by Vera Quinn
The man gets up and goes to the door and opens it, but stops before leaving and looks over his shoulder at me. “I’ll be right outside if you need me.” Okay...still don’t know why I would need him?
“Thought you might be more comfortable with your visitor gone. Now, I know you have a lot of questions, but first let me look you over a little, then I’ll answer what I can.”
The doctor starts poking on me and it does hurt. “Your vitals have been steady since last night. Your throat was irritated. We will watch it to make sure it isn’t an allergic reaction. Your left eye is swollen shut from a hit you took to the face. Your ribs are bruised, but none are broken or cracked. You have a concussion, which is why your head probably hurts so badly. All in all, you were lucky. You were knocked out from the blow and have been out for a little over twelve hours. We are going to keep you another twenty-four to forty-eight hours to be safe. Your swelling should be less by then. You’ll need someone to keep an eye on you for a few days.” He no sooner gets that out of his mouth then a tall beautiful woman walks through the door. “Are you her mother? I was just telling her she will need someone to look after her for a couple of days. I’m Dr. Gray.”
As the woman approaches my bed he puts his hand out and she takes his hand in hers and shakes politely. I have no idea who this woman is. Why is she here? Then I notice she has a bandage on her forehead and an ace bandage around her wrist.
“No, I’m not her mom. I was also in the wreck last night. I was worried about her. They couldn’t find family contacts for her last night. The young man that was here with her last night is an associate of my husband’s. He was here to watch over her until they found family for her, but they said no one ever showed up. I just want to make sure she is okay.” Dr. Gray raises his eyebrows like he is surprised. People just don’t do things like this anymore. She is very nice to worry about me.
“That is very nice of you. Ms. …” Dr. Gray leaves it hanging.
“That’s Mrs. Duncan.” A huge man is standing in my room doorway.
“Pardon me. I’m sorry, of course, Mrs. Duncan.” Dr. Gray has just been put in his place by this man. “I need to have a few words with my patient.”
“Jethro, will you wait outside so the good doctor can finish up?” The pretty lady says to the big man. The big man walks over to the lady and kisses the heck out of her and then looks at the doctor. He could have just peed on her leg, it would have been the same thing. He smirks at the doctor and walks out. The two nurses have grins on their faces. Yes, they would like to be the pretty lady. I look at the woman.
“Ma’am, do I know you? I don’t understand why you’re here. I don’t know any of you, do I?” I know my confusion is coming across so maybe they’ll explain.
“I’m Lillian Duncan. That big oaf that just left is my husband, Jethro. The young man who was here before stayed here to keep an eye on you for me. He is Con.” That was it, like it should explain everything, but I’m still lost. “Doctor, go ahead.”
“Can you tell me your name?” Dr. Gray asks me.
“Katie Walton.” Pretty simple.
“How old are you, Ms. Walton?” Dr. Gray is going down his list.
“Just turned twenty, two days ago.” When is he going to let me ask questions?
“Well, that answered my next question. What year is it?” Last one before I start asking.
“2016. Now can you tell me what happened? I mean, I know it was a wreck, but the last thing I remember was blinding lights and then nothing.” I keep trying to think and jolt my memory.
“From what the DPS gathered, there was a man driving the other truck who had a heart attack and jumped the median and came into your lane. He clipped your truck, and I’m guessing Mrs. Duncan’s vehicle, and hit a culvert. He deceased from the heart attack. Everyone else was lucky it wasn’t worse. You received the worse injury because of your concussion. The DPS officer will be by to talk to you, I’m sure. For now, try and get some rest.” All that comes to mind is, poor man.
“Has his family been contacted?” It’s so close to Christmas.
“Sweetie don’t you worry about it. Jethro was checking on everything.” Lillian’s voice is the one I remember from last night.
“I’ll be back in the morning to check on you again. I’ll decide then when you can go home. Do you have someone to help?” Dr. Gray sounds concerned.
