When they got back to the waiting room Stacy went up to Niki’s father.
“We haven’t been introduced. I’m Stacy Trent.” She offered her hand to Niki’s father.
Niki’s father gave her a warm smile and took Stacy’s hand in both of his. “It’s nice to meet you Stacy. Christopher Lautrec.”
Stacy turned to Charlotte. “Maybe we can start over,” she said. “I’m Stacy.”
Charlotte looked embarrassed, but she held out her hand to Stacy and smiled. “I’m Charlotte. It’s nice to meet you.”
Their eyes locked as they shook hands and sized each other up. “Nice to meet you Charlotte,” Stacy said.
“Your eyes look just like Niki’s.
Everyone visited Niki’s bedside in groups of two and when they had finished, they had all gathered back in the waiting room. Niki would be in ICU for the night, and visiting hours were almost over. Eli had made accommodations for his family at a hotel by the medical center. Holly and Jason had threatened to have Stacy admitted to the hospital if she didn’t eat something and get some rest, so they had gone back to Stacy’s condo. Eli and Carlos had stayed at the hospital in case anything happened during the night.
Chapter 45
“It seems like forever since I’ve been here,” Stacy said, as she waited for Holly to find her key.
They got inside and Holly immediately took control. “Where are those painkillers the doctor prescribed for you?”
“In my bathroom. Why?”
“Because you’re not going to get any sleep unless you take one.” She disappeared and came back with a horse pill and handed it to Stacy with a glass of water. “Take this and drink all the water.”
Stacy complied, then set the glass on the table and sat down on the couch beside Jason. Holly was in the kitchen making all kinds of racket and Stacy called out, “What are you doing in there?”
“I’m cooking us dinner,” Holly said.
Jason looked over at Stacy and raised his eyebrows and smiled. Stacy moved closer. “What do you think of her?” Stacy whispered conspiratorially.
“What do I think of her?” Jason repeated loudly.
Stacy laughed and slugged him. “Jerk.” She could see Holly laughing in the kitchen.
Jason laughed and mimicked Stacy, moving closer and speaking quietly. “I like her,” he said.
“I knew you’d hit it off,” Stacy said. She got up and went in the kitchen. “He likes you.”
“He’s so cute,” Holly whispered. “He held my hand in the hospital.”
Stacy’s eyes got big. “He did? I am so excited!” Stacy said talking quietly.
Jason came in and the two went dead silent. “You should see your faces. You both look like the cat that ate that bird – the canary or whatever,” he said, and Stacy and Holly burst out laughing. Jason shook his head, “Do you need some help?” he asked Holly.
“I need some help,” Stacy said, fiddling with her bandage. “Help me get this stupid thing off my head,” she said, totally frustrated.
“You’re supposed to keep that stupid thing on your head,” Holly said.
“I have to wash my hair,” Stacy said.
“You can’t wash your hair. You’ll get your stitches wet,” Holly told her.
Stacy was still messing with the bandage and Jason finally reached over and unhooked the clasps that held it together and handed the end of the bandage to Stacy. She unwound it from her head, then wadded it up and threw it in the trashcan. Stacy went and looked in a mirror in the dining room. “Damn it. Look at my hair,” she said, pointing out where it had been shaved. “I’m gonna need Consuela again.” She came back to the kitchen and gave Holly a pitiful look.
“Will you wash it for me in the sink?”
Holly looked at her and couldn’t help but laugh. She looked like a little kid. “Yes, I’ll wash it for you,” Holly said. “Go get your stuff.”
“That’s why I love her,” Stacy told Jason.
Jason smiled at Holly. He hadn’t quite figured her out. She was bossy and assertive, maybe even more so than Stacy if that was possible. But at the same time she was as thoughtful and caring as anyone he had ever met. He definitely wanted to get to know her better.
Stacy disappeared and returned with shampoo and a towel. Holly washed Stacy’s hair for her while dinner cooked in the oven. When she finished, Stacy ran a steaming hot bath and soaked for thirty minutes until Holly knocked on the door.
