Bear in Mind

by Moxie North

  In fact, it did, Jinger was floating in and out of the darkness. She was scared and felt cold, she was lost and didn’t know how to get back to where she was. The fog was so thick in her mind it was too tiring to fight so she’d give in and take shelter in the quiet.

  Occasionally she’d hear voices in the distance. She couldn’t make out what they were saying, and she was too tired to respond, but she heard them. Sometimes the cold would fade, and a heaviness would fall over her consciousness. It was comforting, it made her feel safe and loved. Those times the fog seemed to thin and the voices sounded closer. But then it would leave and she’d be back to the icy void.

  She couldn’t remember what happened, snippets of being with Wyatt would flash through her mind when the heaviness came. She liked Wyatt. No, it was more than that. She needed Wyatt and she didn’t understand why he’d left her in the dark. That didn’t seem like something he’d do. Maybe he didn’t know where she was? She had to try and find him in the fog, he must be there waiting for her. She was sure of it.

  Wyatt had dozed off with his head nestled on her thighs. He was dreaming about his Jinger. She was lost in the woods and he was trying to find her. She was calling out to him but every time he ran towards her voice she wouldn’t be there. His bear was frustrated and growling at him to find her, she was in danger and needed them.

  Wyatt woke with a start sitting upright. He looked at Jinger to see her eyes still closed, no sign of life. He glanced at her monitors as he’d taken to doing, knowing now what her vitals looked like.

  He saw her heart rate and blood pressure were slightly elevated, the monitor for the pressure in her brain was showing a lower reading. He was about to turn and tell the nurse there was a change when something stopped him. Out of the corner of his eye, he swore he saw her finger twitch. It might be his mind playing tricks on him, so he stared harder. Nothing.

  “Jinger? Baby? Move your finger for me, just a little wiggle. Let me know you can hear me,” he begged.

  Jinger heard a voice in the distance, who was it? It sounded nice and caring. It gave her that warm feeling. Her mind searched for the voice, wading through the thickness to find it.

  “Gingersnap, just give me something, any sign you can hear me.” His eyes darted from her face to that little finger.

  Jinger heard that deep voice and she thought it said finger. That was weird. Why would the warm voice talk about her fingers? Just thinking about it, Jinger thought hard about her hands. Could they feel anything? The fog didn’t feel like anything. She stretched her hand out in the darkness and tried moving each finger against the smoke.

  Not until she tried moving her little finger did it feel like she brushed up against something. Fabric of some kind, it was rough under the pad of her finger. She brushed it again to make sure. Yes, there was something there. The warm voice was getting louder, each time she tested that little finger.

  “Jinger, sweet girl, you can hear me, can’t you?” Wyatt was trying to be as quiet as he could. But watching that perfect little pinkie wiggle back and forth on the blanket was the sweetest sight in the world.

  He rang the nurse’s button but didn’t take his eyes off that hand. The nurse came in and he showed her the vitals and told her about the movement.

  “Hold her hand, keep talking to her. See if you can get her to do more,” she instructed.

  Wyatt picked up her hand, brought it to his lips and promised, “Gingersnap, you squeeze my hand and I’ll buy you a pony!”

  The nurse laughed at this but was watching their clasped hands also.

  In her mind, Jinger could feel warmth surrounding her hand. Soft but hard, she liked that feeling. The voice said something about a pony, she’d always loved horses. She wanted to tell the voice she liked ponies so she reached out to the warmth and touched all of her fingers to the heat.

  “Yes!” Wyatt yelled to the nurse and they both watched Jinger’s fingers curl around his hand.

  “This is good, very good, Wyatt. I’m going to go call the doctor and give him an update. Keep talking to her,” she said leaving the room.

  “My girl, you are so brave and strong. I knew you could do this, now I want to see those beautiful gray eyes. I know it’s hard, baby, but you have to try. Think about it, open your eyes and see me.”

