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“Yes.”
"Is Laurie Heywood your aunt?"
The greasy snake of dread coiled up inside me."Yes."
“I’m calling from the University of Louisville Hospital ER.Your aunt has been admitted.”
ChapterFourteen
“For Heaven’s sake.It’s just a broken arm!You’d think I’d been near death!”Aunt Laurie complained when Rick and I were finally let into her hospital room.
She looked a little pale, her right arm immobile in a cast, but otherwise she seemed like herself.The hospital gown hung off of her, and for the first time since I had known my aunt, I thought she looked old.
“Does Jess know?”
“No.”Aunt Laurie glared at me.“And you’re understrictinstruction not to ruin her vacation by telling her.”
I sighed internally.I was going to be in big trouble for this.I knew it.
“She’ll only cut it short and come home,” my aunt added.“And she and Connor have saved up for this holiday for so long.”
I chewed over that for a second.She was right.
Beside me, Rick squeezed my hand, and I was very grateful for his solid presence.I squeezed back.
“Are you in any pain?”I asked instead.“Do you need anything?Books, magazines, food?”
Aunt Laurie sighed.“Just a little company would be nice.And I probably need to do a brain dump about the cake commitments I have comin’ up.The most important being the wedding at the ranch next Saturday.”
I let go of Rick’s hand and sat on the edge of the bed, and took out my phone to make notes.“I’m all ears.”
Rick cleared his throat.“I’ll leave you to it.Maddie, you’ll text when you need a ride home?”
“Oh, you don’t need to worry about that.I can get a cab.”
His gaze lingered on me for a second, and he settled his hand on my shoulder.“I don’t mind stayin’ in the waiting area.”
The thought of him just waiting for no other purpose than to be there forme,just in case I should need him, made me melt inside.But I didn’t want to rely on him.My stomach twisted with how complications things were becoming.
“You should go home,” I said instead.
He inclined his head, but didn’t agree verbally.Instead, he kissed the top of my head.“You’ll call?”
“I’ll call,” I confirmed, my heart warming.
Rick nodded at my aunt, and quietly exited.
“Well, that one’s a keeper if ever I saw one,” Aunt Laurie observed.“Thought it ever since he quit his career in the Army and moved back home to take care of his family.”
“Would youstop?This is not a romcom movie.”
She looked at me with innocent, wide eyes.“I’m only saying.”
“Well, don’t.I live far away from here.”
She pouted dramatically.“Can’t you indulge me?I’m sick!”
I laughed.“But you’re also not five.Sorry.”When she gave me a look, I rolled my eyes, then patted her leg.“Give me the information dump.”
