by RJ Nolan
Riley winced at the insinuation. This was worse than she had imagined. Her shoulders slumped. “I understand.”
Chapter 8
Still half asleep, Sam turned onto her side. Pain lanced through her leg, bringing her to full alertness. She clutched her thigh and groaned.
A warm hand stroked her arm.
She opened her eyes and looked up.
Marina hovered over her with a concerned expression.
Quickly, Sam pulled her hands away from her leg and rolled onto her back. “Hey, when did you get here? You should have woken me.”
Marina brushed her fingers over Sam’s cheek. “Do you need a nurse? Is it time for your pain med?”
Ignoring the throbbing pain in her thigh, Sam said, “Nah. I’m fine.” She pushed the button to raise the head of the bed. When she reached back to straighten her pillow, sharp pain stabbed her thigh again, and she clenched her jaw.
“Let me get that.” Marina reached to adjust her pillow.
Sam waved her off. “I’ve got it.”
Marina shook her head and scowled but didn’t try to help.
Once Sam was situated, she smiled at her friend. “I’m glad you came.”
“I’d have come to see you in the ICU if they would have let me. Hearing you’re fine and seeing you are two different things.” Tears glimmered at the corners of Marina’s eyes. “I’ve been so worried.”
“Nothing to worry about.”
“Nothing!” Marina sputtered. “You’ve been—”
“I’m fine.” Sam reached out and squeezed Marina’s hand, working hard to keep her from realizing how much pain she was really in. “Don’t worry about me. I’m—”
“Oh, Sam.”
At the sound of her name, Sam peered past Marina toward the door. What’s she doing here?
Christy, tears running down her cheeks, rushed to the bedside, brushed Marina aside, and threw herself into Sam’s arms. “Thank God.”
Sam bit back a groan as Christy pressed against her injured shoulder. “Take it easy.” She wedged her good arm between them, trying to take off some of the pressure.
“You’re hurting her,” Marina said. She tugged on Christy’s arm.
Christy straightened and pulled her arm from Marina’s grasp. Her hand flew to her mouth. “I’m so sorry. Are you okay? I was just so relieved to see you. I’ve been sick with worry.”
Sam suppressed a sigh. “It’s okay. You didn’t realize. Shoulder is a little sore.”
Marina eyed her. “Maybe I should get the nurse.”
Sam shot her a scowl. “No. I’m fine.” Despite her words, shafts of pain were shooting down her leg with every beat of her heart, and now the added ache in her shoulder threatened to rob her of her composure. She fought down the pain as best she could and turned her attention to Christy. “I’m kind of tired now. I appreciate you coming by. Thanks.”
Christy shook her head. “I’m not going anywhere. I know we’ve had our problems, but this changes everything. Once you’re doing better, I’ll take you home and make sure you have everything you need until you’re fully recovered.”
What? Sam glanced at Marina, who looked just as shocked. “Christy, we broke up—months ago. I’m not going home with you. We never lived together to start with.” While she still cared about Christy, she couldn’t give her what she wanted—a commitment.
Christy’s expression crumbled. “I know that. But let me take care of you. You’ll see how good it can be if we’re together.” Tears threatened to spill over. “I love you. Just give me a chance to show you.”
Sam had a feeling this was about to turn ugly. Between trying to hide her pain and now this, she struggled for control. “Marina, would you mind giving us a few minutes?”
Marina looked as if she wasn’t about to budge from her spot at the foot of the bed. She shot a glare at Christy, then met Sam’s gaze. “You sure?”
“Positive.”
“Okay.” Marina cut her gaze toward Christy. “I’ll be right outside.” She gave Sam’s blanket-covered toes a quick squeeze before leaving the room.
Sam straightened as upright as she could get and faced Christy. So much for trying to let her down easy. Should have done this the first time.
As if Christy knew what was about to happen, she clutched at Sam’s hand. “Don’t do this. Please. I love you.”
