Rocky Point Reunion (19 page)

“According to witnesses, he came around the corner without stopping. Does the doctor say you're going to be okay?” Tate asked.

“I'll need to take it easy. Which I've been doing for months,” Bill grumbled. “And probably no fishing until the cast comes off.”

His cell phone rang.

“Uh-oh, no phones in the hospital,” he said and pointed to his jacket pocket. Marcie reached in to pull it out. Glancing at the caller ID she frowned. “It's Betty, Dad's secretary. Did she know you were coming here?”

“Not unless someone told her.” With a glance at the closed curtain, Bill flipped the phone open. “What?” he said a moment later. “You're kidding! Sure, I'll get in touch immediately. Thanks.”

He looked at Marcie. “They have a kidney. It's on its way from New Orleans. I hope this broken arm doesn't delay anything. I might have the transplant today. I need to contact the doctor and let him know I'm already here. Betty said they were calling all over Rocky Point to locate me. And trying my cell every few minutes. Must have been ringing while I was in X-ray.”

Just then a busy E.R. doctor hurried in, holding X-ray film in his hands. “So, Mr. Winter, we have what we need.”

“I've just learned they have a kidney for me. I need to get in touch with Dr. Billings right away.”

The doctor looked nonplused for a moment, then nodded. “Right away.”

Zack and Tate stepped out of the cubicle, letting Marcie and her father have some private time while the E.R. doctor contacted Dr. Billings.

“Guess I'll head on back,” Tate said. “I have what I came for. I'll let Pastor John and others know about Bill. We'll put him on the prayer chain.”

Zack nodded, glancing at his watch.

“Problem?” Tate asked.

“No. I'll wait with Marcie.”

“It could be a while, depending on delivery time of the organ.”

“I'll wait.” Zack wasn't leaving her to face this alone.

“I thought you were heading back to Europe tomorrow,” Tate said.

“I didn't expect this. They'll have to do without me.”

“Won't that hurt your racing team?”

Zack shrugged. “I told them before I was quitting. I'm sorry to cut out at the last minute, but there're two weeks before the race, time enough to get someone else who's dying for a shot. I've had a great run, but there are things more important, and I've just come to realize it. I'm not leaving until I know everything is going to be okay.” And that Marcie no longer needed him with her. If that ever happened. He hoped it wouldn't.

“Man, you have it bad for her,” Tate said with a grin.

“I always have. Things just got in the way, muddied up the water. I think I'm on the path God wanted for me now.”

“Glad to have you back,” Tate said, gripping Zack's hand and slapping him on the shoulder. “I'll let Joe and Gillian know, too.”

“Yeah. In the meantime, I need to make a few phone calls.”

Marcie sat beside her father, holding his hand, talking softly while the bone was being set and plaster applied. “I think it's a blessing there's a kidney for you so quickly.”

“You're right. The chances weren't that great. The Lord is watching out for me.”

“I'm so grateful.”

“Now, Marcie, remember, nothing's guaranteed. This operation is tricky. It's going to take a while. You need to call Jody or Gillian or another friend to come be with you. And take time to rest. Don't hang around while I'm out of it, okay?”

“Dad, I'm not going anywhere. But I might call someone to come up. I'll need a ride home, at least, when the situation's stable.”

“How'd you get here?”

“Zack drove me.”

“He can't drive you back?”

“He's leaving in the morning for Europe. There are lots of folks in Rocky Point who'll come, don't worry about that.”

Bill frowned. “Don't let him hurt you again, cupcake.”

“I don't think he will. He asked me to marry him again. I said no, but now think I should say yes. I still love him. I think it's the forever kind of love, so years and distance haven't and won't change it. Might as well give in and take what I can get when I can get it. Eventually he'll give up racing.”

“Marriage isn't easy. A distant relationship would put added strain on it.”

“Did you know when we were kids we used to imagine where we'd live? I always wanted a house by the sea with a white picket fence. When I drove over to see him today, before I got the call about the accident, there was a new picket fence around his family home and Zack was painting it white.”

