Page 51 of A Burning Rage

I wake again when a nurse comes in to check on Shane. It’s morning now, and sunlight is filtering through the curtains. I sit up groggily as the nurse checks his vitals.

Suddenly, a wave of nausea sweeps through me, and I have to make a mad dash to the bathroom.

Oh, the joys of being pregnant.

When I return from the bathroom, the nurse is gone.

“I’m going down to the cafeteria to get you some breakfast,” Cooper says.

While he’s gone, I wash up in the bathroom and change clothes. Not long after, Cooper is back with a to-go box containing pancakes, a packet of maple syrup, a small carton of milk, and a bottle of water.

I stare at the food. “Cooper, I’m sorry, but my stomach just isn’t cooperating right now. Maybe later, okay?”

He digs a packet of saltine crackers out of his jacket pocket. “I bought these just in case.”

Smiling, I take the crackers from him. “These I might be able to manage. Thank you.”

Shortly after I successfully get one packet of crackers down, along with some water, Dr. Markowski comes into Shane’s room.

“It’s time,” she says. “His vitals are good. I think we can take him off the sedative.”

A nurse comes into the room to assist while Dr. Markowski turns off the infusion of the IV sedative.

“Now what?” I ask.

“We let him wake up slowly, on his own,” the doctor says. “He might be a bit disoriented when he wakes up. He might not know where he is or how he got here. He might not even remember getting injured.” She gives me an encouraging smile. “Just be patient with him and take things slowly.”

“How long will it take before he’s awake?”

“It depends on a few factors, but he should start stirring in an hour or two. He’ll be drowsy for quite a while, and it’ll probably take him a good twenty-four hours to return to normal. Let him set the pace.”

Clutching Shane’s hand in mine, I sit beside the bed and watch him closely for any sign he’s coming around. “I’m here, Shane. Come back to me, please.”

* * *

About an hour later, Shane’s eyelids flutter a few times before they open fully.

“Sweetheart!” Still holding his hand, I rise so I’m in his field of vision and he can see me more easily. “How do you feel?”

He flutters his eyelids a few more times before he turns his head toward me. “Beth?” he says, his voice rough.

“Hi, honey.” I lean forward and press a light kiss to his lips. “Cooper’s here, too.”

Cooper moves to stand at the foot of the bed. “Hey, buddy. Welcome back.”

Shane glances around the room, his gaze darting from Cooper to me. “Where am I? What happened?”

Chapter 19 – Shane

I hurt all over, but mostly my abdomen. My body feels like it’s weighted down with lead. My limbs are useless. My brain feels like it’s drowning in quicksand. None of this makes any sense.

Where the hell am I, what am I doing here, and why does my wife look like she’s about to cry?

Beth has a death grip on my hand.

When I look at her, I feel an overwhelming sense of unease. “Are you hurt?” My voice comes out in a dry croak.

“No, Shane, I’m fine.”