One to try and lighten a difficult situation to put a patient at ease, he said the first thing that came to mind.
“Um, Red, did you know there is a door on you?”
“Yeah,” her breathing labored, so he moved more snow.
“Would you like out of there?”
“Yeah,” she responded as her eyes rolled in an alarming way. Fear pierced his heart.
“Stay with me Jill.”
“Get …this...off… so…I…” her words cut short between breaths.
“Sure thing. I’m trying and just want to do it safely. Anything hurt?” He wanted to keep her talking.
“Leg…ribs…head.” Her eyes fluttered more. He dug faster.
“Cold?”
“Duh.”
“Good your sense of humor is intact.”
“Shut up and dig, Doc.”
“As you wish but talk to me, even if you count.”
She chose to count, probably her best bet.
Every time he scooped snow away, more filled in around her. Her ice cold hands and hooded eyes were indicators that she was slipping.
“Jill, honey, look at me.” She did. “Is anything besides the snow and door trapping you?”
A breathless “no” escaped her tinted blue lips.
“Okay, I'm just gonna pull you out. Yell if I hurt anything. Understand?”
Slowly her eyes shut and then opened back up. “I’ll take that as a yes. On the count of three.” His heart hastened, urgency and adrenaline racing through his veins. He knew this could cause more damage, but she would be dead in minutes if he didn’t pull her out. He couldn’t wait for the rescue crews to get here as he was sure Emily had called them by now.
Counting to three, he pulled. Jill woke just enough to push with one of her legs to help him get her out.
Almost clear, he tried one more time. He pulled and she pushed until she was free.
Kneeling beside her, he cradled her in his lap. He ran his hands over her to look for any visible injuries. She winced when he reached her ankle, but for the most part, she seemed okay. How she escaped without more damage was beyond him, but he was glad she had.
Looking back to her face, he observed small lacerations in her hairline as he brushed her cold, matted hair from her face. His heart ached at the thought of the possibility of Jill not being in his life.
“I got you now. You’re safe.” I’m never letting go again.
He steadied her in his arms and rose from the cold snow. Taking her to the hospital would prove just as dangerous in this snowstorm. Her injuries seemed to be minor enough that taking her to his house would be fine. She just needed someone to monitor her for the next twenty-four hours and he was more than willing to care for her. She would be his number one patient.
He gently placed her in the Jeep and leaned the seat back so that she wasn’t so upright.
Getting into the driver’s side, he looked back at her resting motionless. No, he couldn’t imagine life without her, and he was going to make sure she knew how important she was to him.
Chapter 13
Warmth surrounded Jill as she struggled to open her sandpaper eyes. This was a stark contrast to where she expected to be; in a cold snowbank. Her aching body sunken into a cloud made it hard to come out of her hazy and confused state. Shifting to ease the pressure on her left rib caused a sickening pain to radiate from that spot to the rest of her body. Concluding that the position she was in would be better than moving at the moment, she remained in place allowing the heat on her face that felt like sunshine to remain. She resigned herself to the inevitable numbness of her mind and allowed exhaustion to pull her back into her slumber.
Ocean blue eyes peered into her, so deep she thought they could see every single secret she held inside. Sunbeams reflected off his silky caramel tresses, making it look so soft that she itched to run her fingers through his hair. A five o’clock shadow that might deter most women, she found endearing. He did things to her that she hadn’t experienced in more years than she can count. It was scary and thrilling all at once.
His arms wrapped around, encompassing her in warmth and security. He held her so tight that she wasn’t sure if her struggle to breathe was from the pure exhilaration in being in his arms or because he held her like his life depended on it. Longing in his eyes, he grazed his hand around her hair line, brushing a stray hair from her face. He caressed her face with his eyes as his perusal traveled from her hair, to her eyes, to her nose, and finally, her lips. He leaned toward her and not wanting she wait any longer for what gift he was about to give her, she rose on her toes. Brushing his lips on the corner of her mouth, sent the butterflies within her into a hive of action. She thought for sure his next move would be a more central kiss, but instead he surprised her by licking her cheek, then the other. Grossed out, she began batting away at the slobber drool coming from this adorable man. The licking continued and she found it hard to get away.
“Okay, enough!”
Finally opening her eyes, she was greeted with the doggie smile of a beast of an animal lying on her chest. Panic shook through her and she screamed at the top of her lungs, causing her head to throb and her rib to yell.
Thundering footfalls came from the other side of the door. Getting glimpses of the room while trying to dodge the perpetual licking, she surmised that she was in a location she had never been. Stark white walls, a few pictures on the walls and a desk on the far wall were the only decor besides the cozy bed she hoped never to leave.
Mike pushed through the door, “Brutus! Get off her. You tank!” He snapped his fingers and pointed out the door and Brutus obeyed.
Turning back to her, “I am so sorry about that guy. I think he thought he was helping. I left the door open a crack so I could hear for you if you woke and needed something. Are you okay?”
Jill made an attempt to sit up to talk to him better. Seeing her struggle, Mike came over and helped her. His touch on her arm and back sent shivers throughout her body. “Take it easy. You have some bruising and a sprained ankle.”
