He raised his head and looked at her, but before he could worry about what she’d seen or done, she bent down and put a soft kiss to his lips.
“I think I’ll see what Cady has for a snack? Want anything?” Tess asked, standing at the door. “I’ll bring you some more ice, too.”
“Yeah. Anything is fine,” he said, trying to focus on the question. Every time she touched him, Travis found it challenging to think. He was getting used to the feel of her hands on his back when she moved down to check his leg. When she pulled on his shorts, he felt fire zip up his leg and through his chest. How could he be in so much pain, yet still want her so badly? It was insane.
Tess returned with ice packs followed by Cady carrying a tray with glasses of milk and two slices of chocolate pie.
The girls put on the ice, helped him roll over and get settled before Cady set the tray across his lap. Tess took one piece of pie and a glass of milk, sitting down on the chair by the bed.
“So, Tess said you had a nice massage and are feeling a little better,” Cady said, sitting on the edge of the bed by Travis’ feet.
“I am feeling better, thanks. And thanks for today, Cady. I know I wasn’t a very good patient and I’m sorry,” Travis said, feeling remorseful. Taking a bite of the pie, he closed his eyes and enjoyed the treat. “This is really good pie. You haven’t made chocolate for a while.”
“I know. It’s one of my favorites, but most of you men prefer fruit pie to cream filling,” Cady said with a smile.
“I’m not partial. My granddaddy used to say he only liked two kinds of pie - hot and cold,” Travis said, making the two women laugh.
“Well, that is a welcome sound,” Trey said, strolling in the room. “Are you feeling better, bro?”
“A little,” Travis said, nodding his head and eating his pie. “Did you get some pie? Cady outdid herself.”
“Yeah, I had a piece after dinner, but another one sounds pretty good. Is there any left, darlin’?” Trey asked, relieved to see Travis talking and smiling.
“There’s one piece left and if you promise to let me have a bite or two, you can have it,” Cady said, getting up to get the pie.
“Deal,” Trey said, dragging the straight back chair to the end of Travis’ bed while Cady went to get the pie. When she came back, Trey pulled her onto his lap and fed her a few bites of pie while he ate the rest. They visited with Tess and Travis for a while before Travis yawned and felt exhaustion pull his eyelids down.
“I think that’s our signal to clear out,” Cady said, picking up the tray on his lap and kissing his cheek. “Rest well, Trav.”
“Thanks, Cady,” he said, fighting to stay awake.
Tess followed Cady and Trey offered to help Travis get ready for bed. For some reason it bothered him more to have Trey assist him than Trent, but since Trent wasn’t around, Travis didn’t have a lot of choice in the matter.
Trey sat quietly with Travis until his eyes closed and he drifted off to sleep. Leaning over him, Trey adjusted the sheet and put a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Sleep well, little bro.”
Turning off the bedside lamp, Trey partially closed the door before retiring for the night.
Trent returned from taking Lindsay home and by the time he came in, the house was quiet and some of the tension seemed to have lifted. He looked in on Travis and saw he was sleeping peacefully. Taking a shower and getting ready for bed, he looked in again and decided to leave Travis alone as long as he was resting. He knew Tess would check on him as well and set his alarm for a couple of hours later.
Each time Tess and Trent checked on Travis through the night, he slept deep and restful, so they didn’t bother with the ice packs. Tess thought it was more important at this point for Travis to rest than to have the ice. They could keep them on diligently during the day.
As she sat watching him sleep, tears dripped down her cheeks. In slumber, Travis still had the look of the little boy she first learned to love. That boy was full of adventure and mischief with a big heart and bright mind. Despite his current troubled and wounded state, somewhere inside there was still a boy full of life and excitement and dreams.
A boy she still loved.
Chapter Fifteen
Love is the best medicine, and there is more than enough to go around once you open your heart.
Julie Marie
Checking on Travis throughout the night, Tess and Trent were both exhausted by the time the first rays of morning light filtered in the windows. Sitting drowsily over a cup of strong coffee, Tess hid a huge yawn behind her hand. Trent didn’t look much better than she felt when he came in and sat down at the counter beside her.
