Kee Patterbee - Hannah Starvling 02 - The Gourmet Who Kept Diamonds in the Kitchen (6 page)

Once more, Gran looked back over her shoulder. She studied Janine, and
Wexler, who talked with Papa Jay, before she turned back. “I doubt they’ll be going anywhere. She seems pretty dedicated to Elias. Mr. Wexler seems protective of his daughter. I’ll bet you a cookie that they stay here tonight, together.”

“
What do you want us to bring you back?”

“
Anything… and that cookie.”

Gran grinned.
“White Chocolate Macadamia. But just one.” She poked at her granddaughter’s side. “Got to watch your figure if this young man is going to show up.”

“
Hym,” Hannah said with a broad smile. “I pray he does.”

Chapter
5

Hannah made it back to the hotel just before midnight. Tired but in a good mood, the thought of the lengthy call to Hym earlier made her glow as she open
ed the door to her room.  The conversation left her encouraged that he would be able to make the trip. When they finally hung up, she felt a mixture of emotions. Ending the call saddened her. Thinking of Hym made her smile.

Once inside, Hannah
’s stomach rumbled. The late night fare that Gran and Papa Jay dropped off before they went back to the hotel left her still feeling hungry. Glancing around, she found two small bags from a nearby coffee shop setting on her bed. Each had a yellow sticky note. One was from Gran, the other from Papa Jay. She opened Gran’s first, finding a single, white chocolate cookie. The note read, “For you dear. One cookie for obvious reasons. Love, Gran.” Hannah smiled as she bit into the treat and her sea green eyes danced with delight at the taste. Opening the second bag, she found three more of the treats. Papa Jay’s note read, “Sweetness, don’t matter what’s on the outside, so long as what’s good is on the inside. Love, Papa Jay.”

“
Love you,” she whispered to the air as she lay down.

Hannah
’s intent was to finish off her cookies and get ready for bed. Instead, there was a knock on the door from her grandparent’s room. Her first thought was that it was one of the two checking to see if she made it in. But again, after checking the time, she found it to be approaching midnight. They would not interrupt her under normal circumstances. However, with Elias’ fall,
normalcy is relative
, she thought. She opened the door to see Papa Jay standing dressed. Gran was readying herself in the background. Fear crawled through Hannah’s gut.

“
What’s wrong,” she asked in a desperate voice, “is Elias…”

“
Fine as can be, I suppose.” Papa Jay twitched a little. “Now, Sweetness, don’t get upset, but your friend called.”

“
Cate?”

“
Boyfriend.”

“
Hym?”

“
You got any others?” Papa Jay said in a sarcastic tone.

“
Jayland Michael!” Gran interceded. “Now is not the time.” She came to the door. “Your man called. He’s on his way to the hospital.”

“
Back home?”

“
Here,” Papa Jay stated, “he hurt his leg.”

Hannah gave a confused look. Papa Jay frowned and scratched at his chin.

“Well, seems he was gonna surprise you. Show up in the morning and take us all to breakfast, that sort of thing.”

“
It’s called being romantic,” Gran said with a huff. “You could learn a thing or two.”

Gran
huffed, but Hannah encouraged her grandfather to continue with an urgent gesture.

“
Anyway, he got here and fell at the baggage claim area and tore something loose. He’s on his way to the hospital by ambulance and should be there any minute.”

An expression of utter disbelief fell on Hannah. She blinked as her mouth fell agape. Gran reached up and popped Papa Jay on the back of the head.

“Oww,” the elderly man said.

“
You could have handled that better,” Gran responded.

“
Not my fault she’s dating a walking disaster.”

“
Why didn’t he call me?”

“
He said he couldn’t get through, and he didn’t know how to tell you. Figured we would know how to break it to you better. Besides, he was hurting by the sound of it.”

“
I’m going to kill him.” Hannah said aloud, looking around the room.

“
That might’ve been the other reason,” Papa Jay responded.

Within twenty
minutes, the Starvlings were at the hospital by taxi.

“
What else could go wrong?” Hannah asked as she exited the taxi.

