“Sounds like you need a break. Is there any way you can get away tonight?”
“Probably not. It’s part of my job to take care of him like this when Valerie is not around.”
“No matter how much he whines?”
“Yeah. No matter how much he whines,” she answered.
“I’d really like to spend some time with you.”
“Me too. So what are we going to do?” she asked.
“What if I order some Chinese for us? I’ll bring it and a movie over here to his motor coach.”
“That sounds good. I’ll make sure it’s okay with him first.”
“Okay. I’m on my way to a meeting with my crew. Call me in about an hour to let me know. Okay?”
“Okay.”
“So what did you rent?” Dawn asked as she put a bowl of popcorn on the coffee table beside Jeremiah.
“Platoon and The Killing Fields,” he said.
“No way. Are those your idea of a date movie?” she said as she picked up the DVDs and looked at the titles. There was a chick flick and one guy movie. “You are not a funny guy.”
“So what do you want to watch first?” he asked as he patted the sofa beside him.
“The chick flick, of course,” she answered as she popped the disk into the player. Then she picked up the remote, took a seat beside Jeremiah, and hit play.
“So how’s the patient?” Jeremiah asked as the previews lit up the screen.
“Asleep. He ate some Jell-O and took his medicine about an hour ago. He fell asleep not long after that. Hopefully, he’ll sleep for a while.”
“Hopefully,” Jeremiah said as he put his arm around Dawn’s shoulders and pulled her closer. “I’d like to spend a little time with you.”
“I just want some peace and quiet.” Dawn put her head on Jeremiah’s shoulder. “It’s been a long day.”
“Sit here with me, and watch the movie. Get some rest.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Dawn said with a yawn that she tried to cover with her hand. She watched the preview that was on the screen. It was for a typical guy movie. Jeremiah watched with interest. It had hot girls, fast cars, gunfire, and explosions. Jeremiah told her that he had wanted to see this movie when it was in the theater, but he hadn’t had the time. He said he had forgotten about it until now. Dawn heard what he was saying but had to admit that she wasn’t really listening to it. She tried to watch, but the image on the screen was getting smaller and smaller. She realized that her eyes were slowly closing. His voice was becoming more and more distant. She knew she was falling asleep and that she should fight it, but she couldn’t. She was so comfortable on this huge, cushy sofa. She was so warm as she nestled against Jeremiah’s chest. Maybe if she just dozed off during the previews, she could watch the main attraction.
“We’ll have to rent this one the next time,” Jeremiah said. “Would you like to see it?” She didn’t answer. She was sound asleep.
Bryan felt a little better the next morning. He felt like going to the garage, against Dawn’s advice and against Valerie’s direct order. “I know that you two don’t think I should go, but I wasted a whole day yesterday. I need to find out what is going on.”
“I understand, but you don’t need to overdo it. It will take you that much longer to get better if you do.”
“I’ll just go see what’s going on and talk to the guys for a while. I’ll be back in bed in an hour.”
“Yeah, right.”
“I promise.”
“You better.”
“Hey, I’m the boss. Remember?”
“But I’ve got your wife on my side. Don’t forget.”
“How could I? One of you is always reminding me. If I ever find myself looking for a new personal assistant, it will be your last duty to make sure I pick a guy. Maybe that way I can get someone who will listen to me every now and then.”
“Ha-ha. Very funny. It’s for your own good.” Dawn laughed. “Sit in that chair, and stay put.”
“You’re not supposed to boss me.”
“Valerie’s orders,” Dawn told him. “We both know that she’s the real boss.”
Bryan nodded.
“I’m going to go see if I can find Jeremiah. I’ll be back in one hour to take you back to the motor coach.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Bryan saluted.
“That’s more like it,” Dawn teased. They both laughed.
“Seriously, Dawn. Thanks for taking care of me. I know how I am when I’m sick.”
“You’re welcome.” Dawn walked out of that garage stall and headed toward Jeremiah’s. He wasn’t there. One of his crew told her that he had stepped away for a few minutes to get some air. The car had developed a vibration during the morning practice session. Jeremiah and the crew had been working on it ever since. The crew member told Dawn that they thought they had found the trouble, now they just needed to fix it. She stayed out of the way until Jeremiah returned a few minutes later. He did not look happy.
“I need to talk to you,” she said as she approached him. “Do you have time to walk a little more?”
“Sure,” he said as he rubbed the back of his neck with one hand. “Lead the way.” He motioned with the other.
“I’m sorry about last night,” she said as they walked past other garage stalls. “I really wanted to hang out with you and watch movies.”
“It’s okay. You had a rough day.”
“When I woke up and you were gone, I felt terrible. Especially when I realized that you had put a pillow under my head, slipped off my shoes, and covered me with a blanket before you left. That was very nice of you. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Did you spend all night there?”
“Yes. I woke up just long enough to realize what had happened and fell back to sleep.”
“You said you felt guilty?”
“I did. I want to make it up to you. Can I cook you dinner tonight?”
