Page 92 of Shattered Hearts

I frown. Half an hour? What is going on?

The moment she hangs up, the question is already out of my mouth, “What happened?”

“Hazel had a seizure. She’s been taken to emergency. W-we have to go. Reid needs me there. I’ll drive.”

Choking on a breath, I shrug on my jacket and grab my house keys.

Grayson needs me.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Grayson

The emergency room in Rafter’s Falls is packed. Machines beep loud enough to echo throughout the hallways, people in white coats and blue scrubs rush around while stretchers are wheeled from room to room. The stale stench of bleach and metal fills my nose, and bile tickles the back of my throat.

Reid walks in front of Cole and I, beelining towards the reception desk. There are at least some plants down here, giving this place a sense of naturalism, but apart from that, it’s all stark and clinical.

I’ve never liked hospitals. They always feel so cold and bitter. Grief clings to everything and there’s so much pressure in the air. The last time I was here was with Holden, and that was horrible. To see my younger brother, normally so strong and stoic, breaking down to tears was painful.

But Mum needs me right now.

She needs all of us.

Eyes darting about rapidly, there’s so much movement that I can’t keep track what’s happening in here. As soon as we reach the desk, Reid takes charge, like he always does as the oldest child. But for once, I’m in no need to fight him on that. I don’t think I’d be able to squeeze any words out if I tried.

“We’re here for Hazel Lawson. She came in by ambulance with a seizure,” Reid tells the middle-aged nurse sitting at the computer. His voice is somehow calm, but I doubt he is internally. He’s probably screaming like I am.

“I just got an update. She’s currently having some tests run. You’re welcome to wait out here or in room 305. I believe your father is there. He came in the ambulance with her.”

The air in my throat clogs as I nod, my pulse stammering to the point that I might burst apart.

“Which way is that?” Reid asks, jaw set tightly.

The nurse points right. “Down the hall on the left.”

“Thank you,” I manage to squeeze out, my lungs constricting.

Cole keeps up with our longer strides as we hurry into the smaller room. There’s a window on the back wall, a large bed with machines and cords, and two chairs. As soon as we enter, Dad stands from one of the chairs. I see the tinge of pink in his eyes, and I embrace him immediately. He hugs the others before taking a seat in the chair again, sniffing. He’s still in his ranch clothes, with dirt on his hands and forehead.

“Dad, what happened?” Reid asks.

He sniffs again, taking his hat off and rubbing his thinning hair. “Your mother and I were at home. We were outside, because I needed to show her something in the top paddock. She was a little out of breath going up there, but I didn’t think much of it. I knew when she woke up that she wasn’t feeling well. Those blasted headaches.” He pauses to rub his eyes. I sink down on the side of the bed. “She all of a sudden stopped responding to me, and then when I realised what was happening, she collapsed and started twitching.”

My eyes press shut as Dad lets out a strangled choke.

“You had to see that?” Cole breathes out.

Reid elbows his side. “At least you were with her when it happened. Imagine if she was alone. It could…”

It could have been fatal.

Dad nods, his elbows resting on his legs. I lean over and pat his shoulder, my eyes prickling with moisture. “I just hope she’ll be all right. I told her to get her headaches looked at.”

My chin dips, avoiding Dad’s frustrated face. “I told her to as well. It was bothering me how she was avoiding seeing someone about it.” Dad stands, hands digging into his jean pockets as he gazes out the window at the storm clouds beyond that are heavy and a few minutes from downpouring.

“She’s here now, though. She’s in good hands, and we just have to wait to find out what’s happened,” Reid says.

My throat bobs as I look at my brothers, eyes wide and glistening. I know my face must look similar.