by Thianna D
"How're you guys doing?"
Jerry glanced over at Elly who was sitting up and sampling the bland dinner they'd served her. He'd tried to assist her, but she'd pushed his hands aside and assured him she was perfectly capable of feeding herself. He'd been so delighted she'd regained some of her previous feistiness; he'd sat back and beamed at her.
"What?" she asked, as if his expression had insulted her.
"Nothing. I'm just pleased you're doing so much better."
She tried a forkful of mashed potatoes and grimaced. "Well, I feel like shit."
"Warmed over or fresh?" he inquired pleasantly.
She laughed, then winced. "It hurts to laugh, so be nice."
"I'm always nice, and I'm told I possess a soothing bedside manner."
Wrapping her arms around her middle as she struggled to smother another laugh, she scowled at him. "Yeah. All the dogs yap praises about you in the park. Muffin told me." Her expression sobering, she lowered her arms. "I haven't asked yet today. How is she?"
"She gave me a lick and a tail wag yesterday, so I'd say she's doing fine."
Smiling, she said, "You do have an excellent way with unhappy, scared and injured creatures, Dr. Douglas."
"Pleased to be of service, ma'am." He pretended to tip a cowboy hat off his brow. "Now, perhaps you'd be willing to fess up 'bout what happened to you Friday morning?"
She shook her head and ate a bite of stewed chicken. Yum.
His expression grew serious. "Don't you think I deserve the truth?"
Scrunching her eyes, she turned away. "I— I'm not sure what you want me to say. I was carrying Muffin when I lost my balance and fell. We both hit the coffee table. I didn't mean for the accident to happen."
Jerry kept his voice low and gentle. "Can you meet my eyes and say that again?"
Shaking her head, she stared down at her hands.
He realized she was scared and struggling with mixed emotions, but he'd hoped she'd grown to trust him enough to confide the truth by now. They needed her statement to prosecute Arthur, and Jerry wanted to put the bastard away.
"Do you trust me, Elly?"
"Yes, sir."
He sighed, knowing she'd say whatever she thought he wanted to hear, but she wasn't ready to confess what had occurred between her and her husband. Not yet.
"I'm glad," he whispered, reaching for her hand. "Because I care a lot about you, Elly Benson, and I want to help, but I can't if you're not honest with me."
When her face wrinkled with despair, he tapped her nose.
"Now, enough of that, missy. You got some yummy vanilla pudding there just waiting to be gobbled up by you. So, you'd best get to eatin'."
The clouds in her expression didn't dissipate entirely, but he'd managed to put off the deluge with his teasing. Unfortunately, such tactics merely placed a bandage over a festering wound. Until she was willing to accept the pain of a thorough and complete lavage, her emotional injuries would remain infected.
Once the threat of tears had passed, he gave her a gentle hug and moved back to his chair. "Now, finish your dinner," he ordered with playful gruffness, "or I'll come over and feed you every bite of that delicious looking mush."
She'd chuckled, but dutifully picked up her fork, and that's when Jerry's cell phone had rung.
"We're both doing as well as can be expected," he said, answering Brent's query.
"Good to hear. Think Elly's up for some company tomorrow?"
"I'd say that would depend on whom you had in mind," he replied, his voice a bit more brittle than he intended.
Elly cast him a worried glance, but he shook his head.
"I don't want to cause Elly any further upset, Jerry, I promise."
"Glad to hear it."
"However, Arthur is being persistent. He just left my office in a huff saying you were interfering in things that weren't your business, so he may head to Denver on his own."
"Well, that would be a poor waste of gas."
"Jerry…. What did you tell the hospital administrators?"
"Can't say right now. Little pitchers and all that."
"He might try to sue you."
"Not my concern."
"Okay. I gather you're not precisely open to discussing the issue, so tell you what. Marcus and I will drive to Denver tomorrow and give you a break. I'm sure Elly would love to see another face than your sorry mug all the time."
"No doubt you're right."
"Are you planning on coming home tonight?"
