Chapter 2
Jonah paced the length of the hospital hallway, the past thirty minutes replaying in his head like a horror film. He couldn’t
erase the terrible thud of Lauren’s body hitting the floor. The clatter of the ladder’s fall reverberated in his head. The
sight of her unmoving body on the ground below him flashed in his mind on repeat. She’d looked as if she were—
Stop it. Stop. It. She’s gonna be fine. She has to be.
His mind returned to his panicked 911 call. To the long, helpless minutes of waiting, when all he could do was call her name.
Hold her hand. Let the steady pulse in her neck give him hope.
Graham whined mournfully, tail tucked, licking her other hand.
What had seemed like an hour later but was probably only minutes, the EMTs stabilized Lauren’s neck with a brace. They put
her on a board and carried her through the woods to the parking lot, where they loaded her into the ambulance. Jonah insisted
on riding along, and since he’d gone to school with one of the EMTs, he’d gotten his way.
Upon arrival at the hospital they’d swept her through the ER and into a room for a CT scan. He wasn’t allowed in.
At the end of the hall, Jonah pivoted, said his hundredth silent prayer, then glared at the closed door. How long could this
take? It seemed like hours since the door had swung shut behind the gurney.
His phone vibrated in his pocket, and he checked the screen. Meg. He hit the Accept button. “Hey. I don’t know anything yet. They took her straight in for a CT.”
“Is she awake?”
“Not when she went in.” He ran his hand over his face. How could this be happening? Less than an hour ago she was smiling
up at him with those big green eyes. Kissing him with those soft lips.
“She’s gonna be fine.”
“You don’t know that.” His throat was thick with emotion.
“She has to be.”
That picture of her, sprawled lifeless, pale blonde hair fanned out on the floor, flickered in his thoughts again. He blinked
against the sting in his eyes. “She fell from so high, Meg. Her head hit that old wood floor and—” He stopped talking before
he lost it altogether. Swallowed against the knot in his throat.
“She’s a strong woman. She’s gonna wake up and she’s gonna be fine. You’ll see.”
“I should’ve gone down first. I should’ve held the ladder.” He squeezed his eyes shut. “Why didn’t I hold the ladder?”
“Honey, it’s not your fault. It was just an accident.”
The words ricocheted off his heart. Why had he stayed behind to clean that stupid window?
“Take a breath, and for all that’s holy, don’t blame yourself. It was a freak accident, and we’ll all be sitting around next
week relieved and grateful that she’s fine.”
Please, God. “Hope you’re right.”
“I am. You’ll see.” A beat of silence followed. “I got hold of Mom and Dad. They’ll be there as soon as they can. Poor Graham
is confused. He keeps going to the door and whining. I think I’ll take him for a walk. But don’t worry about anything; everything’s
under control here. Just take care of our girl.”
“Thanks, Meg.” His empty stomach churned. Sweat had broken out on the back of his neck. “I’m gonna go now. I’ll let you know as soon as I find out anything.”
“All right. I’m praying hard.”
Jonah paced. He took off his hat, ran his fingers through his hair, and put it back on. Glared at the closed door. Took off
the hat again and slammed it to the floor. Paced more laps. Picked it back up again.
Finally the door opened. He rushed over as two orderlies wheeled her out on the gurney. She was still strapped to the board,
still in a neck brace.
Her eyes were open!
“Lauren.” Jonah fell in step with them. “Honey, I’m right here.”
Head braced, her eyes tracked until they settled on him. She blinked them, and then they fluttered closed.
“She has a whopping headache,” the older orderly said. “The bright lights aren’t helping. Once we get her to the room, they’ll
get her something for the pain.”
“Is she okay?”
“She’s a little confused. We’ll know more once the doctor examines her and we get the results of the CT.”
“Everything’s gonna be okay, Lauren.”
If she heard him, she gave no indication. But the frown line across her brow indicated she was still conscious. That was good,
right? Conscious was good.
The orderlies wheeled her into a room and transferred her on the backboard onto the bed. “A nurse will be in shortly.”
Jonah moved to her side, took her hand. “You gave me a scare. How are you feeling? Do you need anything?”
She tried to open her eyes, squinted against the lights. Then she pulled her hand from his and put it over her eyes.
“I’ll turn them off.” He moved away, swiped at the switch, and the fluorescents extinguished. The room was still plenty bright with the light flooding in from the hallway. He returned bedside. “Better?” When she lowered her hand he took it again, needing to feel her skin, warm and alive beneath his.
“What happened?” she croaked. “Why am I in the hospital?”
“You don’t remember? We were in the barn, checking out the hayloft. You fell off the ladder. I’m sorry. I should’ve been holding
it for you. You fell from pretty high up. An ambulance came and brought you to the hospital.”
She pulled her hand from his. Blinked up at him. “What barn?”
Before he could register the question, Carson McConnell swept into the room, wearing teal scrubs, a white lab coat, and a
stethoscope slung around his neck. He was a friend from church and a pediatrics intern at the hospital. His brows pinched
when he spotted Lauren. “Hey. One of the nurses told me you took a fall. What rotten luck.”
Lauren’s eyes swung his direction. “Hi.” Her hand trembled as she tried to smooth her hair.
Carson greeted Jonah and they shook hands. Then Carson approached the bed. “How are you feeling? Nasty headache, I’ll bet.”
The tips of her ears pinkened as she met Carson’s eyes, reminding Jonah of the crush she’d had on the man when she first arrived
in town. “It’s pounding. I’m—I’m a little foggy.”
“No doubt. I’m just coming off my shift, but I’ll see if I can get you bumped up in line.”
Jonah moved closer to Lauren, took her hand in both of his. “We’d appreciate that. She just had a CT scan. She could use something
for her headache.”
“I’ll see what I can do. Can I call anyone for you? Your dad and mom?” He glanced at Lauren. “Your family?”
The guy was already attractive. Did he have to be thoughtful too? Never mind that Lauren didn’t have any family to speak of. He’d call her best friend Sydney later. “Thanks, but it’s taken care of.”
Carson gave Lauren his anchorman smile. “All right then. I can see you’re in good hands. Just wanted to stop by and check
on you. I’ll see if I can get someone in here quickly.”
“Thank you.” Lauren’s lips lifted. “Very kind of you.”
“Least I can do for a friend. Let me know if I can do anything else,” Carson said to Jonah on his way out.
“I will. Thanks.”
Lauren watched him go, then closed her eyes.
“Hopefully they’ll be in soon to check you over.” Jonah recalled the way she’d smiled at Carson. Something seemed off. She
didn’t seem her usual self. She wasn’t particularly demonstrative, but she’d hardly glanced at Jonah since she’d awakened,
and her hand was lying as limp as a dead fish in his.
Her chest rose and fell slowly. Her finely arched brows were drawn together over eyes that moved behind closed lids. Her tangled
lashes fanned out above pale cheeks.
Her eyes flashed open and her gaze darted wildly around the room before jerking to him. Her chest rose and fell with quick
breaths.
“Hey...” He squeezed her hand. “It’s gonna be okay. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”
Confusion flickered in the depths of her eyes. “What happened? Where am I?”