Chapter Seventeen

Situation normal—totally out of my control. Since when did chaos become my status quo? Seems like half of forever…

—Diary entry at eighteen, upon learning via email that her boyfriend had left Heart Falls and wasn’t coming back—

 

 

A cloud blurred her vision, and Dare blinked hard as she struggled to put the last few minutes back into order. She’d been talking with Vicki and Laurel, and she’d been watching the horses, and then things got foggy.

She looked up into blue eyes and a stone-cold expression.

Dare laid her hand against Jesse’s cheek. “Wow, you better hope the wind doesn’t change direction because that would be one scary face to be stuck with forever.”

If she’d expected his familiar grin to appear, she’d have been disappointed. What she got was zero change in expression as his gaze darted over her face. “How’re you feeling?”

Two worried faces appeared over his shoulder, Vicki and Laurel, then Rafe was there as well, a furrow between his brows.

“I feel like the ball in the middle of a football huddle.” Dare curled upright, or attempted to. Jesse’s hand behind her back controlled the motion as he slowly allowed her to sit.

A flush of embarrassment hit when she realized she was in his lap and he was on the ground in front of a growing collection of his family. Her right cheek and eye stung.

She lifted her fingers to touch her face. “What happened?”

Laurel grimaced. “Um, that’s my fault. I think I punched you.”

“She was trying to catch you,” Vicki offered quickly.

None of this made sense. “Catch me?”

Dare looked up at Jesse. He was wearing that unreadable expression.

“You passed out,” he said.

“I didn’t—” she protested, then stopped.

Had she?

That foggy blur in her head failed to offer up an answer immediately. She wiggled, testing to see if she had any unusual aches or pains, but everything seemed to be normal. “I did a systems check. I feel fine. Well, other than my…”

She stopped, hand dropping from where she’d been cradling her cheekbone. Laurel looked horribly upset.

Suddenly Dare was airborne. She grabbed at Jesse’s shoulders as he rose to his feet with her in his arms then began striding at high speed toward his truck. “What’re you doing?”

“Taking you to the hospital.”

“Wait a minute.” Dare pushed on his chest in an attempt to get him to lower her to the ground.

His arms didn’t budge. It was like trying to move a brick building.

“Jesse, stop. I don’t need to go to the hospital.”

“You passed out, Dare. This isn’t up for debate.”

Confusion rushed in. “I don’t think it’s as bad as that.”

Another voice joined in. “You’re probably right.” Mike Coleman arrived out of nowhere, his words laying a blanket of calm over her. “But going to the hospital is a smart idea, just to be sure everything’s good. You’re pregnant, after all.”

How on earth was Dare supposed to deny that face? “Well, okay, but I’m sure I’m fine.”

Mike pulled open the passenger door to Jesse’s truck. “Just get checked up. No use in taking any chances.”

“We’ll come with you,” Laurel offered.

Oh God, no. Dare should have seen this coming—it was like being around the Stone boys. Vicki was nodding and Rafe was digging out his keys, and the longer they stayed, the more people would want to join in.

“No, please, that’s fine.” Dare wasn’t going to argue anymore about going, but she didn’t need a crowd along for the ride. “Jesse will take me.”

“I’ve got you.” Jesse all but growled the words as he made sure she was completely settled, reaching over her to do up the seatbelt.

Dare sighed heavily. “My arms aren’t broken. I mean, thanks for helping me out, but—”

“Don’t argue,” Jesse snapped.

He stepped back and closed the door, but even through the closed door Jesse’s father’s soft chuckle was audible.

She rolled down the window to speak to Mike as Jesse raced around to join her. “I’m sure it’s nothing. Maybe it’s from the travel. I am a little tired.”

Mike patted her fingers where they lay on the window ledge. “My boy’ll take good care of you. Call if you need anything.”

They were off. Jesse kept from squealing tires in the yard, but once they hit the blacktop, he hit the gas and pushed the truck to high speed.

