Cowboy Dreamin' (Thunder Creek Ranch Book 8)

by Lorraine Nelson

  “Good evening, Mr. Grayson. I’m Heather. I’ll wheel you back to your room.”

  “Thanks.”

  She parked the chair beside his bed. “Need any help?” she asked.

  “No, I can make it. But I need you to hold the oxygen.” Jack stood and turned to sit on the edge of the bed. He moved too fast, and the next thing he knew, the floor was rising up to meet his face. The dizziness was horrendous. He heard Heather holler for a nurse, and the high-pitched noise seemed to scratch his skull. He tried to cover his ears, but his arms wouldn’t cooperate. It was as if his arms and legs weren’t attached, except they hurt like mad. Curled into a fetal position, the staff had a difficult time rolling him onto a blanket so they could lift him back into bed.

  Then the doctor arrived and took charge. Everything quieted, even the machines.

  “Jack, can you hear me?” Dr. Levy asked.

  He opened his mouth to answer, but no sound came out. What is happening to me? Why can’t I talk? He turned pleading eyes toward the doctor, and he seemed to realize what Jack couldn’t put into words.

  “Okay, I know you can hear me. You have some fluid on your brain. If I don’t operate and relieve the pressure immediately, you could die. Understand? If yes, blink your eyes.”

  Jack blinked.

  “Good. We’re taking you to the OR for immediate surgery. Is there anyone you’d like me to call? Blink once for yes, twice for no.”

  Jack blinked twice. There was no need to alarm his family. They’d all been in to see him today and were so happy when they found him awake and alert. He had to come through this operation. He had to. He thought of his mother and of Allison. He’d like to see them one last time just in case… No, he wouldn’t even think it. He would pull through. He had too many plans made not to.

  The orderly came and wheeled him down the corridor, bed and all. The operating room staff was ready for him. As soon as they transferred him to the table, the anesthesiologist was at his side. Jack wanted to tell him he didn’t like needles, but he couldn’t, so he closed his eyes and waited for oblivion to overcome him. He didn’t have to wait long.

  ****

  Tuesdays were usually steady but not overly busy. Allison managed to call her clients and reschedule them so that, barring emergencies, her morning clinic would finish around ten or so. She hadn’t had any overnight patients and was able to start the day fresh once her first client arrived.

  By ten thirty, she had locked up the clinic, switched the phone to voice message, and pinned a note to the door that read, “Back at one”. She pulled the files for her afternoon patients, left her lab coat in the office, and was soon in her truck and on her way to see Jack.

  He’d be so surprised to see her. Of course, they could’ve released him, but as it was still early, she’d take her chances. At least it was a beautiful day—a good day for a drive. She grinned at the thought of surprising him, and she was still smiling when she got off the elevator and walked to his room. She nodded and smiled at the nurses in the ICU as she strolled by their desk on her way to Jack’s room. A guard was still on duty outside Jack’s room, and she smiled at him as well. Then she turned the corner, and her smile faded as she stopped dead in the doorway.

  Jack’s head was swathed in more bandages than before, and he was hooked up to all kinds of machines. Stunned, and more than a little concerned, she backed out and rushed to the nurses’ desk.

  “What happened to Jack?” she asked of the first nurse she saw. “Jack Grayson. I’m Allison Wakefield, his fiancée.”

  “One moment while I page his nurse,” the woman replied. “He’ll be able to answer all your questions.”

  “Thank you.” She returned and paced back and forth from his bed to the doorway, watching Jack sleep while she prayed for swift healing. Tears ran down her cheeks unnoticed.

  “Miss Wakefield?”

  She turned to see a burly man, broad of shoulder and lean of hip. “Yes?”

  “I’m Scott, Jack’s nurse. Come with me and we’ll talk.”

  She took one last look at Jack and turned back to face the nurse. “Okay.”

  He led her to a small family room. It had sofas, chairs, a television, and a kitchenette with a small table. Scott picked up the remote and muted the sound on the TV.

  “Please have a seat. Would you like a coffee?”

