Beyond the Shadows

by Kira Chase

  “I'd appreciate it, George.” She rubbed her eyes. “I just remembered that Gracelyn is on a cruise with one of her women's groups. I don't know if I should put a call through or wait until we get the results of Johanna's tests.”

  “Why don't you wait a little while to call Gracelyn. I'll call your mother for you.”

  “Thank you, George. I don't know what I'd do without you.”

  Chapter 18

  Frankie wiped the tears from her cheeks as she tiptoed over to Johanna's bed. The ICU nurse reminded her that she'd only be allowed five minutes. She didn't know what to expect, but she wasn't prepared for the sight that awaited her. Johanna's beautiful face was swollen, bruised, and her bottom lip was split open. Frankie sucked in her breath. Johanna was hooked up to a myriad of tubes. Frankie was overwhelmed with grief.

  “Please, wake up, baby. I need you,” she cried.

  * * * *

  Frankie felt someone gently shaking her shoulder. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes, the events of the early morning hours flooding back to her. She jumped to her feet. Her back ached. She'd fallen asleep in the waiting room outside of the ICU.

  An RN stood facing her. Frankie's heart seized. Something had happened to Johanna. How would she live without her? She felt weak. She looked expectantly into the RN's face.

  The nurse smiled. “I have some good news for you. Johanna woke up a little while ago. The doctor will be out to talk to you shortly.”

  Did she hear her correctly? Her hands were still shaking as she looked into the nurse's eyes. “Can I see her?” she asked, a slow smile breaking over her face.

  “After the doctor talks to you.”

  Frankie breathed a sigh of relief. Tears slid down her cheeks. She realized that she was smiling and crying at the same time. But she didn't care. Johanna was alive. That's all that mattered. No matter her condition, they'd get through it together.

  “Thank God!” a deep familiar voice said from behind her.

  “Trey! When did you get here?” She threw her arms around his neck.

  “Just a few minutes ago. After you see Johanna, I'm taking you to my house for a hot shower, a change of clothes, a hot meal and some much needed sleep.”

  “But I want to stay with Johanna.”

  “Sweetie, what good will you be to her if you let yourself get run down and get sick? You need to keep yourself healthy. After all, when she's released she's going to need a lot of care. And I'm sure she's only going to want you to give her that care. You're exhausted.”

  “You don't look like you got much sleep yourself,” she chided.

  “No, I didn't. Will and I couldn't sleep. George is over at your house. He said they'll probably be there for a couple days going over everything and that you shouldn't worry. He's making sure everything is locked up tight and has a couple of deputies watching the place at night for you.”

  “Trey, I want you and Will to tear down the tool shed.”

  “We'll talk about that later, Frankie,” he said softly.

  “I'll need to stop by my house and pick up a few things.”

  “We can do that.” He looked toward the door of the ICU.

  A doctor, smiling broadly, walked over to them. “We ran some further tests and everything is clear. Her vital signs are good. Johanna will have a headache off and on for a while and have some soreness in her back and shoulder, but in time it will abate. We'll prescribe painkillers. After the cast is off, she'll have a few weeks of physiotherapy for her arm. She should have a complete recovery and in a few months be back to normal. We're going to keep her in the hospital for a few days to monitor her, but I don't foresee any problems. We'll be moving her to a room in a little while.”

  “Can I see her now?” Frankie asked anxiously.

  “Yes, you can,” the doctor replied.

  Trey hugged her tightly. “Go see her. When you come back, I'll take you home. Will and I insist that you stay with us until Johanna is released.”

  “I will,” she called over her shoulder. She beamed as she entered the ICU.

  Frankie rushed over to Johanna's bed. Johanna was still pale, but her eyes lit up when she saw Frankie. “You gave me quite a scare, baby,” she whispered as she took Johanna's hand. “You're going to be okay.”

  “I'm so tired.”

  “I know, sweetie. You've been through a lot, but I don't want you to think about that now. Just concentrate on getting better.”

  “Yes.” Her eyes fluttered and she struggled to keep them open. “I love you, Frankie. I kept thinking about you. I'm so tired.”

  “I love you, too, baby. I never stopped thinking about you.” She brushed her lips against Johanna's cool forehead. “You get some rest now. They're going to move you into a regular room soon. I'll be back later. Okay?”

  Johanna didn't respond. She'd fallen asleep.

  Frankie looked at the nurse who was disconnecting tubes. “Is that normal?” she asked nervously.

  “It's perfectly normal. She'll be drowsy like this for a couple of days.” She smiled. “Don't worry. We'll take good care of her.” Her eyes swept over Frankie. “Why don't you go home and get some rest?”

  “You'll call me if there are any changes?”

  “Of course. But the only changes we're expecting are for the better,” the pretty, middle-aged nurse replied.

  Frankie felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders as she exited the ICU. Trey was waiting for her. He slipped an arm around her shoulder as they exited the hospital.

  Chapter 19

  Frankie pulled her chair close to Johanna's bed. “How are you feeling, baby?”

  “Better, since you're here.”

