A Love for all Ages (Crockett County Trilogy Book 1)

by Phillips, Brenda

  “Oh my, I can’t believe this. I don’t know anyone from here. I don’t have any enemies.” Raising her right hand she touches the bump on her forehead again. Stephanie is flabbergasted someone would want to hurt her or even kill her. Shuddering she adds, “I try to stay to myself. I don’t make people mad and definitely not mad enough to harm me.”

  Watching Stephanie sitting on the bed Chase feels his stomach tighten with dread. He has been waiting for her to regain consciousness; he’s been here on and off for the last three days. Trying to piece together the information; the little he had gathered. Waiting while she lay in this hospital bed day after day; praying she would wake up, she would be able to help with the investigation. Chase had needed Stephanie to recover; for her to not allow the person responsible to win.

  He had sat by her bed telling her to get better; to be strong and encouraged her to fight. He believes a person could still hear even when in an unconscious state. He had spoken with the doctor about her condition; needing to know the extent of her injuries. The doctor had explained the swelling to her brain had caused her to be unconscious; in a coma for lack of a better word. The swelling had started decreasing yesterday afternoon; the good doctor had estimated it would be eighteen to twenty-four hours before all the swelling would be gone. At that time it would be a waiting game for her to wake up.

  With them both lost in thought, Chase allows himself to finally admit he is attached to her. Stephanie’s hair is longer than he first thought, it rests down past her hips and with the blonde highlights he thinks of summer nights. He clinches his hands into fists to calm the itch of wanting to feel it slid through his fingers. He can almost feel the silken strands. Knowing his behavior is unprofessional he closes his mind off to these kinds of thoughts. “You need to rest. You have had a lot of information today. You will need to adjust to this and you need to rest to heal. I am sure the Doctor will not be pleased with me; I should have waited for him to clear you before we spoke”. Chase walks over to Stephanie; he raises his hand laying it on her cheek, just for a second. Removing his hand Chase turns walking out of her room. The only sound is the click of the door closing behind him.

  Letting out the breath she is holding Stephanie places her own hand on the same spot his had been. Laying down she closes her eyes as she tries to make sense of all the things Sheriff Chase Peterson had told her. Who would want to hurt her? Who knew she would be on that road? And who knew what vehicle she had been driving? Realizing she has more questions and no answers, makes her head hurt.

  Moving her hand from her cheek to her forehead she touches the bump. Deciding she needs to see the damage, Stephanie raises from the bed, dragging the IV stand while holding the urine bag she walks to the rest room. Leaning close to the mirror she examines her face, the lump is huge, bluish green and takes up most of her forehead. Looking at her image she checks her eyes, they are clear and alert. Good, she needs a clear mind. Continuing with the survey of her face she sees no other cuts, bumps or bruises. Stephanie knows her features, full lips round like a button, nose small and eyes almonds shaped. Signing she also knows she is considered pretty, having been told on several occasions. Mostly by men who wanted to have sex with her. Why men always feel woman need to be told they are pretty is something she will never understand. She had learned early in life it was better to be known for your mind and ability. Looks fade. Her mind and strengths will be with her longer then her pretty face.

  She had learned this from her brother Mitch. He wanted her to be independent, not be a woman that had to depend on a man all the time. It was lessons she took to heart. Growing up, she had after school and summer jobs, didn’t matter what town they were in at the time, she would find some kind of work, she had did waitressing, plumbing, construction. She had worked in retail, advertising, and the auto industry. The experiences of her youth and young adulthood made her independent and self-reliant. Smiling to herself, she has to admit she had enjoyed her childhood, mostly due to Mitch. However, she did love her Mother and knew her Mother loved her; it had always been Mitch that was there for her. Mitch just two years older had made sure appointments were kept and things got done.

