I hope I didn't keep y'all waiting too long for the answer to the Charlotte cliffhanger. This chapter is another tough one with Frank's PT beginning. You may need some tissues. Thank you so much for the reviews and great to hear how many are still reading. Please keep them coming.
July 20th, 2015 – Frank and Charlotte's Ranch
"Ma?" Jack said again, moving closer to the bed.
Tom moved to the other side, keeping his eyes on his mother's face. "Mom?" He reached to her and touched her leg. "Ma," he said louder.
Charlotte still had not moved, and in the dim light of the room, they could not tell if she was even breathing.
"Mom!" Jack finally shouted as he grabbed her arm.
"What?" she answered as she flipped onto her back. "What is it? Is it Frank?"
"Geez," Jack said as he bent over and rested his hands on his knees. With closed eyes, he took several deep breaths until the pain in his chest subsided, then turned around and walked from his mom with his hands on his hips, trying to catch his breath. As he turned to face his mother, Jack removed his hat and raked his hand through his hair.
"No, Ma. We are here checking on you," Tom answered as he dropped onto the bed and laid his head in his hands.
"Why?" she asked, then sat up and looked at the clock. "Oh my gosh, I have to get back to the hospital. I've been sleeping for five hours," she exclaimed and jumped to her feet. The blood rushed from her head, sending her into a dizzy spell, and she slowly lowered down onto the mattress.
"Ma, Frank is fine. You, on the other hand, obviously needed to sleep," Jack said as he held her arm, his own heart still racing wildly.
Charlotte rubbed her head and looked at her sons. "I guess I haven't been sleeping well since Frank's accident." She looked between Jack and Tom, seeing they were still recovering from their scare but unaware of her part in it. "What's wrong with you two?"
"Ma, we...," Tom started.
"You what?" she asked, moving her gaze from one son to the other, then back.
"You scared the shit out of us," Jack finally said. "I'm sorry for the language, but geez, Ma."
"What? I was sleeping."
"We called out to you like seven times," Tom informed her. "You wouldn't respond or move."
"I'm so sorry, boys," she said, reaching out a hand to each one. "I'm so sorry."
Jack took her hand and sat beside her. He replied in a more tender voice, "It's not your fault, Ma. You're exhausted, and Tom and I are just on edge."
Charlotte laid her hand on Jack's thigh and rubbed her head with the other. "Can you boys give me a minute to wake up? Then I'd like to take a quick walk around the ranch before I return to the hospital."
"Of course," both said, stood, and walked out of the room.
Jack closed the door behind them and then followed Tom into the kitchen. Tom retrieved two water bottles from the fridge, handed one to Jack, then took a seat at the island.
"My heart can't take much more of this," Tom stated, then took a large drink from the bottle.
"Mine neither," Jack agreed. "I'm pretty sure mine stopped beating from the moment we stepped into her room."
"Boys, I feel horrible that I did that to you," Charlotte said as she stepped into the kitchen.
"Don't feel bad," Tom stated as he pulled a stool out for his mother to sit on.
"I'm sorry we woke you," Jack added.
"Now, don't be sorry about that. I didn't want to be away from Frank for this long."
"Sam called to check on you, and she said Frank was fine," Jack said, trying to ease his mother's guilt.
"Such a sweet girl," Charlotte remarked and patted Tom's arm. "Both of you boys found the most amazing women," she added, reaching over and laying a hand on Jack's arm.
"Yes, we did, Ma," Jack replied with a smile.
"So," Charlotte began, "how is everything around here?"
"Just fine, Ma," Tom answered.
"I want to walk around outside a bit before I leave. Will my two wonderful sons walk with me?"
"I will, Ma. I'm not sure who else you're talking about, though," Jack teased.
"Very funny, Jack," Tom said as he stood. "I'm her favorite. She just includes you, so your feelings don't get hurt. We all know how sensitive you are."
"Watch it, Brother," Jack said with a grin.
"Oh, boys," Charlotte stated with a chuckle. "Thank you for making me laugh."
Jack put an arm around his mother and patted her shoulder. "I didn't know I was being funny," he said with a smirk.
The men walked their mother through the barn, where she stopped to talk with each of the four horses. Once outside, they passed by the calf pen so she could say hello to the two calves that had become friendly and greeted her each time she passed by. Once she finished petting them, they started back to the house, and Jack and Tom thought they were in the clear for one more day. But halfway to her home, she stopped and turned around.
"Where's the tractor?"
Jack felt his heart sink at his mother's words, and he looked at Tom, neither of them answering.
"Where is it?" she asked again, looking between her sons.
"It's in the machine shed, Ma," Tom answered.
"Take me to it, please," Charlotte said firmly.
Jack and Tom began walking toward the building that housed the beat-up tractor, something they'd hoped their mom never asked to see. When they reached the shed, Jack grabbed one door while Tom grabbed the other, and the brothers slid the large doors open.
Charlotte walked inside, not saying anything and not showing any emotions. She circled the tractor once, then twice, taking in all the damage, seeing the proof of just how close her husband had been to death. She stopped at the front of the machine and stared at it, her arms crossed.
"Ma, are you alright?" Jack asked as he moved beside his mother.
"I want this gone," she answered flatly.
"Ma?" Tom asked as he stepped to her other side.
"I want this thing gone. Can you boys please get it out of here? I don't care what you do with it. Just get it out of here."
"Okay, Ma. We'll take it away," Jack replied.
"I want to leave now," she said and turned her back to the tractor. "I want to see my husband."
"Okay, Ma," Tom said. "Do you want to drive? Or do you want one of us to take you?"
"Can one of you take me and one drive my truck over in case I need it?"
"Of course," Tom replied. "Jack, you take Ma, and I'll bring the truck over in a little while. I have to run home and check on the kids."
Jack nodded at his brother. "Let's go, Ma," Jack said as he held her arm in his hand.
…..
Hope Meadows Ranch
Elizabeth set the phone down after talking to Jack. He had called to inform her of where he was but had kept the conversation vague for his mother's sake.
"Need to go outside, boys?" she said to the dogs, who were both staring at her.
