Though thoughts of marriage and a family had come to mind more frequently over the past couple of years as Tristan had watched his siblings marry and begin families of their own, he hadn’t figured that he’d end up responsible for a woman with a child. No doubt she wouldn’t want him to feel that way about her, but in this particular instance, neither of them had a choice.
“Hey, Tris,” Danica greeted him when she answered his call. “What’s up?”
“I’m calling to ask you a huge favor. You and Sierra, maybe.”
“A favor? Well, I suppose I might owe you a favor or two, so tell me what you need.”
Tristan took a breath before making his request. “Can I ask you two to spend the night with a friend of mine? To keep watch over her and her little boy?”
“A girlfriend?” Danica asked, her voice ripe with curiosity.
“No. Timothy is in my Sunday School class. His mother was in an accident on her way home from work today, and she asked me to pick Timothy up from school. We’re at the hospital now, but they won’t release her unless she has someone to watch over her.” He cleared his throat. “Obviously, I can’t stay with her, so I wondered if one or the both of you could spend the night at her home.”
“I have to be at church for youth group this evening,” Danica said, “But we could come over after that.”
“I don’t know for sure, but I think there’s another bedroom there. Her old roommate’s.” Tristan ran a hand over his hair. “Maybe see if someone has an air mattress that you could bring, just in case?”
“Okay. Are you going to be there until we get there?”
“Yes. Her car has been towed, so I’m going to take her and Timothy home. I’ll text you the address.” Tristan hesitated then said, “Thank you, Dani.”
“Oh, Tris. No need to thank me. You never ask me for anything, so I can only assume that this is very important to you. We’ll see you later.”
As Tristan lowered the phone from his ear, he was eternally grateful that his family was so willing to step up when asked, if it was at all possible. He knew this would likely make waves among the family—that he was the one this woman called—but they would also understand why he couldn’t turn his back on Shayna and Timothy in their time of need.
He walked back to Shayna’s bed, knowing that she wouldn’t be happy to have to be reliant on others, but for Timothy’s sake, she had no choice. Her feelings were understandable, and he wouldn’t have stepped in like this if it hadn’t been medically necessary. Tristan recognized the strength in her and admired her for it.
“I’ve found someone to stay with you and Timothy tonight,” Tristan said when Shayna and Timothy looked up at him expectantly.
Shayna frowned. “Someone? I thought that you…”
“I can’t,” Tristan said. “It would give an appearance of…impropriety.”
Her brows rose at that. “Are we in Victorian times? Impropriety?”
“It’s not right for me—as a single man—to stay in the home of a single woman. Even with Timothy as a chaperone.”
Shayna let out a sigh as she looked down at the bed. “I suppose I don’t have any say in all of this. It doesn’t matter who I may or may not want to stay with Timothy and me.”
When she lifted her hand to press her fingertips to her forehead, Tristan knew he had to reassure her. “I’ve asked my younger sister, Danica, and her roommate, Sierra, to stay with you two tonight. They’re both happy to help out, but if you’d prefer not to have them, let me know. Give me the name of someone else, and I’ll happily call them for you. Perhaps I should have asked you that before calling my sister.”
Shayna slumped back against the elevated hospital bed. “No. There’s no one else to call. Lisa is in Portage with her mom and would have to take the bus to get here. Plus, she is needed there. It wouldn’t be fair to ask her to come on such short notice.”
“I promise you, Danica and Sierra are really nice. Timothy will love them.”
Shayna didn’t object any further, just nodded as a man wearing scrubs approached her bed. After indicating that he was there to take Shayna for her scan, he helped her into a wheelchair.
“I’m going to take Timothy to get something to eat,” Tristan said. “We’ll be back in a bit.”
“Okay. There’s money in my purse—”
“Don’t worry about that,” Tristan said. “Is there anything I can get for you?”
