Where I Belong

by Charlene Bright

“Um … I guess about thirty years.”

  “Otherwise healthy?”

  “As far as I know.”

  “Good. He was trapped in the vehicle and suffered some major internal injuries. We transfused him with two units of blood before the surgery and I just ordered another unit now. We took out his spleen because it sustained some major damage. He has some severe bruising to his abdominal area, and his legs are quite cut up from the crushing metal. His right arm is broken in two places, and I’m afraid that he has a closed head injury as well. He’s not breathing on his own right now.”

  “So in English?” Drake said.

  “The injury we’re worried about and watching is the closed head. We don’t know why he hasn’t woken up yet or why he’s not breathing on his own. He has a lot of swelling around his brain and if that doesn’t go down with medication over the next twenty-four hours, he may need surgery to relieve that as well. I ordered an MRI of his head to be done first thing in the morning and when that comes back, I can let you know more.”

  That all sounded really, really bad. Drake felt sick to his stomach. “Is there still a possibility that he’ll wake up on his own?”

  “Yes. He does have brain activity, so for now, it’s wait and see.”

  That wasn’t the best news, but at least it gave him hope. “Okay. Thank you. Can I see him?”

  “Yes, absolutely. He’s there in room four. I don’t know if anyone else is here with you, but only one visitor at a time.”

  “Okay, thank you.” After the doctor left, Drake stood near the nursing station and texted Sophie what he’d learned. She texted back right away.

  Give him a kiss for us. Mom is feeling so bad.

  Please tell her to stop that and concentrate on getting better. I’ll text you after I see Mac for a bit.

  He stuck the phone in his pocket and took a deep breath before heading over to the big glass room.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Three days later, on Tuesday, Mac was still in the same condition. They’d done surgery on his head to remove the pressure on Sunday, but he still hadn’t woken up and was still not breathing on his own. Brenda, on the other hand, was doing great … physically. Although the police officer had said more than once, and even put in his report, that the slick road was what caused the accident and she was in no way at fault, she was still blaming herself.

  Sophie texted Drake early in the day to let him know the doctor was discharging Brenda. He let the nurses know he would be downstairs for a while, and he went to the second floor to Brenda’s room to see them. As soon as he walked in, Sophie got up and hugged him. He held on to her tightly for a long time, and his eyes met Brenda’s blue ones over Sophie’s head. He kissed Sophie on the side of the face and stepped over to her mother. Smiling at her, he leaned down and kissed her cheek. “I’m so glad they’re letting you bust out of here.”

  “Me too,” she said, her eyes filling with tears. “How’s Mac?”

  “He’s the same … still fighting.”

  “Do you think they’ll let me see him before I go home?”

  “I think we can arrange that,” Drake told her.

  She clutched his arm and said, “Drake, I’m so very sorry.”

  He rested his weary forehead into hers. Sophie had gotten a motel room in town, but he wouldn’t leave Mac. He slept off and on in the recliner in the room, but not much. “Brenda, please, please, please stop blaming yourself for this. The state trooper said you did absolutely nothing wrong. It was a horrible freak accident, and I am so glad that you’re okay. Mac is a tough old guy, and I believe in my heart that he’s going to come back to us … and when he does, he’s going to be just as happy that you’re okay, too.”

  “I just feel so helpless,” she said. Drake hugged her.

  “Me too,” he said. They sat like that for a long time while Sophie loaded all of the flowers and cards she’d gotten into the car she’d rented to take them home. She was touched by the outpouring of support from the people of Brook Haven, who had only so recently met Brenda. It was another reminder of what a nice place she’d chosen for them to call home.

  On Monday, Brooke had come by to see Drake, and Sophie realized as she watched them together that any jealousy she’d felt was just her own silliness. It was easy to see that their love for each other was a pure kind of love like that shared between siblings. Mrs. Larson sent some apples and a quart of lemonade with her and a note for Sophie that made her tear up.