  Turning from the mirror, Stephanie walks back to the bed siting down. Today has been a full day and it wasn’t over yet. The Doctor was due to come anytime. Hoping he would give her answers to the extent of her injuries. Needing to keep busy while she waits for the Doctor Stephanie looks through the night stand finding paper and pen she decides to make a ‘to do’ list. Lists are good; she makes a list of things she needs when she gets released. Car is at the top, with stars around it. She needs to call her insurance company later. She also needs to find out about her belongings that were in her car. The big stuff is going to be delivered in a couple of weeks. But her clothes, her makeup, her personal items were all in the car, the wrecked car, the car she has no idea where it is. Putting a big star beside her belongings, she realizes she has to ask the good Sheriff about her car.

  Her thoughts are interrupted by the sound of the door, laying the paper and pen aside, Stephanie looks up as the Doctor walks in. Not sure what she had expected but this was not it. The man standing at the foot of her bed is a younger version of a Doctor from a television series. He is scruffy looking, as if he has slept in his clothes and he needs a shave. He is tall and slim, and looks a little pasty. She knows she is staring but figures it didn’t matter; he is busy looking at her chart. Stephanie sits waiting for him to speak. After several minutes, he raises his eyes from the chart and observes her.

  “Good morning, my name is Dr. Walter Coup. How are you feeling?” his voice is gruff, as if he doesn’t use it much or he smokes too many cigarettes a day. Walking to the side of the bed, he takes his stethoscope from his coat pocked; he places it on her chest telling her to breathe deeply. When she winces from the pain of her ribs, he removed the instrument and directs her to lie down.

  Laying back, Stephanie feels him push on her ribs and winces again. “You are still very tender in that area. I will order some more x-rays to check how the fracture is healing. I assume you have a few questions about your injuries. Let’s see if I can clear things up, after if you have any further questions I will address them then. You were admitted three days ago, you have a cracked rib, a non-displaced fracture in your wrist, and swelling to your brain. You were not conscious when you arrived. In fact, from what the nurse wrote on your chart, this morning you finally decided to waken. I personally figured it would be later today or even tonight, as the swelling had just started decreasing yesterday. The fact you have recovered so quickly is due in part to you’re a normal young healthy woman”.

  Since the good Doctor seemed to be finished, as he had stopped talking, Stephanie wants a few things address, as he put it. “Since I was unconscious for three days do I have brain damage?” Not really wanting to hear the answer but knew she needed to know she nervously waits for his responds. Not having anyone she can count on for assistance, she is unsure what she will do if she is unable to care of herself.

  Standing beside the bed, he notes her eyes are clear; she is able to talk and comprehend regular conversations. Still he figures she needs reassured, “I have done a couple of scans on your brain while you were unconscious, they all showed normal activity waves. Now that you are alert, I will order another one, just to make sure. But the fact you are so alert, leads me to believe your brain is healing. There may be times over the next several days or weeks, you will get headaches, I can give you something for the pain. Don’t not take them and try to suffer through the pain, you will need to allow your brain to continue to heal,” Looking at his watch, he asks “Any other concerns?”

  She figures normal activity to her brain is a good thing smiling Stephanie raises into a sitting positon as Dr. Coup starts writing on her chart, “How much longer will I need to stay here?” Hoping to leave soon just not sure how with no vehicle; she still needs a timeframe, in order to make plans.

  “I will order the tests and
let you know when I get the results. Should only be a few more days before you can go home” with that being said, Dr. Coup walks out the door, the click of it closing brings an end to her questions.

  The rest of her day was busy with phone calls and more lists. It seemed after each call ended she had several more to make to clarify the information. The easiest conversation was the one with her employer, Michael Watts. His concern was genuine. Telling Stephanie to keep him posted and letting her know if she needed anything to contact him. Thinking about work, she was grateful with her career choice. Being a book cover artist and illustrator for a major publishing company allows her the freedom to work from home and even with her injuries; she would be able to do her job. Having missed several days of work has put her behind schedule a bit but it was nothing she wasn’t able to handle. Picking up her paper and pen again she marks off Michael’s name and added new computer, in bold letters. Then as an afterthought puts a question mark behind it; she really needs to find out about her car and her belongings.

