Lisa's phone pulled her from a deep sleep she hadn't planned on. She sat up quickly in the chair, and felt around her pockets, looking for it. She jumped up, hissing slightly as she was still sore at times, like now, and she tried to exit John's room quickly before waking him. He'd been up a lot overnight, and she'd finally gotten him settled around 5:30 that morning. She dug her phone out and saw it was just after 7AM and was Tim. Knowing the guys were on the cattle drive, she answered in a panic.
"Tim?" Lisa said quickly into the phone. "What's wrong?" Tim didn't call Lisa for social chats, especially at 7:00 in the morning.
"Hey, Lisa, sorry to call so early. Jack might have some broken ribs. We were almost back to the ranch last night when a truck going by on the road spooked his horse. We were close enough that it threw Jack. He refused to go to the hospital last night, and I knew he would be too stubborn to rest, so I was at the ranch all night on the couch. I insisted he come when I saw him about 5:00 this morning trying to move around and really struggling. So, we're here, and he's waiting to see what the doctor has to say. I haven't told the girls. I don't want to worry them, but well, you need to know."
Lisa shook her head and let out her breath, "Okay, umm, really, Paint threw him? That's uncommon."
"He wasn't on Paint. Paint was limping when we left. Amy was checking on him, so he ended up on a different horse, one I have, Striker, and yeah," he chuckled a little, "he struck. Jack's never going to let me hear the end of this, and I do feel responsible because it was one of my horses, although, he doesn't spook easily, or he never has."
"I see," she sighed, looking around, really for nothing. "Okay, I'm going to head over there. I just need to get John up and will change my clothes. I'll be over as soon as I can. He just had those broken ribs from his accident. Those took forever to heal."
"Yeah, the doc knows that. He's been in briefly, but they want to run some scans and all. He should be here for another couple hours at least," Tim told her. "I mean, he's in a lot of pain, but he's trying to hide it. If I hadn't been there, I have no doubt he'd be in the barn trying to feed the horses and could really have hurt himself."
"Yes, well, that is Jack. I'm glad you were there, Tim. I'll be there as soon as I can. Thanks for letting me know," she told him.
Lisa hung up and took a deep breath. She thought through the order in which she needed to get things done before she left. John was sleeping. She could get a quick shower and get dressed before heading to the hospital. She needed to do that. She could still smell formula on her shirt from where John had a projectile spit-up sometime in the middle of the night. She'd shower, dress, get his bottles together, and then finally get him. Jack would probably tell her she didn't have to come, but deep in her gut she knew she needed to be there.
It was almost an hour later when Lisa walked into the hospital with John in his car seat. Truth be told, she was very pleased with her efficiency and speed that morning, glancing to the clock to see it was just a few minutes after 8:00. She walked up to the ER desk and waited to be acknowledged, having to clear her throat a couple of times eventually for the woman to even look her way.
"Hi, I'm here for John Bartlett. He was brought in with broken ribs earlier this morning," she explained.
"Immediate family?" The nurse bellowed to her, giving her a bored look.
Lisa, a bit taken aback by the woman's rude attitude, fumbled her words, "Well, ahh, so-"
"Wait over there," she pointed and looked back to her work with no concern at all. Lisa gave her a nasty glance and scowled. That hadn't gone at all like she expected. She thought about saying something, but she knew this woman was miserable being where she was and wouldn't get anywhere. She'd text Tim and wait for him.
Lisa moved away from the desk and put John down on a chair while she pulled out her phone. She was about to text Tim when the incredibly rude woman got up and walked off. Lisa waited, hoping to try again with a different face, and her wish came true when a different nurse walked to the desk with a stack of charts. She tried again, this time with a tactic in mind.
"Hi," she said, this time with a firm, but kind tone and a smile to go with it. "I was called about Jack Bartlett being here with broken ribs. I'm here for him," she said, clearing her voice and trying not to roll her eyes at the next part. "Wife, son," she said lifting John's carrier to show she meant business. She didn't take her eyes off of this woman.
"Okay," she said, nodding. "I was just checking on the rooms. I think he's getting x-rays. Right this way," she told her. Lisa muttered under her breath and followed the woman, rolling her eyes that it had worked.
Lisa was ushered to the curtain area where Jack was, and before she got there, she heard him complaining to the doctor. "I am fine, Doc. I'll just take some painkillers. No need for all this fuss."
The nurse looked back at Lisa and gave her a sympathetic smile, "Good luck with that one."
Lisa let out a nervous chuckle, "You have no idea." The nurse left here there, and she moved around the curtain area to come into view. Tim was sitting in a chair in the corner of the small area, and as soon as Jack saw her, he started to complain again.
