“I’d like to come visit for a while.”
Chess blinked at the words. He wanted to visit? For how long? Chess hadn’t even mentioned where he lived, only that it was in Texas. A far cry from Florida. Although Nathan could probably locate Chess’s address if he tried.
“How long would you be able to stay?”
Chess didn’t want to offend him, but needed to know before he said yes to anything.
“I’m hoping for a week.”
Meeting Nathan conjured a combination of nerves and eagerness. I think that’d be great. If you’ll let me know when you might arrive, I can be sure to pick you up from the airport.
“I may like the area enough to move there. I think it might be time for a change. Maybe find a new job. I’ve heard everything’s bigger there in Texas.” That was followed by a winking emoji.
“What’s going on?” Chess would prefer more details before inviting the guy to come up here with the rest of his family.
“I’d rather talk to you in person. If I got a flight in this coming weekend, would that be too early?”
Chess’s eyebrows lifted. He hadn’t expected it to be this soon. “I’m pretty sure I should have no problem scheduling time off. Let me check with work tomorrow, and I’ll let you know for sure.”
“Sounds good.”
They chatted for another minute or two before ending the conversation. Chess would see his long-lost brother again.
He was heading into the living room when his phone rang. “Hey, Joel. Long time no talk. What’s up?”
“Chess? Brooke was in a car accident. We’re on our way to the hospital now.”
“What?” Chess was out the door and in his truck in moments. “Is she okay? What happened?”
“Someone ran a red light and hit her passenger side.” He spoke to someone in the background. “Anastasia says they wouldn’t release any more information over the phone except to say she was at the hospital.”
Chess cursed. “I’ll meet you guys there.”
“Be safe. You can’t help her if you kill yourself getting there. We’re pulling in, I’m going to go.”
“Yeah.”
The line went quiet, and Chess tossed his phone into the passenger seat.
He reached the hospital in what he was sure had to be record time. He located Joel and Anna in the second floor waiting area. “How is she?”
Joel cringed. “We don’t know. They assured us a doctor would be out to update us as soon as possible.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Chess resisted the urge to go to the nurse’s station and demand more information. Surely Brooke’s condition wasn’t as bad as what his imagination was summoning up right now. “Did you guys get to see her?”
Anna shook her head. “They wouldn’t let us. They said she’s unconscious.” Her eyes filled with tears.
“What about the other driver?”
Joel put an arm around Anna and pulled her close. “He’s in worse shape. I guess he got a text and glanced down at it. Completely missed the light turning red.”
Chess’s stomach rolled.
Joel took his arm and directed him to a set of chairs. They all sat down.
Chess was vaguely aware of Joel and Anna praying together for Brooke. Meanwhile, he couldn’t focus on anything, his mind and body numb. If Brooke had sustained internal damage… He couldn’t let his thoughts go that direction. The idea of losing her stole the oxygen from his lungs.
They waited nearly an hour before a doctor came into the waiting room. “Are you the family of Brooke Pierce?”
All three of them stood. Chess took several steps forward. “Yes. Is she okay?”
“The impact threw Miss Pierce against the door. She has a laceration on her head that required five stitches to close.” The doctor held up a hand to reassure them, anticipating some of their questions. “We took her in for a CT scan. She has a concussion, but there is no damage otherwise.” The doctor glanced at his iPad and scanned what was on the screen. “She has three broken ribs on her left side. There is no immediate danger of the ribs damaging any of her organs, but she’ll be sore for a while. We’d like to keep her here for observation tonight. She should be able to go home tomorrow.”
“Thank goodness,” Anna breathed.
“Can we see her?” The question came from Joel.
“I believe they are taking her into recovery. Someone should be here soon to take you back so you can sit with her. I’ve given her something for the pain, therefore she’ll probably sleep for a while. I’ll be by later, too, and I can answer any of Miss Pierce’s questions.” The surgeon shook hands with both Chess and Joel.