“I don’t think we need to—”

The ice in his glare was enough to cut off her suggestion to take it easy.

Dare sat back and held her tongue. If he wanted to add a speeding ticket to his day, that was his business. Fine by her.

His rush meant they were back at the hospital where they’d been the afternoon before in no time flat, only at the opposite side of the building.

He abandoned the truck outside the emergency doors, pausing to snap up a finger. “Stay put.”

Dare rolled her eyes, but a wave of dizziness hit, a rush of fear with it. “No arguments. I’ll sit here like a good—”

Jesse wasn’t there anymore. He was already racing around the truck to jerk open her door.

He lifted her out of the truck, refusing to let her climb down. Then they were through to the emergency desk. Her health card was processed followed by a flurry of questions before they were brought into a separate room behind a curtained-off area.

She lay there quietly, Jesse’s fingers in hers as they waited.

Another wave of dizziness struck. Dare closed her eyes against the queasiness, and involuntarily tightened her grip on his fingers. Everything had happened so quickly she’d had no real time until now for anything to sink in. For fear to rub across her nerves like sandpaper leaving her raw and vulnerable.

“I’m scared,” she admitted.

“It’s going to be okay.” Jesse brushed a loose hair behind her ear, his blue eyes fixed on hers. Dare locked onto his gaze even as her free hand slipped down to cover the swell of her belly.

A soft flutter greeted her, and some of the ice along her spine warmed. “I still feel Buckaroo,” she whispered. “I just—”

They both jerked as the curtain slid back a foot and a bright-faced nurse glanced between them before her gaze settled on Jesse.

“Excuse me, but is that your truck outside the emergency doors? Because you’re blocking the lane.” The nurse tilted her head toward the front. “You’ve got time to go park before the doctor gets here.”

“Screw the fucking truck,” Jesse muttered, before Dare placed her fingers over his lips to silence him.

“Go. You’ve got time. That way we won’t have to worry about hitching a ride to the impound lot when we’re done here,” she managed to tease.

He pressed a kiss to her forehead before leaving at a dead run.

The nurse slid up to the bedside the instant he left. She cleared her throat then spoke softly, gaze fixed on Dare’s face. “Are you okay? Do you need me to help you?”

Confusion and Dare were having a heyday. “What?”

The nurse glanced over her shoulder before touching Dare’s cheek gently. “Are you in a dangerous relationship? I can help.”

Oh my God. “Oh, no, this isn’t from Jesse. Someone bumped me when I fell.”

The nurse waited as if considering.

“Honest to God.” Dare felt terrible for sharing, but no way could she let anyone think Jesse was abusing her. “It was Laurel Coleman. She and Vicki were—”

Thank God for small towns where everyone knew everyone. The nurse’s eyes widened and she interrupted with a gasp. “Laurel gave you a black eye?”

Dare made a face. “Is it going to be black?”

The woman nodded then let out a relieved breath. “Okay, as long as you’re safe, we can move on. I’ll need to take your blood pressure and information. You get to lie still and relax.”

Utterly relieved, Dare obediently held out her arm for the cuff to be Velcro-ed into place, trying to figure out if she felt sick. “If you need me to pee in a cup, I can do that too. On command.”

The nurse laughed. “We’ll just wait for the doctor, if you can wait.”

A list of questions later Dare was alone again, fears slowly spilling into the curtained area like an out-of-control magical vine. She debated grabbing her phone to call Ginny, but scrubbed that idea as soon as it hit. No good reason to scare her family until she knew what was going on.

Then Jesse was back, clutching the edge of the doorframe to stop from flying past her bed.

“You’re a menace,” Dare informed him.

“Where’s the doctor? Why’s he not here yet?” Jesse complained, turning around as if he was going to track down the man himself.

“Jesse,” Dare warned. “Come here.”

He was by her side in an instant. “How do you feel?”

