A Arrangement for Rose Read online

  “Glad I can help.” He hitches his thumb over his shoulder toward the door, “I’m going to get out of your way and let you finish packing. Let me know when you get there and keep me posted on how Rose is doing.”

  “Will do.”

  Once Vince is gone, I finish packing and do a once over of the room to make sure I didn’t forget anything. Satisfied that I have everything, I zip up my suitcase, grab my violin case and head out the door. I enter the elevator and press the button for the lobby. When the doors open, I stride across the tile floor bypassing the checkout desk and out the automatic doors to my rental. Placing my bags in the trunk, I climb behind the wheel and make my way to the airport.

  When I arrive at the airport, I return my rental before heading towards my designated gate. Even with the late booking, I arrive thirty minutes before boarding. I take a minute to call Janet and let her know I’m on my way.

  The call rings twice before she answers, “Hey Alek, hold on just a second.” I can hear someone talking to her in the background so I wait. When she returns her attention to me, she sounds a bit more relieved than she did earlier. “Sorry about that, the nurse was just letting me know that Rose had been taken back for surgery.”

  “No problem. I was just calling to tell you I was on my way. I’ll be boarding my flight momentarily and should be at the hospital around midnight.”

  “Okay, good. I’ll give your name to the nursing staff so they know you are coming and authorized to hear about her care.”

  “Thanks Janet, I appreciate that.”

  “Rose is like a sister to me, so it’s no problem at all.”

  “If you need to leave before I get there, I understand.”

  “There’s nowhere else I need to be. I’ll text you with her room number as soon as I have it.”

  Before I can reply, an announcement comes over the speaker. “Now boarding Chicago to Charleston flight zero-one-two-one.”

  “Janet, they are calling for us to board, so I’m going to run. I’ll see you soon.”

  “Okay. Have a safe flight.”

  I end the call and pull up my boarding pass before picking up my violin case and getting in line to board my flight. The attendant scans my boarding pass and I make my way down the jet way and onto the plane. I locate my seat, place my violin case in the overhead compartment, take my seat and fasten my seatbelt. I pull my phone from my pocket, unlock the screen to put my phone in airplane mode and a picture of Rose and I fills the screen.

  I run my thumb across the screen and smile. We took this photo on the day we spent at the park. Her nose is sun-kissed and her brown eyes sparkle as they stare back at me from the screen. It’s mind-blowing to me how much Rose has worked her way into my heart in such a short amount of time. The thought of her being hurt and alone fills me with sorrow.

  “Sir,” the flight attendant says as he stops next to my seat. I look up and he nods toward the phone in my hand. “Please power off your phone, we’re about to take-off.”

  “Yes, of course.” I put my phone in airplane mode and slip it into my pocket. As the plane begins to taxi down the runway, I lean my head back against the seat, close my eyes and pray all goes well with Rose’s surgery.

  Chapter 13

  Rose

  Pain radiates through my arm, and I whimper in pain as I hear someone whisper to me.

  “Shh, it’s okay sweetheart. I’ll call the nurse.”

  I recognize the voice soothing me immediately as confusion fills me. My eyes feel as if weights have been applied as I struggle to open them only to fail at the attempt. My mouth is dry as the Sahara as I try to rasp out his name. “Alek?”

  “Yeah, sweetheart, I’m here.”

  He kisses my hand and I attempt a smile before sleep claims me again.

  Light hits my eyes and I try once again to open them as I hear a woman’s voice ask, “How’s our patient doing?”

  “Still sleeping, but I think she’s trying to wake up.”

  Alek. He is here, it wasn’t a dream. I try again to open my eyes and this time they cooperate and begin to flutter.

  Alek’s hand tightens around mine, and this time I see him more clearly as I open my eyes. “Hi there, beautiful.”

  I smile at him and blink again, “You’re here.”

  He kisses my hand again, “I had to come and check on my girl.”

  “Well, good morning Ms. McDaniels,” the nurse says as she walks back into the room. “I’m Kandace, your nurse for the day. How are you feeling?”

