"Redemption's Run": Chapter 22 continues

A Star Tribune serialized novel by Jane Fredericksen

Chapter 22

The story so far: Kinney realizes that Kacie stood by him.

The nurse deflated the cuff. She squinted at the IV bag. "Looks like we could use a refill."

"Could we make it a double?" he begged.

The nurse chuckled. "Heard that a few times." She caught sight of the open window and clucked her tongue. "Oh, my. Mustn't have that. We'll let all the air conditioning out." She crossed over to close it.

Kacie leaned over to Kinney. "I knew you'd want to hear the wind," she confided.

The nurse grabbed her instrument tray and bustled to the door. There, she nearly collided with someone entering. "Excuse me," the nurse sang as she darted into the hallway.

Ronnie stepped inside.

The beeping on Kinney's heart monitor quickened.

Deep breaths, he reminded himself. If you can.

The beeping slowed.

Ronnie grinned. "You're awake! Kacie, why didn't you tell me? Kinney, how're you feeling? You look like hell."

"I was just coming to tell you." Kacie jumped to her feet. "In fact, I think I'll take a walk down the hallway. A nice long walk, if you know what I mean."

She passed Ronnie, gave her an exaggerated wink and exited.

"What was that all about?" Ronnie slipped into the vacated chair. "Like everyone knows something I don't. Not sure I like that."

"Welcome to my world," sighed Kinney. "Were you the one who found us?"

"Kacie found us," she corrected.

"How's everyone else?"

"Some minor scrapes, nothing major. Matthew hit his head on the wheel, but he's fine. They're all asking about you."

"What happened to you?" Kinney pointed to a small bruise in the crook of her left elbow.

Ronnie stared at him, speechless. "How did you even notice that? No, wait. I know. You pay attention." She seemed embarrassed. "It's nothing, really."

"Let me see."

"You don't need to."

He held out his hand.

Slowly, warily, she held her arm out for him to examine. "If you must know, I gave blood." She avoided his face. "On the Coast Guard boat."

A smile curved her lips. "I wasn't the only one. We didn't know your type. Only two of us were O negative."

"Who else?"

Ronnie giggled. "Petunia."

"Oh, God," Kinney released her arm and closed his eyes. "That woman's blood coursing through my veins. I feel a sudden craving for guava juice."

Ronnie burst out laughing. "You should be grateful!"

He opened his eyes and drank in everything about her. Her merry eyes, her smile that could light up a room …

The gold chain, still around her neck, its end tucked out of view.

Tomorrow: Chapter 22 continues.