Home Sweet Alaska

by Beth Carpenter

Riding was a good idea. Nugget perked up his ears when Scott came into view. He saddled the horse and rode him out into the sunshine and along onto a twisting trail that roughly paralleled the main trail on the far side of a ridge. He rode at a steady walk, listening to the rhythm of hooves clomping against the earth.

  Scott had been riding for about twenty minutes when a high-pitched neigh sounded, followed by a scream. Nugget startled, but Scott reined him in and lay a calming hand on his neck. Something was crashing through the brush, coming toward them. Nugget danced backward. Suddenly a huge brown shape burst out of the bushes directly in front of them and dashed onto the trail. Scott got a glimpse of the bear’s face just before Nugget reared and whirled. It took Scott a couple of minutes to regain control. By that time the bear was long gone, but Nugget still shook with fear.

  “Help!” The voice was faint, carried on the breeze. It seemed to come from the same direction where the bear had emerged. The woods were too dense and steep to ride in that direction, so Scott swung down from the saddle. The gelding shied and, before Scott could tie him, he took off like a shot. Scott dove into the brush, easily following the trail of broken limbs and trampled vegetation left by the bear. He climbed to the ridge, where the voice became clearer. “Help! Please!”

  He scrambled down the slope and through the woods to the main trail. A young woman dressed in the green shirt all the riding instructors wore held on to the bridle of a terrified bay mare. “Are you all right?” Scott called.

  “I am, but my student’s hurt,” the woman told him. “Butternut threw her when she saw the bear.” She pointed toward a tangle on one side of the trail.

  “Is it Emma?” Scott raced to where she was pointing. Emma lay there against a tree stump. Her arms and legs were tangled among the brush, her left arm at an alarming angle. At least she was wearing her helmet. “Emma, sweetheart, can you hear me?”

  “Um.” She opened her eyes, dark against her uncharacteristically pale face. “Dr. Scott?”

  “It’s okay, sweetie. You fell off your horse, but we’re going to take care of you.”

  She reached for her left abdomen with her good hand. “My stomach hurts.”

  “We’ll take care of that, too.”

  The riding instructor leaned in. “Is she okay?”

  Scott ignored the question while he felt below Emma’s ear for a pulse. Rapid but strong. “Did you call for help?”

  The instructor held up her phone. “No bars. It’s a dead spot.”

  “What’s your name?”

  “Cait.”

  “Okay, Cait. I’m a doctor. I’m going to stay right here with Emma. I want you to ride to a high point and as soon as you get a signal, call 911. Tell them we have a broken arm and possibly spleen damage. Do you understand?”

  “Yes,” she squeaked.

  “Good. Then go back to the trailhead so you can lead the emergency responders here. While you’re waiting, call Emma’s mother and someone at the stable to make sure Butternut and Nugget made it back okay. Do you understand, Cait?”

  She nodded, her eyes huge.

  “Good. Go on then.”

  She swung onto her horse’s back and took off at a gallop. She probably shouldn’t have ridden that fast on this trail, but this was an emergency. Scott turned his attention back to Emma.

  “Does it hurt anywhere else, sweetie?”

  “My head feels all dizzy.” She started to sit up, but he stopped her.

  “Just lie still.”

  “I’m scared.”

  “I know. Here.” He reached into his jeans pocket and pulled out his mother’s charm. “Take this. It’s my lucky charm.”

  “It’s a horseshoe.” She grasped it in her hand.

  “Yes, and it’s very special,” Scott told her. “You hold on to that. The paramedics will be here soon. They’ll carry you out on a litter, like a queen or princess. Then you’ll get to go in an ambulance to the hospital and they’ll get you all fixed up, okay?”

  “Will Mommy be there?” Her voice trembled.

  “Absolutely, Mommy will be there. Your mommy loves you.”

  “To infinity,” Emma murmured.

  “Plus one,” Scott declared.

  Emma gave a tiny smile.

  The welcome sound of footsteps and voices soon carried through the woods. A minute later, the EMTs arrived. Scott helped them secure Emma to the backboard and carry her to the ambulance.

