All of Me Page 16

  Stella and Doc Jensen met eyes. He shook his head, clearly as upset as Stella was.

  He cleared his throat and whispered to Stella, “Nothing urgent?” At Stella’s shake of the head, he said, “I’m gonna go order an x-ray for that collarbone. Be right back.”

  ER doc or not, some people didn’t have the stomach for this shit. Not that Stella blamed them one bit.

  Stella sat down on the edge of the bed and gently held one of Isabella’s hands. “Isabella, you are so brave and so strong. This isn’t your fault…it’s important you know that.”

  “That’s what mommy says,” she said, again to the puppy.

  “Well, she’s right.” Stella struggled to find the right words. Were there really right words? “We are going to take such good care of you and Rainbow and your mommy. I promise.”

  The curtain pulled open again and Sydney, a nurse tech, popped her head in. Her face fell when she saw Isabella.

  “Hey, there’s a police officer here asking for you, Stell. You go and I’ll sit with this little sweetie until Doc Jensen gets back.”

  Nathan was doing another pop by. And it couldn’t be better timing for Stella because she desperately needed a hug and maybe even a thirty second cry.

  Stella found Nickelodeon on the TV and handed Sydney the remote. She told Isabella she’d be right back and went to find Nathan, but bumped into Danny instead.

  “Hey, did you come in this time too?” She looked around. “Where’s Nathan?”

  “I don’t want you to freak, but he’s in Exam Room 6,” Danny said.

  “Why…wait…did you guys bring the little girl and her mom in?”

  Danny nodded. “And the fucking asshole degenerate that beat the living shit out of them.”

  “Is that where the guy is? Exam 6?” Stella brushed past Danny, but he gently grabbed her upper arm and pulled her back.

  “No, they’ve got him in 11.”

  Stella didn’t think about things long enough to put all the pieces together. All she knew in that moment was that the guy who’d beaten his wife and child was in Exam Room 11.

  And that’s all she needed to know.

  She yanked her arm away from Danny and walked/jogged to 11. She made it as far as the doorway and saw him lying there…all 6,’ 200 lbs of women and child beating white trash. She was very happy to see he had a busted lip.

  “You monster!” He tried to focus his drunk-ass vision on Stella. She lifted her hands. “Come on! You’re so tough –“ Danny grabbed her around the waist and hauled her backwards; Stella kicking and fussing and trying her best to break free.

  Danny laughed low in her ear. “Don’t make me arrest you, brawler.” When Stella got him in the solar plexus, Danny stopped laughing.

  “Stella!” Christopher ran over and grabbed her by the shoulders. “Stella, stop!” To Danny, he said, “She does this every time there’s something like this. Usually we can head her off.”

  “Kind of unprofessional, huh, Stella?” Danny said, the laugh back in his voice.

  But Stella was beyond everything but making that dude pay for what he did. “Let. Me. Go!”

  “Stella.” At the sound of Nathan’s voice, Stella stilled and turned. He was standing outside of 6.

  And he was hurt.

  Danny dropped his arms and Stella pulled away from Christopher. She ran over to Nathan. “What happened?” She gestured down to his bloody hand. And then she visually scanned his face and body, taking in a few minor facial abrasions and his rumpled uniform. “What happened? Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “He might have a broken hand,” Lisa, another nurse, said as she appeared from inside of 6. “I tried to look at it, but he insisted it was nothing.” She gave Stella a sly smile. “Maybe he wanted a different nurse.”

  Stella dragged Nathan into the exam room. After a brief exam, she knew his hand wasn’t broken, but possibly fractured. It had to hurt while she was manipulating it, but Nathan didn’t say a word or move a muscle.

  “We’re gonna need an X-ray. I don’t think it’s broken, but it might be fractured,” Stella said.

  “It’s fine. I’ll ice it when I get home.” Nathan tried flexing it to prove his manliness and the validity of his claim, but the wince that popped up didn’t help his case.

  “Did you struggle with that guy you brought in?”

  “Something like that.” Nathan’s face was as inscrutable as ever. “It’s nothing. How are you doing?”

