A Bridge Unbroken (A Miller's Creek Novel) (39 page)

this time in my life. What I really enjoyed is that it is a work of fiction, not someone telling me how to do what I need to do." ~Amazon Reviewer

"How often we miss God's perfect plan by following our own. Well written and so refreshing to read a great novel showing God's amazing grace and faithfulness." ~Amazon Reviewer

THE WAY OF GRACE

"This is the first Cathy Bryant book I've read, and I was caught up in it from start to finish…. Cathy Bryant is a fine Christian writer, and I can't wait to read her other books." ~Amazon Reviewer

"The Way Of Grace is a beautiful story of showing mercy and grace as Christ did. A few unexpected turns and keeps you wanting to read on. I Love this series of novels. Can't wait for the next one." ~Amazon Reviewer

"Cathy has done it again! Her books just keep getting better. With an air of mystery, this book grabs and holds the reader's attention from the start. Rather than just a 'predictable' book, the story takes some unexpected twists and turns. It's not just a 'happily ever after' book; instead, the reader encounters a story of danger, courage, life-changing choices, love, and the amazing grace of God." ~Amazon Reviewer

PILGRIMAGE OF PROMISE

"Though I have not read the earlier books in the series it did not take away at all from the story, which was engaging, humorous at times, and impeccably well done. Bryant has some really great talent and knowledge, something that is very obvious in her writing and characters. It was really hard to quit reading!" ~Amazon Reviewer

"For me, Pilgrimage of Promise was Karen Kingsbury meets Nicholas Sparks." ~Amazon Reviewer

"Another great read! I just cannot put these books down once I start them. The blessing of a great story in combination with being reminded of a spiritual truth is time well spent." ~Amazon Reviewer

January 2012

M
ona Beth lifted a hand to her aching chest and peered down at the only man she’d ever loved. Garbed in a light blue hospital gown, her gentle giant somehow seemed small and vulnerable amidst the towering machines which surrounded his bed. Though his eyes were closed in sleep, the wrinkle between his now-white brows revealed pain and suffering. She allowed her gaze to linger on every nuance of the face she’d memorized years ago, growing fear returning to gnaw at the last fringes of her unraveling hope.

Her heart leaped to its familiar position in her throat. She simply had to somehow find the strength to make it through this valley, not for herself, but for Bo. He wouldn’t recover well or quickly if he spent all his time concerned about her. And the sooner he got better, the sooner they could go home to Miller’s Creek where they belonged. But only if they got a good report.

A nurse entered the room and sent a polite, close-lipped smile as she strode noiselessly toward the hospital bed. “How are you, Mrs. Miller?” She half-whispered the question as she checked the data on one of the contraptions Bo had nicknamed the green-eyed monsters for their tendency to glare an eerie green into the room at night while they tried to sleep.

“I’m fine.” Same old lie for the same old question.

Once she finished her routine duties, the nurse turned to face her. “You’re welcome to go to the cafeteria for breakfast, but you should know that Dr. Kumar will most likely be here soon. He usually makes his rounds about now. And please let us know if you need anything.”

“Thank you.” News of Dr. Kumar’s probable visit whisked away any appetite she might have had, not that she had much of one considering the tasteless cardboard the hospital cafeteria characterized as food.

The young woman departed as quietly as she came. Now the walls of the hospital room, completely devoid of any of the homey comfort to which she was accustomed, seemed to close in on her once more.  A yearning sigh escaped.  The place held not even one ounce of the charm of the home they shared in Miller’s Creek, and there was only so much more she could take of this antiseptic-smelling and sterile place.

Mona Beth meandered to the plate-glass window of the Baylor Medical Center hospital room. People scurried below, hurrying to the warmth of nearby skyscrapers, living their normal everyday lives. But for her it was just another icy-cold and dark day. Another day in a month of days confined to this darkened room. Another day of endless waiting.