  Scott spotted Cait in the parking lot. “Did you reach Emma’s mother?”

  “She’s on her way.”

  “Send her directly to the ER,” Scott called to her. “I’m going with Emma.”

  In the back of the ambulance, Scott held Emma’s hand while an EMT started an IV.

  “Dr. Scott, am I gonna die?” she asked in a small voice.

  “Nope,” he assured her. “You’re going to have a cast on your arm, some colorful bruises, and probably a really cool scar, but you’re going to be fine.”

  “Can I have a pink cast?”

  Scott chuckled. “I don’t know, sweetheart, but I’ll be sure and ask.”

  At the emergency room, he stepped back to allow the staff to whisk Emma inside. Volta rushed in through the glass doors, her eyes wide in panic. She spotted Scott and ran to him. “Where is she?”

  “Being examined. I think she’s got a ruptured spleen, so depending on how severe it is, she might need surgery. Broken arm. Other than that, bumps and bruises.”

  “No head trauma?” Her voice was controlled, but Scott heard a tremor of fear. More than one doctor had mentioned to him that sick and hurt children were even scarier for medical professionals because they knew what could go wrong.

  “She was wearing her helmet. The EMTs used a neck brace as a precaution, but I saw no signs of spinal damage. She’ll be fine.”

  Volta’s face collapsed, and tears gushed from her eyes. Scott wrapped her in a hug. “Shh. It’s okay.”

  She sobbed. “I was so scared.”

  “I know.” Scott rubbed his hand up and down her back. “But you’ll want to be calm and smiling in a few minutes when you see Emma, so get it all out while you can.”

  “Mrs. Morgan?” a nurse called.

  Volta straightened and sniffed. “Right here.”

  “Emma’s ready to see you.”

  Volta looked up at Scott. “Will you stay?”

  “As long as you need me. I’ll be right here.”

  She gave him a little smile and grabbed a tissue from the box on a table before following the nurse through the double doors.

  Scott found an empty chair and settled in to wait. After what seemed like hours, but was actually sooner than he expected, a nurse gave him a message. Emma was being prepped for surgery. Could he please come?

  After getting directions from the nurse, he took the elevator to the fourth floor and found Volta alone in a waiting room. She seemed almost as small as Emma, huddled in a chair. When he stepped into the room, she looked up, and the relief on her face made him glad he was there. She hurried to him, and he pulled her into a hug.

  He held her for a long time before she spoke. “You were right. The spleen is damaged. The CT scan looks like a tear, but it was bleeding heavily, and they decided laparoscopic surgery was the best bet. She’s in there now.”

  “How are you holding up?”

  “I’m okay. It’s just...”

  “Scary. I know.”

  “The surgeon has a good reputation. They’re going to set her arm, too, while she’s under.”

  “I hope you told them Emma wants a pink cast.”

  Volta gave a laugh. “She told you that?”

  “Yes. She’s going to be okay, you know.”

  “I know.” She stepped back but grasped his hand and tugged him over to the chairs.

  “Have you cal
led your family?” Scott asked.

  “They’re on their way. Unfortunately, my parents went with Leith and Sabrina to an auction in Soldotna this morning. Sabrina said there were some antique dresses she wanted to see—she’s a designer—and Mom’s always up for that sort of thing. They invited Emma and me along, but Emma didn’t want to miss her riding lesson...” She trailed off, no doubt wishing she’d insisted Emma skip riding today.

  Scott squeezed her hand. “How about her other grandparents?”

  “They didn’t answer. Probably fishing somewhere. I left a message.”

  Scott nodded. They lapsed into silence, but she held on to his hand. Her eyes never strayed far from the double doors leading to the surgical theater. Across the hallway, elevator doors opened and Volta’s parents rushed into the room. She jumped up and hugged them, and then hugged her brother and his girlfriend. She updated them on Emma’s condition.

  “They said it would be a fairly simple surgery. We should hear something soon.”

  Scott touched Volta’s shoulder. “Now that your family is here, I’ll get out of your way,” he whispered.