“Dinner’s ready,” she said. “You feel any better?”
“Yeah,” Stacy said. “But that pill is kicking my butt.”
“Good. You’ll be able to get some sleep.”
The three ate dinner and afterwards they moved over to the couch where Stacy fell asleep immediately. Holly turned on the TV.
“It’s almost 10:00. Let’s see what they say on the news,” she said.
“Stacy’s lucky to have you as a friend,” Jason said. He reached over and picked up Holly’s hand.
Holly smiled. “It goes both ways. She’s taken care of me just as often as I’ve taken care of her.”
“I bet you two are big trouble together,” he said.
Holly laughed out loud. “Why would you say that?” she asked, feigning innocence.
“Because you both have that air about you.”
“That air? And what air would that be?”
“That air that spells big trouble when the two of you get together,” Jason said, laughing.
“Maybe.”
The news came on and Stacy’s kidnapping was the top story.
Just over two weeks after her incredible escape from captivity in Bogota, Colombia, Stacy Trent has been the subject of another kidnapping, this one perpetrated by her own father. Ms. Trent was abducted yesterday morning in the parking lot of a local San Antonio restaurant, and was taken to the family’s ranch outside of Victoria. Agent Alex Kanes with the FBI was there, the anchor said, and they cut to a clip of Alex.
When I came upon them, Mr. Trent had already shot one man involved in the rescue and he was holding his daughter at gunpoint. We were able to distract him long enough to get two shots off, one hit him in the head and one in the heart. He died instantly, Alex said.
The camera cut back to the newsroom and the anchor continued the story.
Ms. Trent was treated at Methodist Hospital for a cut on her head, and was released. We also have word on the man who was shot during the rescue attempt. He is Nikolas Lautrec, owner and founder of Lautrec Investigation Services. It is not clear how he was involved in the rescue. Lautrec was shot once in the chest and was airlifted from the Trent ranch in Victoria to Methodist Hospital. He is listed in critical condition. No word yet as to the motive behind the kidnapping.
Holly and Jason looked at each other. “He left out the fact that Stacy shot her father,” Jason said.
“Thank God. The media would have had a field day with that. I told you he was cool,” Holly said. She looked over at Stacy sleeping on the couch. “Will you carry her to bed?”
“Sure,” Jason said. He picked up Stacy and followed Holly to the bedroom. Holly turned down the sheets and Jason laid Stacy down and covered her up, then the two went back out to the living room.
“Are you staying here tonight?” Jason asked Holly.
“Yeah, I don’t want her to be by herself.”
Jason smiled at her. “I’d like you in my corner if I ever needed help.” He was standing close to her and he picked up Holly’s hands and put them around his waist. “I’m gonna go back to the hospital,” he said putting his arms around her. “But I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Yes, you will.”
“Good.” He was looking at her mouth, wanting to kiss her. “Do you have a boyfriend?” Jason asked.
“Would it matter?” Holly replied.
“I’m sure it would to him,” Jason laughed.
“No,” Holly said, tightening her arms around his waist and moving closer to him. “I don’t have a boyfriend.” It was
obvious that he wanted to kiss her. “Are you going to kiss me, or am I going to have to kiss you?” Holly asked.
“No, I think I’ll go ahead and kiss you.” He brought his mouth to hers and kissed her on the lips, and what started out relatively light hearted, turned into a long and passionate kiss. When it ended, Jason pulled back and looked at Holly. “I knew I shouldn’t have done that. Now I don’t want to leave,” he said, and Holly smiled at him.
“You don’t have to go.”
“Yeah, I do. I should be at the hospital,” Jason said. “It would be like you going out and having a good time while Stacy was in the hospital. I just can’t do it.”
“I know,” Holly said.
“As much as I’d like to,” he added.
Holly smiled. “I know,” she said again. “Come on, I’ll walk you to the elevator.”
They went out in the hall and Jason punched the button for the elevator. “You’ll call if anything happens with Niki?” Holly asked.