  She smiled widely. “The doctor said you can come home tomorrow, but you have to take it easy for a while.”

  She frowned. “I know. I feel guilty putting all the work on you. Taking care of the office and me. I wish I wouldn't have had to spend an extra week in here.”

  “You were running a fever, honey. And you don't need to feel guilty about anything. I've been doing the paperwork at home. Kate went with me the other night while I tailed the new client's husband. So far he seems clean. The rest is just routine. Our business hasn't suffered…in fact we're getting more calls than we can possibly handle right now. Gracelyn has even offered to help out with some of the paperwork.”

  “Mom's come a long way.”

  “She has. Like she says, 'Once a mother, always a mother. You never stop worrying about your children, no matter how old they are'. I really enjoy her company. And when Kate and I are out at night, she goes over to Trey and Will's.”

  Johanna smiled. “It sounds like she's enjoying herself.”

  “Oh she is, ever since we learned you'll be as good as new in no time. She can't wait to pamper you when you get home.” She lifted an eyebrow. “And she's even shared some stories about you growing up…some things I never knew.”

  “Uh…oh.” She smiled. “Have there been any problems with the plans for the addition?”

  “Everything is under control. Your mother has been a big help with that, too.”

  “I'm surprised she didn't come to visit me with you today.”

  “She's supervising the men today, since they're starting work on the addition. You should see her.” Frankie chuckled. “Trey got her a hard hat and she went shopping yesterday and bought some jeans.”

  Johanna laughed. “I can't wait to see that. I'm relieved that there are no problems with the addition then.”

  “Surprisingly, it's going better than we thought.”

  “Everything you've been telling me makes me feel better. I can't wait to come home.”

  “Neither can I. It's been lonely sleeping without you.”

  “I miss being with you, too.” She looked at her arm. “I'll be glad when this thing gets off.”

  “Ahh…but look at the fun I'm going to have helping you bathe.” Her lips curved up seductively.

  “You're terrible! A one track mind.”
/>   “Only with you, baby. And you love it.”

  “You're right, I do,” she admitted with a wide grin. “So, anyway, why did Kate really go with you on surveillance? Is there something wrong with the case that you're not telling me?” Her eyes clouded with worry. “We don't need any more drama…at least for a while.”

  “No, honey, the case is fine. I just wanted to go over some ideas for the bridal shower so Kate figured we could do it while I'm tailing. She refuses to set a definite date for the wedding until you're totally recovered.”

  “I'm glad that the bullet only grazed her shoulder.”

  “Me, too. Kate and I agreed we're not doing anything without your input.”

  “The weather should be nice by then. Maybe we could get some tents and have it outside.”

  “That's what I was thinking. We're trying to coordinate the shower and wedding so all Kate's family will be able to attend both.”

  “Good. I want Kate and Arlan to be as happy as we are.”

  “I'm sure they will be.” She stroked Johanna's forehead. “We can lie in bed and reminisce about our wedding day. It was beautiful.”

  “That was the happiest day of my life.”

  “For me it comes in second…the first was the day we met.”

  “You're so sweet.” She squeezed Frankie's hand.

  “I know,” she joked. “Oh before I forget, your mother and I have invited everyone over this weekend for a little get together. I know they've been in and out of here visiting you every day for the past couple of weeks, but we thought it would be fun. If you aren't up to it, they'll understand.”

  “No, it will be fun. Just what I need after being cooped up in here. I can't wait.”

  “Good. Trey and Will are anxious to get your input on the landscaping. It's going to be beautiful.”

  Johanna stiffened. Her eyes brimmed and she swallowed hard.

  Frankie knew Johanna was remembering her ordeal in the tool shed. She also knew it was something that would take a long time for her to emotionally heal from. She intended to do everything humanly possible to show Johanna that she was safe and protected and to do something that wouldn't be a constant reminder every time Johanna went to the tool shed…something that would bring beauty to the place that had held so much terror for the both of them.

  “It was horrible, Frankie. The things he said he was going to do to you.”

  Frankie brushed the hair from Johanna's brow. “Shhh. It's over, sweetie. He'll never hurt anyone again. We're safe and we're together.”

  “He was so evil, Frankie.” She shuddered. “Will I ever stop having nightmares about him?”

  “You will, sweetie. I'll help you get through this. He can't hurt us anymore.” She raised an eyebrow. “You got him good with that pick-ax. Do you remember?”

  “I had to do something. I couldn't let him get to you. I wanted to stop him any way I could.” She drew a shuddering breath. “I was terrified.”

  “I was, too, baby.” Frankie ran her fingertips over Johanna's cheek as she stared into her beautiful green eyes.

  “There's so much ugliness in the world.” Johanna sighed.

  “From where I'm sitting, I only see beauty.” She bent down and met Johanna's waiting lips.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Writing is Kira's number one passion. When she is not writing, Kira enjoys reading, gardening, cooking and traveling. She has many novels, poems and short stories to her credit. For information about Kira's current and upcoming titles, please visit: http://www.kirachase.com or http://kirachase.blogspot.com. She currently resides in New Jersey.

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