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Kate
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Kate was acutely aware of her father’s eyes on her as she watched Chris walk out of the room. Then, he exhaled heavily.
“You sure you know what you’re doing, Katy-belle?”
“Not a shadow of doubt in my mind, Dad.” And there wasn’t.
Not only was Chris her sexy, hot boyfriend, but he was also her real-life knight in shining armor, riding in to rescue her when she needed it most.
“You know your mother’s not going to be happy about this.”
She did know. “Mom wasn’t happy with Karyn’s choice either.”
Five years after the fact, she still wasn’t. It was easier for Beth Handelmann to deal—in other words, not acknowledge—Karyn’s homosexuality now that she was across the country. Being out of immediate sight meant their mother didn’t fret over public opinion quite so much. Times were changing, but the wheels of progress and acceptance ground slowly in small towns with outdated “values.”
When her father’s mouth turned down at the corners, she decided not to say any more about that.
“I’m sorry about the store, Dad. I know you were counting on me, but it looks like I’m going to take a couple days off.”
He gave her a sad but gentle smile. “You’re more important than the store. We’ll figure something out. I’ll call Luther, see if he can cover a few hours a day until I can get back in there.”
“Didn’t the doctor tell you to wait two weeks?”
“Yeah, but I don’t think I can wait that long.”
“Dad ...”
“I’m supposed to minimize stress, right? Tell me that parking my ass at home for the next two weeks is going to be less stressful than overseeing the store and greeting customers for a couple hours a day.”
He had a good point. The store was his happy place. As much as he adored her mother, her constant hovering and worrying were difficult to tolerate for any length of time.
“As long as you promise not to do any of the heavy lifting.”
“Deal.”
Her dad stayed and talked for a while longer and then said he was tired and wanted to go back to his room to rest. With no way for patients to get home, the hospital was being pretty lenient about bed space.
Chris came back in shortly after, carrying a bag from the hospital cafeteria. She suspected he’d been hanging out in the friends-and-family waiting area, sensing that she and her father needed some time together. Once again, she was humbled by his thoughtfulness.
“They had Danishes?” she asked hopefully.
“Apple, raspberry, cherry, and cheese,” he said, extracting several wax paper–wrapped goodies from the bag. “You didn’t specify which kind you wanted.”
“No need to specify. I like them all. What do you say, split each one half and half?”
“Hungry, huh?”
“Starving. I wasn’t admitted in time to get onto the food service dinner list, and the pack of pretzels the nurse gave me just isn’t cutting it.”
“I can get you something else.”
“This is good. The nurse came in earlier and added something to my IV, and it’s making me a little sleepy. Keep me company for a while?”
“Absolutely.”
They turned on the small mounted television and watched snowmageddon reports from around the area while he broke each Danish into bite-sized pieces and fed them to her. Eventually, she couldn’t keep her eyes open any longer. She vaguely remembered him tucking the covers around her and feeling the gentle brush of his lips against her forehead.
“Get some rest. I’ll be back tomorrow, okay?”
“Okay. Love you,” she mumbled.
If he responded, she didn’t hear it.
~ * ~
One thing about hospitals was, they weren’t the best places to get rest. Every time she fell asleep, someone came in and took her vitals or switched out her IV bag or something. On the plus side, she did get a nice breakfast.
A nurse’s aide came in as Kate was just finishing up, one she hadn’t seen before. “Looks like you might be getting out of here today.” The woman opened the draperies, and the room flooded with light.
“Yeah?” she asked, excited by the prospect.
“Yep. It stopped snowing, and the road crews have been out, working all night. The doc’s running behind though, so it might take a while.”
Kate didn’t care as long as she got out. She dreaded the thought of spending another night there.
“You have an older sister, Karyn, right?” the nurse’s aide asked.
“Right. Do you know her?”
“We were in the same class in high school.”
Kate looked at her ID badge. Karina Hemmelmann. The name rang a bell. “I remember! You got each other’s diplomas by mistake.”
The other woman laughed. “They were always getting us confused. Karyn, Karina. Handelmann, Hemmelmann. I guess it didn’t help that we were both blonde and on the softball team. How is Karyn? I heard she moved to the West Coast.”
“She did. She’s happily married now, living in LA.”
“Good for her. I always said she was too good for this place.”
