Doctor Reynolds walked into the room with a smile, and a nurse came in behind her with a covered tray. The doctor took a seat on a chair next to the bed and pulled up Ana’s chart on her iPad. “Well, Doctor Manning was correct—there are no broken bones. But you do have a very bad sprain. You’ll have to stay off your feet for at least a week, and then if your foot is progressing nicely, you’ll need to use crutches for at least another two to three weeks.”
Ana’s eyes widened, and she looked to Elizabeth. “I can’t.”
“Yes, you can. We will help you.” Elizabeth, who sat in the chair on the opposite side of the bed, took Ana’s hand and squeezed it. “We’ll find a place for you to stay today. Somewhere you can be comfortable and have no problem with staying in bed for at least the next week.”
A few places came to mind, and she wondered if any of her regular clients would be open to taking in a girl from the streets while she recuperated.
“Actually, I’m not ready to release my patient yet.” The doctor waved the young nurse over with her tray. “Ana, you are also severely dehydrated and malnourished. I want to keep you here overnight so we can get fluids and some food into your system.”
The young nurse pulled off the cloth covering the tray and set it down on the nightstand next to Ana’s bed. “Hi, my name is Betsy. I’m going to put in your IV and then we can begin to get you hydrated. You should start to feel much better in a few hours. I’m also going to wrap your ankle in a bandage and begin icing it. Every few hours I’ll be back in here with a new ice pack.” She opened up the packaging containing the needle and plastic tubing.
Ana flinched and pulled her arm into herself.
“You don’t like needles, do you?” Harper asked.
Ana shook her head.
“I don’t either. But Betsy is really great at this. You’ll hardly feel it. Let her have your hand, and I promise she’ll do a great job.” Harper switched places with Elizabeth.
The doctor left the room, saying she would be back to check in on Ana.
Both Harper and Elizabeth spoke to the girl in soothing tones and kept her distracted while Betsy did her job. Elizabeth’s nose scrunched when she picked up the acrid stench of the antiseptic when Betsy cleaned Ana’s arm. Since Ana was so dirty from living on the street, Betsy cleaned her entire arm, not just the area the needle would be going in.
The whole thing took a little longer than usual, as Betsy had trouble getting a good vein, but Ana didn’t seem to notice it. Elizabeth and Harper took turns telling her stories about Beacon Creek and what it was like growing up there. Ana seemed very interested in their tales.
“All done,” Betsy announced, then said she would bring Ana some food soon. She was just waiting for the diner to bring it over.
They weren’t a hospital, and they rarely kept a patient overnight. Usually if someone needed overnight care, they sent them via ambulance to the hospital in Bozeman. But once in a while they kept a patient there, and the nurses would stay overnight with them while one of the doctors would be on call. And the food came from the local diner.
“I don’t want to stay here overnight,” Ana whimpered. “I need to go back to Bozeman or Bart will get mad.”
Elizabeth realized Bart had his claws in the girl, and it was going to take some time to de-program the poor girl. She also wondered how many others felt as Ana did.
“What will happen if you don’t get back to Bart?” Harper moved the greasy bangs away from Ana’s forehead.
She shrugged. “Most likely he’ll come looking for me, and then I’ll be in even worse shape.”
“Did he do that to your ankle?” Elizabeth had wondered how she’d hurt her ankle so badly but hadn’t wanted to ask until she felt Ana would be more open.
This was the most the girl had told them, and she wanted to get as much information as possible before the girl clammed up. It would only be a matter of time before she fell asleep. Elizabeth hoped the girl would keep talking to them until she fell asleep.
She shook her head. “Not really. It was my fault.”
Harper narrowed her eyes and looked to Elizabeth. “How was it your fault?” She looked back at Ana with a calm face that belied how she felt inside.
The patient played with a loose string on her blanket before answering. “I was running from Bart and my foot got stuck in a pothole. So you see, it was my fault. If I had just done what Bart wanted, I would never have been injured.”
