by C. J. Corbin
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Michael had come. Miraculously he was there. I couldn't believe it when I heard his voice and felt his arms wrap around me. How had he found me? How did he know?
He remained mostly quiet during the ride to the hospital. The worry in his eyes was evident. He didn't ask for an explanation and wouldn't allow me to talk. Actually, not talking was fine with me. My throat felt like it was on fire and they were limiting the amount of water I could have. As it was, I doubted I could even hold the water bottle.
They attached every possible monitor to me once I arrived at the hospital. The fluids the EMTs started in the ambulance helped my alertness. All eyes showed concern, especially after I kept asking after the baby. The doctor came in while the technician was performing the ultrasound on my abdomen.
"So, they say you fell out of a tree?" The doctor asked.
I nodded. "Yes, we have a tree stand near a pair of nesting eagles." I continued to relay the entire story.
Michael looked at me with surprise in his eyes. "They had a rifle... you could have been shot!"
"Oh, they weren't going to shoot me. They wanted Ethel."
"You don't know that, Elizabeth!" Michael shot back.
The doctor looked at both of us. "Well, you're a lucky woman, you don't show any breaks. Your shoulder is badly bruised and your ankle isn’t broken, it’s only a sprain. A very bad sprain, however, and walking on it didn’t help it. Now, let's see what's happening inside."
The technician smiled and pointed to the screen. He nodded. "Right here." He pointed as Michael leaned over.
Michael squeezed my hand and my sense of impending doom began to lift. "Well?"
Then we heard the fluttering of a tiny heartbeat.
The doctor began, "Elizabeth, a woman's body is an amazing place when she's carrying a baby. The womb cocoons the baby in a safe area which protects it from harm. Your instincts to tuck yourself into a ball to protect your abdomen were perfect. Your shoulder and ankle took the brunt of the fall. It looks like your little kiddo in there came through this fine. I'll want you to follow up with your obstetrician over the next few weeks just to make sure, but with your other tests and now this one, it looks like you're one lucky lady."
Michael and I drew large breaths at the same time. He leaned over me and kissed my forehead and then my lips. "Everything is going to be fine baby."
I closed my eyes and felt the tears running down my cheeks. "I'm sorry, Michael."
"It's okay," he whispered. "I'll go let everyone waiting know."
"Who’s here?" I asked.
"Your dad, Annie, and Frank. Tammy, Debi, Don, Christina, and the veterinarian are at the house."
"Dr. Scott is at the house?"
"No. The new vet, he personally delivered the dogs."
"Really? That was nice."
"When does she get to go home?" Michael addressed the doctor.
"I'd like to keep her here another day, just to be cautious. I still want to get more fluids into her. That’s the most dangerous thing happening, the severe dehydration she experienced." Both of us nodded. "And, we need to get you fitted for a boot and crutches. I don't you walking on that ankle for a while."
When they had me situated into a room, they allowed visitors in and admonished them not to stay too long. Dad was the first to poke his head in the doorway.
"Hey, Sweet Pea," he said cautiously, "Are you up for some company?"
I was already sitting up in bed feeling one hundred percent better than I did when they brought me in. "Sure, Dad. Thanks for flying up. Sorry I gave you such a fright."
"No worries, baby girl," he said as he approached the bed.
Michael who sat on the other side of the bed made a move to rise. "I'll let you two have some time together."
Dad held up his hands. "No, please stay. I owe you an apology for not being very friendly on the phone this morning." He stuck his hand out to shake Michael's hand. "Thank you for saving my girl. Looks like I owe you doubly, for this time and the last time. I'm sorry I underestimated you. I'm glad Elizabeth has you in her life."
Michael looked awkward and at the same time pleased. "Well, sir, I do love Elizabeth. And I do know how you feel; I don't think any man will ever be good enough for my girls either."
"That's right," my dad said, "you have two daughters of your own." He chuckled then drew his hand down my cheek and chucked me under the chin. "But then, I don't suppose they’re quite as accident prone as my Sweet Pea."
"Dad, stop it!" I groaned, "I'm not accident prone. I had a very good reason for being up in the tree and I'm glad I was."
He bent over and kissed me on the forehead, "No damn bird will ever come before your life or your baby's life."
My father put a hand on Michael's shoulder. "Son, you and I are going to have to spend some time getting to know each other."
Michael smiled. "I'd like that very much sir."
"And, I'm also going to have to educate you on the best baseball team too!" my dad quipped as he settled himself down into the chair next to the bed.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Michael made it clear he was going to sleep in the chair beside me that night. As much as I tried to send him home, he refused to go. The nurses and doctor weren't able to budge him either. Everyone else had left after visiting with me briefly. He and my father seemed to be forging a friendship, which I was relieved to see. Dad had actually asked him for advice on a new camera he contemplated purchasing.
In the morning, the doctor and my obstetrician were sufficiently happy with my progress that they agreed to release me. The house would be empty, since Tammy and Christina were down in Stanford visiting Jason. I would welcome the quiet of the house. Hospitals weren't the best places to sleep, and even though the doctors both told me to rest, I had built up nervous energy.