Sam withdrew her hand and hardened her heart. “I’m not going home with you. Not now. Not ever. It’s over, Christy.” The pain pounding in her thigh made her voice harsher than she intended. “Please go,” she said, softening her tone.
Tears ran in earnest down Christy’s face. She turned and fled from the room.
Damn it. Sam threw her arm over her face, her own eyes stinging with tears. Once before, she had tried to be everything to one woman and failed—with tragic results. She should have known better than to try again and accepted that she just wasn’t relationship material.
“Mi amiga.” Marina stroked the arm Sam had over her face. “Are you all right?”
Shoving her emotion down, Sam lifted her arm and peered at her friend. “I’m a bitch.”
“No, you’re not. She’s just not the right one for you. The right woman is out there; you just haven’t met her yet.”
Even if I did, I couldn’t give her what she needed. After seeing how her sister Jess was with Kim, she had allowed herself to hope, but maybe she wasn’t capable of that kind of love.
A nurse stepped into the room. “Are you ready for your pain medication?”
More than ready. “Sure.”
Marina left the room while the nurse gave Sam an injection and then came back in. “I should get going and let you rest.”
Sam knew from previous pain shots that she would start to get sleepy in just a few minutes. “Thanks again for coming.”
Marina placed a soft kiss on Sam’s forehead. “I’ll see you tomorrow after work.”
Chapter 9
When the elevator doors slid open on the floor that housed the progressive care unit, Riley peeked out and scanned the hallway before exiting the elevator. Assured the coast was clear, she headed for the nurses’ station with a purposeful stride. No sense upsetting the family—again. A chance encounter with Dr. McKenna as Samantha was being transferred to the progressive care unit had garnered Riley a white-hot stare that should have singed her where she stood. Since that day, she had been quietly following Samantha’s recovery but had tried to stay under the family’s radar.
The nursing staff was busy with change-of-shift duties so, for the moment, the nurses’ station was empty. Riley sat down at the computer workstation and called up Mrs. Gavin’s chart, then read the latest entries. After being certain that her patient was stable, she accessed Samantha’s chart and reviewed her progress.
A firm hand landing on her shoulder caused her to jump, and her heart rate spiked.
“How’s she doing?” Denny asked.
She had been so engrossed in Samantha’s chart that she hadn’t heard him walk up behind her. She feigned a scowl. “You just took a month off my life.”
He grinned unrepentantly. “Sorry. How’s she doing?”
“Good.” Riley smiled. “Really good.” Just yesterday, she had seen Samantha in the hallway, using a walker, her sister hovering protectively at her side. The sight had filled her with a sense of profound relief. “She’ll probably be ready to be released tomorrow or the next day.”
“Have you talked to her yet?”
She sighed. “You know what happened with Dr. McKenna. She made it clear she doesn’t want me anywhere near her sister.”
Denny pulled over a chair and sat next to her. “When she was incapacitated, that was one thing. Her sister could speak for her then, but not now. And you wouldn’t be talking to her as her physician, but as someone who shared a terrible experience. Shouldn’t Officer McKenna be the one to decide whether or not she wants to talk to you?”
Riley shrugged. “What’s the point? What’s done
is done.” She stared unseeingly at the computer screen. One of her uncle’s favorite homilies came to mind. You can’t unspill the milk. “Nothing I could say would change anything.”
“I know how much you’re still bothered by what happened. Don’t think I don’t know that you’ve been checking on her several times a day. The guilt is not healthy.” He cupped her chin and tilted her face up to look at him. “What happened is not your fault; it’s Keith’s. I bet Officer McKenna would tell you the same thing.” He put his hand on her shoulder. “Talk to her. You need some closure about all of this.”
“So, what? Now you’re a psychiatrist?”
His hand dropped from her shoulder. “No. I’m your friend.”
Remorse at the sharp words filled Riley. “I’m sorry, Denny. You didn’t deserve that.” She rubbed the back of her neck, trying to ease the suddenly tight muscles.
The sound of nearby laughter caught her attention.
She grimaced when she saw Dr. McKenna and Dr. Donovan approaching the desk. Dang.