  “Like I’ve been hit by a truck, and thirsty.”

  “I’m going to do a quick check of your vitals and then I’ll get you a drink of water.” She checks my blood pressure and temperature before checking my bandages. “Do you remember what happened?”

  I look over at Alek and then back to the nurse, “I think I fell off a ladder?”

  “That’s correct. You were brought in with a concussion, broken arm and fractured shoulder. You underwent surgery for the arm and shoulder, are you feeling any pain?”

  “Some, yes.”

  “What would you consider some, on a scale of one to ten?”

  “Maybe an eight.”

  She makes a note on the tablet she’s holding and then hands me a glass of water. “Small sips to start with,” she instructs. “I’m going to get you something for the pain, and check on a breakfast tray for you.”

  “Thank you.”

  She smiles kindly, “Of course. Call me if you need anything.”

  I turn my attention back to Alek, “What are you doing here?”

  “I called you last night after my performance and Janet told me what happened, so I booked the first flight back to Charleston.”

  “What about your tour?”

  “Rose, you are more important than any tour. I can reschedule the tour. I couldn’t let you go through this alone.”

  The fact that he’s here willingly, steals the breath from me. I’ve never had anyone put my needs first and yet here’s Alek cancelling his tour to be with me. “Alek, I can’t ask you to do that.”

  “Rose, you didn’t ask, I volunteered. There’s no place I’d rather be than here with you.”

  Tears sting my eyes as I caress his cheek, “Thank you. I’m glad you’re here.”

  His hand covers mine and he places a kiss on my palm sending a rush of warmth through me.

  As promised, a few minutes later, Kandace returns with pain medication, and a bowl of oatmeal. She sits the oatmeal on the tray and hands me a paper cup with a tablet inside, and I take it with a few sips of water. “I know it’s not much, but it’s the best I could do for breakfast.” She places a couple of strawberry jam packets next to the bowl, “These may help flavor it a bit.”

  “That’s fine, thank you.”

  Alek is on his feet adding the packets to the bowl and giving it a stir for me.

  Kandace smiles at his attentiveness, “The cafeteria is open for visitors, if you’d like to get something for yourself.”

  I take the spoon from him and take a bite of the oatmeal, proving to him that I can feed myself. “Go. I’ll be right here when you get back, I promise.”

  “Okay,” he says, placing a kiss on my forehead. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  I continue eating the oatmeal, thankful that it’s my left arm that’s broken and not my right. Being right-handed I will at least be able to feed and dress myself easier this way.

  By the time Alek returns, the pain medication is taking effect. “Hey, how was your breakfast?”

  He sits on the edge of my bed, “It was good. How was your oatmeal?”

  “It wasn’t pancakes and bacon, but it was okay,” I answer honestly, as my eyes begin to grow heavy.

  Alek chuckles and then leans forward and kisses my cheek. “I’ll make you all the pancakes and bacon you want when you get home. Sleep now sweet girl.”

  I feel him shift off the bed and back into the chair as I begin to drift off once again.

 
The next time I wake, I open my eyes to find Janet in the same chair Alek occupied earlier. “Hi. Where’s Alek?” I croak my mouth once again dry.

  Janet reaches for the glass of water on my tray, and moves to give me a sip. “Hey there. I sent him to your place to get some sleep and freshen up. You look much better than the last time I saw you, by the way.”

  I swallow the water and take another sip, before I nod that I’m finished and Janet returns the cup to the tray. “Liar. I’m sure I look like a troll, because I feel like I’ve been under a bridge.”

  Janet laughs as she returns to her seat, and reaches down and pulls a bag into her lap. “Well say hello to your fairy godmother. I have some dry shampoo, and I had the nurse bring in a fresh gown, so we can get you cleaned up a bit.”

  “Thanks Janet.” I press the call button and my nurse Kandace appears a few moments later.

  “What can I do for you Ms. McDaniels?”

  “I wanted to get cleaned up and maybe sit in a chair instead of the bed for a little while.”

