His distraction wasn’t only Kimmy. Nina had been on his mind when Kimmy wasn’t. He’d made a quick call to her the past evening to tell her where he was. He longed to talk with her about the Thanksgiving dinner experience, but there wasn’t time. He’d left Roseanne’s late and he’d been in a rush this morning. He’d wait to call until he had news. When his cell phone rang, he grabbed it, his pulse pummeling before he realized the caller was Nina.
“I thought you were Roseanne.”
“You’re upset. What happened last night?”
He filled her in as quickly as he could. “I’m now waiting for Roseanne to call. I don’t know what’s happening at this point.”
“Please let me know and I’ll be praying it’s nothing serious.”
He’d prayed, too, but he continued to worry. “I’ll call you when I hear something.”
After he disconnected, his mind shifted to Nina and her mother. He could understand why their relationship had been strained, and no matter what solution he considered, the situation had a hopeless feeling. Yet he knew better. Something could make a change, but he had yet to think of anything.
Forcing his mind back to his work, he managed to complete a plan of action for one of his clients, and outlined some financial steps for another who wanted to expand his business and his real estate.
When his ringtone jarred him again, he knew it was Roseanne. He hit the talk button and listened, his apprehension growing. “What does that mean? Isn’t meningitis serious?”
“There’s two kinds, according to the doctor, and the tests will tell us which.”
Two kinds. Questions filled his mind but Roseanne’s distress caused him to hold the questions for later. “What can I do to help?”
A sigh breathed across the phone. “I can’t ask my friend to spend much more time here. She’s taking us to the hospital for the tests, but she can’t wait. I’ll need a ride home, hopefully with Kimmy.”
She choked and he recognized the beginning of her tears. “I’ll get there as fast as I can. Where will you be?”
“Probably in the medical building for the blood work and X-rays, but maybe not since you’ll be a while before getting here.”
“I’m not waiting, Roseanne. I’ll talk to my boss, and I’m sure he’ll give me the rest of the day off. I’m not that far.” They hung up and Doug hurried into his boss’s office. His work could wait. He needed to be by Kimmy’s side.
* * *
Nina sat in her home office and checked her watch again. She’d thought Doug would call earlier. Time had ticked by and she’d heard nothing. While waiting, she decided to do more research on the diagnosis that explained her inability to carry a child. Doug could be right. New treatments and information were found daily. She’d hoped that something could make a difference, but she’d found nothing specific that gave her hope.
When she clicked on another link, she came to the section on diagnosis. She scanned the options and spotted the test she’d had—laparoscopy. She read the article and words jumped out at her. The test was only 60 percent accurate. The doctor had never told her that.
Knowing internet facts could be wrong, she found another article, one from a reputable hospital, and she was certain the information would be accurate. Her heart skipped as she read. Only 45 to 67 percent of suspected lesions were confirmed as accurate. Twenty percent found that the positive finding in laparoscopy would be incorrect.
Her heart soared. Hope she’d given up on for years could be renewed. Maybe, just maybe, she was one of that 20 percent.
Overwhelmed by her findings, she rose from the computer and wandered into the kitchen. It was too early to eat, but her stomach had rebelled since she’d begun her wait. She searched the fridge and found a couple of apples in the fruit drawer. She withdrew the smaller one, cut it into pieces and headed to the living room. As soon as she popped a piece of apple in her mouth, her cell phone rang. She dug into her pants pocket.
“I got off work early to give Roseanne a hand. She’ll need a ride home. They’re at the hospital for some tests. The doctor thinks Kimmy has meningitis.”
The diagnosis wrenched air from her lungs, and all thoughts of her research faded from her mind, filled by Kimmy’s diagnosis. “That’s serious, isn’t it?”
“Roseanne said there are two kinds. The tests are supposed to determine which.”
“Doug, is it okay if I go, too? I can’t sit here. Can I meet you there?”
“Please, Nina. I know you love Kimmy. I’m not sure where she’ll be and I don’t know what will happen after the tests, but you can ask where she is at the information desk. That’s what I’ll have to do.”
“See you soon. I’m on my way.” She hit End and pulled her coat from the closet. Nothing could keep her from being there with Doug. Racked with concern, she headed for the door, then gathered her wits and returned to grab her purse before she darted to the car.
She drove to the end of Lilac Circle, turned right and then left onto Hickory Street and right onto King Street. Her heart hammered as she followed the highway and once she crossed Shiawassee, she knew she was almost there.
After parking, she made her way inside, located the first information desk and received directions to the waiting room where she hoped to see Doug. To her relief, he was there.
When she stepped into the room, he rose and she rushed into his arms, anxiety writhing through her body. “Have you heard anything?”
“Roseanne is with her. We’re still waiting to hear the test results. They did blood work and X-rays. And Roseanne said they might do another test. It was PCR or something like that.”
“What’s that for?”
He shrugged. “Roseanne said the doctor suspects viral meningitis which is less serious, so they’re checking for viruses to determine the best treatment. If it’s not viral, it might be bacterial, and she’ll need a spinal tap. That’s more serious.”
“No, Doug. Please, Lord, let it be viral only.” She lowered her head, her mind spinning.
