“Get me a blood sample!” someone barks.
The nurse who took my vital signs goes to work on my arm. “Quick pinch,” he says right before the needle pricks at the crook of my elbow.
“Vitals are elevated,” someone out of sight calls out.
“How’s your pain?” the nurse asks.
My head feels thick and the lights are so bright. “A little better.”
I close my eyes and tune out the chatter and the beeps and clicks coming from the machines. My body feels heavy and I’m notshuddering out of control now but there’s a sickly, dark dread creeping in.
“Linden’s trying to get a hold of your dad,” the nurse says.
I blink in surprise. During the ambulance ride, Linden and Hutch asked me a bunch of questions. Did I ask someone to call my dad?
“Anyone else we can call for you?”
“No,” I reply. A year ago, I would have begged for Russel. I shut that thought down.
They keep me in the triage bay but the activity slows and there are fewer people. I get several doses of anti-venom. Each one makes my muscles quiver and my pulse throb in my throat, like there’s a war going on inside my body. The pain comes in waves, ebbing only to strengthen again.
Finally, I’m wheeled to a room. The lights are dim but there’s a big window that looks north, giving me a partial view of the green valley and the edge of the foothills. I try to drink it in but anxiety consumes my thoughts. How long will I be here? What happens next?
The drugs in my system and the adrenaline crash after the time in the emergency room make me drowsy. A nurse hooks me up to monitors and adds more artwork to my leg. It’s swollen and numb and sensitive all at once.
A shadow washes over my face, and I open my eyes to Linden gazing down at me. Seeing him again makes me want to cry again, but I blink the tears back.
The nurse shuffles from the room.
“How you doing?” Linden asks. Compassion and a stoic calm dominate his expression. It’s comforting in a way that overwhelms me and confuses me at the same time.
“Thank you,” I say.
His expression darkens. “I’m so sorry this happened.”
“I’m glad you were there.”
If only I’d stopped for one second. Used my freaking head instead of being so quick to show him he wasn’t getting to me.
I so wish it were true. This past week, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Linden’s cocky smirk and the way he so easily gets me riled up. Knowing he’s been able to hear me in bed at night makes me want to claw my face off in embarrassment.
Linden sighs. “I wish I’d gotten to you in time.”
Yet he still caught my fall. And carried me down the trail in record time.
“Your dad will be here soon,” he adds.
“Is Russel here?” I finally ask.
His eyes tense. “I don’t know. Do…you want him to be?”
“I don’t want him to see me like this.” My voice cracks and emotion stings my nose.
“Hey,” Linden says in a soft voice. “Don’t you worry about that. You focus on resting and getting better. If you don’t want him here, I’ll make sure he stays out.”
“Okay.”
His lips twitch with the hint of a smile. “Rest, shortcake.”
