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Jackson’s chest expanded. He unbuckled his seat belt and shot from the truck. “Hey, Steve. How’s it going?”
“Busy. This storm is creating lots of problems,” Steve said while he and Jackson removed the victim out of the truck and onto the gurney. “Has she been unconscious since you found her?”
Jackson wiped his hands down the front of his jeans. The rain tapered to a light drizzle. “Yes, she was out cold when I got inside her car.”
“Dr. Roberts is on duty,” Steve noted as he covered her with a blanket and pushed the rolling bed toward the hospital.
“That’s good.” Jackson turned and climbed into his truck. “I’m going to park. I’ll be right in.”
Inside the ER, Jackson approached Nurse Sara. With a clipboard in hand, she scribbled something with a red pen. She stopped and looked up. “Hi, Jackson. I’m glad you made it safe. Steve took the victim back to see the doctor.” She winked and flashed an overly whitened smile. “Did you find out her name?”
He handed her the purse he’d retrieved from the scene of the accident. “I don’t feel comfortable going through a woman’s things. You go ahead and check out her driver’s license.”
She took the bag and dumped its contents onto the counter. “Here it is. Her name is Melanie Harper.”
He arched an eyebrow. “I don’t know of any Harper in the area, do you?”
“I can’t think of any.”
Sara made it her business to know everyone’s business. If she said there weren’t any Harpers in these parts, there weren’t.
“According to the license, she has a Washington, DC, address.” Sara tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “You said you found directions to Phoebe’s house inside her car. That must be where she was going.” She scooped the contents back into the purse.
He reached for his phone. “I’m going to step outside and call Phoebe. If Dr. Roberts comes out, tell him I’ll be right back.” He headed toward the back entrance and prayed Phoebe was either at The Coffee Bean or at home. Just like him, she wasn’t a fan of tech gadgets. She didn’t even own a cell phone, which made it difficult to reach her sometimes.
Outside, the storm had passed, and a glimpse of the sun slipped between the drifting clouds. Autumn in the valley was his favorite time of the year. He hit the number two on his phone and took a seat on the only dry bench in the courtyard. It was under a roof, but the warmth of the sun tapped his face. He glanced at his watch and saw it was 12:30 p.m. Since The Bean’s first day, his mother and Phoebe had made the decision to open only for breakfast and lunch. He hoped the afternoon crowd was winding down so Phoebe would pick up.
“The Coffee Bean. This is Phoebe.”
Phoebe’s voice always brought a smile to his face. After his parents’ deaths, she’d been like a mother to him and a grandmother to his daughter, Rebecca. His mother and Phoebe had grown up together and had opened The Coffee Bean as co-owners. When his mother had died only a year after his father, she’d left her ownership to Jackson. Over the years, he remained a silent partner, since Phoebe wanted to run the show on her own.
“Phoebe, it’s Jackson.”
“Well, hello there, Mr. Daughtry.”
No matter her circumstances, Phoebe was always full of joy. Jackson loved that about her. “Were you expecting company today?” The last thing in the world he wanted to do was cause Phoebe pain, but he had to tell her about Melanie.
“Yes, my niece, Melanie,” she answered. “You’ve heard me speak of her.” Dishes clanked in the background. “She’s the successful divorce attorney from Washington, DC. The one who never takes a vacation.”
He remembered. Phoebe had tried to convince her niece to visit Sweet Gum for years, but she’d always been too busy. He knew that she’d made partner at her law firm at an unusually young age. He thought she had a family, but maybe he was wrong. Something had happened last year, but Phoebe never wanted to talk about it. He wasn’t the type to get into people’s business, so he’d never pursued the subject.
“Jackson? Are you there? Is everything okay?”
His chest felt heavy. “It’s Melanie.” He gazed across the courtyard. A squirrel scurried through the fescue, toting a nut in its mouth.
“Melanie?” The dishes stopped clanking. “What happened?”
Jackson knew Phoebe better than most, but he wasn’t quite sure how she would react to the news. “She’s been in a car accident.” He paused to give her time to take in the news.
“Oh my word! Is she okay?” Phoebe asked, releasing short breaths into the phone.
“She was unconscious when I pulled her from the car.”
“Unconscious!”
“Please calm down and let me finish. There’s a serious cut on her forehead and one on her cheek. Though I don’t know if she has any internal injuries or a concussion. She’s in the ER with Dr. Roberts.”
“Thank God he’s on duty. He’s the best. I’ll be there as fast as I can.”
