A Soldier's Gift

by Lynne St. James

  “Well that’s something at least.” Julie winked at her. “Maybe next time you can get laid at the beach. Or find Prince Charming on a surf board.”

  “I think I’m a little passed the surf board generation.”

  “If you say so. But women are dating younger guys all the time.”

  “Really? How come you’re not?”

  “You know I’m waiting. I’ll know when he’s the right one. Only duds so far, so it’s got to be soon.”

  “Okay. I’m going to the hospital to see if I can get her to cooperate. I’ll be back if I can.”

  “Don’t worry about it. It’s still slow. Once the vacation crowd shows up then we’ll be so busy we won’t know which way is up. Enjoy the time with her while you can.”

  “Call if you need me.”

  “I will. And hey, let’s plan on dinner tomorrow. Okay?”

  “Sounds good.” Dropping her salad in the garbage, she reached under the counter, grabbed her purse and phone, walked out the door and got into the car. She’d been to the hospital so often she should be able to say ‘take me to the hospital’ and the car should just take her there. It made her chuckle. Weren’t they already supposed to have flying cars according to most of the sci-fi movies from the eighties?

  The hospital was in the middle between her house and the bookstore so wherever she started from it was about a ten-minute drive, except when there was traffic—like now because of lunch hour. Thinking about Dani, she wished she’d heal already so she could bring her home. The poor kid had been through so much. She’d even have to do summer school if she wanted to keep up with her class. Beth was sure when she found out it would go over like a load of crap.

  Arriving on the pediatric floor, her first stop was the nurse’s station. “Hi, Pam, is Jackie around. I’d like to talk to her before I go see Dani.”

  “Let me buzz her, she’s probably in with another patient.”

  “Great, thanks.”

  “How are you doing today?”

  “Okay I guess. Worried about Dani as usual. I wish she could come home already.”

  “Hopefully it’ll be soon.”

  “From your mouth to God’s ears,” Beth said with a grin. The nurses were wonderful, and had been a lifesaver for not only Dani but her too. There’d been many a night she would have lost it—especially in the beginning—if it weren’t for them. She wanted to do something to thank them, but she hadn’t decided what yet. She was hoping Dani might have some ideas.

  “Mrs. Fraser, you got here quick.”

  “Yeah I was able to leave right away. How is she?”

  “Since I spoke to you there’s been a development.”

  “What?”

  “Oh no nothing bad. Here follow me, but don’t let her hear your voice.”

  What the hell? First they call and tell her Dani’s having a bad day and now they wanted her to sneak up on her baby? But as she approached the doorway she understood. Hearing a male voice, she looked at the nurse. Jackie simply held her finger up to her mouth and signaled for Beth to listen.

  She stepped closer to the doorway and heard her daughter giggle. Then she listened to what the man was saying. It sounded like he was reading a book and she seemed to be loving it. There was something familiar about the man’s voice but she couldn’t figure it out.

  Following Jackie back to the nurse’s station, she explained to Beth what happened since they’d spoken. “Lieutenant MacDonald is a volunteer here. Has been for about a week now. The children just love him. He tells them stories every afternoon for a few hours. It’s definitely the highlight of their day. Dani hasn’t been able to go hear them because of the infection.”

  “How did he end up in her room?”

  “He was walking by her room and heard her crying. He asked if it would be okay to go in and talk to her. I didn’t think you’d mind. He’s been so good for all the other children. I was hoping it would help her.”

  “No, I don’t mind at all. As long as he’s not going to hurt her. I’m guessing if he’s volunteering you’ve had him checked out.”

  “Of course. He’s actually a wounded soldier, recently out of the hospital himself. Oh and I have to warn you, he doesn’t see well, especially close up.”

  “How is he reading to the children then?”

  “Oh he’s not reading. He makes up the stories as he tells them. Isn’t it wonderful?”

  It was obvious Jackie liked the man. She reminded Beth of Mrs. Claus with the same pink cheeks and bright smile, which got just a little brighter when she was telling Beth about Lieutenant MacDonald.

  “It was good to hear her giggle. How long has he been in there with her?”

