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The world went black.
Steph awoke to the sterile scent of a clinic. The overhead lights were harsh, and her head throbbed with a dull ache. As her eyes adjusted to the brightness, she realized she was lying on a crisp white examination table.
Hannah sat beside her, her dark red hair a soft cascade around her worried face. “Thank goodness you’re awake.” She breathed a sigh of relief.
Steph’s voice was hoarse. “What happened?”
Hannah offered a gentle, reassuring smile. “You fainted, Steph.”
The room felt too white, too sterile. Steph blinked, struggling to understand. “Fainted? Why?”
Hannah reached for her hand. Her violet eyes filled with concern. “I’m not sure. But we’re going to figure it out. The doctor is running some tests.” She glanced around the room. “This small clinic is remarkably well equipped.”
Steph blinked, the stark whiteness of the room sending a chill down her spine. Her head was heavy, and her thoughts scattered like leaves in the wind. Hannah’s words swirled in her mind, and she fought to comprehend them.
The room’s clinical sterility contrasted with the warmth and brightness of the day outside. She tried to sit up, but dizziness washed over her like a crashing wave. The hospital bed felt alien, unfamiliar. The fluorescent lights stung her eyes, and the sterile aroma intensified her discomfort. Hannah’s violet eyes held worry and care.
“What kind of tests?” Steph asked as she tried to make sense of her surroundings. She had no recollection of how she ended up here, her mind clouded by the disorienting moment of her collapse.
“The doctor drew some blood and asked me a whole lot of questions.” Hannah grinned and patted Steph’s arm. “Don’t worry. He’s sure it’s just the heat and maybe the shellfish you had for lunch.”
“I have food poisoning?” Steph frowned and allowed Hannah to help her into a sitting position.
“Could be.” Hannah nodded and pulled a face. “I’m sorry. I know you wanted to go to that other restaurant, but I really wanted to try that new seafood place.”
“It’s not your fault, Han.” Steph drew in a few deep breaths, trying to steady herself. “Is there some water?” Her stomach started to roil as bile crept up her throat. “Oh, no, I think I’m going to be sick.”
“Here!” Hannah jumped up and grabbed a bedpan, holding it out for Steph.
But after a few seconds of leaning over the bedpan, the feeling faded.
“I think it must’ve been the shellfish salad.” Steph nodded, holding her protesting stomach. “Especially after I’ve been on a strict diet to set my system right.”
“Steph!” Hannah moaned at her, shaking her head. “What is up with you lately?” Her brow furrowed worriedly. “You’ve never been into fad diets or trying to get into shape.” She ran an eye over her sister. “I don’t think you can get into better shape than you already are.” She gestured with her hand. “You always do yoga, run, and swim. You’re gorgeous and don’t need these fad diets.”
“It’s not a diet,” Steph protested. “It’s a lifestyle change. I’m forty-three. I have to start changing the way I do things.”
“Okay,” Hannah held up her hands in surrender. “Just don’t push yourself into a skeleton.”
“It’s not that kind of diet,” Steph assured her and looked around the room. “I hate doctors’ offices.”
“I know,” Hannah told her. “But you collapsed, and I wasn’t taking any chances.”
“Thank you, Han.” Steph smiled warmly before glancing impatiently at the door. “Where is the doctor? I have to collect the twins soon.”
“Lorry is going to collect them,” Hannah told her.
“Oh, no.” Steph looked pained. “You told the family I’m at the doctor?”
“No, I told our oldest sister you were at the doctor,” Hannah said. “After Lorry called me to find out where you were and when you were getting back to the hotel.”
“Of course.” Steph shook her head. “Because It’s my turn to collect the kids from the horse ranch.”
“Not anymore, it’s not.” Hannah pursed her lips and raised her eyebrows. “I told Lorry you may have food poisoning, so she’s gone to fetch them and said you must take the rest of the day off.”
“Awesome!” Steph sighed, knowing she would be bombarded with calls from the other four of her sisters, her mother, and her grandmother to find out how she was. “My afternoon isn’t going to be easy now, fending off calls from the family finding out how I am.”
“Aren’t you staying at Scott House pool house while your house is being renovated?” Hannah asked.
