Infidelity, page 18
Luke left the field, following the paramedics carrying Melanie to the ambulance. As they loaded her in, he jumped in his truck and followed them out of the driveway. In his rearview mirror, he glanced back at the men trying to douse the flames. He hoped Joey Giordano died. He prayed for it.
Dan woke abruptly to the ringing of his cell phone. He quickly flipped it open so as to not wake Diane, who slept beside him.
“Yeah,” he said quietly into the phone.
“It’s Luke, there’s been a fire at the horse barn. Giordano attacked Melanie, and she’s on the way to the hospital.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Dan yelled into the phone. He sat straight up in bed, forgetting about trying to not wake Diane.
“Just what the fuck I said. He attacked her with a fucking shovel, Dan. She’s bad, real bad. I suggest you get there, ASAP.”
“How the hell did this happen? I thought you had her covered.” Dammit, he didn’t mean to say that. He knew it wasn’t Luke’s fault.
“Yeah, funny that. Why is it every time you’re not around, she gets attacked? You ever think about that one? Stop blaming me and start figuring out where the fucking leak is. By the way, Giordano’s on his way to the hospital, too. I managed to kick his head in. Hopefully he doesn’t wake up. See ya there.”
Dan shut the phone and threw it across the room. Luke was his best friend. This wasn’t the time to be throwing accusations around at each other, but the guy was right. Why was it he was gone every time something happened? He couldn’t think about that now.
He jumped out of bed and threw his clothes on.
“Dan, what’s wrong, honey? Who was that on the phone?” Diane asked, concerned.
“Luke. There’s been an attack on my sister. She’s on the way to the hospital. He say’s its bad, Diane. I’ve got to go.”
Diane got up and started getting dressed.
“I’m going with you. I may not have met her yet, but I love you and I’m not letting you go through this alone. Let’s go.”
Dan looked at the woman in amazement. She was everything he’d ever been looking for. With everything going wrong, she was the one bright spot in his life, and she loved him.
He embraced her in a hug and kissed her with a passion she returned tenfold. “Thank you. I do need you, so much.”
“Then let’s get to the hospital.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Luke sat in the waiting room while the doctors examined Melanie. Jesus, wasn’t this where they started? He ran a hand through his hair, then rubbed his face. His mind couldn’t register everything that was happening.
Joey had been examined in the ER and with the exception of a broken jaw, was just fine. Fuller would be escorting him to jail as soon as they wired his jaw.
Luke couldn’t even wrap his mind around how he felt about that. The man belonged in jail, but for one out of control moment, he’d wanted to kill him, and that scared the shit out of him.
He’d killed people in Iraq, but he’d been doing a job he’d been trained to do in defense of his homeland. It wasn’t political; he didn’t over-think it. Even then, he hadn’t wanted to kill anyone.
Except Giordano. For a split second, he’d wanted to kill him so bad he could taste it. If Melanie didn’t make it, he was making no promises that he wouldn’t finish the job he’d started.
Christ-All-Mighty, what the hell was taking so long? Thirty minutes had gone by since she’d been brought in. A family advocate person had come out to tell him she’d been sent to MRI for a scan of her skull, since the doctors were afraid of a fracture.
Luke heard the sliding doors open and saw Dan and a blond woman rushing through them. He raised his hand to them and they made a beeline for him.
“What’s going on? What’ve they told you? Is she going to be okay?” Dan finally inhaled.
The guy looked like hell, hair standing up every which way on his head, clothes all wrinkled and thrown on like he’d grabbed them off a pile on the floor, which he probably had. His forehead furrowed in what looked like permanent creases.
The blond looked a heck of a lot better. Her hair was pulled back in a tie but it looked neat, and at least the jeans and sweatshirt weren’t wrinkled. She had her hand firmly clasped in Dan’s and looked to be offering him her strength. This must be the infamous Diane. Hell of a way to meet.
Luke motioned for Dan to sit, but he shook his head no. “Just tell me what the hell they’re doing for her.”
