“Hannah?”
“Lily’s mom. I was with her in the cafeteria around the corner from the site when the texts came in. Hearing the news about a possible rescue must have done it. She just grabbed her chest and collapsed. I think the excitement became too much for her. They’re working on her now, but the doctors don’t believe she’s very strong. Poor woman. I-I liked her. And now she’s in tr-trouble and her only child, her daughter Lily is gone. Oh, Lance. Will these nightmares ever end?”
Lance gathered Rachel in his arms, rocking her back and forth. Tears that had begun to gather from seeing him broke through, and he let her cry knowing it to be the best medicine for shock.
“Honey, I’m so sorry. What a crazy experience. After all you’ve been through already.”
Rachel didn’t answer, she just nodded and continued to sob.
Glad she listened, he tried to reassure her as best he could. “I know it’s been tough on you. Terribly tough. But soon we’ll know the truth. You say they’re close to finding someone alive? That’s good news. One we can pray over.” He led Rachel to the chairs and helped her sit while he took the seat next to her. Holding her hands, he urged, “Talk to me. From the beginning, tell me how you met Lily’s mother?”
***
Listening to Rachel’s voice become stronger as she shared the last few hours with him, Lance’s amazement knew no bounds. Neither did his love for this beauty who could open her heart to the mother of the woman who had taken her man.
A few moments later, the doctor approached, his expression grave. “I believe you came in the ambulance with Mrs. Rawlins?”
Rachel stood. “Yes. I only just met her today. But we were together when she had the attack.”
“I’m terribly sorry, we did everything we could, but she didn’t make it.”
“Oh, no. How sad. And we’d just gotten word that the rescuers might have found someone still alive. What if it was her daughter?”
Shaking his head, the older doctor admitted, “All I can tell you is she died peacefully. And her last words were ‘Lily, baby…’ which we believe might have been her daughter’s name. They were spoken with such joy, we all got chills. It was as if she saw her child, and her battle to live changed to a serene surrender. A miracle I hope you can take solace in. After the last few days, this is one death I can walk away from with a lighter heart.”
Chapter Eleven
It took Rachel a few minutes to digest the doctor’s words. Tears itched to be released until he’d mentioned her new friend’s last moments. Something inside her sensed that Hannah had found the person she most desperately had been looking for. Knowing what she did, she instantly believed that Hannah’s daughter’s spirit… Lily’s spirit had come for her mother. Which meant that the person still alive might be Damon.
She turned to Lance. “Can you take me back to the building site? I need to be there when they find him.”
“You think Damon’s alive?”
“I don’t know. As I told Hannah, I’ve felt him close these last few days. I know that sounds weird, and I can’t explain it, but it’s true. It’s like he’s all around me, listening, trying to reach out.”
“Funny you should say that. Today, I’d begun to sense him also.” Lance helped her stand.
“Can we go?”
“Of course. We should both be there. They wouldn’t have texted you if they didn’t think it was something.”
“It’s Kate Meadows who contacted me. We’ve know each other for years. I used to babysit her little boy. She’s been a saint these last few days. The more I pestered her for news, the more she’s tried to help.”
Lance checked his watch. “It’s almost time to pick up the kids.”
“Oh, no. I can’t face them right now.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll get Marcy from the office to pick them up and take them to my place. They know her so they’ll trust her.”
“Marcy? Why don’t I know her? Have you ever mentioned her before?”
Lance stopped to turn to Rachel. His face had lightened from thinking of this woman. “Hasn’t Damon said anything about our incredible office employee? She’s been with us for over a year now. And I don’t know what I’d do without her.” He moved away to make his call, and as he made his request, Rachel watched his expression change from being worried to a kind of happiness that brought a tender smile. Minutes later, he called the school to give them the okay for the kids to be with Marcy.
When he turned back to her, he looked like a different man. Suddenly she knew the truth. Marcy and Lance. They must be together. As the image of him with another grew, she felt her heart shrivel inside.
I’m happy for him. I truly am.
I am.
