Guardian Angel on Window Lake

By Rob French

Some of it was plain old silly stuff, but as he dug deeper into the box there were the items that meant the most to Chase. The tears began to flow again. Coop did his best to comfort his new friend. When they got to the bottom of the box, there was a photograph. Coop gasped when he saw the picture. Chase asked him what was wrong and was told nothing was wrong and not to worry about it. Chase told Coop that photo was of him and someone very close to him. He said his name was [and at that moment, Coop blurted out Jake] How did you know? Coop just shook his head as though to say it was nothing. Under the picture was an obituary for Jake Cooper. Chase read it out loud through his tears. He had not seen the contents in over ten years. As he was reading the obituary he stopped suddenly. Coop spoke up and without looking at it he said, Mr. Cooper leaves behind his mother Elizabeth Cooper Dalton and a step-brother Cooper Dalton. Chase had to know how this was possible.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Aug 17, 2018
• ISBN: 9781546256298

Rob French

A native of Massachusetts, Rob French began his writing career in the very early 2000s. After many attempts on his first manuscript, he put it away for about 10 years. He never felt his story contained a message he wanted to convey. He finally scrapped the entire manuscript and started from scratch. It took him almost a year to come up with a manuscript that met his approval. He went on to create a sequel to the first book and then the third to comprise a trilogy. His fourth book was geared to the generation of 20 to 30 somethings. He felt he finally found his niche. Recently he published his fifth book Guardian Angel on Window Lake adding a little bit of a twist from his usual style of writing. He continues to write in hopes that his readers can once again find the special message(s) he has tried to weave into his novels. Living on the Coast is his sixth novel.

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© 2018 Rob French. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 08/16/2018

ISBN: 978-1-5462-5630-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5462-5631-1 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5462-5629-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018909807

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Dedication

Introduction

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

About the Author

Dedication

To my husband Jerry,

Your love and patience

As well as your understanding

Have been very instrumental in

Allowing me to complete

This story.

You will always be a part of me

Heart and Soul

Thank you and I love you.

Introduction

C HASE ANDREWS JUST relocated to a new home and a great job opportunity. Little did he know that his life was going to change in a way that he never imagined. He had no idea that his past would become an important part of the present and in turn, alter his future. Life would not turn out in the manner he had planned.

Chase had always been a very logical person, so everything had to have a reason for happening, whether it was something good or bad. But what he was about to encounter, he could not come up with a reason. Life would take a turn and it would defy any logic in his mind. With time, he would develop an understanding of why life’s events would unfold the way they did.

Like Chase, we all need that little bit of faith to guide us in the right direction for the right reasons.

Chapter 1

C HASE ANDREWS MOVED to Window Lake, Wyoming for a new job opportunity and just purchased his first home. There was nothing grand or elaborate about it. It was just a quaint little home, older in age, yet it had a lot of charm on the inside. The home had been well maintained by the previous owners and no work needed to be done before he could move in. There were boxes everywhere. Each one meticulously marked as to where it belonged and the basics as to what each box contained. He took a week before starting his new job so that he could devote enough time to getting settled in. He tackled the kitchen first and then the living room and so forth. Towards the end of the week, all that remained were boxes labeled Attic. Chase was intrigued by a single box that gave no indication as to its contents. He had been working hard all week and was tired. He put the box to the side and decided he would open it at a later time to see what it contained. As tired as he was one night, he opted to go out and get something to eat. He simply was not in the mood to cook. He grabbed a sweatshirt, threw it on and drove in search of some take out. It was a crisp and clear autumn night. The air was calm and the stars shone brightly.

After he got his take-out order he began his journey home to settle down in front of the television and enjoy his food. He came to a stoplight and paused a moment trying to remember which direction he had to go in order to get back home. The light turned green. As he began to proceed through the intersection, another driver ran a red light and broadsided his car. Chase was thrown about and hit his head and lost consciousness. He was pretty beaten up. Aside from the head injury, there were multiple cuts and scrapes to his face. An ambulance came and whisked him off to the nearest hospital. Upon arrival at the emergency room he was still unconscious. The trauma team began their standard procedure, i.e. an IV, x-rays, and CT scan along with other tests. Work began to suture the cuts on his face and a laceration to his scalp. By the time they were done, his head and face were, for the most part covered with bandages. Anyone that knew him would not have recognized him at that point. He still had not regained consciousness which the doctors attributed to a concussion. He had some minor swelling of his brain but with medication and rest he would be fine.

