ROAR (18 page)

Pamela nodded. “Yeah, we develop a resistance over time.”

“She’s been allergic to penicillin since childhood, which limits them even more. But she looks better than I expected.”

“Are you sure you want to leave? Why don’t we stay until you see her in the next hour just to be sure? I’d hate for you to be too far away and…” She broke eye contact.

“You don’t mind? It’ll be pretty late then—or early, to be accurate.” He’d feel better staying, too, checking her condition over the next couple of hours before leaving, but wouldn’t have asked her to do that.

“I lazed in bed all morning. I’m good.” Pamela sat and picked up her coffee cup. “Sit and regale me with stories of the Larson boys’ escapades in the land of Vikings.”

He smiled and joined her in the next chair in the row, absently sipping his coffee.
Gah!
He grimaced. If spitting it out were an option, he would have. With a shudder, he set it on the coffee table, content to do without. “I’ll call for delivery in the morning. I know all the best coffee shops around here.”

Her cup joined his on the table. “You’re on.”

“I didn’t mean you had to stay until then. I’ll take you home just as soon as I have one more visit.”

“Stop worrying about me. Stay focused on Tori.”

He grinned that the submissive who insisted she was in need of focus training was instructing him to do the same. Settling back in the chair, he stretched out his legs trying to get more comfortable. They were out of the main traffic areas, although there weren’t too many others here.

At her prompting, he chose to talk about his childhood stories. “Have you ever been to Norway, Pamela?”

“No. I haven’t seen much of Europe outside a few airports.”

“Well, then, I’ll start with the basics to set the scene a bit.”

The next time he glanced at his watch, he saw that more than an hour had passed already. He stood. “Excuse me. I’ll be back after I check on Tori.”

“I’ll be here.”

He stared down at her a moment. “Thanks. I really have appreciated your company tonight.”

“That’s what friends are for.” She smiled, and he turned toward the locked door to announce his name to visit Tori again.

A quick peek inside the room found her sleeping peacefully. Not wanting to risk waking her again, he kept his distance from the bed and merely watched her sleep during his short visit. Except for the equipment attached to her neck and arms, she might have been asleep in her bed. If only she’d open her eyes and see him—really
see
him—for the first time since the accident.

After the time expired, he went to the nurses’ station to ask if there had been any change.

“Sorry, but it’s really too soon. We’re checking her vitals regularly, and all I can tell you is that she doesn’t seem to be any worse. It’ll take time. The residents should be making the rounds in few hours to check on her.”

“Thanks. Could you call me back so I can talk with them then? You should have my cell phone number in the chart.”

“I’ll try to.”

He returned to the waiting room where he found Pamela curled up on a short bench, sound asleep with her flimsy shawl over her arms and chest. He hated keeping her out so late when she needed her rest but decided to let her sleep, too. When the door to one of the elevators pinged and opened nearby, she blinked awake and bolted upright. “Sorry! I was just resting my eyes,” she announced like a student caught sleeping in class. She rubbed the sleep out of them, and he grinned. “How’s Tori?”

“Sleeping, too.”

Pamela began gathering her things, but he stayed her hand. “Pamela, would you mind if we didn’t leave right away? I’d like to be here when the doctors make rounds, but I’m afraid I can’t make two stops and still get back in time.”

“Of course not! These benches aren’t as uncomfortable as they look.”

She smiled and patted the seat beside her. The least he could do for keeping her here was to give her a cozier place to rest before taking her home. Sitting down beside her, he indicated his lap. “It’s late, and you need your rest still. If you don’t mind the awkwardness of it all, why don’t I hold you while you take a nap? I don’t need to have two women in the hospital.”

He’d meant for his remark to put her at ease, but the words took him aback. It wasn’t as though Pamela were his woman or his responsibility, although he’d certainly taken on that role with her, especially after learning of her recent health issues.

She paused a moment, making him wonder if he should withdraw the offer. Then a half smile lit her face before she stood and settled herself on his lap. He wrapped his arms around her and adjusted her shawl around her as she rested her head on his shoulder.