“Why don’t you stay put? I’ll pick you up. You shouldn’t drive when you’re upset.”
There was no hesitation. “Don’t be ridiculous. It will take longer. Besides, I want you there with Melanie until I arrive.”
He’d learned years ago not to argue with her. “Please take your time. The rain has stopped, but the roads are covered in wet leaves. It’s very slick. Be safe.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve been driving these roads since I was a teenager.” Phoebe hung up without saying goodbye.
Jackson turned and walked inside the hospital. He hoped to get a little information on Melanie’s condition from Sara, but he’d probably need to wait for Phoebe so they could both talk to Dr. Roberts.
Once inside, cleaning agents infiltrated his nose. He spied Sara chatting with a handsome young doctor. Jackson took a seat in the waiting room and prayed for the next ten minutes.
Finally Sara walked toward him. He stood and met her halfway. She brushed her blond bangs away from her eyes. “Dr. Roberts is ready to speak with Phoebe when she arrives.”
Jackson ran his hand across his chin. It was rough. He never liked to shave on his days off. One fewer thing to do. “How’s Melanie? Has she regained consciousness?”
Sara pursed her lips. “I’m sorry, Jackson, but you know I can’t talk to you about her condition. Neither can Dr. Roberts. You’ll have to wait for Phoebe.”
The young nurse disappeared through the ER doors, leaving behind a trail of potent fragrance.
Within a couple of minutes, Dr. Roberts appeared. Jackson had always admired him. With salt-and-pepper hair and slightly slumped shoulders, his experience was evident in his face and manner of speaking. He still worked five days a week and even made the occasional house call, if needed. He’d been on the staff at Sweet Gum Memorial for decades. He was not only an excellent doctor but also a pillar within the community.
“Dr. Roberts, it’s good to see you.” Jackson rubbed his hand across the back of his neck. Another tension headache was setting in.
The doctor smiled and extended his hand. “It’s good to see you, too, Jackson. It’s been a while. How’s your sweet little girl?”
Jackson shook his offered hand. “She’s great. Thanks for asking. This year she started afternoon kindergarten. She’s a voracious reader.”
Dr. Roberts nodded. “That’s great to hear. Books can open up an entire world to a child.” He cleared his throat. “Now, back to the patient. You know the confidentiality laws prohibit me from talking to you about Melanie’s condition. Once Phoebe arrives, I’ll fill you both in if it’s okay with Phoebe. She’s next of kin, so she’ll make the call. I know you’re worried, so I’ll say only that you can relax.”
“That makes me feel better.” Although she was just a stranger, there was something about Melanie. He wanted to protect her. He wasn’t sure where these feelings were coming from. Maybe it was because of her relationship to Phoebe. What else could it be?
“Speaking of Phoebe, how is she doing these days?”
Jackson noticed a sparkle in Dr. Roberts’s eye when he asked about Phoebe. Many years had passed since Phoebe’s husband had died. Jackson always hoped for a spark to ignite between her and the doctor. He’d love to see her enjoy a little male companionship. She still had many years ahead of her, time she shouldn’t spend alone. Of course, people could have said the same thing about him. “Phoebe’s doing great, busy as ever. I called her about fifteen minutes ago. I told her I’d pick her up since the roads are so treacherous. Of course she insisted on driving herself.”
He smiled. “Sure sounds like Phoebe. She’s quite stubborn when she gets her mind set on something. I’ll never forget that after my sweet Jane went to be with the Lord, Phoebe brought me an enormous meal every day. I told her it wasn’t necessary, but she insisted. I had mashed potatoes coming out of my ears.” Dr. Roberts laughed a deep belly laugh.
Jackson thought now was the time to slip in a good word about Phoebe, and perhaps devise a plan of action. “She’s stubborn, but you have to admit she’s a terrific cook. Her meat loaf and garlic mashed potatoes are the best in the valley.” He’d always heard people say the way to a man’s heart was through his stomach. “You should taste her new apple-pie recipe. She puts in just the right amount of cinnamon.”
“Stop, Jackson. You’re making me ravenous.” His tongue ran across his lips, and he rubbed his stomach. “I haven’t had time to eat lunch. I’ll probably have a slice or two of frozen pizza for dinner.”
Perhaps overstepping his bounds, Jackson took a chance. This man needed a home-cooked meal and a little female companionship. “I should talk to Phoebe about inviting you over for Sunday dinner. She always cooks enough for an army. Rebecca and I come home with a ton of leftovers.” Phoebe loved to have a house full of people. He’d definitely work on this.
