narrowed her eyes. “We don’t usually allow kin to bathe ICU patients, Mr. Fitzpatrick. Lisa is very good at her job, and I don’t want you to make her feel as though she isn’t.”
“That’s not my intention. I appreciate how busy hospital staff are and I’m not criticizing Lisa or any other nurse here.” He infused an edge into his voice. “I’m happy to help take care of Bodie however I can if it eases some pressure off the staff. I need something to do, you see. I’m not good at waiting.”
“Hmmm.” She regarded him suspiciously, then relaxed. “Lisa will explain what areas you can and can’t touch.” She checked her watch, then picked up Bodie’s chart and made a note among what seemed like a sheaf of information. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ve got another patient to see before I head back into surgery.”
“Of course. Doctor Faraday?” he said as she started out of the room.
She paused. “Yes?”
“Thank you. Sincerely.”
She inclined her head in a nod, then strode away to see whichever poor soul needed her now. Her shadow had barely cleared the doorway before Lisa was back, a steel bowl hand in one hand and a sponge and cloth in the other.
“Okay, then!” she said cheerfully, setting the bowl down on the table and handing him the sponge. “I know Bodie looks awful compared to how you usually see her, but there’s not much we can do right now. You’ll be okay to wash her face if you’re careful of this tube here.” Her finger touched the tube leading from Bodie’s nose. It followed the curve of her swollen cheek and looped over her ear. “This is her feeding tube so try not to disturb it.”
“Okay, I can do that.”
“Her hair...I’m afraid we won’t be able to get that clean for a while yet, but I can see if I can find a brush. You’ll be fine with her throat and her uninjured arm—just be mindful of her cannulas and the tubes.” She frowned lightly, studying Bodie carefully. “I think that might be all you’re able to do today. As we start removing different machines and pipes, you’ll find it a lot easier, but that’s going to be over the course of several days.”
He blew out a slow breath. “I should be able to manage that.”
Lisa beamed at him. “She’s a very lucky girl. Not all our patients have people willing to spend the time to make them feel better. Now, if you need more water or another dry cloth, you just press that buzzer.”
“Thank you.” Sponge in hand, he recalled Faraday’s words. “Lisa, your patients are fortunate to have you taking care of them when their families can’t.”
“It’s all part of my job,” she told him. “I happen to love my job.”
Yeah, he thought as she left him alone with Bodie, it shows.
“Right, little one, let’s see if we can’t make you feel a bit more human.”
Braun began with her face, dabbing the damp sponge over her forehead with light sweeps, painstakingly removing the grime and dried blood cluttering her skin. Leaning over her, he spent almost half an hour lovingly tending to her.
Once she was clean, the bruises were starker than ever.
When Lisa brought him clean water, he went back to work on her throat and neck. Ten minutes later, the water was dirty again but Bodie’s skin from her chest up was as spotless as he could make it without bundling her into a hot shower.
He was carefully washing each individual finger when they twitched in his. His eyes darted to her face, noting the signs of distress filtering slowly over her slack features. “Bodie, relax. It’s okay. You’re safe, little one. You’re in the hospital, but you’re safe, darlin’.”
Her fingers curled around his, their grip horribly weak, but his heart surged to life again with that simple gesture. “Take it slowly, darlin’. There’s no rush, take all the time you need.”
Cracked lips parted, a whimper all she could give him. It was enough. Braun slapped the buzzer once, twice, without knowing if hitting it more than once would do any good. He’d smash it if that got help here faster.
A sliver of drugged blue appeared from beneath her lashes, then vanished. Three times, she tried to open them before she succeeded. Heavy with pain and drugs, they struggled to focus, sliding around the room before meeting his. Something sparked in them, then her eyelids fluttered.
“Stay with me, darlin'. Just stay here with me. I