Two days later, he regained consciousness. He wasn’t sure where he was or how he even got there. A nurse came in to check on him. Through the bandages he was able to mutter to the nurse, wanting to know what happened. She told him that the doctor would be in to explain everything. He complained of blurred vision and couldn’t make out clearly what he could see. Again, the nurse assured him the doctor would answer all his questions. She left to go contact the doctor. What seemed like forever before the doctor came in was actually about fifteen minutes. He introduced himself as Dr. Dalton. Chase muttered in response, Uh hum. Dr. Dalton proceeded to explain to Chase about the accident and the injuries he sustained. Chase again, muttered something about his vision. The doctor explained that the head injury he received was more than likely the reason, but he would have an eye specialist come in to check him out. He finished explaining the injuries Chase had suffered. He told Chase that eventually he would be as good as new, but it would take time to heal. The accident had caused extensive trauma to the head.

Chase was beside himself. If he could just see clearly, he would be a little calmer. Dr. Dalton told him that for now he just needed to rest. He had the nurse give him a mild sedative to allow him to stay calm. He said he would come back in a few hours to check on him. While he lay there the thought came into his head that the doctor’s voice seemed familiar but he couldn’t recall having met anyone with the last name Dalton. He knew that really didn’t mean anything seeing as how he couldn’t recall the accident. As tough as it would be, he decided to let nature take its course and allow his head to clear. He would start to recall some of the missing pieces of the puzzle over time. The one thing that bothered him the most was the blurred vision. He began to get a little irritated with the nurses and lab techs. The doctor wanted him to rest and everyone seemed to keep coming and going from his room. This prevented him from getting any rest.

A few hours later, Dr. Dalton returned with another doctor. He was an eye specialist. The eye doctor told him that after looking at the x-rays and CT scan that his blurred vision was just temporary and as the swelling inside his head began to subside, his vision should start to return to normal. He was told to try and get plenty of rest. He mumbled through the bandages that it was impossible with staff coming in and out of his room and disturbing him. Dr. Dalton said he would try to see if the staff could consolidate the trips in and out to allow him ample rest time. The eye specialist said he would return the next day to check on Chase’s vision. After he was gone, Chase inquired as to whether or not he and Dr. Dalton had ever met as his voice sounded so familiar. Dr. Dalton said he didn’t believe that they had. Chase decided to let it go and not think about it again. Trying to remember was giving him a bigger headache than he already had.

Days passed by and Chase’s vision had been steadily improving. He could see much clearer now. The day had come for the bandages to be removed. Dr. Dalton came in and determined that it was time to remove the stitches. The wounds were healing well. The tugging and snipping at the stitches was not painful but it was a bit uncomfortable. Based on his progress, Chase could be discharged the following day. His doctor said that he would check on him one more time in the morning to examine him before signing the discharge papers. Chase was ecstatic about going home.

In the morning, shortly after breakfast, Dr. Dalton entered Chase’s room. He examined him and signed off on his release. Before leaving the room, he asked if there was anything that he would need assistance with at home until he could move about freely or until his vision issues were completely resolved. He also asked if Chase had any family or friends to look in on him now and then, at least until he got settled. Chase informed him that he had no relatives around. He only had his mother who was ill and in a skilled nursing facility on the other side of the country. He had just moved into the house before the accident so,he had not made any friends as of yet. Dr. Dalton looked at the medical chart and noticed that Chase lived only a few blocks away from his house. He told Chase that he would gladly stop by quickly on his way to and from the hospital.

Chase did not want the doctor to go out of his way and that he would be fine. Well I have to go right by your house every day so it would not be out of the way or an imposition. Chase politely accepted the offer and thanked the doctor. With that the doctor told him he could go home as soon as he was up and dressed. That presented a problem for Chase as he had no transportation and he had no clothes to wear. His clothes had to be cut off of him in the trauma center. Dr. Dalton told him to stay put for a few hours. He would finish his rounds and would solve the dilemma. Chase agreed. He really didn’t have much choice to begin with. After a few hours, the doctor reappeared and handed Chase a jersey and a pair of sweat pants. He told him to go ahead and get dressed and then he would drive Chase home. Chase felt a little embarrassed having to use someone else’s clothes in order to go home, let alone having his doctor drive him home.

Once dressed, it was time to leave the hospital. He was wheeled out to the front entrance of the hospital by a transport staff member, where the doctor was waiting at the door. As they drove away Chase was deep in thought. He turned to Dr. Dalton and made a rather quiet observation. He said that he thought doctors drove big, fancy, and expensive cars. He quickly apologized for the statement and that it really was none of his business. He assured Chase that it was okay and was not out of line. He told Chase it was a misconception amongst many people. He was one of the rare exceptions. He didn’t need a fancy or expensive car just to travel to and from work. Although it was a fairly new car it was midsized and did not have all the bells and whistles like the fancier cars. It met his needs. Chase remained silent the rest of the way home in fear of asking something else that was not appropriate. Once they arrived, the doctor assisted Chase until he was in the house safe and sound.

