The Rose Ring

by Lucie Ulrich

  Her fingers shook as she picked up the receiver in the kitchen. She dialed emergency and relayed the information Micah had given her. After hanging up she lowered herself onto a kitchen chair. How serious was the accident? Was Morgan really hurt? And why hadn’t Micah taken her with him? Sky hated herself for thinking the worst of Morgan, that things weren’t as bad as she’d made them out to be.

  A sudden chill had her shivering, so she got up to fix a cup of tea. When it was ready, Sky carried it to the living room and sat on the couch — alone. So much for their quiet night. She turned on the TV and flipped through the channels, stopping at Gaslight. Tears sprang to her eyes — sadness at not having Micah with her and anger that he’d left her alone to run to Morgan’s side.

  ****

  Micah scanned the road for any signs of Morgan’s car. He strained to see in the dark, his nerves on edge. Though he kept the line open, she’d stopped responding shortly after he left the ranch. Flashing lights appeared in his rearview mirror. He moved aside allowing a police car to pass. A fire truck and an ambulance followed moments later. His heart kicked into overdrive. Without a thought for his own safety, he floored the gas pedal and followed the caravan.

  He slowed for a curve, only to be greeted by the emergency vehicles. A policeman directed him to pass. He did so, then pulled off the road, jumped out of his truck and ran to the scene, tripping in the process. He pulled himself to his feet and froze at the sight of the front end of Morgan’s car smashed into a tree.

  A different policeman stopped him. “Please move on sir, we have things under control.”

  “You don’t understand.” He pushed against the man. “I know her.”

  The officer placed both hands on Micah’s shoulders with force. “Are you family?”

  “No, but she called me.” He looked over the man’s shoulder while the SUV door was pried open. “Please, is she okay?” Even as he asked, he knew she wasn’t, not with the amount of damage to the vehicle.

  “The EMT’s are doing everything they can. She’ll be transported to the trauma center in Missoula. The doctors will have more information than I can give you at the moment.” He lowered his hands. “Can you give me a contact number for her family?”

  “What? Contact…uh, yeah.” He rattled off Morgan’s father’s name and home phone number.

  The officer placed a gentle hand on Micah’s shoulder. “I’m sorry about your friend. I should run you off, but I won’t if you promise to stay out of the way.”

  Micah nodded. “Thank you.” His stomach churned as the meal he’d eaten threatened to make a return. Swallowing the bile that rose in his throat, he focused on the EMT’s and firemen working to extract Morgan from the crumpled wreck.

  He was too far to see much, but there was definitely blood, lots of blood. Fighting another wave of nausea, Micah retreated to his truck. Leaning against the door, he closed his eyes and sucked in several deep breaths.

  Moments later, the ambulance tore off, sirens blazing. Micah took one last breath and climbed into the truck. Heart pounding, he made it to the hospital in record time. He reached for his phone to call Sky, but it was nowhere to be found, not in any pocket, on the seat next to him, or on the dash. He’d have to call from inside.

  The girl behind the desk wasn’t the same one he’d spoken to earlier. He couldn’t believe he was here for a second time in one day. “Morgan Richardson was just brought in by ambulance, could you please let me know as soon as you get any information?” He pointed to an empty seat directly across from her desk. “I’ll be right over there.”

  He’d barely taken a step when Morgan’s father, Dirk, flew through the emergency room doors, worry lines etched on his forehead and his mouth pulled taught.

  Dirk slapped a fist on the desk, and the girl jumped, her eyes wide. “My daughter, Morgan Richardson, was brought in by ambulance. I want to see her.”

  She clacked her fingers across the computer keyboard. “The doctors are examining her at the moment. Someone will be with you shortly.”

  The sound of a second slap reverberated through the small space. “I don’t want someone to call for me. I don’t want to wait. I want to know exactly what’s going on, and I want to know now.”

  Micah didn’t like Dirk, never had, but he couldn’t stand there while the man bullied an innocent party. “They’re doing their best, Mr. Richardson. Why don’t you keep me company while we wait for news?”

