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Fulfilling Another Dream Part II
Trixie slowly lifted her head. There was a dull throb. She didn’t hurt anywhere else. She opened her eyes and saw a sheet of white in front of her. It took a moment for her to realize she was in the Jeep. She was leaning against the passenger door.
What happened? She asked herself. Why am I still in the Jeep? Where is Jim?
She looked to her left and saw he was slumped over the steering wheel.
“Jim?” she asked weakly. “Jim. Answer me.”
There was no response. She pulled the glove off her left hand and reached for Jim’s neck. She found his neck and pressed her fingers against it. She could feel his heart beating. She let out a breath. Jim was alive, but they were still in danger. They needed help. And fast.
Trixie reached for Jim’s pocket and found his cell phone. She dialed the first number that came to her mind. She put the phone to her ear. It rang twice before it was picked up.
“Hello?” a female voice asked.
“Honey, it’s Trixie,” she said trying to steady her voice.
“What’s wrong?” Honey asked.
Trixie knew she couldn’t hide anything from her best friend. “There’s been an accident.”
“Where are you?”
“We’re in a ditch,” Trixie said,
worry filling her voice. “Jim’s unconscious. “Trixie.” It was Brian. “What happened?”
“We got run off the road,” Trixie answered. “Jim won’t answer me.”
“All right,” Brian said. “Remain calm. Were you close to home?”
“I think so. I’m not sure.”
“Okay, I’m on my way and I’m calling for help. Stay put. Give me about 15 minutes and then I want you to start pressing the horn on the Jeep every few seconds so I can pinpoint your location. That will help me find you in this storm.”
“All right.”
“Here, Honey.”
“Trixie,” Honey said.
“I’m here,” Trixie said, never taking her eyes off her husband.
“Are you all right?”
“I think so.” Trixie could feel her body shaking. “I’m just really worried about Jim.”
“Don’t worry,” Honey said calmly. “He’s very strong. He’ll be fine.”
“Oh, Honey.”
“Come on, talk to me. Do your legs hurt?”
“No.”
“What about your arms?”
“They’re fine.”
“Where exactly do you hurt?”
“My head’s throbbing a little.”
“All right. Just take it easy. Help will be there soon.”
“Honey, I am so scared. Jim is so still,” Trixie said.
“Everything will be all right. Brian is on his way.”
Trixie and Honey continued to talk. After 15 minutes, Trixie started pressing the horn. She hoped Brian would get there soon.
A short while later she saw lights near the drivers’ side of the Jeep. She pressed the horn continuously. She wanted to get out.
“Trixie! Jim!” It was Brian. “I’m here.”
The driver’s door opened and Brian looked in. She was so happy to see him.
“All right, Trix. I want you to relax. We’ll have you out of here soon.”
“Take care of Jim,” she said tearfully.
“I will.”
Trixie watched Brian quickly check Jim over. By the time he was finished, an ambulance had pulled up.
She waited as Jim was secured to a backboard and gently removed from the Jeep. Once he was out, Brian came around to the passenger side.
He pulled on the door a couple times and it finally opened. He crouched down and quickly gave Trixie a look see to make sure she was all right and if she needed to go to the hospital in an ambulance as well. When he was certain she was relatively all right, with just a bump on her head, he wrapped a blanket around her shoulders. He placed his arm around her shoulder and offered her a hand as she got out of the Jeep. Together they climbed out of the ditch.
They reached the road and stopped as Jim was being loaded into the ambulance.
“Take him in,” Brian said. “I’ve got her.”
“I need to go with him,” Trixie said.
“Let them go,” Brian said. “They’ll be able to get him there faster. You can ride with me. It’ll take too long to get another ambulance out here.”
She knew there was no point in arguing with her brother. She watched Jim as the doors were closed. She hoped he was all right.
“Come on.” Brian led her to his car and she sat in the passenger seat.
As she leaned back in the seat, Brian asked, “Are you sure you’re not hurting anywhere else besides your head?”
“No. I think I’m all right.”
“When we get to the hospital, we’ll have you get a complete examination. We’ll also check on the baby.”
Trixie touched her stomach. She hoped nothing had happened to their child.
“Let’s go,” Brian said.
Brian reached in and hooked her seatbelt. He closed the door and made his way around to the driver’s side. He tossed his bag into the back seat before getting behind the wheel. As he started the engine, he asked, “What happened?”
“We were on our way home,” Trixie began. “Jim noticed a car was tailgating us. The next thing I knew, the car was beside us. The car rammed us into the ditch. That’s it.”