Chess sat down again and massaged the back of his neck. “This is all my fault.”
Joel took the seat beside him. “Don’t even go there. This had nothing to do with you.”
Chess clenched his jaw and turned abruptly toward Joel. “If I’d handled everything better, Brooke would’ve stayed for dessert, and she wouldn’t have been in the accident in the first place.” He was supposed to protect Brooke, be there for her, and keep her safe. Instead, she landed in the hospital. All because of him. He pushed a finger against his temple.
Regardless of the doctor’s assurances that Brooke would be asleep for some time, he abhorred the idea of her waking up alone in the recovery room. Every cell in his body was telling him to go find her. He wanted to see for himself that she was okay.
Chapter Nine
Was it morning already? Brooke flinched against the pounding in her head. Why wouldn’t her eyes open? She swallowed and her throat burned, the resulting cough ending in a moan.
“Take it easy, Brooke.”
Why did Joel’s voice sound far away?
“Chess?”
Someone took her hand and squeezed it gently. “I’m here.”
She desperately wanted to open her eyes, but everything around her faded as she drifted back to sleep.
The next time Brooke woke up, she could open her eyes. Blinking at the bright lights, she squinted against the headache. Within moments, Chess’s face came into view. It was blurry at first, but after blinking several times, it cleared. “Where am I?” She tried to inhale, but it felt as though something were squeezing her chest. Pain radiated into her shoulder.
“You’re at the hospital. You were in a car accident.” He rubbed a thumb over the top of her hand.
“I don’t remember.” She started to shake her head, but the pain stopped her. “I need something to drink.”
Chess moved out of view and came back with a plastic cup of water and a straw. “Take it a sip at a time.”
Brooke got two swallows down before making herself stop. “Where are Joel and Anna?”
“They just left to grab some food. They should be right back. You’ve been in and out of consciousness for the last couple of hours.” Chess set the cup back down and watched her with an expression that Brooke couldn’t quite read.
“Am I going to be okay?”
“You’ll be fine.”
She could tell he was holding something back and fixed him with a glare she hoped meant business. “Spill it.”
“You’ve got a concussion and a cut on your head they closed with stitches. You’ve also got three broken ribs.”
Brooke took several shallow breaths, wincing at the pain they brought. Great. Well, the broken ribs certainly explained why it felt like an elephant was sitting on her chest. She let her eyes slide shut and tried not to worry about recovery time and what she would do about work. First, she had to get out of this hospital bed without getting sick to her stomach.
A cold hand touched her face, prompting her to open her eyes again. She found Chess studying her, his eyes filled with concern. “You really will be okay.”
She gave a small nod then, her own eyes flooding with tears. He knew her way too well. “Praise God it wasn’t worse.”
“Yeah.”
Brooke didn’t know if it was her concussion, the anesthesia fr
om her surgery, or what. But she could hardly keep her eyes open. She could swear Chess kissed her forehead before sleep claimed her again.
~
“You are the most stubborn woman,” Chess growled as he stuffed Brooke’s things into a plastic bag the hospital had given her.
“I’m not staying at your house. You can stop asking me.” Brooke shot him an icy glare.
Chess had been trying to convince her to agree to stay anywhere but her second-floor apartment by herself. The last thing she needed to do was try to maneuver up and down those stairs right after being released from the hospital. But she refused to listen. “Then take Joel and Anna up on their offer for you to stay with them.”
“They’re newlyweds, Chess. Absolutely not. I’ll be fine. I broke a few ribs, not my leg. And I have no intention of taking anything more than the strong doses of acetaminophen they gave me.” She planted her hands on her hips, daring him to contradict her. “The doctor said I was cleared to go home as long as I took it easy and rested. I can do that best in my own place.”
He knew there was no point in arguing with her now. She’d made up her mind, even if he thought she was making a terrible mistake. What if something happened, and she needed help in her apartment? He pushed back the variety of situations that vied for his worry.
