by Lynn Cahoon
Tears threatened to well up in Destiny’s eyes as she watched the door close. Sandy Castle was a class act. That’s all she had to say. She turned off the switch to the fireplace as the room was already too warm and went over to the desk where she booted up her computer. Time to send out resumes and hope that the bites she got were from places she wanted to work.
An hour later, she was at the table with the family, enjoying a lunch of lasagna, garlic bread, and a tossed salad. “I bought several types of soda because I didn’t know what you liked,” Maggie held out four cans.
“Typically, its water or iced tea, but I’ll splurge today.” Destiny grabbed the Coke and smiled. “It’s a vice, what can I say.”
“If that’s your only vice, you’re one stand-up lady.” Mark took the Pepsi from his sister’s hands, leaving her with a Dr. Pepper.
“Just because you’ve given up all fun doesn’t mean the rest of us have to.” Maggie paused at her mother’s chair. “What can I get for you, iced tea or a soda?”
Sandy plucked the last can out of her daughter’s hand. “This will do nicely. Now come set down so we can start.”
Maggie kissed her mother’s head and sat down across from Destiny. This family was close and these three people were loving, caring, and funny. Now, the patient on the other hand was negative, standoffish, and didn’t have a funny bone in his body. It was going to be a long six weeks locked up in a house with Brad Castle.
After they ate, Destiny helped Maggie clean up the dishes. Maggie held out the half-full baking pan. “All you have to do for dinner is heat this up in the microwave for three minutes or put the entire pan in a 300-degree oven for twenty minutes. Whichever’s easier. And if he doesn’t want that, there’s a lot of different soups in the freezer from the restaurant.”
Destiny put the last plate into the dishwasher. “I have to admit, I’m much of a cook, but I can reheat with the best of them.”
Maggie laughed. “Just don’t let Brad bully you into making him something special. My brother can be a real pill sometimes. And that’s on his good days. I don’t envy your job here.”
“Believe me, your mother is paying me enough that I could deal with the devil for six weeks.”
Maggie shrugged. “You kind of are.”
When the doorbell rang, they went into the living room where Sandy and Mark waited. Maggie patted her on the back. “Time will pass a lot quicker than you think.”
Destiny wasn’t sure why she was nervous as the door opened and a medical assistant wheeled a gurney into the foyer. Brad Castle was no different than any other patient she’d taken care of since she started working as an CNA at the hospital to pay for her college tuition. His face was turned away so all she could see was his sandy blond hair that looked like it needed washed.
“Welcome home, Brad.” His mother grabbed his hand as they moved the gurney into the makeshift bedroom that had been Brad’s home office. They transferred him onto the bed and Sandy covered him with a bright blue down comforter.
Destiny could tell he wasn’t asleep as his eyes were shut tight. When he opened them, he focused on her. Anger seethed from the man as he finally spoke. “I need a pain pill.”
***
Brad didn’t want to talk to his family. He didn’t want them there, watching him. Pity pouring out of their eyes like it was tears.
He ignored everyone except Destiny. If his mother wanted to hire the woman to take care of him, he’d let her think he was on board. But once they left, he needed to start working on getting stronger and back to the winery. Mark would drive the place into the ground. He had no clue on how to run the business. Sure, he was good with the big picture financial planning for the corporation, but he didn’t do good with deals.
“Brad, aren’t you going to say hello?” His mother took his hand. “Mark and Maggie worked so hard to get your room ready for you. Can you at least say thank you?”
He glared at his brother and sister. “Thank you.” Then he turned back to Destiny. “Why don’t I have a pain killer yet?”
She looked up from the file she was reviewing with the medical assistant. “Because I haven’t reviewed your chart. Besides, according to this, you had one mid trip.” She glanced at her watch. “Which means you’re not due another one for two hours. What’s your pain level between one and ten?”
He didn’t answer her.