  “Not long. He went in to talk to her shortly after I hung up with you. You can go in, but I didn’t want you to be concerned about the man in her room.”

  Grinning, she thanked Jackie and went to see her daughter.

  “The bear crept up to the house with his wounded paw, hoping someone would help him. Everyone he passed was afraid of him, he was huge after all. Big and black, and when he tried to explain he needed help all the people heard was his loud roar. Discouraged, he sat under a tree and tried to remove the twig stuck between the pads of his paw but he couldn’t get a grip. No thumbs. He was so mad at himself. If he hadn’t made the witch mad, she wouldn’t have cursed him, and he wouldn’t be in this stupid predicament. How was he supposed to get someone to be nice to him when he scared everyone away?”

  As Beth peeked around the corner of the doorway she watched Dani’s face as she listened to the story. It sounded a lot like most fairy tales and she was surprised Dani was so intrigued. Maybe it was because the lieutenant was making it up as he went along. Hating to disturb them, she quietly stepped into the room and stood off to the side listening.

  “Why did the witch turn him into a bear?” Dani asked.

  “Because he was bullying the other kids at school and she overheard him. She tried to talk to him about it but he only laughed. Until he woke up the next morning and he was a bear.”

  “What about his parents? Didn’t his mother freak out?”

  “Oh yeah. She thought the bear ate her son and she called Animal Control to come and get him. Luckily he escaped before they got there and he’d been hiding out in the woods. But he didn’t know how to live in the wild. He wasn’t a real bear.”

  “Wow. But I guess he deserved it for bullying kids. I hate the kids that do that.”

  “No one should bully or make fun of anyone else. You never know what their story is.”

  “Yeah. I’m kinda worried about going back to school. I’m ugly and have all these scars now. Everyone’s going to make fun of me.”

  “I’m sure your parents wouldn’t let that happen or the teachers either.”

  “I just have my mom. I don’t know. I don’t want to go back. I’m trying to get my mom to homeschool me.”

  As she listened she heard the worry and pain in her daughter’s voice as she explained her feelings to her storyteller about going back to school. Maybe Beth needed to reconsider. Maybe after she had the summer at home she’d be ready to start back next school year. Beth really hoped that once she got home and back to her normal surroundings she’d feel more confidant and start seeing her friends again too.

  “Do you have lots of friends?”

  “Some.”

  “I’m sure they won’t make fun of you, right?”

  “Yeah probably not.”

  “Could you tell me what time it is? I can’t see the clock clearly yet.”

  “One thirty.”

  “Thanks. My ride will be here soon. Is it okay if I come back tomorrow and we can continue the story?”

  “Yeah. I’d like that.”

  Beth hadn’t been seen yet so she stepped out into the hallway. Might as well let him leave and then go in and see Dani. Standing to the side of the door when she saw the lieutenant, she knew instantly why the voice sounded familiar.

  “Hi.”

/>   Startled, he stopped. She wasn’t sure if he’d even seen her. “Hi.”

  “Thank you for reading to my daughter. She sounds so much happier than she’s been.”

  “No problem. I’ve been having a blast with all the kids here. It’s been great for me too. Dani’s your daughter?”

  “Yep she is. She’s been here for a while and I know it’s been hard on her.”

  “Yeah she was telling me a little of it. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “I’m surprised she talked to you at all, honestly. She’s been turning away her friends even.”

  “Maybe I’m different because I explained I couldn’t see well. So she knows I can’t really see what she looks like.”

  “That’s possible. I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. A month ago I was totally blind. If it weren’t for…well, it doesn’t matter. I probably should get going though, I have someone picking me up. I can’t drive yet.”

  “No problem. Before you go, I know this is going to sound strange. But you seem familiar. Were you at the military hospital in Persimmon about a month ago?”

  Chapter Ten

  It’s her, he couldn’t believe it. He recognized her husky voice and orange blossom scent right away. Mac wanted to laugh. He’d been trying to figure out how to find her and he practically walked right into her. Talk about coincidence…or something. Too bad Anna was picking him up, he’d have liked to talk to her some more, but she did him a favor picking him up every day on her lunch hour so he could volunteer.

