“Have you thought what you’ll do when she’s discharged from the hospital?”
“Yeah. I want her to move in with me. She’ll need someone with her 24/7 once she gets out, and with my medical knowledge I’d be the best fit for her.”
“Think her husband will agree?”
“Think I give a rat’s ass what he thinks?”
“No. However, I also don’t think you’ll enjoy spending a night in jail when he has you arrested for kidnapping.”
“It’s not kidnapping if Elly agrees.”
“But she won’t, Jerry.”
“Why not?”
“Because, if she agrees to move in with you, her marriage is over. There’s no other way around it. Unless she’s ready to admit Arthur deliberately or even accidentally injured her, and took off without seeking medical attention for her first, she’ll be going back with her husband.”
“Not if I have anything to say about it.”
“I think that’s my point. You don’t now, and you won’t then.”
“Fine. I’ll talk to her again tonight. If she still refuses to discuss things with me, I’ll….” He let his words trail off, unable to complete the sentence.
“I checked with the doctors. They think she might be able to go home tomorrow afternoon. Wednesday at the latest.”
“I know. I spoke with them too. Assuming there’s no sign of infection or need for further drainage, they’ll take her Penrose drain out tomorrow. They’ll want to make sure she can at least walk to the bathroom unaided, but other than a possible slow stroll down the hall, they expect her to take it easy.”
“Good. I’m pleased she’s doing so well.”
“So am I.”
“Give me a call tomorrow. If nothing’s changed, I’ll tell Arthur he can visit to discuss her release.”
That gave Jerry twenty-four hours to move mountains. “Right. I’ll keep you informed.”
“Thanks.” Brent clapped Jerry’s shoulder. “It’ll all work out, kid. Eventually. You need to cultivate a bit more patience.”
Jerry gave a single nod. “Think I’ll go down to the cafeteria for some coffee. Keep her entertained, will you?”
“No problem.”
* * * *
Jerry wasn’t a violent man, but he’d been a boxing champion in college and right then, he badly wanted to punch someone or something. He didn’t blame Brent. His friend was merely the middleman caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place. The person he blamed most was Arthur. Because of Arthur, Jerry would need to push Elly into a confrontation neither one of them desired. Yes, he wanted her to tell him the truth, but because she trusted him enough to confide in him, not because he pressed her into a confession. But if he ever hoped to protect her, he had to do something to keep Arthur away, which meant getting her to face reality and admit her husband abused her.
He suspected Elly could be stubborn, and he knew she possessed a sense of pride. Unfortunately, both of those were working against her right now. He had no desire to diminish her in any respect. In fact, if he were honest, he’d admit he’d fallen in love with her. He didn’t view her as a damaged, wounded animal, although that might have been what attracted him to her in the beginning. He’d always been drawn to protect those who were weaker. The creatures that couldn’t, or didn’t know how to defend themselves. However, Elly had an inner strength and a loving nature. She possessed an innately kind and generous spirit as well as a deep capacity for love. But she hungered for affection, and her husband was too cold and self-centered to realize what his wife truly needed.
Arthur wanted to break Elly’s spirit, while Jerry wanted to nurture it. He wasn’t looking for an obedient, submissive woman who didn’t possess a single thought of her own. ‘Yes women’ he called them. Women who agreed with you and obeyed your every command without any consideration for their own needs and desires. Some men preferred wholly submissive women, but Jerry enjoyed a woman who wasn’t afraid to give him a little sass now and then. A woman who spoke her mind, even when her opinion wasn’t requested. Elly had shown him a flash of spirit, and he admired her for it. That’s not to say the dominant in him wouldn’t remind her who was in charge if she attempted to bring her foot down in areas where it didn’t belong.
He didn’t tolerate liars, though in Elly’s case he’d tread lightly there. Nor did he permit tantrums or swearing from the women he dated. He respected differences of opinion, but insisted they be offered with a measure of respect. A flash of temper might be overlooked, but bitchiness would not. He had his standards and rarely capitulated on them, except he’d never been in a relationship with an abused woman before.