The sharp intakes of breath from both women caused Ana’s eyes to widen, and she looked between them both.
Releasing her breath, Elizabeth placed a hand on Ana’s arm. “Sweetheart, it wasn’t your fault. Bart shouldn’t have been chasing you to begin with. It was his fault.”
Ana’s head shook violently. “No, I’m a very bad girl. It was all my fault. Bart was only doing his job.”
Elizabeth knew that was what Bart told her. He’d probably told her repeatedly, and beaten her while he was telling her it was all her fault. She had seen it before, with ranchers and their animals. Evil men took their anger out on the weaker animal—or in this case, person—and blamed it all on their victim.
She felt the prickle of tears stinging her eyes, but she knew she couldn’t break down. Not now.
A knock sounded at the door, and all three women looked as it opened. The person walking inside shocked her. Although she really shouldn’t be too surprised; everywhere she went lately, he was there.
“Hi, I just came to check in on the patient. Doc Reynolds said you needed to stay off your feet for at least a week.” Logan came inside with a bouquet of daisies.
He was always doing nice things like that for others. If she wasn’t careful, that pang in Elizabeth’s chest was going to cause those tears she was working so hard to keep at bay to spill over. She needed to remember she was mad at him, and that he wasn’t really this nice anymore.
But that darned smile of his. It was like the sun, and she was drawn to it every time he flashed it. Even if it wasn’t for her anymore.
“Thank you,” Ana demurred and looked down at her blanket.
“Do you have a place to stay once you’re released from the clinic?” Logan asked from the foot of her bed while he held the bouquet in his hand.
She shook her head.
“I was just thinking about where she could stay,” Elizabeth said. “I think a few of the ranches would be open to taking her in and helping her recover. I was going to check today with Mr. and Mrs. Parsons, and then maybe even the Rodriguez family.” She had a few more ideas as well.
“What about your parents’ place?” Logan suggested.
Elizabeth and Harper both laughed.
“Do you really think she’d get much rest with all my brothers running around?” Elizabeth shook her head. She had thought of her family’s ranch, but changed her mind when she remembered how rambunctious her brothers were. The house was never quiet. No way would Ana get any rest with the five of them running around like they were still young boys.
“I don’t know. I think they spend most of their time outdoors running the ranch, don’t they? Would they really be bugging a young lady who’s in need of rest and relaxation?” Logan quirked a brow and looked directly at Elizabeth, who squirmed under the intense look.
“Well, my mom would definitely go into mother-hen mode and take great care of Ana. And if she wanted to spend some time in the living room, any of my brothers would be able to carry her in so that she stays off her feet.” She nodded, thinking it might work.
They had an extra room—a few of them, actually. And her mother would love to have another woman in the house. Being surrounded by testosterone had made her mom call her on several occasions asking her to move back in.
Elizabeth turned to Ana. “Would you like to stay with my parents on their ranch? They have plenty of space, and my mom is one of the best cooks around.”
Harper stood up and smiled. “She’s wrong, her ma is the best cook around. Not to mention the steak that co
mes from their cattle is to die for!”
She may have exaggerated how great Mrs. Manning was, but her declaration about the steaks was spot on. The Triple J Ranch was known for its beef, and buyers came from all over the country to get their cattle at market.
Ana squirmed in her hospital bed with all eyes on her. She bit her lower lip and narrowed her eyes as though she was concentrating, probably thinking about her options and what she wanted to do.
Elizabeth waited patiently, but she really hoped Ana would agree to stay with her family on the ranch. It would be a wonderful place for anyone to live. There was always something Ana could do, once she was healed. Even a city slicker could learn how to work on a ranch. Sure, it was hard work, but anyone could do it if they put their mind—and back—to it.
“I know my mom would love to have another girl in the house. Right now, it’s all men.” Elizabeth chuckled.
Ana’s eyes widened, and she shrank into herself.
