Black Hills Angel (Black Hills Series) (21 page)

"What if you don't and she isn't fine?"
Forever the devil's advocate!
Put that way, Matt didn't really see the choice. He needed to contact her parents. How was he even to begin? There was so much that was a mystery.

"Well since I don't even know their names, I'm going to have to find someone who does." Matt took out his phone and tried not to think about how badly this could all blow up in his face. His chest ached. So many things were flying down a crash course in his brain that he barely registered the woman on the other end of the line.

***

One. Two. Three. Four. Five.
Freaking annoying machine! She wished that someone would shut it off. Andy growled, testing her arms and legs.
Sweet Jesus!
Pain rocketed up her left side as she tried to shift in the narrow hospital bed. Sucking in a hissing breath, Andy squeezed her eyes tighter. She felt like road kill a few days old and it triggered something deeply emotional inside her. Tears leaked out the corners of her eyes, sliding down her cheeks and into the pillow cover. She couldn't take a deep breath and that frightened her all the more. A ton of bricks might have been sitting on her chest for all she knew. Her chin quivered as she fought the quagmire of insecurities that threatened to envelope her completely.

Her whimper must have caused some notice and Andy felt a large, warm hand envelope hers that was fisted in the thin hospital blanket. Panic filled her as she clung desperately to the warmth and strength of that hand. Swift, shallow breaths only increased the fear as she kept her eyes welded shut. Tears continued to pour down her cheeks and she was engulfed by an agonizing wave of fresh fears. Bright bolts of color flashed behind her eyes bringing with them small flickering pictures. Andy was shocked by the ferocity of those images.
Shiny metal panels. Sparkling glass. Streams of red.
Smells wafted over her memory.
Fresh bread. Tart cranberry.
She wrinkled her nose at the next and then her stomach turned traitor.
Hot asphalt.
Andy fought to keep the bile down that rose into her throat, but her body had taken over. She turned over as much as her beaten body would let her. Vomiting pitifully, Andy wanted to scream out with the intense pain and yet, it meant she was alive.

Each wracking heave thrust her further beyond the manageable line of agony. A roaring in her ears took all her focus to keep from leaving the present and succumbing to the black nothing that waited with arms open. She jumped at other hands touching her, nothing like the warmth of the large one that had suddenly disappeared. It was like losing a life line to the present. Chilly, professional touches made the panic continue if not increase. All she could think about was the loss of that hand. She squeezed hers, fisting it in the blanket again. A motherly buzz continued around her. Andy didn't care at the moment what was happening. The warmth had gone and so had her desire to be present. A softening of the blurry edges of her vision began and soon, she crossed back over into the darkness.

The next time she resurfaced, the warmth had returned. There was no annoying beeping in the room. Her tongue did feel a bit larger and drier than she remembered. Fear circled the edges of her consciousness, but she tried to dislodge some of it by taking inventory. Reality always had a way of pulling things firmly into focus. Andy knew she was in the hospital. The weird sterile smell was the tip off there. If that weren't enough, she was wearing one of those scratchy, paper-thin gowns and if she weren't mistaken, it gaped in the back. She took a shallow breath and continued her perusal. Soreness was indeed a gigantic misnomer for the way her body felt. Andy took stock of herself.

Toes.
She wiggled them.

Legs.
Gently she pulled her legs to her just an inch. A slight zinger shot to her waist and chest.

Head.
She tilted her head slowly to the side. It felt heavy and fuzzy.

Shoulders.
Shrugging was a bit painful too.

Hands.
Squeezing the warmth made something akin to giddiness bubble inside her. The warmth squeezed back. How interesting!

"Open your eyes, sweetheart. Please open your eyes." The scratchy depth of the voice just a foot or so from her magnified the warmth in her hand. The touch was an anchor to her soul and she focused all of her faculties on it. The existence of that secure warmth prompted her to honor the request to open her eyes. It was difficult to summon strength to lift one eyelid, even a crack. She gritted her teeth in determination. At least this exercise took her mind off the fact that she felt cut in two at her middle.

"Yes, slowly open your eyes. That's it!" Encouragement came from beside her, but she was too focused on doing as he asked to squeeze his hand back.
He.
His hand.
She didn't know why, but she was sure of it as she was of living that a special man was speaking to her.

The light from the room was blinding as she lowered her guard and lifted both lids. The world was bright and blurry. Everything confused her, except for the deep voice whispering encouragement. Pressing her lips into a thin line, Andy groaned as she opened her eyes wide. The bright light had been dimmed by closing the window blinds into her room. The first thing she saw was an amazingly handsome face smiling warmly into her face. The smile didn't meet his expressive blue eyes. There she recognized a debilitating worry for her. Tears pricked her eyes again, but this time she held them back. She couldn't fall apart yet. She needed a moment to strengthen her resolve to know just what had happened. The flickering images that had bombarded her mind's eye before started to come together. It was the picture this puzzle was creating that frightened her.

