Not This Time Page 9

  “Miss Reynolds?”

  Amie glanced up from her magazine to see an imposing man wearing mint green scrubs and a stethoscope around his neck. She stood and only came to the man’s shoulders. Even Drew, who also rose to his feet, stood several inches shorter than the doctor. “I’m Amie Reynolds.”

  “I’m Doctor Camden.” His handshake gave the impression of a gentler man than his image projected.

  “How is my aunt?”

  “We’ve run an EKG, and the results came back normal. I feel confident saying that it’s not a heart attack, but we’re running a battery of tests to rule out any other problems. Her blood pressure is elevated, and although that could be due to the stress of this ordeal, I’d like to monitor her for a while.”

  Profound relief lifted a weight from her shoulder. “She’s been easily tired for a couple of days now. Can I see her?”

  “She’s asleep now, and she needs to rest. When she awakens, I can let you see her. Any other changes in her behavior lately?”

  “No. But I think she knew something was wrong.”

  “Okay, that’s good to know. I’ll give you updates as I can, and someone from admissions will be with you shortly.” Doctor Camden glanced at the clipboard in his hand. “I’m going to admit her, at least for tonight because of her blood pressure. It could be longer, depending on what’s found, but the process will go more smoothly if the paperwork is already filled out.”

  “Of course. I’m not sure of all her information, but I’ll do what I can.”

  “Anything you can offer will help. If you need anything in the meantime, ask Blake at the desk, and he’ll see to it you get the assistance you need.”

  “Thank you, Doctor Camden.”

  After the doctor had left, she turned to Drew. “I can breathe now. She’s going to be okay.”

  “Great news.”

  “I’m going to call Mom and let her know.” She dug her phone from her purse. “Would you mind waiting here in case they come out with any more information?”

  “I’ll hold down the fort.”

  She dropped a kiss on his cheek. “You’re the best.”

  Chapter Twelve

  The nurse left after taking another round of vitals, and soon, Aunt Sally slept restfully in a hospital bed on Independence Day evening. Amie pulled a chair to the bed and sat near her. Behind her, Drew stood with a hand on her shoulder. For the last eight hours, he’d done all he could to be Amie’s support.

  Doctor Camden came in, still on shift for the day. He looked at Aunt Sally asleep, then waved Amie and Drew to the other side of the room which held a vacant bed.

  Amie held tight to Drew’s arm. “Are the test results in?”

  “Your aunt is incredibly fit for a woman her age. The only issue uncovered is a lack of iron, which can be remedied with supplements.” The doctor glanced down at the chart. “Her blood pressure has lowered to an acceptable range, and if it stays down with no more issues, she is free to go home tomorrow.”

  “What caused the chest pains?”

  “Indigestion.” Doctor Camden’s lips curled into a half smile. “It’s a common occurrence and we routinely have patients mistake it for a heart attack.”

  Amie frowned. “She’ll be so embarrassed.”

  Drew squeezed her hand. “I’m sure she’ll just be relieved it wasn’t a heart attack.”

  “He is right. I would much rather a patient come in and it be nothing, than ignore the symptoms.” The doctor put a fatherly hand on Amie’s shoulder. “You and your friends did the right thing calling the ambulance immediately. My shift doesn’t end for several more hours, and I’ll be back to check on her before I leave. If you need anything in the meantime, you know the drill.”

  “Thanks, doctor.”

  Amie turned to him after the doctor left and collapsed in his arms. “Thank you for being here. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

  “You would have been fine—you’re stronger than you think—but I’m glad to be here with you.” He gazed down at her, noting the circles under her eyes. “Why don’t I take you home so you can get some rest?”

  “I don’t want to leave her alone.” The set of her jaw left no room for discussion.

  “Well, you need to eat something at least. Why don’t we go to the cafeteria before they close?”

  A knock sounded at the door. The nurses usually came right in, but the door didn’t open. He exchanged a glance with Amie, who shrugged.

  “I’ll see who it is.” With soft steps, he walked to the door and opened it, surprised to see Mr. Zumbrum.

