Love's Second G0-Round: Finding Love, #12

By Dianne Reed Burns

The past…

 

Five years ago, after a whirlwind courtship, Marissa and David married, expecting to be together for the rest of their lives. A short nine months later, Marissa walked away without an explanation, determined she was doing what was best for the man she loved.

 

The present…

 

Needing a change, Marissa is about to embark on her dream job as a trauma nurse in a busy hospital, but a phone call from her brother tilts her world on its axis. David, her ex-husband has been badly injured in a bull riding accident. Not thinking twice, her only objective is to be by his side, help him recover, and then leave. David, however, sees this as an opportunity to win back the only woman he's ever loved and prove to her they still belong together.

 

The future…

 

Just when things are beginning to look promising, the past makes a reappearance, threatening their world again. Will they be strong enough to rely on each other to overcome all the obstacles they are facing, or will they be torn apart once more? Only time will tell if love will win in this second-go round.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dianne Reed Burns
• Release date: Jul 25, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393698753

Book preview

Chapter 1

H e’s the boogie woogie bugle boy of Company B, Marissa Patterson-Lancaster sang at the top of her lungs to one of her favorite big band tunes, bebopping  along with the music. She drove down the Texas Interstate, her favorite playlist filling the crew cab of her pickup. Dark was fast approaching on the warm, late September evening. As she headed to her destination and passed through small towns, stadium lights lit the Friday night sky as local high school football teams and bands took to the field. In a few weeks she’d be starting her new job in the Level 1 Trauma Center of one of the biggest and best hospitals in the state. The excitement at securing the coveted position and her future move back to the Texas Hill Country was almost more than she could comprehend.

Marissa had worked her way through nursing school at a prestigious hospital in Dodge City, Kansas, first as a certified nursing assistant before going through the Licensed Vocational Nursing program. Then, while working at the same hospital, she continued in the program and became a Registered Nurse, earning her bachelor’s degree and a certification in trauma care. After that, she’d moved to Oklahoma City and worked at another hospital for a time. But then she’d secured her dream job and had taken a few weeks hiatus to move, get settled back in Texas, and catch her breath.

She tapped the button on the back of the steering wheel and turned the volume down as the song ended. She heard a familiar ringing sound interrupting her music and thoughts. She glanced over at the screen on her dashboard and breathed out a sigh of relief. A number had called several times, but only left an unavailable and an unfamiliar number. She wouldn’t call back until there was more information to go on. This time she recognized the number as the system rang. She smiled as she answered the call. Hi, brother Jake! Excitement at her big brother calling was in her voice.

Marissa, thank goodness you answered. Where the hell are you?

I'm driving down I-35. I just went through Mills. Do you know where that is?

You’re about fifteen minutes from Treston. Do you know where the hospital is?

Of course I do, I’m going to be working there soon, remember? I came to check out a place to live.

Marissa, her brother said sharply, stopping her flow of words.

What is it, Jake? You’re scaring me. Is it Sally or Beth? Mom? Dad? Tell me, she urged him.

Honey, it’s Dave.

Da…David? Is he…is he dead? she asked, tears forming in her eyes. She slowed the pickup at his words, and pulled over, for her own safety. Jake! Tell me! she yelled, now crying uncontrollably.

No, honey, he’s not dead, but it sounds like he’s in pretty bad shape.

How do you know this? How can you be sure? She put the truck in park and punched the flashers on.

One of his riding buddies called me from his cell phone. He said he tried calling you several times, but didn’t get a response. We’re both still emergency contacts.

She quickly thought about the missed calls before asking, Where is he? Was he riding?

He was riding in Wallace. A bull got him.

Tell me, dammit! she yelled at her big brother. She gripped the steering wheel to keep her hands from shaking.

Marissa, honey, I don’t know the particulars. They were taking him to the hospital there in Treston on the helicopter.

They flew him? she asked, shocked.

Yes, but that could have just been a precautionary measure not knowing the extent of his injuries. Honey, you’ve got to keep your wits about you. Are you able to get to the hospital?

Ye…yes, she stuttered. Where are his mo…mother and sister?

I heard they were in Europe on an extended vacation. I don’t know how long they’ve been there or how much longer they’re staying.

Okay. She wiped her eyes on the sleeves of her t-shirt. Let’s hope to hell his mother stays there, she thought to herself. I’m headed that way. I’ll see about him.

I’m sorry I sprung it on you like this, but I still think of him as my brother-in-law. He’s still a good friend.