At the sound of the familiar word, Wyatt jumped up and began spinning in circles while Bandit crossed the floor to the front door. Elizabeth opened it, and the dogs rushed out into the grass, immediately on the hunt for the perfect spot.
Three hyper children ran past Elizabeth and joined the dogs on the lawn, laughing and screaming as Wyatt chased them. Elizabeth retrieved Brianna from her swing and joined the kids outside, where she took a seat on the Adirondack chair in the shade.
Jackson, Peyton, and Colton took turns running up to their little sister, blowing on her cheek, kissing her, or gently tickling her, causing her to squeal loudly each time. Bandit walked onto the deck and lay beside Elizabeth's chair, facing the children to keep an eye on them while Wyatt continued to chase them and attempt to herd them back to their mother. The children laughed at the silly dog and ran in circles causing him to give up and lie on the grass. He lay his head on his feet as his eyes darted from one child to the other.
Elizabeth noticed movement near the barn and saw Dalton pull the door closed. Hearing the children's laughter, he turned in their direction and began walking their way.
"Good evening, ma'am," he said as he approached the steps.
"Hello, Dalton. How's the training going?" Elizabeth asked as she shifted Brianna to her other leg.
Dalton took a seat on the top step, sitting sideways with his back against the railing and propped one leg up. "It's great. It's definitely what I needed."
"I'm pleased to hear that, Dalton."
He watched the kids play for a moment, then looked back to Elizabeth. "You have a beautiful family."
"Thank you. Is it just you and your brother?"
"No, ma'am. Dillon and I are at the end after five girls."
"Oh, my," Elizabeth exclaimed. "That's a big family."
"Yes, ma'am. My father really wanted a boy, so they kept trying until they finally got me. Then a year later, they were surprised with Dillon."
"I have two sisters, and I thought that was a lot of girls. But five? Wow."
"We would get quite the looks when we'd go out," Dalton chuckled. "My sisters and I are all two years apart, then one year to Dillon. Eleven years between Mary and Dillon."
"What are all of their names?"
"Mary, Stacie, Amy, Tami, and Ann."
"Do they live around here?"
"Not really. Tami is still in Missouri, but she's three hours away. Stacie is in California, Mary and Amy are both in Tennessee, and Ann lives in Indiana."
"Wow, they are spread out."
"Yeah, they visit every year, though, so that's good."
"And where's Dillan?"
"He's in Texas."
"And your dad is around here?"
"Yes, ma'am. I moved in with him when I got out of the Army. I hate that he's alone since Mom died, and he was glad to have someone home. We're only twenty minutes from here."
"Can we get our ropes?" Jackson asked as he ran up the steps to his mother. "Hi, Dalton."
"Hey, buddy."
"Yes, but make sure you close the door when you're done," Elizabeth answered.
"Okay," he replied, then began running toward the garage, closely followed by Colton.
"Hi, Mr. Dalton," Peyton said as she joined Elizabeth and sat in the chair next to her, holding her arms out. "Can I hold Bri, please?"
"Of course," Elizabeth said and stood. "Slide all the way back."
Peyton scooted down into the chair until her back was against the wood, held her arms out again, and carefully wrapped them around her baby sister as Elizabeth sat Brianna between her older daughter's legs.
"Don't let her fall over," Elizabeth said as she repositioned Peyton's arms for a safer hold.
"I won't, Mommy."
Elizabeth returned to her seat and began watching the boys while they roped various items across the yard. Jackson successfully landed his loop around a post, a planter, Wyatt, and his brother, sending Colton into a fit of laughter. In an attempt to mimic his older brother, Colton threw his rope at the post, but it landed a foot short of its target. Seeing this, Jackson was by his brother's side and helped Colton with his form. Three attempts later, the little boy landed his lasso around the post, and the two brothers celebrated by dancing around the yard.
"Wonderful family," Dalton said softly.
"Do you want to have children? You seem like you're very comfortable around them."
"Oh, yes. Absolutely. I have eighteen nieces and nephews, and when I was home on leave, I always made a point to see as many as possible."
"Such a large family."
"Yes, ma'am. I love it," Dalton answered with a grin. "I have a lot of catching up to do," he added with a chuckle.
"I suppose the military life makes it kind of hard to settle down?"
"Not always. Most of the men I worked with were or had been married at some point, but the time away was so hard on them all. Many ended up getting divorced. I was so focused on my career, and when I get married, I'm staying married. So, I didn't see the point in trying until I was done."
"Sounds like you really thought things through."
"Yes, ma'am. When you hold up in a shack with nothing but a dirt floor and a dirty blanket to sit on, you tend to do a lot of thinking. I did carry a small Bible with me. I must have read it cover to cover four times. But I would find my mind wandering to my family and what they might be doing then and longing for my own."
"I can't even imagine what you've been through," Elizabeth said and leaned forward on her seat.
"You don't want to either, ma'am. Trust me on that one." Dalton stood and put his beat-up baseball cap on. "I should be going. I just wanted to check and see if you needed anything before I left."
"No, Dalton. We're good. It was very nice talking to you. Thank you for the company."
"Yes, ma'am. You have a good evening."
"Bye-bye, Dalton," Jackson called out as he spun his lariat.
"Keep that up, and you two will be great cowboys just like your daddy."
"Really?" Colton asked with wide eyes, letting the rope drop to the ground.
"Yes, sir," Dalton said with a smile. "Goodbye, boys."
As Dalton got in his truck and drove away, Elizabeth moved back into her seat and glanced at her daughters and then her sons. Her gaze moved across the ranch that lay out before her. Several mares were grazing in the pasture beside the house, including Hope, and a few foals were running and playing with each other. The sun hung low, and muted colors had just begun to creep across the sky. Elizabeth watched as the bright yellow globe slowly dipped behind the trees, and the sky lit up in an explosion of yellows and oranges.
"Why are you smiling so big?" Peyton asked, having noticed her mother's expression.
Elizabeth moved her gaze to her daughters, her smile never fading. "Because God is wonderful, and sometimes, He gives us His best work when He knows we need to see it."
"What?" Peyton asked with a twisted expression.
Elizabeth turned her head back toward the sunset. "See how pretty that is?" she asked her daughter and pointed toward the vibrant colors.