  “The lobby downstairs gave me her room number.” Mr. Zumbrum craned his neck to peek into the room. “How is Sally?”

  “Good, but sleeping. No heart attack and nothing majorly wrong.”

  “Praise the Lord. I already lost one lady I cared…” Mr. Zumbrum cut short his admission, but not before Drew saw what was really going on. “Should I come back later?”

  “Why don’t you come in and sit? Just before you came, I suggested taking Amie to get something to eat, and she was about to argue she didn’t want to leave her aunt alone.”

  Mr. Zumbrum chuckled softly. “Dedicated women, they are.”

  “Yes.” He stepped aside to let Mr. Zumbrum through.

  Amie spotted the man and hurried to give him a hug. “I’m surprised to see you here.”

  “I told you I’d come. Your young man tells me there’s good news for your aunt.”

  “Great news.” Amie smiled and broke the embrace. “She’ll come home tomorrow like nothing ever happened.”

  “Make sure she rests. She worked herself to plumb exhaustion on the Fourth of July celebration.” He shook his head. “I’ll call some of the ladies in town and arrange dinners for the next week.”

  “That’s not necessary, Mr. Zumbrum.”

  Drew nudged Amie, to stop her protest. He doubted she was aware of Mr. Zumbrum’s affections, and as such, didn’t realize the older man needed to do something to feel of help.

  Amie cast him a subtle quizzical glance but caught the hint. “However, I’m sure Aunt Sally would appreciate the outpouring of love and support from the community.”

  “Speaking of food, have you eaten yet? I imagine not, since you’ve likely not left your aunt’s side.”

  Drew mouthed a thank you for the man’s sly discretion. “We were discussing dinner right before your arrival.”

  “I’d be happy to sit with Sally while you lovebirds catch a bite to eat.”

  Amie glanced from Mr. Zumbrum to Drew, to Aunt Sally, and then back to Mr. Zumbrum. “I didn’t realize how hungry I was. Are you sure you don’t mind?”

  “It would be my pleasure.”

  “Thank you.” Amie glanced to Drew, and he nodded it was fine with him. She grabbed her purse from the end table. “We won’t be long.”

  “Take your time.” When the old man winked, his forehead crinkled. “I’ve heard the third-floor waiting room offers a top notch view of the fireworks, if you two are interested.”

  Drew placed his hand on the small of Amie’s back. “He’s a nice man,” he said once they were down the hallway.

  “I’ve always liked him. He fixed our water heater last week.”

  “Have you noticed anything between your aunt and him?”

  Amie stopped in front of the elevator and pushed the down button. “What do you mean?”

  “I do believe Mr. Zumbrum has feelings for Aunt Sally that reach beyond friendship.”

  The elevator dinged and the doors open. He stepped in after Amie and pushed the button for the first floor.

  “A romance between the two?” Her eyes widened. “No way.”

  “If I were a betting man, I’d say there is a blossoming relationship.”

  She bit down on her bottom lip, was quiet for several moments. “Now that you’ve said something, I do recall Aunt Sally fussing over her hair before Mr. Zumbrum came over last week.”

  “Do you think they�
��ve admitted their attraction to each other yet?”

  “I don’t know.” Amie rubbed her jaw. “But it’s sweet. Uncle Hank wouldn’t have wanted Aunt Sally to spend the rest of her life alone.”

  The elevator jolted then the doors opened. Drew left after Amie. “If they haven’t, maybe this scare will push them together.”

  Aunt Sally’s health scare brought several realizations to him as well, the most important of which was how much he loved Amie. It seemed impossible, too easy, after all he’d gone through in Manhattan. Jaded and lost, he hadn’t been searching for love. He would have avoided it altogether if possible, but he’d never expected to see Amie, and avoiding her would have been missing a part of himself. Love came quickly, or maybe it had never disappeared. Perhaps it had hibernated until a time they’d be able to appreciate and nurture their love.

