He helps make it happen with a series of buttons on the bed and tucking an arm under me.
“The doctor was just here, but you missed her. Somehow the bullet just grazed you. Nothing but a few stitches were needed. But you did have a concussion. She says you’re going to be fine.” His eyes were bright with joy, but the skin around them was puffy from lack of sleep.
I raise my eyebrows. I forgot that William shot me. But the gun was pointed right at me. How did it miss me? Unless I somehow … But my brain is too foggy. I’m alive, and that’s enough for now. I’m too concerned about Nathaniel and Lincoln. I want to ask after them, but the words don’t come.
“You’ve been asleep about two days,” he tells me. “They want to keep you one more night,” he finishes and I nod.
“I fed Ginger,” another deep voice says. I slowly turn my head to the opposite corner of the room to see the most welcome sight leaning forward in a chair.
“Lincoln.” I smile and feel my lips crack. “My hero,” I say.
He chews his lip and frowns at the ground.
“If not for you …” I say to him.
He shakes his head.
I look to Nathaniel again and notice he’s leaning on a cane. “What happened?”
“Just pulled a muscle. It’ll be fine in a few days.”
“Will?” I ask. I glance to Lincoln, who’s still staring at his shoes.
Nathaniel shakes his head. “The whole place went down. We barely got you out.”
“I’m sorry,” I say.
I’m not exactly sure what for. Sorry I didn’t save him? Sorry that he did all this? Sorry they lost the father lottery?
He brushes my arm. “Thanks to Lincoln, the police heard it all. He was recording on the drive up. A few people from town confirmed seeing him driving you. The tape didn’t catch enough to reveal your abilities, but there was enough for the authorities to think Will was some racist xenophobe set on killing women. The abuse came out, too. Hospital workers have come forward.
“His company is in shambles. His reputation destroyed post-mortem. The truth about him is out. More and more people are coming forward to support the case against him. Blackmail. Extortion. He was more evil than we ever imagined,” Nathaniel explains.
I let out a breath, taking it all in. I glance back to Lincoln, worrying about how this will affect him. But he isn’t alone.
“Thank you, Lincoln,” I say.
He nods. “I have to go.” Lincoln stands and comes to my side. Tentatively he grabs my other hand. “I just wanted to see you when you woke up.”
“I’m glad you did. And I’m so, so glad you’re okay,” I say. “I was so worried I messed up …” I have to stop talking because my throat tightens up.
He looks deep into my eyes and I feel so much pain for this young man. “I’m glad you’re okay,” he says. To Nathaniel he says, “I’ll see you back at the house.”
Nathaniel releases my hand to give him a hug goodbye. “I love you,” he tells his brother.
Lincoln tugs the hat he’s wearing lower on his head. “Love you too,” he mumbles and heads out.
When he’s gone, I ask, “Is he going to be okay?”
Nathaniel shrugs. “Will was still his dad.”
I nod. There’s so much weighing on my mind. So many questions unanswered. I look back to the window and close my eyes against the light.
* * *
When I awake again, I have to squeeze my eyes shut and try to refocus them. They’re playing serious tricks on me.
“Nathaniel?”
