Her hands shook as she attempted to unthread her belt from her waist.
“Here, let me help you.” I finished removing her belt, and I attached them together, devising a makeshift sling for her legs. I wouldn’t be able to carry her in my arms the whole way, so I asked her to ride on my back. With her legs looped into the belt I was able to hold her securely and she wouldn’t get as tired trying to hold her legs around my waist, especially the bad one. As we tried getting her onto my back we bumped her leg once and she screamed, but after that minor accident we were able to arrange it to where I could carry her, and she wouldn’t have to put any weight on her leg.
It was slow going. Every step had to be taken with great purpose, for I was not only carrying the girl I loved, but also our child. As I wiped the sweat from my brow, I wondered if it was from the physical exertion or the pressure I was feeling. Sophie’s skin was hot to the touch, and I was pretty sure she had a fever. I wasn’t sure what was wrong with her besides the broken ankle, but I had enough experience with bad outcomes to be concerned. It took me a long time to get up the ravine because I didn’t want to take any steps that might possibly cause us to fall. Once, my foot slid under some loose rocks, and Sophie clung tighter to me, whimpering in my ear.
Once we got back up to the trail, I carried her for another five minutes before I pulled out my phone to see if we had coverage.
One bar.
I pressed the number to call Kate.
“Hello?” Thank God.
“It’s me. I found her. Her ankle is broken. Meet me in the parking lot with my car so I can take her to the hospital.”
“Are you sure? You don’t want me to call an ambulance?”
“No. It will be faster if I just take her.”
“Roger that. See you in a few, boss.”
“Who was that?” Sophie asked.
“My assistant, Kate.”
“You brought your assistant with you to Hawaii?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Just when I think I know you, you prove me wrong. You’re a mystery, Mr. Andrews.”
Hardly. “We’ll be back to the hotel in a few minutes. Kate will be bringing the car around, and I’ll take you to the hospital.”
“All right. Hey, how did you find me anyway?”
“Shhh,” I cautioned her. “We can talk about that later. Save your strength now.”
“But …”
“Think of the baby.” It was manipulative, but I wasn’t about to have that conversation right now.
By the time we got to the parking lot, I was huffing and puffing. Sophie probably only weighed a buck twenty, but carrying her for that long had my shirt wringing wet with sweat, and I was glad to be able to set her down. But I waited until we found the car first.
There it was—my white generic rent-a-car. Kate hopped out of it and ran toward us.
“What can I do?” she asked.
“Help me get her in the back seat.”
“Ten-four.” Kate opened the back door of the sedan.
“Sophie, I’m going to slowly lower you to where you’re sitting in the back seat. Kate’s going to help, all right?”
“Mmhmm.” She sounded out of it, so I moved even faster. She needed to get to a hospital quickly.
I bent backward at an impossibly uncomfortable angle so that she could plop onto the seat.
“Got her,” Kate said.
Slowly, I unhooked the belt-harness and turned to help Sophie get her leg into the car without hurting her ankle any more than necessary.
Sophie winced as we settled her into place with her foot up on the seat next to her, and I noticed her pallor had morphed so that she appeared two shades paler than she had been when I found her. Maybe moving her had made her worse. I shouldn’t have moved her. Maybe I should I have waited for a stretcher. Fuck!
Then I remembered the panic in her eyes when she begged me not to leave her.
I could second-guess myself all day long, but it wouldn’t change the decisions I’d already made. It was time to drive her to the hospital and get her treated. “You’re going to be okay,” I told her before kissing her on the forehead and climbing behind the wheel. She nodded, but seemed out of it.
“Can you go with us, Kate? Help her if she needs it on the way there?”
“Sure, boss. But I’ll sit in the front so she doesn’t have to move that leg again.” Kate made a face at me that told me how bad she thought Sophie’s leg looked. I was glad Sophie couldn’t see her, and I ignored it.