Michael was being uncharacteristically quiet on the ride home. This wasn't necessarily a bad thing because I had a lot on my mind. We hadn't talked in the hospital other than relating our stories. It was evident he wanted to talk to me, and he probably had a few things to say about me falling out of the tree.
His phone rang as we were driving to the house. He tapped on the blue-tooth in his ear. "Hoffman here." He paused, "Hi Tom, thanks for calling me back. She's good, it was quite a scare though. Did you get a copy of the description of the group? Yeah, they had a rifle. I know. That's the reason for my call. I'd like to remove the tree stand."
At those words, my head whipped in his direction. I was about to say something, but there was something about his look which made me stop.
"Yeah, Tom," He continued, "It's too much of a lure with it there. Thanks, I appreciate it. I'll talk to you soon." He disconnected the phone and looked straight ahead at the road.
"You're taking down the tree stand because of me, aren't you?" I said it more as a statement than a question.
"Yes," he answered simply.
"Why?"
He ran a hand through his hair. "Elizabeth, I don't want you falling from the tree again."
"I'm not going to fall again."
"It’s coming down."
I looked out the side window feeling the tears welling up in my eyes. ''You don't trust me."
Michael looked over at me and took my hand, "I didn't say I don't trust you."
"Then why are you taking it down?"
"I don't want you to get hurt again. It's the only way I can ensure your safety," he said firmly.
I wrenched my hand away from his, "This is about trust! You don't trust me!"
"I didn't fall out of the tree, you did."
"It was an accident. You know it was. I don't know why you’re reacting this way."
"When I couldn't find you, it killed me. Please understand, I don't want to ever go through that experience again."
He turned onto the auxiliary road by our house. As he pulled up to the back of the house, I saw a new Range Rover Sport parked next to the porch.
"Who belongs t
o that?" I asked pointing to the vehicle.
"That babe, is your new car," he announced with a grin.
"What? Where's my car?"
"It's gone."
"What do you mean it's gone?" I felt my temper rising. My beloved old car that got me through many rough times. Of course, I ignored the fact it had let me down miserably a few days ago.
"Don said it was dead on arrival. No hope for it. Really Elizabeth, are you going to make a big deal about this? Your car is not safe. Climbing the tree stand is not safe. I will not let you put yourself in danger again."
I bristled, "Will not let me? Who do you think you are? My father? I still have one of those. I don't need another."
"I'm going to be your husband."
I shifted in the seat to look at him head on. "I already had a controlling husband once and I sure as hell am not going to have another one!" I opened the car door.
"Wait!" He called, "Let me help you out."
I grabbed the crutches, "I don't need your help. I managed to walk almost out of the forest. I can get myself into the house." I stood up while putting my weight on the crutches. Okay, I wasn't very steady on my feet, but I was determined.
"Elizabeth, I said wait!" He got out of the car and rushed around.
I was already on the top step of the porch and when he took my arm, I shrugged him off. "Let me go."
"Please, let me help you," he pleaded.
Michael rushed ahead to opened the door and was greeted by all four dogs. He managed to push them back to allow me to enter through the doorway. I collapsed onto a kitchen chair and propped up the crutches against the wall. The dogs piled around me and I greeted each one in turn.
"Let me help you into the bedroom," he said.
"I'm not tired. Besides we need to talk."
His faced turned serious and he slid down into the chair next to me.
I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Where to begin? He was used to being in charge and making decisions. There obviously were trust issues between us. Had they always been there? Were we on opposite ends of the earth?
Once again, his hand went through his hair. "I don't want to control you, Elizabeth. You know that, but sometimes you do things without thinking. Things that can be dangerous. God!" He exclaimed in frustration. "Things which can be unsafe for both you and the baby. How many times did I tell you not to go to the tree stand?"
I bit out, "Tell me? That's exactly what I'm referring to."
"Yeah, because sometimes you do stupid things." He stood up and started pacing almost like a caged animal. "I shouldn't have to tell you what to do."
"You would have done the same thing, Michael, if you’d seen the guy with the gun. He would have killed Ethel as sure as I’m sitting here."
"Maybe. True," he conceded, "but I'm not four months pregnant. You have to admit it was a dumb thing for you to do. Damn it, you could have killed yourself or the crazy nut with the rifle could have killed you!" He sat back down again. "If anything would have happened to you or the baby, I wouldn't be able to go on. Elizabeth, I only want you safe."
"I can't have you dictate my life to me. I make the choices I make. You cannot be there for every second of my life."
He stood up again. "And I can't let you hurt our baby."
I couldn't believe he said it. That was the real crux of this conversation. He didn't trust me.
"I have to go." He scowled.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm going to supervise the removal of the tree stand and then I need to fly to San Diego for a meeting with the zoo team."
"What? A meeting on a Sunday?" I stared at him not believing my ears.
"They heard I was back in town and asked to see me tomorrow. It's an early meeting. Since you don't need my help, I thought it would be okay to go. Christina will be here later today. She can help you if you need it."
"I can't believe you’re leaving."
"I think it's better. I'm so frustrated with you right now, Elizabeth, I might say something both of us will regret. We'll talk again when you've calmed down a little and can see I'm right. The keys to your new car are hanging on the hook by the back door."
