Trusting Jack (29 page)

“Sorry.”

“I’m going to call Chris, Emma.  He’ll want to know.”

“Not Mama.”

“No, I won’t call her,” Norah replied.

The medicine was beginning to work and the pain began to ease.  Emma’s eyes grew blurry again and she let her mind and body drift as the sea of pain began to recede.

              “She’s out,” Alison observed.  “I hope she rests easy for a while.  What did they say about your hand?” she asked Jack.

             
“Broken fingers,” he replied, holding it up for inspection.  “They wrapped them for me and I popped some Tylenol.”

             
“I’m going to make phone calls,” Norah said quietly and slipped from the room. 

             
Jack pulled a padded chair up to Emma’s bedside and took her hand again.  “I’m staying with her tonight,” he announced.

             
Alison nodded.  “I thought as much.  I’m going to ask Norah to come home with me.  We’ll both do better, I think, with Jacob and the baby for distraction.”

             
“I wish I’d killed him.”

             
“Oh, Jack, no.  He’s not worth the trouble you’d be in.”

             
“He almost killed her. I couldn’t bear that.”  His

voice cracked.  His emotions were bubbling over now

that he knew Emma would be ok.  Alison walked around, lay a comforting hand on his shoulder.  “She looks so fragile.  Like she’d break if I touched her now.”

             
“She’s strong.  She fought back, Jack.”

             
“She did, yes.  God, I don’t want to lose her.”

             
“You won’t.  I promise.”

             
Norah came back in and said, “Chris is taking the first flight he can get.  I’ve asked the nurse to bring an extra blanket.  I’m staying with her tonight.”

             
Jack was shaking his head.  “No need for both of us to be here.  I’m staying right here, right beside her.”  His tone was implacable.

             
Norah started to object, but knew he needed to stay close to Emma.  “Of course.  I’ll be back first thing in the morning, then.”

             
“I’d like you to come stay with us tonight,” Alison told her.

             
“I will,” she replied immediately.  “I really don’t feel like being alone.”  She ran her hand over Emma’s hair again, brushed a kiss over Jack’s cheek.  “Try to get a little rest,” she told him.

             
Alison mimicked Norah’s actions and said, “I’ll bring you a change of clothes in the morning.”

             
Alone with Emma in the stillness, Jack rubbed his thumb gently over the back of her hand.  He knew how lucky she was—how lucky he was—that she lived.  The tears he’d managed to hold in check finally began to track down his face.

***

              “I’m sorry, Mr. Brandon, but you’ll have to wait outside.”

             
“Won’t you let me stay?”

             
“I have to give Miss Payne a bath.  You’re not her husband or a family member so I’m afraid you can’t stay.”

             
Jack realized suddenly that he wanted to be, more than anything. 

“Just between you and me, I know what she looks like with no clothes on,” he tried again.

              The nurse’s eyes and mouth softened at the underlying plea.  “I really am sorry, but it’s policy.  You’ll be allowed back in just a while.”

             
Jack nodded and joined the others in the waiting room.

             
“Well, it’s out,” Thomas said grimly, waving a couple of newspapers.  “Hard to keep the press from finding out a story like this. Especially with the police and medics involved.”

             
“What are they saying?”

             
“That Emma was brutally attacked, had to be rushed to a hospital.  They talk about the charges that could be filled against Marcus.  And one of the officers told a reporter that you beat the shit out of Marcus before they arrived.”

             
Jack winced.  “Sorry.  Our publicists are going to play hell working this one.”

             
“Mine is already on it,” Norah told him, “and he’s making you into the day-saving hero.”

             
“How did Emma do last night?” Alison asked.

             
“She slept through most of it.  She would begin hurting, you could tell; she’d whimper and thrash around a bit.  They’d come in and give her more medicine.”

             
“I was able to see Marcus last night,” Roger

said.  “I’m happy to announce his face isn’t a pretty

sight due to all those punches.  And I’m fairly certain the cut Emma managed to give him will leave a scar.”  He grinned with relish at the thought.  “The son of a bitch deserves it for hurting her.”

             
“Do we know what the charges are?”

             
“Attempted murder, attempted rape, felony assault,” Roger reported and Jack nodded, satisfied, then swung an expectant face to Dr. Amos as he joined the group.

             
“I’ve looked her over and everything appears normal for the types of injuries she has.  We’ll keep her today and tonight.  If nothing creeps up, we’ll discharge her tomorrow.”

             
“She was in considerable pain last night,” Jack told him.

             
“Yes, she will be for a while.  I ordered the pain meds to be given regularly last night, and on through the morning.  I’ll back them off in the afternoon, see how she copes with the pain then.  They will keep her sleepy.”

             
“How long before she can talk again?” Norah asked.

             
“I’m not entirely sure.  As the bruising and swelling subside, she’ll regain strength in her vocal cords. It’ll take some time before her voice is at full capacity again.”

             
“And her other injuries?”

             
“The ribs will take the longest to heal.  Her shoulder and wrist will be painful for a while, too.  The cuts are all superficial and won’t scar; the bruises will fade over time.  She’ll be stiff and sore, but she’s strong.  She’ll make a full recovery.”