“Mr. Castle, the only way you’re going to get another pain killer is if you vocalize your pain and I judge it’s because of the travel.” Her voice was calm, controlled. And he hated her for it.
“You don’t get it. I hurt. My body’s been torn apart. The least you can do is give me a freaking pill when I ask.”
“What’s your pain level from one to ten?” She asked again, not looking at him, but at the chart.
“Fine, it’s a ten. Are you happy?”
Instead of her getting his prescription bottle, she looked at the chart, then at him again. “Where are you hurting?”
“What is this? Twenty questions?”
She didn’t answer, just looked at him, waiting for an answer.
“You are stubborn. Fine, it’s in my right leg. You know, the one that’s broke?”
Still she didn’t get the medication. Brad was getting annoyed. Steamed actually. No one ignored his orders and stayed around. He’d fire this woman right now, except he didn’t have his cell to get a replacement.
She lifted the blanket and bent over him. He felt her hands, cool on his bare legs and couldn’t stop his shiver. As his penis hardened, his first thought was Thank God that still works. He second thought was about all the people standing around his bed. His face burned but then he felt the brace on his leg give a bit and the pain stopped.
The smile on her face told him she’d seen his reaction to her touch. But instead of laughing at him, or shying away, she took his wrist in her hands, checking his pulse. “Your brace moved when they transferred you. That’s why you were in pain.” She nodded. “Your heartbeat’s slowing. Feeling better?”
He didn’t answer.
“Brad? You should answer Destiny. She just wants to help. Are you still in pain?” His mom repeated the question.
“I’m not hurting as bad.” He was actually not in pain at all but he didn’t want to give her the satisfaction of admitting that she’d helped him.
“Well, since you’re settled,” Mark said, “we better get back to work. Mom? Maggie? Are you ready?” His brother moved toward the door.
“I thought we were staying longer.” His mother adjusted his comforter. “Are you hungry? Do you want me to make something for you?”
“I’m fine.” He looked at the side table where the remote control to the large television sat. “Go ahead and go. I’ve got a show I want to watch.”
He turned on the TV and started flipping through channels. Since he rarely watched, he wasn’t sure what he might find, but at least he didn’t have to see his mother’s pain. The group left the room and for a second, Brad could breath. Being strong was going to be harder than he’d imagined. But at least he was out of that hospital. He looked around the room. It was filled with bookshelves and books he’d bought with the plan to read, someday. He’d have that woman get him a few, then she could go pound sand until he needed her. No way was he going to have her fussing over him all the time.
When she didn’t come right back, he tried to watch the show on African tigers. The Castle View compound included a big cat sanctuary, one that Mark’s wife ran. Brad had to admit, was almost in the green financially. Maggie swore that the sanctuary brought her in more diners to the restaurant she ran, but Brad still believed the winery would be fine, with or without the mangy cats.
“They are so lovely.” Destiny’s words interrupted his thoughts. He hadn’t heard the woman come back into the room. His mouth dried as she set up a bottle filled with ice and water along with a plate of Maggie’s oatmeal cookies. “I enjoyed visiting the barn in the evenings when they were relaxing. It’s alm
ost like they could read my mind.”
“What’s this?” He waved his hand over the offering dismissively.
“I know what they serve at St Marks. I thought you might enjoy your sister’s cooking now that you’re home. Besides, you need to eat. You look like you’ve lost ten, maybe fifteen pounds.” She pointed to his hands. “You’re dehydrated and I don’t want to re-hook up the IV unless it’s absolutely necessary.”
His stomach growled at the sweet smell of the cookies. He was hungry. Why did admitting that feel like he was losing a battle? “Can you grab me a few books off the shelves? Tom Clancy or Harlan Coben will be fine.”
She walked over to the section of the bookcase where he pointed and ran her hand over the spines of the books. “You have an amazing collection.”
When he didn’t answer, she began pulling books. Then she arranged them on the table next to him and waited.
“What now?” The woman just got under his skin.
