A Hero For Heather (Blossoms Book 7), page 12
Hearing that Heather was in a room and resting well made him feel better, but he still wanted to see her for himself.
He went to work at seven this morning, then left and told his captain that he’d like to check in on the victim if he could once he was given his orders for the day.
He’d been told no problem and found himself here first thing before visiting hours. He wasn’t sure he could get in but hoped being in uniform they’d give him a pass knowing how Heather ended up here.
When he got to the nurse’s station, the nurse standing there looked up. “Can I help you?”
“I’m looking for Heather Davis’s room?”
The nurse looked at him, hesitated a second, and then looked it up and directed him where to go. “She should be eating breakfast right now.”
Which meant she was up.
“Thanks,” he said, moving toward her room. He walked in and saw her drinking orange juice and making her way through some pancakes. “Hey.”
“Hi,” she said. “Just lovely. The first time I see you again it’s when I’m doing my best woodland creature impersonation.”
“What?” he asked, not sure what she was talking about. He was just happy to see her somewhat normal in his eyes.
“I know I look like a raccoon,” she said. “I looked at myself this morning.”
“Your glasses are covering some of it up,” he said.
He hadn’t even been aware she wore glasses, which meant she had contacts in before. It felt like he should have known that but then reminded himself it was not like the night she’d spent with him was planned.
She probably slept in her contacts the night of the wedding. Not that they did much sleeping that night though.
“Not enough,” she said. “Come in. It’s not visiting hours yet. How did you get in?”
“The uniform,” he said. “They didn’t question anything.”
“Nice,” she said. Her eyes were moving over him and he felt the heat hit his body like it had every time they were together. There had to be something wrong with him that he was being turned on right now while she lay in a hospital bed. “The uniform looks nice on you. That is what I meant to say.”
“Thanks,” he said. “I think. Not sure how you can think that.”
“The mind is a crazy thing,” she said. “I heard you saved me.”
He let out a laugh. “Something like that.”
“Oh please. My mother is singing your praises. That you saved me from a burning car. My father said it wasn’t that bad. Be honest with me. I know you’ll tell me the truth.”
He wanted to brush it off, but she did have a right to know. “You were trapped in. Gas was leaking from your car. The gas tank had taken a hit along with part of your car door. When I was pulling you out, flames started, but the fire truck was on the scene then.”
“And you carried me to safety and shielded me on the ground,” she said. He frowned, not sure if she was guessing that or not. “Dr. James told me about it. Said he was there too. Well, my mother told me that and when he came in to check on me this morning he was talking about the heroic actions the trooper had taken.”
“And you knew it was me?” he asked.
“Yes. My parents told me when they came in. I was surprised. But then Daisy filled me in some more. She asked for your number and said that you were here to check on me. She wanted to let you know she talked to me.”
“I appreciated that she did that.”
“Why are you here now?” she asked. “To just check on me or more? Ready for that date now? You can push me in a wheelchair if you want. I think I’ve got enough makeup to cover my eyes.”
She was giggling and there was part of him that wondered how much pain meds she was on and if she was going to remember saying this to him. “Why don’t we give it a few weeks? I’ll let your eyes heal some and you should be on crutches. Unless your parents take you home.”
Her smile fell. “Not happening. I told them that last night. I remember the conversation clearly and will make sure they understand again when they get here. They are at a hotel. There is no reason for me to go home with them. It’s one leg. I can get around well enough. People are on crutches all the time in their lives.”
“They are,” he said. “Some for life.”
“That’s right,” she said. “I’m sure you know plenty of soldiers that have lost limbs and get around on crutches daily. They don’t need a keeper any more than me. Daisy will get me home and take a few days off. I’m sure I’ll see my bosses in here today. Rose called me last night and said Daisy’s schedule will be flexible to do whatever I need, to not worry. I didn’t expect any differently. Lily and Poppy both texted to say they’d be in to visit today if I’m up to it or they’d wait until I was home. I think Daisy is keeping them posted.”
“That’s nice of them all,” he said. Which told him she was going to get enough care, but the words came out of his mouth, “I’m around too. I mean, on my days off. I don’t work every day. And I’m on nights in another week. My schedule rotates.”
“Some of those things I hope we get to talk about,” she said.
He smiled. “Yeah, when you’re ready.”
“Would it be crazy to say I’ve missed you?”
He had to be nuts to think she wouldn’t wait for him. “No. I think I’ve felt the same way. I should have reached out sooner. Yesterday made me realize what a fool I was to wait.”
“You have been a fool,” she said and giggled again. “Yes, I’m on drugs, but I know what I’m saying. I think it’s just making my tongue loose.”
“No worries,” he said. “It’s like a truth serum.”
“That’s a good description of it,” she said. “Can you stay when my parents get here and save me again? I need them to know I’ll be fine on my own.”
“I don’t think they are going to listen to me.”
“Probably not,” she said. “They wanted to know more about you. I didn’t say anything. Just verified what Daisy had said when you were standing there. We met at the wedding and then saw each other again at the Christmas party.”