  “No, thank you,” she said, trying to regain her composure as she sat in one of the leather-upholstered armchairs. “What happened to Jack? He was fine when I left last night.”

  Scott perched on the seat across from her.

  “Jack woke through the night with a headache that wouldn’t quit and had a difficult time breathing. We called the doctor, and he ordered more tests. When Jack got back from the CT scan, he stood and became dizzy, lost his balance, and pitched forward onto the floor. We got him back into bed, and Dr. Levy arrived. Jack had a condition called hydrocephalus, fluid on his brain, and the doctor called in a neurosurgeon and booked him for immediate surgery. He’d lost his ability to speak, but that should have been set to rights with the surgery as well. He’ll sleep most of the day.”

  “Fluid on the brain? He hemorrhaged? Was there a lot of bleeding?”

  Scott looked at her strangely. “Yes, and we had to act fast. I’m sorry, but we try to tone down the explanations for the family’s benefit.”

  “Yeah well, that doesn’t work with me, but I understand. I’m a doctor—a veterinarian. Did they insert a shunt?”

  He nodded to acknowledge her words. “No, but don’t worry. The surgeon was able to make a hole between the ventricles to enable the fluid to drain. The operation took six and a half hours, and the team deemed it a success. Jack’s going to be fine.”

  Allison breathed a huge sigh of relief. “He’s really going to be all right? What about his difficulty breathing?” she asked.

  “Yes, he’ll be fine. He has a touch of pneumonia, but we have him on antibiotics for that. He’ll need plenty of rest without being jostled around too much. He’ll be here for a few more days so we can monitor him closely. Any other questions?”

  “Has his family been notified?”

  “No, he didn’t want to alarm anyone.”

  “Yes, that sounds like Jack. Is it all right if I sit with him?”

  “Sure. Would you like a book or magazine to read?” he asked, motioning to a stack on a nearby table.

  “Maybe later. Right now I just want to be with him, but I have a few calls to make first.”

  “I understand. If you need anything or have any other questions, just have me paged.”

  “Thank you, Scott. You’ve been very helpful.”

  He stood and left, but Allison remained seated for a while longer. She bowed her head and said a quick prayer for Jack and then she palmed her cell phone. She’d call Jack’s mother and then deal with the clinic. Her second in command had better be available today or she’d replace him at the earliest opportunity. Either way, she wasn’t leaving Jack’s side until he awoke and she could see for herself that he was okay.

  Chapter Ten

  Jack awoke to a rattling in the hall. Realizing it was the breakfast trolley, he tried to sit up and be ready, but the slightest movement and his head pained anew. “Ugh!” he uttered as he sank into the pillow once again and remembered the doctor sending him to surgery.

  “Jack! You’re awake! Are you in pain?”

  “Only when I move.” He turned his head ever so slowly, glad to know he wasn’t dreaming her presence. “Hello, beautiful.” She’d been sitting beside his bed, holding his hand, he now realized. “How long have you been here?”

  “Most of the day. You should have called me.”

  “There was no time. Everything happened so fast. But seeing as how I woke up, I’ll assume the operation was a success.”

  “Yes, it was. I spoke with your nurse when I got here, and he thinks you’re on your way to a splendid recovery.”

  “He?” Jack asked, wondering where the pretty
little redhead had gone.

  “His name is Scott. Nice guy.”

  He tried to roll on his side to face her, but the pain was too great.

  “Do you want me to ring for him?” she asked.

  “Yeah, thanks. I need something for the pain, and I don’t see the buzzer.”

  “It’s right here,” she said as she reached to his pillow and pushed the button to summon the nurse.

  “Thanks. If you’ve been here all day, who’s running the clinic?”

  “Nobody. I forwarded the calls to voicemail, put out the closed due to emergency sign, and locked up.”

  His attention turned toward a man who entered the room and stopped at the end of his bed.

  “Good afternoon, Mr. Grayson. I’m Scott, your nurse today. How’s the head?”

  “Thumping like crazy. And I’m thirsty.”

  Scott walked around the bed and stood beside him. “You have an automatic drip for pain medication. If you need to increase it, you just push this button.”