"Oh, Lisa," he sighed, shaking his head. "You didn't have to come down here. I'm fine." He turned to Tim and gestured at him, "Really? You had to call her? I don't need her here worrying about me, oh, and," he gestured to John in the carrier, "she had to bring John and all. Tim, why did you do that?"
"Don't be mad at Tim," Lisa said firmly, pointing to Jack. "I'm glad he called." She looked to the doctor and back to Jack, gesturing to Jack as the doctor typed up a few things.
"They are waiting on the x-rays," he sighed. "I'm fine."
"Jack," she sighed, glancing to the doctor and shaking her head, "you aren't fine. You are almost 71 years old and had broken ribs almost a year ago from a car accident. You have high blood pressure, so it's a good thing you are here."
"Blood pressure is a bit high, but stable," the doctor told her with a small nod.
"Well, that's good," she offered Jack a small smile. "At least one of us seems to have their blood pressure under control with medication. What is the problem with being here? You are in pain."
"I just don't want to be here," he grumbled, looking like a pouting child.
"I see," she crossed her arms, "so, when I was in the hospital with preeclampsia, I wanted to be there? Jack, sit back and let them take care of you. You can't do anything at home right now."
"Jack, you couldn't even get a coffee mug from the cabinet," Tim interjected. Lisa gave Jack a look to give it up and sit back. He frowned at her, but he did so.
"How do you expect to take care of John, Jack, if you can't lift anything? You won't be able to move that car seat," Tim told him.
The doctor glanced around, trying to figure out the family dynamic, and he gestured to the car seat, "Mr. Bartlett, if your ribs are broken, something like this is too heavy for you right now. You'll need to not carry your grand-"
"Son," Jack bellowed before the doctor could spit out a blunder. "That's my son, John."
"Right," he said, nodding and giving Jack and then Lisa an apologetic nod. "You can't be lifting things like that."
"Jack," Lisa sighed, frowning at him, "you would never put John in danger, but imagine if you just tried to struggle through this and were trying to carry John around and couldn't do it. We don't even want to think about that."
"Fine," he waved. "I'll shut my mouth." That seemed to quiet Jack, and the doctor gave Lisa an encouraging nod. She sighed and looked over at Tim.
"Tim, why don't we get a cup of coffee while they deal with Jack?"
Tim looked at Jack and then back to Lisa, "Yeah, sure, sounds like a good idea. Jack," he said standing, "add this to the list of times I've saved you."
"You have to be kidding me," Jack grumbled. Tim stepped around Lisa and walked around the curtain to wait for her, leaving Lisa there with the doctor and Jack. She crossed her arms and gave Jack a sympathetic smile.
"How are you, really?" Lisa asked.
He glanced at her and shrugged, "Better now that that pain in my-"
Lisa held up her hand, "Why do you think I suggested getting Tim some coffee? I know he can frustrate you, but at the same time, you two couldn't get along without the other. We'll go get some coffee. I'll get you some too," she said, looking to the doctor. "No problem, with that, yes?"
"Oh, he's fine with coffee," he told Lisa. "If the ribs are broken, we will just bind him up and send him home. It will be painful for a few weeks, and your mobility, especially with the baby," he nodded to Jack there, still in Lisa's arm in the carrier, "will be limited."
Lisa squeezed Jack's hand, "Just rest here. I'll go with Tim, and I'll be back soon. Thank you, doctor," she told the man, and she turned to leave.
Tim offered to carry John's car seat to the cafeteria area, and Lisa was glad for the help. John wasn't big yet, but the carrier was still bulky and heavy. He found a seat by the window and left Lisa there with John while he got coffee for the two of them and another to take back to Jack.
"Thanks for the call, Tim," Lisa said once they were seated and both cupping their coffees. John had been put on top of the table, his car seat facing them. He had been awake some, but he was now back to sleep. She knew he would want a bottle soon and had one ready.
"Lisa," Tim started and then stopped talking, thinking about what he wanted to say. He fidgeted and looked at her, "I know you and Jack are off right now, but it's always you, Lisa. It's always been you. I saw it the first time I met you, at that party he had for Amy. I mean, how could someone not notice you, and I remember when I met you, you said you were a friend of Jack's." He smiled at the memory and gestured with his hands to continue, "I have to admit I was a bit crushed to hear that in the moment, but then I wondered what was wrong with you to see anything in an old, set in his ways guy like Jack," he chuckled, "but," he paused and met her gaze, "a few minutes later, I saw Jack walk up to you, and I saw the look in his eyes. I'd never seen that look on him before, and I've known him a long time, even back to Lindy. Let's just say that I knew in that moment that describing yourself as a friend of Jack was never going to be all of it."
