He made his way back to the emergency room and found his deputy selecting a candy bar from the vending machine just outside the doorway of the waiting room. “Any word on the girl, Lance?”
Shaking his head, Lance pulled his selection from the bin. “We’re still waiting for her to come out of surgery.”
“Is the boyfriend talking?” Nick looked inside the room and saw Kevin Smith pacing back and forth by the windows.
“He hasn’t said much, but he sure is nervous. I’m not sure how much longer he’ll stick around.”
“Do you want me to question him?”
“It’s your call, Boss, but I’d really like to take another crack at the guy. Besides, I figure you’ll do better with the girl.”
As they spoke, a woman in blue scrubs came to the doorway. “Family of Mary Smith?”
Kevin came across the room. “Friend, not family. She doesn’t...she doesn’t have any family.”
“I’m afraid I can only give information to family members. There is a form that Mary will have to sign before I can give you any information.”
She turned to leave but Nick stopped her. “How soon can I speak to her?”
The nurse said, “She’s being moved to her room now. If you officers will come with me, I’ll have the doctor speak to you.”
Kevin objected. “Hey, how come they get information and I can’t?”
“Because they are officers of the law,” she said and walked away.
Lance laid a hand on Kevin’s shoulder. “As soon as we find out anything, I will let you know. These hospital rules and regulations are for the birds. Have a seat, I’ll be back in a jiffy.”
Nick and Lance followed the nurse down the hall and around the corner. They waited outside the recovery room doors until the doctor emerged until the doctor emerged.
Nick asked, “How is she?”
“She is stabilized but she is still in serious condition. She’s already had two units of blood. We’re going to give her another two. The lacerations were deep. She was serious about killing herself. We’re giving her something for pain. She will recover from her injuries, but she’s going to need counseling.”
Nodding, Nick asked, “How soon can I interview her?”
“You can talk to her now, although she may be a bit groggy.”
“Did she say why she tried to kill herself?”
“She hasn’t said anything. I think we’re dealing with a lot of factors, and one of them may be postpartum depression.”
“The boyfriend mentioned a miscarriage.” Lance frowned deeply
The surgeon shrugged. “She has certainly had a baby. If something happened to the infant, that might well have triggered the suicide attempt.”
Nick held out his hand. “Thanks, Doc. I think we’d like to get a little more information from the boyfriend before we see her.”
“Very well. She’s not going anywhere.”
Nick and Lance returned to the waiting area. Kevin Smith jumped to his feet. “How is she?”
Lance took the lead. “The doctor says she’ll be okay but she’s gonna be here for a while. Any idea what might’ve made her do this?”
“I guess it must’ve been the baby. She miscarried a while back.”
“I’m sorry for your loss.” The compassion in Lance’s voice was real. Taking Kevin’s arm, Lance led him to a sofa in the middle of the room.
“Yeah, well, I wasn’t into being a dad, so I’m not exactly torn up about it.”
Nick was pacing back and forth behind Kevin. “Dad? I thought she was just staying at your place. Now you’re the father of her child. Which is it?”
Kevin craned his neck to see Nick behind him. “Um, both I guess.”
“What doctor did your girlfriend see after her miscarriage?”
“Nobody, as far as I know.”
Nick planted his hands on the back of the sofa on
either side of Kevin neck. “Your girlfriend had a miscarriage, and you didn’t take her to the hospital?”
“I was out of town for a couple of days. When I came back, she told me she’d lost the baby. She didn’t seem broken up about it at the time.”
“Was it a boy or girl?” Lance asked gently.
“I didn’t ask. I mean what’s the point?”
This guy was some piece of work. Nick hoped he could find a reason to haul him to jail since being a jerk wasn’t against the law.
The man glanced between Nick and Lance. “Can I see her or what? Cause if I can’t see her, then I have things to do.”
The buzz of his cell phone caused Lance to pull the device from his pocket. He read the text, held it out so that Nick could read it and then tucked it back in his pocket.