"Nope. Not necessary."
"Somehow I expected you'd say that. Do you need anything?"
"Not at the moment."
"Well, I'm sure Elly will need something to wear when she's released, and if you need a change of clothes or anything else, we can bring those with us as well."
"Uh huh. And who's 'we' exactly."
"I told you. Marcus and me. I suspect Elly doesn't want a lot of people surrounding her right now, so we'll keep the party small."
"Just the two of you?"
"Just us. Though maybe you and I can step out and have a little chat when I get there."
"Sounds wonderful. But, Brent…."
"Yeah?"
"It's not going to do any good. Night." At that, Jerry disconnected the call.
Monday afternoon, which represented Elly's third full day in the hospital, Brent and Marcus spent time chatting with the patient after Brent gifted her with an overnight bag filled with personal items and some new clothes Kelli and Bethany Angel had purchased with his money, since no one had wanted to request permission from Arthur to collect Elly's things. After about a half-hour, Brent pulled Jerry aside and they stepped out into the hall while Marcus drew a chair closer to talk privately with Elly.
"Have you gotten her to say what happened, yet?"
"We've 'discussed' the matter, but she still maintains what happened was an accident. That she and Muffin fell against the coffee table when she lost her balance. However, from the way she refuses to look at me when she says it, I'm convinced she's not telling the truth. If they landed on a coffee table hard enough for both of them to crack their ribs, that table has to be in splinters right now, and I want pictures of the crime scene."
Brent clapped a hand on Jerry's shoulder. "You have every right to be angry, Jerry, but Arthur is Elly's husband, and he's demanding his legal rights to see her. He says he'll sue the hospital and have you barred from her room if his ban continues for one more day."
Shrugging, Jerry said, "He's welcome to try."
"Right now this is your word against his, and you lied about being Elly's relative. The hospital could take legal steps against you for misrepresentation."
"They won't. Even her surgeon has suspicions regarding Mr. Benson's treatment. Imagine how Denver Memorial's administrators would react if they discovered this supposedly loving husband had driven off to work, as if he hadn't a care in the world, after he'd kicked the tar out of his wife and left her and her little dog nearly unconscious on their living room floor."
Brent cleared his throat, and Jerry realized the founder of Corbin's Bend had to play devil's advocate, even if he hated the job. "You don't know that's what happened."
"Maybe not, but I'll wager a few pictures of their living room would support my theory. She probably did hit her head on the coffee table, and if she did, I suspect she left a significant amount of blood on the carpet. I may not be a betting man, Brent, but I'll bet you a huge pot of money I'm right."
"Arthur would never agree."
"Gee. I wonder why not."
Brent sighed. "Please understand, I'm totally on your side, but we need proof. If we can't get her to corroborate your suspicions, we'll have to let him see her. She's out of the ICU now, so even the hospital can't legally keep him away."
"Fine. Just give me a crack at him first. Afterward, if he still wants to talk, which I doubt he will, he can visit."
Brent's face sobered, but Jerry suspected his mentor's expression only grew serious
to suppress his smile. "Think a boxing match between you is wise, do you?"
Jerry shook his head. "Wise? No. But knocking a few of his teeth out would make me feel a helluva lot better."
"I'm sure it would. Look, you're exhausted. I know you've left before dawn for two days in a row, and you had Jenny take care of Jack and your furry patients so you could sleep here last night. I'm aware they've got chairs that convert into beds so family members can remain with their loved ones, but I also know they are terribly uncomfortable. So, why don't you go home, get a shower, something to eat, check on your patients and get a good night's rest? Marcus and I can cover for you here tonight."
Jerry closed his eyes. Admittedly, he was tired, but the thought of leaving Elly right now after her mini-breakdown yesterday didn't sit well with him. Not at all.
"You're not doing either one of you any good by running yourself down, Jerry. I studied her from across the room earlier, and other than the small bandage on her head, she looks healthy. Even rested. But you look like hell, if you'll pardon the expression. Do us all a favor and get some rest. All right?"