She shrugged. “Physically? Okay. Still dizzy, but everything else feels great.”

His face was tight, and he found her fingers again. “I’ll take care of you,” he promised.

Dare closed her eyes. That tremor of fear was growing. She swallowed hard. “I’m scared,” she repeated. “What if something’s wrong with the baby?”

His arms went around her and Jesse pressed her head to his chest. His heart beat solidly under her ear. “Buckaroo is fine. Take a deep breath, and let’s wait to see what the doctor says.”

They stayed like that for a while, Dare holding back the protests she wanted to make to his calm assurances because he was right. There was nothing they could do at that moment but wait.

The curtain slid back like metal fingers on a chalkboard, and Dare tensed all over as an older man in white doctor’s garb stepped into the space.

He offered a friendly smile. “So, I finally meet another part of the Coleman family.” He shook Dare’s hand then Jesse’s. “Dr. Kincaid. I’ve delivered all Jaxi and Blake’s babies, as well as other Colemans…”

His voice faded as he attempted to tug his arm free.

Jesse wasn’t letting go. Instead he gripped the doctor by the wrist so he could rotate the man’s palm toward the ceiling. Dare and Dr. Kincaid exchanged worried glances before Dare realized Jesse had laid his hand over the doctor’s.

Jesse finally released the doctor, turning to Dare with a nod. “He’s okay.”

In spite of being scared to death, Dare felt amusement creeping in. Jesse had remembered her comment about small hands being important. “You’re a nut.”

Dr. Kincaid gestured for Jesse to move aside. “I’m glad for the vote of confidence. Let’s see if we can figure out what’s happening with you.”

Jesse slipped around to the other side of the bed, and she caught his fingers like an anchor as the doctor checked her, pushing and prodding gently.

Dr. Kincaid listened to her stomach, then pulled the stethoscope from his ears as he offered a gentle smile. “Heartbeat sounds strong.”

Relief hit so hard Dare collapsed back onto the pillow. “Okay.”

“I want to run a few more tests before I let you go,” the doctor warned. “I don’t like hearing that you passed out.”

Dare nodded. “Whatever you think best.”

He pulled a chart over and wrote down a list of items. “You’re going to be here for a few hours.” The doctor glanced at Jesse. “If you need to go—”

“I’m staying,” Jesse cut in.

The doctor held up his hands. “Figured you would. You might need to grab some things for Dare if we have to keep her overnight, though.”

Overnight? All the blood in her body seemed to be rushing past her ears at that moment. “I can’t stay overnight.”

“Of course you can.” Jesse glared at her. “I’ll grab your stuff.”

“But we’re supposed to—”

“You’re supposed to listen to your doctor, and that’s me,” Dr. Kincaid lectured sternly before softening his gaze. “You Coleman women are all the same—stubborn as all get out. Now take it easy, cooperate with the nurses, and I’ll be back in a couple hours to see how things are progressing.”

Then he was gone and a new nurse was there, pushing aside the curtains. Jesse helped Dare into the wheelchair the woman had brought, and the next couple hours were spent waiting for people to poke and prod her. An ultrasound was followed by another test with tabs connected to her belly.

Jesse stayed with her when he could, but there were times he was on the other side of the door and Dare stared at the wall, far too alone with her own thoughts.

Far too alone, period.

She was back in the curtained area, Jesse pacing the floor when Dr. Kincaid returned, his expression gloomy. “One bit of good news—the dizzy spells are caused by an inner ear infection, and we can clear that up pretty easy. But there are a couple tests I’d like the lab in Calgary to take a look at. We won’t get results until Monday, and until we hear back from them, I want you to stay.”

Dare took a deep breath. “Here in Rocky Mountain House?”

“Here in the hospital.” The doctor held up a hand. “It’s completely a precaution. I don’t feel you or the baby are in danger, but there was something on one test I’d like to double-check. I want to be sure we’re treating any issues before they become trouble.”