  “Uh yeah I was there. I was injured in Afghanistan.”

  “I think you spoke to me after my husband died.”

  “Was that you? I’m sorry, ma’am. It must have been hard. I hope I didn’t make things worse.”

  “Not at all. Well maybe I’ll see you again sometime. Thank you again, lieutenant is it?”

  “Call me Mac, everyone else does.”

  “Okay, Mac. I’m Beth Fraser. Nice to officially meet you.”

  “Me too. Bye, Beth.”

  He watched as she went in to see her daughter then he headed for the elevator. He hoped Anna wouldn’t be pissed, since she was probably already waiting for him. Holy shit. He couldn’t believe it was her. He wished he could see her more clearly, not that it really mattered what she looked like.

  Orange blossoms would always make him think of her, sweet and a little tangy, and her voice like some actress he couldn’t remember, deep and raspy—what did they call it? Like whiskey. She’d affected him, her voice triggered an instant response, and he was glad he wasn’t wearing a pair of his tight blue jeans or everyone would have seen the result. Caught up in his daydream he almost forgot to get off the elevator. Sure enough, Anna’s car was waiting at the curb.

  “Sorry.”

  “It’s okay. I was running late too. You got lucky.”

  “Whew. Good. I wouldn’t want you kicking my ass in front of Tag. I’d never live it down.”

  “Who says I won’t anyway?”

  “Funny woman you are.”

  “So why the shit-eating grin on your face.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about?”

  “Right. I guess I’ll just have to kick your ass in front of Tag.” Anna laughed as she pulled away from the hospital. He couldn’t wait until his sight was clear enough to drive and have his independence back. Then he cursed under his breath. He was complaining about not being able to drive, but it would improve, Tag would never be able to go back to what he was. Even with prostheses it wasn’t the same as having his own limbs.

  “C’mon, Mac, spill it.” He laughed. Anna had become a good friend over the last few weeks, and he started to think of her like the sister he’d never had.

  “I ran into one of the mothers of a sick kid. It was someone I’ve been trying to find.”

  “Really? Why?”

  “I think her husband was my cornea donor. All I had was her last name—Fraser.”

  “Did you say Fraser?”

  “Yeah. Why?”

  “If it’s the same woman I’m thinking of, she owns a small bookstore downtown. I met her a few weeks ago. She was really nice and helped me pick out a few books.”

  “No way.”

  “Yep. I guess you should have asked me. When will you guys learn we women know everything?”

  “I guess I’m learning now.”

  Charging through the apartment door, Mac couldn’t wait to tell Tag about Beth. Of all the luck, to walk into her. Coincidence, fate, or divine intervention? He didn’t know and he didn’t care either. He’d found her. Now to figure out how to talk to her alone. He didn’t want to bring up the whole transplant thing in front of Dani. Poor kid had been through so much already.

  “Tag? Where the fuck are you?”

  “Sunning myself, asshole,” his voice came from the open French doors to the patio.

  “Seriously?” Mac laughed. “Don’t you have anything better to do?”

  “Actually, mofo, I was swimming for most of the morning and I’m fuckin’ tanked now. Doc said I could swim if I didn’t want to go in for PT at the hospital every day.”

  “Hell yeah, I’d have done the same thing. Was the pool crowded?”

  “Nah not when I went. Anyway, what the fuck is so important you charged in here screaming like an ass?”

  “Fuck you.” Mac pulled over one of the deck chairs and dropped into it. “I found her, I fuckin’ found her.”

  “No way.”

  “Yep and it turns out Anna knew her. Go figure that shit. I guess I never mentioned the name in front of her, because when I said it in the car she knew her.”

  “Now what’re you gonna do?”

  “I don’t know. I only got to speak to her for a few minutes before I had to meet Anna out front. I met her daughter too. Her kid has been through as much hell as we have.”

  “Shit. What happened?”

  “From the little she told me, her father was driving and they were in an accident. She’s badly burned and still in the hospital. That’s how I met her. I went in to see if she wanted to hear a story.”