“He slept well. Cady said you gave him a massage before bed. It must have really relaxed him,” Trent said, rolling his neck and stretching his arms.
“I think it did help,” Tess said, sipping her coffee. “We can try it again tonight and see if it helps him sleep. I didn’t put ice on him all night because he looked so peaceful. Did you?”
“No, every time I checked on him, he was sleeping, so I let him be. I guess we should probably roll him over and get some on pretty soon,” Trent said, pouring himself a cup of coffee.
After breakfast, Trey and Trent helped Travis take a bath and get ready for the day. When Travis was settled back in bed, Cady brought in breakfast while Tess put ice on his legs and pointed out the colors of the bruising on his thighs.
“The third day is when the bruising really shows up,” she said. Trey and Trent were impressed by both the size and color of the bruising, knowing how much it had to hurt. “We’ll alternate heat and ice applications today and tomorrow. I’ve got some heat packs in my trunk we can put in the microwave.”
“So how long do we have to keep doing this?” Travis asked, eating his breakfast croissant filled with cheese, eggs and ham, along with a bowl of sliced fresh peaches.
“The ice and heat?” Tess asked and Travis nodded. “I think another two to three days should be sufficient. Then we’ll see about getting you up on crutches. It would be great if someone has an exercise bike you could borrow, because it is one of the best ways to get you into therapy. That or swimming and since there aren’t any pools nearby, I think a bike is the best bet.
“I can order one today,” Trey said, thinking he could express ship one and it would arrive in a few days.
“No need,” Trent said with a knowing smile. “Lindsay has one she doesn’t use in her weight room. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind Travis using it. We could even set it up in here if you want.”
“That would be perfect,” Tess answered. “We’re looking at two to three months of therapy and probably four to five months before Travis is back at one hundred percent, so anything like that will be a big help.”
“What?” Travis said, choking on his glass of milk. Cady grabbed a napkin and wiped at the milk he spilled on his chest and Trey propped him up while he coughed. When he could talk again he looked at Tess. “How long did you say?”
“Two to three months of therapy. You won’t regain your strength and mobility overnight and every time you over do, you’ll set yourself back. It is imperative you follow your prescribed exercise regimen to the letter,” Tess said, sounding authoritative and professional.
Travis pushed aside his tray as a black cloud settled on his face. Months. He was going to be a bed-ridden invalid for months. He didn’t think he could survive it
“How long before I can get out of bed and walk by myself?” he asked, his voice taking on a hard edge.
“It depends,” Tess said, backing up a step. She didn’t like the look in Travis eyes and could see a storm brewing there.
“On?” he asked, clenching his jaw.
“How well you are healing, your pain tolerance, your attitude,” Tess said. “It all factors in.”
“Will I be able to walk for Trent’s wedding?” Trent asked Trey and Travis to both stand up with him and Travis didn’t want to miss out.
“There’s a sligh
t possibility,” Tess said, looking Travis in the eye. She wouldn’t sugarcoat the truth, but the wedding was just a month away. He would most likely still be on crutches.
“Leave me alone,” Travis said, visibly putting up a mental wall. He was starting to wish they would just take him out to the back forty and shoot him. He would go completely mad if he had to spend two more days in this bed, let alone weeks. “Get out and leave me alone.”
Cady picked up his breakfast tray and the rest of them exited the room. Tess went back to bed, knowing there was nothing she could do to help Travis at the moment and decided to leave him alone with his sour mood for a while.
Travis took off his milk-soaked T-shirt and threw it at his clothes hamper, annoyed that he couldn’t even do something as simple as get himself a clean shirt.
With Cass outside playing and Lindsay running some wedding errands, Cady finished up the breakfast dishes while Trey and Trent discussed Travis.
Their discussion soon turned into an argument that had Trent slamming out of the house and storming off to the hayfield. Not done venting his anger, Trey turned to Cady and unleashed his frustration on her.
