AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Talk to me, Poppy.” His words urged her. “I know it’s hard, but isn’t that why you came out here, to help yourself heal? I bet you haven’t really discussed your feelings with anyone, not even that psychologist you saw.”
She opened her eyes and looked into his. Blake was right, of course.
Poppy may have spoken to a professional after the accident, but she hadn’t been fully able to unload her problems, not like she wanted to. Even years later, the accident was still fresh in her mind. The sights and smells of the carnage that surrounded her were ingrained inside her.
“Is me telling you the horror of my dreams really going to help anything?” She didn’t ask to be cynical or untrustworthy of Blake’s attempts to help her. She simply spoke the truth.
“Yes, Poppy, I do think it’ll help, but I won’t push you.” His eyes were a warm green-brown that had her wanting to open up to him.
Looking out the French doors at the swirling snow, Poppy told him about the crash, about her dream.
The sound of glass breaking and metal bending was so unbelievably loud it encompassed Poppy. Pain registered at her temple as soon as her head struck the passenger side window. Flashes of black and brightness danced before her eyes. The metallic flavor of blood filled her mouth in a gush, and she gagged as it slid down her throat.
The world felt strange, off-kilter. Blinking rapidly, Poppy’s vision cleared enough that she realized she was suspended in the air. The only thing holding her was the seatbelt that dug into her throat, partially cutting off her airway like a tight noose intent on taking her life.
Harsh, violent gusts of wind whipped by her, and she turned her head. Jagged shards of glass from the passenger side window filled her vision. Something warm and wet made a slow but steady track down her forehead. The wetness started to drip from her nose and into her eyes, and she lifted her hand, trying to wipe it away. But her arm wouldn’t move. Panic seized her chest, and her heart pounded strong and hard behind her sternum.
“Jon.” Her voice sounded hoarse, scratchy. Poppy cleared it and called out again. “Jon.” There was still no answer. Her neck hurt, and she still couldn’t get her arm to move.
Poppy turned her head to the left, and a tortured sob left her. “Jon?” Hot tears sprang to her eyes. “No, please, God, no.” She tried to reach out, but her fucking arm wouldn’t move. Poppy looked and saw the flash of white protruding from her forearm.
Poppy screamed. Loud, gut-wrenching sounds left her, and she prayed someone heard her, prayed someone came to help. She tried to use her right arm to unlatch her seat belt, but every move she made sent agony throughout her entire body. “Jon, please, wake up.” Blood covered her hand and made her actions slick and sticky. A rolling wave of pain stole her breath. Poppy cried out.
Sirens sounded in the distance, and Poppy could hear shouting nearby.
“You okay in there?” A female voice was to her right.
“What’s your name?” A male voice sounded to her left.
She reached out with her right arm, but she couldn’t reach Jon, couldn’t touch him. “Please, help Jon.” Poppy let her head fall back against the seat and closed her eyes. Blood and tears made seeing anything damn near impossible, and the pain made it hard to think straight. Another sob tore through her, and she tried once more to reach for Jon.
“God, Johnny, I’m so sorry. Please forgive me. Please be okay.” Then darkness took her away.
Poppy wiped the tear that started making a slow trail down her cheek. Blake’s comforting presence seeped into her, and she absorbed the sensation.
“I’m so sorry, Poppy.” He rubbed her back, the rhythmic up-and-down motion further helping to ease her pain.
“Well, it is getting easier every day, and I’m hoping it’ll get better since I’m here.” Poppy wiped at the last tear and forced a smile on her face. She looked at Blake and saw a pained look on his.
“I’m going to make you whole again, Poppy.”
“It’s not your job to do that, Blake.”
They stared at each other for a suspended moment, then he gave a nod and stood. “Okay, well I’ve got some breakfast made when you’re ready.”
He shut the door on his way out, and Poppy sat on the bed and went back to staring out the French doors. The snow continued in a flurry of motion, and she was struck by the beauty of it.
If only she could be one of those snowflakes with the wind taking her far, far away.
Chapter 5
“Breakfast was delicious, Blake.” Poppy leaned back in her seat and smiled at him. The sunlight poured through the bay window and cast a golden glow across Blake. The thermal Henley he wore was snug against his broad chest, and Poppy could make out the twin mounds of his pecs. She looked away quickly. After finishing her coffee, she stood and walked over to him.
“Here, let me do the dishes.” She reached out to grab his plate, but his hand atop hers stopped her. She lifted her eyes to his and waited. For a moment, she was struck by how handsome he was. Guilt immediately consumed her.
“Forget about the dishes. How ‘bout I take you to the waterfall?”
“Really?” Genuine excitement filled her. “Like an actual waterfall?”