  Remember when I told you that I thought that Tanner boy was in love with the doctor? Well, I just wanted to tell you that I was wrong. That day you and he came by to pick apples, I saw such a strong love in his eyes when he looked at you … it was the way my husband used to look at me. Hold on to that dear, and it will get you through anything. Trust me, I know. Kiss your mama for me and tell her when she’s feeling up to it to drink the magic lemonade … it will do wonders for her soul.

  Sophie kept the note in her pocket and over the next couple of days when she was feeling down, she would take it out and read it again.

  Eventually the nurse came in with Brenda’s discharge paperwork and instructions. She was to be on strict bed rest until her ribs healed. Her ankle was still healing as well. She was exchanging oxygen on her own just fine, so they weren’t worried about her lung. The cuts on her face had begun to heal and she had a black eye, but all in all she was lucky, and the proof of how lucky was upstairs in the ICU. She thanked the nurses, and the three of them got onto the elevator. Drake pushed the button for the tenth floor and once they were at the ICU, he asked the nurse to let Brenda visit as long as she wanted to. While she went in to see Mac, Sophie and Drake sat together in the waiting room.

  “So … Friday is the big day,” he said.

  “What?”

  “Your grand opening,” he said. He was trying to brighten her mood. Hers seemed almost as down as Brenda’s.

  “Are you coming home?”

  The smile fell away and he said, “I can’t. I hope you know how badly I want to be there with you, but it’s over an hour’s drive and if anything happened to him while I was gone …”

  She nodded. “I know. I’m just worried about you. You’re not eating or sleeping—”

  “I’m fine.” He slipped his arm around her and held her close while they waited. Neither of them said anything after that until it was time to say goodbye. He kissed and hugged Brenda one more time before helping her into the car. Then he took Sophie in his arms and said, “I promise I’ll eat and sleep and if the opportunity presents itself, I’ll shower.” She smiled and wrinkled her nose. He laughed and kissed her forehead. “I need you to promise me something.”

  “What’s that?”

  “You don’t stress too much this week. My friend Sam, who is a veterinarian and not a carpenter by the way, is going to come and help you finish up at the inn.”

  “What? No. Drake, you shouldn’t be worrying about any of that right now.”

  “I’m not. Sam’s not as good as I am, of course.” He grinned. “But he’s pretty handy.”

  “Drake—”

  “Shh. Don’t argue with me. You worked too hard for this, and there is no way that it’s not going to happen.”

  “I just wanted you to be there so badly.”

  “I know … I’m sorry.”

  As soon as he said he was sorry, she felt guilty again. He shouldn’t be sorry about staying with his uncle. Sometimes Sophie wondered if she’d become way too self-absorbed. It was her turn to say, “Shh. Please don’t apologize to me. You have such a good heart. You always do the right thing. I can learn so much from you.”

  He pulled her back into his side and with that cute grin of his, he said, “Just you wait … I have a list of things to teach you.”

  She laughed. “That’s not what I meant.”

  “I know, baby,” he whispered. “I love you.”

  ****

  Brooke showed back up on Thursday morning. Drake met her out in the waiting ro
om and as soon as she saw him, she said, “Whew! I made it just in time. Here …” She handed him a shopping bag. He raised an eyebrow and she said, “Just look inside.” He did, and what he saw was a new pair of jeans, t-shirts, shorts, and socks as well as a razor and shaving cream, toothbrush, and toothpaste. He smiled.

  “Are you trying to say I stink?”

  “I would never … Sophie asked me to bring them.”

  “Is she doing okay?” They’d talked on the phone several times since she took Brenda home. He could tell that she was trying to put on a happy face, but she didn’t sound truly happy.

  “I don’t really know her that well. She seems a little stressed, but that’s to be expected. She misses you, that much I can see on her face.”

  “How are things going for the opening tomorrow?”

  “I went inside today when I stopped by to pick these things up because I wanted to check out Brenda’s ankle. The place looks beautiful. I think it’s going to be a big hit with the tourists.”

  “Good. She’s worked so hard. She deserves good things.”

  Brooke put her hand on his face and said, “So do you.”

  “They’re coming,” he said. “Soon.”