He clamped a hand on the man’s shoulder, “You’re not going to see her just yet, Kevin Dunbar, wanted for check fraud over in Wayne County. First, we’re going to take a ride downtown, and then you’re going to see the inside of our lovely jail. Put your hands behind your back.”
“There’s been some kind of mistake.”
“You’ll get to tell it all to the judge.”
Once Lance had him handcuffed, Nick walked out with them and waited until Lance had their prisoner secured in the backseat of the cruiser. He said, “Make sure you do a real thorough job of running a background check on this guy. Something tells me he’s been doing more than writing hot checks.”
“You got it, Boss. If I had my way, I’d lock him up and throw away the key. Didn’t even ask if it was a boy or a girl. What kind of father is that?”
“The worst kind. I’m going to have a talk with the girlfriend now.”
Lance walked around to the driver’s side of his car “The poor kid. She’s too young to be involved with a loser like him.”
After Lance drove away, Nick went back into the hospital and learned that Mary Smith had been taken to a room on the fourth floor. He took the elevator to the ward and asked at the nurse’s station to speak to the charge nurse. After a brief conversation with her, he was relieved to learn that Ms. Smith would have a sitter with her through the night.
When he entered her room, he saw a middle-aged woman sitting in a recliner with a book open on her lap. She looked up and asked, “Would you like me to step outside, Sheriff?”
“No, it’s best if you stay.”
He pulled a chair up to the side of the bed where Mary lay curled up beneath the covers. Sitting down, he leaned forward with his elbows propped on his knees. “My name is Sheriff Bradley, and I’m going to have to ask you some questions.”
“Where’s Kevin?” She asked in a tiny, hoarse voice. She didn’t make eye contact but stared at the wall instead.
He decided it was best not to share the fact that Kevin was on his way to jail. He needed this girl cooperation. “He’s fine. You’ll be able to see him later. I need you to tell me what happened tonight.”
She sank farther beneath the covers. “You know.”
“I’m not sure that I do. Why don’t you tell me?”
Glaring at him, she raised her bandaged arm.
“You cut your own wrists? Are you sure that Kevin wasn’t holding the knife? It’s all right. You can tell me if he hurt you. I’ll see that he never hurts you again.”
“Go away.”
“I’m only here to help, Mary. Why don’t you tell me what happened.”
She gingerly tucked her arm back under the sheet. “Go away.”
She picked up her call light and pushed the button. When a nurse answered, she said, “I need something for pain.”
Nick could see he wasn’t going to get anywhere with her, but he made one last try. “Was your baby a little boy or little girl?”
Tears filled her eyes. She rolled over and turned her back to him.
Discouraged, he left the room and stopped at the nurse’s station. Speaking to the woman at the desk, he gave her his card with instructions to call him if anything changed with Mary Smith.
* * *
Dawn was breaking o
utside the hospital window as Miriam sat up and stretched sore muscles. A night spent in a hospital-grade recliner was a sure way to earn a stiff neck. Her mother’s condition hadn’t changed much through the night. She was on the mend, but her blood pressure had been all over the place.
Miriam rose and moved to the side of the bed. Ada’s eyes snapped open. “It’s about time you got up. It’s been light for almost an hour. The horse will be wondering where her breakfast is.”
“Good morning, Mamm. How are you feeling?”
“Better. Can I go home now?”
“I doubt your doctor will let you go home today, but it’s good to see you are on the mend.”
Ada moved to sit up in bed. “I’m hungry. Where is Hannah?”
The reminder brought a sharp pain to Miriam’s chest. “Hannah is upstairs in the nursery.”
“Oh, dear. I was hoping that part was a bad dream. She isn’t coming back to us, is she?”
“I’m afraid not, Mamm.”
“You look tired, dear.”
“I am.”
There was a knock at the door and a young woman in blue scrubs looked in. “Mrs. Kauffman, are you ready for some breakfast and a bath?”