“Where am I?” she asked wincing in pain as she got settled.
“My house.”
“How long have I been sleeping?” For as heavy as her head felt, she knew it had been a while.
“Off and on for a couple of days. That bump on your head must be pretty bad.”
“Why didn’t you take me to the hospital?”
Mike gave her a disapproving look, “Don’t trust me?” She shrugged her shoulders and tilted her head. “You didn’t have any life threatening injuries and they were busy enough. No worries though. You’ve had the best doctor watching over you.”
She rolled her eyes at his comment, but she really was relieved to be in his care. She did trust him.
“Is Katie here?” she asked as the sweet melody of her daughter’s voice echoed through the hall.
“I picked her up last night. Your mom was worried and wanted to come to take care of you. I told her it wasn’t necessary, that you would be fine once you had some rest.”
“She insisted anyway, didn’t she?” Jill knew her mom would not let Mike’s handsome dimples and dazzling blue eyes keep her away.
Mike chuckled, “She is a force to be reckoned with when need be.”
“That she is.”
“She’s down in the kitchen making dinner. She has been busy telling me what I should do in proper kitchen organization and how to have good flow in the living room. She has kept me busy this morning for sure. Hence the reason Brutus found his way to this room.” Mike stood leaning on the side of the desk, legs out in front of him, ankles crossed. He raised an eyebrow and the raised corner of his mouth made her heart dance.
Jill smiled at the hilarity of his morning with mama. She knew all too well the speech he was getting. She had heard it many times but ignored her all the same.
Finally, she asked the most pressing question.
“How’s my house?”
Mike pulled out the desk ch
air, set it next to the bed and sat down. Placing his arms on his knees, he looked down at his hands and hesitated.
“I had Tiffany come and take a look.”
Why hadn’t she thought of asking her friend before? Because you can be independent and bullheaded.
“She took one look at the house and said it was a total loss. You would get more out of finishing the job weather started and build on the property or sell to the farmer who has the field around you. I’m sorry, Jill.”
Loss seeped into her heart. The home that Doug had bought for her was gone; all the memories, all the promises, all the dreams - gone. A tear made its way down her cheek. Mike’s gentle, calloused finger caught it and brushed it away. His tenderness was a healing salve on her presently wounded heart.
“I guess Katie and I need to look for a place to stay. I do have an unfinished space above the studio.”
A game plan for her and her daughter formed. She needed furniture, clothing, dishes - oh who was she kidding, she needed everything now.
Despair hit as she leaned her head back against the wall and closed her eyes. “I don’t know what we are going to do,” she mumbled to herself. Present company forgotten. “It’s all gone. We have nothing.”
Mike touched her leg that was stretched out before her with feet hanging over the side of the bed.
“You could stay here for a bit, we’d love to have you and Katie here until you can get the apartment settled.”
“I don’t think….” She wasn’t sure she liked where this was going.
“Just hear me out. I’m rarely home. Emily is with you, the neighbor lady or Emma when she isn’t at school. It would be nice if she could just be here for a while as she hasn’t had time to settle in here. I’ll pay you to watch her….”
“Mike, I don’t need…”
“Let me finish. I need the help, you need help. Let me return the favor for all the times you have helped me over the last three months.”
He had a point, but could she trust herself. After the dream she just had, she wasn't so sure.
“See if your mom is willing to stay as long as you are here. I have plenty of room.”
Knowing her mom being a stickler for propriety, the answer was evident if she chose to take him up on his offer.
“Just think about it. You can’t move much right now, doctor’s orders.” He gave her a wink.
Jill weighed the situation as Mike walked to the door. She thought he was leaving, but instead he came back with a paper sack and placed it on the bed. He lingered long enough for her to see that he had something more to say; instead he turned and left the room. She thought it strange for him to leave without a word, disappointed a bit even. She hadn’t known how much she missed their camaraderie until he came back into her life. It was easy to talk about almost everything with him.
When she really thought about it, she didn’t have the same relationship with Doug as she did Mike. Doug was so authoritative and commanding. Mike was easygoing and fluid. There was something about Mike that she found comforting. She could always be herself without a risk of being reprimanded for acting silly. I miss silly. There was much about the old Jill that she missed. She was once a free spirit, so her dad called her, and she had a love for all of the arts. Unfortunately she let others’ negativity about her attitude and habits change who she was. Doug, dad, and many times, her mom and Julie told her she was too free for her own good. She recalled wishing Mike had been around during those years to remind her who she was and being the voice of reason. Instead she retreated and put on her grown up hat, acting the part of a put together, proper military wife. Then Katie came with more responsibility and Jill disappeared.
A knock at the door broke her thoughts and her mom entered. Jill wondered how long it would take her before she’d visit. “Hi, Mom.” Jill patted the empty space next to her.