             
“Thank you so much, Dr. Amos.”  Jack shook his hand.  “I’ll take good care of her.”

             
“I expect you will, son.  And take care of your

hand, as well.”  With a smile at Jack, and a nod to the others, he left to complete his rounds.

              “I’ve called off filming for the rest of the week,” Thomas announced.  “Everyone needs time to settle.  We’ll start up again next Tuesday.”

             
There was a murmur of assent and Norah said, “Chris’s plane is due at ten.  I’m meeting him at the house to fill him in completely before bringing him here.  I’ll sit with Emma for now, Jack.”

             
“But, I—“

             
“Here are your clothes.”  Alison held out a bag to Jack.  “I threw a razor in there, too.”

             
Jack rubbed a hand over his scratchy chin and managed a small smile.  “I’ll use the shower in Emma’s room as soon as they let me back in.”

             
“Then breakfast,” Alison told him firmly.

             
“I shouldn’t leave her.”

             
“You’ll be no good for her if you wear yourself out,” Norah said.  “Let me sit with her while you take care of yourself.”

             
“Well, alright, then.”

             
“I’m issuing a statement at ten,” Thomas said.  “And that’s going to be the last official comment.”

             
“Yes, my publicist is giving one in an hour, confirming that Marcus was my assistant, and announcing my apologies.  I’m taking care of all the medical bills for her,” Roger told them.

             
“You’re not responsible for what happened,” Norah told him.  “Emma wouldn’t want you to blame yourself, or to feel responsible for her bills.”

             
“He worked for me,” was the simple reply. 

Chapter 39

             
“Sweet Jesus,” Chris whispered, shock and pity etched on his face.  “I know you said she look bad, but...Oh, God.  Her poor throat, her face.”  His voice shook and Norah put a comforting hand over his. 

             
“She’s going to be fine.  The doctor said so.”

             
“And I’m beyond thankful.  I’m also thankful you beat the hell out of that bastard,” he said, turning to Jack.  “I’ll be forever in your debt.”  He held himself aloof from Jack, careful to keep distance between them.

             
“No thanks needed.  I only wish I could have another go at him.”

             
“Amen, brother.”

             
Emma began to stir and slowly opened her eyes.  “Chris,” she whispered.

             
He quickly moved to take her hand.  “Right here, baby.  How you feeling?”

             
She managed to twist her lips.  “Hurts.”

             
“I know.”

             
“When can…I go home?”  It hurt so much to push the words out.

             
“Tomorrow.”

             
“Oh, good, we’re awake.”  The nurse came into the room and smiled brightly at Emma.  “I bet you’re hungry.  You can have some chicken or beef broth.”    When Emma wrinkled her nose, she smiled with sympathy.  “Yes, I know it isn’t very good.  But if you eat it, and keep it down, it’s a step closer to going home.  Now, chicken or beef?”

             
“Chicken.”

             
“Good choice.  Be right back.  And those flowers are gorgeous.”

             
Emma looked at the huge vase filled with

cheerful Gerber daises in all colors. 

              “From James,” Jack told her.  “He’s absolutely terrified of hospitals, so he sent you these and said to tell you he’ll see you when you get home.”

             
She nodded.  “Pretty.”

             
“Don’t talk, Emma.  Just rest, so you can get well faster,” Norah advised as the nurse came back in with a steaming bowl of broth and a glass of water.

             
Chris sat on the edge of the bed and began to spoon feed Emma small bites of broth.  She swallowed, even though it hurt.  He would occasionally raise the glass and slip the straw between her lips.  She drank greedily.

             
Seeing Chris tend patiently to Emma made Jack feel useless.  He gave her a last glance before walking out, Norah at his side. 

             
Chris joined them a few minutes later.  “She ate most of it, and then went to sleep,” he reported.  “The nurse gave her more pain medicine.”

             
“I know Emma’s glad you’re here,” Norah said.

             
“You couldn’t have kept me away, not after your phone call.  I heard how you stayed with her,” Chris turned to Jack.  “Thank you for watching over her,” he said with distant politeness.

             
“Christ, man, I love her!” Jack exploded.  He ran his fingers through his still damp hair.  “You don’t have to act like it’s over between us.”

             
“Isn’t it?” Chris returned mildly.  “Emma told me what happened.  First, you break her heart and now this.  I’m taking her home with me as soon as she’s able to travel,” he told Norah.

             
She could see the clouds brimming in Jack’s

eyes and quickly held up a hand.  “This isn’t the time or

place to talk about that,” she said.  “Let’s just focus on

getting her out of here.” 

She would tell Chris later that Emma had learned the truth but she didn’t want to say anything in front of Jack.  That was for Emma to tell him.

***

              Chris helped Emma up the stairs and to the bathroom.  She stood, wobbling a bit from the pain medicine.  She pointed to the door.

             
“I’m not leaving you.”

             
“Private,” she whispered, wincing at how much it hurt to just do that.