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“You called him?”
“What was I supposed to do?” Lela said. “I needed help.”
It wouldn’t do to limp out the emergency exit. So Axel moved down the hall with Rip and located a wheelchair. He lowered his brother into it and rolled it along the polished floor. “I know my way around,” Axel said. “I’ve been here plenty of times to interview victims.”
Axel guided them through the walkway to the medical offices, then out the nearest door. His SUV was in the lot. He wheeled Rip out to the parking spot and loaded him in. Then Lela hopped into the back seat and they were off.
*****
Axel owned a cabin at Lake Livingston, an hour north of Houston. “I come up here to fish,” he said to Lela. “Usually, it’s pretty quiet.”
“I appreciate your help,” Lela said. “I don’t know what I would have done without you.” She smiled. “When this is over, we need to be properly introduced.”
“It’s a deal,” Axel said with a chuckle. “I keep this place stocked with canned goods and dehydrated food. It’s not the most delicious, but it will keep you alive.”
“It will be fine.”
“I won’t be back to check on you.” Axel headed toward the door. “It’s better if I stay away—less chance of anyone following me up here.”
“I’ll take care of him.” Lela walked Axel to the door and kissed him on the cheek.
“My brother is tough. Trust me, he’ll survive.” Axel gave her a hug, then jogged out to his vehicle.
Rip was already asleep in the bed. He really needed a nurse, but he refused to seek medical care. And walking around the hospital had worn him out, whether he wanted to admit it or not.
Lela sat in an armchair at the foot of the bed and watched him sleep. She was relieved that Rip was alive. For the rest of the day, he was in and out of consciousness. Each time he woke up, she urged him to drink water and gave him some drugstore pain relievers.
When nighttime came, Lela didn’t want to leave, so she slid under the covers next to Rip. She was gentle, being careful not to jar him.
She shuddered to think what might have happened. The doctor had said if the knife had hit his spinal cord, he could have been a paraplegic. And it had just missed his heart. She touched his arm, feeling his warmth, calmed by the sound of his steady breathing.
As the days went by, Rip grew stronger, and the food supply grew shorter. Lela discovered a cupboard filled with cans of chili, and he seemed to tolerate it well. But he’d need a more substantial meal soon.
In the evenings, Lela sat by the fireplace next to Rip and talked about lots of things. She learned more about him and his family. He told her what he could about his career in the Navy. And Lela shared in kind, telling him about things that really mattered to her.
Each night, Lela slept next to him, holding his hand. Sometimes he pulled her close and kissed her, sending ripples of desire through her body. When his pain abated, he wanted more, and guided her to make love in a way that wouldn’t overexert him. Touching and caressing under the covers was sweet and tender.
In less than a week, Rip was able to walk around. He looked healthier, and it was good to see his spirits lift. When he was able to get out of bed, she didn’t pamper him. He was motivated for a fast recovery.
Lela wasn’t sure when the stitches should come out, or how she would get him to a nurse. But she’d worry about that later. Rip was up, moving around, and doing all he could to regain his strength.
The cabin was rustic, and under the circumstances could hardly be viewed as romantic. Yet Lela fell more in love with Rip by the hour.
He was in stable condition now, so she chewed him out for ripping the IV out of his arm and nearly killing himself searching the hospital hallways for her. “You have to take better care of yourself.”
Rip sat in a wooden rocking chair, drinking a can of orange juice. “I do well enough. I’m still here, aren’t I?”
“That’s not the point.” Lela got on her knees in front of him and put her hands on his thighs. It probably wasn’t the best decision, but she couldn’t hold back. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.” She sighed and looked into his eyes.
“I love you,” Lela said, and was met with silence. That was great. She’d opened her heart, only to have it tromped on. She should have known. He wasn’t truly over his first love. Maybe she was wrong to hope for that.
Rip looked at her, but reading his expression was impossible.
“Are you afraid of love?” Lela said. “Because it’s not easy for me either.”
“That’s not it.”
“What then?” Lela stood up. “You’re still hung up on Isabel, aren’t you?” She paused. “It’s been more than thirteen years. You can’t live in the past forever.” Lela touched his cheek. “You deserve happiness.”
Rip expelled a breath. “You don’t understand.”
“Explain it to me, then.”
Rip’s frustration was evident, but he didn’t reply.
There was no way to get through to him. Lela walked toward the bedroom door. She needed to be alone before she said something she’d regret.
“I guess I’d hoped your heart was big enough for both of us.” Had she really thought Rip would love again? What could she have been thinking? His first love had won his heart…forever. She’d have to deal with that.