Jerry expected Elly to resist his efforts, and he suspected he’d need to wade through a sea of tears. The idea didn’t sit well with him. In fact, doing what he needed to do now left him slightly nauseated. Elly had been hurt enough already. Her wounds were still fresh and she didn’t want them re-opened, but to his mind a virulent infection, like a cancer, had taken root and had to be eradicated or she’d die. Not today, and maybe not tomorrow, but her death was inevitable if the malignancy wasn’t trapped and removed. Unfortunately, excising Arthur Benson from Elly’s life would be painful, since anesthesia wasn’t an option; and even though the surgery would be radical, he considered the operation essential.
After swallowing down the coffee he’d purchased, which tasted only a smidgen better than dishwater, Jerry straightened his sweater and took the elevator back to Elly’s floor, prepared for the worst.
Chapter Nine
When Brent returned without Jerry, Elly’s stomach twisted. Her expression must have reflected her unease, for Brent promptly smiled and said, “Don’t worry. He only went downstairs for a cup of coffee. He’ll be right back.”
Though she gave a nod, Elly suspected Jerry’s unexpected absence wasn’t entirely due to sudden caffeine withdrawal. And that worried her.
Marcus Devon leaned forward to touch her hand. “Are you in pain, Elly?”
Smiling back at him, she shook her head. “No. I was just thinking about something. Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. Your injuries were serious enough to be life-threatening, so you’re a very lucky lady to be sitting here chatting with us at all.”
Elly nodded, then frowned. “I can’t remember much of what happened. It’s all a blur to me now.”
“That’s not unusual, either. Your system has been through a serious shock. The doctors here will tell you what you can and cannot do, but your activities are going to be extremely limited for the next six weeks or so. Your body needs to heal, so no stairs, and no lifting anything above a couple pounds, which includes Muffin. Your dressing will need to be changed at least once a day, probably more often in the beginning. I’d say your temperature should be taken twice a day for a week; more often if you aren’t well. Your blood pressure should also be monitored on a frequent basis. These things are done every few hours in the hospital, and they shouldn’t suddenly stop just because you’re home. In other words, you’re going to need someone to watch you closely for the first week or so.”
“I hadn’t thought about that.”
“Perhaps it’s time you did, then. Given how well you’re doing now, you may be released as early as tomorrow afternoon, but I’d say Wednesday morning is more likely.”
When the room unexpectedly tilted, Elly shut her eyes and put a hand to her throbbing temple, fearing a migraine. Marcus didn’t hesitate to take charge.
“Okay, let’s lower your head for a bit and raise your knees up.” He quickly adjusted her bed and pushed her call button.
“May I help you?” a disembodied voice inquired over the speaker on her handset.
“Yes. We need a blood pressure and temperature check, please. Mrs. Benson is pale and lightheaded.”
“I’ll be right in.”
Elly’s breathing sped up and her skin grew clammy. Seconds later, Jayne, Elly’s nurse entered. “All right, Elly, take a couple of deep breaths.�
� Using a small pen light, she examined Elly’s pupils first. “Does your head hurt?”
“A little,” Elly admitted. “I’ve got a slight headache.”
Jayne lightly palpitated the area around Elly’s head wound. The purplish golf-ball sized lump, though still sore, was no longer bandaged. “We can get you something for the pain if you need it.”
Elly shook her head, then winced. “No. It’s fine.”
“I have a feeling our conversation may have played havoc with her blood pressure,” Marcus added.
Satisfied, Jayne gave a nod and said, “I’m going to hook you up to an automatic blood pressure monitor, Elly. The cuff will inflate and deflate on its own, so don’t worry about it.” While the nurse efficiently oversaw Elly’s needs, Jerry returned.
“What’s going on?” he demanded.
Marcus left Elly’s side to go to him. “Calm down, Jer, she’s fine. We were talking and she became hypertensive. Everything’s under control.”
