OUT OF THE BLUE

by Caroline Clemmons

  There was no room in an ambulance for Brendan. He raced to his car and drove to the hospital.

  He paced the waiting room outside the surgical area while Deirdre was in surgery. The blue and gray furniture was probably supposed to soothe him, but it didn’t. A small cart of books near the door offered a variety of paperbacks but he wouldn’t have been able to focus.

  Over and over in his head, he replayed the events. How did he let her get involved? Could he have stopped her?

  Why hadn’t he listened when she told him the guilty man was Owen? Her first visions played out just as she said. He should have trusted her more, should have listened and taken action earlier.

  He recalled her ardor and sweetness last night. They’d made passionate love half the night. It was himself he’d feared wouldn’t make it through the confrontation with Owen, not Deirdre. Why hadn’t he been able to protect her?

  What would he do if he lost her?

  Chapter Thirty Eight

  Back and forth Brendan walked the dimensions of the waiting room. Families came and went, but he was oblivious to them. His only thoughts were for Deirdre.

  That’s where he was when his mom and her friend found him. He walked over and hugged both women.

  To his mother’s friend, he said, “I don’t know your name but thank you for saving our lives.”

  “Mildred Vandermeer’s the name.” The odd-looking woman beamed. “It was Deirdre’s vision that saved you. Lucky I was there when she had it because she didn’t know your location.”

  “That’s right, son. When Deirdre described the building, Mildred instantly knew where you were and drove us there.” She threw her arms around Brendan again. “I’ve never been so scared in my life as when I saw Owen with his gun pointed at you.”

  He returned his mom’s hug. “Have to admit I was worried myself.”

  His mom kept her hold of his arm, as if touching him reassured her he’d lived. “How’s Deirdre? Do you know anything?

  “The surgeon said he’d come here the minute she’s out of surgery. Where’s Jim?”

  Mildred frowned. “The young deputy? He’s in the emergency room. Received a nasty blow and probably has a concussion. They’d roughed him up, I think, because he had trouble walking straight.” She looked around. “Why don’t I go down and get us something to eat and drink and I’ll check on him?”

  Blossom smiled. “How nice of you. We’ve all missed lunch. I could use a bite of something.”

  Brendan checked his watch. Nearing three o’clock. “Can you manage alone?” The question popped out from years of his mom’s training, but he had no intention of leaving this spot while Deirdre’s outcome was uncertain.

  Mildred tut-tutted. “If not, I’ll get someone to help me.” She sailed toward the elevators.

  “Quite a woman, isn’t she?” His mom watched her friend step into the elevator. “A force to be reckoned with.”

  “Obviously used to giving orders and having them obeyed.” He stopped. “Is that the woman you said reduces people to tears?”

  “Oh, yes, though she’s always been nice to me. But Mildred Vandermeer doesn’t tolerate hesitancy. Deirdre captured her as a friend at first glance. Part of it is Deirdre’s lilting accent, I think, but she does have a way of charming people.”

  “And Mrs. Vandermeer called the chief ‘Buddy.’ Must be the sister who keeps him his job.”

  “I didn’t know that about her until today. She contributes to a lot of causes, though. Her late husband left her quite well off, I believe, and she’s very generous.”

  No matter how often he checked his watch, time dragged. Brendan fought panic. The longer he waited, the more frightened he became. What was taking the doctors so long?

  Mildred returned with lunch. “The deputy’s still waiting for the radiologist to read his x-rays. That criminal has been taken to surgery too. I brought comfort foods, the kinds that soothe the stomach in tense times. Macaroni and cheese, salads, and pudding.”

  The orderly following her set a tray on the table near the door. She tipped him before waving him off.

  “Very kind of you, Mildred, and good choices.” Blossom joined Mildred at the table and picked at her food. “Son, it won’t help Deirdre to starve yourself. Mildred’s brought us a lovely lunch. You need to eat and keep up your strength.”

  He tried, but his stomach churned too much to tolerate more than a few bites. Macaroni turned to chalk in his mouth. He swallowed the iced tea, grateful for the cool liquid in his dry throat.

