Chapter Eighteen

Bridget hefted the box of lotions she’d packaged last night from the back room and into the main area of the store. She set it down and began unloading them onto the counter so she could group the lotions together by scents. She hummed to herself, her mood buoyant after waking up with Jack that morning. He was spoiling her with all the great sex and his sweet gestures.

Gran popped her head out of the back room. “Bridgie, your phone is ringing nonstop.”

“Oh.” She grabbed her cell from Gran and looked at the screen. Cornelius’ name appeared and she swiped to answer. “Cornelius? What’s up?”

“Bridget, you need to get the hospital. Now.”

“What?” An icy pit opened in her stomach and she reached out a shaking hand to the counter so she wouldn’t fall. “Is it Sarah? Do I need to go to Seattle?”

“No.” He paused and his sigh sounded through the phone. “It’s Jack. He’s been hurt at work.”

A low moan vibrated in her ears and she belatedly realized the sound came from her. She hung up and swung to face Gran.

“What’s happened?” Gran’s face was ashen and her eyes wide.

“J-Jack. He’s hurt.” Her body snapped to attention. “I have to go. Gran, can you—?”

“Of course. I’ve got it all covered here, and if I need help, I’ll call Becca or Arianna. You go.”

Nodding, Bridget snagged her purse and sprinted out through the door. She drove like a maniac to the hospital but when she arrived, it was to frustration and fear.

“Hello,” she said to the nurse at the desk in the Emergency Department check-in. “I’m here for Jack Thompson. Can you tell me if he’s okay?”

“Are you family?”

She shook her head. “No, I’m his girlfriend.”

“Are you listed as an emergency contact for him? What’s your name?”

“Bridget Wildes. I-I don’t think I’d be listed anywhere.”

The nurse gave her a small, contrite smile. “You aren’t listed on the paperwork his company sent over. Unfortunately, I can’t share any information with you. It’s against privacy laws.”

“Right.” She blinked in a daze. “Has anyone called his family? Are they on their way?”

“The doctors will do that soon, I’m sure.”

“Why…never mind. Thank you.” She turned and faced the same waiting room she’d been in a few scant weeks ago waiting to hear if Gran would make it through. Now she was back, except this time she didn’t even know what was wrong with Jack. How badly was he injured? Was it life-threatening? Bridget sank down onto one of the chairs and with a trembling hand pulled out her phone. She hit the call button for Jack’s sister and waited for her to answer.

“Hi, Bridget! What a lovely surprise. How are you?”

“Allison?” Her voice cracked and she swallowed so she could force the words from her throat. “You need to come here. As quickly as possible. Jack’s been hurt.”

“What? What’s happened? Is he okay? How bad is he injured?”

“I don’t know. They won’t tell me anything because I’m not family or on some stupid emergency contact list. You need to come here.”

“I’ll call my parents and get in the car right now. I can probably be there in about three hours if traffic isn’t terrible. Can you text me the address for the hospital?”

“Yeah. I’ll be here. Waiting.”

“It’ll be okay. I’ll call and see what I can find out and let you know. He’ll be glad to know you’re there, even if he isn’t aware of it right now. I’m on my way.”

Allison hung up and Bridget stared down at her phone. She sent the address then willed her phone to ring. Allison told her she would call the hospital, then let her know what was going on. She needed to be patient.

Two hours later her phone still sat silent, and Bridget had taken up pacing the waiting room. The door swung open as she pivoted around. Her heart sank as Cornelius and a couple of other guys from the logging company walked in. “Hey.”

“What’s the word on Jack?” Cornelius asked.

“I don’t know. They won’t tell me. His sister is on her way and was supposed to call me back with an update, but I haven’t heard.”

He shoved his hands through his hair. “Damn.”

“What happened on site? How did Jack get hurt?”

“One of the trees being cut had previous damage we didn’t see. It caused the tree to splinter and the top fell in a way we never expected. Jack was hit and knocked unconscious. That’s all I know.”

Her heart seized then stampeded wildly inside her chest. “Will he be okay? How bad did he look? Did he wake up at all?”

Cornelius shook his head. “I don’t know, little B. I wish I could tell you something, but I don’t have a clue.”

She wanted to keep asking questions, but would knowing things like ‘was he wearing a helmet?’ or ‘did the tree hit him directly or from the side and just knock him over?’ and ‘was he bleeding?’ ease her worry or add to it? The information she needed would come from his doctors, not the other guys on the job site. Waiting was the only thing she could do until Jack’s family arrived and could obtain answers. Any other tidbits would make her fret more. She was strung as tight as she could be without snapping.