“The family advocate came out a few minutes ago. They’ve taken her to X-Ray for an MRI of her head. The doctors are worried about a skull fracture. Her left arm is broken in three places and she’ll need surgery to place a rod in there. Her left shoulder was dislocated, but they were already able to put that back in place.”
Luke took a short breath. It was still hard to think about the pain she must have endured. Dan still eyed him, apparently waiting for more.
“Most of the damage was done to her left side. She managed to curl up in a ball and protect her head with her left arm as he continually beat her with a shovel.”
Dan did sit this time. Luke watched what little color he had left drain from his face. “Dear God, a shovel?”
“Yeah, she’s going to need stitches in her left hip, but there were no broken bones in her leg. Her ribs are a different story. She’s got three fractured ribs, but they are not misplaced and as of now, there is no danger to her lungs.”
Diane knelt in front of Dan and wrapped her hands around his waist. “I’m so sorry this has happened, baby, but as long as the MRI comes out okay, it sounds like she’ll recover.”
Dan kissed the top of her head. “Diane, this is Luke, the lug-head I’ve told you so much about.”
She held her hand out and Luke grasped it. “I’ve been waiting to meet you. I’m sorry it has to be like this. I know Melanie wants the chance to get to know you. I’m praying she gets the opportunity.”
She sat down next to Dan and held his hand. “Well, you’re all in my prayers tonight.”
Dan kissed her hand. “Thank you for being here for me. It means a lot.”
Luke caught Dan’s glance. “Look, about what I said on the phone, it wasn’t called for. You’re allowed to have a life. I was just scared to death about Lainie.”
“Same here, pal. I know this isn’t your fault. I just freaked. Tell me what happened at the house.”
Luke stood, because he couldn’t sit any longer. The waiting was driving him out of his ever-living mind.
“Sarge woke us up with his barking. Lainie noticed the barn on fire so we made Sarge stay in and went to get the horses out of the barn. We got them out just as the roof caved.”
Luke stopped pacing and leaned up against the wall. His shoulders slumped and he hung his head. Gut-clenching pain was all he felt as he told Dan the story.
“Boaz caught Lainie’s knee when he reared and came down. I guess it wasn’t hurt as bad as I thought, because she took off out in the field after them. Josh came, so I had him start hosing down the other barn and took off after her.”
He spun around and punched the wall. The wall not nearly as giving as Giordano’s face. Shit, wasn’t that a damn stupid thing to do. He shook it off and went back to pacing.
“I couldn’t have been more than five minutes behind her. When I got halfway across the field, it was so lit up from the fire I could see their outlines. I yelled to Lainie, but either Joey didn’t hear me or didn’t care…”
Luke sank into the chair, bending at the middle as he dropped his head in his hands. His shoulders shook and he felt physically ill.
“He just kept swinging that damn shovel. I was running as fast as I fucking could, but he just kept swinging it down onto her. She just lay there in a crumpled, broken ball.” His voice shook as he continued.
“When I reached them, I just lost it. I beat the shit out of him. Dammit, Dan, I almost killed the man. Hell, I wanted to, and still do.” Luke finally looked back at his friend.
“She was out of it when I first got to her, but she came around. The damn fool woman asked if the horses were okay.”
Luke took in the hand Dan laid on his shoulder and appreciated the reassurance and comfort for which it was meant. He looked over at Dan, whose eyes were damp. Diane’s arms were around him offering him what comfort she could. She looked torn up herself.
“Maybe that’s a good sign. She came around and was talking to you, right?” Dan looked so hopeful, it was hard to tell him the last thing he’d heard her say. He didn’t know if he should, but in the end, Dan deserved to know everything, didn’t he?
“Dan, the last thing she said to me was that Dylan was with her and everything was fine.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Luke rose as the doctor came into the room and shook the man’s offered hand.
“Mr. McLean? I’m Dr. Foster, one of the surgeons working on your fiancé’s case. I thought you might like an update. I’m also going to need some consent forms signed for the surgery.” He looked at Dan.
