Bella's Christmas Rescue: A Holiday Novella Page 2
Chapter Two
Halfway home from church her grandmother and she stopped in the bagel shop for lox and cream cheese. Rita always loved to take their bagels to a nearby park where benches surrounded a small lake. At its center there was a large fountain. Ducks and swans swam leisurely in its refreshing water rippling the surface. Sarah loved the lake and found that it was a nice ending to her weekend. Afterwards they’d go home and each take a nap. Then later that evening they’d go grab a bite to eat.
Jeremy, the dog walker, approached with Bella. He handed Sarah the leash and she handed him a ten. Bella looked thoroughly worn out. Her tongue hung loosely from her mouth.
“We even fit in a little run.”
Sarah looked him up and down. He didn’t even appear winded. Neither did Bella. She looked thirsty but not tired. The two of them had youth on their side. Endless energy.
“Thank you Jeremy. We’ll see you next weekend.”
“Sounds good. Bye Miss Rita.”
“Bye Jeremy.”
Rita waited until he was out of earshot.
“He is one handsome young man.”
“Grandma! He’s a child.”
“I know but his father isn’t. I ran into them in the grocery store last week. I didn’t know he was a single Dad.”
“I don’t know anything about him at all. I’ve never met him.”
Sarah knew instinctively what her grandmother was up to, but she played along.
“You say he’s attractive?”
“More than attractive dear. He is a gorgeous man. I hate to see such a good looking man all alone in this world. Seems such a waste to me.”
“I guess so.”
Her grandma reached over and placed her hand on her thigh.
“I got his number in case you’re interested.”
“Grandma!”
Sarah was horrified. Her grandma was getting numbers for her. She was afraid to ask but she figured Rita had given him hers as well.
“Don’t be embarrassed Sarah. He seems like such a nice guy.”
“He could also be an ax murderer Grandma!”
“That he could- but I didn’t get that vibe at all.”
“Well thank heavens for that! I’d hate to think your vibe told you he was a freak with homicidal tendencies and you still got his number.”
Her grandmother shared a laugh with her.
“I’m getting tired. We better head home.”
It was getting hot out and she knew Rita’s various heart medications affected her more in the heat. Sarah untied Bella and wrapped her leash tightly around her hand, preparing for the long, tedious walk home. They strolled slowly around the lake, Bella seemingly on her best behavior. On the far side of the lake there was a sidewalk that would lead them out to the main road and to their condo on the other side of the street. As they ambled along Bella started tracking something in the grass with her nose. No doubt it was some sort of small, helpless creature.
Bella fancied herself a viscous hunter and Sarah didn’t have the heart to tell her she wasn’t. All of a sudden Bella went on point. Sarah and her grandmother stared dumbfounded. They’d never taught her that. It must have been some sort of innate Labrador Retriever instinct. Before either of them had an opportunity to comment she was dragging Sarah headlong in pursuit of whatever her nose sought. Sarah found herself running in her new stilettos through the park, along the lakeshore.
She tried ineffectively to stop Bella, but at over ninety pounds Bella was a freight train of a dog that derailed and lumbered out of control. At the water’s edge Bella leapt into the air looking more like a contender for the Eukanuba Tournament of Champions than her slightly overweight puppy self. Sarah squealed as she found herself hurtling through the air, landing face down in the lake. The water was surprisingly deep.
At some point she’d let go of the leash. Bella was halfway across the lake. Sarah treaded water. She felt a knifing pain in her right knee.
She swam back to shore and crawled out. One of her stilettos was on the bank and the other one floated in the lake not far from shore. Her grandmother walked gingerly to her leaning forwards, putting her hands on her knees.
“Are you all right? That was quite a show!”
“I’d laugh Grandma, but I’m in way too much pain.”
Sarah held her right knee.
“It doesn’t look good. I don’t think you’re walking home on that.”
“I’ll be fine. If I can just get to my feet.”
Sarah attempted to stand but found she couldn’t put any weight on her leg. She plopped back down on her backside. Rita plucked her cell phone from her purse and dialed.
“Who are you calling?”
“911.”
“Why?”
“We have an emergency. You’re hurt and I certainly can’t carry you home.”
“Don’t Grandma. I’ll be fine. Really I will.”
Sarah could hear the 911 operator on the other end. Her grandmother had put her phone on speaker. Sarah glanced around. They were drawing quite the crowd. She put her hand over her eyes to both shield them from the sun and hide from the embarrassment of the ridiculous situation she now found herself in.
“911. What’s your emergency?”
“My granddaughter has a busted knee. Her idiot dog pulled her into a lake.”
“We’ll send a unit ma’am. Just remain on the line.”
“Perfect. We’ll be here melting.”
Within minutes two fire engines and one ambulance pulled up to the lake.
Must be a slow day for the local fire station.
Sarah was immediately surrounded by seven of the best looking men she’d seen in a long time. Now she knew where all the hotties had been hiding out! Each engine carried three men while the ambulance carried only two. One of the EMT’s on the ambulance was getting a first aid kit and had his back turned to her. If the other seven were any indication he was probably fit and attractive. She suddenly considered her own slovenly appearance. Her hair was drenched, algae hung in it in green clumps. Her dress was soaked and clung to her. She was wearing the one high heel her grandmother retrieved for her, the other still floated in the lake and her right knee was badly bruised.
