Stumbling back, she held up the insulated bag containing the samples she’d just taken. “I’ll get these to the lab and bring back a gelato.”
“Seems like a fair exchange.” A disarming grin grew on his face and she was suddenly even more anxious to escape his disturbing presence.
Laughing nervously, she headed for the door and then released her breath. Having spent over a week caring for him and getting to know him, she’d come to see that the jokes she used to detest were merely a mask. When he couldn’t handle the pain of his life, he used humour to get by.
Even though his jokes were still sometimes obnoxious, at least she was beginning to understand them enough to not be overly disturbed by them. Plus, he’d toned them down a lot. What saddened her the most was that he felt unloved by his parents and that he filled the void in his life with money and all it could buy.
She was waiting for the elevator to arrive when the doors opened and his mother stepped out, her eyes widening as recognition dawned. “Jenna?”
“Yes! Mrs. Carmichael, how nice to see you.” Jenna smiled and replied in a friendly tone, although it was slightly disconcerting coming face to face with Mitch’s mother when she’d just been thinking about his family.
“It’s ‘Miss’ now. But still Carmichael.” Her tone held a tinge of bitterness.
“I’m sorry.” Jenna winced and let the elevator go. Obviously, a lot of water had passed under their bridge.
“Don’t be! I can’t expect everyone to know the gossip about our family, and it’s quite refreshing when I come upon someone who doesn’t. And just call me Marylin, but that’s beside the point. How’s Mitch doing? Oh, is that his…?” Her voice trailed off as her gaze settled on the bag carrying the vials of Mitch’s blood.
“Yes. Again, I should apologise.” Jenna laughed, holding the bag close to her chest.
Marylin smiled. “This time I’ll accept. But seriously, how is he?”
“He’s doing well. His labs are coming back with positive indicators, although he’s still dehydrated. His eating is slowly improving.”
His mother frowned. “Why would he be dehydrated? I don’t understand. He’s been here for a week and on a drip the whole time.”
“That’s true, but…” Jenna was less than comfortable sharing personal medical details with her patient’s mother, but Marylin’s genuine concern made her change her mind. She was his mother, after all.
“He had a lot of substances in his system which each affect a person in different ways. While Mitch is mostly detoxified now, there are still concerns because he isn’t drinking as much water as he should be. He’s on fluids, but he still needs to be making an effort.”
“How can he still be detoxing?” Marylin frowned again.
It was a fair enough question. “A lot of factors are at play, and it’s not uncommon for a detox program to go seven days or even longer. The drugs are technically out of his system, and so is the alcohol, but it wasn’t a first-time episode. Mitchell’s labs show that he’s been using frequently, and detox can cause many side effects, which for your son has included severe sweating. We’ve got him on painkillers, but we’d like to see him off those sooner than later, even if it does leave him with some discomfort.”
She felt uncomfortable under Marylin’s intense gaze, although she tried not to let it show. Had she said too much?
Finally, Marilyn responded. “I think you’re a very good nurse for my son. I can tell that you really care about your patients. And while that’s what you’re paid to do, it doesn’t seem like it’s just a job for you.”
Jenna breathed easier, not expecting such a positive response. “Nurses are in a unique position to care for people. I don’t want to waste that opportunity.”
“And you’re not. Mitchell is fortunate to have you. I don’t want to hold you up, but I also wanted to ask about his moods. How is he handling everything? He can get very moody sometimes.”
Jenna chewed on her lip. This wasn’t the normal conversation she’d have with a patient’s parent, but something prompted her to share honestly with Mitchell’s mother. She directed the woman to a private alcove and spoke quietly. “I’m glad you asked that. I’ve been surprised by how much he’s started to share with me. Despite his jokes, I think he’s scared, and he’s starting to think about the consequences of his behaviour.”
Marylin let out a relieved sigh. “That’s so good to hear. You don’t know how worried I’ve been about him. And it doesn’t surprise me that he’s sharing more with you than he would with me. You’re young, pretty, and not engaged with our family dynamics. Keep doing what you’re doing, Jenna. You’ve been a huge help to him already and I’d love to see that continue.” Marylin smiled and patted Jenna’s wrist before turning and heading towards her son’s room.
Lost for words, Jenna’s mouth fell open. Receiving such praise and encouragement from Marylin Carmichael was totally unexpected, but being given a green light to help him was an answer to prayer. Maybe God truly had brought Mitchell Carmichael into her ward so she could be more than just a nurse to him.
As she headed to the labs with his blood, she prayed for wisdom, because she sensed she was going to need lots of it in the days to come.
Chapter 7
“It’s what you deserve for being such a waste of time,” James Carmichael spat harshly through a clenched mouth.
Mitch knew the tone. It was the one his father used when he didn’t want anyone to hear him berating his son. The voice he used when he didn’t want people overhearing the family’s drama. Especially the drama that had brought Mitch to the hospital.
