In Her Heart

CHAPTER ONE {Eighteen months ago} She couldn’t breathe. As the edges of the blackness she’d been lost in engulfed her again, strong hands reached for her. When her vision cleared, a man clutched her hand while people in white looked on in disbelief. Had she been drinking tar? With tremendous effort, she spoke. “My mouth tastes awful. May I please have some water?” One of the nurses bustled over to pour water into a cup. The doctor regained his senses. “Ms. Endy, how do you feel?” Another nurse checked vitals. Nurse Katie moved the cup with a straw to Elsie’s mouth. After sipping, Elsie answered the doctor. “Like a wrung-out dishrag.” They laughed—all, except for the man grasping her hand as if his life depended upon it. Her thoughts whirled. Am I dead and gone to heaven? She stared into the unmistakably rugged face of Rusty Garnet—international movie star. The doctor directed his words to the same man. “Mr. Garnet, please leave while we complete an exam.” It really is Rusty Garnet! The thought jumped up and down in her head while she watched his departing form. The doctor’s voice broke through. “Excuse me. I said I’m Dr. Gallagher. What is your name?” “Elsie Endy,” she replied. This question was followed by other similar questions she answered easily. However, one caused consternation. “Do you know what day it is?” Dr. Gallagher asked. She had no idea. “I don’t know.” “Let’s try for year and month,” the doctor suggested. Without thinking, Elsie answered, “April 2002.” Dr. Gallagher swiftly shifted his gaze to the clipboard as he wrote. Then he spoke softly. “Do you remember the accident that brought you here?” “No, but from the way my body aches, I’d guess a car accident,” she surmised. “Actually, you were thrown from a horse. A nasty blow to the head has had you in a coma for several days.” His tone was even as he explained. “On a horse? I don’t know how to ride.” Elsie’s lack of understanding was evident. The doctor continued clarifying compassionately. “Mr. Garnet said you learned while in Montana last summer.” She was adamant. “I haven’t been to Montana. I moved back to the East Coast last summer.” Dr. Gallagher glanced at the matronly nurse who had fetched a fresh gown and warm washcloth. The nurse remained silent. Instead, she went about her intended task by wiping blood and phlegm from her patient’s face. “It’s not unusual in patients with head injuries for memory loss to occur. This can be temporary. We’ll take another CT scan in the morning to see if there’s anything we can do.” The doctor took another approach. “And you’re telling me this because?” Elsie questioned pointedly. Unable to discern a way other than saying it directly, Dr. Gallagher stated, “It’s September of 2011.” Elsie looked at the nurse in hopes it was a joke. “I’m sorry, dearie. Give yourself time to heal and all of those years could return in an instant.” The nurse patted her hand. Confused thoughts spun in Elsie’s head. The doctor exited. “Let’s change your gown. Then I’ll get that hunky man of yours,” her soothing voice remarked suggestively. It couldn’t be true. “Mine? I don’t know him other than from movies.” “Tomorrow I’ll bring in pictures, which might jog your memory.” The motherly woman completed tying the clean gown. She walked to where Rusty stood in the doorway. They spoke a few quiet words before she left them alone in the room. The famous actor walked toward Elsie. She smiled at him. When he got to the side of the bed, she could see his eyes welling. Suddenly, he sank to his knees, burrowing his head in her chest. She ran her fingers gently through his hair. The wet from his tears soaked through the front of the hospital gown. After a little while, she queried, “Rusty?” As he lifted his head to look into her face, an affectionate smile formed. “No worries, mate. You’re back from walkabout.” {Present} {Present} Elsie couldn’t push the memory of those warm hazel eyes to the recesses of her mind, with them watching her from across the room. Her escort, Sean McEwan, noticed too. His bright green eyes made contact with hers. “Love, when is the last time you talked to him?” Sean asked, placing his hand on hers. “During filming,” she responded. Sean gave her a knowing look. “He sent the tea and biscuit basket from Pastry Perfect to our suite.” “I’m sorry, Sean.” She fidgeted with the cufflink on his sleeve. “It’s okay, m’love.” He lifted her hand to his lips. “If I were in his knickers, I’d be the same way.” The lights dimmed to indicate it was time for the award ceremony to commence. During the first break, Rich and his wife Janie finally arrived at the table. “Sorry for being late. Small emergency at home,” Rich offered. Elsie asked Janie, “Everyone all right?” Janie smiled easily. “Yes.” Sean caught them up to what they had missed. Till the waiter had fetched their drinks, it was time for the next presentation. During breaks the other couple mingled. Sean remained within earshot as he chatted with nearby associates. Midway through the ceremonies, Janie motioned for Elsie to join her for a trip to the ladies’ room. Thankfully, they had it all to themselves. Standing in front of the mirror, checking their makeup, Elsie asked hesitantly, “When you and Rich went to visit with Rusty, I noticed him look in my direction while you were chatting. Anything I should know?” “He’s worried about you. And I can’t really blame him.” Janie pursed her lips with concern. “You’ve gotten terribly thin—too thin.” Elsie’s hand shook as she put her lipstick into her purse. Janie hurried to apologize. “I’m sorry, Elsie. It’s not a criticism. We’re all worried about you. When Rich spoke to Sean a few weeks ago, he mentioned that you might not be able to make it tonight but didn’t say why.” “It’s from the treatments,” Elsie explained minimally. “Are they helping?” Janie asked without prying. “They’re prepping me for surgery.” Elsie tried to make light of it. Her face dropped. “Oh, Elsie, why didn’t you tell us things had gotten that bad?” “Please don’t tell anyone, particularly Rusty. I don’t want him feeling guilty,” Elsie pleaded. Janie shook her head. “I won’t. But if there’s anything you need, you know you can call us.” “Thanks. I’m just incredibly grateful for Sean,” she stated. “Yes, he is definitely head over heels for you.” Janie smiled to erase the tension. Upon the ladies return to the table, Rich remarked, “Sean was about to form a search party.” A blush of embarrassment brightened Elsie’s ashen cheeks. Janie laughed. “You know how we girls lose track of time when we’re talking.” Sean leaned close to Elsie. “Anything you need to tell me?” She admitted to “a bit of a headache.” “I’ll have Branson bring the limo to the front.” Reaching into the chest pocket of his tuxedo, Sean retrieved his cell phone. “We need to stay for Best Director and Best Film.” She stopped the hand holding the phone. Bright green eyes searched deep blue ones for a moment prior to Sean placing the cell phone back into his pocket. Elsie smiled in appreciation. “Thank you.” On impulse, Sean gave her a quick hug. “You know I can’t say no to you.” At the end of the evening, no one at their table had walked to the stage to receive an award. To add to this disappointment, Elsie’s small headache had evolved into a migraine. Her standing with her hands clutching the table caused Sean’s eyebrows to rise questioningly. Peering at him through her eyelashes, she spoke sheepishly. “You were right. It was too soon.” But it wasn’t in his nature to be condescending. Instead, he spoke to the other couple. “Elsie isn’t feeling well. Would you two be willing to cover us on the way out?” Rich and Janie agreed without hesitation.