A Soldier's Reunion

Likewise, the thought that Nolan, though unseen, could be on the other side of the doors made her want to bolt out and see him. Hold him. Catch up. Connect. Recapture something, anything. The sensation of being the only person in the world who knew the other so profoundly. They’d had a bond like nothing she’d ever known.

Then, one day, nothing.

Hands fisted, Mandy pressed them beneath her thighs and tilted toward the children. “So, what was your field trip?” The bus driver had explained it was an end-of-the-year gig but hadn’t said where. Chitchat would keep the kids’ minds off missing their parents, and her mind off missing Nolan.

Reece grinned. “We went to a science museum. It was fun.”

As the children chattered on, Mandy stacked pillows under her elbow and leaned back. Her wrist throbbed like crazy. But she didn’t want to trouble Cole or any others for pain meds. From some of the serious injuries she’d passed on her way to the ambulance, she definitely sat at the bottom of the triage totem.

Through the windows, a tawny-haired man with a military buzz came back into view. She didn’t have to strain her eyes to know it was Nolan. Nor did she have to see his eyes to know they were the most brilliant shade of blue.

As if sensing her stare, he shifted and looked around. She stiffened, then relaxed and craned her neck. He couldn’t know she was in this ambulance. Nor that she could watch him unaware. She could only see him from the shoulders up, and he was totally out of sight of the children, who would undoubtedly bombard her with questions should they notice her noticing Nolan.

He conversed with someone she couldn’t see, but his gaze kept coming back to sweep the line of ambulances.

She grew enthralled watching him. The lithe motions. Firm jaw. That lopsided grin that had graced her almost daily growing up as he’d walked her home from school because they lived in a bad neighborhood. The familiar yet now mature animation on his face elicited a sense of loneliness that made her miss him.

He bent and lifted something, probably a patient. He looked utterly in his element. Like he was born to do this.

Just like you were born to be a doctor.

Unfortunately their dreams were like two strong arms tugging them apart and in opposite directions. Yet they’d championed one another’s hopes and goals practically since the day they met.

IV bag in hand, Nolan shifted something and raised his arm.

“Miss Mandy, why do we gotta go to the hospital if we aren’t hurt?” Caden asked, breaking the bittersweet trance.

Metal clanked together as Mandy secured a seatbelt over him. “Because that’s where they’re telling your parents to come pick you up. And because the doctors and nurses will want to check you out and make sure you didn’t get any bumps and bruises that might need Band-Aids.”

He nodded. “Miss Mandy, do you have any Band-Aids?”

She spread fingers on her good hand. “Sadly, I’m fresh out. But the nice doctors and nurses at the hospital will have Band-Aids and stickers. Maybe even lollipops. How about that?”

Mandy laughed.

“What’s so funny?” Reece asked.

“Just thinking about how nurses give the shots and doctors give the lollipops.” Mandy wiggled her nose at Reece, who grinned. “But my office will be different.” She might call the shots and have her nurses give them, but she’d let them also dole out stickers.

Nolan moved from her line of sight. The air inside the ambulance vacuumed all hers in a sudden panic. She resisted the urge to push open the door.

Focus. Focus on the children. Forget about Nolan. Focus.

Caden grinned, revealing lost teeth. “I wanted the Band-aids for Bearby. Looks like he could fall apart.”

Reece clutched the brown bear appendage to her. “He does not! It’s just that his fur falls out because I love on him so much.” She sent a harsh scowl at Caden.

He blinked at her like she was an alien. Then tilted his face up. “Miss Mandy, why do you want to be a doctor? Our teacher says it takes lots of school. School’s boring.”

Mandy chuckled as she brushed a hand along Bearby’s disheveled fur and contemplated the question.

Jayna leaned her head against Mandy’s side and hugged her arm. “You were right, Miss Mandy. They came for us.”

“And got us all off,” Caden said. “Every single one.”

Mandy forced a calm, convincing smile. These precious children did not need to know that not everyone had made it off the bridge or out of the water alive. As sure as she lived, she would take those horrific images of the collapse to her own grave.

Reece leaned close to Mandy’s other side. “And you kept us not afraid anymore. Thank you.” She pressed her stuffed animal’s ebony nose to her ear. “What? Oh.” She turned his smooshed-in face toward her ribs, like the toy was being shy. She leaned in and whispered, “Bearby says he thinks he loves you.”