“What about your patient?”
“I’m leaving him alone tonight. I’ll fix him something to eat and hopefully he won’t need me after that. If he does, he’ll call me.”
“So, he’s feeling better?”
“Yes, thank God. He’s over in his garage stall now. Maybe the fresh air will do him some good.”
“Or spread the flu germs around.”
“You must be having a bad day. You’re usually not such a grump.”
“My neck hurts. I crawled under the car this morning to see if I could figure out what was wrong. One of the guys was up above me, looking down, and dropped a wrench. I jerked to keep from getting knocked in the head, but I must’ve pulled something in the process.”
“Did you go to the care center?”
“No. What can they do?”
“An X-ray to make sure you didn’t do any serious damage. At least give you some ice and aspirin.”
“You saw me yesterday. You know I don’t do well in hospitals.”
“So your fear of hospitals includes you being treated as well.”
“Oh, yeah. I was afraid of needles before Elizabeth’s death anyway. If I have to go for me, I freak out.”
“What if you crash during a race and have to go?”
“It’s not fun. The doctors hate to see me coming. They check me out as quickly as possible. So far, I’ve been lucky and never had to have an extended exam or be transported to the hospital.”
“Do you want me to go get you some ice?”
“No, but thank you. I’ve got too much to do. Maybe later.”
“Be careful, okay.”
“Okay. What time will you be at my motor coach tonight to start cooking?” Jeremiah asked.
“Is five okay?”
“Sounds good. What are you making?”
<
br /> “I haven’t decided yet. I’ll have to go to the store later.”
“Okay.” They had circled the building during their talk and were back to Jeremiah’s stall. “One more thing.”
“What?”
“Can you do something for me? Something that will make my neck feel better?”
“Sure. What?”
“Kiss me.”
“On the neck?”
He laughed at her joke. At least he hoped it was a joke. “No. On the lips. We’ll save the necking for later tonight.”
“You’re terrible.” Dawn laughed but stepped closer to him. “Let the record show that I am only doing this for your health,” she said as she stretched up to her tiptoes to press her lips to his. Just as quickly as she started it, she ended it.
“More,” he said.
“I can’t,” she replied.
“You could.”
“Probably, but I’ve got to get back to Bryan. I pray that I can get him back to his motor coach without a fight. Then maybe he’ll take a nap, and I can catch a few winks on the couch. I’m so tired.”
“Are you sure you want to cook tonight?”
“Yes. I’ll be okay.”
“Okay. I’ll see you at five. I can’t wait.”
Dawn was shocked that Bryan went back to the motor coach without an argument. She could tell that he was wiped out. He went straight to bed when they got back to the coach. She heard him snoring within minutes. Dawn was getting comfy on the couch when she saw Bryan’s Bible sitting on the table. When was the last time she had read hers? In Charlotte. Lord, forgive me, she thought. It had been almost a week. She picked up Bryan’s Bible and flipped through it. She saw something that had been highlighted. It was Psalms 91 about the safety of abiding in the presence of God. That makes sense, she thought, for a race car driver to highlight a passage about safety. Dawn read the passage and a few more from Psalms. It had been a while since she read this book of poetry. Maybe it was time to read it again. She turned to the beginning of the book and read some more. After a few chapters, she put the Bible down and prayed. “Dear Lord, thank you for this day you have given me. Forgive me for neglecting you for the past week or so. I have been busy settling into my new life, but you knew that. It’s no excuse. I’m sorry. Please help me to do better. How will I ever help lead others to you if I am not where I should be in my walk with you? Thank you for the gift of salvation you have given me. Help me to share the good news with others. I love you. Amen.”
It was a few minutes after five when Dawn knocked on the door to Jeremiah’s motor coach. “It’s open,” she heard him yell from inside.
“My arms are full of groceries.”
She heard movement from inside, and then the door opened. Jeremiah stood there, still in his fire suit. “Let me help you with those,” he said as he reached down and took the bags from her.
She followed him up the stairs into his coach. It was the first time she had been here. It was nice, maybe even a little nicer than Bryan’s. “I was going to make you chicken alfredo, but that takes a while and I’m tired. How do tacos sound?”
“Great. I’m so hungry. My granddad used to say, ‘I’m so hungry that I’d chew off my own arm if I didn’t think I’d need it later,’” he told her as he unloaded the bags. “Do you need any help?”
“I don’t think so, but I’ll let you know if I do.”
“How’s Bryan?”
“Much better. I made him some chicken noodle soup before I left. He promised to stay in the motor coach tonight. In the morning, he’ll go back to the infield care center for more fluids, and then they’ll decide if he can race on Sunday.”
“That’s great news.”
“I know,” Dawn said, while rummaging through cabinets. “Where is your skillet?”
“In the oven, I think.”
“No, I already checked there.”
“Then I don’t have a clue. I’m a bachelor. I don’t cook so I don’t keep up with where the skillet is,” he said as he walked into the kitchen to help her look.