  She threw herself against him, careful not to bump his bad hand. “I am so glad you’re here,” she whispered into his ear. He wrapped his arm around her back and pulled her in tighter.

  He kissed her temple. “Stay away from that guy, okay? Let us handle it.” When Stella grunted, he pulled back and met her eyes. “Promise me you’ll stay out of trouble.”

  After a ten second pout, Stella finally exhaled a loud sigh. “Fine. But-“

  Nathan leveled his glare.

  “Fine! Fine.” She gave him another quick hug and pulled away. “I’ve gotta go. I’ve gotta get back to that little girl.”

  His expression darkened. “Is she going to be okay? Nothing too serious?”

  “Physically, yes. But I can’t imagine her life has been or will be easy.” Stella readjusted her stethoscope with a sigh. “Anyway, I’m going to check on you in a little while after the x-ray.” She poked him in the chest. “Be my good little patient and be compliant, Officer Drazek. Get the X-ray, okay?”

  He nodded. Stella planted a kiss on his cheek and went back to check on the little girl. When she reentered the room, the little girl was smiling courtesy of goofy Nurse Tech Sydney.

  “Doing okay in here?” Stella asked and Isabella nodded.

  “She’s doing great.” Sydney stood up to leave. “I promised her extra Jell-O, pudding, and ice cream cups, so don’t make a liar out of me, Stella.”

  “No problem. I’ll get right on it,” Stella said. Sydney left and Stella sat down next to Isabella on the bed. “So, besides Jell-O, pudding, and ice cream, is there anything else I can get you?”

  Someone else had already started Isabella’s IV and Stella was guiltily relieved. The last thing she wanted to do was cause this little girl any more pain – even if it was for her own good.

  “Is the policeman okay?” Isabella suddenly asked Rainbow.

  “Which policeman?”

  “The policeman who punched my daddy.”

  Stella was taken aback. “Was the officer really tall with dark blonde hair and a face like this?” Stella arranged her features into her best Nathan imitation – all seriousness and scowl.

  Isabella nodded, a little smile pulling at her lips.

  “That officer…he hit your father?”

  Isabella nodded again. “In his mouth.”

  Stella was simultaneously shocked and elated. “I’m sure he had a reason to. But that was probably still scary, huh?”

  Isabella shook her head. “The officer was big, but he wasn’t scary. He was nice. And daddy deserved it.”

  Hell, yeah, he did.

  A little while later, Isabella asked how her mommy was doing and Stella went to check. She snuck a glance toward Nathan’s room, but it was empty.

  When she turned around, Danny was standing there.

  “You are the biggest sidler, do you know that?” Stella said with a laugh. “You sneak up all stealthy. You should be a ninja, not a cop.”

  Danny grinned. “Maybe in my next life. I’m just wondering how the little girl and her mom are doing?”

  “I’m about to check on mom. The little girl is hanging in there. Kids are tough. Much tougher than we are. It’s amazing what they can endure.”

  A weird look passed over Danny’s face.

  “Hey,” Stella said, whispering. “What happened with Nathan and that dirtbag? The little girl told me Nathan punched him?”

  When Danny went all radio silence on Stella, she almost punched him. “Really? What, you think I’m gonna
turn him in?”

  Danny looked around like the Internal Affairs was lurking just around the corner. “Nathan doesn’t handle these abuse cases well. At all.” Danny grinned. “Kind of like someone else I know.”

  “He’s not going to get in trouble is he?”

  “Nah. We pulled him off the guy before he could do any real damage.”

  “He was that angry?”

  “Oh, yeah. Ballistic. But we all get really grabby on these calls. Pricks who put their hands on women and kids have no rights as far as we’re concerned. But don’t repeat that, of course.”

  Stella sealed her lips. “It’s so weird that Nathan broke the rules like that. We both know how fond of those he is.”

  “He has his reasons.”

  Stella eyed him. “What does that mean?”

  “Like I told you before, that’s Drazek’s tale to tell.” Danny looked over his shoulder again. He leaned in and whispered, “But can I give you some advice?” When Stella nodded, he said, “Don’t back off him. Push him harder. You’ll never get anywhere any other way. You get me? He’ll fight you tooth and nail, but you can’t let it scare you off.”

