by Dale Mayer
It was late in the afternoon when Brock made his way to his bed. He hadn’t had to use crutches for a long time, but his left leg was cramping, and he felt weak today. It was a setback he wasn’t impressed with. He’d been walking pretty decently, with a limp and one crutch under his left arm, but still managing to mimic a fairly natural movement. However, today he was dragging that damned lame foot. He understood progress came in stages. He also understood, from the team meetings, how much mental processes affected the healing ability of the body. All that was fine in theory, but it was a different story when you were dealing with a setback. Resting the crutches along the bottom of the bed, he lay down with a sigh. It was such a relief to get his sore leg up. For the first time in a long time, he wondered if maybe he should just have dinner in.
He wasn’t sure what had gone wrong, but today he just felt like crap. Had the extra testing with Shane worn him down that much more? Maybe that was all it was—just a bad afternoon. Who knew? He’d read all kinds of journals about diet affecting healing and joints and what not, but he wondered how it was possible to learn to do everything. He suddenly felt disappointed with where he was at the moment. He certainly couldn’t blame Shane because the things he’d had him do hadn’t been that strenuous. The only good thing about today was the fact Shane was pleased with his progress. And Shane would know, since they’d worked together earlier, prior to Sidney’s arrival.
“Brock, you’ve come a long way,” Shane had said with an encouraging nod. “You can put the success for that squarely on Sidney and yourself.”
“So,” Brock had asked in a low tone, checking to make sure nobody else was close enough to overhear him, “Sidney didn’t pull a Marsha, then?”
Shane had smiled, patted him on the shoulder and said, “Sidney pulled a Sidney. Behaving as she always does—as a consummate professional. That she’s also allowed herself to open up to something more between the two of you just makes her very special.”
“Could she get in trouble for that?”
“That’s a little harder to determine.” Shane looked at him knowingly. “Maybe keep the little swimming pool scenarios out of the relationship for now. Actually, out of all public places.”
“That leaves nowhere else,” Brock said. “But I would never want to do anything to jeopardize her position, or her professional reputation.”
“Both have been hit lately.”
The conversation had dwindled after that.
Now Brock stared at the bedroom door. Privacy with Sidney? Today it seemed like a long way away. It wasn’t, but as he’d had a physical setback, he was pretty darned sure she’d had a setback in this place, and for that, he felt guilty as hell. If only he had more energy to make his way down to Dani’s to give an explanation. Not that there was much to be said. He wanted Sidney and had reached out and taken just a tiny delight in that kiss. He was sorry somebody had seen them. Sorry something so beautiful had become degraded. Determined to set things right, he reached for his phone and found Dani in the contacts. He hit dial and collapsed back onto the bed with the phone to his ear, waiting for her to pick up. Finally he heard a cheerful voice on the end of the phone.
“Hi, Dani. It’s Brock. Can you come to my room for a moment?”
“Sure can. I’ll be down in five.”
Brock lay with the phone at his side and waited for her to walk down the hallway. He recognized Dani’s footsteps as soon as she got close.
At the door, she knocked and then entered. She saw him and she said, “Oh dear.”
He gave a half laugh and motioned her inside. “I’m fine. Just not as good a day as some days.”
She nodded her head in commiseration. “That happens. Even for those of us that aren’t injured.”
“So true.” He remembered those days well. One tried to be upbeat and happy, but there were just some days when you got out of bed and everything seemed like shit. “Thank you for coming.”
“I’m always happy to see you. What can I do for you?”
“A couple of things. I understand Cole’s return was delayed yet again. He will be coming back, won’t he?” he asked hopefully.
She smiled. “Absolutely. I’m expecting him tomorrow morning.”
He gave a heartfelt sigh of relief. “I’ve been very worried about him.”
“We all were. We will take his adjustment slow.”
At those words, Brock studied Dani with a wry smile. “Good luck with that.”
“That’s a very perceptive comment.” She laughed. “We see it a lot. Everybody has their standards of what they think they should be doing, but the body is completely disconnected from that expectation. It will do things in the timeframe acceptable to it. That’s often difficult for people to accept.”
“Like me.” He stared down at his leg. “Progress has been phenomenal,” he said. “But after all this talk about Sidney, I was getting disturbed.”
“Oh dear, I’m sorry to hear that. Rumors are always something we try to stop, but it’s not possible. Not when there are more than two people around.” She pulled his chair over and sat down next to the bed. “What is it about Marsha’s situation that bothered you?”
“It actually made me concerned Sidney was doing the same thing—with me. Overlooking important signs that would impact my progress.” There. He had brought out the relationship between him and Sidney for the first time.
Obviously she knew because she nodded. “It’s a valid point. It would never be a good thing to have your confidence in a professional team around you eroded because of something like that.” She paused. “Are you asking for a new therapist?”
“Oh, no. No.” He shook his head. “You’re misunderstanding. Actually, I was going to talk to Sidney about it, but she brought it up herself this morning at our session. Shane was there, working, and she called him over and asked him if he could take a look at me running through some exercises and some tests to see if she had missed something.”
