by Ciara Knight
Chase studied his friend and his apology. He had a point. “Joking always makes everything better. It’s gotten me through a lot.” He quirked an eyebrow at his old friend. “When did you get so nice. That Ally taming you?”
“Not exactly. Okay, maybe. But look, just tell me you’re not mad at me. ‘Cause if you are, Ally says she’s going to get involved to help us work out our man issues.”
Chase waved his hand in front of him. “No, please. Anything but that. Last time she got involved in our business, we both got arrested.”
Rex laughed so hard he clutched the arm rest to stop himself from toppling out of his chair onto the floor. “I’d forgotten about that.”
“I didn’t. We spent the night in jail, and my parents had to bail us out. That wasn’t a good week. All because we were being stupid and trying to roll down the side of a mountain in a stolen barrel.”
“We did do some crazy stuff growing up, didn’t we?” Rex leaned back in his chair and stretched his legs out in front of him. “Do you remember the time Zach McCormick, Spike and Jackson Roberts all went with us to drag race on the lake?”
“Oh man, if I remember right, Zach warned us not to go on the ice.” Chase sighed. “We should’ve listened. Bob Roberts would still have his car, and Spike would’ve been able to see daylight besides school for a year.”
“Spike? Your parents took your car away for six months. And I had no ride to take Ally to school and out on dates. She was none too happy she had to ride the bus.”
“Serves her right for telling on us for the barrel incident. Of course, I want to hug her and say thank you now that I’m not young and stupid and fearless. We could’ve broken our necks.”
Rex rubbed his forehead, as if he remembered the time he busted his head open trying to jump from a rooftop into a pool.
“We had some good times. Some crazy, but good times.” Chase sank into the chair on the other side of the fireplace and grabbed the poker. “What’s it like being a married man now? I like Alley and all, but is it…suffocating?”
Rex smiled, a happy man smile. “No, it’s like feeling alive for the first time.”
Chase poked the embers until the burnt wood crushed into ash. “I’ve never wanted that. I’d always wanted to run off and see the world, but now. I don’t know. It feels good to be home.”
“I know what you mean. There is something about Silver Springs and the people who live here.” Rex pushed up from the chair. “You want to come down stairs? You missed dinner pouting up here, but I’m sure we can scrape something up.”
“I wasn’t pouting. And no, I think I’m going to hang out up here for tonight. It’s been a long day.”
Rex headed for the door. “I get it, but don’t do it because you’re hiding from Mia. Ally and I are trying to get her to stay in Silver Springs. My father doesn’t have much time left. I’ll be honest, I’ve grown fond of Mia, like a little sister. I’m already losing a parent, I don’t want to lose a sister, too.”
Dang that was hitting below the belt.
Rex continued, “Promise me you’ll talk to her. She didn’t mean to trick you. Look through your emails with her, I’m sure you’ll see that if you’re honest with yourself.”
Chase grunted his agreement, and was thankful when Rex left and shut the door behind him. He was tired, and he was upset, but he didn’t want to be the cause of trouble for Rex or cause Mia to leave Silver Springs. He took Rex’s advice and snagged his laptop from his bag then sat on the bed. The instant he had to type with his left hand, frustration bubbled to the surface, but he’d let the anger go, and it needed to stay gone. All anger did was eat a man up until there was nothing left of him. After a long breath, he accessed his email and searched for all of Mia’s correspondences.
He read through note after note, remembering their conversations. The way her words had brought him comfort and made him feel less alone in the VA while he recovered. If he would’ve felt the way he did tonight before he’d met Mia in person, she would’ve been the one he’d talk to about it. She had been his crutch when he couldn’t stand on his own.
He couldn’t think of how to talk to her now, though. Not face to face. It was uncomfortable and awkward, and just being in her presence had a way of getting him tongue tied. She was so confident and kind. He rested his left fingers on the keys and thought about what he’d say to her tomorrow and decided he’d never sleep unless he told her tonight. Not face to face, based on his last and only performance he’d just stand there with his mouth open. No, he needed to speak to her the way they had been communicating.