Which made sense, and Dare got it, she really did, but the hollow ache inside just kept growing.

She nodded, not trusting her voice.

Dr. Kincaid patted the foot of the bed where Dare rested. “Stay here for now. I’ve asked one of the nurses to bring you to another room so we can free up the space in emergency. I’m on call for the rest of the afternoon, but the nurses will contact me if needed. I’ll be in touch with your regular doctor as soon as I can.”

Jesse shook the doctor’s hand then the man was gone. Quiet fell in their small little corner. Outside noises ebbed and peaked as a backdrop to the sound of Jesse’s boots on the linoleum floor as he paced.

Dare worked to take slow, controlled breaths. “Well, so much for dancing at Traders tonight.”

“Hey, you’re going to be fine, that’s the most important thing,” he assured her. “Doctors like to be cautious, that’s all.” He kept pacing as he spoke, and Dare was jealous of his ability to burn off anxiety energy.

It was true what he’d said—she didn’t have to like it.

Now that she knew she was stuck for a few days, she really needed to contact her family. She glanced around the room, shocked that in so small a space she couldn’t find anything easily.

“Where’s my phone?” She leaned toward the side table where her purse had been shoved.

He was there in an instant, all but growling as he placed the bag on the bed beside her. “Don’t overdo it.”

Dare raised a brow, nerves making her speak sharper than she’d intended. “If picking up my phone is going to be the straw that pushes me over the edge, then everything is not fine, Jesse. Don’t baby me.”

“I’m trying to take of you,” he snapped.

God. He was right, but she wasn’t capable of nuance right now. She was about to apologize when a new voice sang out cheerfully.

“Hello, behind the curtain.” The pale fabric slid aside again, this time quieter than before. A dark-haired nurse with stylish dark-framed glasses stood on the other side, wheelchair beside her. “Your chariot awaits.”

“Tamara?” Jesse grabbed the bag the woman offered before turning to Dare. “Another cousin, if you can’t tell. Whiskey Creek.”

Tamara dipped her chin. “The best part of the clan, you’ll discover. Hey. You must be Dare.”

“I recognize you,” Dare said. “You were in the room when we visited Justin yesterday.”

“Good eye.” Tamara pushed Jesse aside without blinking, moving to the bedside. “Be useful and put her things in that bag, J-man. My turn to help your lady.”

Tamara got Dare seated in the wheelchair, all the while ordering Jesse around. Her nurse’s scrubs were a pale blue with little bears dancing over the surface. She was bossy and friendly, and even Jesse relaxed a little as Tamara cracked another joke.

Dare actually caught herself smiling as she was pushed into the elevator.

“You get one of the finest views in the hospital.” Tamara stepped to one side until Dare could see her face. “It’ll be quiet too. There’s a second bed, but no one’s using it at the moment, so you get the room all to yourself.”

“Are you going to be my nurse?”

Tamara nodded. “Hope that’s okay.”

“I thought you were on the delivery ward,” Jesse asked abruptly.

She turned toward him, one brow arched high. “You’re so out of date, cuz. One of the joys of small-town hospital practice is I get to do it all. Delivery was before Emergency which was before Rehab. I switched to general Maternity six months ago.”

“So I’m still considered maternity?” Dare asked, her hand rubbing her belly like a touchstone.

“Of course. You’ve got a bun in the oven, and we’re going to do what we can to make sure everyone gets baked for as long as necessary—or something like that.” Tamara winked. “Analogies always fall apart if you push them too far.”

“Pretty much,” Dare agreed. “If there’s internet, I’ll be fine. I can get ahead of things on my blog.”

“Basic internet is doable. No porn, though.”

Jesse rolled his eyes. “You are a killjoy, aren’t you?”

“Yeah, that’s me. Stick in the mud, no sense of ha-ha whatsoever.”

