Page 3 of Serve (Men of Hidden Creek Season 1, #5)

Chapter Three

Chip

Sheila placed the oxygen mask over the man’s face as Chip strapped him to the stretcher. A horn blared from the backed-up cars on the street. Sheila glanced up and shook her head with disdain. A driver screamed at the police officer conducting traffic, provoking another chorus of horns.

“His vitals are good, but he’s probably got a concussion.” Chip muttered, then he motioned for her to stand up.

“On the count of three; one, two, three.” They pulled the stretcher into its standing position, and locked the wheels in place.

They’d parked the ambulance in the lot adjacent to the picnic shelter, so they could roll the stretcher, instead of having to carry him up the embankment bordering the street.

“Does he look familiar to you?” Chip asked. “I swear I recognize him.”

“Yeah, he does to me too. I just can’t place his face.”

They lifted the stretcher into the back. Chip hopped in, and Sheila shut the doors. In seconds the engine started. He looked down at the man on the stretcher, and placed a reassuring hand on his forehead. The man’s eyes fluttered for a moment, then opened and glanced wildly about.

“It’s going to be okay. You’ve been in an accident.

We’re taking you to Hidden Creek Memorial Hospital.

” Chip said. The man’s eyes relaxed for a moment.

Chip brushed the man’s hair off his forehead, hoping to keep him calm.

He had large brown eyes, with gold flecks.

Something about him felt familiar, and it was going to drive him crazy until he figured it out.

His long lashes fluttered shut, then they popped open, and he attempted to speak.

“Hold on a second, sir.” Chip lifted the oxygen mask from his face a couple of inches. “Try not to talk. Save your energy for—”

“The dog! What about the dog?” The man rasped, concern lining his battered features. A tiny cut on his forehead oozed blood. Chip found an antiseptic wipe and cleaned it as he spoke gently to the stranger.

“We didn’t see a dog, sir. Now lie back and relax.

This might sting a little.” Chip said. Relief settled on his features, and a surge of compassion raced through Chip.

The man had almost got himself killed to save a dog.

Without thinking, he placed his hand on the man’s hand, and gently squeezed.

The guy opened his eyes for a brief moment, and their eyes met again.

Chip smiled, and the man tried to return it, but his eyes fluttered shut.

“Everything’s going to be fine, sir. I promise.”

The rest of their shift was uneventful, most of it spent restocking the ambulance. Chip was unusually quiet, brooding almost. Sheila kept up a stream of silly jokes to distract him, but finally she asked if he’d figured out who the man was.

“I’ve no idea.” Chip said quietly. “Did I tell you he was trying not to hit a dog?”

Sheila stopped filling out her report, and looked at him, her smile threatening to turn into laughter.

“Yes, a couple of times. You seem very focused on that. He’s easy on the eyes, that’s for sure.” She bit her lower lip and turned away. This was a new side to her partner she’d never seen before. Normally he had a professional detachment with patients.

“I’m going to check on him before I head home. You don’t mind if I head out a few minutes early, do ya?” He glanced up, and she noticed the concern etched on his face.

“As long as there’s not a call, go for it. But, remember, the boss is keeping her eye on you.” Sheila focused on her paperwork. She’d look at anything to keep from seeing those puppy-dog eyes worrying about the man who’d almost killed himself to save a stray dog.

“Hunter!” Chip called out to the young physician’s assistant.

“Yeah, what’s up, Chip?” Hunter had his bag, and was clearly heading out for the evening.

“How’s that guy I brought in? You know, the one in the car accident?” Chip asked.

“Dude’s gonna be fine. Has a concussion, so we’re keeping him overnight.

He’s very lucky.” Hunter raced off, heading for the employee exit.

Chip should be right behind him, but he couldn’t stop thinking about the man he’d rescued earlier.

That face was so familiar, and he couldn’t forget the look in his eyes when he’d asked about the dog.

He needed to get over it. If he thought about everyone he helped like this, he’d never get any work done.

He nodded at the various people he knew as he strolled toward the unit the man was on.

There were quite a few strangers milling about too, some with cameras.

Hidden Creek Memorial was a small, regional hospital.

Most of the doctors lived in Houston and commuted, while folks like him and the nurses lived locally.

He had his cowboy hat on, so people knew he was off the clock.

When he opened the double doors leading to the unit, he got a pleasant surprise, one that left him momentarily speechless.

“I was wondering how long it would be before you got here. Are you the young man that helped Tyler? He keeps asking about him.” Dixie said, hands on her hips and a concerned look on her face.

“Who’s Tyler, Aunt Dixie?” She hugged him and laid her head on his shoulder.

“My boss, silly. Oh, you’ve never met him, have you?” She pulled away and sat on the hard wooden bench in the waiting area.

“No. How would I…?” Now he knew why the man looked familiar, and why he felt like the guy knew him.

He was that tennis guy. He didn’t really follow the sport, and his aunt had never introduced them.

