She nodded. “I will. Get some rest.”
“Need anything before I go? Something to drink? Eat?”
She shook her head. “I’ve got water and the nurses are keeping me supplied with coffee. That’s all I need.”
“All right then. Oh, and by the way, Noah’s mother will be flying in tomorrow. As you may know, she’s retired, but she’s agreed to fill in here for you and Asa until…” He cleared his throat. “Well, until things get back to normal.”
Chelsie nodded, grateful for the reinforcements. After he left, she stood and studied Asa, diagnosing his current condition. She couldn’t think of one more thing that could be done for him that Christian wasn’t already doing, except for the one thing she’d been doing non-stop since he arrived here. She sat down, bowed her head, and began to pray.
Chapter 16
Chelsie awoke with a violent start from another Chad nightmare. Memories were hazy, but the fear produced by his hideous image in her mind had her heart racing a mile a minute.
She lifted her head, which had been resting on the edge of Asa’s bed, adjusted her glasses, then winced. The insides of her eyelids felt like sandpaper scraping against her eyeballs. Her back hurt so bad from residing in this chair for so many days, and her teeth…ugh. She ran her tongue across them, disgusted by their gritty feel.
She swiped the back of her hand across her cracked, dry lips and looked at Asa. He still slept. Her heart sank because he should have gained consciousness long ago. Five days had passed since his surgery. Physically, he was recovering well. His vitals were strong, blood work good. His brain activity tested nearly normal, yet he remained unconscious. Asa was an incredibly healthy and virile man. There was no logical reason for him to still be unconscious. Chelsie was stumped and worried sick. So was Christian. They could only conclude that he was suffering a pseudocoma, psychologically induced by all the trauma. Chelsie couldn’t say if that was the case or not. All she cared about was Asa opening his eyes.
She attempted to stand, intending to get a glass of water, but her legs had apparently dozed off too during her little nap, because they refused to hold her weight. Too tired to fight her exhaustion, she flopped against the back of her chair with a weary groan.
She’d just about succumbed to sleep again when a rattling noise in the hallway outside Asa’s room rousted her. She rubbed a knuckle beneath her left lens and squinted at the door. Seconds later, Christian slid it all the way back, took hold of the end of a hospital bed, and maneuvered it into the room with the help of Tiffany, who guided the other end.
“What are you doing, Christian?” He couldn’t possibly intend to put another patient in here with Asa, she knew for certain, because these ICU suites were only equipped for one. He let loose of the bed, rounded Asa’s, and took hold of the right arm of her chair. “Get up,” he snapped.
She glared at him. If not for the concern burning in his golden eyes, she might have taken a serious attitude with him. “What do you mean?”
“I mean get your ass out of that chair. This bed is for you, and if you even think about giving me lip, I’m going to haul you out of here by the scrap of your gnarly head of hair. You haven’t slept or showered for nearly a week. Your devotion to Asa is no longer admirable. You have your own set of health problems, Chelsie, and your behavior is bordering on suicidal. None of us are going to tolerate it any further.”
“You heard him.” Tiffany stood in the doorway, arms across her chest, wearing a chiding scowl, a mate to her husband’s. “I can smell you from here, and you reek. First, you’re going to take a shower, eat, then get some sleep—in that order. Ain’t none of us playing here, Chels.”
Behind her in the hallway, Chelsie spotted her mother, Nathan, Dannie, and Dominic.
Oh, my God! “Dannie?” She hadn’t seen her younger sister since last Christmas. She’d gone platinum blonde and had her hair styled into a short, gelled cut some New York runway model might sport. It worked though. Just about any style did on Dannie because she possessed the beauty, features, and body of a model.
Her sister smiled, but it was wrought with sadness and concern. “Hi, Chelsie. I’m glad to see you, but not so glad to be visiting under the circumstances.”
Chelsie knew she didn’t just mean Asa. Her mom would have told her about the tumor as well as her cure. It had crossed Chelsie’s mind that the date for her turning was this Sunday, only three days away. Obviously, she was going to have to postpone it until Asa was better.