“
That’s a curse to say that, you know, Sweetness,” Papa Jay said. “Things can always get worse.”

Once at the hospital, Hannah and the elder
Starvlings entered the ER area. Hannah approached the receptionist and found the room where Hym was being treated.

“
Go on,” Gran insisted. “We’ll be in the waiting area.”

Heading toward the bay where Hym was, Hannah ran into Dr. Tompkins.

“Ms. Starvling, wasn’t it? Your friend made it out of surgery and is in ICU.” Hannah realized that the doctor was referring to Elias.

Hannah nodded.
“Yes, Starvling, but I’m here about another patient.” Anticipating his question, she said, “My boyfriend hurt his leg. On top of it all, he was on the mend from a gunshot wound, and I don’t know which leg it was.”

Tompkins looked surprised.
“Okay,” he responded as he yawned and began looking over his notes. “It’s been quite a long day for you.”

“
You too it seems,” Hannah replied with a noted urgency in her voice.

“
Hymnal Miles? Leg injury. It was the same one he was shot in a short while back. I’m on my way to see him again now. Would you like a moment alone first?”

“
Please.”

Tompkins yawned again.
“Sorry, I’ll be right back after I get some coffee. Long shift.” He led her to the room and opened the door for her. When she entered, Hym looked up through his blue eyes with a pained smile.

“
Hey, Sweet Face,” Hannah said as she made her way over to him. She leaned in for a kiss.

He returned the
same, but stopped when pain shot through his leg. Hannah winced at the facial expression he made. “Hurt much?”

“
About as bad as getting shot again,” he managed. He then proceeded to explain what happened. “I got here early so I could surprise you in the morning. I went to the baggage claim and somebody bumped into me, making me lose my balance, and I fell over a cement planter. That’s when I felt a pop and pain.” Hym shrugged. “Pretty sure I tore something,” he said. “After they patch me up, I should get on a plane and head back. There’s no reason for you not to enjoy your vacation. You can’t do that with a hop-a-long.”

Hannah settled on the bed beside him.
“No way, mister. Now that I’ve got you, you can’t get away that easy.” She laid her head on his chest. “Besides, I need your help.”

Hym sighed.
“Uh huh, what now? Murder? Robbery? Stolen jewels or missing pirate treasure?”

Raising up, Hannah looked him straight in the eyes.
“What makes you think I have a case?”

“
Tell me I’m wrong.”

“
I have a case.”

“
Figured as much.”

“
It wasn’t like I was looking for one, you know. The plan was to bring Gran and Papa Jay to the festival, and introduce them to you for approval.”

“
Approval? Are you serious?”

“
It’s no big deal, I swear. They’ll like you. You’re handsome, so Gran will love you. Papa Jay will approve because you’re ex-military.” Hannah ran her fingers from his lips to the top of his chest. “They want to be a part of my life. I want you in it, so they want to meet you. Gran claims she has a sixth sense about these things. That she will know the instant she meets you if you are suitable for her precious granddaughter.”

“
And if I’m not?”

“
She’ll have to consult with her seventh sense or get over it.”

Hym was speechless for a moment. He looked at Hannah and smiled.
“Best behavior. Wouldn’t want to screw it up,” he assured her. “No more than I already have anyway.”

As promised, Dr. Tompkins made his way in. He arranged for x-rays of Hym
’s leg and ordered pain medications. Waiting, they chatted. She explained the ongoing situation as Hym tried to stay awake. In time, he succumbed to the lure sleep brought on by the medications. Hannah stayed with him, watching him as he slept.
Gran may know when she sees him
, she thought to herself,
but I know now
.

It was right before 2:30 AM when Gran came
into the room. It was much longer than Hannah suspected the elder Starvling would hold out against her curiosity. Upon seeing Hannah resting in the chair next to Hym’s bed, her hand locked in his, Gran produced a broad smile. She walked over to Hannah and gave a gentle shake. “Dear.”

