As it crossed the center of the road and headed straight for Kat, a panicked warning ripped from his throat. But Kat was too far away to hear him over the squealing tires and blaring car horns.
Kat turned her head and looked behind her as the swerving car slammed on brakes, but it was too late.
The car hit her with a sickening thud and tossed her into the air like a ragdoll.
Shock and horror ripped through him, buckling his knees and freezing his lungs, as Kat’s lifeless body rolled once, then stopped facedown on the grass. Reflexes took over, and without conscious thought, Erik had his cell phone in his hand, dialing 911 while running down the stairs when he heard sirens approaching.
Kat’s apartment was in the old fire station, and the new station had been built next door. The crewmen were always sitting in the doorway, watching the traffic, and must have seen the accident occur. By the time he reached Kat’s side, the paramedics had also arrived. Matt Vickers, a Riverside resident Erik had known all of his life, was the lead paramedic. He and Erik pushed through the crowd and reached her side at the same time.
Erik swallowed the terror in his throat and beat back the rising bile to ask, “How bad does it look, Matt?”
“Do you know her?”
Unable to speak around his closed throat, Erik nodded.
“It’s hard to know exactly what we’re dealing with. Right now, we’ve got a pulse, and although it’s unsteady and labored, she’s breathing on her own.”
Erik shook from head to toe as adrenaline ripped through his system. The numbness in his extremities began to recede as they put her in a neck brace, then gingerly placed her onto a backboard.
“I’m going with her.” This was nonnegotiable, and he hoped he didn’t have to throw down in the street with Matt to make it happen.
Matt nodded. “You’ll have to ride in the front.” As the other paramedics placed Kat in the ambulance, Matt asked, “Do you know her next of kin?”
Paralyzing fear locked him in place and froze his breathing.
His expression must have screamed his panic because Matt placed a reassuring arm on his shoulder and said, “We just need to notify her family of the accident.”
Relief flooded his system and made him week-kneed again, but he somehow managed to stay vertical and get his faculties working. He found her cell phone lying on the ground and snatched it up. “She’d want her grandfather notified first. I’ve never met him, but I want to be the one to call. I’ll do it on the way to the hospital.”
The next several hours passed in a blur. The doctor said although her injuries weren’t life threatening, they were extensive and severe. Erik lost track of the broken bones and scrapes and concentrated on the biggies. Broken ribs had punctured a lung, and there was significant head trauma. Because of that, they would keep her heavily sedated and intubated for several days. They also wouldn’t know if there was permanent brain damage until she’d regained consciousness.
For the first time in years, Erik closed his eyes and prayed.
***
Around midnight, Kat’s parents and grandfather arrived. Erik introduced himself as a friend of Kat’s, and soon after their arrival, the doctor came in to explain the situation.
Kat’s grandfather asked questions while her father sat quietly in a chair. Her mother paced the room in her tailored suit and conservative one-inch heels, appearing more agitated and inconvenienced than concerned. As soon as the doctor left the room, Kat’s mother said, “Well, there isn’t a need for us to stay here any longer tonight.” Turning her attention to Erik, she said, “I noticed several hotels around the hospital. Is this a decent area? Can you suggest a suitable hotel?” Without giving Erik a chance to respond, she waved her hand dismissively, and said, “Never mind. I’ll ask at the information desk in the lobby.”
Erik stood, dumbfounded and angered by the woman’s lack of concern. Kat’s grandfather had been the only one to approach Kat’s bed. Initially, Erik thought maybe her parents were in shock and overwhelmed and just hadn’t known what to do. Now he wasn’t so sure.
Her grandfather, sitting on the edge of the bed holding Kat’s hand, seemed less inclined to leave. “We jus’ got here. Don’t ya think we should stay a while?”
Kat’s mother pressed her lips together and crossed her arms. “Whatever for? The doctor said she won’t be awake for days. What’s the point of staying here? We’ve had a long drive, and I need sleep. I have an early morning conference call.”
