My Kind Of Country: The Complete Series

by Michelle Thomas

  “What kind...of injuries?” She clenched her hand closed tightly around the slip of paper still clutched against her clammy palm.

  “Mr. Kirkwood—Chad—has a serious head injury. There is intracranial bleeding as well as a series of facial lacerations and traumas to his nasal and orbital bones. His left greater trochanter is broken, there are multiple fractures within the pelvis, as well as seven broken ribs and a punctured lung. Once your friend comes out of surgery, Katie, he will remain in a medically-induced coma to keep him sedated and calm to give his body the time it needs to begin to heal.”

  She exhaled as the room began to swim around her. “What are his odds?”

  “I’m not prepared to give you my professional opinion on that just yet. Let’s wait until he is released from surgery and go from there. He is a fighter, I can tell you that much. He has made it this far, and that’s a very good sign.”

  The doctor set a reassuring hand on her shoulder, but Katie gained little solace from it. She thanked him and returned to the emergency room waiting area, unsure if the information she received had helped or not.

  Her first reaction was to panic when she saw that Mason was no longer perched in the chair she’d left him in, but Anna, the nurse, must have seen her worried expression because she quickly called from her place behind the nurse’s desk and let Katie know that Lucinda had taken him down to the cafeteria during her coffee break to get a treat from the vending machine. She hoped that was okay, and Katie gave her a vacant smile. Mason’s sugar intake was the least of her worries at this point.

  As per the witnesses at the scene downtown... Chad had been downtown, only blocks from where she and Mason had been perusing through the rows of shops.

  Katie leaned back in her chair, ignoring the sporadic looks from the other people in the waiting room as she wiped away her tears. A quick glance at the clock confirmed the age-old saying she’d heard since her youth; everything can change in the blink of an eye. And, in a matter of hours, everything had.

  To keep herself sane while she awaited an update from Chad’s doctor, she pulled her cellphone from her pocket and realized she’d forgotten she’d left the ringer off, and that there were more missed calls from earlier in the day. Chad’s number was listed repeatedly on the screen since the day before, and another forceful wave of nausea ripped through her.

  She bolted from her chair, thankful the outpatient washroom was clearly visible, close by, and vacant as she kicked the door closed behind her and vomited into the toilet bowl. The cellphone clattered to the floor as she knelt before the toilet, pleading silently for the wave of sickness to subside. When it did, she stood slowly, wiping her hand across her mouth and washing her hands before she picked her phone back up.

  She pushed in the lock on the washroom door and lowered herself to the floor, relishing in the silence and lack of scrutinizing glances. She sifted through the missed calls, staring at the display screen through blurry eyes as she watched Chad’s name show up countless times before her eyes. There had been a missed text message, too, and she pressed the icon to read it.

  Katie, don’t you dare do this. I’m coming to find you downtown. Just...do not marry him. I love you too much for that.

  Sobs wracked her chest, and she held the phone tightly against her, letting the tears fall freely. Her brain began to piece together the timeline that led to Chad’s accident, filling in the blanks like missing puzzle pieces. He’d been downtown with the sole purpose of finding her, of stopping her from making such a huge mistake. He’d known that she had agreed to marry Jay, which meant he’d spoken to him, although on the phone or in person, she couldn’t be sure.

  I love you too much for that.

  She loved him too much, too, and yet, look what she had done to him.

  ***

  Katie made her way down to the cafeteria, following the gold-plated signs along the corridors. Without them, she was sure she’d never have found it. The nurses knew where she was in case the doctor—Dr. Vale, as Anna referred to him—had more news for her. Mason was tucked in behind one of the battered tables, an apple juice and a rice krispie square set before him. A deck of playing cards was spread out in what looked like a game of Go Fish, but she couldn’t be sure.

  “You must be Lucinda.” Katie stepped forward and held out her hand. The nurse shook it without hesitation, nodding, and her eyes held the same cautious sympathy she’d seen in Anna’s. They all knew how critical Chad’s status was; there was no hiding it.

