Chapter Eighteen

BY THE FOLLOWING MORNING, THE PANDEMONIUM had settled a bit. Anabelle rode the elevator up to the third floor to the locker room. On the brief ride, she leaned against the elevator wall and closed her eyes. Normally, at this time on a Saturday morning, she’d be getting up and lazily enjoying her coffee and devotions, but there was nothing normal about this Saturday.

Her scrubs were a mess and she badly needed a shower before going into CCU.

The storm had ended. Victims were still coming in, but at a slower rate. The makeshift hospital at the YMCA had helped tremendously.

Thanks to the Red Cross, the National Guard provided volunteers from as far as Chicago, 130 miles away. Hope Haven had enough people to allow many of the hospital personnel to return to their regular jobs. Once in the staff lounge, she pulled her glasses from her pocket and hung them on a hook in the locker, then grabbed a set of hospital scrubs from the linen cart and a towel and headed for the women's showers.

Fifteen minutes later, feeling somewhat refreshed, Anabelle emerged from the staff lounge and took the elevator to the second floor. She hadn't felt this tired since her all-nighters when Kirstie was in the hospital. She took a deep breath as she stepped off the elevator. Father, give me strength to go on.

“Mother?”

Anabelle turned at the sound of Kirstie's voice.

“Hi, sweetie. What are you doing here?” Anabelle gave her a hug.

“I just came up to see if you were here. I’ve been working in the main lobby all night—trying to get paperwork on everyone coming in.”

Kirstie still held on to her—or was it Anabelle holding on to her daughter? She patted Kirstie's back, gave her an extra squeeze and stepped back. “Is Mark okay?”

Kirstie nodded. “He was just dropping me off at my place when the storm hit. As soon as it was over, we headed out to see what we could do to help. Are you going home, or…?”

“No, I’ll stay—for a while at least. By the way, Drew was admitted again last night. He came in to help out and ended up as a patient.”

“Oh no.” Kirstie pinched her lips together. “How is he?”

“I haven't heard anything. I was just going in to see him.” Anabelle began the trek to CCU.

“I’ll go with you. Are we still going to do the Parade of Patients for him?”

Anabelle sighed and kissed Kirstie's forehead. “Apparently not this weekend. Unless we do it right here in the hospital. I’m thinking we might want to wait a few days until things calm down.”

“That might be hard. There's still no phone service, so we can't get hold of all the people we called. Of course, maybe they just won't come now.”

“We’ll have to talk to Genna. She may already have an alternate plan.”

Anabelle, with Kirstie following, meandered through the overflowing visitors’ lounge into CCU, unsure of what to expect. She knew they’d gotten several new patients and had no more beds.

“Hi, Becky.” Anabelle greeted her day-shift charge nurse. How's it going up here?”

“Crazy like you wouldn't believe.” She looked up. “We have three people going home today. Olga Pederson, Dr. Hamilton and a man who came in last night.”

“Since I missed report, maybe you can fill me in.”

“So far nothing critical. Everyone is behaving themselves.” She smiled. “That little girl you left in Dr. Hamilton's room woke up once, shivering. I tucked a warming blanket around her, and she's been sound asleep since.”

“Good. I noticed we have a couple of patients in the hallway.”

“From last night. We are seriously short staffed all over. The nursing director has been frantic. She can't get hold of anyone. She has volunteers and ham-radio operators trying to round people up. Hopefully she’ll be able to pull in a few. Seri didn't show up, but then I’m not surprised.”

“With good reason. Despite what you’ve heard, Seri is a great worker. She showed up last night right after the storm and worked in the ER. I sent her to the Y to work with James.”

“Oh, I heard…never mind.” She rolled her eyes. “I think I see what's going on. A little jealousy, maybe?”

Anabelle smiled. “We’ll deal with that later. Give me a quick report, and I’ll make my rounds.”

Once Becky had filled Anabelle in on each of the patients, Anabelle headed to Dr. Hamilton's room to check on him. Lucy was still asleep and so, she noted, was Drew.

Genna quietly stepped out of the room with Anabelle and Kirstie and slid the door closed behind her. After giving each of them a hug, she sighed. “That poor child must be exhausted.”