  He was ready. When he saw the terrified expression on Amie’s face in the grandstand, and as he watched her throughout the day, he knew he wanted to spend his life making her happy, supporting her, loving her. He wanted to be her shoulder to cry on when the world around her fell apart and the person she called first with good news. He wanted to give of himself to make her life better.

  The second thing he realized was more of a reminder. Only a fraction of a moment existed between life and death. In an instant, everything could change. He’d wasted years of his life chasing what he thought he’d wanted—not what God wanted.

  In these quiet moments in the waiting room, between comforting Amie and praying for Aunt Sally, he’d done a lot of soul-searching. He’d sought God’s will for his life. In the early evening hour, he’d received answers. His future was in Jasper Lake. With Amie.

  He didn’t know how to broach the subject with her. They hadn’t mentioned what the future held since that first night. She had a successful career to consider, plus the majority of her family back in Charlotte. In her search for God’s will about their relationship, would she receive the same answer he had?

  All he could do was cling to his faith and the confidence he had that he had heard God’s direction clearly. The discussion wouldn’t happen tonight, not in light of all that had happened, but for those same reasons, he didn’t want to wait. Soon, he’d broach the subject with Amie, lay it all out in the open.

  He hadn’t even told her yet that he loved her. Their reunion had occurred just over a month ago, and the official beginning of their relationship even less time than that. Anyone on the outside would call him crazy, tell him it was infatuation and too soon for love. He knew better. If he wasn’t mistaken, Amie also knew.

  “Did you hear me?”

  Amie’s question broke into his thoughts. “I must have spaced out. What did you say?”

  She lifted a brow, glanced at him with curious eyes. “I asked if you planned to stay the whole night.”

  “Do you want me to?”

  “You’ve done so much, I’d hate to impose further.” She absently pulled her hair into a ponytail, securing it with the holder encircling her wrist. “I will need a ride home in the morning when they release her.”

  Reading between the lines of her non-answer, he knew his night would consist of attempts at sleep in an uncomfortable chair. “There’s no imposition. After we eat, we can stop by the gift shop and pick up a few essential toiletries.”

  “You’ll stay then?”

  “I told you—I’m here for as long as you need me.” Not just for tonight.

  Her arm looped through his. “There aren’t words enough to tell you how grateful I am for you today. You’ve been my lifeline.”

  His natural response was to tell her that’s because he loved her, but it wasn’t the time. “You’d have done the same.”

  She sniffed the air. “The cafeteria food smells surprisingly good, at least I hope that smell is coming from there.”

  He breathed in a long whiff. “Barbecue brisket, corn on the cob, and cherry pie.”

  “You can discern all that?”

  Stepping ahead of her, he opened the cafeteria door. “When I’m this hungry I can.”

  Few people were in the spacious room. The late dinner hour combined with the holiday kept the dining area uncrowded. A nurse sat alone at one table, nibbling on a sandwich. At another table, a couple sipped coffee from melamine mugs. A tired mother stood in line with her three children, convincing the youngest that the red Jell-O was not gelled blood.

  Drew handed Amie a tray and grabbed one for himself. He took a plate of the brisket and helped himself to an ear of corn and baked potato. Amie opted for light fair, choosing a tuna sandwich and sliced carrots.

  The mom in front of them still battled with the youngest child, and the mom turned to Drew and Amie. “I’m sorry. Steve’s oldest brother was in a bad accident today, and he’s still really shaken by the scene he witnessed. You can go around us because he won’t be satisfied until he hears from the cook himself that it’s Jell-O.”

  His heart went out to the family in their suffering. He said a quick prayer for them all, especially Steve who seemed traumatized by the event.

  Amie looked with compassion at the mom. “How’s your son?”

  The woman blinked with confusion, then glanced at the kids. “Oh, these are my nephews and niece. Their parents are with their oldest son who had the accident.” She lowered her voice. “He’s out of surgery now, and the surgeon was optimistic they saved his leg.”

  “What is his name? I’d like to keep him in my prayers.”

