by Verna Clay
When the story was finished, there was a long silence that Sage broke by saying, "I thank God that Hannah and Alex are safe and on the road to recovery."
There were murmurs of agreement and then Hannah changed the subject by asking her brothers to give her highlights of what she had missed in the past months. The solemn atmosphere was replaced by one of joy as they gladly filled her in.
Toby grinned widely and said, "Dovie is due to deliver in two weeks, and believe me, she looks it. Tomorrow she wants us to go shopping for more baby paraphernalia. He paused and grinned. "I have to say, I'm actually looking forward to it, and you know how much I hate shopping."
After Toby finished his updates, Preston started relaying his own. "Gus is growing like a weed and he's into everything. His favorite toys," he chuckled, "are pots and pans, especially banging lids together. I think I'm going to have to start wearing earplugs. And even though his second birthday is months away, Freckles is already planning a party at the Cortez Zoo and she wants to give Gus a puppy as his present." Preston laughed and then sighed. "I don't know why we have to go to Cortez when we already have a zoo in our backyard."
By the time they reached Paxtonville, Alex was totally engrossed in the Tanner family's tales.
Sarah said, "Alex, we're now entering Paxtonville. Our ranch is a few miles out of town."
Inwardly, Alex smiled as they drove through downtown appropriately located on Main Street. His inward smile became an outward grin at the quaint, western atmosphere.
Sage said, "Does anyone want a coffee or fancy drink from Dixie's Cuppa Joe?"
Hannah replied, "Oh that sounds heavenly. Maybe Cecelia is there."
Toby pulled into a diagonal parking space in front of a colorfully painted storefront and before he had even turned off the ignition, several people were rushing out the door to surround the van. Sage stepped outside the vehicle and slid the side door open. Everyone in the crowd started talking at the same time with welcomes, health inquiries, and even tears. A woman leaned inside the van and hugged Hannah. Again, Alex was overwhelmed by all the emotion.
Hannah said, "Alex, this is Cecelia MacKenzie, the owner of the coffee shop." To Cecelia she said, "I'd like you to meet Dr. Alex Wyndham. Without him, I wouldn't be here." Her voice cracked.
Cecelia, a pretty, middle-aged woman, shifted her gaze to Alex. Her eyes got misty when she said, "Welcome to our town. You may not know it, but you've become a hero around here." She was interrupted when the crowd agreed with her by cheering for Alex.
Alex didn't know how to respond. Thankfully, Hannah seemed to understand his shock and he was grateful when she took the attention off of him by saying, "For months, I've been craving a Happy Zappy."
Cecelia laughed, motioned to a young man in the crowd, and said, "Justin, how about making the best Happy Zappy of your career for Hannah."
The man grinned. "You got it!" He called out, "Hannah, do you want extra chocolate sprinkles and loads of whipped cream?"
Hannah made a thumbs-up motion and the smile she gave Justin was free from pain and worry. "Oh, yeah!" she exclaimed. In that simple gesture and response, Alex got a glimpse of the once carefree woman. It made his heart hurt to know the nightmare she had just gone through. A nightmare he had no remembrance of.
Cecelia said to the occupants of the van, "Okay, I'm taking orders. What does everyone want? And don't even try to pay me. It's all on the house."
Sarah said, "I'll have a Mocha Madness."
Sage said, "Black coffee."
Cecelia turned to Alex, "What can we get you? We can make just about any coffee drink ever invented. We also have tea and juice."
"Do you have Earl Grey?"
"Yes. With sugar and cream?"
"A little cream only."
Cecelia moved her gaze to Toby and Preston and they added their orders. She turned to the woman beside her. "Tilly, would you let Justin know the rest of the orders?"
"I shore will," drawled a woman, probably in her thirties, wearing a yellow apron with the logo and name of the coffee house emblazoned across it.
Cecelia asked Sage, "Are ya'll coming inside?"
"No. We're pretty tired."
Several people called farewells and the gathering began to disperse. By the time workers from the coffee shop finished delivering drinks, only a few well-wishers remained. Alex caught Hannah's eye and his heart kicked when she smiled and repeated her father's earlier words, "Home sweet home."
