Ive got you, she said in a sure voice from somewhere in the vicinity of his chin. I know you want to use the bathroom. Its about twenty steps to get you there. Are you game to try?
Rio felt cool air from the rooms A/C blow across his exposed backside. His hankering to use the facilities warred with an ingrained manly pride that said it was wrong to show off his naked butt. He certainly didnt pretend to be holier than the Pope, but neither was he in the habit of displaying his man parts to a woman he didnt know.
Is this enough for today? Binney queried quietly. Ill help you back into bed and you can try again tomorrow.
No, he grated. When I get to the bathroom you dont have to stay with me, do you?
I do until you can navigate better on your own and not require help getting up off the commode, Rio. Earlier you mentioned at least one older injury. Did all modesty not go out the window then?
Even when I had the concussion I walked on my own. So, no, I handled everything I needed to do in privacy. Sucking in a deep breath, he took a tentative step forward.
Im glad to hear that solid breath, Dr. Layton said from behind Rio. That tells me your lungs are performing well. Tomorrow, Dr. Darnell, the orthopedic doctor Ive asked to see you, wants an MRI on your neck. Hell decide if you need cervical vertebrae four and five fused or not.
Rio straightened swiftly, a movement that caused him to swear. Uh, sorry. I dont like the sounds of fusion. Will that mean I cant turn my head? His question came out in fits and spurts, because Binney gripped him tighter and they were inching toward the open bathroom door.
Thats something youll have to ask Dr. Darnell. Layton spoke over the sound of his pager going off. Blast it all, Im on call and ER is sending an auto accident victim to surgery. Binney, you seem to be holding up okay. Would you rather I help get Rio back to bed? Ive already written orders to get him up in the morning.
Its up to Rio. Im good so far.
Rio was close to choosing to return to bed rather than be left alone with Binney for such an intimate excursion, when Janet Valenzuela rushed back into the room.
Land sakes! That looks painfully slow. Here, let me get on his other side. Ditch that crutch for now. Ill support you so you can hop a little faster.
Ill leave you in their capable hands, Layton said, striding toward the door. I will check you again on morning rounds. Itll be after I consult with Dr. Darnell.
Watching the surgeon dash out, Rio had no idea why hed feel relieved to have a totally strange woman witnessing his humiliation. Possibly it had something to do with Janet being more the age of his mother. In fact he knew she had sons in their twenties. Maybe he could find a way to dismiss Binney without sounding ungrateful. Especially if, as it appeared, he was going to need to hire her for a while in order to leave the hospital. His fervent hope was that by then he could work the crutches
enough on his own to not need help getting to the bathroom.
Between them, the nurses maneuvered their patient into the small bathroom. It so happened that Janet entered first. With her short but plump body and Rios six-foot-two-inch rangy frame filling the space, Binney was left unable to fit inside.
She disengaged her hold on Rios waist and slid her hand the length of his right arm so he could maintain balance as the older nurse helped him be seated.
Here, Ill close the pocket door to give you some privacy, Binney murmured, backing fully out. Holler when youre ready for a return trek to bed. By the way, Janet, we noticed his gown needs tying farther down the back. Her words were cut off as she shut the pair into the small space.
Rather than hover outside, Binney hurried back to straighten the rumpled bedsheets and fluff up Rios pillow. Shed unhinged the right bedrail to get him up. Now she checked the left one to make sure it was secured. The last thing hed need would be to fall out of bed in the middle of the night. As it was she couldnt help but think how tall and broad-shouldered hed grown since shed last seen him that evening in his cap and gown. She had thought about the McNabb twins over the ensuing years. Texas was big on rodeos and their accomplishments were often in the Abilene news. Rio and Ryder were homegrown boys who made names for themselves on the professional rodeo circuit. She assumed their rodeo accomplishments were a big part of who they were.
She gave the pillow a last thump, feeling sympathy for Rio, who in all likelihood was going to lose a career that had helped make him more popular. However, hed been brought up having the fallback of a ranch, and he hadnt sounded disgruntled.
As she responded to Janets call that they were ready for her again, Binney made a mental note to take a run out to said ranch tomorrow. What had Rio called it? Lonesome Road. The name didnt denote a place rolling out a welcome mat.
Thanks for your help, Janet told Binney after they returned Rio to his bed.
Yes, thank you, he rushed to add. Listen, the doctors gave me your business card, Binney. Now that I know I can navigate to and from the bathroom with a little support, Ill probably check out of here next week. Depending on how Im doing, if I need your services Ill give you a jingle. Okay?