Send the Snowplow (9 page)

Marilyn gave him a wide smile and laid her head on his shoulder. “I always knew you had a heart buried under there.”

He patted her head, the usual gruffness sneaking back into his voice. “Yeah, well, I had to hide it. I’ve seen what you do with hearts.”

The actress raised her head and laughed. “That was only one movie.”

Walter shuddered. “Horror movies give me nightmares, but you’re not so bad.”

Marilyn scooted closer and put her head back onto his shoulder. “Really?”

Chris appeared from behind the screen. Brad’s sheet-covered body was on a transport cart wheeled by two attendants. Jaycee eyed him. She nodded to Derek. “Be right back.” She pulled Chris aside.

Chris jerked his head in Derek’s direction. “Must not be over, huh? No worries, I won’t say anything.” He looked at Jaycee with respect. “You were amazing tonight, and I don’t mean the kissing, although that was spectacular, too.”

Jaycee lowered her voice, so he was the only one who could hear her words. “Just so you know, I saw you and Diana in the PT room.”

Chris gulped and paled. “I can explain—”

“—No, you can’t. And you don’t need to. But you should know a few things.” She shook her head. “First, you don’t have what it takes to be an ER nurse. Probably never will.” She glanced at Diana, who eyed the couple from Mr. Greyson’s bedside. “And Diana is the rumor mill around here, so be prepared.”

Chris paled even more. She couldn’t resist the final bit. “Oh, and one last thing? She probably gave you a Christmas gift that keeps on giving.” Jaycee leaned close to Chris’s ear and whispered, “I hear there are good treatments for herpes. You can let me know how it works out.”

Chris ran to a trash can and let loose with a stream of vomit. Diana rushes to his side. He pushed her away and barfed again. Jaycee returned to her waiting family. Derek wrapped a protective arm around her and glared at Chris. “Do I want to know what that was all about?”

She gave a non-committal shrug. “Just wrapping up a loose end before we go.”

Derek hugged her tighter. “Wanna go home? Spend Christmas with some people who love you?”

Jaycee glanced around the room as the generator kicked back on. Marilyn and Walter held hands and waved at her. Harold was busy flirting with one of the female EMT’s. He gave Jaycee a broad grin and winked. “I think I already have. But, I can’t imagine anything better than spending the rest of it with you.”

Derek kissed her cheek. “I love you.”

Jaycee took in one final sweep of the commons room and the assorted people who made up her family, both by marriage, and by choice. She whispered the words under her breath, “To heaven and then some.”

The End

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

www.lisakovanda.com

I’m a Nebraska girl, by way of Tehran. I’ve lived a lot of life, and the best is yet to come. I write because only writing keeps me sane. I am also a paranormal investigator and a student of life.

My works include urban fantasy, horror, paranormal, and historical books, screenplays, and short stories.

People in my life tend to find their way into my work, so consider yourself warned!

Other books by Lisa Kovanda:

Modified Flight Plan

Reckless Abandon

Cedar in Seattle

The Hunt

Walk Me Home

Films:

Remission
: A Midnight Frights film 2014

Last Breath (Shivers Down Your Spine)
: Anthology by Dead Lantern Pictures 2014

Awards:

Curls of Gold
: First Place, Short Fiction Award, Bess Streeter Aldrich Foundation, 2009-2010

Til Death Do Us Part
: Top 25 Feature Script, Slamdance Film Festival. 2012; Bronze Oregon Screenplay, Oregon Film Festival 2012; Finalist, Omaha Film Festival, 2012

Modified Flight Plan
, Second Round Selection (Top 300 out of 8,700 entries) Austin Film Festival, 2013