Travis couldn’t hear what was being said, but he could hear the raised voices, feel the anger in the house. He’d never seen or heard Trey and Cady fight. They were the perpetual honeymooners. Whatever had caused the disagreement was somehow tied to him and he was disturbed to know he was not only grieving his brother, but putting a strain on his relationship with his beloved wife.
Closing his eyes, he released a sigh, wishing he had never come home. He should have stayed in the service and let them kill him off in a war zone.
Ready to settle into a pity party, he was surprised when he felt something flop on the bed and heard crying. Opening his eyes, he looked down to see Cass sobbing into the sheet by his chest.
“Hey, kiddo, what’s wrong?” Travis said, scooting back so he was more in a sitting position before picking up Cass and holding her so her cheek rested against his. “What’s wrong, Cass?”
“Mama and Daddy were yelling and then Daddy got really mad. That thing in his neck is hopping,” Cass sobbed. Travis knew she meant the vein in Trey’s neck that throbbed when he was about ready to blow his fuse. Trent and Travis had the same tell-tale affliction when they were angry.
She lifted her head and sniffled. “Daddy told Mama to mind her own busyness, and she ran to their bedroom and slammed the door. They thought I was outside with Tommy, but I saw Uncle Trent leave with his face all red and thought he might be sick, so I ran in to tell Mama. She and Daddy were fighting. I got scared and hid behind the counter.”
“It’s okay, Cass. Everything will be okay,” Travis said, trying to soothe the little girl. He didn’t know if he could feel any lower than he did at that moment. Because of him and his thoughtless actions, his refusal to get the help he needed, he threw everyone into a tail-spin, including the innocent child crying in his arms. Travis was filled with self-loathing and regret.
“Daddy said Uncle Trent is going to call off the wedding until you get better. But then I won’t get to wear my pretty dress and Aunt Lindsay won’t get to be a princess and everyone will be so sad. Won’t they be sad, Uncle Travis?”
“Yes, they would be very, very sad, sweetheart,” Travis said, rubbing Cass’s back and kissing her cheek.
“Daddy asked Mama if she was going to cancel the party. Do you know what party, Uncle Travis? She said maybe they should and then he said that she and Uncle Trent were being stupid and then Mama called Daddy a bull-headed horses’…”
“I think I get the idea, kiddo,” Travis said, interrupting. He held Cass away from him far enough so she could look in his face and forced a smile. “Tell you what, I promise to talk to both your Daddy and Uncle Trent. I’ll get this all straightened out so you can wear your pretty dress and Aunt Lindsay can be the princess. Okay?”
“Are you sure? Mama said you can’t do anything until you get better and I’m not sposed to bother you,” Cass said, dropping her eyes as she remembered being warned to stay out of Uncle Travis’ room.
“I think I can handle it,” Travis said, finding a grin working the corners of his mouth. It was probably killing Cass to be told she couldn’t go somewhere. He knew at her age the first place he would have been was right in the middle of somewhere he wasn’t supposed to be.
“Why don’t you leave your folks alone for a while? If you go get one of your books, maybe you could read it to me and help me feel better,” Travis said, not looking forward to another fairy story, but wanting to make the little girl forget her worries.
“Okay,” Cass said, jumping off the bed and running out the door. He could hear her little feet pounding down the tiled floor of the hallway both coming and going, and the sound made him smile. When she returned, she was going to jump on the bed but stopped at the last second and carefully climbed up beside him.
“Daddy said your legs got hurted and you can’t walk for a while. Does it hurt lots?”Cass asked looking at the compression bands around his thighs.
“Yeah, it does hurt,” Travis said, settling her against his side as he helped her hold the storybook. “But not as much today as it did yesterday.”
“Oh, that’s great!” Cass said with her usual enthusiasm.
Patiently listening while she tried to sound out the words at the beginning of the story, Cass soon got tired of the verbal and mental workout and decided Travis should read it to her. It was her favorite book about a fairy and her friends in a magical garden.
Travis tried to interject some fun into the story, creating a different voice for each character. He was getting tired by the time they neared the end of the book and realized Cass was unusually quiet. He smiled to see her curled against his side sleeping. He scooted down and pulled her closer, joining her for some much needed rest.
