His hands were at his side, palms down on the mattress, knuckles white. He whispered, “No, I can do it.”
I stepped back. An awkward silence fell between us. “Well, I just wanted to make sure you were feeling alright.”
He started to smile. “I’m fine. A little bit of a headache, and my chest still hurts some, but pain meds are magical things.”
“Your sternum is bruised. That will take a bit to heal, but at least you didn’t crack it.”
He nodded; his smile tentative.
I started for the door. “I should go. I’ll check on you in the morning.”
“Stay.”
I turned. “Woof?”
He burst out laughing. “Just, I mean, stay and keep me company. The nurse said he ordered dinner. Share it with me.”
“Thank you, Mr.Barringer, but I can’t. I’m sorry. I’ll see you in the morning.” I turned again, and then remembered my concussion word test. “Oh, before I leave, do you remember the three words I told you when you came in?”
He grinned broadly. “I do.”
I put my hands in my coat pocket. I raised my eyebrows. “Can you repeat them, please?”
He paused. “I. Love. You.”
I ignored his taunting. “Try again, please.”
“Girl, dog, green. Happy?”
“Yes, thank you.” I left the room, my face stoic until he couldn’t see me. Then I smiled.
Chapter 5
The short drivehome gave me just enough time to reflect on my past. This small, welcoming community never questioned why I came here. Alaska seemed to be the land of the misfit toys. If a broken or unusual toy showed up, well, welcome to the party.
Three years ago, I was on the verge of being engaged. In love, happy, settled. I was one of ten team physicians for the Colorado Avalanche and my life had been perfect. Or so it had seemed.
I was one of three girls born to the esteemed Vice Chancellor of Health for the University of Colorado School of Medicine. My older sister was the athlete. My younger sister was the smart one – A’s came to her as easily as breathing.
I was the pageant queen. It was embarrassing to have my looks always commented on. “Elizabeth should be a model.” Ignore the fact that I was only 5’6. “Elizabeth can have any man she wants.” Ignore the fact that no one ever asked me out. “Elizabeth has such a beautiful smile.” Ignore the fact that orthodontics gave it to me.
Not wanting to just be the beautiful one, I studied harder than either of my sisters. I graduated from Stanford University with a degree in Human Biology and went to medical school at the University of California, San Francisco. No nepotism here. Nope. I was going to earn my way.
After graduation, I did my residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of California, Los Angeles. While in Los Angeles, I treated a Los Angeles Kings goalie for hip pain - Clay McCarron. It was the first time I’d ever gone speechless with a patient.
He was charming, and boyish, and incredibly attractive. His smile melted my heart.
Clay became everything to me. I worked double shifts when he traveled so I could take time off when the Kings had home games. I spent every waking moment thinking of him. And dreamt of him at night. I’d never been in love before, never had these all-consuming feelings of needing to be with another person. When we first started dating, I couldn’t eat. I simply wanted to be wrapped up in bed with him. I wanted to keep him all to myself.
It wasn’t until his trade that I realized I would follow him anywhere. I did. And that was the beginning of the end.
I didn’t want to think about Clay tonight. I didn’t want to think of him, ever. But with Brett here in town, it was getting harder and harder to hide from reality. I’d buried my head in the sand, or snow, long enough.
The crunch of gravel on the driveway alerted Todd to my arrival. His happy face appeared in the window, his breath creating a fog. Trustworthy Todd. Loyal and devoted.
He circled my legs as I walked in the door. “Hey there, boy. Wanna go outside? Give me a minute. Let me put my stuff down.”
As soon as I opened the door for our walk, he was off and running. I followed him for a short distance and then stopped, waiting for him to finish his business and jog back to the cottage.