Chapter 21: Ranch Life
From his first glimpse of the Lazy M Ranch as the van pulled to the front of large, impressive, two-sectioned, ornamental iron gates that swung inward as they approached, and then a winding road that seemed endless, with cattle, horses and cowboys dotting the adjacent fields, Alex was enthralled. When they rounded a bend and a country home, boxy and simple in its layout came into view, surrounded by magnificent barns, corrals, and a long dorm, Alex had a sudden flashback of reading books about the American Wild West as a child. This wasn't the Wild West of the 1800s, but it was close enough to give him goose bumps. He tried to embrace the flashback with additional memories, but there were none.
Toby parked in front of the house and said, "You're back home, little sis."
Hannah released a long sigh. "Yes, and it's wonderful."
As Sage lowered the wheelchair ramp and pushed Alex's chair onto asphalt, an elderly cowboy quickly approached and the family called out greetings. Alex smiled inwardly when he discovered the cowboy's name was Beaner. Beaner helped Hannah from the van and she said with confidence, "I won't be in this wheelchair for long."
The leathery skinned and lanky cowboy grinned. "Not long at all, li'l darlin'."
Toby and Preston busied themselves unloading the van as another cowboy, who introduced himself as Lester, started pushing Alex toward the house. He paused when there were squeals from the closest barn and three women rushed toward the new arrivals. Two of them ran toward Hannah, while the third, obviously pregnant, followed with the aid of a cane.
"We were so worried about you!" said a redhead with more freckles than Alex had ever seen on anyone, as she bent to hug Hannah. The other woman went down on her knees to greet her, and Alex figured this was Hannah's half-sister. The pregnant woman with the cane, who must be Toby's wife, reached them. His trained eye realized she had a prosthetic arm and leg. After the women expressed their affection to Hannah, they turned their attention on Alex. Hannah said, "Freckles, Dovie, Julie, I'd like you to meet Dr. Alexavier Wyndham. We worked together in Africa and I owe him my life."
The ladies gushed more greetings and Alex responded politely. The one thing he had come to realize about himself was that he was not an overly demonstrative man. It made him wonder how he would fit in with this effervescent family during his recovery. Had he made a mistake in coming here?
Hannah could see that Alex was exhausted as he politely greeted and responded to questions from her sister and sisters-in-law. She was glad when the unloading was complete and her brothers approached their wives, kissing and hugging them. She asked her sister, "Where's Jacob and Maudie and Missy?" She moved her gaze to Freckles. "And where's Gus?"
Freckles grinned. "Jacob took Gus to the store to pick up a few items for Hank for tonight's supper. They should be back soon."
Julie said, "Maudie's the lead counselor at the Teens for Integrity Girl Scout Camp this week, and since Missy is now thirteen, she's joined the group. They'll be back in a week."
Hannah grinned at Dovie and reached to touch her stomach. "Is the baby kicking much?"
Dovie laughed. "Always," and placed her prosthetic hand on the side of her big belly. "Feel here."
Hannah moved her hand over and a moment later she felt a kick and laughed.
Sage called out, "Looks like everything is unloaded." He turned toward Alex. "You have a room in the dorm because it was designed to accommodate wheelchairs. Hank is our cook and he's already preparing a mouthwatering meal for tonight, but for now, he's got sandwiches a
nd snacks laid out." Sage made a waving motion toward the dorm and said to the group, "Why don't we eat a bite, show Alex to his room, and then let him rest?"
Sarah agreed, "Sounds like a plan. I'm starving."
Freckles started pushing Hannah's wheelchair while Dovie and Julie walked alongside.
Soon the dorm was filled with laughter and gaiety as platters of sandwiches were passed around. Jacob returned with Gus, and Hannah insisted the toddler's highchair be placed next to her wheelchair. Surreptitiously, she watched Alex. Before the attack they'd envisioned a beautiful life raising their own children. If only he could remember me. She felt a sudden wave of panic when she considered that he might never remember her or their one incredible night. She blinked back tears.
Beside her, Freckles, who was always outspoken, bent to whisper in her ear. "Dad said he has amnesia. You and he were lovers, weren't you?"
