Jack studied his niece. “She doesn’t look like she should have been released.”
“Really, Uncle Jack, I’m okay,” Sara said. “I swear. It’s just a few bruises and a sprained wrist, that’s all.”
“Then why the brace around your neck?”
“It’s only a precaution. The doctor said if my neck isn’t stiff in the morning, I don’t need to use it anymore.”
“Well, then you should have gone home to rest.”
“I told her the same thing,” Ash said. “But she wanted to wait until you arrived. Ididmake her promise that she’d go after the two of you talked, however.”
“I’m sorry, Uncle,” Sara said. “This wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t been driving.”
“You were driving? What about Mitch?” Jack asked. Mitch was the Coulters’ driver.
“Aunt Hillary gave him the day off. I was the one who suggested we go out for dinner and said I could drive. I don’t know how it happened. One moment everything was fine, then the next…” Her eyes teared up.
“It’s okay,” Jack said. “I’m sure you did everything you could.”
“Mr. Coulter,” Ash said. “I thought you would want to know the doctor said Mrs. Coulter’s surgery went well, and that she should make a full recovery.”
“Thank God. Do you know what her injuries are?”
“Yes, sir. The worst is her left leg. It was broken in three places, that was the reason for the surgery. She also dislocated her shoulder and has a concussion. They think the concussion could be mild but won’t know until after she wakes up. Like I said, though, a full recovery is expected.”
“Thank you…I’m sorry, I know you said your name, but…”
“It’s Ash, and no worries. You have much more important things on your mind.”
“Thank you, Ash.”
A nurse walked in and pulled up short upon seeing everyone. “No more than two visitors at a time.”
“We were just leaving,” Stone said.
She looked at him as if she didn’t believe him, then went to the bed to check Hillary’s vitals.
“Jack, we’ll be off,” Stone said.
“Sara, you should come with us,” Ash said.
She looked at her uncle, unsure.
“Ash is right,” Jack said. “Go get some rest. And for heaven’s sake, don’t worry. I don’t blame you for anything.”
Before she could contradict him, Ash put his arm back around her and said, “Let me help you up.”
Once she was standing, Ash pulled out a business card and handed it to Jack. “If you need anything at all, Mr. Coulter, please call me, and I’ll take care of it for you.”
“Thank you, Ash,” Jack said. “The best thing you can do for me right now is see Sara home.”
“It would be my pleasure.”
He and Sara headed to the door.
“You can also call me, if you feel so inclined,” Stone said to Jack.
“Thanks, Stone. For everything. I will not forget this.”