“Not really, but I have to work and I have classes. This is Friday, right?” I wait for confirmation. They all nod their heads. “I need to make some calls. I don’t have classes until Monday, but I have to work tomorrow.” Thankfully it was a no school day today and I was off work, but I can’t lose my job. If I lose my job, I lose my apartment and would have no money for food or anything.
“You can’t work tomorrow, or for at least four to five days. What kind of work do you do?” Dr. Gray is being a bit nosey.
“I work on a ranch taking care of horses. I do a little of everything there. Mr. Brown has been very good to me and I can’t disappoint him.” I have to call and let him know. I begin to think of everything that depends on my job and it is hard for me to breathe.
“Calm down and take deep breaths. Ms. Walton, you have a concussion and your ribs are bruised. Your left eye won’t even open all the way, so you are going to have to take a few days off and heal. I’m sure your employer will understand.” This came from one of the nurses.
“I’ll be back in the morning. I’ll have to keep you longer if you have no one to help you.” The doctor isn’t listening.
“No worries, doctor. I’ll be sure she is taken care of.” Lillian tells the doctor.
Dr. Gray and the nurses leave me alone with Lillian and I am having a mini freak out. I’m looking around for my purse, or anything of mine, but I’m finding nothing. “Do you think you could help me get a phone I can call my boss with? What town am I in?”
“They brought us to Titus Regional. We were closer to here. Why hasn’t your family come for you?” No easy way to answer that question but straight out. Just as I start to answer the door swings open and Mr. Duncan walks in. “Jethro, you need to knock please.”
“Why? It’s not like she can get out of that bed yet.” He’s right about that.
“Anyway, Katie you were going to say?” I know after I tell her I’m going to get that poor kid look.
“I don’t have any family. No one will be coming.” I hesitate to look at her, but when I do I see no pity in her eyes.
“You have no one? What about friends? You said you had to work tomorrow.” Lillian is grasping for straws. Stacy is my only real friend and she is twenty years old with two children and a husband, so I would never impose. Mr. Brown is a kind man, but again, he has his own family. We don’t have that kind of working relationship. I keep my job by working hard and showing up every day I’m scheduled to work. On time every time. I do the jobs everyone else hates and I don’t complain. I’m lucky to have a job. Especially one with insurance and that works around my college schedule.
“No, ma’am. My boss is all business and my only friend has a full plate with two children. I go to TJC and work on a horse ranch. If I don’t work, I will lose my apartment and have nothing to eat, so I will be going to work. Do you have a phone I could borrow? I will pay you for the call as soon as I can get my ATM card.” Maybe she’ll see I’m telling the truth. Jethro is looking at me like I’m out of my mind. Now that I really look at him, he is scary looking. Handsome but scary. He’s wearing black jeans and a black tee and has some kind of vest or something on with patches on it.
Lillian looks at her Jethro and then back to me. “Jethro, can I speak to you outside for just a minute? When we come back in you can use my phone.” I don’t know what’s up, but as long as I can use her phone, I’ll wait. Not like I’m going anywhere right now.
Chapter 2
Lillian
Jethro is already giving me that look as he comes out of the door. He knows what I’m up to, but I don’t care. Katie ne
eds someone to take care of her and I want to be that someone. I need some female companionship. I’ve always wanted a daughter. We couldn’t have our own children. We just weren’t blessed that way. We’ve as much as adopted Billy and Gage. Why not a daughter? The only females around our place are club girls and I don’t go there. None of the brothers have old ladies. I know I can talk him into it and Katie needs family this close to the holidays. No one should be alone during Christmas. I wonder how many holidays she’s spent by herself.
“Don’t start, Lil. We have the boys, and this girl has her own life. Besides, she is so innocent. She probably doesn’t even know what a motorcycle club is. She won’t understand our lifestyle. We’ll help her out and then she can get back to her life, and we can get back to ours.” Jethro looks like he just solved everything.
