Opening my mouth to protest, instead I ended up yawning. I felt like I had done nothing but sleep for days on end. Brandon must have seen my frustration. He sat on the bed and kissed my forehead.
“If you get through tonight and tomorrow without your oxygen levels dropping, and you liver enzyme levels continue to go down, we will let you go home in just a couple of days.” The doctor droned on a bit, but I heard little of what he said.
The last few days in the hospital had given me time to reflect on what I wanted to do when I was out. I pulled the foil tab to open the container of applesauce sitting on my side table. The container was halfway open already.
“Thanks,” I whispered to Brandon.
He looked at me with a crinkled forehead. “For what?”
I held up the applesauce cup.
The furrow deepened between his eyes.
The doctor flipped my chart shut with a snap, startling me. Annoyed with myself, I tore open the plastic wrapping around the spoon sitting on my tray. Jamming it into the fruity sauce, I turned my attention to the doctor.
“Just take it easy for a little while longer and we have you home soon,” he said
I nodded, stirring the liquid into the sauce, mixing it up better. I liked my applesauce smooth, with a little cinnamon, not this bland watery stuff. Brandon was still staring at me a weird look on his face.
A nurse came in with a tray full of gelatin cups. “Snack time,” she chirped, a smile plastered on her face. Her smile dissipated a bit as she saw the applesauce cup in my hand.
“You are not supposed to have outside food in here. We have very strict rules.” Her voice was less friendly this time.
“It was on my tray,” I protested.
“Tuesdays are gelatin cups. Applesauce isn’t served until Friday,” the nurse said.
“Give it to me, now.” The steely tone of Brandon’s voice brooked no questions so I handed him the cup with no argument. He disappeared with a word to the nurse to stay put. A moment later he was back, with a policeman.
It wasn’t long before a lab tech came into my room. “You were right, Mr. Kendal. The applesauce had been tampered with.”
My stomach clenched. Blanche. She had been in the room with me. “Brandon…” I choked out.
“She may still be here in the hospital,” Brandon said. The policeman grabbed the radio on his shoulder and spoke quickly into it. It crackled to life, but I couldn’t understand anything that came from the speaker.
“I will stay just outside the door, No one will get in I promise,” the young officer said, gazing at me steadily. Medical personnel buzzed in and out of the room checking my IV, fluids and every piece of equipment to make sure nothing else been tampered with.
Nothing happened. Brandon stayed with me all night, but no word came. I finally sent him home in the wee hours of the morning. At least one of us should get some sleep. I finally drifted off just as the sun peeked through my window.
When I woke, Detective Avery and Brandon were both sitting beside my bed. I sat up, rubbing my face with both hands trying to focus.
The detective stood. “Miss Iclyn. I am sorry to have to tell you that Blanche Davies was killed last night when she attempted to escape arrest. Unfortunately, that means you cannot return to your home anytime soon, as we will have to process everything in it, but you are safe now.” Having delivered his message, the detective left with a nod to Brandon.
“It’s over?” I whispered. I could feel the tears stinging the back of my eyes.
Brandon climbed onto the bed and pulled me into his arms. “It is over. You are safe.”
The warmth and strength of his embrace melted the last wall holding my tears back. I cried until I was spent.
“I don’t know why I am crying.” I hiccoughed.
“As horrible as she was, she was the only mother you have ever known,” he said.
We didn’t talk anymore, I was content to lay in his arms until I fell asleep. I slept hard, and when I woke it was midafternoon. Brandon came through the door just as I sat up, coffee in hand.
“You ready to go home?” he asked.
“You mean I’m sprung?” I clapped my hands in delight, feeling like a five year old.
“Doctors cleared you this morning. We had to wait for the paperwork to clear. I have the guest room all set up at my house. You can finish recuperating there.”
Before I knew it, the nurses had me back in my street clothes and had wheeled me downstairs to the lobby.
I had never been to the Hills before. The neighborhood was beautiful, with landscaped yards, pools, and stunning houses. I gawked and gaped at all of them as we drove to Brandon’s house. Mansion might be a better word. He had never told me what the house looked like.
We drove up to the front door, and he helped me inside. I opened my mouth to comment on the huge sweeping staircase, when the sound of barking distracted me.
“You have a dog?” I asked. “When did you get a dog?” I moved toward the sound automatically. I missed my babies at the shelter so much it hurt. I wanted to stop there before we came to the house, but the doctor had forbidden it.
“You want to meet them?” Brandon asked with a grin.
“You have more than one?” My grin widened.
“I do. In fact…” Brandon opened the double doors leading into the room with the barking. “…I… we… have seven.”
I gasped as Jinkies, Kildare, Dozer, Sneezer, Jazz, Dug, and even Ebenezer clamored for my attention. I tried to wrap my arms around all seven of them as they all licked my face, arms and hands. Standing, I threw my arms around Brandon’s neck and kissed him. “I love you, Brandon Kendal.”
I had my prince, my seven little men, and even a castle, and my evil stepmother would never bother me again. Maybe my life really was a fairy tale.
Noelle Myers
Noelle Myers is an author, avid photographer, cook, and baker who lives in the frozen tundra of North Dakota. She writes fantasy, historical inspirational romance, and is branching out into contemporary mystery novels. When she is not working her businesses or writing, she runs a non-profit to help victims of sexual assault and violent crime. Her remaining "spare" time is spent with a fabulous tribe of friends and family having amazing adventures.
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If you enjoyed this story, check out these other Solstice Publishing books by Noelle Myers:
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Ten tales of horror and frightdom filled with tales scary enough to have you watching your every move are offered for your reading enjoyment. Ten incredibly talented authors contributed to this finale of horror: Noelle Myers, Dav
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Wasp Island
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When Sophia and Dan move to Wasp Island for Dan's dream job, they never dreamed they were walking into a nightmare of epic proportions. Voodo queens, sacred wasps, and a cruel, ambitious CEO combine to create an experiment gone wrong.
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Dogged Romance Page 3