  Brooke smiled and asked him, “How did you become so disgustingly positive?”

  He laughed. “I just pretend like I am to annoy you,” he said.

  Drake talked one of the nurses into letting him use the shower in one of the empty rooms while Brooke visited Mac. When he was showered and shaved and dressed in clean clothes, he felt slightly more human. He called Sophie before he went back to the ICU.

  “Hey! How are you?” she answered. “How’s Mac?”

  “He’s the same, and I’m great now. Thank you for the clothes and things. You didn’t have to do that.”

  “I really did. The nurses called and said you stink.”

  He laughed. “Not anymore. How are things going there?”

  “Good. Everything is ready, I think. Sam has been a big help and Mrs. Larson has been over with her helpful tips. The only thing missing is you.”

  “I’m sor—”

  “Don’t say it! You have nothing to be sorry for. I just miss you. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

  “Monday.”

  “No,” she pouted. “Monday is too far away.”

  “Get through your opening weekend and the Harvest Festival, and I’ll see you on Monday.”

  “I will see you soon,” she said.

  “I love you, Sophie.”

  She still didn’t say it back, but he was okay with it. He could see it when she looked at him and he could hear it in her voice. Words didn’t mean a thing. Anyone could say the words. He looked down at his new clean clothes and thought, It’s the little things that matter.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Sophie woke up on Friday morning with butterflies the size of dragons in her belly. Her dream was finally becoming a reality. She stood in front of the mirror on her vanity and looked at herself. She didn’t look happy. She didn’t look like a woman about to realize her dream. The truth was she didn’t feel it either. All she felt was nerves … and not the good kind.

  The night before, she’d finally admitted to her mother that the joy she thought she would feel when this day happened was just not there. When Brenda asked her what it would take for her to feel that joy, she didn’t hesitate. “Drake,” she said, and then, “Oh, Mom, I want to be with Drake. I want to give everyone their deposits back, tell them how sorry I am, lock the doors, and go be with Drake. He needs me, Mom. He needs me there.”

  “Then go,” Brenda had said simply, as if it were as easy as that.

  “What about the people already on their way here? Everything in town is booked—”

  “I’ll open the inn for you.”

  Sophie laughed. “I love you, Mom. You have three cracked ribs and you’re still limping around on that ankle … so, no. But it was so sweet of you to offer.”

  She’d finally left Brenda’s room and gone upstairs after midnight. It was two or three a.m. before she fell asleep and six when she woke up. She showered and was dressed by eight. She’d pictured this day a million times in her head, but never like this. She didn’t even want to be here. All she wanted was Drake.

  “Sophie?” She heard her mother’s voice on the intercom she’d asked Sam to install in the downstairs room Brenda was staying in while she healed.

  “Yeah, Mom, are you okay?”

  “I’m good, honey. I was wondering if you could come downstairs for a minute though … after you’re dressed?”

  “I’m dressed. I’ll be right there.”

  Sophie took one last long look at herself and wondered if it was a reflection she should be proud of. Every time she asked herself where Drake would be if the shoe were on the other foot, the answer was clear. He would be wherever she was, and she knew it.

  She made her way downstairs and when she got to the last step, she heard voices in the dining room. She followed them and was shocked when she walked in on her mother, Mrs. Larson, Brooke, Brooke’s nurse, and three of the ladies from Brenda’s quilting group sitting at the big dining room table. “Hi everyone. What’s going on?”

  Brenda looked up and smiled. Before she could say anything, Sam hurried in. “Sorry I’m late. The Lindons’ cow had a baby last night.”

  Sophie smiled. “Late for what?”

  “We have a grand opening to get ready for,” Brenda told her. “I called on a couple of friends, and I told them your heart was with Drake and Mac and you wanted the rest of you to be as well. These fine ladies …”—she looked at Sam—“and gentleman rushed right over to help. Go be with Drake and Mac, and we will take care of everything while you’re gone.”