"Thank you for that," she said, almost bashfully looking at Tim. "You know I've loved him, and you also know that, even from your own experience, love isn't just enough."
"But why?" Tim asked. He put up his hand, "Sorry, I am bad about that, and I know it's not my business, but the guy is miserable all the time, Lisa. Miserable. I should know. I'm with him listening to him complain. He won't admit when he's made a mistake, when he's wrong. Not to mention, he's exhausted. I swear he fell asleep in his saddle yesterday when we stopped for some water. He's not going to say much of anything. That's Jack, stubborn and set in his ways."
"Aren't we all?" Lisa tilted her head. John woke up and started to cry. Lisa stood and started to unbuckle him, looking over to Tim.
"My diaper bag is there, and if you don't mind, could you get out his bottle? I have one ready on the side pocket, and his bib and burb cloth are in the front pocket."
"Sure," he said with a warm smile. "Would you let me feed him? I'd love to, and I've not seen much of him. He's already gotten bigger."
"Sure," she said with a small shrug. "You are welcome to feed him. Thank you for the help," she told him. She put John on her shoulder a moment, and when Tim was ready, he flashed a big smile at Lisa. She handed over John, and he settled in to feed him there while the two sat talking.
"I miss this phase," he told her, "or parts of it. I don't miss the long nights."
"Last one was a very long night," Lisa chuckled. "He was up all night."
"He's been up a lot with Jack, too," Tim told her, and when he could see she wasn't certain of that, he continued. "Jack isn't going to tell you how exhausted he is. He's all in, and he wants to do everything for John. You know how tired you are. We're close to the same age, so I get it. Muscles are sore, eyes are giving out, and it's tiring to be up all night, but we can do that. Jack, you know it has to be really exhausting, trying to still do the same things and at his age. He's really trying, Lisa."
"I know he's trying," she said with a small smile. "That hasn't been in question. It has nothing to do with that. I have no doubt his ability to take care of John," she paused and then rolled her eyes, "except if he has broken ribs and is trying to avoid dealing with that."
"Right," Tim chuckled. Lisa watched Tim as he made some faces at John. He really did adore that baby, and Tim seemed to be in heaven just feeding him. Lisa excused herself to use the bathroom, and when she returned, he was burping John.
"All fed, but," he made a face, "I think it kinda flew through him. He has a bit of an odor." Tim grinned at Lisa and handed John back to her. She grabbed the diaper bag and gestured.
"I'll be right back, and then we can go check on Jack," she told him. Once Lisa returned, Tim said one more thing as they gathered everything to go back to the ER.
"Lisa, just," he sighed. "I don't know. I see how you two are. Just don't destroy him with France. Don't keep John away so long and not come back."
"Tim," she said, reaching to grip his forearm and met his gaze, "I'll be back. I'm coming back."
"Sure, until you leave again or aren't. What about Florida? I heard complaining about that for months too. Aren't you thinking about moving?"
She sighed and worked on buckling John back into his seat. When she finished and turned, Tim was still waiting for a reply. She held up her hand, "I have a lot to figure out with my business. I'm going to start working on that in France. I had so many health issues with John that I had to put all of that on the back burner, but the fact remains that my business requires me to travel, and I need to figure out what that is going to look like going forward. That's all I want to say right now."
"Yeah, well, take it from a guy who had a good thing and then threw it all away," he said with a nod. "Just think about that."
The two were quiet as they walked back to the ER, Tim carrying John in his seat again for Lisa. They were able to walk right back into Jack's room, and she delivered his coffee to him.
"Thank you," he said with a nod. He'd been resting with his eyes closed when they'd entered the room. She patted his arm, "You can rest. We can wait outside."
She wasn't even done talking, and the doctor walked back into the room area.
"Not broken," he nodded. "Badly bruised, but you are very, very lucky Mr. Bartlett. That could have been much worse. We checked for internal bleeding, none of that either, but if you are feeling off, dizzy, nauseous, or anything out of the ordinary from just some soreness, we need you to come right back here."
"Oh, that's a relief," Lisa said, clutching her chest.
"See that, Jack," Tim gestured to him. "Striker didn't even break your ribs."
"Tim," Lisa shook her head at him. It wasn't the time.
"Tim, that horse is too jumpy. I told you that the whole drive," he groaned as he moved.
