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“Of course it is.”
“Hey, does anybody want coffee?” Lucas asked, standing up and stretching his arms. “I’ll head over to the café and pick some up before I get myself into trouble.”
Ember and Brooke gave him their order, and he left in a hurry, as though he was allergic to hospital rooms and legs in casts.
“Okay, so now that he’s gone, tell us all the
gory details,” Ember said, leaning forward. “And don’t leave anything out.”
It took Ally ten minutes to tell them the story of Riley and the cliff – mostly thanks to their questions about who Riley was, why she had Ally’s number, and why Ally had run as soon as she’d called.
“So she’s your boss’ daughter?” Brooke asked. “That’s the only connection?”
“I felt sorry for her,” Ally said, feeling a little defensive. “She’s new in town and she lost her mom earlier this year. Now her dad’s spending night and day running a coffee shop while she has to come to terms with everything.”
“Sounds familiar,” Ember said, raising her eyebrows. “No wonder you feel sorry for her. You know exactly what she’s going through.” She leaned her head to the side. “What’s her dad like?”
“He’s okay.” Ally’s cheeks heated up too much to escape the notice of her two best friends. She quickly added, “For an older guy and a boss.”
“Why are you blushing?” Ember asked. She turned to Brooke. “She’s totally blushing, right?”
“Mmhmm.” Brooke nodded. “As red as they come.”
“It’s hot in here,” Ally complained. “That’s why. It’s warmer in here than it is at the beach.” She pulled at the collar of her gown and looked up at her friends. “Aren’t you hot?”
“Nope.” Ember shook her head. “Let’s take it back a bit. So Riley’s dad is nice for an older guy.” There was a glint in Ember’s eye. “And he makes you get all hot and bothered.”
Brooke rubbed her palms together. “I knew I did the right thing leaving Nick with my parents,” she said. She and Ember looked as though they were having way too much fun for Ally’s liking.
They were both looking right at her, their eyes wide, and their lips curled up while they waited for her to say something.
“What?” she finally responded.
“He’s hot, right?” Ember asked.
Ally shrugged, trying to look cool, which was almost impossible in this heat. “I’ve no idea. He’s my boss.” She pulled at the gown she was wearing, dragging the lines that were attached to the top of her hand. “I can’t believe they’ve put the heat on in here. So we had a bit of rain. It’s hardly arctic conditions out there.”
“The heat isn’t on,” Ember told her, giving her a knowing smile.
“Are you enjoying this?” Ally asked her, grimacing like a child.
“Yep. The hunter is finally being hunted. Remember how much hell you gave me when I first started seeing Lucas?”
“Ugh.” Ally lay back and closed her eyes for a moment. “I’m injured, guys. You’re supposed to be nice to me.”
“Do you need some more painkillers?” Brooke asked. “Shall I call a nurse?”
Ally shook her head. “No.”
But then the door opened, and Ally took a moment to steady herself again. She loved Ember and Brooke like sisters, but sometimes they were way too inquisitive for their own good.
She’d have to remember that the next time she was interrogating them.
“You have some more visitors,” a nurse said, popping her head around the door. “You’re only supposed to have three at a time, but as long as they don’t stay too long I’ll look the other way.”
She stepped back and opened the door wider to allow Ally’s visitors to walk inside. Lorne Daniels shuffled in first, followed by Frank Megassey and his wife. Ember and Brooke immediately stood up, offering their chairs to Lorne and Mrs. Megassey. Frank stood to the side of her, inspecting each machine as though he was planning to sell them in his hardware store.
The room that had seemed so spacious and empty had turned decidedly cozy.
