Page 2 of Saving Luke

Like Lexi can read my mind, she’s answering my question, before I even ask it. "That's Luke. He's the new patient I told you about."

Ahhh, yes. I get briefed on all the patients since I run the nursing staff here. Luke was in an accident and thrown from a Humvee. He has swelling around his spine that’s preventing him from walking. His doctors think he’ll make a full recovery, but it's a waiting game for the inflammation to go down. Because he needs PT, the hospital sent him here.

We encourage family and friends to spend as much time with their soldier as they want because it really helps with their rehab. Lexi even went as far as turning some old buildings on the property into cabins for families to use when visiting from out of the area.

This woman looks like Luke's girlfriend, and I'm glad she’s sticking by him through all this. Most don't, and it actually slows their progress down.

It’s as if Luke can feel my eyes on him because he turns my way, and his piercing, green eyes focus on me. He has several days of stubble on his face, and his dark brown hair has grown out of its military cut. And I have to say, he’s one of the most handsome men I've ever seen.

Crap, he's with his girlfriend, and here I am, crushing on him. I offer him a smile and nod my head before turning back to my task of decorating.

Thank goodness I'm not his nurse.

Luke

As I look around the Oakside lobby, I admit it looks much better than the hospital. Though I didn't want to leave the hospital, my sister insisted on me transferring to Oakside because she's heard really great things about their success with recoveries. She's determined to get me better, even if it's against my will.

I would do anything for her since it's just the two of us. Our parents died months after I joined the military, and she was still a few months away from graduating high school. Thankfully, her best friend's parents took her in, let her stay with them, and finish school. She already had a full-ride to Tennessee University lined up. So, I sent her money to give them for rent or buy what she needed each month. I have always ensured she was cared for, and I will find a way to do so now.

Right now, I hate that it's just a waiting game for the swelling to go down, but that's where I’m at. At least, it gives me time tofigure out my next steps because moving home and having her wait on me hand and foot isn't an option.

"Okay, I got you all checked in. Your nurse is on her way down, and she’ll take us to your room, and we will get you all set up. You get your own room, so you will have some privacy. I was reading online the rooms are more like staying at a bed-and-breakfast than at a hospital, so I really think you’ll like it better here."

That isn't what captures my attention, though. The woman decorating the lobby area, which looks more like a large living room, holds my attention. She's beautiful with her dark brown hair that falls down in waves.

Her smile is huge, and you can tell she’s enjoying decorating the room for Christmas. Like she can feel my eyes on her, she turns to me, and our eyes lock. I always thought when people say the world stopped spinning, they were full of crap, but I need to make some phone calls and apologize because, holy hell, it's true.

Everything stops, and I don't hear or see anything but this beautiful woman. When she smiles at me, I'm a goner. I need to find out who she is, but preferably without my sister in tow. The beautiful woman gives me a nod and then turns back to her decorating.

Just then, a nurse walks in wearing scrubs, and she starts talking to my sister, but I don't hear anything, until the nurse places her hand on my arm.

"Okay, let's get you to your room and settled in. Today is a free day for you, but your appointments start tomorrow." She starts wheeling me down the hall and stops at the elevator.

Crap.

"Is my room on the second floor?" I ask.

"Yes, and in my opinion, it has the best view right out the front and down that long tree-lined driveway. It's my favorite part of the property." The nurse keeps talking, but I ignore her and close my eyes.

Gabbie grabs my hand. She had to deal with me in the elevator leaving the hospital earlier and knows this is a problem for me. I squeeze her hand, and she just runs her thumb over the back of my hand.

Ever since the accident, I can't be in small, confined spaces that move, like elevators or the transport plane back stateside. Cars aren't so bad, as long as all the windows are down. Gabbie knows this, even if she doesn't know exactly why. I also don't plan on telling her.

Even thinking of the appointments Gabbie set up for me tomorrow doesn’t help because as soon as I feel the elevator starts moving, my heart races, and I gasp for air.

“Stay with me, Luke. I'm right here. You are at Oakside, and you’re safe. You are with me, and I'm not going anywhere." Gabbie says, and I focus on her voice.

Before I know it, the doors are dinging, and we are off the elevator, but my heart is still racing, and I feel like I just ran two miles with my rucksack on.

When we enter my room, I have to admit it's really nice. It's almost like a small apartment. On one side is a bed against a reclaimed wood wall. The queen-sized bed is set with extra pillows and blankets and then a nightstand on each side. In front of the bed is a seating area with a couch, coffee table, and two chairs. They’re all done up in brown leather with throw pillows, a TV on the wall across the couch, and windows behind the couch.

Opposite the bed is an exposed brick wall and a desk with drawers, perfect for working on or setting up a laptop.

I have my own bathroom. It's done in black and white tiles with a large walk-in shower, and a mock claw-foot bathtub that has a door for those who need easier access. The mirror looks like it was made from an old wood dresser and done in dark wood to match the rest of the room.

This place is twice as big as my hospital room, and I shared that with another guy.

"This is all mine?" I ask, almost in shock.

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