  Stella scoffed. “I’m not that easily scared.”

  Danny gave her admiring look. “I know. That’s why you’re so good for him.” He stepped back and looked over Stella’s shoulder.

  She turned around to find Nathan walking toward them. He didn’t look happy.

  “Is it broken?” she asked.

  “No.” He leveled a glare on Danny. “Let’s go.”

  “Is it fractured?”

  “It’s fine, Stella,” he said. “Swollen and needs ice, like I said an hour ago.” To Danny, he repeated, “Let’s. Go.”

  Danny winked at her before walking away, which only made Nathan even more irritated. Stella was pretty sure he muttered “asshole” under his breath.

  “Wanna come to my house tonight after work?” Stella gave his badge a little adjustment. She smiled up at him. “I can ice your hand.”

  “Not tonight,” he said.

  Stella was stunned, although she had no idea why. Would it be so outrageous if he actually had some kind of life?

  “Oh…okay…did you already have plans or…”

  “I can’t tonight, Stella. I’m sorry.”

  She waved off his apology. “No. No problem. So…” When he didn’t say anything, Stella nodded. “Okay, well…”

  “Good-night, Stella. Be careful driving home tonight.”

  Ow…ouch…yikes…this was hurting. It wasn’t what he was saying, it was how he was saying it. Such an ugly, detached tone.

  Stella stepped closer and Nathan backed up. “What’s going on, Nathan? Is something wrong? You seem…upset. Did something happen?”

  “No. It was a long shift before and then all this shit happened.” He put his hands on his hips – like he always did when he needed to regain control. “I need a good night’s sleep.”

  “Gotcha. Well, call me tomorrow. If you want. If you feel up to it.” At his nod, Stella walked away.

  She was dying to look over his shoulder to see if he was still watching her, but didn’t.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Stella pulled her legs up Indian style on her couch and cradled her wine glass. “So, that’s the long and short of it. Are you shocked?”

  “A little, to be honest.” Kat shifted in the armchair to position her leg a bit better. She grabbed her glass off the end table and took a long sip. Kat swirled the Riesling around and around thoughtfully. “Not that you met someone and or even that you caved so quickly. Just that it got so serious so fast.”

  “Wait, wait, wait…caved? What in the hell is that supposed to mean?”

  “For the past twelve months, all we’ve heard is how you’re not going to date anyone for a really long time – if ever. That you would need years to get to know someone well enough to trust him not to treat you the way Ryan did. Not that any of us blamed you. In fact, we all agreed. We never want to see you hurt like that again. I actually think it hurt the seven of us more than it hurt you.”

  Stella didn’t doubt it. Sometimes the person going through the trauma at least has some shock and numbness carrying them through. Their loved ones feel the pain without those benefits. And she was lucky enough to have a brother and sister-in-law who loved her like she was blood.

  “And then you meet this guy and what? A few weeks later you’ve already fallen in love?”

  “And had sex a bunch of times,” Stella added glumly. “Kat, what was I thinking? It’s like all judgment flew right out of my brain. Again.”

  “Thorough analysis and thoughtful decision making are not your strong suits, darling. We all know it and love you for it, but, Stella, that’s how you get hurt.”

  “Yeah, I know.” Stella thought of the cold, detached way Nathan had spoken to her at the hospital a few hours ago and wanted to barf. “I think he’s grossed out, Kat. Honestly. What other explanation could there be? Either that or I got too clingy asking to see him again tonight.”

  “That’s your insecurity talking. Because, as crazy as I think you were to get involved so quickly, I think you must be misinterpreting Nathan’s behavior. I’ve met him. Twice. Briefly, yes, but enough to determine he’s no super smooth Casanova. In fact, he seemed the opposite. I don’t see him saying all that incredible stuff and then blowing you off. Quiet, serious guys like that don’t usually play mind games or spend time with people they don’t like.” Kat smiled wryly. “And I should know. I spent time with men like that all through college and still spend time with them every day at work. They are way too socially inept to screw with your head.”