Hunting and pecking for the keys, he typed her a letter like any other one he would’ve sent her.
Dear Mia,
I realized today that I have more obstacles to overcome than just the physical ones. When I returned home, people were awkward and unsure how to treat me. When I ran into a person I hadn’t expected to meet, they were different than I expected. I became agitated and might have been rude. I’m afraid that my manners haven’t been what they once were, pre-injury. You see, feeling vulnerable isn’t something I’m used to. I’m only hoping that I might be able to start over tomorrow. If this person agrees to be friends, I know it would be a positive relationship in my life. Yet, I’m still uncomfortable with the vulnerability it brings me. I was once a strong, handsome, and vibrant man. A man that made people laugh and feel good. I’d like to be that person again.
Do you think I should try to be friends and work through this issue of said person knowing too much about me?
Sincerely,
Chase Roberts
He held his finger over enter for several seconds. “Come on, don’t be a coward. If you’re going to live under the same roof, you better learn to play nice and get over yourself.”
He hit enter before he talked himself out of it. Now, he only had to wait to see if Mia would respond like she always did when he sent Old nurse Mia a message. But she wasn’t old nurse Mia, and he wanted to hear from her even more now than when he was at the VA.
Chapter Four
Mia sat at her antique desk in her room. Well it wasn’t really her desk, but she’d grown to feel like the room was really hers instead of just another bed to sleep in while caring for someone in the late stages of their life. The job had taken a toll on her lately, and she felt worn out and tired. Perhaps she’d take a few weeks off from work when this job ended. Sadness seeped into her heart. Frank had been a special patient to her. His family kind and gracious.
She entered her password to check her email. Perhaps her mother had emailed with her current location somewhere with whoever she was dating this week. To her surprise, she’d received one from Chase. Not so surprising, nothing from her mother. Mia still didn’t even know where she was traveling, or who she was dating this week. She sighed and eyed Chase’s email. He’d probably sent it before he arrived.
No. The time stamp was only a couple of hours ago. He’d sent it while she was preparing Frank for bed.
With a surge of nerves, she took a quick breath and selected his message. The words sounded like the same Chase she’d been corresponding with for months, but with a little more vulnerability. He’d spoken about his wounds and struggles, but never about her. That was the friend he was referring to, right?
She stared at the words as if she could see beyond them to a hidden meaning. Footsteps padded by her door, so she went to the hall to check and make sure Frank wasn’t struggling. Ally stopped when Mia opened the door.
“Is everything okay? Frank comfortable? I didn’t hear anything on the monitor.”
Ally scratched her chin and then moved closer. “Is it true? Rex told me that Chase had a temper tantrum.”
Mia leaned against the doorjamb. “No, he had a right to be upset. And I don’t think he’s upset anymore. Well, if I’m reading his note right. I’m not sure.”
“What note?” Ally leaned into her room and spotted her laptop on the desk. She looked down both directions of the hall then
whispered, “Did he email you again?”
Mia wasn’t sure where patient and client and friendship lines were drawn on this occasion. “Yes, but I probably shouldn’t share it with you.”
Ally didn’t take no for an answer and nudged past her to read the email. “Oh, this isn’t the Chase I grew up with. He’d never say those things. Mia, he likes you.”
“What?” Mia laughed, a little too loud and a little too squeaky. “Don’t be silly. He doesn’t even know me.”
“I didn’t say he knew he liked you. I said he liked you. You’ve done something no other woman on Earth has been able to do.”
“What’s that?”
Ally sauntered out of the room. “Get his attention.”
“Wait. Do you really think he likes me?” Mia hated the sixth-grade conversation they were having, but something drove her to find out if Ally was being serious.
