Page 111 of Home Is Where You Are

The medics secured her to the back of the ATV, and we all followed closely behind, none of us willing to let her out of our sight.

As soon as we got to the ambulance, they quickly loaded her in the back, and Sawyer climbed in the back with them.

“Let’s go. I’ll drive,” Holden said as he pulled me across the gravel drive. I couldn’t take my eyes off the ambulance, knowing the love of my life was inside, and I was left here to wonder if she’d be okay when we got to the hospital.

“She’s going to be fine. Don’t you dare think any other thought than that. You can’t put negative thoughts in your head, or it’ll eat you alive,” Holden gritted out as we climbed into his truck and sped off in the direction of the ambulance.

The ride to the hospital felt like an eternity as I prayed that she’d be okay.

We made it there in record time thanks to following the ambulance. Holden sped into the parking lot, thankfully finding a spot up front.

Holden and I raced across the parking lot and entered through the same entrance as the medics.

“You two can’t come in this way,” a nurse said as she stepped in front of us.

“My sister was just brought in. We followed the ambulance here. Ainsleigh Courtright,” Holden said as he clenched his fists.

If that nurse wouldn’t let us through, I knew he’d find a way.

“Please just let me see her, then I’ll go wait in the waiting room. I just need to see that she’s okay, then I’ll go wherever you want me to go,” Holden pleaded.

“She’s in trauma bay two. Don’t get in the doctor’s way,” the nurse said sternly.

Holden tipped his hat at her in thanks, and we both rushed over to the room Ainsleigh was in.

The most perfect sound greeted us as we entered the room.

Ainsleigh laid there, the collar around her neck, but her eyes looked right into mine.

“You’re awake,” I managed to choke out. Relief swept through me as I stared back at her, so thankful that she was awake.

“We’re going to send her for a cat scan to check her head and neck for injuries, but her being awake is a great sign,” the doctor assured us before he left the room.

“I’m so glad to see those blue eyes, baby sis,” Holden said from the doorway. Seeing her here had to bring back painful memories because I felt the same way.

“I’m fine, Holden. My head just hurts,” she explained.

Her dad leaned over her and kissed the side of her head, then whispered something to her before him and Holden left the room.

I walked over and sat on the seat beside her bed, so thankful that she was still here with me.

Before I could say anything, a nurse came in and took her back for her scan.

I squeezed her hand and told her I’d be waiting for her.

While she was gone, I tried to think of the perfect way to tell her how much she meant to me.

Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t hear the door open when the nurse entered with Ainsleigh.

She still had the collar around her neck, but the nurse assured me it was for her safety and said they’d be back as soon as the doctor read the results.

“How are you feeling, butterfly?” I asked as I picked up her hand and linked our fingers together. I needed to feel the warmth of her skin in mine to reassure me she was truly fine.

“My head hurts and my pride is wounded,” she replied with a groan.

“Can you tell me what happened?”

“I made a rookie mistake. I wasn’t paying attention, and I didn’t see the snake until it was too late. I didn’t anticipate Sparkle’s fear quick enough and when she turned abruptly, I lost my balance and fell off, hitting my head hard against the ground,” she explained.