“It’s over now,” Brian said as he glanced at her. “And we’ll be at the hospital soon.”
* * * * *
Three hours later, Trixie was resting in a room by herself. A monitor was beside the bed keeping track of the baby’s heartbeat. She closed her eyes and tried to get comfortable.
Brian had assured her that she and the baby were all right. But as a precaution, he was going to stay in the hospital for a couple days under observation.
She tried to rest, but she kept thinking about Jim. No one had told her anything. She hated not knowing. She wanted to know how her husband was doing.
“Trixie?”
She opened her eyes and saw Honey standing at the door. She smiled as her best friend moved over to the bed.
“How are you feeling?” Honey asked.
“I’m all right.”
“And the baby?” Honey asked, looking at the monitor.
“We’re both doing just fine.”
“That’s good.”
“Have you heard anything about Jim?”
“Nothing. But you shouldn’t worry. He’s going to be fine.”
“I keep thinking that, but my mind won’t be at ease until someone tells me something.”
“Brian will come as soon as he can.” Honey switched subjects. “Now, I want to know if you’ve been working on a case without my knowledge.”
“I haven’t,” Trixie said. “I promised Jim that I would take it easy when it got close to the baby being born. It’s one promise I have been keeping.”
Honey pulled a chair over and sat down. “Do you think it was an accident?”
Trixie remained quiet. She knew she could be honest with her best friend and partner.
“I think it may have been an accident, but I’m not sure.”
“Why not?”
“I have seen this man around. I keep getting the feeling that he was following us around.”
“Did you get a good look at him?”
Trixie described the man she had seen outside Wimpy’s. She finished, “There was something familiar about him, but I can’t place it.”
“There’s nothing that stood out to you?” Honey asked.
Trixie shook her head and tried to stifle a yawn. “Nothing.”
“It must have been someone you thought you recognized,” Honey said. “You shouldn’t worry about it.”
“I guess you’re right,” Trixie said softly. She felt her eyes starting to close. She wanted to stay awake, but she couldn’t. She quickly fell asleep.
* * * * *
Trixie slowly moved in the bed. She still felt tired, but she didn’t think she would be able to sleep any more. She forced her eyes open and blinked a few times.
She quickly remembered where she was when she heard the monitor beeping beside her bed. Looking around, Trixie realized she was alone in the room. Lifting her wrist, she looked at her watch and saw it was mid-morning.
I must have slept through the night, she thought. But what about Jim? Where is he? Is he all right? Why didn’t someone come and fill me in?”
Trixie turned and reached for the call button for the nurse. As she was about to press the button, the door to her room opened. Brian came in wearing his white lab coat with his stethoscope hanging around his neck. He smiled as he moved to the bed.
“How are you feeling?”
“Fine,” she said. “You need to tell me how Jim is.”
“I just left his room.”
“Is he all right?”
“He’ll be fine.”
Trixie let out a breath she didn’t know she had been holding.
“Is he awake?”
“He woke up for a few minutes last night,” Brian said. “He’s got a concussion, but he’s going to be fine.”
“Can I see him?” Brian remained silent. She continued on quickly. “I know you want me to take it easy, but I need to see him. I have to see he really is all right.”
Brian stayed quiet for another moment. “I know I won’t win this. I will get a wheelchair and take you up. But afterward, you are staying in bed.”
“I promise.”
“I’ll be back in a minute.”
Ten minutes later, Brian wheeled Trixie into Jim’s room. She could see he was slightly propped up in the bed. A bandage covered his forehead, but she could still see part of the bruise.
Jim appeared to be sleeping. When she reached his side, she reached for his hand and took it in hers. She held it tight.
“I’ll be back for you in a few minutes,” Brian said softly. “Let him rest.”
“I will,” Trixie said without taking her eyes off him.
She listened as Brian left the room closing the door behind him. She slowly got to her feet and moved closer to the bed.
Oh Jim, she thought as she brushed his thick, red hair away from his forehead. Why did this happen to you? You didn’t deserve this.
“Hmmm,” Jim said moving his head slightly.
She felt Jim squeeze her hand. “Jim?”
“Trixie?”
“I’m right here.”
She watched Jim’s eyes slowly open. He blinked a few times before focusing on her. He smiled.
Trixie smiled back. “I’m glad you’re awake.”
“How are you? And the baby?”
“I’m okay. We’re okay. But I’ve been really worried about you.”
