Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
He met my gaze. “All precautions we take for those we love.”
I wasn’t sure what to say. “Oh. I, ah, don’t like bracelets much.”
“He can do earrings or a necklace,” he replied. “Whatever you decide you’re comfortable with.”
I wasn’t sure I was comfortable with any of it.
Then he spoke again. “Here we are. Room 812, Autumn. Do you want to go alone, or will we come up with you?”
“Alone, please,” I said, my voice suddenly thick.
A man opened my door, and Niall nodded. “Davey, this is Autumn. You watch out for her but give her privacy. She’ll let you know when she is ready to leave. Take her up and leave her be.”
“Done.”
Again, I was at a loss for words.
“We’ll see you later,” Anna said. “We’re only a call away if you need anything.”
“Thanks,” I mumbled, then headed inside, Davey behind me. At the elevator, he stepped in with me, not saying a word. When we arrived on the ward, he nodded in the right direction. “I’ll be close. Just call.”
“It could be hours.”
“I know.”
Then he was gone, and I turned and headed to my aunt’s room, unsure what I would find.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
AUTUMN
Lynn was hooked up to wires and machines, the constant noises both distracting and comforting. Her doctor was concerned and blunt.
“She hit her head hard. It’s serious. But for now, she’s stable. Luckily, we were able to stop the swelling, and her brain function looks good. Her hip needs to be replaced, which will hopefully happen in the next couple of days. We don’t want to wait too long and risk infection.”
“Will she pull through?”
“I can’t answer that, but we are hopeful. She is strong and in good physical condition.”
“What can I do?”
“Talk to her, let her know you’re here. I strongly believe in that. We’ll be monitoring her closely.”
I sat beside Lynn, holding her hand and talking. I rambled on about everything. My first-class flight. My time in Scotland. The cottage. More about Sully. Everything I could think of. On occasion, she opened her eyes but didn’t speak or squeeze my hand when I asked her to. Doctors and nurses came and went, checking IVs, adding notes to their charts, and leaving.
After a few hours, I shifted in my chair, my back aching and tired. There was a knock at the door, and Davey walked in, carrying a bag.
“For you from Mrs. Black,” he said. “Please eat.”
He left, and I opened the bag. It held a bowl of steaming soup and a hearty sandwich. I frowned, not feeling very hungry. But I dipped the spoon into the soup, the broth flavorful and rich. I did feel better once I had eaten, and I put the sandwich aside for later. A while later, I opened the door and peered out, not surprised to see Davey in the waiting area.
“It’s getting late and I’m not leaving. You can go.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
I watched Lynn for a while, then dug into my carry-on I had brought up with me. I found my small tube of hand cream and rubbed some into her hands as I talked to her more. I hummed a little, some of her favorite songs. I didn’t have a great voice, but I could carry a tune. She sang like a nightingale and loved music, so I hoped my attempt reached her somehow. I talked some more, the sky outside the window dark, the ward growing silent as people left and patients settled for the night.
There was no doubt she had been moved into a private room. Sully or his cousins must have arranged that, as well as the doctor. The space was nice, the chair beside the bed certainly an upgrade from the normal hard plastic ones you usually sat in to visit someone. There was a TV, which I didn’t turn on, and a small washroom with a shower. It still had the hospital smell I hated and the ugly linoleum floors.
The door opened again, and Davey appeared, this time a large bag in hand.
“I said to go home.” I frowned.
He handed me the bag. “I’m leaving now, but you must let us know when you want to go to the hotel. Don’t leave without me.”
I nodded and peered into the bag when he left. There was a pillow and a soft, light blanket. A handwritten note.
So you can be comfortable.
Rest when you can—
Anna
I was amazed at the kindness. The generosity. And the reason behind it made my heart ache. I had a sudden need to see Sully. To feel his arms around me and hear him soothing me, assuring me everything would be okay.
I wanted to call him and hear his voice, but I was too much of a coward.
And I wasn’t sure I had that right. I told him not to come, so I shouldn’t bother him.