She smiled, and her shoulders relaxed. Picking up his phone, she typed: What do you like to eat?
“Naturally, I’m a steak guy,” he answered. “I occasionally like pizza with an ice-cold beer.”
I haven’t eaten pizza in six years.
“We can make it your second meal,” he assured her.
You said you brought me here. Where do you live?
“I live in a cabin here on the ranch. Garrett and Riley came here earlier. They watched over you while I changed,” he explained. “They moved into a farmhouse, which connects to the ranch. I moved into their old place. I haven’t bought anything for it yet.”
Why not?
“Because I searched for you,” he said quietly. “I made a promise, and I planned to keep it.”
Thank you.
“You’re welcome. It appears you’re done with the treatment. I’ll get the aide to help you,” he said, rising from his chair.
A few minutes later, Betsy followed him into her room.
“I have the shower room warming and a selection of fresh pajamas waiting for you. You can pick out your soap fragrance, and we’ll add your name to it,” she said, pushing in a wheelchair covered with blankets.
“I’ll wait outside until you’re done,” he said, surprised by the fear in her eyes.
Betsy removed the breathing treatment and checked her lungs and temperature. She scribbled it on a piece of paper and then lowered the guardrail to help Caroline transfer to the wheelchair.
Jameson walked out and entered the living room. They converted a regular cabin to accommodate four patients at a time until the construction crew finished the mini hospital. He sat on the couch and listened as Betsy chattered away, taking Caroline to the shower.
He leaned against the pillow and closed his eyes, resting them. All of a sudden, he heard a piercing scream, sending him running in her direction. Betsy met him in the hallway.
“I need to get Dr. Greene to sedate her,” she said, running from the cabin.
Rushing into the modified bathroom, he heard Caroline sobbing. He opened the door to find her huddled in the corner, wrapped in a towel. Steam filled the room, and Jameson crossed through the shower, getting soaked to get to her.
“What’s the matter, sweetheart?” he asked, confused.
Caroline peered at him with tears in her eyes. Her breathing seemed labored, and he drew closer, ready to pick her up.
“Don’t touch me, I’m dirty,” she insisted.
“I’m soaked. We make a pair,” he said gently. “What happened?”
Caroline shook her head and wiped her cheek, appearing miserable. “They gave me choices. She kept asking me about pajamas, soaps, and lotions. I…I”
“You got overwhelmed?” he guessed.
She glanced away from him, seeming embarrassed.
Jameson sat beside her. “I can’t say I know how you feel because I don’t. When Julio brought Rebecca home, it took her a while to adjust. He made it simpler by asking her to choose between a couple of things.”
“She tried to help me. It’s not her fault,” she sobbed. “I scared her.”
“Betsy understands,” he assured her. “How about I help you off the floor, and you sit in the shower chair. I’ll hold up a couple of items, and you tell me if you see anything you like. If you don’t know, pick one. Once you decide, I’ll have Betsy on standby while you shower. If you don’t want her to touch you, it’s all right.”
Rising, he held out his hand and helped her to her feet. She walked back to the shower chair on shaky legs. Jameson went to the opposite side of the room, where they kept a mini closet of pajamas and a drawer of different fragranced soaps, shampoos, and lotions.
“Do you have a favorite color?” he asked, searching through the clothing.