Holy shit. Erik never would’ve believed it possible, but Kat’s mother was cut from the same bad cloth as his, maybe even worse. How could she be more concerned about a conference call than her daughter, who was lying in a hospital bed in a coma? Now wasn’t the time to point out what a bitch Mrs. Owens was, but Erik filed the incident away for the future.
Kat’s grandfather remained uneasy, but agreed. “I guess I’ll be more use to Katydid rested than dead on my feet.” He wrapped Kat in a gentle hug, then stood to address Erik. “Young man, I assume yer not leavin’?”
“No, sir.”
He gave Erik’s arm a reassuring squeeze, and said, “Then I’ll see ya bright an' early in the mornin’.”
***
True to his word, Kat’s grandfather arrived at the hospital a few minutes before seven. “I woulda been here sooner, but it took me longer to walk from the hotel than I’d expected. Guess I’m not as fast as I used to be.”
Disgust that the older man had to walk filled Erik as he sat upright in the recliner, then stood to shake her grandfather’s hand. “Good morning, sir. I’m sorry you had to walk.” His annoyance with Kat’s parents was evident in his tone, and her grandfather smiled while squeezing his hand.
“I coulda insisted on a ride, but sometimes it’s easier to leave well enough alone.”
Kat’s grandfather sat in the chair next to her bed and studied the various tubes and wires trailing to the machines scattered around her. The ventilator made a steady whooshing sound, and several monitors beeped and occasionally pinged. Overnight, Erik had grown accustomed to each of the sounds, and knew it would take her grandfather a while to do the same.
After several minutes, he turned his attention to Erik. “You the young man that took my Katydid to the beach?”
Erik smiled, wondering what Kat thought of being called a bug. “Yes, sir.”
“Thanks for that. She works too hard. Those parents of hers have always made her feel like she didn’t measure up. But lately, she’s spent too much time tryin’ to prove ‘em wrong and not enough time makin’ herself happy.”
Guilt had Erik diverting his gaze. He sure as shit hadn’t done much to make her happy over the last forty-eight hours. He sat here all night, beating himself to a bloody, emotional pulp for doing exactly what he most feared.
Hurting her.
If he hadn’t been such an asshole, she would’ve been at his house, wrapped up safe and sound with him in his bed, rather than out running.
He shuddered as he considered how close he came to losing her. And if he had, she would’ve died just like Lindsey—thinking he didn’t love her.
But by the grace of God, Kat had been spared, and he wasn’t leaving this room until he told her how much he loved her, and how sorry he was for hurting her. He’d spend the next twenty years on his knees, begging her forgiveness, if that’s what it took.
“Good morning, gentlemen.”
Startled by the appearance of Daniel Sturgis in Kat’s doorway, Erik jumped. He was so lost in thought, he forgot he and Kat weren’t alone in the world.
After looking over Kat’s chart and checking the monitors, Daniel—who Erik assumed was the day-shift neurologist—said, “She’s doing fine. She’s stable and recovering exactly as we’d expect. But we’re still going to keep her heavily sedated, basically in a coma, for several days to allow the swelling in her brain to recede.”
“Thank you for takin’ such good care of my Katydid.” The old man’s eyes clouded as he gazed at Ka
t’s still form. “I don’t know what I’d do without her.”
“Yes, sir. I’m sorry to have to do it, but I’m glad to be here for her.” He turned his attention to Erik. “You look like hell.”
Erik chuckled. “Awww… Daniel, you say the nicest things. You have an outstanding bedside manner.”
The doctor laughed, then grew serious. “Erik, she’s not going to be alert for several more days. The nurses said they’ve tried to get you to go eat, or even just walk around, but you refuse to leave.” The corner of his mouth lifted in a smirk. “Lots of hearts breaking out there in that nurse’s station, by the way.”
Erik laughed, then settled his gaze back on Kat.
“Her grandfather’s here with her,” Daniel continued. “You should go home, get some rest, get something to eat. Take a shower.”
