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We watched in silence as the dog continued to eat, his frail body gaining a bit more strength with each bite. His gratitude was unmistakable, evident in the way he looked up at us between mouthfuls, his eyes filled with a newfound glimmer of trust.
I gently motioned for him to follow me inside. He sniffed around for a bit, but then laid down on the rug near the couch. He sighed and fell fast asleep. After a few minutes, he was quietly snoring.
As the morning sun streamed through the windows, Casey and I sat down at the kitchen table, sharing a hearty breakfast we had prepared together. The aroma of fresh coffee and the sizzle of bacon filled the air, making our meal even more inviting. We exchanged small talk about our plans for the day and the progress we hoped to make on the ranch.
After the last bites were savored and our plates cleared, I pushed my chair back and looked at Casey with a soft smile. "Ready to head out to your car?"
She nodded, her eyes warm and appreciative. "Thanks for breakfast, Christian. It was delicious."
"Anytime," I replied with a grin, rising from my chair and walking over to her side. We walked together to the front door, where her car was parked.
As we reached the porch, I turned to face Casey, our gazes locking. "Have a great day today," I said, my voice laced with sincerity.
Casey smiled and nodded, her expression warm with gratitude. "I will. Thanks for helping the dog."
We stood there for a moment, sharing an unspoken understanding. Our connection was growing stronger each day, and I was eager to see what the future held for us. With a final nod, I watched as Casey got into her car, and I waved as she drove away.
I went back inside and began watching television. After about an hour, my phone suddenly rings. It was Brett. Brett's voice trembled with urgency on the other end.
"Christian, it's Casey. She was in a wreck. They're taking her to the hospital."
The world seemed to blur for a moment as my mind tried to process what I'd just heard. The fear in my chest was palpable, a reminder of how much Casey had come to mean to me. I thought about my grandmother, the loss of her still fresh in my memory, and it was as if history was repeating itself.
"Thanks for letting me know, Brett," I managed to say, my voice shaky. "I'm on my way."
I hung up the phone, fighting back the emotions threatening to overwhelm me. I was upset with myself for catching feelings, for allowing someone into my heart after vowing never to get close to anyone again. But as I sped toward the hospital, there was no denying the truth. Casey had already found her place in my life, and the idea of losing her was unbearable.
I rushed into the hospital, my heart still racing, and approached the reception desk. My voice was strained with worry as I spoke to the nurse on duty. "I'm here for Casey, the accident victim. Where is she?"
The nurse looked at her computer screen, her fingers dancing over the keyboard. "Casey is in surgery right now. The doctor will be with you shortly to provide more information."
My chest tightened, and I nodded in acknowledgment. I turned away from the desk, feeling lost and helpless. That's when I spotted Brett and Tamara in the hospital lobby. They were sitting in a corner, their faces etched with concern.
I hurried over to them, my voice trembling. "Brett, Tamara, what happened? Is she going to be okay?"
Brett met my gaze with a solemn expression. "The doctors said she's going to be fine, but it was a wreck. She's in for an x-ray now, but they expect her to recover."
Tamara offered a reassuring smile. "Christian, she's strong. She'll pull through this."
I nodded, my gratitude for their support evident in my eyes. I took a deep breath, attempting to calm my racing heart. I sat down and tried to calm down.
I tried to distract myself on my phone, but I just couldn’t. I needed to move around. I got up and walked around the waiting room, stretching my legs. I read the papers on the bulletin board, one talking about a peer support group and another mentioning the festival upcoming in town. After a few minutes, the doctor emerged from the doors.
“Toras family?” Brett stood up and walked over to her.
Brett walked over to him. “How's Casey? Is she going to be okay?"
The doctor offered a reassuring smile. "Casey is going to be just fine. She's a lucky young woman. She has a concussion, and her wrist is fractured, but we've got a brace on it and the scans went well. With some rest and care, she should make a full recovery."
I felt as though a heavy weight had been lifted from my chest, and a grateful smile spread across my face. I quickly stepped closer to them. "Thank you, Doctor. Can I see her?"
The doctor nodded. "Of course. She's in radiology right now, but she should be in her room soon. We'll let you know once you can see her."
I turned to Brett and Tamara, relief and gratitude in my eyes. "She's going to be okay.”
Brett clapped me on the back, his own tension visibly relieved.
Tamara offered a supportive hand on my shoulder. "She's lucky to have you."
