“Can you hear me, Joel? Open your eyes. Squeeze my hand.” Slowly he squeezed her hand in return and opened his eyes slightly. She could see he was trying to focus on her through his lashes. “You’re doing great, Joel,” Kate reassured him. “You’re still in the ICU and you were pretty unwell this morning but you’re getting better, I promise. You’ve still got that tube in your mouth helping you breathe. Just try to relax and we’ll keep you nicely sedated and comfortable.”
As she spoke she saw the almost imperceptible nod of his head, indicating that he understood what she was telling him. Tears came to Kate’s eyes and she brushed them away with the back of her free hand, staggered by the depth of feelings that coursed through her body. As Kate continued to sit beside him, holding his hand and stroking his arm, she felt his fingers tighten around hers.
We’re just friends, she tried to remind herself. But she knew she definitely wanted to be more than just friends with him. After declaring she was never going to jump from one relationship straight into another, she’d lowered her guard and he had found a way through the narrow cracks in her armor without her even realizing. As the wheels of the machine turned she realized how much she cared about him. The question was, did he feel the same way about her?
Chapter 28
Kate’s shift had long been over but she had stayed behind and spent hours catching up on overdue reports and paperwork. Hunger had eventually forced her to turn off her computer and leave the office. Before heading home, she had gone to check in on Joel one last time. Stephanie had arrived again for night duty – she was doing another twelve-hour shift – and she had wheeled the work station away from the end of the bed to where there was more light. She was busy reading over Joel’s notes when Kate approached her.
“Mate, I’m really sorry about last night and this morning,” Stephanie said, unable to look Kate in the eye.
Realization dawned on Kate that her behavior and attitude toward Stephanie wouldn’t help her make friends with any of the staff once they all heard about it. And she knew they would. She had treated Stephanie poorly and owed her an apology.
“I’m sorry too,” Kate replied, full of remorse. “I really snapped at you and I shouldn’t have. It wasn’t your fault. If anyone is to blame it’s me. I should have been more aware of where you’re all up to from an education point of view.”
“That’s okay,” Stephanie replied.
“It’s not really,” Kate said. “I had no right to speak to you that way. My judgment was clouded because Joel’s a friend. I really am sorry.” She laid her hand on Stephanie’s arm, hoping the other woman would accept her expression of regret.
“Well at least he’s turned the corner. They reckon just twenty-four hours on the filter and it should be fine. If it clots off tonight Simon told me not to bother re-starting it.”
“Well, Steph, if you need me tonight, or any night, please just promise to call me, okay?”
“Okay,” Stephanie agreed.
“I’m just going to go in and sit with him for a while. Is that all right with you?”
“Sure. I’m just going to go through everything in the notes from today.”
Kate pulled the curtain open wider, ready to sit quietly and spend time alone with Joel. She was surprised to see a man sitting near the window on the other side of Joel’s bed.
“Oh! You’re obviously Liam,” Kate exclaimed when he turned to look at her.
Stephanie had dimmed the lights in the unit but even in the shadowy glow it was obvious that the young man sitting beside Joel’s bed was his brother. Kate knew Joel and Liam were twins but for some reason she hadn’t expected them to look so similar. She’d never even thought to ask Joel much about his brother. Although Liam wore his hair slightly shorter than Joel’s and was clean-shaven, the man sitting in the chair could have been Joel, and Kate did a double take as she walked into the room.
“Kate?” Liam stood up and stretched out his hand to shake hers. “What a shame we have to meet like this.” His accent wasn’t as strong as Joel’s, but the lilt was still there in his voice and it took Kate aback.
“How’s he doing?” He looked across at Joel as he asked the question.
“Great.” Kate reached down and rubbed the back of Joel’s hand lying on top of the white sheet. “He’s doing really well. They may even extubate tomorrow after the filter has been turned off. The chest drain will probably stay in for another couple of days after that. If he continues doing this well he might even be out on the ward Monday morning.”