“I’m going to be all right.” He squeezed her hand again. Trixie knew he was. She felt her eyes fill with tears. He said, “Come here.”
Trixie lowered the rail on Jim’s bed and sat down. He took her hand in his right and reached for her face with the left. She closed her eyes as he touched her cheek.
“I love you, Trixie.”
“I love you too.”
Trixie leaned down and placed her head on his chest. She felt him wrap his arms around her. She didn’t want him to let go. They had been in an accident and were all right. She just wanted to be safe.
Tears started rolling down her cheeks. Jim pulled her closer. “You’re all right. Nothing will happen to you.”
“Just don’t let go.”
“I’ll never let go of you.”
“Promise?”
“For all eternity.” Jim kissed the top of her head.
She heard the door open and a voice say, “I knew I should have stuck around.”
Trixie opened her eyes and saw Brian moving closer to the bed.
“We just…” Jim began.
“I understand,” Brian said.
Trixie sat up slowly and wiped her eyes. Once she was done, she took Jim’s hand in hers.
“When can we get out of here?” Trixie asked.
“We want to keep you both for observation for a couple days.”
“But will it be more than a few days?” Jim asked.
“I don’t think so,” Brian said. He looked at Trixie. “But Trixie is going on bed rest. She should do as little as possible. That means no lifting, no long walks, no running, and no mysteries. Nothing.”
“You really are taking away all my fun,” Trixie said.
“We want to make sure you carry the baby to its due date,” Brian said.
Trixie sighed. “I understand.”
“This is just a precaution,” Brian said. “It’s better to be safe than sorry.”
“You’re right,” Trixie said.
Brian smiled. “I’m glad to hear that.” He looked at his sister. “I know you like to keep busy, but this really is for the baby.”
“I know.”
“Good.” Brian looked at his watch. “I need to check on another patient.”
“Abandon us why don’t you,” Jim said.
Brian smiled even bigger. “I expect the two of you to behave. Remember, this is a hospital.”
“Nothing we do could compare to you and Honey,” Trixie said with a straight face.
Brian’s face quickly darkened to red. He turned and quickly left the room.
“What did Brian and Honey do?” Jim asked.
“I’m not really sure,” Trixie said as she started to laugh.
“You were bluffing?”
Trixie continued to laugh. She could picture her brother hurrying to a phone to call Honey and find out what had been said. She could also see his face as he realized he had been had. She enjoyed having her big brother close by.
* * * * *
Three days later, Trixie and Jim were released from the hospital. They had been anxious to return to their home. Trixie was following the doctor’s orders and resting. She didn’t want anything to happen to their baby.
Trixie was at home by herself. Jim had work to do at the school, but hated the thought of leaving her alone. She insisted he go and promised to take it easy. And she was.
As she rested, she dreamed about the baby. She could see Jim taking their baby out of the crib and holding the baby in his arms. She watched him smile as a little hand reached into the air.
The phone rang disturbing her daydreams. She reached for the extension by the couch.
“Hello?” she asked softly.
“Hi, beautiful.”
She smiled at the sound of her husband’s deep voice. “Are you checking up on me?”
“And what if I am?” Jim countered.
“It would be better if you were here in person.”
“I’ll be home soon.”
“I can’t wait.”
“Brian is picking me up and Honey will be coming over for dinner,” Jim said. “She’s making a casserole for all of us.”
“She doesn’t have to do that.”
“She wants to. Besides, it guarantees that you will take it easy. Now, before you say anything, I think this is a good idea. It’ll give us a chance to spend some time with our nephew.”
I know I won’t win, she thought. She asked aloud, “What time will all of you be arriving?”
“Brian will pick me up in a couple hours. Honey should be there shortly.”
“All right.”
“I’ll see you in a bit.”
“I can’t wait,” Trixie said.
“I love you, Trix.” “I love you, Jim.”
“I’ll be home soon.”
“Bye.”
Trixie set the phone down and smiled. She couldn’t wait for her husband to be home.
She looked at her watch and realized there was plenty of time to take a nap before the others arrived. She grabbed the quilt off the back of the couch and covered herself.
Within minutes, she was sound asleep.
Closing her eyes, she drifted to sleep with a smile on her face.
Something forced her to open her eyes. From her position on the couch, there didn’t seem to be anything out of place in the living room. Shifting on the couch to get more comfortable and to go back to sleep, she closed her eyes. She heard footsteps moving toward her from the kitchen.
“Honey? Is that you?” she asked, propping herself up on her elbows.
