“We have to get her back,” I repeated.
“There’s nothing we can do right now. It’s not even five in the morning.” Ozzi looked defeated, and I couldn’t stand it.
Fuck this. I opened the door and hopped out, shutting the truck closed behind me. “I’m going to go see Eloise and see what she can tell us about Lyla.”
Ozzi followed and stuffed his hands into his pockets. “Again, the time, Jason. Don’t go waking her up. She’s recovering from a stroke. She needs all the rest she can get.”
“I won’t wake her if she’s sleeping.” And I wouldn’t, but I was going to talk to her this morning.
We entered the garage and went into the office for the EMTs. Callie, who was partnered with Ozzi this shift, greeted us, but I guess she saw our expressions and didn’t start up her usual chatter.
Ozzi sat in a chair beside the radio and motioned to the twin cots in the far corner. “Get some sleep. It’ll be your shift soon.”
“I will, but first, I have a mission.” I ignored the look he gave me and walked through the other door into the hospital proper. He’d thank me for it later.
Lyla. I didn’t know how I fucked it up, but I was going to find out.
It was quiet in the long term care wing. I greeted the nurses at their station, and they watched as I walked down the hall to Eloise’s room. Neither of them said anything, but no doubt that whatever happened, there would be some gossip.
The room was dimly lit. The woman in the bed closest to the door was sound asleep and softly snoring. The curtain was pulled between the two beds for privacy, and as I rounded it, I first saw Lyla’s friend curled up in a chair sleeping. Mariska’shead lulled at an awkward angle and she twitched from whatever dreams she was having. The poor girl was going to have a bad kink in her neck when she woke up.
Peeking in farther, I saw that Eloise was awake and looking at her phone. She lifted her head when I came into view and motioned me to come closer as she smiled.
“Good morning, Jason. What are you doing up so early?”
I came around to the side of the bed opposite of the one Mariska was on and kept my voice a whisper. “Came by to see how you were doing. You look mighty chipper for five in the morning.”
“I’ve always been an early riser, and since I’ve been sleeping a lot lately, I find myself waking even earlier.” Eloise set her phone down and folded her hands over her stomach. “But you didn’t come here to see how this old woman was doing.”
I widened my eyes, suddenly feeling guilty. “Of course I did. Everyone in town wants to know how you’re doing.”
“Mm-hm.” She nodded and raised a brow. “How’s Lyla doing?”
Shit. There was no hiding it. Heat crept up my neck. Eloise knew what I was about. “She was doing just fine until I said something that upset her. I don’t know what it was, though.”
“Lyla’s very opinionated and believes strongly about a lot of things. Can you give me any hint?” Eloise asked.
“Well, I was saying how perfect she was for Ozzi and I, and not only were we scent matches, but just real good for one another, and that I wanted us to have a future together. House, big Christmases, lots of babies. Then she went on about how Alphas only see Omegas one way…” I was rambling now and getting too loud. I lowered my voice and my head. “I’ve fallen for her. I can’t lose her.”
Eloise patted the back of my hand. “You poor dear. Lyla shines bright as the sun, but she can burn those who aren’t careful.” Her smile turned a little sad. “She has issues with her mother. She thinks her mom gave up her dreams to be a mate to her Alphas and have children. Lyla vowed never to be like her. So if you mentioned having lots of babies, that would have triggered her anger.”
Fuck me. “But I would never ask her to give up her dreams. I want to help her be whatever she wants to be. And I don’t want kids right now, but one day.”
“Then tell her that.” Eloise punctuated her advice with another pat on my hand. “She needs Alphas who will support her and can handle her strength and fire.”
“I love her fire.” My heart thumped hard, making it all clear. Pure unfiltered emotion burned my eyes. “I love her.”
She nodded. “I know. I can see it. You and Ozzi are so good for her. Helping her through that storm, bringing the presents to the Big Sisters, mailing off packages, and helping the neighbors. Lyla will see it too. Just go talk to her.”
“Lyla told you all of that?” I hadn’t even realized they chatted much since Friday.
“Some.” Eloise chuckled softly. “The town told me the rest. People have been talking, you know.”
Of course. Gossip traveled at the speed of light in Fond du Lac. Nothing like the hospital as the hub for all that chatter. No doubt my own family knew what I was up to even though I hadn’t talked to them in a few days.
My mind was whirling. I couldn’t just go over and talk to Lyla. No. My apology had to be bigger. Something grand.
“Thank you so much for talking to me, Eloise.” I leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Lyla will probably be visiting today, and I have an idea for later. It’s Christmas Eve and it’s going to bespectacular! Please don’t let her leave today until I come to get her.”
