A Soldier's Reunion

“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.