“Your mom didn’t teach you to cook?”
“She tried, but I didn’t pay attention. I took a home-ec class in high school but just because that was where the girls were.”
Dawn laughed as she opened another cabinet. “I bet all those girls just loved to help you, didn’t they.”
“I got an A in that class.”
Dawn laughed again. “Found it.” When she found it, she knew that he really didn’t cook. What cook keeps their pans in a high cabinet above the sink? She took the pan out, walked over to the stove, and turned it on. “Now, how about a spatula or a turner of some sort?”
“All I can say is keep opening doors until you find it.”
“You’re a big help,” she told him as she started her new search.
“I had just gotten in when you knocked. If you don’t need me, I’m going to take a shower.”
“Okay.”
Jeremiah came out of the bathroom twenty minutes later, freshly shaved and showered. He wore blue jeans, a T-shirt over a long sleeved T-shirt. His feet were bare, but he was carrying socks and shoes. “I feel much better. Do you need any help?”
“I’m almost done. You can pour us something to drink if you want.”
“Okay,” he said as he got up and went into the kitchen. “I’ve got iced tea and Pepsi, unless you brought something else.”
“No, I didn’t. A Pepsi would be great.”
“Coming right up.” He poured the drinks and carried them to the table while Dawn followed with a bowl of taco meat, lettuce, tomatoes, and just about everything else needed for tacos.
“Go ahead and start eating,” she told him as she went to the fridge for the cheese and sour cream.
“Everything looks and smells great,” he told her.
“Thank you,” she answered as she sat down beside him. “Do you mind saying grace?”
He looked a little uneasy but said sure as he grabbed her hand and bowed his head. “God, thank you for this meal and for my pretty new friend that cooked it for me. Bless this food so that we may be able to do what we need to do. Amen.”
“Amen.”
“So, what are your plans for tomorrow?” he asked her as he filled his plate.
“It depends on how Bryan feels. If he’s up to it, he has a personal appearance for tomorrow afternoon and race practice after that. What about you?”
“I have a fan club thing tomorrow after practice. We’re going to a local arcade and game room that has go-karts. I’ve challenged all my fan club members to go-kart races. It’s in this huge mall on the strip. We’re going to work up a huge appetite and then walk over to a nearby pizza parlor.”
“Sounds like fun.”
“It is. We did it last year and had so much fun that we decided to make it a yearly thing. You’re welcome to come with me, if you want.”
“I might. It depends on how everything goes with Bryan. He won’t take it easy and give himself time to get better. I’ll call you to let you know.”
“Okay.” They sat for almost forty-five minutes, talking and eating. When they were full, they cleaned up the table, put the leftovers in the fridge, and loaded the dishwasher. Then they moved to the couch to watch TV. He sat beside her and put his arm across the back of the couch. “You’re not going to fall asleep on me again, are you?” he teased her.
“I could, but I’ll try not to.”
“That’s all I ask.” He picked up the remote and started flipping through the channels. “Is there anything that you want to watch?”
“No.” They decided to watch the local news. Jeremiah told her that he always liked to watch the news when he was in a new city. It was interesting to see what was going on in that part of the country. Dawn had thought
the same thing the other morning when she sat and read the newspaper. Something else that we have in common, she thought but was distracted when her cell phone rang. “I swear, if that is Bryan, I’ll hurt him. He promised me the night off. Hello?”
“Hi, hon. It’s Mom.
Dawn looked at the clock. It was after six in Las Vegas, so it was after eight in Arkansas. It was too late for her mom to be calling just to chat. “Hi, Mom. I didn’t expect you to call.”
“I know, but I called to tell you that your dad had an accident. We’re in the emergency room.”
“What happened?” Dawn asked as she sat up straight. Jeremiah sat up too. He was watching her with a concerned look on his face.
“He was working in the backyard and fell.”
“Fell?”
“He was up in that big tree, topping it, and he fell out of it.”
“Why was he in that tree? He’s sixty years old. Where were my brothers? One of them should’ve been in that tree. Why did you let him?” By this time, Dawn was up and pacing.
“Calm down, and I’ll tell you. I begged him not to climb that tree. Patrick was at work. Shane had been up there but had climbed down to take a break. Your dad decided that he could finish the job. I went inside to get Shane so he could talk some sense into your dad. When we got back outside, your dad was on the ground.”
“Is he okay?”
“We just got back from X-ray. His shoulder is broken.”
“Is either Pat or Shane with you?”
“They both are. I’m so glad Shane was there. His EMT skills came in handy.”
“I bet.”
“You know your father. He tried to get up and say he was okay. Shane made him stay put and checked him out. Your dad said he wasn’t going to the hospital, but we talked him into it.”
“Mom, do I need to come home?”
“No. We’re waiting on the doctor to set his shoulder. They told us that when they are done, we can go home, but he’ll have to check up with his regular doctor in a couple of days. But he is not going to be working for a while.”
Revved Up Hearts Page 11