"Ya, that's really pretty."
"God makes those for us. I like to think of it as His paintings."
"God paints the sky?"
"Yes, he does. He makes all of this: the trees, the flowers." Elizabeth looked at her daughter and added, "You."
"God made me for you and Daddy," Peyton said with a grin.
"That's right. God made all of you kids for Daddy and me."
"He knew you would take really good care of us."
The insight her children would sometimes share baffled and excited Elizabeth. "That's right, Pey. And He knew that we needed you."
"You need us?"
"Of course we do. Daddy and I wanted children very badly, so God gave us all of you to help complete our family. We had extra space in our hearts that filled up a little more with each of you, and once all four of you were with us, our hearts were full."
"Wow, God made it just right?"
"Yes, baby girl, God made it just right. He knows what He's doing," Elizabeth grinned.
"Ya, God is smart."
…..
Jack was sitting with Frank while Charlotte went to fill out more forms for their insurance, advising him of everything that was happening around the ranch. He saw Frank flinch and try to shift his body, and Jack was quickly on his feet to help.
"Are you uncomfortable? Do you need me to move a pillow?"
"Yes, can you pull this one out just a bit, please?" Frank replied as he pointed toward one under his left hip.
A nurse had been in the room early that evening and tucked pillows under Frank's left side. She explained that it needed to be done to keep Frank from getting bed sores. Pain shot through Frank's hips and leg when she'd first placed the pillows beneath him but quickly subsided everywhere except at the top of his left hip. Once Jack pulled the pillow out just slightly, the pain vanished, and Frank could settle back comfortably.
"Thank you, Jack."
"No problem, Pops," Jack said as he returned to his seat. "Something wrong, Pops?" Jack asked after noticing his stepfather staring at him blankly.
"I was on the ranch alone, right?"
"Yes. Ma was at our house. Why?"
"How did anyone find me?"
"What do you mean?" Jack asked, very confused by Frank's line of questions.
"You can't see that area from the highway, and no one was around. How did the ambulance come and find me?"
"You called 911," Jack answered.
"I did?"
"Yes, that's what the police said. They got a 911 call from your number, but you couldn't really speak. The phone remained on, so they were able to use the GPS and track where you were."
"Jack, I didn't call them."
Jack straightened in his seat, keeping his eyes locked on Frank. "What do you mean you didn't call them? The call came from your phone."
"My phone was crushed during the accident. See, it's right there on the table."
Jack turned in his seat and saw the phone in question. He reached for it, picked it up, and turned it over in his hand. The screen was shattered, and the back of the phone was cracked. Jack pressed the power button, but nothing happened.
"Maybe the battery is just dead," Jack explained as he looked for a charger.
"Your mom left it plugged in all night the day I woke up. It's never turned on. I didn't say anything to her because I didn't want her to worry more than she already was."
"Maybe it worked briefly right after, and you just don't remember making the call."
"Possibly, but I remember everything about the accident, and I don't recollect ever making a call. I'm not sure where my phone even was when they found me."
Jack sat staring at the phone, shaking his head. He looked at Frank and asked, "Then how?"
Frank thought for a brief moment, then his eyes lifted upward, and he pointed toward the sky. "Only one answer I can come up with, Jack," he said with complete conviction.
…..
It was late when Jack finally made it home that evening. His mother wanted to stay with Frank another night, so he and Tom stayed with them for a while, then finally said their goodbyes. The kids were sound asleep, and Elizabeth was reading in bed when Jack entered the room. Bandit was on the floor near the foot of the bed, and Wyatt's head rested across Elizabeth's legs.
"Hello, Cowboy," Elizabeth said quietly and set her book aside.
"Hi, Beautiful." Jack kicked his boots off, laid his hat on the dresser, unbuckled his belt, and pushed his jeans off before moving onto the bed beside his wife. "How was your day?"
"It was good. How is your mom?"
Jack rolled onto his back and tucked his hands behind his head. "She's good, but wow, she gave Tom and me a scare."
Jack shared the story with his wife, not leaving out a single detail, including his own reaction to the situation.
"Wow, I can see why you and Tom were so nervous. That must have been awful."
"I seriously thought my heart had stopped."
Elizabeth rolled toward him, draped her arm across his stomach, and began drawing a circle on this side with her finger.
"You won't believe what Frank told me tonight."
"What?"
Jack shared the story of the 911 call and the broken phone, still trying to wrap his head around it. Elizabeth listened quietly, and chills ran through her from head to toe. She'd heard of stories like this before, but never anyone so close to home.
"What do you think happened?" she asked when he finished.
"No matter how it happened, I would say God had a hand in it. Even if Frank made that call, the phone worked just long enough for the paramedics to find him. I held the phone in my hand," Jack said and held his hands out in front of them, "and...I don't see...there is just no way that phone should have worked."
"As Frank said, no other explanation," Elizabeth stated and brushed her hand along his chest. "You sound tired," she added, looking up at his face.
"I am. It's been a very long day." He lowered his hand to her hair and ran his fingers through it. "Can you sing that song I love?" Jack asked as he moved his arm behind his wife.
Smiling, Elizabeth began to sing very softly.
"I see shattered
You see whole
I see broken
But You see beautiful
And You're helping me to believe
You're restoring me piece by piece
There's nothing too dirty
That You can't make worthy
You wash me in mercy
I am clean
There's nothing too dirty
That You can't make worthy
You wash me in mercy
I am clean
What was dead now lives again
My heart's beating, beating inside my chest
Oh, I'm coming alive with joy and destiny
'Cause You're restoring me piece by piece
There's nothing too dirty
That You can't make worthy
You wash me in mercy
I am clean
There's nothing too dirty
That You can't make worthy
You wash me in mercy
I am clean
Washed in the blood of Your sacrifice
Your blood flowed red and made me white
My dirty rags are purified
I am clean
Washed in the blood of Your sacrifice
Your blood flowed red and made me white
My dirty rags are purified
I'm clean, I'm clean
Washed in the blood of Your sacrifice
Your blood flowed red and made me white
My dirty rags are purified
I'm clean."
