“How old is he?” Anabelle knew she might be grasping at straws, but her intuition—or was it wishful thinking?—had zeroed in on a load of something.
“We don’t have an age listed, but I think he must be around midthirties, early forties.”
“That could be about right for Lucy’s dad.” Why hadn’t she asked George to tell her more about his son? Because you were too caught up in the shock of George’s being Lucy’s grandfather. “I hate to ask,” Anabelle said, “but what’s his prognosis?”
“It’s touch and go.” Elena’s deep brown eyes reflected her sadness.
Anabelle promised herself she’d look into any details available regarding Elena’s mystery patient after lunch.
“You wanted to meet with us, Genna?” Candace’s question pulled Anabelle back into their original reason for meeting. “Did we need more patients to visit Dr. Hamilton?”
“Mercy no!” Genna smiled, her joy palpable. “I just wanted to touch base with my team. I thought our Parade of Patients went extremely well yesterday, even better than Saturday. I could be reading him wrong, but I believe Drew has turned a corner.”
“He seemed genuinely happy to see them all.” Anabelle lifted her cup to her lips. “And I must admit, he hasn’t complained about staying in the hospital these extra days.”
“How many patients have come through?” Elena wanted to know.
“Fifty-five so far.” Genna clasped her hands. “I have another twenty-five set up for this afternoon.”
“I only hope he takes all this to heart,” James said.
“He will. He has to.” Genna glanced at her watch and stood. “I have to get upstairs. I want to be there to greet the girls from the Quilting Guild. They’re presenting Drew with a get-well quilt.”
“I can’t wait to see it.” Anabelle knew about the quilt but hadn’t been able to participate in putting it together. They all said good-bye to Genna, and she left the courtyard.
“On another note,” Candace said. “You’ll be happy to know that I called the counselor this morning and set up another appointment. This time it’s for Thursday afternoon.”
James chuckled. “Let’s hope the weather behaves itself this time.”
Candace shook her head. “If another storm causes us to cancel this one, I’ll take it as a sign that I’m not supposed to go.”
“You will not,” Anabelle exclaimed.
Candace laughed at her bluntness. “Yes, Mother.”
“So, James,” Elena began, “did you and Fern have a chance to talk about Gideon?”
“Not yet. Gideon hasn’t asked again, but I’m sure he will.”
“You must really be proud of him.” Elena picked a corn chip out of the small bag that came with her sandwich. “I couldn’t believe how helpful he was after the storm.”
James nodded. “He has totally amazed me through all of this. If Fern is okay with it, I think I’ll give him a green light.”
“That sounds like a good idea, James.”
His gaze turned to Elena as he asked about Sarah.
Elena sighed. “Well, I decided you were right. I needed to see her. I went in to see her yesterday, but she’d been discharged.” She paused. “To be honest, I’m relieved.”
“So that’s it?” Candace set her half-eaten sandwich down. “Aren’t you going to look for her?”
“No, I don’t think so. If she’s serious about wanting to reconcile, she’d have come.” Elena looked around at each of them. “What? God has softened my heart toward her. But I’m not going to seek her out.” Elena lowered her head. “Maybe I am wrong, but that’s where I stand right now.”
Anabelle reached over and squeezed her hand. “We don’t blame you, Elena. We’re glad you at least tried to visit her again.”
Anabelle told them about her attitude toward George Talbot and discovering that Lucy belonged to him. “I felt myself softening toward him and his family. Seeing Lucy on his bed and hearing him call her Bookie Bear cut right through my resentment. Now, because of Lucy, I feel a bond with him in a way. Amazing how God works, isn’t it?”
They all agreed.
James stood and picked up his tray. “Speaking of work, I’d better get back to my unit.”
“Me too. I still have some details to attend to regarding Isabel’s party. Now that the storm is over and we’re getting back to normal, I am getting all excited about it. Don’t forget—you are all invited.” Elena waved her arm. “I asked Dr. Hamilton and Genna to come as well. They’ll be bringing their granddaughter.”
