by E. Ayers
As she started down the hall, tucked under his arm, she spotted Dr. Amory as he turned the corner and headed towards them.
“Good morning,” Trent said.
“What’s happening with your cast?” the doctor asked. He motioned for Trent to follow him into a small room. The doctor pulled up Trent’s tee shirt and looked carefully at his back.
“Any other places?”
“Over here, under this arm and over here. I feel as if every square inch of skin under it is on fire.”
“There’s no question. You’ve got a problem. Be in my office,” he looked at his watch, “at ten thirty.”
Trent shook his head. “Shawn’s waking up. He’s got a doctor in there now.”
“I understand, but you are a patient, too. If I don't take care of this, you'll be in bigger trouble, and completely useless to your son.”
Trent nodded. “I’ll be there.”
***
Cassie offered to stay with Shawn or go with Trent.
“Shawn’s sleeping. It doesn’t matter.”
“Then I’m coming with you. When we’re done, we can pick something up from the cafeteria and eat in Shawn’s room.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
It took them a while to get from Shawn’s room to Dr. Amory’s office in the north wing. The waiting room was quite full, and the only seat left he offered to Cassie.
“That’s okay. I’ve sat so much today, I’d rather stand. In fact, the walk here felt good. I’m not used to constantly sitting. When I teach, I’m on my feet, and at the museum, I’m up and down all day long.”
“My job is the same way. Often I need a few hours on the computer, but I’m constantly being pulled away to the shop or the showroom floor.”
“I want you to fill out those forms for admission to the University. It doesn’t matter if it takes you eight years. You need to follow your own dreams.”
He sucked his lower lip in for a moment and then said, “My dream is to own my own house. I’d love for Shawn to have a room painted like the ones here, with whatever he wants on it, and a huge kitchen where everyone can gather.” He grinned. “I want a bathroom to die for, with a big soaking tub in the middle. And a bedroom filled with mirrors so I can see you from every angle.”
A grin pulled at her cheeks. “I want an open floor plan, maybe with a nook or two. And big windows to let in the light.”
Trent’s smile widened. “Lots of natural light, and big porches. Maybe something that wraps around and--”
“Trent Callahan?”
He took Cassie’s hand and followed the nurse into the offices.
“Dr. Amory will be right with you. Until then, I do have a few questions.”
Trent answered the woman’s questions, then waited in silence until Dr. Amory appeared.
“Hi, Trent. I’m going to remove your cast and give you something else. I do get the impression that you aren’t the type of man to follow directions when I tell you not to use your arm, but you’d better. You had a mess in there, and it's going to take awhile to heal. I don’t like my work being undone because you think that you can use your arm.”
The doctor removed a power tool from a drawer and began to remove the cast.
Cassie watched as the doctor sliced away several sections and ran swabs across the weeping areas. She figured the swabs were going to be cultured to be certain he wasn't brewing some horrible bacterial infection. She wrinkled her nose at the stench.
“What happened?” she asked.
“We’re going to find out. I won’t have all the answers for a few days. Ever have skin problems?”
“Not really. I had a little acne as a young teen. The only thing that bothers me is heat. My mom calls it prickly heat. I tend to take a lot of showers in the summer.”
“I don’t want you moving this arm. Don’t even flinch it.”
As the cast came off his shoulder and arm, Cassie thought she’d gag. She looked away as the room began to swim.
***
“Doc, I think we’ve got a bigger problem.” Trent pointed to Cassie who had slouched over in the chair.
Dr Amory looked over at blonde woman with Trent. Then he called his nurse, “Brittany?”
“Oh, dear, a fainter.” The nurse giggled as she took over caring for Cassie and Dr. Amory's attention returned to Trent.
Trent chuckled as Cassie joined them. “Go figure, she can handle mummies, but she swoons when she’s around me.”
“I do not,” Cassie said.
“Yes, you do.” A wide grin spread across his face.