“I will,” Jason said. He got in the elevator and punched the button for the first floor. “See you tomorrow, Lois.”
“Don’t call me that,” Holly said, stomping her foot, and she could hear Jason laughing as the doors closed.
Chapter 46
Stacy woke up early and went into the guestroom and crawled in bed with Holly.
“Hey, did you get some sleep?” Holly asked.
“Yeah. I feel better, but I’m groggy from that pill. Thanks for cooking last night and for staying here and everything.”
Holly waved her hand and covered a yawn with the other. “You’re welcome.”
“What time did Jason leave?” Stacy asked.
Holly got a big smile on her face. “Right after he kissed me.”
Stacy sat bolt upright and screamed. “He kissed you? Where?” Stacy asked.
“On the lips. It was a really good one too,” Holly said.
Stacy lay back down, smiling. “So you like him?”
“Kind of a lot,” she said. “But he’s got to stop calling me Lois.”
Holly filled Stacy in on what had gone on between the time she was abducted and the time she was rescued, starting with the call from Amy and culminating with their arrival at the ranch, and Stacy related what had transpired between her and her father. They talked until the sun came up and then showered and headed to the hospital.
The waiting room was empty so Stacy and Holly went to the ICU nurse’s station. The nurse recognized Stacy and smiled. “It’s not visiting hours yet, but I’ll let you go in just for a couple of minutes.”
“Has he woken up?” Stacy asked, and the nurse shook her head no.
“I’ll meet you back in the waiting room,” Holly said. “I’m going to get some coffee.”
Stacy was fighting tears when she approached Niki’s bed, but she was determined not to cry. “Hi Niki, it’s Stacy,” she said. She ran the back of her fingers against his cheek and the stubble on his face was scratchy on her hand. “You are the most handsome thing. I swear, you look just like an angel lying there.” She climbed up onto the side of the bed and leaned over and hugged him, and laid her head on his chest. “Please wake up Niki. I can’t lose you now. Not after everything we’ve been through.”
She had started to cry and her tears had made a big wet circle on Niki’s hospital gown. “I love the way you breathe.” Stacy closed her eyes and could feel Niki’s heart pounding under her cheek. “I can hear your heart beating.” She stayed there with her head resting on him until the nurse came in with a new IV bag.
“You can’t be on the bed with him,” the nurse scolded her.
Stacy sat up and leaned over by Niki’s ear. “Now look what you did. You got me in trouble,” she said, and the nurse smiled. Stacy kissed Niki on the lips and got off the bed, then she leaned across the bed and kissed him again. “I’m getting kicked out now, Niki, but I’ll see you in a little while.”
“We’ll be moving him out of ICU this morning,” the nurse said cheerfully.
“Really?” Stacy said, encouraged. “So he must have improved.”
“He’s serious but stable,” the nurse said. “Now, go before you get me in trouble.”
When Stacy got back to the waiting room Eli, Jason and Carlos were all there, looking weary, but freshly showered and shaved. Stacy was trying to be strong, but she took one look at Eli and he looked so grief-stricken that the tears started flowing again. Eli put his arms around her.
“I’m sorry,” Stacy said. “I keep trying not to cry and I tell myself I’m not going to, and then I just can’t help it,” she sobbed.
“Hey, there’s nothing wrong with you crying,” Eli said. He rested his chin on the top of her head and squeezed her. “There’d be something wrong if you didn’t. You cry as much you need to, Stacy. It’s a hell of a lot better than keeping it inside.” Eli let go of her, pulled out a Kleenex and handed it to her. “I got that especially for you,” he told her, and he made her smile.
“Were you here all night?” Stacy asked, wiping her eyes.
“Most of it. Did they let you see him?” Eli asked.
“Yeah,” Stacy sniffled. “He’s stabilized. They’re moving him out of ICU this morning.” Stacy turned to the others. “Hi Carlos, Jason,” she said, hugging them in turn.
“Did you get some sleep?” Jason asked.