Promising Elena they would all be there, they climbed the stairs to the second floor together. James headed toward Med/Surg, Candace to the Birthing Unit and Anabelle walked with Elena into ICU. “I’d like to have a look at your John Doe.”
Elena nodded. “Room 200.”
Anabelle watched Elena duck into the restroom, then stepped into the room. A strange sensation washed over her as she stood at his bedside. She felt strongly that God wanted her to pray for him. Lord, I’m not sure what to say, but You know what this man needs. Please let the authorities identify him and, Lord, please heal him.
Anabelle took hold of his hand. “Bill?” Had she felt a slight squeeze of his hand, or was it her own wishful thinking?
She tried again. “Bill, I have Lucy with me. She’s safe.”
He squeezed her hand again. Did that mean he heard and understood, or was it just the pressure of her hand on his? Elena said he was in an induced coma which would keep him sedated and give him a chance to heal. At this point, she wouldn’t let herself believe that this man was Bill Preston, but she could hope.
Back in CCU, Anabelle headed for George’s room. After reading his chart, Anabelle went to check on him and found Kirstie and Lucy snuggled in the recliner together.
Lucy was asleep so Kirstie eased out of the chair, hooked her arm through Anabelle’s and tugged. “I have something to tell you. First though, thanks for telling me about Mr. Talbot last night.”
“I wanted you to be prepared when you brought Lucy in today.” Anabelle stepped clear of the door to allow one of the nurses to enter.
Kirstie nodded. A grin lit up her blue eyes. “I think we might be close to finding Lucy’s dad.”
“Really?” Anabelle didn’t tell her about the man in ICU since she had only her feelings to go on.
“I talked to the police. They have Bill’s wallet—and some papers they found in his car. With all the craziness going on that night, they lost track of him. The keys James found were from his car. I told them about the teddy bear Seri found in the ambulance and they made the connection.”
“That’s great. So is he here?”
“They think so, but they’re still trying to piece things together. Someone was supposed to follow and bring Lucy’s and Bill’s personal items. All we know is that Bill was brought here. The new medics told a nurse in ER that his personal effects would be arriving soon.” Kirstie shook her head. “But she never saw them.”
“Sounds like a massive case of miscommunication. Without ID he’d be classified as a John Doe.” Anabelle sighed. “If they think he’s here, I may have found him. It’s pure speculation and a little intuition, but I think Bill might be in ICU. Unfortunately, we really can’t take Lucy in to see him.”
“What should we do?” Kirstie glanced back into the room. “Her grandfather can’t go see him.”
“Not until we’re able to get him up and around.” Anabelle paused. “There’s no way of really knowing for another day or two at least.”
Kirstie went back in to sit with Lucy, while Anabelle returned to work. At two, Elena showed up. “Do you have time for a break?”
“Sure.” Anabelle was more than ready. Afternoon drowsiness had her desperate for a cup of coffee.
A somber countenance told Anabelle things were not going well in ICU. “You seem down. What’s wrong?”
“I have some good news and some bad news. Our John Doe has had a setback.”
�
�Oh no.” Anabelle settled an arm around her friend’s shoulder. How was she going to tell Lucy? “You said you had some good news?”
Elena nodded. “He’s not Lucy’s father.”
“Oh. That’s good for Lucy, but how do you know?” The two of them entered the cafeteria.
“Let’s get our food and sit down. It’s another crazy story.”
Once they were seated, Elena explained that the police had brought in a woman from Peoria whose husband had gone on a business trip and hadn’t contacted her for several days. “His wife hadn’t known that he’d been caught in the hail. His car was found off the road about a mile from Deerford. He wasn’t in it but his ID was. He was found after the storm in a ditch and they didn’t connect him to the car until the police notified her that they’d found the car. They brought her in to identify him. He is her husband.”
“I’m so sorry for her. I guess we’re back to square one for Lucy’s dad. But we’ll have to keep praying.”