Emotion lodged words in Mandy’s throat. She’d noticed Reece projecting thoughts and emotions onto the toy earlier. Mandy couldn’t have spoken if she’d wanted. So she smiled. Deeply, at each little expectant face.

This is why. These children. This feeling of accomplishment and knowing she could make a difference in the life of a child and their family in a difficult season.

She wrapped an arm around the two girls, and reached over to bump a gentle fingertip playfully on Caden’s nose.

“Children like you are why I do what I do.”

Leaning in, Mandy knuckled her hand and lightly fist-bumped Bearby’s tattered paw. “And for the record, Bearby, I think I love you, too.”

Chapter Four

“Mommy! That’s Miss Mandy, the nice doctor lady who helped us,” a familiar voice pealed through the hospital corridor.

Mandy rose from her chair in the hallway outside the bustling Refuge E.R. waiting room. She smiled at the woman walking toward her with Reece and her stuffed bear in tow.

“C’mon!” Reece tucked Bearby beneath her arm and dragged her mother faster.

Upon approach, deep gratitude glistened from the young woman’s eyes. Uncanny how much she looked like an older version of Reece.

The woman breached the space between them like a close family member would and grasped Mandy’s uninjured hand. “I’m Amelia North, Reece’s mom.”

“I’m Dr. Manchester. Please call me Mandy.”

“Thank you for watching over our children on the bridge.” Amelia’s grip tightened when the words strained from her throat. The heartfelt tone put a sting to Mandy’s eyes. What’s with that? She hadn’t cried since she was a teen.

“I’m thankful they weren’t hurt. Truth is, they kept me brave.” It wasn’t a lie. Being responsible for them had lessened her fear and panic.

Reece plopped onto a chair. She danced Bearby on her knees.

“That couldn’t have been easy with you being injured.” Amelia eyed Mandy’s splint. “How did you stay strong for them?”

“Imagined myself in a parent’s place. Kept in mind they were depending on me. Acted as I’d want mine treated if I had any.” Mandy brushed fingers through Reece’s curls.

“You’re not a mommy?” Reece wiggled close to Mandy’s lap.

She leaned eye level. “Not yet.”

Reece lifted her comfort toy. “Bearby wants to know why not.”

Mandy faced Bearby. “I still have some doctor training left so I can learn how to take the best care of people.” She started to add that she’d also like to find a husband first, but the words caught in her throat.

She discreetly eyed Amelia’s left hand. A heart-shaped diamond winked back, but no wedding band. Gaze averted, her mind zeroed in on Reece. Thankfully Mandy hadn’t said anything. Wasn’t her place to judge or wonder about the situation.

“Bearby thinks you’ll make a good doctor, and a good mommy.” Making engine noises, Reece puttered Bearby in the air.

Mandy tilted her head. “Thank you. On both counts.”

“Is your hand in terrible pain?” Amelia set her purse on the chair beside her near the E.R. waiting room door.

TVs blared from different stations, all filled with images of the collapse. Her chest hurt at the sights playing out. Mandy turned away. But she could still hear the announcer describing the ordeal. Sweat broke out over Mandy’s brow. She tried to dab it but her arms felt robotic and numb.

Concern flashed across Amelia’s face. “Are you okay?”

Mandy stood on legs that felt as rubbery as the business end of a reflex hammer. As quickly as possible, she turned the TV volume down, ignoring caustic looks from waiting room patrons. “I am now,” she said to Amelia as she returned to the seat beside her.

The smells of antiseptic and sickness hung in the air. Call lights rang down the halls, and a hacking cough emerged from the room beside her that made Mandy want to whip out a prescription pad.

Reece peeped at the temporary splint Nolan had applied.

“Is it broken?” Reece blinked up at her.

Hesitation hovered inside Mandy’s thoughts. She wanted to be honest yet tread lightly. “I think so, but no one’s looked at it yet. They’re taking care of the worst injured first.”

“How will they tell?” Reece asked.

“They’ll take special pictures called X-rays.”

“Will they hurt?”

“If they have to straighten out my hand it might. Otherwise, X-rays usually don’t hurt at all.” She smiled at Reece.

“Mommy could go with you and hold your hand. She’s good at that. She holds my hand when I get shots. And you could hug Bearby during it. He makes people brave.”

“He sure does.” Mandy kneaded Bearby’s fuzzy misshapen head.

“Then him and Mommy will go with you.” Reece’s expression declared the matter settled.