  Dirk spoke to Micah, but kept his eyes locked on the receptionist. “And why don’t you mind your own business?” His jaw twitched. “Now, young lady, I suggest you get someone out here before I report you to your supervisor.”

  “Calm down, Mr. Richardson.” Micah put a hand on Dirk’s arm. “She’s just the receptionist.”

  “Don’t tell me to calm down.” Dirk pushed Micah’s hand away and spun to face him. “What are you doing here, anyway?”

  “Morgan called, but wasn’t coherent. I had Sky call 9-1-1 while I took off to see if I could find her, but the cops and ambulance got there before I did.”

  Dirk worked his lower jaw. “She should have called me, not you.”

  Without saying the words out loud, Micah agreed with the man. He’d just sent Morgan packing, yet she’d reached out to him. “I don’t think that matters right now. Do you?”

  “Mr. Richardson?”

  Dirk snapped his head around. “I’m Richardson.”

  A petite brunette stood a few feet from them. “I’m Doctor Alexander.” She extended a hand, which Dirk took.

  “How’s my daughter? I want to see her.”

  “I know you do, and I understand your concern, but your daughter is being prepped for surgery.”

  Dirk’s eyes widened. “Surgery? What for? How serious is it?”

  The doctor nodded toward a cluster of chairs. “Why don’t we sit for a few minutes?”

  Micah’s heart froze. If an emergency room doctor was taking time to sit with a family member the news couldn’t be good. He steeled himself for what was coming.

  “I don’t want to sit. If you have something to say, say it.”

  Seemingly unfazed by Dirk’s gruff behavior, Doctor. Alexander continued. “Because of the way your daughter’s legs were pinned in the accident, there was a lot of damage and blood loss. Her left leg suffered some injury, but should be fine. Unfortunately, the trauma to her right leg was so severe I’m afraid we may have to have to amputate below the knee.”

  The color drained from Dirk’s face. He rubbed a shaky hand across one cheek and leaned on the counter. Micah stepped closer, thinking the man might pass out. Dirk waved Micah back. He drew in a long breath and let it out slowly. “But you’re not sure, right? I mean there’s hope you can save the leg.”

  Doctor Alexander steered Dirk toward the waiting area and into a chair. This time Dirk didn’t argue. The doctor sat between Dirk and Micah and spoke with well-practiced calmness. “We’ll do everything we can, but I have to tell you the prognosis doesn’t look good.” She placed her hand on Dirk’s arm. “It’s never easy for a doctor to give bad news. In your daughter’s case, the good news outweighs the bad.”

  The veins in Dirk’s neck strained, though he didn’t yell. “My daughter is probably going to lose a leg, and there’s good news?”

  “The best.” Doctor Alexander offered a small smile. “She’s alive.”

  A tear slid down Dirk’s cheek. “You’re right. Thank you, Doctor.”

  Doctor Alexander stood. “I’ll be out to speak to you after the surgery.” Without any other parting comments, she left.

  Micah leaned back and closed his eyes in an attempt to ward off the headache building at the base of his neck. None of this seemed real. Guilt for chasing Morgan away gnawed at him. He could have been nicer about it, should have been nicer. Then he thought of Sky and what might have happened if Morgan hadn’t called. His eyes flew open. He hadn’t called Sky yet. He straightened and looked around for a phone.

  “I’m scared, Mic
ah,” Dirk said, his voice weak and flat.

  This was the first time Micah had seen Dirk with his guard down. His broad shoulders were hunched and his eyes unfocused. The bull of a man sitting across from him had turned into a lost lamb. As much as he didn’t like Dirk’s arrogance, Micah would have preferred it to this.

  The phone call would have to wait. He hoped Sky would understand.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Sky opened her eyes and glanced at the clock over the mantel: twenty-four minutes after twelve, which meant she’d slept for a good fifteen minutes this time. She’d quit calling Micah’s cell somewhere around eleven. After six voice messages, there was no point.

