More Than a Song

by Chris Paynter

“Only if you promise to come to New York in the winter when the Rockefeller Center tree is lit up.”

  “Deal.” Dani hugged her again.

  “Take care, Dani.”

  “Thanks, Brenda. You, too.” Dani left for her room to pack her suitcase and make the trip home to Francis.

  * * *

  Dani leaned her elbow against the car door as she kept her other hand on the wheel. She rubbed her temple, trying to erase the image of C.J. and the blonde in the dressing room. She sat up straighter and put both hands on the steering wheel as she shook off the memory. These stretches through the mountains of Tennessee were hard enough as it was, let alone if she allowed distractions.

  She pushed the button to turn on the radio. With her thumb on the steering wheel’s controls, she steadily flipped through the stations. Nothing sounded good. She was sure that nothing would for a very long time. A sad song about lost love flowed through her stereo speakers. She was about to change the station yet again, but something made her stop. She listened to the melody and became caught up in the words.

  Dani’s thoughts drifted to Liz as the words penetrated her heart. The chorus to the song repeated in her mind long after it was over. She recalled the times Liz had walked away from her... always away. Something had pulled her to Liz like a sun-scorched blade of glass to the first drop of rain. Something telling her that this was the woman she needed to get to know.

  Lost in her thoughts, time passed swiftly and soon she saw the Atlanta signs and, a little farther, the Exit sign to Francis. As she pulled onto the ramp, strong wind buffeted the car. The sky darkened, and rain pelted her windshield. She flipped on the wipers, first on regular speed, then switched them over to full speed as rain poured down in torrents. She turned on her lights, hunched over the steering wheel, and peered into the blackness. Driving past the vet’s office, she noticed a car still parked in the lot. She wondered if it was Liz’s and had a sudden urge to pull into the lot to see if she was there. She admonished herself. Jesus, Dani. I’m sure you’re still the last person she wants to see these days.

  Lightning flashed overhead, blinding Dani. In a terrifying instant, she spotted a set of headlights coming her way. This was a two-lane highway. Sure as hell those lights were aiming straight for her. Oh, God, a car was in her lane, trying to pass a semi. Dani swerved hard to the right to avoid a head-on collision.

  The tires lost their grip and slid off the road. She tried to stay on the shoulder as the on-coming car swept past her, but it was too steep. Her car careened down the embankment and barreled straight for a large tree. Dani yanked the wheel, but the passenger side slammed into the tree with a bone-jarring jolt. The air bag exploded in her face, and a sharp pain shot through her left wrist. Then everything went black.

  Dani moaned as she struggled to regain consciousness. Her wrist throbbed. Her face was sore, but the airbag had saved her from a bang against the windshield. Through her fog, she heard someone open her car door. Gentle hands pushed her back in her seat, away from the deflated airbag. A familiar voice spoke.

  “Oh, God, Dani, I was afraid it was you when I saw the car.”

  Dani slowly blinked her eyes open to see an angel hovering over her. Or at least it looked like an angel. Dressed in white, her eyes were the kindest eyes she’d ever seen—like Liz’s. Dani attempted to turn her head and focus.

  “Don’t move. The ambulance is on its way.”

  “Liz?”

  “Shh. Try to stay calm.” Liz’s voice quivered. Sirens drew closer and died down right outside the car. Dani heard doors opening and muffled speech.

  “Ma’am, you can step back now,” a male voice said behind Liz.

  Two firemen put a brace around Dani’s neck. They pulled her out of her car and set her on a gurney. Rain pelted down on her as they carried her toward the ambulance.

  “Can you tell us your name?” a female medic asked who walked beside the gurney.

  “Dani Roberts.”

  “Dani, are you experiencing pain anywhere in your body?”

  “My left wrist. Head and neck are a little sore, too,” Dani managed to mumble. They started to lift her in the back of the ambulance. “Where’s Liz,” she asked frantically. “Did you see her?” Dani tried to sit up.

  “What?” the medic asked as she gently, but firmly, pushed Dani back down.

  “Dani, I’m right here. Don’t worry. I’ll follow the ambulance to the hospital.”

  “What’s your name, ma’am?” the medic asked Liz. “We’ll make sure the staff knows you’re coming in.”