Amelia fingered Reece’s curly brown hair. “I’m sure Dr. Manchester has someone who can sit with her.”

Mandy shifted uncomfortably. In the confusion, she had left her purse which contained her cell phone, in her car on the bridge. An officer had left a message with the nurses’ desk saying he’d recovered it and would bring it by when he had a moment. Not that she had anyone here she could call once she had it. Miss Ivy didn’t drive.

Perceptive awareness entered Amelia’s eyes. “Need to borrow my phone to call someone?” She pulled her purse onto her lap and extracted a cell phone.

Heat of a blush crept over Mandy. “No, I’ll be all right. Besides, I’m fairly new in town and really don’t know anyone. My mother lives in a different state.”

Called Oblivion.

“Would you like us to sit with you while you wait?” Amelia tucked her phone back in her purse.

“No, it’s fine.” But a thought struck her. Who would take her home? She’d be unable to drive herself if she took pain medication or if she had a sling on her arm. “Does Refuge have a cab service?”

“No. Small town. We could give you a ride if they let you go.”

“I’d hate to make you wait. I imagine it will be past Reece’s bedtime before staff get to me.”

“It won’t hurt her to get to bed late one night.” She gave Reece’s ponytail an affectionate tug. “Will it?”

Mischief alive in her eyes, Reece grinned like she’d just gotten away with something big. “I like staying up late!”

Mandy and Amelia laughed.

“We live at the Refuge Bed and Breakfast on the edge of town. It only takes thirty minutes to get here,” Amelia said.

Mandy shifted. “I don’t know…” Thirty minutes there, then here then to Mandy’s and back would take at least two hours out of Reece’s sleep time.

Despite Mandy’s hesitation, Amelia handed her a card. “Here are my numbers. I doubt they’ll have school tomorrow with what’s happened.” With what’s happened.

Knowing she meant the bridge collapse, Mandy studied the chic business card to block horrific images that threatened in her mind’s eyes. “You do caricature art?”

“In my spare time. I also manage Refuge’s B and B. Promise you’ll call if you need a ride?”

Suddenly, she didn’t feel embarrassed about being needy. “I will.”

“Maybe we can meet for coffee next week, too?” Amelia asked.

“I’d love that.”

Her face lit up. “Say goodbye, Reece.”

“Bye, Miss Mandy. I don’t like how we had to meet but I’m glad we did. So is Bearby.” Reece hugged Mandy.

Mandy reciprocated the hug. “I’m glad we met, too. I’m glad you weren’t hurt.”

“Or lost in the scary water.” Reece took hold of her mom’s hand. “Mommy would have been so sad.”

Mandy’s heart pounded with memories of watching cars in front of her plunge into the depths of Refuge River. Her hands trembled and so did her lips. Sounds from the wreck clanged in her ears and drowned out rational thought. She drew deep breaths and focused on Reece’s antics with Bearby until the impending flashback receded. She rubbed sudden moisture off her quaking palm by running it across her thigh. “I don’t blame her. I would have been sad, too. But you are safe—and you are here.”

But others weren’t.

Mandy fought debilitating dread at the grief and hardship that families of those who didn’t get out of their cars in time were going through this instant. Several survivors were permanently injured, which was why it was taking so long for her to be seen. “If there was a room or even equipment free, I’d go back there and treat myself.”

Amelia laughed. “You’re gutsier than me.”

“I seriously would, just to ease the staff’s burden and relieve someone of duty. The hospital is on trauma alert. Every available space is taken. And my injuries are minor.”

“Couldn’t waiting be bad for you if it’s broken?” Amelia eyed her wrist with concern.

Mandy shrugged, not wanting to think about things like nerve damage from swelling and how that would affect her work.

“What does a broken bone feel like, Miss Mandy?” Reece asked.

“Like it got hit.” With a sledgehammer. Hard. Twenty times.

“Owie.” Reece nuzzled Mandy’s sling with Bearby.

“Ah-ah-ah.” Amelia guided the bear away. “We don’t touch.”

“Bearby’s just trying to make Miss Mandy feel better. Hospitals are scary.” Reece darted wide eyes around, then scooted closer to Amelia.

She’s afraid. Mandy felt bad for them staying here on her account. “I work in hospitals all the time. I’ll be fine if you’d like to go home.”

“Can we, Mommy? I love Miss Mandy but I’m scared.”