Karina helped Kate to the bathroom, so she could take care of some needs. She was still on the woozy side, thanks to the painkillers. Karina also helped her wash her hair, too, which was still sticky with blood. Kate wasn’t accustomed to needing help to do such simple tasks, so it took a bit of pride-swallowing on her part, but she was grateful and felt much better by the time she got back into bed. It was amazing what a toothbrush and a handheld showerhead could do for a girl’s attitude.
It also gave her some ideas. When Karina left to see to other patients and with Kate’s phone now fully charged—another completely unexpected, thoughtful gesture—she fired off a text to Chris.
Kate: Good morning. *smiley face* Looks like I might be getting out today.
Mad Dog: Glad to hear it! When?
Kate: Don’t know. Have to wait for the doc.
Mad Dog: I’m on my way, beautiful.
She grinned at the phone. He’d called her beautiful.
Then, she made a long, overdue phone call.
“What’s wrong?” Karyn greeted before the second ring.
“What makes you think anything’s wrong?” Kate asked, smiling.
“Because it’s not a holiday and it’s not my birthday, and I haven’t even had my coffee yet.”
Kate had forgotten about the three-hour time difference between Sumneyville and LA. “I’m a bad sister.”
“The worst,” Karyn agreed jovially. “Now, what’s going on?”
Kate gave her a rundown on their father’s procedure, her own accident, Chris, and the puppies, too.
Karyn whistled softly. “Wow, you really have been holding out on me.”
“When’s the last time you called me and gave me an update on your life?”
“Touché.” Her older sister sighed heavily. “Guess we could both do better, huh?”
“I miss you. You were the only one I could talk to, you know?”
“Yes, I know. I miss you, too. The rest of the family, not so much.”
She laughed. “Yeah, well, nothing’s changed.”
“Didn’t think so. Call me when you get home tonight. And send pictures of the studly SEAL and the puppies. I have to run to work. The 405 is going to be a complete bitch at this hour.”
“Will do. Say hi to Amanda for me.”
Kate disconnected, feeling brightened. She made it a goal to call her big sister more often even if it was just to say hi. Before Karyn had moved to LA, they’d always been close.
The doctor still hadn’t made his way around to Kate’s room by the time lunch arrived, and she was starting to get antsy. A flash of movement at the door had her looking up hopefully, but it wasn’t the doc doing rounds.
“Kate!” Her mother rushed in, stopping at the side of the bed, followed by her younger sister pushing their dad in a wheelchair.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Honestly, Kate, between you and your father, I’m going to have to start doubling up on my wrinkle cream and get my gray covered every five weeks instead of six.”
She smiled benignly. “Sorry, Mom.”
Beth Handelmann looked at the bandage on the side of her head and the cast on her arm and paled. Kate was even gladder that Karina had taken the time to clean her up this morning. Her mother wasn’t good with blood. Or injuries in general.
“Well, it doesn’t look too bad,” her mother finally managed. “The way that nurse was talking yesterday, I was expecting much worse.”
“No, not too bad,” Kate agreed, shifting her gaze to her father. He was dressed in his usual jeans and flannel. “You’re going home?”
He nodded. “Doc came by to discharge me first thing this morning. What about you?”
“Still waiting.”
“We’d wait with you, dear, but your father’s anxious to get home,” her mother announced. “Luther will come back for you later. Won’t you, Luther?”
It was then that she noticed Luther lurking by the door.
“Of course, Mrs. H. As long as it’s all right with Kate.”
“Well, of course it is,” her mother said, pinning her with a warning glare. “I’m sure Kate would be very appreciative. Wouldn’t you, Kate?”
“Actually ... I already have a ride.”
“Oh? Who?” her mother asked, making it sound like a challenge.
“Me.”
Warmth flooded through her at the sound of Chris’s deep baritone.
“And who are you?” her mother asked as Chris stepped past Luther and entered her room, drawing all eyes his way, including hers.
Just seeing him made her feel better.
“Chris Sheppard, ma’am.”
Her mother’s eyes narrowed, and Kate could practically see her connecting the dots. “Well, thank you for your concern, Mr. Sheppard, but that won’t be necessary. I think you’ve done quite enough already, don’t you?”
“Excuse me?” Other than a raised brow, he kept his expression even as he neared the bed.
