CHAPTER THIRTY ONE
The hospital bed was comfortable, clean, and above all, it was free from smoke, rubble, or anything resembling a bomb blast, May thought appreciatively.
She had been taken straight from the bombed-out courtroom to the local Willow hospital. Kerry had insisted on riding with her, and had held her hand the whole way in the ambulance. It had been an exhausting, though strangely uplifting ride. Her sister had alternated between hysterical tears of relief, and hoarse-voiced promises that she was going to get May back for not listening to her, as soon as she’d been checked out and they knew nothing was wrong.
Once in the hospital, she was admitted as a day patient, while she got treated for smoke inhalation, had three cuts stitched, and a few X-rays taken. Owen had also been admitted and was receiving the same treatment.
The nurse who'd brought her tea and snacks a few minutes earlier, bustled into the room again. This time, she was carrying two large arrangements of flowers.
May stared at them in surprise.
"One is from Judge Zackary, and one is from students at the local Willow school," the nurse explained. "There are a few more down in reception. I've taken two others through to Deputy Owen Lovell, also."
She stared at May and then asked, "Would you mind - I know it's not professional of me, but my daughter has been following this case. She's just started work at the business across the street from the roadhouse diner, and has been so anxious. She asked if I could take a selfie with you?"
May knew she didn't look her best at all. Her hair was still covered in dust and grime, and she had a dressing on one side of her face. But she guessed that was the point. A selfie straight from a battle scene would definitely make the daughter happy.
"Sure," she said.
"Oh, thank you!" The nurse moved forward, got out her phone, and quickly snapped the shot.
A moment later, there was a tap on the door.
May looked around, astonished to see her parents advancing into the room. Her mother was carrying a large box of chocolates, and a container of fruit juice.
"May!" her mother said. "I just couldn't believe it when I heard that you went into the courthouse, into certain danger, to save your deputy, and that you and your deputy fought off that killer in a collapsing basement? Is it true?"
May nodded. "Yes, Mom. It's true."
"Well, all I can say is that it's the most incredible bravery. I am so proud that you're my daughter! Aren't we both proud?" she asked May's father.
"We sure are," he said. "On the way in, we met Kerry's boss, Agent Keith Ross. They are about to board a helicopter to fly back, but he came here first to give you his personal congratulations. As soon as we leave, he'll be on his way in."
"What?" May asked, incredulously. The FBI big boss wanted to thank her personally? Was she dreaming?
But she couldn't be, as her mother continued. "He was also saying that this was the most incredible takedown. That if the killer had managed to escape, he would definitely have set more bombs and killed more people. He sounded so admiring of you!"
"Thank you," May said.
She felt warm inside. She simply couldn't believe that they had managed to do this, against such adverse odds and in such danger.
And she felt relieved beyond words that Owen was okay. She still remembered the way she'd felt when she had thought he was dead.
That moment, that knowledge, had clenched at her heart in a way she didn't want to think about. It had felt like the worst experience of her entire life.
It had felt more intense than it should have if it had been her investigation partner lying there, even though they worked together so closely. She’d felt more emotional than that.
May acknowledged that. Now, she knew that she had not been honest with herself, about her own feelings, when she'd said she did not want to date him.
The feelings were there. She had to confront that truth. Now, it would be up to her whether she kept denying them or not.
The thought made her feel all kinds of things - nervous, worried, excited, and a little puzzled.
But above all, she realized that she felt hopeful.
"I am sure you need to recover and have a quiet evening at home tonight," her mother said. "But tomorrow, you must come around for dinner. And perhaps you'd like to invite your deputy? It would be wonderful to meet him, since you saved each other's lives. Do you think he'd enjoy a home cooked meal with us as a thank-you?"
"I think he'd love it," May said.