“Sure.” Amelia held Reece and cast Mandy apologetic glances.

“It’s fine. Honestly. I will call you if I need something.”

“Okay. Would it be an imposition to get your phone number so I can check on you? And verify you’re still up for coffee?”

“Not at all. You have paper and something to write with?”

Amelia pulled out a notebook with an attached mini pen.

Mandy scribbled as best she could left-handed. “Here you go.”

“I won’t share this info with anyone.”

Mandy laughed. “Didn’t think you would. No one ever calls me anyway. Not even telemarketers.” No one ever calls me.

Why had she revealed that? Especially when bursts of sympathy spritzed from Amelia’s eyes? No one needed to burden themselves with her loneliness. Yet something about Amelia North beckoned. She emanated warmth and trust conducive to friendship.

“Be glad about the telemarketers. We get calls all day long.” Laughing, Amelia picked up Reece. “Let’s skedaddle so Miss Mandy can rest.” They made their way to the exit.

Mandy missed the company immediately. The chatter had kept her mind off the pain. She closed her eyes to mentally wash it out but instead, images of water swirling through broken car windows rushed in.

She jerked open her eyes and sat up. Sweat broke out over her cheeks, forehead and palms. Whether from the flashback or the pain, she couldn’t be sure.

A hand rested on her shoulder. She looked up.

“Dr. Manchester?” Nurse Bailey hovered. “How’re you faring?”

Mandy tilted her good hand sideways and back. “Hanging in.”

“It’s gonna be another couple hours before someone can set that fracture. All the docs are in surgery. Sure you don’t wanna pain shot?” Her face revealed empathetic apology.

“I’m sure.” She’d never had narcotics and didn’t want to lose control in front of staff. “I can wait.”

Nurse Bailey looked doubtful. “All right then. Call me if you change your mind.”

The more Mandy watched her coworkers, nurses and other medical personnel scurry about, the more restless she became.

She blew out a frustrated breath. Feeling a snooze coming on, she leaned her head against the wall and closed her eyes.

Warmth spread across her stomach, arms and chest. She stretched open her eyes. Sound trickled into her consciousness.

Someone stood above her. Someone familiar. She blinked awake.

“Nolan?” Her heart began to pound and she reached for him.

Then remembered.

She tucked her hands back beneath the gauzy white hospital blanket he must have brought and spread out over her torso.

“Hey.” He knelt in front of her. “You haven’t been seen yet?”

She shook her head. “They’re swamped.”

“How are you holding up?” He tugged the blanket back and palpated her fingers, peeking through the stretchy bandage he’d applied on the bridge.

“Fair.”

“It’s twice as swollen as on the bridge. What did they give you for pain?”

Her voice caught at the softness in his. “I—I haven’t had anything.” She dipped her face, partly to avoid the compassion in his. How she hated to be weak in front of him again.

Nolan rose, looking determinedly down halls, probably for a nurse.

Mandy straightened. “They offered but I declined it.”

He inclined his head. “Now why would you go and do a silly—”

“Dr. Manchester?” Nurse Bailey approached.

Thank goodness. Saved by the Bailey.

“Yes?” Mandy stood.

Nolan stepped back but put his hand to her unaffected elbow.

Bailey motioned toward the unit. “You’re up next. Come on back.”

Nolan made motions to follow. Mandy held her hand palm up in halt position. Comically annoyed but steadfast, he looked at it like it was no barrier. When his gaze reached hers, he stopped and drew a long breath that made his chest bigger. Like it needed it. Not!

“Look Mandy, I came here to see how you were. But also, I wanted to set up a time to meet. We need to talk.”

Her hand jammed to her hip. “Not interested in discussing anything.” Knees trembling, she turned to go.

A strong hand curled around her healthy wrist. “Don’t be mule-headed.” He moved toward the room with her still in hand.

She stopped, tugged her hand free and shot him a caustic glare. “Bye, Nolan.”

His body tensed, but paused. The knot in his jaw rippled. Always a sign of frustration in Nolan. Yet rarely, if ever, had it been directed at her.

She turned to go to the room Nurse Bailey disappeared into.

“This is far from over, Mandy.” The decree floated from somewhere behind her.

She ignored him until she reached the room entrance. Then mistakenly cast a glance over her shoulder to see if he’d actually listened to her and left.

Right.

