What was he doing? She started to squirm, tearing at whatever was covering her nose again.
He caught her hand and held it. “Let’s leave this on for a while. Just so we know that you’re going to be okay. You’ve been asleep for a while. So I want you to try and stay calm.”
She stared up into his kind eyes and did what he said.
“Do you know your name?” he asked.
She used all her strength to press her lips press. “Mi… Mi… Mira,” she murmured behind the mask.
He turned toward the two people behind him. “Come closer.”
When they were close, she looked up into the man’s face.
Her eyes went to the man who put a hand over his chest. “It’s me, honey.”
When the lady stepped out from behind the doctor, she looked kind of scared and didn’t say anything.
Studying the lady’s face for a long time, her heart felt happy. “Ma…mm… Mom… my?” It was hard to talk and the word “Mommy” came out all choppy.
Mommy bent over and gave Mira quick gentle kisses all over her face, her tears falling on Mira’s cheeks.
“Welcome home, baby.” Mommy sniveled. “We’ve missed you so much.”
Daddy put his arms around Mommy. Just like Mommy, Daddy had tears in his eyes, too.
All she wanted to do was crawl into their arms and stay there forever and ever.
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
THE WORDS, “MIRA IS READY TO GO HOME,” brought tears of joy to Charlie.
It had been four and a half long weeks since Mira woke up from the coma. She’d been assessed by doctors and nurses, as well as physical and speech therapists, and everything appeared normal.
After Charlie and Clint loaded the truck with toys and stuffed animals that friends and family had sent to Mira, they headed north to Iowa. The story she and Clint were telling was that they’d asked Charlie’s cousin to take Mira to Kansas City to take her mind off the shooting. A few hours after they’d arrived, however, Winston passed from a heart attack and Mira collapsed with an aneurysm. This would also explain why Mira wasn’t thinking straight when she’d accused Charlie of abuse.
When Charlie didn’t hear Mira chattering, she turned and looked into the back seat. “She’s asleep.”
“Doctor said it would take a while to get her strength back.” Clint looked over at Charlie. “She doesn’t want to wear that wig.”
“She thinks it’s cool not having hair. Every kid in Sheffield will want to shave their head.”
Mira had never mentioned Winston or Faith, and Charlie and Clint didn’t ask questions. Prayerfully, any memory of what had happened the past few months was gone. God knew Charlie wished she could forget.
Winston’s ashes were inside a gold-and-black urn tucked safely in the backseat. He’d visited Charlie in her dreams a couple of times, but hadn’t said anything. His eyes looked troubled, making Charlie feel as if he still had something to tell her.
“How’s the shoulder?” Clint asked
“A little stiff, but not bad. I have an appointment to the see the doctor this Friday.” She put her hand over the sling. “I’ll be glad to get this dumb thing off.”
“Charlie,” Clint started, but she quickly put her fingers to her lips to quiet him, feeling as if he was going to say something about Winston or Faith.
“Let’s talk later,” she said. All Charlie wanted to do was move forward. After she shared with Clint that she knew that Faith’s memory had been attached to Mira’s, they’d decided to never discuss what no one would ever understand again, including Charlie or Clint.
“At least Shannon Patterson is taken care of,” Clint said.
“Where is she?”
“I don’t know. I just know she’s not in Sheffield.” He picked up the Styrofoam cup of coffee he’d ordered when they’d driven through McDonald’s for Mira. “Thank God.”
“Poor soul.”
“Poor soul?”
“Nobody wants to be mentally ill.”
“She could have killed you.”
“But”—she gave him a look—“she didn’t. And I don’t think she ever wanted to hurt anyone.”
“But she did.”
Charlie was exhausted and didn’t want to waste energy on arguing. She’d probably feel the same if Shannon had shot Clint. But right now, all she felt was gratitude for both her and Mira being alive.
