Bronson whispered my name, grabbing my attention once again. It was the second time in less than ten minutes I’d heard him speak. For just a second I let the sound wash through me knowing he’d be lost to me soon and I’d probably never hear it again.
“Lake, is it really you?” His voice was scratchy and unsure. “I must be dreaming,” he said, garbled. And then he closed his mesmerizing eyes.
Swallowing down the golf ball sized lump in my throat, a tear slipped down my cheek that I couldn’t hold back any longer.
I sent up a silent prayer that the only boy I’d ever loved—even if he’d broken my heart—would be okay.
Once we got him to the hospital, I couldn’t make myself leave until I heard how he was doing. Standing in the shadows of the waiting room, I could see he was very much adored, if the mob of people waiting for him and a couple of others that were brought in was any indication.
When the doctor came to let everyone know he’d made it through surgery and would make a full recovery, I knew that was my cue to leave.
Right before heading out the door, a beautiful pregnant woman who I’d learned Bronson saved, turned, and looked at me. Her head tilted slightly as she studied me for a second, a curious but warm look on her face. I couldn’t tell what she saw but my emotions were on overload and I needed to get out of there.
When something else grabbed her attention and she turned away, I made a hasty exit.
Bronson would probably never remember or know I was there. It was for the best. The old wound that had been dug upat the sight of him was enough to bring me to my knees, a state I couldn’t afford.
I had to be focused and strong.
For Stormi…
Chapter One
LAKE
I wonderedfor the hundredth time if I was out of my mind.
Heat beat through the car window, my air conditioning was cranked to the max, and the radio rhythmically pumped music through the speakers. As always, my daughter and I had our carpool-karaoke going, both of us singing together, one song after another. It was energizing and uplifting for both of us.
My gaze moved to the rear-view mirror and landed on my whole world. Stormi bobbed her head to the music while she belted out the words to“Flowers” by Miley Cyrus. My daughter loved the song and I definitely got behind the lyrics.
I felt them deep in my soul.
For me there was no significant other or romance in my life. Not now, not in the past, and probably not ever. But that was okay because the beautiful angel who sat in the backseat was everything to me. She was all I needed. Although, I held out hope that one day when she was an adult, she’d find what I never had.
Stormi’s spirit was strong and blazed brighter than the sun that almost blinded me as I kept driving to our destination.
Why had I told Ruby that we’d attend her Fourth of July barbeque? I’d always liked the beautiful, red-headed nurse that I frequently talked to when I brought people into the hospital. Shehad a sweet disposition about her that set me and others at ease. But as wonderful as she was, I’d also seen her with Bronson. That should’ve had me running for the hills, not heading in their direction, because I knew there was a good chance he could be at the party.
Yet, I was going anyway.
You just want one more look at him.
I must’ve liked punishing myself.
I’d caught a glimpse of Bronson when I was bringing in a new patient one evening and noticed him with a large group of people and the woman he’d saved the night of the shooting as she was leaving the hospital with her new baby. He looked good and my heart hammered in my chest as I watched, not able to pull my gaze from him. When he looked over at me, I quickly diverted my eyes.
When I’d taken another peek, he’d disappeared.
I shouldn’t have been surprised that he didn’t approach me. He’d made it clear long ago that walking away from me was something that had come easily to him. We were so young, I knew that, but it didn’t make it hurt any less.
I’d believed we would always be together.
Silly, teenage, foolish heart.
“Are we at the party?” Stormi inquired as we pulled down a long driveway and drove toward a remarkable, country-style home with an expansion of land and winsome scenery surrounding it.
I bit my lip to ease the tension running through me and pulled in next to all the other cars. “Yeah, sweetie, we’re here.”
