Authors: Kimberley Woodhouse
"Cole?" Fear and confusion ruled Andie's face. "Does this have anything to do with North Korea?"
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
JENNA
April 12
Providence Hospital
Anchorage, Alaska
8:15 p.m.
Did she just hear her daughter correctly? Why on earth would Andie ask about North Korea?
Cole interrupted her thoughts. "Andie, how do you know about that?"
Her eyes glistened, and then tears slid down her cheeks. She bit her lip. "I overheard a conversation a long time ago. I needed Daddy to fix my bike tire, and when I found him he was on the phone. When I asked him about it, he made me promise not to ever tell anyone what I heard."
Jenna's heartbeat raced. Marc had done that to his little girl? She reached across the room toward Andie. "Oh, baby, come here."
Anesia helped her child from the hospital bed and up into Jenna's. Sobs shook Andie's frame and her tears soaked Jenna's gown.
"I'm so sorry." Andie wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "I'm sorry I kept it from you, and I'm sorry I broke my promise to Daddy. I'm just so sorry . . ."
Jenna placed her hands on either side of Andie's face. "Andrea Nicole, this is not your fault! And don't you blame yourself for any of it. Daddy wasn't right to be doing what he did, and he never should've asked you to promise something like that."
Her daughter just nodded then threw her arms around Jenna.
Zoya and the security guard entered the room just then, bearing a huge bag of M&Ms. Zoya took in the expressions in the room as she glanced from one face to another. Anesia went over and pulled her close.
Just then, Jenna's favorite nurse came in holding little medicine cups. Petite as Jenna, with a smile as big as Alaska. "All right, you two. Here's your evening medication. This round will probably make you sleepy, but Doc says you need sleep anyway." Handing a cup of water to each of her patients, she waited until they took their pills, and then disposed of the trash.
"Thank you, Tammy." Jenna returned the smile. "I can't tell you how much I appreciate everything you've done for us."
"Aw, thanks, hon. You guys are awesome. I'll see ya tomorrow." And with a wave, she was off.
"Cole?" Jenna stroked Andie's hair. "I think we've probably hit our limit for today. The best cure for now is sleep."
He nodded. "You're right. Why don't we all get some rest."
Anesia came over and kissed Jenna on top of her head. "Okay, my friend. Zoya and I will head to our hotel. I'll take care of the cell phones first thing in the morning."
"Mom? Can I just stay here with Andie?"
"Yeah, Auntie Anesia, there's plenty of room in that bed and it would help me feel safer."
Jenna chuckled at the manipulative powers of the two girls and nodded at her friend. The stress of everything completely overwhelmed her body. Andie needed Zoya.
Anesia turned to Cole. "The guard is staying?"
"Yes, ma'am. And so am I."
"Okay then." Anesia gave them a tight smile. "I'll be here as soon as I can in the morning." She turned to kiss her daughter good night, then sent a wave to Jenna and left the room.
Cole pulled the reclining chair closer to the door and hunkered his long frame down into the vinyl cushions.
"Good night, Cole," Jenna whispered. The medicine was already taking effect. Drowsiness swept over her like a warm blanket.
"'Night, Jenna." He fluffed a pillow with his fist.
Andie hugged her once more and then hobbled over to her own bed, climbing in and adjusting her IV tubing to make room for Zoya. Jenna closed her eyes to the sweet sound of the girls' whispering voices. She prayed for rest and healing—and safety.
Several minutes passed and then Cole's soft snores permeated the room. Once that man decided to sleep, he slept. Good grief, if only she could turn off her mind that easily.
Shifting to a more comfortable position, she listened to the girls whisper more good nights to each other. All was quiet for a few seconds, and then Zoya's whisper floated over to Jenna.
"Did you tell them about that guy?"
Jenna frowned. Guy? What guy?
Andie's drowsy reply didn't help. "Um, no. I forgot about it. Prob'ly no big deal. We'll tell 'em tomorrow."
As the girls settled in again, Jenna strained to stay awake so she could hear if they said anything else. But her thoughts began to jumble all together as sleep made its claim on her body. With one last attempt at coherency, she prayed.
Please, Lord. Let it be nothing . . .
ANDIE
April 13
Providence Hospital
Anchorage, Alaska
6:52 a.m.