He stood, stubborn and tall, feet planted right where her words had left him. And according to the steel-plated glint in his resolute eyes he not only wasn’t going anywhere, her words may as well have fallen on deaf ears.

He wasn’t budging.

This is far from over.

Then an unspoken version of that message traveled, mesmerizingly slow and daringly potent, down the corridor from his eyes to hers. And his immovable jutting stance said exactly the same yet fractionally different:

We are far from over.

Chapter Five

“It’s broken for sure?” Mandy askd Dr. Riviera after she’d been taken to a room and her wrist X-rayed.

“Yes.”

A sinking feeling hit her gut. “Are soft tissues involved?”

Wheels on the med cart squeaked as he pushed it toward her. “Subsequent X-rays and an MRI will tell for sure. But judging by the pain, swelling and disfigured angle of the hand, I’m guessing yes.”

“Figured as much.” How would this affect her job? Could she safely carry out examinations with her left hand when she was right-handed? Her mind clicked through common procedures. Discouragement abounded.

A knock sounded at the door. “Bailey in here?” a male voice Mandy recognized as Dr. Callahan’s asked. “We have issues in nine and could use another pair of arms.”

“You’re in hot demand today.” Mandy smiled at Bailey, feeling compassion for the tired woman. All the wrung-out staff, really.

“Always. Excuse me.” Nurse Bailey scurried out.

Dr. Riviera suddenly looked weary as he moved into the light. Dark shadows circled his normally bright eyes, now bloodshot. Puffy bags of skin clung to them, making him look older.

Empathy filled her. “You’ve been here all night?”

He nodded and offered a tired smile. “I’ll get relief soon. I wanted to see your treatment through first.” He stifled a yawn.

“I understand.” She eyed the cart and moved to the edge of the table’s padded seat. Paper crinkled beneath her. “So what torture are you about to inflict, hmm?”

He chuckled. “First, I need to know how you’re getting home. If these bones aren’t aligned, we’ll need to reset the hand.”

Ouch. “I know.”

“Which means you also know I’ll have to heavily sedate or anesthetize you?”

She gritted her teeth and nodded.

He unwrapped her bandage. “Whoever splinted this did a fabulous job.”

Mandy licked her lips and stared at a spot on the wall.

“Be right back and we’ll get this fixed up after I snag someone to help me. Now that Callahan stole Bailey from me.”

It took longer than Mandy expected for the door to open. Dr. Riviera re-entered, armed with hot pink casting paraphernalia.

Bailey started Mandy’s IV, then left to answer a call light.

Wheels creaked as an anesthetist entered with a cart. “You’re not going to be able to walk home after we apply this.” He looked pointedly at Mandy’s wrist, the anesthesia cart and casting material. “Is there someone you can call?”

“I’d offer a ride but we have a mandatory stress debriefing,” Riviera said.

“I imagine patients need this bed, too.” Occupied gurneys crammed all hallways with curtained partitions around them. Guilt slammed her over having this private room.

“Other than you and Doc Callahan, the two hoodlums who recruited me to supposedly calm Refuge, I don’t know anyone awake at this hour.” She hated to wake Amelia.

“You know me,” Nolan said from the door.

Her head lifted.

He must have had a shower because he looked clean-shaven and wore civilian clothes. Trendy jeans hugged lean legs, revealing muscles she hadn’t noticed yesterday. His shirt caught her attention too. A pressed black button up with silvery-white pin stripes—her favorite colors. Coincidence? Or did he remember? Nolan never wore black in the summer.

She cleared her throat and eyed her supervisor.

Dr. Riviera watched them with amused interest.

“May I come in?” Nolan asked.

Mandy shifted. “Looks like you already are.”

Guilt prodded Mandy to squirm under his gently inquisitive eyes.

Vague recollections of him walking her to the lab and imaging departments last night seeped into her thoughts. Holding her as she’d tried not to yelp from pain as technicians straightened her hand to get a good image. He’d talked her through the procedure as a doula coached a woman through labor. Like he’d talked her through hundreds of problems growing up.

And, because meds had lowered her resistance, she’d let him.

“I’m not really up for visitors, Nolan.”

“How’s it going, Airman Briggs?” Ignoring her, Dr. Riviera walked to the door and extended his hand. “Nice job on the bridge. Got all the children off safely, I hear.”

“Yeah, thanks.” Nolan shook Riviera’s hand.

“Rumor has it you might be leaving soon?” Riviera said.