Rescue Me (29 page)

Chapter Twenty three

 

A faint, salt tinged breeze blew across her skin, lightly fanning the wet wisps of hair that framed her face. The sun, ducking in and out of the high clouds, warmed her entire body.

“The recess period is over.”

Renee jumped so high she nearly fell off the side of the bench. She opened her eyes to find Penelope staring down at her, partially blocking the bright sun that peeked through the branches of the massive oak that grew in the middle of St. Katherine’s Episcopal’s schoolyard.

“It’s a good thing no one got hurt on the slides today, because your mind obviously hasn’t been on supervising the kids on the playground.”

“My mind isn’t even in New Orleans,” Renee admitted.

“You should have taken the day off. Better yet, you should just take off another week and bring me down there to St. Martin. If that island can put the kind of smile you’ve been walking around with on my face, I definitely need to head down there.”

“It was wonderful, Penelope,” Renee crooned, grabbing her water bottle from where she’d set it on the ground next to the bench. They walked under the covered walkway that led to the main building.

“Was it the island, or the company?” Penelope asked with a wide smile.

“A little of both,” Renee answered.

“Yeah, right,” Penelope snorted. “As if you’d be grinning like a hyena if Alex hadn’t been in St. Martin.”

“He’s just so… God, I don’t even know how to describe him,” Renee said.

“Gorgeous, gorgeous, and really gorgeous?” Penelope suggested.

“That’s just an added bonus,” Renee said. “He’s a lot more than his looks.”

“I’m sure he is, but you won’t tell me about that part,” Penelope complained, holding the door open for her.

“It’s more than just
that
, too. Though that’s better than I ever imagined,” Renee couldn’t help but add; partially to get a rise out of Penelope, but partially because it was the undeniable truth. Alex Holmes could teach a class on how to please a woman.

“I so don’t like you right now,” was Penelope’s answer.

“That
was
pretty mean on my part,” Renee agreed.

“Try evil,” Penelope said. “You know how long it’s been since I went on a date?”

They arrived at Penelope’s empty classroom. “I’ve got to prep for my next couple of classes, but if you want to fill me in on more of the details, feel free to stick around,” Penelope said.

“Can’t.” Renee shrugged apologetically. “I have to pick up Mrs. Luke’s third grade class for library skills.”

“Have fun,” Penelope said.

“Actually, that comes later to night when I see Alex,” Renee said before she closed the door.

She heard Penelope shout “evil!” through the closed door.

When Renee returned her final group of students to their teacher’s classroom, she was tempted to sneak out of the side door and leave early. She was going to Alex’s for dinner to night. Kayla was coming over so Renee could help her and Jasmine practice softball; then they were having hamburgers. But she wasn’t expected at Alex’s until five o’clock, so leaving school early would only mean more time for her sit at the trailer and watch the clock. She spent her final minutes at school reshelving books the students had left on the tables.

When Renee parked at the curb in front of her aunt’s home, she sat behind the wheel of her car for a few moments, staring absently at the nearly renovated house. She’d attempted to keep memories of today’s morbid anniversary at bay, but they crept up on her all the same. It had been eighteen years, but seemed like nearly a lifetime ago. Her father had stumbled into the house, drowning in more liquor than a single human being should be able to consume without dying of alcohol poisoning. He’d started in on her mother; then he’d come after Renee.

Her chest tightened, the fear as real today as it had been eighteen years ago. She could feel the crack of his palm against her jaw, his elbow crashing into her ribs. Renee absently
ran her hand over the wrist he’d broken in his drunken rage.

Suppressing the dark memories, Renee focused on the scene before her, marveling at the amount of work that had been accomplished while they were away. Alex’s reaction to the progress his crew had made had not been nearly as enthusiastic as Renee’s. He thought they would be finished, but two days of heavy rains while they were in St. Martin had lengthened the timetable. Despite the delay, they would be in the house by next week.

She locked up her car and made her way to the trailer.

“I thought you were going to Alex’s,” Aunt Lorna greeted her, opening the door to the FEMA trailer, which—thank God—would be picked up next week. Renee had been tempted to take FEMA up on their offer to sell the trailer just so she and Aunt Lorna could burn the thing in effigy.