She stood, wanting to go to her sister, but her legs wouldn’t have carried her even if the hospital bed Christian had lugged in hadn’t been in the way. Her head began to spin, and she retreated to the chair, recognizing the wisdom in this sneaky intervention. She’d seriously neglected her own physical needs since that night Chad had them at gunpoint a week ago. She’d fiercely battled sleep, at first afraid that when she woke she’d find Asa dead. Later, she had become afraid he might never regain consciousness. Those constant thoughts had robbed her appetite. Shamefully, she’d also been negligent of her hygiene. She did need a shower. If Asa woke and smelled or viewed her right now, she’d be mortified.
Dannie pushed the bed out of the way and came to her. She leaned down and gave her a quick hug. When she pulled back, Chelsie saw that she smiled, but it was a weak one. She understood their worry. Her lack of self-care was doing nothing for Asa and only worsening her already tenuous state of health. She’d passed out in her chair numerous times due to the pressure of her tumor, and she’d sported a screamer of a headache for days on end, which none of the drugs Christian had given her had lessened.
Dannie wrinkled her nose. “Tiffany’s right, girl. You do reek. Come on. Let’s get you cleaned up.”
She allowed Dannie and Christian to help her to her feet. She desperately needed a few minutes to tend to herself. “I won’t be long,” she said to Asa as they led her out of his room. Her mother took over for Christian once she was in the hall.
She glanced over to a row of chairs that had been set up for visitors across from Asa’s room and saw Grace and John Bradley gaining their feet. They frowned at her with as much concern as her own family members.
Asa’s mother, Grace, stepped toward her and gave her a forced smile. “We’ll stay with Asa while you’re gone, honey.”
“Thank you. I won’t be long.”
“You take your time. Asa will be fine.”
She nodded then let Dannie and her mother walk her to the doctor’s suite.
Grace was such a classy lady, and she had been so very kind to her over the last few days. Asa’s father was a maybe on the acceptance front. The man was very stoic and quiet. They seemed to have accepted her as Asa’s life mate—at least she hoped so. Although, they probably wondered what Asa saw in her if she looked the way she suspected she did. It would be her own fault if they thought he’d chosen a raggedy hag for a wife.
“I drew you a bath,” her mother announced cheerfully as they entered the suite’s bathroom, which had a Jacuzzi tub and a large shower stall with double jets. Really, an apartment was a more accurate description for these quarters. Christian and Asa had designed this suite years ago when they’d built the clinic, and both had spared no expense to outfit it with all their desired comforts of home. It was decorated in a Southwestern motif, possessing three bedrooms, a common area with a kitchenette, and an entertainment center sporting a flat screen, hologram TV connected to a cable package that probably received every sports and hunting channel on the planet.
Chelsie’s gaze honed on the huge tub. “Oh, wow.” She couldn’t wait to sink her aching body into the thing. “Thanks. I needed this. Sorry I’ve been so negligent of myself, Mom. And so grouchy.”
Her mother offered her an understanding look. “You’re only going to get more grouchy if you don’t tend to your own needs, and believe me, Asa will require far more of your time and attention when he wakes up than he does presently.”
“Mom’s right. I don’t know if he’s
anything like Dominic when he’s not feeling up to par, but if so, my sympathies, girl. He’ll be a cranky pain in the ass, and you’ll be wishing for him to go back to sleep.” Dannie arched a brow and grinned.
Chelsie forced a tired smile. She didn’t care if, once he woke up, he became a patient from hell. She’d take that over this gut-wrenching fear that had been boring a hole in her stomach these last five days.
Once they’d left her alone, she stripped down, sank into the tub, and indulged in its magic jets. She noticed that a fresh set of clothes had been placed on a small glass-top wrought-iron table next to the tub, along with towels, some shampoo, conditioner, lotions, and soaps.
By the time she’d finished soaking and washing her hair, she felt about halfway human again. When she entered the lounge, her mother and Dannie were waiting for her, seated on one of the couches.
