Page 83 of Paging Dr. Breakup
Even despite not feeling 100 percent, Calvin was going to fulfill his promise. Raise money. Honor Elijah.
Take a risk, albeit a small one. Accept discomfort in doing so.
She looked at the tank, then to Calvin.
Something in her heart cracked open a tiny bit. Grief persisted, but her heart had grown large enough to fit more. So much more.
“Calvin, wait,” she called out as she hurried over.
His brows shot up and he smiled with a pained squint of one eye. “Nice day for a swim, huh?” He observed the tank dubiously.
“No. I’m taking your place.”
“What?”
She urged him back into the warming tent where Anna Smits and Dr. Burmeister toweled off. Deirdre started shucking layers down to her leggings and thermal top. “Anna, can I borrow your water shoes?”
“Good luck!” The CEO handed them over.
“Deirdre, I know what it is for you to do this.” Calvin’s voice pitched low. He steadied her by an arm as she slipped on the cold, wet shoes in the cool air. “Stop. You don’t have to get in the booth.”
“No. It’s not safe for you with the head injury. I know you cared about Elijah. He was your best friend. I know that you want to raise money for hospice. But this isn’t safe. I’ll take your turn.”
His brows dropped. “Sitting in icy water is the very least I can do to honor Elijah’s life.”
“No question. I know that, and I’m sure Elijah knows it, too.” She smiled as she recalled the time they had spent together years ago as teenagers. The vitality they all had. The friendship and joy. “It’s the least I can do, as well. For Elijah.”
The corners of his mouth tightened.
“For me.” She added, “And for you.”
“You’re one amazing woman.” He brushed a kiss over her forehead.
She didn’t care that her colleagues’ eyes popped open. No more hiding her heart.
“I’m about to be a chilly woman, but for a good cause.”
Calvin drew on pants and a fleece over his own bike shorts and T-shirt.
No lie, he would have looked great up there in the booth.
He grinned when he caught her staring. “Okay, popsicle time.” He held open the tent flap.
The hospice team cheered as Deirdre waved to the onlookers with confidence she did not feel as she walked the ten or so feet from the tent to the tank. Gripping the handrails, she put her foot on the bottom rung of the tank ladder and froze.
“You’ve got this,” Calvin said from right behind her. “I’m going to stay right here.”
Her heart hammered and cold air burned her lungs.
Her hands shook as she climbed the ladder. It was a dunk tank, not a frozen river. Her logical brain knew that. Even as she slowly scooted out on the platform and peered down into the ice pieces bobbing in the water, she envisioned her parents’ last moments. Her eyes burned.
“Go, Dee!” Mav called out.
She met his eyes, and he nodded. He knew what this cost her. Their parents’ death had cost them both.
It was past time for a new start. A reset. She was ready to experience a springtime that held hope instead of fear.
Bundled in her fleece jacket and with a beanie over her wet hair, Anna took over barker duties with a wave of her hands. “All right, folks. By special appearance, we’ve got Yukon Valley Hospital’s chief nursing officer, Deirdre Steen. For the next fifteen minutes, this is your chance.” She closed one eye and peered at Deirdre. “Who’s tired of AIDET training? Sick of never-ending policy updates? Here’s your chance to get those feelings out of your system before you have to do more annual training modules!”