  Sophie couldn’t believe it. She barely knew these women. They were all people who owned their own businesses and had families. They were all people who had so many things they could be and maybe should be doing, and yet they were willing to drop it all and help her. Tears were streaming down her face as she went around the table and hugged each and every one of them. She was so choked up and so overwhelmed that she had no idea what to say. She finally just pressed her hand to her heart and thanked them all. Then she kissed her mother and grabbed her keys. She was going to be where she belonged underneath the Harvest Moon … at the side of the man she loved.

  ****

  “So … I know it’s a downer that Beth is gone, but it’s fall and apple harvesting time and it’s also Marmee’s sixtieth birthday.” Mac groaned. Drake went on explaining why he thought Little Women’s ending wasn’t as sad as some people often said it was. It had been the only book the nurse could find for him in the ICU when he asked for one to read to his uncle. In spite of himself, he’d loved it. Not that he’d ever admit that to Mac if he was awake.

  “So they have this big harvest party and birthday party at Jo’s place. Jo has three daughters now …” Mac groaned again. That time it hit Drake. “Uncle Mac?” He saw Mac’s eyelids flutter. His eyes stayed closed, but they were definitely moving underneath there. “Oh my God! Uncle Mac, are you waking up?” Another loud groan, and then Mac’s hand moved. He was trying to lift it up. Drake’s face broke out in a wide smile. “Stay right here, I’ll get the nurse.” He ran out to the nurse’s station and found Marla. She had been Mac’s day nurse all week. “He’s groaning and moving his eyes and he’s trying to lift his hand …”

  Marla was on her feet at once. Drake liked that she didn’t ask him to repeat all of that. She simply followed him to the room and set about taking vital signs and talking to Mac. “Hey, Mr. Tanner, are you waking up? Come on and open those eyes. I’d like to see what they look like. Come on, Mr. Tanner, I’ve been here all week. I’m off this weekend. Wake up for me today or my co-workers will take all the credit.”

  Mac groaned, and suddenly it looked like he was trying to lift his head. His arms were shaking convulsively, but it didn’t look like he was having a seizure—it looked like he was trying with
all of his might to move them. “I’m going to get the doctor, Mr. Tanner. Don’t go anywhere.”

  Drake smiled. He was glad to know he wasn’t the only one who said silly things like that to a man in a coma.

  “Hey Uncle Mac, I’m here. Wake up, okay? I really want to take you home. Please wake up. If you wake up, I won’t read any more Little Women to you.” Drake wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, but it actually looked like Mac tried to smile. Then he started choking and the entire team ran in. He was pushed out into the hallway, and for a few minutes he just stood there helplessly. He’d been thinking something good was happening … but what if it were the opposite? What if those noises were him getting ready to die? What would he do without him?

  “Drake?” He thought he imagined the sound of Sophie’s voice, so he didn’t even turn around. God, he missed her. “Drake!” That time it was even louder and clearer. He turned toward the sound of it and saw her beautiful face. She had the hallway door open a crack and she was looking in at him.

  “Sophie … what are you doing here?”

  She waved him over. When he got to the door, she pulled him through it and said, “First of all, don’t even try to send me away because I’m not going. I need to be here with you. I want to be here with you. I am going to be here with you and no one is going to stop me … and you want to know why?”

  She was so passionate and so damned cute. He was holding back a smile as he said, “Why?”

  “Because I am in love with you, Drake Tanner. You are my happily ever after. I look at you and see forever. Not that house … you. If I don’t have you, then none of the rest of it will matter.” She had tears streaming down her pretty face. He pulled her into his chest and held her while the tears welled up in his eyes as well. She loves me! He held her back and looked at her face.

  “I’m not sending you back,” he said with a grin. “Not ever. I love you so much.”

  “I love you so much. Kiss me, Drake.”

  He didn’t hesitate. He pulled her up so that she was almost all the way off her feet and he covered her warm, soft mouth with his. She parted her sweet lips, and he let his tongue taste them first before delving into her mouth. Her tongue came up and met his as the passionate kiss went on and on. The only reason they broke was for air, and given half the chance, both of them would have passed on that. Breathless and struggling to get his voice back, Drake smiled and said, “I think Mac is waking up.”