  The darkness around Jinger was fading. It was so bright she wanted to pull away and find the quiet again. But something told her she didn’t have a choice of going back there. The warm voice was a little clearer and behind that voice she could hear a rumbling growl. She didn’t know what to make of that, but she knew she wasn’t scared of it. Something told her the growl and the voice were the same.

  Chapter 16

  Wyatt looked around the room and adjusted the light so just a small glow behind the bed was on.

  “Sweetness, I’ve turned down the lights. You can open your eyes now, it won’t hurt.”

  Jinger felt some of the glare dim and the fog was almost gone. The light was warmer and the heat surrounding her hand felt like it was traveling up her arm, circling her head. It was nice.

  The voice was talking about lights and eyes. She had thought her eyes were open. She’d seen the dark and the fog, hadn’t she? What if the fog wasn’t real? Maybe she was dreaming, that meant she just needed to wake up. How did you wake up from a dream?

  A soft heat caressed over her lips, that was nicer than the hand. She wanted more of that. The touch to her lips made the warmth travel down her body. She hadn’t realized she couldn’t feel her body until now. The curling sensation coursed down her limbs and she felt them. Really felt them. Legs, arms, hands, and an odd dense pain on her stomach.

  Wyatt turned and saw Jinger’s parents practically running into the room, their expressions scared and hopeful.

  “Is she?” her mother asked.

  “She moved her hand, we are working on eyes now,” Wyatt said, turning back to Jinger.

  “Baby, your parents are here. They want you to wake up too. Please, open your eyes.”

  Jinger heard the voice mention her parents. She missed them, it’d be nice to see them again. She couldn’t tell how long she was in the dark, but it seemed like it had been forever.

  She felt that warmth touch both of her eyelids.

  Wyatt placed tender kisses on her closed eyelids, not caring her parents were watching.

  “It’s okay, Gingersnap. I’ve got you, it’s safe to open your eyes. I won’t let anything bad happen to you ever again. I swear it.”

  Jinger knew that voice finally. That growling rumble was Wyatt and he wanted her to wake up from her dream. She’d like to see him too. She tried to focus on the light in the distance, she moved closer to it and even though it hurt her eyes she didn’t blink.

  Wyatt watched as her eyes moved behind her lids, flicking back and forth like she was searching. A flutter, then another as her lashes tipped up and down. Then slowly, like the gates of heaven opening, Wyatt saw gray eyes shining up at him.

  “Wyatt?” She heard her own voice croak out.

  “Oh baby, yes, I’m here,” he said placing kisses over her face.

  “Jinger, we’re here too,” her mother called out coming to the other side of the bed.

  “Mom? Dad?”

  “Oh sweetie, we are so happy to see you awake,” her dad said leaning over the bed.

  “Where am I?”

  “County Hospital, you had an accident. You went over an embankment and they didn’t find you until the next morning. You’ve been asleep for four days.” Wyatt told her. He didn’t think he needed to overwhelm her with all the details just yet.

  “Am I okay?” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

  “They had to take out your spleen, baby. But hey, who needs a spleen, right?” Wyatt said still kissing her face.

  “You also had a head injury, Jinger, that’s why you’ve been asleep,” her mom offered.

  “I’m so tired,” Jinger said looking at Wyatt. His eyes were happy and exhausted. She was g
lad he was there.

  “It’s okay, the doctor will be in to check on you. We’ll wake you back up, rest for now,” her dad encouraged.

  Looking to Wyatt for his opinion, Jinger saw his eyes were wet and the yellow around his irises was flaring brightly.

  “I’m here, Gingersnap. I won’t leave your side,” he promised.

  Knowing he’d be there the next time she opened her eyes, Jinger let herself slip into unconsciousness. This time she wasn’t lost in the fog. She dreamed about the woods and bears for some reason.

  Chapter 17

  Jinger’s recovery was slow, the first week she spent more time sleeping than she did awake. The doctors assured everyone that it was normal. Her brain needed a lot of down time to heal. She was glad when they moved her to a regular room. It was larger and allowed more visitors. Friends from work stopped by and brought flowers and balloons.