“I’m going over there in a bit,” she said, following her aunt inside. “Do you have dinner plans?”

“I’ve got left over hot and sour soup.”

“Do you want to come over to Alex’s? I doubt he’d mind.”

“No, indeed.” Her aunt waved off the idea. “This is the first time in about a month that I haven’t had some place to be. I’m going to lay my butt across this lumpy couch and fall asleep watching the evening news.”

“Uh huh,” Renee said. “I’ll leave the light under the stove on so you can see when you come in to night.”

“Thanks, honey.” Aunt Lorna winked. “I’m about to change right now. Have a good time at dinner. And after dinner, if you’re lucky.” Her aunt grinned.

Renee laughed as Lorna retreated to the tiny bathroom. A few minutes later she came out dressed in a peasant skirt and frilly blouse.

“I’ll be back later, honey,” Aunt Lorna said, giving her a kiss on the cheek. She took a step back and looked Renee in the eye, concern etched across her face. “Are you okay, Renee?”

Renee knew what she was referring to. “I’m good,” she answered.

“I didn’t want to bring it up—”

Renee stopped her. “It’s fine, Aunt Lorna. Have fun to night.”

“I always do.” She shot Renee a grin before closing the door behind her.

Renee ruminated on just how different her aunt was from her mother. Lorna, outgoing, spontaneous, full of spunk, would never allow a man to treat her the way her mother allowed herself to be treated.

If only she would leave that man….

“That’s not going to happen,” Renee said under her breath. Why she even bothered to entertain such thoughts after all these years continued to baffle her. It was a dream that would never happen, and even if it did, how could she mend the chasm that stretched between her and her mother? Doreen Moore had made her choice years ago.

Renee willed herself to push aside all thoughts of that night. She changed into a pair of jeans and an old sweatshirt. Like Florida, the mild Louisiana autumn weather didn’t allow for anything heavier than a sweatshirt. She drove the fifteen minutes to Alex’s house, and was hit by the aroma of charcoal wafting from the backyard. Renee passed through the side gate, and rounded the side of the house. She spotted Jasmine and Kayla playing catch, and they quickly spotted her, running up to her and screaming, “Ms. Moore!”

Alex stepped from behind the huge stainless steel grill. The grin that lifted the corner of his mouth made Renee think instantly of kissing him.

“Hello, Ms. Moore,” he said, looking down at her from the edge of the wooden deck. “I hope you’re hungry.”

“If I’m not, I’m sure these two will help me work up an appetite,” Renee said for the benefit of the two little girls following her up the steps. She hung her purse on the edge of one of the patio chairs and walked over to Alex, unable
to refrain from reaching up for him and placing a brief kiss on his lips.

“How was school?” he asked.

“It’s just not the same now that a certain volunteer has left,” she answered.

“I miss being there, too,” he admitted.

“Ms. Moore, you ready?” Jasmine called.

“Time to get to work,” she said, stealing another quick kiss before joining Jasmine and Kayla.

Renee brought them through a few practice drills, changing up her pitch and teaching the fundamentals of catching fly balls.

By the time Alex shouted that the burgers were done, Renee was done, too. She considered herself pretty athletic, but she was no match for a couple of six year olds. They sat around the glass topped patio table that held the platter of grilled burgers, an array of condiments, lettuce, tomatoes, and pickle spears.

“Daddy, can I have a piece of cheese?” Jasmine asked.

“Sure, baby,” he answered.

“Me, too,” Kayla added, squeezing out of the chair without bothering to push it back from the table and following Jasmine into the house.

“Those two wore me out,” Renee said.

“They are pretty determined to say they only have one game left,” Alex said.

“But it’s the biggest game of the season,” Renee reminded him. “The other team has a third grader.”

“I forgot about that. You may have to stay longer to make sure they’re extra prepared. And maybe,” he said, leaning toward her, his lips a few inches from her. “Once Jasmine goes to bed.” He inched closer. “You can stay just a little bit longer.”

“Just a little?”

“I’m up for whatever you are,” he said.

Jasmine and Kayla came barreling through the back door
onto the deck before Renee could make the dirty remark that was on the tip of her tongue. She’d tuck it in the corner of her mind until later to night.

