But Denny Ray seemed delighted by the dog’s attention. Finally, he grabbed Bedford and held him up. “Gosh, this is a great dog,” he said. “What kind is it?”
“He’s a Yorkie.”
“He’s not very big, is he?”
“Not very big! Why, he weighs a thumping seven pounds!” Ket smiled. She came over and sat down on the bed, then reached out and pushed Denny Ray’s hair away from his eyes. “You need a haircut. I may do that myself.”
“His name is Bedford? Why do you call him that?”
“I named him after one of my heroes, Nathan Bedford Forrest.”
“I never heard of him.”
“Well, you will when you study the Civil War.”
“Was he a Rebel or a Yankee?”
Ket laughed. “Would a Southern girl like me have a Yankee as a hero? No, he was a general in the cavalry. One of the finest in the whole war. I’ll bring you a book and read to you about him sometime.”
Ket sat beside Denny Ray, watching him play with Bedford. He smiled and laughed more than he had in days, she noticed, but his face was thin and his skin looked almost translucent. You can almost see that heart wearing him down, she thought. Something must be done. Lord, he’s too fine a boy for us to lose. Don’t let this be the end of him.
Finally, the nurse on duty came in. Sally O’Brien was one of Ket’s best friends, and Sally smiled briefly at Ket before giving Denny Ray and the dog an indulgent look. “My, my. Who let that little guy in?”
“His name is Bedford. He’s Ket’s dog,” Denny Ray said.
“Somehow I had a feeling.” Sally walked to the other side of the bed and patted Bedford’s head. “Sorry, Denny Ray. I can see you’re enjoying your furry visitor, but it’s time for your medication and then a bath.”
“No, not yet. We’re having fun,” Denny Ray pleaded.
Ket sighed. It was hard to go, but she didn’t want to push her luck breaking hospital rules. “Sally’s right. I have to go, Denny Ray.” She stood and reached for Bedford, who was frantically stealing a few more licks off the boy’s face.
“Will you bring him back sometime?” Denny Ray asked.
“I sure will. When you get out of here, we’ll take him to an open field and watch him go. You ought to see Bedford go after a squirrel. He’s really something.”
“He sure is,” Denny Ray agreed, gazing longingly at the dog who now sat alertly at his bedside. “My dad says he’s going to get me a dog when I come out of the hospital. Maybe I’ll get one like Bedford.”
“Maybe.” Ket forced a hopeful smile. She hoped with all her heart Denny Ray would be running around with a dog of his own someday.
“Well, got to go. See you tomorrow, pal.”
Sally had started checking Denny Ray’s blood pressure and looked up at Ket. “Maggie and Debbie went down to the cafeteria for a break,” she offered, mentioning their other close friends. “You could probably still catch up with them.”
“Thanks, Sally. I think I’ll try,” Ket said.
Just outside the room, Ket snapped on Bedford’s leash and kept him close beside her as they moved down the hall. In order to avoid anyone who might object to Bedford, she took the stairs down to the second floor. As Sally had predicted, she spotted Maggie Stone and Debbie Smith having coffee at a table near the door. Ket plumped herself down in an empty chair.
“Hi. What’s going on?”
Maggie stared at her. With short sandy hair and large brown eyes, Maggie was quite attractive. But like so many young women Ket knew, Maggie was always worrying about her weight. Needlessly, too, Ket thought.
“What are you doing here today?”
“I came to see Denny Ray. I thought a visit from Bedford would cheer him up. Can I have a bite of your doughnut?”
She reached out, but Maggie slapped her hand away. “Get your own doughnut.” Then she gave Ket a grin. “I shouldn’t be breaking my diet, but this is my reward for working a double shift, and I intend to eat every crumb.” With that she took a large, tantalizing bite.
“What an adorable dog.” Debbie leaned over and gave Bedford a pat. She and Ket had gone to college together and had felt lucky to find themselves together again at Mercy Hospital. Debbie was sweet and upbeat, with auburn hair and gentle gray eyes. She rarely had a harsh word to say about anybody and had always been a loyal, supportive friend.
“Look. I think he likes me,” Debbie said as Bedford tried desperately to climb into her lap.
“He likes everyone,” Ket explained. “Here, hold him a minute, will you? I just want to get some coffee.” Without waiting for her reply, Ket handed Debbie Bedford’s leash and bought herself two doughnuts and a cup of decaf coffee. When she returned to the table, she could tell that Debbie and Maggie were on to their favorite topic again: eligible young men. Or, the lack thereof.
“So, what’s going on in your love life, Ket?” Maggie asked. “Anything interesting to report?”
Ket took a huge bite of doughnut and shook her head. “Not too much…but as a matter of fact, I do have a date tonight.”
“Who with?” both young women demanded simultaneously.
“I’m not telling. You two are the worst gossips in the hospital. Anyway, I’m not too excited about it.”
Debbie said, “I know a fellow that works for the state government. He’d be perfect for you, Ket. Why don’t you let me fix you up?”
“I don’t think so.”
Maggie frowned with disapproval. “You don’t need to miss any chances. A woman who wants a husband has got to—” She broke off suddenly and her eyes widened. The other two were watching her and saw something like shock come over her face. “Who is that?” she whispered.
Ket turned casually and then suddenly froze. The sight of the tall man who had just entered the cafeteria with Dr. Lars Bjelland had an almost paralyzing effect on her.
“Now, he is something!” Debbie breathed. “Did you ever see a better-looking man in your whole life?”
The man that Debbie and Maggie were staring at was six foot five, with a lean, athletic-looking build. He had auburn hair, light blue eyes and strong, even features. Both Maggie and Debbie watched with shock as he suddenly turned toward them and smiled. “He’s coming over here,” Debbie said.
“Do you know him?” Maggie whispered.
Ket had no time to answer for the tall man stopped before them and looked down at her. “Hello, Ket,” he said.
“Hello, Jared. It’s nice to see you.”
“You’re a nurse here?”
“I’m almost through with my training.”
“Mom said she got a letter from your mother telling her you were almost done.” His warm smile made him even more attractive. “I guess we’ll be seeing each other from time to time. I’m going to intern here at Mercy.” Then he glanced across the room and said, “Dr. Bjelland’s waiting. Good to see you.”
The three young women watched in stunned silence as he walked away. “Who is that?” Maggie finally gasped.
“Jared Pierce.”
“And you know him?” Debbie breathed. “Tell us all about it!”
“Oh, we grew up together. Went to the same school.”
“What