by Thianna D
“Shh. You’re in the hospital, and your very worried HoH is wearing down the tiled floor in the corridor. You up to company?”
Elly shook her head, ripped the breathing tube from her nose, covered her mouth and tried to sit up.
“Right.” Marcus promptly reached for a basin and turned her on her side. Sharp, stabbing pain brought her hand to her bandaged throat as the stars and ringing returned while her stomach emptied. Weak and hollow, she lay back with Marcus’s help. He offered her a box of facial tissues and a sip of water, then gave her time to collect herself before he replaced the canula, despite her tears. “I realize you’re frightened, Elly, and have a lot of questions, but I don’t want you talking. So, I’ll get you a white board where you can write down what you want to know. All right?”
Presented with little other choice, Elly nodded.
“Good. Want me to tell Brent and Jerry that you’re not up to company, yet?”
Hesitating, since she wasn’t sure she was up to facing Jerry’s anger, Elly closed her eyes and shook her head “no.” Despite his disappointment with her, she wanted Jerry close.
“Okay. Let me get the board, then I’ll let them see you.”
Brent and Jerry entered directly on Marcus’s heels as he handed Elly the whiteboard, marker and a tissue to act as an eraser. “Go easy on her, gentlemen. She’s still feeling a bit rocky. And, yes, that is a technical medical term.” When Marcus took a step back, Jerry slipped into his vacated spot and clasped Elly’s hand. His frown appeared more worried, than angry, but she suspected the anger would soon follow. Even so, she took comfort from his solid presence and attempted to give him a smile. He rolled his eyes up to the ceiling, as if in a plea for guidance, took a deep breath and gave her fingers a squeeze in return. Then he turned slightly to allow Brent to move in closer, though he didn’t release her hand, and she didn’t want him to.
“We are very pleased to see you awake and aware, Miss Elly. You should know it’s not an easy task to get your boyfriend here down off the walls once he’s started climbing them.”
Smiling, she gave a slight tug and Jerry reluctantly released her, so she could write. “How long was I out?”
“A few hours,” Brent replied. “Benson had you several inches off the ground and hanging from a noose he made. By the time we got to you, you were unconscious and no longer breathing. Jerry performed CPR until we could get you to the helicopter, while I took care of your ex-husband for him.”
After erasing her first question, Elly wrote, “And Arthur?”
“In prison, without bail. Charged with attempted murder. I realize you have enough on your plate right now with wedding plans, but I want you to testify against him in court.”
Elly knew Brent was right. Arthur was a danger to her, but she still hesitated. Her past had already interfered enough in her life, and she wanted to let it go.
“You don’t need you to make any decisions now, but I want you to seriously consider doing this. The restraining order clearly isn’t a deterrent as this is his third attempt to attack you with lethal force, and this time he almost succeeded.”
Erasing again, she jotted a question mark next.
“Which attacks am I talking about?” he asked. She nodded. “When he kicked you so hard he injured your spleen, when he came after you with a gun, and lastly when he tried to hang you with a noose he fashioned from a Wisteria vine. I realize only the last occurred after the order, but it’s still not safe for him to be on the loose.”
Giving another nod, she wrote, “Understand.”
“Jerry can probably answer any other questions you might have, and I’m sure you two would like to be alone awhile, so Marcus and I will see what this charming hospital can offer us in the way of coffee. Come on, Devon. Let’s let the lovebirds coo in privacy.”
Marcus directed a pointed stare at Elly, seeking some signal from her first. Realizing the doctor had tuned-in to her earlier hesitancy, he wasn’t about to leave unless she indicated she would be all right. Elly didn’t fear anything Jerry would do, but she was uneasy about what he might say. However, when she gave Marcus a nod, he returned it.
“Keep your feet on the floor this time, Dr. Douglas, and I’ll be back in about twenty minutes.” With that, Marcus Devon followed Brent out of the room.
Elly erased the board and wrote, “I’m sorry.”
Jerry pulled up a chair and ran his fingers through her hair. “So am I,” he whispered.