She looked at the table. “Anything else you need? Do you need to go to the bathroom before I leave you alone?”
He felt his face flush. They’d had him on a catheter in the hospital for a short time after his surgery. He hated watching the nurses check his ‘output’ as they called it. Now, he’d have to tell Destiny when he had to use the toilet. This wasn’t going to be easy. “I’m fine, for now. How do I reach you if I need you?”
“I’ll check on you every ten minutes. Your brother bought you a new cell phone as yours was destroyed in the accident. It’s in the drawer next to you. If you need me, my number is is the contacts. I’ll carry my phone with me everywhere.” She smiled. “We’ll get through this, no problem.”
“Easy for you to say, you’re not the one stuck in this bed. Why don’t you put things on the table in front of me? That way I don’t have to move around so much.” He turned his head back to the television.
“Because you need to move around some. When you’re watching TV, make sure you recline back flat.” Destiny had the same tone in her voice as the doctor.
He felt her adjusting his comforter and then listened to her footsteps as she left the room.
CHAPTER 3
“How’d your first day go?” Jonny asked. Destiny had called her friend after cleaning up the kitchen from what had been a disastrous dinner.
She played with the tea bag in her cup, steeping the tea in the hot water. She felt sorry for the tea bag—after a day like today, she knew exactly how it felt. “Awful. He was itching for a fight from the moment he got here.”
“Please tell me you didn’t tell him off.” Jonny knew her too well. When they’d been out for drinks once, a guy hadn’t taken the hint and then when Destiny told him she wasn’t looking for a hook up, he’d called her a dyke. She’d gone off on the jerk, telling him again, she wasn’t interested, and finishing up with she’d rather switch teams than ever, ever date him.
“I bit my tongue. I need this job. Besides, you should see my room. I could put up with helping the devil just so I could stay here.” Destiny sipped her tea. “And the kitchen is a girl’s dream.”
“Or would be if you knew how to cook.”
She leaned back looking at stainless appliances and the gas range. She could boil water, she’d figured that out a few minutes ago, even though it had taken longer than she’d expected. But there was no way she’d admit that to her friend. “Apparently that’s not a job duty so I guess we’re safe. What are you doing tonight?”
Destiny listened while Jonny talked about the friends she was meeting later in Spokane. Since the clinic wasn’t taking any new clients, Jonny wouldn’t go into the office until afternoon. Which meant she could go out on a weeknight without worrying about the hangover the next morning. She’d just asked her about who was going with her when she heard the crash.
“I’ve got to go.” She hung up and put the cell in her pocket. If Brad was hurt, she’d need it to call for an ambulance. Or maybe she should drive him into town herself. No, she corrected herself. She’d have to wait for an ambulance so she didn’t aggravate his back injury. She ran into the room where she saw Brad reaching for a pair of sweats that were on the floor.
“Don’t move.” Destiny went to his side. “You aren’t supposed to be up unless you’re going to the bathroom. What were you thinking?”
He allowed her to move him back to the bed. Beads of sweat were forming on his forehead and Destiny realized what an effort the activity had been for him. “I was thinking I needed to get out of this robe and into some real clothes.”
She looked down and realized Brad was naked. The hospital gown he’d worn home was balled up on the other side of the room where he’d apparently thrown it. She covered his privates up with the sheet. He blushed as she did but he didn’t say anything.
“All you had to do was ask and I would have helped. That’s kind of my job.” She picked up the sweats and t-shirt from the floor. “Let’s go with shorts instead of long pants for a few days. Where did you find these?”
He pointed to the chest that she’d thought was part of the office décor. “Third drawer.”
“Did you even listen to the doctor when he gave you discharge instructions? Your spine is bruised. They don’t want you to be up and about until it heals. You aren’t just dealing with a broken leg and a broken ankle.” She flipped through the pile of clothes until she found a set of basketball shorts. “Briefs or boxers?”
“Excuse me?”
