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“She’s still in recovery. As soon as we’ve moved her into a room, she can have visitors. If you’ll excuse me, I need to get back. One of the nurses will let you know when she’s settled.”
“Thank you.” I hold out my hand, and he shakes it.
“You’re welcome, son.” Falling back into my chair, I drag my hand through my hair.
“She’s going to be okay,” Jess says before she bursts into tears. Brooke goes to her and pulls her into a hug.
“Sawyer,” a voice calls from behind me, and I see Hallie’s mom. She looks across at Jess and bursts into tears. Brett pulls her against him, and his eyes find mine.
“She’ll be okay. You’ve just missed the doctor. She’s out of surgery and in recovery.” I walk over to them, and Aubrey pulls me into her arms.
“Oh, thank God. Thank you, Sawyer. Thank you so much.” She’s sobbing, and I hold her to me, overwhelmed that she’s thanking me.
“I should never have let him get near her.”
She pulls back and wipes her eyes. “Sawyer, you had no idea this guy was even involved with Matthew Bryant.” My eyes flick to Jess, who gives me a small smile. “Jess told us everything when she called. This isn’t your fault. You found her and brought her here.” I nod, despite not believing them.
“Have they said when we can see her?” Brett asks as he puts out his hand for me to shake.
“They’re going to let us know when she’s out of recovery,” I reply, shaking his hand. His eyes drop to my jeans, and I glance down, realizing for the first time that I’m covered in Hallie’s blood. Before I can say anything, a different nurse appears and calls out Hallie’s name. Brett and Aubrey rush forward, and I hang back. As desperate as I am to see her, her parents will want to see her first.
“It’s only two visitors,” Aubrey says, looking back at me.
“You two go in first,” I say. “Tell her I love her.” She smiles, and I watch as they disappear behind the double doors.
“You okay?” Logan asks as he comes to stand next to me.
“I’ll feel better when I can see her.”
“I’m going to grab a drink. Do you want anything?” I shake my head and watch as he asks Brooke and Jess.
Ten minutes later and I’m pacing the waiting room. Hearing the doors open, Brett and Aubrey make their way toward me.
“She’s asking for you,” Aubrey says. “We’ll give you some time alone. Through the doors, turn left. Third room on the right.”
“Thank you,” I say over my shoulder as I rush across the waiting room and toward Hallie. Coming to a stop outside her room, I take a deep breath before pushing the door. Her head turns as I walk in. When her eyes meet mine, she bursts into tears. I’m by her side in seconds. Sitting on her bed, I gently take her into my arms.
“Shh, it’s okay. Please don’t cry.” Her hands clutch at my T-shirt, and it’s as if she thinks I’m going to disappear. She mumbles something through her sobs, but I can’t make out what. I hold her until she calms down, my hand stroking her hair. When she lifts her head, her eyes are bloodshot, and her face is red.
“I thought I’d never see you again.” Her fingers continue to grasp my T-shirt, and I reach for them, gently taking her hands in mine.
“I’m so sorry I wasn’t there, baby. I promised to keep you safe…” Closing my eyes, I bring one of her hands to my mouth, brushing my lips across her palm.
“You came for me,” she whispers. I pull her against my chest. It feels so good to hold her in my arms again. There was a point earlier today when I thought I’d never see her again, let alone hold her.
“How are you feeling?” I ask as I lean back. She’s wearing a hospital gown, her injured leg covered with a blanket.
“A little sore. Not too bad. I think they’ve pumped me full of pain meds…” she trails off. “How did you get to me so quickly?”
“We don’t have to talk about this now, baby. You should rest.”
“I want to. I need to get what happened straight in my head. It was Nick, Sawyer. How could we not have known?”
“He had us all fooled.”
“He seemed so into Kitty. She’s going to be devastated.” Hallie shakes her head. “So how did you get to me so quickly?” she asks again.
“Logan found out some information while he was at my place… a name of someone involved. When the ID picture came through, I saw it was Nick and knew I had to get to you. I tried to call you and Brooke, but I couldn’t get through.”
