He hadn’t a clue. And reckoned he wouldn’tgetone until he talked to the man.
Thirty minutes later, after having loaded up the gear, he and Romeo were inside the Otter, taxiing out into the lagoon. Alex had packed them PB&Js for the flight, but Wolf’s appetite had vanished with thoughts of possibly seeing Chrissy again.
Romeo must’ve read his mind. His voice sounded through the headset Wolf wore. “You think Chrissy will be at the hospital?”
“Don’t know.”
“If she is, what’ll you say to her?”
“Nothin’.” He shook his head. “I’ve said it all. Can’t make her love me by sayin’ more of what she already doesn’t want to hear.”
Chapter 36
2:45 PM…
Chrissy watched Rosa check her watch and then push up from the little love seat in Winston’s hospital room. The dark-haired woman stretched and yawned. Chrissy was struck again by how pretty she was.
Pretty and googly-eyed for Winston when she walked over to him, took the hand he held out for her, and said, “I’m headed to the coffee shop for a cappuccino and a doughnut.” She leaned in to whisper conspiratorially. “Can I sneak something sugary or caffeinated past the nurses for you on my way back?”
Winston shook his head. “No.” Then he bounced his eyebrows. “But I do love your devious mind. Remind me to put it to good use once they spring me from this joint.”
“I won’t need to remind you.” Rosa smiled seductively. “I’llshowyou.”
“Ugh. Don’t make me regret hunting you down on social media, Rosa,” Chrissy teased.
That first day following Winston’s surgery, when there’d been absolutelynothingChrissy could do for her best friend except sit vigil beside his hospital bed with his parents, she’d had an epiphany.
What if Rosa is still carrying a torch for him too?
It’d been the work of an hour to do some quick Googling and land on Rosa’s Instagram profile. She’d private messaged Rosa with the news of what had befallen Winston, having had no expectations regarding what would become of her reaching out.
Maybe some words of concern, she’d thought at the time.Or perhaps Rosa will send a get-well bouquet that’ll warm Winston’s heart once he wakes up.
Which was why she’d been blown away when Rosa showed up at the hospital less than twenty-four hours after she’d sent the message.
And the sweet lady hadn’t left his side since.
Chrissy was over-the-moon with happiness for her best friend. Truly, she was. It’s just her happiness forhimwas tempered by herunhappiness for herself.
She missed Wolf like crazy. His absence was a hole in her chest. An ache in her bones. And she’d hoped beyond hope the two times she’d had a good excuse to call out to Wayfarer Island, thathewould be the one to pick up the satellite phone.
She wasn’t sure what she’d wanted to say to him. But she’d desperately missed the sound of his voice.
“You’re right.” Rosa straightened and tried to sober. But her face melted into a goofy grin when she looked back down at Winston. “We are sickening, aren’t we?”
“Totally,” Chrissy agreed, faking a disgruntled huff.
“What about you?” Rosa asked. “Can I bring you back anything?”
Chrissy lifted the paper coffee cup in her hand. Herthirdof the day. “Better not. One more and my eyeballs will turn into pinballs inside my head.”
“Okay then. I’ll be back soon.” Rosa bent to kiss Winston and then gathered up her purse and headed for the door.
Chrissy watched Winston watching Rosa’s retreating back. Once Rosa disappeared into the hall, she told him, “You’re welcome.”
She was thrilled to see color back in his face, the sparkle back in his eyes now that the staff had weaned him off the majority of the pain meds. If not for the bandage around his chest and the IV snaking into his arm, she could maybe, possibly forget he’d nearly died from the bullet that’d torn through his lung.
“Yes, yes.” He rolled his eyes. “I owe all my future happiness to you. We’ll name our firstborn in your honor and lift a glass to your continued good health at least twice a year.”