  “Thank you for calling me. I know you didn’t have to.”

  She gave a knowing nod again, offering up her chair across from Mason. “It’s no problem. Have you been able to contact his other family members?”

  Katie shook her head. “Not yet, but if you would be so kind as to sit with my son for just five more minutes, I know someone I can call to get that information for you.”

  “Absolutely. Besides, I’m winning.” She glanced down playfully at Mason, who was ready to slap down his next card onto the pile between them.

  “Not if I can help it.” A glint shone in his eyes, and Katie nodded her gratitude to the nurse.

  She dug in her pocket for some loose change and paid for a cup of coffee. Once the sugar and milk were stirred into it, she retreated to the far end of the cafeteria, away from the sharp ears of her son. She didn’t welcome the thought of making such a phone call, but she would do it. For Chad. She took a deep breath and hit the first number listed in her speed dial.

  “Well, hey. What is taking you and Mason so long?” Jay’s voice was a mix of cheerfulness and condescendence, a man who won the prize he’d fought dirty to win at a price he would never understand.

  “I need Liz’s phone number.”

  Silence.

  “Jay, I need her phone number. It’s more urgent than you understand, and I know you still have it.”

  “Why do you need it?” His tone had done a complete turnaround, now filled with suspicion and doubt.

  “Not that you care, but Chad has been in a car accident. They have no familial contact information here at the hospital. Liz will know who to call.”

  “Why are you there?”

  She banged her hand hard against the table, seeing Lucinda and Mason flinch slightly out of the corner of her eye. “Give me the phone number! You’re wasting precious time.”

  Jay said nothing, and for a moment she wondered if he’d merely hung up on her. Instead, she heard a vague shifting sound and then he recited a series of digits. Katie didn’t write them down, instead committing them to her memory and ending the call without saying goodbye.

  A quick glance revealed that Mason was once again engrossed in his card game, and there didn’t seem to be anyone vying for her attention at the moment.

  With her eyes squeezed shut, Katie focused on her breathing, rehearsing what she wanted to say before Chad’s ex-wife—and the woman whom Jay had left her for—answered the call. She tapped the phone number into her phone and hit the send button before she had time to reconsider.

  Three rings were heard before she answered. “Hello?” All professionalism. Liz didn’t have a clue who it was.

  “Is this Liz?”

  “Yes. Who’s calling?”

  “Katie.”

  Silence, but she was relieved she at least remembered her. Especially seeing Katie would never forget her.

  “Hi, Katie.” Gone was the professionalism, replaced by a clipped, cautious tone.

  “I normally wouldn’t call you, but it’s important. There’s been...an accident. Chad has been hurt pretty bad.” She cut to the chase, saving Liz the gripping fear of having to wait to hear if he was okay or not.

  “An accident? He’s going to be okay, though, right?”

  “I don’t know enough yet, I’m sorry. I can only tell you that he’s still in surgery. When I know more, I can let you know, if you want.”

  “I would appreciate that, Katie. More than you know, thank you.”

  “Sure. But I
’m actually calling because there are no emergency contacts listed in his medical records. I was hoping you could steer me in the right direction as to who should be called back in Canada. You know, Chad’s parents, or his sister, maybe?”

  “I’ll be honest with you, Katie. I don’t think he would want you calling his parents.”

  “Unfortunately, he’s in critical condition and he doesn’t get that choice right now.” Katie was tired and exhausted already from the emotional toll of her worry. “They don’t know if he will live through this, Liz, and I don’t want to be the only one here with him when he has a family that could be with him as well.”

  Liz was hesitant, but she put the call on hold. Katie waited impatiently, sending her son a half-hearted smile from across the room. She held up one finger to indicate she was almost done, then dug through her purse for a pen.

  “Call his sister first, then let her call their parents, okay?” Liz didn’t sound demanding, and Katie assumed she had her reasons for requesting such a chain of events.

  “Sure. I just need the contact details.”

