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Chapter Eleven
Austin glanced over at Lindsey, catching a glimpse of the alarm in her gaze as Amber spoke with her.
Uh-oh. What was Amber saying about him? No doubt it was nothing good. He left Alec and Adam to discuss how they were going to support their mother while their dad was in the hospital and went back over to rescue Lindsey.
“Hey, are you ready to go up and visit my dad?” He quickly interrupted whatever Amber was saying.
“Sure.” The way Lindsey jumped to her feet convinced him she was eager to leave. Sending his youngest sister a warning look, he took Lindsey 's hand and walked out of the family center, down the hall toward the elevators.
“Did Amber say something to upset you?” He asked as they rode up to the third floor.
“No.” She glanced away, not meeting his gaze.
Not good. “Please, don't pay any attention to my siblings. They get a kick out of teasing everyone. Sometimes their humor isn't as funny as they think it is. I promise they're harmless.”
The elevator doors opened and they stepped off on the third floor. Lindsey nodded but didn't say anything more as they entered the intensive care unit.
His mom was there, sitting in a chair next to his dad's bed. He flashed her a smile, then zeroed in on his dad, who still looked pale against the sheets. The breathing tube was out and there seemed to be less equipment in the room, two facts that eased his concern.
Maybe his dad was doing better after all.
“Hi, Mom.” He approached the bed and took his father's hand. “Dad, how are you feeling?”
“Better, now that the breathing tube is out,” he grumbled in a hoarse voice. “That tube was the worst part of the entire surgery.”
His dad's chest had been cut open, his heart had been operated on, yet his biggest complaint was the breathing tube. Austin hid a grin. No doubt his dad hadn't liked the breathing tube because it had kept him from talking.
“As you can see, he's back to his feisty self,” his mother added.
“Introduce me to your friend.” His father's gaze landed on Lindsey.
“Dad, I'd like you to meet Lindsey Winters.” He took her arm and drew her close to his father's bedside. “Lindsey this is my father, Abe Monroe.”
“It's a pleasure to meet you,” Lindsey said. “And I'm so glad you're feeling better.”
“That makes two of us.” His father grimaced. “Although they’re not letting me go to a regular room until tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” Austin frowned. “That's way too soon after such a major surgery.”
“Not really,” Lindsey countered calmly. “They usually try to get open heart surgery patients out of the ICU within 24 to 48 hours. Your dad will be one and a half days post-op once he leaves here.”
“That’s exactly what Cleo, his nurse said too,” his mother confirmed with a serene nod.
“Hmm.” Maybe so, but he still didn't like it. What if his dad took a turn for a worse on the regular floor? What if he suffered some sort of complication? The man's heart had been operated on, for Pete’s sake.”
“It’ll be okay,” Lindsey murmured, putting a reassuring hand on his arm as if she'd read his troubled thoughts. “They’ll keep him on a continuous heart monitor on the post op cardiac surgery floor, enabling them to keep a close eye on his heart rhythm. The nurses are well trained for this sort of thing.”
“I hope so.” He was grateful Lindsey was there to help keep him grounded. Her knowledge as a nurse far exceeded his paramedic training, so he felt better knowing she wasn't as concerned about his dad going to the general floor.
He chatted with his parents for a few more minutes, but then sensed his dad was getting tired. “Dad, we're going to head back downstairs so you can get some rest.” He glanced at his mother. “Mom, you've been up here all morning. Maybe you should take a break? It's almost time to for lunch.”
His mother nodded. “I'll be down in a little while.”
As they walked back to the elevators, Lindsey glanced at him. “I feel awkward, being here with your family. Maybe now that your dad is doing better, Josh and I should head home.”
His footsteps faltered. “Please don't go yet. It's my family really that overwhelming?”
“A little.” She smiled, but it seemed a bit forced. “Your family is fine. I'm not overwhelmed, I just don't want to intrude.” After a moment’s hesitation, she added, “But there's no rush for me to leave.”
