Carolina Mercy (A Southern Breeze Series Book 2)

by Regina Rudd Merrick

  He looked into the window and smiled. Sarah sat in a chair pulled up to Jared’s bed, her head lying on the mattress beside him, fast asleep. He was sure she didn’t get much sleep the night before either.

  A beep of equipment startled her awake, and she looked at Jared’s face before looking for the origin of the sound. Tom opened the door and got her attention. “Hey. Sleep much?”

  She raised an eyebrow. “What do you think?”

  “Yeah. I figured you might need coffee.”

  She reached out for it with both hands. “Tom, you may be my favorite person right now. Present company excepted.” She looked down at Jared. “He moved his hand a little last night.”

  “That’s good, isn’t it?”

  “I don’t know. Until I fell asleep, I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. I was watching for anything. They did check his eyes and said they both reacted favorably to the light.”

  “You need to get some rest. Why don’t you go lie down in the waiting room and I’ll sit here?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “If you fall out, you’ll do nobody any good. I’ll come get you if anything changes.”

  “Pray for him?”

  “I haven’t stopped.” He handed her a sandwich as she got up. He took her place by Jared’s side, shaking his head at his friend lying there, unconscious.

  “Here is his phone, in case his parents call.” She pointed at the cell phones on the bedside table.

  “Leave yours, too, so you’ll sleep.”

  “Okay.” She hesitated and looked down at her love. “I’ll be right back, Jared.”

  She left the room, and Tom was left with the beeping monitors and his sleeping friend.

  “Buddy, you’ve got to get well. You’ve got way too much to do in this life. I mean, that girl there, she’s a keeper.”

  No movement, no answer from Jared.

  Sarah’s phone vibrated. He wondered if he should answer it or let it go to voicemail. It was Lucy. He hesitated. “This is Tom.”

  “Tom? Where’s Sarah? Is she okay? Jared, how is he? I’m going nuts not hearing anything.”

  Tom grinned into the phone. It was good to hear her voice. “Lucy, calm down. Sarah’s fine. She’s in the waiting room trying to get a nap, and I’m sitting with Jared. I told her to leave her phone with me so she wouldn’t be tempted to check it every few minutes. She’s fine, and Jared’s stable.”

  “Praise God.”

  “Yes.”

  There was a pause on the other end of the line. “How are you, Tom? And how is Jared?”

  “I’m fine, and Jared is still unconscious, and his vitals are getting stronger. The doctor likes his chances.” He heard a loud sniff. “Do you want me to have Sarah call you back?”

  “If she needs to. When do you think I can get across the bridges to get to her?”

  “It could be a few days before they’re open to the public. I’ll come over and get you, if you want. I’m in and out, but I can spare the time.” I can do it for you. But he couldn’t say it out loud.

  “Thank you, Tom. I appreciate it. How does it look out there? Any word on Sarah’s house? Jared’s?”

  “I haven’t had a chance to talk to Sarah except about Jared, but I checked on the properties, and Jared’s house was pretty much totaled. Her house was undamaged except for a few shingles and patio furniture blown away. The new house wasn’t damaged, either.”

  “What about Pilot Oaks?”

  “Mostly trees. I had a hard time getting back to the house because a couple of live oaks were down, but once I got back there, everything looked pretty good. A few gutters were loose, shingles, and one storm shutter had come loose. Not sure about the summer house.”

  “Oh, I hope it’s not damaged. Sarah and Jared love that place.”

  Tom looked up to see Sarah in the doorway.

  “Lucy, here’s Sarah.”

  He handed the phone over to Sarah. “I’ll stay with him. You talk to Luce.”

  Sarah snickered. “He called you Luce.”

  “Pssht. That means nothing. He hasn’t called, texted, or emailed me since I left. Not even after the shower. I’ve moved on.”

  “Right. I guess he got you updated.”

  “He did. He’s going to come over and retrieve me so you won’t be alone as soon as he can get back.”

