Page 104 of One Sweet Day I Found You

“She did suffer a fracture in her left arm, however, and she’ll have severe bruising on the left side of her face and body, especially the hip. Looks like she hit pretty hard. Fractures and bruises like this don’t heal as quickly as they do with someone younger, so expect a good eight to ten weeks for that. But consider it a blessing she didn’t break the hip.”

Nick nodded vigorously.

“And we’re taking a look at her blood pressure medication to be sure she’s getting the right dose. A TIA is usually the first sign that a major stroke event is coming, if interventions aren’t made.”

“Right,” said Nick.

Dr. Struthers went on. “We’ve been in touch with her primary so she’ll be on the same page as we are, in terms of the necessary steps to prevent a future episode.”

“Got it.”

“Oh, and we’ve scheduled her for an MRI tomorrow to get a better look at things, also because there are symptoms of concussion. Are there any questions?” She looked at Courtney and then at Nick.

“No, I think that covers it, but, is she awake?” Nick asked. “Can we see her now?”

“She’s resting, but yes, you can go and see her now. We’ve got her on some mild pain meds for the broken arm, mind you, so keep it quick. She needs her rest.”

“Will do. Thank you so much, Doctor,” said Nick, shaking her hand. Courtney did the same.

“Of course.”

They checked with the nurses’ station and were given the green light to head to Victoria’s room.

Inside the room, the lights were low. Courtney went in first and walked over to the right side of the hospital bed. Victoria had fallen on her left side and her forearm was plastered in a cast and pulled up in a sling. The left side of her face appeared to be coloring badly already with a nasty bruise. The poor woman—Courtney felt terrible for her.

Victoria’s eyes were closed but she looked as comfortable as could be expected.

Nick came and stood close behind Courtney. He reached out and carefully placed his hand over hers on Victoria’s good side. “We’re here, Victoria. We’re here for you.”

A few moments passed, and Victoria’s eyelids fluttered. She blinked several times and opened them.

Victoria gazed up at Nick. She spoke very quietly. “Oh, Nicholas, you found me.”

“Of course I did. I’m here,” Nick said. “Courtney’s here, too.” Courtney offered her sympathy and rested a hand on the steel bar of the hospital bed.

Victoria managed a weak smile. “Oh, sweetheart,” she mumbled. The meds were making her sleepy.

Nick moved in closer. “We’ll make sure they take good care of you here, okay?”

Victoria blinked as if to agree.

“And don’t worry about Ash, okay?” Courtney offered. “I’m going to take good care of him while you’re away. And we brought you some of your things. I’ll just leave this on the chair. I’ll let the nurse know, too.”

Victoria was no longer able to keep her eyes open. “Thank you,” she said softly, and nodded off.

Nick put his arm around Courtney and they stood looking at Victoria a little longer. Then Nick checked around the room to be sure she had everything she needed. The comfortable little room was spotless. He looked at her chart that hung from the edge of the bed. When he seemed satisfied, he gestured toward the door.

A few minutes later, after they had retreated to the waiting room, Nick decided to call his family with an update. “Hi, Mom.” He held the phone to his ear. “Don’t worry. She’s okay.”

* * *

Around eleven o’clock that night,Nick pulled the Jeep into Victoria’s driveway and stopped outside the cottage. He placed the gear in park and left the engine running. Outside, the rain had finally stopped and both the big house and the guesthouse were completely dark.

Courtney unbuckled her seatbelt and turned to face him. “Thanks for taking me with you, Nick. I’m so glad I was able to be there for her.”

His expression was soft. “I think she was glad to see us both. And thanks for coming. I’m really glad I didn’t have to do this alone.”

“Of course.” She leaned into him and smoothed his hair, then ran her hand down his unshaven face.

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