The sun peeked over the mountains. Pink, orange, and yellow blended together in perfect color harmony. Zoya sat at the end of the bed as we watched the sunrise together.
"It's so pretty." Zoya's quiet whisper was barely audible.
I nodded, unable to speak as the beauty of the sunrise and the pain of my mistakes stabbed my heart.
Zoya turned to me and grabbed my hand. "So, I hope I'm not being weird or anything, but aren't you . . . ya know, mad at your dad and Cole?"
I sighed.
Of course I am.
Tears threatened to escape from my eyes.
Don't dwell on the past, Andie.
I didn't know if I was really mad or just kinda mad. After my episode of exploding thoughts with Dad and exploding actions with Cole, I wasn't quite sure where my emotions stood.
Cole saying that he couldn't forgive himself hurt. It didn't make sense to me why he couldn't.
We were all safe, he'd done his job.
Was he worried about Mom? If so, why? Was Mom getting worse? I glanced over at her bed. She slept soundly.
No, she couldn't be.
The doc said she was doing fine. Dr. Baker would tell me if something was wrong with Mom. He was always honest with us.
I shook my head, trying to rid it of all the confusion.
I apologized to Cole and Daddy. I know I'm forgiven, so why can't I move on?
God had forgiven me and He loved me. I didn't know if I was capable of forgiving Cole and my dad like God did, but I was determined to try.
Zoya waved her other hand in front of my face. "Helloooo? Anybody home? Did you hear me?"
"Oops, sorry. I was thinking about your question." A heavy sigh escaped. "You know, God forgave us for our sins, so why can't I forgive them?" I looked over at Cole's sleeping, snoring form. "I mean . . . let's just say that Cole was the one who killed Dad, okay? Wouldn't God want me to minister to him and to forgive him so that he would have a chance at eternity? I mean, if I miss the chance to minister to anyone, not just good people, isn't it just like murdering them myself? Because I missed the chance to tell them about Christ, they may not ever hear about Jesus and then have to spend eternity down there." I pointed to the floor. "And, that's the last thing I want. For Cole and
everybody
else."
Zoya thought about what I'd said. "I like the way you think. Besides, the only way other people are going to meet Jesus is if we're willing to show them how amazing He is, right?"
"Right." My heart pounded in my chest.
This doesn't only mean Cole. We need to be an example to everybody.
"And that means laying down our pride and trusting God to put the people He wants in our path. And to trust them."
My face burned. "All right, I get your point."
Zoya grabbed my hand. "I didn't mean it like that."
"I know. I guess that's just how God speaks through us."
Okay God, I promise to never doubt Your choices again. Please help Cole. And
. . . I gulped and squeezed my eyes shut.
Okay. Please help me to forgive those who killed Daddy. And to minister to them.
I turned away from the mountains and the sunset with a sigh. "Thanks for sticking with me, Zoya. I don't know what I would do without you. Especially now that we know all the secrets." Well, I hope we know them all.
"Aw, no problem. You're my BFF, I would never leave ya. You know that."
I nodded. "Thanks."
"Now"—Zoya's smile grew—"How about a game of I-Spy?"
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
JENNA
April 13
Providence Hospital
Anchorage, Alaska
7:27 a.m.
A knock sounded at the door and Dr. Baker walked in.
"Good morning, Jenna."
The man was obviously a morning person. No one should be that chipper this early. "Morning, Doctor."
"Things seem calmer in here today. How are we doing?"
"Yesterday was too long. I'm glad it's over. And I'm tired." Her words were clipped.
"Did you sleep?"
"The first couple of hours, yes. That medicine knocked me out. But after that? Not that great. Especially when people have to keep poking and prodding all night long."
"Ah, so that's why you're grumpy?" The doctor's eyes twinkled.
Cole laughed from across the room.
Jenna crossed her arms over her chest. "I am
not
grumpy."
"Right, Mom." Andie threw in from her bed. "Just like the sky isn't blue."
"Oh, good grief. Just because I'm not a morning person, doesn't mean I'm grumpy." She worked to stretch the kinks out of her shoulders.
Thankfully, the doctor changed the subject. "Don't forget our agreement, Jenna. I'll be bringing in the doctor for the psych consult in a little bit." He patted her arm. "After you eat breakfast. Maybe a little food in your stomach will chase the grumpies away." With that, the doctor moved away with a swift step.