“Hi gentlemen. This isn’t as bad as it looks. If I could just get to my feet.”
“That’s not a good idea Miss. Your knee looks pretty banged up.” The oldest of the eight, who looked to be their superior, spoke to Sarah. Next he gave a series of orders.
“Frank and Steve- retrieve the dog. I assume that’s your lab making circles on the far side of the pond?”
“That would be Bella.”
“Guys, fetch Bella.” Then he paused looking in Bella’s direction. “Is that a shoe in her mouth?”
“Yes. My other shoe.”
“Well at least she retrieved it! Bring the shoe, too.” He ordered.
They shook their heads laughing as they strolled away. Rita walked over to the ambulance, leaving Sarah where she lay on the ground, and started a conversation with the other EMT. Sarah squinted into the bright sunshine.
Does she know him?
“It looks like you’ll need to be transported Miss for x-rays.”
“Are you serious? I think it’s going to be okay.”
“Can you put any weight on it?”
“No.”
“Then there’s no way to know what damage has been done without x-rays.”
“Okay.”
The firemen returned with Bella and handed her leash to Rita. She walked over to Sarah with the EMT in tow. He was by far the best looking of all of the men there. He was over six feet tall with dark brown hair and hazel green eyes. He was ruggedly handsome with strong biceps and forearms.
“Sarah this is Jack. Jack this is Sarah, my granddaughter. The one I told you about the other day.”
Grandma! How many guys have you been trying to pawn me off on?
Sarah decided she could just die right there- her obituary would read- Sarah T
ownsend. Dead at thirty-four. Cause of death: Over active, rambunctious lab…and embarrassment by Grandmother.
Jack knelt down beside her.
Wow! Does he smell good!
Sarah could smell her own aroma, a mixture of lake water and algae- and something else that could be fish.
And wow! I reek!
“Sarah. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He shook her hand. “Your grandmother’s told me all about you.”
“That’s good.”
Sarah had no idea what she was saying. Instead she was wondering if this morning’s choice to skip shaving and save her the effort had been a mistake. Now Jack’s gorgeous, tanned fingers were touching her stubbly, banged up knee.
Note to self: Always shave.
“I’m going to put an ice pack on your knee and bandage it in place.”
“Do I really need to get an xray?”
“If you were my girlfriend I’d tell you to, but we can’t force you to go in.”
He glanced up at her through black lashes. The glints of gold in his hazel eyes caught the light and made his eyes appear almost green.
“You’re the expert. What about Bella and Grandma?”
Sarah heard the other engines start up and saw the firefighter named Frank assist both Rita and Bella into the front seat.
“They’ll take her home. I told them you’re friends.”
Sarah looked at him confused.
“Friends of my son, anyhow.”
“Your son?”
“Jeremy. I believe he walks Bella for you.”
“He does. Every Sunday.”
“I apologize for not meeting you sooner. Most Sundays I’m scheduled to work- unless of course it’s my Kelly day.”
“Kelly day?”
“My paid day off. We work twenty-four on and forty-eight off. So it just so happens that every few weeks I’m off on Sunday but I get paid for it. A Kelly day.”
“Gotcha.”
“Besides- if he’d told me how pretty you were I’d have been helping him out just to get to meet you.”
The other EMT walked up wheeling a stretcher.
“Is a stretcher really necessary?”
“We could just carry her. She looks lightweight.” The other EMT joked conspiratorially, exchanging glances with Jack.
“No. That’s okay. I’ll take the stretcher.”
“You’re sure now? We aim to please. It is a public service after all.”
“Nope. Stretcher’s fine.”
“This is Ryan. My partner most of the time.”
Sarah shook Ryan’s hand.
“Nice to meet you.”
They loaded her into the ambulance and closed the doors behind her. Jack laid her wallet on the seat beside him. She assumed her grandmother handed it to him at the lake. He grabbed himself a bottle of water and handed her one as well.
“Do you normally give all of your passengers water?”
“You’d like a beer? I’ve got that too.”
“Really?”
“No, not really. I’d be fired for that.”
He smiled at her. He had dimples on either side of his chiseled cheeks, dotting the corners of his mouth when he smiled. Sarah felt a flip in her stomach and looked away. She hadn’t felt this much of a reaction to a man- ever. There was something about this one. His eyes, his smile- his soothing deep voice. Even the way he moved made her feel jittery inside. Almost like a jolt of electricity just being near him.
He fitted a cuff to her arm and took her blood pressure.
“You work out?”
“Just walking and biking. Why?”
“Your blood pressure is good. Healthy. I figured you worked out.”
“I like to hike too but between work and such I don’t get to do it often enough.”
“What do you do?”
“Preschool teacher.”
“Here in town?”
“Yep.”
“What age?”
“I’m supposed to be in the three year old room but I took the job and now I’m kind of a floater.”
“Meaning you work everywhere.”
