“But—”
“Indefinitely.”
Becca stared at the three-foot-tall pink, stuffed pig through a veil of tears. Almost three weeks had passed since sending Randy away, but for whatever reason, she couldn’t bring herself to get rid of the leather-adorned Miss Piggy.
She’d healed considerably over time. It looked like her scars would be hidden, but the new hair was nothing like her thick tresses before the fire. It was now strawberry blonde. Dr. Swanson couldn’t predict how it would grow in for good.
For the first couple of weeks she barely noticed the lack of visitors being all drugged up, but now the days grew longer and all she could think about was Randy.
A light rap on the door interrupted her thoughts. Nurse Debbie stood in the doorway.
“Hi, Becca.” She clasped her hands and smiled sweetly. “I know you asked for no visitors, but there’s someone waiting who I think you’re going to want to see. He’s also a patient here.”
Becca arched a brow, her curiosity piqued. She straightened her sheets and made sure her head scarf was in place before nodding.
“Okay.”
Becca actually held her breath. She saw the wheelchair before the patient. Her hand flew to her mouth, eyes widening, and tears spilled down her cheeks as she gaped in disbelief. Jeffery pushed the wheelchair where Jacob smiled awkwardly at her. It looked like someone had taken a permanent marker and evenly dotted his top and bottom lips to match.
“Jacob?” Her voice cracked. “Oh, my God, I thought you were....”
He raised a hand. “Did you really think you’d get rid of me that easily?” He sniffled.
Jeffery crossed the distance between them and gathered her in his arms. “I am so happy to see that you’re okay.”
Sobs racked Becca as she clung to him. “I can’t...how did...”
“Okay, enough tears. You’re looking pretty good, Becca. How are you really?” Jacob wiped a tear from his cheek.
“Wait a minute. How did you possibly survive the gunshot...and the fire?”
“I think a guardian angel watched over him. By all rights he should be dead.” Jeffery wheeled his lover to the bedside where Jacob took her hand in his.
“I don’t know how I survived,” Jacob explained. The last thing I remember is you climbing out that window, and then I’m waking up in the hospital looking like a human pin cushion.”
Becca shuddered with the memory of Danny on top of him sewing his mouth shut. She forced the image away.
“Let’s not go there right now. All that really matters is that we both made it.” He smiled. “Randy must be over the moon.”
Tears welled up, and she looked away, her bottom lip wobbling.
“What is it? He’s happy, isn’t he?”
Over the next half hour or so Becca tried to explain why she sent Randy away and stopped accepting visitors. He sat quietly, not saying a word.
“Well, if you’re done feeling sorry for yourself, pick up that phone and tell him to come and see you.”
Becca sniffled and narrowed her gaze at him. “Just like that?”
He nodded. “Just like that.”
Chief sat behind his cluttered desk, an open file in front of him. Randy went straight for the coffee.
“Good morning, Chief.” He put the mug under his nose and inhaled the rich aroma. “Mmm, if God made anything better than coffee, He kept it for Himself.”
“Do you want me to leave the two of you alone?” The chief peered over the rim of his reading glasses.
“Ha ha.” He smirked and sat across the desk from his boss. The coffee tasted even better than it smelled. “So what’s on the agenda today?”
Chief nodded toward a pile of files. “Paperwork, unless something comes up.”
“Oh, goodie.” His phone chimed. Randy reached into his front pocket and flipped it open. His breath hitched. The number for the hospital flashed on his screen.
His boss removed his glasses. “Who is it?”
“The hospital.”
“Well, maybe you should answer it?”
Randy noticed a slight tremor of his hand when he pushed the button. “Hello?”
“Hi, is this Randy?”
“Yes, um, who is this?”
“It’s Jacob. I think it would be a good idea for you to come and visit Becca soon.”
His jaw dropped. Had he heard him correctly? “Why do you think that? She didn’t exactly roll out the welcome mat last time I was there.”
“She’s making remarkable progress. You might be interested in knowing Becca was asking about you and she feels really bad about how she treated you.”
“That is welcome news. Thank you. I’ll stop by and see you soon.” Randy flicked his cell closed. He sat staring at it, trying to figure out if her wanting to see him was a good or bad thing.
“Is Becca okay?” Chief took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. “That was the hospital, right?”
“Yes. I, um...” Randy shook his head. “Yes, it was Jacob. He wanted me to know Becca feels bad about how she treated me. He thinks it would be a good idea for me to pay her a visit.”
“What are you doing here? Don’t you think you should get over to the hospital right away?”
Randy shrugged and took another sip of coffee. “I don’t know what to think. Do you have any idea what it did to me when she said she didn’t want me around last time I saw her? I don’t ever want to feel that kind of pain again.”
“You aren’t seriously going to hold that against her, are you? For God’s sake, look at all the poor girl woke up to. Wouldn’t you be a little messed up if it were you?”
“Don't you think I know that? It broke my heart to see her like that.”
Chief pushed his chair away from the desk and stood. He hiked up his pants that somehow slid past his belly whenever he sat. “Let’s go, then.”
“You’re coming, too?” Randy straightened in his chair.
“Why not? I’ll go visit with Jacob while you see Becca. Once I’m through, I’ll come and see her, too.” He frowned. “What’s wrong with you? Don’t you want to see her?”
“Yes and no.” Randy heaved a sigh. “Jacob wouldn’t have called if she didn’t say something to encourage him, don’t you agree?”
His boss laughed and grabbed his arm, helping him to his feet. “How in the hell would I know? I can tell you this much, you aren’t going to find out sitting there playing twenty questions.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
“Good morning, Becca. How do you feel about a change of scenery today?” Nurse Debbie bustled into the room carrying a neatly folded selection of clothes, topped with stark-white runners.
“You’re letting me go home?” Becca’s pulse quickened and her palms grew sweaty. “I don’t understand?”
“No, you’re making remarkable progress, but it’s a little too soon for you to be leaving us.” She pulled the curtain around the bed. “However, Dr. Swanson thinks some fresh air will do you a world of good.”
Becca dressed in black yoga pants and a long-sleeved white t-shirt, while her nurse paid special attention to ensure her bandages were completely covered. Socks and runners felt foreign after being barefoot for so many weeks.
“I don’t even know how long I’ve been here. What day is it?”