  “Could you stay?” Her eyes were pleading. “Until she’s out of surgery?”

  “Of course.” He would sit here until the end of time if Volta wanted him to.

  The rest of the family looked mildly surprised at Scott’s presence, but they were too concerned about Emma to ask many questions of him. Finally, the doctor stepped out and pulled his mask down. His smile told the story.

  “She’s fine,” he told Volta. “It was a small tear. She should heal quickly. Dr. Laghari is setting her arm now.”

  “Emma wants a pink cast if possible,” Scott said.

  The doctor chuckled. “I’ll pass along the request. Emma will be in recovery shortly,” he told Volta. “Someone will be out to take you to her. Just you for now.”

  Volta nodded. “Thank you, Doctor.”

  The surgeon patted her on the shoulder, nodded at everyone else and went back through the doors.

  Volta faced Scott and reached for both of Scott’s hands. “Thank you. Thank you for taking care of her and thank you for taking care of me.”

  “Anytime. If you need me, call. I’ll be there.”

  She smiled at him. “I know.”

  * * *

  VOLTA SMOOTHED EMMA’S hair back from her forehead and smeared a little lip balm onto her lips. She’d woken from anesthesia just long enough to reassure everyone, and promptly fallen back asleep. They’d since moved her from recovery to a hospital room. Now she was beginning to stir once again.

  “Mommy?” Her voice was rough.

  “Hi, sweetie.” Volta offered a cup of water with a straw.

  Emma sipped the water and looked around the room, obviously confused.

  “You’re in the hospital. Do you remember falling off your horse?”

  Emma’s eyes grew wider. “There was a bear!”

  “I heard that.”

  Emma took another sip. “Dr. Scott was there.”

  “Yes.” When Cait told her that a doctor who had been riding nearby was going with Emma in the ambulance, Volta had somehow known it was Scott. And the thought had comforted her.

  Emma looked down at the cast on her arm. “It’s pink. I told Dr. Scott I wanted pink.”

  “He remembered.”

  A tap sounded at the door. “Hey, looks like someone woke up.” Emma’s granddad came into the room, carrying an enormous stuffed lion. “How are you feeling?”

  She squealed and held out her arms. “Is that for me?” Emma was back to being Emma.

  The family followed him in and gathered around Emma’s bed. Emma hugged the lion and, in answer to their questions, told her story. “Cait and Sunny were in front of me and Butternut on the trail, when this bear ran out right between us and he was so big! Butternut was scared and tried to run away, and I fell off. And then Dr. Scott was there. I asked him if I was gonna die, and he said no and I asked if I could have a pink cast and he said maybe.”

  Volta’s dad suppressed a chuckle. Mom smiled and touched the cast. “It looks like you got your wish.”

  “Yeah.” Suddenly Emma’s eyes opened wide. “Is Butternut okay? The bear didn’t eat her, did he?”

  “Butternut is fine.” Scott walked into the room, carrying a sparkly pink gift bag. Volta tensed. What if Emma panicked at Scott being here, the way she had when Stacy brought her home last week?

  But Emma grinned. “Hi, Dr. Scott.”

  “Hey there. I checked with the stables. Butternut ran straight back to the barn, and they took care of her. The bear is gone, too, as far as anyone can tell. You probably scared him away.”

  “Tell Butternut I’ll be back real soon.”

  “I’m not sure about that,” Volta hedged. Her first instinct after this disaster was to keep Emma and horses as far apart as possible, but she realized that wouldn’t go over well. At least the cast bought her some time. Maybe she could get Emma immersed in a safer hobby by then. Like knitting. Although those needles could be sharp.

  “Here.” Scott distracted Emma by handing her the bag. “In case you get bored.”

  Emma’s eyes lit up. She pulled out tissue paper and then a horse-themed activity book, a pack of colored markers and a clipboard. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. I’m glad to see you’re feeling better.” Scott patted her on the head, smiled at everyone and withdrew.

  Emma enjoyed the family’s attention, but before too long her eyelids began to droop. Volta decided it was time to send everyone home. “Let’s let Emma get some sleep.”

