“No visitors?”Jasper asked.“We’ll see about that.”He went off to talk to the hospitalist.He came back not long after, looking mad as hell.
“I take it they wouldn’t let you see her,” Riley said.
“Damn doctors.When Dr.Gallagher gets here, we’ll see what he says.She’s my wife and I ought to be able to see her.”
Eventually Dr.Gallagher came to talk to them.“She’s settled in a room now and feeling a little better, but she’s still very sick.She has bacterial pneumonia.We’ve put her on IV antibiotics and are giving her fluids and oxygen therapy.She’ll need to stay in the hospital.”
“For how long?”Jasper asked.
“Too early to say,” Dr.Gallagher said.
“She had that shot,” Jasper said.“The one you made us take.Why is she sick?”
Dr.Gallagher nodded.“Yes, and hopefully her case won’t be as severe.But the pneumonia shot isn’t one hundred percent effective.”
“What’s this nonsense about no visitors?”Jasper asked.
“I’m afraid it’s not nonsense.She needs forty-eight hours on antibiotics before she’ll no longer be contagious.Jasper, you still need to take care since you’ve been around Lorraine and taking care of her.If you start feeling bad at all, call me.”He turned to Riley.“Keep an eye on him.I know how he is.”
“Don’t worry.I’ll make sure to call if he gets sick.”
Of course, that pissed Jasper off.“I don’t need you taking care of me.I’m a grown man and can take care of myself.”
“Like you did last time when you damn near died before you went to the hospital?”
Val said, “Dad, you have to listen to the doctor.Mom being sick is bad enough.We don’t want you to be sick too.”
Jasper grumbled and they stayed for a while longer until the doctor made it clear there was no point waiting around.He told them they could call to get updates on her.Which didn’t suit Jasper, but Riley could tell he was exhausted and the worry wasn’t helping him.
*
Riley had onlythought there was a lot of work to be done prior to his mom’s illness.The first two days when she couldn’t have visitors weren’t too bad, but it rapidly got worse.Between visiting hours, keeping track of Jasper so he didn’t overdo it, and all his regular duties taking care of the ranch, he had no time for Letty.There was no way he could get away longer than a quick trip to the feed store or to swing by Letty’s for a short time before having to leave.Long enough to kiss her and want more and know he couldn’t have it.
Letty came out to see him as often as she could, but that was a mixed blessing.They hadn’t had sex since the night his mother went into the hospital.He’d barely managed to kiss her, much less make love to her.And Christmas and New Year’s were fast approaching.Riley had carefully avoided the topic of their fling only lasting until the new year.He thought about it all the time.How could he convince her they could have more when he barely saw her?
Thank God, his mother was improving enough that she’d be out of the hospital soon and Jasper hadn’t caught pneumonia.But he didn’t know what they were going to do when Lorraine came home.She’d need help, and possibly medical care.Which neither Riley, his dad, Mercy, nor Val could do.Val was busy enough with the baby and the McFarland ranch, so while she could visit she wouldn’t be much help.Mercy could help, but she had her own duties, which took up most of her time.And his dad was no help at all, instead being intent, it seemed to Riley, on being a gigantic pain in Riley’s ass.
He broached the subject of getting some home health care when his mom came home.As he’d expected, his dad pitched a shit fit.He didn’t want some stranger in the house, blah, blah, blah.They could take care of Lorraine themselves, blah, blah, blah.Riley let him rant until finally he had enough.“I’m calling home health care and getting someone to come in to help take care of Mom.It’s happening so get over yourself.”
That went over well.Jasper was so stunned he sat there with his mouth open.But Riley didn’t care.Jasper would just have to deal.He was going to make sure his mother was cared for, come hell or high water.