Another erase trailed by, “Angry?”
He shook his head. “Deeply relieved and more concerned than angry. I don’t like the fact you took off without telling me where you were going. Our house rules don’t get invalidated simply because we’ve quarreled.”
Nodding in agreement, she wrote, “I know.”
“Good. We’ll discuss your reasons for running off later.”
Scribble. “Discuss?”
He smiled. “Depends on how good you are once you get home.”
“Home?”
“Yes, Elly. Home. We have some problems we need to resolve, but we’ll fix them together, as a couple. All right?” When she nodded, he leaned over to place a kiss on her forehead. “I love you, brat. That hasn’t changed.”
“Love you, too,” she mouthed.
“You scared the shit out of me, Elly, and I’m not too happy about that, but nothing you’ve done or said has diminished my feelings for you. And I doubt anything ever could.”
“Saturday?”
Taking a deep breath, he answered, “We’ll see. Let’s wait until you’re released from the hospital. The doctors may decide you’re not up to an event like that, yet.”
With a shake of her head, she scribbled, “Don’t want to delay.”
“Neither do I, but I’m not going to let you risk your health. Not even to make you legally mine. Understand?”
She nodded as Brent and Marcus returned. “I realize you slept here before, Jerry, but I’m not sure spending tonight together would be a good decision for either of you. I checked, and the nurses won’t forbid you staying here, if you wish, but I’m wondering if you both don’t need some time apart,” Marcus proposed with a lifted eyebrow.
Jerry gave Elly a questioning glance, leaving the choice up to her.
She stared at him for a moment, trying to get a gauge on his feelings. Finally, she wrote, “I feel guilty.”
“Don’t. I would like to stay with you, but only if you want me.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
“Well, that settles it,” Marcus declared, with a clap of his hands. “Unless you develop any problems breathing during the night, you should be able to leave tomorrow, Elly. We’ll bring the two of you a change of clothes, then. Seems like we’ve done this before. Not that I mind, but I can think of much better ways for you to finagle a helicopter ride, Miss Elly.”
She smiled at the teasing as the two men pulled Jerry aside to give him some last minute instructions. Then, after a small exchange of farewell waves, they left.
Jerry resumed his seat. “Marcus said you weren’t to talk under any conditions for a few days.”
“Days?” Elly wrote, not sure she could continue this for more than an afternoon.
“As long as it takes for your throat to heal, Elly. And you may consider that an order. From me as well, young lady.”
“Meany!” she scribbled.
“Oh, sweetie, you have no idea. However, since you can’t talk, signal me if you want anything and in the meantime I’ll channel surf for something on TV worth watching.”
* * * * *
Elly was released from the hospital the next morning, but she was forbidden to use her voice until after her next examination, which was scheduled for Thursday, only two days before their wedding was to occur. She and Jerry drove back to Corbin’s Bend in silence. An uncomfortable silence she wasn’t permitted to break.
When they entered the house, Jerry gave Elly a choice between going to bed and taking a nap or curling up on the couch t
o read or watch TV. Elly didn’t want to be relegated to the bedroom after lying in the hospital for a day, so Jerry brought down her flannel pajamas and helped her change under the watchful eyes of their canine companions. After wrapping her up in a quilt, he made sure Muffin was comfortably settled beside her before he went into the kitchen to fix her a glass of iced water and orange juice. With the drinks in front of her, he placed a bottle of pain medication within easy reach and set her cell phone along with a small white board complete with a marker and a box of tissues beside it.
“If you need me, press the button for my office let it ring until Sally answers, then disconnect. There’s no need for you to talk. I’ll let Sally know it’s our pre-arranged signal so she won’t worry. If it’s an emergency, rather than hang up, push any key and hold it for three seconds, and I’ll tell her to get me no matter where I am. If I’m in surgery, I’ll send someone else in my place to assist you. Again, there’s no need for you to talk. Understand?”
Elly grabbed the board, and wrote, “Yes, sir!” and saluted him.
