by Grady, D. R.
Admiral O’Riley reached out and grasped her hand, and KC, humbled by his simple gesture, gripped his offering in gratitude. She thought he was as moved by the video as she. This video should go a long way to raising hope in the unit again. Even though they were overworked and understaffed, knowing others cared would help to improve spirits.
Glancing to her left, KC was also thankful for their excellent leaders.
Chapter 39
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Thanks!
Dear Max and Ryan,
A most sincere thank you for the Bent Rock Foundation Blow-Out video. Admiral O’Riley and I watched it together and now he’s showing the DVD round the clock. Both here and throughout all the other bases and compounds here and in Iraq. (He had copies made – out of his own pocket – so everyone could see the video.) I think nearly everyone here has seen the Blow-Out multiple times!
Many of them recognized a few of the military persons circulating through the crowd there. Seems that for as large as we are in the military, it’s still a small world! We could almost feel the strengthening in morale here. Everyone smiles a little easier today. (We’ve made several phone calls and the same is true for the other units we’ve spoken to.)
I was certainly happy to see how active the two of you were at the event. Not that you could have escaped, but I noticed neither of you were grudging about the work required of you. (This is good, since I’m watching you!) Even though I’m thousands of miles away, I still know what you’re getting up to.
“Dictator,” Max muttered with a grin. If KC were here, he’d tease her about not caring since he was bigger. This would normally result in them tussling like puppies. A tussle with KC usually meant full body contact, so Max initiated skirmishes with her as often as possible.
Only two and a half months to go. He could last that long. Really. Max let his head thump onto the desk. He’d never make it that long. Not when an eternity had already passed.
How in the world would he last? Since he didn’t know, he returned to her email.
We remain busy here. Which helps the time to pass quickly, but I miss you two so much. I’m hoping to slip out and make a phone call soon. Because we haven’t spoken in so long!
Max swallowed. No, they hadn’t. Hearing her voice would help pass the time or it would make things that much harder, but since that’s all he could get, he’d take a phone call. Two and a half more months. Suppressing a groan, he kept reading.
Even though I’ve mostly adjusted to the sand and heat, I’m tired of this climate. I want to see lush grass and green trees. I’m longing for the lake. (I totally understand how Mitch felt when he walked off the pier with Lainy. I’m ready to walk off a pier too. I don’t even care if there are sharks in the water!) Well, maybe I’d think twice, but I’m tired of tepid showers, sandstorms, and unrelenting heat.
Pennsylvania is a dream come true, and not only weather wise.
The extra help the admiral requested have finally arrived. We’re so grateful for them I think half the base cried. (I’m sure I saw some of the male doctors wipe away tears too. It’s been a long few months!) Giggling maniacally, bad singing, and meltdowns are common. But we’ve managed. We’re not sane any longer, but we’re still here!
I plan to think long and hard about the first meal I want prepared by you two when I get home. I’ll inform you as I know, but I’m thinking I want cinnamon rolls. I’ve been craving them for some reason. I dream about hamburgers on the grill and fresh fruit and veggies, oh and some French fries. (That’s probably what my first meal request will consist of, by the way.) And iced tea that actually contains ice. Ah! That would be wonderful. Maybe even some lemonade on ice. Mmmm.
Janine leaves in another month, and I’m going to miss her. She’s looking forward to going home, although I think she’ll see about locating a job in Hershey. She currently lives in Atlanta, but says there’s nothing to keep her there. I’m hoping she’s able to move. It would be wonderful to have her closer.
Plus, with her just having found Ben, I believe he’s a draw. She’s an exceptional doctor. (And who I want to be when I grow up!)
I’m yawning now, so perhaps I better go to bed. We’ll likely be woken at some point tonight since I’ve heard rumors of nastiness nearby. (That usually indicates a short night.) So, any sleep is good.
I miss and love you both!
KC
Max leaned back in his chair and stared at the computer screen. KC was already making plans for when she came home. That had to be a good sign. He wasn’t sure how, but it had to be.
He hadn’t liked her talk of buying a house before she left. Since that meant she’d be leaving his. How to make her realize his house was her home? And Max entertained no doubts about that. She belonged with him. KC and Ryan were both his. Case closed.
But, in his favor, she hadn’t mentioned buying a house since she arrived in Kuwait. Not one word. Thank goodness. He was smart enough not to bring the subject up, either. Let her stay with him indefinitely. Somehow he’d place a wedding band on her finger. Hopefully before she even knew what happened. That would be ideal.
Maybe if he drugged her...
When his thoughts shifted from the realm of gray to illegal, he shut them off. Besides, if possession was nine tenths of the law, he was in a pretty good position. Ryan already lived with him and all of KC things were scattered throughout his house. Now if she only came home, soon life would be so much better. He would also see about getting a baker to make those cinnamon rolls she craved.
