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But he had to put all that to the side right now. Her only concern should be Alvin.
A car pulled in out front and he started toward the entrance, only to see a pregnant woman emerge from the passenger side, a tote bag in hand. A nurse came out with a wheelchair and she settled into it gratefully. She seemed so calm. Maybe this wasn’t her first child. Maybe she was all about that Minnesota Scandinavian stoicism.
Either way, the sight made him think of Bliss and Granger and their newborn baby twins. He’d driven the paramedic van and Kendra had ridden in the back with Bliss, while Granger rushed to meet them at the hospital. Afterwards, he’d given Kendra a ride back and they’d both been flying high from the experience. They’d parked the van somewhere private and made out like reckless teenagers.
He was ready for the next step. He’d been ready. All he’d needed was the right person to fall in love with. But there was a catch; that person had to want him too.
Another car pulled up. He spotted the Uber logo on the dashboard, and rushed toward the entrance. Kendra burst out, a whirlwind in a brown suede jacket, tight jeans and heeled boots. She flew into his arms, nearly knocking him over. He stood firm, soaking in the sensation of her aliveness, her warmth, her presence.
“You forgot your bags,” called the Uber driver.
“I’ll grab them,” he told Kendra. “You go tell the charge nurse that you’re here. I’ll be right in.”
“Thank you, Jason. Thank you for everything.” Her voice was broken, emotional, with none of her usual sass.
“Hey hey. It’s okay. It’s my job.”
He didn’t want her to feel like she owed him anything for doing the decent human thing.
“It’s not just your job, Jason. It’s you.” There was something in her tone, something in her eyes, but he didn’t dare hope.
And then she was gone, dashing through the double glass doors into the ER. His heart racing, he grabbed the two bags that the Uber driver had left on the sidewalk, and hurried after her.
Since a family member was now present, the medical staff allowed both of them into Alvin’s exam room while the doctor explained the situation. Kendra sat next to the bed, holding her father’s hand, calmly receiving the information as if she hadn’t been in a panic a moment ago. She probably still was, but didn’t want to add to Alvin’s worry.
“We think he had a small stroke. The MRI shows some damage in the cerebral cortex, but it’s minimal. He may find it hard to come up with words, but occupational therapy can go a long way. He should start that immediately. No driving for a while. He should probably take some time off from work.”
Alvin muttered unhappily. His hospital gown did nothing to diminish his presence, but he looked older, more tired.
“Oh, he won’t lift a finger at work,” Kendra said firmly. “I’m sort of his boss, and I’ll make sure of it.”
“I might know someone who can help out for a while,” Jason said after the doctor had left. “One of the assistant chefs at the nursing home is being put on temporary leave until the kitchen is rebuilt.”
“We’ll figure it out.” Kendra scooted onto the hospital bed next to her father and rested her head on his shoulder. “I’m not going to London, Pop. I’m staying here.”
He pulled away to look down at her, and finally spoke. “You sure?” His voice sounded rusty and hoarse, like a true bluesman’s.
“I’m sure. I have other plans that don’t depend on an ex and a flight to London.”
She glanced at Jason, causing his heart to skip some beats. “Other…plans?” he managed.
“Later,” she mouthed. Then she turned back to Alvin. “The most important thing is for you to rest and get better. Don’t worry about the restaurant, don’t worry about anything. I got you, Pop.”
“Jason…” Alvin gestured to him.
He stepped toward the door, thinking they probably wanted a family moment. “Want me to leave?”
“No,” they both said simultaneously. He froze right where he was.
“Jason helped me.” Alvin formed the words carefully, one at a time.
“Yeah, and you didn’t make it easy for him. It must run in the family.” She sent Jason a look so loaded with intimacy that his heart nearly burst. “I didn’t make it easy for him either. Thank goodness he’s good at overcoming obstacles.”
He couldn’t speak. Couldn’t say a word. What was she implying?
A nurse came back into the room and said, “That’s enough for now. Time for him to sleep.”
Indeed, Alvin’s chin was dropping to his chest. Kendra kissed him on the cheek and got to her feet. “When can we take him home?”