Her dad studied her for a moment. “He's doing it for you, trying to make some dreams come true,” he said gruffly.

She nodded with a smile. “I think so, too. I'm trusting in the Lord this time around. We'll just see what happens, won't we?”

As soon as the cast was set, the E.R. doctor told Bill he would be going up to the surgery ward and prepping for the surgery, which would probably take place in the evening as soon as the kidney arrived. Marcie would be told where her father was and when she could see him again once they had him set up in the surgery ward.

She wandered out into the waiting room. No sign of Zack or Tate. Not that she expected either to still be there. Tate had said he'd let the pastor know. And Zack—he probably had some last-minute packing to do. She felt totally keyed up, worried about her dad's operation. It was a blessing they hadn't had much notice—she would worry herself sick if she had.

Walking out into the sunshine, she went to a quiet area near the entrance where there was a bench and a clay pot of cascading flowers. She sat and closed her eyes, praying for the Lord to give the doctor wisdom and keep her father safe.

“You okay?” Zack said.

She opened her eyes in surprise to see him there and nodded, feeling at peace. “Just praying.”

He sat beside her and reached for her hand. “Let's pray together.”

Her heart warmed at his renewed faith.

When they'd finished, she squeezed his hand. “Thanks for bringing me here.” Dare she bring up his proposal?

“Of course I would. If I hadn't, I'd have come the minute I heard. What's going on with your dad now?”

“They're taking him for pre-op work and getting him
a place in the surgery prep area. Then I can stay with him until time for the operation. I don't know when the kidney will arrive, so don't know how long it'll be until the operation. He's strong. He'll be okay,” she said, trying to be as confident as her words.

“Whatever happens, I'll be with you,” Zack said. “Your dad's still relatively young, he should come through with flying colors.”

“I know you have to leave for Europe.”

“Nope, cancelled.”

“What?” She stared at him in stunned surprise. “Why?”

He raised an eyebrow. “You didn't think I'd leave just when you need me the most, did you?”

She bit her lip. She had thought he'd go. Vainly, she tried a nonchalant shrug, but tears flooded her eyes. “Thank you,” she whispered, afraid her voice would crack if she spoke.

“Hey, I let you down before. History is not going to repeat itself.”

“I'd understand this time. You have a commitment.”

“My commitment to you tops any other in the world—except my commitment to the Lord. I could no more leave you now than I could cut off my right arm. I want to spend the next however long it takes for you to trust me again. And think of my proposal.”

“I have been thinking about it.”

“Shh, no talking about that now. We need to focus on your dad. We'll see him through this and then talk about us.”

She nodded. “Just know I love you, Zack.”

“Oh, sugar, I love you, too.”

He kissed her and then rose. “Time to see to your father.”

The surgery waiting room was more comfortable than the E.R. Marcie checked on her father and found he was already being prepped for surgery. The surgeon would begin taking his kidneys out and be ready to implant the new one when it arrived. It was due shortly.

“Let's get something to eat,” Zack suggested.

“I'm not sure I can eat anything.”

He took charge and in only a few moments they were selecting things from the cafeteria's menu. Sitting near a window, Zack watched her closely, as she seemed to be in a world of her own. His phone rang. It was Thomas. He'd called every half hour since Zack had told him he wasn't returning.

“Aren't you going to answer that?” she asked.

“No. Cell phones aren't supposed to be used in hospitals.” He switched it off.

“Was that your manager?”

“Ex-manager.”

“Whoa—what happened?”

“That's what he said if I didn't show up.”

“Zack, they're counting on you. You have to go.”

“Actually, I don't. I told them in May that I was through. The other driver sprained his ankle and can't race in Stockholm, so as a favor I said I'd fill in. But not now. You're too important to me, Marcie. We need to make sure your father's on the road to recovery before I consider doing anything but being with you.”