“I’m a knot of nerves, too. But I really feel for Roseanne. She’s so scared and blaming herself.”
Her head drew back. “Why? That doesn’t make sense. If anybody’s to blame, it’s you and me. We’ve been with her for months.” The possibility devastated her. “But what did we do wrong?”
“Nina, no one’s to blame. People get sick. Bacteria is everywhere and viruses fill the air. We can’t fix that. Let’s wait and see what the tests show.”
He backed toward his chair and patted the one next to him. “Sit with me, and we’ll wait. We can’t do much else. I can go down to the room or you could, and see what Roseanne knows, but I think she would have told us if she knew anything more.” She nodded, too anxious to think of anything better to do. She sank into the chair and leaned back her head as she drew in a breath.
“I ran out of the house so fast, I almost left my purse.”
He chuckled and snapped his fingers. “We need a distraction. Tell me what happened after I left on Thanksgiving. How did it go with your mother?”
“Amazing. I was anxious to tell you, and then with all this I forgot.” She related the change in her mother—and in herself. “I think it was a step forward, Doug. It’s not perfect, I suppose, but we made strides. Now I understand partly what happened, but I can’t picture my mother jealous of my dad. She always came across as confident in her actions. As if she were always right and the rest of the world was wrong.”
“People sometimes do the opposite of what their real feelings dictate. It’s a cover-up. If they can’t fool themselves about their feelings, they can fool other people by their behavior. Have you ever seen a guilty person?”
She grinned. “Yes, and they do everything to hide their guilt. You’re right.”
“I’m guessing that’s what your mother did. It woul
d have been hard for her to admit she was jealous of her own husband.”
“You’re right.” The idea worked through her mind, and she took one more step forward. “I need to find ways to develop a relationship with her. It’s been at a standstill for so long.”
“You’ll think of something.” His grin tingled down her spine. She sank into silence, her mind sorting through the past and clearing the cobwebs of confusion that she’d faced for too many years.
Doug slipped his hand into hers and gave it a squeeze. Feeling his nearness and his overpowering effect on her, she sank into a kind of peace. Learning there was a possibility her diagnosis could be wrong would stay buried for now. Kimmy’s health was all-important, and she needed to learn more before she could be confident in the hope she’d felt. She would read more, and then act.
“Mr. Billings.”
Doug jumped, hearing his name. He rose and headed to the desk. In a moment, he turned back to her. “Roseanne said I can come to the room. The doctor is there.”
He paused a moment and she knew what bothered him. “Doug, you go. I’ll wait here and pray it’s good news.”
He gave her a questioning look until she rose and gave him a quick kiss. “I prefer to wait. You’re family. I’m not.” But oh how she wished she were.
He gave her another look before turning toward the door and hurrying out.
She folded her hands, her gaze clinging to the empty doorway. Though prayer was still new for her, she’d been surprised how easily it came with each prayer. She bowed her head and prayed the Lord’s blessing on Kimmy. That’s all that mattered.
Chapter Twelve
Doug stood in the doorway, his chest aching. Kimmy looked so tiny, covered in hospital sheets and a blanket. She appeared to have drifted to sleep, and Roseanne’s eyes were closed in prayer or she’d also fallen victim to exhaustion.
He crept into the room, but Roseanne’s eyes flew open with a startled expression. “Sorry. I fell asleep, I guess. I’m as worn-out as an old rug.”
“You should be, sis.” He drew to her side and gave her a hug. “What did you hear from the doctor?”
She gazed at him as if part of her had remained in dreamland. Finally the glaze left. “He’s still waiting on the last test, but he is quite certain she has viral meningitis, which, believe it or not, is good news.”
“You mentioned it was less serious. Praise the Lord if he’s right.”
She nodded. “I’m torn, Doug. They want to keep her overnight to administer an antibiotic and keep her fever down until they’re certain that it’s a virus. They told me to leave and they would call if there’s a problem, but I don’t think I can. I don’t want her to wake and be afraid when I’m not here.”
“I know it’s difficult to leave, but you need your rest. And you don’t want to spend time in the hospital. If your immune system is compromised from the surgery and recovery, you could easily catch something here. It happens.”
She gave him a grave look. “I know, and here’s the worse news. Viral meningitis can be contagious. They’ll know more when they get the test results back. Sometimes it’s not.”
“So that gives you greater reason to get home and rest. Would you feel better leaving after you talk with Kimmy? She is a smart girl and she will probably understand and give you permission to go home without being upset. Why don’t you decide after you talk with her?”
She studied him a moment without responding. After drawing in a lengthy breath, she looked into his eyes. “I know you’re right. Let me talk to her and I’ll make a wiser decision then.”
He could only nod in agreement to her idea. He looked into his own heart and realized how difficult it would be to go home and leave a little one in the hospital. “Nina’s in the waiting room. I know she’d like to see Kimmy. Would you mind?”
“Not at all, bring her down. Maybe Kimmy will wake up soon and we can all see her.”
He gave her shoulder a squeeze and slipped into the hallway, praying that his advice would come true. Kimmy wasn’t a whiner or a child who needed reassurance. She had gumption for her age, and he sensed she would want her mother to go home. His thought became a prayer as he returned to the waiting room.