  She looks first to Janet and then me as she smiles, “I think I can help you with that. Let me run and get some towels and toiletries for you and I’ll help you to the bathroom.”

  “Thank you.” I turn my attention back to Janet, “And thank you Janet, for calling Alek.”

  She shakes her head at me, “No need to thank me, I didn’t call him.”

  Confusion fills me, “Then how?”

  “I had your phone at the hospital, and he called after his performance. It took him less than two seconds to decide to jump on a plane and fly back here to be with you.”

  I smile at what she’s just told me, because I know, even though he didn’t admit it, that Alek canceled shows to be here with me. “Did you know he canceled shows to be here?”

  Janet huffs a laugh, “It wouldn’t surprise me. He may not be ready to admit yet, but that man is in love with you.”

  Before I can reply, Kandace returns with a bag of toiletries ready to assist me with a quick bath.

  Chapter 14

  Alek

  When I returned to the hospital last night, Rose looked much better than when I first arrived. As much as her visit with Janet refreshed her, it also provided some stress as she realized she wouldn’t be there to help with the flowers for the wedding they have scheduled this weekend.

  I tried to convince her to let me stay again last night, but Rose insisted that I go back to her place and get a good night’s rest. When visiting hours ended, I kissed her goodnight and promised to return with a cup of good coffee and her favorite pastry for breakfast.

  On my way to the hospital, I pick up a hazelnut mocha latte for Rose, two strawberry croissants and a cup of black coffee for myself. When I arrive at the hospital, I knock on Rose’s door and step inside when I hear her muffled “come in,” from the other side. I walk in and sit the coffee tray and pastries down on the bedside table, before leaning in to give Rose a kiss. “Morning beautiful.”

  “Mmm, good morning you,” she whispers against my lips. A smile teases her perfect pink lips, “Is that a hazelnut mocha latte I smell?”

  I laugh and give her another quick kiss before straightening to retrieve her breakfast. “It is, and I have a strawberry croissant, compliments of the ladies at the café.”

  “That was so sweet of them.” She takes the pastry I offer her and immediately takes a bite. Her eyes close as she moans at the taste of the fresh confection.

  I can’t hold back my chuckle, “Do you two need to be alone?”

  “Maybe, but leave the coffee.”

  I sit her coffee on the tray table and pull it closer for her as I take a seat next to her bed. I take a drink of my coffee as she finishes the pastry. “Has your doctor been in yet?”

  She shakes her head as she swallows a drink of coffee, “Not yet, but the nurse said he should be in before lunch.” She runs her finger around the lid of her coffee cup. “Can I ask you a question?”

  I move from the chair to sit on the edge of her bed. “Of course, you can ask me anything, you know that.”

  She gives me a quick smile before returning her gaze to the cup in her hand. “How long are you going to be here?”

  My hand reaches out tilting her chin up to meet my gaze. “I’m going to be here as long as you need me to be.”

  She chews on her bottom lip, her eyes searching mine, “And when I don’t need you anymore?”

  My hand moves to cup her cheek, my thumb coaxing her lip from her teeth. “Then I’m going to stay a while longer, just because I want to.”

  Her eyes glisten with unshed tears as she leans her forehead against mine, “What did I do to deserve such a sweet guy like you?”

  “Oh sweetheart, you didn’t do anything, you were just you. And you did give me that amazing gift basket,” I say trying to lighten the mood a bit.

  She laughs as tears track down her cheeks and she presses her soft warm lips to mine. She pulls away slightly and whispers against my lips, “That’s the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.”

  A knock on the door interrupts our moment as seconds later the door as it opens and the doctor enters the room. “Good morning Ms. McDaniels.”

  “Good morning. Doctor Weaver, this is my boyfriend, Alek Berringer.”

  The doctor nods in my direction, “Ms. McDaniels, I have to ask if I can freely discuss your treatment in front of your boyfriend.”

  Rose squeezes my hand as she answers, “Yes, of course.”

