“You don’t say.”
Five hours later I pull my car into a vacant parking spot outside the hospital.
We were called out to a house fire minutes after I got to the station. I’d barely had time to update the crew with what little info I had at the time before we were back in the rig. When we got back around six, I went to lie down for a bit and promptly fell asleep until Cheddar woke me half an hour ago.
I stank of dried river water and smoke so I grabbed a quick shower before making room for the next shift to come in. Cap was just on his way out the door when I caught him to ask about the submerged car.
Police had informed him the CBI would send a forensic dive team to recover the wreckage, but it could be a day or two. He’d also found out this morning it looks like the boys had stolen the raft off a trailer at Mild to Wild Rafting on the north side of town. They’d found three discarded bikes in the brush beside the parking lot.
Dumb kids, how the hell did they figure they’d get back there to pick them up?
I bowed out of joining the crew to grab some breakfast at the diner, I told them I needed to catch up on some sleep. Instead I ended up driving here.
I head for the doors to the cafeteria—thinking maybe I could pick up coffees and something to eat for everyone—when I spot Vic leaning against the wall, taking a drag from a cigarette.
“I didn’t know you smoked?”
“I don’t,” she claims, tossing the cigarette on the pavement and grinding it out with her heel. “Only when I’m stressed. I had to bum it off one of the nurses.” She bends over to pick up the butt and drops it in an empty coffee from the garbage can.
“How is he?”
“Awake. They got his temperature up with warmed intravenous fluids and heating blankets, and they’re treating him for pneumonia. Other than that he seems a little confused, but they don’t think there is any lasting brain damage from lack of oxygen.”
“He was lucky,” I observe.
“He was, but he’s in for a world of hurt when he comes home. My sister has all but vowed to install bars on his window and a lock on his bedroom door until he’s grown into some sense.”
I chuckle. I believe my father made me that same threat twenty-five or so years ago.
“Hope the wait isn’t too long.”
She tilts her head and narrows her eyes.
“Shouldn’t you be home hitting the sack?”
“I, uh, just wanted to check in. See if anyone needed anything. My mom still here?”
“Riight…” she drawls. “And no. Pops was getting restless so she offered to take him home. When Trin could go in to see Tuck, the rest of us piled into a cab. I just got back here with Trin’s vehicle, mine is still at the station.” She pulls open the door and looks over her shoulder. “Are you coming in?”
“Sure,” I respond, casually following her inside.
We haven’t walked ten feet when she stops in her track and pins me with a hard look.
“What’s going on between you and my sister?”
Fuck if I know, but I’d like to find out.
Chapter 6
Trin
“Can I come in?”
I turn to the door to see Bodhi standing there.
He popped in yesterday morning and is back again today. Something tells me he doesn’t offer this kind of follow-up on all of the victims he rescues.
Vic told me it had been Bodhi who dove into the rapids and found Tucker. She also mentioned he’d been instrumental in resuscitating my son at the scene.
“Of course,” I tell him, watching as he approaches the bed, his eyes on a sleeping Tuck. “Have a seat.”
He’s not wearing his uniform today but a pair of well-worn jeans and a navy sweatshirt with the letters DFR, the acronym for Durango Fire and Rescue, and the department crest printed on his chest.
“How is he?” he asks when he pulls up a stool and sits on the other side of the bed.
“He had a restless night with headaches and coughing, so they gave him a light sedation this morning to help him sleep. The doctor says the coughing isn’t a bad thing, it’ll help clear his lungs. He seems optimistic about Tuck’s recovery but cautioned that some of the effects of a near-drowning may not manifest until after I can take him home.”
“Any idea when that might be?” he asks, his eyes now on me and I’m suddenly painfully aware of my disheveled state.
I haven’t been home since he picked me up. I haven’t even looked in a mirror these past thirty-six or so hours. Vic brought over a clean set of clothes and my toothbrush last night, but I haven’t had a shower or washed my hair so I’m starting to feel pretty grungy.
“At least a few more days.”
One of the nurses walks in and Bodhi gets up to make room for her by the bed. She hangs a fresh bag of fluids and a smaller one that holds the IV antibiotics. Then she checks his monitors, makes a few notes in his chart, and turns to me with a smile.
“Why don’t you go grab something to eat while he’s resting?” I start to shake my head when she adds, “Trust me, you’ll have your hands full with him when he goes home, here I can keep an eye on him from the nurses’ station.”
“Come on,” Bodhi jumps in as he walks around the bed, holding his hand out for me. “I’ll take you.”
“You don’t have to do that,” I protest.
He shrugs. “I came hoping I could convince you to let me buy you breakfast.”
I look over at the nurse, who is observing our interaction with a smile on her face.
“You’d be crazy to turn down an offer like that,” she imparts with a wink before walking out.
I glance up at Bodhi and take his hand, letting him pull me to my feet. He lets me go when I bend over the bed to drop a kiss on Tuck’s forehead, but grabs my hand again when I join him at the door.
It’s weirdly intimate, holding someone’s hand. I used to hold Tucker’s, but he stopped allowing that a few years ago. I also, at times, hold my father’s when we go out, but that’s to make sure he doesn’t wander off. This is different, perhaps a tad possessive when he has no cause to be, but I leave my hand in his. It feels nice.
“Cafeteria, or do you want a change in scenery? There’s a new diner in the plaza just up the road. We’d only be a couple of minutes from the hospital and they’ll call you if anything happens.”
I hesitate for a moment before nodding. It would be nice to step outside for a bit.
He leads me to his truck, opens the door for me, and gets behind the wheel.
“We have to stop meeting at the hospital,” flies from my mouth without warning.
I was just thinking both times I ended up at Mercy was with Bodhi.
He chuckles, humor shining in his eyes when he glances at me before pulling onto the road.
“I’m trying, but I’ll take whatever I can get.”
Wow. That’s either smooth or honest, but I’m going with the latter. This man doesn’t come across as a smooth operator, he’s been nothing but kind and helpful. Besides, it feels good to receive this kind of attention from a good-looking guy like Bodhi, even if he’s probably too young for me.