"Just be glad I brought you here, old man. You were too stubborn to come on your own, and at least you know for sure," he told Jack. He looked from Lisa to Jack and nodded to Lisa, "Would you mind getting him home? I have to get the feed all set out for the cattle now that we've moved them. They'll be hungry."
"I've got him," Lisa nodded to Tim.
"I can still talk," Jack interjected. "I'm not an invalid."
Lisa put her hand on her hip and gestured between herself and Tim, "Okay, Cowboy, who would you like to take you back home, Tim or me?"
The doctor kept glancing at them as he checked a few things and made some notes. Lisa was sure she saw him grinning when she started the banter about Jack getting home with one of them.
"Lisa," Jack rolled his eyes and grumbled. Lisa turned to Tim and acted surprised.
"Gosh, Tim, I'm shocked Jack would rather ride home with John and me than you."
"I have to agree with you, Lisa," Tim nodded. "Jack is just always so full of surprises and open to change."
"Knock it off you two," Jack gestured. "It's unnerving watching you two get along."
"I'll get going and take care of the cattle," he told Jack. "That's just what I do as such an amazing son in law," he sighed, grinning at Jack.
"Ex-son-in-law," Jack grumbled, and Lisa sighed at the men. She moved to the chair and sat down, putting John's seat on the floor and pointed at the two.
"Both of you stop. Tim, thanks for taking care of things. I'll get him home," she stated.
Tim left, leaving the doctor with his charting and Lisa there with John. The doctor glanced at the two and to Jack, "I've put in all the notes. I'll put in for some pain meds for you. You will be pretty sore for a few weeks. Just watch what you lift or carry," he said looking to John. Make sure if you are carrying him, you aren't in pain."
"I won't hurt him," Jack sighed. "I know I have to be really careful handling him."
"You do," he said, and he looked to Lisa and continued, "and carrying anything like his car seat will be too much for at least a couple weeks."
"Thank you," she nodded. "I've got it."
"You all certainly have an interesting family," he smiled. "It's nice you have so many who care, Mr. Bartlett. Take care of yourself and watch that horse. I'll put in your discharge notes so you can get out of here soon." With that, he stepped away, leaving Lisa with Jack.
"I'm sorry he called you," Jack looked over and gave her a sympathetic smile as soon as the doctor left.
She sighed and rolled her eyes, "I'm glad he did, Jack. You two would have killed each other waiting it out together. How are you feeling?"
"Just sore," he shrugged. "I've had worse."
"True, but you were also much younger. As the doctor reminded you, it's not just the ribs. Take care of yourself, and if you aren't feeling well, you need to get back here. We don't need a blood clot or something worse because you decided to toughen it out."
"I know," he nodded, glancing to John. "I'm aware the stakes are high. I want to be there as long as I can for him. How's he doing today?"
Lisa stood and lifted the car seat onto the bed so Jack could see John, She grumbled, "Long night. He was awake all night, crying a lot. Where did my sweet, quiet baby go?"
Jack tried to laugh, but he grabbed at his ribs, "He isn't listening to me, that's what it is."
"Oh," she said quickly and sarcastically, "like father, like son more and more then."
"Ha ha," he said in a flat tone with a frown. He was quiet and then nodded to her, "Sorry he kept you up all night."
"It is what it is," she shook her head. "Oh, his passport came."
Jack raised an eyebrow, "That was fast, not even a month."
"It was," she nodded. "I expedited it, and I'm relieved it arrived. October 1 will be here before we know it, and I'll be off to France." Lisa had readjusted her dates after John was born, going a little earlier in October than planned. It worked for her and her business. She would have missed a couple of prominent auctions leaving later in the month, but she had been prepared to do so with John's due date when it was. With his arriving earlier, she'd shifted her dates and was now due back on October 17th.
"Well, I'm sorry, Lise, but I'm dreading that trip and counting down the days until October 17th."
"I know," she said with a sad smile. "I know," she patted his arm.
"Oh, please tell me you didn't call the girls," he sighed.
"I did not, and Tim didn't either. Neither of us wanted them to worry," she told him. "You can tell them you'll be okay when you get back home."
He glanced up at her with a hopeful look, "Mind if I rest a little at your house and hang out with John? Sounds like we all need some rest. I'd just like to spend some time with him, and I know having me carry him around at home today isn't a good idea. This way, you can supervise," he offered with a hopeful shrug.
She nodded, "That's fine, Jack. Of course, you can spend the day at my house. I'll stop on the way home and pick up some sandwiches so we can have a quiet afternoon with John."
He winked, "Only if I get the choice of turkey and Swiss or turkey and Swiss."