  Tears stung her eyes. She tossed the blanket to the end of the couch and headed for the kitchen. Why hadn’t he called? Surely there was a good reason. Had Morgan been taken to the hospital? While the water steeped for another cup of tea, Sky reached for the phone to call Carl, but didn’t follow through. It was after midnight, and there wasn’t anything he could do.

  Noah would take her call. He’d probably even go straight to the hospital. But what sort of brotherly conflict might that present? Bad idea. More tea was a bad idea too. She needed sleep not more caffeine. She turned off the gas and went upstairs to get into her pajamas. Maybe if she crawled into bed she might actually sleep for more than twenty minutes at a time.

  Just as she pulled back the covers, the familiar squeak of Micah’s brakes had her heart doing flips. She ran to the window at the end of the hall. Relief flooded her when Micah set off the automatic light as he walked to the back door. She threw on a robe, dashed down the stairs, and into the kitchen.

  Micah stopped at the opening between the mud room and kitchen. His eyes narrowed. “What are you doing up? It’s nearly one.”

  “What do you think I’m doing up?“ She tied the sash on her robe. “I’ve been waiting to hear from you for hours. I left you at least a half dozen messages. Why didn’t you call back?”

  He rubbed a hand across his mouth. “I’m sorry. Things got complicated.”

  A calming breath gave her a moment to take a good look at him. His hair was disheveled, and there were dark circles under bloodshot eyes. She softened her tone. “You said you were going to call, and when I didn’t hear from you, I worried.”

  Micah went to the cupboard for a glass. “I planned on calling, but I lost my phone somewhere, probably at the accident site.” He grabbed some milk from the fridge and poured a tall glass. “I was waiting for information when Mr. Richardson showed up and started throwing his weight around. But when the doctor arrived, the news rocked him so bad he wouldn’t stop talking to me.”

  If the news was bad enough to rattle Mr. Richardson, it had to be serious. In the time Sky had known Morgan, she’d totaled two cars and broken an arm falling from a horse. Mr. Richardson’s reaction had been to replace the cars and get her back on the horse. Sky put the milk back in the fridge and leaned against the door. “How bad is it?”

  “They had to amputate one of her legs. I couldn’t leave Mr. Richardson to face that alone, so I stayed until she was brought to recovery.”

  Guilt knotted her stomach and tightened her throat. “Will she be okay?”

  “Physically, yes, Emotionally, I don’t know.” He guzzled the milk and set the glass in the sink. “Look, I’m exhausted. Do you mind if we talk about this tomorrow?”

  Of course she minded. They’d been so close a few short hours ago, and now he didn’t want to talk. She wanted to hold him, comfort him, but when she took a step in his direction, he seemed oblivious and headed for the door to the living room. He turned to look at her before exiting the kitchen. “I’m sorry I worried you.”

  Sky waited until the swinging door stopped moving before turning out the kitchen light. Once she felt sure Micah was upstairs, she climbed the stairs and crawled into bed. Sadly, she slept no better in her bed than she had on the couch. Her sporadic sleep included dreams of Micah, Morgan, accidents, and arguments.

  Her last dream was especially disturbing. Micah came down to breakfast and announced to everyone in the kitchen that he and Morgan were getting married. There were cheers and congratulations all around. Sky tried to speak, but had no voice, and when she reached out to grab Micah’s arm, her hand went right through him. She held out her arms and they were see-through, as was the rest of her. She screamed, but again there was no sound. While watching the excitement in the room, Sky’s ghost-like body completely disappeared.

  Heart pounding, she awoke with a start. It took several minutes for her breathing to regulate and pulse to slow. She tossed the covers back and sat on the edge of the bed. A hot shower and some strong tea were both needed.

  No amount of hot water could wash away the dream. It wasn’t simply seeing herself disappear over and over again that bothered her. It was the feeling she’d never been there in the first place.

  Toweled off, she wiped the steam from the mirror. “It was just a dream, Sky. You’re here, and you’re the one married to Micah. Stand your ground.” But even as she spoke, the mirror fogged and she watched herself disappear.

  Coming into the kitchen, she found Micah at the kitchen table, finishing a plate of eggs and toast. He looked up at her. “Good morning.”