Jerry stared at Brent accusingly. “What did you say to her?”
Brent raised his hands as if Jerry trained a gun on him. “Easy, kid. I wasn’t even the one talking to her.”
Elly extended her arm with the IV. “Jerry….”
He stepped between the two men and promptly came to her side. His warm fingers wrapped about her cool ones. “I’m here, sweetie. Just relax and do as the nurse tells you.”
“It’s not their fault,” she whispered.
Nodding, he rubbed his fingers along the inside of her arm in a soothing gesture. “It’s no one’s fault, Elly. Now, close your eyes and calm down. I’m here. You’ve got nothing to worry about, okay?”
She nodded and obediently closed her eyes.
The machine beeped. “Pressure is leveling now. 130 over 80. Temperature 98, O2 saturation 98. We’ll wait a few minutes and let the monitor check again,” Jayne said.
No one spoke, and Elly felt silly. “I was only a little woozy,” she insisted.
“That’s a sign, Elly,” Marcus said quietly. “Like I said, your blood pressure needs to be monitored carefully. Extreme fluctuations high or low aren’t good.”
“I understand,” she whispered.
“120 over 70,” Jayne reported. “How do you feel, Elly?”
“Okay, now.”
“Perhaps we should try slowly raising her head and see how that goes?” Marcus suggested.
Jerry operated the control, and they took it a few degrees at a time, stopping to check with her at each step. When the dizziness didn’t return, they let her remain in an upright position, but Jayne left both the automatic blood pressure machine and oxygen monitor attached. “We’ll let the machine record your levels every fifteen minutes for the next few hours or so to make sure. Don’t hesitate to call me if you need anything, Elly,” Jayne said, and she left.
“I didn’t mean to cause such a commotion.”
Jerry patted her arm and grinned. “We always did say you were a bit of a drama queen.”
Marcus snorted and Brent laughed, but Elly looked concerned. “I’m sorry.”
Jerry tapped her nose. “Kidding, sweetie. You are the furthest thing from a drama queen I could imagine. Now, relax.”
“Perhaps we should go,” Brent suggested.
“Good idea.” Marcus rose to his feet. “You’re in excellent hands, Elly Benson. Take full advantage of them.”
Elly smiled. “Thank you for visiting.”
“Our pleasure,” Brent replied, and the two of them departed, leaving Elly and Jerry alone together.
“So, what did our friendly doctor say that got your blood pressure rising?” Jerry continued to run his fingers up and down her arm, and though his tone sounded mildly curious, Elly suspected the question was important to him.
She shook her head. “I guess I didn’t realize how much of an invalid I’d be once I left here. I can’t even go up stairs.”
“No, not a good idea at all. So, we’ll set you up downstairs instead.”
Elly glanced down at her fingers. “Arthur won’t like that.”
“Arthur won’t be given a vote on the matter.”
Her eyes burning, Elly gazed at Jerry. “I have to go back with him.” The blood pressure cuff inflated, counted and deflated.
Jerry waited until the monitor had finished its check. “Okay, let’s start there. Why must you return to Arthur?”
“Why? He’s my husband.”
“So, divorce him. You are allowed to do that, you know?”
She shook her head. “He’d never permit that.”
“Tell me what happened Friday morning, Elly.”
Elly glanced back at her fingers again. “I can’t.”
“Because you don’t trust me, or because admitting your husband abuses you is unacceptable to you?”
His tone filled her with resentment. “I never said he abused me.”
“No, you didn’t. But I’ve seen the results of his handiwork, and what happened to you Friday had nothing to do with domestic discipline.”
“You spank,” she accused tightly.
“True. I do. Except I rarely leave a mark that lasts more than a few hours. If I ordered you to turn over now, I’d see the stripes he left four days ago, and they’ll still be visible another four days from now.”