“Oh, I do. I so do.” She disappeared down the stairs at the end of the hall leaving Mia to face the email and her possible response. What if he really did like her? He was gorgeous, but he had just arrived home and needed to focus on getting his life back together. He’d told her how he didn’t know what kind of job he could do when he returned since he only had one arm. He’d told her about how he feared that he’d never be able to fully date with only one arm. He’d told her that he wasn’t sure he wanted to live with only one arm.
She knew things about him, personal things a man would never share with someone he’d just met, especially if he was interested in her, and now she saw why he felt so vulnerable. Perhaps it was time to even things a little.
Dear Chase,
I now see why you were hurt and upset by discovering the unexpected about your friend. Perhaps your friend is upset and unsure about things in her life, too. You see, sometimes people might seem to have it together but they don’t. You remember me writing about the death of my brother. What I didn’t mention was the fact that his death is what lead me to become a hospice care nurse. You see, my brother died alone in a strange place with no one at his side. According to one of his buddies who was in his squad, they were pinned down, and my brother bled out slowly, alone, in the sand. It always broke my heart that he was alone when he died. So I dedicated my life to being with people in their final moments.
Hopefully you will feel less vulnerable now that you’ve heard your friend’s deepest secret. And as for your concern, you have nothing to worry about. You are still a strong, handsome, and vibrant man.
Sincerely,
Mia
She hit send before she changed her mind and took two steadying breaths. Emotion captured her in a way it hadn’t in years. She’d learned how to deal with loss and pain without shedding a tear. It was the way of a hospice nurse, to be there for family and for her patients without adding to their discomfort. Had she crossed a line by telling Chase such personal information? She eyed the screen and bit her nails feeling all too vulnerable herself.
The computer dinged and she saw another email pop up from Chase.
Dear Mia,
Thank you. I will treasure your secret and keep it as my own. A smart nurse once told me that today is cloudy with the memories of pain and suffering, but tomorrow is full of light and possibilities.
If I may add one thing of my own opinion, your brother would be proud of you.
Sincerely,
Chase
Chapter Five
The morning rays shot through the window and landed on Chase’s face, but for the first time in months he wanted to get out of bed. He rolled over and landed on his laptop. Mia and he had sent emails back and forth until three in the morning. Each one more personal than the last.
She was smart and driven and kind and giving. The same Mia he had corresponded with while he was struggling at the VA. It had been her nudging that brought him home to Silver Springs and to the Kelly mansion.
He hopped out of bed and threw on a sweat shirt and pants and grabbed his toothbrush, but hesitated at the door. Email was easy, but face-to-face stirred up all sorts of sand gnats in his gut. He’d never really talked to women before. Of course, he didn’t have any trouble dating them, or with superficial conversation, but that would never work on Mia. She was too intelligent for his tired moves. And he was too old for them himself.
He steadied his one hand holding the toothbrush, but couldn’t manage the old doorknob that didn’t turn easily. Ugh, why would a girl like Mia even want to date a man that couldn’t open a door? Everything seemed monumental in daily life with only one arm. He attempted to open the door a half dozen more times, but frustration took hold, and he slammed his fist against the wall. A picture fell and hit the desk with a loud crash.
Knock. Knock.
“Are you okay in there?” Mia asked through the door.
He closed his eyes and let out a long, frustrated breath. “Yes, I can’t open the door.”
She opened it and smiled at him holding her own toothbrush in her right hand. “One bathroom for the three rooms, I guess we’ll run into each other a lot.” She stepped closer, took the toothbrush from his hand, slid the handle into his pocket, smiled, and then padded away.
Why hadn’t he thought of that?
Ugh. He stopped outside the open door to the bathroom, but she scooted over and pointed to the sink.
“That’s okay. I haven’t mastered left handed tooth brushing. Not a pretty sight. I might scare you with my mad—dog foaming mouth.” He chuckled, more from nerves than his attempt at humor. Since when did girls make him nervous?