  “Dr. Liz Springer.” When the medic’s eyebrows rose, Liz said, “I’m a veterinarian.”

  “Right. We’ll see you there.” The medic placed a blood pressure cuff over Dani’s arm and took stock of her injuries.

  The ambulance arrived at the hospital, and the medics pushed the gurney through the emergency room doors. Other faces hovered over her, and a man in scrubs Dani assumed was a nurse fired questions at the medics. The female medic rattled off her vitals. Dani didn’t know much, but it eased her mind to hear it didn’t sound like anything major was wrong.

  As the nurse manipulated her wrist, Dani winced.

  “It doesn’t feel broken, but we won’t know for sure until we get an X-ray.”

  Another man’s face appeared to her right. “I’m Dr. Van Nuys. We’re going to keep the neck brace on until we get a CAT scan. Any pain in your neck or back?”

  “There was in the car, but it’s eased up.”

  “Good.”

  He leaned over her and probed her face. “Any pain?”

  “There.” Dani jerked as he pressed her right cheek.

  “I don’t feel any bone displacement, but again, a CAT scan will show us any problems. You do have some swelling there.” He glanced across the gurney at the nurse. “CAT scan first. X-ray second.”

  “Will do.” The nurse stepped away for a few minutes and returned with a woman. “Sharon here will take you to the CAT scan, then we’ll take care of the X-rays.”

  Sharon tried some small talk as she wheeled Dani down several hallways, but Dani wasn’t in the mood.

  “Here we are.” Another technician joined Sharon, and in no time, the CAT scan was complete. Sharon took her for X-rays. Dani had to stifle a groan as the radiology technician manipulated her wrist in different positions for the film. When she was done, Sharon returned and wheeled Dani to a large room cordoned off by multiple curtains. A few minutes later, the curtain drew back, and Dr. Van Nuys reappeared.

  “Good news. No concussion, no fractures of your cheeks, and no sign of any trauma to your neck or spine.” He reached up and carefully removed the neck brace. “You won’t need this.” He handed the nurse the brace. “More good news. No fracture of the wrist. Looks like a severe sprain. We’ll give you a brace to wear, but when you get home, you’ll need to ice the wrist to get the swelling down.” He gave her instructions for icing at home.

  “How long will I need to wear the brace?”

  “Should only be four weeks, but your wrist will let you know. You should also follow up with your regular physician.” He motioned to her right cheek. “I know you might get sick of the ice, but that cheek could use some, too, when you get home. It’ll cut down on the swelling and bruising.” He gave her a half smile. “Although you’re already sporting a shiner.”

  Dani heard voices on the other side of the curtain and recognized one of them as Liz’s.

  Another nurse led Liz to Dani’s gurney. “Is it okay if she visits now, Doctor?”

  “Yes. I’m done here.” Dr. Van Nuys patted Dani’s leg. “All in all, you’re very lucky, Ms. Roberts.”

  The nurse followed the doctor and pulled the curtain closed behind her. Suddenly, Dani and Liz were alone. Dani looked up into those green eyes that had taken her breath away the first time they’d met. The rain had drenched Liz’s hair. She’d removed her white lab coat, but the rain had managed to soak into her polo shirt, drawing Dani’s attention to th
e outline of her bra.

  I will not look at her nipples. I will not look at her nipples.

  Liz moved closer to the bed. She raised her hand, and her fingers hovered over Dani’s cheek, but Liz didn’t touch her. Dani felt the heat as if she had.

  Liz pulled her hand back and lowered her head. “I’m so glad you’re okay,” she said in a hushed tone. “I saw your car and I... I...” Liz swallowed hard. “I was so afraid of what I’d find when I opened your door.”

  Dani reached out and took Liz’s hand. “Hey. I’m okay. No concussion. No issues with the neck or spine.” She held up her wrist. “Severe sprain that I’ll get a brace for.” She gingerly touched her cheek. “And I guess I have a black eye.”

  Liz allowed a small smile. “It’s already bruising. Should be quite colorful by morning.” She quickly sobered. “Thank God you can walk away from this.”