Soon Trent was covered in strips of gauze that had been soaked in something. It tingled, it itched, and it felt wonderful, compared to the pain. He sat perfectly still with his arm on a rubbery wedge as the nurse came in and out, and exchanged the strips of gauze for new ones.
“Young lady,” the doctor said when he returned. “You need to get him a plain white shirt. Nothing tight. I’d prefer something that buttoned.”
“Now?”
“Yes, now.”
She stood. “See you in a few. I’ll run over to the Emporium,” she said, referring to the downtown mall.
It took her longer than Trent had anticipated, but she returned with two white shirts that swallowed him. The nurse helped Trent into the one shirt. When the doctor returned, he put Trent’s arm into a sling.
“You can’t use it.”
“I understand,” Trent answered. He was feeling much better, but he wanted to get back to his son, and he knew Cassie had picked up food while she was there, as he could see the bag from a local sandwich shop.
The doctor handed Cassie a prescription and told her to fill it at the hospital pharmacy. “Twice a day, I want him soaked in this. And don’t go passing out while you do it. He may take a shower.”
She nodded at the doctor’s instructions. Trent tried to listen, but his mind was on his son and the white bag from the local deli.
“I’m sure you’re a happy camper, now that you’ve got that cast off,” Cassie said, as they left the doctor's office.
“Definitely.” He smiled and put his hand on her back. “What’s in the bag?”
“A big wad of those strips and a handful of packets that contain the powder that I have to mix with lukewarm water.”
“No, I meant the food.”
“Oh, two…ah…they called them subs.”
“What kind? I’m drooling.”
“I don’t remember. They called them Downtowners. They’ve got everything on them.”
“Good. I’m starved.”
A few minutes later, they were sitting in Shawn’s room eating the sandwiches when Dr. Anwar came in.
“Hi. Let’s wake him up and see what we’ve got.”
Trent wiped his hands and his mouth on a napkin and put what was left of his sub on a small counter. “Hey, Shawn, time to wake up.”
The boy stirred and Trent called his son again.
This time, Shawn opened his eyes and mumbled, “I’m tired.”
“Dr. Anwar is here, and he wants you to wake up.”
“Hi, sweetie.” Cassie ran her fingers through his hair and then circled his cheek with her fingers.
“Hi, Cassie. I’m s-s-sleepy.”
“You might be sleepy, young man, but you need to wake up.” Dr. Anwar pressed a few buttons on the box with the IV lines. “I want you to sit up and talk to me.”
“You sound funny,” Shawn said.
“I know. I have what most people call an English accent. But I’ve never been to England.”
Shawn scrunched up his eyes and looked at the doctor. “Where are you from?”
“My parents are from a far away place known as India, but I was born and raised here in the United States.”
“I know where India is. It looks a little like Texas, but it hangs off of Asia.”
Sanjay Anwar looked at Trent with complete amazement.
“I have no idea how he knows that,” Trent replied.
&n
bsp; “He’s very bright,” Cassie interjected.
Dr Anwar grinned. “When you get better, I want you to come visit my house. I have a son your age. I think you two will get along just fine.”
“What’s your son’s name?” Shawn asked.
“Nick.”
Shawn seemed to drift off again.
Dr. Anwar looked at his watch. “I want you to wake him every hour on the hour and keep him awake for at least ten to fifteen minutes. I want to see him eating something for dinner, even if it is only Jell-O, and maybe watching TV this evening.”
Trent nodded.
“I’m backing him off his medication. We want him quiet, but not totally drugged. If he does well, we’ll see about removing everything from him tomorrow.” He looked at Trent and then at Cassie. “I have one more suggestion. Go home tonight and get some sleep. He’s doing beautifully.”
“Thank you, Dr. Anwar.” Trent held out his hand to the doctor.
When the doctor left, Trent looked at Cassie. “I doubt I’m going to be a very good partner this evening.”
She grinned. “I can be content with just your presence.”