“I did. That pill knocked me out.”
“You look a lot better,” Carlos said, wiping tears off her cheeks.
Stacy looked at the three and shook her head. “You know, if someone had told me on my first day on the island that we would end up being friends, I would have thought they were nuts. But I feel closer to you guys than some friends I’ve know for years,” Stacy said.
“Well you’ve been through a lot with us,” Eli said. “And I guess we could probably say the same thing. After that hair scene in the kitchen, who would have believed we’d end up caring about you?”
The door opened and Holly walked in with Niki’s parents and sister. Everyone greeted each other and Holly went over to Stacy.
“How was he?” she asked.
“They’re moving him out of ICU. It’s so weird, Holly. He just looks like he’s asleep in there.”
Jason walked up while Stacy and Holly were talking. “Good morning,” he told Holly.
“Good morning. You smell all nice and fresh.”
Jason looked from Holly to Stacy. “I bet there are no secrets between the two of you,” he said, and they both looked guilty. “That’s what I thought.” Jason turned to Stacy. “So what did she say about it?” he asked, and Stacy and Holly laughed out loud. Everyone looked over at them and Stacy lowered her voice.
“I think she said it was a really good one. Isn’t that what you said?” she asked Holly.
“Those might even have been my exact words,” Holly agreed.
Jason got a big smile on his face and pointed his finger at Holly. “That air I referred to last night . . . big trouble.”
Holly laughed out loud again. “He thinks you and I are trouble together.”
“Why on earth would you think that?” Stacy asked Jason.
“Just a hunch.”
The group spent the majority of the day in the waiting room, leaving in staggered shifts long enough to grab lunch and coming straight back. Niki was moved into a private room and they took turns sitting by his bedside trying to draw him out of his coma. But by the end of the day there was still no change, and when a nurse came on the loud speaker and announced the end of visiting hours, everyone was feeling discouraged.
“I think we should all go get some dinner somewhere,” Eli said wearily, and everyone agreed.
Stacy went up to Holly. “Why don’t you ride with Jason and leave me your car. I just want to stay for a few more minutes,” she said. “I’ll catch up with you guys at the restaurant.”
“You need to eat, Stacy,” Holly told her.
“I know. And I will. I just need a little more time with him.”
“Okay,” Holly agreed, and she gave Stacy her keys.
Chapter 47
Stacy went back into Niki’s room and pulled a chair up next to his bed. She held his hand, weaving her fingers through his, and laid her head down on the side of the bed.
When Niki came to, Stacy was sound asleep. He opened his eyes and looked around the room, then down at Stacy sleeping there and he smiled. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. He reached over with his free hand and stroked her hair as she slept, and tried to remember what had happened. He remembered being shot and falling into a pit, and he remembered hearing three more shots, but he couldn’t remember anything after that. His chest was tight from the bandage that was wrapped around him. He wondered how long he had been out. Niki brushed Stacy’s hair off her face and gently traced the outline of her cheekbone with his fingers. He was so relieved that she was alive and safe; his heart literally hurt. He knew he should let her sleep, but he just couldn’t do it.
“Stacy,” he said, tracing his finger around her lips.
Stacy opened her eyes, and at first she didn’t know where she was. She looked up confused and Niki was wide-awake and smiling at her.
“You’re awake,” she said in disbelief. “Oh my God, you’re awake!” she yelled, laughing and crying at the same time. She climbed onto the bed and hugged him and kissed him all over his face, then she buried her face in his neck, “I thought I’d lost you,” she said, crying big crocodile tears all over him.
Niki wrapped his arms around Stacy and held her, and he closed his eyes and rocked her in his arms. “You have no idea how good it is to see you.”
“Am I hurting you?” Stacy asked, bringing her head up to look at him.
He pulled her back and squeezed her. “No, you’re not hurting me, you’re killing me. Did you know there’s really such a thing as being heartsick? I always thought that was just bullshit,” he told her, and Stacy laughed at him.
Back on Solid Ground Page 32
