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Authors: Jean Brashear
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recovery.”
“But it could trigger her memory.”
“Maybe. You can’t be too careful, however. Especially with someone who wants to remember as badly as she does.”
This was killing him. How did he know the guy was even competent? “Explain your credentials.”
“I was on the staff of Johns Hopkins for six years, board certified in cardiology. Much of what I’m telling you I’ve researched with friends—neurologists and psychiatrists—who are still there.”
“Your hospital doesn’t have them?”
“I wish. Someday, I will.”
“But she’s in your facility?”
“No. We took her to Denver for an MRI, and there’s no permanent brain damage except for the amnesia. Once she regained consciousness, the specialist released her back into my care.”
“So where is she staying?”
“I’ll tell you, but first we have to figure out the best way to handle this for her sake. You can’t just barge in on her.”
Everything in him quivered to do exactly that. “Hand her the phone.”
“She’s not here. She has no idea you called.”
James’s fingers clenched. “You are making me crazy. I want to be with my wife. Our children need her.”
“I can understand how she would inspire such passion,” Lincoln said quietly. “But if you love her that much, you want to do what’s best for her.” He exhaled strongly. “Look, all I’m asking is that you approach this situation with caution. Come, but don’t tell her who you are at first. Find out if she recognizes you. It’s possible that all the pieces will come together right then, but—”
“But?”
“But if they don’t, it will be hard on all of you. You’ll expect her to react to you the way you’re used to, and she’ll sense that. She’s a sensitive and giving person. To fail you will cause her pain, and she’s already been through a lot.” He paused. “The sheriff told me about her car being found. We knew she’d been injured, but we weren’t sure how.”
“Did they hurt her? Hit her?” James heard his voice going low and brutal. If they’d violated her…
“She’s fine now, I promise. She had some lacerations and some bruising, but she was otherwise not injured except for the head trauma.”
James closed his eyes in relief. He’d stand beside her even if she had been raped, but he could hardly bear to think of his Bella suffering through that sort of trauma.
“It’s highly likely,” the doctor continued, “that she will never remember the attack, and we can serve her best by not focusing on it, either.” After a moment, he spoke again. “Just these couple of weeks of knowing her, I completely understand how you’d like to tear those guys apart. I’m supposed to do no harm, but I’d gladly help you. She’s a remarkable woman.”
“My woman.”
“I got that. Can’t say that I like it, but such is life.”
James felt about seventeen and trying to stake out his territory. But he couldn’t help himself. Every nerve ending was on fire with his need to get to Bella, to shield her. To make everything all right. “What are the chances—” he forced himself to confront the unbearable “—that she’ll ever remember us?”
“Pretty good. If you allow her time and don’t force the issue.”
So that was the nub of it—if he truly wished the best for Bella, he had to fight his natural urges. “I want to be there, however this must be done.”
“If the kids can handle the situation and back off if needed, I think you all should make the trip. There’s a little café in town, nothing much, but the food’s good and filling. When I know you’ve arrived, I’ll bring her over for a meal. If the sight of you jogs her memory, all to the good.”
“And if not?”
“Then we go to plan B. I don’t know what that is yet. I’ll call my sources and have some suggestions for you by the time you get here.”
“Where exactly are you?” Mentally, he was already on a plane.
“Lucky Draw, Colorado. Nearly to
“But it could trigger her memory.”
“Maybe. You can’t be too careful, however. Especially with someone who wants to remember as badly as she does.”
This was killing him. How did he know the guy was even competent? “Explain your credentials.”
“I was on the staff of Johns Hopkins for six years, board certified in cardiology. Much of what I’m telling you I’ve researched with friends—neurologists and psychiatrists—who are still there.”
“Your hospital doesn’t have them?”
“I wish. Someday, I will.”
“But she’s in your facility?”
“No. We took her to Denver for an MRI, and there’s no permanent brain damage except for the amnesia. Once she regained consciousness, the specialist released her back into my care.”
“So where is she staying?”
“I’ll tell you, but first we have to figure out the best way to handle this for her sake. You can’t just barge in on her.”
Everything in him quivered to do exactly that. “Hand her the phone.”
“She’s not here. She has no idea you called.”
James’s fingers clenched. “You are making me crazy. I want to be with my wife. Our children need her.”
“I can understand how she would inspire such passion,” Lincoln said quietly. “But if you love her that much, you want to do what’s best for her.” He exhaled strongly. “Look, all I’m asking is that you approach this situation with caution. Come, but don’t tell her who you are at first. Find out if she recognizes you. It’s possible that all the pieces will come together right then, but—”
“But?”
“But if they don’t, it will be hard on all of you. You’ll expect her to react to you the way you’re used to, and she’ll sense that. She’s a sensitive and giving person. To fail you will cause her pain, and she’s already been through a lot.” He paused. “The sheriff told me about her car being found. We knew she’d been injured, but we weren’t sure how.”
“Did they hurt her? Hit her?” James heard his voice going low and brutal. If they’d violated her…
“She’s fine now, I promise. She had some lacerations and some bruising, but she was otherwise not injured except for the head trauma.”
James closed his eyes in relief. He’d stand beside her even if she had been raped, but he could hardly bear to think of his Bella suffering through that sort of trauma.
“It’s highly likely,” the doctor continued, “that she will never remember the attack, and we can serve her best by not focusing on it, either.” After a moment, he spoke again. “Just these couple of weeks of knowing her, I completely understand how you’d like to tear those guys apart. I’m supposed to do no harm, but I’d gladly help you. She’s a remarkable woman.”
“My woman.”
“I got that. Can’t say that I like it, but such is life.”
James felt about seventeen and trying to stake out his territory. But he couldn’t help himself. Every nerve ending was on fire with his need to get to Bella, to shield her. To make everything all right. “What are the chances—” he forced himself to confront the unbearable “—that she’ll ever remember us?”
“Pretty good. If you allow her time and don’t force the issue.”
So that was the nub of it—if he truly wished the best for Bella, he had to fight his natural urges. “I want to be there, however this must be done.”
“If the kids can handle the situation and back off if needed, I think you all should make the trip. There’s a little café in town, nothing much, but the food’s good and filling. When I know you’ve arrived, I’ll bring her over for a meal. If the sight of you jogs her memory, all to the good.”
“And if not?”
“Then we go to plan B. I don’t know what that is yet. I’ll call my sources and have some suggestions for you by the time you get here.”
“Where exactly are you?” Mentally, he was already on a plane.
“Lucky Draw, Colorado. Nearly to
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