CHAPTER 17
“Happy Thanksgiving, Hannah,”the nurse said as she brought her a breakfast tray. “They’re having a huge feast in the cafeteria today. Scarlett’s husband, Ty, arrived at daybreak and is cooking up a storm. Dr. Winters and Kassie, Catherine, and Annabelle came in to relieve us while we enjoyed the feast. Do you want to try to go down?”
Hannah didn’t respond. She missed Cole yesterday. He told her in advance he planned to celebrate Thanksgiving with the team. It made the day seem longer than all the others, and she struggled to put a finger on why. Her body felt restless and food didn’t entice her. The books Cole read to her sat in the corner of her bedside table and didn’t interest her. She lay on the bed and flipped the switch to the machine, which showed her the stars. They didn’t show with the light coming in the room. She glanced at the clock, counting the hours until they’d show.
At one o’clock, Hannah listened as patients made their way to the dining room. Soon, the nurse would bring her a tray, and she’d mark the time until dinner. Her mind felt bored and unlike the other days, she became antsy.
A knock sounded on her door. She didn’t turn around to see who it was. A whine caught her attention and a paw touched herleg. She turned to find Nine jumping onto her bed while Brody waited to greet her. She scratched behind his ears, happy to see him.
“Happy Thanksgiving,” Cole murmured, leaning against the wall, watching her.
She nodded while the puppy bowled her over, kissing her face, her tail wagging.
“I brought you dinner. Do you mind if I join you?” he asked. “I’m still trying to figure out what your favorite food might be. I bet it’s mashed potatoes with gravy,” he guessed as he set the containers on her hospital tray.
She shook her head and slid off the bed. Hannah approached the tray opposite Cole and opened the containers. The scent drifted to her nose and for once, her mouth watered.
“Smells incredible, doesn’t it?” he said while he dished out the food.
He cleaned off the table between the two chairs and brought their plates over while Hannah carried two waters. She sat, and he passed her a napkin.
Cole hesitated and grinned. “Yesterday, I gathered with the team. Joe, Kassie’s godfather, gave thanks. Do you mind if we do it here? I think it’s a nice tradition,” he said, holding out his hand.
Hannah stared at his open palm for a moment before sliding hers to meet his.
“Today, I’m thankful for my new job, which brought me to Serenity. And I’m grateful to have met you,” he said softly, gazing into her eyes.
She smiled and ducked her head down, feeling shy at his words of gratitude.
Brody whined and pawed Cole’s leg. The puppy glanced up from her spot on the bed, hopeful for a bit of food.
“All right, I’m also blessed to have Brody at my side,” he said, rolling his eyes.
The dog grinned as if Cole made his day.
Hannah smiled.
“Do you have any siblings?” Cole asked as he dug into his mashed potatoes. “I have a brother in the military and a sister who gave birth to my niece a few months back. My parents went nuts when they became grandparents. My sister convinced them to move near her. She even argued it’s cheaper for them to live near her rather than to mail things weekly.”
He waited for Hannah to respond and she shook her head sadly.
“I don’t know what Ty did to these potatoes, but they don’t taste like any I have eaten before,” he exclaimed as he forked another mouthful. “Let’s see if I can guess your favorite food. What about pizza?”
Hannah started shaking her head, then shrugged.
“Hmmm. You like it, but it’s not your favorite. Am I close?” he asked.
Hannah felt the words on the tip of her tongue as her lips clamped tightly. The sensations of feeling the dogs and smelling the food seemed to make her more determined to break out of her body’s hold.
She struggled to form the words. After so long staying silent, she forced the words from her throat.
“Mac and cheese,” she said softly, fearful it sounded strange and unintelligible.
Cole’s stare became intense as he leaned over his food. “You spoke, Hannah,” he whispered, shocked by the sound of her voice. “Did you say mac and cheese?”
Hannah swallowed, hoping he understood her. “Yes. I love mac and cheese,” she said slowly.
Cole smiled with obvious pleasure. “Stay right here. No, come with me,” he said, rising and taking her hand, pulling her to her feet. He started toward the door and she gripped the wall, shaking her head wildly.