She didn’t turn around; instead she opened another drawer. She’d guessed right and a pile of silk boxers were stacked next to socks. “Good, boxers. You would have had to go commando if you were a briefs guy.”
“Really?” The humor in his voice made her face heat.
“This is just a job, just a patient,” she muttered under her breath.
She took the clothes over to the bed and with his help, eased the boxers and shorts over the braces on his legs. She kept her gaze on his face noting the pain level he wouldn’t talk about but she could witness. “You don’t have to be dressed all the time. I know this can’t be comfortable.”
“I don’t want to be exposed.” He didn’t add with you in the house, but Destiny heard the words anyway.
After he was dressed and she’d given him his night medications, she looked around the room, making sure he had water and snacks. “Anything else I can do?”
He opened his mouth, then closed it, shaking his head.
“Come on. Make me earn this crazy amount of money I’m charging your family.” She smiled, trying to look like she really did want to be there.
He tapped the book. “I can’t get into these right now. Can you grab The Lord of the Rings off the third shelf?”
Fantasy? And not just fantasy, cult classic Tolkien. Color her shocked. “Sure.” She went to the shelves and found a well-worn copy of one of her favorite books. She took it down and went back to the bed. Before she could sit it down, he put up a hand.
“One more favor.”
She paused, waiting.
“Could you read it aloud?” This time, he actually smiled. “I can’t seem to focus.”
“Probably the pain meds.” She pulled a chair closer. “Okay, but I haven’t read aloud since grade school. And don’t expect me to pronounce all the elven names correctly. The hobbits are easier, less fancy.”
“You’ll be fine.” He took a sip of water then settled into his pillow. As she read, she noticed his breathing slowing and becoming more regular. After the first chapter, she paused. “Brad?”
“Hmmm?” His voice was as slow as dark molasses.
“Just checking if you’re awake.” She turned the page. “You want me to keep reading?”
“Please.”
By the time she’d finished chapter two she didn’t need to ask if he was awake or not. His gentle snoring told the story. She sat the book on his table and turned off the lights except for a small desk lamp within his reach. She didn’t want him jerking awake and not knowing where he was at. B
esides, if she had to return to take him to the bathroom, or pick him up off the floor when he was too stubborn and proud to call her for help, at least she’d have some light.
Before climbing the stairs to her own room, she walked around the house, locking doors and turning off lights. It really was a lovely home.
***
Brad stretched and rubbed his eyes. For the first time since he’d woken up in the hospital, he’d slept the entire night. Being home had helped cure his insomnia or at least for one night. Maybe he had been worn out from the transport from Spokane. And Destiny hadn’t woken him three times a night to take his vitals.
She’d left the book on his table, slip of paper marking where she’d stopped reading. He didn’t remember how many times in high school he’d read The Lord of the Rings. At least once or twice a year. Sometimes, he’d finish and start again the same night.
The story gave him hope that there was order in the world. That there were unwritten but sacred laws that everyone had to follow or karma would bounce back on them. He truly believed in good and evil, even if most of his employees thought he was a cold, heartless boss. Maybe he’d turned into Saruman the White, doing the wrong thing for the right reasons. All he knew right now was he needed to use the bathroom. He reached for his phone. Hopefully Miss Destiny was awake.
“Good morning. I thought I’d have to wake you to take your meds.” Destiny walked into the room, a tray with coffee and a plate of Maggie’s muffins. “Let me set this down and I’ll help you into the wheelchair.”
“You left the book here.” He groaned inwardly. Who was he? Captain Obvious? “I mean, thank you for reading last night. For some reason, Tolkien eases my mind. It always has.”
“I love the books. I was afraid the movies might ruin the story, but they did okay.” She eased his legs over the side of the bed and held out her hands. “Lean on me, let me turn you, then we’ll ease you backwards into the chair. Don’t jerk.”
He followed her instructions, smelling the floral shampoo she must have used earlier. “I don’t want to squish you.”
