by Hall, Roni
“I’ll wait for you, Jamie. I’ll wait.” He looked at her and then took a double-take. Was she smiling?
The guys noted a definite change in Kevin’s mood. Upbeat, he smiled and talked about his future with Jamie. Had they missed something?
Ben finally asked. “Kev, did the nurses tell you something that you forgot to share with us? You seem so, so happy.”
“I am happy and I’m thankful. Jamie’s got her work cut out for her, no doubt about that, but she’s coming back.” He looked at them all.
“How do you know this?” Ben looked worried about his friend now.
“Jamie told me. Not in words, but she told me. She’ll be fine.” Ben looked at Rick and then Noah.
Finally Rick spoke, “Ben, if Jamie communicated this to Kevin, then I believe him. Sometimes in matters of the heart, you have to go with what you feel, and obviously Kevin feels it. I’m not saying it makes sense, but you have to go with blind faith.” Rick wore a knowing smile.
“Okay,” Ben concurred, “I’ll go with it, too.” Noah looked at all of them and nodded agreement.
Kevin returned to Jamie’s side but felt more relaxed now. Holding her hand, he chatted away about things they had shared in the past and plans he had for their future. An inner peace filled him now that he knew she would come back to him.
Since Kevin had signed the next of kin authorization for surgery, everyone assumed he was her husband and addressed him as so. Somehow it came to light that this may not be true and the legal representatives from the hospital questioned him, worried about their own involvement in all this and any liabilities.
In the scheme of everything going on this was but a nuisance. He could care less, even if he got sued or charged with fraud. Jamie’s healing was all he focused on and he wanted to have a say in her care and make sure she got the best. For some reason, this annoying legal matter kept popping up and Kevin had no patience for it.
“She’s my wife. At this time, with everything else going on, are you serious?” He wanted to be able to make Jamie’s medical decisions to ensure she received the best care. Ben, Rick, and Noah confirmed Kevin’s words but that did not seem to be proof enough for the administration staff.
Jamie’s numbers continued to improve, enough to remove most of the tubes. Kevin remained upbeat. He stood at her bedside when the legal hospital representatives approached him once again. “I’m not getting why this is so important to you right now.” Kevin asked them in an irritated tone.
“Certainly you can understand our predicament, Mr. Cunningham.”
“No, I can’t. Who is saying we are not married anyways?” Kevin asked, getting more annoyed.
“A Mr. Derrick Stiller,” they answered.
Kevin was flabbergasted with that information. “Do you realize that Stiller is the maniac who shot her? Does that not sound a bit weird to you?” He was getting angrier by the minute.
“That’s not the point, Mr. Cunningham,” the lawyer answered.
“Then what exactly is the point?”
“We need to get to the truth.” The attorney pursued her point obnoxiously.
They were getting on Kevin’s last nerve. “Go. Leave me. Do what you have to do, it doesn’t matter. It’s of no value to me. I have more important things to worry about.”
Kevin held tight to Jamie’s hand, never letting go. Suddenly she squeezed it. This time there was no question. “Jamie. Jamie, it’s me Kevin. Can you hear me?” he asked, ignoring the legal types in the room.
Jamie’s eyelids fluttered and she opened her eyes, looking up at the ceiling with a blank stare. Kevin stood up excitedly and positioned his face near hers.
“Jamie, baby. It’s me Kevin.” He looked at her hopefully.
She turned her head and recognition registered on her face, smiling. “Kevin.” She whispered his name softly but it was the most beautiful sound he had ever heard.
“Jamie!” He held her hand in his and kissed it. “Jamie.” He repeated her name again and again.
Now she turned her head fully to face him. “Kevin. Kevin,” she whispered. “Kevin, my love, my sweet, sweet husband.” With this statement, the legal team looked at each other sheepishly and excused themselves.
Kevin smiled and winked at her. He bent down and kissed her on the cheek.
“I’ve been waiting for you.”
“I know.” And she smiled back.
Epilogue
Kevin squeezed Jamie’s hand as his old truck rambled up the drive. Her physician had forbade her to travel for six weeks and the wait had been unbearable. Kevin insisted on escorting her back to Montana.
The log arch announcing the ranch was covered with a Welcome back Jamie! banner. Her heart expanded, filling her chest, making her gasp. Tears welled as she bit her lip taking in the much missed scenery. How had she won this lottery in life which provided the grand prize of loving family and friends in a faraway paradise?
In the courtyard, they waited, waving anxiously, Ben, Rick, Tommy, Consuelo, Hector, all the ranch hands and Jack, snorting loudly. Inhaling deeply, her chest expanded as the scars in her heart healed. Now, finally, she was fully mended. She was home.
