Matthew's Choice

by Patricia Bradley

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Matt will. Could you please keep me updated on his recovery?”

  “Of course. What do you want me to tell him?”

  “Tell him I called to check on him.”

  The line went dead. “That was strange.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “The caller was Matt’s fiancée, and she’s not coming, said he would understand.”

  “That is strange.”

  Allie tapped the phone. There were probably other people she needed to notify. Like his new boss, J. Phillip Bradford. She found Bradford’s number and dialed. The call went to voice mail. “Mr. Bradford, this is Allie Carson, a friend of Matthew Jefferies. Matt’s been injured. Could you please call me back?”

  Allie laid the phone on the seat beside her. She nudged Mariah’s foot. “Would you like a cup of coffee?”

  “Desperately.”

  “Me, too. I’ll get it.” Allie walked to the small canteen in the waiting area and poured two cups. She hadn’t asked Mariah about sugar and cream, so she grabbed two packets of each. When she returned to the small area they’d carved out, Peter sat talking with Mariah. He rose. “Mariah was telling me he’s still critical.”

  “He’s on a ventilator.” She handed Mariah one of the cups. She held out the sugar and creamer, and Mariah shook her head. Allie took a sip from her cup and turned back to Peter. “Did you get the twins to the shelter?”

  “Yes. I explained what happened to Sarah.”

  “She’s good with them. Any word on their dad?”

  “He didn’t make it. I’ve told Logan and Lucas, and they didn’t say much.”

  She stared at her coffee, the bitter aroma turning her stomach. The twins had been through a lot and they would need help dealing with it. Her gaze went to the couch. As would Noah. That he could sleep was a good sign, though. Her hand shook as fatigue swept through her body.

  Peter took the cup. “It’s not too cold out, and you look like you could use some fresh air. How about taking a walk with me?”

  A walk sounded wonderful. Allie glanced at Mariah.

  “Go. I’ll find you if you’re needed. But leave me your phone so I can call you if there’s any change.”

  Outside, Allie breathed in a cleansing breath of cold air and exhaled a cloud of vapor from her lips. She glanced toward the heavens. The parking lights kept her from seeing any stars, but a new moon was visible. In another couple of months it would still be daylight at six-thirty. If she were at the farm, she’d be able to see the Milky Way. Would she and Matt ever again lie on a blanket by the lake and stare at the stars? She pulled her coat close as a shiver slid down her back.

  Neither she nor Peter spoke as they strolled toward a small park beside the hospital. He broke the silence first. “Matt’s going to be all right. He’s too stubborn to die.”

  “He saved my life.” Dead leaves crunched beneath her feet as they walked the path lit by overhead security lamps.

  “What he did was very brave.” Admiration laced Peter’s words.

  “I never believed Lenny Nichols would pull the trigger.”

  Peter guided her around a mud hole. “It was the drugs. The sheriff told me they found a bag of cocaine and a straw in his pocket. I’m certain blood tests will reveal a high level of the drug...and no telling what else.”

  That explained why he thought he could fly.

  Peter halted on the path and turned Allie to face him. “Don’t let your past beat you up, and don’t let it keep you from your future.”

  She tilted her head. “My future? What are you talking about?”

  Peter brushed a strand of hair from her cheek. “Matt risked his life for you. He loves you.”

  She wasn’t sure Matt saving her life meant he loved her.

  “The question is, do you love him?”

  Love shone from Peter’s eyes, and conflicting thoughts battled in her mind. Peter was safe, predictable. But she would never love him the way she loved Matt. He deserved to know that. Tears stung her eyes. She nodded, not trusting her voice.

  His shoulders drooped, and he looked away. She leaned toward him and kissed his cheek. “I’m sorry, Peter.”

  He wrapped Allie in a hug. “I am, too.”

  The husky words pierced her heart. She stepped back, hating goodbyes. “I better get back.”

  “I think I’ll stay here awhile.”