“Are you Melanie’s brother?”
Dan nodded. “Yes, I am.”
“You’ll have to sign the forms since you’re next of kin. Right now, Melanie is holding her own. The good news is, there’s no skull fracture, but she does have several broken bones in her face. The plastic surgeon will be operating to correct that. The man is very good at what he does. She’s lucky to have him on her case.”
“Will she be disfigured?” Dan questioned.
“She will have a scar along her hair line from her forehead to her ear, but you’d have to look very close to see it. I’m her orthopedic surgeon. I’ll be setting her arm where it’s been fractured. She’s going to need a rod and screws placed. We’re looking at a long recovery and physical therapy. There is a lot of damage. Frankly, there’s a chance she’ll lose her arm. It was almost severed at the elbow and her wrist is crushed, but since I don’t like to lose, she’s in good hands. That arm is what saved her life.”
“When will you start the surgery?” Luke asked.
“As soon as we get her prepped. I’ll be working on her arm first. If she tolerates that well, the plastic surgeon will go next. If not, he’ll operate tomorrow. Now about the consents, we need to go over a few things before you sign them.”
Dan stood and shuffled from foot to foot.
“Just do what you need to do to save my sister.”
“You need to be informed of all the complications, one in particular. Before any X-rays or MRIs are preformed on women of child-bearing years, it’s protocol to run a pregnancy test. Your sister’s was positive. From the blood counts I’d say no more than two weeks. Every precaution was taken during the x-rays and MRI to protect the baby from radiation and the anesthesiologist will also take her pregnancy into consideration while choosing the best anesthetic for her, but you do need to be aware of the risks any surgery or medication can have on a pregnancy before signing the consents.”
Dan looked to Luke, who’d lowered himself back into the chair because the floor tilted beneath him. The blood must have drained down his body and out his feet, because the room still spun and his chest was caving in on him.
A baby! His baby!
Luke cleared his throat. “You do what you need to do to save Melanie. Without her, there won’t be a baby. Just don’t take any unnecessary chances. If she can’t handle the second surgery, don’t do it. She’d want every precaution taken for her baby, and I mean every precaution.”
Dan spoke up. “He’s right. She lost a baby pre-term four months ago. This baby would mean the world to her. Do everything you can.”
Dan signed the papers and the doctor left to get everything rolling. Luke still sat in the chair. All he could think of was that he was going to be a father. Hot damn!
“I’m going to go get you boys some coffee. It’s going to be a long night,” Diane said as she kissed Dan and bent down to kiss Luke on the cheek.
“Congrats, daddy. I’ll be back before you can miss me, darling.” Diane headed to the cafeteria for the coffee.
Luke didn’t know what to say. To hear the extent of her injuries, and what the recovery would be like was more than enough to send him into a tailspin. But a baby too? Hell, he knew what this baby would mean to her. Christ, it meant everything to him. He needed to talk to the one person who could help.
“Listen pal, I need to go do something. If anything comes up with Lainie, have them page me. I’ll be back in fifteen.” Luke got to his feet and headed down the hallway.
“You need help with anything?” Dan offered.
“No, I gotta do this one myself, but thanks.”
Luke walked until he found the chapel. The place was empty so he sat in a pew in the middle of the room and hung his head. He wasn’t sure how to do this, so he just started talking.
“Oh, dear God. Please take care of her and see her through this. I’ll do everything I can and stand by her through all this. I’d take the pain for her if I could. I swear she’ll have a great life with me. Just please help her. There is one more person I need to hear me. Dylan, I know you’re with her. She’s felt you there, and I think I know why. You’re being a big brother. Your mom said you would’ve made a great older brother, looking after a new baby in the family. This is when your little brother or sister needs you most. Right now, Dylan, you go watch over that baby and your mama. You’re their guardian angel. Send your strength to them, baby. Send your strength.”
Luke stayed in the chapel a while longer, just praying to God and Dylan to bring Melanie through all this. He finally left and found Dan and Diane sitting side-by-side in the waiting room.