  Usually after a big visit, Jinger would crash and sleep for hours. Her strength was nowhere near her pre-accident level. Apparently, being in a coma for four days and another week on your back left you weak as a kitten.

  Physically the impact of the accident was healing, her bruises fading and the cuts almost gone. She was only held back by the occasional inability to find the right word. Another side effect of the brain injury.

  “Son of a bunny!”

  Wyatt looked up to see Jinger struggling with a knot in her hair. Her brush hopelessly tangled.

  “I think you mean son of a bitch. Let me help you,” he said coming to the bed and sitting behind her. Taking the brush out of her hand he started working through the knot.

  “I feel stupid,” she said, her head tipping to stare into her lap. She didn’t like not being able to trust her mind to come up with the right word. It was frustrating because often she’d think the right word, but something completely different would come out.

  “Jinger, you are less than two weeks out of a serious brain injury. Give yourself time. Besides, I happen to like some of your creative speech.”

  “Like when I asked you to kick me last night?” she said wryly, looking over her shoulder.

  “Hey, I knew you meant kiss. It all worked out, right?” He continued brushing through her hair.

  Jinger knew she was pushing herself, but deep down she was afraid Wyatt would stop showing up at the hospital. They’d been on one date and he was taking care of her like they had been married for a dozen years. She didn’t want to become a burden.

  “Well, at least you’ll get a break from me. Mom and dad have my old room ready at home until I’m up to being on my own,” she said trying to sound enthusiastic.

  Wyatt got up, put the brush down, dragged the chair over to the bed and sat in it. Grabbing her hands in his, he made sure she was looking at him before he said, “We need to talk.”

  Oh crap, here it comes.

  “Really, Wyatt, we don’t need to do this. You’ve been amazing and I know how much time you’ve had to take from your work to take care of me. I appreciate it more than you can know. I’m sure you probably need a break from me, and it’s okay. I understand,” she said in a rush.

  “A break? You think I need a break from you?” he asked incredulously.

  “Well…you’ve gone above and beyond what someone who’s been on one date with a person is obligated to do,” she scoffed.

  “First, we went on three dates. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Second, we didn’t just go on a date. We made love and it was astonishing and amazing up until you bolted. And I will never forgive myself for letting you drive off in my truck. And thirdly, your parents know we are dating, my parents know we are dating and I’m pretty sure your mom and my mom were discussing wedding plans for the fall. So please don’t tell me that the woman I love is telling me to take a break from her.”

  Jinger’s brain tried to keep up with all he was saying and process it into something she could understand. She got the last part clear, though.

  “You love me?”

  “Ask anyone. I’m an incredibly selfish person. Up until now I’ve really only loved my family and myself. Since I have given you my heart and soul, you’re now a part of me. How could I not love you? I almost died when I heard you’d been in an accident. I imagined the worst. When I saw you alive, I had a tiny bit of hope that we could have our life together. Some people are fated to be together Jinger. The universe puts the two souls that are meant for each other in a direct path with one another to build a love that is like no other. The air we breathe, the beats of our heart, are meant for each other. I’m meant for you and you are perfect for me. I can’t let you go, and I won’t.

  You can be scared, you can be nervous and you can even come up with a million reasons we shouldn’t be together. But the simple fact is, I’m not going anywhere. I can’t. You could say you’ll never see me again and I’ll camp out on your doorstep and bring you donuts every day until you’ll talk to me again.”

  Jinger had to smile at that. The first morning she felt almost normal there was a big pink pastry box resting on the table in front of her. It was all maple bars.

  “What if you change your mind? What if I don’t get back to the way I fuzz?” she asked chewing her lip.

  “I have no doubt you’ll get back to the way you was,” he teased.

  “Was? You mean were?” she corrected, catching her mistake.