  * * *

  MATT DRIFTED TOWARD the light. He’d been dreaming about Allie, and didn’t want to leave the dream. I love you. She’d whispered the words in his ear. Trying to recapture that world, he ignored the voices murmuring in the background of a soft whooshing sound. His nose tickled. Needed to scratch it, but something caught his hand. Matt cringed against the shriek above his head and blinked his eyes open.

  “He’s waking up.”

  A glaring light flooded the room, and he squeezed his eyes shut again. If only he could shut his ears to the cacophony of bells and buzzers assaulting them.

  He sensed someone hovering over him and cracked his eyelids again. “Mr. Jefferies, try not to move. Wiggle your fingers if you can hear me.”

  “Yes.” The word garbled in his throat.

  “Don’t try to talk. You’re in the hospital in Cedar Grove, and you’re on a ventilator.”

  Hospital? Matt strained to sit up.

  “Lie still, Mr. Jefferies. I’m going to give you something to help you relax.”

  A warm sensation spread through Matt’s body, and the light faded into blackness.

  * * *

  “EXCUSE ME. ARE either of you with Matthew Jefferies’s family?”

  Allie opened her eyes, and the ICU waiting room swam into focus. She must’ve dozed off. A woman in her early twenties held a clipboard and a plastic bag in her hands. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, Allie nodded. “I’m a friend and this is his sister.” She pointed at Mariah.

  “I’m Tina Darby with Admitting, and I need insurance information. Actually, I need everything. Would’ve been here sooner, but it’s been a crazy night.”

  Mariah raised her eyebrows. “Would you mind?”

  “Sure.” Allie turned to Tina. “I don’t have any of his personal information, but I’ll do what I can.”

  “I’m sure all the information I need is in the bag. It contains Mr. Jefferies’s pants and his wallet, but I can’t go through them. Hospital rules.” Tina handed Allie the bag.

  Allie took a leather wallet from the bag and opened it. Matt’s driver’s license and insurance cards were inside, and she was able to provide the information Tina needed.

  After she’d received the answer to her last question, Tina stood. “Thank you so much. I’m sure if I need any additional information Mr. Jefferies can provide it in a couple of days.”

  After Tina left, Mariah glanced toward the ICU doors. “When do you think we can see him again?”

  “Soon, I hope. I’m sure he’s still asleep from the anesthetic.” Allie shifted the wallet from one hand to the other, looking for somewhere safe to put it other than her small purse.

  “Why don’t you put it inside his coat?” Mariah asked.

  “Good idea.” Paper rustled when Allie slid the wallet in the pocket. Curious, she extracted the paper. A marriage license? A memory nagged. Matt had said something about getting his parents’ marriage certificate. She handed the papers to Mariah. “I think this is yours.”

  Mariah’s brow creased in a frown. She took the paper and the frown eased. “Matt said he was going to get this. So my mom’s maiden name was Bradford.”

  As in J. Phillip Bradford? Allie’s mouth dropped. Was it possible he was their grandfather? “May I see that?”

  She took the paper Mariah handed her. Susan R. Bradford. It woul
d be too much of a coincidence for them to have the same last name and not be related. Was that why he hired Matt? If that was the case, why hadn’t Bradford returned her phone call? Surely, he would want to know about Matt’s condition.

  “Who is this man?” Mariah asked.

  “J. Phillip Bradford heads a huge foundation. Matt just agreed to go to work for him.” Maybe she should give him another call. She redialed Bradford’s number. Once again it went to voice mail. And once again she left a message.

  Mariah rubbed her injured arm. “I can’t believe we might have a living, breathing grandfather. Why do you suppose he never contacted us?”

  Allie had no idea. Her cell phone rang and she glanced at her ID. Mom. She answered and told her there’d been little change in Matt’s condition.

  “I’m sorry, honey. How are you and Noah holding up?”

  “Noah’s been asleep, but I think he’s waking up. Mariah’s here, too.”

  “The hospital is no place for a boy. Your dad and I are coming to get him and let him stay here awhile.”

  “Oh, Mom, that’d be great. Let me check with Mariah first.” She put her hand over the phone. “My folks want Noah to come out to the farm. Is that okay with you?”

