Page 71 of Sullivan

“Not sure that is needed.”

“Och aye, it is. We protect what is ours. Sully will have it as well. And I imagine he’ll want you to wear a tracker too, in case you get separated from your phone. But I’ll leave that to him.”

“A tracker?” I repeated, stunned.

Anna held out her arm, showing me a pretty bracelet. “This is mine. If I’m in trouble or scared. I press the toggle, and it sends Niall a signal I need help.” She frowned, her voice dropping. “It saved my life once.”

Niall pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her head. “Don’t think about that, mo mhuirnín. Never again.”

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.”