Or did she? Something still didn’t feel right. Maybe it was the drugs.
Kale kissed her forehead, dragging her back to happier thoughts. “I’m glad to hear that.”
Sarah smiled. Maybe it was the knock on the head or the medicine or a combination of both, but she suddenly wondered where this guy had been all her life.
The door opened. “Kale, let somebody else in!” Polly flashed a grin at her. “Hey, Sarah!” Then the door closed as if someone had pulled the girl back.
Kale managed to smile. “You heard that. I’ve got to let the others have a turn.”
Damn, Sarah was finally Ms. Popular.
Sarah held on to his hand. “I don’t want you to go.” But she needed to see Matilda and Polly and whoever else was out there. “Can you send Matilda in next?”
“I can try.”
He let go of her hand long enough to cross to the door. He stuck his head out and murmured to those waiting outside. When he drew back into the room, he pulled Matilda in with him. She wore her usual goth getup. Sarah was seriously glad to see her. A smile dragged at her chapped lips.
“You made it,” the kid said quietly as she moved up to Sarah’s bedside. “I knew you would.”
Sarah searched her face, wondered if she should even ask. “How did you find me?”
Matilda’s gaze locked with hers, a frown lined her brow. “I don’t know what you mean.”
Okay, so she’d imagined the whole thing. “I dreamed you were there with me. You kept telling me to stay awake.”
Matilda searched her eyes. “I was really worried about you.” She placed her hand atop Sarah’s. “I could feel how bad it was for you. I ... I was afraid for you.” She squeezed Sarah’s hand. “So I closed my eyes and thought of you. I saw myself protecting you and bringing you back safely.” A faint smile tilted the girl’s lips. “I guess it worked. Kind of like prayer.”
“You were right about Pope,” Sarah told her. “He’s pretty much the devil. He and your mother had a run-in. I guess that’s why you got those bad vibes about him.”
Matilda shrugged. “I get feelings about people all the time. No big deal. It’s just the way it is. My instincts about him were just stronger than most.”
Yeah, Sarah mused, no big deal. Though she still didn’t believe in all that ESP junk or woo-woo stuff, she knew Matilda was a very special young lady.
“I should go back out there.” Matilda glanced at the man waiting a few feet away. “Polly and a bunch of other people want to see you, too.”
Sarah tried to smile but her lips quivered. “I’ll see you later.”
Matilda leaned down, kissed her on the forehead, then whispered in her ear, “The police couldn’t get him, but you did. You’re special, Sarah Newton.”
Before Sarah could speak, Matilda had hurried from the room.
Warm, salty tears slid from Sarah’s eyes. She wasn’t special. Matilda was the one who was special.
Kale hovered over Sarah once more. He took her hand. “You okay?” He swiped the dampness from her cheeks with warm fingers.
“Yeah. I’m good.” She searched his eyes, wanted him to see the truth in her words. “I’m better than I’ve ever been.”
He kissed her nose. “Good.” He glanced at the door. “Look, there’s going to be a riot out there if I don’t let Polly in here.”
“On one condition,” Sarah told him.
“What’s that?”
“Kiss me.” What was he waiting for? “I almost died. I deserve a real kiss, at least.”
He kissed her.
He’d found her.