Elizabeth tipped her head up to look at Jack and found that he'd fallen asleep. She reached down to the foot of the bed, grabbed her throw blanket, and pulled it over her husband to his shoulders. After a quick check on Brianna, Elizabeth slid under her covers, moved over next to Jack, and quickly fell asleep.
…..
July 21st, 2015 – University Hospital
Jack and Tom rode to the hospital together and found their mom in the room with Frank. She was sitting at his bedside, and they were lost in conversation.
"Good morning, boys," Frank said when he saw them stop in the doorway.
"Sorry, we didn't mean to interrupt you," Tom stated as he and Jack entered the room.
"It's nothing, come on in," Charlotte remarked.
They had only been there for a few minutes when Rebecca, one of Frank's nurses, came in and began checking Frank's vitals. She emptied the urine drainage bag, replaced it, then entered information into the computer.
"Mr. Hogan, we need to start moving the back of your bed forward so we can work on getting you to sit up. I'm going to move this forward, and you let me know when you begin to feel uncomfortable, okay?"
"Okay," he responded.
Rebecca removed the pillows beneath Frank's left side, then pressed the button on the bed, and the back began moving forward. She watched Frank's face for any reaction, and only a few inches of movement sent his face into a twisted mess.
"Mr. Hogan, I need to know how you're feeling."
"Please stop," Charlotte said and stood. "Frank, sweetie, are you alright?"
"Give me a minute," he said, his face still pinched.
"Mr. Hogan, I can lower down a bit if that will help."
Frank nodded, and Rebecca pressed the button, lowering the bed half the distance she'd moved it. Everyone could see Frank release a breath of relief as his face relaxed and he opened his eyes.
"That's better," he said, looking at the nurse.
Rebecca laid her hand on Frank's arm and smiled. "We'll try some more in a couple of days. But you need to let me know when it's too much."
"Okay," he agreed.
"I'll be back later to put the pillows under your right side. We need to keep you repositioned as much as we can."
"Okay. Thank you, Rebecca," Frank said.
Jack and Tom had remained in the back of the room during the nurse's visit. Both wanted to jump in and stop her, but they knew this must be done. Once she left, they returned to Frank's bedside to check on him.
"Are you okay, Pops?" Jack asked.
"I'll be fine," Frank said. Everyone could tell by the tone of his voice that he was still in pain. He moved his hand around the bed near his side until he found the morphine button. Shortly after pressing it, they saw his face ease more as the medicine kicked in.
Jack, Tom, and Charlotte sat around the bed, talking to Frank about a variety of things to keep his mind off the pain. After several stories of the kids, horse training, Dalton, and the church, Frank's body had become acclimated to the new position, and he was no longer in pain.
With everyone's spirits up, the room filled with laughter after Jack shared a funny story about Lee.
"That boy is a riot," Charlotte said as she wiped a tear from her cheek.
"Yes, he's never lacking in entertaining us," Jack laughed.
"So, let me get this straight," Tom started. "Lee jumped into the river with nothing on."
"Nope, naked as a jaybird," Jack answered.
"How did he not know those girls were there?" Frank asked, holding his stomach from the pain of laughter.
"We'd been there several times before, and no one had ever been there. So, we thought we were alone," Jack answered with a grin and a shrug.
"What did they do?" Tom asked.
"Well, after their initial scream, which caused Lee to scream, too, they began laughing and whistling at him. But by that point, he was so embarrassed that we just left. He picked up his pile of clothes, slipped his boots on, and walked through the forest naked. Didn't stop until we got to the truck."
"Oh, my goodness. You guys need to stop. It hurts," Frank said, laughing as he clutched his stomach.
"Sorry, Pops," Jack replied between his own chuckles.
They sat quietly for a short moment, allowing their bodies to recover from the laughter, and a few chuckles continued to escape.
"Oh, boys, how was the rodeo last weekend?"
"We didn't go, Pops," Jack informed him.
"What?" Why not?"
"We aren't going anywhere with you in here," Tom informed his stepfather.
"No, you're not putting your life on hold because of me," Frank said with complete seriousness.
"Pops, there is no way we would leave you and ma. Besides, we wouldn't be able to concentrate on anything else," Jack said.
"Well, when is the next one? You guys need to go. I'm fine now."
"I don't know, Pops," Jack started. "There's so much to do around the ranches now, and we need to be here for you and Ma."
"Is there one this weekend?" Charlotte asked.
"Yes, but we already withdrew from it," Jack answered.
"What about the following weekend?" Frank asked.
"There is one on August 1st, but it's in Oklahoma," Jack replied.
"Perfect. A quick little getaway," Frank stated. "Please, boys, take your families and go."
Tom and Jack looked at each other and shook their heads.
"Boys," Charlotte started. "Please, go, enjoy the weekend. Spend time with your families."
"Yes, then come back and tell us all about it," Frank added.
Jack and Tom both released long breaths, then nodded in agreement.
"Fine, but if anything happens between now and then, we're not going," Jack remarked.
"Deal," Frank said.
After visiting for a short while longer, Jack and Tom said their goodbyes and left to finish their work around the ranch. Charlotte remained for the rest of the day, never far from his room.
…..
July 24th, 2015 – University Hospital
It had been one week since Frank's second surgery for the infection, and the family was trying to get accustomed to their new normal. Frank was already getting stir-crazy with being bound to his bed in the hospital and was begging to try to get up. The doctor informed him that with the instability of his pelvis and the fact that his leg was still healing, it just wasn't possible yet.
Everyone tried to keep him occupied in various ways. He had been moved to a different room, so the grandkids had finally been able to visit him, with stern warnings not to jump on him. The external fixator had scared Peyton and Colton, so their time in the room had been short. Jackson was fascinated with it and had asked a dozen questions about his grandfather's injuries. Savannah and her brothers spent the most time with Frank and filled their hours with drawing, reading, and telling stories.
John often visited, going over Frank's sermon plans. They wrote each one together, which helped Frank tremendously as he didn't feel so useless during that time. He missed his congregation immensely and couldn't wait to return to the pulpit. Many members would visit Frank, but their visits were kept short to allow more time for the family.
