KILTED DESIRE - Sands of Betrayal (26 page)

She dialed the doctor’s number to tell him about their
conversation. She was so excited to tell him how well she believed Scott’s
memory was.

“Dr. Hamilton, it’s Katie.”

“Hi Katie. How did it go?”

“It was great! I couldn’t believe I was talking to him
again. He did complain of a headache, and said his head was cloudy, but he
seemed to remember things about us. He said you’d told him he could go home
tomorrow, so that concerned me a little. He seemed to get a little upset when I
said I thought he was getting confused, but overall I think it went very well.”

“No, I didn’t tell him he could go home tomorrow,” he said,
and laughed a little.

“Yes, I know he was getting confused.”

“He may have dreamed it, or maybe just thought about it and
convinced himself it happened. It is nothing to worry about. It is very normal
for this kind of injury.”

“Okay, he told me he was tired and needed to sleep. Can you
get him something for the headache?”

“Yes, I’ll go check on him now and if he’s still awake, I’ll
get him something for the pain. If he is not awake now, I’ll make sure he gets
some when he wakes up.”

“Thanks, Dr. Hamilton, and thank you for all you’ve done for
him. Please tell him he can call me anytime he wants.”

“You’re welcome, Katie, and I’ll tell him that. Make sure
you keep me updated on how you think he’s sounding any time you speak to him.”

“I will and thank you again. Goodbye.”

“Take care, Katie.”

Katie was so happy! She didn’t waste any time before she
called her parent’s and the girls to let them know she spoke with Scott! They
were thrilled at the news. She tried to keep the full extent of Scott’s injuries
from the girls. They were aware he had been injured and was in the hospital.
She was grateful she could tell them that she spoke with Scott and he was
getting better. After she got off the phone with her parents and the girls, she
called Tom and told him the good news. She even asked to speak to Britney and
passed on the exciting news to her.

If everything had originally gone as he planned, Scott would
have been home by now. It was the middle of November and the holidays were just
around the corner. She doubted he would make it home for the holidays now, but
all that really mattered to Katie was that he was alive, getting better every
day and would eventually be back home.

Over the next few weeks, Scott slowly improved and started
to get his strength back. All his casts were now removed. While some injuries
took more time, most of his deep cuts and burns had already healed. He was up
and out of bed, putting weight onto his broken leg. He desperately tried to
build up its’ strength so he could travel the long journey home. The swelling
in his brain subsided and his head felt much clearer, but he occasionally still
suffered from bad headaches.

When Scott’s condition stabilized, Tom arranged for him to
be transferred to a private clinic in Kuwait, so a CAT scan could be done. Only
after having the scan would they would be able to give him the all clear before
he headed back home.

Britney and Tom visited almost every day to say hello and
check on Scott’s progress. Britney said goodbye, just before Thanksgiving, when
she happily returned home to California. She had completed her assignment in
Baghdad and earned the promotion she was promised.  

Now that Scott had regained some of his strength, he and
Katie talked every day. His memory was fine, apart from what happened just
prior to the explosion. Scott was concerned about having no memory of the airport,
the trip back to Baghdad and the immediate lead-up to the car bomb attack. Dr.
Hamilton reassured him that it was perfectly normal.

It was the middle of December and Scott anxiously awaited word
that he could be transferred to the hospital in Kuwait. He was feeling good and
just wanted to get the CAT scan over with so he could go home and back to his
life. He wanted to be home in time for Christmas. He did not have to wait long.
Later that day, Tom entered his room and told him it was all arranged. He would
fly out the next day. Dr. Hamilton did all the final check-ups he needed to get
Scott released and onward to Kuwait. Scott was excited, but he knew he may have
to spend a couple of days in the other hospital. He had also thought a lot
about his return flight home. He would need time to rest in between his longer
flights back to the U.S. He smiled. He was headed out of here, on his way home
to Katie. He had waited long enough, he needed to call and tell her the
fantastic news.

“Hey baby, how are yer?”

“I’m good, Scott. How are you today?”

“Very guid! I start my journey haem tomorrow.”

The screams coming from the other end of the phone caused
Scott to stop speaking for a few seconds.

