Catching Serenity (17 page)

She tilted her head to one side
, taking comfort from his words. “How do you figure that?”

“
By coming home.
That
was the best gift you could have given him.” His gentle smile filled her heart. “Let’s go see how he’s doing.”

Three hours later, crawling into bed, Serenity eyed her Bible.
If neglect formed cobwebs, that holy book would be full of them. But she couldn’t focus on God’s Word until she cleared the cobwebs from her mind. The ones crowding her in, threatening to suffocate her. Questions, so many questions. Tonight she could barely keep her eyes open. Tomorrow she’d blow off the dust and crack open that Bible. And then she’d pray. She didn’t really know what she was doing, but one of the best things about the Lord was that He’d meet her wherever she was in life. After turning off the bedside lamp, she closed her eyes and crossed her arms behind her head.

She
’d wanted to stay overnight at the hospital, but the doctors assured her Clinton was stabilized, medicated and would sleep through the night. Jackson convinced her she’d be more help and comfort to Clinton if she got some decent rest and returned in the morning. When she called Jackson to thank him for being so wonderful and staying with her at the hospital, she heard suspicious noises in the background.

“
Jackson, where are you? Don’t make me feel like the guilty daughter all over again. You’re still at the hospital, aren’t you?” She tried to keep her tone from sounding accusatory. The man was a saint. Someone would likely find
his
likeness in a potato chip someday. Irreverent as it was, she smiled at the thought.

“
No reason to feel guilty, so get over it. I knew you really didn’t want to leave, but I could tell you’re exhausted. I’ll take the overnight shift and stay until you come back in the morning. I can help you get your dad settled at the house, if you want.”

I want.
How did he manage it? With his ready smile and kind gestures, Jackson was working his way into her life to the point where she couldn’t imagine not having him around. “Anyone ever tell you you’re a prince among men?”

“
Not anyone who counted. Coming from Princess Serenity, that’s high praise.”

“
And you’re such a big flirt.” She stifled her yawn.

“
Only with you.”

“
Take care of my dad, will you, please?”

“
I’ll be here. With prayers. The doctors will do the rest. Get some sleep and bring me some stiff coffee in the morning, if you please. One creamer.”

“
Will do. Goodnight.”

“
Night night.”

“
Thanks, Jackson,” she added. “For everything.”

~
CHAPTER 17~

Driving to the hospital
the next morning, Serenity started a mental checklist of things that needed to change. Should she move back in the house with her dad so she could keep a better eye on him? Alternatively, she could move him into her small rental at least until she was assured he was recovered. Bad idea. They’d probably be at each other’s throats in less than a day. Still, she hated to think he could have an emergency and she wouldn’t be there to help. Not that she could possibly be with him every waking hour. He’d accuse her of smothering him and treating him like an invalid again. He didn’t know the half of it. The thing was, she’d already lost two men in her life and she wasn’t about to lose her father on her watch.

The most
likely scenario? She’d air out the house and do exactly what she’d told Jackson. Go through the entire place, scrub and disinfect every surface. Get rid of every pack of cigarettes and toss out all the unhealthy food in the refrigerator and freezer. Restock it with nutritious, natural foods. To her knowledge, her dad didn’t drink alcohol except an occasional beer, but nothing was beyond the scope of possibility. When she couldn’t be with him—at least for the next couple of weeks—she’d hire a part-time nurse to make sure he ate regular meals and walked around the block if nothing else. She couldn’t afford to take much time away from work, but maybe she could work more from home and Kelsie could forward her calls.

 
The ring tone on her cell phone sounded as Serenity approached the information desk in the hospital lobby. Setting the coffee cups on the counter and a bag with her dad’s clothes on the floor, she retrieved her phone.

“
Good morning, Princess Serenity.”

She smiled.
“Good morning to you, too.” Catching the knowing grin from the woman behind the desk, she turned aside and lowered her voice. “How’s Dad? Is he awake?”

“
He’s groggy, but he managed to say a few words. By the way, who’s Prudence?”