“Who is she?” Kirstie asked.

“Long story,” Anabelle told her. “I’ll explain later.”

“She didn't even mention her father when she woke up earlier,” Genna said. “Have you been able to locate him?”

Anabelle shook her head. “I don't think he's even in this hospital. But I don't know where else they would have taken him. The Y, maybe, but it wasn't even available when he was supposed to have come in.”

“Well, don't give up.” Genna squeezed Anabelle's shoulder.

“I won’t.” Anabelle sighed. “I can’t.”

“I only hope he's okay wherever he is.” Genna glanced into the room.

“I know. I’m praying for the best.” Anabelle made a mental note to check the morgue once she’d made her rounds.

Anabelle purposely shifted gears. “I hear Drew will be going home today.”

“Dr. Hildebrand says he should be okay. He didn't have another heart attack.” She folded her arms. “The bottom line is he shouldn't have come in to work last night.”

“You and I know that, but convincing him…”

“Is next to impossible.” Genna caught her gaze. “Anabelle, I’m afraid to take him home. He's going to see that mess and will start boarding up windows and cleaning up the yard. I know him.”

“Maybe we can talk him into staying long enough for Cameron and Evan to take care of it. I just wish I could call him. Maybe I can get hold of a ham-radio operator.”

“Good idea,” Genna said. “I’m going to step out for some coffee. Can I bring you something?”

“Thanks, but not right now. I need to finish making my rounds.”

“Wait.” Kirstie caught Genna's arm. “What about the Parade of Patients?”

Genna sighed. “I don't know. There's no way to call people. I’ll have to put a note on our door telling people he's here.”

“Do you think they’d come here?” Kirstie asked. “Maybe we should set something up.”

Anabelle shook her head. “We can't have dozens of people coming through the CCU. We have patients in the hall and it would be too disturbing.”

“Okay, but what about the waiting room?” Kirstie suggested. “It's good sized.”

“Would that work?” Genna looked to Anabelle for a go-ahead.

“I think we could manage that. If other visitors complain, we might need to move Drew down to the main lobby or the cafeteria; but you’re right, we do need a plan.”

“I’ll go home and put out the note and get a few things. We aren't expecting anyone to come until ten, so we still have a couple of hours to get ready.”

Anabelle was glad to see Genna's enthusiasm return. She gave Kirstie a smile and looked in on Dr. Hamilton and Lucy. She’d let them sleep for now and come back later. Before going on, Anabelle told Kirstie how Lucy had been separated from her father. Anabelle then had a thought. “I don't suppose you could take care of her for me today. Maybe help us find her dad?”

Kirstie's shoulders sagged. “I’d love to, but the ER supervisor asked me if I’d work as a temp secretary for the rest of today. Things are total chaos down there.”

“All right. I’ll keep her with me.” Anabelle smiled as she gave her daughter another hug. “Thanks for coming in.”

Kirstie chuckled. “What else would Anabelle and Cameron Scott's daughter do?”

Anabelle watched her walk out of the unit before checking her notes on Olga. When Anabelle walked in, Olga gave her a wide grin. Carla seemed in a good mood as well. “I see you both came through the storm okay.”

Carla smiled. “Almost. Unfortunately, my rental car didn't fare so well. They’re bringing over a new one—as soon as they can get one that's not too damaged to drive.”

“Hmm.” Anabelle nodded. “I imagine this storm will give the auto industry a boost. I pity anyone whose cars were left out in this.”

Carla nodded. “I’ve never seen anything like it. Last night mother and I dragged the bed and chair as close to the door as possible. We were afraid the window would break. I can't believe it didn’t. We’re almost afraid to go to the house.”

Anabelle set the clipboard on the bedside table. “I hate to say it, but pretty much every house in town is going to need a new roof and windows.”

“So we heard,” Olga said. “My neighbor—you remember Christina—came in this morning to tell us the bad news. We have three windows to replace and the garden looks like it was trampled by a rogue elephant.”

“Those kids are great,” Carla said. “They offered to clean the place up for us so we can at least stay there until Mom is well enough to travel.”