Shayna shook her head then the man pushed her wheelchair away from where Tristan and Timothy stood. When the boy looked up at him, concern on his face, Tristan gave him an encouraging smile.
“You hungry?” When Timothy nodded, Tristan held out his hand. “Let’s go find some food. Your mom will probably be done by the time we get back.”
Shayna tried not to focus on the pounding in her head. She needed to get herself dressed and ready to leave. It was a relief that nothing worse had happened to her, but she was already feeling the effects of the jarring her body had been subject to.
“You are aware of what you need to watch for?” the nurse asked as she helped her get dressed. Shayna nodded. “Don’t hesitate to come back in if anything worsens.”
“I won’t.” Though it wouldn’t be Tristan who returned with her. She would have to rely on the help of strangers.
Once she was dressed and ready to go, she waited by the hospital entrance with Timothy while Tristan got his car for them. The sun had long since set while she’d been inside, and the snow still blew. Each time the doors whooshed open, a gust of cold would sweep in with whoever entered the building.
“You don’t have a car seat,” Shayna said, suddenly realizing that her son’s booster was still in her car.
“Tristan had one for me,” Timothy informed her. “I don’t know where he got it, but he had it when he came to the school.”
Before Shayna could wonder at the significance of that, the doors opened again, and Tristan walked through them. He rubbed his gloved hands together as he approached them.
“Ready to go?” he asked, glancing between the two of them. “It will probably take us a little while to get to your place. The snow has been coming down pretty steadily.”
Shayna felt her stomach twist at the reminder of how bad things had been earlier that day. She hoped that she could make the trip home without panicking.
It didn’t take long for them to get settled in Tristan’s car, and Shayna had to admit that she was glad for the bulk of the SUV. She clenched her hands together as Tristan steered the car away from the hospital.
Once they were out on the street, she could see that there wasn’t a lot of traffic. Frowning, she looked at the clock on the large display that sat in the center of the dashboard. 10:55. She’d been at the ER for over eight hours. She was fortunate that she wasn’t being forced to stay overnight.
“Did you want to stop for something to eat?” Tristan asked. “I didn’t see you eat anything there.”
“I’m okay,” Shayna said.
Tristan glanced over at her as he waited for the light to turn green. “If you don’t mind a little delay getting home, I’m going to make a quick stop at Tim’s. I could use a coffee.”
Shayna had an idea that he was doing that in order to entice her to eat, and maybe she’d give in to that enticement. The idea of food was growing on her now that he’d mentioned it. And she certainly didn’t mind the delay. Going home meant being with strangers—two girls she’d never met.
She wasn’t surprised when Timothy asked for something to eat as well. In the end, Tristan ordered a couple of sandwiches and wraps along with soup, his coffee, and more donuts. Shayna thought about protesting, but she didn’t have the energy. It was already later than she normally went to bed, and the trauma of the day was wearing her down.
When they finally reached home, Tristan pulled into the driveway. Shayna noticed that there was a small silver SUV parked at the curb where he usually parked. Its lights were on, so Shayna assumed that it was running. Were these the girls coming to keep an eye on her?
“It looks like Danica and Sierra are here,” Tristan said as he turned off the engine.
He opened his door and got out, then came around to open hers. Tristan took the drinks from her, then held out a hand to help her from the car. Once she was standing on the snow-covered driveway, she heard someone call out to Tristan.
“Hey, Dani,” Tristan said as he gave the girl a one-armed hug. “Thank you for coming. You, too, Sierra. Let’s get inside, and I’ll make the introductions.”
Timothy slid out of the back then turned to grab the food bags. Shayna managed to find her house key, which, thankfully, hadn’t been on her car key ring, and unlocked the door. Once inside, Shayna felt a profound sense of relief. It felt like a lifetime ago since she’d left with Timothy instead of just that morning.
Amid introductions, their coats and boots were removed and placed in the closet beyond the stairs. The young women Tristan introduced as his sister and niece offered her and Timothy friendly smiles. She could see the similarities between Tristan and Danica.
