The Horse Soldier: Beginnings Series Book 10 (5 page)

Dropping the last child off at the nursery, Ellen headed to a place where she seldom saw the inside walls . . . the library. Not that Ellen was particularly the reader, she wasn’t but the cavalry soldier was waking and wanted something to read. Ellen wanted to do him the favors of picking out a special book. Beginnings had a great library or at least she heard.

“Boo.”

A small shriek came from Ellen then a laugh as Danny walked up behind her.

“
You’re out and about early. I didn’t think you were working yet,” Danny said.

“I’m not
, but why not take advantage of the free babysitting, right?”

“Right. Where you off too?” Danny asked.

“The library. God, I think I was in there once.”

“I didn’t know you read a lot
,” Danny commented.

“I don’t. It’s not for me. It’s for the
cavalry soldier that is ill. I’m picking him out a book only I haven’t a clue what to get him or where to start.”

“I’ll help you. I’m very averse in
libraries, you know.” Danny grinned. “They call me Mr. Library.”

Ellen laughed as they neared the library. Upon entering they saw Trish who usually worked at history.

“Hi.” Trish smiled but spoke at a library whisper. “Well if it isn’t Mr. Library.”

Danny nodded. “What did I tell you?”

“Trish, why are you working in here today? Doesn’t Lynn usually work the library?” Ellen asked..

“Usually but she has a case of this terrible stomach flu. She thinks it was
something Josephine baked.” Trish shrugged. “Go figure. Why are you here, Ellen? You don’t read.”

“Yes I know. It’s not for me. It’s for someone in the clinic. Danny’s helping me.”

“We have a great thriller and horror section. Go take a look-see.”

Ellen motioned her head. “Come on Mr. Library
. Show me the way.”

With his hand holding onto Ellen’s arm, Danny led her in the right direction. “Is this guy going to read it or are you reading it to him
?”

“I’ll read it to him if he wants.” Ellen looked around the sides of the books. “Wow, how can you tell what they’re about
?”

“Open the inside or some have it on the back.” Danny answered

“Like a video box.”

“Exactly.”

Ellen reached for a book and snickered.

“What is it?” Danny moved to her.

“Look at this. It’s her picture. God, how awful.”

“True, but she wrote that good vampire series.” Danny put the book back and grabbed another. “How about him?” He showed Ellen the author’s picture.

“Oh I never liked him. And what’s up with that pose? The hand to the chin thing they all do. I would think if they want to sell books they might pose nude or get someone attractive to decorate the back cover. I would.”

“No
, you wouldn’t.”

“Yes
, I would.” Ellen put the book back.

“Wait. I know an author who takes great pictures. He’s in the next aisle. I’ll be right back.”

“O.K.” Ellen browsed the titles, pulled one out and put it back. In her reach for a thick book, thinking it had to be good because it was big, she heard the annoying voice of Bev. The mention of Dean’s name made Ellen’s listen. She pulled the book some and saw Bev as she talked to Todd from fabrics.

“I just felt so bad for Dean
,” Bev stated. “He was wandering around last night because
she
kicked him out of the house.”

“
The house he worked so hard on for her.” Todd commented.

“
It’s his house too. Anyhow . . . he was really appreciative when I let him stay with me.”

Ellen’s heart sunk and she moved to replace the book. In he
r slow deliverance of it to the shelf, a hand met hers and helped her place it back. She shifted her eyes with the shocked expression still on her face. Danny was there.

“I got a good book for your friend.” He held it up. “Let’s
, uh, get out of here.”

“I couldn’t agree more.” Ellen followed him up to the desk where Trish sat waiting.

Trish looked up from a book she read. “Find something for the sick person?”

Danny laid the book down. “He might like this. It’s an all-like.”

“Oh I couldn’t agree more.” Trish opened the cover. “Library card please.”

Danny looked at Ellen then back to Trish. “I don’t have a library card.”

“Then you can’t check out this book.”

“Trish.” Danny didn’t know if she was serious. “Lynn let’s me check them out without a card.”

“O.K. but if you excuse me for saying so, Lynn’s a fool. People don’t return books as it is. Imagine if you didn’t know who had it.”

“Just write down my name.” Danny told her.

“How will I find you? The library card makes it so much easier.”

“Can’t I have the book without a card?” Danny asked.

“Certainly . . . not.” Trish answered. “But . . . would you like to check it out?”

“Yes.” Danny said hearing Ellen snicker.

Licking her finger, Trish leaned down, opened a drawer, and pulled out a piece of paper. “Fill this out. This is an application for a library card. Include your address since you know what yours is. You made them up.” She handed him a pen.

Danny leaned on the desk to begin to fill it out. He looked at Ellen. “A hundred and fifty people in this town and they’re afraid they won’t be able to track us down.
Where are we gonna go?” Shaking his head, Danny filled out the application.

^^^^

Andrea exercised the leg of the
Society soldier, Tom Collins. She spoke to Dean as she bent the leg up and laid it back down. “Muscle tone, Good. Reflexes improving.”

Dean wrote down in the chart. “Any responses at all to touch
?”

“Some
,” Andrea said and smiled at Tom. “He’s not feeling it. I am. It’s a good sign.” She laid down his leg. “Anyhow . . . I’ll let you get some rest.” She covered Tom up. “We’re going to be trying you in a wheelchair today. How’s that?”

“A wheel chair
?”

“Yes
,” Andrea told him. “that way you can get around our little town. As soon as I see you practiced enough, we’ll move you to containment. There are a lot of people there who can assist you if you need it.”

“Doctor, what’s your opinion
? Will I walk again?”