Charlotte rarely left his side, but after the scare she'd given her sons, she agreed to take more time on her self-care and went home each night to sleep. Bandit returned to the house so she wouldn't be alone, and Charlotte helped him onto the bed to keep her company.
While Charlotte read her Bible aloud to Frank that morning, Rebecca entered the room with a nurse's assistant.
"Good morning, Mr. Hogan. How are we feeling today?" Rebecca asked.
"Doing fine," he replied with a smile. "And please, it's Frank."
"Okay, Frank. We're going to introduce a little therapy today."
"Okay," he replied apprehensively, remembering how painful it had been simply to sit up straighter.
"On a scale of zero through ten, can you rate your pain right now?"
"Right now? A two," Frank answered.
"Good," she replied and typed it into the computer. "Okay, Frank. Trace here is going to help me. We're going to do a few different things to start getting you moving. The longer you're in this bed, the longer your recovery will be. So, we're going to try to speed things up. How's that sound?"
"Sounds great to me," Frank said.
Charlotte moved out of the way as Trace walked around to the other side of the bed. Rebecca was at the foot of the bed and lifted the covers back, revealing Frank's feet.
"While keeping your leg down, point your toes toward me as far as you can," she said as she tapped Frank's right leg.
Frank did as he was asked and moved his foot half of what he should be able to do before the pain set in.
"That's good," she said. "Now, pull your toes back toward you."
Frank did, and again, was only able to go part way.
"Good. Now, this next one will hurt a bit more," she said as she moved around to the side of the bed. "I need you to lift your bottom off the bed and hold it for four seconds."
Frank did, and immediately, stabbing pains shot through his hips. He moaned and dropped back down.
"I know this hurts, Frank. But we need to keep going. Can you try it again, but this time try to hold for four seconds."
Frank sucked in three quick breaths then lifted his butt off the bed. The pain was almost more than he could bear, and he squeezed his eyes tightly shut.
"Good, you can stop," Rebecca stated after counting to four.
Frank dropped, keeping his eyes closed, and Charlotte could see a single tear escape and run down the side of his face. She covered her mouth with her hand to keep the sound of her sobs from being heard.
"Let's do it one more time, Frank."
He closed his eyes, breathed in three more long, deep breaths, then lifted his butt off the bed one more time. The pain was excruciating, and Frank counted in his head. It was the longest four seconds he'd ever endured, each growing longer than the last. When he finally reached the required time, he relaxed his hips and lowered onto the bed. His eyes remained shut as the pain lingered, and he began to recite a Bible verse in his head to distract him.
"But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds, declares the Lord." - Jeremiah 30:17
Frank repeated this verse to himself three times before finally opening his eyes to find Rebecca above him.
"How are you doing, Frank?"
"Been better," he replied flatly.
"I'm very sorry. But we're not done." Rebecca motioned for Trace to step to her side, and then she moved to Frank's right. "Frank, Trace is going to roll you onto your side. We're going to do this very slowly, and if it gets to be too much and you need us to stop, I want you to say so. Okay?"
Frank nodded.
Rebecca and Trace repositioned the sheet, keeping Frank from being exposed, and lowered the side rails of the bed. Trace gripped the cast on Frank's left while Rebecca reached across the bed, grabbing Frank's left arm. She tipped her head to square her face with Frank's and asked, "Are you ready?"
Frank closed his eyes and nodded.
As Rebecca pulled on Frank's shoulder and arm, Trace carefully lifted Frank's leg and began to roll him. Frank called out in pain, and his screams could be heard down the hall. Jack and Tom had just been on their way to his room when they heard him and began running to his room.
"What's going on?" Jack asked loudly when he entered the room.
Charlotte held her hand up to stop them, and they rushed to her side.
"Stop. Please stop," Frank called out.
Charlotte turned her head and pressed her face to Jack's chest. He moved his arm around her and held her firmly as he watched Trace and Rebecca lower Frank back down.
Frank lay on his back and placed his arm across his eyes. His heart was racing, his chest was rising and falling with his erratic breathing, and moans slipped out with each breath.
"Frank, I'm very sorry, but we must try again. We need to get you on your side for a few seconds. I'll only do it one time today."
"Please give me a moment," he begged.
"Ma'am, is this really necessary?" Tom asked, taking a step toward them.
"Yes, sir, it is," Rebecca answered sternly.
"Tom, please," Charlotte asked with her arm outstretched.
He moved to his mother's other side and held her hand in his.
"I don't see how this is helping," Jack stated under his breath.
"Shhh," Charlotte said and looked at her husband.
"Okay, Frank. One more time. Are you ready?"
Frank closed his eyes tightly and nodded.
Trace lifted Frank's leg as Rebecca pulled on Frank's shoulder and arm, and they rolled him onto his side. Again, Frank screamed in pain, but they held him in place for several seconds.
Charlotte turned her head again, and the guys held her between them as they helplessly watched Frank while he continued to call out in pain.
"You're doing great," Rebecca encouraged him. "You're almost there, Frank. Four, three, two, and one."
Rebecca and Trace carefully eased the man back down, and Jack could see Frank feeling around until he found the button and pressed it for any relief it might offer him.
"Excellent, Frank. We'll stop for today. You did very well," Rebecca said with a soothing voice. Her hand was on Frank's arm, and she brushed her thumb along his skin in an attempt to calm him. "I'm so sorry that we have to do this, but I promise it will help you."
Frank opened his eyes and was finally able to speak. "Don't apologize for doing your job, sweetie." His voice was hoarse and low, and you could hear the pain through his words.
"I know this stuff is necessary and is helping you, but I still hate that part of my job," she stated with a smile as she patted his arm. "It will get easier," she added.
Rebecca and Trace adjusted Frank until he was comfortable, then covered him with the sheet. Rebecca returned to the head of the bed and leaned in front of him as Trace left the room.
"Where do you rate your pain now?" she asked.
"Currently," Frank started, "an eight or nine."
"I'm sorry, Frank," she said, returning her hand to his arm. "I know this is painful and difficult to bear. I'll be back in a little while to check on you, and if it's still at an eight, then we'll get you something extra for the pain."
