At the end of the hall, Jonah pivoted, said his hundredth silent prayer, then glared at the closed door. How long could this take? It seemed like hours since the door had swung shut behind the gurney.
His phone vibrated in his pocket, and he checked the screen. Meg. He hit the Accept button. “Hey. I don’t know anything yet. They took her straight in for a CT.”
“Is she awake?”
“Not when she went in.” He ran his hand over his face. How could this be happening? Less than an hour ago she was smiling up at him with those big green eyes. Kissing him with those soft lips.
“She’s gonna be fine.”
“You don’t know that.” His throat was thick with emotion.
“She has to be.”
That picture of her, sprawled lifeless, pale blonde hair fanned out on the floor, flickered in his thoughts again. He blinked against the sting in his eyes. “She fell from so high, Meg. Her head hit that old wood floor and—” He stopped talking before he lost it altogether. Swallowed against the knot in his throat.
“She’s a strong woman. She’s gonna wake up and she’s gonna be fine. You’ll see.”
“I should’ve gone down first. I should’ve held the ladder.” He squeezed his eyes shut. “Why didn’t I hold the ladder?”
“Honey, it’s not your fault. It was just an accident.”
The words ricocheted off his heart. Why had he stayed behind to clean that stupid window?
“Take a breath, and for all that’s holy, don’t blame yourself. It was a freak accident, and we’ll all be sitting around next week relieved and grateful that she’s fine.”
Please, God.“Hope you’re right.”
“I am. You’ll see.” A beat of silence followed. “I got hold of Mom and Dad. They’ll be there as soon as they can. Poor Graham is confused. He keeps going to the door and whining. I think I’ll take him for a walk. But don’t worry about anything; everything’s under control here. Just take care of our girl.”
“Thanks, Meg.” His empty stomach churned. Sweat had broken out on the back of his neck. “I’m gonna go now. I’ll let you know as soon as I find out anything.”
“All right. I’m praying hard.”
Jonah paced. He took off his hat, ran his fingers through his hair, and put it back on. Glared at the closed door. Took off the hat again and slammed it to the floor. Paced more laps. Picked it back up again.
Finally the door opened. He rushed over as two orderlies wheeled her out on the gurney. She was still strapped to the board, still in a neck brace.
Her eyes were open!
“Lauren.”Jonah fell in step with them. “Honey, I’m right here.”
Head braced, her eyes tracked until they settled on him. She blinked them, and then they fluttered closed.
“She has a whopping headache,” the older orderly said. “The bright lights aren’t helping. Once we get her to the room, they’ll get her something for the pain.”
“Is she okay?”
“She’s a little confused. We’ll know more once the doctor examines her and we get the results of the CT.”
“Everything’s gonna be okay, Lauren.”
If she heard him, she gave no indication. But the frown line across her brow indicated she was still conscious. That was good, right? Conscious was good.
The orderlies wheeled her into a room and transferred her on the backboard onto the bed. “A nurse will be in shortly.”
Jonah moved to her side, took her hand. “You gave me a scare. How are you feeling? Do you need anything?”
She tried to open her eyes, squinted against the lights. Then she pulled her hand from his and put it over her eyes.