"How long?" Andy's voice was scratchy and sluggish. She couldn't complete her question, but by Matt's nod he seemed to understand what she wanted to know. She watched him swallow, squeezing her hand in a firmer grasp.

"Two days. It's been two days since the accident." He was close, but he leaned further towards her.
Forty-eight freaking hours!
The ability to grasp the concept of time was nearly too much. Her lower lip trembled. She half-cried out when she tried to take a deep breath to steady her careening world. Andy didn't want to focus on the spidering network of breath-taking pain. Matt lifted the back of her hand to his cheek, lightly grazing the stubbly growth against her skin.
Focus. Let him pull you back.
Clamping her mouth closed, Andy began counting the shallow breaths until she felt calmer.
There is no damn way to get over this immediately!

"Baby, I know it hurts. The doctor felt it necessary to lower your pain management meds. You haven't been coherent in twenty-four hours." Matt kissed her hand gently. He looked haggard and overset. The dark stubble on his chin and cheeks said he hadn't taken time to shave in the last day or so. If she listened to her gut, she knew he hadn't been home since being notified of the accident. She felt queasy, but it was matched only by the swelling of her heart for this man. He was a miracle. One she had prayed for so hard, but never dared to dream would be granted to her.

"Oh, God! Harper and Nora?" Her feeble voice cracked at the thought that slammed into her like a brick wall. It made her gasp; losing whatever air she had managed to hold onto. Matt held firmly to her hand as the other one covered her eyes.

"
Shit!
No, Andy, everyone else is fine. Harper and Nora are safe at home with Margaret." Matt raised his voice over the din that was spiraling out of control in her head. "I should have said that to you first. I'm sorry."

She opened her eyes to see him leaning over her. His face was inches away and her heart tripped at his nearness. He continued to hold her hand in his own and he lifted the other to sweep along her cheek. The heartfelt caress stilled the chaos wrecking everything in her life and she was content to just be here with him. Each shallow breath was less painful and thoughts of everything else stepped away for the moment. Her green eyes held his expressive blue ones. Fire licked at their connection and her body responded just as her heart had. She needed him. He was the balm that soothed the ills of the world. She wasn't sure how she could tell him that. His lips drifted closer to her own and she welcomed his token. Maybe she didn't have to tell him. Maybe he already knew.

Chapter Twenty

The doctor appeared the morning of the third day of her stay in the hospital. By now, Andy was figuratively climbing the walls! She was trying to be patient, but laying around in a strange place with cords and patches stuck to you in God knows what places with nurses coming in and out at all hours was enough to drive any sane person batty! Andy knew she could see around the bend and it wouldn't be long before she rounded it completely, if she had to lay here one more day! Matt wasn't helping. He was all about giving her time to heal and rest.
I can freaking rest in my own bed! In my own pajamas!
She could feel her blood pressure spiking. Grimacing at the middle age doctor, Andy knew she had better play nice, or at least attempt it, despite her short fuse.
Better said than done!

"Please try to understand, Miss Martin, that you have bruised ribs and a severe concussion. You were hit by a car." He said the last slowly with an emphasis for each word. Andy glared at him. He hardly batted an eye at her menacing look.
No doubt he gets this a lot!

"Andy is very aware that she was struck by a car, Doctor. What must she do to go home?" Matt's voice was calm and collected. Andy couldn't believe her ears as she glanced up and down at her self-appointed guardian. The doctor looked at her chart, flipping pages and pursing his lips.

"Well her vitals look good. Everything seems to be stabilizing. I can authorize release and after I get the paperwork for you to sign, you can go home." He raised his hand when he saw her smile. "However, you must take it easy. Be very careful lifting anything. Rest is what you need. In a couple of days, you can start easing back into a normal routine, but don't push it if your body isn't ready. Over-the-counter pain medications should help take the edge off." The doctor lifted a brow for her compliance. Andy nodded, trying to tamp down the elation at
almost
being free!

Matt took the papers the doctor handed him on exercises that she needed to do to keep from getting pneumonia or worse. She didn't feel like a million bucks, but she couldn't stand this place one more day. A nurse came in to take out her IV line and Andy bit down hard at the sting as the needle left her vein.
Ouch!
She fought the urge to rub the offending spot.

"Nora is here. She brought some of your clothes so that you could change. Is it okay if she comes in?" Matt asked, gauging Andy's reaction by watching her eyes. Andy smiled and nodded, trying not to rub the still smarting IV site. Matt opened his phone and sent off a text. A couple of minutes later, Nora came through the door with a bag of clothes and toiletries. The wide eyed look on Nora's face spoke of apprehension and uncertainty. Andy felt her stomach tightening at the thought of what Nora and Harper had seen. That fear was a clawing animal that never stayed quiet or still for long.