  “Be great,” Mariah replied.

  Allie relayed the message.

  “Your dad wants to talk to you.”

  “How about Matt’s car?” Dad asked. “Someone mentioned it was at the school. Does it need to be moved?”

  She hadn’t given the car a thought. “That’s a good idea. I have his clothes, and his keys are probably in his pocket.”

  “Your mom and I will be there in fifteen minutes.”

  She disconnected and reached for the bag with Matt’s clothes as Mariah gently shook Noah awake. Allie patted the slacks and found the keys in the left pocket, along with a small velvet box.

  Mariah gasped when Allie pulled out the box. “Grandmother Rae’s ring box! Check and see if the rings are in it.”

  Allie flipped the lid up and almost dropped the box. A stunning antique engagement ring sparkled against the white satin. She thought he had given the ring to Jessica.

  So why was it in his pocket?

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  SUNDAY MORNING, ALLIE rode the elevator up to ICU. About midnight last night, her mom had finally talked her into going home to sleep. As usual, Mom was right. Sleeping in her own bed made a world of difference. Now if only Matt would wake up. But at least he was stable. Mariah sat in their usual corner, and she waved. Mariah had returned to rehab on the condition that she would be allowed to visit Matt.

  Her face lit up as Allie approached. “I talked to Noah. He’s having a ball at the farm.”

  “Mom and Dad love having him.” She sat in the chair opposite Mariah. Other families drifted in as visiting time neared. She’d connected with several of them and now asked if there’d been any improvement in their loved ones. One was being moved out on the floor, but the others were unchanged. How well she knew their feelings. To go in time after time yesterday and see Matt so still and pale broke her heart. Maybe today...

  The doors to the unit opened. “Why don’t you go back first? Then I’ll go,” she suggested. She wanted to give Mariah time alone with her brother.

  “Thanks.” She started to say more, but instead rose and hurried toward the doors.

  While Allie waited, she checked Matt’s cell phone to see if somehow Jessica had returned her call and she’d missed it. No, and neither had J. Phillip Bradford. In less than ten minutes Mariah returned, her eyes wet.

  Allie’s heart leaped into her throat. “Is he all right?”

  Mariah lifted her shoulders in a defeated shrug. “Just like yesterday. Is he ever going to wake up?”

  “Did you ask his nurse?”

  She shook her head.

  “When I go back, I’ll ask and let you know. Okay?” Allie worried Mariah might lose what progress she’d made toward recovery.

  She stopped at the nurses’ station just outside Matt’s door. “Any change, Traci?” She knew the nurses on each shift by name.

  Traci’s smile was encouraging. “We’re weaning him off the ventilator, and his vitals are holding good. The doctor said something about waking him up.”

  Best news she’d heard all weekend. She thanked Traci and stepped inside the cubicle. Her excitement faded at the sight of Matt’s still form. No wonder Mariah seemed depressed. Even though Allie knew the doctors had induced a coma to let his body rest, would he ever come out of it?

  Allie slid a hand in her pocket where she carried his grandmother’s ring. For some reason, touching the velvet box calmed her, gave her encouragement. She sat in the chair beside the bed and took his hand. Traci had said to talk to him, that perhaps he could hear her. “Good morning, Matt. It’s a beautiful day outside.”

  No response other than the occasional whoosh of the ventilator.

  “They said you might wake up today.” Her voice broke, and she rubbed her throat, trying to relax the tight muscles. When she thought her voice wouldn’t betray her, she began again. “Noah said to tell you hi. And that he’s riding Bridger every day.

  “Matt, if you’ll just get better, I’ll leave Cedar Grove with you. If you still want me to.” The words slipped past her lips. She hadn’t meant to say them, but now that she had, a weight lifted from her heart. “I was wrong to let you go without a fight. I’m sorry.”

  Was that a flicker of his eyelid? Allie moved closer, but the only thing that moved was his chest as he breathed in and out. Three soft chimes sounded throughout the unit, signaling an end to visiting time. She stood and stroked his cheek. He needed a shave. She leaned over and whispered in his ear the same thing she said each time. “I love you, Matthew Jefferies. Please come back to me and give us a second chance.”