“Jethro, please. You know I always wanted a daughter. You have the boys and your brothers in the club. We can teach her and bring her into it, slowly. It’s not like I am asking if she can be one of the club girls, or someone’s old lady. She needs us. She’s too young to be all alone and have to work so hard. We can help her. We have so much and we can afford to it.” I give Jethro my saddest eyes. The ones he can never say no to. “Please. She can make our family better.” He will give in to me.
“Lillian, if I had known when we met you would bring every stray home, I would have built us a motel instead of a house with a kennel in the back yard for all the four legged adoptions. What am I going to do with you? We have to check her out first. I’ll call Zig Zag to get on it. It’s your job to talk to her about it. Woman you drive me to the verge of insanity, but I couldn’t live without you or your big heart. Last night when I got that call and heard you were in a wreck, my heart stopped and I couldn’t breathe. You are my life woman.” Jethro takes me in his arms and hugs me so tight I can barely breathe, then he kisses me until we are both breathless. “I’m going to go find Con and call Zig Zag. Shine will be here soon to relieve Con and I will let him know everything. I’ll see if we can find some descent food around here for her.” He slaps my backside and turns to leave.
“I love you, Jethro. I’ll show my appreciation later. You’ll see, she’ll make our family whole.” I give him my biggest smile.
“Babe, our family is fine, but you’re usually right about these things.” He has a sexy smile on his face. “And I know you’ll show your appreciation, you always do.” With that he walks away, looking so sexy doing it. He is the love of my life.
I know Katie is going to be a little harder to sell this to, but I’m hoping she’ll see she needs help. I’m hoping she’ll let us in. I just won’t take no for an answer. I can be stubborn like that. I’ve got to be able to get through to her. With that thought in my head I open the door and walk back through it.
I stop as I walk back through, because the poor girl has fallen back to sleep. I walk closer to her bed. She looks so innocent lying in the stark white hospital bed. Her eye looks awful. This poor angel needs someone to take care of her and I am going to be that person. I won’t take no for an answer. Katie is going to become part of our family.
Chapter 3
Shine
Captain said Lil is scouting for more family members and has found what she hopes is a daughter. Love that woman like a mom. She can find more stragglers to bring into our family. If her and Captain had been able to have children, they would have had a house full. Instead she has all but adopted Con and me, and now this new girl. Lil has a heart of gold and plenty of love to go around. Her and Captain now have a farm full of stragglers, too. Everyone jokes with Captain and tells him he is old McDonald. He doesn’t care as long as it keeps Lil happy. They have dogs, cats, horses, and chickens.
I make it to Mt. Pleasant and find the hospital without any problems. As soon as I get inside I see Captain talking to Con. Captain is shaking his head as Con is relaying something from the phone to him. I know that look. Captain is pissed about something. I approach them and I hear Con giving him information about this girl, I’m guessing.
“She doesn’t have any family that Zig Zag can find, but he’s still digging. He’ll give you an updated report as soon as he can get it. He thinks her truck will be a total loss. Lil’s SUV needs major front end repair. That’s all he has so far.” Captain nods his head yes.
“Tell him to get me a preliminary report and then do an extensive background check. She may be around for a while.” Captain looks deep in thought. Just as I thought, it starts with Lil and then Captain gets in on it. Next thing you know, the girl will be moved in. It’s their way. It’s the way our club has grown.
“What’s up, Captain?” Con hangs up and smiles a big smile.
“Lil is bringing, or trying to bring, another one into our family. At first I thought it was a bad idea, but I think she may be right. Katie needs our help.” Captain is in and whether knows it or not.
“Katie is her name? What do you know about her?” Captain sits down in one of the empty chairs in the waiting area. Con and I do the same. Captain is talking in a hushed voice.
“She was in the other vehicle hit last night. She has a concussion and some bruised ribs. She has no one we can find to help her. She just turned twenty and is working and going to school. She lives in Tyler. Her truck is probably a loss and that’s about it. Zig Zag is looking into her background.