After getting Chase situated, he said as he was leaving that he would stop by in the morning on his way to the hospital to do rounds. Chase re-iterated that he felt he was imposing. The doctor assured him he was not. He was glad to be able to be there for him. He also stated that he would stop by on his way home if it was o.k. Chase agreed, not out of any need for the doctor to do so, but in Chase’s mind it was as though Dr. Dalton was the closest thing to having a friend. He took it easy the rest of the day. He finally decided to retrieve the unlabeled box and brought it to the living room. It sat unopened on his coffee table the entire day. Not remembering the contents made him hesitant about opening it. For some reason, he was afraid to open it. It was getting to be late afternoon at that point and Dr. Dalton had just arrived to check in on his patient. They sat and talked for a while about different things. The doctor inquired about the box as it was only labeled Attic. Chase responded that he could not remember what was in it and just had a strange feeling about what it might contain. Dr. Dalton made a suggestion to Chase. He thought that since he had the next two days off that he could possibly come over the next day and be there for moral support while the box was unsealed. Chase liked that idea as he had no one else he could ask to be there with him. He mentioned that he thought it was the right time to finally open this box that he had been toting around for about 10 years. So, they had a plan and would see each other in the morning.

He later changed into his own clothes and set the sweats on a chair in his room. He sat in front of the television until he was tired enough to call it a night and head off to bed. When he walked into his room, he saw Dr. Dalton’s sweats and walked over to them. He pulled them to his face and inhaled the scent. He felt weird but some unknown force caused him to do so. Chase lay there most of the night, unable to sleep. His mind kept racing as to what could be in the box. All the while, he felt having someone there when he opened it would make it easier for him depending on what the contents were. He tossed and turned for hours before finally falling asleep.

Chapter 2

W HEN HE WOKE in the morning he got up and showered. He felt weird having to wear a shower cap to keep the wounds dry but he didn’t have much of a choice. It was that or stay stinky as he had night sweats throughout the night. He then got dressed. He did a small load of laundry so that he could return the clothes that were lent to him by his doctor. When the laundry was done he neatly folded the shirt and sweatpants and placed them on the table. He folded or hung the remaining items and put them away. Right about that time the doorbell rang. He opened the door to find Dr. Dalton standing there in sweatpants and a sweatshirt. Chase just stared at him. Dr. Dalton asked if something was wrong. Chase shook his head and made a comment that he was just taken aback for a moment. He had only ever seen him in his scrubs and lab coat. He commented to Chase that every doctor does get a day off or two now and then. They don’t dress up in scrubs all the time. For some reason this made Chase blush.

The doctor came in and the two of them sat on the sofa and talked for a bit. Dr. Dalton told Chase that he had been thinking and that he felt like there was some sort of connection between them and that he was starting to think of Chase as a friend and not as a patient. He told Chase that he would like for him to call him by his first name from now on. Chase had felt the connection as well but was not sure why. He agreed, with one condition. He did not know his first name. I’m sorry Chase, forgive my manners. My first name is Cooper but everyone calls me Coop. Chase got this wide-eyed stare going on. Coop asked him if something was wrong. Chase just dismissed it as nothing even though there was more to it than that. He vowed to himself to figure it out.

Chase had just made a pot of coffee and offered some to Coop which he politely accepted. As they sat and talked, Coop noticed a few tears rolling down Chase’s cheek. Coop put his finger to Chase’s face and wiped the tears away. Something strange stirred in Chase as Coop did this. He didn’t know what it was. He turned to Coop and apologized. Coop said he had nothing to apologize for. Chase simply stated that it was just that gut feeling again that he had before when he thought that Coop’s voice sounded familiar. It felt eerie. Everything suddenly happened very quickly and off the cuff. He turned Chase’s face towards his and lightly kissed Chase on the lips. He pulled away quickly and apologized for his forwardness. It was Chase’s turn to tell Coop that there was nothing to apologize for. He had done nothing wrong. Chase put his arms around Coop’s neck and asked to be held. He was still crying.

After a short period of time, Chase let go of Coop and sat back and just looked into Coop’s eyes. Are you sure we haven’t met before? It’s just that between your voice and your demeanor, it seems like we have. Coop still insisted that to the best of his knowledge that the two