*****
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Home
Dear KC,
Ryan and I are keeping the home fires burning for you. (Literally as well as figuratively!) Since it snowed last night, we had to wake up early and shovel. I’m thinking of buying a snow blower, but then Ryan and I engaged in a snow ball fight, (he’s got a good arm on him, must take after me
Of course, nearly everyone was late for work. The roads were iffy at best, and no one from the daycare center arrived there on time, so Ryan stayed in the office with me. Jean set him to sorting papers. He had a great time. (Although we did have a problem when he decided our newest needle supplier contract would make an excellent paper airplane.) I caught him in time, no worries! Jean found him some more paper and we avoided tears, whew!
Jean’s a most wonderful woman. (Did you know she has four kids and about fifteen grandkids?) Fortunately, she knows exactly how to handle five-year-olds. (When I asked her about this, she looked me up and down and stated she’s had lots of practice. Should I be offended?!)
KC reared back in her seat and laughed. Howled, actually. She could totally see Jean making that exact comment, after raking Max up and down. Inferring he was a five-year-old was priceless! And KC could also picture the cogs in Max’s head churning, as he tried to decide if he should be offended, or laugh. Knowing Max, he laughed with Jean then gave her a raise.
Placing a hand over her lips, KC giggled as she thought about the pair. Jean could more than hold her own with Max. Not in the least bit daunted by the new owner, she said whatever was on her mind. Jean had been ready to quit when KC had come onboard, and within a week, she figured out Jean’s problem.
KC’s dad had been a tyrant, and easy to disrespect. He cared not at all for his employees, but instead for the amount of money he made and the prestige he could garner. His lack of affection for those who enabled that status showed in painful detail the longer KC had worked there. The employees had distrusted Max for about two days. Now she’d be hard pressed to find someone who didn’t like and respect him. Many of the women adored him.
His personal style was hands-on. Just as a coach would be. He didn’t interfere, but kept a careful eye on everyone and lent a hand whenever someone was about to drop the b
all. In the year she worked closely with him, she had never heard him utter a single disparaging word about anyone in the company, even her father. Who deserved more than one pithy, reproachful comment.
When she started to say something against her sire, Max would raise one eyebrow. Just one, and she got the message. Stop and think, before you speak. She learned to bite her tongue, and that improved company morale too.
No doubt, Max was a genius. A sexy genius. And MMM – even his name spelled yummy. KC smiled at that memory. The girls were right, his name did spell MMM. A hot man who currently cared for her son and used her sofa. How hard would it be for her to convince him to share her life? Her bed? Could she persuade him to wear a wedding band that matched hers? Was she willing to risk their friendship? With a sigh, she went back to his email. Living a life on hold might be beyond her endurance.
Anyway, I laughed, made a comment about sassy secretaries, which got me punched, by the way, and then went to my office and arranged a raise for her.
KC laughed again. She’d called that one!
I figure she does have to put up with me, so I probably should pay her well. Did you know she hadn’t had a raise in three years before you came on? And she basically runs the place! I mean, we flatter ourselves to say we run this company, but without Jean and the other personal assistants, this place would collapse.
Oh, General Emma told me this morning that more companies and residents have contributed money to the foundation and we’ve got a major cushion now. Which means we’ll be able to cover the newest families in need who’ve applied to the Bent Rock Foundation.
(I’m on the board, by the way. Please don’t ask how that happened, because I don’t know. The general informed me today.) Which means I think I was appointed. Mitch and Granddad and some other family members also have seats.
Mitch called to commiserate.
Ryan and I are going to Melly and Rick’s for supper tonight. Oh, our lasagna turned out really well. Lainy and Mitch were both impressed, (I was relieved) and Lainy could even eat it so we’ve made it a few more times. (Like last night for instance, that’s why I remembered.) She’s not puking anymore, and she’s barely showing. If you know her, you can tell she’s probably pregnant because she has a little belly, but for being five or six months along, (she uses weeks – why do women do that?) you can barely tell.
They’re excited. Mitch is making a cradle. He already made Lainy a rocking chair. Lainy mentioned that the nursery is coming along. (Whatever that means?) This is going to be the most spoiled kid, yet. (Ha, ha! They say Ryan’s already got dibs on that. I ignore them.)
I’m wondering how Bentley will do as a big brother? He’s excellent with the herd, so we’re thinking he’s going to be protective, rather than jealous. We’re hoping he’s protective! Otherwise, I’m getting another dog.
Dory and John’s baby is really cute. Everyone says he looks like me, so what else can he be? (I think he looks like a purple potato, but then, I’m a man.) LOL
He is a likable fellow though. He’s got the funniest gurgle that makes you laugh. Between him and Eliza, they’re a cute family. Every time John changes his diaper, Aaron pees on him. Dory says the kid’s got excellent aim, cause John ends up with a face full. (We all think this is hilarious, by the way.) Even Mitch has said he’ll take pee in the face if it means Lainy and the baby are healthy.
I can’t wait to see if Lainy and Mitch have a boy. Mitch is so gonna get pee in the face too. This kid will grow up to be a Marine. (He probably won’t have any choice. It’ll be in his genes!) I wonder, did Ryan get you? From what my parents say, usually the boys pee on the dad?