"I won't be driving it," I said and then fell silent as he left the house. I heard the screen door slam and the Jeep's engine fire up.
The tears which had been threatening in the car fell down my cheek, but wiped my face dry and held them back. I was not going to cry! Struggling to my feet, I made my way into the bedroom. Things were becoming crystal clear to me now. He’d always complained I ran away from things when they became tough. Here I was, ready to take on the issues, and where was he? He ran away too. He had done it in his first marriage. When dealing with Margaret became too much of a challenge, he’d leave on another photo assignment. I was sure the zoo meeting could have been postponed, but he didn't want to deal with the difficulties. Well, they would still be here when he returned, only thing was, I wouldn't be.
I threw some clothes into a bag and whistled for the dogs. Before I left the bedroom, I slipped my engagement ring off my finger and put it on the center of the dresser. I had a lot to think about and suddenly I was very tired.
I glared at the new Range Rover as I hobbled over to my cabin. It's silver metallic paint was winking at me. I leaned over and looked at the interior, all the electronics on the dashboard and the leather were tempting. It even had a moon roof! Nevertheless, I remained steadfast in my determination. Michael was not going to bribe me into submission.
Christina kept the place as neat as a pin, just like her brother. She stayed in the guest room even though I’d offered the use of my bedroom with the attached bathroom. Her house would be in construction for another few months, and I wouldn't mind her as a roommate. We hadn't had the opportunity to get to know each other very well before, and I would welcome her insight into Michael. They were close and perhaps she could give me a few clues.
Dropping the dog food on the kitchen counter and then shrugging off my bag in my bedroom, I sighed as I sat on the edge of the bed. This room reminded me of early times with Michael, I grinned when I thought of last Halloween's antics and the chocolate covered cherries. Then a melancholy wave washed over me. I needed time to think.
As I lay down on the bed, the tears started again. They turned into wracking sobs as this time I could not stem their flow. The events of the past few days flooded back to me. I was so thankful my muffin was okay, and I stroked my stomach whispering, "I promise, mommy will take good care of you."
Was Michael right? No! I shook my head. I couldn't be controlled or ordered about by another man. My marriage to Kevin disintegrated for that reason. Somehow, I had to make him understand.
A knock on the bedroom door woke me suddenly. I sat up abruptly, "Michael?" Looking around I realized I was in the cabin.
"It's me, Christina," her voice called from the other side of the door.
"Come in."
She poked her head around the door. "What are you doing here, Elizabeth? Is everything okay?"
I looked at her, the tears welled again in my eyes. I'm sure I must have looked a sight. "No." I said quietly with hitch in my voice.
"What's wrong? Why aren't you at home?"
I let my head hit the pillow. "That's not my home, this is my home."
She wore the concern on her face and sat on the edge of the bed. "What happened? What did Michael do?"
"How do you know it was him?" I asked softly.
She raised a well-groomed eyebrow and smiled, "Because my big brother can be quite the ass when he chooses."
I looked at her with surprise.
Christina scooped up my hand and held it in hers. "So tell me."
I related the argument with Michael.
She frowned when I finished. "Yep. Sounds just like him. Frankly, this can't be the first time you've seen this in him."
I shook my head, "No, it's not, but I always thought it was endearing. It's how I could tell he really loved me. But, it's gotten
worse since..."
"Since you got pregnant," she said finishing my sentence.
"Yes. And today, when he up and left, I couldn't believe it! I have to stop and think about this. My first husband was controlling and violent, I can't do it again. It took me two years with a therapist to get past the pain."
She looked shocked. "I don't think Michael would ever be violent, but he does like to protect his women. That includes his girls, Mom, me, and any other woman in his life."
"I'm not the only one to consider here," I reminded her, there’s also our baby to think about."
"True," she agreed. "So, does he know you're here in the cabin?"
"No."
She pressed her lips together and rose from the bed. "Come on. You have to be hungry. Let's rustle up some dinner and make a plan. You should call him and at least let him know you're over here."
I stood up and used the headboard to steady myself. She handed my crutches to me and I followed her out to the kitchen. "I don't want to talk to him."
She pointed to the dining room chair, "Sit," she commanded. "You're going to have to talk to him sooner or later."
"Not until I have a chance to think this out. Maybe us getting married isn't such a good idea?"
A tremor registered in Christina's eyes. "You can't mean that!"
I took a deep breath, and whispered while I exhaled. "I don't know ... I really don't know."
She pulled a large bowl out of the cupboard. "Is Chinese chicken salad okay?"
I nodded. "Are you a great cook like Michael?"
She laughed heartily and shook her head. "Not exactly." She held up a package that had all the ingredients. "If they have it in pre-made packages, I'm a wizard in the kitchen! You don't mind if I have some wine?"
"Go right ahead. Did Michael teach you about wines?"
She laughed again, "Oh my dear, we need to talk! I taught him everything he knows about wine. Bet he didn't tell you that piece of information."
"No, he didn't."
We sat together, ate, and talked.
"Please let me call him." Her look was an earnest one. "You have no idea how scared he was when he didn't know where you were."