“Steady on, yer giving me a headache,” he continued,
laughing.

“I’m sorry! I’m just so excited to see you.”

“It’s okay, I’m just teasing yer. I have tae go tae Kuwait
first tae get a CAT scan done and if I get the all-clear, then I can arrange
tae fly back.”

“That’s great news. What did Dr. Hamilton say? Does he think
there will be any problems?”

“Nae, I dinnae think so and I feel guid, too. I dinnae feel
like there’s anything wrong. My head does nae feel cloudy like it did a few
weeks ago.”

“But you’re still getting headaches, right?”

“Aye. I get some. They do get pretty bad sometimes, but the
doctor said it was normal tae get headaches fer a while after getting a bang on
the head like the one I got. So it’s nae necessarily a problem.”

“I’m just so excited. I can’t stop smiling.”

“That’s guid. I like it when yer smile.”

“Is someone taking you to the airport tomorrow? You’re not
going to go on your own are you?”

“Dinnae worry, baby. Tom is coming tae pick me up and he
said he’ll stay with me until my flight leaves. He arranged fer someone from
the company tae pick me up from the airport in Kuwait City and drive me tae the
hospital.”

“That’s good. I don’t want you on your own.”

“I’m nae a baby. I can look after myself yer know.” He
laughed at how she was treating him.

“I know you’re not a baby. I just want you to be safe and
whether you like it or not, you suffered a terrible injury and you’re still
recovering and weak.”

“I’m fine.”

“When you get the all-clear from the hospital in Kuwait,
then I’ll believe you’re fine.”

“I feel guid, Katie. So, yer dinnae need tae worry.”

“No, actually, when you are released from the hospital in
Kuwait and I have you back home with me, then I will believe you’re fine.”

“Yer make me laugh. I’ll be back with yer again, soon.”

“I know. It’s great.”

“How are we going tae celebrate?”

“However you like. What would you like to do?”

“Yer know what I’d like tae do.”

“Oh Scott, you are definitely feeling better! I don’t think
you’re going to be disappointed.”

“I cannae wait tae get yer in my arms.”

“Me, either.”

“Well, I have tae go and try tae sleep. It seems that I have
a big day tomorrow. I’ll call yer when I can.”

“Okay Scott, goodnight. Love you.”

“Love yer more.”

“Yup, he’s definitely better,” she said, quietly to herself.

The next day, Tom picked up Scott from the hospital. Scott
said goodbye and thanked Dr. Hamilton for everything he had done for him. As he
walked out the front doors, it was the first time he’d been outside for quite a
while! The sun was shining so brightly, he had to cover his eyes. During the trip
through the depressed streets of Baghdad, Scott was happier than he’d been in a
long time because, that he was seeing this city, in person, for the last time!
He still had no memory of what happened the last time he was at the airport, so
he didn’t feel apprehensive or nervous at all. At least, no more so than any
other flight he made in his time there. He was just happy to be on his way home
and elated about his upcoming reunion with Katie. In just a short time, he and
Tom arrived at the airport and his flight was ready to be boarded.

“It was a pleasure to have worked with you, Scott.”

“Aye, yer too, Tom. Thank yer, fer everything yer did when I
got hurt.”

“No problem. I always look after my men, especially the ones
who become my friends. I’m sorry to see you go, Scott.”

“It was a real honor tae have met yer. I did like working
with yer Tom, but I’m nae sorry tae be going haem.”

“I know. I saw pictures of Katie when you were in the
hospital. I don’t blame you for wanting to get back home to her. You’ve talked
a lot about her and I know how much she means to you.”

“Aye, she’s very special. I need tae be with her.”

“If you ever change your mind or need to work again, I’d be
honored to have you as part of my team.”

“I appreciate that Tom, but I really dinnae think that will
ever happen. I’m pretty sure my time doing this kind of work is over.”

“I understand, but you never know.”

“Aye. That’s reet, yer never know what’s going tae happen.”

“Goodbye, Scott. All the best to you and your new family.”

“Thanks Tom, guid luck with everything.”

