AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 9
She didn’t want to move. Gia couldn’t remember ever being so comfortable. Lying in Roger’s warm arms was heavenly. Reluctantly, she untangled herself and slipped out from under the sheets. The cool air sent goosebumps over her naked body.
“Where are you going?” Roger mumbled, half asleep.
Gia fumbled in the dark. She heard her cell phone, but she had no idea where she’d left it. “My phone is ringing. I think I left it in my bedroom.” She scurried across the cold floor and located it on her nightstand. Her heart was pounding because her phone never rang this early. She’d missed the call, but checked the caller ID. Mom.
She called her right back. “Hi, Mom. Is everything okay?”
“Oh, Gia.” She heard the tears in her mother’s voice and her stomach dropped. “Your father had a heart attack. They’re rushing him to the hospital now.”
“Dad,” she whispered, gripping the phone tightly. Knowing she needed to be strong for her mother, she asked, “Is anyone there to take you to the hospital?”
“Yes. We’re going now.” Her mother sniffled. “But you should come too. He was . . . unconscious when the ambulance took him.”
Gia hoped her voice was steady when she asked, “What hospital are they taking him to?”
“RI General. Please, Gia,” her mother pressed, “I need you home.”
Nothing could keep her from her family. “I’m coming, Mom.”
As soon as her mother ended the call, Gia rushed back to Roger’s bedroom and flipped on the light switch.
“Roger,” she uttered urgently as she sat at the edge of the bed, “I need to leave.”
He sat up, squinting at the bright light. “What’s wrong?”
“My father is being rushed to the hospital,” she explained. “It’s his heart. I have to go right now. Can you drive me, please?”
Roger was out of the bed and pulling on clothes. “Is the hospital in Rhode Island?”
“Yes,” she confirmed as she ran back to her room to find some clothes herself. Since she hadn’t unpacked, it was easy enough to do. Gia reached down and picked up the clothes she’d worn yesterday. Not ideal, but practical.
As she finished dressing, Roger joined her. “I know someone. We’ll get a helicopter to fly back. Considering the circumstances, he won’t mind.”
She looked up at him. “I told you, I don’t fly.”
Roger walked over to her and placed his hands on her shoulders. “Honey, it’s a four-hour drive or a one-hour flight.” He gave her a comforting squeeze. “You’re not going to be alone. I’m going to be right beside you the entire time.”
It made sense to take him up on the offer. But getting in the helicopter wasn’t going to be easy. She was an emotional wreck already, thinking about her dad. The stress of the flight might be too much.
“Roger, I’m not sure I can do it . . .” Her voice trembled as she said it.
He tipped her chin up to look him in the eyes. “I know you can. Let me make the call. We can be in the air in thirty minutes.” She stared at him, not sure what to do or say. “Trust me, Gia. I’d never let anything happen to you.”
She wanted to remind him they’d be hundreds—no, thousands—of feet up in the air. He couldn’t guarantee his safety, let alone hers. But this wasn’t about her. She needed to get to the hospital as quick as possible. Not trusting herself to speak, she nodded her approval.
Roger rushed out of the room to get his phone, she suspected, which left her with a few minutes to finish getting ready. She grabbed her toiletries and freshened up a bit. By the time Roger returned, she was set to go.
“Is this ready?” he asked, pointing at the suitcase.
“Yes.” When he went to pick it up, she grabbed hold of his arm. “Thank you for doing this.”
He nodded. “I told you; I’m here for you.” Roger picked up her bag and said, “The helicopter should be here any minute. I suggest we get going.”
Her stomach dropped. Did he just say . . . “Here?”
“Yes. There is a helipad on the roof.”