“That's wonderful.” Anabelle removed the stethoscope from around her neck. “I’d like to listen to your heart and lungs if you don't mind.”

“Go right ahead.” Olga seemed in high spirits today.

Anabelle placed the stethoscope against Olga's chest. She closed her eyes to better listen and was pleased to report that her heart sounded normal. A few deep breaths later, Anabelle pulled the earpieces free. “Your lungs sound clear. Are you feeling up to going home today?”

“Oh ya.” Olga's eyes shone with new light. “You’ll be happy to know we decided where I should live.”

“Really?” Anabelle grinned. “And what have you decided?”

“We’ll stay at the house here until we can arrange to have the storm damage repaired. Then Carla and I will fly back to Portland. We looked on the Internet yesterday and found a nice little house close to Carla that looks like it might work for me. I wouldn't be living with the family, but I’d be nearby.”

Carla took her mother's hand. “She can be as independent as she wants to be and have her own flower gardens.”

Olga's blue eyes glistened. “If everything works out okay and I like it, we’ll sell the house here.”

“Sounds perfect.” Anabelle offered up a silent prayer of thanks. “You might consider getting a medical alert system. You wear an alarm on your wrist or around your neck and can call for help whenever you need it. It's great for seniors who live alone.” She gave them the names of a couple of companies.

Carla nodded. “I’ve heard about that. Thank you for telling us.”

Olga sighed. “I know it's the right thing to do, but I’ll miss my house—my church, my friends. Deerford is a wonderful place to live.”

“Yes it is.” Anabelle agreed.

“I wish Carla and her family could move out here; but like Carla says, I will make new friends. I already know some people from when I visited there before.” Olga seemed to have made peace with her decision.

“I’m happy for you. I’m sure you will be missed—I know I’ll miss you. I think we could have been good friends.”

“Could have been?” Olga held out her arms. “I think of you as a friend already.”

Anabelle agreed and promised to visit them before they moved. She gave them each a hug before looking in on the next patient.

Mr. Blake, the man whose son was considering a lawsuit against Drew, seemed much improved. “I have some good news. You’ll be happy to know I told my son I’d have no part in his silly lawsuit. Like I told him, I’m just happy to be alive.”

“That is good news.” Anabelle checked her notes. “Looks like you’ll be heading home tomorrow.”

He nodded. “Dr. Hildebrand said if I kept improving she’d let me go.”

Anabelle smiled. “Do you have any questions or problems at this point?”

“Nope. I feel better than I have for a long time.”

Anabelle chatted with everyone on her list and was heading back to Dr. Hamilton's room when Genna and Lucy stepped into the hallway.

When Lucy saw Anabelle she ran to her and wrapped her arms around her legs. “Did you find my daddy?”

Anabelle gently freed herself and hunkered down in front of the child. “I’m still working on it. In fact, I have an idea. Why don't you and I go to the cafeteria for some breakfast.” And coffee.

“But what about my dad?” Her face crumpled and Anabelle held her close.

“It’ll be okay, sweetheart. We’re going to find some people to help us, okay? Daddy might be in another hospital. But we’ll find him. Until we do, you can stay with me.”

Lucy hauled in a shuddering breath and nodded. “I miss him.”

“I know you do.” Anabelle felt close to tears herself. She stood and took Lucy's hand, thanked Genna and led Lucy to the elevators.

What was she thinking? She couldn't babysit Lucy and work at the same time. On the other hand, maybe she could. She had brought her children into the hospital to shadow her on several bring-your-kids-to-work days in the past.

Anabelle thought again about other possible family members. “Yesterday you told me your mommy lived far away. What is her name?”

“Theresa. Daddy says she went to be with Jesus after I was born.”

“Oh.” Anabelle thought for a moment and then asked, “Do you have grandmas or grandpas?”

“Grampa.” Her face lit up.

“What is your grandpa's name?”

Lucy frowned. “Grampa.”

Anabelle pinched the bridge of her nose. Back to square one.

As Anabelle saw it, she didn't have a lot of options. She had no intention of handing the child over to someone else at the moment. Lucy had been traumatized enough.