This Time(25)

"She's coming," Dean warned.

Everyone turned to greet Belle, consoling her with words of hope, volunteering help.

Belle's face remained drawn and her eyes puffy from crying. Softly she announced she would spend the night in the room with her father.

"That's a good idea," Elaine encouraged, stroking her still matted hair.

Just then, Spencer barreled through the ER doors, demanding to know what happened. He possessively reached for Belle and cradled her in his arms.

Jealousy smacked Burke's heart. Tired of the whole ordeal, he slipped undetected out of the ER. His sleek sports car sped over the county's back roads as he drove home, his hands gripping the wheel until his fingers tingled. He cried out to the Lord, frustrated, purporting to reason with Him over Belle's unjust accusation.

But the still, small, voice he longed to hear remained silent.

Once he arrived home, Burke retreated to his grandfather's prayer chair and settled his anxious spirit by turning his heart toward the Prince of Peace. Then, and only then, did his answer come.

Greater love has no one than this that one lay down his life for his friends.

For a long time, Burke meditated on what God spoke, trying to understand, working to make it a reality in his heart. Gradually, a plan began to unfold.

An hour later he picked up the phone and dialed his agent.

"John, it's Burke." A gregarious voice greeted him on the other end of the line.

"I'm fine, thanks. Listen, I'm not going to be able to get out to the coast this weekend." He leaned forward in the chair and rubbed his forehead as he listened to John complain and whine. "Reschedule, then, but this Friday is out."

He detailed the day's tragedy. A friend was in trouble and he needed to stay and help.

"No, no one else can do it. I'm positive. I'll call you in a few weeks. Yes, reschedule. Thanks, man."

***

Belle slipped into her father's cool, quiet room and pulled a chair beside the bed. She slipped her hand into his and tearfully watched him sleep.

"Daddy," she said, lightly touching his leg cast, her shoulders sagging. "I'm sorry I didn't come after you. I'm so sorry."

With her face buried in his hospital blankets, she prayed, surrendering her fears to her heavenly Father, trusting Him with the life of her earthly father.

Spencer popped his head in the door. In a whisper, he asked, "Are you sure you want to stay here tonight? You should go home and get cleaned up, sleep in your own bed."

She looked at him, shaking her head, tears wetting her cheeks. She motioned toward the two reclining chairs positioned at the foot of the hospital bed. "I'm staying here tonight. The nurses will let me take a shower in their locker room. They lent me a pair of scrubs, a blanket and a pillow."

He slipped into the room and urged her again to go home. "Those chairs aren't comfortable."

"I'm not leaving Daddy." Her tone indicated no compromise.

Spencer brushed his hand tenderly over her face, drying her tears. Bending down, he kissed her cheek goodnight. "Have it your way."

After showering, Belle settled herself in Duke's room, first shutting off the overhead lights and then switching on the lamp next to the chairs. A soft hue lit her little corner.

Logically, she believed the doctor's report that he would recover. Emotionally, she felt scared and isolated. Today's incident reminded her that life is precious and fleeting.

A gentle knock on the door roused her from her pondering. She glanced at her watch as she replied, "Come in."

She expected the night nurse, making her rounds, to check her father's vitals. But instead, Burke's sincere face peered around the door.





Chapter Twelve





"What are you doing here?" she asked, too weary to be angry with him anymore

He raised a brown paper bag, and the smell of burgers wafted through the air. His intense blue eyes pleaded with her as he spoke. "Two Charlie's cheeseburgers, one all the way, one with no tomato. Two large fries and chocolate shakes."

Charlie's burgers were one of her favorites, and her stomach rumbled as the heady scent of the hot food wafted across the room.

"I can't believe you remembered," she said, motioning for him to set the burgers on the table.

"How could I forget?" he said, handing the milkshakes to her before reaching into the bag.

They ate in silence for the first few minutes, Belle savoring the burger's taste. She washed it down with a long slurp of her shake. Looking askance at Burke she confessed, "I blamed you for this, you know."

Burke finished chewing and swallowed, nodding his head. "I heard."

She chuckled nervously. "How ridiculous for me to accuse you."

"Well, I thought so, but hey, I've done worse."

One eyebrow shot up as Belle said, "Don't I know it."

"How long is it going to take for me to live it down?"

Belle eyed him, a slight grin on her lips. "You've only just begun, Benning."

He rolled his eyes and curled his lip. "I figured as much."

Her face became serious and her eyes snapped at him. "Twelve years, Burke, twelve years of stuffing everything I wanted to say to you."