Scott jumped on the short flight to Kuwait. He was met by
the PCPS representative Tom had arranged, who drove him to the hospital. He
checked in and was taken to his room. He was then subjected to a battery of
tests before he was allowed to rest. This modern facility was a world apart
from what he recently experienced in Baghdad. But it did not really matter to him;
he did not plan on staying long. His CAT scan was scheduled for the next
morning. He called Katie to let her know he arrived safely and that the time was
set for his scan.

The following day, the CAT scan was done and Scott waited
patiently in his room for the results. After what seemed like forever, the
doctor informed him that everything appeared to be fine. There was still some
minor swelling of his brain, but nothing the doctor was concerned about. He did
recommend that Scott have a follow-up scan in another six weeks. Scott was
excited and arranged his homebound flights. He also called Tom to let him know
that everything was okay and he would be headed home tomorrow. Then he called
Katie.

“Hello.”

“Guess who’s coming haem tae see yer.”

“Everything was okay then?” she replied.

“Aye, the results came back fine. The doctor did say there
was some swelling on my brain, but he dinnae think it would be a problem.”

“So, what else did he say?”

“That I should have another CAT scan in six weeks or so just
tae be sure, but there is nae problem with me flying haem. I do have tae be
careful aboot nae having any more bangs on the head and I have tae get a lot of
rest.”

“That’s great! Don’t worry about getting rest or having any
more bangs on the head. You’re not doing anything when you get back. When are
you coming?”

“I leave first thing in the morning. Tom arranged fer me tae
be picked up from here and taken tae the airport, so dinnae worry, I’m still
nae going tae be alone.”

“That’s good and are you going to stay a night in London to
break the long flights up a little?”

“Aye, I thought that was a guid idea. I did get tired on the
flight doon from Baghdad tae here and it was only just over an hoor.”

“So you arrive here on the twentieth?”

“Aye, I get into Columbus at aboot 6:00 p.m. I’ll send yer
the flight details if yer feel like coming tae collect me.”

“Oh, you know I’ll be there.”

“I thought yer might say that.”

“Of course, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I can’t wait
to see you.”

“I cannae wait tae see yer too, baby. I guess I should get
some rest for my big day of travel tomorrow.”

“Okay babe, get some rest, I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Love yer baby, I will see yer soon.”

“I can’t wait! I love you too, bye.”

Katie couldn’t stop smiling. The day she looked forward to
for so long was finally the “day after tomorrow!” She was overwhelmed with
tears of joy. He was out of Iraq and on his way home. He was safe, finally! She
wasted no time in calling her parent’s and telling them the good news. The
girls were delighted that Scott was on his way home.

The next morning, Scott began his journey home. The long
flight from Kuwait to London took a lot out of him. By the time he arrived in
England, he was very tired. He was glad he arranged to stay a night in an
airport hotel before he continued home. Scott had never been a person who would
admit to weakness of any kind, but he knew he wouldn’t have been able to have
ventured further. He checked into the hotel, planned to go get some food along
with Christmas presents for Katie and the girls. But that never happened! As
soon as he got in his hotel room and laid down on the bed, he fell deeply asleep
and did not wake up until early the next morning. He knew he needed the sleep.
He slept for nearly twelve hours and awoke very refreshed.

He ate a hearty breakfast at his hotel, which really hit the
spot, after all the hospital food he had eaten. Feeling satisfied and full, he called
a taxi and headed for the airport. As he walked to his gate, he briefly looked in
a few stores before boarding his flight.

Soon he watched London fade behind and knew he was truly on
his way home! Not long after they took off, and even with twelve hours of sleep,
it did not take long before Scott was nodding off again. He changed planes in
New York, and the flight to Columbus was on time. He was quickly back in the
air and happy how few people were on board. While stretching across the empty
row of seats, gazing out the small window at the clouds below, he thought about
everything that happened over the last seven months. As he got closer to seeing
Katie, the more excited he became. This was the shortest flight he had to make,
but it seemed to take longer than any of the others. Eventually, after what
seemed like a lifetime, the plane touched down in Ohio. He was finally home! He
was going to be back with the girl of his dreams and they would spend the rest
of their lives together. They would buy her dream home and get married. Life
was good, he thought, as he stepped off the plane.