BOH 8-21-07 (00178434).DOC Read Free

considered suicide,
    they'd admit her for psychiatric observation. He saw no
    crazed look in her eyes; just a grieving woman with
    nowhere to turn. Having been in the same position, he felt
    a psychiatric hospital was the last place she needed to be
    right now. His empathy stirred long buried fears.
    The doctor glanced up from his paperwork and
    peered over his glasses. “At two o’clock in the morning?”
    Mike shrugged, ignoring the man’s skepticism and
    sat on the mattress next to Cynthia. “My shift at the base
    isn’t over until one.”
    The doctor cleared his throat and returned his
    attention to the chart. Mike chanced a peek at Cynthia,
    who watched him from the corner of her eye, her arms
    10

    Bridge of Hope

    crossed in a defensive posture.
    One of Mary Jo’s sayings popped into his head. Little
    lies never disappear. They only grow into bigger ones.
    Mike grabbed the bull by the horns. “What about the
    test results, Doctor?”
    Dr. Anson stuck his pen in his pocket and focused on
    the patient. “A few bumps and contusions. Nothing
    serious enough to keep her here. That is, as long as she
    won’t be alone for a few days.”
    Cynthia struggled to sit up. “I—”
    Mike placed his hand on Cynthia’s arm and squeezed
    a warning. “She's staying with me.”
    The doctor frowned. “I haven’t said I'll release her.”
    He squinted at Cynthia, his bushy eyebrows drawing
    close together. “Ms. Jenks, I have a few more questions.
    Regardless of what Major Spencer has told me, I have
    doubts. Standing on the Hope River Bridge in the early
    morning hours makes me wonder if you were
    contemplating suicide. Unless you can convince me that
    wasn’t the case, I can’t in good conscience let you leave
    the hospital.”
    Cynthia swallowed and almost choked on the lump in
    her throat. She blinked to make the sparkles of light
    floating in front of her eyes go away. What should she do?
    Tell the truth? Or a partial truth? If she told the doctor
    her dead husband had convinced her not to jump off the
    bridge, he’d lock her up for sure. She now wondered if
    she’d have been brave enough to end her life.
    Who was this kind man who’d lied for her? He’d said
    he was Major Mike Spencer. Not a name she knew.
    “I’ve already told you—”
    “It’s all right, Mike,” Cynthia interrupted. “Dr. Anson
    should know the truth.” Or at least part of it. “I was
    despondent last night. It’s been difficult accepting my
    husband’s death. When Mike called, I jumped at his offer
    of someone to talk to. Like he said, we made plans to meet
    on the bridge…” Her gaze darted away from the doctor
    and latched onto Mike. His smile gave her courage to
    11

    Pam Champagne

    continue. “The air grew chilly while I waited, so I started
    back to my truck for a sweater and tripped…that’s all I
    remember.”
    “Hmmm…” The doctor wrote a few notes on the
    clipboard. “Since Major Spencer has taken you under his
    wing, I’ll let you leave.” Dr. Anson directed his attention
    to Mike. “May I see you for a moment, Major Spencer?”
    Cyn strained her ears, but couldn’t understand their
    muffled conversation. Was Dr. Anson trying to convince
    Mike that she should be locked up?
    Cyn fought not to flinch when Mike strode into the
    room, his face tense. She pressed herself into the pillows
    when he brought his face close. “Swear to me on Peter’s
    grave that you’ll never again think about taking your
    life.” “I won’t. I promise,” she managed to croak.
    “I’ll arrange for counseling, and you will attend every
    session.”
    Cynthia balked, shaking her head. “No! I don’t—”
    He leaned so close that his breath warmed her chilled
    lips. “Dr. Anson suspects we’re lying. You’ll do it, or I’ll
    rescind my offer of a place to stay. ”
    She slapped his hands away and scuttled to the edge
    of the bed. “They’ll treat me like I’m some sort of a lab
    specimen.”
    Mike rose and moved away.