"Thank you, dear," Frank stated and laid his hand on hers. "I know this is necessary."
"Yes, and unfortunately, we'll have to do it again later today."
Frank smiled and nodded, trying to convince himself that it would be fine and was worth it.
"Okay," she said and patted his arm before starting to walk away. She looked at the family who were still staying back and added, "It's going to be a long road, but he will be alright."
"Thank you, ma'am," Jack said, then moved an arm behind his mother and walked her to the bed.
…..
"Beth, it was awful," Jack said on the phone as he sat in the waiting room near Frank's room.
"I'm so sorry, Jack. Do you want me to come there?"
"No, the kids need you home. You don't need to see this anyway. I can't get his screams out of my head. I know he's in much more pain than he's letting on."
"I'm sure he is. You know Frank doesn't like to be fussed over."
"I know. And she's coming back later today to do it again." Jack leaned forward and rested his arm on his knees.
"How's your mom doing?"
"It's hard on her. She couldn't even watch while the nurse was working with Pops."
"Maybe you and Tom should take your mom for a walk next time, far away from the room."
"I can try, but I doubt she'll leave the room. You know how stubborn she can be."
"Yes, I know. Maybe at least offer it."
"I will." As the scene replayed in his mind, Jack paused for a moment and leaned back into the chair. "I love you."
"I love you, too, Jack."
"How are the kids this morning?"
"Busy."
"What do you have them doing?"
"Right now, they are cleaning their rooms and stripping the bedding so I can wash it."
"I'll be home in a little while. I just want to make sure Pops is okay before I leave."
"It's fine, Jack. They need you there."
"I know, but so do you. I can split my time."
"We're fine, Jack. Really. The kids and I are just going to do some cleaning and laundry. They wanted to paint, so we're going to the studio later."
"That's good. They'll have a lot of fun with that."
"Jack?"
"Yes?"
"How are you holding up?"
"I'm okay. Seeing Pops in so much pain is rough, but I keep telling myself that it's one more step closer to him getting out of here."
"That's a good way to think of it."
"Is that Brianna crying?"
"Yes, it's time to feed her."
"I'll call you later. Tell the kids I love them, and I'll see them tonight."
"Okay, I will. I love you, Cowboy."
"Love you, Beautiful."
Elizabeth set her phone on the island and picked up Brianna from the bassinet. She carried her to the living room, relaxed on the couch, and began nursing her daughter. Elizabeth watched the four-month-old as she fed, her little fingers scrapping along Elizabeth's skin. Brianna's eyes were wide, and staring up at her mother. She stopped sucking, grinned, and let out a little giggle before resuming her meal.
"You're a silly girl," Elizabeth said and brushed a fingertip across the baby's cheek.
She drew circles on the little girl's cheeks where her dimple had just been, and her mind wandered to her husband. She knew how much Jack and Tom had grown to love Frank. They lost their father when they were just coming into their own, becoming men, and secretly longed for the void to be filled, as well as the void in their mother's life. So, when Frank came along, they quickly grew to love him and thought of him as a father figure. Elizabeth also knew that Frank's current state was killing the boys, and all they wanted was for him to heal quickly. For his sake...and their mother's.
Brianna had fallen asleep, and Elizabeth pulled her shirt down and then moved her daughter to her shoulder. She gently patted her back while she hummed, and her gaze shifted to the large floor-to-ceiling windows across the back wall. It had just begun to rain, and Elizabeth could hear it falling softly on the roof. She closed her eyes, hummed softly, and enjoyed the sound of the much-needed precipitation.
"Mommy?" a little voice asked.
Elizabeth opened her eyes to find Jackson staring at her.
"Can I hold Bri?"
"Of course," she said and patted the seat beside her.
Jackson climbed onto the couch, and Elizabeth moved Brianna into his arms. He cradled his little sister and touched a finger to her chin. The newness of having a baby sister hadn't weakened for Jackson, and he was always fascinated by her. He held her hand and watched as her perfect little fingers formed around his. Jackson lifted them to his mouth and kissed the back of her hand.
"You're such a good big brother," Elizabeth said and wrapped an arm around him.
"I love being a brother," Jackson said and looked up at her with a smile. "I always wanted a little brother or sister, and now I have three."
"And they are very lucky to have you in their lives."
"I'm the lucky one," he said, dropping his gaze to his sister.
"Jackson Blake, how are you so wise at such a young age?" she asked and fanned her fingers through his hair.
"I don't know," he said, still looking at Brianna. "Life, I guess."
Elizabeth chuckled and choked up simultaneously. The little boy beside her had most definitely lived a lot of life in his short five years. Too much at that young age. Elizabeth had vowed to make his life easier, to allow him to be a child. She combed her fingers through his hair again and listened as he conversed with the youngest member of the family.
…..
University Hospital
Rebecca and Trace had returned and began Frank's therapy again that afternoon. After having him point his toes back and forth with his good foot, Rebecca pulled the covers back from his right leg.
"Now, I want you to bend your knee as far as you can."
Rebecca slid her hand behind his knee and gently pulled it up while pushing his foot along the bed. Frank's eyes were closed as he anticipated the pain, but his face didn't begin to pinch until his knee was less than half what he could do before the accident.
"Okay, stop here, Frank, and hold this for a moment."
Jack and Tom had returned to be with their mother during this time, and Jack had attempted to get her out of the room. But as he'd predicted, she refused to leave. They stood back, arm in arm, and watched as Rebecca and Trace put Frank through a battery of exercises again to promote his healing.
The nurse lowered Frank's leg, allowed him to rest, then began again.
"Two more times, Frank. Try to go just a little bit further," she said as she slipped her hand behind his knee once more.
Frank bent his knee, keeping his foot on the bed, and brought it up until he couldn't take the pain any longer. He stopped, pressed his head into his pillow, and pinched his eyes shut tightly. He focused on his breathing, hoping it would distract him from the pain that was radiating through his hip, to no avail.
"Very good, Frank," Rebecca said and slowly straightened his leg. "Last time," she said and began to lift his knee again."
After repeatedly enduring a dagger shoved into his right hip, Frank enjoyed relief as Rebecca lowered his leg for the final time.