  She scribbled the phone number for Chad’s sister, Jillian, down on the back of the scrap paper the hospital staff had found in his wallet, writing her name above the digits. “Thank you, Liz. I know—”

  “Call me when he’s out of surgery, okay?”

  “Of course. Can you do me a favour and call his manager—Barry, I think his name is? He should probably know about it before the media gets a hold of this.”

  “I will. Sure.”

  “Thank you.” She hesitated. “I’ve got one more question for you, Liz, and I’m going out on a limb here by asking it. Just listen to what I have to say, and then you can either agree or shoot me down. It’s bad timing, but it can’t be helped.”

  To her surprise, Liz listened to everything Katie said without interrupting. In the end, she was glad and relieved she’d taken such a risk. “Thank you, Liz.”

  “Of course, I get it. Just keep me informed.”

  “You got it.”

  “And Katie?”

  “Yeah?”

  “If there was anyone Chad would want at that hospital with him right now, it’s you. I can guarantee you of that. Take care.” The line went dead in Katie’s ear.

  ***

  For the millionth time that day, Katie contemplated calling Jay again and asking him to come and pick Mason up, not wanting him subjected to the reality of Chad’s condition. However, the boy was the only one she knew within the confinements of those muted green walls and, as selfish as it was, she wanted him with her for comfort and distraction.

  “Katie?”

  The doctor’s voice interrupted her and Mason’s Go Fish competition, a game which had been played numerous times in rapid succession since they discovered the cafeteria was quieter and less occupied in comparison to the waiting room. She dropped the cards between her fingers down onto the table, standing at the sight of Dr. Vale in the doorway.

  “Yes?”

  He trudged across the room, and Katie noticed this time that he was older than she originally believed, gray and white peppering his close-cut hair, and soft lines winking at the corners of his eyes, although whether it was from age or from the stressfulness of his profession, she didn’t know. He lowered himself into the plastic chair beside her.

  “First of all, thank you for getting the contact information for your friend’s sister. Lucinda has spoken with her, and I believe she plans to fly here on the next available flight.”

  Katie hadn’t thought it was her place to call Chad’s family, especially since she’d never met them and they wouldn’t have a clue who she was. Besides, if Chad had listed his family members as his emergency contacts in the first place, Katie would’ve never been called—the hospital would have called Jillian instead. It was better that they follow their protocol from here on out. “How is he?”

  “I said it before, and I mean it. Chad is a fighter, Katie. He has come through surgery and is being placed in a room in the Intensive Care Unit as we speak. We don’t normally allow visitors at this time of day, but you may see him in about a half hour, if you wish to. You might want to visit him alone, though.” Dr. Vale’s eyes flickered momentarily to Mason.

  She understood. While she hoped and prayed the mental images her mind was conjuring were far worse than the reality, she’d heard the list of injuries Chad had sustained. He was undoubtedly unrecognizable, and Dr. Vale was cryptically advising her that such a young boy should not be subjected to such a sight. She nodded to confirm her understanding.

  “He is going to be okay, then?”

  “As I said before, he has sustained numerous injuries. Life-threatening ones. But he’s made it through the surgery with no immediate complications and his vitals seem to be stable, albeit weak. The next twenty-four to forty-eight hours will tell us where he stands.”

  “Thank you.” She let a sigh of relief pass her lips. “I will get Mason situated in the waiting room, and the nurses can let me know when I can see him?”

  “Of course.” Dr. Vale stood, tucking the files he was carrying back under his arm.

  She watched as his white coat billowed out behind him down the hallway, stepping to the side so a taller man in a Steelers jacket could pass by him. It took Katie a moment to recognize him.

  “Katie. I came as soon as I got Liz’s phone call.” Barry bent down to give her an awkward hug, pulling the chair Dr. Vale had used up closer to the table. “Have you heard anything?”

  “You just missed his doctor, actually. He’s out of surgery, which is sounding like a good sign. He’s not out of the woods and has been placed in a medically-induced coma, but we’ll know more in the next day or so as to where he’s at.”

