“Wow. I’m dizzy now. Is someone going to tell me what is going on? You all are grinning like monkeys who escaped from the zoo.”
“Did you drive down Main Street?” Robby could barely contain himself.
“Ah, no. Should I?”
Jo grabbed her by the hand and started pulling her along. “Come out front. We’ve got something to show you.”
They walked into the dining room. Nothing caught her attention. “So, what’s up?”
Robby and Jo walked her to the door and outside. Almost every shop and café displayed a rainbow flag. There were big ones, small ones, some were painted on store windows, and a few had displayed the words “Love is Love.” Jordan couldn’t believe her eyes. She walked out into the middle of the street. It was the same all the way down the entire length of the business district.
“News spread fast. Sherry Nelson and Neil Becker heard what happened and decided to take immediate action. They teamed up with Reverend Anderson and made it happen last night. Look down at the Lost Dog Saloon. Neil had some artists paint a huge custom flag last night on the side of the building. You can see it from two blocks away.”
Jordan’s eyes watered up. She didn’t know what to say. She smiled through sniffles as Robby hugged her and gave her a tissue.
Sherry exited her restaurant and crossed the street. “How are you holding up today, girl?”
Sherry was a good twenty years Jordan’s senior. They’d talked but never got to know one another.
“I’m grateful for the gesture. Thank you,” Jordan managed to say while keeping the smile on and wiping away tears of joy.
“No big deal. It was wrong what happened yesterday. I’m sorry for your brother. I know it hurts, but sometimes you’ve got to let it go.”
Jordan nodded. Again, unable to speak.
Sherry stood, her hands on her hips. “You know. We do have another problem.”
Everyone looked at Sherry curiously.
“Think about it. We’ve never done Pride month in June. We should start this year.”
All of a sudden, Jordan doubled over in uncontrollable laughter. People didn’t know what to make of it at first. She soon regained control. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make it sound as if I’m mocking your suggestion. I think it’s a great idea. It’s just that,” she snickered again. “Mom and Dave have decided to get married on June twenty-eighth. So, I guess it’s going to be one busy month.” Soon they were all in stitches.
After their good belly laughs had calmed down, they hugged again. For the first time, Jordan felt comfortable hugging. Times were changing, and people were beginning to stand on the right side of history.
Glowing with all the love she had recently received, she called Emmy to tell her the news. It was close to 4:00 p.m. in Scotland. She was in such a good mood that she thought nothing of the fact that it went to voice mail again.
****
The North Sea off the Coast of Scotland
Good thing the day was gorgeous because Emmy was livid. Nowhere in the briefing did she recall the helicopter ride being a two-hour trip. Now Calvin was talking about staying for the freaking sunset. The only good news was they should be back at the hotel in time to call Jordan by late afternoon.
After finishing the tour, they were in the control room with windows all around. There had been minor swells in the ocean, but the Dramamine helped her motion sickness. She walked away from the group, closer to the windows on the other side facing the helicopter pad and blocked out the representative droning on with hype and technical crap. A few more hours and this would all be over. Tomorrow, she would fly home. She thought of Jordan’s sexy voice and envisioned her hands roaming over Jordan’s succulent body.
In an instant, a bright light, deafening noise, and a strong hot wave of air violently knocked her to the floor. She felt pain. As she tried to focus, the ceiling lights and fans swayed and dangled in a disorderly fashion. Alarms were sounding, and a loud warning speaker said something she could not understand. Everything was muffled, and the ringing in her ears nearly drowned out the voices.
She craned her head to the window where she had been standing. It looked like spider webs all over. Was that a hole? She laid her head back and closed her eyes as bursts of vertigo ripped through her and her stomach roiled. When her head calmed, she opened her eyes. Better. She tried to get up but could not. It hurt. She touched her face and head. It was warm and sticky. She moved her fingers in front of her eyes and strained to focus. Red. Blood. The voices became more distant. Calvin? Is that Calvin? Her vision began to tunnel and darken. I don’t want to die. Jordan, I love you.