  “Excellent.” Sitting up, Tag reached for his prosthesis and pulled on his arm then his leg. “Let’s go inside. I’m starting to cook out here.”

  Following him into the air conditioned apartment, Mac stopped by the kitchen to grab a couple of beers. “What do I do now?”

  “What’s her name?”

  “Beth, Beth Fraser. I thought I’d just try to thank her but my dick decided it wanted more. Just hearing her voice he was standing at attention.”

  Tag howled with laughter and choked on his beer. “Are you shitting me? Right there in the hospital talking to her kid and you get a stiffy?”

  “Yeah, thank God I wasn’t wearing jeans.”

  “No shit.” Mac dropped onto the sofa. Beth’s face was mostly blurry, and if it weren’t for her scent and that fuckin’ incredible voice, he wouldn’t be able to find her again.

  “So why don’t you just keep doing what you are?”

  “What?” Distracted by the mental picture he was building of Beth, he only caught the end of what Tag said.

  “If you met her at the hospital and her daughter’s there, keep doing what you are, chances are you’ll see her again.”

  “Yeah but what are the odds. Anna said she works at a bookstore in town but I don’t see good enough to even fake it in there.”

  “That’s true. Maybe I can do some recon for you? I’ll ask Anna to drop me off there or fuck, I can take a cab. I hate using her as our chauffeur.”

  “Me too. But yeah would you? I’m going to see what I can find out about her from the nurses. Some of them are chatty. I’ll just flash ‘em this smile.”

  “Fucker. You and women. Just flash those baby blues at her and she’ll probably fall at your feet.”

  “Not this one. She’s different. Besides, I can’t explain it but there’s something about her. I don’t want to date her and move on, I want her.”
/>   “What the hell?”

  “Yeah I know. But it feels right. Like she’s meant to be with me. I can’t explain it. Stupid or maybe the meds, but I swear I’ve heard a voice in my dreams telling me she’s waiting for me.”

  “I think you’re fucked in the head. But what the hell do I know?”

  Mac laughed. It sounded crazy to him too, but when he was standing in front of her, it didn’t feel crazy at all.

  “How are you, bug? The nurses called and said you were hurting.”

  “I was but I’m feeling better now.”

  “That’s great. I’m glad to hear it. You have to let them take blood and do your vitals or we’ll never get you out of here.”

  “I know. Sometimes I can’t help it. It hurts so bad it makes me mad and sad at the same time.” Tears welled in Dani’s eyes and Beth rushed over and pulled her gently into her arms.

  “Shh. It’ll be okay. Look how far you’ve come, how much better you are already.”

  “Yeah. It really sucked in the beginning. I never wanted to be awake. Now I just have some days like that. Oops, sorry.”

  Smiling into her daughter’s hair, she pulled her a little closer. “It’s okay. I understand or try to. I’ve never had to go through pain like you have. I’m so proud of you, Dani. I really am and I don’t think I’ve told you. You’re my hero.”

  “Aww, Mom.” Dani’s thin arms slipped around her, one still covered in bandages from the last skin graft. Beth closed her eyes for a moment, taking a mental picture to save and pull out on those days Dani was driving her up a wall.

  “I bumped into your storyteller as he was leaving.”

  “He’s cool, isn’t he?”

  “I didn’t really talk to him but the nurses said he’s been amazing with the little kids.”

  “He knocked on the door and asked if I wanted to hear a story. At first I was going to tell him no, but he looked kinda sad so I thought maybe he’d feel better.”

  “That was very considerate.” Beth smiled inwardly, knowing it was bravado.

  “Yeah. Anyway, he was hurt in Afghanistan. He can hardly see still and he has a big metal plate in his head.”

  “He told you all of that?”

  “Well, I sort of asked him.” Ahh to be a child again and just say what’s on my mind. She should explain it’s not polite to ask questions like that, but now she knew more about her soldier than she’d expected. My soldier? When did she start thinking of him as hers? They’d only spoken a few words to each other. Still, he’d been on her mind on and off for weeks. What were the odds of bumping into him here?