A sense of comfort and well-being washed over him. He couldn’t hold Tori right now with all the tubes, but he could hold Pamela.

He’d make the most of this…for as long as possible.

*     *     *

Having Kristoffer holding her like this calmed Pamela’s soul for some odd reason. All the restless energy of the past few months disappeared. She should be comforting him, but perhaps he found some measure of solace, too, by not being alone. Thinking how lonely he must have been on countless nights here waiting for news pained her heart. If they hadn’t been together when he received the call, no way would he have asked her to be here for him, either. The man was used to shouldering all responsibility for his wife without help from anyone. Well, if she had anything to say about it, he wouldn’t have to go it alone any longer.

They were forming a bond of friendship that should stand the test of time.

Her eyelids became heavy again.
Christ, please don’t let me drool on his shirt while I sleep
. Despite having slept in this morning, she couldn’t fight the need to catch a few winks.

A page over the loudspeaker for one of the physicians made her jump.

“Easy. I have you.”

She sat up and stared into Kristoffer’s crystal-blue eyes. Her stomach did a somersault before she remembered where they were. “How long have I slept?”

His hand left her back to check his watch, sending a chill up her spine at the loss of heat. “About two hours.”

She scrambled off his lap. “Seriously? I made you miss your time to visit Tori.”

“No. I’m not sure how, but I must have dozed a little myself.” His eyes did look a little puffy. He stood beside her. “I’ll go back for a little while now.” She watched him cross the room and forgot until too late to check for a drool spot, but being a gentleman, he wouldn’t have said a word anyway.

There were still several more hours before dawn, which would probably be when the physicians began making rounds. Good thing they’d had plenty to eat before the call came in, because the vending machine food would be unfit for human consumption.

Pamela glanced across the room and saw an older man sitting alone. Not far away was a woman in her late twenties or early thirties. Both appeared alone and distraught. Tragedy and suffering appeared to have struck many people this night. She hoped their loved ones survived—and Kristoffer’s wife, too. There had been a time when Pamela would have thought the woman would be better off dead—and maybe she still did—but Kristoffer would be devastated. He loved her with such devotion and didn’t seem ready to let her go even after all these years.

It must be difficult to grieve the loss of someone for whom there was no real closure. With no body to bury, would he ever be able to move on?

His brief visit ended, and she looked up as he crossed the room to rejoin her. Probably best she not sit in his lap this time, so she remained seated. “How is she?”

“Sleeping, which is a good thing. I’m sure the antibiotics are doing a number on her right now. Plus, well, it’s the time people normally sleep, too.” His gaze bore into her. “I slept through the residents’ rounds, but the nurse shared their notes.”

“Wow, they must have early rounds.”

He nodded. “Now I need to take you home and get you into bed.”

A flash of him tucking her into bed caused heat to rise in her cheeks, but she quickly waved away his concern. “I just slept two hours. I can sleep standing on my feet when I need to.”

“But you don’t need to. Tori’s my responsibility.”

His words took her aback for a moment, but she saw through the bluntness that he was only concerned about her given that near fainting spell at the restaurant.

“I don’t want you to have to wait here alone.”

He seemed torn, which only meant he wanted her to stay. “You’re sure?”

She nodded. “Positive.”

They sat in companionable silence while waiting for the next ten-minute visit. Apparently, both were too tired to carry on a conversation. Or perhaps they just didn’t want to disturb the others in the room, who seemed to be trying to catch some sleep between their visits, too.

When Kristoffer went back again at about six o’clock, Pamela walked over to the windows and watched the eastern sky pinken up. The horizon was relatively flat in that direction. She was glad her apartment had a view of the mountains to the west of the city, beyond the foothills visible from downtown Denver.

“She was awake this time,” Kristoffer said. She turned to face him. “Her physician was still making his rounds, so a nurse made sure I had a chance to talk with him.”

Pamela turned toward Kristoffer. “Great! What’s the prognosis and treatment plan?”

“Too soon to tell if she’s responding to the antibiotics. No sign of the pneumonia spreading to the right lung at least.”