“Kate wouldn’t have even been in this situation if it wasn’t for you.”
“Mom!” she exclaimed, mortified. “That’s totally uncalled for! And extremely rude.”
Beth sniffed. “But true nonetheless.”
“Enough,” her father said, intervening. “Beth, let’s go. Kate’s a big girl. She can make her own decisions.”
Kylie, who had been silent up to that point, shot an angry look Kate’s way as the current tension was all her fault. As she thought about that, she realized it was actually. These were the consequences of her actions.
Kate’s mother huffed and left the room.
“I’m sorry, Dad,” she said quietly. It seemed as if she had been apologizing to him a lot lately.
He nodded but said nothing as Kylie pushed him out the door.
Luther looked at Chris as he said darkly, “Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” and then left as well.
Kate exhaled, her emotions a mixed bag of hot mess. Regret that she was making things harder on her dad. Relief that they were gone. Mortification because of her mother’s unacceptable behavior.
“I am so sorry about that. She’s got a lot on her mind.”
“I understand. You have nothing to be sorry for,” Chris said gently, leaning over to kiss her forehead and wrap his hand around hers.
“No forehead kisses,” she protested. “I want lip action.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He smiled and brushed his lips over hers. It was just enough to take the sharp edge off her craving.
At some point in the last few weeks, Chris Sheppard had become her addiction. Just being around him did more for her well-being than anything a doctor could prescribe.
“Better?” he asked.
“It’ll do—for now. I’m going to need more later. Just saying.”
“Happy to oblige.”
“Good. What did Luther mean? What did he warn you about?”
Chris’s eyes darkened. He didn’t want to tell her, she could tell. His mouth opened to answer, but they were interrupted by another knock on the door. This time, it was a graying older man and a nurse she didn’t recognize who stepped in.
“Miss Handelmann? I’m Dr. Reynolds. If your young man will leave us for a few minutes, we’ll see what we can do about getting you out of here today.”
~ * ~
After the doctor gave the okay, it was still several hours before she was allowed to leave. She had to wait for someone to come by and go over discharge instructions and then for the hospital pharmacy to send up her take-home meds and then for an aide to bring a wheelchair to escort her down to the lobby, as was hospital policy.
If Chris minded spending the entire afternoon in the hospital with her, he didn’t show it. He was kind and patient and attentive and made the time pass far more quickly than it would have had she been alone—or worse, with Luther. Or her mother.
While Kate remained at the main entrance, Chris pulled up not in his usual pickup, but in a snazzy-looking SUV.
“It’s Church’s,” he explained as he lifted her into the seat, ignoring her insistence that she could climb in herself. To be fair, she hadn’t protested all that loudly.
Once she was situated, he pulled a small pillow from the back and instructed her to place it between her body and the seat belt.
“What’s this for?”
“Doc said it would be more comfortable for you. Less pressure on your ribs.”
Once again, she was struck by the thoughtfulness of her new acquaintances. She wasn’t sure she could officially call them friends just yet, though they were already that in her mind.
“Where to, my lady?”
“My place, I guess.” As anxious as she had been about getting released from the hospital, she wasn’t as stoked about going back to her empty house.
When they arrived a short while later, her eyes widened at the sight of her shoveled walk and driveway. “Who did this?”
“I stopped by earlier,” he said simply.
Tears began to well up in her eyes. She blinked them away before he opened her door and helped her out.
Glancing across the street, she caught sight of a paper taped above the Closed sign on the shop and felt a pang of guilt. She’d let her father down. Not on purpose, but she’d let him down just the same, and now, he was forced to look elsewhere. Luther could help out, but he couldn’t handle the place on his own full-time and deal with his own business, too, especially since tax season was his busiest time of the year.
If her dad was smart, he’d hire some temporary help until she could get back in there, but she was also quite well aware from whom she’d gotten her stubborn streak and pride from.
Once they were in her house, she immediately set a path for the kitchen. “Want some coffee or something?”
“Kate.” He gently tugged her good arm and guided her onto the couch. “Sit down and let someone take care of you for a change.”
“Seems like you’ve been taking care of me a lot lately. First the puppies, and now, this.” She sighed. “I hate feeling so needy.”
“Not even close, baby. You’re one of the strongest women I’ve ever met. Now, do you want coffee?”
