one.” Reaching for the pitcher of water on the bedside table, Ciara filled a plastic cup from a supply wrapped in cellophane. “I’ll be right back.” Brandt had mentioned a fear of dependence on his pain medication, so she’d stored them where he wasn’t able to get to them.
Minutes later she returned with the pill in a tiny paper cup, dropped it in his outstretched hand and watched as he popped it into his mouth and washed it down with the water. She took his vitals, winking at him. “I’ll leave you to visit with your cousin.”
Brandt smiled for the first time that morning. “Thanks.” He waited until Ciara left the room, then turned and looked at his cousin. “Marriage looks good on you.”
“Three weeks in paradise with the love of my life says it all.”
“So Fiji was nice?”
Pulling a chair closer to the bed, Jordan sat. “Fiji is incredible. I never thought I’d survive without a cell phone or the internet, but after the second day I was so laid-back I’d forgotten my name and the date.”
“How’s Aziza?”
“Beautiful, sexy and hopefully pregnant.”
Exhaling an audible sigh, Brandt closed his eyes. The effects of the pill had kicked in and Brandt felt himself floating outside of himself. “You guys were really serious when you talked about not waiting to start a family.”
“We would like to have at least two children two years apart before Zee turns thirty-six.”
He smiled. “I’m going to enjoy being Uncle Brandt.”
“Any children we have will be your cousins.”
Brandt opened his eyes, frowning. “I’ll still be Uncle Brandt.”
Jordan held up his hands. “It’s okay. There’s no need to get hostile. Your nurse is rather feisty, isn’t she?” he asked deftly changing the topic.
“Feisty isn’t the half. There are times when she’s downright scary.”
“Your mother said you ran the first two nurses off. That’s not like you, cuz.”
Closing his eyes, Brandt took a deep breath, held it in before letting it out slowly. “I couldn’t stand their bowing and scraping.”
“I take it Ciara doesn’t bow and scrape.”
“She’s like a Marine drill sergeant. At any time I expect her to order me to drop and give her fifty push-ups.”
“I felt sorry for your therapist.”
“He’s lucky she got in his face, because I was a minute from knocking him on his ass.”
“Careful, cuz. You know I don’t like taking on criminal cases. Especially those dealing with aggravated assault.”
“That’s why I rolled out of there while I was still in my right mind.” He opened his eyes. “Are you staying in the city or Bronxville?” Aziza owned a charming house in Westchester County and Jordan a maisonette on Fifth Avenue.
“We’ve decided to live in the house.”
“You’re commuting?”
Jordan nodded. “I take the Metro North to One-Two-Five, then walk a couple of blocks to the office.”
“That’s—that’s convenient,” Brandt said, slurring.
“It is,” Jordan agreed. “But I don’t know how long I’m going to hang on to the apartment.”
“You’re selling it?”
“I’m thinking about it. Zee and I can stay with my folks whenever we come into the city.”
“You guys can hang out here—that is, if you want more privacy.”
“Thanks. When I told Kyle that I was contemplating putting the maisonette on the market, he said the same thing.” His law partner owned a townhouse along Striver’s Row in the St. Nicholas Historic District. Jordan noticed his cousin hadn’t opened his eyes for several minutes. “It’s time I get back to the office. I’ve got cases piled up on my desk.”
Brandt tried opening his eyes, but the effort proved too much. “When are you coming back?”
“Probably one day next week. I’ll bring Zee with me.”
“Good. I’m not up for having a lot of people over, because I don’t want them to see me in a wheelchair.”
“Remember, it’s only temporary,” Jordan reminded him. He stood and reached for his jacket, slipping his arms into the sleeves. He patted his cousin’s muscular shoulder before walking out of the bedroom.
Ciara sat on the bench in the hallway, her arms folded under her breasts. She’d called the therapist, leaving the data he needed on his cell’s voice mail. “Is he asleep?” she asked, coming to her feet.
Jordan nodded. “He’s falling asleep. How is he doing?”
“Pretty well, considering he has two broken legs. He has an appointment to see his orthopedist next week. The plaster casts will be removed, his legs x-rayed, and he’ll get ski boot-style lighter casts. He probably won’t be able to bear any weight for another month. That’s when he can begin more aggressive rehab to reverse muscle