Kate continued to run her hand gently over Joel’s forearm, feeling the fine hairs beneath her fingers, hoping he was aware of her presence.
“He’s still pretty heavily sedated though,” Liam said, frowning. “Is that normal? He sort of tried to open his eyes when I first came in and called his name but otherwise he’s completely out to it.”
“Yeah, they tried to lighten the sedation earlier but he became a bit anxious and was biting down on the tube. We upped the sedation and pain relief and he’s comfortable at the moment,” Kate explained. “Besides, it’s so hard to sleep in here with all the lights and noise so hopefully with some increased sedation he will get some rest tonight.”
“So, what exactly happened since I spoke to you last? Mum and Dad are pretty sketchy on the details and Em hasn’t been much help.”
“As far as they can tell, he developed a pneumothorax on top of his pneumonia,” Kate answered. “For a while they were worried about it causing a tension pneumothorax, but they got the chest drain in and it looks like it’s resolving quickly. X-rays are looking good.”
While they spoke Joel occasionally lifted his hands slightly off the bed and moved his legs, but otherwise as far as Kate could tell he remained comfortably sedated. She was thrilled at his quick recovery and her whole attention was focused on him, so when Liam spoke it took her a moment to comprehend what he was asking.
“Kate, I know it’s getting late but would you like to go out and grab a bite to eat together?”
Kate hesitated before answering. She was hungry but she wasn’t sure how she felt about going out with Liam – they had only just met. It somehow didn’t seem right.
“I guess so.” Kate hoped she didn’t sound as hesitant as she felt. There seemed to be something strange about going out for dinner with a complete stranger, even if he was Joel’s brother. “I’ve got the weekend off so I suppose I can sleep in tomorrow. Normally Joel and I go for our early morning training run,” Kate explained as she squeezed Joel’s hand, “but obviously we won’t be doing that together for a while.”
Kate stood watching Joel’s face, his eyes closed and his mouth slightly open with the plastic tube coming out. She was aware that Liam’s eyes were on her and felt oddly uncomfortable, but wasn’t sure why.
“I’m not sure there’s even many places open where we could get in without a booking. Friday nights are always busy, and there’s not many options around here,” Kate said, wondering how she could change her mind and get out of the dinner arrangements.
“I’m sure we can find something. Come on then, my shout.” Liam reached for Kate’s arm but she pulled away, avoiding his touch. Turning toward the bed he said to Joel, “I’ll take good care of her, I promise.”
Kate leaned slightly over Joel’s face and touched him lightly on the forehead, easing the frown that had formed between his eyebrows. She watched his eyes flicker behind closed lids and could see he was valiantly trying to fight the sedation. She tried to reassure him quietly.
“Hey Joel. I know you can hear me. Liam’s here with me.” Glancing in Liam’s direction, Kate was slightly unnerved to see he was still watching her with an expression she couldn’t read. It felt uncomfortable sharing such a private moment with Joel while his brother watched her. “I’m heading home now and I’ll try to come in and see you over the weekend.” Kate squeezed Joel’s hand and felt the light pressure in return as his fingers closed briefly over hers. Kate wished she knew what he
was trying to communicate.
“See ya, mate,” Liam called out from the doorway as he left the room. Not knowing what else to do, Kate grabbed her bag and followed him.
Liam took Kate by the arm and led her through the hospital corridors, down the elevator and to his car, which was parked out the front of the hospital in a No Parking zone. The temperature had dropped and the breeze had picked up and Kate shivered slightly.
“Are you too cold?” Liam asked, draping his arm casually across her shoulders.
“Not really,” she replied, wriggling from his embrace. She wished she’d thought to bring a jacket. The spring days were full of blue skies and warm sunshine with the promise that summer was just around the corner, but sometimes the evenings were chilly.