“I am. Miriam, why don’t you go get something to eat while I get redd-up.”
The nurse’s aid was setting a tray on the bedside table. She glanced at Ada. “What does redd-up mean?”
“To get ready or cleaned up,” Ada said with a smile. She made shooing motions to Miriam. “Go get something to eat and find out how soon I can leave.”
Miriam left the room and headed toward the elevators. As she passed the small waiting room beside them, she glanced in and saw Nick sprawled on one of the chairs. He was wearing the same clothes he’d had on yesterday. His cheeks bore a shadow of stubble, and his hair was sticking up on his head. She smiled as comfortable warmth filled her heart. She wanted to comb his hair and find out exactly how rough his cheeks would feel beneath her fingers.
He opened one eye. “What are you smiling at?”
“You look like I feel.”
“How’s that?” He sat up with a grimace.
“Like you’ve been pulled through a cornfield backward.”
“That about sums it up. The social worker in charge of Hannah’s case wants to meet with you later.”
“I imagine I’ll be here. She’s welcome to stop in.”
“She also said to go ahead and apply for a home study here. It’s possible—now, I said possible, so don’t hold your breath. It’s possible that you could foster Hannah once you get the go-ahead from the state.”
“Oh, Nick, really?” Miriam’s heart surged with renewed hope. There was a chance Hannah could come back to her.
“Really, but try not to get your hopes up too much. It all still depends on finding her family. How’s your mother?”
“Bossy.”
“That’s good to hear. How are you?”
“I’m tired and I’m hungry.”
He rose to his feet. “The hungry part I can fix. Would you care to join me for breakfast?”
She did want to join him. He understood how much his news meant to her. “If you’ll let me buy.”
“Sorry, no can do. I invite, I pay.”
“That is very old-fashioned of you.”
“Yes or no? Breakfast with an old-fashioned man or go hungry?”
“I’m not likely to go hungry. I’m sure the cafeteria serves a great breakfast.”
He glanced at his watch. “Not for another hour and ten minutes. However, there is a vending machine behind you.”
She glanced over her shoulder and wrinkled her nose. “No, a candy bar or pretzels will not do it for me.”
He shoved his hands in his pockets. “I know a place where you can get great scrambled eggs and bacon.”
“All right, you win. Since I’m without a car, are you driving or are we walking?”
“I’ll drive.”
Miriam walked beside him as they left the hospital and climbed into his vehicle. Five minutes later, he pulled up in front of a duplex. He said, “It’s not much to look at from the outside, but I promise you the food is good.”
“It looks like an apartment.” She frowned at the building.
“Actually, it is my apartment. But there are farm-fresh eggs in the fridge along with a new slab of bacon. I have bagels, English muffins or Texas Toast, and gourmet coffee just waiting to be brewed.”
“Okay, you won me over at gourmet coffee. Lead on, let’s see if you are all talk or if you can cook.”
His eyebrows shot up and he slapped a hand to his chest. “I wasn’t planning to cook. I thought you would.”
“Are you serious?”
“Ha! Gotcha. Of course I can cook.” He grinned as he unlocked the door and pushed it open.
Miriam stepped inside what was clearly a bachelor pad. An oversize TV took up most of the wall along one side of the living room. It was flanked by bookshelves filled with an assortment of movies and novels. Opposite the TV was a well-worn brown leather sofa and a low coffee table. Beyond the living room was a small dining room with a glass-top table and two café-style chairs.
Nick gestured to the table. “Have a seat, or you can freshen up if you want. The bathroom is down that hall, first door on the left.”
Miriam decided she needed to freshen up more than she needed coffee. It wasn’t as good as a shower, but she was able to wash off and run a comb through her hair. Nick’s bathroom, like the rest of the house, was spotless. Was he that good a housekeeper, or did he have someone come in?
By the time she returned to the dining room, the smell of frying bacon filled the air. Her stomach rumbled, and she pressed her hand to her midsection to quiet it.