Perhaps he really did deserve this. Maybe this lawsuit was exactly what he had coming. Maybe he really was just a pathetic person. A waste of time.
“You end up with a few broken bones while that girl is in a terrible state. They should throw you in jail now. I’m sure that’s where you’ll be soon enough, and I’m glad for it. It means I won’t have to bother cleaning up after you anymore. The whole world already knows what you’re like. This way, we don’t have to pretend,” his father continued.
“I get it, Dad,” Mitch mumbled.
“I don’t think you get much of anything through that useless brain of yours. It’s rotted from all the junk you’ve put into your system. There’s no way you’ll ever be able to run the company. No, you’re so determined to not be like me that you’ve succeeded. Congratulations on being a failure.”
Mitch turned his head and stopped responding, knowing all too well that his dad wouldn’t stop there. He hated listening to his father berating him, but even at age twenty-nine, he had no choice in the matter. He’d try to ignore the hate and disgust that flowed from his father’s mouth, but he knew it would still seep into his heart.
The verbal attack continued, but finally his father left the room wearing the same angry expression he’d worn when he arrived.
Moments later, Jenna entered his room and headed for the chart.
“Hey.” He let out a long, audible breath.
“Hi.” Her voice was soft, her brows furrowed. “Seems like you’ve had a rough day.”
“You could say that.” Rubbing his neck, he uttered a soft curse as pain shot up his legs. He’d come to detest the plaster casts and couldn’t wait to be rid of them.
“Want to talk about it?”
He shook his head but then figured he may as well. She was bound to find out soon enough. He swallowed hard. “Kendra’s family are getting the lawsuit together, and my dad said he won’t help me pay. I’ll probably lose my entire trust fund. So, basically, I’m going to be nothing.” He fought to control the tsunami of emotions swirling inside his gut. The prospect of losing the trust fund he’d been banking on all his life filled him with despair.
Shifting away from the end of his bed, Jenna stood beside him and eyed him with a calculating expression. “You’re saying you’ll be nothing if you don’t have money?”
“Pretty much.” He picked at the sheet and
lowered his gaze. His whole world was crumbling and a heavy invisible weight had settled in his stomach.
“You know, even if you lose everything, it’s not the end of the world. A lot of people survive on next to nothing.”
“I’m not one of them. I wouldn’t even know where to start.”
A spark lit in her eye and her mouth turned up at one corner. “I’ve got an idea. This might sound really strange, but hear me out.”
“Okay...”
“Try it. Try living like most people do for two months. If you’re saying you’re nothing without money, then prove it.”
“You’ve got to be joking.” Studying her face, he realised she was entirely serious.
“No, I’m not joking. If you’re going to lose your fortune anyway, you may as well have some practice. I can help you.”
The idea was ridiculous. How could he live like everybody else? He’d always had money at his beck and call and wanted for nothing. There was no way he could do it.
“After you’re released, live like a normal person for two whole months.”
Two whole months? Who was she kidding? He folded his arms. “I can’t do it.”
“If you lose the lawsuit, you might not have a choice. Treat this as a practice run.”
He had no idea how to go about living a normal life. What did it even look like? He was used to fast cars and fast women, luxurious penthouses and expensive holidays. No, that wasn’t true—his whole life had been one expensive holiday according to his father. He’d dabbled with University for a semester but threw it away. Who needed to study when you had a billion dollars?
But he’d come to respect this nurse, the first woman who’d challenged his lifestyle and thinking. Maybe he should accept her challenge, if only to win her over. To prove to her that he could do it. “What would I need do?” he asked cautiously.
“First, you’d need a job. You’d live in a normal house, and you’d have to use public transport since you don’t have a car.”
“I’ve never worked in my life.”
“Don’t you think it’s time you did?”
“Not really.” He’d always considered work a four-lettered word. Having fun had always held more appeal, but the shine had begun to wane. “Maybe, but I don’t know what I could do.”
“We’ll work something out. I have a few ideas.” She grinned.
He hated to think what they might be. As ludicrous as her plan sounded, maybe it could be fun. Perhaps it would help him get closer to her.
He expelled a huge breath. “If you’re so confident I can do this, if you really think it’ll teach me some sort of lesson about my values, then sure. I’ll do it. But I doubt I’ll learn anything except that without money, life sucks.”
“I guess you’ll have to wait and see.” She chuckled as she extended her hand. “Deal?”
Wincing, he took her hand and shook it. “Deal.” The moment the word left his lips, a cold knot formed in his gut and his pulse began to beat erratically. What had he done?
Chapter 8
“This has to be a joke.” Jenna’s brother, Kyle, looked at her with amusement. Exactly the look she’d expected from him when she’d floated the idea of Mitch moving in with him.
“Nope. No joke. But a whole lot of gratitude if you say yes,” she replied with a charming smile she knew could help sway her brother’s decision.
“Mitchell Carmichael?” he asked again.