She shook her head. “No, not really.”
“Hungry? I’m no chef, but I can heat up a can of soup like a boss.”
“No, thanks.” She tried to stifle a yawn and failed.
He looked uncertain. “Maybe I should leave and let you get your rest.”
“No! Please.” The truth was, she didn’t want anything but to curl up beside him and snuggle in for the next week or so and told him so.
“All right, baby. Let’s see what’s on Netflix.”
“Mmm, Netflix and chill. I’m into it.”
He was so warm, so solid, and smelled so good. She closed her eyes and felt all the bad stuff fade away. She was asleep inside of five minutes.
When she woke up several hours later with a painfully full bladder, it was dark, and she was alone. Her initial panic eased when she heard Chris quietly moving around in the kitchen.
She made a quick trip to the bathroom before seeking him out. He was ladling soup into a bowl and had placed a sleeve of salted crackers next to it.
“What are you doing?”
“Heating up some beef stew. I found some in your freezer. It’s time for your next dose of pain pills, and it advises against taking them on an empty stomach.”
She pressed herself against his back and wrapped her good arm around his waist. “You’re pretty awesome, you know that?”
He chuckled. “Glad you think so. Want to eat in here, or would it be more comfortable in there?”
“Here is fine.” She sat down at the kitchen table and lifted the spoon to her lips. “You’re right. You are a boss with soup.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Like I rolled my Jeep down a mountain and lived to tell the tale,” she answered wryly. The last dose of painkillers was wearing off, and she was feeling it. “I wish you didn’t have to go back tonight.”
He sat down across from her with a bowl of his own. “What if you came with me?”
She looked up, surprised. “Come with you?”
“Yeah, I’ve been thinking ... I can take better care of you up there, and when I’m working, you’ll have Sam and Sandy to keep you company. Not to mention, I know Duke misses you.”
She missed the dogs and definitely liked the idea of seeing them again. Hanging out with Sandy and Sam sounded nice, too. She didn’t get a lot of quality girl time these days, not since Karyn had moved to the other side of the country. The best part, without a doubt, would be staying with Chris.
She worried about overstepping though. It was a lot to ask.
Then again, he did seem intent on helping her, and it probably would be easier on him. He wouldn’t feel compelled to travel up and down the mountain, and he’d have more time to do ... whatever it was he did. She wasn’t exactly sure what that was, but perhaps she could find that out, too. There was so much about Chris she didn’t know yet, and she wanted to know everything.
He misunderstood her musings for hesitation. “If you don’t feel comfortable staying with me, you could stay in the main building. It’s not the Waldorf, but—”
“Your place is fine,” she assured him. In fact, there was no place she’d rather be. “If you’re sure it would be okay. I don’t want to be a burden.”
“It’s more than okay, and you could never be a burden.”
Her heart did a little happy dance.
She finished her soup and crackers with renewed gusto. While she dutifully took her pills, Chris made short work of washing up. Then, he scooped her up into his arms and carried her up the stairs as if it were nothing. Her thoughts went to exciting places even though she knew it was only wishful thinking.
“I can walk, you know.”
“Yes, I’m fully aware of that. Do you mind?”
“No, but I don’t want you to strain yourself either.”
He laughed as if she’d said something funny. “I won’t. Which room is yours?”
“The one in the back.”
He continued on, his long, easy strides eating up the distance until they reached her room, and then he gingerly set her down on the bed. “Got a travel bag?”
“Yeah, in there.” She pointed to her closet.
It didn’t take long to pack. She was a simple girl with simple tastes. Jeans, T-shirts, flannels, sneakers. She threw in a pair of pajamas, too, but was secretly hoping to wear one of his shirts to sleep in. She’d read about that in several romance novels, and it always sounded so intimate.
“Do you want to call your parents and tell them you’re going to be away for a few days?” he asked as she zipped her bag closed.
No, she didn’t. It had been a rough day, and her parents were probably already in bed—or at least dozing in front of the television. Besides, she was pretty sure they were still upset. No one had called or stopped by to see if she’d gotten home okay. They had plenty on their minds, and they were used to her taking care of herself, but it still hurt a little.
“It’s getting late. I’ll text them tomorrow.”
Chris raised a brow but said nothing. “Okay, baby. Let’s go.”