16

I had to get her out of the room before Bailey woke up. Still, the frail little thing in the chair looked as though she needed saving. Were those dark circles under her eyes from her illness or from crying over her granny’s death? I squatted down to face her at eye level. “Hi, sweetie. Let’s get you back to your room. My wife isn’t up for company right now.” I reached for her hand.

“Is she sick, like me?”

“No, she’s just had two babies, and it’s worn her out. She just needs her rest. I’ll walk you back to your room.” I made another effort to gently nudge her out of the chair.

“Couldn’t I stay just a few more minutes? It’s so boring and lonely up there.” Her brown eyes, which were very much like Bailey’s, brimmed over.

“Of course she can stay, Scott.” Bailey sat up in bed, straightened her covers and then tried to straighten her hair. “And who might our little guest be?”

I could not let that child say her name. “She just wandered in here and was about to leave. You need your rest, sweetheart.” I tried to help the child stand, but she held on to the arms of the chair.

“I’m Brenna Brown. Will you save me?”

“Brenna?” Bailey whispered. Her eyes began to widen and all the color drained from her face. She put her face in her hands and began to shake.

I didn’t know what to do so I pushed the call button.

“Yes, ma’am?” The nurse answered.

“Could you send someone in here right away?” I tried to sound calm, but I was dangerously close to losing it.

A nurse walked in a few seconds later.

“Could you get this little one back to her room? And call Dr. Harkin right away. Or the counselor he has arranged to meet with Bailey. She’s remembering.” I helped Brenna stand up.

The nurse grasped the IV pole and lead the child to the door.

Brenna looked over her shoulder, eyes squinted in question.

I scooted onto the bed and put both my arms around Bailey.

Her body shook, but she’d gone oddly silent.

“Are you all right?” I held her as close as possible.

“Where are the babies?”

“Your mom and Toppy have them. They are perfectly fine.” I brushed away her tears.

“I want to go home.”

“Of course. We’ll do just that. Let’s just get you feeling well.”

She nuzzled her sweet head into my neck. “How will I ever forget that gunshot? When I looked at her, I heard it again. It’s so sick and sad.”

“I know.” I wanted to rage at Kevin Brown, but my love didn’t need that right now. We sat in silence.

David walked in, accompanied by a tall, thin woman. Her dark brown hair looked as if she’d just gotten out of bed, which she probably had. It was the middle of the night.

“Bailey, this is Michele Hanover. I hope you wouldn’t mind talking to her for a few minutes.” He picked up Bailey’s hand and took her pulse. “Let me just check you out for a second.” He pulled the blood pressure cuff from the wall behind the bed, and wrapped it around her arm.

Michele sat on the end of the bed. Her caring brown eyes comforted me, and I hoped she’d do the same for Bailey.

David finished. “A little high, but that’s to be expected. She’s fine,” he said. “Scott, let’s get a cup of coffee.”

“I’d rather stay, if you don’t mind.”

“She’ll be fine with Michele. Trust me.” He spoke with a calm tone, but his look demanded I leave the room with him. I didn’t care.

“It’s all right, Scott,” Bailey whispered. She pulled away, straightened the covers, and primped her hair into place.

I kissed her forehead and stood.

Michele scooted closer and reached for her hands.

Bailey started to cry.

I appealed to David with a look, but he put his hand on my shoulder and nudged me off the bed. I hoped he knew what he was doing. I followed him to the door, but looked back.

Michele still held Bailey’s hands as she cried.

“She’s gifted, Scott, don’t worry,” David said as he closed the door.

“Why would she talk to a perfect stranger, and not to me?” Had I let Bailey down?

“She might have some very nasty feelings she’s ashamed for anyone to know. But those things have to come out, and it might feel safer to relay them to a counselor. Michele is a woman of faith, and can help Bailey on that level as well.”

Although there was nothing that Bailey could say that would change my feelings for her, I remembered how hard it was for me to tell her how I felt after my parents died. It was stupid man pride, fear, and inadequacy. Bailey fought rejection and abandonment. Add kidnapping and suicide to that, and what a stinkin’ mess.

“How ‘bout that coffee?” David headed down the hall.

My heart was in Bailey’s room, but I went. I sat in the cafeteria long after my coffee went cold, and David went to pick up Melissa from the airport. He’d prayed for me, for Bailey, and for everything, including Brenna. It wouldn’t be an easy fix, but I knew who held our future. Once again, I leaned on Father God.

I had to focus on what a wonderful year we’d had. We’d grown so close, and now she needed me and I didn’t know what to do. This wasn’t the plan. We’d talked about being together for the delivery, how wonderful it would be, if uncomfortable for her. We’d dreamed of bringing the babies home and learning to care for them. This Texas-sized rift in our lives shook us both to the core. Maybe I needed to talk to Michele too, or maybe Pastor Jack. I had to trust God, because I was completely empty of answers.

Maybe that was the best place to be.