8
Gripping the steering wheel so hard his knuckles turned white, Gray tried to will his heart into submission. “Are you all right? I’m so sorry, but I figured SUV versus deer would be worse than brake slamming.”
A tear streaked down Tessa’s cheek as Gray slowly started moving again. “You’re right.”
“Are you all right?” he asked again.
“I think so. I mean as all right as I was anyway.” She blew out a breath.
Gray kept his eyes on the road but reached over and held Tessa’s hand. “I’ll go as fast as I can without getting in trouble.”
“I know.”
He concentrated on getting through the curves on Highway P until they reached Serenity Landing then headed toward Springfield. It took nearly an hour to get to the hospital. After getting off the freeway, he turned and went under the road to the emergency department.
“No,” she told him, quite forcefully. “Urgent Care. We can start there. They can do x-rays at this one, and they’ll send us over if they need to.”
Gray hesitated then kept driving past the area connecting the hospital to the Turner Center. Pulling to a stop in front of the doors, he found a wheelchair inside the entryway and brought it back to the SUV.
Gray helped Tessa slide from the SUV to the wheelchair. “I’ll be right back after I park. Don’t go anywhere.” He winked at her, and she smiled, as he’d meant for her to.
But then she cringed as she shifted in the seat.
It only took a minute to park the SUV and jog back to Tessa’s side.
Once inside, he took the paperwork for her and sat down in one of the chairs with a pen.
“I haven’t changed my name.” She grimaced and shifted again in the tall chair. “I will but I haven’t yet.”
“It’s fine.” He knew the information as well as she did, except her Social Security Number. The rest he was able to fill out without her help.
They weren’t busy, so it didn’t take long to get her back to a room.
Tessa looked around it nearly in tears. It took Gray half a second to figure out the problem.
“I know this is unusual. It hurts for her to sit down in a normal chair, but she needs the back as much as possible. Could we move one of the tall chairs from the waiting area in here?”
The woman hesitated. “Let me check.”
A minute later, she and someone else returned with the chair.
“Thank you,” Tessa told them, gingerly sinking into the chair and scooting back.
A nurse proceeded to take her vitals then left them to wait for the doctor, after letting them know the doctor would likely need Tessa to move for the exam.
Tessa just nodded wearily.
The doctor didn’t keep them waiting long. He asked Tessa questions then said he wasn’t going to make her stand up yet but was going to send her for x-rays.
Gray managed to help her change into a hospital gown while not seeing anything he didn’t have permission to see. He found another one to drape over her back to cover any gap there might be.
Gray was asked to stay behind when it was time for the x-rays. He was on the phone with Mama Beach when Tessa stood up so he wasn’t quite sure how she managed it with the least amount of pain.
Rather than a wheelchair to the x-ray room, she walked slowly.
He figured he knew why they didn’t want him to go with her. They likely needed to make certain he hadn’t pushed her or otherwise caused the accident. Though Gray understood why they would be suspicious and why they needed to double check, he had a hard time not resenting that he hadn’t been able to accompany her.
When Tessa returned, they had her sit on the table so the doctor could take a look.
“How did it go?” he asked softly.
“Can you turn the light off?” She closed her eyes. “It’s bright in here.
Gray complied. There was enough light through the blinds in the window that it wasn’t completely dark.
“They asked if you hurt me. I told them the idea was ludicrous and that if I wasn’t in so much pain, I’d walk out.”
“I wondered if that’s why they left me here. I understand why they have to ask, though.”
“I know.” She sighed. “I just hope it doesn’t take long for them to get me meds.”
A knock sounded on the door, but it was someone else coming to clean the cut on her head. A few minutes later, it was superglued closed.
After a few more minutes, the doctor returned. He checked her back, probing it gently to see exactly what the extent of the pain was.
“It’s definitely bruised,” he told them, pulling her x-rays up on the computer in the room. “I don’t think the ribs are even cracked though, so that’s good. They’re bruised and so are the muscles and tissues around there, but nothing’s broken. The cut on your head is superficial, so it’s nothing to be concerned about. You said you never blacked out?”
Tessa shook her head. “No. Not until later, kind of. I started to gray out, but I think it was from the pain and trauma not a head injury. My head doesn’t hurt at all, except for the cut.”
The doctor nodded. “I’m going to send a prescription for muscle relaxers and pain medicine. It’s going to be a while before you feel better, though.” He flipped a page on the chart. “You work at the candy shop in Trumanville?” That was why she’d left during the filming of Madi’s movie. It was closed because it was in use by the production company as a set.
“Yeah.”
“I’ll give you a note. You’re off work until released by a doctor. It will likely be at least three weeks if not a month, and then only light duty.”
“Thanks.”
Her boss wouldn’t give her a hard time about it. Well, he would, but only in good fun.
“You use Trumanville Family Pharmacy?” he asked Tessa.
She managed a nod.
“Hopefully, by the time you get there, they’ll have them ready for you.” He rolled back toward her on the little roll-y stool. “Do you have any other questions or concerns?”
“How long until it starts improving at all?” The weariness already filling her voice made Gray’s heart ache.
