Mantis (K19 Security Solutions 4)

She and Mantis found their way back to each other because she got shot and needed surgery. If she hadn’t, who knew how long they might’ve gone before realizing what Dutch had been trying to tell them all along? Would she have remained stubbornly waiting for some grand gesture on Mantis’ part, or would she have settled into a relationship with Dutch, one in which they both would’ve ended up miserable?

“Good morning,” said the nurse Alegria recognized from the night before.

“You’re still here?”

“Only for about another hour.” The woman checked the various monitor leads to make sure they were still properly attached, straightened Alegria’s bedding, and then rested her hand on her knee. “Feel that?”

Alegria nodded.

“Good,” she said, tucking the sheet and blanket under her legs. “Dr. Gertman will be in soon. Maybe another half an hour.”

Like before, Alegria wondered if either of her parents planned to be here when he made rounds; however, knowing what her mother was going through, she doubted they would.

Tom knocked on her door and came in with a vase of roses. “Special delivery,” he said, setting the bouquet on the ledge by the window and then handing Alegria the card.

Mon coeur,

Know that until I am with you again, able to touch your lips with mine, I will be thinking of you every minute of every day.

All my love, forever and ever,

Mantis

“By the look on your face, he must’ve written something pretty romantic.”

Alegria smiled.

“What brings you to the third floor this morning?” she asked. “Just flower delivery?”

“I need to ask where you want the rest of the flowers.”

“What do you mean?”

“From last night. I have them on a cart outside the door.”

“Oh. I don’t know. I mean you can’t bring them all in here.”

“If you don’t want them, I have another idea.”

“By all means, please tell me.”

“In a hospital like this one, there are a lot of people who stay more than a few days at a time. Some don’t get many visitors, and after the first few days, they don’t get flowers either.”

“I like this idea.”

“I’ll set about delivering them if you agree.”

“I do, and thank you, Tom.”

“My pleasure, Miss Mondreau,” he said, bowing a little.

“Please, call me Alegria.”

“I thought your name was Manon,” he said, looking at her wristband.

“It is, but my friends call me Alegria.”

She could’ve sworn Tom blushed. “I’ll be back to get you a little later Miss Alegria,” he said. “You have a rigorous rehab session scheduled this afternoon.”