She rubbed at the headache building above her eyes. Dani and Steve had come to visit over the weekend, but with Dani expecting a baby and running the day care, and Steve tending to the business of Miller’s Creek and the ranch, they’d had to leave Dallas yesterday to return home.

Trish and Andy and the kids would be up next weekend, but a hospital wasn’t a good place for kids who needed to run and make noise and expend energy—kids who needed to play rather than watch their beloved Papaw grow weaker.

Lord, bring him through this. Heal him. Please don’t take him away from me now. You’ve already taken Cecille, and I just don’t think I can handle any more deaths in the family
. Through tear-filled eyes she once more glimpsed the pain etched on Bo’s face as one of the green-eyed monster machines at the head of the bed continued its infernal beeping. Lord, I don’t want him to suffer, so if healing him is not part of Your plan… She squeezed her eyes shut, forcing tears down her face, unable to finish the prayer.

“You okay, hon?”

Bo’s whispered words shook her from self-pity, and she quickly swiped her face and stepped toward him, relieved to see him awake. “Of course. Just being a silly goose and giving into a little bit of a pity party.” She leaned across the bed rail and cupped his stubbled cheek with her palm. “Are you feeling okay? Any pain?”

He closed his eyes and gave his head a little shake. “Not too bad.”

“You’d best not be feeding me a line, you know.”

A gentle laugh eased out of him, forcing his previously taut lips into a smile, a hint of the familiar twinkle returning to his dark eyes. “Now would I do that?” He searched her face. His expression sobered, and he lifted a hand. “Never mind. Don’t answer.” He grew quiet momentarily, and an unnerving frown landed on his forehead. “Bethie, I know we promised when we got married not to bring up the past, but I think it’s time.”

No! Every fiber of her being screamed the word in unison. That meant he was giving up. She leaned back to give him a hard stare. “Don’t you dare give up, Bo Miller. I just won’t have it. You hear me?”

The door swung open, and Dr. Kumar whisked into the room. Though small in stature, the Asian doctor’s constant motion and energy gave him a large presence. “And how’s Mr. Bo doing today?” His voice held just a trace of his native accent.

“Oh, fair to middling, I suppose.”

Dr. Kumar faced her next, the scent of his cinnamon gum floating to her nose. “And does Dr. Mama Beth concur?”

“No. He’s hurting and acting like the macho fool he can sometimes be.” She sent Bo a semi-teasing wink.

The surgeon laughed and moved to the other side of the bed to pat Bo’s hand. “You should know better by now, don’t you think?”

One corner of Bo’s mouth curved upward in a wry grin. “I keep hoping she’ll let one slide past.”

Dr. Kumar gave his head a shake, a smirk on his face. “You forget I’ve been dealing with your wife for a few weeks now. Don’t think there’s much chance of that happening.”

Bo grunted in agreement. “Me either.”

Mama Beth edged closer and swallowed hard, the question in her heart burning holes in her patience. “Any news?”

Dr. Kumar raised his eyes to hers, his smile disappearing. “Yes.”

Her pulse roared in her ears and dizziness descended at the doctor’s grave look. She gripped the cool metal bedrail and waited.

He pulled up a stool and perched on it, switching his intense dark-eyed gaze to Bo. “As you know, the tumor we removed from your stomach was very large. That’s why you were having breathing problems. It was pushing against your lungs. I’m honestly surprised you could breathe at all.  “He paused to catch a breath. “We received the lab results earlier today. The oncologist wants to discuss them with you and should be here at any mo—”

As if on cue, the door opened and Dr. Wheeler strode into the room, his white tennis shoes squeaking against the tile floor. His head jutted out further than the rest of his tall lanky body, reminding her of an ostrich in mid-run. His round glasses perched atop a long nose on an even longer face. “Good morning. Sorry I’m running a bit late.” He shook all their hands and then took a position at the end of the bed, his arms crossed across his chest as he cradled a clipboard, his features giving no clue to the answer she both longed for and dreaded.