Hannah nodded and gulped back the lump in her throat. "Please don't say anything."
"I promise I won't." She hesitated. "Even if he never remembers, he's got the hots for you. He can't keep his eyes off you."
The observation shocked Hannah, but also gave her a burst of hope. "Really?"
"Yes. Really."
Sage called for everyone's attention. "I know we have a lot to catch up on, but we've had a massively long journey and we're all in need of decent sleep. Toby, Preston, why don't you get Alex settled in his room?" To Alex he said, "Son, if you need anything, there's an intercom in your room that will connect with whoever's on duty. Hank serves dinner at six but if you're too tired to join us, just use your intercom to let us know. Hank will be happy to bring a tray to your room."
Alex replied, "Thank you, sir. And I thank everyone for such a warm welcome." He scanned the gathering and rested his gaze on Hannah.
Hannah's stomach filled with butterflies as she gave him a little smile.
Over the next week Alex overcame his jetlag and began familiarizing himself with ranch life. Sage and his crew were early risers, always working the ranch by five, breaking at seven for breakfast in the dorm's great room, and then returning to work by seven forty-five.
Hank explained to Alex that the hands had once resided in the dorm, but as the dude ranch expanded, one of the barns had been converted to accommodate them. He said with enthusiasm, "And they're damn nice digs! Sage and Sarah are the best people in the world!" From what Alex had observed, he wholeheartedly agreed.
Also, during that first week, he met his new doctor and physical therapist. After reviewing Alex's history, Dr. Casper immediately set Alex up for physical therapy with James Thatcher, a jovial middle-aged man who had relocated from a prestigious hospital in California because he loved Paxtonville's small town charm. Alex's therapy was scheduled four times a week and the first session began on Monday of his second week. By Friday of that week, the therapy had become intensive and grueling. However, Alex never complained as he strived for complete recovery of his lower limbs. And although frustrated at times, he never expressed it to James or anyone else, and especially not in cell phone conversations with Morgana or his family.
At the completion of his third week at the ranch, he was well into his routine: breakfast with the ranch hands and family members, physical therapy in town, return to the ranch for lunch, free time to read or watch ranch activities, dinner, conversations or a movie after dinner, bed by nine, and then a repeat the next day.
He was dying of boredom.
The best part of his day became the time spent with Hannah. True to her word, she was out of her wheelchair by the end of the first week. Their conversations mostly centered on their work in Africa as she related stories of his patients and village life. Many of the stories were funny or nostalgic and Alex got the impression that he had loved his life there. One afternoon as they sat on the patio of the main house watching cowboys herd cattle into a chute, he asked, "Did you enjoy working with me?"
She met his gaze and replied, "Absolutely."
Unexpectedly, something flashed through his mind. He frowned and said, "Did you and I treat a child bitten by a snake?"
He heard Hannah's sharp intake of breath before she replied excitedly, "Yes! How much do you remember?"
He sighed. "I only saw a flash of you and me and a small child, but I knew he had been bitten by a snake." He shook his head in frustration and rubbed a hand down his jaw. He hadn't spoken his feelings aloud to anyone and he didn't want to burden Hannah. He asked, "Did the child survive?"
"Oh, yes. You saved his life." She paused before observing, "Alex, you have a tendency to keep things bottled up. I want you to know you can tell me anything."
The compassion in her eyes overwhelmed him and his eyes misted. He had the feeling that with anyone else he would have been appalled to show weakness, but with Hannah it somehow seemed right. "I'm just so bloody frustrated. What if I never regain my memory, or even worse, my mobility? What if I'm condemned to this wheelchair forever? What if I can never practice medicine again?" He balled his hands into fists and held them tightly in his lap. He stared at them and then lifted a tortured gaze to Hannah. "I remember everything about the practice of medicine and how to diagnose and treat patients, so why can't I remember my life?" Before Hannah could respond he answered his own question. "Of course I know the answer because I'm a doctor and understand brain injuries, but it doesn't help my frustration." He felt Hannah's hands covering his fists and closed his eyes. Slowly, he unclenched his hands and turned them over to entwine his fingers with hers. She said softly, "You've forgotten something very important, Alex."