Cathy Peters was the epitome of grace and elegance. A true southern-born beauty who met and fell in love with an Army boy from the north just as the Vietnam war was coming to an end. Dad boasted about his sweet Georgia peach, but refused to live in the south. So mom followed him back to Michigan and started their family. Jill’s dad was a hard man, but her mom softened the blow of his discipline. Her dad’s actions that night in the park devastated Jill. He told her that night that Mike would never be good enough for his daughter because he wasn’t willing to fight for his country. Her mom lay on the bed with Jill that night and held her as she cried the night away. “Maybe when you’re older, he’ll changed his mind. Just give him time sweetie.” Jill knew better but didn’t argue. The first boy who came by that had military aspirations, she latched on to. She fell for Doug and loved him with all she had, but it still wasn’t the same as with Mike. Doug made her feel safe and protected, but Mike turned her world upside down and spun it around.
“How are you feeling, dear? Mike said you looked to be doing okay.” Her mom took Jill’s hand in hers, “You gave me quite the scare.”
“I’m sorry, Mom. I was on my way out the door when it fell. I can’t recall much more.”
“Well I just thank God you’re okay. A few bumps are nothing.”
Jill leaned into her mom’s shoulder, “Thanks, Mom.” She had wanted to do something similar with Mike earlier, taking hold of his hand and draw the strength she needed from his eyes, but he was not safe for her heart right now. Her mom was safe to lean on.
They sat that way for a while; her mom’s steady breath calmed the confusion and stress, until she spoke.
“He’s really grown up. He was mature in high school, but now he really has it all together.”
“Yeah, he does.”
“I was down in his fancy kitchen trying to figure out who he reminded me of.”
“Who?” Jill couldn’t think of anyone who was like Mike.
“Your daddy,” a hint of emotion reflected in her mom’s voice. Jill sat up quickly, pushing through the ache in her muscles. She knew her face shone the shock she felt.
“Oh, don’t look at me like that. Your daddy might have been a tough man, but he doted on me like I was all that mattered. He was kind and tender and wanted nothing more than to see me smile.” She gave Jill a pointed look, “I see the same thing in that doctor of yours.”
“Ma, he’s not. . .”
“I know, but he doesn’t know that. He is dedicated to you sweetie. If you stopped and looked at that for just a minute you would see it.” She studied Jill’s face as the clock on the wall ticked away. Logic and emotion waned within her. “You do see it, don’t you?”
Jill couldn’t answer but she had noticed.
“Don’t let go of him again, Jilly. He is a keeper and for some reason, after all these years, he is still devoted to you; no matter what your pasts involved.”
Her mom rose from the bed and walked to the door. “I set out a towel and other toiletries in the bathroom across the hall. Dig through that bag and go clean yourself up. Supper is in twenty minutes.” She gave Jill a genuine smile and disappeared into the hall.
A shower was a great idea; she was feeling a little grimy and the shower was a great place to think and pray. Lord knew she had a lot to think about.
*****
He could have lost her, for good this time. But God stepped in and performed a miracle.
“Amazing,” he said to the emptiness of his bedroom. Estrogen filled his house right now, and though he was okay with it, this was a safe place.
The familiar tone rang through the room from his dresser top. Looking at the screen, Ryan’s name flashed. Eager to talk to a friend, he put his finger on the send icon. Guy talk was exactly what he needed.
“Hey man, what’s up?”
“Hey. Not much. You?”
“Hiding out from all the femininity in my house,” Mike joked.
“Same here. If I was bold, I’d say that I wouldn’t mind my wife hiding out with me,” Ryan chuckled.
Awkward.
“Ah, Ry, you just did.”
�
�Sorry about that. I forget you’re the bachelor in the bunch.”
“Yeah, well, I’m wishing I wasn’t.”
Having a house full of giggling and chatter made him hope for more. Even though he was hiding out right now, he liked having a full house.
“Have you heard from Jill? Emma is over here freaking out after driving by her house.”
Mike had been caught up in caring for his live-in patient that he didn’t even think to let anyone know what had happened.
He began to tell Ryan what had happened. Ryan’s shock was evident. Emma’s voice coming over the speaker told Mike that she was nearby. He did his best to keep the conversation calm and reassured his friends that Jill was indeed well.
“Emma is asking where are Jill and Katie staying?”
“Here, with her mom making sure she listens to the doctor,” Mike laughed at the thought. He had great backup in Mrs. Thomas. He had expected Ryan to laugh at the comment as well, but instead he was met with silence.
“Uh, hello? You still there?” Maybe the lines had disconnected since service was terrible out here.
“I’m here. Mike, she isn’t staying there for long, is she?”
“No, but she is in no shape to go far right now.”
Ryan’s questions began to sound like the concerns Jill had voiced. Mike felt like he was being grilled by his dad for bad behavior. “Her mom is here. She is staying in another spare room. There is no way my…”
“Mike, you and I both know it’s a bad idea for her to stay there; especially the way you feel about her.” Ryan cut him off. “As long as you are under the same roof together, things are going to change between you two. Are you ready for that?”
Mike took a minute to think about Ryan’s question as giggles from down the hall met him in his room. If he listened closer, he would be able to hear Jill and her mother chatting in the living room. Am I ready for a full house with love and laughter?
“I think I am, man.”
“Well, then you definitely need to get her out of there.”
Dance and Be Glad Page 14