“Wow. I didn’t realize how much I really did need that. I appreciate this, but I need to get back to Asa.”
“Not so fast, young lady. You need this too.” Her mother picked up a steaming bowl off the coffee table and held it out to her. “Come eat. I made you some chicken and dumplings.” Chelsie groaned with pleasure. Her mother knew her weaknesses, and that dish was one of them. No one made chicken and dumplings like her mom. As she started eating, she found she really was hungry, and it tasted so amazing, she ate every bite while her mom and Dannie sat there silently and watched.
“Thank you, Mom,” she said, as she placed the empty bowl on the coffee table. She smiled at her sister. They texted weekly, but it was really good to see her in person after so long. “Where’s Rachel, and how is she?” Her niece was twelve, the same age as Chelsie’s little brother, Nate. “Wonderful. Keeping me insanely busy between soccer, ballet, and horseback riding lessons. She’s at the penthouse with Nate and Beth, which she’s loving. She stays there at least once or twice a week anyway.”
Chelsie did know that. “I bet Jazerra is running herself ragged keeping up with the three of them and all their activities.” Jazerra nannied all three of them and loved them like her own grandkids, but how she kept up with them at nearly seventy amazed Chelsie.
Her mother sighed. “She manages, but I’ve hired on a secondary nanny, more to watch over Jazerra than them. She has some health issues that have slowed her down a bit. However, the kids seem to keep her happy and young at heart I think.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. I’ll keep her in my prayers.”
“Thanks,” her mother replied softly.
She glanced at her sister and smiled. “I’m so glad you and Dominic are here for me and Asa, and I really wish I could spend more time catching up with you, but I have to get back to him.”
Dannie gave her a small, crooked smile. “No apologies necessary. Get back to your man. I’ll be around.”
Grace was standing next to Asa’s bed, caressing his head in a very motherly fashion, when Chelsie returned. Both she and John, who were seated in a chair behind her, looked up when she entered. They offered smiles, which were obvious masks for the same miserable prison Chelsie was locked within.
“Another thing you might not know about Asa…” Grace paused to study him with a reminiscent smile, brushing a blond curl—about the same color as hers—from his forehead.
Grace had shared so much about Asa with her, all sorts of stories from his childhood, mischief he’d gotten into, specifics about places he’d practiced. It amazed her how much she hadn’t known about Asa. Then again, they really hadn’t had much time to get to know one another on a personal level. Professionally, she could probably write a book. The conversations she and Grace had shared had been good for both of them. It kept Asa real during this very surreal and frightening time.
“He’s developed a bad habit over the years of pushing his physical limits. He’s always been so dedicated to his practice. He would work for days, sometimes weeks, with just snatches of sleep. Then, when he finally had a break, he would sleep for two or three days given the opportunity. I’m sure this is the case now.”
Chelsie knew better and apparently so did Asa’s father, also a vampire physician. He met her gaze briefly, but long enough for her to witness the same destitute emotion that had been her own constant companion for far too many days.
Asa’s father came off as a very reserved man. Chelsie didn’t know if it was his nature, worry, or if he wasn’t as accepting of her as his wife seemed to be. Considering how Asa had ended up in this position, she could hardly fault him if he blamed her, because she still blamed herself. How could they stomach her and Asa’s relationship knowing her ex-boyfriend had nearly killed their son? She wouldn’t blame them if they hated her.
Right now, they probably both resented and felt sorry for her. They knew Asa loved her, had chosen her, and they also knew she was dying and Asa planned to turn her in order to save her life. At least if they did resent her they were keeping their opinions to themselves. Chelsie didn’t think she could take another stressor in her life right now.
While she’d been gone, Christian had placed the hospital bed he intended for her to use flush against the right side of Asa’s, opposite Grace and John. She jockeyed it aside and scooted between, then took hold of Asa’s hand before she replied to Grace.