  The nurse checked on her a couple more times. The doctor came by before he left for the evening. After examining Emma, he motioned for Volta to join him in the hall. “She’s doing very well. I’ll be by in the morning, and assuming there are no complications, I expect I’ll release her then.”

  “That’s great. Thank you.” Volta went back in and settled into the recliner beside Emma’s bed. Emma had fallen asleep again, still hugging her new lion. Her dark lashes spread against her cheeks, which were paler than usual but still pink. Her chest rose and fell, rose and fell.

  Sometimes, when Emma was a baby, Volta would sit and watch her breathe like this, marveling at this tiny, miraculous person. She’d thought then that it wasn’t possible to feel any greater love than she felt for her daughter that day. She was wrong. As Emma grew, so did her love.

  Volta must have fallen asleep as well, because the next thing she heard was the nurse’s footsteps. She smiled at Volta and handed her a bag. “Emma’s things.”

  “Thanks.”

  The nurse recorded Emma’s vitals and padded out. Volta checked the bag. Shoes, clothes and something else. A tiny charm. The horseshoe that had belonged to Scott’s mother.

  Emma’s voice. “Mommy?”

  “I’m right here, sweetie.” Volta set the charm on the table. “Do you want a drink?” Emma nodded, and Volta held the cup for her to sip. “Dr. Teva says you can probably go home tomorrow. But you’ll need to stay in bed for a while to heal.”

  Emma spotted the horseshoe and picked it up. “Dr. Scott gave this to me.”

  “When?”

  “When I was hurt. I was scared, and he gave me his lucky charm.”

  Volta smiled. “Did it make you feel better?”

  “Yes.” Emma waggled the charm back and forth so it caught the light. “Will Dr. Scott come see me at home?”

  “Um, I’m sure he will if you want him to. Do you?”

  Emma nodded. “He’s nice.”

  “Yes,” Volta agreed.

  Emma pulled her eyebrows together, as though she was solving a difficult riddle. She turned the charm over and over in her hand. After several minutes, she cleared her throat as though she had something momentous to say.

  “
Mommy?”

  “Yes?”

  “You can marry Dr. Scott if you want. I can stay with Grandma while you’re gone. Like Nick.”

  Nick was Emma’s classmate, who lived with his grandmother while his mother was stationed overseas on military assignment, but that didn’t explain why Emma would think she was leaving. “When I’m gone? What do you mean, Emma?”

  Emma tilted her head. “Dr. Scott works far away, in Africa and places like that. So if you marry him, you’ll go away, too. That’s what Aunt Stacy said.”

  Stacy! No wonder Emma had been in such a panic. Stacy had her convinced her mother was going to desert her over a man. “Aunt Stacy is full of—um—she’s mistaken. Scott did have a job traveling all over the world, but now he’s working right here in Anchorage.”

  “Really?” Emma seemed thrilled. “He’s not going away anymore?”

  Volta hesitated. Scott had said he was here to stay, but that was when he’d believed she would welcome him back. Since then, he’d had a lot of time to reconsider. His current hitch as locum probably wouldn’t last much longer. Was he staying or going?

  “What matters is that I’m not going anywhere. No matter what might happen between Scott and me, I’ll always be your mommy, and I’ll be right here with you. I’ll still have to spend some nights working, like always, but I’m not going away, no matter what Stacy might have told you. Okay?”

  “Okay.” Emma stroked her hand over the pink cast. “Are you going to marry him?”

  “I don’t know, Emma. We’ll have to wait and see.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  VOLTA HEARD THE familiar step on the front porch, and her heart fluttered. When she opened the door, Scott stood there his hand up, ready to knock. He grinned. “Have you developed clairvoyance?”

  “Just good hearing. Come in.”

  He stepped inside. “How’s our patient?”

  “Becoming impatient. Keeping her in bed is a challenge.”

  “That’s a good sign. You say she wants to talk with me?”

  “That’s what she says. She won’t tell me what it’s all about, but she insists she needs to see you.” Before taking him upstairs she added, “I have some interesting information to share with you as well, but I’ll let you talk with Emma first.”