  Blossom took another bite of macaroni, and then laid down her fork. “This reminds me of when you and Larry were shot, son. I waited for hours while you were in surgery. Your leg wound created a problem for the doctors. I thought I’d go mad before the doctor came to tell me you’d be all right.”

  Another family came in, grave with concern for their own loved one. Brendan slumped into his chair.

  Dave rushed in. “I just heard about Deirdre. I checked on her but she’s still in surgery.” He gathered Blossom to him. “My love, I almost lost you.” Pulling away slightly, he said, “I won’t wait any longer, Blossom. You must marry me right away. As soon as Deirdre’s out of danger.”

  Brendan’s mom clung to Dave. “You’re right. I hate to think I might have missed being your wife.”

  The couple sat together on the sofa, hand in hand.

  Brendan figured that talk was long past due. Except it sounded as if they’d discussed marriage before now. Why had they waited? Suddenly it hit him. Good Lord, he supposed his own injuries were to blame. They’d waited because of him. Didn’t that beat all?

  Mildred clapped her hands. “How romantic.” She came over and patted Brendan’s arm. “Don’t worry. Deirdre will be fine. I’m sure of it. You two were meant to be together.”

  “I agree.” But he didn’t want assurances from anyone but the doctor and Deirdre.

  He groaned when Father Michael strode in. “I heard on the radio. How’s the young woman?”

  Brendan shook his head. “All we know is that she’s in surgery.” He stood and paced to the window.

  Finally, a man in green scrubs stepped into the room. “Dougherty?”

  Brendan stepped forward. “Here.”

  He greeted Dave then identified himself as the surgeon in charge. “She’s lost a lot of blood, but we’ve got her all patched up. I understand you’ve ordered a private room for her?”

  “Yes, and private duty nurses around the clock.”

  The doctor nodded as if he approved. “Since she’ll have continual monitoring from the private nurses, I suppose she can go to her room. Otherwise, I’d have to keep her in ICU. She’ll be moved in an hour or so.” He indicated a set of double doors. “She’ll come out there on her way to her room.”

  Brendan pressed, “Can’t I see her now?”

  “Not yet. Give us a little longer to make sure she’s responding properly and stabilized so there’re no problems. You make sure that nurse is ready for duty.” He turned and went through the doors he’d indicated.

  Glancing at the sign that forbid use of cell phones due to the presence of heart monitors in the area, Brendan went to the waiting room desk phone and dialed the nurse service. Once he was certain a nurse was on her way to the hospital, he sank onto a chair near his mother and Dave.

  Mildred rose. “Now that I know Deirdre will be all right, I’ll go check on the deputy again. Named Graham, isn’t he?”

  Brendan nodded. “Right, Jim Graham. Probably as James R.”

  “I’ll let him know where you are and that Deirdre’s out of surgery.” She left, still moving like a barge sailing upstream.

  “Mom, maybe you should go home now that we know Deirdre will be all right.”

  She shook her head. “No, but I’ll call Polly again. I phoned her on the way to the hospital and told her what had happened. They’ll all be wondering. Our associates are quite fond of Deirdre, you know.”

  Right now he didn’t care what anyone
in the world thought except Deirdre. He resumed pacing the hall in front of the wide double doors. People came and went, but no one would let him pass through. Dave left with a promise to return in an hour.

  Mildred floated by. “The young deputy is in room 252 and says he’s fine. Cracked ribs and a few sprains and bruises plus the concussion.” She chuckled. “Said he’s leaving tomorrow, with or without permission. I must say I like his spunk.” Under her breath, as if to herself, she added, “I’ll mention him to the sheriff.”

  At last, the doors opened and a bed wheeled out. Brendan’s stomach dropped to his knees. Deirdre lay on the gurney. She looked like a corpse, so pale he could have traced the veins in her skin. Tubes were hooked to her arms and her eyes were closed.

  “She’ll be sleepy for quite a while.” The attendant gave him a room number and guided Deirdre’s makeshift bed down the hall.

  Brendan stuck his head in the waiting room door and called to his mother. “Room 328.” Then, he followed as if he were Prince, dogging the attendant’s heels.