"Hey Andy! You look so much better." Nora said softly as she drew closer to the bed. Being a nurse at the veteran's hospital in Hot Springs didn't seem to set her at ease here. Her face was rather pale and her blue eyes were wide and watchful. Matt stood to kiss his sister on the cheek and relieve her of the garment bag.

"Thank you. I'm starting to feel better. I get to go home this afternoon." Andy tried to sound hopeful and upbeat. A minute ago she was going to do a jig down the hallway, but now she felt emotions gather like lead in her heart. She hurt for what Nora had gone through and she prayed Harper was too little for it to make a lasting impression.
Harper.
"How is Harper? She isn't giving you too much grief?" Andy pulled her blanket up higher on her chest and used it somewhat like a shield. Why, she wasn't entirely certain.

"She's wonderful. A bit cranky at not being able to see her mama, but Margaret is spoiling her rotten. I think they have adopted each other." Nora whispered the last like it was a secret. Andy chuckled and Nora smiled brilliantly. Matt sat in his chair, watching the exchange with interest.

"I can't wait to see my girl! I am sick to
death
of it here!" Andy winced at the words that tumbled out of her mouth. She really hadn't thought before she spoke.
Shit!
"I'm sorry. I didn't think." Andy mumbled, staring at her hands in her lap. Matt shifted in his chair uncomfortably. Nora stayed silent. Andy couldn't look at either of them. It was too soon for the pain of the situation to be joked at. Not a moment too soon, the nurse bustled back into the room.

"Oh, I see you have clothes now. Do you need any help getting showered and changed?" The nurse, Anna, was sweet and friendly. Her offer had impeccable timing. Andy leapt at the chance to push this awkwardness back away from them.

"I'd love some." Andy held her hand out for the bag of clothes and Matt handed them over. The nurse opened the door to the bathroom with a shower. Nora took the cue to leave the room and Matt quietly stepped out with her. The nurse closed the door behind them. Andy mentally sighed before sliding her feet over the edge of the hospital bed.

***

Nora turned to him as they exited Andy's room while she took a shower and dressed with the aid of her nurse. Matt stuffed his hands into his jean pockets. He felt exhausted, both physically and mentally. Leaning up against the wall out of the way of other guests and nurses making their way down the hall, Matt met his sister's questioning gaze.

"What is it, Nora?" Matt asked, leaning his head against the wall. He was so tired.

"Does she know?" Nora asked as she pulled her purse straps up over her shoulder.
Uh-oh.

"We haven't talked about anything specific. I think she knows it was Monica who was driving that car. She hasn't asked me outright though." He wiped a hand over his face, grimacing behind it. Nora huffed as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"You haven't told her that you contacted her parents." There was no question there. Matt groaned, shaking his head.
How did I know she was going to ask about that?
Garrett could never keep quiet. He could feel Nora fuming from beside him. He shook his head again.

"What is the point of telling her, Nora? As far as I'm concerned, she doesn't need to know that they have pretty much written her off. She doesn't need to feel rejected and unloved all over again! I'm pissed enough over what they said to me; let alone what they would say to her!" Matt hissed, anger giving him a jolt of energy. He had tried to forget that conversation two days ago.

"Matt, it might hurt her to know that they still haven't relented, but it would do her good to know that you stood up for her. She needs to know that you are in love with her and that you went to bat for her!" Nora shook his shoulder lightly, staring into his face. He looked down at his boots, crossing one over the other and anchoring himself further to the wall.
Is there a right answer here?

"She knows I love her. I'm just not sure that any time would be good to hear your parents want nothing to do with you, but it certainly can't be good to hear it now." He wanted to be right. He wanted to protect her from all the things that would cause her pain and that included laying in a
goddamn
hospital bed! He felt partly responsible for bringing that psycho
bitch
into her life. It gnawed at him in the worst way.

"Mom called me on the way here. She was wondering if you need her to come up and help out. I told her I wasn't sure. I need to be getting back to work and Randy is probably fidgeting over a missing fiancé." Nora gave him a shove and smiled. Matt rolled his eyes and nudged his sister back.

"I don't think I can take Mom at our house with everything going on. Can you stay one more night? I need to get some sleep and Andy can't take care of Harper yet. God knows Garrett is useless." Matt pleaded with her, even offering a pouty lip when she looked like she wanted to say no. Nora growled and finally, reluctantly nodded her head. She never could say no to him.

