Her chin quivered as the realization set in. She could have lost him, and she fought the urge to grab him up and never let go. “Yeah. I was worried.”
With a sigh, he lifted his good arm. “Don’t cry, angel. Looks like I’m going to be okay.”
She gently lay down on his good side as the tears slid into her hairline. His body was warm, and she melted into the embrace. “I’m so glad. I’ve been praying for hours.”
He pulled her closer. “I’m fine. Really. I want to know how you’re doing. What have I missed?”
A laugh bubbled inside her. “Oh, where do I begin? First, we found Anthony.”
“I remember that part.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Are you happy to have him back?”
“You have no idea.” She wiped her eyes on her sleeve. “He was looking for someone too. His sister, Zoe.”
Zach squirmed at the news. “What? Really?”
“Really, really. He didn’t know about her. She’s a good bit younger than us, but when he found out shewent into the foster system and then went missing, he started looking for her.”
“Man, I can’t imagine what she went through,” Zach said.
“I haven’t had the courage to ask her yet, but she’s incredibly grateful to be away from Eric.”
“She has no idea how lucky she is. You’ll get her on her feet in no time. Ask me how I know.”
She let her fingers drag along the scrap of bandage sticking out of the collar of his hospital gown. “I got an extra family member. How cool is that?”
Zach huffed. “You’ve got family everywhere you turn in Blackwater.”
“That’s the truth, but they’re your friends too. This place has been busier than Grand Central Station since you were admitted.”
“Shoot, I hate that I slept through it,” he joked.
“You’d better get used to having people care about you. The news has already spread through town.”
Zach’s hand moved slowly over her arm. After a few minutes of silence, she expected his next question.
“Did they catch Eric?”
The truth washed over her in a sickening wave. She’d never get used to telling it. “I shot him,” she whispered.
Zach’s hold on her tightened. “I’m so sorry, angel.” He let out a bone-deep sigh. “You shouldn’t have had to do that.”
“He was going to shoot Anthony. I couldn’t let thathappen. You told me once to choose myself, but I had to choose someone else.”
“I hate this,” he whispered.
“Our friends have been so helpful. They haven’t left me alone, even for a second. I just…don’t know how to handle the guilt. I shot someone.”
“Where is he now?” Zach asked.
“He’s been transferred to a more secure hospital. He’s still in critical condition.”
There was a knock at the door a second before the nurse walked in. The tall, young man reached for the box of gloves. “You’re awake. I’m Todd, your nurse for the rest of the day. How are you feeling?”
“Like I’ve been shot in the shoulder,” Zach said.
Lauren tried to sit up, but Zach held her tight. The nurse took vitals and asked questions. A doctor arrived soon after to explain the surgery and what could be expected during the recovery.
They spent the afternoon resting and talking. For a while, she could focus on the future and the hope waiting there, even in the storms.
