CHAPTER SIXTEEN #2
Elisabeth wanted to shake him to upset his smooth delivery of such terrible news. This was her baby sister he was talking about.
“We aren’t equipped to handle such traumas at this hospital,” Dr. Terrence continued. “We need to get her to Portland Children’s Hospital as soon as possible. Transportation is being arranged, and a team of specialists, including a neurosurgeon, will be waiting.”
“Whatever you need to do, do it.” Her voice sounded shrill. She cleared her throat. “I just want her to get better.”
Henry tightened his fingers around hers. She was so thankful he was with her. She couldn’t imagine going through this alone.
“We’re doing everything we can,” Dr. Terrence said. “It’s imperative we move quickly. Do you have insurance?”
“Forget about the cost,” Henry interrupted. “What’s important is getting Caitlin the best care available. Right, Elisabeth?”
All she could manage was a nod. But Henry was right. If it took selling the farm, selling everything to pay for the medical care, so be it. All that mattered was Caitlin.
“You can see her while we make final preparations,” Dr. Terrence said.
Elisabeth and Henry followed the doctor through a set of double doors.
In the center of the emergency department, doctors and nurses milled around a busy hub containing computers, monitors, and phones.
Around the perimeter of the central area were glass-enclosed examining areas.
The doctor opened a sliding glass door to one of the rooms.
Caitlin lay on a gurney, a bandage on the side of her head. Machines beeped and blinked.
No, this couldn’t be happening. Not to Caitlin. Not to her baby.
Anguish tore into Elisabeth, weakened her knees, and she collapsed against Henry. He embraced her, sharing his strength and comfort. She needed both from him. And so much more.
“She’s so pale. So little.” Elisabeth reached out and touched Caitlin’s ashen skin. “She feels cold. Do you think she needs another blanket?”
Henry pulled up a chair for Elisabeth to sit on. “I’ll find a nurse.”
She sat but didn’t know what else to do. She reached for her sister’s small hand.
“It’s going to be okay, sweetie.” An IV ran into Caitlin’s other arm. A lump formed in Elisabeth’s throat, but if she cried, it would be all over with. “We’re going to a hospital in Portland.”
No response. Fear shuddered through Elisabeth. It was all she could do not to fall into a heap on the gray tile floor. But she couldn’t. She had to be strong for Caitlin.
“Portland is where Henry used to live,” Elisabeth said. “The hospital is especially for kids.”
She glanced at the nurses’ station in the center of the emergency department. Henry spoke to a group of people. A woman dressed in a suit handed a phone to Henry, and he looked serious. A little too serious.
Elisabeth looked away. She couldn’t deal with any more bad news right now.
“Henry’s here.” She touched Caitlin’s rose-petal-smooth cheek. “He’s making sure the doctors take good care of you. And he’s taking good care of me, too.”
Elisabeth kissed Caitlin’s hand. She was afraid to touch anything else.
“You’re going to get better.” The machines beeped and blinked. All good signs, she assumed. “Don’t worry. It’ll be okay. You’ll be fine.”
She had to be. Because if not, Elisabeth didn’t know what she would do.
* * *
As Henry watched Elisabeth in the exam room, her misery and pain pressed down on him like a steel beam. It wasn’t fair. She didn’t deserve this. And Caitlin…
She should be smiling and giggling and jumping around. A hospital bed was no place for such a vibrant little girl.
He had more money than he knew what to do with, yet he couldn’t make her better. He couldn’t buy his way out of this situation. It was exactly how he felt when Wes was diagnosed with cancer. That same helpless, worthless feeling.
Sure, Caitlin would have the top specialists and the best care available, and it wouldn’t cost the Wheelers anything. Henry had seen to that. If only he could do more…
Elisabeth’s gaze locked with his. The weight of the world once again rested on her tired shoulders, and he couldn’t do anything to make her feel better. It took every ounce of his strength to smile, but he did.
For her sake.
Dr. Terrence returned with a nurse. “Caitlin’s blood pressure is increasing.
This could mean the pressure in her brain is also increasing.
She needs to go now.” He emphasized the last word.
“A Life Flight helicopter is on its way. Everything will be ready for Caitlin when she arrives at the hospital.”
Elisabeth’s lower lip quivered. Henry placed his arm around her and led her outside.
Standing there, she wrapped her arms around her chest. “I’m scared.”
“Me, too.” Henry pulled her close. “Two of my closest friends will be waiting for you at the hospital. Brett and Laurel Matthews will keep you company until I arrive.”
Elisabeth stepped away from him. “You aren’t going with me?”
Her disappointment stabbed at him. “There isn’t room on the Life Flight helicopter for us. Another helicopter will follow that one, but they only have space for one passenger.”
“They do that?”
“In certain instances.” He didn’t want to tell the truth: that he’d made the arrangements for the second helicopter so Elisabeth wouldn’t have to be away from Caitlin that long.
“I’ll pick up Sam and Abby from school. They need to hear what happened from one of us, not a schoolteacher or administrator, and I’ll drive them to the hospital in Portland. ”
Elisabeth nodded. “And I need someone to watch the farm—”
“I called Gabe. He and his father are on it.”
More than gratitude shone in her eyes, and he felt like he’d been run over by the Deere. The edges of her mouth curved slightly. “Thank you.”
Don’t thank me, he wanted to yell. This was driving him crazy. The feeling of helplessness overwhelmed him, and he hated it. He hated feeling so useless. He hated caring the way he did. About Caitlin and Sam and Abby. But most especially about Elisabeth.
She caressed his cheek. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
He felt the same way, but he couldn’t bring himself to say the words.
No matter how he felt about Elisabeth and the rest of the Wheelers, she didn’t need him blurting out his feelings, diverting attention from the sister she loved.
The sister she had gladly taken responsibility for, the way he’d never taken responsibility for anything or anyone in his life.
More people entered Caitlin’s room. The doctor barked orders. Nurses hurried. Things happened so fast. Suddenly, Caitlin was wheeled out of the room on the gurney.
“Let’s go,” Dr. Terrence said, his voice full of urgency.
Henry walked with them until he was told he could go no farther. He wanted to go with them. He wanted to be there for them. But he also wanted to be there for Sam and Abby, who would need someone with them.
“Have a safe flight.” Henry didn’t know what else to say. “I’ll be at the hospital as soon as I can.”
That was all he could promise her. Once again, it wasn’t enough.
As Elisabeth, the doctors, and the nurses disappeared behind a pair of elevator doors, a deep pain gnawed at Henry.
He waited what he thought was long enough that the helicopters must have lifted off and were on their way to Portland.
With his heart in his throat, he returned to the hospital lobby, found a phone, and dialed out.
“I wondered when I would be hearing from you,” Cynthia said, sounding smug and satisfied. “How’s your adventure going down on the farm?”
Only two words needed to be said, but he was having a difficult time saying them. He didn’t understand why. He’d made the right choice. The right choice for Caitlin. The right choice for Elisabeth. The right choice for him.
The only choice.
Henry knew that in his heart, but his life would never be the same. Maybe that was why saying the words were so hard. He inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly.
“Henry?” Cynthia asked.
It was now or never. “You win.”