Good thing she wasn
’t sipping coffee. As it was, she sputtered and almost choked. Jackson was dangerous to have around when she had a beverage nearby. “My alter ego. Never mind. That’s actually very encouraging. He’s his old ornery self, so he must already be on the road to recovery.”

“
I think so. Dr. Saunders is checking him over now. Hang on a sec.” She waited, feeling silly that Jackson was a few floors above her and she was down in the lobby, getting the play-by-play on her cell phone. “Dr. Saunders signed the release papers, so your dad’s free to go as soon as he’s dressed. Come on up. I’ll meet you at the elevator.”

Five minutes later, she glimpsed Jackson as
soon as the elevator doors parted. “Are you my personal welcoming committee?”

“
I hope that’s not a complaint,” he said.

“
Never. Here’s your coffee. One creamer, as requested.”

He accepted the cup with a tired smile. Lifting the lid, he inhaled the brew and
took a quick sip. “Thanks. Ah, honey, that’s great coffee. Perfect.” Even with his hair tousled, shirt rumpled and faint circles beneath his eyes, Jackson was easily the most appealing man on the planet. Her heart increased its pace and Serenity cleared her throat, hoping none of the nurses on duty were single and gorgeous. This man was a keeper, and any female with eyes and a functioning brain could see it.

“
You’d better lead the way. I hope it’s okay to take coffee in his room,” she said, almost as an afterthought as Jackson fell into place beside her.

“
He’s down this way.” Jackson angled his head further down the ward. “I think it’s fine to take coffee in his room. I’ll warn you, though. He doesn’t look much better than he did last night.”

“
But he’s
here
.”

“
Yes, he is.” Jackson guided her toward a room near the back corner. “Let’s go get your dad ready to check out.” He raked his fingers through his hair, messing it up a little more. Could the man be any more adorable? When he was tired and a little off-his-game, he seemed rather vulnerable and that appealed to her on many levels. None of which she cared to contemplate now. “Okay, you know what I meant, right?” he said. “I’m tired and need some serious sleep. It’s my only excuse.”

“
You’re very cute when you’re sleepy and unkempt,” she said, smoothing the hair on the top of his head. “There, that’s better. Do you have any patients today?”

“
Nope.” He shook his head. “No patients on Saturday. Cardinal rule. Well, unless there’s an emergency.”

“
Right,” she said, running a hand over her hair. “Good rule. I forgot it’s Saturday.”

He gave her a
nother tired smile and she took a deep breath. “Okay. Time to face the ornery one. I’m sure he’s even worse since he’s been cooped up in a hospital bed.”

“
You might be surprised.”

When they entered the room, a nurse was
helping him sit up on the bed. “I’ll take it from here,” Clinton said. His eyes rested on her and he made an effort to smile. “Here’s my beautiful Serenity.”

“
How are you, Dad?” Putting her cup on a table, she walked to the side of the bed and put her hand over his. It felt dry to her touch and he looked so small, swallowed by the hospital bed and the starkness of the white sheets. Jackson was right. He looked terrible. Dark circles rimmed his eyes and his face held an unnatural pallor. Dr. Saunders wouldn’t release him if he didn’t believe he was ready to leave the hospital.

She hated seeing him like this but coached herself to stay strong
for his sake as well as her own.

“
How’s it look like I’m doing?”

She darted a glance
to where Jackson stood by the window. Catching her look, he motioned to the door. She hoped her pointed glance answered his silent question. In truth, she needed him here with her even though she knew how tired he was. “Well, you’re in good humor this morning,” she said to her father. “I’m here to take you home, so be nice, please.” She glanced at the other bed in the room, grateful it was unoccupied.

“
I have your mother to thank for being here, you know.” Clinton’s tone held no animosity and not a trace of irony.

She stared at him, trying not to gape.
“What are you talking about?”

“
Elise taught me the signs to watch for when you’re having an attack, heart or otherwise—the numbness, the sharp pains, the tightness in the chest. Soon as I started feeling weird, I picked up the phone and called.”