“Neither are lies,” he said and wouldn’t be hurt she didn’t say more. He had no reason to feel anything since he was the one that put the walls and distance up for the past several months.
“Nope,” she said. “I guess my next question to you is—how long is it going to be before I see you again?”
“Not long,” he said. “Though it seems as if you are going to have a lot of people around you. I heard something about your brothers coming today.”
She groaned and put her head back. “I forgot about that.” She’d been picking at her pancakes and pushed them away now. “I lost my appetite. But maybe they will help get my mother off my back.”
“I don’t think it will be that bad. You’re an adult.”
“I remind them all the time I’m twenty-eight, but they don’t seem to care.”
“Can’t say I know what that feels like, but be glad your parents care so much.”
“I know you’re right. I’m having a pity party. There is this hot guy in uniform in front of me and I can’t do a thing about it.” Her hand went up to her mouth as if she hadn’t meant to say that. He saw the IV’s in her hand and it reminded him where they were and what happened.
“We’ve got time yet,” he said. “We can make it up to each other.”
“I like the sound of that,” she said. “Could I ask you something?”
“Anything,” he said. He’d do whatever she asked or wanted without question.
“Can I get a kiss as some kind of a promise?”
He didn’t make promises in life, but he’d make this because he knew he’d be stupid and regret it if he put her off or out of his life without getting to know her more.
“Absolutely,” he said.
He walked out and looked in the hallway first to make sure no one was around. No reason to get caught or get in trouble for being here other than the assumption it was on official business.
He moved closer to her, bent over, and was careful to not touch more than his lips to hers.
“There,” she said. “That will keep me covered for a bit.”
“You taste like maple syrup,” he said, grinning at her.
Her hand came up and touched her lip where some of the syrup had transferred from her mouth to his. “A sloppy woodland creature,” she said.
“It’s cute,” he said. “And now I know what you might like for breakfast.”
He left after that. He needed to get back to work but felt better and would reach out to her later tonight. If anything, just to make sure she was doing well and didn’t want to strangle her family.
When he passed by the nurse’s station, the older woman that had given him the information asked, “How is your friend doing?” He just looked at her and before he could say anything, she said, “I was at Zane and Lily’s wedding. I’m a friend of Zane’s mom. I heard the nurses talking this morning that Heather worked for Lily, then something about Dr. James and Zane’s best man being on the scene. Things make the rounds fast here.”
Which meant it might not be long before everyone found out that he and Heather were dating. If that is what it was or would be.
“She’s doing well,” he said. “As you know. I just wanted to check in for myself on her.”
The nurse nodded. “No worries. No one will know you were here.”
“Thanks,” he said and left.
20
Nothing To Worry About
“How are you feeling?” Heather’s mother asked her less than an hour after Luke left. She figured her parents would be here the minute visiting hours opened up.
“Better,” she said. “Got some good pain meds.”
“Which is why you can’t go home alone.”
“I’m not going to be alone,” she argued. “And there is nowhere for you to stay at our house. We don’t have a bed in the spare room. You know that. It’s our office space.”
“We’ll stay at the hotel for a few more days. I want you to come home with us,” her mother said.
“Dad, will you tell Mom that I can stay here? Daisy is with me. I talked to Rose last night and she said that Daisy is free to be off as long as I need her.”
“But she needs to be paid,” her mother said. “She shouldn’t use her vacation time either or go without pay.”
“She won’t be,” she argued. “She’ll work from home. My bosses are great. There is nothing to worry about.”
“Let’s not make any decisions today,” her mother said. “We should hear what the doctor has to say first. You might be here a few more days.”
Heather wanted to grind her teeth, but she was pretty sure she might get released today. “We’ll see,” she said. “Dr. James came in first thing this morning and said he’d be back in a few hours. I could go home this afternoon.”
“That is too soon,” her mother said.
“Let the doctor make that call,” her father said. “Your brothers are on the road now. They are at least staying tonight. Maybe longer.”
“They didn’t even need to come now,” she said. “They could have waited until the weekend.”
“They are working this weekend. Both of them ended their shifts yesterday so they will be off and here.”
Guess she was going to have more guests than she wanted. Not like she was in a position to physically kick anyone out.
Hell, she was lucky she had more of her wits about her after Luke left.
Talk about embarrassing. She looked a mess and even had food on her face. But he kissed her like she’d asked and she knew it wasn’t a sympathy kiss either.
“Hope you guys have fun at the hotel. Remember, I don’t live alone and I shouldn’t have you all crowded around my place. It’s not that big.”
“You made it sound like Daisy had no problem caring for you, but if she doesn’t want your family there then I think it’s best you come home with us. Even if it’s just for a month.”
She put her foot in her mouth with that. “No,” she said. “I’m staying here. End of discussion.”
But it wasn’t the end of the discussion five hours later when she was being discharged. She was thrilled to be going home but knew she was going to struggle on the crutches to just get around her place until she was used to it.