As they drove through town she watched the sun dip over the horizon, slowly placing everything into a navy darkness. She would never grow tired of the sunsets in Birrangulla. The clouds formed an inky blackness in contrast to the darkening sky and she once again marveled at the way the changes in season also brought corresponding changes in the color of the sky. It was so different to living in the city in Sydney where night seemed to fall so quickly and without any fanfare, the sunsets hidden from sight behind tall buildings.
Liam was chatty and friendly, everything about him chivalrous. It was clear he was trying to impress her. He had even opened the passenger side door and waited until she was buckled in before closing the door. In spite of herself, Kate found herself beginning to relax in his company.
It was almost eight o’clock when they were seated in the almost empty bistro at the local pub. Until now, Kate had been looking forward to the country hospitality of the local pub she’d heard so much about, but she wished she was seated beside Joel, not Liam.
The sounds of male voices from the adjoining bar floated into the room where they were seated. The football was being shown on the large screen television above the bar and every now and again the loud shouts or groans of the patrons could be heard above the clinking of glasses. The smell of beer was mixed with the stale odor of deep fried food and Kate grimaced at the slightly unpleasant smell. Marcus wouldn’t have been seen dead in a place like this.
“Are you hungry?” Liam slid his hand into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet, placing it on the table in front of him. He took the seat opposite her. Kate put her arms on the table and immediately removed them. The timber felt sticky against her skin.
“Not especially,” Kate lied. “I don’t usually eat this late at night.”
“It’s only just after eight. I’ll bet you haven’t eaten for hours.”
“You’re right, I haven’t, but really, I’m not that hungry.” Even to her own ears it sounded like she was making excuses, but she couldn’t wait to get out of there.
“But you don’t mind if I eat?”
“Not at all. I think I’ll just get a bowl of wedges or something.” She gave the paper menu a cursory glance. Looking up, she saw that Liam’s eyes were still on her.
“You’re a very pretty woman, Kate. Joel didn’t lie about that.”
Blushing involuntarily and taken completely aback by his forthright manner, Kate wondered what else Joel had said to Liam. “Um, thank you.”
Kate was saved from having to say anything else when the waitress came to take their orders. She wiped the table with a dirty wet cloth as she asked them what they wanted.
“Just some wedges for me please.” Kate smiled at the dark-haired woman. “And do you have any sweet chili mayo?”
“Yes we do.” The waitress smiled politely in return. “And for you, Liam?”
Kate was surprised the waitress knew Liam, but then remembered he had grown up in Birrangulla. This pub had probably been his local hangout for many years.
“What do you recommend?”
Even with one simple question Liam’s tone sounded flirtatious to Kate and she sensed it made the waitress feel uneasy.
“We can make you a parmi, but otherwise everything else is off the menu now. It’s late and the chef wants to close up the kitchen.” The waitress was polite but somewhat abrupt in her reply.
Kate raised her eyebrows in surprise. It was only eight o’clock on a Friday night. If she were in Sydney, they’d still be serving meals for hours.
“I guess I’ll have the parmi then please Trina.” Liam smiled broadly and once again Kate was taken aback by the similarity of the twins’ smiles. He turned to her and lightly touched her on the arm. It was hard not to like Liam – he was attractive and charming, just like Joel, but something about his overly familiar mannerisms irked her.
“What would you like to drink, Kate?” His words broke into her musings.
“I’ll have a skinny hot chocolate please.”
“Of course. And you, Liam?”
“Just a beer for me, thanks. I’ll have a Blonde if you’ve got one!”
The double entendre wasn’t lost on Kate or Trina.
“Sure. Won’t be long.” Trina headed toward the bar.
“Don’t tell Joel.” Liam winked conspiratorially at Kate. “I only drink on special occasions. And I get the feeling this might be a special occasion.”
“Why would I not tell Joel?” Kate queried, ignoring the implication of what he was intimating.