Dr. McKenna glanced toward the nurses’ station. Her steps faltered, and the smile dropped from her face.
Riley resisted the urge to pretend she had not seen them. She had every right to be there. “Good evening,” she said, keeping her tone polite and professional.
“Good evening.” Dr. Donovan offered a smile.
At a nudge from her spouse, Dr. McKenna nodded stiffly, then continued down the hall.
As soon as they were out of sight, Riley slumped in her chair. “See what I mean?”
Denny scowled. “I understand she’s angry that her sister got hurt, and that she needs to blame someone, but that someone shouldn’t be you.” He held up his hand to keep her from interrupting. “That doesn’t mean her sister feels the same way. Talk to Officer McKenna. Let her speak for herself.”
Riley had seen that determined tilt of his chin plenty of times over the years. He wouldn’t let this go. “I’ll seriously consider talking to her.” Hoping to lighten the mood, she held up three fingers. “Scout’s honor.”
Denny scoffed. “You were never a scout.”
Laughing, she placed her hand over her heart. “I promise.” She pushed her chair back. “I should get go—” Her phone buzzed. She pulled it off her waistband and glanced at the screen. An unexpected surge of apprehension struck, but she forced it away. I can do this.
Today was her first day covering the ER since the shooting. Up until now, it had been an uncommonly quiet day, and she hadn’t gotten called to the ER trauma unit.
“Incoming trauma?” Denny asked.
Riley nodded.
“You okay going back into the ER? I could take it for you.”
“I’m fine.”
He stared into her eyes as if gauging her sincerity.
Never let anyone see you unsure. Riley met his gaze and held it. “I’m perfectly fine. I have to go.” She hurried away before he could object.
* * *
Sam shifted in the hospital bed, trying to get comfortable, but no matter which way she turned, her leg ached. She couldn’t wait to get out of here. Her empty stomach growled, adding to her discontent. She eyed her dinner tray with distaste. The first two days out of the ICU, she had been hurting too much to care. But today, after the mush the hospital passed off as breakfast and lunch, she’d had enough. Hurry up, you guys. I don’t want to have to eat that.
The door to her room swung open.
Finally. “Gimme,” Sam said by way of greeting and held out her hands.
“Good to see you too, sis,” Jess said. “I’m so glad that you’re feeling better—and hungry.”
Surprised by the catch in Jess’s voice, Sam met her gaze. “Hey, come on. I’m getting stronger every day.” She gave her sister’s arm a firm squeeze.
“I know.” Jess kissed her cheek.
Kim leaned in and gave Sam a kiss on the forehead and then handed over the bag she was carrying. “Sorry we took so long. Cheryl wanted to stop by the grocery store so there would be food in the apartment when you get home.”
“More like Frank was worried there wouldn’t be any good cookies,” Jess said with a laugh. “You know our brother. He can’t go a day without his junk food fix.”
Sam nodded absently, engrossed in pulling the large takeout container free of the bag. After popping the lid open, she took a deep sniff and groaned. “Oh, yeah. One of my favorites—sesame chicken.” She grabbed a piece of the sauce-covered chicken and popped it into her mouth. “Hot,” she muttered, shaking her burning fingers.
Kim reached into the bag and pulled out a plastic fork.
Sam snatched it from her fingers. “Thanks. I’m starving.”
Jess and Kim pulled chairs up next to the bed as Sam dug into her dinner.
“Did you see Dr. Warren?” Jess asked.
Sam nodded, held up one finger, and ate several more bites before answering. “She said I should be out of here tomorrow or the next day. I told her I’m ready to go tomorrow.”
“No.” Jess shook her head adamantly. “Not tomorrow. An extra day is warranted. You’re only five days post-op.”
Laying her hand on Jess’s arm, Kim said, “I don’t think the doctor would release her before she’s ready.”
Sam spoke up before her sister could utter the protest she saw forming. “There’s nothing they’re doing for me here that I can’t do at home. Relax, Jess. She’s been my doctor for a couple of years. I trust her. And Cheryl and Frank are going to stay with me.” Because you insisted. “Most people don’t go home and have a sister-in-law who’s a registered nurse staying with them.”