“That's sweet, but I'll be okay.”

“I know you will. I will be, too. But we'll do it together. When we finish eating, we'll go outside and call home,” Zack said, “update everyone. Tate said he'd get the prayer chain going.”

“Okay.” She couldn't believe Zack was so attentive. It was like before—they each relied on the other, knew the
other would have their back. She was so grateful he'd returned home. She nibbled at the sandwich she'd chosen. Not really hungry but not knowing when she'd eat again, she forced it down.

Later, calls taken care of, they returned to the surgery waiting area and were updated. Bill Winter was in surgery—the donated kidney had arrived. It was just a question of time now.

Hours passed. Zack seemed perfectly content to sit beside her. She wanted to jump out of her skin she was so worried about her father. Prayer offered an outlet. Then she rose and paced to the window, gazed outside wondering what life would be like if her dad didn't make it. Zack joined her, his hands on her shoulders, rubbing gently to ease the tension.

Leaning down a bit to put his face next to hers, he spoke softly, so no one but she could hear him.

“I love you, Marcie. I've always loved you. I want you to know you can rely on me to stand by you no matter what this time. I'm not taking off, unless you go with me. The entire Stockholm thing was a dumb idea. How can you trust me when you think I'll take off at a moment's notice?”

She turned slowly, staring into his dark eyes, seeing the sincerity. Fear for her father fled. She felt such an overwhelming love for this man who had once hurt her so badly. Truly forgiveness worked.

“I love you, Zack, I will always love you. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your being here with me today.”

“Today and always,” he said.

“I'd really like that.”

He glanced around. “The time and place sucks.”

She giggled. “Love is perfect anywhere.”

He took her hand and walked to the nurses' station.
“Can you take my phone number and call when there's news? We want to go outside for a bit.”

In seconds he and Marcie were out on the grounds of the hospital. Zack walked around the side of the building, looking for some private spot. If he didn't kiss her soon, he was going to explode. She almost ran to keep up with him.

“Where are we going?” she asked, tugging on his hand.

“Here's good,” he said, pulling her into his arms near a large bush that would partially shield them from anyone walking on the grounds. He kissed her, hoping to convey all the love in his heart to the woman he adored.

 

It was easier to wait the long hours with Zack, Marcie realized as the afternoon faded into evening. She prayed her father would be spared for a while longer. But if not, then she knew she could face the future with Zack at her side.

“Miss Winter?” A man in surgical scrubs came from the double doors.

“Yes?” She jumped up. Zack stood and together they walked to the doctor. He reached out to clasp her hand, squeezing it slightly to give her courage.

“Your father did fine. He's in recovery, will be back in his room in another hour or so. You can see him then, for a few minutes. He'll probably sleep through the night, but should be ready for visitors in the morning.”

“Thank you,” she said, reaching out to shake his hand. “Thank you.”

Once he left, Marcie turned to Zack. “I'm so relieved.”

“Thank you, Father, for the blessing of this successful surgery. We pray for a speedy recovery for Marcie's
dad. May the family who donated this kidney be comforted knowing it's giving life to another,”
Zack said softly, folding her into his arms while she released tension with tears.

Zack and Marcie waited until they could see Bill after he awoke in recovery. He was still groggy and tired, and insisted Marcie go back home and get some rest.

“I'll sleep all night, so you go home and do the same,” he grumbled, his eyes closing.

“I hate to be so far away.”

“I'm in God's hands, you can't get better than that. Come back tomorrow—but not too early,” he said, almost asleep again.

She kissed her father and then joined Zack. Soon they were speeding toward Rocky Point.

“It's a miracle a kidney was found so soon,” she mused as the trees whizzed by.

“God's still making miracles,” Zack said, reaching out to take her hand. “He let you and me come back together, didn't He?”

She nodded, squeezing his hand slightly, contentment spreading. She closed her eyes in silent prayer and soon fell asleep, the stress of the day catching up with her.