CHAPTER EIGHT
Holding onto my cell phone, I felt my knees get weak and lowered myself onto the bed. “Who’s hurt? What happened?”
“I’m fine, but Clint has been injured,” said Vaughn.
“What? How in the world did that happen?” I asked.
“A speedboat of drug smugglers being chased by the Coast Guard almost hit us. I’ll tell you the details as you drive up here,” said Vaughn in a shaky voice. “I’m still trying to process it. Be sure to tell Nell that, aside from being injured, Clint will be okay.
“I’ll phone you when we’re on our way,” I said, my mind racing as I ended the call.
I knew we’d have to be calm. Maybe Stephanie and Randolph Willis could come over to help Robbie with the kids.
She and her husband, Randolph, had been adopted as grandparents one Christmas when they couldn’t get a room at the hotel and spent the holiday with Vaughn, Robbie, and me. They’d do anything for us.
Sure enough, as soon as I asked Stephanie if she could stay with the kids, she agreed and promised to come over right away. That worry taken care of, I went to the lanai and asked Nell to please come inside.
She looked surprised but got out of the pool, wrapped a towel around herself, and walked over to me.
Studying me, she said, “What’s wrong? You look upset.”
“Come into the kitchen with me and have a seat,” I said, not wanting to frighten the children.
“What is it? Is it Clint? Dad?” she asked as she hurried into the kitchen and stood by the table.
“I just got a call from Vaughn. Clint is all right except there’s been an accident and he’s injured. They’re at Tampa General Hospital. We need to drive up there now. As we travel, Vaughn will give us more details. All I know is that it involved a smuggler’s speedboat and the Coast Guard.”
“Oh my God!” Nell clapped her hand over her mouth and looked up at me with tears flooding her eyes.
I put my hand on her shoulder. “I’ve called Stephanie, and she and Randolph are coming over to stay with the kids. Please get dressed, and we’ll drive to Tampa right away. Better pack an overnight bag in case we have to stay.”
I went into my bedroom to change clothes.
As I was leaving the room, Stephanie and Randolph arrived. Nell was outside explaining to Bailey, Ned, and Robbie what was going to happen.
Stephanie and Randolph followed me outside.
Robbie’s face lit up at the sight of them. “Hi. Bailey and Ned, do you remember my honorary grandparents—Grandma Steph and Grandpa Randolph?”
“Yes,” said Bailey. “We baked Christmas cookies together one time.”
“That’s right,” said Stephanie. She turned to Ned. “And if I remember correctly, you ate a lot of icing.”
Ned grinned.
“Okay,” said Nell, coming to stand beside me, trying to remain calm. “We’re leaving now, kids. Have fun with Robbie and our special grandparents. We’ll see you later.”
Carrying overnight bags, Nell and I walked away before any of us could become too emotional.
“I’ll drive,” I said, eliminating any need to discuss it.
I grabbed bottles of water to take with us and led the way to my SUV. The automobile had the latest features, and I’d be able to talk through the car’s audio system and drive at the same time. I was eager to hear more details of Vaughn’s dreadful news.
Once Nell and I were in the car, and we’d left the house, Nell let her tears come. “What if Clint is severely injured and won’t have a normal life? Or worse yet, dies. I couldn’t bear it if I lost him. I really love him, you know.”
“Let’s not panic, sweetheart. If Vaughn says Clint is going to be okay, I believe him. But, like you, I want to see him with my own eyes and know exactly what’s wrong with him.”
I called Vaughn to tell him we were on our way. Through the car's speaker, I asked him for more details.
“We were headed toward Tampa, as I told you we would,” said Vaughn.
“The breeze was good, and we were moving along smoothly under sail, making excellent time. We decided to put up the spinnaker. I was at the wheel while Clint was on the foredeck, holding onto the spinnaker. Seemingly out of nowhere, a speedboat heads right toward us, coming like a bat out of hell. He didn’t notice us and our position until the last minute.
I turned the wheel to avoid a crash, and Clint fell against the life rail and overboard. ”
“What happened to him?”
“He was holding onto the spinnaker, and his arms hit the life rail before he went over. I was trying to get back to him, throw him a lifesaver, when another speedboat driven by the Coast Guard went to Clint’s aid.
I don’t know what would’ve happened to him if they hadn’t been right there.
Both his arms are broken, and he was having trouble staying afloat. ”
Nell clapped a hand to her mouth. Tears rolled down her cheeks.
“So, this was part of a smuggling scene?” I asked.
“Yes. It apparently happens more than one would think along the Florida coastlines,” Vaughn said. “We were just lucky the boat didn’t hit us.”
“How bad are Clint’s arms?” asked Nell.
“His right forearm has been broken in one place. His left arm is broken in two places. They’re operating now to set it,” said Vaughn. “The orthopedic surgeon can give you the medical details when you arrive.”
“It sounds awful,” I said.
“How is he going to be able to handle two broken arms?” Nell said. “One is bad enough.”
You’ll be able to discuss everything with the doctor, Nell. I’m very grateful for the rescue and the excellent medical care. But as you can imagine, I feel terrible about the accident.”
“Where’s the boat?” I asked.
“It’s at a dock near the Tampa Convention Center. It was towed there while l accompanied Clint to the hospital. Thank God for all the help we received.”
“I’ll say. You weren’t hurt?”
“Just some bruising on my legs,” said Vaughn. “When you arrive at the hospital, ask for the Orthopedic Trauma Center. It’s a 24-bed unit. I’m in the waiting area. I’ll meet you there.”
“We’re driving as fast as we can,” I said. “Be sure to keep yourself hydrated and get some food if you need it.”
“Okay,” said Vaughn. “Don’t worry, Nell. I’m staying right near Clint. The surgery may be over by the time you get here. He might even be awake to see you. We’ve been here for a while. I didn’t want to let you know until I knew what exactly to tell you.”
Vaughn ended the call, and Nell and I simultaneously let out puffs of worry.
“How’s Clint going to be able to handle his recovery?” asked Nell. “He won’t be able to use the computer or write for a while. And performing basic tasks is going to be difficult. He’ll have to stay in Sabal with us, where he can get the best help.”
She and I exchanged glances.
“Maybe some good will come out of this,” I said. “He won’t be able to fly back to D.C. tomorrow like Claudine wants.”
“No, even he will see that isn’t wise,” said Nell. “He and I had a chance to begin talking about our problems. Maybe Clint being forced to stay in Sabal will prove to be helpful to both of us.”
“What if he wants you to go back to D.C. to help him?” I asked.
“We’ll have to work something out because I’m staying in Sabal no matter what. It’s important for the kids and for me to have a choice.”
I didn’t say anything, but inwardly, I agreed Nell should have some say in her future. I just hoped they’d see the value of what they had together. But only time would tell.