Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 58342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 292(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 292(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
He grins. “Well, I will. It’s a little more complicated for Linc because he’s not on our roster right now. But our coaches and owner want him back so our doctors can take a look at him.”
I let my head fall back against the pillow. Everything happened so quickly, and then I was asleep for the rest of it. I still can’t believe we’ve been rescued and we don’t have to hike into the unknown.
“Is Karma okay?”
Mom pats my arm reassuringly. “She’s fine. I took her to live with me after the plane crash. She shredded every curtain in my house.”
I crack a smile. “Sorry. You know what they say about Karma.”
She shrugs. “We have an understanding.”
Dalton grins at her. “Meaning she doesn’t have any curtains anymore, just blinds.”
A nurse carries a huge box into the room and sets it on a chair. “Glad to see you up, Trinity. I’m going to check your vitals.”
“What’s in the box?”
“No idea. It was delivered for you a few minutes ago by one of our security guards.”
After she takes my vital signs, a doctor comes in to check me. She tells me I seem perfectly healthy but slightly anemic.
“Have a nice big steak when you leave here,” she suggests with a smile.
My lips part. “Food! I can have bread. And ice cream. I’m never eating another bite of canned tuna.”
“What can I order for you before I have to head out?” my brother asks. “Anything in all of Seattle, just say the word and it’s yours.”
My mouth waters as I think about the options. Linc and I sometimes played a game at the cabin we called “food fantasy,” where we would each think up a complete menu for a meal and vote on whose was best. Not surprisingly, it was often a tie.
“A sub sandwich on freshly baked bread. With roast beef, ham, provolone, that oil dressing stuff and pickles.”
“That’s oddly specific,” Dalton says.
“And a chocolate milkshake with lots of whipped cream. No cherry.”
He gives me a fond look and then comes over to hug me. “I’m on it. I’m so glad you’re back. We never gave up hope, but...it was getting tough.”
“I prayed every day,” my mom says. “My knees ached from praying so hard. I knew God would watch over you, though.”
The nurse comes back into the room, wearing a look of disappointment. “Hey, I just want to let you know we’ve got a lot of reporters looking for you and the other survivor. We aren’t letting them past the lobby and we don’t give away any patient information to nonfamily members. Our PR team will coordinate your releases through a private parking garage beneath the hospital. We use it to sneak high-profile patients in and out.”
I sit up in bed, running my hands over my hair. “I want to see Linc before he leaves.”
Dalton walks over to the doorway of my room. “I’ll tell him. I’m going to see him now and I’ll order your food.”
“Hey, before you go, will you open that box?”
“Yep.” Dalton goes over to the box and tears into it the same way I remember him opening boxes when we were kids.
He pulls out a small jar of face cream and a card. “Seems to be full of toiletries. Someone’s trying to tell you you stink, Trin.”
“La Mer!” The sight of my favorite moisturizer sends a wave of longing through me. “Please, can I smell it?”
Wrinkling his brow, he brings me the cream and the card. “Have at it, weirdo. I’m going to get your food.”
I open the envelope and take out the card inside it.
Dearest Trinity,
I cried grateful tears when I heard the news you’ve been found and you’re okay. We miss you greatly here at the office. You have a job here always, but take the time you need before you come back. I’m sending a few essentials. Call when you can.
Gloria
“From my boss,” I tell my mom. “Will you show me what else is in there?”
It’s been so long since I’ve been around beauty products that I’d forgotten how much I love them. I ooh and ahh over the assorted shampoos, conditioners, body washes, lipsticks and other items. There’s even a plush pale-purple robe and slippers.
“Do you think they’d let me take a shower?”
Mom asks the nurse, who helps me get into the bathroom with my IV pole for a one-armed shower. It’s glorious. I lather my body and hair several times, deep condition my hair and exfoliate my face. Gloria even made sure I had a fresh toothbrush and toothpaste. So when I walk out of the bathroom, I’m clean and moisturized from head to toe. I feel like a new person.
“That was heaven,” I say, assuming my mom is still in the room.
Instead, it’s Linc who stands up from sitting in the chair in the corner, his lips quirking up in a smile as he looks me over in my purple robe and slippers. “You look cute.”