Dr. Roberts nodded. “I like the way you think, young man. Just tell me when and I’ll be there.” He extended his hand to Jackson. “I’ll come out and talk to Phoebe when she arrives. Oh, and make sure she introduces you to Melanie. I’m sure she’d love to meet the man who rescued her.”
“Thanks again,” Jackson said and took a seat to wait for Phoebe’s arrival.
When she burst through the hospital entrance minutes later, he saw her quickly race down the hall straight toward him. “How is she, Jackson?” She removed her raincoat and flung it over her arm.
Sara came down the hallway holding a cup of coffee in each hand. “Hi, Phoebe. I saw you pull into the parking lot. I’m happy you made it here safe.” She smiled. “I thought you and Jackson could use this.” She handed them each a steaming Styrofoam cup. “I’ll let Dr. Roberts know you’re here.” She pointed to a private room next to the waiting area. “You can have a seat in there.”
Jackson nodded and took a quick sip. Strong and black, it was just what he needed. “Thanks for the coffee, Sara.” He took hold of Phoebe’s hand. “Let’s go sit down for a minute.”
A small circular oak table and four chairs filled the entire windowless room. The strong aroma of the cleaning agents in the hallway gave way to the smell of pink tea roses in a crystal vase decorating the middle of the table. The chair screeched when Jackson pulled it out for Phoebe.
“Melanie’s going to be fine.” He reached across the table, placing his hand on hers. “I don’t want you to worry.”
They prayed quietly until Dr. Roberts, clipboard in hand, joined them. He took a seat and smiled. “Hello, Phoebe. It’s good to see you.”
“It’s nice to see you, too. How’s Melanie?”
“She’s as strong as they come. She regained consciousness shortly after Jackson brought her in. Her memory appears fine, so that’s a blessing. The X-rays are all clear, no broken bones. But the MRI showed she does have a slight concussion, so we’ll keep her overnight, but she’ll be ready to go home with you in the morning.”
Phoebe clapped her hands together. “Thank God! The poor girl has been through enough.” She released a heavy breath. “Thank you so much, Doctor.”
Jackson considered Phoebe’s statement. Melanie must have endured some type of hardship, but now was not the time to ask questions. He squeezed the older woman’s hand. “Let’s stay focused on the positive.”
Dr. Roberts left, and they stood under the flickering fluorescent lights in silence. Phoebe stepped forward. “One day you’re going to make another woman very happy, Mr. Daughtry. Now let’s go check on my niece. I can’t wait for the two of you to meet.”
Jackson nodded. As they walked down the hall toward Melanie’s room, his breath quickened. At the doorway, he closed his eyes for a moment and took a calming breath. Why was he so nervous? He felt like a teenage boy getting ready for his first date.
* * *
Melanie opened her eyes, but quickly closed them again to escape the searing pain. The fluorescent lights burned her vision. Who in the world invented fluorescent lighting, anyway? It was the worst.
Images flashed through her mind of a whitetail deer tearing across the road, her car headed toward a tree, and then everything went black.
She opened her eyes again to see a woman’s face peering through a curtain.
Hospital. She should have known. Hospitals always had annoying fluorescent lights.
“How’s our patient feeling?” asked a petite blonde woman carrying a frosted pitcher and a plastic cup. She approached the bedside and smiled.
Stiff.
Exactly how Melanie had felt after she completed her fifth marathon, one month before her life had changed forever. She squirmed in an attempt to sit up, but a pain shot down her neck, like needles jabbing into her skin. She nestled back under the sheet.
“I’m Sara, your nurse.” She filled the cup with water and pulled a red straw from her pocket. “Try to drink a little. You need to stay hydrated.”
Melanie took the cup and placed the straw to her parched lips. “Is my aunt Phoebe here?” She sipped the cool liquid and flinched when it touched the back of her throat. “I remember a deer running in front of my car. Is that why I’m here?” She pressed her palm to her forehead. Her head throbbed as though someone bashed a rubber hammer against it.
“Here, take this. It will help with the pain, but it will make you sleepy.”
Melanie reached for the tiny clear cup that held the medicine as the nurse walked toward the window and tilted the blinds. “I’ve always preferred natural light.” She flipped a switch, and the fluorescent beacon vanished.