Hannah woke and turned to check on Hym,
and then she yawned. “Gran? Oh, sorry, I fell asleep. I should have…”

“
Oh, it’s fine, dear. Your grandfather stepped upstairs to check on Janine and Elias. I thought I’d pop in and see if you needed anything.” Looking over at Hym, Gran added, “and to meet Hym.”

“
Afraid he’s out. He was hurting pretty bad, so they juiced him up hard. What time is it?” She pulled out her cell and checked the time. “Wow, I’m so sorry, Gran. Some vacation.”

“
Oh, shush. It’s fun and exciting. Nice to be on a case again. And nice to meet my future grandson-in-law.”

Hannah rose from her seat and hugged her grandmother.
“I love you, Gran,” she said, squeezing her tightly. A knock at the door interrupted the moment. Dr. Tompkins announced himself and entered. After waking Hym with some persuasion, he explained that his fall caused a second-degree muscle tear. “You came close to ripping it in half and missed surgery on your calf by this much,” he said, pinching his fingers together. The treatment was pain medications and at least seventy-two hours with no pressure on the leg. “Sorry, Mr. Miles,” Tompkins said, “but your vacation is now relocated to your bed or wheelchair. Crutches when needed, but I wouldn’t err against it. More therapy when you get back. I’ll send your files ahead to your doctors back home. I had them give you some strong painkillers so you need to get to bed soon. I’ll have your discharge papers readied. Good luck.” 

There was a moment of silence after the doctor left. Hym ran his hand through his
short, dark brown, salt and pepper hair, and looked over at Hannah and Gran. He extended his hand to the elder Starvling. “You must be Sindee. Hym Miles. Klutz extraordinaire.” Gran surprised him when she pushed it aside and moved in for a hug.

“
A pleasure. Don’t worry about all this. We’ll get you to the hotel and help Hannah get you into bed.”

“
Gran!” Hannah said, half blushing.

Gran threw her hands up.
“What? That’s what you are doing, right?”

“
Would you please go get Papa Jay? Tell him I’m taking Hym… Hymnal… We’re going back to the hotel and get him into bed… settled in.” 

“
You know, even with an injury, you can still make--”

“
Don’t you even go there,” Hannah interrupted. She pointed a finger and tried to stem Gran’s lascivious comments.

“
—the best of it,” Gran concluded with a smile.

Hym
grinned, seeing the feisty Starvling pick on her granddaughter. “I haven’t made it to the room yet, so my bags are still here.”

Gran turned toward the door.
“I look forward to getting to know you, young man. We have a lot to talk about. Oh, and Hannah, dear, you better explain the sleeping arrangements before Two Gun upstairs does.” Opening the door, she looked at the couple. “I’ll leave you two to it. You should get something to eat. You have to keep your energy up, you know.” She waved as she closed the door.

Hym glanced over to Hannah, who was beet red in the face.
“Was that a sexual innuendo?”

“
Yup.”

“
Grandbabies?”

“
Two. Boy and a girl.”

“
Well, the doctor did confine me to bed, and your grandmother…” Hym trailed off, seeing Hannah give a disconcerted look. He changed the subject. “Two Gun?”

“
Papa Jay is protective.”

“
I see. Forget what I said about the bed.”

“
Good, because I have you a room next to mine. I’m between you and them.”

Hym assumed a stern, put out look.
“Wait a minute. Are you serious? I was joking. You’re telling me that we are in different rooms?”

For a moment, Hannah stood still, stunned by his words. She consid
ered whether she was wrong about the man. He always was a gentleman. Now, he was assuming that she would fall into his bed, as if she belonged to him. She was about to do the unthinkable, and put the brakes on what she believed to be someone she cared for. Then she noticed the vibrations of his body as he shook with ill-contained laughter. She tried to hold back her own smile, but managed just a second before she laughed.  Mimicking her Gran, she reached out and popped Hym on the arm. “Oh… you.”

“
No, seriously, I didn’t expect to be in your room. I wouldn’t, not with your grandparents here. Not until we’re, you’re… it’s… that…” His words trailed off. He made a nervous gesture with his hands and let the words fall.