Page 76 of Left Behind

“Look at us,” Carey said as she settled into the wheelchair. “We have our own handicap convoy. Breaker, breaker, Cowboy Cop. Take us home.”

Tom laughed and wheeled Johnny into step behind the orderly who was pushing Carey, and as he did, he realized he hadn’t laughed once since learning of her disappearance. It felt good to do it again.

***

It took over an hour for Tom to get them home, and then he helped them inside. The house was hot and musty. Most of the food in the refrigerator had gone bad, and he spent a few minutes cleaning it out while Carey made a list of what they needed. After Johnny forked over some of the money from Billy’s gift, he took off to do their shopping.

Word had spread among their friends as to what had happened to Carey, and they’d all donated enough money to get their truck repaired and out of the garage. It was sitting in the driveway, washed and detailed and ready to ride.

They found the truck keys on the floor when they walked in the house. Someone had shoved them through the mail slot, along with a get-well card to both of them, a sympathy card for the death of Carey’s brother, and an envelope with three hundred dollars in cash.

Carey cried. Johnny wanted to. But they were home and Carey was upright and mobile, and Johnny was getting there. He still had the cast on his leg, but it was due to come off, and they didn’t know if the police were anywhere near closing the case of Billy’s murder.

Tom returned about an hour later with fresh groceries and put them up. “I hate to leave you two like this,” he said.

“We’ll be fine,” Carey said. “Tomorrow I’m contacting Williams and Williams, the lawyers you mentioned, to see where I stand, but today, Johnny and I are going to just take it easy and rest.”

“I’ll talk to Detective Gardner and let you know what I find out, and I’ll swing by after I get off work every day to see if you need anything, okay? If you have doctor appointments, use that extra money you were given and call an Uber. Do not try to drive until your doctor releases you, or you’ll be liable if you have an accident, understand?”

They both nodded.

Then Tom patted Casey’s shoulder. “And no walking a freaking mile to get somewhere, either. This time, you ask for help, girl.”

She sighed. “Message received.”

“Okay then. I’m headed home, and then I’ll probably be back on duty tomorrow. I’ll call when I know something,” Tom said, and then gave Johnny a quick hug. “You’re the toughest guy I know. You bit the bullet for your girl, and dealt with a level of pain I can’t imagine, just to be near her. Now figure out what your next move is going to be, because your days as a lineman are over.”

“They’ve already offered me a desk job,” Johnny said. “It will be an adjustment, but I’m not going to be unemployed.”

“Good deal, buddy. So, I’m leaving now, but promise you’ll call if you need me.”

“I promise,” Johnny said, and then Tom was gone.

Johnny turned his wheelchair toward Carey. “Well, we’re home, darlin’. Nobody said life would be easy, but neither of us ever saw this coming. What you need to know is that I’ll never quit you. You’re my girl, now and always. I thought I’d lost you, and I will never take life for granted again.”

Carey moved across the room, then leaned down and kissed him.

“The drive home was exhausting. I missed our bed. I missed lying beside you and listening to you sleep.” Then her voice broke. “I thought I would never see you again.”

“I can’t make love to you yet, but I can hold you in my arms. Come to bed with me, love. You need to rest, and I want out of this chair.”

She wheeled him into their bedroom and steadied the chair as he moved himself onto the bed. Then she laid his cell phone by the bed, pulled off his shoes, then kicked off her shoes and eased herself down onto the bed beside him, and groaned.

“Home at last,” she said, and reached for his hand. His fingers curled around hers.

“Love you,” Johnny whispered.

“Love you more,” she said, and closed her eyes.

***

It was a quarter to five when the cake from Granny Annie’s Bakery was delivered to Wiley’s house, and the food he’d ordered from the local caterer was already on the counter and in the refrigerator, just waiting for guests to arrive.

Ava was playing in her room and didn’t know the cake was here and that it was what was in the big box on the counter when she came into the kitchen.

“Bubba, is it time?”

He glanced up at the clock. “They should be arriving soon. I need to change my shirt. Wanna come with me and help me pick out a good one to wear with my jeans?”

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