The pressure in Melanie’s head and around her eyes eased. “Thank you so much. I love the natural light, too.” She took another sip of the water, ran her fingers down the side of the cup and glanced out the window. “It stopped raining.” She wiped her fingers, wet from the moisture, onto her gown. “Can you tell me what happened?”
Sara placed her fist under her chin. Her fingernails were painted bloodred. “From what I understand, Jackson—”
“Jackson? Who’s Jackson?”
Sara flashed a mischievous smile. “Why, he’s the most handsome paramedic in all of Sweet Gum Valley, honey. Every woman within a hundred-mile radius would love to lasso the charming Mr. Daughtry, myself included.” She smoothed the back of her hair and placed her right hand across her narrow hip. “He’s the person who rescued you.”
Details were a blur, with the exception of the blinding rain, the deer and a tree. “Rescued me?” There were many events over the last year that she’d love to forget, but this wasn’t one of them. “Please, tell me what happened.”
“You were in a car accident on Smith Farm Road. Jackson was in the car behind you. He saw the deer dart across the road. You swerved to miss it and hit a tree.” Sara reached down and brushed a strand of hair away from Melanie’s face. “By the look of those cuts on your cheek and forehead, God was watching over you.”
Melanie put her hand to her forehead. He’s forgotten about me.
The white walls of the tiny room closed in around her. Why had she left DC? She wanted to go home and back to the job that occupied her mind for more than seventy hours a week—sometimes more. Work erased the pain of the past year.
When Aunt Phoebe had called last week and begged her to come for a visit, Melanie had finally given in. Phoebe was Melanie’s only living relative. She hoped to convince Phoebe to move to DC and live with her. Aunt Phoebe was her father’s younger sister. Somewhere in her attic, probably stuck in a box and gathering dust, Melanie had a photo of them together as children. She released a heavy breath. “I want to see my aunt Phoebe. Is she here?”
“Yes, Phoebe’s here. She’s down the hall, talking with Jackson.”
Sara headed toward the door and turned. “I’ll be at the nurses’ station. Push the button if you need anything, sweetie.”
Melanie rested her head against the mountain of pillows, mindlessly staring at the ceiling. She wished she could disappear through a crack in the drywall and go back to her home in DC.
Moments later she heard footsteps in the hall. They stopped outside the door, and there was a gentle knock. “Can we come in?”
Melanie gave the sheet a slight tug to cover her flimsy blue hospital gown. “Yes.” The sight of Aunt Phoebe’s smiling face in the doorway brought tears to Melanie’s eyes. The last time they’d seen each other had been the funeral. Had it really been a year? Some days it felt like an eternity.
“Oh dear, thank God you’re okay.” Aunt Phoebe glided across the floor to her bedside and kissed her forehead. “I was so worried about you. I don’t know what would have happened if Jackson hadn’t been there. Your car was towed to Wilbourn’s Autobody, so no need to fret about that. It will be repaired in a couple of days.”
Her aunt turned toward the door, and Melanie’s eyes followed. Her breath caught in her throat. A gorgeous, tall man with dark, wavy hair and a muscular frame stood in the doorway.
Their eyes connected for an instant, and her heart fluttered when his cheeks flushed. “I suppose you’re the infamous Jackson.” When he smiled, she looked away, but not before she took notice of his hypnotic deep blue eyes. He was perfection—which was reason enough to avoid him.
“Come in, Jackson.” Aunt Phoebe beamed and extended her hand toward him. “I’d like to introduce you to my lovely niece.” She moved aside, and he sauntered toward Melanie’s bed with his thumbs through his belt loops. “Jackson Daughtry, this is my niece, Melanie Harper.”
Jackson jerked his thumbs loose and touched his hand to hers. She expected roughness. The silky smooth feel of his skin caught her off guard. She cleared her throat. “I wanted to thank you for bringing me to the hospital.” She looked up and curved her lips into a small smile. “I don’t remember exactly what happened, but Sara told me I was unconscious, and you pulled me from my car.” His touch was gentle. She shifted in the bed and pulled away her hand.
“It’s my job.” He smiled. “Anyone traveling behind you would have stopped and done the same.”
Aunt Phoebe laughed. “Now, Jackson, don’t be so modest. Jackson’s a paramedic, but he had the day off today. I think I know him well enough to say he never really goes off duty. Even as a child, he rescued anything he could.” She placed her index finger to her chin. “Do you remember Miss Pearson’s cat? Marcie... I think it was her name.”
Jackson smiled. “Yes, it was.”