“Shayna, is it okay if I move Dani’s car into the garage?” Tristan asked.
“Yes, of course,” she said, gesturing to the door that led into the garage. “The opener is in my car, but there’s a button near the door.”
“Okay. I’ll be right back.” Tristan turned to his sister and niece. “Can you help get the food upstairs?”
At their nods, he went back out the door while Timothy headed upstairs with a bag of food in his hand. Danica followed with the tray of drinks, but when Shayna motioned for Sierra to precede her, the young woman shook her head.
“Let me follow you up,” she said. “Just in case you feel a little light-headed.”
Shayna wanted to argue with the woman, but the reality was that she did, in fact, feel a little weak. Instead, she gave her a smile of thanks before she began to slowly climb the stairs that had never been a problem for her before.
By the time they got to the top of the stairs, Shayna’s legs were trembling. She had no injury that should have made her so weak, but there was no doubt that her body was objecting to the effort she’d required of it.
“Here, why don’t you sit down?” Sierra said and touched her arm as she indicated the table where the food and drink waited.
Timothy was surprisingly alert for that time of night, considering it was now close to three hours past his bedtime. He chatted eagerly with the two young women as they sat around the table. Shayna focused on the soup she’d asked Tristan to order for her. She knew he’d also ordered her a sandwich, but she didn’t think she could eat it.
Shayna didn’t miss the curious looks that Danica and Sierra gave Tristan when he joined them a few minutes later. He sat down beside his sister and took the coffee she slid his way.
“Is one of the sandwiches yours too?” she asked.
Tristan nodded. “The ham and cheddar.”
“Is there anything we need to know for tonight?” Sierra asked her.
Shayna thought Tristan might share the instructions from the doctor, but he stayed silent and ate his sandwich. “I think I just need someone here in case I start to feel worse. To take me back to the hospital.”
“How are you feeling?” Danica asked.
“Tired.” Shayna pushed the half-empty bowl of soup a few inches away. “And a bit sore.”
“You’ll probably be sorer tomorrow,” Sierra said.
Danica grinned at her…niece? Shayna pondered their relationship as they sat there.
“Sierra is hoping to become a nurse,” Danica said. “So she’s happy for the opportunity to help care for someone. You’d be doing her a big favor by letting her play nurse.”
Sierra reached out and gave Danica’s shoulder a light shove before she looked at Shayna. “She’s not wrong. I’m happy to help you out, and Danica is going to entertain Timothy since she hopes to be a teacher one day.”
“I guess you’re the perfect pair to be here,” Shayna said. “Thank you.”
Tristan finished his sandwich then rolled up the wrapping. “Why don’t I help you get ready for bed, Timothy.”
“I don’t need help,” Timothy said indignantly as he got to his feet. “I know what to do.”
“Then go get ready, Bug,” Shayna said, giving him an indulgent smile. She watched as he headed for the stairs.
“I forgot what it was like to be that age,” Tristan said as he lifted his coffee and took a sip.
“He’s growing up so fast,” she said, wistful at the thought of how he’d once needed her. “I’ve heard that response from him more times than I can count over the past year.”
“Can I do anything more for you before I leave?” Tristan asked as he began to clear up the remnants of the food.
Danica laid a hand on his arm. “We’ll take care of that, Tris.”
“Thanks.” He gave her a quick smile, and it was only then that Shayna noticed the tiredness on his face.
She felt a pang of guilt that he’d spent a good portion of his day taking care of her and Timothy. When he got up from the table, Shayna did as well.
“Thank you again for your help today, Tristan,” she said. “I don’t know what we would have done without you.”
“You’re very welcome.” He smiled at her before turning to the girls. “Just point them to where they can sleep, and then head for bed. You need your rest. I’ll be by tomorrow afternoon.”
Danica got up and circled around the table. “Let me walk you out.”