“Yes. We’ve established that already. Now, are you going to think about it? He’s willing to give it a try. And this is a man who’s never been willing to try anything except a party until now. But this accident has given him a chance to change his ways,” she said soberly.
Kyle shook his head. “I don’t believe you’re even asking me, Jen. The guy’s a playboy. Everyone knows that. How can I have him live here?”
“I know it sounds unrealistic, but he needs this chance, and he’s willing to try living with other people in a normal home and working a normal job. When he first came into the hospital, I felt the same way you do right now. He disgusted me, I thought he was pitiful. But even though I couldn’t stand him, I remembered who he was. A child of God who’s simply strayed, and I had a responsibility to show him the amazing, unconditional love of Christ. Even when all I wanted to do was slap him most of the time. Well, at first I wanted to, though he’s gotten much better of late. He really needs this chance, Kyle. I believe God’s reaching out to him, and this is an opportunity to help him change his life for the better. Please consider it.”
“How spiritual of you,” Kyle responded dryly.
“Come on, Kyle. You know I’m right. Are you going to reject the Great Commission?” It was a manipulative tactic, but her brother always talked about the Great Commission, the last recorded personal instruction given by Jesus to His disciples to spread the gospel message of love, redemption and second chances to all those they came in contact with. Kyle always talked about living out the Great Commission in a global and local context and how sometimes the greatest ministry was the one right in front of you.
“I raised you too well.” He chuckled while pouring boiling water into their coffee mugs. He handed her one. “Here, drink this.”
“Thank you. No biscuit?”
“You know where they are.”
“I don’t need one, but thanks anyway.” She laughed gently. She’d looked up to her big brother from an early age, and they had a great relationship which had been cemented after losing their parents unexpectedly when he was twenty and she sixteen. He’d taken on the responsibility of raising her and had helped her through nursing school. He’d always shown her grace and made a huge effort to carry on the legacy of their parents by not only believing in God, but by living out his faith in practical ways.
He would accept her proposal. She knew that, and she sensed he was already working on ways to reach out to Mitch, even if he did think it was hilarious that a soon-to-be billionaire would be living in his house.
Kyle slipped onto a stool beside her and sipped his coffee. “I’ll talk to Yonas. He’ll probably agree to it, although he’ll think it’s hilarious. But if the dude starts throwing parties or if I find even a whiff of drugs in the house, he’s out the door before he has a chance to explain himself.”
“I think we can give him a chance to explain, but I’m agreed on the consequence. He won’t have any substances of any kind: I’ll make sure of that.”
“Or parties.”
“Or parties.”
“As to the other request, I’m not sure.”
“Oh, come on, Kyle. He needs a job, and you can give him one.”
“Yeah, but you’re talking about a job on a construction site. This is a guy who’s spent months in the hospital recovering from injuries. What’s he supposed to do? Should I put him over everyone and make him a supervisor? I’m sure the guys would love that.”
“There has to be something he can do.”
“Honestly, Jen, even the supervisors work their tails off. I doubt he’d be able to do anything.”
“He’s healing quickly. And if he can do some light labour, maybe it’ll give you guys a break from some of the menial tasks.”
“There aren’t many menial tasks for a labourer.”
“Okay, but if he takes it slowly, he should be okay. I think his physical therapist would be thrilled if he was doing stuff that was light but active. And his casts are coming off this week.”
Kyle raked his hands across his short, blond hair. “Alright, let me figure something out. We do inventory once a week and the rest of us hate that and we take turns to avoid it. So that could take up a day every week. And maybe we can have him do some of the general clean up. It’ll be boring and he’ll probably get teased by the guys, but I’ll give them a heads up about his situation.”
“Thank you so much.” Jenna threw her arms around him.
“Don’t thank me yet. We need more bodies, but I don’t know that a broken body is going to do it for us.�
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“Come on now, Pastor Kyle. A broken body has done so much more than this for you.” She kissed him on the cheek.
He looked at her and shook his head, although he wore a grin. “Man, you really are working the Christian angle on this. You must care a lot for this guy. Maybe more than I realised.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m just doing what I feel led to do. And I think Mitch is going to be a different person before we know it.” But she felt her cheeks grow warm and knew that his words were partly true. She did care a lot for Mitch, but not in the way her brother insinuated. Or at least, that’s what she told herself.
Chapter 9
“I’ve got you a job!” Jenna announced excitedly as she stood beside Mitch’s bed.
“Really?” He gulped. He knew the panic he suddenly felt showed on his face.
“You thought I wasn’t serious about it?”
“I thought you wouldn’t find anyone prepared to employ someone like me. Do you have any idea how hard it is for someone with my public image to find a job? Not that I’ve tried...”
“Yes, I learned that quickly when people laughed each time I brought up the subject.”
“You’re not exactly inspiring confidence. So, what is this grand job? Am I going to be a waiter?”
Billionaires with Heart Boxset: Christian Romance Series Page 27