She sits in the chair beside the off-white hospital bed, her fingers continuing to brush over my forehead, like she has a damn right to be touching me.
Why is she here? Where’s Lily?
“What the hell are you doing?” My voice is hoarse, rough, but I get the words out and suddenly I’m mad my first words are for her. I want Lily here. I want the first words as I wake out of this hell to be for her.
Morgan’s hand stills. Then, slowly, she smirks. “Welcome back, Noah.”
She says it like I didn’t just wake up from hemorrhaging a good portion of my blood out on the dirt. It’s not like I’ve been on a two-week cruise.
I shift, uncomfortable, but it’s pointless. Everything hurts.
She tilts her head. “I was worried about you. At least you looked peaceful.”
I narrow my eyes. “I was unconscious.”
Frowning, her hand falls away from beside my head, and she slumps back into the chair. She turns to look out the wall of glass windows and crosses her arms over her pink bubble dress. Her hair is curled into loose waves that cascade around her face and over her shoulders.
She looks too put together for the hospital.
I can’t help but wonder about Lily. Has she been here? Hell, how long have I been here?
“Morgan. Is a nurse around?”
She jumps forward, grabbing my hand. “Why? Do you need something?”
“How long have I been here?”
Morgan swallows and squeezes my hand. “You lost a lot of blood. They did surgery. I think the doctor can explain better than I can. I’ll get him.”
She makes to stand, but I grab her wrist. “How long have I been here?”
“A few days.”
“And Lily?”
She blinks at me, letting out a long sigh. “She’s fine, I guess.”
Then she shuffles to the wood door and exits, shutting it behind her.
Fine.
I look up, fighting tears. She’s fine. I hope that’s sincere, that she’s really okay. Safe. Rubbing my chest, I sigh.
It’s not long before there’s a knock at the door, and Dr. Young and Ranger Dan enter the room.
“Hey, buddy,” Dan says, a wide smile on his face underneath his silver mustache.
“Lily?” I ask.
“She was interviewed by the FBI and treated for minor scuffs and scrapes. She’s okay.”
“Hey, Noah. How are you feeling?” Dr. Young moves to check the readings on the monitors next to me.
“If I say I’m great, can I leave?”
He chuckles. “Nice try, though that sense of humor will get you feeling better in no time. Need to pass some of that along to that girl of yours.”
“Lily?”
