| Chapter 17 Leighanne and the guys met the doctor in the hall. "Doctor, how is he?" Leighanne asked, almost afraid to. "Mrs. Littrell, he's doing as well as can be expected. He has a pretty serious infection, a sprained ankle, a moderate concussion, and of course the gun shot wound to his shoulder..." "Gun shot!? He was shot?!" Leighanne asked not believing what the doctor had said. "Yes mame, I thought they told you on the phone," the doctor replied. "He was shot in the right shoulder. The bullet severed several tendons and eventually lodged in his lung, but the surgery went fine, and with some physical therapy I believe he will regain 100% use of his arm." Leighanne exchanged glances with the guys, they were all in shock. "Where is he? Can we see him?" Kevin asked almost in tears. "He's right this way," the doctor said as he turned and led them down the hall. As they approached Brian's room they could see a young woman through the window. "Who's the hottie?" A.J. asked. Nick turned to see what A.J. was talking about, he stopped dead in his tracks. There in Brian's room was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. "Nick? You might want to close your mouth, you're drooling." Howie said with a smile. "Shut up D!" Nick said rather embarrassed. "Doctor, who's the girl with Brian?" Leighanne asked. "Oh, they didn't tell you that either? That is the girl that found Brian, and hiked him out of the forest. Her name is Tara." the doctor replied. Leighanne gave Kevin a worried look, she could see that Tara and Brian were holding hands, and seemed to be in an intense conversation. Kevin winked at Leighanne, "I'm sure everything's fine." he said. ~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian opened his eyes to see Tara staring out the window. "Brian, your family is here," she said with a nervous look on her face. Brian squeezed her hand, "Why am I suddenly afraid?" he asked. Tara looked at him, "I was just gonna ask the same thing!" They both smiled at each other, then the doctor came in with Leighanne and the guys. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Leighanne pushed past the doctor and went right to the side of the bed. She and Brian hugged for what seemed like ages. "I was so worried!" Leighanne said through her tears. "It's OK Lee, see I'm OK." Brian said trying to comfort her. Leighanne finally let Brian go and moved so that each of the guys could greet Brian. "Hey cuz, don't ever do that to me again!" Kevin said as he pulled Brian into a hug. "I'm not planning on it," Brian said, not wanting to tell Kevin that he was hurting his shoulder. Nick made his way over to Brian, "Bri, I'm so glad you're all right." Brian looked at Nick, there was something different about him. Something in his eyes that Brian had never seen before. "Bri, what are you staring at?" Nick asked, wondering if he still had some breakfast in his teeth. "I'm not sure, there's something different about you." Brian said. Nick smiled and shot Leighanne a glance. "I'll tell ya all about it later," he said. Brian smiled and nodded his head. "Rok, glad your back man!" A.J. said as he patted Brian's leg. "Yeah man, you don't know what a pain these guys are without you," Howie added. Everyone laughed. Tara was standing in the corner, trying not to get in the way. It was obvious that everyone in the room would give Brian the shirt off their back. It was going to be hard not to trust them. "Tara?" Brian said, pulling her from her thoughts. Tara made her way next to the bed. "Everyone, I want you to meet my guardian angel, this is Tara." Brian said with a smile. Tara shot Brian an embarrassed look. Everyone introduced themselves to her and shook her hand. Leighanne walked over and gave Tara a hug, "Thank you," she whispered. Tara took the opportunity, "Leighanne, Brian and I need to talk to you alone," she whispered where only Leighanne could hear. Leighanne nodded her head and gave Brian a worried look. He smiled at her trying to reassure her. Everyone had a million questions to ask. Tara and Brian did their best to answer them without giving too much away. Brian took a deep breath, "Guys, can I talk to Leighanne and Tara for a while?" The guys exchanged glances, "Um, sure Bri. We'll be out in the hall." Nick said as he headed toward the door. "Thanks guys," Brian called after them. As the guys closed the door, Tara walked over to the window and pulled the blinds. Leighanne sat down next to the bed, "OK, what's going on?" she asked. Brian looked at his wife, she looked more worried than he had ever seen her. He took her hand, "Lee, we wanted to fill you in on something." Leighanne looked at Brian, then at Tara who was sitting on the other side of the bed. "Lee, I know who shot me, well I have a feeling anyway." Brian said. "Who?" Leighanne asked. "Lee it was someone very close to me, I just can't put my finger on it." Brian said frustrated again that he couldn't remember. "Brian, I'm confused. What do you mean someone close to you?" Leighanne asked. Brian looked over at Tara, and then they both nodded in the direction of the hall. Leighanne was in shock, "You think it was one of the guys?! Are you sure?!" she asked not believing what she was hearing. Brian nodded his head as a tear made its way down his cheek. "Brian it can't be! They would never......." Leighanne cried. "Lee, I don't want to believe it either, but something inside me is telling me it's true." Brian said. "Leighanne, we need you to help us," Tara said. Leighanne looked at Tara, "What do you want me to do?" "One of us has to be in here with Brian at all times," Tara said, "You and I are the only ones that know Brian's suspicions, we can't tip the guys off." Leighanne was still in shock, she just couldn't fathom one of the guys purposely hurting Brian, let alone trying to kill him. "All right, we'll take turns," she said, not really liking the idea. "Now what really happened out there?" Leighanne asked, knowing the story she heard wasn't everything. Tara looked at Brian, he nodded his head. Tara began to tell Leighanne everything that happened. She told her about the dreams that they both were having, and about how it had to have been some kind of divine intervention that she found Brian in the first place. Leighanne listened to every word, and as Tara spoke she could tell there was a bond there. God had brought Tara and Brian together for a reason. After Tara finished, Leighanne was in tears. "Baby, why are you crying?" Brian asked. "I'm just overwhelmed, I guess," she said, "God has really been working overtime these days; I mean with you two, and Nick....." "What about Nick?" Brian asked a little worried. Leighanne gave Brian a huge smile, "Nick found what he'd been looking for," she said. Brian gave Leighanne a confused look, then it hit him. "Your kidding! That's what was different." Brian said smiling. Tara got up from her chair, "I'm gonna go and let you two be alone for awhile." "Tara," Leighanne called, "Thank you so much." Tara blushed, "It's OK," she said as she walked out the door. Chapter 18 |