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He smiles down at me. “See? I told you there was nothing to worry about. Everything went fine.”
I snort and roll my eyes. “I wasn’t worried. You were worried.”
He tips his head back and laughs. “Now who’s the liar?”
I grumble and pull away from him. Trent’s standing to the side watching us with a smile. I walk over and lay my head on his chest, hearing his heartbeat in my ear.
Out of nowhere, hope fills my stomach, and my lips slide up. I don’t know how, but I know everything will be okay.
* * *
Erica gigglesas Andrew makes a funny face at her. I sit on the side of her bed, clasping her hand tightly in mine. Trent’s in the chair next to us.
It’s been three hours since we were brought back to Erica’s room, and everyone is in good spirits. An hour ago, Trent, Erica, and I were surprised when a nurse wheeled in Jase, with Andrew following behind them. Apparently, Jase was very adamant about seeing Erica, his new granddaughter, and refused to take no for an answer. According to Andrew, who was irritated because he wanted Jase to stay in bed, Jase used his good looks to con the nurse into sneaking him in to see her.
The doctor came and went, explaining what the nurse already told us and that everything went well. He wants to keep Jase overnight, since it was already so late in the day when the procedure was performed. They plan to stay in a hotel for a couple of nights before heading back to Jaded Hollow. When I asked him what he told everyone back home on why they would be gone for several days, he said he just told them they were coming for a visit.
“Did you and Jase really dress up as Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum?” Erica asks Andrew.
He grins at her. “We did. I was Dee and Jase was Dum.” Andrew’s mirth-filled eyes move to me. “Ally was Alice, of course, and Trent went as the Cheshire cat. Between everyone, I think we covered all of the characters in the story.”
“It sounds like a lot of fun in Jaded Hollow,” Erica says wistfully.
“It is. You’ll love living there. It’s a small town, so everyone knows everyone.”
Uncertainty fills Erica’s eyes. Her voice is low when she reveals her fear. “What if people don’t like me?”
Trent replies before I have a chance. “That’s one thing you don’t need to worry about. Everyone is going to love you.”
“You think so?”
“I know so,” he replies gently.
“Knock, knock!” a voice calls out from the hallway.
Everyone looks over at the doorway as Ashlyn and Dillon walk in.
“Hey!” I get up from the bed. Ashlyn and I meet at the end for a hug.
After we let go, she faces Erica and smiles. “We haven’t met yet. I’m Ashlyn. And that’s my husband, Dillon.”
“Hi,” Erica says shyly. “Ally’s talked about you some.”
“How are you feeling?”
Erica shrugs. “I’m okay.”
Ashlyn holds up a giftbag. “We were in the neighborhood and thought we might drop off a few things for you.” She looks to me. “I hope that’s okay?”
“Absolutely.”
She sets the bag on the end of the bed. “We have a little girl at home. Her name is Destiny. She’s so anxious to meet you.”
Erica’s cheeks pop out of the edges of her mask with her grin. “Ally and Trent told me about her. I can’t wait to meet her too.”
“She’s with my parents right now, but she sent something for you in the bag.” Ashlyn reaches in and pulls out a drawing pad and a pack of colored pencils. “Ally told her you like to draw, so she wanted you to have some supplies.”
Erica takes the items, caressing a hand over the cover of the drawing pad. She looks up at Ashlyn. “Please tell her I said thank you.”