I know, Jake. Just because we didn’t stay together, doesn’t mean y’all can’t be friends. She sniffed loudly.

Call when you know something. I can’t leave the place right now. Sally’s sick with the flu and so is Beth. They need me.

You take care of your family. I’ll check on David.

Okay, honey, be sure and call me when you know something.

Yeah, sure. She disconnected the call, her mind preoccupied with what her brother had told her. She wiped away fresh tears and put her truck in drive. Although she was tempted to leave the flashers on, she turned them off, signaled, and eased back into the flow of traffic.

Marissa stayed focused on her driving realizing how upset she truly was at Jake’s news about her ex-husband. Oh, David, she said out loud in a shaky voice, what have you done? Tears continued to flow even though she did her best to hold them back. She finally reached the loop that would take her around the city and to the hospital on the south side. Jake said David had been flown in. Surely he was already at the hospital and receiving treatment. She pressed harder on the gas as anxiety twisted her stomach in knots. She found herself wishing she were already there and praying her ex-husband would be all right.

Chapter 2

The evening traffic was heavy. People were headed home after spending a late night out at the end of a busy week, but Marissa just wanted them out of her way. If she’d ever felt road rage, this was it. After another twenty minutes she saw the huge hospital come into view. This was to be her new workplace, her new future. She was going to be fulfilling a dream by working in the trauma center. She just never thought her first visit here would be to confront the past.

Once Marissa found a parking spot, she killed her truck and pulled the key out of the ignition. Grabbing her bag from the passenger seat, she jumped out and hit the lock button on the key fob. Her thoughts were so tangled she hit it a second time three rows away, just in case she’d forgotten to. Satisfied when she heard the beep, she ran to the emergency room entrance, her western boots thumping loudly on the pavement. Inside she rushed to the check-in counter to see if he was here and when she could see him.

Can I help you? a young woman behind the counter asked. She was going through a stack of papers and eventually looked up at Marissa.

Has David Lancaster been brought in yet? He was being flown in from Wallace.

The flight crew bringing him in has arrived, but he’s not in the ER yet. I’m sorry, who are you again?

I’m Marissa Patterson-Lancaster. Hi…his wife, she blurted out. Otherwise, hospital policy would keep her from seeing him.

Oh, Mrs. Lancaster, I’m so sorry. I’ll let them know in the back. As soon as they have him settled, we’ll get you back to him.

Thank you. Thank you so much. She stepped out of the way in the busy waiting room and hoisted her bag up on her shoulder. Pacing back and forth in about a four-foot area, she dug her phone out of her bag, made sure it was on vibrate, and checked the time as she did so. Marissa continued pacing, her nerves shot to hell. Several minutes passed. Taking her phone out of her purse once more, when she remembered her brother, she texted Jake. I’m here. Haven’t seen him yet. I told them I was his wife. Waiting. Getting my steps in! She made a half-hearted attempt at a joke.

A reply came right back from Jake. His wife? Hang in there. Take care. Me and Sally praying.

She bit her lower lip as she quickly typed out a reply. They might not have let me see him otherwise. Thanks for calling me.

Mrs. Lancaster. Marissa looked up confused. Mrs. Lancaster, this way, please.

She finally focused on where the voice was coming from that was addressing her. A nurse had come from the back and was motioning to her from the double doors. She shoved the phone into the bag and rushed across the room.

This way, please.

How bad is he? she asked. You can tell me. I'm a nurse.

The woman looked at her surprised, and then said, He’s pretty banged up, but none of his injuries seem to be life threatening. The flight crew said he’d been riding a bull at the rodeo. Is that right?

Yes, he was.

Did you see the accident?

No, I was driving in from a trip. My brother called me. She realized the lies were coming easier with each one she told.

I’m sorry. I bet that was a shock.

Very much so.

Being a nurse, you know what to expect.

Yes. They walked through another set of double doors together.

He’s in room one down this way, she said, pointing to the right. It’s the last room on the left down this hall.

Thank you. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

He’s in a lot of pain right now. The flight crew said he did lose consciousness a couple of times, but his vitals are good. He’s still kind of in and out, and he looks bad. We haven’t cleaned him up yet, but I thought it might help him to know you’re here.

Yes. Let's hope so, she thought to herself.

You’ve only got a few minutes. The doctor is ordering a spinal and chest scan and an x-ray on his wrist. Then he’s going to surgery to close up the wounds on his face and leg. There may be more, the nurse warned her, as you well know.

Okay. Thank you for letting me see him.