  “You’re up earlier than I expected.”

  “The ranch won’t run itself.”

  “But it’s Saturday.”

  He swiped a napkin across his mouth and smiled. “The animals don’t care what day of the week it is.” He bit into his eggs. “Used to be Sam and me, but since his death, the guys alternate coming in on Saturday. Annie and I take care of Sunday. Today is Zeke’s turn, only he showed up with Doug in tow, insisting they’d handle things for me.”

  “Good. I’m glad you’re taking the day off.” She filled the kettle and set a fire under it. “Have you heard any news about Morgan?”

  “Her father called a few minutes ago. Said she’s resting, but I won’t be satisfied until I see her myself.”

  A knot formed in the pit of her stomach. “You’re going back to the hospital? Now?”

  He sipped his coffee without meeting her eyes. “Yes.”

  The knot tightened, and her fists clenched. She forced her hands open and wiggled her fingers. This was the wrong time to overreact. She tossed a tea bag into the teapot. “Give me twenty minutes and I’ll come with you.”

  “No.” He didn’t yell, but his message was clear. “I need you to stay here and wait for Annie to get home. She’ll need you more than I do.”

  Yesterday he’d needed her, wanted her. Today he didn’t. Refusing to cry, Sky focused on making her tea. “Noah will be here to help Annie.”

  “There may be things Noah can’t help her with.” He popped the last of his toast into his mouth.

  She spun around. “Like?”

  He pushed his chair back and stood, his face flushed. “Like female things, personal stuff. Please do this for me, Sky. And if not for me, do it for Annie.”

  No matter how much she wanted to, Sky couldn’t argue his logic. She added some boiling water to the pot. “When will you be back?”

  “I’m not sure, but the sooner I leave, the sooner I’ll return.” He gave her a quick hug and headed for the back door.

  “Wait.”

  He stopped but didn’t turn around. “I have to go, Sky. Please don’t make this any harder than it already is.”

  She hurried and stood in front of him. “I have to know something.”

  His eyes were still bloodshot, but not as much as when he’d gone to bed. His hair was combed, but he hadn’t shaved, something she found quite appealing. The sight of him made her heart race. The question she needed to ask made it race faster. “Did the time we spent together last night mean anything to you?”

  Micah closed his eyes and pulled her into a tight hug. “Every minute I spend with you means something.” He kissed the top of her head. “And last night was extra special. It’s just that…”

  She looked
up at him. “Say it.”

  “I can’t think about us right now. If I’d handled things differently, Morgan wouldn’t be in the hospital, wouldn’t have lost her leg. I don’t want to hurt you, Sky, even though I know I already have.” He bent down and kissed her cheek. “I have to go.”

  Fear of losing him gripped her heart, but there was nothing she could do to hold onto him at the moment. If she tried, he would only resent her. She backed away and wrapped her arms around herself. She’d only seen that kind of sadness on a person’s face once before — when Peg died and Carl blamed himself.

  Just like in her dream, Sky had no voice. She looked at her hands and arms. They were still there, but for how long?

  ****

  Micah could still feel Sky’s warmth despite the frigid temperatures. Climbing into his truck, he cranked the motor, knowing when he looked toward the house she would be there, a brave smile on her face.

  Just as he predicted, Sky stood at the open door. She raised her hand and waved, only the smile wasn’t brave, it was sad. He waved back and pulled away. It was too hard to look at her, to think what last night might have brought. He punched the radio on and sang his way off the ranch. Focusing on someone else’s heartache, real or not, helped take his mind off whatever he’d find when he got to the hospital.

  A light snow started shortly before Micah pulled into the hospital’s covered parking lot. He turned off the music and sat in his truck. He didn’t want to be here, didn’t want Morgan to be here. None of it seemed real.

  One elevator took him to the main floor, while another took him to ICU. Following the signs, he made his way to the waiting area, a small square room with pale blue walls and lined with blue-and-white floral cushioned chairs. A large round coffee table dominated the center of the room. A couple with an infant sat huddled in a corner, while Dirk stood looking out the only window.