“I’ll quit bugging you about it on two conditions.”
Her eyes narrowed. “What are they?”
“You ask for Anna to come help you shower if you need it.” She nodded her agreement to that and he continued. “You don’t complain when I come by every day to clean your head wound and put a new bandage on it.” She moved to argue, but he stopped her. She’d never been good with blood. “Are you going to be able to see it in the mirror every day without passing out?”
Instinctively, Brooke reached up and touched the gauze that covered the laceration. “I’m sure I can manage.” She didn’t sound at all convincing.
He stared her down.
She wrinkled her nose and frowned. “Fine.” She stuck a hand out toward him.
He shook it, remembering the hours he’d spent holding that same hand while she’d slept after her surgery. It was the first time he’d ever wished he were a praying man. He’d listened to Joel and Anna pray over her at least twice during that period, not convinced it made a difference but hoping theirs would be answered all the same.
A nurse came in with a wheelchair. “Are you ready to go, honey?”
“Definitely.” Brooke moved to ease herself off the hospital bed.
Without hesitating, Chess strode forward to thread an arm under hers and around her waist. He helped her get settled into the wheelchair. Brooke may act tough, but he could tell she was in a lot of pain.
The nurse turned to him. “You can pull your vehicle up front and meet us there.”
Chess gave a single nod. He collected Brooke’s things and headed out the door. He drove his truck to the patient pick up area as the automatic door swung open, allowing the wheelchair passage.
Chess and the nurse got Brooke transferred to the passenger seat.
The nurse patted her shoulder. “Remember to get lots of rest when you get home, honey. I hope you heal quickly. God bless, dear.”
A genuine smile graced Brooke’s face. “Thank you.”
The drive to her apartment was silent as Chess bit back the dozens of reasons for why he still didn’t feel comfortable about her staying alone. Hearing her groan when he drove over a bump spoke of how bad of an idea it was. Anna and Joel had gone ahead to prepare the apartment before their arrival. Thankfully, he could park directly below the stairs leading to her place. “Wait a minute and let me come around to help you out.”
He opened her door, took her things in one hand, and then held out the other to her. She grasped it and stepped down from the truck.
“You’re making a big deal out of nothing, Chess. I’m fine.” She walked ahead of him and made it up three steps before sagging against the railing.
Chess nearly dropped her things in his effort to get to her before she fell. “Your head?”
“I haven’t been lightheaded since this morning. Until now, of course.”
She was breathing a lot faster than he’d like, and each inhale was shallow. The last thing she needed to do right now was climb stairs.
He grunted and gently lifted her into his arms. Careful to not jostle her broken ribs, he continued up the steps.
“That wasn’t necessary.” She may have spoken the words, but her arms went around his neck, her hands chilly against his skin.
Before they got to the top, Joel opened the door for them. “Is she okay?”
“I’m just dizzy.”
Anna was standing by the recliner. “We thought it might be good for you to stay out here where it’s easier to get up if you need to.”
Chess agreed and gingerly eased her into the chair. He squatted down to see her face. “Has it gotten better?”
Brooke nodded. “I’ll take it easy.” She pinched the bridge of her nose with her right hand.
“You nearly collapsed.” She was still taking shallow breaths. “Brooke. You need to focus and breathe deeper. I know it hurts, but you heard what the doctor said about it being necessary to keep your lungs clear and make sure you don’t end up with any problems. You certainly don’t need a bout of pneumonia.” He looked at Joel and Anna and then back at Brooke. “You can’t be here tonight by yourself.”
Her eyes widened and her cheeks turned pink. “You’re not staying, Chess.”
Anna stepped forward. “Then Joel and I will. Just for tonight, okay, Brooke?”
When Brooke peeked at Chess, he gave her a look he hoped informed her that if she didn’t accept their help, it would be him. She offered a small smile to their friends. “I appreciate the offer. Thank you both. I’m sure I’ll be fine tomorrow.”
