Chapter 10

 

Ethan stared at the man in the white coat with thick black-rimmed glasses. Pale gray eyes stared back at him, sympathizing. Ethan steeled himself against what he just heard. Kristen was comatose.

They were standing outside of the Intensive Care Unit at the Boston General Hospital where Kristen was taken after the accident. It was five hours after he received the call and Ethan had questions. Why was she in a hurry to leave the house? The report said that she did not collide with any other vehicle. Eyewitnesses said that her vehicle was speeding and seemed to have lost control before hitting a bump in the road.

“I’m sorry Mr. Broderick, there’s nothing more we can do now. She may wake up in a few minutes or it may be a matter of days. We’ll have to exercise some patience in the matter.”

Ethan knew he was right. However, it seemed that when it came to Kristen all rationale flew out the window. What was it about her that made him act this way?

“Thanks, Doctor. Can I see her now?”

The doctor nodded, “Yes. Try talking to her, make her feel a sense of security. She may not be able to physically respond, but studies show…”

“I know,” he interrupted. “She may hear my voice or respond to certain stimuli.”

“I’m glad you understand.”

Ethan doubted the doctor understood the relationship between him and Kristen. Kristen hated him. The only reason she was marrying him was that she felt sorry for him because he was her late husband’s brother. Kristen could her pick of a million men to marry in the city.

He also knew why Mark was at the house earlier. Perhaps the good lawyer had found the perfect match for his client. Ethan felt bad about not telling him what happened.

Pushing his thoughts of Mark Rickard aside, Ethan opened the hospital room door and entered. He looked at Kristen lying in the bed unmoving. Her skin was ashen and her head was bandaged from the injury and subsequent surgery. The beeping machinery made the whole scenario even worse.

Pulling up the small chair he found against the wall, he sat. Absently he rubbed the back of his neck then brought his hand around and squeezed his chin. A lump rose in his throat and he had to look away from her. Ethan had seen death and torture, but never had his heart ached so much in the time he’d spent serving his country, risking his life. But he’d always had a weakness when it came to Kristen.

Gingerly, he reached out and picked up her hand, cradling it between both of his. He was not good at these things and had no idea what to say to her. Therefore, he found himself bringing her hand to his lips. He kissed the back of it and then turned it over and pressed his lips to her palm. The sound of someone pushing the door open caused him to lay her hand back down and turn.

Mark Rickards was standing there, his eyes downturned. “I saw the news and came right away,” the lawyer offered when Ethan looked questioningly his way.

“I should have said something,” Ethan told him. But…”

Mark took a few steps and rested his hand on Ethan’s shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. Can we talk outside?”

Ethan rose and followed Mark out of the room. Once outside the hospital room, he let out a long breath, raking his hand through his hair and started pacing the hallway. Two policemen were talking with Dr. Michaels close to the nurse’s station. Ethan assumed they were discussing the accident. He turned his attention to the lawyer.

“The doctor told me her fiancé was with her,” Mark said. “I had no idea you two were planning on marrying.”

Ethan paused, and then said, “We made up our minds yesterday. I didn’t think she had the chance to tell you.”

“I figured,” the lawyer replied. “I found someone, but I’ll cancel.”

“You do that. Is that all?”

“You know your mother is going to take advantage of this, right?”

Ethan wasn’t sure what Mark meant. “What can she do?”

“I don’t know exactly, but she is cunning. Just watch out for anything.”

“Thanks for the heads up,” Ethan said, turning to go back inside the room. He then paused. “I’m sorry about back at the house. I wasn’t thinking clearly.”

“It’s alright, man. I’m glad Kristen agreed to marry you. She needs someone who loves her.”

Ethan stared at Mark, his eyebrows squished together. “What are you talking about?”

“You’re in love with her,” Mark said matter-of-factly as her turned to leave.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” was Ethan’s reply as he watched the lawyer go. In love my foot! he murmured to himself. The idea was utterly ridiculous, he thought, though his heart had started a slow heavy thudding the moment Mark mentioned love.

As Ethan prepared to go back into Kristen’s room, one of the police officers approached. Ethan knew they needed to investigate the accident, but he was impatient to return to Kristen.

“Mr. Broderick?” the one with the tablet asked. The policeman wore a dark gray suit and showed him his badge. “I’m Detective Marshal and that over there is Sargent Norris. I understand Miss Broderick has not regained consciousness.”

“That’s correct,” Ethan replied, eyeing Kristen’s room door.

“Is there anything you can tell me about the accident?”

Ethan shook his head. “I know far less than you do, detective.”

“We are waiting on the toxicology report and we’re having the car checked.”

Ethan puckered his forehead. “Kristen doesn’t drink outside of social situations and she doesn’t do drugs.”

“It’s just procedure, Mr. Broderick. I assume you know that, given your training.”

“Yes, I do know.”

“We’ll need to speak with Miss Broderick when she regains consciousness.”

With a slight nod of his head, the detective turned and headed in the direction of his partner. Ethan hoped his defense of Kristen was justified and they didn’t find anything in her blood. He pushed away what the detective told him and returned to her room.

As he sat in the chair beside the bed, his heart rate increased. His eyes strayed to Kristen’s face, resting on her lips. Unwittingly, he reached out and traced the curve of them with his index finger. The tips of his fingers tingled and he withdrew his hand. His lips became dry as he stared at her lying there.

Feeling the way his entire body quickened upon touching her, Ethan stood, rubbing the back of his neck. Mark’s words kept coming back to him, haunting him.

“Ridiculous,” he muttered.

Nevertheless, Ethan refused to leave Kristen’s side, even after the nurse came in and asked that he excuse her while she checked the patient. “Please wait outside a moment, Mr. Broderick,” the nurse with the name tag, Emily said.

Hesitating, he stared down at Kristen as though seeking her perMission. As he exited the room, the feeling as though an invisible cord was pulling him back in was intense. He stayed just outside the door and as soon as Nurse Emily came out, he went back in.