“
I’m glad you did, but I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you.”

He waved his hand and winced when he shifted on the bed.

“Are you okay? What can I do? Call the nurse?”

“
Just felt a pinch. I think I’ll live. Can you grab my clothes over there in the closet?”

“
You’d better. Live that is,” she said. “I stopped by the house and brought you some fresh clothes.” Opening the bag, she pulled out a pair of his shorts and a nice shirt.

“
Thanks. The good doctor’s taking very good care of me, you know.”

“
I’m glad to hear it. That’s why they’re here, after all.”

Clinton
snorted and angled his head toward Jackson. “
That
doctor over there. He’s got a real nice bedside manner.”

Serenity felt her cheeks
flush. Her dad’s wry sense of humor never failed to give her an anchor for her unsteady emotions, as embarrassing as it could be at times.

“
I’m much obliged for you sticking around last night, Doc,” Clinton said. “Right kind of you.”

Leaning close,
Serenity kissed his cheek and her hold on his hand tightened. Her gaze fell on a simple, clear glass jar overflowing with Vi’s Violet roses sitting on the window sill. “Dad, where did those roses come from?”

Clinton shrugged.
“One of the nurses brought them in. Don’t rightly know where she got them.” He scratched his head. “She said, ‘Someone’s thinking of you, Mr. McClaren,’ and put them over there by the window. I was kinda out of it and didn’t think much about it.”

“
I guess someone else besides Mama knows about them,” she said, half under her breath. She couldn’t take the time to puzzle over it now. “I’ll let you change while I go fill out the release forms or whatever I need to do. Try not to annoy the nurses too much. Or Jackson.”

“
Can’t promise that.” When he chuckled, Serenity was afraid he’d start coughing and dislodge something. She was grateful when nothing happened.

“
I’ll stay and help him get dressed,” Jackson said. “If he plays his cards right, I might even do some wheelies with his wheelchair.”

Shaking her head, she hoped Jackson was teasing.
“Listen, I talked to Charlie this morning, and he’s planning on coming by the house this afternoon for a visit, if you’re up to it.”

“
Did you tell him to bring his checkers?”

“
I did, and he already had them by the door, ready to go. Don’t be surprised if you get a visit from Deidre tomorrow, too.”

“
Guess I’d better put on my designer duds for that girl. She’s a real fashion setter, that one. You met Deidre Payne yet, Jackson?”

“
Haven’t had the pleasure,” he said, crumpling his coffee cup and tossing it in the trash can from several feet away.

“
Good aim,” her father said. “You should take Serenity and have one of them double dates or whatever with Deidre and her husband. You’d like Wes. He’s a landscaper and developer here in town. Got a solid reputation.”

“
Is that a fact?” Jackson moved his gaze to hers, a question in his eyes. “I might have a project for him if he’s game.”

An hour
later, Serenity’s eyes misted as she watched Jackson with her father. The two men in her life. That stopped her thoughts cold, but Jackson was undeniably part of her life now.

“
Park me in my recliner and I’ll be fine,” Clinton said as Jackson opened the front door. Finding it unlocked, he arched a brow. Feigning innocence, she shrugged and darted off to check the mailbox.

“
Are you hungry, Dad?” She set a glass of ice water on the table beside his chair a few minutes later.

“
A little. Wanna stay for lunch, Doc?”

Jackson glanced at her.
“Sure, if it’s okay with Serenity.” She could tell he was pleased by the offer. “Can I help?”

“
Keep Dad company while I get it ready. I guarantee it won’t be anything fancy.”

“
The simpler the better.”

Another five minutes later, she
’d pulled everything out of the refrigerator. Ginseng scratched at the side door. “Hang on, Ginseng. I’m coming,” she called. Hearing a chuckle from behind her, Serenity whirled around to face Jackson.

“
Great name for quasi-hippie canine parents. Where’s the leash? Your dad’s resting, so I can take Ginseng for a walk if you want.”