  “Maybe he’s playing me. I mean, he’s gorgeous and his body…” Stella nearly broke out into a sweat just thinking about Nathan’s muscles and ink. “It’s sick, Kat. He’s smart, he’s sweet…for God’s sake, the guy was an Army Ranger and now he’s a police officer. I’m pretty sure he’s had more women than he can remember. How could a guy like that be socially inept? A guy that good-looking with all that stuff going for him? I don’t know…maybe he did play me.”

  “Think about what you know about him, Stella. He grew up in foster homes. Dad and Gigi think they remember him as a poor, hungry, messed up kid from the old neighborhood. It is much more likely that his behavior is stemming from his own psychological issues than anything related to you,” Kat said. “It sounds like he’s been nothing but respectful and honest with you. I think you should give him the benefit of the doubt.

  “Jesus, Kat, could you stop being so damned logical,” Stella said with an eye roll. “It’s taking all the fun out of assuming the worst and bashing him.”

  Car headlights pull into the driveway.

  “That’ll be Fi.” Kat grabbed her cane and pushed herself to her feet.

  “Thank you for letting me pick you up. And listening to me ramble on and on.” Stella grabbed Fi’s windbreaker off the kitchen chair and handed it to her. “I know you have to get up early tomorrow.”

  “Eh, it worked out with Fi studying late at her friend’s. And now that Christopher and Stellan are inseparable, my social life has really dropped off.” Kat pulled on her jacket. “I never realized how much my extracurricular activities revolved around Stellan until I lost him this past week. I’ll be attending a lot fewer museums and watching lot more Matlock movies with Pops.”

  Both women shuddered.

  “Well, you can always come hang with me,” Stella said. The doorbell rang and she walked to open it for Fi. “Because I’m not sure I’ll be seeing much more of Nathan.”

  Stella swung open her door.

  “Haven’t we had this conversation already, Stella? And this time, it’s after midnight.” Nathan was standing on her porch, in a tee shirt and mesh shorts, in the rain. And he didn’t look happy.

  But Stella was ecstatic.

  “Nice to see you again, Officer Drazek,” Fi said from behind Nathan. He turned around to find her grinning up at him from
beneath her fuchsia umbrella.

  Fi looked around him. “Let’s go, Kat.” She quirked her brow at Stella. “Four’s a crowd, eh, Stell?”

  “I didn’t realize Stella had company,” Nathan said, almost bumping into Fi as he backed up. “I’ll come back tomorrow.”

  “Oh, no you don’t,” Fi said with a laugh. She pushed Nathan toward the door and then moved to get Kat under the umbrella. “Have fun you two.”

  Stella grabbed Nathan’s forearm and pulled him inside. “You’re getting soaked. Come on in.”

  Nathan stepped into her foyer and shut the door behind him. He looked down at himself. “Ugh. I’m getting your floor all wet. Do you have a towel, Stella?”

  Stella waved it off. “I don’t care. Come in and sit down and we can worry about my water logged floor later.”

  When Nathan hesitated, Stella laughed. “Can’t do it, huh? Chafes your OCDness?”

  Stella grabbed a towel off her bathroom counter and tossed it to Nathan. After he’d properly mopped up his mess and folded the (wet and dirty) towel up, he set it to side and finally stepped in.

  “Feel better now?” Stella laughed again when Nathan nodded. “Good. Now will you come sit down?”

  Nathan sat in the same arm chair he’d sat in last time and Stella curled back up on the couch. A huge crack of lightning was followed by a loud rumble of thunder.

  “Some weather,” Nathan said, brushing the rain drops from his hair.

  “I love thunderstorms. My parents’ house has this great screened in porch and, growing up, I always sat out there during storms.” Stella smiled at the memory. “It drove my mom nuts – she was really afraid of storms. Something about a house in the Old Country getting by lightning and burned down, yada, yada, yada.”

  “Are your parents still alive?”

  Had Stella not known about Nathan’s connection to C’s, she would have thought nothing of his question. But, knowing what she did, she knew he must be genuinely curious what happened to them.

  “My mom died of breast cancer about ten years ago.”

  “God, Stella…I’m sorry. And your dad?”

  “Dad’s still alive and kicking. He lost it a little after my mom died…” Stella fidgeted with the string on her sweat pants. “He tried to kill himself, actually.”