Page 50 of A Chance at Forever
Dior, a lovely young woman with strawberry-blonde hair and light green eyes, smiled. “I am. I used to have a huge crush on your brother, Carter.”
“I remember.”
“Are you in any pain, Victoria?” Dior asked as she checked the machines and the bag of IV fluids.
“Yes. I ache all over, and my head is pounding.”
“I can help with that.” She handed Victoria a small plastic cup filled with several pills and poured a cup of water for her. “Has Rusty told you what happened?”
“No, not yet.”
“So, we know you were thrown off your horse and hit your head on a rock. After that we can only surmise that a rattlesnake bit you on your thigh. Can you fill in the blanks?”
Victoria frowned in concentration. “Everything is hazy at the moment.”
“Okay. I’ll inform Dr. Morrison that you’re conscious, and he’ll be in to speak with you as soon as possible.”
CHAPTER 15
The pain medicationmade Victoria sleepy. Before she drifted away, Rusty told her she had a concussion, stitches in her head, and a sprained ankle.
“I don’t remember the snake,” she murmured, growing drowsy. Her eyes closed.
“It doesn’t matter right now. Rest, sweetheart.” He brushed hair away from her face and kissed her temple.
Dr. Morrison missed seeing Victoria when she was awake in the morning, so they had to wait until he made his afternoon rounds. More alert now, she answered his questions with ease as he examined her.
“The swelling in the tissue around the snakebite has gone down, so that’s a good sign,” he informed them. “As far as your ankle is concerned, you’ll need to stay off it for at least three or four days. I think it’s safe to say I can release you tomorrow afternoon. Your primary care physician can remove the stitches in your head after seven days, or you can come here.” Dr. Morrison made a few notations on his tablet and smiled. “You’re doing great, Ms. Lockridge. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Victoria turned to Rusty with panic and dismay shining in her eyes. “I can’t miss school this week. It’s Homecoming, and there’s too much I have to do. I’m responsible for the technical aspects of the skits the night of the Bear Claw.” During the Bear Claw on Thursday night before the Homecoming game on Friday, all the classes and clubs performed skits, the Homecoming Court was introduced, and it ended with a bonfire and fireworks.
“Tori, your health is more important than the Bear Claw.” When she opened her mouth to protest, Rusty held his finger against her soft lips. “But I will check on things for you, and you can give me any instructions you want your kids to have. You’ve taught them well, and I’m sure they’ll manage everything without a hitch.”
Tears glistened in her eyes. “I hope they don’t think I’ve let them down.”
“There’s no way anyone would think that. You should have seen how many of our friends and colleagues came to the ER yesterday when they heard what happened to you. Your students, too.”
Victoria studied his face and reached up to caress his rough cheek. “You’re exhausted, Rusty. Why don’t you go home? Besides, I need you to check on Bud. He’s with Mia, I presume?”
“Yeah. He had to be bribed with a burger from the diner to go home with her.” He leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss against her soft lips. “I’ll be back in a few hours. Go to sleep and don’t worry about anything. I’ve got it covered.”
*
Victoria touched herlips.I’ve got you. You’re safe. I won’t let anything happen to you. The words echoed in her befuddled mind. Were they part of her feverish imagination, or were they Rusty’s promise to her? She slipped into a peaceful sleep with her question unanswered.
Mia visited early Monday morning after Victoria had been transferred out of the ICU and brought a bouquet of roses from her garden. She kept her company until Dr. Morrison came to see her.
After Mia bid her farewell, Victoria asked, “Dr. Morrison, may I please return to work on Tuesday?”
“Absolutely not, Ms. Lockridge. You need time to heal. Your head wound is still a concern, along with the snakebite. Not to mention you could severely damage your ankle by putting pressure on it too soon.”
“Even with crutches?”
“Even with crutches, which a physical therapist will deliver in about an hour. And you certainly can’t drive with that sprained ankle. I’m adamant about you following my orders.”
Victoria sighed in resignation.
A little more than an hour later, a physical therapist arrived with her crutches. It wasn’t until he helped Victoria out of bed that she realized how difficult it would be to put any weight on her left leg due to the snakebite. After a short walk down the corridor, she was out of breath and throbbing with so much pain, she no longer questioned the doctor’s orders. A nurse brought her pain meds, and she fell asleep for the remainder of the day.