“Thanks, y’all,” Sophie said and laid her head on her arm. “Do you have any more water? Or any food?”
“Yeah,” Kate said and started to hand back a bottle of water.
“No, don’t,” I said and I could feel both women staring daggers into me.
“She’s not in severe dehydration right now. As soon as she gets to the hospital you know they are going to give her an IV with fluids, and then they’re probably going to do surgery on her ankle. They never want you to have eaten or drank anything before surgery.”
“You can be such a shit sometimes. Kate—it is Kate, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“If I only promise to take a sip, can I please have some water? My throat is so dry. My lips are so cracked.” I could hear the sob bubbling up at the back of her throat. Damn, I didn’t mean to be a complete asshole, I was just trying to be smart.
Kate shot me a dirty look, and suddenly “boss” was the bad guy. “Yes, you may.” Kate handed Sophie the water with her other hand so the exchange took place out of my reach.
Fucking women.
Kate riffled through her purse. “I’ve got some ChapStick, too.”
“Oh my God—thank you!” It sounded like Sophie was going to cry again. Between the trauma of her ordeal, possible shock, and her hormones, my poor girl was having a terrible time. I wasn’t sure what to do, so I shifted my focus to navigation and let the two of them bond over lip balm.
Fortunately, traffic was light and there were convenient blue signs marked with an “H” everywhere for hospital, not to mention the car was equipped with a navigation system that did an above-average job of telling me how to get there.
As soon as we arrived I parked as close to the Emergency Room Entrance as possible, scooped Sophie into my arms, and rushed inside. Kate would have to fend for herself.
“Sir, do you need a wheelchair?” A nurse asked.
“Yes. Something to keep her leg still. I think her ankle is broken.” I held Sophie close to my chest. She clung to my neck and I cherished feeling her heart beating next to mine. I knew I was about to have to let her go, and a part of me wanted to hold her forever.
The nurse nodded. “Looks like it.”
You didn’t have to be a doctor or have an x-ray machine to see that the angle of her foot indicated a severe injury.
An orderly brought a wheelchair over, and I reluctantly deposited Sophie in it.
26
Quentin
I sent Kate back to the hotel for Sophie’s insurance card and driver’s license. Shelby was there, and after I informed her of the situation over the phone, she promised to help Kate find everything, and said she would come to the hospital with Kate. That ought to cheer Sophie up. In the meantime I did my best to answer the nurse’s questions and fill out the paperwork for her while they took her back to the triage area. Whenever anyone asked, I told them I was her fiancé. Wishful thinking perhaps, but I didn’t expect anyone to correct my status at this point.
By the time they let me back to see her, Sophie was hooked up to an IV that I gathered was dripping pain medicine. She was waiting for surgery for her ankle, which the doctor agreed was fractured and would need to be operated on. Recovery time would be at least eight weeks, but they’d know more after surgery.
Before they took Sophie off to surgery, the obstetrics doctor wheeled in an ultrasound machine.
“Good afternoon,” the doctor said. “I heard you took a little spill.”
>
“Yes, I did,” Sophie said.
“Well, the baby’s heartbeat sounds good, but I’m going to check on everything just in case. We want to be on the safe side.”
“I appreciate that,” I said.
“Are you the father?”
Sophie squeezed my hand, and I squeezed hers back. “I am,” I said, and I couldn’t have felt more proud.
“Well let’s see here.” He squirted some sort of lube on Sophie’s belly and proceeded to drag a plastic wand over her stomach. “You can see here,” he pointed to a flickering image on the screen, “that’s the heart beating.”
I swallowed hard. Seeing the beating heart of my child for the first time rendered me speechless. The idea that Sophie and I could have made something so incredible, so beautiful moved me. As I watched my baby’s heartbeat on the screen go bump bump bump bump—I was awestruck.
“Is everything okay?” Sophie asked.
“Looks good so far. When was the date of your last period?”
