She squeezed his hand. “Iwilltake that walk. I won’t be gone long.”
She retrieved her jacket and rested her hand on Ella’s cheek for a moment. “I’ll be right back, sweetie. Mr. Reid is here with you.” She loved the sound of that and gave him one last lingering look before hurrying from the building.
A blast of cold hit her hard, waking and invigorating her. She took the sidewalk surrounding the hospital. One quick trip around should do it.
The snow had stopped, and the sidewalk had been shoveled. Still, she walked carefully through slippery patches left behind. She glanced at the sky, clear and bright, the sun hinting at morning and revealing the end of the storm.
But not the end of the storm in her life.
She shivered and picked up her pace. She couldn’t believe only four days had passed since she’d come here with Ella and first run into Reid again. Four days to reconnect and see how much he still meant to her. To change her mind about his strength and commitment now.
Fowler had threatened in so many ways, but Reid had kept her strong. What Ella faced was a different kind of threat. Something Reid could do nothing about.
No. That isn’t true.He could stand by her side like he was doing now. To be with her and help her get through this. Maybe teach her how to trust God again and actually pray for Ella.
She would cling to that—and to him.
Hope swelling in her heart, she rushed toward the building. With Reid by her side, everything would be okay. It just had to be.
Reid stood by the door to Ella’s intensive care room. She was so pale and fragile-looking under the oxygen mask. Wires and tubes ran from her body to various machines, and memories of Diane flowed like raging, ugly river rapids rushing over him.
He swallowed once. Twice. Wanted to flee.
You can do this. You promised Megan.
He crossed over to Ella and took her little hand. She didn’t wake, didn’t move at all. He sat in the chair and watched this little urchin who’d snuck into his heart when he wasn’t looking. Seeing her so ill gutted him.
What if she didn’t make it? How could he handle that? How would Jessie handle it?
What have You done by bringing them into our lives?
He didn’t wait for God to answer. He really didn’t want an answer. It just didn’t seem fair that more pain entered his life.
Listen to him. How could he be so selfish? Thinking about his and Jessie’s pain? What about Megan? He’d seen the anguish on her face before she went outside. Heard it in her voice. Remembered it so well from his time with Diane.
Oh, Father. Why?
His heart was crumbling into pieces.
What should he do? Could he stay and support Megan?
Panic near the level he’d experienced with Diane robbed him of breath. He promised Megan that he’d stay with Ella. He couldn’t. He had to get some air or the medical staff would be picking him off the floor.
He laid Ella’s hand on the bed and kissed her forehead. “Get well, little one.”
He raced out of the room and to the elevator. The doors opened, and Megan stepped out.
“What’s wrong? What happened to Ella?” Panic took hold of her voice.
“Nothing.” He grabbed her hands and squeezed as if it could make her understand. “I’m sorry, Megan. I thought I could do this, but I can’t. I have to go.”
“You’re leaving me?”
“You’re better off without me.” He stepped onto the elevator.
She stared at him as the doors closed. Her anguish changing to anger. Hot and living in her eyes.
The car jolted into action, and he slammed a fist into the wall. He’d done exactly what he said he’d never do to her again. Leave her alone. This time she would never forgive him, and if she did consider forgiving him, he didn’t deserve it. Not at all.