Jerry met Brent's gaze evenly. "Thanks, but I wouldn't be able to sleep."
"Why not? Don't you trust us?"
"You know that's not the case." Jerry ran his fingers through his mussed hair. "I'll be honest with you, all right?"
"I'd appreciate that."
"What happened Friday morning scared the shit out of me. I thought we were going to lose her, and fear ate a hole in my gut, Brent. A huge hole. I realize I shouldn't feel the way I do, but I can't help it. Then yesterday, the surgeon informed her she'd had a miscarriage. She had no idea she was even pregnant, and she fell to pieces. I should have prepared her, except I've been so worried about her condition, I never even thought about it. I know she tried to muffle the sound with her pillow to keep me from hearing her, but she cried herself to sleep last night. I won't leave her now. I can't."
"Have you thought what you'll do when she's discharged from the hospital?"
"Yeah. I want her to move in with me. She'll need someone with her 24/7 once she gets out, and with my medical knowledge I'd be the best fit for her."
"Think her husband will agree?"
"Think I give a rat's ass what he thinks?"
"No. However, I also don't think you'll enjoy spending a night in jail when he has you arrested for kidnapping."
"It's not kidnapping if Elly agrees."
"But she won't, Jerry."
"Why not?"
"Because, if she agrees to move in with you, her marriage is over. There's no other way around it. Unless she's ready to admit Arthur deliberately or even accidentally injured her, and took off without seeking medical attention for her first, she'll be going back with her husband."
"Not if I have anything to say about it."
"I think that's my point. You don't now, and you won't then."
"Fine. I'll talk to her again tonight. If she still refuses to discuss things with me, I'll…." He let his words trail off, unable to complete the sentence.
"I checked with the doctors. They think she might be able to go home tomorrow afternoon. Wednesday at the latest."
"I know. I spoke with them too. Assuming there's no sign of infection or need for further drainage, they'll take her Penrose drain out tomorrow. They'll want to make sure she can at least walk to the bathroom unaided, but other than a possible slow stroll down the hall, they expect her to take it easy."
"Good. I'm pleased she's doing so well."
"So am I."
"Give me a call tomorrow. If nothing's changed, I'll tell Arthur he can visit to discuss her release."
That gave Jerry twenty-four hours to move mountains. "Right. I'll keep you informed."
"Thanks." Brent clapped Jerry's shoulder. "It'll all work out, kid. Eventually. You need to cultivate a bit more patience."
Jerry gave a single nod. "Think I'll go down to the cafeteria for some coffee. Keep her entertained, will you?"
"No problem."
Jerry wasn't a violent man, but he'd been a boxing champion in college and right then, he badly wanted to punch someone or something. He didn't blame Brent. His friend was merely the middleman caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place. The person he blamed most was Arthur. Because of Arthur, Jerry would need to push Elly into a confrontation neither one of them desired. Yes, he wanted her to tell him the truth, but because she trusted him enough to confide in him, not because he pressed her into a confession. But if he ever hoped to protect her, he had to do something to keep Arthur away, which meant getting her to face reality and admit her husband abused her.
He suspected Elly could be stubborn, and he knew she possessed a sense of pride. Unfortunately, both of those were working against her right now. He had no desire to diminish her in any respect. In fact, if he were honest, he'd admit he'd fallen in love with her. He didn't view her as a damaged, wounded animal, although that might have been what attracted him to her in the beginning. He'd always been drawn to protect those who were weaker. The creatures that couldn't, or didn't know how to defend themselves. However, Elly had an inner strength and a loving nature. She possessed an innately kind and generous spirit as well as a deep capacity for love. But she hungered for affection, and her husband was too cold and self-centered to realize what his wife truly needed.