“One of you take my truck and get us all some food. Lil is still with her. She’s all but got her moved in to our house and she hasn’t even asked Katie yet.” Captain is still thinking it over. I can tell by the look on his face. “She is a little thing. She could probably use our help. As soon as we get that report back, we’ll see what we can do.” Yep, he’s sold on the idea.
“So what does she look like? “Captain gives me a look I know too well.
“Shine, if you go near that girl with your dick Lil will cut it off. There’s plenty of club girls for that. Hands off.” He looks from me to Con. “That goes for everyone.”
“Sure, Captain. She looks beat the hell up right now Shine, but you can’t tell nothing in that hospital gown.” Con says with a smirk on his face. I’ll check her out myself. “Everyone okay with burgers? I’ll go so I can get some air and stretch my legs some more.”
“Burgers are fine. You know Lil will want a salad. If you need help, text Shine and he will be down to help. Con, after that you can get back home and come back tomorrow to relief Shine. Bring the report with you. Zig Zag should have it by then. We’ll stay at the motel again. I’d try to get Lil to go home, but I know that’s not happening, and after the wreck she’s not getting out of my sight for a while.” Captain gets up when he is finished and hands Con some money. Time to go meet this Katie….
We step off the elevator and I see this curvy little nurse stepping on. I give her a wink and the sexiest smile I can. She looks me up and down and licks her lips. Maybe this trip won’t be so boring. I could definitely play doctor with her. Captain clears his throat to get my attention when the elevator doors open and I follow him down to the second door on the right. We try to be quiet going in.
I see Lil sitting in the chair in the corner and she is fast asleep. Captain goes and sits on the couch close to her. I see the young woman lying in the bed. She definitely has a black eye, but there is something about her that looks lost and vulnerable. She has long dark hair and her face looks thin.
“Shine, remember what I said downstairs.” Captain is getting into his protective mode.
Just then she opens her eyes. She looks a little startled. Three people she doesn’t know in her room. Two of us bikers. I guess that could be scary.
“Hey, little lady. It’s okay. We’re friends, or we’re going to be. We just want to help.” I try to reassure her. She reaches for the bed adjuster and brings her bed up. I can see in her eyes that it is painful for her. She reaches for her water cup, and I go over and see it is nearly empty, so I fill it up and hand it to her. She takes a slow sip like she is savoring it.
“Wh
o are you and why do you want to be my friend?” Her eyes are taking in what she can.
“Darling, it just seems like you could use some friends. We just want to help.” Captain has come up to the other side of the bed. “My wife, Lil, wants to help you.”
“But why? I have nothing I can give you in return. She doesn’t know me, or anything about me.” The girl looks like she is on the verge of tears.
“Your name is Katie Walton. You’re twenty years old as of two days ago. You work and go to school. You live in Tyler not far from us. You were in a wreck last night. You have no family to help you. You only have a working relationship with your boss. How am I doing so far?” Lil has stepped forward to stand beside Captain and has taken Katie’s hand in hers.
“Wow. You’ve gotten all of that out of our short conversations. All I know is your name is Lillian Duncan and your husband calls you Lil and you say you want to be my friend.” Katie smiles at Lil and she is definitely beautiful, even with her bruises.
“Sweetheart, we want to help you through this. You look like you may could use some more friends and we live close. Who knows, we may be neighbors already. Where in Tyler do you live?” Lil is already working her magic with Katie. I can see in her face she has relaxed some.
“I live on MLK in a little garage apartment. It’s small, but it’s mine. It’s all I can afford right now. It’s a like a studio.” That’s not good and I see the disapproval on both Lil and Captain’s faces.
“Do you live alone? That’s not a real safe part of town for such a young person.” Lil is trying to stay calm, but I can see it isn’t working.
“What do you mean for a young person? It’s not safe for any woman by herself. Young lady, do you have a security system or at least good locks?” Now Captain is getting pissed.
“No. I can’t afford a security system. I keep a bat close at night and the locks are adequate for my needs. I’ve never had any trouble. I keep to myself. I don’t really own anything worth stealing.” Katie looks a little embarrassed.