“I doubt I will.”
“Then I’ll have to take care of you.”
Trent raised his eyebrows.
She smiled demurely. “Your shoulder might be out of commission but…”
“There’s nothing like an experienced woman.”
She touched the tip of her tongue to her upper lip. “I’m willing to do whatever it takes.”
“We need to table this discussion.”
“Yes, we must. You’ve got company coming.”
“What do you mean?”
“Look behind you.”
Trent turned and his heart fell into his stomach. His mother was standing on the other side if the glass wall.
“She is his grandmother,” Cassie reminded him. “Be nice.”
***
Cassie brushed past him and left the room. Walking to the far end of the hall, she removed her cell phone from her pocket and turned it on. She found the number and called Amanda McGuire.
“Hi, Amanda. I need a favor. I’ve got to find another place to live.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Absolutely nothing other than I don’t have enough space. Trent Callahan has moved in with me, and I need a second bedroom for his son.”
“You and Trent?”
Cassie grinned as she answered, “Yes. Is there a problem with that?”
“No. He’s definitely cute.”
“Yeah, I think so, too.”
“Isn’t Shawn still in the hospital?” Amanda asked.
“Yes, and he will be here for a while. I’d like to have a better place for him to come home to than my sofa.”
“There are some beautiful homes on the market that are quite cheap.”
“I’m not sure I can afford to buy. I don’t have an abundance of cash. And I would like to stay in the downtown.”
“If you really want to stay put, you should check with Sweet Grandview’s management. They might have an opening in your building. Off the top of my head, I do know there are several nice houses available downtown, if you want to buy. I’d have to check, but there was a townhouse available near Dallas and Patrick, and Zee Developments has some new construction, but I think they are all further out.”
“See what you can find and make sure it’s cheap. I really cannot afford much right now.”
“Can you meet me tomorrow morning at nine? I’ll pull up in front of the main hospital doors.”
“That’ll be perfect. Thanks.”
Feeling much better about that problem, she checked her watch and headed back to Shawn’s room. Standing outside the glass partition, she watched Shawn’s grandmother. The woman’s own fears had been her undoing, yet Cassie forgave Robin Callahan. It was Robin who had taught the boy to read and took care of him while his father worked. She had boxed up Colleen’s things and kept them safe.
Cassie sighed. It wasn’t her job to patch things up between Trent and his mom. God doesn’t punish us for falling in love.
“Dr. Jones, there’s a phone call for you,” a nurse said.
Surprised, Cassie turned and took the phone. “Hello.”
“Oh, Cassie, I tried to call Tate for your phone number, but she’s not answering her phone. Can you come down to the lobby for a moment? I have something for you,” Tate’s mother-in-law said.
“Surely, Selena. I’ll be right there.” She handed the nurse the phone. “Thank you.”
She scurried to the lobby, and Selena handed her a large box.
“Everything you need is in there. Enjoy. I’ve got to get back to work.”
Cassie peeked into the box. “Oh, yum. I hate to say it, but the food here is terrible.”
“That’s not a surprise. How’s he doing?”
“He’s waking up, but he’s still not really awake. They are keeping him drugged, letting him wake up slowly. Dr. Anwar had to change the one medication because the first one wasn’t agreeing with him.”
“Oh, that must be Mahtee Anwar’s husband. She’s a little sweetheart.”
“I know Mahtee. She’s an associate professor. It never dawned on me that Shawn’s doctor was her husband.”
“I thought Dr. Ramsey was Shawn’s doctor.”
“He is, but it seems as though Shawn has a dozen doctors.”
“Buck Zaro said he was going to stop by tonight to see Shawn. Buck came by the Graffiti Grill before lunch, on his way out to the clinic.”
“I think you sell as much off campus as you do on.”
“Seems that way. I’ve got to get back. Tell Trent I’ve got my fingers crossed.”
“I will. What do I owe you?”
“Nothing. My treat.”