Shayna watched the two of them head for the stairs then turned back to Sierra. “You can stay in my roommate’s room.” She frowned. “Do you two mind sharing a bed? It’s a queen.”
“Not a problem. We’ve shared before,” Sierra said with a smile. “She kicks sometimes, but I just kick back.”
“The two of you are close?” Shayna asked as she led the way to the stairs.
“She’s my best friend. Her sister is married to my brother.”
“So you’re not Tristan’s niece?”
“It’s a bit convoluted, so we kind of settled on niece. My brother is my guardian, so he and Makayla have been like parents to me. Makayla is Danica and Tristan’s older sister.”
“Tristan mentioned he had a large family,” Shayna said, pausing as she reached the top of the stairs, her legs trembling slightly.
“It’s big and getting bigger with all the babies being born.” Sierra touched her arm gently. “You okay?”
Shayna nodded. “Just really tired.”
“Do you want help with a shower or anything?”
Shayna balked at the idea of someone helping her shower, but at the same time, she knew there was some blood in her hair, and she just felt gritty after spending time in the hospital. “Do you mind?”
Sierra shook her head. “Not at all.”
“The bedroom where you can sleep is through there.” Shayna pointed to the door closest to the stairs. “It also has an ensuite. Let me just make sure Timothy is settled in bed.”
“Okay, I’ll go get Danica and our things.”
Once Sierra had gone back down the stairs, Shayna made her way to Timothy’s room, stopping to make sure he wasn’t still in the bathroom. In his room, Timothy was under the covers with only the lamp by his bed on.
“Ready to say your prayers, Bug?” she asked as she sat down on the edge of his bed and reached for his hand, so beyond grateful that she was there for that moment with him. Things so easily could have gone in a different direction. And then what would have become of Timothy? Both parents gone…and no other family to speak of.
The thought filled her with fear and brought with it a resolution to make sure that she made arrangements for Timothy in case something ever happened to her.
Timothy bowed his head as he wrapped his fingers tightly around hers. “Dear Jesus, thank you for keeping Maman safe. Help her to feel better. Thank you for sending Tristan to help us. Please help us to sleep good tonight. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Shayna leaned forward to kiss Timothy’s forehead and had to blink back the tears that suddenly pricked at her eyes. Her exhaustion was setting in hard and lowering her defenses. She’d be lucky to get through her shower.
“Sleep well, baby,” Shayna whispered. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too,” Timothy whispered back. “Can I…uh…can I sleep with you?”
Shayna didn’t hesitate to agree. They both needed the comfort of closeness tonight. “I’m going to take a shower first. You can go ahead and get into bed. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
Timothy slipped out from under the covers then darted into her room. Shayna followed him into the room to get some pajamas to change into after her shower. Timothy was already under the covers, his head on the pillow on the opposite side of the bed that was pressed up against the wall. She gave him a quick smile, figuring he’d probably be asleep by the time she got back, then took the pajamas to the bathroom.
Sierra waited just outside in the hallway. “Do you need some help?”
Shayna hesitated, not at all sure she wanted her help, but also not completely sure she could manage on her own.
“Why don’t you just leave the door open a crack, and I’ll just sit out here.” She lifted her phone and wiggled it. “I have plenty to keep me occupied.”
“Thank you,” Shayna said as she stepped into the bathroom.
She closed the door until only a crack remained, then turned her attention to taking off her clothes. For the first time since the accident, she saw herself in a mirror and winced at the reflection. She could already see bruising forming around her eyes as well as what looked like rug burn on her cheek. Wincing, she touched the darkly reddened skin over her collarbone and figured that would be another bruise come morning.
Turning away, she twisted the tap to start the water flowing in the shower. Shayna stood, her hand under the spray, waiting for the right temperature, which, in this case, was just a touch above the normal heat she preferred. She hoped that the heat might soak into her muscles and lessen whatever aches might develop during the night.