  Chapter Thirty Nine

  Deirdre wished her mind would work. Something was wrong. A fire heated her chest and cotton wool wrapped around her brain and lined her mouth. Why couldn’t she move her arms?

  She opened her eyes. Bouquets of flowers lined a shelf across the room. She turned her head. Brendan slept in a chair pulled next to her bed. His large hand covered hers.

  Didn’t he look good enough to eat? For all that he needed a shave, his hair was mussed and his shirt was less than fresh, she thought he’d never looked handsomer. Her fingers twined with his.

  His eyes popped open and he leaned forward to plant a kiss on her wrist. “How are you feeling?”

  She offered him a smile but couldn’t speak. From her time watching TV she knew she must be in a hospital. She licked her lips.

  “Thirsty?”

  She nodded.

  A nurse appeared at her side with a plastic cup of ice water and placed the straw against her mouth. “Go slow so you don’t upset your stomach.”

  She sipped, and held the water in her mouth to soothe her parched tongue. When she’d swallowed, she looked at Brendan. “Can we go home now?”

  Looking relieved, he smiled. “Not yet, honey. You lost a lot of blood and had to have a transfusion. The doctor will be by in the morning to let us know if you can leave then. This is Mrs. Jones, your night nurse.”

  A middle-aged woman smiled at her. “You’ll need to stay quiet for a while yet. Be a patient patient, you know.” She smiled as if she’d made a joke then sat in a chair pulled next to the bed on the side opposite Brendan.

  Deirdre searched for a clock. “What time is it?”

  “Just after midnight on Thursday. You’ve been here almost thirty-six hours.” Brendan stroked her forehead. “Go back to sleep, love.”

  “Jim?”

  “Jim’s fine. He spent one night and went home yesterday. After Mildred badgered the sheriff, he gave Jim a week off.”

  She was afraid to ask, but forced herself. “Owen?”

  “Owen didn’t make it.”

  She sighed and relief poured through her. Hating to rejoice in another’s death, she couldn’t help the release at knowing Brendan was safe from that evil man. As long as Owen lived, he’d have plotted against Brendan. Even from jail. “Those men?”

  He stood. “Don’t worry, honey. I’ll explain everything tomorrow.” He kissed her hand again. “Go to sleep.”

  Her gaze went to a large vase of pink roses, three arrangements of mixed flowers, and a large green plant. “Flowers everywhere. Are the roses from you?”

  “Yes, you said pink wild roses were your favorite. Couldn’t find wild ones, so we had to take some from a florist.”

  “The others?”

  “The pink carnations and white gladiolas are from Mom and Dave. Mildred sent the purple, red, and yellow arrangement. The large one with birds of paradise is from Kevin—you remember him? And the plant is a peace lily from the associates at Mom’s shop.”

  “Lovely.” More than lovely, for all those people had thought of her and wished her well. After a lifetime of having no true friends except Ma and Gran, she’d found a family and friends in her new life. “And Cathbad and Prince?”

  “Tom from next door is walking Prince twice a day. Mom’s feeding BadCat.”

  She searched Brendan’s face, hoping he’d stay but knowing he needed rest at home. “Will you go home now?”

  He shook his head. “You couldn’t pry me away with a lever. Not without you by my side. Mom stayed here all day, but Dave and I convinced her to leave around seven. She promised to bring me a change of clothes when she comes back this morning.” Leaning down, his lips brushed her brow again.

  She smiled and closed her eyes. Now wasn’t he a lovely, lovely man?

  ***

  The next day when his mom and Mildred visited Deirdre, they grilled Brendan.

  Mildred asked, “Where had Owen stashed all the money he’d made from the cocaine he and that other man pilfered from the police station?”

  “Haven’t found it yet, but the best computer guy at the station is on it and they’ve called in a guy from Fort Worth to help. They have Owen’s personal computer from his home. It’s only a matter of time until they trace it all.”

  “Do you think his girlfriend knows?” His mother asked.

  “No. As soon as she figured out Owen had been planning to ditch her, she started talking but didn’t know much.”

  “What about that man in black?” Deirdre shuddered as if remembering him was frightening.