“So? Other heads leave marks lasting a week or more. What’s so different about mine?” The monitor kicked in again. Annoyed, Elly reached over to rip the cuff off, but Jerry bent forward and placed his fingers over hers to stop her.
“Leave it alone, Elly. The cuff is there for a reason.” When she lay back, he said, “Why don’t you start by telling me what happened after that particular punishment? Did he reassure you how much he loved you? Did he hold and kiss you afterward?”
“No. But that’s not his way.”
“I guess it wouldn’t be, would it? Okay, answer this, then. Do you feel renewed and invigorated after your sessions with Arthur?”
“That’s an absurd question, Jerry Douglas. And you know it. No one feels rejuvenated after a punishment.”
Jerry closed his eyes for a moment. “So, what does he do for you?”
She shrugged. “It varies, I guess. This last time I’d passed out, so he gave me some pills, carried me to the bed, and let me sleep.”
“How generous of him.”
“Yeah? Well, what do you do after one of your punishment sessions, Dr. Douglas?” The machine kicked in again and she cried out in frustration as she grabbed at the cuff’s Velcro closing. “I want this off me now.”
This time he rose, grasped her fidgeting fingers and held them until the cuff deflated. “I said no.” His voice was quiet, but purposeful. “Now, do you really want to know what I do after a session, Elly Benson?”
She swallowed. He didn’t mean right then, did he? His intense expression both thrilled and frightened her a little. She inched back, then shook her head. “No. I’m sorry.”
“Stop it,” he said softly, resuming his seat by her side. “You think I’d punish you for simply asking a question?”
“Maybe.”
“Does Arthur?”
“Sometimes. Depends on how I asked the question.”
He chuckled. “Yeah. I can imagine you get pretty snippy at times.”
She smiled. “Sometimes.”
Raising one of her hands to his lips, he kissed her fingers. “Tell me what happened Friday, Elly.”
When she shook her head, he slid the tip of her index finger into the cavern of his warm mouth and gave it a tiny nip. “Unacceptable answer. Try again.”
Elly’s lips parted. He was teasing, and yet an erotic undercurrent flowed beneath his playful threat. Though he still held her hand, he’d withdrawn all but the pad of her finger, which he captured between his top and bottom teeth. His eyes proposed a challenge, daring her to defy him. Certain he wouldn’t hurt her; she met his gaze without flinching. “No.”
Another nip, this one a bit firmer.
He hadn’t hurt
her, but she decided a protest should be made at this point. Curious, she wondered how far he would take this. “Ow.”
“Are you going to tell me?”
“What if I don’t?”
“Sure you want to play this game now?”
She considered him for a moment. A game had rules with winners and losers. “Depends.”
He dropped her hand and leaned back in his chair. “On what?”
“What I gain if I win.” This time when the monitor kicked in, she held her breath.
He waited until the machine had deflated, then picked up her hand again. “Me,” he answered simply.
Her heart gave a sudden lurch and she drew her fingers back with a frown. “That’s not funny.”
“I didn’t intend for it to be.” He reached for her hand again, and she didn’t try to pull free this time. “Elly, I don’t want you going back to Arthur, for any reason. In fact, if you insist on returning to him, I’ll have to leave Corbin’s Bend, because I’ll be damned if I’m going to watch you ruin your life. So, the results of this conversation could have serious consequences. When you’re ready to leave the hospital, I want you to come home with me, but the choice is yours to make. And with me, it always will be your choice.”
Though Elly understood what Jerry was saying, she wasn’t sure how to answer him. Arthur was her husband, and he’d never give his permission for her to live with another man. But Jerry wasn’t suggesting they ask for Arthur’s permission. He was suggesting she leave Arthur. Divorce him. When Elly’s stomach cramped at the thought, she reacted defensively. “Arthur allows me a choice as well. He doesn’t force me.”
Releasing her hand, he sighed and sat back. “So, Arthur doesn’t require your submission to his punishments?”
A Simple Misunderstanding (Corbin's Bend) Page 11