Arthur wanted to break Elly's spirit, while Jerry wanted to nurture it. He wasn't looking for an obedient, submissive woman who didn't possess a single thought of her own. 'Yes women' he called them. Women who agreed with you and obeyed your every command without any consideration for their own needs and desires. Some men preferred wholly submissive women, but Jerry enjoyed a woman who wasn't afraid to give him a little sass now and then. A woman who spoke her mind, even when her opinion wasn't requested. Elly had shown him a flash of spirit, and he admired her for it. That's not to say the dominant in him wouldn't remind her who was in charge if she attempted to bring her foot down in areas where it didn't belong.
He didn't tolerate liars, though in Elly's case he'd tread lightly there. Nor did he permit tantrums or swearing from the women he dated. He respected differences of opinion, but insisted they be offered with a measure of respect. A flash of temper might be overlooked, but bitchiness would not. He had his standards and rarely capitulated on them, except he'd never been in a relationship with an abused woman before.
Jerry expected Elly to resist his efforts, and he suspected he'd need to wade through a sea of tears. The idea didn't sit well with him. In fact, doing what he needed to do now left him slightly nauseated. Elly had been hurt enough already. Her wounds were still fresh and she didn't want them re-opened, but to his mind a virulent infection, like a cancer, had taken root and had to be eradicated or she'd die. Not today, and maybe not tomorrow, but her death was inevitable if the malignancy wasn't trapped and removed. Unfortunately, excising Arthur Benson from Elly's life would be painful, since anesthesia wasn't an option; and even though the surgery would be radical, he considered the operation essential.
After swallowing down the coffee he'd purchased, which tasted only a smidgen better than dishwater, Jerry straightened his sweater and took the elevator back to Elly's floor, prepared for the worst.
Chapter 9
When Brent returned without Jerry, Elly's stomach twisted. Her expression must have reflected her unease, for Brent promptly smiled and said, "Don't worry. He only went downstairs for a cup of coffee. He'll be right back."
Though she gave a nod, Elly suspected Jerry's unexpected absence wasn't entirely due to sudden caffeine withdrawal. And that worried her.
Marcus Devon leaned forward to touch her hand. "Are you in pain, Elly?"
Smiling back at him, she shook her head. "No. I was just thinking about something. Sorry."
"Don't apologize. Your injuries were serious enough to be life-threatening, so you're a very lucky lady to be sitting here chatting with us at all."
Elly nodded, then frowned. "I can'
t remember much of what happened. It's all a blur to me now."
"That's not unusual, either. Your system has been through a serious shock. The doctors here will tell you what you can and cannot do, but your activities are going to be extremely limited for the next six weeks or so. Your body needs to heal, so no stairs, and no lifting anything above a couple pounds, which includes Muffin. Your dressing will need to be changed at least once a day, probably more often in the beginning. I'd say your temperature should be taken twice a day for a week; more often if you aren't well. Your blood pressure should also be monitored on a frequent basis. These things are done every few hours in the hospital, and they shouldn't suddenly stop just because you're home. In other words, you're going to need someone to watch you closely for the first week or so."
"I hadn't thought about that."
"Perhaps it's time you did, then. Given how well you're doing now, you may be released as early as tomorrow afternoon, but I'd say Wednesday morning is more likely."
When the room unexpectedly tilted, Elly shut her eyes and put a hand to her throbbing temple, fearing a migraine. Marcus didn't hesitate to take charge.
"Okay, let's lower your head for a bit and raise your knees up." He quickly adjusted her bed and pushed her call button.
"May I help you?" a disembodied voice inquired over the speaker on her handset.
"Yes. We need a blood pressure and temperature check, please. Mrs. Benson is pale and lightheaded."
"I'll be right in."
Elly's breathing sped up and her skin grew clammy. Seconds later, Jayne, Elly's nurse entered. "All right, Elly, take a couple of deep breaths." Using a small pen light, she examined Elly's pupils first. "Does your head hurt?"
"A little," Elly admitted. "I've got a slight headache."
Jayne lightly palpitated the area around Elly's head wound. The purplish golf-ball sized lump, though still sore, was no longer bandaged. "We can get you something for the pain if you need it."