My fingers curled into fists at my sides, fingernails dug into the skin of my palms. Pain seared through me, a welcome distraction from what she was telling me.
“What's your name?” She wasn’t wearing a name badge, probably hadn’t been issued with one yet.
“Kerry.” her voice bubbled happily like we were friends or some shit.
“Kerry. Well, please understand, gossip isn't, and won't be, tolerated here.” I spoke through a clenched jaw and gritted teeth.
“Now, let me show you the best way to care for your patient and let's do it with your mouth shut. You never know who might be listening.”
I watched as she became tense and her eyes searched mine. To her credit, she kept her mouth shut.
“Grab a pen and paper, watch carefully and take notes.”
My eyes glared into her tentative ones. She searched left and right as if a notepad and pen would materialize out of thin air before her and then back to me. I stepped closer to Kaden's bedside and grabbed my notepad and pen which I’d left there after recording some stats.
I handed it across the bed to her.
“Thank-you,” she murmured nervously.
She looked down at the notepad and her eyes widened in horror as she read. My name had been printed at the top, a gift from my sister whose exact words when she’d given it to me were:in case you forget you’re Gracie-May fucking Reynolds, my sister.It was the only gift I’d received on my birthday. Oh no, sorry - I also received a black eye that day too.
“Yes, Kerry,Iam Nurse Reynolds. Yes, my husband abuses me. Yes, he's a drunk and yes, he's a war vet. He was sent home on a medevac from an IED attack much like this soldier. He lost his leg, is deaf in his left ear and head trauma caused brain damage.”
I watched her swallow with embarrassment and run her sweaty palms down her uniform.
“I’m so sorry.” She was close to tears and shame washed over her face.
“It's fine, but like I said, you never know who might be listening. Let's get to work.”
CHAPTER THREE
Kaden James
Her skin was the softest my rough hands had ever touched. She smelled like peaches and ice cream. Her eyes, emerald green, were captivating. My beautiful baby with demons so deep.
Her hair fell like a black halo around her as I watched her sleep. The way she breathes quells even the darkest of my dreams.
The way her heart beats just below the soft flesh of her chest, took all the death from behind my eyes. Her lips plump and pink, kissed away the screams.
I saw her standing on the edge of the cornfield. I was calling, but she wasn’t moving.
“Angel…….Baby…….”
Why wasn't she answering? Better yet why couldn't I move?
It hurt.Ihurt. I felt so much pain, couldn't speak or move. My eyes felt like they were glued shut and the one person who had always pulled me back, couldn't hear me.
Panic gripped me. Cold seeped in and the dark sucked me deeper.
I could feel her hands as they caressed my cheeks, her lips pressed against my forehead. The feeling intoxicating, as was her laughter.
My hands wrapped around her tight, anchoring her to me as her legs snaked around me, locking at her ankles. Whiskey on her lips and life in her eyes.
Walking with her to the window seat in our home, the evening sun caught in her hair, I sucked in a deep breath.
She's stunning, my angel, my lady in lace.
Slow dancing with her, embraced by a warm summer’s breeze is magical, her head rests against my chest and my arms wrapped around her.