“Every day is different. It never gets boring. I figure by the time I have kids of my own I’ll be ready for any age group.”
“Do you live here in town?”
“I do. You?”
“No. Too pricey for a fireman slash single Dad.”
“Too pricey for a preschool teacher too. My parents bribed me with a condo here if I’d move near to my grandmother.”
“Nice bribe.”
“I’ll say. I love it. Of course I’m the youngest person in my building.”
“That’s funny.”
They pulled into the hospital and they lifted her stretcher down, setting it gently on the ground. They wheeled her down the hall and into an empty room. Her grandmother was there appearing out of nowhere.
“Thank you Jack.”
“You’re welcome Rita. Maybe I’ll see you around.”
He nodded to Sarah as he walked out into the hallway.
“You were right Grandma. He is a cutie.”
“More than cute dear.”
“I know. Don’t get me started. He didn’t ask for my number though. He must be dating someone.”
“I don’t think so. I didn’t get that vibe.”
“Are there any other vibes you want to share with me? I think we’re going to be here a while and there’s no time like the present.”
“Not a serial killer. Single. Looking to settle down. I think that sums him up. Oh and one more thing- he already has your number. I gave it to him the other day.”
“I figured as much.” There was the verification of what she’d suspected earlier.
“He recognized me immediately when he arrived. He asked if that was you. Thought you had great legs and were very pretty.”
“How did you get that out of him?”
“When you’re my age men tell you all sorts of things. Kinda takes the fear out of it all for them. I’m old enough to be his grandma too you know. He’s only thirty-six.”
“How does a good looking, kind guy like that end up a single Dad?”
“That’s for him to share, don’t you think?”
“If I ever see him again.”
“Maybe sooner than you think.”
Chapter Three
The doctor walked in with her chart.
“Hi Miss Townsend. I understand you took a fall.”
“More like a spill. Into a lake tied to a dog on a leash.”
“We’re going to need to get some x-rays.”
“So I’ve been told.”
“I understand you’re a personal friend of Jack Monroe’s.”
“I guess I am now.”
“We’ll take good care of you. Peter will be in shortly to take you for x-rays.”
“Okay.”
Sarah put her head back and dozed a while. Shortly was more like two hours later. Peter wheeled her for x-rays and then returned her to her room. An hour later the doctor reappeared and told her the good news.
“Well Miss Townsend, the good news is there’s no permanent damage. You merely have a bruised knee complicated by a sprain. The bad news is that the sprain is a significant one. You’ll be on crutches for four weeks.”
“Four weeks!”
“Maybe more if you’re not careful. No physical activity of any kind for you. Not for a while.”
Sarah’s mind immediately went to her ski trip. To the snow covered mountains of Park City. She loved to ski and now it looked like it wouldn’t happen. Not for a long time. The doctor continued at length explaining about pain meds and anti-inflammatory pills, ice packs and bed rest. Sarah only half heard what he said. In the end he asked her to sign several forms and handed her instructions to follow up with her primary care physician in two weeks for possible referral to an orthopedic.
Rita opened a bag containing a change of clothes she brought from home. She helped her into the shorts and shirt. A nurse a
ppeared with a large knee brace and put it on for Sarah. Next she handed her the crutches and they were on their way. Her grandmother pulled the car up out front and assisted Sarah with the door. They rode in silence for a while, Sarah still in shock about the sudden cancellation of her trip.
“I know you’re disappointed honey, but the Lord has a plan. Maybe you weren’t meant to go on that ski trip.”
“Probably not.”
“It’s okay to be bummed about it though. I would be.”
Sarah merely nodded her head. She thought about the new jeans and tops her friends bought her. The other pairs of stilettos. At least she would be able to wear the shorts. There was a bit of positive news. Her grandmother pulled up to the local drug store.
“I’ll only be a moment.”
She disappeared inside the store. Sarah assumed she was filling her prescriptions. Sarah laid her head on the window frame of her car door. Her grandmother was back in fifteen minutes and they drove home.
“I ordered us some pizza. It should be there by the time we get home.”
“Okay. All I want right now is a shower. I think the lake water is grossing me out. Who knows what was in that water.”
“Probably duck poo for all we know.”
“Thanks Grandma. You know how to put the mind at ease.”
Her grandma parked the car and assisted her to the elevator. On the third floor she helped her out. She opened her door for her and followed her to the bathroom.
“When I was on crutches years ago the easiest way was to sit on the floor of the shower stall, shower nozzle in hand. No standing required. Especially for the first couple of days.”
“Good idea.”
Sarah closed the door, catching sight of her reflection in the mirror. It was worse than she’d suspected. Her hair was plastered to her head where the algae had dried like gel. Her bangs were pushed straight forwards and in her eyes. Eye makeup made her look like a football player with eye black smudged under each one. No wonder he hadn’t asked her out!
Sarah stripped out of the clothes. She grabbed the nozzle and crawled in the shower like a baby on all fours careful not to put any weight on the bum knee. She turned the water on and began detangling her hair. She took the time to shave her legs. She couldn’t risk the chance of another spiky leg run in.