She kept her work life separate from the rest of her world.

All he knew was she worked as a famous athlete’s housekeeper.

Maybe the man had recognized him from a picture Aunt Dixie showed him? It was probably all in his head.

“What’s wrong, sugar?” Aunt Dixie looked at him curiously. Everyone was giving him the side eye today.

“Nothing, it’s just that guy, your boss. I felt like I knew him, but I know I’ve never met him before in my life. What’s really weird is, I felt like he knew me. Have you shown him pictures of me before?”

“Maybe, but that would have been when your parents were taken from us. You know, Sue and I moved here specifically because of him. When he was just starting out, he’d stay at our house in Houston whenever he played events in town.

We did that for a couple of players. Once he became famous, he settled in Hidden Creek, and offered me a job as his assistant.

He could have seen your pictures, I guess.

They were in our house, and he spent several nights under our roof.

” She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter.

He’s going to be alright. At least, that’s what the doctor said.

He’s here overnight, and I’ll come back in the morning for him.

I need to say goodnight. C’mon, if he’s awake you can introduce yourself.

” She stood from the bench and put the strap of her heavy canvas purse over her shoulder.

“It’s after visiting hours, Aunt Dixie. I’m pretty sure you’re not…” He stopped when he saw the pissed-off look on her face.

“Let them try and stop me!” She laced her arm through his and dragged him down the hall to Tyler’s room.

“Working that old-lady bit a lot now lately, aren’t you?” He mumbled.

“Damn right. I’ve earned it.” She stopped in front of his door and pulled herself together. In place of her mean grandma face, she became a beatific nun. He half expected her to cross herself, but she managed to open the door without bolts of lightning striking them.

“Well, well, well. How’s my little soldier?” She sat on the edge of his bed while Chip remained at the door. The man stared at him, then at his aunt, a confused look on his face.

“Who are you, and what have you done with my housekeeper Dixie?” He struggled to keep a straight face, but a huge smile broke through.

“Oh, for crying out loud Tyler, I can be nice when I want to be. This is my nephew, Chip.” She patted his hand, then gestured toward him. “Shut that door, Chip, before they figure out we’re here after hours.”

Chip closed it and stood on the other side of the bed.

“You’re the guy in the ambulance, right?”

“Yep, that’s me. Quite a coincidence, huh? Glad to see you’re going to be okay. What did the doctor say?”

“I really want to go home, but they wouldn’t let me.” He stared at Chip for a moment, lost in thought, then his face lit up.

“Do you think they’d let me out of here if they knew I had a medical person like you around? I can’t stand being here, and I’m nervous about the press finding out about it. This would only add fuel to the rumors that I’m retiring.” Tyler raised an eyebrow in Dixie’s direction, hoping for an ally.

“That’s a wonderful idea. Chip, honey, you’d help us out, wouldn’t you?” She asked, batting her eyelashes at him. Chip would do anything for his aunt, and she knew it.

“Well, they’d probably let you go, but I can’t guarantee it. However, I have to warn you, I think the press already knows. I saw strangers patrolling the hallways with cameras. I wondered who they were. Now it makes sense.” He replied, and Tyler’s face fell.

“Damn it. I knew they’d figure it out, but I wanted to have a prepared statement.

Everybody wants to know if I’m leaving the game.

This accident will make them think… Dixie, can you get someone in here.

I need to get out, pronto. If I’m in here overnight, it will just make matters worse.

” Tyler lay back against his pillow and shut his eyes.

“Sorry to butt my nose in your business, but wouldn’t it be better to follow doctor’s orders?” Chip asked. Tyler opened his eyes and groaned.

“Yes, it would be. Thing is, once the press latches on to an idea, they might run with it, until it blows up in my face. Next thing you know I’m on TMZ with a headline reading ‘Grand Slam Champ Forced to Retire Due to Bigfoot Love Triangle, or some other stupid shit.’ Trust me, I’d rather relax instead of having to figure out a way of getting past those vultures. ”

Chip nodded, then went in search of a doctor.

“It’s what I think it is, isn’t it?” Dixie took his hand in hers, and shook her head.

“Yeah.”

“I hate to beat a dead horse, and you told me to mind my own business a long time ago, but I’ve got to say it. If you’d been honest from the start, none of this would be such a big deal.” She squeezed his hand.

“There’s too many ‘what if’s’ to think about. All I know is, the press is the enemy, and the less I have to do with them, the better. They’ll take this accident and figure out I’m seeing a shrink, then they’ll wonder why, so they’ll dig into my past. No way in hell I’m letting that happen.”

Chip walked in and stood by Tyler’s side, a concerned look on his face.

“I found a doctor, but I also found a Cable Sports Network reporter outside the unit. There are at least a dozen people with cameras walking around. I’m pretty sure the doctor will release you, but how the hell are we getting you outta here without being caught?”