“I appreciate the concern, but no can do.”
Daniel crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the doorframe. “I could order you to leave.”
Erik cut his gaze to Daniel and narrowed his eyes. They went to school together most of their lives, and as life in a small town would have it, spent a lot of time hanging out with the same crowd. They weren’t close friends, but they knew each other well enough. “I wouldn’t advise it,” Erik said, making sure Daniel knew he wouldn’t be swayed.
Daniel sighed and looked at Kat’s grandfather. “I’ve known Erik long enough to know I’m fighting a losing battle and asking you to do the same. But if you can, get him to leave, at least for a little while.” Speaking to both men, he said, “This isn’t a sprint. Her recovery is going to be a marathon, and you’re not going to do her any good if you’re exhausted.”
Kat’s grandfather nodded.
Erik said, “Understood.”
When the doctor left, her grandfather said, “He’s right, ya know. I didn’t wanta leave last night, but I knew it was for the best.”
“I can’t leave until…” He paused, swallowed, and tried again. “I have to be here when she wakes up. I have some things to tell her.”
The older man studied Erik for the longest time, then smiled, giving Erik the impression he passed some kind of test. “Stubborn. That’s good. Katy needs someone as strong willed and determined as she is.”
The two men spent the next several hours talking and getting to know each other, while staring at Kat and wishing they could do something to change the situation. Midmorning, her parents arrived. Kat’s mother was dressed in another power suit. Her father was dressed slightly more casual.
Granddad, as Erik had been instructed to call him, filled Kat’s parents in on the doctor’s course of action.
Kat’s mother sighed and rolled her eyes. “Well, she’s certainly made a mess of things this time.”
Erik, dozing in and out of sleep in the recliner, became instantly alert. The tone, the words, everything about Kat’s mother’s statement flew through him like a wildfire out of control. But before he could get out of the chair and onto his feet, Kat’s grandfather said, “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Kat’s mom huffed in disbelief. “I have to state the obvious? She moved to this nothing town at the edge of the earth and got herself hit by a car. She’s going to be in the hospital for who knows how long, and then it’ll take months for her to fully recover. She can’t possibly take care of herself, let alone work, so we’re going to have to move her back to Charlotte with us.” She made an it’s-all-so-obvious expression. “Like I said, she’s certainly made a mess of things.”
Color rose high in Granddad’s cheeks and his breathing grew labored as he glanced at Kat. He and Erik had a lengthy conversation about how much Kat might be able to hear, and Erik knew the old man was concerned about her hearing this bullshit.
Having heard enough himself, Erik kicked the footrest of the recliner down and stood. “I’ll take care of her.”
Kat’s mother swung her condescending gaze to him. “Excuse me?”
He loved Kat, and if she’d have him, he intended to marry her. The vows he hoped to take included for better or worse, in sickness and in health. He hadn’t said them to her yet, but he felt them nonetheless. And he’d start acting on them now.
However, before he could explain any of that, Kat’s mother turned her back on him and resumed her verbal tirade. “She’s always been so irresponsible.” She turned on Granddad. “This happened in the middle of the day. Why wasn’t she at work?”
A growl built in the back of Erik’s throat, but Granddad was quicker with the attack. “Leah, you’re my only child, and I love ya. But I don’ know where your mother and I went wrong. I thought we raised ya to be a good and caring person. I thought wrong.”
Kat’s mother bristled, but quickly regained her composure. “What are you babbling about?”
“Somewhere along the lines, your priorities got all outta whack. Katy’s lyin’ there in a coma, and you’ve been back at the hotel on the phone. You're complainin’ because her condition is an inconvenience for ya. The only thing that oughtta matter is her. But you’re so wrapped up in yourself, you can’t see that.”
Granddad’s misty gaze shifted to Kat. “She’s spent so many years tryin’ to please ya and make ya happy that she’s made herself miserable. You’ve criticized her work with charities and the animal shelter. But ya know what? I’m more proud of her for being selfless than I could ever be of you, and all that you’ve accomplished through your selfishness.”