Dani’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “Now that’s very interesting.”
“I was quite surprised, too, however, as I had already been wondering if it’s something I should’ve brought up with her, I was actually very happy to have her bring it up for me.”
“How did Shane how feel about it?”
“He asked if this had anything to do with Marsha.”
Dani’s face clouded over. “It is amazing how one incident can permeate a professional culture and cause trouble.”
“He was happy to do it. He did tell her it wasn’t necessary, but she said she would like him to do it because she felt it was necessary.”
“I’m very glad you told me about this,” Dani said. “Are you happy with the diagnosis Shane gave you?”
Brock grinned. “He said Sidney was doing a damned good job. There were no concerns.”
At that, Dani laughed. “Yes, that’s what we like to hear.” She stood as if to leave.
“I don’t want to get Sidney into trouble,” Brock said. “So please don’t tell her I told you what happened.”
Dani looked down at him, but there was a gentle smile on her face. “That’s the thing about Sidney—she’s a professional through and through. She already came to me and told me she asked Shane to spend some time with you, going over what she’d been doing.”
At the look of relief crossing Brock’s face, she laughed. “We try to be a family here. Some members of the family are willing to do what is necessary.” She walked toward the door. “Sidney suggested there needs to be checks and balances between the physiotherapists. Something they should carry out amongst themselves on every patient.” She turned to look back at Brock. “So, thank you. It’s nice to know the team is developing better ways to serve everyone.” With that, she turned to the door.
“Wait,” he called out.
Dani turned, a questioning look on her face. “I’m sorry, I didn’t even ask if there was anything else bothering you.”
He motioned at the door. “Could you close it? What
I have to say next is a little private.”
Dani closed the bedroom door and came back toward him. “You’ve been worrying over lots of problems. Feel free to talk to me anytime.”
“I know. I just realized this has become a bigger issue.” He took a deep breath. “I want to apologize.”
The faintest frown crossed Dani’s face. “Why would you have anything to apologize for?”
“The kiss in the pool.”
He could see the understanding dawn on her face. He hurried on, wanting to get the words out.
“I also understand other people saw us.” He shook his head. “I thought for sure nobody was around. I never considered the position it would put Sidney in.” He swallowed hard. “I have to admit, given the same circumstances, it would be damned hard to not do the same thing. I’m really falling for her. It’s just that given the circumstances I crossed the line.”
“Did she push you away?” Dani asked, her voice serious but a smile playing at the corner of her lips.
“No, she didn’t. She responded wonderfully.”
Dani’s smile widened.
“Moreover, I couldn’t have expected what would happen.”
“We do know it won’t happen again in such a public place, don’t we?” she asked.
He grinned, realizing that apparently this wasn’t such a big deal. “I would hope not.”
“So then you have nothing to apologize for because if Sidney responded, then she was not upset either. Now, if you had forced her, then that would be different.”
“She definitely wasn’t unwilling.” He gave her a lopsided grin. “And for that I’m incredibly grateful.”
Dani laughed—a beautiful, chiming sound that rang around the room. “That something so beautiful can happen between you and Sidney is awesome. It was after work hours, it was on your own time. It was in the pool where somebody saw you, and that is unfortunate. In most cases, it wouldn’t be a problem. However, the person who saw you holds a grudge against Sidney, so things became nastier than they should have.”
“Marsha?” He’d already heard from Shane, but Dani confirmed it.
Dani nodded. “But you don’t have to worry, I will deal with it. Now, was there anything else bothering you?”
Her tone was teasing, and he took no offense. He’d like to think they were moving past the formalities to friendship. He’d been here long enough now he considered many of the people here friends. Of course, he considered Sidney a whole lot more, but as these people were her friends he didn’t want to alienate anyone. He shook his head. “I think that empties all the bits and pieces bugging me.”
Dani stood up. “Good, because healing will not happen while all of those issues are festering. So I’m glad you felt free enough to tell me about you and Sidney. As Sidney’s my friend, I’m delighted for her.” She gave him a big wink, turned and walked out, leaving Brock grinning like a fool.
He collapsed back with a smile on his face. So everything he thought about Sidney was true. His confidence, although slightly eroded by Marsha’s comments, went up.
He glanced down at his leg, realizing the throbbing had stopped, and although it was sorer than he had expected, his mood and spirits were up, and he was no longer feeling such a heavy burden. In fact, he was seriously thinking of a swim and shower before dinner. He desperately wanted to meet up with Sidney for dinner.
Chapter 14
Sidney stood at the entrance to the big, open dining room and studied the noisy population already in residence. The last thing she really wanted at this point was more people. She definitely didn’t want to have anything to do with the physiotherapists she worked with, one of them in particular. She was feeling very anti-people this evening. As she glanced outside at the late-afternoon sunshine and the green grass, she thought about what she really wanted.
“Sidney, what can I get you today?”
She smiled at Dennis, one of the guys working on the other side of the counter, and said, “Do you have anything to take out? I just want to get outside onto the grass, maybe sit in the pasture with the horses.”