  “Wrong side,” Jack said holding up his left arm, which was in a cast. “And what if I push it too many times?”

  “The medication is controlled so you don’t need to worry about an overdose. I’ll grab you a glass of water and then I’ll get you situated more comfortably.”

  “Okay, thanks. I thought I heard the breakfast trolley when I woke up. Am I allowed to eat?”

  “I’ll check your chart and be right back, but it’s dinner time, Mr. Grayson. You’ve been asleep since they brought you back from surgery early this morning.”

  “Oh.” Confused, he glanced toward the clock on the wall across from his bed, but the curtain surrounding his bed, only partially pulled back, blocked it from view. “What time is it, Allison?”

  She consulted the watch on her wrist. “Just a few minutes past five.”

  “I can’t believe I slept that long. Mama would have my head if I slept late on the ranch.”

  “Speaking of your mother, I called and let her know about your surgery. She wanted to come right away, but I told her you were sleeping and she asked me to call when you woke up so she could come see you. I should do that now. I know she’s worried.”

  “Okay, give her a call and tell her I’m all right but that I’m tired. I’ll be better company tomorrow.”

  “Why don’t I dial and let you talk to her?”

  “Yeah. Okay. Once the meds kick in and my throat’s not so dry.”

  “It’s probably the medication making your throat dry. Plus, you were on oxygen when I first arrived. Scott only removed that a short while ago. So you’re bound to be dry.”

  Scott entered then and set a glass of water on the bed table while he raised the head of the bed. “Tell me if it becomes uncomfortable and I’ll stop.”

  “No, it’s fine. Just give me the water.”

  Scott passed it to him and held the straw to his mouth. “Small sips. You’re allowed to eat dinner and, if you keep it down, I can remove the IV later.”

  “Sounds good,” said Jack as Scott left the room. He pushed the glass away as a worker arrived with his dinner and placed it on his table. Then she adjusted and maneuvered it to fit across the bed. “Thank you,” he said as he smiled at the young woman.

  She said a hasty, “You’re welcome,” and fled the room, blushing a pretty pink.

  “Was it something I said?” Jack asked.

  Allison shook her head and laughed softly. “No, I’d say you dazzled her with that killer smile of yours.”

  “A killer smile? Really?”

  “You must be feeling better if you’re fishing for compliments.”

  “Ah, come on. Humor me,” he said as he lifted the lid off his meal to discover meatloaf, mashed potatoes with gravy, carrots, peas, and alongside it was orange Jell-O, a glass of milk, and a cup of coffee. “Hey, this doesn’t look half bad.”

  “Good. You eat up while I go to the cafeteria and grab a bite,” Allison said as she stood.

  “Can you bring it back here and eat with me? I hate to eat alone.” He doctored his coffee, took a sip, and grimaced. “And bring me back a decent coffee.”

  “All right. I’ll be right back.”

  When Allison left the room, it seemed as if a light bulb had switched off. She had a way of making him feel special just by being there. He hoped the cafeteria wasn’t busy. He missed her already.

  ****

  There was a long line-up at the cafeteria, so Allison switched direction and caught the elevator to the ground floor. She hadn’t wanted to leave Jack in case he woke up alone, which meant she hadn’t eaten since breakfast early that morning and she was starving. At the canteen, she loaded up a tray with sandwiches, sweets, bottled water, and coffee.

  She crossed the lobby and waited in front of the bank of elevators, surprised when Winnie showed up at her side. “Oh, hello. Jack’s awake and intended to call you, but his dinner arrived.”

  “That’s all right, dear. I worried and couldn’t wait any longer. Jack’s my baby, you know? Although he wouldn’t appreciate me calling him that.”

  Winnie smiled at her and Allison grinned right back. “Do you want me to grab you a coffee?”

  “Heavens no, child. Lucas and I just finished dinner. I’m fine.”

  The elevator arrived and they boarded for the trip upstairs.

  “So, how is he?” Winnie asked.

