Page 100 of Pages of Amber
“Because I couldn’t. Your father was the love of my life. He was my guiding star. Without him, I was so lost and instead of holding onto you, I let you go. I’m sorry, Amber. You deserve so much better than me. You deserve a loving, stable home. I failed to give you that.”
“That’s not what I want.” She hiccupped. “I wanted you to see me. I wanted the former you back. The one who played with my hair and told me stories and danced with me in the kitchen. I wanted to the mom who loved me.”
“And you should have had her. My selfishness cost us so much time.” Her mother enveloped Amber’s hands in hers. “Can you forgive me, Amber? I swear to you that I will never leave you behind. I will never be selfish or cruel to you ever again. I will continue to work towards getting better. I’ll go to every therapy session. I’ll be there whenever you need someone to talk to. I’ll plant flowers in your greenhouse with you. Anything to win my daughter back. Please.”
Her pleas gutted Amber. Her mother was asking for a second chance? Amber was ready to give it wholeheartedly.
“I only have one mom. I want her back. Please come back.”
Her mom’s shoulders shook. She wrapped her arms around Amber, pulling her into the first guy she’d received from her mom her in six years.
“I’m here. I’m here and I’m not going anywhere.”
“How are you?” Mrs. Rhodes asked, pressing the blanket more securely around Amber’s legs. She hadn’t stopped fussing over Amber since she’d stepped in to the room. Her mom had excused herself to give them privacy, explaining that she had introduced herself to Noah’s mom when they had met at her home.
“I’ m holding it together, I guess.” She looked down at her nails. “It happened so fast. I know I’m never going to see her again and the thought hurts but, there’s a part of me that’s glad.” Her voice lowered into a whisper. “She really scared me.”
“I can’t begin to imagine how scary it was. You’re being so brave.”
“Am I? Every time I close my eyes, I see the car hitting the curb. I see Noah laying there in his own blood.” Amber wondered if Mrs. Rhodes blamed her for getting her son into this accident. “She came for me. Not him. He ended up being collateral damage because of me.”
“Everyone has a choice, Amber. He made a choice to be with you in that moment. I’m so happy and grateful that things didn’t take a turn for the worst, but there are bigger battles to fight. Don’t waste time playing the blame game, okay?”
She let out a small laugh as Mrs. Rhodes booped her nose. “Okay. I won’t.”
The door to her hospital room opened and Noah rolled in on a wheelchair, his dad behind him. His hair was messed up, one arm in a shoulder sling and scrapes over his face. She’d never been so happy to see him.
“Noah.” She wanted to run into his arms but knew she couldn’t go far with the pain she felt.
“Easy,” Noah said, taking her hand in his as he parked the wheelchair next to her. He kissed over her palm, his eyes wandering over every bit of her face. “Are you okay? How do you feel? What’s the pain level? Do you need a nurse?”
Despite the somber situation, he brought a smile to her lips. “I would ask you all that too, but my head hurts too much.” She held onto him. “I’m just glad you’re here.”
“And I’m not going anywhere,” he promised.
A throat cleared across the room, turning their attention. Mr. Rhodes stepped up behind his wife, laying his hand on her shoulder.
“We want to apologize for our part in this. We took your safety for granted. The accident happened under our roof and we will take full responsibility, Amber. We’re so sorry for everything. We’ll cancel the trip, but you can contact your agent when you’re ready.”
Amber was already shaking her head. “I don’t want that. A wise person told me not to waste my time playing the blame game.” Mrs. Rhodes beamed at her. “I want to meet the agent, and there’s nothing I’d love more than to meet her with all of you there.”
Mr. Rhodes sighed in relief, a smile growing into the corner of his eyes. “We’ll have to wait a few more days until you’re both discharged and well rested. Doctor’s orders.”
Noah smiled. “What I’m hearing is the trip is back on?”
Mrs. Rhodes nodded, her hand falling over her husband’s as she smiled at each of them. “The trip is back on. Let’s go get Amber a publishing deal.”
EPILOGUE
SHE SWAYED HER HEAD in time with the music that poured out of the speakers, their symphony surrounding the theatre.
A proud smile graced her face as the Queen of the Dryads began her variation.
“She’s doing so good!” Beverly leaned over to whisper, awe clear in her voice.
Amber nodded. “She’s magical. And that tiara is so sparkly! I can’t wait to tell her about it.”
“No need. I got it all here,” Emmett whispered beside Bev, the video camera steady in his hand as he recorded his twin’s moment in the spotlight. Their sister, Evangeline and their parents sat on Emmett’s right, expressions of pride on their faces. It had been a pleasure to meet them. They were as warm and kind as Mrs. Rhodes was to Amber.