His brows drew together in disapproval, but she got the sense he was struggling not to smile. Though he would pretend to be affronted, Elly occasionally got a laugh out of Jerry, so she suspected he secretly enjoyed her giving him a little sass, as long as she wasn’t blatantly disrespectful. Schooling his features into a frown, he tapped her nose. “Behave. You’ve already earned quite a few demerits with your unsanctioned exploit. I suggest you not go out of your way to add more with a sarcastic attitude.”
With a sigh, Elly erased and wrote, “Thanks.”
He placed a kiss on her forehead and returned to the clinic.
Elly tried flipping through channels, but daytime television was nothing but game shows, soap operas and court TV. Giving Muffin’s head a pat, she thought she might nap for a bit when her cell phone rang. After checking the display and seeing it was Char, Elly pressed the talk button and croaked, “Hi.” Even that single word made her throat hurt. Her voice sounded like she’d swallowed a handful of gravel and was attempting to gargle around it.
“Elly! I didn’t expect you to answer; I was just going to leave a message. Brent said you’re not supposed to talk. You aren’t, are you? Supposed to talk, I mean.”
“No.” Elly winced and put a hand to her aching throat.
“Then don’t say anything, and I’ll do enough talking for both of us. Maybe I should come over instead. Brent mentioned you’re using a small whiteboard to communicate, but I don’t want to bother you, especially if you’re not well.”
“It’s okay.”
“It doesn’t sound ‘okay.’ Look, I have a recipe for an ice-cream shake that helps soothe sore throats. Why don’t I make a couple of them up, and come over around lunchtime?”
“Sounds good.”
“What do you think you’re doing, young lady?” The familiar male voice sounded distinctly irritated and Elly knew she was in trouble. “Who’s on the phone?” he inquired sternly.
“Char,” Elly answered after her heart started beating again. She hadn’t heard him return, and Muffin’s small tail thumps under the covers weren’t enough to alert her they were no longer alone.
Scowling, he pointed to her board and held his hand out for the phone. “You write; I’ll talk.”
Elly passed her cell over to him and picked up her whiteboard and marker.
“Char? Elly isn’t supposed to use her voice. Didn’t Brent tell you?” Though his tone was sharp with disapproval, he listened while Char explained. “I see. All right. Yes, I think it would be much better for you to come over in a couple of hours. Thanks for checking in. Bye.”
Disconnecting the call, he placed the phone back on the table and scowled at Elly. “I came back to ask if you wanted anything to eat. I could make up some pudding or Jell-O for you.”
Elly hesitated for a moment before she shook her head. She’d already put him to enough trouble.
“How are you feeling?” He pointed to the board again.
“Okay,” she wrote.
“Is your throat hurting you right now?”
Another scribble. “A little.”
He bent closer. “That’s because you shouldn’t be talking, which means no answering the phone. Let the calls go to voice mail. Do I need to spell out all the rules so you understand exactly what I mean by ‘no talking’?”
Eyes wide, she shook her head.
Straightening, he took a deep breath. “Can you stand?”
When she gave another nod, Jerry pushed back the covers and held out a hand to help her up. Muffin raised her head at the disturbance, but didn’t growl. “Dizzy at all?”
Elly frowned and shook her head again.
“Good. Come with me.” Without further ado, he marched her over to a corner in the downstairs bedroom, plunked a desk chair right before it and pointed for her to sit. When she obeyed, Muffin promptly hopped onto her lap, but Jerry snatched the tiny poodle away before she could settle and said, “No. Your mommy’s been naughty, so she’s being punished. That means you’ll come with me, little one. As for you, missy, nose to the wall, now. You’ve just earned yourself fifteen minutes corner time. I’ll be in the kitchen. You sit there and think about what you did, and afterwards you’ll be doing lines to drill the point home.”
Elly grimaced, but inched forward and put her nose in the corner.
Jerry said nothing more as he strode out of the room with Muffin in his arms.