He turned to Kat’s father, who stood off to the side looking like he’d rather eat a pile of nasty gym socks than be in this room. “Get my daughter outta here. Take her back to Charlotte.” He swung his gaze around to Erik, and said, “This fine young man and I can take care of Katy without ya.”
Kat’s mother glared at her father. “She’s obviously going to be out of work for a while. Are you going to take care of the hospital bills? Are you going to let her move in with you?”
Erik stepped up next to Granddad. “I will.”
“Oh, really?” Her disgust over the situation came pouring out in those two little words. “After knowing my daughter for no more than a few weeks, you’re willing to take full responsibility for her?”
For the first time in his life, Erik was grateful he’d been birthed to a mother who was also a first-rate bitch. Kat’s mother, no doubt, expected Erik to shrivel under her harsh glare and scolding tone. But he had years of practice dealing with a woman like her, and he wasn’t the least bit phased. “Yes ma’am, I am. And if she’ll have me, I’ll happily spend the rest of my life taking care of her.”
The woman snorted. “You’re obviously as much of a dreamer as Katherine if you think you know her well enough, after two weeks, for that kind of commitment.” She flicked a glance to her father, then to Kat, and finally to her husband. “I guess we’re no longer needed here. We can go pack our things and get on with our lives.”
The silence was deafening as Kat’s parents gathered their briefcases and left the room. As the door shut behind them, Granddad turned to Erik. He drew in a deep breath, stood a little taller, and years melted off his face. “That felt kinda good. I shoulda done that twenty-five years ago.”
He stepped over to the bed and took hold of Kat’s hand. “Her mama’s right; she is gonna need someone to take care of her. Katy said she thought I’d like livin’ here, so I reckon I’ll find out.”
Erik smiled and said, “My house just happens to have a guesthouse. Consider it yours.”
Chapter Sixteen
Three days turned into four and then into five. Each time they reduced the sedation, she fought the ventilator tubing so badly they had to increase it again. Because of the damage to her lung, they needed to keep her on the ventilator longer than normal, which Erik understood. But watching her struggle and fight it pushed the limits of his already taxed sanity.
He had agreed to share Granddad’s hotel room… sort of. Granddad spent his days at the hospital, but stayed in the hotel at night. Erik used the room for showers.
He refused to leave Kat for more than the thirty minutes it took to run to the hotel, shower, and get back. The nursing staff had come to accept him as a useless, bulky piece of equipment that needed to be worked around.
Kevin and Steve brought him clean clothes and kept him fed, and for the first few nights, alternated staying at the hospital with him. Finally, on the fifth day, he convinced them Little Bit needed the attention more than he did and would really appreciate the company.
Seth and Rusty stopped by several times throughout each day, and Elise had shown up once. She seemed truly shaken by Kat’s condition and had tried to offer words of solace to Erik. Although she seemed genuine in her concern, Erik found himself standing between her and Kat, like a man protecting vulnerable prey from a vulture, just waiting to swoop in and finish the kill.
On the sixth day, they had a breakthrough. As they eased the sedation, panic once again settled around Kat. But this time, at the sound of her grandfather’s voice, she flickered her eyes and followed the sound until she found him standing by her bed.
Her fight or flight reflex was strong, but she eventually followed his command to relax and gave up the fight. They still didn’t know the long-term effects of the head trauma, but her ability to understand and follow Granddad’s commands made everyone hopeful.
Kat slept more than she was awake for the next two days, which made it easy for Erik to stay out of sight. Because there were still questions about what she would know and remember when fully conscious, he felt it best to stay hidden to prevent any additional stress on her. Granddad didn’t know the details, but knew Erik and Kat had been “arguing,” and that’s why she’d been running. Because of that, he was content to be Kat’s focal point each time she roused.
Savin' Me (A Heat Wave Novel) Page 18