“That’s wonderful!” She wondered if Tori could communicate or acknowledge him in any way, but doubted it based on her fMRI results. Pamela was grateful to the doctor who had brought a smile to Kristoffer’s face, though.

He motioned toward the elevators. “Let’s get some decent coffee and breakfast. We need a change of scenery.”

He cupped her elbow and guided her out of the waiting room. They walked to a café two blocks away. “This place has the best crêpes and Belgian waffles, if either of those are your thing.”

“Are you kidding? Now I’ll have to choose.”

“No worries. We’ll order one of each and share.”

“Deal.” The thought of sharing her food with him brought a smile to her face. But she had just slept in his lap, so the boundaries of ordinary friendship had long been trampled.

The first cup of dark roast coffee hit the spot, and the cobwebs began to leave her brain. He poked a piece of his waffle and extended the first bite to her. “Open.”

She closed her eyes, opened her mouth, and savored the delicious taste. “That’s amazing. You were right.”

“Here, have a strawberry, too.”

She opened again and smiled as she chewed. Remembering her plate, she cut off a bite of the lemon-raspberry crepe and reciprocated. His mouth closed around the fork, and the sudden image of his mouth on her nipple nearly made her drop the fork.

Get a grip, girl.

Where had that thought come from?

They finished eating, and she enjoyed every bite, but the ones from his plate were especially satisfying. When the check came, she asked the server, “Would you mind boxing up about a dozen assorted muffins on a separate check?”

“If you’re still hungry, we can order something else while we’re here.”

She grinned at him. “Are you insane? I’m going to waddle walking back to the hospital as it is. No, this is for some of the others in the waiting room. I thought it would be a nice change of pace for them from the hospital cafeteria and vending machines. Trust me, those get old fast.”

He stared at her long enough to make her uncomfortable. “That’s really thoughtful of you.” He turned to the server and handed him back the check. “Put it on my tab. Hey, you don’t happen to sell carafes of coffee, do you?”

“Sure. I’ll prepare one and will have everything ready for you in a few shakes.”

“I’m afraid I was so wrapped up in my own problems, Pamela, I didn’t notice anyone else.”

“Your focus belongs on Tori. Let me worry about taking care of you and the others in the ICU waiting room.”

“You have a kind and giving heart, Pamela Jeffrey.”

She winked. “I’m practicing my service skills for when my perfect Dom comes along, remember?”

“Nonsense. You’re just being the beautiful, caring soul you are.”

His words warmed her cheeks and her heart, and she had to turn away. Before heading back to the hospital, she excused herself to go to the restroom. When she came back, Kristoffer carried a huge, flat pastry box and two plastic bags that appeared to hold a couple of large thermal containers of coffee along with small plates, cups, condiments, and utensils.

“Here, let me carry something.”

“I’ve got it. You grab the door.”

She did, and they made it back to the hospital in record time. When they entered the waiting area, they saw it had filled with a few others, and she hoped they had enough coffee for everyone. She took one of the bags from him and saw that the second container was orange juice for those who might prefer that instead.

Kristoffer excused himself to go back to visit with his wife while Pamela took a muffin over to the elderly gentleman who had been here all night, too, and served him a cup of black coffee after hearing his preference. Everyone in the room seemed a little more animated than before with the prospect of fresh food and coffee, and Pamela smiled when Kristoffer came back into the room again, but soon sobered at the serious expression on his face.

She excused herself to go check on him. “Is everything okay?”

“They’re doing a bronchoscopy with biopsies to check things out. They seem worried about something.”

How had things taken a turn so quickly? She brushed his sleeve with her hand. “I’m sure she’ll be okay. Whatever it is, they caught it early.” The lame words sounded hollow even to her ears. She wasn’t sure of anything of the kind. Pneumonia could be a death sentence for someone with an already weakened immune system, and Tori’s system had already been decimated.

Kristoffer seemed shell-shocked. “Her life has been out of my control for the past four years. It freaks me out to have her undergo invasive procedures like this. Every time.”