She leaned her head back into the headrest and closed her eyes, her thoughts turning to Faith. Where was she? Charlie had to believe and needed to trust that her baby girl was all right. Hopefully Faith knew now how much Charlie loved her. And that a mother’s love would never end, not even after death.
She’d daydreamed about Faith being in heaven and playing with other children who’d also been taken far too soon.
Faith had been watching and waiting for a time when she could come back to them. But that wasn’t the way that God intended it to be.
When they turned into the driveway, Charlie sat up. “I’ve never been so happy to be home.” She glanced into the backseat. “Mira’s still asleep.”
Clint carried his sleeping Mira up to her room while Charlie made coffee. The kitchen was spotless with the blood spots gone and a lingering odor of Lysol, her mother’s favorite cleaning product.
“She never woke up when I put her in bed,” Clint said coming into the kitchen.
“Poor baby. She’s been through so much.”
When the phone rang, Clint snatched it off the hook before the second ring. “Hello?” He listened. “Yes, this is Clint Abbott. Who’s this?” He looked at Charlie and raised a questioning eyebrow.
Charlie poured a cup of coffee and opened the refrigerator door, smiling when she saw the fresh carton of milk and a casserole inside. What would she do without her parents?
“Winston Fry’s lawyer?” Clint asked. “But…”
“What’s going on?” Charlie mouthed.
Clint held up a finger, asking Charlie to wait.
Oh God. Was a family member suing them for taking Winston’s ashes?
Clint tucked his free hand underneath an armpit. “Are you sure? Winston never said anything about that.”
Charlie pulled out a chair at the kitchen table and sat down. What was going on?
“Yes, he was a very kind man.” Clint paused. “Just send it to my home address and I’ll get back to you after I look at the papers.”
“Clint?” Charlie asked the second he hung up, following him with her eyes when he strolled to the counter and poured himself a cup of coffee.
“That was Winston’s lawyer.” He turned around. “He said Winston contacted him before he died. I guess he was in Kansas City when he called.”
“The night he died. And?”
And, I guess he left his home in Kentucky to us.”
“What?” she asked stunned. “Are you kidding?”
“No.” Clint walked to the table and took a chair next to Charlie. “I’m not.”
“Oh, my God.” The news took her by surprise. “Do you think he knew he was going to die?”
“I don’t know. There’s no mortgage on the place, and Winston put money in a trust for taxes and upkeep.” He shook his head. “I can’t wrap my head around this one. Winston told his lawyer that he wanted us to have it so, if we wanted to get away, our family would have a peaceful place to go. But why us?”
“Because he had no one else. He was an only child, no siblings, no nieces or nephews. We were his family.”
“But what about friends?”
Charlie stared down at the table. “It was always just he and Saul.”
“And then he met us.”
“And became part of our family.” She caught a tear when it ran down her cheek. “I miss him.”
Clint pushed an arm across the table toward her. He opened the palm of his hand and Charlie put her hand in his.
They sat in silence with Charlie deep in thought. Maybe that’s why Winston kept coming to her in her dreams. He
wanted to tell her that he’d left his home to them.
But if that were the case, and he wanted to tell Charlie good news, why the forlorn expression?
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
THE STAFF HATED HER, but Shannon didn’t give a rat’s ass. Yes, she’d had a few incidents where they’d restrained her. But these idiots who got in her face and told her where to go and what to do drove her insane. She just wanted to scratch their eyes out, which she’d tried to do a couple of times.
The only time she felt good about being here was when she was with Tony Hedron. She looked forward to the bi-weekly sessions with her counselor, and they’d even started to discuss their future together. Well, Tony hadn’t said much, but Shannon understood. He had to keep up his professional image until Shannon was released. And then, boy oh boy, that’s when they’d make up for lost time.
The dreams she’d had about him were incredible. If Tony only knew how many times he’d brought her to a climax without even participating, he’d be pleased. The anticipation of them making love was killing her.