She spit in the sink without even caring that he stood behind her, and then rinsed her toothbrush and snagged his from his pocket. “Let’s see what you’ve got soldier. If you could shoot, run, bomb, and command, I think you can handle one-handed tooth brushing.” She shoved the toothbrush into his good hand.
He smiled, somehow, she had a way of making his frustration fade away. He held up his toothbrush and stepped up to the mirror, eyeing his nemesis.
Mia adjusted his grip. Her touch zapped him with a jolt of energy. He fought to concentrate on what she was saying instead of the feel of her hand over his. “You’re not lobbing a grenade at your enemy, it’s a toothbrush. Squeezing things tighter doesn’t make them work better.”
“Okay, I’ll try it,” he said, still attempting to focus on how to listen when she was so close to him in a small space.
“Well, go ahead.” She crossed her arms and stared at him.
“You’re going to watch me?”
Mia raised her eyebrows at him. “You just saw me spit in the sink. We’re past etiquette and proper decorum here.”
“Maybe I’m just a shy toothbrusher.”
“Chase Roberts, you can either try it with that grip now, or I’ll brush your teeth for you and show you how.”
Chase couldn’t help but smile at the petite blond with big blue eyes ordering his over six-foot self around. She had spunk for sure. “Fine, but it’s your health if I lose control of this toothbrush and it puts an eye out.”
She tapped her foot. “I’ll take my chances.”
“Geesh, bossy much?”
Mia closed in. “If I have to get tough with you like I do Frank sometimes, I will. Do you understand me?”
He shoved the toothbrush in his mouth and spoke nonsense words. She was playful, not really domineering or rude. He’d never met a woman with such tenacity, intelligence, and drive all wrapped up in a petite little package.
She had been right, he managed to brush his teeth with only a little bit of toothpaste landing down the front of his sweatshirt. It was progress.
“Good. See, you can do anything you want if you just cool your jets and figure it out first.” She sashayed past him into the hall so he quickly followed. “Hey, I thought I’d pop over to the B&B to pick up some of the muffins I hear my cousin is famous for to share with everyone. You know, to say thanks to Rex and Ally for letting me crash here for a while I figure things out.”
Mia bit her botto
m lip. It was adorable, but it told him she wasn’t sure it was a good idea. Maybe he’d misread her signs. Maybe she didn’t want to get to know him better after all. “I need to be here when Frank wakes up. It’s my job, remember?”
He touched her forearm, if only to tell her he knew from her emails how much his illness was taking a toll on her. “I’ll stay and help with Frank. That is, if I can do anything with my one good arm.”
She slugged his upper amputated arm.
“Hey, what was that for?” Chase rubbed his bicep.
Mia got that look with her brows narrowed and her cheeks tight again. “I’m done hearing you say things like that. You can do whatever you want. You said in your emails that you didn’t want a prosthetic arm, but you hated how people always looked at your stump. Get over yourself. Take charge and figure things out for yourself, and you’ll empower yourself.”
Ally appeared at the top of the stairs. “Hey, you two, do I need to break this up?”
Mia took a step back from Chase as if she didn’t want Ally to know they’d been standing so close. He didn’t like the tightening in his chest he felt at her retreat. “No. We’re good.”
“I just asked Mia if she wanted to ride to the B&B with me. I wanted to say hi to my cousins and grab some muffins to bring back.”
“Ally rubbed her belly. Oh, I could go for some of those. Go Mia. I’ve got Frank.”
Mia shook her head. “No, it’s okay. I should be here in case something happens.”
Ally smiled, a grim smile. “Hon, if anything happens then it was time for him to go. It’ll happen with or without you here. You don’t have to remain by his bedside twenty-four, seven. You’re here to help with his care. Now go. You’ve barely been out of this house for weeks. As your boss, I’m ordering you to go.”
Mia sighed. “Looks like mean boss lady is ordering me to go fetch muffins for her.”