He probably looks worse than he is, but as a nurse, you know how that is after an accident. Would you like for me to go in with you?

Marissa shook her head at the nurse’s last words. I’ll be fine, but thank you for offering.

Let me know if you need anything. I’ll be at the station.

Marissa walked to the room and saw the curtain was drawn across the foot of the bed. She stopped, took another deep breath, and then proceeded inside. She gasped at the site of the big man in the hospital bed, seeing what that crazy animal had done to him. His eyes were closed and she moved quietly to the far side of the bed in case medical staff came in to administer to him. Marissa stood and stared at him, not believing the hand fate had given him. And knowing David, he wouldn’t want anyone to see him like this, but unfortunately, probably hundreds had.

He had a small temporary bandage on the right side of his face and a larger one on the outside of his right thigh, where the sheet was thrown back. Both wounds oozed blood, turning the pads a bright red much quicker than she liked. An IV was going into his right arm and she could tell the left wrist was broken by the way it was swelling. Bull riders tied down with their left hand and she was sure that’s how the damage was done, if he couldn’t get loose. His breathing seemed pretty steady, if somewhat shallow. He winced a little every time he took a breath, showing signs of pain. She bet he had some broken ribs.

Tears that had formed in her eyes began to silently roll down her cheeks. She wiped them away and grasped the rail on the side of the bed. At least he’s not tied down to this bed, she thought. David would hate that. She closed her eyes and bowed her head in a silent prayer that his body would eventually heal. If it didn’t, she knew he’d hate that even more. In her silent begging she felt a tug on her long blonde hair on the right side of her head. She looked up in surprise, into the most beautiful green eyes she’d ever seen. Eyes she had loved so well.

David, she whispered.

Sissy, he forced out, as pain was evident at him speaking his nickname for her.

Shhh...don’t try to talk. Your jaw could be broken or dislocated. Please, just don’t talk.

Why? he asked, wincing.

It may need to be set, so don’t talk, she ordered.

Why? he got out with more force, backed by evident frustration.

Shhh. Save your strength.

You. He paused to gather more energy. Here. He closed his eyes, exhausted.

She finally got it. Why am I here?

He opened his eyes again at her words.

Jake called me.  You still have him down as an emergency contact.

Jake, he breathed out and winced in pain. How…so fast?

I don’t understand. You need to stop talking.

Get here. So…fast.

How did I get here so fast?

Yes.

I was almost here when Jake called me. I’ll be working at this hospital in a few weeks.

Here? he asked, surprised.

Yes. Please don’t talk. Conserve your strength, she prompted.

His eyes squinted tightly. Stay, he forced out.

Yes, I’m going to stay. I’m here for you.

Stay, he pushed out in a harsh whisper.

I’m here to help you. I’m going to help you get well. I’ll go with you to the ranch while you recuperate.

He reached for her hand and held it loosely in his right hand. She could feel the thick, rough calluses from endless, tiring days, of hard work.

Two nurses flew into the little room, unannounced. They immediately began unhooking him from monitors, moved the IV to a pole they raised on the bed, and let the head of his bed down some. As the bed lowered, he tried to squeeze her hand tighter. 

Does that hurt? she asked quickly.

Yes, he forced out.

Raise his head back up some. Letting it down is causing him undue pain, she said in an authoritative voice.

One of the nurses looked at her and raised his bed back up a fraction, but addressed him. Is that better, Mr. Lancaster?

Yes, he whispered, still holding Marissa’s hand.

Mr. Lancaster, we’re taking you to x-ray and then to the operating room. The doctor is going to repair your face and your leg. Then he’s going to take a look at your wrist. Are you ready to go?

No, he forced out.

But, the nurse started.

David ignored the nurse and focused on Marissa.

Stay, he said in a low, whispered growl.

Go with them. I’ll be right here waiting for you.

Stay, he insisted. Stay, Sissy.

I…I’ll stay. You go with them. I’ll stay. He gave her hand another weak squeeze and then let it go. He seemed to be satisfied with her answer, but she felt like she’d just lied again.

Mrs. Lancaster, the female nurse said. Mrs. Lancaster.

She looked around stunned at the words being spoken and what she’d just agreed to.

What? I…I’m n…

They need you to sign some authorization papers at the reception desk. Can you please go do that since you’re his wife? I don’t believe Mr. Lancaster is able to do it himself.

Oh, yes, of course. She moved out of the room ahead of them afraid her initial lie was going to haunt her.