“I was just telling the Millers we received the results this morning and that you wanted to speak with them.” Dr. Kumar volleyed the comment to the other doctor.

“Yes.” Dr. Wheeler broke off all eye contact and launched into his spiel. “The tests reveal that you have a soft tissue sarcoma as we suspected. Unfortunately, it has progressed to stage four, which basically means there are cancerous cells throughout your body. You could take radiation and chemotherapy, but...” His words dwindled away as if he wasn’t quite sure what to say next.

Just like that. He delivered the news like it was a common occurrence. In his line of work, maybe it was. But it wasn’t common news to her and Bo. She pressed her lips together, blinked against threatening tears, and turned to her husband.

Bo’s face was the color of the ashes at the bottom of the fireplace back home. “What are my chances of recovery?”

Now Dr. Wheeler twisted his ostrich-like neck from side to side and shifted his weight as he peered into the space above the bed. “Well, that’s hard to say because it depends so much on the patient’s outlook and determination.”

“Just give it to me straight, Doc. I’m a big boy.” Though Bo’s words were softly spoken, the direct way they were delivered and the glint in his eye gave evidence to his sincerity, most likely the result of his years in the military.

A deathly hush descended over them all as the oncologist stared at his feet for a moment, his lips pooched out. “It’s a long shot, Mr. Miller. I’ve never had a patient survive this type of cancer that has developed to such an advanced stage.”

A gasp fell from Mama Beth’s mouth and one hand instinctively clutched her chest. “So you’re telling him to just give up? What kind of advice is that?” Tears fell, unstoppable.

Bo reached over and latched onto her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Stop it, Bethie. The man’s just doing his job.” He turned his attention back to Dr. Wheeler, his hand still gripping hers. “How long do I have?”

“Three to six months with chemo and radiation.”

“And without it?”

“A few weeks.” The quickly-spoken words froze in mid-air and hung there like razor-sharp icicles.

Her lungs clamored for a breath in the room suddenly devoid of oxygen. A few weeks?

Bo’s eyes locked with hers and searched for a long minute. Finding the answer he needed somewhere in her expression, he turned back to Dr. Wheeler. “Let’s do the radiation and chemo.”

The two doctors exchanged a concerned glance before the oncologist addressed Bo. “The side effects won’t be pleasant and won’t buy you that much time, Mr. Miller. I’d advise you to reconsider.”

“I’m not the only one affected by this disease. My mind is made up.” Bo pinned him down with a steady gaze.

A violent flood of tears erupted to the point she could no longer see. Mona Beth plopped into a nearby chair and buried her head in her hands, her body racked with uncontrollable sobs. Two hands patted her heaving shoulders. Then the sound of retreating footsteps and a closing door let her know the doctors had left the room. After several minutes, her tears mostly spent, she rose and walked to Bo’s bed, carefully lowered one rail, and dodging tubes and wires, crawled into bed beside him.

He nestled her into the crook of his shoulder, rubbed her arm with his hand, and released a sound of contentment. “You fit just right in this spot, Bethie. Always have. Almost like God made it just for you.”

The tears resumed, but she angrily swiped at them and sniffled. “Then why is He taking you away from me?” Just having his arms around her soothed her in a way that nothing else could. And the knowledge that she might only have those arms for a little while longer was more than she could bear.

“This isn’t like you, Bethie.” His tone held gentle censure. “You’ve always been the one with rock-solid faith.”

Her throat cinched closed. Hadn’t she been faithful throughout her life? Hadn’t she endured separation from Bo long enough? And this was how her faithfulness was repaid? “It’s just not fair. I feel like I just got you back and now this.”

A breath whooshed from Bo, and his chest flattened beneath her head. “I know, sweetheart, but life isn’t fair. Trust me when I say that I’ve questioned God’s fairness on more than one occasion in my lifetime. But I’ve learned to be glad God isn’t fair.”

Incredulous, she pulled away, resting the weight of her body on one hand in order to peruse his face.