  “I’m glad. It’s lonely here when Tom’s not here. Jared’s parents are coming as soon as they can, and when I can get an update on Pilot Oaks and my house, I’m sure Mom and Dad will be on their way.”

  “Tom said Jared’s house was pretty much destroyed. Sorry. He said he hadn’t had a chance to tell you yet.”

  “I guess we won’t be moving in there after the wedding. Well, it wasn’t his dream house, but it was nice, wasn’t it? I wonder about mine. And the new house! Oh, I hope it’s okay.”

  “He said yours was fine, and the new house. We were talking about Pilot Oaks when you walked in. It didn’t sound too bad.”

  Lucy heard Sarah’s sigh. “I don’t even know what’s going on in the outside world right now.”

  “A lot of cleanup, I’m sure. I’ll be there as soon as I can. Wow. What an experience. If I were going back to school, I’d have a killer story for ‘what I did on my summer vacation.’”

  Sarah chuckled. “It would probably make the Reader’s Digest ‘Laughter, the Best Medicine’ column.”

  “Maybe. Hindsight is always 20/20, isn’t it? We’re praying for Jared, Sarah. Mary Ann, Charly, and I.”

  “Thanks. See you later.”

  “Bye.”

  Lucy sighed and thought about Sarah, alone at the hospital waiting for a good sign. Maybe today would be the difference. The doctor said the sooner he came out of the coma, the better his prognosis. Please, God. Please.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Families and individuals were leaving the shelter as they got word of the condition of their homes. Some were devastated and would be coming back either to the shelter, or would be taken in by friends and relatives. Some would be able to start the cleanup process and sleep in their own beds that night.

  Lucy was tired. So, so tired. By afternoon, Tom arrived to take her to the hospital to be with Sarah. She wasn’t prepared for the leap in her heart and the lump in her throat when she realized how exhausted he was. Her hand involuntarily wanted to smooth his hair back out of his eyes, but she caught herself in time. She was glad his mother couldn’t see it.

  His face lit up in a tired half-grin when his eyes met hers. She could feel her face heat, but she simply smiled back. She patted Mary Ann’s hand. “Tom’s back.”

  “Oh, good. I wonder if he’s been to the house.” She shook her head. “Just because I want to sell it doesn’t mean I want it to be destroyed.”

  Tom walked up to his mother. “I ran by the house before I came. There’s roof damage, but that’s about it. One of the live oaks out back is down, but it had some dead places in it anyway.”

  “Well, the house is one thing, but however is Jared? We’ve been waiting for word, son.”

  “Serious condition, but stable. They’re observing him closely. The doctors don’t think it’s life-threatening, but they want to make sure.”

  Lucy let out the breath she had been holding. “Is Sarah okay?”

  “She’s fine. Just scared, lonely, and bored. I told her I’d bring you to the hospital as soon as I got Mom and Charly settled. Is that okay with you?” She thought he would never look at her. When he finally did, he swallowed thickly. She hadn’t been able to hide the tears shimmering in her eyes. “It’s gonna be okay, Luce.”

  When he squeezed her hand, she wanted him to pull her in for a hug so she could sob her heart out. To be this close to him, to be going through such a traumatic time with him and his family, and to not belong to him was driving her crazy. How could she stand this much longer?

  She pulled her hand away and reached for her pocket. She looked down at the tissue in her hand and nodded. “I know. Go
d’s got this.” His eyes were still on her. She could get lost in them.

  He took a deep breath as Charly joined them. “Are you ladies ready? There’s roof damage, but no reason not to be home. Power may be out for a while, but I’ll fill up the generator. There may be a little cleanup on the porches and yard, but inside is fine except for the kitchen ell.”

  “Good. I’m ready to go home. I’m glad the church is here for those who need it, but I don’t think I slept a wink last night.”

  Charly chuckled. “Mom, I heard you snore a few times. I think you did all right.”

  “Maybe, but I’ll rest better in my own bed.” Her eyebrow lifted at the impertinence in her daughter’s tone. “Just wait. You’ll get old one day.”