  Barry nodded. “Have you seen him?”

  “Not yet, but Dr. Vale said he was being transferred to the Intensive Care Unit and can be seen in about a half hour or so. We were just about to head back to the waiting room so the nurses would know where to find us when it’s okay to see him.”

  “Let me buy a coffee and I’ll head over with you, then.”

  Paper cups in hand, Katie led Mason and Barry back out to the waiting room, which had cleared out considerably. Mason occupied himself with a pile of children’s books in the corner, while Barry stretched his legs out in front of him beside Katie. Neither said much, sipping away at their coffee to the sound of the clock ticking tediously above them.

  “How did you get here before anyone else?” He tilted his head toward her, keeping his voice low.

  “The hospital called me. My phone number was in Chad’s wallet.”

  A hint of a smile crossed his face. “That doesn’t surprise me one bit.”

  “That they would call me?”

  “No, that Chad would figure your number is the only one he would ever need.”

  Heat rose in Katie’s cheeks. “I’m not sure I understand.”

  Laughter made Barry’s shoulders bounce slightly as he attempted to hold it in. “That’s just it. I don’t think you do.”

  “So, enlighten me. It’s not like we have anything else to pass the time right now, anyway.”

  He turned his face towards her. “He wrote a song for you, Katie.”

  “I know, he told me a few nights ago.”

  “The man is a songwriter and an artist. You don’t collide your passion and life’s work with the love you have for someone, unless that someone is someone you’re just as passionate about.” Barry seemed thoroughly amused at the redness growing brighter on her face. “Do you know what the song is called?”

  Katie shook her head, unable to formulate sentences.

  Barry’s gaze held hers. “The One.”

  She felt tears beginning to sting her eyes again and turned away, not wanting him to see them. She debated showing him the scrap of paper from Chad’s wallet, but kept it hidden within her purse.

  “Ms. Wicken?”

  She turned to see Anna standing just outside the emergency roo
m doors, clipboard in hand.

  “Dr. Vale says you can see Mr. Kirkwood now.”

  Katie stood, wiping her eyes unceremoniously. She looked over to Barry, expecting him to follow, but he waved her away dismissively. “You go ahead,” he insisted. “Mason and I will stay here and hang out while we wait for you.” He gave her a subtle wink, and Katie disappeared behind the swinging doors, not giving Mason a chance to plead to come with her.

  The nurse led her down the hallway where she’d spoken with Dr. Vale earlier. Even though Katie had worked in hospitals for more than a few years, the emergency department was one part of it she’d always disliked. Her time had been spent in the oncology ward, where patients had terminal diseases and were sadly facing the end of their lives more often than she wanted to admit to, but at least it was a quieter ward. The emergency room was fast-paced and handled the scariest and most dire medical catastrophes every day. Cries of pain, cleaning up blood, and fearful eyes were the norm in that department.

  In comparison, the Intensive Care Unit seemed almost tomb-like. Fear gripped her heart as the nurse stepped aside and let her enter the private hospital room. Katie’s hands immediately flew up to her face, covering her mouth as a fierce gasp escaped from her throat.

  “Oh, Chad, no.” She stepped forward even though her instincts were telling her to back away.

  If Chad Kirkwood was beneath the bandages, bruises, and swelling, she couldn’t see him. Intravenous needles protruded from both of his hands, wires snaking wildly around him. He had been intubated and hooked up to telemetry, the rhythmic beeping the only sounding coming from the room save for the oxygen ventilator.

  This time, Katie didn’t hide her tears, letting them streak down her cheeks, splashing onto her shirt and the floor.

  “I’ll give you a few minutes with him.” The nurse disappeared silently, leaving the door open behind her.

  Katie wiped her eyes again, silently pulling the only chair in the room up toward the side of the bed. Her gaze trailed from his motionless hands, to his gauze-covered arms, and halted at his eyes, so purple and swollen that she was sure he couldn’t open them if he’d been conscious enough to want to.