As soon as he stepped in, Nina’s eyes met his and he beckoned her to follow him. She rose and met him outside the doorway. “How is she?”
“Sleeping, but I’m sure she’ll wake up soon. They want Kimmy to stay overnight until they’re sure about a few things.” He gave her the details. “I’d like Roseanne to go home for the night so I’m hoping when she talks to Kimmy, she’ll agree.”
“I’m sure it would be hard to leave, but for her own health, that would be best.”
He slipped his arm around her back as they finished the trek to Kimmy’s room. When they stepped inside, he noticed Kimmy had turned on her side and seemed to be waking.
Her eyes widened. “Uncle Doug. Nina.” She studied them a moment. “I had tests and now I have to stay overnight.” She glanced at Roseanne. “I’ve never been in a hospital but they are nice. I like the nurses ’cuz they talk to me and make me laugh.” She giggled. “And they brought me ice cream in a little cup.”
He grinned. “Ice cream in a cup makes the hospital not such a bad place, doesn’t it?”
She tittered again. “Mom?” Her grin faded. “But you can’t stay here ’cuz there’s only one bed.” She patted the mattress. “And this one isn’t big enough for you and me.”
Roseanne gave him a glance before she responded. “No, I would have to sit in a chair.”
Kimmy shook her head. “You can’t sleep in a chair, and you need to rest too ’cuz of your leg.”
“I know, but that means I would have to go home.”
Kimmy thought that over a minute. “But I could call you on the phone if I had a problem.”
“You could.”
Doug leaned over and pointed to the bedside button. “Or you can press this and the nurse will talk to you or send someone to help you.”
She eyed the button. “They will?” She studied it again. “Then I can stay here and you can go home, Mom. Okay?”
“Are you sure?” Roseanne reached past her outstretched leg and touched Kimmy’s hand.
She nodded. “I’m sure. I’m seven and I’ll be eight in a couple of months.”
Doug lifted his brows. “I think it’s more like four months.”
“But I’m big now.”
“You are, Kimmy. You’re my big girl.” Roseanne dropped back into the chair, her leg causing a grimace as she shifted.
“I think we should get going then. What do you say, Kimmy? It’s almost bedtime.”
“Okay. And maybe I’ll get a snack and some more ice cream. That’s what the nurse said.”
Nina rounded the bed to the other side. “Then it must be true.”
Kimmy opened her arms to Nina, and they hugged. Before she pulled away, Nina kissed her cheek. “Sleep well, sweetie, and we’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow, and maybe I’ll be better.”
Roseanne opened her mouth, and then closed it, and Doug was relieved. It made no sense to concern Kimmy with possibilities until tests revealed the truth. Then they would all know. He gave Kimmy a big hug and he and Nina walked into the corridor to wait for Roseanne to say her goodbyes.
When they were out of earshot, he drew closer to Nina. “Everything is still hanging, but hopefully tomorrow the tests will give us good information, and I’m praying Kimmy will go home. This trek is too hard for Roseanne each day, and I know she’ll want to be here all the time.”
“Can’t blame her, though.” She eyed him. “You’d be the same kind of dad.”
“Look who’s talking? I can picture you having to be torn from the room if Kimmy was your child.”
She e
yed him a moment before a faint grin removed her serious expression. “You’re right. I guess parents are often softies.”
“Parents like you, definitely.”
As the words left, he wished he’d been quiet, but instead of the usual frown or icy silence, for some reason, Nina’s lips curved to a tiny grin. Something had made a difference. He hoped it had something to do with him.
* * *
Nina looked for Doug’s car when she drove down Lilac Circle, but unless it was in the garage, he wasn’t home. Still at work or Roseanne’s or the hospital. She pulled into her driveway and entered through the back door.
Doug never called her home phone and he hadn’t called her cell phone so she remained ignorant. Agitated by being unaware of Kimmy’s diagnosis, she dropped her purse on a kitchen chair and eyed her home phone just in case. No blink to alert her to a message, so she dragged herself in her bedroom and slipped into a pair of pants and a sweater. At least she could be comfortable.
But comfort wasn’t the answer. Though she longed to call Doug, she trusted him to call as soon as he knew anything. She brewed a mocha latte and wandered into the living room. After she set her mug down, she strode across the room and opened the door to check her mailbox. A couple of bills, two women’s clothing catalogs and some advertisements. As she closed the door, Doug’s car rolled down the street and stopped in front of her house. She tossed the mail on the nearest table and flung open the door. On the porch, the cold pierced her to the bone, but she waited for Doug to come up the walk. “What’s happened? Good news or bad?”
“Both.” He slipped his arm around her and steered her inside. “You’ll be sick if you stand outside without a coat.” His cold hand slipped into hers. “Let’s sit. I need to let my head clear.”
She sank onto the corner of the sofa, and he dropped into the closest chair.
“The bad part is Kimmy is contagious. It means washing her hands and our hands thoroughly. It’s not likely we would catch it, and if we did, it would be a mild case probably without symptoms, but why take a chance.”
A Husband for Christmas Page 16