Trixie opened her eyes in time to see a pillow being forced down on her face. She struggled to push the pillow away. But whoever was holding it over her was very strong. She reached over the pillow to try and get a better grasp, but she was fighting a losing battle.
Trixie could feel herself blacking out. Her struggles ceased and her eyes closed. Her last conscious thought was that she was going to die with their baby.
* * * * *
“Trixie, please open your eyes,” a female voice called to her. “Please, Trixie. You’re scaring me. Open your eyes.”
She took a breath and wished the voice would stop yelling. Her head hurt and she had no idea why. Knowing that the voice wouldn’t stop until she complied, she forced her eyes open and it took a moment for everything to come into focus. Honey was kneeling beside her, staring at her face.
“Thank goodness,” Honey said. “You really had me worried for a moment. How are you feeling?”
“What happened?” Trixie asked in a whisper.
“I was going to ask you that,” Honey said.
“I don’t know,” Trixie said and swallowed.
“What happened to your neck?” Honey demanded.
“My neck?”
“There are marks on your neck,” Honey explained.
“Maybe they are from the accident,” Trixie offered as an explanation.
The slamming of the door and footsteps alerted them that someone had just entered the house. “Honey! Trixie! Where are you?”
Trixie knew that voice. It belonged to Jim.
A moment later, Jim entered the living room with Brian close behind. Jim crouched down on the floor beside her, taking her right hand in his. “Trixie, are you all right?”
“I think so,” she said slowly. She could see his face was white. She knew something had scared him.
“I was so worried,” Jim said, reaching in and giving her tight hug. “When Honey called and said you were unconscious, I was terrified I was going to lose you.”
“I was unconscious?” Trixie asked.
Honey nodded. “I came in and started talking to you. When you didn’t respond, I got worried. That’s when I called Jim and Brian and they hightailed it over here.”
“Why don’t you let me look you over,” Brian said. “That way we can all rest assured that you really are all right.”
“Okay,” Trixie said.
As Jim and Honey moved back, Brian stepped over and began checking her pulse and breathing. He stared at her for a moment and she got an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach.
“Trixie, where did those marks come from on your neck?” Brian asked.
“What marks?” Jim asked, moving close to the couch again.
“On her neck,” Brian said and leaned in to get a closer look. “Those look like hand prints.”
“Someone was in here,” Honey said.
“Trixie, who was it?” Jim demanded.
Trixie stared at her husband’s white face. She knew he was terrified and didn’t mean to sound angry. She could feel the tears fill her eyes and she began to tremble. She let the tears come. “I don’t know.”
“Honey, did you see anyone when you arrived?” Brian asked.
“No,” Honey said. “I didn’t see anyone.”
“Then the person could still be here,” Jim said, moving away from the couch.
“Honey, stay with Trixie,” Brian said. “We will be back in a minute.”
As the two of them left the living room, Trixie pushed herself up on her elbows. She looked at Honey. “I’m not sure there was anyone here.”
“It’s better to be safe than sorry,” Honey said, moving the baby carrier closer to the couch. “And I wouldn’t worry. They will probably be back in a minute.”
“I hope you’re right.”
Trixie looked around the living room but didn’t see anything out of place if anyone had been there. She couldn’t figure out who would want to enter their home. It didn’t make sense. She sat up fully after grabbing hold of the back of the couch and pulled herself up. She shifted her legs over the edge of the couch.
A moment later, Brian and Jim returned to the living room. Brian said, “Things are messed up in the bedroom. It looks like someone was in here.”
“But why?” Trixie asked.
“It’s probably has to deal with someone you put in jail,” Brian said.
“We are not staying here,” Jim said. “And you are definitely not staying here by yourself during the day. You are eight months pregnant and I am not going to let some sicko hurt you or our baby.”
“How do you know someone was trying to hurt me?” Trixie asked.
“The marks on your neck are proof that someone was in here,” Jim said. “We are not going to take any chances.”
“And where will we stay” Trixie countered, not really liking being told what she was going to be doing. “Have you given that any thought?”
“You could stay at the Manor House,” Honey offered. “There are people there all the time. If someone did try to get in here, they would have an awfully hard time getting in there.”
“Then that’s what we’ll do,” Jim said. “Why don’t you head on over there with Honey while I pack us each some clothes?”
Trixie stared at her husband’s retreating figure as he made his way upstairs. She knew he had made the decision because he cared and not out of anger. She could understand his worry, especially since the baby’s due date was getting closer. She didn’t want anything to happen to their baby either.