“Melanie’s been in surgery a half an hour now. The nurse just came out and updated us. She’s holding her own so far,” Dan advised.
Luke glanced at Diane. “Diane, you look exhausted. This most likely wasn’t how you’d envisioned your evening. I’m sorry for that.”
“Oh, Luke, this isn’t your fault. It’s that awful man’s fault.”
“Luke’s right, sweetheart. Why don’t you go home and get some shut-eye? It’s going to be a long wait before we hear anything. I’ll call you in the morning and let you know how everything is going.”
“Are you sure, baby? I don’t mind being here with you. I know there’s nothing I can do but hold your hand, but that’s something,” she said as she rubbed his back.
“It’s everything, but someone needs to be strong tomorrow, too. That will have to be you.”
“Oh, honey, you can count on it. I’ll leave. There is some business I need to attend to in the morning and I have to cancel another trip I was supposed to take. Then I’ll be back here.”
“Don’t cancel a trip because of this. I’ll always need you, but you have to take care of business too,” Dan protested.
“We’ll see. I love you. Talk to you in the morning.” She kissed him with fervor and left the hospital.
“Wow,” Luke exclaimed. “Seems like things are heating up with you two. She’s a nice lady, Dan. I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks. She is a great lady, and was totally supportive of me tonight. It felt good. My last relationship, as you know from my letters, was disastrous. She was needy and demanding, and I still thought I loved her. In the end, I think we were both left with some hefty emotional scars. This time I’ve found a woman secure in herself and our relationship. It’s a good feeling.”
Luke nodded; he only wanted the best for his friend. Damn, he wished they’d come out and give him some news.
“And what about you, buddy? A father? Holy shit! Did you ever think that would happen? Luke McLean, a father. Good Lord, I hope it’s not a boy. I don’t think we can take another Luke.” Dan chuckled.
“Can you believe it, Dan? I’ve always wanted a family with Lainie. Can you imagine a little baby girl, dressed in a pink frilly dress and yellow bows in her hair? She’ll be so beautiful, just like her mama.”
Dan burst out laughing, “Pink dress and yellow bows, where the hell did you get your fashion sense? My God, let Melanie do the clothes shopping.”
Luke smiled. He could almost feel the little girl in his arms. He just knew it was a girl, and he had every faith that her big brother was watching over her.
A nurse came through the door and both men rose to greet her.
“There’s been a complication during the surgery. I need the two of you to come with me.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
They were brought to a waiting room outside the intensive care unit. Luke’s stomach roiled and a cold sweat coated his neck and arms. His hands shook so badly he was forced to dump the cup of coffee he’d been drinking in the trash.
Lainie had been in surgery five hours. What the hell had gone wrong? And why wouldn’t the nurse just tell them instead of torturing them with her silence? Dan stood ramrod straight next to him. He didn’t know about Dan, but he was too damn scared to even speak. They just waited in silence for the doctor.
It was Dr. Foster who finally came through the ICU door. Luke and Dan crossed the room to where he stood, anxious to hear what he had to say.
“Whoa, gentlemen, first let me say Melanie is doing better than we expected at this point. I’m not sure what you were expecting, but by the looks on your faces, it wasn’t good news.”
Luke inhaled deeply, trying to get air past the painful lump in his throat.
“The nurse said there was a complication.”
“Ah, the complication wasn’t your sister’s health. The plastic surgeon received an emergency call and wasn’t able to operate. Because of Melanie’s pregnancy, we felt it was just as well for her to wait until tomorrow for the facial surgery.”
Luke sat, his legs too damn shaky to hold him up. His heart finally started to beat a regular rhythm.
“Her arm, frankly, was a mess,” The doctor said. “She now has enough metal in her to set off the detectors in an airport. But, the surgery went extremely well, and barring any complications such as infection and other things, I believe she’ll have at least eighty-five percent use of her arm and hand. This won’t be her last surgery, and it’s going to be a long haul with physical therapy, but I’m very encouraged at this point.”