  Drew watched the interaction with awe. Amie naturally encouraged and calmed people. Even now, he saw the tension roll off the aunt’s face. No wonder Amie’s so successful in her career. He was proud and impressed with her thoughtfulness toward this hurting family, but the thought bothered him at the same time. It bred doubt that she’d be willing to give up her career and move to Jasper Lake. Have faith and stop the selfish thoughts. He returned his attention to the present conversation.

  “Lincoln. He’s ten and a great kid.” A frown flitted across her face. “No kid deserves this. I keep praying, and then I find myself praying God hears my prayer.”

  Amie glanced at him before lightly touching the lady’s arm. “You’ll have two more people praying for him now.”

  “I hope he recovers fully, ma’am,” Drew added.

  Tears glimmered in her eyes. “Me, too. Thank you, both of you, for taking the time to care.”

  Carrying his tray, Drew detoured around the family with Amie besides him.

  “I hope the boy will be okay, and his poor brother who witnessed the accident. I can’t imagine what they’re going through.” Amie set down her tray at the cashier.

  “I’ve got this.” After putting his food next to Amie’s, he pulled a credit card from his wallet and swiped it through the machine. “Do you ever stop to wonder why we cross paths with people?”

  “Sometimes. Like now, I think God intersected our lives with that family to be a comfort to them, even if for a short time.”

  “You have a natural gift for comforting and encouraging.”

  “I only try to treat people as I’d like to be treated.” She nodded her head in the direction of a table by the window. “Want to sit there?”

  “Sure.”

  A floor to ceiling window gave a spectacular view of the purple haze of twilight. Deep orange stripes streaked across the evening sky, providing a natural light show with which the upcoming fireworks couldn’t compete. Several early stars twinkled, waiting for night to show their full glory.

  They grazed on their food chatting like the old friends they were. Darkness encroached on twilight, and the fireworks soon would begin.

  Drew gathered their trash to throw away. “Do you want to watch the fireworks or go see Aunt Sally?”

  She bit her lip as she deliberated. “You really think there’s a romance brewing between Aunt Sally and Mr. Zumbrum?”

  “Yes. When he first came to the room, he said ‘I already lost one lady I cared—’ and caught himself befo
re he gave it away.”

  “Let’s watch the fireworks. If it’s true, and I think it is, then they need this time together.” She regarded him with interest. “Plus, some down time alone with you would be nice.”

  “I couldn’t agree more.” He discarded their trash and returned the trays and utensils to a window which opened to the kitchen. When he returned to the table, he was ready with a proposition. Not sure if she’d go along, he asked anyway. “There’s a spot five minutes away that offers a nearly perfect view of the show. Not many people know about it, so it’s easy to get in and out. I understand if you don’t want to leave the hospital, but thought I’d offer.”

  Amie grazed her lips with her teeth. Glanced upward, then at her phone. “How long would we be gone?”

  “A half hour, forty-five minutes at the absolute most.” He was certain she’d say no and braced himself for the refusal.

  “Okay, but let me tell Mr. Zumbrum first. I don’t want to take advantage of his kindness, even if he has his own motives.”

  Pleased she’d accepted, he couldn’t wipe the smile from his face. “Go ahead. We’ll leave our numbers with him in case anything were to happen.”

  Fifteen minutes later, Drew parked his truck at the special spot, a small clearing on a hill behind the hospital. The location sat high enough to overlook the town of Farthington, but low enough to allow for a quick drive to and from town.

  He applied the emergency brake before sliding out and lowering the tailgate. Going back to the cab, he reached behind the back seat and brought out a faded flannel throw. He spread it over the tailgate and offered a hand to Amie.

  A bright light shot into the sky, exploding into a willowing tree of gold lights. The show began, and Drew sat snuggled to Amie. He wrapped an arm around her, and she leaned into him. Their heads rested against each other as they watched the explosive display of color illuminating the sky.

  Red, white, and blue flashes brocaded and glittered against an onyx backdrop. Purple and green comets shot high and burst into an array of sparkling stars that swam through an ebony sea before fading into obscurity.