“Let’s go,” Trixie said as she struggled to get off the couch. Brian offered her a hand and she was able to get up.
She grabbed her coat and then the two of them headed to the Manor House.
* * * * *
When they arrived at the Manor House a short while later, Honey led Trixie inside and up to a room on the second floor. They went inside and Trixie settled on the bed. She looked at her sister-in-law.
“Honey, I don’t understand what happened. It just doesn’t make sense.”
“I wish I had more answers for you.”
“What did you see when you got to the house?” Trixie asked.
“Well, I parked by the front door and got Petey out of the car,” Honey began. “I used the key that you and Jim had given me and I came inside. You were on the couch and appeared to be sleeping
“Honey, I honestly don’t remember anything,” Trixie said. She couldn’t believe she couldn’t recall anything. She knew she had fallen asleep on the couch after talking to Jim, taking it easy as she had promised him. “I only remember waking with you standing over me.”
“I wish I knew what had happened,” Honey said.
“What did you see when you came in?”
“When I got inside, I came through the front door. I saw you sleeping on the couch. Or at least I thought you were sleeping. Your right arm was dangling off the couch and your head was facing the ceiling. There was a pillow on the floor. When I got closer, I saw that there were red marks on your neck. I didn’t remember seeing them after the accident so I checked to make sure you had a pulse and were breathing. Then I called Brian and Jim and told them to get here quickly. I started calling your name and you finally started to come around.”
“This is so confusing,” Trixie said. “I don’t remember anything.”
“Was the house locked up before you took your nap?” Honey asked.
“Jim locked the house before he left,” Trixie said. “He made sure everything was nice and tight.”
“This is really confusing,” Honey said.
“It sure is,” Trixie admitted.
“Do you want something to drink?” Honey asked. “Are you hungry?”
“I’m all right. I’m just a little tired.”
“Why don’t you rest? I’ll let Jim know where you are when he and Brian arrive.”
“All right.”
As Honey left the room, Trixie leaned back on the bed and closed her eyes. She did feel tired, but she also had a throbbing headache. The softness of the bed welcomed her, but she couldn’t relax, even though her body was telling her to. Something about what had happened at Ten Acres bothered her and she wished she could remember.
What is it that I can’t remember? she wondered. Something happened at the house that I don’t recall. But what was it? I don’t think anyone was in the house with me. But if Brian said the upstairs was a mess, he wouldn’t lie about that. I know he wouldn’t. But why? Why would someone do this to us? It doesn’t make sense. None of this does. All these things keep happening and I’m just wondering why.
“Hey,” a voice said.
Trixie opened her eyes and looked toward the foot of the bed. She smiled when she saw Jim standing there. “Hey yourself.”
“How are you feeling?” Jim asked as he moved to the bed. He sat down beside her and took her hand in his.
“I’m all right.” She saw his face was pale and knew he was worried. She squeezed his hand to offer him some reassurance. “But I’m glad you’re here.”
“I’m glad I’m here too,” Jim said. “I’m sorry about my tone of voice earlier. I didn’t mean to sound so harsh.”
“It’s all right,” Trixie said. “I know that you were worried about me and that made it worse because you didn’t know what had happened. There’s no need to apologize.”
Jim offered her a small smile. “How are you really feeling? Is your throat bothering you at all?”
“Not really. I’m just glad you’re here. I missed you while you were at school.”
Jim’s smile grew. “I missed you while I was at school too.” He slid further onto the bed and rolled onto his side, getting as close to Trixie as he possibly could. He propped his head in his left hand. His right hand caressed her extended stomach. He stared down at her.
“You do look tired,” he said.
“I am. A bit.” She looked up at him. “Do you have to go back to the school?”
Jim shook his head. “I’m staying right here.”
Trixie smiled. “I’m glad.” She slid closer to Jim so that her head was leaning against his chest.
“Go ahead and rest, Trix. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. I’ll be right here when you wake up. I promise.” Jim leaned down and kissed her forehead. “And the rest will do you some good. Just like the doctor said.”
“All right.” Trixie closed her eyes and put her left hand on top of Jim’s. She felt him toying with her hair and knew that what happened at the house really didn’t matter. She was okay and Jim was with her. Nothing else mattered.
Author’s Notes: Once again my esteemed appreciation goes to Kaye and Amy for the edit. And more thanks goes to Amy for making my site look as good as it does.
Disclaimer: This is an unauthorized fan fiction site and is not affiliated with Random House in any way. No profit is being made from these pages.
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