Page 45 of Destined Chaos
I punched him again, knocking him unconscious before leaving him and crawling back over to Libby. I put pressure on her wound, making her gasp. “Just hang on, baby. Help is on the way.”
When the lights from the sirens bounced off the tree trunks, I left her and went to grab the paramedics. As they loaded her and Dinky into the ambulance, Clark sent one of his deputies with them and cuffed Dinky to the bed.
I hopped into my truck and watched as the firefighters sprayed water on the flames. It didn’t matter. That house didn’t matter, not anymore.
Clark stopped me before I put the truck in reverse. “I’ll let you know if they can save any of it.”
“I don’t care if the damn house burns to the ground. She needs me and I need her.” I pulled out and raced down the mountain, following the ambulance toward the next town over and the hospital where Dexter worked. I dialed my brother’s number.
He answered on the first ring. “Clara already called. I’ll meet you at the hospital.”
“Dexter, you’ve got to fix her, please.” My voice shook as tears clouded my eyes and fear for her life claimed my calm.
“I promise I’ll do what I can.”
22
Libby
My eyes fluttered open. A bright light shone down on me from above. A man stared down at me with determined eyes, wearing a face mask.
“She’s coming out of it.”
“Put her back under. I’m almost done.”
The voice was one I recognized. Dexter. The man, the mask, the scrubs. I was in the hospital.
A warmness spread through my body, and my eyes drifted closed again. Only this time, it wasn’t the darkness that greeted me. It was the doctor.
He stood in a field of daisies, still dressed in the same blue scrubs. His hands were clasped in front of him, a strained smile on his lips.
“What are you doing in my dream?” I asked as I approached. The ground was soft beneath my feet. The petals on the flowers tickled my legs.
“I’m going to fix you. There won’t be any more need to run. Hugh isn’t leaving you. He won’t ever leave you.”
“Hugh.” I whispered the name just as the darkness sucked me under.
* * *
My first thought as I woke up was that my body felt tight all over. The machine beeping in the room was loud to my ears. The scent of cleaner mixed with smoke drifted through the air. I blinked my eyes open.
Hugh was standing across the room, staring out the window. His arms were crossed over his dirty shirt. Black soot was smeared on the side of his cheek.
“You look like hell.” My voice was raspy as I spoke.
He turned and crossed the distance between us. He took my hand and squeezed it tight. “You’re one to talk.”
“I look beautiful.” I coughed and instantly regretted it at the feel of my wound.
“Beautiful like a daisy,” Dexter said as he walked inside. He sat the bouquet of daisies down on a table. “They’re from Clara.”
“I had a dream about...”
My words trailed off as Dexter winked without saying a word.
Hugh raised a brow and met Dexter’s gaze. “Daisies?”
He shrugged. “Clara told me they were Libby’s favorite.”
