Chapter 70

Kiki woke the next morning with a start, thinking she was late for work. Then her chest felt as if an elephant had sat on it, as the events of Christmas Eve rushed to mind. She started to turn over in the hospital bed, but the IVs prevented her from turning too far. Groggy, she took the water from the side table and took a big swig. Her mouth and throat felt like sandpaper and the cool water eased it. The oxygen was back in place under her nose. Since Kiki didn't remember putting it back on, she figured that the nurse probably came in after she fell asleep and slipped it back into place. She made a mental note to thank her later.
Kiki was about to fall back to sleep, but her thoughts went to Taren. He had filled out since high school and had muscles for days. Along with his blond-streaked hair and blue eyes, he was better looking now than he had been in high school. How men were able to do that, she had no idea. But he was married now. How could she be excited to see a married man? Of course, he was just coming by to be nice. But she had to remind herself that he was married to Scarlett.
In high school, they had been the "it" couple. It was fitting that they got married right out of high school. It was expected. But Kiki had also heard that he got a football scholarship to UCLA. She had just assumed that they had gone to college together after they were married and stayed in California, but that obviously didn't happen. Or maybe it did and they moved back. But whatever the reason, she had to put him out of her mind. She had no intention of seeing a married man. But then again, he probably had no intention of seeing her, either. He was probably just being a concerned firefighter and friend.
She leaned back against the pillow and closed her eyes. She heard someone walk in and then start to creep back out. When she opened her eyes, Jocelyn was standing at the foot of her bed.
"I didn't want to wake you," Jocelyn whispered. "Go on back to sleep and I'll come back later to check on you."
"No, no," Kiki said, stopping her. "I'm awake. I was just resting my eyes. Come on in and sit down."
Jocelyn walked in and perched on the edge of the same chair she had sat in the day before, and gave her a knowing look. "So, Taren Davis, huh?" As close as she and Jocelyn were now, they hadn't known each other in high school. But everyone knew Taren.
Kiki chuckled, shaking her head. "No, it's not like that." Kiki tried to sit up but felt as if a truck had run her over, backed up, and then ran her over again. So, she gave up and leaned back against the pillow. "He's the firefighter that carried me from the fire."
"Really?" Jocelyn's eyes nearly bugged out of her head.
"Really." Kiki nodded. "Besides, he's married."
Jocelyn laughed.
Kiki narrowed her eyes. "What's so funny?"
"Kiki, he's not married."
"What? What're you talking about?"
Jocelyn bit her lower lip and then slowly released it. "Scarlett left him after the baby was born, or so I've heard. Anyway- from what I understand, he filed for divorce after she left and went to court for full custody."
Kiki let out a deep breath. "I can't believe she did that to him. He was always such a great guy."
"Neither can I." A crease formed between Jocelyn's eyes. "No one deserves that."
"No, they don't."
Jocelyn let out a deep breath. "Kiki, I hate to bring this up, but I went by your house before I came here, hoping to salvage at least some of your clothes. But it looks as if everything's gone. What wasn't damaged by the fire has smoke or water damage." Jocelyn let out a deep breath. "The police and firefighters were there assessing the damage and they wouldn't let me get too close."
"That's okay." Kiki smiled. "I'm just glad I got out alive. Everything else, I can worry about later."
"In the meantime, you can borrow some of my clothes. I'll bring you up an outfit as soon as you find out you're leaving." Although Jocelyn was taller, they were about the same size, so it would work. "By the way, how're you feeling?"
Kiki sighed. "I still have a headache, my throat is still sore, and I feel like a truck ran me over. But other than that, I feel better today than I did yesterday."
Jocelyn smiled. "Well, you take all the time you need to recover. Roxanne is really concerned about you and said for you to take as long as you need before you come back to work."
Kiki nodded. "Tell her I said thank you."
"She would have come up herself, but she went to Aspen for the holidays." Jocelyn let out a deep breath and shook her head. "She's driving me crazy calling to check up on the store. I wish, for once, that she'd just let me do my job."
"So, have you hired anyone else to help out?" Kiki asked, knowing that Jocelyn couldn't work the store alone with just James Brandt. He was a high school student that Jocelyn had hired to work part time nights not long before. "And how's James working out, by the way?"
Jocelyn sat back in her chair and smiled. "He's still learning the ropes, but he's working out just fine. We'll make a jeweler out of him yet." Jocelyn shoved her hands in her pockets. "And to answer your question, I'm looking to hire someone else to help out."
"Not to take my job, though, I hope." Kiki raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, heavens no!" she reached over and gave Kiki's hand a gentle squeeze. "In case you don't know it yet, you're pretty irreplaceable."
Kiki let out a breath of relief. "Good. And don't you ever forget it."
Jocelyn laughed. "You'd never let me."
"Nope."
"So, when are they going to let you leave?" Jocelyn asked. "But don't even think about coming back to work until after New Year's."
Kiki scoffed. "I need the money, Jocelyn." She motioned with her hands over her body. "Somehow, I don't think this qualifies as workman's comp."
"Well, don't worry." Jocelyn gave her a knowing smile. "I'm sure everything will work out." She let out a deep breath. "So, have you talked to the insurance adjuster yet?"
Kiki shook her head. "Taren told me that the investigation isn't complete yet. Once they finish, then I'll deal with the insurance people. Besides, the money's going to my parents, since they're still technically the owners." Kiki sighed. "I could kick myself for not getting a loan to pay them off."
Jocelyn's eyebrows pulled together in concern. "Have they called you yet?"
Kiki leaned back against the pillows and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Joss, you didn't tell them, did you?" Although Jocelyn was like the sister she never had, she also interfered like a sister sometimes, too.
Jocelyn gave her an impish smile. "As soon as I found out."
And, as if right on cue, the hospital phone rang. "Speaking of which." Kiki debated for a moment whether to answer it.
"Sorry, Kiki." Jocelyn bit her lower lip and then released it. "I was just so worried about you-."
"I know." Kiki reached over and gave her hand a gentle squeeze as the phone kept ringing. "Well, I guess I'd better get this over with."
Jocelyn gave her an apologetic look. "I'll be right outside if you need me." She got up and left the room.