False Pretenses - Kathy Herman [103]
Vanessa hung up the phone and looked out into the parking lot at Hargrave Medical Center. The shot of Demerol she received was starting to wear off.
“Well?” Ethan squeezed her hand. “It sounded like your folks took the news better than we thought they would.”
“Probably because they can’t see how awful I look.”
“Your injuries are awful.” Ethan brought her hand to his lips. “But you, my love—alive and safe—are the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen.”
Vanessa smiled in spite of herself. “This from the man who thought I was beautiful when I was nine months pregnant and looked liked a hippo.”
“You were, undoubtedly, the loveliest hippo I’d ever seen. Still are.” Ethan laughed and ducked, his hands in front of his face.
Vanessa grabbed the extra pillow, giggling all the while, but didn’t have the energy to throw it.
“This really isn’t a laughing matter.” Ethan lowered his hands. “Finish telling me about your conversation with your folks.”
“You heard my side of the conversation. They’re just glad the bullet wound was superficial and I’m alive. Mom said Cowen practically signed his own death certificate when he held a sheriff’s deputy at gunpoint. They had no choice but to take him out.”
“It’s unfortunate it came to that,” Ethan said, “but it’s hard to feel too bad, knowing he’d kill again.”
“I think Mom’s feelings are hurt that we didn’t call and ask her advice before we got involved in something this risky. But even though neither of them said it, I think Mom and Dad are proud of us for being Good Samaritans.”
“I never thought of it that way. I’ll have to use that angle when I tell my parents about the first guests we hosted at Langley Manor.” Ethan picked up her hand and brought it to his cheek. “I can’t believe how close I came to losing you. Now I understand how you felt when Drew’s killer was after me and all you could do was pray and trust the Lord.”
“That was the longest day of my life.”
“I think this was the longest day of mine.”
Vanessa sat with Ethan in the stillness for a few moments and then said, “I wonder how Zoe and Pierce are doing. You think they’ll go home together?”
Ethan shook his head. “I doubt it. Pierce said something about going to stay with his parents. I wish he’d stay here with Zoe and work it out. Separating might be the beginning of the end.”
“That would be sad.” Vanessa sighed. “They really do love each other.”
“Zoe’s betrayal was pretty serious, honey. Pierce might not be able to get through this by himself.”
“Are you thinking of counseling him?”
“I’m certainly willing, but he might not open up with me.”
The nurse pranced in the room. “How are you feeling, doll?”
“I’m starting to hurt again.”
“Well, it’s time for another shot of Demerol. I’ve got it right here.” The fifty-something bottle redhead washed her hands with sanitizer and put on plastic gloves, then came over to Vanessa’s venocath and injected the pain medicine. “This should take the edge off in no time. By the way, if you’re still doing well in the morning, the doctor is going to release you.”
“That’s great news,” Ethan said. “Our four-year-old will be so glad. He really misses his mom.”
“I just hope the sight of me covered with scratches doesn’t scare him to death.”
“Okay, doll. That’ll probably make you drowsy. Get some rest. Use your call button if you need something.” The nurse left as quickly as she had come.
“Before I get too sleepy,” Vanessa said, “tell me what the sheriff is doing about Noah Washington.”
“Nothing, since we decided not to press charges. They were going to get his statement and let him go.”
“What else could we do?” Vanessa said. “He saved our lives.”
Ethan arched his eyebrows. “He’s also guilty of trespassing. I don’t think we should let that go unaddressed. I’d like to hear his explanation.”
“Me too. But I also want to hear everything his great-grandmother told him about Langley Manor. Those tunnels are your family’s legacy, Ethan. Langley Manor can be so much more than a bed-and-breakfast now. It’s a memorial to the brave souls, black