  During the afternoon and early evening the nurses would come in to check vitals, the meals were delivered and eaten. Stephanie figured going without food for three days had her eating everything on her plate. Rest and food was good for healing.

  Feeling tired, she decides it is time to stop the thinking, and try to get the rest she knows her body and mind needs. Adjusting the pillows and getting more comfortable on the bed, she tries to sleep. Doing the mind relaxing exercises from her yoga classes she drifts off to a dreamless sleep.

  Opening her eyes Stephanie sees the sun shining through the window announcing its morning; she smiles realizing she slept through the night. Stretching she discovers her ribs feel better, still tender but not quite as sore. Deciding when the nurse comes for her vital check she will ask when the catheter will be removed; she needs a shower. Bathing in a sink is not going to happen again, knowing she is awake, alert, and mobile; she concludes she can go to the restroom without aid.

  The sound of the door opening has Stephanie hoping it is a certain someone. Disappointment hits her hard. Now why was that? Frowning as she doesn’t recognize the young man in uniform walking in. He looks about her age, blonde hair, styled short in a military cut; his eyes are brown, a very unusual shade. The face of the man standing before her is nice looking, in the beach boy type. His lips she noticed are smiling at her. Trying to keep an open mind, Stephanie returns his smile.

  “Ms. Tuney, I am Deputy Johnny Kageson, I need you to sign a couple of reports so we can get your car processed”, he states this while he lifts the brief case placing it by her feet on the bed.

  The mention of her car has her attention. “Where is my car? I need my belongings. All my personal items are in it.” Stephanie pauses giving the Deputy time to respond. Sitting calmly she lays her right hand over the cast on her left.

  Johnny stops pulling the papers from the brief case he straightens, looking her in the eyes as he replies, “Right now it’s in the police compound. It needs to go to the junk yard. Your car is not drivable, it is totaled. I thought Sheriff Chase informed you?” His brows are pulled down in a frown.

  Shaking her head, “No, we discussed the accident, but I didn’t think to ask about my car until the Sheriff left. It was much later and I didn’t want to bother him at home, for all I knew he could be spending time with his wife and family.” Closing her eyes briefly she cannot believe she asked the personal question about the Sheriff. Maybe the Deputy wouldn’t catch the reference. Trying to act casual she sits calmly waiting for the Deputy to respond.

  The smile growing on Johnny’s lips confirms to Stephanie he didn’t miss the question. “Oh, Sheriff Chase isn’t married, he doesn’t even have a girlfriend right now”, laughing he continues. “Our good Sheriff Chase spends his evening when not on duty, with his parents. He is a real party animal.” With that said he turns back to the papers. Picking the pile of papers off the bed, he walks to her side then pulls the bed tray closer, “I need to go over these with you; the first and second one is for the release of your car, the third one deal with the cost of the tow truck and it allows us to bill your insurance company.”

  “Wait a second, why would you bill for the tow, wouldn’t that be the towing company responsibility? And I can’t release my car to the junk yard, I have to get my things out of it, my insurance agent is going to need to see the car, take pictures, do estimates, and all the other things an agent does”, knowing she was sounding hysterical, but couldn’t help the feeling of panic as it was spreading through her whole body stopping to settle in her chest. Her rationality is gone; closing her eyes Stephanie takes several deep breathes as she tries to reach the calm core in her mind.

  “Hold on Ms. Tuney, I need you to relax and I will explain. I really thought Sheriff Chase would have told you all this”, awkwardly he pats her good hand. “Now just relax and listen”, he stops patting her hand as he crosses his arms across his chest, his in charge stance. “Your car has been photographed and the photos faxed to your agent, all your belongings are at your place, the paper work for the towing from the accident site and to the junk yard will be paid by your insurance, all you have to do is sign, Sheriff Chase did all the forms for you. I ran your license, the report showed your insurance information; Sheriff Chase had Karen from dispatch call and get the rest of the information, then the Sheriff completed the forms needed, all but your signature, which is why I am here now. ” He uses his foot to move the bed tray closer to Stephanie making it easier for her to sign the paperwork.