Kirstie was still in the room with Lucy and George when Anabelle came back. She stepped out of the room when Anabelle beckoned her and told her about Elena’s patient. “Turns out that he isn’t Bill Preston after all.”
“I’m glad they were able to ID him though. I’m sure the police will put the pieces together sooner or later.”
Kirstie reached for her cell phone when it vibrated. “It’s the detective I’ve been talking to. I’ll take it out in the lobby.”
Several minutes later she came back looking thoughtful. “Detective Taylor says they have a guy down at the station they think might be Bill. They found him wandering around on the streets confused and injured.”
Anabelle hugged her. “I hope we have the right guy this time.”
“Me too. I’ll find out and call you.” Kirstie stepped back. “I’ll get Lucy and head right over.”
“Don’t get her hopes up.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t.” Kirstie stepped into the room and told Lucy they were going out for lunch.
Kirstie called forty-five minutes later. Lucy recognized her father immediately. “He doesn’t remember anything about the accident and is being transported to the hospital for evaluation.”
Anabelle felt a huge burden slide from her shoulders. “Thanks for telling me.”
Anabelle finished up with report, then made her way to George Talbot’s room eager to tell him the good news.
Chapter Twenty-Four
OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS, THE NURSES, Hope Haven and their little town of Deerford continued the healing process from the storm. Everyone had been accounted for as people reconnected with their families and settled into normal routines.
School had started, and fall had definitely settled in.
Anabelle had made it a point to visit several of her past patients who’d gone home around the time of the storm, including Olga Pederson and her daughter, Carla. She was surprised to see that Olga’s home had already been repaired and a Realtor’s sign had a sale-pending notice on it.
While the three women enjoyed tea in Olga’s rose garden, Anabelle asked if they still felt good about their decision.
“Oh ya, I’ve never seen the powers-that-be move so fast.” She chuckled. “I think God must’ve been pushing things along. Makes me feel like moving is the right thing to do.”
“I know it’s right,” Carla added. “The kids are thrilled. They think Grandma is going to make them cookies every day.”
Olga grinned as she snatched one of her own delicious oatmeal cookies from the plate. “They might be right.”
Anabelle stayed for over an hour, getting a tour of the house and enjoying Olga and Carla’s company. Before leaving, she jotted down Carla’s address and phone number so they could stay in touch.
On the last sunny Saturday in September, the four friends and their families gathered at Elena and Cesar’s home. This time, their only task was having fun and enjoying Isabel’s fifth birthday party.
Anabelle offered up thanks for all the wonderful fall colors filling Elena’s backyard. The colors were enhanced by Elena’s beautiful Mexican theme and the beaming birthday girl who wore a lopsided tiara pinned to her hair. Doug and Cameron had done a beautiful job landscaping the yard.
Anabelle leaned back in the lounge chair on the patio and closed her eyes against the bright sun. She listened to the sweet sounds of children as they played together: Isabel, Howie, Brooke, Lucy, Drew and Genna’s granddaughter Emma along with four of Isabel’s friends from day care. Kirstie had come along to help supervise the kids and had recruited Candace’s daughter Brooke to help. Anabelle still had a hard time believing that George Talbot’s granddaughter had become so precious to her family.
God had certainly changed her attitude toward George. Though she would never forget what had happened to her Kirstie, she could honestly say she had forgiven him.
The delicious smells emanating from the barbeque grills on the deck tickled her nostrils and even made her stomach growl. Cameron and Cesar manned the grills while Rafael brought out the food.
Elena lowered herself on the chair next to Anabelle. “Are you feeling all right?”
Anabelle turned toward her and shielded her eyes with her hand. “I’m better than all right.” She smiled. “I was just thinking about all we’ve experienced these past few weeks.”
Elena chuckled. “I am trying to forget.”
“No, seriously. Deerford suffered a terrible disaster and the community pulled together. I’m amazed at what we’ve accomplished.”