"Oh yeah? Well maybe I just won't agree to your psych consult." She didn't want to be the problem child, but seriously? They were taking this grumpy thing way too far.
Dr. Baker laughed. "Jenna, you forget. I've known you a long time. And if you want me to allow those mangy mutts anywhere near your daughter"—he paused for effect—"for
therapy,
you better be cooperative."
"Dasha!" Andie squirmed in her bed. "Really, Dr. Baker? I can see her?"
"If you can get your mom to cooperate."
"Oh. Good. Grief!" Jenna lifted her pillow from behind her head and smashed it over her face so she could let out a scream. They were all being impossible today.
"All right, all right. I think she's had enough." Cole's teasing voice broke through the muffler of pillow.
Jenna lowered the pillow and frowned.
Dr. Baker walked back over with a sheepish grin on his face. "Sorry, Jenna. Just trying to lighten the mood." Switching back into full doctor mode, the doctor walked over to Andie's bed. "So, let's check you two out this morning. How are you today?"
"Just fine, Dr. Baker." Andie beamed up at him. "Especially if you let me see Dasha."
"Well, now. That's good to hear. I see that your numbers are good, your temp is normal, and your lungs are clear." Pages flipped on the chart as he read through all the notes. The glasses on the end of his nose slid a little further as he looked from mother to daughter. "We need to talk about your ankle. The damage is probably from walking on it when you didn't know it was injured. But that's okay. It will heal." A bony finger pointed at Andie. "But you must keep it wrapped for now, and then you'll have to wear an air cast to keep it stable until it's completely healed. Understood?"
"Yes, sir," Andie replied.
"Now explain to me how it felt."
"Felt?" Andie laughed. "That's a good one, Doc."
"Seriously, Andie. What was it like? Can you describe it? Did you know you were hurt when you fell?"
"Well, when I fell down, it was in the middle of a blizzard and pretty cold. I can't say that I felt anything other than my ankle turning the wrong direction. After that, I noticed it didn't move the same way and seemed to buckle under me, you know, like it wasn't properly attached." Her nervous giggle made the doctor pause.
"Okay. But no pain?"
"I can't really say pain. It was uncomfortable, especially when my boots got tight."
"Can you describe anything else?"
"Um . . . no . . . not really. I'm sorry."
The doctor patted her knee. "That's all right. Thanks for trying, Andie."
His attention swung back to Jenna. "Now you, young lady. You need more rest. The fluids have done you good, as well as the antibiotics. But that infection needs to be completely knocked out of the park before I can allow you to leave."
"When do you think that will be?" At least in Alaska they had doctors who spoke in normal language. Every time they had gone somewhere else for treatment, she'd had to request the doctors to speak in layman's terms. Here, in Anchorage, Dr. Baker was the best. She always knew he would be up front with her.
"Possibly another day or two. We'll just have to see. Your leg was pretty nasty when you arrived. We pulled metal and glass out of it during surgery, so you must realize you were lucky. We'll also need to discuss Andie's physical therapy before you go. We want to make sure that ankle heals as good as new."
"Yes, Doctor."
Another knock sounded at the door and a nurse strode in with their breakfast.
Cole nodded at the petite blonde and grabbed one of the trays, pretending to be chivalrous.
But Jenna knew better. He hadn't allowed them to eat any hospital food. After the nurse scooted out with a giant grin for Cole, and Dr. Baker left with the promise to return shortly, Jenna looked at her handsome protector. "So, you're not going to let us eat, are you?"
His chuckle reverberated in the room. "Nope. I asked Anesia to bring some breakfast when she came. I just don't want to take the risk that anyone else has touched that food."
Andie pulled out the M&Ms. "I'm good. I've got these."
Jenna rolled her eyes. She was hungry. Anesia better hurry.
A moment later, Anesia stepped into the room, white paper bags clutched in her hands. "Who's hungry?"
"Oh, you didn't." Jenna sat up straighter in bed.
"Oh, yes, I did."
The smell wafted across the room and Jenna sighed. "My favorite."
Cole looked just a tad bit puzzled. "What's your favorite?"
Anesia placed a bag in front of Jenna and answered for her. "A Crabby Omelet."