Closing her eyes, Elly reviewed the events that got her stuck facing the corner. Okay, maybe she shouldn’t have answered the phone, but it wasn’t as if she’d carried out a lengthy conversation. She barely said five words. Hardly what she viewed as a major infraction even if she wasn’t supposed to talk. Jerry was overreacting, but technically, according to their rules, her disobedience was considered a spankable offense, so he was letting her off easy. Still, she hated doing lines. Being ordered to write line after line of the same promise made her feel like a naughty schoolgirl. And he checked to make sure she followed his instructions exactly. The man could be a real stickler when it came to punishments.
She suspected he was returning when Muffin scurried over and started hopping at Elly’s leg as a signal she wanted up. With her nose stuck in the corner, Elly didn’t have enough lap room for Muffin to jump and land. A lesson they’d both learned the hard way. And not being able to pick up her dog was a punishment in and of itself.
“Okay.” Jerry’s warm hands settled on her shoulder. “You may straighten.” He helped position her against the chair back, but the resulting groan from her shift in posture earned her no sympathy whatsoever. It did gain her a Poodle on her thighs and a partial back rub, however, after he’d handed over her board and marker.
“What did you learn?” he asked, giving the board a tap before his strong fingers traversed along her aching spine.
“Not to piss you off,” Elly wrote back.
His stroking stilled. “Attitude can earn you a trip over my knee as easily as disobedience, you know?”
Erase. “Sorry. Feeling cranky.”
“Okay. Up.”
Lifting Muffin under one arm, Elly obeyed without comment, but when Jerry moved the chair closer to the center of the room and took her place, she winced. “Put Muffin down, and come here,” he ordered, patting his knee.
When she gave him a pleading look, he shook his head. “Sit.”
Grateful for another reprieve, she placed Muffin on the bed, gave her the signal to stay, then gingerly moved into position on his lap and curled up so her head rested beneath his chin. Admittedly, it was one of her favorite positions.
He rubbed her back and shifted her slightly to place a kiss on top of her head. She smiled up at him, her stomach plummeting with disappointment when his frown didn’t lessen. Pulling out her board, she scribbled. “Not forgiven, yet?”
“No. You still have five hundred lines to complete, but I want to hear what you learned first.”
She scowled
, but erased and wrote, “Let calls go to voice mail.”
“What else?”
“No talking rule is absolute.”
He nodded. “What else?”
“Consider consequences before acting.”
“Good. Think you can do that from now on?”
“I’ll try.”
“All right. Here’s what we’re going to do. I’ll carry you back into the living room, serve you the bowl of chocolate pudding I made, then make sure you’re comfortably settled before I hand you a pad and pen. Your assignment is to write, ‘I promise I will obey Jerry and my doctors from now on.’ Five hundred times by dinner. Understand?”
“Yes, sir,” she wrote.
Whether it was the words or her disgruntled expression, Elly wasn’t sure, but Jerry softened his punishment with a gentle press of his lips to hers. Wanting more, she clung to his shoulders, but he shook his head and drew back. She knew why, but if she’d any doubts, the stern set of his features confirmed her suspicion. Naughty little girls weren’t given rewards until after they completed their punishment. Not one of her favorite rules, though she understood the logic behind it.
Believing his point made, Jerry carried Elly over to the couch, covered her up again with the quilt, waited for Muffin to settle, then handed her the dish of pudding and placed the pad and pen on the table. After ensuring Elly didn’t need anything else, he called Char and told her he would leave the door unlocked, so she could let herself in. Informing Elly he should be home by six, Jerry returned to his clinic.
Elly had to admit the mousse-like confection was smooth, creamy and soothing to her throat. He knew she’d find it difficult to resist chocolate, even when he topped the dessert with whipped cream, which she loved and hated due to the extra calories it added. When she was through eating, she started in on her lines. She’d done this often enough to recognize her assignment meant filling out twenty pages with the same sentence. Cheating only earned her another five hundred to write. She’d just finished her tenth page when Muffin hopped down with a playful yip to greet Char, who walked in carrying two large milkshakes. Elly’s was chocolate, of course.