“You’re right about that.” Elena looked around. “Thanks to Cameron and his crews, we have windows and a new roof already. His idea to get the men from our churches together to help one another has worked brilliantly.”
Anabelle sat up straighter. “It’s like those old-fashioned barn raisings. They have done dozens of homes and businesses in the last few days. And working in teams helps them go more rapidly.”
“Speaking of work,” Elena said, “did you get your letter in the mail from Varner?”
“I did.” Varner had sent them all letters of commendation for their outstanding service during the disaster.
James joined them and snagged a chair next to Anabelle. “Have I missed anything important?”
“We were just talking about Varner and being grateful.” Anabelle smiled.
“I sure am grateful. The storm was a terrible thing; but for us, I think God is already working it for good. I’ve been talking to some contractors and with Cameron. With volunteers doing most of the work and using the insurance money to pay for supplies, it looks like we’ll be able to do the remodeling on the house.”
“That’s wonderful, James,” Elena said. “Fern must be ecstatic.”
He put a finger to his lips. “She doesn’t know about it yet. I don’t want to tell her until it’s all settled.”
Elena glanced around. “Speaking of Fern, where is she?”
“She and her sister and mom were going to a women’s retreat at the abbey.” He grinned. “Us guys are hanging out and working around the house.”
“That reminds me.” Anabelle picked up her glass of lemonade from the small mosaic table. “What’s happening with Gideon?”
James shook his head and laughed. “Fern and I agreed that we would leave the decision up to Gideon. He surprised us both. He thinks God might be calling him to be a pastor or maybe a chaplain. I think he’s still opting for the military to pay for his college, but he’s keeping his options open.”
“Good for him.” Anabelle was pleased for James.
The patio door opened and Genna and Drew stepped through.
“Hey.” Anabelle waved. “I wondered when you were going to join the gang.”
“We were inside talking to Rafael.”
“Come, sit.” Elena bustled over to them. “Can I get you something to drink? We have coffee, iced tea and punch.”
They gave their orders and settled into the deck chairs.
Drew looked rested and hea
lthy. Anabelle had received a card from him a couple days ago thanking her for her part in the Parade of Patients. He’d said that, seeing how much people care about him and how much his health meant to them, he’d decided to stay home and enjoy it. “I understand Emma has been keeping you on the straight and narrow.”
Drew nodded. “I think she inherited her bossiness from her grandma. She’s been teaching me how to play games and put puzzles together.” He winked. “Mostly, she’s teaching me to enjoy my family.”
“I’m so glad.” Elena said as she returned with drinks. She looked around her own home. “We all need to be reminded of that from time to time.”
Anabelle met her old friend’s gaze. “Maybe our good doctor has finally learned that holding on to life as it was, or as we wish it to be, is as futile as chasing the wind.”
“Well said, Anabelle.” Drew reached over to take Genna’s hand. “Well said.”
About the Author
Patricia H. Rushford has written numerous articles and authored more than forty-eight books, including What Kids Need Most in a Mom, Have You Hugged Your Teenager Today? and It Shouldn’t Hurt to Be a Kid. She also has written a number of mystery series: Helen Bradley Mysteries, Angel Delaney Mysteries, McAllister Files and Jennie McGrady Mysteries. Patricia’s latest releases include The Max & Me Mysteries for children and Mystery and the Minister’s Wife: Strangers in Their Midst published by Guideposts Books. One of her mysteries, Silent Witness, was nominated for an Edgar by Mystery Writers of America and won the Silver Angel for excellence in media. Patricia has a nursing degree and holds a master’s degree in counseling. In addition, she conducts writers workshops for adults and children, has appeared on numerous radio and TV talk shows, and directs the Oregon Christian Writers Conference. Visit her at www.patriciarushford.com.
Read on for a sneak peek of the next exciting and heartfelt book in Stories from Hope Haven.
It’s available through Guideposts’ direct mail program by calling Customer Service at (800) 932–2145.
Hope FOR Tomorrow
by
Patti Berg
Chasing the Wind Page 20
