The constriction didn’t go away. “I feel... anxious. Can’t breathe.”
“Does your chest or anything else hurt?”
She couldn’t think. Couldn’t breathe.
“Lauren, does anything hurt?”
“Just—just my head.”
“Something’s wrong with her,” Jonah said. “You have to help her.”
“Her brain appeared normal on the CT. Lauren, I know you’re scared, but I think you’re having a panic attack. I want you to focus on breathing slowly and deeply. Watch me.”
Lauren’s gaze clung to Carson’s. She pushed away the panic and shifted her breathing to match his.
“One breath at a time. That’s it. You’re doing great.”
She took three more deep, slow breaths. Okay. She could breathe. Maybe she wasn’t dying after all.
***
Jonah’s hands knotted into fists. He felt so helpless. He’d never seen that wild look in her eyes before. Never seen the complete and utter panic on her face. Lauren was cool and calm. Not flustered and fearful.
“Lauren, try counting back from one hundred.” Carson’s voice was soft and measured. “Can you do that for me?”
“One—one hundred.” Her voice quavered. “Ninety-nine... ninety-eight...”
“There you go. Keep it going.”
She was breathing normally. Her features relaxed a bit. That wild look in her eyes faded.
Relief swamped Jonah, making his legs go weak and wobbly. She wasn’t having a heart attack. And she didn’t have brain damage. But if that was true, why didn’t she remember Graham or the barn? Why was she acting like they weren’t a couple? The questions hovered like annoyingmosquitoes. It was as if she didn’t remember him—or at least, rememberthem. But that couldn’t be true, could it? The possibility punched the air from his lungs.
“You’re feeling better, right?” Carson asked a few minutes later.
Lauren nodded.
“Hang in there. You got this.” Carson edged away while the nurse stepped in and took her vitals.
He joined Jonah at the edge of the room. “I’m reasonably sure that was a panic attack, but they’ll likely run some tests just to make sure. What brought this on exactly?”
Jonah shook his head. “We were just talking. She said she didn’t have a dog, and she didn’t remember the barn, the one she’s making into an event venue—the place where she fell! And she said she’s not my girlfriend—you heard that.”
“Listen, she’s obviously confused. I know it’s disconcerting, but what matters is that we keep her calm. She’s got a concussion at the very least. She needs rest.” Carson glanced at Lauren who, for some odd reason, was glaring at Jonah.
“Why’s she so mad at me? I swear I didn’t do anything to make her angry. I’m telling you, she’s not herself.”
“No, I get that. Try not to take it personally. A bump on the head can cause all kinds of symptoms, including irritability. They almost always go away with time. The normal CT is a very good sign. But we don’t want her having another panic attack. The less stimulation, the better.” His face softened as he set a hand on Jonah’s shoulder. “You might want to give her a little space.”
“Okay. I’ll sit over there and be quiet. I don’t want her to be alone.”
“Stop talking about me,” Lauren snapped at Jonah.
The nurse had removed the backboard and inclined her bed a bit. She seemed so small. So helpless.
“It might be better if you step into the hall,” Carson said. “Just for a little bit. Give her some breathing room.”
Jonah’s heart gave a sudden crack. Because Carson was right. He wasn’t doing Lauren any favors. His presence, for whatever reason, only seemed to annoy her. And despite the terrible fear leaking into his veins, he had to put her health first. “Okay, you’re right.”