  Sure as hell was for Brendan. “He wouldn’t talk until the DA offered him a deal. Now he’s detailing the operation.”

  It hurt Brendan to admit he’d misjudged Owen so completely. “Owen had been on the take for a long time, as long as he’d been a policeman. Turns out his ex-wife suspected and that’s what broke up his marriage. But it was only with that big drug seizure Larry and I made that he became bold. Figured it would be his final deal and then he’d skip the country.”

  His mom clasped her hands at her breast. “But, son, why kill Larry? Or you?”

  “One day by chance, Larry overheard Owen talking to Conor. Owen realized Larry heard enough to figure it out, and believed Larry would tell me. He decided to get rid of both of us.”

  His usually peaceful mom looked fierce enough to punch someone. “It makes me angry with myself. I should have told you he creeped me out when I dated him. Maybe it would have helped you see him for what he was earlier.”

  “Doesn’t matter now, Mom. It’s over. Or near enough. As soon as we get Deirdre home, I’ll be a happy man.”

  “At least my brother showed some sense in naming you as Owen’s replacement, Captain Hunter.” Mildred reached over the end of the bed and patted Deirdre’s foot. “Now we’d better get out of here so you can rest. You take care of yourself and we’ll see you tomorrow.”

  His mom leaned over and kissed Deirdre’s cheek. “I’ll talk to you later, dear.” She stopped and hugged him before she left.

  When he and Deirdre were alone, Brendan sat down next to the bed and took her hand in his. “I’ll be glad when I can take you home, honey.”

  She squeezed his hand. “Sure and I’ll be even happier. The people here are kind, but I want to be at home with you.” She smiled. “Isn’t it odd? I feel Blossom’s home is mine more than I did my wee cottage, when I’ve lived here such a short time by comparison to my old life.”

  “Because we were meant to be together. Because you promised to marry me the minute you’re well enough and you know everything I have is yours.” He kissed her again. “I have a surprise for you when we get home.”

  She tugged on his hand. “What is it? Tell me now or I’ll not get a wink of sleep.”

  He shook his head. “Nope, you’ll have to wait until tomorrow afternoon when I take you home.”

  “Is it big or small?”

  He shook his head again. �
�Not saying.”

  “Brendan Hunter, you’re as stubborn as an Englishman.”

  “Or an Irish lass.”

  Chapter Forty

  Deirdre could hardly wait to leave the hospital. On Saturday afternoon, Brendan lifted her from the hospital’s wheel chair into his car.

  “Can’t I walk on my own? Haven’t I been doing so for two days in the hospital?”

  “I know you can.” He fastened her seatbelt and brushed a kiss across her lips. “But you don’t have to. Better to save your strength.”

  The nurse’s aid handed him the flowers and other gifts accumulated during Deirdre’s hospital stay and he stowed them in the back seat. “We have to hurry. Dave said he’s not waiting a minute past three.”

  Pleasure enfolded her. “You don’t mean it? They’re finally getting married?”

  “Yeah, never saw Mom this happy. Acts thirty years younger.”

  They arrived at St. Brighid’s. “Sorry, honey, we don’t have time for you to go home and change clothes. Mom said she’d bring something for you to slip on here. She wanted you to be her maid of honor, but she’s afraid you couldn’t stand long enough for the ceremony and Dave refuses to wait another day. He has tickets to leave in the morning for that Caribbean cruise Mom’s always talking about.”

  “She’s wanted to go but wouldn’t leave the shop. But the associates will be fine and Polly is well able to manage the store. It’s sorry I am not to be in her wedding, but my passing out from standing too long would spoil the ceremony.”

  “Right. So, since you’re not strong enough yet, she’s asked Polly instead. And I’m to give her away.” He glanced at her as turned off the car’s engine. “Do you think you’re up to attending?”

  She took his hand, entwining their fingers. “I wouldn’t miss it. They’ll be very happy together, and they’ll live near us. Won’t it be wonderful when we have children and they can run across to visit their Gran?” The idea sent warmth shooting through her. She pictured mischievous boys and girls running in and out of the house.