Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 81176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Clare gave her a tender smile. “Thank you. But if you stay, you have to promise me you won’t bring this up again.”
Chewing on her lip, I could see the inner battle Rory was having.
“For now, I’ll let it go. But only for now.”
Clare relaxed and sank down in the chair. I sat down next to her, picked up my coffee, and handed it to her. “It’s coffee.”
She sighed and took a small drink of it, then shivered. “That is so gross.”
She closed her eyes and leaned her head against my shoulder. I instantly felt her warmth spread through my entire body. When I looked over at Rory, I saw her watching us with a confused look on her face.
I wanted to laugh. She wasn’t the only one confused.
Clare
Oversized Sweats and Hallmark Movies
A soft shake caused me to open my eyes.
“Clare, the doctor is here to talk to you.”
I opened my eyes to see Wes looking at me with a worried expression on his face.
“What?” I asked, wiping the sleep from my eyes.
“The doctor is here to talk to you and Tim.”
Once the words made it past the fog in my head, I jerked upright and quickly stood.
“How are they?” I asked as I felt Wes wrap his arm around me to keep me steady on my feet.
It was then I heard my brother’s voice from the other side of me asking the doctor the same question. I wasn’t sure how in the hell my brother had managed to get leave and be in Boston as quick as he did, but I was thankful he was here. I was also thankful Wes had stayed by my side the entire time.
“They’re both going to be okay.”
I felt my body relax and my knees nearly buckled out from under me. Thank goodness Wes had his arm around my waist.
“They both had some internal bleeding initially, but it is all under control now. They’re doing much better now, but I would still like to keep them in the ICU for at least one more day before moving them into another room.”
“There isn’t any lasting damage, is there?” Tim asked.
“Not that we can tell. We have them both in an induced coma so they can rest and heal a bit more. Tomorrow or the next day we’ll be able to know more when they wake up. But, they’re both out of the woods, and if all goes well, they’ll be going home sooner rather than later.”
Turning, I buried my face into Wes’s chest and cried tears of relief. When his strong arms wrapped around my body, I instantly felt a peace sweep over me.
Tim spoke with the doctor for a few more moments while Wes guided me over to the small sofa and sat us down. I was so exhausted, I just wanted to curl up and go to sleep.
“Shh, it’s okay now. They’re going to be okay.”
“I was so scared, Wes.”
He gently ran his hand over my back. “I know, but they’re going to be okay now.”
“Clare,” Tim said as I glanced up at my brother. “The doctor said we won’t be able to go in and see Mom or Dad until maybe late tomorrow morning. He suggested we both go home, get some food and some rest. Do you want to come to the house with me?”
I knew I didn’t want to go to my parents’ house. And the thought of going back to my small apartment instantly made me feel so alone.
“I don’t think I want to go to Mom and Dad’s place,” I softly said.
Wes cleared his throat. “You can come to my house. Both of you, if you want. I’m not far from the hospital, and I can grab us something to eat on the way there.”
“That’s really nice of you, Wes, I appreciate it,” Tim said. “I think I’m going to go to my folks’ place. I’d like to be in my own bed. Plus, my girlfriend, Laura, is flying in tonight and she said she’ll pick us up some food.”
Tim looked back to me. “Are you going to be okay at your place? You’re more than welcome to come over and stay with me and Laura.”
Letting out a weary exhale, I said, “I think I’ll take Wes up on his offer. I don’t want to be alone, but I don’t want to intrude on you and Laura either.”
“You wouldn’t be,” Tim quickly stated. “You know you’re welcome to come home with me, Clare.”
I knew my brother wouldn’t have minded me staying with him and Laura, but I also knew they would want their own privacy. I shook my head. “Thank you for offering, but I know you’re excited to see Laura, and I want you to have that privacy.”
Tim reached for my hand and gave it a soft squeeze. “I’m going to stop by the nurses’ station and make sure they have both of our numbers.”