She supposed it could have been worse, that it could have been her arm that was busted, but just having her left leg made it easier for her to do things if she was sitting.
The elevator dinged, and her brother Noah said, “Are you sure you don’t want me to carry you? I’m used to carrying women out of fires. I’ll just throw you over my shoulder.”
“Good thing Luke rescued me and not you,” she said. She was assuming he cradled her and didn’t toss her around like a sack of potatoes. She’d have to ask him to find out. Or maybe she didn’t want to know.
“So it’s Luke now?” Gavin asked.
“Stop,” she said. “You know he’s best friends with my boss’s husband and how we met.”
Her brothers knew the story. They’d had to be told when they arrived and, as usual, her mother exaggerated things and she had to lessen it somehow.
Her brother didn’t need to know how close she’d come to being stuck in a car on fire. As a fireman, she’d get that lecture and maybe more information than she wanted to know.
She was afraid she was going to have nightmares as it was, so the less she thought of this the better.
“Yeah,” Noah said. “If Heather was seeing anyone, we’d know because we’ve got to meet and approve them. Right, Heather? It doesn’t matter if you live here, at home, or in Alaska.”
“Whatever you say,” she said. She wasn’t in the mood to talk about this even if they were joking.
They got to her door and Daisy must have heard them in the hall talking because she opened the door. “Come in.”
Daisy held the door, her mother walking in first, her father next, her brothers all but arguing about who was going to catch her if she fell.
“I’m not going to fall,” she snapped. “Not unless you two don’t get out of my way and trip me.”
She was louder than she figured and everyone just stopped and stared at her. “They are only trying to help,” her mother said.
“They can help by not arguing and making my headache worse. And I need a shower. I’ve got to clean up. I feel gross.”
“I don’t know if that is wise,” her mother said. “Do you want me to go in with you?”
“I bought one of those senior chairs for the shower,” Daisy said. “Since it’s your left leg, you can sit on it and hang your left leg out of the shower and it won’t get wet. Plus I put some garbage bags in your bathroom with twine I found to cover everything up so the spray doesn’t get on your leg.”
“Thank you, Daisy,” Heather said, looking at her best friend and then her mother. “I told you I was going to be fine at home.”
Daisy smiled. “I bought some sandwich meat and was getting ready to make pasta salad and potato salad. Heather loves them both and it will be an easy thing for her to eat in bed if she is hungry.”
“I’m not going to be eating in bed.” She looked at Daisy and saw the smirk. She knew her roommate was doing this on purpose.
“You will if you need to,” her mother said.
She moved past them, hobbling on her crutches. “Daisy, will you come with me to get some shorts and a shirt for me? You know where my things are.”
“I can do it, dear,” her mother said.
“I know you can, but Daisy knows where everything is and I won’t have to tell her. She’ll grab what she knows I like to wear and is easy and comfortable. I’ll be out soon.”
“It’s not a problem,” Daisy said, following her down the hall.
They got to her room and Heather took her crutch and shut the door with it. “Shoot me now. I don’t know how I’m going to get through this with them here. They want me to go home with them.”
“I know,” Daisy said, grinning. “You told me last night. And again this morning. I’m going to show them I can handle it.”
“Thank you. I owe you. I’m sorry I’m putting this on you.”
“You’re not,” Daisy said. “I know you. You’re not going to let me do much more than pick out your clothes right now.”
She laughed. “That and making sure I don’t take too many pain pills.”
“I’ve got a whiteboard set up for you to keep track.”
“God, you’re going to make someone a special significant other someday. And a great mom.”
“Thank you,” Daisy said. “But I’ll just be happy to get a good date or two at some point. Like you, I’m in a dry spell.”
Daisy had gray cotton shorts in her hand, a navy T-shirt and a change of undergarments for her too. Nothing about this bothered her. Her friend had pulled her clothes out of the laundry before when she’d forgotten and she’d done the same for Daisy.
“I feel like an old person with that chair in there.”
“Look,” Daisy said, pointing. “It has holes in the bottom so the water drains out and you aren’t sitting in the soap and water that cleaned your whooha out.”
She giggled. “Only you would say that.”
Daisy reached in and turned the water on for her. “Do you want me to stay in your bedroom in case you need help or call your mom in?”
“I think I’ll be fine. I’m going to sit on the lid of the toilet to get undressed and then I can get into the shower from there by holding onto the wall and hopping. I mean if you are in here I’m going to hop anyway.”
“True. I’m probably stronger than your mother and I won’t look at your privates and judge you either.”
She laughed again. “God. I needed this. My mother is liable to comment on my bare-down-there look and wonder why it is.”
One of those girl talks they’d had one night when they’d had a couple of glasses of wine.
“Let me get you a towel within reach. You can put it on the toilet lid too when you get out.” Her clothes were on the counter that she could reach too and she’d leave her crutches against it. “I’m going to go into the kitchen and start cooking.”
