My back straightened with her words. Tears prickled the backs of my eyes. That pressure in my throat that was so hard to swallow down at the funeral returned.
I’d never get the sound of her last gurgling breath out of my mind so long as I lived.
I miss you so much, Sadie.
“Like I said, Miss Elizabeth,” I said as I turned in the doorway and faced her one last time, “if you need anything, no matter how great or small, don’t ever hesitate to ask.”
“Doc.”
“Hmm?” I hummed as I turned again to face her.
I watched her study me for a while. “Thank you for taking care of Em for me.”
It took me a moment to realize she was talking about Marla. “You don’t have to thank?—”
“She was half-dead when she found you guys.” I heard the tears in her voice, but I didn’t interrupt her. “I’ll never be able to thank you for saving her life.”
I tilted my head. “You never have to thank me for something like that. I was glad to help. And I’m equally glad that she found us, Miss Elizabeth.”
She nodded as she settled back down against the bed.
I went to slip out the door again before that beautiful voice of hers caught my attention one last time.
“I’m glad that you guys found me, too.”
My heart slammed so hard against my chest that surely she could hear it. “As am I, Miss Elizabeth. Now get some rest. I’ll be back when it’s time for your next meal.”
I swung the door closed before she had a chance to protest.
Or a chance to stump my brain with more questions.
8
LIZZIE
“Liz.”
Marla’s voice snapped me out of my trance. “Hm?”
She giggled. “Are you even listening to me?”
I did my best to put a smile on my face. “Sorry, just preoccupied.”
My best friend, bless her soul, whose neck was covered in hickies, scooted toward me on the bed. “You wanna talk about it?”
I yawned. “Just the pain medication catching up to me.”
“You haven’t taken your nighttime dose yet.”
I shot her a look. “Are you stalking me?”
She giggled and poked me with her foot. “You’re crazy, you know that?”
I reached out and nudged her back. “Crazy for you.”
“All right,” she said as she stood, stretching her arms above her head. “Let’s get you out on this walk before we drug you up again.”
“Actually,” I said as I let my face wince, “I think I’m going to pass on the walk tonight.”
