“Mimi, what happened to Dolly?”No mistaking the fear in Ian’s voice.
“They’re at the hospital now.”She sniffed, swiped at her tears.“They made it home, and Dolly stepped out of the truck because she can’t get out when it’s pulled into the garage… Jack has all sorts of projects in there and doesn’t leave much room for…” Her voice drifted off, fresh tears fell.
“Mimi.”Ian placed a hand on her shoulder, his voice soothing when he spoke.“Tell us what happened.”
“She fell on the ice and landed on her wrist.Hit her head, too.They’re running tests now.”
Ian glanced at Katie.“Do you mind if I take Mimi to the hospital?”
Emotion swirled through her as she watched him with Mimi.“Of course not.But I’m coming with you.”
The frown said he didn’t like that idea.“I think you should stay here and rest.You haven’t eaten and…”
She moved toward her new husband, matched his frown.“If you’re going to the hospital, I’m going too.Aunt Dolly and Uncle Jack are family.”She placed a hand on Mimi’s arm.“And so are you, Mimi.Why don’t you freshen up a bit while Ian gets the truck ready, and I’ll pack a snack for us.”
The woman who ran the town with grace and ease nodded.“Yes, I think that’s a very good idea.You’ll find containers and plastic silverware in the cupboard beside the stove.”A small piece of the “organized” Mimi kicked into place.“Pack extra paper plates because we can’t have Jack passing out on us, and he’s not going to leave Dolly alone.”She managed a weak smile.“Thank you for doing this.I’ll just be a few minutes.”And then she turned and headed toward the stairs.
When she was out of sight, Ian spoke.“You really don’t mind going to the hospital?I need to make sure she’s going to be okay.”
“Of course I don’t mind.I want to be there.”Katie didn’t miss the paleness beneath his tan or the furrowed brow.She clasped his left hand, her fingers touching his wedding band.“Dolly is exactly where she needs to be.The doctors will take care of her.”
“I know, but I think about surgery and how she’s probably not the greatest candidate right now because of her health conditions.”His voice cracked.“I can’t…”
“You love her, and you don’t want anything to happen to her.”She eased her arms around his waist, laid her head on his chest.“I’m here.”
He pulled her to him, held tight.“If anything happens to her, Jack will never recover.He won’t…”
“One step at a time,” she murmured.“We’ll get through this.”She sniffed, tried not to cry.Uncle Jack and Aunt Dolly had given Katie and Ian so much, and now they needed them.She pulled away, looked up at him.“Let’s get moving, because something tells me it’s going to be a long night.”
His features relaxed, his voice dipped.“It’s going to be a night to remember…”
She reached up, stroked his bearded jaw.“We’re helping people who’ve done so much for us.”A smile, a soft “This could be a wonderful story to tell one day.”
“I hope so.”He reached for her hand, kissed each knuckle.“I truly hope so.”
22
When they arrived at the hospital, they found Jack in the waiting room, still in his dress clothes.For a man who lived in jeans and T-shirts, it was a shocker to see him without them.No ND Manufacturing ball cap either.The current visual didn’t fit, but what was most unsettling was the man’s demeanor; subdued, jittery, desperate.The Jack Finnegan the whole town knew, never backed down from a problem, a challenge, or a tricky situation.
But then, his wife had never been involved.
Mimi rushed toward him, gave him a big hug.“What’s the latest news?”
For a man who preferred silence over talking, Jack managed to tell them Dolly had suffered a broken wrist and a mild concussion.“Doc said it don’t look like she needs surgery, but he’s putting her in a cast.After that, she’ll need the physical therapy part.”
“Goodness, thank the Lord for that.”Mimi gentled her voice.“What did he say about the concussion?”
“Said we was lucky.”His voice shook, turned hoarse.“Said that dang puffy hat she loves helped shield the blow.They’ll keep an eye on her tonight, and if all goes well, she can come home tomorrow.”
“Good.”Mimi sounded more like her old self.“You’ll be staying?”
Those blue eyes shifted to liquid silver.“Where else would I go?I can’t leave her here.I’m gonna watch everything they do, so there’s no mistakes.”He dragged a hand over his face, let out a loud sigh.“Nah, that ain’t why I’m staying.These people know what they’re doing.”His voice cracked, split open with pain.“I can’t go home without her.What would I do?Dolly’s my girl, and she’s been my girl since the first time I saw her.”He swallowed hard, let out another ragged sigh.“I should have kept my mouth shut and let her buy that floral couch she fancied.But no, can’t have flowers in my living room.Gotta be leather or plaid…no dang flowers…”
A clearing of his throat as more regret spilled.“Why didn’t I buy her one of those eternity rings like a few of her friends at the garden club have?Oh, she said it didn’t matter, that she didn’t care, butIshould’ve cared.Dang it all, I should have cared.”
He looked at Ian and Katie, brows pinched together, a frown covering his lips.“You two?You got love in your hearts.Don’t youdarelet that go.Everybody has pain and heartache andeverybodyhurts the one they love.”His voice turned hoarse as he pushed out more truths.“Me and Dolly been married most of our adult lives, and when I thought I was gonna lose her today?I could hardly breathe.I made a pact with the Man Upstairs, and I told Him if He could just save my Dolly, I’d buy her those dang flowers she favors.I’d paint the living room pink and let her get that flowered couch.I even vowed to clean out the garage so she wouldn’t have to worry about stepping on ice.I made a lot of promises, and if she pulls through, I got a lot to keep, but it’s gonna be worth it.”
He swiped at his eyes, continued, “Everybody’s afraid, and nobody wants to take the big risk and state their true feelings.But as I stand here now, thinking about my Dolly, and the regrets I have?If God sees fit to keep her with me, I ain’t gonna hide my feelings or be afraid to show my heart.That woman’s the best thing that ever happened to me, and I am not gonna forget it.Don’t you two forget it either, because just like tonight, there’s no guarantee.You can pull in your driveway like you’ve done a thousand times, and you’re already thinking about what you’re gonna eat, what you’re gonna watch on TV, and you don’t pay no attention to the person beside you.”His blue eyes glistened with tears.“And in a second, they can be gone.Just like that.”