Sophie told him, and he informed us the baby was the perfect size for its age.
“Is it too early to tell the sex?” I asked.
Sophie frowned up at me.
“No, I might be able to see. It’s a bit early, but if not now you’ll be able to tell in the next couple of weeks. Probably at your next OB visit,” he said.
Sophie shook her head. “I’m not ready to find out,” she told the doctor.
“Not a problem, he or she is not giving me a great view today anyway.” He smiled. “Being shy and keeping those legs closed. Just take it easy and keep taking your prenatal vitamins and everything should go fine with the baby.”
We thanked the doctor.
After he left with his machine and closed the door behind him, I asked Sophie, “Why didn’t you want to find out about the baby’s sex?”
“I’m not sure I want to find out. I’d like it to be a surprise.”
“Well, whenever you find out it’s a surprise. Whether it’s next week or the day the baby is born. The only difference is that you get a chance to prepare in advance. Buy the right kind of clothes and things if you know what you’re going to have.”
She made a face at me. “I just thought it would be more fun to find out in the delivery room.”
I pushed a lock of her hair behind her ear. “Whatever you want.” I was determined to show her I would be a good partner for this journey, and if it meant compromising upfront on trivial things so be it.
She seemed reassured that the baby was fine, and even though she was very pale, she was in much better spirits now that the painkillers coursed through her veins.
“Thank you, Quentin,” she said, and I kissed her hand.
“Anything for you, my love. Anything.”
She smiled wanly and closed her eyes. Soon the nurses came for her, and I kissed her on the forehead as they took her off to surgery. Then I called everyone from her dog sitter to Bunny. I assured her mother that Sophie was in good hands, that I would take good care of her. I promised to have Sophie call her later after she woke up. While she was being operated on I paced up and down the hallway, praying that nothing would go wrong.
Fortunately, the surgery went well. Sophie was mostly out of it the rest of the night, and I occasionally dozed in an uncomfortable chair in the corner. I had no intention of leaving her. I made it my job to make sure she had everything she needed. I wanted to be sure that when she woke up, she saw that I was there. Taking care of her was my number-one priority.
I had already spoken with the doctors about her situation. Usually people would go home from a surgery like this, get in bed, set up a physical therapy schedule and recuperate at home. But Sophie had to get on a plane, which required a good bit more planning. She didn’t have an external cast because the screws the surgeon had implanted in her ankle acted as a cast, therefore there was nothing external to protect her leg from being bumped as she traveled. I arranged with the doctor to get her a soft boot for the occasion. With all this in mind I booked flights for both of us in first class to Dallas in two days. Sophie would stay in the hospital until then and I would accompany her to her mother’s house in Fort Worth where she would tend to Sophie until she was able to get around by herself.
Bunny seemed thrilled with the arrangement.
Sophie not so much.
The next morning Shelby and Kate showed up at the hospital, and Sophie was thrilled to see them, if a bit groggy. I had told them not to bother coming by the night before since Sophie was so out of it, and the nurses told me the paperwork could wait until the next day.
“Sophie, I’m so glad you’re going to be okay. I was so worried about you. Bryan even asked if he needed to come back from Texas for this.”
Sophie lay in the bed looking weak but better overall. “Thank you, Shelby. But you don’t need to worry. I’m going to be fine. And tell Bryan to focus on his race. What day is it going to be?”
“Tomorrow. I was hoping to get back for it but now I don’t want to leave you.”
“Oh, please don’t fret over me. I’m fine. They are taking good care of me, and Quentin is staying. He’s going to get me home.”
Shelby looked at me strangely. “I’m glad you’re here. But are you sure you can manage all this?”
“Of course. It’s my pleasure. I’m going to fly with Sophie to get her settled in at her mother and father’s house,” I turned to Kate “and I’ve got you booked on a flight this evening if you’re ready to go.”
Kate said, “Is anyone ever really ready to leave Hawaii?”
We all laughed.