"Okay, now the hard stuff," she stated and pulled the sheet off Frank. "Remember the pelvic lift?"
Frank nodded.
"Let's do three of those, holding each one for four seconds."
Frank pressed his palms to the mattress and groaned as he lifted his hips to the ceiling. Pain shot through him like a thousand knives, and his body quivered as he listened to Rebecca count down from four. He lowered to the bed and let his body relax, wishing for the pain to subside quickly.
"Great job, Frank," Rebecca said softly and rubbed his arm. "Let's get through all of this so you can rest. Are you ready to continue?"
"Yes," he answered and closed his eyes again.
"Okay, give me four more seconds."
Frank lifted, and the pain sucked the breath from his lungs. He fought through the burn and prayed for relief. Hearing the countdown end, Frank dropped to the bed and pressed his hands to his head.
"I can't take this," Tom murmured and turned his head.
"One more time, Frank," the nurse said.
Frank hesitated a moment, afraid of the worsening pain, wishing it was all over but knowing it had just begun. Convincing himself to hurry and get it over with, he raised his hips again and held through the pain as Rebecca counted.
"Wonderful, Frank," she stated as he dropped to the bed. "You're doing great," she reassured and rubbed her hand on his leg. Rebecca took a few steps to her left, moving closer to Frank's head, and looked down at him. "I'm so sorry about this next part, but we have to do this again. We'll move quickly but gently. Okay, Frank." Seeing him nod, Rebecca asked, "Are you ready?"
Frank's gaze moved to Rebecca's face, and his eyes pleaded for it to end. Rebecca leaned closer to Frank and spoke in a soothing voice.
"We're going to do this quickly and swiftly. We'll do our best to keep the movement at a minimum." She picked up the button and placed it in Frank's hand. "Don't be afraid to use this," she said with a smile. "We're going to start now."
Frank quickly pressed the button repeatedly, knowing it would only work once, hoping it would malfunction and release an extra dose or two of the liquid that would bring relief to what was about to happen.
"Ready, Trace?"
"Yes, ma'am," the nurse's assistant replied. "Here we go, Frank," he added before carefully lifting the cast-covered leg.
Frank moaned and cried out. His pelvis felt as if it was on fire, and he couldn't stop calling out in pain even if he'd tried.
"Geez," Jack said under his breath and turned around. He couldn't take seeing Frank like this and felt helpless, unable to help the man.
Trace and Rebecca held Frank on his side, and she counted down, keeping her voice as soothing as possible.
"Four, three, two, and one," she said, and the pair lowered Frank to his back.
"Ahhhh," Frank yelled as they rolled him, and he attempted to push the button once more.
"Relax a bit," Rebecca said and laid her hand on his shoulder. "You yell and scream all you need, Frank," she said near his ear. "I know this is tough, so you do what you must."
Frank's eyes locked with hers and a tear rolled down his cheek. There was so much pleading in his gaze, begging for an end to his pain.
"This is the last one for today, Frank," she said quietly. "Then we'll leave you alone."
Frank nodded and closed his eyes.
Jack was looking at his stepfather again, watching as Rebecca and Trace rolled Frank to his side one more time. Charlotte's face was buried in his chest, and Tom was standing behind him, looking out the window. Jack could tell that Frank was trying to hold back his cries, but the pain was too much to bear, and the older man needed some sort of release from the torture. Jack stared at Frank's face and saw a tear roll across the bridge of his nose, his expression twisted from what Jack could only imagine was the worst agony Frank had ever endured.
Rebecca's countdown was over, and she and Trace carefully eased Frank to his back. Over five minutes had passed since Frank had received the slightest relief from the morphine drip, so this time as he pressed the button over and over, he was awarded another dose of what he yearned for. He lay still, waiting for it to take effect. As it moved through his bloodstream, Frank felt the sharp edge of the pain dull, leaving behind a slightly more tolerable discomfort, but not as much as he'd hoped.
"That was great, Frank," Rebecca said as she draped the sheet over the fixator and Frank's body. "Is the morphine helping?" she asked.
"Yes, but very little," Frank said, keeping his eyes closed.
"My shift is ending, and Norine will be your nurse this evening. She'll come in later to check on you. What is your pain rating right now?"
Frank cleared his throat, then answered, "Solid eight."
"Okay. I'll bring in another pain pill before I leave." Rebecca typed a few things into Frank's chart, then logged off the computer. "I'll be in first thing in the morning when my shift begins to see how you're doing."
"Okay," Frank said, nodding his head.
"Try to get some rest tonight," she added as she laid her hand on his arm. "I'll have Norine put the pillows on your right side this evening since it's the most comfortable for you."
"Thank you," Frank said, his voice gravely and low.
"Charlotte, try to get some sleep tonight as well," Rebecca said as she followed Trace from the room.
"I'll try," Charlotte said, turning and facing her husband.
Charlotte and her sons moved to surround Frank, and she took his hand between hers. She held it to her chest and hovered above him. With her right hand, Charlotte brushed the hair from her husband's face and their eyes locked. Jack and Tom could see fear and pain transition into love in the eyes that stared back at their mother, and his expression softened.
"We're going to head home now, Ma," Jack said and laid his hands on her arms. "Pops, do you need anything before we go? Anything from home?"
"No, boys," Frank answered. "I have all I need," he added and lifted Charlotte's hand.
"We'll see you tomorrow, Ma," Jack said and kissed her cheek. "Are you going home tonight?"
"I haven't decided yet."
"Yes, she is going home tonight," Frank stated firmly.
"I guess I am," Charlotte remarked.
"Okay, Ma. Let us know if you need anything," Tom stated, then kissed her goodbye. "Hang in there, Pops," he added and squeezed the man's good leg. "We'll see you tomorrow."
"Goodbye, boys," Frank said.
Charlotte pulled her chair back to Frank's bedside as Jack and Tom left and took her place by his side. She slid her hand under his, curled her fingers around it, and lifted it to her lips.
…..
Jack pulled up beside Dalton's truck next to the barn and climbed down from his. As he entered the barn, he heard a low voice from Maverick's side and headed that way. Dalton had the horse out in the alley, tied in place with two ropes, and was brushing him. Jack started walking their way but stopped when he heard Dalton's voice.