Jess scowled. “I still think—”
Kim leaned close to her and said something Sam couldn’t hear.
Shaking her head, Jess said, “All right. Whatever she thinks is best.”
The PA system came to life. “Attention. Visiting hours are over in five minutes.”
“We better get going.” Kim started gathering up the remains of Sam’s dinner.
“Don’t forget,” Jess said. “Mom and Dad’s ship is due to arrive in London tomorrow. With the time difference, that makes the web chat with them tomorrow morning, our time.”
“I never thought I’d hear the words ‘Mom’ and ‘web chat’ in the same sentence.” Sam laughed. “She hates computers.”
“That was before she found herself stuck in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean when her daughter got hurt,” Kim said. “It’s a shame we weren’t able to get the video link to work while they were still on board the ship, but at least they were able to talk to you. Not being able to be here with you has been really hard on your folks.”
“I didn’t have any luck on the phone, but maybe once Mom and Dad actually see me, I can convince them not to come home.” She looked at Kim and put on her most beseeching look. “You could help me convince them. Please.”
“Never going to happen, Sam,” Kim said.
“But they’ve been planning this trans-Atlantic cruise and European vacation for two years. There’s really no reason for them to be here.” And Jess hovering over my every move has been more than enough. I can’t take Mom too. “I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine,” Jess said, her voice cracking with emotion. “But you will be.” She patted Sam’s leg. “And you know if Mom could’ve gotten off that ship, she would’ve been here long before now.” She wagged her finger at Sam. “Save your breath. You’re not going to convince her. There’s no way on God’s green earth that Mom and Dad won’t be on the first plane home.”
Oh great. Mom and Jess. I’m doomed.
The PA sounded again. “Visiting hours are over.”
“That’s our cue,” Kim said.
Chapter 10
Jess watched as Kim rummaged through Sam’s freezer. Was this a preview of her future if they succeeded? She could already picture Kim, her belly swollen with their child, raiding the freezer in the middle of the night.
“Aha! I knew it would be here.” Kim tugged t
he lid off the carton and then grabbed a spoon from a drawer. “Sam always has a stash of chocolate ice cream.”
Jess laughed. “You two and your chocolate.” She was much more interested in the gaping front of Kim’s robe and the impressive amount of cleavage on display than she was in chocolate ice cream. “What do you say we take it back into the bedroom? I could think of a few places I’d like to lick it off you.”
Kim’s spoon froze halfway to her mouth. “Hmm…”
Taking encouragement from Kim’s glazed expression, Jess slipped her hand inside the robe. Soft, warm skin met her questing hand.
Kim glanced at the clock. “You’re sure Frank and Cheryl won’t be back any time soon?”
“Positive.” Jess’s hand dipped lower, and Kim groaned. “They were going to go to dinner and then a late movie. They know this is our last chance before Sam comes home and we have to head back to LA.”
Setting the ice cream container down, Kim sighed and turned a pleading look on Jess. “You really think this way will make a difference? That we’ll be successful this time?”
All thoughts of seduction gone, Jess pulled Kim into her arms. “I think it’s worth a try. Freezing semen isn’t supposed to affect it, but who knows, maybe it does. Using fresh might make all the difference.” She gently stroked Kim’s face. “We need to think positive.” Her heart broke a little more as each month passed and they were faced with disappointment again. “I know we’re all here together because something bad happened, but maybe something good will come out of it.” Jess smiled. “I can’t wait to hold our child in my arms.”
Kim sniffed and then buried her face in Jess’s neck. “I’m sorry I’m letting you down.”
“You know that’s not true.” She kissed Kim’s forehead. “Please look at me.” When Kim lifted her head, Jess placed a soft kiss on her lips and then cradled her face between her palms. “We’re in this together. And this time it is going to work.”
Dashing away her tears, Kim offered a watery smile. “You really believe that?”
