shocked to find Hawk sitting there with him. When I realized they were in the midst of a deep conversation, I took a step back and listened. Hawk smiled as he asked, “What’d ya ride?”