Chris heard voices talking quietly and smiled as he listened to the soft tones. The oxygen mask had been removed and nasal canulas were back in place. For the first time since the ordeal had begun his dreams were not nightmares and his sleep had been restful instead of forced. He finally opened his eyes and turned his head towards the men talking across the room.
Vin was the first to notice the green eyes looking towards them and he smiled. “Hey, Cowboy, how’re you doing?”
Larabee smiled as he reached for the buttons on the side of his bed and pressed the button to raise his head slightly. “Better, Vin, much better,” the blond answered honestly.
“That’s great news, Pard,” Wilmington said as he joined the two men at the bed.
“What are you guys eating?” Larabee asked as he looked towards Sanchez and Jackson.
“Sandwiches...” Tanner answered
“Smells like hot corned beef,” Larabee smiled as his stomach rumbled. “I want one!”
“Chris...”
“Nathan, I’m starved...”
“I’ll have the nurse bring your tray...”
“Ah, hell, Nathan, I said I was hungry not crazy. Come on...”
“Not yet, Chris. You’re still on a soft diet, at least for the rest of the day. If Dr. Barrett okays it we’ll bring you a sandwich tomorrow.” Jackson left the room in search of Larabee’s lunch tray.
“Shit!”
“Chris, Nathan’s right. You need to eat what they bring you.”
“Hell, Buck, not you too.”
“Afraid so, Pard, at least until the doc okays it.”
“Jesus, Vin, just hand me a little...”
“Okay, Chris, let’s just say Vin gives you a little piece of the sandwich and you eat it. Now you haven’t had anything solid in your stomach in over a week and even the liquids are only staying down because of that nausea medication they’re giving you. Right?”
“Yeah, Josiah, but I’m hungry.”
“I know you are and I apologize for bringing the food in here. We thought you’d be sleeping for quite a while yet. Buck, if you would take it out to the lounge...”
Larabee shook his head as he looked at the three men. “Don’t. I may not be allowed to eat it, but nothing says I can’t enjoy the smell,” he said as Jackson returned.
“Chris, Sandy placed a call to have a tray sent up for you.”
“Thanks, Nathan,” Larabee said. “You guys go ahead and eat before it gets cold.” He closed his eyes and relaxed as the aroma washed over him. He knew the others were still watching him and he smiled once more. “It’s really okay, Boys, go ahead and eat, but Nathan...”
“Yes, Chris.”
“I’ll be expecting hot corned beef on rye...”
“As soon as the doctor okays it, I’ll get you the biggest damn sandwich they make,” Jackson assured him.
“Pickles, but let’s not do hot peppers, okay?”
“Sounds like a plan, Cowboy,” Tanner agreed.
“You guys go ahead and enjoy it. I’m just gonna rest my eyes for a bit.”
“You do that, Brother,” Sanchez said as they moved away from the bed. The four men ate in silence and listened to the soft breathing from their injured friend. Each man realized there’d been something missing from Larabee’s face. Somehow they knew the nightmares that plagued him were not present during his last sleep period. Things were finally turning around and it seemed that Chris was well on the way to regaining his health.
Ezra smiled as he looked towards the door and back at the man in the bed. He leaned forward as the newcomer entered the room and whispered softly. “I’m afraid you will have to make good on our wager, Mr. Larabee.”
“Huh? What?” He forced his eyes open and turned to see the beautiful woman enter the room. Anne’s auburn hair hung over her shoulders, adding to the warmth and beauty of her face. She wore a pale green blouse and blue jeans, that hugged her hips and heightened the curves of her body. “H...hi,” he stammered as he sat further up in the bed, wincing as the movement shot pain through his hip.
“Hi, Chris, I just stopped by to see how you’re doing,” Anne said softly.
“Mr. Larabee, I find I am in need of some nourishment. Miss Sheridan, it is nice to see you again.”
“You too, Ezra.”
“I shall be back in half an hour. Is there anything I can get you, Mr. Larabee?”
“Yeah, that sandwich...”
“Ah, Chris, you know I can’t do that. Doctor Barrett said to give it another day or so.”
“I won’t tell...”
“I will,” Anne said as she placed her hands on her hips and faced her former patient. “Chris, you need to listen to what your doctor says.”
“Hell, don’t seem to have much choice,” Larabee said, a cocky grin on his face.
“I’ll return shortly, Mr. Larabee.”
“No hurry, Ez,” Larabee said as he turned to the woman standing beside the bed. “Thanks for coming by, Anne.”
“You’re welcome, Chris. I wanted to see how you were doing and I can tell you’re feeling better.”
“I am. At least there’s no more of those nightmares. Can you push that table closer?”
“Sure,” the nurse said. She walked to the opposite side of the bed and pushed the table towards the bed. She handed him the glass of juice and smiled as he sipped it slowly.
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. I can’t stay long, Chris. I...I just wanted to see how you were.”
Chris looked into her eyes and realized there was more to it than that, but he didn’t voice his thoughts. He smiled and reached for her hand, running his fingers along the palm. “That means a lot to me,” he said as he caught the scent of the soft perfume she wore. A subtle hint of wildflowers that teased the senses and left him with a strong impression of a field of breathtaking flowers.
“Is there anything I can get you?”
Larabee grinned at her again as he answered. “That sand...”
“I don’t think so,” she laughed as she looked into the wondrous pools of soft green and knew she could easily get lost in them.
“Damn, guess I’m stuck with whatever they bring me.”
Anne shook herself and tried to rid her body of the heat this man’s gaze instilled in her. She smiled at him again as he released her hand, her immediate reaction was to reach out and take it in her own, but she fought her feelings. “Well, Chris, I’m glad you’re feeling better.”
“Thanks, Anne.”
“I’d better go get ready
for my shift,” she said softly.
“Can you come ba...” he stopped as he realized what he was asking.
“I’d like to, Chris. If you’re up to the company.”
“I’m up for it. Besides it’s boring just lying here.”
“When are they planning on starting physiotherapy?”
“They started this morning. Hopefully I’ll be able to get out of this damn bed soon.”
“That’s great, but make sure you do as they tell you.”
“I will. Thanks for stopping by, Anne.”
“You’re welcome. Are you all right here alone?” She blushed as she realized what she’d just asked him.
“I’m fine,” he assured her. “Besides Ezra will be back any minute. Go ahead before you’re late.”
“Okay, but you make sure you buzz the nurse if you need anything before Ezra gets back.”
“I will,” Larabee assured her as she left. He eased back against the pillow and rubbed his shoulder. There was something drawing him to the nurse and he felt a warmth race through him. ‘Don’t go there, Larabee,’he thought as his eyes slid closed.
The door opened a fraction and a woman stared at the bed. Her eyes were filled with malice as she glared at the injured man. ‘Soon,’ she thought as she eased the door closed.
Chris opened his eyes and looked at the door. He knew he’d heard the it open, but there was no one in the room with him. ‘Must’ve been one of the nurses,’he thought as he closed his eyes once more.
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