  * * *

  EXCRUCIATING PAIN WOKE MATT. Pain in his chest. Pain in his head. Pain just to breathe. He moaned, and a nurse moved instantly to his side. He gripped her wrist. “Hurting. I need...” Her image blurred.

  “Mr. Jefferies, my name is Traci, and I’m your nurse. Do you know where you are?”

  He blinked, and Traci’s features sharpened. Intense blue eyes behind black-rimmed glasses appraised him. He focused on the stethoscope hanging around her neck. “Hospital.” But why was he in the hospital? And why did he hurt so much?

  “Good. Can you tell me your name?”

  Was she crazy? She’d just called him by his name. Burning pain shot through his chest again. “Please. I’m hurting.”

  Her brows almost touched in a frown. “Your name.”

  He licked his dry lips. “Matthew Jefferies.”

  The frown disappeared, and she inserted a needle into his IV. “I’m sorry, but I have protocols I have to follow. This will help.” She patted his arm as she slipped the stethoscope from around her neck and put the buds in her ears. “At least you’re off the ventilator and breathing on your own.”

  Ventilator? Explained why his throat hurt so bad. As the burning eased to a dull throbbing, more questions crowded his mind. “How long have I been here?” Was that him? “And why do I sound like a frog?”

  Traci pulled the buds away from her ears. “The ventilator. And you’ve been here almost two days. Do you remember anything that happened?”

  He shook his head, and pain rocked it. He wouldn’t do that again. “What day is it?”

  “Sunday. And it’s afternoon. Now, let me listen to your chest, and then we’ll talk.”

  Matt lay still while Traci moved the chestpiece over his body, breathing when she instructed. “Why does it hurt when I breathe?” he croaked when she finished.

  She folded the stethoscope and slipped it in her pocket. “You had a collapsed lung, among other things, but that’s improving.”


  He lifted his right hand to touch his chest.

  “I wouldn’t do that. You have a tube in your left side—just above where you were shot.”

  Shot? A fuzzy image surfaced in his memory. A man. A gun. Matt gripped the nurse’s wrist again. “Allie. Is she...”

  “Your friend?” Traci smiled. “She’s fine. Would you like to see her?”

  * * *

  ALLIE HURRIED THROUGH the ICU corridor. The receptionist hadn’t said why Matt’s nurse wanted her, and her mind created a thousand things that could be wrong. She hesitated outside Matt’s cubicle. What if... She rubbed the velvet box in her pocket for reassurance as Traci walked past with an IV bag in her hand. “You can go in.” Allie must have given her a look of panic because the nurse smiled. “I promise, he looks much better.”

  Gathering her courage, Allie stepped around the opening. Matt lay with his eyes closed, his lashes dark against his pale skin. A gown covered his chest, hiding the bandage. The ventilator was gone, replaced by a nasal cannula. She released the breath she’d been holding. The nurse was right—he looked better. He wasn’t going to die.

  His eyes opened, and for a minute, he stared at her. “You’re beautiful.”

  The raspy words spoken barely above a whisper sent her heart into orbit. She took a shuddering breath. “Oh, Matt...”

  She flew to the bedside and leaned over, brushing his lips with her own. Alarms buzzed over his head, and she jerked back.

  Traci chuckled and pressed a button. “Nothing to worry about unless his heart rate keeps climbing. Then I’ll have to ask you to leave.” The nurse peered over her glasses at them. “I’ll be outside the room if you need me.”

  “Slow your heart rate down,” Allie ordered as she sat in the chair. “I want to stay.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Matt gave her a lazy smile and took her hand again. “What happened? I’m not too clear on how I got here.”

  She rubbed her thumb over his knuckles. “You saved my life when Nichols fired that gun.” She closed her eyes, trying to keep the tears at bay. When she blinked them open, Matt had slipped into a deep sleep. She’d worn him out. Slowly she rose and walked out of the room. “He’s asleep again,” she said to Traci.