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Tess woke from a nap feeling better than she had for the last few days. She’d put in ear plugs and a mask over her eyes so she could get a good rest and managed to sleep for almost three hours. Taking a quick shower, she dressed in denim shorts and a soft blouse, leaving her wet hair loose to air dry. Putting on mascara, a swipe of lip gloss and a dab of perfume, she felt ready to take on the rest of the day and Travis.
If she had to baby and tease him into a better mood, then so be it. He would eventually quit wallowing in his mire of self-pity and see what he needed to do to return to normal. Even in his current frame of mind, Tess couldn’t wait to see him again, inhale the scent that was uniquely him, hold his calloused hand, and look into his warm blue eyes.
Sticking her head in the door, the sight that greeted her made her hand fly to her chest and her heart melt into a warm pool at her feet.
Travis and Cass were snuggled together sleeping peacefully. The big hunk even had a smile on his face as he held a purple fairy princess storybook on his bare chest. Not wanting to wake either of them, she backed out of the room and gently closed the door.
Wandering to the kitchen she was surprised to find it empty. Usually Cady was busy cooking or cleaning or doing something. She wasn’t one to just sit still.
Looking at the clock, she thought she could probably put together lunch and started by making sweet tea. Examining the contents of the fridge and the pantry, she decided to make steak salads and got out flank steak. Pouring marinade over it, she set it aside then got the rest of the salad ready and returned it to the fridge to wait until lunch.
She was making a batch of no-bake cookies when Cady came into the kitchen red-eyed and obviously upset. Seeing Tess at the stove, she shook her head and grabbed an apron.
“I’m sorry, Tess. I didn’t realize how late it was,” Cady said, swiping at her face with the apron as more tears poured down her cheeks.
Tess finished the cookies then took Cady by the shoulders, leading her to a barstool and sitting her down. Pouring them each a glass of lemonade, she looked at her friend with concern.
“What’s wrong? I’ve
never seen you like this and it would take a force of nature to keep you from having a meal ready on time,” Tess said, trying to keep her tone light.
“Trey and Trent had a huge blow up and then Trey and I had a fight. They both stormed off and I’ve been in the bedroom pouting. Trey and I have never fought like that before and I hope we don’t again,” Cady said, taking a sip of the lemonade and looking around.
“Cass! I completely forgot I sent her out to find Tommy hours ago. I’m the worst mother in the world,” Cady said jumping off the barstool and opening the kitchen door. Tess grabbed her arm with a big smile.
“You are certainly not the worst mother in the world. From what Trent says, that title belongs to Lindsay’s mother alone. Come with me,” Tess said, taking Cady’s hand in hers and leading her to Travis’ room. Cracking open the door, Tess and Cady peeked inside and Cady relaxed.
“They look so sweet,” Cady whispered as Tess shut the door and they returned to the kitchen. “Despite all his problems, Travis is always so good with her.”
“I know. I think he’ll make a great dad someday,” Tess said, then wished she could reel those words back in.
“Do you, now?” Cady said, looking at her speculatively. “Do you have anyone in mind for the mother of those children?”
“Well, I… umm… hadn’t we better get lunch ready. The guys will be ready to eat soon won’t they?” Tess asked, opening the fridge door and welcoming the cool air on her hot cheeks.
“I think he’d make you a fine husband, if he ever gets his head on straight,” Cady said, putting her arms around Tess’ shoulders. “I’d love to have you for a sister-in-law.”
“Thanks, Cady,” Tess said, turning around and giving Cady a warm hug. “I think we need to make that husband of yours a little sorry for getting you all upset this morning.”
“Oh, I think he’ll be plenty sorry after he’s had time to think about how making me mad can affect several areas of his life that he particularly enjoys,” Cady said, hoping Trey would come in for lunch in a much better frame of mind. Looking over Tess’ lunch preparations approvingly, Cady picked up the marinated steak. “Why don’t I grill the meat and you can finish up whatever you started?”
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