Page 14 of Reaching Hearts

Chapter Seven

Brendan

Room 323.

Ifeel my hand being picked up by feminine fingers, the top of it caressed lightly. Struggling to open my eyes, the room blurs into focus and the outline of her head becomes distinct lines and curves of her nose, her chin, her long neck, her dark hair. “Hey.”

“Hi. How’re you feeling?” She’s wearing a different outfit and her hair smells nice. “I got you a cactus since you’re so prickly.”

I glance over to see a small cactus in a clay pot sitting on the only table in the room. The table is metal and cold, and the needles of the cactus remind me of the one in my arm. She means well, but it wasn’t a great idea.

“You’d think hospitals might put better furniture in these rooms for all the money they’re making on the sick,” I mumble. “Thank you for the cactus. You look like you got some sleep.”

She nods, eyes filled with concern and tenderness. “I did. You?”

“Not at all. They keep waking me up.”

A frown creases her arched eyebrows. “Oh and here I went and woke you.”

“No. I want the company,” I mumble, reaching for the button to make the bed rise so I can get vertical. “This is going to sound awful, but can you help me to the bathroom?”

She smiles like a mother would, but I won’t tell her this. “Of course.”

“I think Maria will think I’m hitting on her if I ask her,” I say with an amused secret smile.

She asks me if Maria’s my nurse as we navigate me out of the bed. I don’t let her come in with me; I just wanted to make sure I didn’t fall and pull these damn things open. I’m feeling a little stronger, but I’m not chancing staying here any longer than I have to. I want to see Le Barré and get ahold of Annie. Plus, I’ve got to work. I bet Tommy is loving my absence. I wouldn’t be surprised if I get back and he’s taken over my office.

When my baby steps get me out of the bathroom, Rebecca’s reaching for her phone as it rings. She frowns into it.

“What’s up?” I’m trying to see. Part of my curiosity is jealousy. I feel naked without my fucking phone.

Her thumbs key in a response and her head is down. “One of the ladies I’m doing a charity auction with has questions and I…” she stops explaining, lost in the text reply. I wait.

---