****
West Virginia
It was almost 10:30 p.m. in Scotland and Emmy still had not called. She was also not answering her phone or texting. Jordan was frantic. In desperation, she called the emergency phone number. The man on the other end answered as Mr. Colin Brodie, Mr. Calvin Thornton’s personal assistant. Jordan explained who she was and her concerns but the man sounded unalarmed.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Simón, but I wasn’t expecting them until late. I was told not to check in with them until tomorrow. They may have gone to dinner. Late dinners are typical for Mr. Thornton—”
“Mr. Brodie. Something is wrong, and I demand you check up on them. I asked my girlfriend to call me, and she would not be ignoring several text messages and voice mail from me. Please, Mr. Brodie!”
He promised to get back to her within the hour, but she felt he was not serious about her concerns. She was of no use in the kitchen and sat at her desk tapping her fingers. Finally, the maître d’ announced her mother, Dave, and Betty Jean had arrived for dinner. Maybe Betty Jean knew something.
Jordan whizzed past the usual dining room crowd straight for the table of her loved ones. Not wanting to sound too terribly alarming, she greeted them with the typical hugs and kisses. With a weak smile, she asked Betty Jean if she’d heard from Emmy.
Betty Jean immediately dropped her menu and scrunched her eyebrows. “No, dear. I haven’t. That’s not unusual for me. She sometimes calls me a couple times when she’s traveling, but I’m not the one she’s in love with. Haven’t you talked to her today?”
She plopped down in the one empty seat. “No, I haven’t. She calls me every day, and even when we’re busy, we manage to talk a few minutes. She’s hardly ever late, but today is different. I’m worried sick.”
There was silence. Betty Jean reached out and patted her hand. “I’m sure we will hear something soon.”
At that moment, Robby walked up to the table with one of the restaurant’s mobile phones. His face was solemn. “A Mr. Colin Brodie is on the phone and says the matter is urgent.”
****
North Sea, Scotland
Emmy strained to open her eyes. She heard muted voices in the background but the ringing was gone, and she could make out some words. Dammit, talk louder. Everything hurt, her mind was foggy, and her eyes would not focus. She had no clue where she was. Then the details came back. The damn oil platform trip Calvin insisted she go on. The explosion. She must be in a clinic. She craned her neck and could make out dull metal gray walls and ceiling. She was still on the platform. Panic spread through her body and seized her brain. She could not control her emotions.
With all her power, she propped upright on one elbow. Ripping off the oxygen mask, she tried to scream but her throat hurt and the words came out soft. “What the fuck happened? Get me out of here.” Calvin and a man rushed to her. The man injected her with something. The needle stung and felt huge. Her body involuntarily relaxed and she dropped back down on the bed. She managed to blurt out, “We’re going to die.”
“Emmy, you’re going to be fine. You hit your head hard, but we all know you’ve got one damn hard head.” She couldn’t move much after the injection and could barely hear Calvin’s words. He was stroking her hair. “We’re not going to die. There was a small explosion, and the resulting fire was extinguished. Everything’s under co
ntrol. Rescue is on the way.”
With tremendous effort, she slurred, “Blood. I had blood on my face.”
“A piece of shrapnel nicked you. Stay calm and still because of the head injury. Please, Emmy. Just relax.”
“Damn you, Calvin. I’m not going on any more crazy trips.” She was still hanging in there fighting the drug as much as possible but could hear her words beginning to slur.
“Deal. Now close your eyes, my dear Lassie, and I promise you we will be out of here in no time.”
The man pushed Calvin out of the way and injected her again. This time besides the stinging, she could sense the drug coursing through her veins like a warm rush and it quickly gripped her. Soon the motion of people slowed like wet paint dripping down a wall, and their voices seemed to be miles away. Darkness came again.
****
West Virginia
The air in Jordan’s lungs was sucked out in an instant. She dropped the phone. Her head slumped to the table into her hands as she cried, “No, God, no. This can’t happen.” She squeezed her eyes so tight, but the tears burst through as her body struggled to breathe.