Cassie kissed the woman on the cheek before retreating into an elevator. The press was still hanging around, and they obviously wanted information, as one man made a mad dash for her elevator.
“Hi. You’re Dr. Jones, correct?”
“Yes.”
“How’s Shawn doing?”
“I’m really not qualified to comment. The only thing I can tell you is that the doctors are very pleased with his progress.”
“And you’re not?”
“I’m only a family friend. I’m not a medical doctor. I’ve got a PhD in ancient history.”
The elevator door opened and two security guards stepped into the elevator as she stepped off. The hospital was doing everything it could to keep the press at bay.
~~25~~
Cassie was pleased that Trent seemed to be in such a good mood. The whole day had been a series of encouraging events. Shawn slurped a cup of Jell-O and drank a little juice. Tate’s dad had stopped by for a few minutes before Dr. Ramsey came, and both doctors were very pleased with Shawn’s progress. Cassie knew that fact alone had lifted a huge burden off Trent, but she still wasn’t prepared for Trent to almost swoop her off her feet with his good arm when they entered her apartment.
“Not so fast. I want to spend tonight with you, but give me a chance.” His hand cupped her one breast, causing her to groan. “Please--” The warmth of his lips as they slanted over hers prevented her from doing anything, other than returning his kiss. His tongue invaded her mouth and she sucked on it as heat pooled in her pelvis. Mustering the strength to resist him, she placed her hands on his chest and pushed away.
He stared at her with his gray-blue eyes. His expression was one of rejection.
She smiled at him as she dropped the lock on her door, and turned on another light. “We’re not randy teenagers, so don’t look at me that way.” She gazed over her shoulder at him as she walked towards her kitchen. “We have the entire night, and I promise you’ll enjoy it.”
“Just what do you have in mind?”
Opening the refrigerator door, she grabbed a can of whipped cream and grinned as his gaze locked with hers. “Why not? I could handle a little snack.” She raised her eyebrows and s
miled broadly.
“Is there any fantasy you’re not willing to fulfill?”
“As long as it’s only the two of us, then I’m probably very willing.”
“You’re safe there, because I’m not into sharing.”
“Good. Follow me.” She beckoned him with her finger.
Once she had him in her bathroom, she began to untie his sneakers. He leaned against her sink vanity and stretched his long legs out. She liked waiting on him, and let that pleasant feeling roll around in her mind for a few seconds. Knowing she was saving him from leaning over and trying to do it, gave the act purpose, but there was more to it. She pulled off a sock and gently massaged his foot. It was soft and his toes were perfectly aligned. She smiled sheepishly up at him and he grinned at her.
She took care of his other foot with the same attentiveness. When she was done she stood before him carefully removing his sling and the white shirt he was wearing. Three small stitches held together small incisions. They looked like little black spiders.
From everything the doctor had said, his injury was merely the final stroke, but guilt wrapped around her gut and strangled her. “I’m so very sorry.”
“I’m glad he didn’t hurt you.”
“I’ve asked myself a million times what he would have done to me if you hadn’t come to my door.”
“He would have raped you.”
She closed her eyes and shook her head, trying to clear the image of Hugh Fitzgerald from her mind. She opened her eyes and stared at his chest. Strong muscles created valleys and ridges and her fingers traced a few of those lines before brushing over his good arm. Something deep in her soul responded by fanning an ember within her as she touched his skin. The sensation was soft and unhurried. Dropping her cheek to his arm, she lightly stroked the soft blond hair on his forearms before lowering her gaze to his fly.
She popped the snap and undid his zipper, as he leaned forward from his perch. Easing his jeans over his hips, she was very much aware that he might have been enjoying her undressing him, but he was still quite relaxed. She pulled his jeans off and tossed them to one side. Now, for the real prize. She eased his boxers off his hips and saw the stirrings of an erection. He stepped out of his boxers, as the back of her fingers ran over the soft skin of his penis. She looked up at him and smiled.