  “I know. And I should have said a most genteel snore. Is that better?”

  They all laughed, brightening the mood considerably.

  Lucy looked over at their things. “Let me go touch base with Bro. Bill to see if I’ll be needed tonight. I’ll help you carry the stuff to the truck.”

  “Go ahead. I won’t leave without you.” He grinned. “Sarah would have my hide.”

  “And so would I, so you’d better not.” Lucy gave him an absent-minded wink and turned before she could think about what she’d done.

  I winked at him. I flirted like a teenager. As she walked across the fellowship hall, she shook her head in disgust. Way to put him on his toes, Luce.

  They say a smile changes everything. But a wink? Maybe. If he let it. But he wouldn’t. Not now anyway. Too much to be done. Too much responsibility to be distracted by a leap of joy that shot through him when Lucy winked at him.

  Tom mentally whacked himself in the back of the head as he loaded the air mattresses and bedding his mother and sister had brought with them. He helped his mother into the back seat, Charly next to her. When Lucy came out, she hesitated when the only seat left was in front. With him.

  He didn’t blame her. He’d been a grouch. He revealed too much at the shower. It had weakened his resolve, and now he didn’t know how to talk to her.

  She pulled open the door of the SUV and stepped up on the running board that helped her to get her slight frame into the large vehicle. He couldn’t help but grin when she hoisted herself into the truck with a swift jump that landed her square into the seat.

  She looked over at him. “What? You didn’t think I could get up here? I’m from Kentucky, if you recall.”

  He held his hands up before he started the vehicle. “I never doubted you. I’m glad I had the one with running boards, or none of you would have gotten up here.”

  She quirked an eyebrow. “Bet we could.”

  “She’s got you there, son. Now I might have had a hard time, but these young ladies are a little spryer than I.” Mary Ann sighed. “And now, I want to get home.”

  “As you wish.” He cut a glance to Lucy. Did she get the movie reference? She turned toward him when he said it. Her look was surprised, her face pink. She got it. He kept his face straight and merely raised his eyebrows.

  “As you wish?” He really said that. Maybe the awkwardness from the scene at the shower was going to take a backseat to the situation at hand. Maybe he was rethinking his determination to keep himself away from all thoughts of romance. Maybe.

  It was a quiet ride to the hospital after leaving Mary Ann and Charly at home. While they were with them, the conversation flowed with comments about this or that along the route between church and house.

  Now they were alone. Did she dare bring up the shower? She looked over at him. He was concentrating on the road. There were still power lines out, flagmen making sure the utility workers as well as the drivers were safe. Since it was mostly emergency vehicles on the road, congestion was not a problem.

  She could see the lines of worry and weariness in the crinkles around his eyes. Laugh lines. They spoke of days in the sun, a ready smile on his face. Her fingers itched to trace them. If only she had the courage.

  He hadn’t always had the weight of the world on his shoulders. How would that feel? Her father had made sure to prepare for any eventuality that might come up in her life, even his death. She hadn’t known care and sorrow until he wasn’t here anymore. And even then, who did she have to care for? Herself.

  And now, who was she feeling sorry for? Uh, herself. She swallowed a lump in her throat.

  “You okay? It’s pretty rough out here, isn’t it?” Tom glanced back and forth from the road to her face. He looked concerned.

  “I’m fine.” She sniffed loudly. “Doing a little self-inventory.”

  “Well, that’s always fun, isn’t it?” He sighed. “What’s the verdict?”

  “I’m a spoiled brat.” She laughed and raised her hands, looking up at the ceiling of the truck.

  He snorted. “I wouldn’t go that far.”

  “I would. Remember the ‘rich young ruler’ in Matthew that Jesus encountered, asking what he must do to have eternal life? Jesus told him to sell everything he had, give it to the poor, and then come and follow him.”

  Tom nodded. “He went away sadly. I always wondered about that. He gave up the greatest gift of all, and for what?” Tom seemed to relax as they talked.