Betty Jean put her arm around her while Gwyneth jumped up to her side.
“Honey, what’s wrong?”
Jordan heard her mother’s voice like it was a thousand miles away. Her body shook with every sob as her mind spun out of control. The shallow, fast gasps were not sufficient, and wooziness crept in while thoughts of Emmy rushed through her head. I love you. Don’t leave me. God, don’t take her away.
****
West Virginia – Scotland
Calvin’s assistant had somehow fixed Jordan’s passport issue, and by the next day, she was boarding a Gulfstream G3. Betty Jean was too distraught to travel, and despite her mother’s offer, Jordan had insisted she could do this alone as Becca would be meeting her in Aberdeen. Dave and Gwyneth took her to Dulles for the private flight.
Jordan walked onto the plane as best she could. The soft cream leather seats reclined for resting but she was neither sleepy nor hungry. When the stewardess offered food, she declined and only sipped water. A couple of times, she went to the washroom to cry in private.
The long flight felt like a time warp that she could not control. Relief washed over her when the stewardess leaned over. “Ma’am, I’ve hung a fresh change of clothes for you in the washroom. We have about an hour before landing.”
Jordan shuffled past the only other passengers on the plane. The two businessmen hunched over their laptops nodded in her direction. Their faces told Jordan all she needed to know. She looked like shit.
Inside the spacious washroom, towels of the softest cotton hung on shiny racks, scented soaps and other amenities were arranged on the walnut shelves, and a bouquet of flowers added color. All were a sharp contrast to how Jordan looked. Laying her head on the cool marble vanity top, she broke down and wept. It took time to regain her composure, but after washing, applying makeup, and slipping on the fresh clothes, she looked almost human again.
The stewardess stepped forward when she exited. “You look better, ma’am. If you don’t mind, your collar has twisted a smidgen.” The young woman fixed it for her and brushed some lint off the sleeve.
“It’s dark. What time is it? I’ve lost my bearings.”
“Half past eight ma’am.”
“Thank you for your help and kindness.”
“My pleasure. Please take your seat now.”
At landing, a Range Rover with tinted windows pulled up while Jordan was descending the stairs. Becca jumped out. They briskly walked toward one another and embraced.
“Her status hasn’t changed much,” Becca shouted over the airport noise. “We can talk in the car.”
Inside, the SUV was warm and quiet—everything Jordan’s body was not. She pulled her coat tighter as Becca offered her a drink.
“Just water please.”
“They won’t let us see her until she’s out of intensive care. I’ve secured a hotel room so we can take turns getting a bit of rest, but I figured you’d want to be near her tonight even if it’s only the waiting room. My PA is at the hospital now.”
“Thank you, Becca.”
“You know, Jordan, I…” Becca grasped Jordan’s hand. “I was concerned when I first met you. Em had always been a city girl, and I thought she was rushing. And…I…I was a bit jealous. I’m sorry.” She wiped away a tear. “We hardly saw one another because of our busy careers, but we always had time to talk on the phone. Over the past month, we’ve talked a lot.” Becca teared up. “She loves you, and I know it’s the real thing.”
Jordan squeezed Becca’s hand and sobbed. “I love her so much, Becca.” She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “At first, there was the thrill of intimacy. More than sex, the joy of having someone who would stand by me. But…” Jordan bit her lip and buried her face in tissues before continuing. “It’s hard for me to say, but I had mixed feelings when I first told her I loved her. After the words spilled out of my mouth, I panicked. I questioned whether I honestly had the guts to come out and make a life with her.”
“Looks like you jumped off that cliff in one piece. I heard about your older brother at the party. Can’t say that I’d done it any differently if I were under the same pressures.”
“As each day went by, I wanted to make a life with her and then I’d panic more. I was terrified of this trip. I thought she might change her mind…that I…I wouldn’t be enough for her. But every time I’d see her smile or laugh, I’d melt. Hell, I’d do anything for her. Anything. I can’t lose her. I love her. It may have taken me longer to come to my senses, but there is no doubt left in my mind. I love her.”