Dennis’s face burst into a big grin. “You want a picnic? That’s awesome.” He glanced up and down the line of hot, steaming trays already out. “Is there anything here in particular you’re looking at for dinner?” he said. “I can pack it up for you. You can just bring the containers back to be washed.”
“Thank you. It all looks wonderful. But something that’s easy to eat would be better.”
Dennis pointed at the beef bourguignon. “How about a main dish of that, and a big green salad?”
“I don’t know how easy it would be to eat but it looks delicious, so yes. Thanks.” She studied the desserts and said, “I’ll come back for coffee and dessert afterward.”
“Give me five.” Dennis disappeared into the kitchen. While she waited, Sidney picked up a bottle of water to go with her dinner. Dessert was going to be a piece of divine-looking chocolate cake.
Dennis returned a few moments later with a plastic bag. He came around the buffet and opened it up to show her. Inside were a knife and a fork, and two very large containers.
“Wow, that’s a lot of food.”
“You can eat. I’ve been serving you for years. I know this is probably just round one for you.”
She laughed and added her bottle of water to the bag. She thanked Dennis, then turned and headed downstairs, stopping in at the vet’s to say hi to Stan on her way out.
“Did anybody else come to visit today?” she asked him.
“Dani’s out in the pasture. She’s brought in a new horse—an old mare heading for the glue factory.”
“Perfect, I brought a picnic dinner and I was going to head out to the pasture. Where is she?”
“She’s in the same pasture with Molly and Maggie. All three of them are getting along just fine.”
“I haven’t visited with little Molly in a while,” Sidney said. She could sense Stan studying her face. She gave him a smile. “I’m fine. Honestly. I just need a bit of food and fresh air.”
“You always know you’re welcome down here,” he said. “If you want company, I’ll bring out coffee in a little while.”
“I’d like that. Thanks.” She grabbed her bag and headed out back. Heading out through the corral system was the easiest and fastest way to get to the pastures.
Of course, almost as if they knew she was coming, Maggie and baby Molly had made their way to the fence, a big silver dapple mare behind them. But there was no sign of Dani. Sidney’d forgotten to ask Stan what the new horse’s name was. She walked over and hopped up onto the corner fence to give them each a big cuddle, and then she pulled out her hot dish. It had cooled somewhat, but now it was the perfect eating temperature. With the sun shining on her face, and the animals surrounding her and the whole of Hathaway House behind her, she dug in to enjoy her dinner.
Ignoring the weakness in his leg, Brock proceeded toward the dining room. He stood at the entrance and studied the big open room. There were a good fifty to sixty people sitting down and eating, the rumble of conversation bright and cheerful. Not at all what he wanted. He studied the faces, recognizing a lot of the people he’d come to know. There were a lot of good people here. But although he tried, he couldn’t find Sidney.
He pulled his phone out and sent her a text. Where are you?
The response surprised him. Out in the paddock with the horses. I brought dinner out here.
He studied the phone in his hand, and a slow smile came over his face. A picnic. What a great idea. Could he join her, though? What Sidney was allowed versus what he was allowed was the difference between employee and patient, but it was worth a try. She had told him where she was, so maybe that was already an invitation? He figured there were enough problems that he was much better off giving her a chance to say no. Then he stopped with that thought. What if she wasn’t being honest? He shook his head, feeling like a dithering fool.
At that moment, Dennis walked over. “He
y, what can I get you tonight?”
Brock raised his gaze to the other man and smiled. “I’m just trying to figure that out.”
His phone rang just then. He excused himself and answered the call.
“Hey Brock,” Sidney said. “When I said I was out by the horses, I meant it. I actually had Dennis pack me several containers and am sitting out here having dinner.”
“That sounds wonderful. Are you interested in company?” He tried to keep his tone neutral.
“Absolutely. Come down to the vet’s, and then head out along the hall toward the horse stalls. You’ll see me there.”
He ended the call and turned to face Dennis. “A little bird told me you packed a picnic for her. Any chance I could get the same for myself?”
Dennis flashed him a wicked grin. “Are you going to take it to eat with her?”
“Absolutely.”
Dennis laughed. “Good for you. In that case, tell me what you want, and I will pull it together.”
That was easy enough. Brock walked along the counter, hearing his stomach start to growl. His energy was picking up at the thought of food, too. He was no longer anywhere near as tired as he had been. He ordered a decent-sized dinner, and before long, Dennis was standing beside him with all of the food packed up in glass containers. He handed the bag over.
“Here. Just make sure you bring all the containers back so we can get them washed up for tomorrow.”
“Awesome.” Brock glanced at the coffee and desserts and said, “I guess I can come back for the second course?”
“Exactly what Sidney said.”
With conspiratorial grins the two men parted ways, and Brock headed down to the vet’s office. The elevator opened up on the vet’s level, and he took a left down the hallway toward the horses. He didn’t want to waste any time in conversation with the others, so he headed straight outside.
As he walked out into the sunshine, he blinked at the bright light. It took him a moment to find where Sidney was. But then he saw her. She was at the corner of one of the pens, sitting on top of the railing, eating—the horses stood right beside her.