Andrea smiled at him. “I believe with a lot of hard work you will not need the use of a wheelchair forever. I believe that. But . . . are you ready to work hard
, Tom?”

“I’m very ready.”

“Good.” Andrea laid a hand on his leg. “Dr. Hayes. Walk with me?”

“Yes.” Dean lifted a hand and waved to Tom then followed Andrea out. “So you really believe he’ll walk again.”

“The spinal cord is healing nicely. I see no reason for prolonged paralysis but I want to talk to you about something,”

“Oh
boy.”

“What’s that mean
?”

“You have this serious look on your face and . . .you’ve stopped walking.”

“You know me.” Andrea smiled. “I’m concerned. I heard a rumor that’s spreading around Beginnings. Did Ellen kick you out?”

Dean let out a breath with a laugh. “Man, one person sees you walking around in the middle of the night and things get out of hand.”

“So she did kick you out?”

“Last night. I’m back. It’s not permanent
, I don’t think.” Dean shrugged. “We just had a disagreement.”

“Sorry to hear that
especially with her just coming back home.”

“Well .
. . if the truth be known, she’s up . . .” Dean paused. He had to remember how careful he had to be when he talked. “She’s still upset about Frank.”

“Understandable. It is still soon.”

“Yeah.” Dean nodded. “And you know, with her and this Robbie thing, she’s in this searching phase. Looking for a little of Frank. I guess I’m just not understanding enough. You warned me.”

“I did
,” Andrea said, “because I’ve been there. When my Miguel died, I was the same way. Remember how I befriended Alonso? All because he was Hispanic and he reminded me of Miguel. Right away I attached myself to him. It gives you a little of that back. You want to be around those who are most like those you’ve lost.” Andrea took a second to think and smile. “So you two made up?”

“Not yet, no. Our conversation ended this morning with ‘fuck you’.”

“Oh Dean.” Andrea tsked. “Language.”

“I didn’t say it
. She did.”

“Why don’t you talk to her
?”

“I will
,” Dean responded, “when I see her later. Maybe by that time she’s had a chance to cool down.”

Andrea looked at her watch. “Why don’t you go home for lunch in a few hours
? Spend some time with her.”

“You know what
? That might not be a bad idea. We can talk then. I have a meeting with Joe this afternoon. I’ll cut out early? Thanks, Andrea.” Dean started walking again, this time toward his lab.

“Dean?” Andrea called out to him. “Why are you meeting with Joe?”

“Um . . . it’s uh . . . personal thing about Ellen. You know, he’s her Dad and you also know Joe. You have to schedule time.” Dean tossed his hand up and moved again.

Andrea looked oddly at him as Dean disappeared quickly down the hall.

^^^^

“Is there is anything else I can get for you?” Ellen asked the UWA soldier, “Just let me know.” She fluffed his pillows up.

“I’m fine.” He spoke weak
ly as he watched Ellen. “The book is very nice.”

“I’ll read to you
and my friend Danny will read to you also.”

“Why . . . why are you being so kind to me? It’s a wonderful gesture on your part.”

Ellen spoke as she tucked in his covers. “Well saving my life was a wonderful gesture on your part as well. I will never forget that.” Ellen rested her hand on the bed. “Ever. What you guys did to help me and Frank, I am grateful.” Leaning down, she pressed her lips to his forehead. “Thank you.” She looked up when she heard the clearing of a throat. Dean was walking into the room.

“El
, you’re not supposed to be working.”

“I’m not. I’m visiting Gerry.”

Dean walked closer to the bed. “Gerry, you’re doing better, I see.”

“Yes
and the woman is being very kind.”

Dean’s eyes
rose to Ellen.

Ellen whispered. “It’s a respect thing he has. You can call me Ellen.”

“No, that would be too much to ask,” Gerry said.

Dean opened his chart. “What was your last recorded temperature? Are you sure you’re not feeling dizzy or abnormal in any way?”

Ellen gasped. “Don’t answer that, Gerry. He’s being sarcastic because you’re being polite. He is the epitome of the word dick.”

Dean slammed the chart. “Look,
I don’t want to fight with you.”

“Oh.” Ellen spoke long and drawn. “Really? Well you’re not getting a fight
. You’ve secured an ending to that.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“I think you know.”

“El.” Dean stayed firm
, speaking to her across Gerry. “Look, I want to talk to you. Can we go somewhere?”

“Nope.”

“El.”

“Nope.”

“Ellen, listen . . .”

“Where’d you sleep last night?” Ellen asked with edge.

“What?”

“Where did you sleep last night?”

“You kicked me out, so that is none of your concern now is it?” Dean spoke with resentment.

“I think it is. Where did you spend the night?” Ellen asked again
, this time stronger.

“And I told you before it is none of your concern.”

“Fuck you, it isn’t my concern.” Ellen snapped at him.

“No El, fuck you. You kicked me out!”

After his eyes and head shifted back and forth one too many times, Gerry had heard enough, especially from the doctor. “HEY!” He shouted the loudest he could. “Don’t you dare take that tone with the woman.”

Dean’s moth dropped open and his head swung to a view of Gerry. “First off we’re arguing. Second she is my . . .”

“I don’t care what she is to you. She is a woman and should be treated with respect. Where is your leader?”

Dean blinked several times. “What?”

“Where is your leader? I want to inform him of your behavior to the woman.”

Ellen looked smug. “The leader is my father.”

Gerry stared harshly at Dean. “Apologize to the woman or I will talk your leader. I hate to rat on a fellow man but you crossed the line with her. Apologize.”