  The doctor nods again, “Very well then. As you know, we repaired the compound fracture in your arm with some pins, and the hairline fracture in your shoulder should heal on its own with continued rest.” He flips through the chart in his hands, “According to the nurse’s notes, you’ve not displayed any signs of concussion in the last twenty-four hours.” Closing the chart he continues, “Since it appears that you’ll have help at home, I’m going to discharge you. The nurse will be in shortly to go over your discharge instructions. I expect to see you in my office next week to follow up.”

  “Thank you Doctor Weaver, I’ll be there,” Rose says a smile spreading across her face.

  By the time the nurse comes in to give Rose her discharge instructions, it’s well after lunchtime. After a quick stop at the pharmacy, we climb back in the car and Rose says, “I really should go to the shop and check on the order for the wedding.”

  I reach over and give her knee a squeeze, “Are you sure you feel like doing that?”

  She smiles as she covers my hand with hers, “It will ease my mind to know everything is on track and I won’t have a disappointed bride on my hands.”

  “Okay. I’ll take you to the shop so you can visit and then I’ll go pick us up some lunch. Deal?”

  “Deal. Thank you.”

  I lean over and place a soft kiss on her lips, “You’re welcome.”

  I pull out of the parking lot and drive the short distance to the flower shop. I pull into a parking spot, turn off the engine and exit the vehicle to assist Rose out of the car. Opening her door, I help her to stand before walking her into the shop.

  A young strawberry blonde greets us as we enter. “Hi, can I…Rose what are you doing here?”

  “Hi Stacy. We were on our way home and I asked Alek to stop by so I could check on you all.”

  Before Stacy can say anything else, Janet comes through the doorway, stopping short with her hands on her hips. Tossing a glare my way I raise my hands in surrender.

  “Rose McDaniels what are you doing here?”

  Rose smiles and shakes her head, “Don’t be mad at Alek, I asked him to bring me by. I’m not staying, I just stopped by to make sure you were doing okay with the wedding order.”

  Janet softens as she steps toward Rose and hugs her gently, “We are doing just fine. I have two more bouquets to make and the boutonnieres to put together. Stacy is going to help me with the delivery tomorrow, and Taylor is watching the shop while we’re gone.”

  Rose visibly re
laxes, “I hope you know I never doubted that you’d have everything under control, I just wanted to make sure for my own peace of mind.”

  Janet smiles softly at her, “I know. Truth be told, I would have done the same thing. You know I could make those arrangements in my sleep, so you have nothing to worry about. Now you let this handsome man take you home and get some rest.”

  Rose wraps her arm around Janet’s neck and gives her a hug. “I will. Thank you all for taking care of everything.”

  Janet steps back out of her embrace, “It’s no problem at all. Now get out of here. We’ll call if we need you for anything.”

  We say our goodbyes and then head over to the café to get us each a sandwich, before we are on our way back to Rose’s house.

  We pull into the drive and I place the car in park before retrieving the bags from the backseat. I round the front of the car and open the passenger door, offering Rose my hand with a slight bow, “M’lady.”

  Rose giggles and places her hand in mine, “Why thank you kind sir.”

  I raise her hand to my lips and kiss it gently, “Come on let’s get you inside and feed.”

  By the time we get inside and settled down to eat I can tell Rose is getting tired. Other than a few walks around the nursing station, this is the most she’s been up in the past few days.

  As we begin to eat our sandwiches, Rose glances up at me and says, “In case I haven’t told you, thank you.”

  I sit my sandwich down and take a drink from my bottle of water before I offer, “For what?”

  She tilts her head to the side as if to study me, “Leaving your tour, rushing back here, sitting with me in the hospital, taking me by the flower shop, for everything.”

  I scoff a laugh and shake my head before my eyes meet hers again. “One of these days you’re going to understand there isn’t much I wouldn’t do for you.”

  Rose gets up from her chair, walks over and sits in my lap. Wrapping her arm around my neck, she leans in and kisses me. “There isn’t much I wouldn’t do for you either.”