  Once she signs all the forms, Johnny slips them in his brief case and says his goodbyes. Short and to the point, well almost to the point, had a little side bar of personal facts about the good Sheriff Chase. All and all, Johnny feels he has learned a lot in the short time he was with Miss Stephanie Tuney. Smiling all the way to his police cruiser Johnny figures he will have fun watching the beautiful Stephanie pursue Sheriff Chase.

  Several hours later, Stephanie finally returned to her room, feeling as if every test had been done to her, her ribs hurt worse since all the holding of deep breaths and she has a headache. The only good thing about this is the fact now the tests are all done she can have the catheter removed. And not a minute too soon; now she just has to wait for the nurse to come in to do the procedure. Lying back on the bed she waits as each minute slowing click by. Oh, how she hates the waiting. The feeling of time standing still, knowing the nurses are busy and will come when they have time doesn’t help at all.

  After what seems like forever the door opens and Nurse Marty comes in smiling, “Are you ready Ms. Tuney to have your catheter taken out?” She walked to the right side of the bed and put on her gloves then gets the other items needed to start the process for removal.

  Laughing, “I am so ready, have been ready since yesterday when I woke up.” Stephanie lies back on the bed she lifts her legs and holds her breath as told. Within minutes the wonderful Nurse Marty is done and Stephanie releases her breath.

  Gathering up all her supplies Nurse Marty says, “So what did Deputy Johnny want? He wasn’t here very long.” Not looking at Stephanie, Marty keeps busy; she doesn’t want anyone to guess her interest in Johnny. She has had a crush on him since high school. He was two years head of her in school but that didn’t stop her from her childish dreams about them falling in love and living happily ever after. Even now when she sees him, her stomach gets butterflies.

  “He brought some papers for me to sign; I have been concerned about my car and my belongings.” Stephanie glances over and sees Marty holding her bottom lip between her teeth. That’s a surprise she would bet that Nurse Marty likes Deputy Johnny. “So any idea when I will be leaving this place? Everyone has been great, but I really need to start moving in and get back to work.” Stephanie was never one to pry but would listen if Marty wanted to talk, she adds, “Please call me Stephanie, I hate being called Miss Tuney, makes me feel old.” finishing with a soft laugh.

  Looking over at Stephanie, w
anting to confide but not sure she can Marty decided it is best to get back to business, “The doctor will be in soon, he was waiting for the test results, the lab just sent them up, Doctor Coup will review them. Then he will come in and talk to you in a little while.” Turning Marty walks to the door with her tray of supplies, balancing the tray with one hand she looks over her shoulder, “I guess if I get burnt out on nursing I can become a waitress”, then opens the door and walks out.

  The two hours Stephanie waits for the doctor she watches television as she adds to her lists. The daytime soaps didn’t interest her but reruns of a crime series was good background noise. She always liked watching these types of shows with her brother; this was good memories of times they shared. Continuing her list of things to do or needed to do was getting longer. Having talked to her car insurance agent, she could pick up a car when she needed it; the rental company had told her she would have one waiting when she was released from the hospital. Now she needed the doctor to come in and tell her she could go home. When she could go to her Great Aunt Della’s place, hoping it would be her home soon.

  Hearing a noise outside her door, Stephanie stares at it, trying to use mind control to get the doctor to walk in. Jumping when the door opens she stares at the doctor, with a small smile on her lips she resolves that maybe there is something to mind control.

  Doctor Coup walks to the bed and lays her chart on bed tray as he lifts her right wrist to checks her vitals. “I hear you have been up and walking. How are your ribs? Have you been dizzy?” He places her hand back down in her lap. He picks up her chart writes something and then put it back on the table.