Elizabeth’s hands went up. “Don’t worry. My brothers are really nice. They’ve been brought up right—to respect women and not harm them in any way. My dad would beat the tar out of them if they ever hurt a woman. Or mistreated one in any way, shape, or form.”
Even though they were allowed to wrestle with their sisters, the Manning brothers never hurt a woman. Period. Not after Matthew had hit one of Elizabeth’s friends when he was thirteen. He didn’t hit her hard, but she was taunting him, and he couldn’t take it anymore, so he slapped her face.
Her father was so mad at Matthew. He was grounded with no TV, and he couldn’t ride his horse unless it was needed for ranch business for the next month. Not to mention he was taken out behind the woodshed. When he came back in, Matthew wasn’t able to sit for a while.
Not one of her brothers ever hurt another girl again after that. At least, not intentionally. Just about every day, Elizabeth could remember her father telling the boys how to be cowboy gentlemen. There was a code, and it was ingrained in the boys.
The twins were taught by their mother how to be ladies, but also how to take care of themselves. They did have an independent streak a mile long, which was probably why neither of them had settled down yet.
Growing up on the Manning ranch, everyone learned to treat others as they would want to be treated. They all grew up going to church and volunteering for the various events at church and in town. They knew how to give back to their community because their parents taught them the importance of giving.
The situation with the homeless in Bozeman was exactly what her parents would be involved in and expect their children to help with as well. Elizabeth knew her parents would love to have Ana come and stay at the ranch for as long as she wanted. However, she would need to call her mom and ask permission if Ana decided she was interested.
“I tell you what, why don’t you think about it overnight? Tomorrow, when you’re released, I’ll take you out to my family ranch and you can meet my parents and brothers and see what you think. You don’t have to make a decision right now. Just think on it, okay?” The more Elizabeth thought on it, the more she realized this was the best solution for Ana.
No way could Ana go back to Bozeman, because she would only end up back on the street again. Plus, Bart would hurt her again. Elizabeth would do anything to keep Ana from getting hurt by Bart or his cronies ever again. If that meant adopting her as one of their own, then so be it.
The young woman lying in the bed nodded, but she didn’t smile. It was obvious to Elizabeth that Ana wasn’t sure about this plan.
But Elizabeth was.
Chapter 16
Elizabeth’s mother was more than excited about the plan. When she called her mom that night after Ana went to sleep, her mother went into planning mode and while they were still on the phone, she went into the guest room closest to the living room and began to get it ready for a guest.
Her mother said the girl was welcome to stay forever, if she wanted.
Elizabeth knew that her mom was excited to have another female in the house, but it was more than that. Having a young woman who needed help made her mother feel useful. Not only to the person who needed help, but also for God. Nothing made Mrs. Manning happier than when she was serving her Lord and Savior.
It was time for Ana to leave the clinic, but she seemed apprehensive.
“Ana, you don’t have to stay with my family if you don’t like. But please, give it a chance. You might like having a bunch of brothers around. Not to mention the food you’ll get.” Elizabeth chuckled and looked at the tiny frame of the girl in front of her.
Ana needed to get some meat on her bones. The girl looked like she hadn’t eaten anything in weeks. Bart was probably keeping food from all the homeless as his way of controlling them. She wouldn’t let thoughts of the mean bully get her down. Today was a good day, and she was going to stay positive. Getting at least one person off the street and out of Bart’s hands was a great accomplishment. If this worked out, she would see about bringing more people back to the ranch.
The girl nodded. Elizabeth hoped she would start talking more. Non-verbal communication was going to make it tough to understand what Ana really wanted, or needed. If she didn’t start to feel comfortable enough to talk, then Elizabeth didn’t know if the situation would work out or not.
“Alright, let’s get you checked out and head to the ranch.” Harper came into the room with paperwork and went over it with both Ana and Elizabeth.
The clinic was usually closed on Sundays, but since they had a patient, a nurse had to be on duty. Once Ana was gone and everything was cleaned up, Harper would get herself ready and head to church.