Chess stood again, relieved. “Good.” He resisted the urge to reach over and touch her. Something he’d wanted to do constantly since she’d been hurt, as if feeling her warmth against his palm assured him she was fine. “I’ll swing by tomorrow evening to help you change your bandage.”
“Chess?”
“Yep.”
“Thank you.”
One corner of his mouth lifted. “You’re welcome. Get some rest.” He gave a nod to Joel, a small wave to Anna, and left.
When he got back out to his truck, he let his forehead rest against the steering wheel in relief. Brooke was home. The stress of the last twenty-four hours surged through his system, leaving him exhausted.
If that car had hit Brooke on the driver’s side, or if her broken ribs had punctured a lung or worse… He couldn’t finish the thought. The possibility he might have lost her yesterday made it hard to breathe.
“Pull it together.” He knew she would be fine. But he’d give almost anything to be the one up there making sure she stayed that way.
~
It turned out to be a good thing Joel and Anna stayed at Brooke’s apartment overnight, though she had no intention of telling Chess that. She’d slept in the recliner and awakened twice with nightmares that had her yelling in her sleep. One time, she woke up, and the combination of a bad headache with the pain in her ribs made her throw up. That was an agony in itself as she clutched at her ribcage and prayed for it to end. Against her better judgment, she took one of the stronger medications the surgeon had prescribed and could finally go back to sleep.
The next morning, she was feeling rough. Anna volunteered to stay with her which Joel supported completely. One of the perks of working at the restaurant she and her husband owned.
With Anna’s help, Brooke took a shower and felt comfortable enough to take a much-needed nap. It was nice to get to hang out together, too. Something they hadn’t done since Anna and Joel got married.
Anna handed a pint of rocky road ice cream to Brooke along with a spoon. She sat down on the couch beside her with mint chocolate chip. They relished their ice cream in silence for several
minutes. Anna gave Brooke a gentle nudge. “If you need me to stay tonight, too, I will.”
Brooke smiled. “I appreciate it. But I think I’ll be fine. Besides, you and Joel need to be able to spend time together. I’m glad you two are happy.”
“Me, too.” Anna beamed. “Sometimes I think of how I ended up in Quintin and I know God led me here. The odds I’d run into Joel — into all of you — are astronomically small otherwise.”
“You and Joel are lucky. I envy you both sometimes.”
Anna looked contemplative. “For what it’s worth, I think Chess is being an idiot.”
With a frown, Brooke shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe he’s the one who has common sense and I’m the one thinking like a schoolgirl with a silly crush.” Except it was anything but a crush.
There was a knock at the door. Brooke glanced at the clock and saw it was almost five.
“Speaking of…” Anna stood from the couch with a wink and opened the door. “Hi, Chess.”
He stepped inside, his gaze going immediately to Brooke. “Hey, girls. How’s everything going today?”
Brooke exchanged glances with Anna. She would rather Chess didn’t know how much of a hard time she’d had last night. “Better this afternoon.” At least that was the truth. “How about you?”
“Good. I got next week off from work. Nathan will fly in for a week-long visit Saturday. He’s insisting on getting a rental car and driving to the house from the airport.” He set a paper bag on the counter.
Anna replaced the lid on her ice cream carton. “Wow, that’s awesome. Are you excited?”
Chess slipped his hands into his pockets. “I am. Nervous, too. I don’t exactly know what to expect.” He shrugged. “Most of our conversations have been surface stuff. I guess we’ll play it by ear. I was thinking about having a barbecue that afternoon. It may sound silly, but I’d like for you all to be there when he arrives.”
Brooke was curious to meet Nathan, and she understood Chess’s need for a buffer. “Of course.”
Anna nodded. “I’m sure that’ll be fine.”
Someone to Trust (Life Unexpected Book 2) Page 7