Becca didn’t say a word but held fast to Jordan’s hand. She lay back in the seat and closed her eyes.
“Becca, I’m sorry. I can’t imagine how you feel.”
After wiping a few more tears, Becca said, “It was rough losing Heather. And I’ll be damned, we’re not going to lose Emmy.” She squeezed Jordan’s hand.
Chapter Thirty-one
Emmy rustled out of a deep sleep, wondering if it had been a dark dream. Sunlight streamed in through a window. Despite her blurry vision, she could make out trees against a blue sky. The view made her throbbing headache more tolerable. As she scanned the room, she thought she saw Jordan asleep in a recliner. I must be dreaming. She closed her eyes and faded out again.
Nighttime had descended the next time she woke. An IV and medical equipment were on one side. She felt a presence. Turning her head, Jordan lay next to her on the very edge, and her hand rested on top of Emmy’s. Safety and love washed over her and overrode fear and pain. She wanted to tell Jordan she loved her, but her mouth was so dry that only small incoherent sounds came out.
Jordan propped herself up, and the look of affection on her face was pure bliss. She leaned in and kissed Emmy’s forehead.
“Let me get you some water.”
Emmy immediately felt the loss of Jordan. She so desperately wanted to reach out and wrap her in an embrace, but her sluggish body would not cooperate.
Jordan brought the water to her mouth. “Slowly or I’ll have to take it away.” She stroked Emmy’s hair. “You’re recovering beautifully, but you don’t want to vomit from drinking fast.”
The water refreshed her and made it easier to talk. “What happened?”
“After the accident, Calvin flew me over ASAP. Somehow, he helped get my passport pushed through. The doctors treating your head injury induced unconsciousness with medication. You need plenty of rest, but they said you will fully recover.”
“How long? What day is it?”
“It’s Wednesday, March the fourth. Trust me, Em, you’re going to be fine. I love you so much.” She continued to tenderly smooth Emmy’s hair and kissed her forehead as a few tears ran down her face.
Emmy reached up to wipe away Jordan’s tears. “I love you.”
The nurse entered the room interrupting the conversation, which ag
itated Emmy. “I want to speak to the doctor.”
“Yes, Ms. Russo. You’ve got to calm down, or we will have to increase your medicine.” Emmy vaguely recalled what had happened the last time she woke in a panic. She remembered the stick of the needle, the swift drop in speech and vision. The thoughts forced her to calm down.
A female doctor entered the room. “So this is our lively patient. First, I want your blood pressure and heart rate stable, and working yourself into a tizzy does not help. You calm down, I’ll watch the monitor here, and if you reach this point, then we will talk. Now let’s take a few minutes.” Emmy nodded, and Jordan massaged her hand.
Finally, the doctor pronounced, “Good job. Your nasty head injury caused internal swelling with some uncontrollable seizure activity. A medically induced coma was necessary to lower the intracranial pressure and stop the seizures. You’ve responded well to the treatment. With the decreased swelling and your overall vitals improving, we have been easing you off the medication over the past twenty-four hours. In fact, we might be able to release you in four or five days if your progress continues. Contingent on you staying calm and following instructions.” She intently stared Emmy down. “If you do so then I’ll promise to release you as fast as possible. Do we have an agreement?”
Emmy nodded, and Jordan asked, “What about follow-ups?”
“Good question. I want her in the area for at least a couple of weeks. No air travel. Bed rest and no physical exertion. I will then clear you to fly home. Let that information settle, and we will talk again tomorrow.”
As she made medical notes, Calvin waltzed in, and the doctor wagged a finger. “Only a few minutes, Mr. Thornton. Ms. Simón, you may stay.” The doctor departed.
“Hi, Lassie.”
His much-too-chipper voice annoyed Emmy. She stared at him as her mouth drew to a weak smile. “Your house in Barcelona free for as long as I want? You owe me for this awful trip.”
Falling for Love: A Winter Romance Page 23