“I’ve witnessed him pushing his limits, too, while I interned here and since.” It was true. She’d glued herself to him like a Siamese twin all those months during her internship, and he’d often worn her to a frazzle. She hadn’t minded. She’d been anxious to learn and was half in love with him at that time.
“Chelsie?”
She met Grace’s gaze, steeped in pain, edged with love. “Yes?”
“Asa is so fortunate to have found you. You love him, and that is so apparent. I couldn’t be more pleased for the two of you. I just wanted you to know that.”
“You can’t imagine how much that means.” Tears welled and fell. She swiped at one tracking down her cheek.
“Yes, I can.” Grace smiled and glanced over her shoulder at her life mate, who stood, approached the bed, and slid his arm around his wife’s waist. He said nothing, just gazed at his son with a tight, concerned expression.
“We’ll leave you with him. Your mother has invited us to dinner tonight, which was very kind of her. A home-cooked meal will be a treat after a week of dining out.”
Chelsie chuckled softly. “It will be a treat, trust me. Mom’s an amazing chef, and she loves to entertain.”
“She does have quite an astounding reputation. I’ve read about her catering business in a number of magazines over the years and saw her on some TV cooking shows a time or two. From speaking with her, she seems like a very lovely Christian lady.”
“Thank you. She is very devoted to the Lord and family.”
Grace nodded then leaned down and gave Asa a kiss on his forehead. “We’ll be back in the morning. If he should wake, tell him his father and I love him.”
“I will.”
John stared at her with the same vibrant piercing-green eyes as Asa’s. “I think you should take everyone’s advice and get some sleep, Chelsie. He will wake up; it’s just a matter of time now, and when he does, you’ll need your strength. Knowing my son, he will not be a model patient.”
Chelsie smiled at him. Asa would be a handful all right, but she’d take that over this any day. “Okay. Thank you, John.”
After they left, she put the two beds side by side and crawled into hers, then took hold of Asa’s hand. John was right. Asa would wake up eventually. However, when he did open his eyes, she wanted to be the first thing he saw. From there, she intended to do everything in her power and imagination to show him he was and always would be the most important part of her life.
***
“What the hell?” Asa muttered, blinking. His vision was a bit cloudy, and his body ached, specifically his chest, which felt like it had been stomped on by an elephant.
When his vision cleared, he instantly recognized his surroundings, having spent most of
his life in some sort of medical facility. He’d just never been lying in a bed in one of them before, and he didn’t like the implications.
He tried to sit up. The effort cost him a great deal of pain in the center of his chest. He cursed, then reclined into the bed and sucked in a couple of deep breaths. He felt something warm and soft around his right hand and turned his head. He smiled. Chelsie had hold of his hand, and she was lying on a hospital bed on her side facing him, sound asleep, cute as hell with her hair cascading across her cheek and shoulder, all mussed. She snored with vigor, her mouth agape. Asa chuckled. Maybe he was crazy, but he was going to enjoy waking up to that scene every morning for the rest of their lives.
He had a strong urge to haul her the short distance separating them and feel her soft feminine curves molded against his body. Based on the throbbing in the center of his chest, Asa knew he wasn’t going to make that happen.
What had happened? He reached up with his left hand to scratch his head and saw an IV in the bend in his arm. “That son-of-a-bitch,” he bit out as memories started flooding his mind.
Asa recalled talking to Christian at Cajun Refugees, then taking off across the bar to get to Chelsie. The rest came barreling into his mind with sickening recollection. Chad had shot him, and apparently the bastard had gotten the best of him, based on his current condition. He’d remedy that soon enough. It might be a few days, but as soon as he was able, he intended to pay Chad a little visit he’d never forget.
He grabbed hold of the remote, which was wrapped around the bed rail on the opposite side of Chelsie, and pushed the call button for the nurse repeatedly. He didn’t know how long he’d been here, but he suspected it had been good while, and knowing Chelsie, she’d been beside him the whole time. With little sleep, judging from the dark swaths beneath her eyes.
Deadly Secrets (Forever and a Night Book 3) Page 20