“Well you know, after losing Beck to a drink driver and then pretty much becoming an alcoholic himself for a while – I just try not to drink when I’m around him ’cause he can get pretty funny about it. You know what they say, once an addict …”
Liam must have seen the shocked expression on Kate’s face because he didn’t continue speaking for a moment. “You do know about Rebecca, don’t you?” He frowned.
“Yes. Of course. Joel has told me all about his fiancée,” Kate answered, hoping he heard the chill in her voice.
“He still hasn’t gotten over her, you know,” Liam pondered, almost to himself. Kate could see how much he cared for his brother.
Thankfully their drinks arrived at that moment and Liam brought the green bottle to his lips and took a long drink. Kate fiddled with the sugar sachets, emptying two of them into the hot chocolate. She added the marshmallows and slowly stirred her drink, taking time to lick the frothy milk from her spoon. She wanted to continue the conversation about Joel and Rebecca but she wasn’t sure how to bring the subject up.
“I would have thought you were sweet enough.” Liam’s voice interrupted her thoughts as he pointed to her hot chocolate.
“Oh come on, that was a bit cliché!” Kate laughed in spite of herself.
“I’m not going to bite, Kate,” Liam said, his expression suddenly serious as his eyes sought hers. “Relax a little.”
“Sorry,” Kate replied, “it’s been a big day and a big week and I’m just really tired.”
“So, tell me about you and Joel.” The change in subject caught Kate off guard even though she was used to Joel doing the same thing.
“What is there to tell?” She frowned and shrugged her shoulders. “We have become friends. Good friends I suppose.”
“But nothing more?” Liam asked.
“No.” I just wish it was more, she thought.
“But you want more?” Liam pushed, reading her mind.
“I’m not really sure I want to have this conversation with you, Liam,” Kate replied.
“Ouch! Look who’s biting now!” he laughed at her.
A different waitress brought their food over and Kate thanked her politely.
“So, you’re not going out with my brother? That’s all I’m really asking.”
“No. I’m not. We’re just friends. That’s all.” She felt her face blushing at the lie.
Liam sat back in his chair with a triumphant look on his face. “Good.”
“Good?” Kate looked at him questioningly.
“If you’re not going out with Joel, that then gives me the freedom to ask you out.” He paused for a moment, allowing what he had said to sink in. He took another swig of his beer. “
It’s a twin thing you know,” he laughed, “we call it our ‘code’ – it’s kind of a code of conduct. We made a promise when we were in primary school never to go out with the same girl. If we both liked the same girl, the one who got in first won the prize. You know, first in best dressed.”
He sounded so serious, Kate couldn’t help but laugh. “You think you’re quite the charmer don’t you?” she said as she took a sip of her hot drink.
“I hope I am,” Liam replied. “I’ve had years of practice.” He took a bite from his chicken, smiling at Kate with his eyes as he ate, and with his mouth full he said, “And I always like to win first prize.”
Chapter 29
Kate avoided the ICU all weekend so that she wouldn’t have to bump into Liam. Their dinner the previous Friday night had ended quickly when the bistro closed. Liam had begged Kate to join him in the bar to watch the remainder of the football but she pleaded a headache and left. She had begrudgingly given him her phone number when he asked, and then spent all weekend putting him off when he kept texting, trying to make plans to catch up again.
On Monday morning she got to work early, hoping to see Joel before starting her shift. When she arrived she found he had improved so much over the weekend he had been extubated and moved to another ward in the hospital. She was disappointed that no one had thought to let her know, not even Liam or Emma.
It was almost ten o’clock before she had a spare moment to leave the unit and when she found Joel’s room she lingered in the doorway for a minute, staring at him lying in the bed. His open eyes were fixed on the sunlight streaming through the window. What a beautiful sight it was.
“Hi,” she said softly, stepping into the private room. “I heard you were too well to stay with me.”
“Hey!” Joel broke into a slight grin and shifted position in the bed as soon as he saw her. His brows furrowed. “Ouch! Everything still hurts a bit – even smiling.”
Intensive Care: Escape to the Country Page 23