Tony hadn’t mentioned anything about Shannon’s release. Maybe he was anxious that once she got out, she’d leave him. But that was never going to happen. They had so many things they needed to talk about: where they were going to live, if they wanted children, or maybe he just wanted Shannon all to himself.
Impatiently waiting in the community room, wringing her hands, Shannon watched the clock: 9:30, 9:32… If the attendant was one second late to take her to Tony’s office again, you’d better believe that Shannon would tear her hair out by the roots.
Early this morning she’d taken a long shower, pulled her hair up on top of her head and scrunched it into a kinda messy, sexy doo. She’d asked for some lipstick and blush, but Bea told her to be patient in that condescending, baby-talk way she spoke to Shannon. The employees were wackier than the patients.
She glanced up at the clock again and rolled her eyes when she saw that stupid woman dancing in the middle of the room like she did every single day. She drove Shannon bonkers. Attention getter. Fuming, Shannon stood and, hurrying past her, stuck out her foot and tripped the damn fool. Not bothering to turn back around, Shannon covered her ears so as not to hear her cries. Maybe now she’d learn her lesson. Who the hell wanted to watch a crazy old woman dance?
“What did you do?” Tia asked Shannon, frowning.
“Nothin’.” Shannon shrugged a shoulder. “She’s just a clumsy ole bitty.” She cocked her head. “Booooring,” She waltzed back to her chair, ignoring the woman on the floor writhing in pain.
When the big hand on the clock reached twelve, and it was exactly ten o’clock, Shannon’s anger hit the roof. “Why the hell isn’t someone taking me to Tony’s office?”
Bea rushed to her side. “Hush, now. Mr. Hedron is tied up. He’ll see you this afternoon.”
“Tied up?” She smirked and stood. “Bologna.” Her face just inches away from Bea, Shannon glared into the older woman’s eyes. “You’d better get your shit together, lady, or your days are numbered.”
With an attendant on either side of Shannon, she was forcefully escorted back to her room. She heard the click of the lock. She ripped the sheets off her bed, tossed a stupid painting across the room, and banged on her door screaming that if they knew what was good for them, they’d take her to Tony right now.
When her hands hurt and her throat smarted, she crossed her arms across her chest and started to pace. Tony had better not be screwin’ another patient. She started to hyperventilate just thinking about him being with someone else.
She cried, mumbled to herself, and threw fits for hours before the door opened.
“Mr. Hedron will see you now,” one of the two muscular male attendants told her.
“’Bout time,” Shannon huffed marching into the hallway. “Tony is going to be unhappy about this.”
By the time she reached Hedron’s office, she’d worked herself up into a tizzy.
“Where were you?” Shannon shouted the moment he opened the door and entered his office.
“Boys,” Tony told the two men, “just wait outside. We won’t be long.”
“What does that mean we won’t be long?” Shannon asked. “Are you dumping me?”
“Have a seat, Shannon.”
“Have a seat?” she asked. “Is that all you have to say is have a seat?”
He appeared unaffected by what Shannon asked him. “We need to have a chat.” Hedron took the same chair he always sat in, intertwined his fingers, and placed his hands in his lap.
“Fine.” Disgusted with him, Shannon dropped down on the couch.
“I want to help you. You know that, right?” The counselor leaned forward.
“Of course,” she said flippantly. “But it’s time we move forward with our lives together.” She shook a finger at him. “And you better not be foolin’ around on me, Doctor Tony Hedron.”
Hedron leaned back. “We have a physician on staff that I’d like you to see. Would that be all right?”
“You mean a medical doctor?” She checked her forehead to see if she felt hot. “Do I look sick?”
“No, you look fine. I just feel he’ll be able to help you.”
“Help me? I don’t need help.”
“I want you to be at peace.”
Shannon tingled all over. He was worried about her. “I’ll be at peace when we’re together, honey.”
Hedron stood and walked to the door. Shannon would swear he was blushing.
“Will you agree to see him? And not be combative?”
Shannon smiled. “I’d do anything for you.”