  “He was in pain when he woke up, but his nurse adjusted his meds and he seems to be doing much better.”

  “That boy loves being catered to. He’ll have all the pretty nurses wrapped around his little finger while he’s here.”

  Allison laughed. “Not today he won’t. His nurse’s name is Scott.”

  Winnie laughed delightedly. “My poor boy.”

  They were still laughing when they entered Jack’s room and Allison saw that he’d finished his meal.

  “Hello, Jackie. How are you feeling?” his mother asked as she leaned forward to give him a hug and kiss his cheek.

  “I’m fine, Mom. You don’t need to worry about me,” he said as he hugged her back with his one good arm.

  “It’s a mother’s God-given right to worry, so don’t be telling me not to, especially when it involves brain surgery,” she scolded. “Besides, if it were me in that bed, you’d want to be there when I woke up. Wouldn’t you?”

  “Yes, Mom. I never thought of it that way. Just wanted to spare you the waiting and worrying.”

  She patted his hand and sat down in the chair Allison had recently vacated. “You always were a considerate young fellow. Nice to know some things don’t change.”

  “Not so much considerate as not wanting to cause you any grief. You got enough of that from Roy.”

  “I still wonder where I went wrong with that boy. He was so cute when he was little.”

  “Mama, you did nothing wrong. Leroy made his own choices.”

  Jack had told her a little about his older brother, so Allison knew who they were talking about, but she hadn’t been prepared for Winnie’s tears or Jack’s thunderous expression at the mention of his brother’s name.

  “Mom, don’t cry. This trip upstate might turn him around. It certainly can’t do any harm. Personally, I have a difficult time with the judge’s order to put him on a farm instead of behind bars.”

  Winnie sniffed and Allison passed her a tissue.

  “He said he did it for me. They had threatened to hurt me if he didn’t do what they said.”

  “I understand that, but why get involved with scum like that in the first place?” asked Jack.

  “Because of the debt he owed—for the plastic surgery.”

  “I guess I missed that part of the trial, but still, I hope he returns to us a better man.”

  “I do, too, Jack. But I didn’t come here to talk about my eldest son. I’m here to visit my baby,” Winnie said with a twinkle in her eye.

  Jack blushed becomingly, and Allison couldn’t help but smile.

  “I couldn’t believ
e it when Allison called. You’d been fine and in such good spirits yesterday. What happened?”

  Allison passed him his coffee and sat in the other chair by the wall to eat her meal and listen as Jack told his mother the story. Although he made light of it for his mother’s sake, she knew how much danger he’d been in during the surgery. The slightest tremor in a surgeon’s hands could have meant death for Jack, or at the very least, partial or total paralysis.

  She shuddered to think of it. It was a successful operation and for that, Allison was extremely thankful. Jack was her lover … the most important man in her life. What cruel twist of fate would take him away from her when she’d just found love again. Still, she’d soon have to have a serious talk with him. It wasn’t fair to keep building a relationship with him when he wasn’t aware of all the facts.

  Soon, she thought. Once he’d recovered. Maybe then. Maybe … if she could find the words.

  “Hey, beautiful. Why the frown?”

  “Just thinking.”

  “They must be heavy thoughts. Need to share?”

  “Maybe, but not today. Winnie, I picked up some bottled water if you’d like to have one. I find the air in here is dry.”

  “Yes, I think I will.”

  Allison stood and took one over to her.

  “Thank you.”

  “Jack, you want one?” she asked while holding out the second bottle.

  “Sure, thanks,” he said, his expression one of confusion.

  She’d used the water as an excuse to stop their conversation, but she hadn’t fooled him at all. “Since your mother’s here to keep you company, I should head back to the clinic and check my messages in case there are any emergencies. Anything you need me to bring tomorrow?”

  “Nah, just yourself.”

  She leaned over to give him a quick peck on his cheek, conscious of his mother’s presence, but Jack had other plans, as she soon found out. He grabbed her close with his good arm and laid a mind-numbing kiss on her. Weak in the knees when it ended, she hobbled over to gather up her purse, said good-bye, and headed for the elevator.