  “Exactly. He went away sadly. He had a right to be sad. He didn’t have eternal life. We don’t have any right to be sad because we’ve accepted his free gift. And yet, in my case, anyway, when I don’t get my way, I’m like that rich young ruler.”

  “In what way? I’m having a hard time following you.”

  “I’m used to everything going my way. When they don’t, I wonder why God is not doing things the way I want them done.”

  He laughed.

  “Exactly. It’s laughable. I get bent out of shape because rather than listening to what God wants me to do, in his time, I jump in with both feet and wonder why things don’t go the way I want. I told you. I’m a spoiled brat. I’ve always wondered about that rich young ruler. Did he regret it? Did he change his mind and come back? Or did he simply take charge of his own life and forget that small incident that happened in his life?”

  Tom pulled into the hospital parking lot and put the truck into gear. He hesitated, looking straight ahead, his hands still on the steering wheel.

  “I never really thought about that. I guess we’re all spoiled rotten in some way.”

  “Not you.” Lucy looked down at her hands and knew her chin was quivering. Drat those emotions.

  “Hey.”

  She felt his finger on her chin, tugging it so she had to look at him.

  “Even me. Dad spoiled us in his own way. He made life fun. He kept us all distracted from the negative. I didn’t know how to have fun after he was gone. I’d never had to before.”

  “I have a feeling our dads would have liked one another a lot.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I’m sorry, Tom. I really am.”

  “For what?” He tilted his head and looked into her eyes.

  A tap on the driver’s side window caught them off guard. They both looked to see a young man next to the vehicle. Tom looked back at Lucy with a look of irritation, then turned back to roll down his window.

  “Sam, how are you?”

  The younger man seemed flustered. “I’m okay, now that I’ve found you. Are you aware there is still no word on the safety of the Highway 17 bridge over the PeeDee River?”

  “Are you kidding? I’ve been over it three times in the last six hours. Did you call the transportation department in Columbia?

  “SCDOT said they had people on the ground here, but they haven’t checked in with county yet. Thought maybe you’d seen some of them.”

  “Not to know who they were. I did notice a SCDOT truck over by the bridge crossing the Waccamaw.” He seemed to forget Lucy was in the truck.

  “Tom.” She spoke his name, knowing he had more important things going on than discussing her spiritual life and her revelation that she was a spoiled brat. The fact that she thought of it made her feel a tiny bit better about hers
elf.

  He glanced at her. “Sorry, Lucy. Lucy, this is Sam Watson. He’s the public information officer with the state police. Sam, Lucy Dixon. She’s a friend of Sarah, Jared’s fiancée.”

  She waved her fingers in his direction. “Hi, Sam.” She reached over to unbuckle her seatbelt. “I can get in by myself, Tom. I know you’ve got things to do.”

  “I wanted to check on Jared.” He looked a little annoyed.

  She was annoyed too. One step forward, two steps back.

  “It’s okay. If there’s anything to report, Sarah or I will let you know.” She opened the passenger side door and stepped onto the running board.

  “Talk later, Luce?” She turned back, and his eyes held her.

  “Later.” She smiled and walked around the vehicle. “Nice to meet you, Sam. Bye, Tom.”

  Lucy entered the ICU about the time Sarah was coming out of the cubicle where Jared was still hooked up to several monitors and IVs. Nurses were there checking and changing the dressings on his incisions. No room for anyone else while they did that. When Lucy came in, she hugged her fiercely.

  “I thought you’d never get here.”

  “Tom got me here as quickly as he could. He’s got a lot on him, hasn’t he?” She swiped at an errant tear that threatened. “Stupid allergies.”

  Sarah was looking back at Jared and the busy nurses through the window. “Did you say something?”

  “How’s he doing?”

  “His vitals are improving, and he’s fluttered his eyelids a few times. Oh, Lucy. What if I lose him?”

  “You won’t, you hear?” Lucy’s emotions were all over the place, but right now she needed to be strong for Sarah.

  Sarah grinned. “I hear. Let’s go to the waiting room. You’ll have to fill me in on everything.”