Later, after everyone else went home and Sophie and I were left just us in the hospital room, she took my hand between hers and said, “Thank you, Quentin. I know it’s a lot of trouble and I don’t know how I’d make it home without you with all the luggage, changing concourses and hobbling around. I’ve never really had crutches before. I don’t even know how to carry my purse while using them. I’m sure I’ll get good at it by—”
“Like I told you, I’d do anything for you, Sophie. You mean the world to me.” As terrible as this accident had been for her, and I certainly wouldn’t have wished it on her, I was grateful to have an opportunity to help her.
I only hoped that it would help her to think of me in a better light.
27
Quentin
Two days later with Sophie loaded up on painkillers, she and I took an early taxi from the hospital to the airport. I’d had Kate pack all our things and bring them to us before she left the day before.
I made certain that we arrived at the airport in plenty of time to check our bags, get a wheelchair for Sophie, and make it through security in plenty of time to get to our gate. As we waited, Sophie sent me to the souvenir shop and asked me to get her some gummy bears and magazines. I wondered if the candy was a pregnancy craving but I thought it better not to ask. During the flight she slept most of the way while I hovered over her protectively. We were the last ones off the plane because we had to wait for a wheelchair. As much as we tried to avoid running into things, occasionally something bumped her ankle, and every time she winced. I felt sorry for her and couldn’t wait to get her to her mother’s house and in bed resting comfortably. The flight had been long, and her sleep fitful. It amazed me how my world had gone from worrying about myself and my needs to now completely revolving around the needs and desires of this woman. And to my surprise, I was happy about it.
Sophie’s parents met us at the baggage claim. They made a big fuss over her, and her father went to pull the car around. I retrieved our luggage and followed along behind Bunny, who pushed Sophie in her wheelchair. I lifted Sophie into the car and on the drive home she told her mother all about her ordeal. Her parents were particularly impressed with the part about me rescuing her.
“Quentin, we’ll never be able to repay you for bringing our baby back to us,” Bunny gushed and Sophie rolled her eyes.
I had to admit the story was going to be a great s
tart to our future family’s lore.
Bunny ensconced Sophie in a large guest room with a queen-sized bed with beige satin linens. She had a wide-screen television, a laptop computer, and a little bell for her to ring in case she needed anything.
“Now don’t you get up by yourself,” Bunny fussed. “I know you have these crutches but let me know or Daddy or Quentin if you need to get up and do something, and we will help you.”
Sophie made a face. “Yes, ma’am.” It was obvious she was tired of Bunny’s attention already.
After she got Sophie all tucked in, Bunny looked at me. “Now, Quentin, I wasn’t sure about your plans, so I went ahead and fixed you up the room next door. You’re welcome to stay with us while Sophie is recuperating.”
“Thank you, Bunny. That’s very kind of you.” I went and unpacked my things before telling Sophie that I had an errand to run. She didn’t seem to mind so I went by her dog sitter’s house and picked up her puppy Felix. When I asked, Sophie’s parents said it would be okay to bring him over.
“Yes, that’s a great idea. I’m sure having him around will be good medicine for her and Martha my housekeeper can walk him until she gets well enough. Plus we have a fenced-in backyard so I can let him out in the evenings. Quentin you think of everything.” Bunny had given me a dazzling smile that made me feel like part of the family.
When I got back to the house, Felix and I went to Sophie’s room and the little dog jumped on the bed and started licking Sophie in the face.
“Felix!” She seemed delighted to have her dog back, but then she turned and glared at me. “So you just went and got my dog without asking me?”
“I asked your mom, and she said it would be okay. I wanted to surprise you.” I knew how much that dog meant to her. I couldn’t figure out what I’d done wrong.
When I pressed her about it she blew me off. “Never mind,” she said dismissively. Each time I asked if I could bring her anything she said no, but whenever her mother asked, she sent her to fetch a drink or a book.
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