  The nurse returned with paperwork, a package that held a wrist brace, and instant cold packs. She set the wrist brace and cold packs on the side tray. “You need to sign these, and you’re ready to go.”

  Dani signed the forms.

  The nurse pulled the brace out of the bag and carefully wrapped Dani’s wrist. Dani noticed she loosely tightened the Velcro straps. “Once you get the swelling down at home, you can tighten this as needed. Also, I’m giving you a few instant cold packs. Be careful when you use them and wrap them in a towel. You don’t want to risk any freezer burn. For pain, Dr. Van Nuys suggests ibuprofen. If you find you need more than that”—she handed Dani a card—“call his office to get a prescription for pain medication.”

  Dani sat up a little more on the bed, anxious to leave.

  “I believe the firemen gathered whatever personal items you had in your car before it was towed away. They’ll be at the front desk. You’ll need someone to take you home, though.”

  Liz spoke up. “I can do that.”

  Dani’s heart skipped a beat, and it wasn’t from the unwanted trauma of the day.

  “Good. I’ll send for a wheelchair.”

  Dani slowly swung her legs over the side of the gurney. Liz kept her hand at Dani’s back to steady her. Dani looked down at her shirt and noticed she was just as soaked as Liz.

  “Damn.” She fingered the material.

  “Wait here, Dani. I’ll get a dry one out of your bag.”

  Liz returned with Dani’s suitcase. She pulled out a T-shirt and handed it to Dani. She turned as Dani started to pull off her wet shirt. Pain shot through Dani’s wrist when she attempted to tug the shirt over her head.

  “Liz, I hate to ask you, but—”

  Liz spun back around. “Here. I’ll help you.” She stretched the collar out wider and lifted the wet shirt over Dani’s head, setting it aside. She grabbed the dry T-shirt. Before she started putting it on Dani, their eyes met. Liz’s face reddened as they locked gazes for what seemed like minutes. Liz pulled the shirt over Dani’s head.

  Dani tugged it down the rest of the way over her body. Her hands touched Liz’s, and Dani could feel that Liz was trembling. Again, they stared at each other before Liz broke away from the gaze and leaned down to get Dani’s wet shirt and her suitcase.

  “My car’s just outside the emergency room doors,” Liz said in a soft voice.

  As the words left her lips, a volunteer zipped in with a wheelchair. “Hospital policy,” she said in a chipper voice.

  “I’ll pull the car into the round-a-bout.” Liz hurried away.

  The volunteer cheerfully talked to Dani as she pushed her down the hall. Dani saw one of the nurses who’d treated her, and she thanked him.

  Liz’s Outback stopped in front of the ER doors. She got out and helped Dani into the car. They pulled out of the hospital parking lot and onto the state road toward town. They sat in silence for a while. Liz spoke first.

  “I really don’t want to take you home to be alone. Is there a friend you can stay with?”

  “Tina and Barb, but I didn’t call them before I left Nashville to let them know I was headed back early.”

  The miles to town churned under the car before Liz spoke again. “Why were you in Nashville?”

  “A conference,” Dani answered a little too quickly. Do I really want to tell her the other reason? “I also went there to see C.J.” She glanced over at Liz. The dashboard light illuminated her enough that Dani could see her face. Liz was biting her lower lip. Great, Dani. What the hell were you thinking?

  “She was performing there? I guess she would be. I knew she went there to record.”

  Dani took a deep breath. “It’s over. Actually, it never should have been ‘on’ between us. I knew what I was dealing with, but I...” Her voice trailed off as she felt tears come to her eyes. She turned away to stare out the window, watching as the rain rolled slowly down the glass. “She was with someone else.” There was a finality to the words, as if there was never a question where this had been headed all along between Dani and C.J.

  Liz turned briefly to Dani. “I’m sorry, Dani. I’m sorry you got hurt.”

  Dani was about to speak, but Liz stopped her. “I don’t think I can talk about this right now. My ex hurt me in the same way, and I—”

  “Liz, you don’t need to explain.”

  “Do you understand why?” Liz glanced over long enough to Dani so that Dani could see the mixture of emotions zipping across her face. “I remember what I went through when my ex cheated on me. You need to work this out. Work through what you’re feeling. When you’re done, and when you’re ready, then we can talk.”