“Probably a day or two. If it’s day three and still worsening, you need to come back in. Sometimes, something will show up more pronounced that we can’t see now. I really don’t see any breaks, though, so I’d expect it to get worse today and tomorrow then incremental improvement after that.” He stood. “Give us a few minutes, and we’ll get you out of here.”
A couple of tears streaked down Tessa’s cheeks.
Gray just wished he could do something, anything, to make it better.
Getting comfortable wasn’t a thing that would happen any time soon. Tessa closed her eyes and tried to imagine herself swinging nearly weightless in a hammock on a beach instead of a table thing in the urgent care.
At least they were going to give her some good drugs.
Gray had been most solicitous of her while they were there.
“Well, you get to rest and sleep a lot,” he told her as he held her hand.
“Not exactly what I had planned for the next few weeks. School starts soon.” She knew most of her instructors in the program and could email them. They’d work with her, but it wasn’t the same as being there.
“I know, but at least you don’t have to move in with your parents for a while. You’ve got me to take care of you.” He picked up her hand and kissed the back of it.
The pain messed with her ability to think straight. Gray seemed to be far more “all in” on this marriage thing than she was. She probably needed to change that.
But how did one go about falling in love with your best friend when all you’ve ever been was friends?
The kisses at the altar had been quite pleasant, but Tessa hadn’t been in a hurry for more. She suspected Gray would gladly oblige as soon as she decided she was ready.
That might be a while, unless the drugs also took away inhibitions. They migh
t.
Gray wouldn’t do anything more than maybe kiss her while she was drugged up though. The drugs weren’t that good but could easily cloud her judgment. Plus, she wasn’t physically capable of walking without significant pain, much less anything else.
Someone opened the door to her room and brought in a wheelchair. It took considerable effort for her to make it into the chair. Gray trotted ahead to get Sean’s SUV.
He pulled up just a couple of minutes after Tessa reached the door. Gray and the attendant pushing her helped her stand up and get into the vehicle.
“Thank you both.” She leaned her head back. Just that much was wearing her out. Gray made certain her seat belt was buckled before going around to drive home.
“I’m going to stop at the pharmacy to pick up your medication before going back to the house,” he told her as she closed her eyes. “Unless you’d rather I take you home first, but I don’t want to leave you there by yourself.”
“Stopping first is fine.” She tried not to think about all the things she might need help with over the next few days. Did she even have any clothes she could wear that would increase her comfort and ease of doing things? Midi dresses maybe? “Do you have my phone?”
A second later it was in her hand. Who should she text? One of her new sisters-in-law? They’d been practically related for decades. Mama Beach? Jasmine?
Finally, she asked Jazz what she was doing. A few seconds later, Jazz replied that she was on a date and would talk to Tessa the next day. Her friend would drop everything if she knew Tessa had been hurt, so Tessa didn’t tell her.
“Who knows?” she asked. Gray had contacted a few people but not many.
“Just Mama and Papa Beach and Grandma Vi. I didn’t think you’d want your parents at the hospital, and I know you didn’t want mine.”
“I wonder if Grandma Vi’s place would be better. There’s not much furniture at the farmhouse.”
“And the only bathrooms are upstairs, but we could get you up there and then stay. I have the next few days off anyway, so you won’t need to go downstairs. I’ll find someone to stay with you if I can’t, at least until we have a better idea of how you’re feeling and how much you’re able to do unassisted.”
“Thank you.” He was thinking of everything.
“Do you want me to call Mama Beach and ask her to come over?” he asked softly. “I’d imagine you’d rather have her help you change and such.”
Gray had helped her at Urgent Care, doing his best to preserve her privacy and dignity at the same time. In the process, he made her feel more cherished than she ever had before.
“Although,” he went on. “If I know Mama Beach, she’s probably already at the house waiting for us.”
That made Tessa laugh, though it quickly turned to groans. “Don’t make me laugh, Beach. It hurts.”
“You know I can’t promise that, but I will do my best.”
One of the reasons she’d always enjoyed hanging out with Gray was his ability to make her laugh.
She suspected it wasn’t the only reason she’d eventually fall in love with him.
It didn’t surprise Gray to see Mama Beach’s car in the driveway at the farm. In fact, he would have been more surprised if she hadn’t been there.
“Hey, Tess.” He reached over and took her hand. It was one part of her that didn’t really hurt, though there were some scratches. “We’re home. Let me take everything in, and I’ll come back for you.”
“Thanks.” Tessa didn’t open her eyes, but after they left the pharmacy, she’d admitted she was about ready for some more pain meds.
She’d slept at least part of the way home. The medications she’d take soon would help her get some more rest.
Hopefully.
There likely wouldn’t be much else she could do for the foreseeable future.
“We’re home,” he called as he walked into the house.
“Upstairs. Be right down.” Gray could hear Mama Beach’s steps heading for the staircase.
He turned, catching a glimpse of the living room for the first time. “What’s all this?” He walked into the room to find his living room furniture in there, including two recliners, and the old couch gone.
