CHAPTER TWO
UNLIKE HIS FRIEND AUBREY, Jay wasn’t comfortable visiting survivors or their family members. He was always afraid that he was imposing. Or that the people would think he had shown up in order for them to express their gratitude. But he knew Captain Shear and, as it turned out, Aubrey knew Nora Frasier.
Nora taught yoga classes at the studio Aubrey frequented and she also worked part-time at the health food store in town where Aubrey shopped. When Aubrey said she was going to the hospital to visit both Nora and Captain Shear, it didn’t seem odd for Jay to volunteer to tag along. Visiting a friend was different. Although it would be nice to see for himself that Nora Frasier was going to be okay. For some reason, Mia Frasier’s terror-filled eyes full of concern for her mom kept flashing through his mind.
After arriving, they had a nice visit with Captain Shear, who was in high spirits after learning he was set to be released in a couple days. They spent some time talking about their Coast Guard service while he reminisced about his twenty years in the Air Force. They swapped stories until his daughter and grandkids showed up to visit.
On their way out, Aubrey asked the captain if he wanted anything. He requested ice cream. Before Jay could offer to go get it, Aubrey sent him to Nora Frasier’s room while she ran down to the cafeteria to fetch his butterscotch sundae.
Jay found Nora’s room at the end of the hall. He recognized Mia sitting in a chair beside the bed. Tapping lightly on the door frame, he felt a buzz of nerves. He hoped this wasn’t a bad time.
“Hey, Mia? Hi. Do you remember me?”
When she looked up and smiled, he was struck with the thought that if it wasn’t a bad time, then it was definitely a bad idea. Something about her, the earnest expression or the intensity in those striking blue eyes, made him want to both leave and stay at the same time. There was so much...emotion there. Outside of his family, he didn’t do emotion, especially not with women he was attracted to.
“How could I forget? Hi. Officer Johnston, right?”
“Yes, but let’s go with Jay, okay?”
“Sure. Come on in, Jay.”
“Aubrey is here with me,” he said as that awkwardness he was concerned about reared its ugly head. “She, uh, she went down to the cafeteria to get Captain Shear some ice cream.” He pointed down the hall to where he kind of wanted to go. “She’ll be here...soon.”
“Please.” She motioned with one hand. “Come in. It’s so nice of you to stop by.”
“Yeah, it’s, uh,” he muttered as he walked into the room, “it’s a thing Aubrey likes to do, visiting survivors.”
“Survivors,” she repeated with a grin. “I really like that word.”
He’d noticed she was pretty on the helicopter, but she’d also been freezing, soaking wet and terrified. Now, her black hair was dry and silky and settled around her shoulders. Her skin wasn’t nearly as pale, either. She looked tired and very beautiful.
He lowered himself onto the chair next to hers. The space was small, and it took a conscious effort not to allow his long leg to brush against hers. He had no choice but to breathe in the scent of her, which made him think of wildflowers and soft music. Soft music? Clearly, he was tired, too.
Spreading his fingers, he splayed his clammy palms over his knees and reminded himself he was a member of the United States military and a grown man. “How is your mom?”
“She’s going to be fine. No permanent damage. And she’s awake.”
His mood lightened as he looked at the peacefully sleeping woman lying on the bed next to them. Nora had her head turned toward the wall and Jay could hear the comforting sound of her soft snore. For some reason, he couldn’t resist teasing her. With a tip of his head toward the bed, he said drily, “I can see that.”
Mia looked surprised for a second and then let out a chuckle. “Well, not now... Obviously. But she woke up. Finally. This morning her eyes popped open and she asked for a green tea smoothie and a vitamin B12 shot.”
Jay grinned. “That’s so great.” He liked the way her cheeks blushed with color. Her unease somehow made his a little more bearable.
Nora stirred and murmured in her sleep, drawing both of their gazes.
He flipped a thumb toward the doorway. “Should I...? Are we going to wake her up?”
“I really don’t think so. The meds are making her really sleepy. Even though she only wants turmeric, fish oil and cannabis tincture, the doctors insist on giving her actual medication.”
He chuckled. “Aubrey knows your mom. She sounds like a character.”
“You have no idea.” She sighed and then added in a voice choked with emotion, “She’s actually really amazing. I don’t know what I’d do without her...” She sniffled. “I’m so sorry. I keep doing this.” She pointed at her eyes, which were brimming with tears. “Having these little episodes. It’s embarrassing.”
“Don’t be sorry. Trauma like you lived through can be really emotional, even when it has a positive outcome.”
Tears glistened on her cheeks. She swiped them away. “I thought I had a pretty good handle on death. I’m a vet and I deal with animal deaths all the time. But when it’s your own you’re facing or someone that you love...” Her words trailed off and she exhaled a shaky breath. “I’m so grateful we’re all alive.” She surprised him by belting out a laugh. “I’m suddenly grateful for everything.” She gestured around the room. “And not the obvious stuff like hospitals and doctors and antibiotics. But like everything—paper cups, liquid soap, dry-roasted peanuts, plastic wrap, tennis shoes and... And this is kind of a weird topic, huh? I think I might be over-sharing.”
“No, it’s perfectly fine,” he said. “I understand.”
“Do you?” she asked, her expression turning earnest. She went on before he could answer, “You must. Because I’ve been thinking about you a lot. I mean...” Another blush, and Jay found himself trying not to laugh and at the same time wanting to reach out and touch her, calm her down, comfort her. That wasn’t his job at this point, he reminded himself. Under certain circumstances that might be okay, but something told him he might enjoy being close to her a little too much.
She added, “You and the rest of your crew, I mean. I’m embarrassed to admit this... My own brother is a Navy SEAL and I’ve never thought of it in this way before. I can’t believe you guys do what you do. Risking your lives all the time. On purpose. For other people. It’s so selfless and generous and brave.”
Jay shifted in his seat, uncomfortable with her gratitude, reminding him of why he didn’t like to visit survivors. “So others may live,” he said.
“What?” Her brow scrunched.
“It’s the motto for Coast Guard rescue swimmers—so others may live.”
“Oh...right. Well, that’s perfect.”
He lifted a shoulder. “It’s an honor, actually. It’s the best feeling in the world to play a part in saving someone’s life.