He opened the door, and looked into the hallway.“I think Shannon is ready to see the doctor now.”
“When am I going to see you again?” she asked and stood, feeling confident that their relationship was stable. “We need to start planning our future together, sweetheart.”
Shannon waited for his answer. “Soon,” he told her. “We’ll talk soon.”
One of the beefy guys with Shannon pushed “L” in the elevator.
“What’s ‘L'?” Shannon asked.
“Lower level.”
“Oh, Bea never showed me the basement.” She noticed the two young men glance at each other. “Must be where the doctor’s office is.”
“Yes, ma’am,” the shorter of the two said.
When they reached the lower level Shannon couldn’t believe how dark and quiet it was. The doors on either side of the hallway were closed, with no noise coming from behind them.
They led her to a small room with a bed and a built-in counter on a wall with a small sink.
The muscular men stood at attention in the doorway until the doctor arrived.
“I don’t know what I’m doing here,” Shannon told the middle-aged physician.
The bald headed physician smiled. “Dr. Hedron thought I might be able to help you.” He took out a cotton ball from one of the jars on the counter, screwed the top of a bottle off filled with clear liquid inside, and saturated the cotton.”
“I’m going to give you a shot to relax you.” He pulled up the sleeve on her shirt and wiped her skin.
“Tony didn’t say anything about a shot.”
“It’s protocol. Everyone who sees me has a shot to relax them.”
“Weird,” Shannon said, “but whatever. Tony knows you do this, right?”
“Of course.” He took out a syringe from his pocket and took off the protective top and quickly pushed the needled into her skin.
“Oh, I feel a little woozy.” Shannon told him. She put her hand on the side of her head.
“Let’s just lay you down for a bit.” The doctor guided her head down to a pillow.
Shannon had no idea how long she’d been asleep. Looking around, she saw she wasn’t in her room. A small window above her let in a bit of light and the brick walls were painted a light green.
She was in a single bed, covered by a sheet and blanket. She noticed a toilet in the c
orner of the room next to a sink. Dizzy, Shannon’s heart raced as she clamored to the door, but found it locked.
“Hey,” she screamed, the sound of her hands hitting the heavy metal resounding through the room. “Let me the hell out of here!”
A few seconds later, Shannon heard, “Stand back from the door.”
Trembling, she stepped away and a middle aged woman, her dark brown hair pulled back at the nape, came in carrying a small plastic cup of water. Following her was a brawny man who closed the door behind them.
“What’s going on?” Shannon’s adrenalin pumped through her veins. “Where am I?”
“You’re in the part of the hospital we call the Manor, dear. I’m your nurse”—she nodded at the man behind her—“and this is Danny.”
Shannon spread her arms apart. “But this isn’t my room.”
“We moved you here yesterday,” the nurse told her smiling. “After you were with the doctor.”
‘I’d like to talk to my fiancé about this. I’m sure you know him. Tony Hedron.”
“Dr. Hedron will no longer be your counselor. Dr. Quigley will be down later this afternoon to talk to you.” The nurse opened her closed fist, revealing a handful of pills. “Now be a good girl and take these.”
“What are you talking about? Tony Hedron is not only my doctor, but my fiancé.”
“I know,” the nurse replied kindly. “But another doctor will be seeing you now.”
“Liar.” Shannon shouted enraged. “You’re a dirty liar.”
“Your new counselor will take as much time as needed to explain everything to you,” the nurse said. “Now be a good girl and take your pills.”
What was happening? Shannon took a few steps away from the nurse, her back pressing against the brick wall. “I’m not taking a damn thing. Not until I talk to Tony.”
“Shannon,” the nurse said, her face expressionless, “if you don’t take your pills, I’m going to have to give you another shot.”
Shannon started to cry. “I’m hungry. Can you please take me to the dining hall before I stuff my mouth full of pills?” If she could just get out of here, maybe she could get to Tony for help.
Miracle Page 27