I’m already teasing Mitch about this. He’s taking it pretty well. John thinks it’s funny too. Usually he just quips, “That’s my boy!” and hugs his kid. Dory rolls her eyes and we all sort of groan. Eliza is her daddy’s girl, though. I think Mitch would prefer a girl, but after John’s experience, he’s eager for a boy too. Although he repeated that so long as the baby is healthy and Lainy is okay, he doesn’t care. (He’s been saying that a lot lately. I think he’s worried.)
I’ve got to pick Ryan up from daycare. This day is over, and that means we’re closer to your homecoming. Very exciting! The calendar marking is one of our favorite times of the day. Ryan likes to make the X and he’s getting better and better.
Oh, did you know he’s learned the alphabet? He knows all of his letters on sight. I think we’ll work on learning to put those letters together to form words. It’d be great if we could send him to school already knowing how to read. (My mom said it’s not odd, since I could read by four or five.)
We miss and love you!
Max and Ryan
Chapter 40
“Dr. Gilmore, could you please look at a patient for me?” Tina rarely used that tone, so KC automatically stopped the test she was running to turn and stare at the nurse.
“What’s wrong?” she asked quietly, taking the chart from Tina’s limp hands.
“Lieutenant Peterson isn’t responding well to that antibiotic you ordered for him.” Tina didn’t elaborate, but to flap a normally unflappable nurse didn’t bode well. KC flipped through the chart, frowning as she read.
“He seems to be swelling? Tina, get Dr. Morris, please,” KC ordered, beginning to feel the first tremors of alarm.
“She’s on her way.”
“Thank you.”
“Sorry I’m late, what’s happening?” Janine asked, not out of breath at all, even though KC had seen her run the last few steps. Silently, she handed Janine the folder and watched her friend’s face.
Janine’s countenance took on the same lines of worry Tina’s displayed. That meant they had a problem.
“He shows signs of infection but otherwise has been improving rapidly. He should be responding better to that antibiotic,” Janine said, frowning at the chart.
“I know. He’s no longer coherent, either,” Tina announced, biting her lip and not quite meeting their eyes.
KC and Janine looked at each other, eyes wide, before turning to stare at the nurse.
“Tina, why didn’t you tell us that first?” KC demanded as she followed Janine out of the lab and kept pace with her across the site. They barreled into the post op tent and careened to a stop by his bed.
With his eyes closed, the huge man looked to be sleeping, uncommon for him. “Lieutenant Peterson, I’m Dr. Gilmore, can you tell me your first name?” KC shook him, but the only response she got was a brief flutter of his eyelids. They had a procedure they had to follow, and now they hurried through it.
Swallowing, she glanced at Janine whose face remained impassive, but KC thought she saw concern in the amber depths of her eyes. Janine bent over and shook him too.
“Lieutenant Peterson, I’m Dr. Morris, I work with Dr. Gilmore. Can you tell us your first name?” She elicited the same nebulous response. A brief eye flutter.
KC placed her fingers on the pulse in his neck. “His pulse is erratic.”
The man began to choke and his hands clawed at his throat.
“Has he done this before?” Janine demanded as she and KC leapt to his side, wrestling his arms from his neck.
“No,” Tina said, looking on in horror.
“The last med we ordered for him was penicillin to stave off infection, right?” KC asked. Her brain was racing, but if this was penicillin...
“Right. That’s what his chart says.” Janine used her chin to indicate the chart on the end of his cot.
“We prescribed that antibiotic for him this morning. Check his dog tags. Is he allergic to
penicillin?”
“There’s nothing on his tags. Tina, epinephrine!” KC barely heard Janine rap out the dosage. She’d never seen such a severe allergic reaction to the antibiotic, but they had little time to save him if that was the case.
“He’s not breathing!” Janine stated, busy checking his vital signs.
“We’ve got to open his airways.” KC fought with the man to remove his hands so she could see his neck. They had to follow procedure but KC was certain this was an allergic reaction. She didn’t want to have to perform a tracheotomy, but he had to breathe. If they couldn’t counter the reaction she would.
Tina, who had already anticipated what they needed, inserted a needle into the bottle and hastily handed over the syringe. KC inserted the needle and shoved the plunger to release the entire dosage. “Hurry, hurry, hurry,” she muttered.
Janine monitored his reaction. “Hurry, KC.”
“It’s in. We’ve got to keep his airways open.”
“The epinephrine should clear them,” a veteran doctor, Dwayne Sutter, responded, and KC breathed in relief. Obviously he’d heard the commotion and came to help. “I’ve never seen such a severe reaction like this, but I think you called it, Dr. Gilmore,” he said, and KC nodded.
If this wasn’t an allergic reaction...
“Janine, is he breathing better?” KC watched the patient and saw his hands drop from his throat. His respiration appeared normal.
“He’s not struggling to breathe,” Janine crowed, and KC heard her relief. Which matched her own.
“No trach, then.” KC leaned weakly against the bed.