  Dani wanted to say more, but she simply nodded.

  They didn’t speak again until Dani gave Liz directions to Barb and Tina’s house. By the time they pulled into the drive, the rain had stopped. Liz walked over to help Dani out of the car. She got Dani’s bag out of the back and led her to the front door.

  Dani knocked lightly. She heard Frodo’s “German Shepherd” bark. His nose pushed back the blinds. Then his bark changed over to an excited yipping—well, as much as beagles can yip.

  The outside light flicked on, and Tina’s face appeared at the glass after she pushed the blinds aside. “Jesus Christ!” Dani heard Tina’s muffled exclamation before she swung the door open.

  Tina helped Liz bring Dani inside. Frodo circled Dani’s legs and jumped up on her, practically knocking her over. Dani reached down to pet him and felt a little lightheaded with the move.

  “Barb! Honey, can you put Frodo out back?”

  Barb rounded the corner of the kitchen, took one look at Dani, and said, “Shit. Yeah, sure.”

  Liz and Tina got Dani seated on the couch. Barb joined them in the living room after she let out Frodo.

  “Dani got caught up in this afternoon’s storm,” Liz said. “Someone ran her off the road where she hit a tree. I happened to be driving home from the office when I spotted her car.”

  Tina looked like she was about to cry.

  “Tina, I’m okay. No concussion, no neck or spinal injuries. Just a black eye and this.” Dani held up her wrist. Before Tina could ask, she said, “Not broken, only a sprain.”

  “Oh, that reminds me.” Liz left and returned shortly with the cold packs. “She’s supposed to ice the wrist and her cheek tonight. The doctor said icing the cheek would help with bruising, but I think we might be past that point. He suggested ibuprofen for pain, but if it gets worse to call his number for a prescription.”

  Tina took the cold packs from Liz and sat down by Dani. “Why were you coming back today? You weren’t due back until tomorrow afternoon.”

  Dani glanced up at Liz who stared at the floor. “One of the reasons I went there, well, let’s just say it didn’t work out.”

  Tina’s entire body tensed, and her face flushed with anger. “Don’t tell me that bitch was with someone else.”

  Dani smiled weakly. “Okay, I won’t.”

  “It’s not funny.”

  “Don’t you think I know that?” Dani’s whole head throbbed with the statement
.

  Barb walked over and sat on the other side of Dani. She looked across Dani to Tina. “None of that shit matters right now, Dani. What matters is you’re okay. I’m glad Liz was there to help you.”

  Liz met Dani’s gaze. Liz’s eyes reflected kindness. Pure kindness. What had I ever seen in C.J.’s eyes except for electricity and that nagging feeling of danger? Dani wondered.

  Liz motioned toward the door. “I’d better be getting home. I’m sure Melanie’s wondering where I am.”

  Dani felt disappointment in the pit of her stomach. She knew Liz had to go, but she’d secretly hoped she could stay longer.

  Barb and Tina stood up. Dani got ready to try, but they both said at the same time, “You sit!”

  Dani couldn’t help but laugh. “I see what a weekend with Frodo has done to you two.” Liz joined Barb and Tina in laughing, breaking the tension in the room.

  “Thank you, Liz, for everything,” Dani said softly.

  Liz smiled. “I’m just glad you’re safe.” Barb and Tina walked Liz to the door. “Please keep an eye on her tonight.”

  “You don’t have to worry about that,” Tina said.

  After she left, Tina sat on the sofa with Dani, appearing very much like she wanted to dissect the weekend’s events. Barb quickly put that to rest.

  “Tina, Dani’s going upstairs to lie down with these cold packs. She can talk to us in the morning.”

  “I’ll help get you to bed,” Tina said.

  Dani held up her hand. “Not before I see Frodo again.”

  “You sure you’re ready for that?” Tina asked.

  Dani nodded. At least her head wasn’t throbbing as much this time with the action.

  “Be prepared for a bouncing, baby beagle.” Barb headed to the back door. Frodo bounded into the room. With a running start, he seemed to leap from about halfway into the living room onto the couch.

  Dani didn’t care how much she hurt. Frodo was here. Her best friends were here.

  And the promise of something else had just walked out the front door.

  Chapter 19