They’d arrived on the second floor. Dare was rolled down the hall and into a neat but very hospital-looking space. Light yellow walls, furniture made of shiny metal and pale particle board. The blue blanket-covered beds were separated by a green curtain until Tamara pushed it back to the wall.

Jesse placed the bag with her clothes on the chair beside a small closet before slipping up to the wheelchair and laying a hand on Dare’s shoulder. “Back in a few.”

“Okay.”

He pressed a kiss to her cheek then was out the door before she could say anything more.

Tamara helped Dare get as comfy as possible with just her T-shirt and undies because even her maternity jeans were too uncomfortable to consider wearing while sitting around for a couple days.

“If you’ve got them, a pair of sweats will be the most comfortable. If you didn’t bring any, I can loan you a pair. Make a list of the things you need to make your stay more comfortable, and I’ll make sure you get any approved items.”

“Approved?”

Tamara slid a tall, moveable tray into easy reach at the edge of the bed, adding a glass and a pitcher of water.

“No tuba practicing allowed, I’m sorry to say,” Tamara informed her brightly.

“Well, damn. There go my aspirations to win the world tuba championship.” Dare made an attempt to smile, which probably failed miserably. “Cell phones…?”

Tamara lost a bit of her shine. “Rotten reception most places except in a few corners and right outside the main doors, and the internet isn’t fast enough for Skype. I’m sorry. If everything goes well tonight, I’ll break you out for a while tomorrow morning. Okay?”

“Sure.” She tried to keep her disappointment out of her voice. No phone was shitty news. If she didn’t have a phone, she couldn’t chat with Ginny. “Jesse and I will figure it out.”

Tamara frowned, then glanced around the room. Dare realized she was looking for Jesse who hadn’t returned yet.

The woman marched to the door and poked her head out the door. She glanced back then shrugged. “Guys have the worst timing. He probably got lost in the cafeteria. I’ll grab you a few things.”

Tamara was back within a minute with some magazines and a pad of paper, and she piled them on the bedside table.

“I have to make my rounds now.” Tamara adjusted the backrest of the bed one notch higher without Dare having to say anything. “Buzzer is there on the right side of the bed. Sorry, but for now you’ll have to call when you need to pee so I can be on hand if you get dizzy. Otherwise, relax best you can. I’ll be back for the list in a bit and to give you the medication for your inner ear infection. If you want to chat.”

“Thanks,” Dare said sincerely.

Tamara left the room at full stride, the door closing with a soft swoosh behind her.

Silence.

The next second Buckaroo nudged her, and Dare’s soul clung to the sensation. She slid her hands under the sheets to caress the little rounded spot under which who-knows-what was going on. A miracle? A tragedy?

Another soft flutter teased her from the inside—the sensation that had barely begun to be familiar over the past couple weeks. A touch of reassurance from her baby—and it was perfect and exactly what she needed…

Yet not nearly enough because the room was empty except for her and shadows and unanswered questions.

The soft buzz of hospital life drifted from behind the closed door, itching in Dare’s ears. That and the sound of her breath, slightly ragged, echoed in the quiet. The longer she sat there, the more tension increased until her chest ached and her throat felt raw. The sheets were cold against her bare legs. In spite of the sunshine outside the window, in spite of the cheerful yellow stream of it falling across the bed where she lay…

She wanted it all to be a bad dream.

Coldness struck deep, dragging her into memories full of bitter loss and loneliness, and Dare closed her eyes against the stinging hurt striking her heart.

And yet…she wasn’t a teenager anymore, torn from her family and stung by shock. She was a grown-ass woman with the ability to survive and save herself.

Another deliberate breath brought air burning into her lungs. Then slowly, determinedly, Dare opened her eyes and focused on the bright blue sky outside the window.

She’d get through this. One moment after another, she’d make it to the other side, whatever the other side looked like.

If she didn’t completely acknowledge that faint voice inside whispering Jesse will help, an unexpected warmth in her heart budded from a seed into a tiny green hope.

She didn’t have to face this alone.