“It smells good,” she said, feeling odd to be in his home. It was nothing like she had imagined. She wasn’t sure what she thought it would be like, but not once had she pictured Nick cracking eggs in a bowl.
“How do you like your eggs?” he asked without looking up.
“Over hard, break the yolks. It’s the only way my mother ever fixes them.”
He chuckled. “I do remember that, now. I asked her for a sunny-side up egg the first morning I came to stay with you. She looked at me like I had asked for rat poison.”
“I remember. We call them dippy-eggs.”
She remembered a lot about that summer, and there were things she needed to Nick to understand, but not now. For a little while, she wanted to enjoy his company and pretend her secret didn’t exist.
Smiling too brightly, she asked, “Where is the coffee you promised me?”
He pointed over his shoulder with the spatula. “On the counter behind me.”
She entered the small kitchen and brushed past him. “And the cups?”
“If you can’t find a cup in a kitchen this size, you’re not much of a detective.”
“Ha! Ha! You’ve been wanting to say that for days, haven’t you?”
She could feel his shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter behind her. “Ja, Fräulein.”
“Your Amish accent is terrible.” She got a cup and elbowed him in the ribs in the process.
He ignored her puny attempt to rile him. “You’ve managed to get rid of yours. Most of it, anyway.”
“It took some work.”
“Diction classes?”
“Yes. I didn’t want to sound like a hick from the sticks when I applied for jobs. I encourage all the kids who stay with me to take the classes.”
She filled a cup and returned to the table. She knew her cheeks were flushed. Would he think it was caused by the hot coffee, or did he realize it was because of his proximity? When they had been close years ago she had fantasized about what it would be like to be married to him, to wake up with him, to have breakfast, just the two of them, in his Englisch house. Her girlhood daydreams didn’t do justice to the reality of sharing a meal with him. How could she know that the intimate setting of his kitchen would be every bit as alluring as
dinner in a fine restaurant? She took a quick sip of her coffee and scalded her tongue.
“Is that how you think of the Amish? Hicks from the sticks?” He brought a plate of crispy bacon to the table and set it in front of her.
She blew on her cup. “It’s not my opinion that counts. I know Amish kids are naive, unused to worldly things and curious, but they aren’t stupid. They simply can’t make informed decisions because they lack knowledge, not intelligence. People have learned to take advantage of that. By sounding less Amish, they have a better chance at fair treatment.”
He returned to the table with his plate and her eggs on his spatula. He slid them on to her plate and sat down. He bowed his head and silently prayed. Miriam waited until he was finished to ask for the salt. Smiling, he pushed it toward her.
It was a simple meal, but it had an intimate feel to it. It was a feeling she wanted to cultivate and enjoy more often. The thought had barely crossed her mind when his phone rang.
He looked at the number and shook his head. “I knew it.”
“Work?” she asked. Was this cozy interlude destined to end early?
“It’s my deputy. He’s investigating our suicide attempt. I have to take this.” He rose from the table and walked into the other room.
* * *
“This had better be important, Rob,” Nick growled into the phone. His morning had been going so well.
“Hi, boss. The crime scene people are wrapping up.”
“You called to tell me that?” Nick frowned. Rob Craiger was one of his most experienced deputies. He normally let his written reports do the talking.
“No, I just finished interviewing the woman who lives in the trailer next door. She didn’t get home from work until thirty minutes ago.”
“Did she give us anything useful?”
“She didn’t have anything good to say about the boyfriend, but here is the odd thing. She swears that she heard a baby crying over here two weeks ago on Thursday. She remembers the night because someone stole a laundry basket off her back porch and a quilt off her clothesline that same night. There’s no sign of a baby inside the Smith’s trailer. No diapers, no baby bottles, no crib.”
All the pieces came together with a snap in Nick’s mind. Mary’s baby hadn’t died. She’d left it in a buggy two blocks away at the Shop and Save Grocery Mart.
A Home for Hannah Page 14
