Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 25920 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 130(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25920 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 130(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
CHAPTER 19
Eden
“I’m going to go take a walk. Would you like more coffee?” We’ve been sitting in the waiting room for hours. They rushed Dad in, immediately taking him to radiology because his spleen had ruptured. Surgery was necessary for his spleen but also his hips. Rods, pins, physical and occupational therapy, extended hospital stay, all kinds of words were thrown our way. My head is spinning. What I really got from his doctors was that his recovery time is going to be long and hard. Mom is worried, and I’m over here dreading how to keep him from overdoing it.
“No, thank you, honey. I’ll call you if the doctor comes out.” I nod, squeezing her hand, and make my way toward the elevator, head pounding and needing to get the smell of antiseptic out of nose even if it’s only for a few minutes. The dinging of the elevator announces that it’s here. The doors open up, and I step inside. It’s empty, no beeping noises, no chatter, just music that would put anyone to sleep. My hands clutch the rails behind my back, my head tips up, and my eyes close. Breathing deeply is doing nothing for the ache in my chest. I could have lost my dad today. That feeling didn’t hit me until I was on my way to the hospital. My strong dad could have tumbled to his death, leaving us behind. My mom would have been a widow all too soon, and I know she’d never find another man like him; not that she’d allow herself to love another. I’d never get the chance for my father to walk me down the aisle on my wedding day or watch his first grandchild call him grandpa.
“There’s no one here by the name of Eden Powers. Are you sure you have the name correct?” I hear my name immediately when the doors open and make quick work of leaving the elevator, heading to the reception desk. There, looking like he’s put through the wringer, running his hand through his dark hair, tousled in the way it usually is after we have sex, stand the man I love. I’m glued off to the side, stunned speechless. Why is he here? Samuel should be at work. I never expected he’d drop his schedule to come to the hospital.
“That’s her name. I’ll try her cell again. Thanks.” He starts to walk away, and I find my voice.
“Samuel.” My feet carry me toward him when I finally come out of my stupor. “Samuel, what are you doing here?” He meets me more than halfway, scooping me up in his arms.
“Fuck, baby girl. I got your voicemail, and all I could hear was hospital. It cut out. I thought the worst. What’s going on?” He sets me down on my feet, cupping both of my cheeks, dipping his big body so we’re on eye level. A sense of calmness ashes over me, and I realize that I needed him here more than I could fathom at the time I placed the call.
“My dad; he fell off the roof. He’s in surgery.” I blink rapidly. Once again, tears are trying to take over, only this time, if I allow it, there will be no stopping the waterworks.
“Eden, shit, I’m sorry. Come on, let’s get out of the way.” Samuel brings me closer, hugging me tightly to his body while walking me backwards. My eyes close, my shoulders that were at my ears loosen, and I let him take care of me. His scent, the feel of him, it’s the only thing calming my imagination from going crazy.
“I’m sorry I worried you. And my phone is in my pocket, but service really does suck here. It’s about as good as the parking garage, clearly.” I lift my head once Samuel stops moving us.
“You’ve got nothing to apologize for. Hate that you’re making it a habit, too. Twice in two days is two times too many. You called me, I came, much like you’d do for me, okay?” Our eyes lock on each other’s.
“Alright. I was going to get coffee and take a walk, but I’d really like you to meet my mom, if that’s okay with you?”
“Of course, you don’t ever have to ask.” Samuel grazes my lips with his, hand sliding to my lower back, and then he’s guiding me to the elevators I just came from. This time around, there are a few other people with us. I rest my head against his chest, feeling needier than ever with the way he’s grounding me in my emotions right now.
“Thank you, Samuel, so much,” I whisper to him, uncaring that there may be others watching our interaction.
“You never have to thank me for being here, Eden. It’s where I want to be.” He walks us into the elevator, silence between us because of the others, not that I’m truly up to talking when we’re in a six-by-six-foot square.