“Will I see you in church today, Elizabeth?” Harper asked.
She shook her head. “Not today. I’m going to stay with Ana and help her get settled in at the ranch while my parents head to church. We can’t leave Ana alone since she has to stay off her feet, and it’s also a new place to her. She won’t know where anything is.”
Elizabeth knew she would get the CD for the sermon on Monday. She wasn’t too happy about missing the service, but she also knew God would understand, since she couldn’t exactly take Ana to church. Not yet. She did hope that Ana would be able to go the next week, and then every Sunday going forward.
As they drove down the dirt road leading to her family’s ranch, Ana stared wide-eyed out the front window and occasionally turned her head to look at a horse here and there. Elizabeth doubted Ana was looking at the riders. It seemed to her that the girl was mesmerized by the animals.
“Have you ever ridden a horse?”
“No, never. I’ve never even seen one close up before.” The awe coming from Ana’s voice told Elizabeth this was going to work.
“Wait until you see the cattle, and all the other animals we keep on the ranch. Do you like dogs?” Elizabeth hadn’t thought about it before, but the family had four dogs. They were all working dogs, but they did come and go through the house as though they were more like pets than part of the staff.
Although, the staff came and went through the house as well. Considering most of the year-round staff was family who lived in the ranch house, it made sense. They did have a few hands who lived in the bunkhouse year-round. And then a second bunkhouse would be opened up during certain seasons when they needed more temporary workers.
“I love dogs.” Ana’s voice was stronger than it had been.
Elizabeth knew that the fluids and decent meals she had eaten at the clinic were helping, but she also knew that being on the ranch was exactly what Ana needed.
“Did you ever have one growing up?” She didn’t want to pry, but Elizabeth wondered what Ana’s childhood was like if she was on the streets so young.
Ana started to nod, then stopped. “No. Not really.”
The cryptic reply had Elizabeth even more curious about the girl’s upbringing and her story. She knew better than to push or pry, but man did she want to know what had happened to this girl. Maybe, just maybe some time on t
he ranch with my family will help her feel comfortable enough to open up to someone.
Even if Ana never told Elizabeth her tale, she hoped the girl would tell someone. Judith Manning was a great listener and had a heart full of wisdom to share with those who wanted it.
When they pulled Elizabeth’s truck up to the front, Judith came out wearing her usual jeans, boots, button-up shirt, and an apron over the front. Her smile covered her entire face, and Elizabeth couldn’t help but smile in return.
“Hi, Ma.” Elizabeth gave her mom a hug and turned to the door where Ana was waiting for help getting out.
“Ma, I’d like to introduce you to Ana.” She turned to the girl. “Ana, this is my mom, Judith Manning.”
Ana smiled and responded, “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Manning.”
“Oh, please, call me Judith. I just know we’re going to be the best of friends. I’m so excited you’re here.” Judith looked around and noticed one of her sons coming near. “John, can you come and help Ana inside?”
Elizabeth’s second-to-youngest brother came up to them and touched the brim of his hat. “Nice to meet you, Ana.” He put his hand out for her to shake. “I’m John, the strongest and most handsome of the Manning brothers. Do you mind if I carry you in?” He smiled at the girl, who wasn’t much younger than he was.
Elizabeth hoped her young brother would behave and not flirt with Ana. Once Ana got cleaned up and put on a few much-needed pounds, she would probably be very cute. She didn’t doubt the young cowboys in town would be falling at her feet.
Demurely, Ana nodded.
Elizabeth sighed. The girl was back to not speaking. Just when she got her to open her mouth, the girl went and closed it again. But this time, Ana looked different. She had a bit of color to her cheeks. Is she blushing?
Would being around her brothers help Ana to come out of her shell, or make her even more introverted? Elizabeth wasn’t sure, but she thought Ana might think her brother was cute. The girl kept peeking up through her eyelashes at John and then looking back down quickly.
Second Chance Ranch Page 13