Page 2 of The Desperate Warrior

“I just wanted to stop by on my way out of town to tell you thanks for all of those things you said. You’re the one who gave me the courage to leave him.” Her eyes grew misty. “I’ll never forget that.”

“I’m glad I could help. Where will you go?”

“To Glen Rose to spend some time with my parents.” She shrugged. “After that, who knows?” A rigid determination flickered in Alyssa’s blue eyes. “I just want my child to have a good life—away from any type of abuse.”

“Good for you,” Jules punched out and then thought of something else. “Does anyone at the center know that you’re leaving?” A pang went through her chest. Alyssa was her closest friend at work. She’d miss her terribly.

“No.” A shadow passed over her features. “There was no time to tell anyone. I need to leave now—before I lose my nerve.” She fidgeted with her hands as she twisted her foot. “Please don’t tell anyone about this. Not about my boyfriend or me leaving.”

“I won’t say a word.”

A pained expression overtook her face. “I’m just so embarrassed. I never thought I’d be one of those women who got into an abusive relationship.” She bit down on her lower lip as streaks of red tainted her cheeks.

Sympathy rose in Jules’s chest. Alyssa had always struck her as a strong, confident person. But when she came to work with bruises, acting cagey and withdrawn, Jules grew suspicious and started prodding to get to the root of the issue. “You’re stronger than this. Always remember that.” She offered an encouraging smile, grateful that she’d been able to play a small part in helping Alyssa. “You’re getting out, and you’re creating a better life for your child. That speaks volumes.”

Tears filled Alyssa’s eyes. “I’m certainly trying.”

She looked so fragile and vulnerable that Jules’s heart ached for her. Hopefully with time, Alyssa would be able to rebuild her strength and become the strong woman she once was. “Will you make sure to keep in touch … let me know how you’re doing?”

“Of course,” Alyssa promised as they shared a smile.

Jules barked out a short laugh. “I can’t believe you’re leaving.” It was her turn to go teary-eyed. “I’ll miss you.” Talkabout something coming out of the blue. She understood the need for Alyssa to leave, but it certainly wasn’t easy to see her go in such an unexpected and abrupt manner.

“I’ll miss you too.”

The two reached for one another and hugged.

“Good luck,” Jules uttered as they disengaged.

“Thanks.” Offering a tremulous smile and wave goodbye, Alyssa turned to go back to her car.

“Safe travels,” Jules called after her. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she closed the door and turned to shuffle to the garage.

As rotten luck would have it, she hit every red light on Hulen on her way to the surgical center, making her twenty minutes late. Gah! She prided herself on being punctual and hated this frantic feeling of being behind the eight ball. She went in through the side door and clipped her badge into place so that it wouldn’t swing back and forth.

No surprise, LouAnna was perched behind her desk, looking as stern as ever. She lifted an eyebrow and made a point of glancing at the clock on the wall.

Jules offered a sheepish grin. “Sorry I’m late. I did a number on my pinky toe this morning, and I’m afraid it put me a little behind.”

LouAnna looked surprised and a little quelled but didn’t respond.

Jules limped past and went to the bay, where she grabbed her prep clipboard and glanced at the information to get oriented. She was working OR three today. Her first patient was a forty-two-year-old woman getting a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The good news was that the woman was in good health. It should be routine. Easy in. Easy out.

She took in a deep breath and mentally prepared herself for the task ahead. As the circulating nurse, it was her responsibilityto walk the patient to the OR, check ID bands, and go over final prep. However, she found the patient already on the gurney. Mindy, the preop nurse, was talking to the woman and her husband. Kudos to Mindy; she’d already started the IV, had the vitals logged in, and had the woman’s surgical cap in place.

“Hey, you,” Mindy began in a cheery tone. “I knew you’d eventually get here.”

Jules gave Mindy a look that silently conveyed,I owe you one.

Mindy acknowledged it with a subtle wink. A second later, her eyes widened when she realized that Jules was hobbling. “What happened?”

“I had a little disagreement with the chest in my bedroom this morning, and I’m afraid the chest won,” she joked.

Mindy winced. “Sounds painful.”

“It is,” Jules admitted, “but I’ll survive.” She turned her attention to the patient and gave her a warm smile. “I’m Jules, and I will stay with you until you get into the OR.”

The woman was twisting the edge of her gown through her fingers, her large, brown eyes brimming with anxiety. “I’m Lisa. This is my husband, Steve.” Her voice had the same feathery tremble that Jules had heard countless times before. Jules understood the trepidation. The unknown was always the worst part.

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