At the double doors she turned to watch them wheel him from her sight down the long hall to x-ray and then to the operating room. Marissa looked back toward the room she’d come out of and walked back to it feeling like there was something she’d forgotten. She looked around the empty space and saw what she’d come for. She moved to the small counter area by the sink and began to go through his clothes and personal belongings. She studied each article, thoroughly.

His heavy, black and white leather chaps were blood-stained and had a short rip in the leather on the right side where they helped protect his thigh. She was sure the bull’s horn had torn through the leather. Marissa found the same tear in his denim jeans, but the material was soaked in blood. The jeans were in shambles since they’d had to cut them off his body. She emptied the pockets and placed the contents on the counter by the sink. She folded both garments and started a stack. She folded his blue plaid shirt after seeing the blood on the shoulder, evidence of the facial injury. She picked up his socks and stuffed them into his boots sitting on the floor next to the bio-hazard container by the door. On her way out, she’d ask the nurse to dispose of the garments since they were unsalvageable.

One item remained. She picked it up and held it to her cheek, unmindful of the blood splatters on it. Tears formed in her eyes at the memory of when she’d given it to him. She’d been twenty-one, and he’d been twenty-three. He was a fairly new friend of her brother Jake who he’d met while riding in the rodeo. She’d gone one weekend with Jake to a rodeo in Kansas, and she’d worn the blue silk scarf around her neck. The attraction between the two of them was evident the moment her brother introduced them. David had asked for the scarf and a kiss for good luck. She’d taken the scarf off and put it around his neck herself, tying it securely. He’d then removed his cowboy hat and wrapped her up in his strong arms for a hot, searing kiss that had left her dizzy and confused, and him grinning ear to ear. On shaky legs, she’d made her way to the stands, to watch him ride in three events—saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, and bull riding.

He’d placed second in both bareback and bronc riding, but he’d won the bull riding with a pretty good check and a very impressive, handmade, trophy saddle. The rest, as they say, was history. She’d fallen madly in love with him. They’d begun dating exclusively and he told her he loved her more than he loved that saddle he’d won on the night they met, which was a lot. A mere three months later, they’d married just after each of them had turned another year older.

Voices in the hallway broke into her memories. She shoved the scarf into her bag along with his belt and trophy buckle she’d removed from his jeans, his billfold, keys, cell phone, and the pocketknife she’d given him on their six-month anniversary. She gathered his clothes in her arms, grabbed his boots with her free hand, put his hat on her head, and went to talk to the nurse before heading to the emergency room lobby. In another twenty minutes the hospital had all the information they needed, and she found a seat to wait. Fifteen minutes later the nurse that first took her back to see him, reappeared.

Mrs. Lancaster?

Yes? she asked, standing quickly, as she answered to the lie. She removed David’s cowboy hat to talk to the nurse and held it against her chest.

They’re taking Mr. Lancaster into the operating room.

Can you tell me anything?

The doctor’s going to clean and close the two open wounds. The facial wound seems to be shallow with very little damage that can’t be repaired while the doctor has him in surgery.

Thank goodness. That’s good news, she said, placing her open hand on her throat. And the thigh wound?

I’m not sure about it. To me, it looks to be deep, but that’s just my observation.

I see.

The doctor would have talked to you, but he didn’t want to waste any more time.

And I don’t want him to. Waste time, I mean.

Your husband has three damaged ribs on his right side and some internal bruising.

I figured as much, Marissa sighed. 

The doctor will talk to you more about the injuries when he’s finished. He’s also going to repair his left wrist.

Thank you for the information. I appreciate it. Does he have a concussion? Did the doctor say? Marissa questioned.

That I don’t know, the nurse confessed.

Is there damage to his jaw? He seemed to have difficulty talking.

I don’t know that either. But it could just be the wound on his cheek pulling when he talks. Do you have someone we could call to come and be with you? I have a feeling you’re here to stay, the nurse observed.

Yes, I’m staying, and no, it’s just us. I’m going to give my brother a call though and tell him what we know, Marissa said.

I have some information on how to keep up with the surgery. The nurse began to dig in her pocket.

Thank you. I appreciate everything all of you have done. Do you know about how long he’ll be in surgery?

I’d say at the very least two hours, but I’d expect longer. Here’s his patient number. The nurse held out a small piece of paper. You can keep up with his progress on the monitor in the surgical waiting room.

Thank you. She took the paper, turned from the nurse, and walked to where she’d left David’s few things in a waiting room chair. Marissa put his hat back on, gathered the chaps