“We knew you’d need it.” Mama Beach gave him one of her famous hugs. “Tessa’s going to need a recliner. There’s also a new bed in your room. It’s one of the moving ones. If you don’t love it, you can always put it in the Beach House for when you rent it out.”
Gray left his arm around his aunt. She’d often been more of a mother to him, and he’d never be able to repay her for all of her kindnesses over the years. “Did you know Pop Pop had already renovated the Beach House?”
“I suspected, but I didn’t know. It’s a lot like this one, isn’t it?”
“Smaller. Only four small bedrooms upstairs to start with, now three with a second bathroom. This house still has five and three bathrooms, even after the major remodel. It’s plumbed for a half-bath down here, but it never got finished.”
“Then Tessa will spend most of her time upstairs. We moved the bed from your room into one of the other bedrooms. I’ll stay there for a couple of days. I know you’re newlyweds, but Tessa would probably appreciate another woman to help her out sometimes.”
Gray nodded, grateful for his aunt’s foresight. “Thanks, Mama Beach.” He squeezed her shoulders. “I’m going to help her straight upstairs. Can you make sure the bed’s turned back?”
Mama Beach smiled at him. “Of course.”
Back at the car, Gray helped Tessa hook an arm around his neck and shoulders before sliding her out of the vehicle and setting her on her feet, his arm staying around her waist. As they walked, he talked softly. “Mama Beach is planning to stay for a couple of days to help you with whatever you need.”
Her head leaned against his shoulder. “That’s fabulous.”
“But she thinks I’ve been sleeping in the same room with you. They brought us one of those adjustable beds so you can be more comfortable. If it’s a two-sided one, are you all right with me sleeping on the other side?”
“I trust you.” Her sleepy murmur warmed his heart.
He’d left the door open in anticipation of their return, so they slowly walked right through then up the stairs. Mama Beach stood next to what had to be a king-sized bed. Both halves were raised into a semi-reclining position.
“I didn’t know which side Tessa slept on,” she explained.
“The far side,” Tessa told her, letting Gray know where to help her to without making it obvious he had no idea. “Gray wants me to sleep away from the door, because that’s where danger is. Just like one of Tam’s knights.”
He had no idea who Tam was or what knights had to do with anything, but it made enough sense that neither one of them would question it.
Gently helping her settle onto the far side of the bed, Gray pressed a light kiss to her temple. “I’ll get you something to drink and your medicine.”
“Thank you.”
Mama Beach was already bustling about, pulling the covers up so Tessa would be comfortable.
He hurried back downstairs, closing the door and glancing to make sure he’d remembered to close the door to the SUV. After setting each of the bottles onto the counter, he checked each one to verify which one she needed when and the dosages. Confident he had the right one in hand, he filled a cup with water and pressed the lid into place. The straw would help.
Back upstairs, Tessa looked nearly asleep, but also in pain. He could see the stress lines around her eyes, lines he didn’t know if many other people would notice.
She managed to take the pills easily enough. Gray and Mama Beach went back downstairs so she could sleep.
“How did you get all of this done so fast?” he asked her as he sat in his favorite recliner.
“We’re family. We look out for each other. Your newest brother-in-law has people, lots of them, who will drop everything if he tells them to. It wasn’t quite an order, of cour
se, but Harrison sent a couple of people over. He came himself, too. As did both Bayfield boys, and they brought friends. Someone had a box truck. The bed upstairs is technically a wedding present I suppose. I think it was in an extra room at Harrison’s house, nearly brand new. His parents used it a couple of times when they visited, I believe.”
Right. Tessa was now sleeping in a bed used by the king and queen of San Majoria.
“Wait. Alex is in town?”
“Alexander is, yes. For a couple of days, I believe. I didn’t get much of a chance to talk with him.”
Not only would he be sleeping in a royal bed, but it had been delivered by the husband of a queen.
Life could be more than a bit surreal, even if he had grown up dodging in Chris and Alex’s steps as they played with Sean as kids.
“Thank you for everything.” Emotion started to overwhelm Gray. “Seeing her on the ground...” His voice cracked. “I’ve never been so scared in my life.”
“Of course not. You love her.” She said it so matter-of-factly that Gray almost missed the undercurrent.
Mama Beach believed he was in love with his wife.
But wouldn’t he be the first one to know that?
9
Crying would only make it hurt worse.
Tessa knew that without trying it. But she couldn’t take lying down the way she was any longer.
“Gray?” she called her voice shaking, knowing it wasn’t loud enough. She tried again, unable to do any better. Was her phone nearby? Could she get it to voice activate? In a few seconds, the sound of ringing came through the speaker phone, and she breathed a sigh of relief.
“Tess?” Gray sounded confused.
“Can you come help me?”
Before she finished the question, she heard him taking the stairs two at a time as the phone disconnected.
“What is it?” he asked.
A single tear streaked down her temple. “I can’t sleep like this.” The bed, as nice as it was, seemed to be the cause of more pain. “But I don’t know how to adjust the frame.”
Small Town Girls Don't Marry Their Best Friends: Contemporary Christian Romance (Beaches of Trumanville Book 3) Page 6