  “See you got it.” Wyatt reached up and used his thumb to free her lip. “I’ll take you however I can get you, Jinger McCann. You’re perfect no matter how many bumps, bruises or banged up brains you have.”

  Jinger felt her eyes well up. This man was amazing, she almost couldn’t believe he was real. Her heart felt like it was going to burst in her chest. He did love her, who else would put up with her for the last two weeks.

  “Wyatt?”

  “Yeah, baby?”

  “I love you too. I don’t deserve you and I know I should let you find someone better than me. But I’m pretty selfish too and I don’t want you to go.”

  She watched as Wyatt closed his eyes, she heard a low rumble come from somewhere deep inside his chest. When he looked up at her, she could see his eyes were very yellow now, bright and happy.

  “I’m going to make you the happiest woman in the world,” he swore, bringing her hands to his mouth to kiss the backs. He stood and wrapped his hands gently around her neck, bringing their mouths together in a tender, but passionate kiss.

  As he pulled back, he looked deep into her eyes. He brushed away the stray tears that had fallen down her cheeks.

  “Now that we have that settled, there is no reason for you not to move in with me.”

  Chapter 18

  Jinger spent the rest of the day trying to reason with Wyatt on why moving in was a terrible idea. He’d just smiled and said she was cute or countered with a ‘Don’t you love me?’ Which, of course, she said she did and they’d start the argument over again.

  So she tried enlisting Cage and Sophie into the discussion when they came to visit. They were no help.

  “Well, I pretty much moved Sophie in the first week. And technically you’ve been together for over two weeks now. Granted, you were unconscious for some of that. But I think that still counts. Plus, you’ll be close to me and Sophie and I know she’d like the female company,” Cage declared.

  Conner also stopped by, bringing her a previously requested bag of Skittles that Wyatt had asked him to get.

  “Sorry, Jinger, my brothers know what they want and they usually get it. If Wyatt wants you, there is no way I’m getting in the middle of it. He’s bigger than me. Although, I’m still faster,” he said with a wink.

  Her final chance at making him see reason was her parents dropping by. She didn’t have high hopes, they really liked Wyatt.

  Her parents came in, both talking at once. Her dad about something at work and her mom about speaking with the doctor in the hallway.

  “You get to go home, sweetheart! Dr. Martin says tomorrow looks like a good day to release you. He
did say no work for at least two weeks with weekly visits to follow up with him and the neurologist,” her mother was practically clapping her hands.

  Wyatt was sitting in the chair with a satisfied smirk on his face when she looked over at him.

  “That’s great, mom. I’m looking forward to getting out of here. I imagine my old bed is just as lumpy as I remember,” she said laughing, but hoping her mother would delve into all the fun things they were going to do while she was a houseguest.

  “About that, sweetie…” her mother turned to her dad for assistance.

  “Honey, we’ve been talking and we really think it might be best for you to stay with Wyatt. His mother is next door and can keep an eye on you during the day. Your mom and I both have work and we could take time off, but I think you would get sick of us pretty quickly,” he finished, looking sheepish.

  Jinger glared at him. They weren’t supposed to pass her off to a man they barely knew! What kind of parents were they? Their poor injured daughter was recovering from surgery and a coma and they were tossing her into the lion’s den.

  Okay, maybe she was being a tiny bit dramatic, she thought.

  “You really think it’s a good idea for me to move in with a stranger?”

  She heard a snort from the general direction of Wyatt. She didn’t bother to look.

  “Now, Jinger, Wyatt is your boyfriend and he’s obviously committed to you. What parent wouldn’t want that for their child? He hardly left your bedside while you were in a coma. He spent hours talking to you, watching your vitals. If this man doesn’t care about you, I’d eat my hat!” her dad declared.

  “You don’t wear a hat,” she said sullenly, crossing her arms over her chest.

  She knew she shouldn’t pout. The thought of staying with Wyatt was not a terrible idea. She just would like a little support in the ‘Jinger being rational’ camp.