He opened his eyes and stared into hers. There was no mistaking her resolve that he understand something. He grinned slightly and said, "Okay, give it to me."
In a no-nonsense tone she said, "You're alive."
Alex sighed and said, "You're right. I need to stop–"
Her cell phone rang with an old tune she loved, Dreamlover by Mariah Carey. She removed her hands from Alex's and answered the call. "Howdy, Mom. I hope you're about to tell me Dovie's having the baby."
"Yes! Toby just called and they're at the hospital. Your father and I are getting ready to leave now. Do you want to ride with us?"
"Do chickens cross the road? You bet I do! I'll be over in five minutes."
She hung up and grinned at Alex. "A week overdue, but Dovie is finally in labor. Do you want to come with us?"
"No. This is a family affair. Call me as soon as the baby is born, though."
For a brief moment, Hannah reached once more to cover Alex's hands in his lap, and then rushed for the door thinking, Alex, you are my family.
Chapter 22: Buttercup
Hannah lay in bed reliving the birth of Hope that afternoon. The child hadn't balked at entering the world; she'd been born three hours after Dovie's arrival at the hospital, and, according to Toby, come out yelling like a banshee. When Hannah and the family first saw Hope through the nursery glass, she was still yelling. The baby was beautiful and all of her limbs perfectly formed. She would never have to face the same challenges as her mother. Hannah grinned. Tomorrow, Hope would be moved to Dovie's hospital room where everyone could hold her.
Turning her thoughts to Alex, she felt encouraged by his flashback of the snake incident, but she knew he was struggling with depression. For the millionth time she wondered if she should tell him about their relationship, but finally rejected that inclination. It would only embarrass both of them and put more pressure on him.
The next morning while showering, she got a fantastic idea. After the family's visit with Dovie and baby Hope, in which everyone welcomed the latest Tanner, she privately approached her father and asked his opinion.
"Hannah, I think that's a great idea. I've been concerned about Alex myself. I'll call Dr. Casper today to see if he thinks Alex is ready."
That afternoon while Alex was in town for his physical therapy session, she got a call from her father. "Did you talk to Dr. Casper?" she asked as way of greeting.
&nbs
p; "I did. And he thinks it's a great idea to get Alex on a horse and also involved in the ranch. You told me before that he was raised with horses and loves them, so he probably still has those instincts. What about assigning Buttercup to him? She's gentle and worked with the physically challenged before. If Alex proves capable of riding for any distance, then you could acquaint him with the outlying trails a little each day. After he's over that hurdle, we can broach the idea of him becoming part of the workforce by helping with tasks around the barn. If he accepts, it could give him a sense of contribution and purpose."
A ripple of joy shot through Hannah's heart. "That's the plan, Daddy! And Buttercup will be perfect. She's so loving and gentle and Snowflake gets along with her fabulously. When should we break the news to Alex?"
"Li'l darlin', I leave that up to you."
Hannah rushed to the dorm to await Alex's return. To pass the time she ventured into the kitchen to visit with Hank who was belting out a Hank Williams, Jr. tune about getting whiskeyed up and hell bound." He stopped singing and grinned when she entered the state-of-the-art kitchen.
"Howdy, Missy! It's sure good seein' yer smilin' face. Things just weren't the same with ya gone. Have ya come for one o' my monster cookies, 'cause they jus' popped out o' the oven?"
Hannah grinned and said sincerely, "I never realized how much I missed home until I was gone. I thought about ya'll every day and I surely missed your cookies...and singing!" She plopped down on a stool at the island with old pots and pans hanging from a massive iron bar above. "As for that monster cookie, bring it on!"
Hank laughed and started placing gigantic mounds on a plate. The kitchen, swirling with the aroma of raisin oatmeal cookies loaded with pecans, took on a surreal feeling. Hannah closed her eyes and remembered sitting in that very spot munching on monster cookies when she was a child. Unexpectedly, that thought morphed into longing for children fathered by Alex. She could envision them laughing and joking and gobbling up cookies while Hank sang off key. She sighed and opened her eyes.