They all proceeded to stuff themselves with hamburgers, corn on the cob, and green salad as Jasmine and Kayla talked about Saturday’s upcoming game.

“Anybody want strawberry shortcake?” Alex asked once they were done with the burgers.

“Oooh, that sounds good,” Renee said. “But I couldn’t eat it if I tried.”

“Can me and Kayla go practice some more, Daddy?” Jasmine asked.

“Kayla’s mom will be here in a few minutes,” Alex said.

“Well, can we practice till she gets here?”

“Go on,” Alex relented, and the girls bounded from the table, grabbing the bat, softball, and glove from where they’d deposited them on the edge of the deck.

“I used to be that way,” Renee said. “Now the first thing I think about after eating a meal like that involves a comfy couch and a solid hour of nap time.”

“I’m sure you can think of something better to do on a couch than nap,” Alex said.

“Not at the moment,” Renee teased.

“Well, let me give you a couple of clues,” he said as he came in for another kiss.

“Mr. Holmes!”

Kayla’s scream caused instant panic to race down Renee’s spine. She turned and looked toward the far back corner of the yard where the girls had gone to practice, and spotted Jasmine sprawled on the ground. Alex was down the steps of the deck before Renee could push her chair back from the table. She rushed after him, stopping to grab Kayla by the hand and drag her to where Jasmine lay on the ground.

“What happened?” Alex asked.

“I—” Kayla hiccupped. “I—”

“Kayla, what happened?” Alex shouted, picking Jasmine up from the ground. The child was limp in his arms. Blood seeped out of a nasty gash just above Jasmine’s left ear.

“The ball hit her,” Kayla cried. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay, honey,” Renee said, putting her hand around the little girl’s shoulders. “Is she breathing?” Renee asked, her chest tightening with fear.

Alex put his head to her mouth. “Yes,” he answered. “Wake up, Jasmine,” he said, tapping her chest. “Jasmine, wake up!” Alex shouted.

Jasmine began to stir. “Daddy,” she said in a weak voice.

“Thank God,” Renee sighed.

“I’m here, baby,” Alex said. He looked to Renee. “I’m still taking her to the hospital.”

“Of course. I’ll follow in my car,” she said.

Alex carried Jasmine close to his chest, making his way quickly out of the backyard and to his truck. Renee ushered Kayla to her car and gave the little girl her cell phone so she could call her mother and have her pick Kayla up at the hospital. But before Renee could pull out of Alex’s driveway, Leslie Morgan pulled in behind her. Renee relayed what had happened, leaving out as much detail as possible. Kayla was distraught enough.

Once she reached the hospital, she parked and hurried through the emergency room’s double doors. She grabbed the arm of the first person in hospital attire she spotted.

“A little girl was just brought in with a head injury.”

“Are you a relative?”

“Yes,” Renee lied.

“You’ll need to go to the nurses’ station, and—”

“Eli!” Renee ran over to the elevator bay where Eli had just exited. She caught him by the arm.

“Hey, Renee. What are you doing here?” he asked.

“Alex just brought Jasmine in. She was hit in the head by a softball,” Renee explained.

“Shit,” Eli whispered under his breath. He took Renee’s
hand, practically dragging her as his long legs ate up the white tiled floor with quick strides.

“Patty, did you see my niece come in?” he asked a nurse who was carrying two IV bags.

“Room five.” The nurse nodded toward a door.

The exam room was filled with activity. Monica was in charge, which allowed Renee to take at least a small breath of relief as she hurried to Alex’s side. He stood a few feet from the bed, his arms crossed over his chest, his Adam’s apple working itself up and down, as if he were having trouble swallowing.

“How’s she doing?” Renee asked.

“Monica says she’s okay,” he answered.

Renee pulled at his elbow, just enough to make room for her to slip her arm through. Several interminable minutes later, Monica said, “Take her to CT so we can run a full scan.” Shucking the gloves from her hands, she started toward them.

The crew wheeled Jasmine out of the room, but Monica stopped Alex from following with a hand to his chest. “She’s on her way to radiology,” she said.

“Be straight with me, Monica. How serious is it?” The emotion clogging his already deep voice made it barely audible.

“She is going to be fine. She’s got a pretty nasty cut that will require a few stitches, but other than that, she’s going to be
just fine
,” Monica stressed.