"Fine, but you owe me." Nora pulled a face at her youngest brother.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. My first born child, right?" He chuckled when Nora widened her eyes in mock horror. The tenseness between siblings melted away, for now at least.

A couple of hours later, Matt gingerly loaded Andy up in his truck. She gasped and groaned with each little jostle. Matt was so careful to stop long before each light that he had more than one vehicle honking and its outraged driver flipping him off. Andy stared straight ahead, seeming not to notice the drive, just the bumps. The half hour it took to get them to the house felt like eternity to Matt. His conscience was so bogged down with the rights and wrongs of everything that had happened. He prided himself on being in control and protecting the people that he loved. He had wanted to protect Andy since the first time he set eyes on her and in retrospect, he wondered if he hadn't loved her from that moment as well. If only it were that easy! Why did everything have to be so
damned
confusing!

He turned the truck into the driveway and coming to a halt closest to the door. Andy reached to undo her seatbelt, but her hand stopped on the clasp. Matt paused, hand on the door latch.

"I didn't ask, because I think I know, but was it
her
?" Andy's voice sounded so small. His heart pounded. He knew this would come up at some point.

"Yes, it was." Matt turned sideways in his seat, facing her and looked her in the eye. "The police have her in custody and she is being charged. At some point in the future you will have to testify in court, but the way our judicial system works, well, that could be months." Matt wanted her to know that she was safe. With all the paperwork on his ex-girlfriend, she wouldn't get away with trying to kill Andy. His stomach churned. Monica had intended to kill Andy. It was a hard thing to admit to oneself.

"Okay." Andy pressed her lips together, tucked an errant strand behind her ear, and unlatched her seatbelt.
Discussion over.
Matt got out, opened her door and slowly helped her down. Good thing she still had a dose of the prescription pain meds in her system. Once those wore off, she was going to be extremely sore.

Matt supported her arm as he walked beside her. Gingerly she took each step as if it were a walk to the gallows. He gritted his teeth. He would have felt better picking her up in his arms and carrying her inside. According to the doctor and his sister, doing just that would put unnecessary pressure on Andy's bruised ribs.
Thank God they weren't broken!

"Good, you are home. Your daughter is about to go on strike without her mommy!" Margaret called from the doorway. She held the door open and Garret came outside followed by Nora holding Harper. He heard Andy try to hold in a sob. It had to have hurt like a bugger! Tears slid unchecked down her pale cheeks and her hand trembled on his arm.

"Hey baby girl! I've missed you too." Andy crooned through her tears. She stopped at the top of the stairs, trying to catch her breath. Margaret kissed her cheek and brushed a tear away. Garrett looked uncomfortable with the crying, but he smiled warmly anyway. Nora stepped closer with a reaching and screeching Harper.

"Let's get you into the spare room and Harper can lay with you on the bed." Nora said as they followed Andy inside.

"I would argue that I have a perfectly wonderful room upstairs, but as I hurt like the very devil, I will agree. I don't think I can do stairs just yet." Andy continued down the hallway and turned into the first spare room off of the den. The bed had been made up and a flat screen television had been moved to sit on top of the dresser. Matt grimaced. If he had to stay in bed for a couple of days and not do anything, he would go crazy! No doubt Andy was going to see it the same way.

"I made up some meals. They are in the fridge. All you have to do is reheat." Margaret said as she gathered up her purse and jacket. Matt kissed her cheek.

"What? Delivery pizza is not good enough?" He asked, feigning annoyance. Margaret tisked.

"Spare her the fast food." Margaret said goodbye to them and left. Andy grinned after they got her settled on the bed. Matt leaned over her to pluck another pillow for her use. She looked up into his face.

"I like pizza." She made him chuckle. Pausing a moment, he kissed her lips and held the connection for a lengthy moment. He felt the shiver that passed from her into him. He moaned in his throat.

"Hmm...hungry?" He grinned when she laughed softly. She taunted him with her lips.

"Starving." She whispered, touching his face gently; running her hand over his stubble. He throbbed with desire. What wouldn't he give to be hilt deep inside her? Taking in one last look, he growled.

"I'm ordering pizza. What do you guys want?" Matt asked as he left the room with Garrett right behind him. Nora laughed as the two brothers argued down the hall. Harper squealed for her mother.

"Okay, little one, I know." Nora cocooned Harper in pillows next to Andy. Harper could feel her mother's body heat, but wasn't pressed against her sore ribs. Andy played with Harper's blonde hair and spoke soft nothings to her daughter. Nora pulled a folded fleece throw from the bottom of the bed and spread it out over Andy and Harper. Silently she backed out of the room to give them some bonding time.

"Pizza will be here in half an hour. I'm going to go upstairs. I could use a shower and a shave." Matt said as he passed his sister to go up to his room. She reached up and plugged her nose.