"That was the last time I ever saw Denny alive," he said as he brushed. "He was my best friend, and it haunts me every night. If I had noticed the sniper in the tower, Denny might still be alive."
Jack returned quietly to the other aisle, not wanting to make Dalton uncomfortable. "Dalton, are you in here?" he called out from the doorway.
"Over here," he answered.
Jack headed that way again, this time not stopping until he reached the horse. "Hey, Mav," Jack said, petting the stallion's jaw. "How's it going?" he asked Dalton.
"Pretty good. I worked with Penny, Sugar, Lincoln, and Marshall."
"Wow, you've been busy," Jack stated with surprise.
"Idle hands...," Dalton remarked.
"Yes, sir," Jack agreed.
"I thought young Mav here could use some attention," Dalton continued. "He's magnificent."
"Thank you. He is quite the horse."
"Why don't you call it a day? You've done so much already."
"I will as soon as I finish choring," Dalton replied with a smile. He set the brush on the shelf, unsnapped Maverick, and returned him to the stall. "I just have the barn horses left, and then I'll head out."
"Thank you so much. You've been a Godsend."
"I see it the other way around, sir. This is better than any therapist that I've ever gone to."
"I'm glad this is helping you," Jack said, placing his hand on the man's shoulder. "Say, Lee, Rosie, Tom, Sam, and the kids are all coming over tonight for dinner. Could you stay and have a meal with us?"
"That would be great. Yes. My dad is at the lodge tonight with his buddies, so I was on my own. Thank you."
"I'm going to the house to help Beth. Come on in when you're finished out here."
"Yes, sir. Thank you."
"And it's still Jack," he grinned. "My grandfather was Sir."
"Sorry, Jack. It might take a bit, but I'll try to remember." Dalton smiled and walked off to finish his chores, grabbing a bale of hay in one hand as he passed the pile.
…..
Rosie stood at the island, facing the front windows, when she spotted a man crossing the lawn. "Who...is...that?"
Elizabeth stepped in beside her best friend and looked. "Oh, that's Dalton."
"That...is Dalton?"
"Yes, Rosie. That's Dalton."
"God just keeps making them bigger and bigger," she said and sipped from her glass of wine.
"Rosemary Coulter," Elizabeth said and giggled.
"What? I'm not going to touch him," the woman said with a shrug. "I'm just enjoying the view."
"What view?" Lee asked, walking into the room.
Elizabeth spun around and moved to the sink to hide the smirk on her face.
"Um, just...looking out their window," Rosemary answered, feeling her cheeks grow warm.
"Yes, this ranch has great views from all around," Lee stated, grabbed a chip, then left the room.
The women burst out laughing as soon as he was out of earshot, and Elizabeth shook her head at her friend.
"Great views from all around," Elizabeth repeated.
…..
The adults filled the dining room table as the children sat at the smaller one. Burgers, baked beans, mac and cheese, and fries were passed around as everyone filled their plates. Jack returned to the room with beers and handed one to each man. Elizabeth lifted her glass of wine to her lips, took a sip, then set it down and picked up a platter of hamburger buns to send it around.
"I hear you spent some time deployed," Sam said, looking at Dalton.
"Yes, ma'am. I have been on five deployments totaling eight and half years."
"Wow, that's over half your time in," Lee remarked.
"Yes. I had no wife and kids back home like many other men, so I would stay in their place so they could go home to be with their families. I didn't mind being in some of those places, and it's what I signed up to do."
"It must have been scary at times, though," Rosemary said.
"For the most part, we would just be in our tents or bunkers. We did a lot of reading, playing games, training, and working out to keep our minds occupied. But the few times were deep in the action, yes, it was quite scary a time or two."
"We all thank you for your service, Dalton. We know it's a sacrifice for all military personnel, no matter where you spend your time," Jack stated.
Yeses and thank yous filled the room from everyone, and Dalton simply grinned and gave them a nod, clearly not one for wanting accolades for his duty.
"Do you mind me asking, did you ever get hurt over there?" Lee asked.
"I don't mind talking about it. I used to keep everything bottled up, but my therapist informed me of how unhealthy that is. And to answer your question, yes, I got hurt. I've been shot five times, had my tibia reconstructed, lost 50% of the hearing in my right ear, five fractured ribs, and still have some shrapnel in my right hip."
"Oh, my God," Lee exclaimed. "And you just kept going back?"
"Well, most of the earlier injuries were minor. The ribs and four of the gunshots were quick healing, and yes, I went right back in as soon as I was allowed. This last one, though, sent me home for good."
"What happened?" Sam asked, curiosity taking over.
"My unit was patrolling a small village in Iraq. We hadn't seen them hidden on a hill just west of us, but the enemy had a portable guided missile locked on our Humvee a hundred yards away. We didn't even know what hit us. A piece of the vehicle was blown in my direction, hitting me squarely in the leg, sweeping it right out from beneath me. It shattered the bone, and they had to reconstruct it using plates, rods, and fifteen screws. A few pieces of shrapnel lodged in my hip, but the doctors said they weren't doing any harm, so they left them. I was in a German hospital for four months, then sent to an Army base in California for rehab for another three. I was unable to get my leg back to 100%, so I was discharged and sent home a few months ago."
"Wow, I hadn't even noticed you limp or anything," Lee commented.
"I don't. But the doctors all agreed that I would not be able to go far in full battle gear, which is necessary when you're in the field. It weighs upwards of fifty pounds, many times more, depending on what we have to haul out for the location. I feel good and don't have any pain unless I overexert myself."
"We're glad you made it home," Elizabeth said with a smile. "And we're delighted you're here with us."
"Yes, we are," Tom added and reached over to squeeze Dalton's shoulder.
"I want to thank all of you for bringing me into your family. Not many businesses want the liability of hiring an ex-soldier with PTSD. I needed to feel like I was contributing to society and was starting to struggle with not finding a job."
"I guess the Lord was just leading you here," Jack said, nodding and smiling.
With tears beginning to sting his eyes, Dalton smiled and looked from person to person. "Yes, sir. I believe so."