She sat and took deep breaths to calm her frayed nerves. Nervous energy leaked out of her in small ways. A tapping foot, clenched hands, rigid shoulders. Still, she refused to cry and wouldn’t let the what if fears overtake her. If she succumbed, she’d never pull back from the abyss and she didn’t want to go there. Not yet. Later, when she was alone, she could fall apart. But now she needed to keep it together.

“Hey, you want coffee or water or something to eat?” one of the local guys asked.

She shook her head. Her stomach was so tied in knots she cringed to think what might happen if she ate. “No, thanks.”

“Water. Can you get both of us some water?” Cornelius answered then shot her a look.

She stood and began walking the length of the room, unable to keep still for long. Even though she’d not heard an alert, Bridget checked her phone again. Where was the update from his sister? “She’s probably driving,” she muttered to herself. Patience was a virtue, but dear lord, it was trying every fiber in her body right now. An update was all she needed. Was Jack alive? Was he awake? Did he need surgery? What kind of injuries did he have?

Turning on her heel, she walked back over to the nurse’s station. “Hi. Again. I know you can’t give me an update, but is there a chance I can see Jack Thompson? When are visiting hours?”

The woman smiled softly. “There are visiting hours for non-family each day between ten a.m. to four p.m. but we’re past those and I don’t know if he’s been cleared to have any visitors at this point.”

Bridget nodded. “Thanks, anyway. I appreciate the information.” Dejected, she slumped back into the chair next to Cornelius.

“So you really like this guy, huh?”

She threw him a nervous glance. “Why?”

“Nothing. Just the rumors flying about the company getting sold and Jack’s new to town anyway. I don’t want to see you get hurt if he leaves. Or have a new neighbor because you leave with him.”

“I’m not going anywhere. I have Three Sisters and Gran and…my entire life is here. I’d never up and leave. I can’t.”

“You can. If you want. Three Sisters could be relocated elsewhere. You already have the online store. Moving a physical location wouldn’t be that difficult.”

“As if I have the money to do that.” She snorted. “No, I’m a townie through and through. I might not be a native to Fallbank, but I’m a local and I’m not moving.”

“Sarah did. She seems happy in Seattle.” He paused and swallowed.

Her heart broke for him all over again. If choosing a side was ever something she was forced to do, Bridget would pick her sister, but it would rip her apart to lose him as a friend. Cornelius was the brother she’d never had and always wanted.

He opened his mouth again. “You and even Gran could move up there along with the store. Think of how many more customers you’d get.”

“Becca is here and Gran wants to be close to Gramps. She likes to visit his grave and talk to him. I do, too.” She twisted to face him. “I’m here for the long haul. How long that is”—she paused and shrugged—“that’s up to Paul and when and how he sells the company. The life of Fallbank hinges on the logging industry.”

He nodded. “Hell, if the company lays us off, I might be the one moving first. Wouldn’t that be a trip.”

“Stop it, Cornelius. Neither of us is going anywhere. And to answer your original question, yes, I do really like him.” She tugged her mouth into a smile. “And I think he feels the same way. We’ll just have to see.” She sighed. “Worrying is getting us nowhere. Tell me something good. Are you dating anyone?”

He tilted his head toward her and arched an eyebrow. “You think I’m seeing someone?”

“You don’t have to be alone forever. You should go out. Meet someone.”

The tips of his ears turned pink and he looked away. “I’m on a dating app or two. I’m picky.”

“That’s great! I’m happy for you. This is a good step forward.”

“Can we talk about something else now?”

She giggled. “Fair enough.”

The door to the Emergency Department opened and a distinguished older couple walked through. Bridget immediately knew they were Jack’s parents. He was almost a carbon copy of his father, and the woman with him had similar features to Allison. She pushed to her feet then stopped. She didn’t know these people or even if Jack had talked about her with them. Allison had met her, but beyond that she couldn’t say.

Instead, she watched them speak to the nurse behind the front desk, then walk toward the door to the patient rooms. She jumped up again. “Are you Jack’s parents?”

The couple turned and pinned her with their stares.

“I’m Bridget”—she paused to see if they would show any sign of recognition, but their expressions didn’t change—“and these are the other guys from work.” She gestured feebly at their group who also rose and waved. “We’re his…friends. Is he okay?”

His mother glanced at their group then back at her. “He’s fine. We’ll let him know of your concern and I’m sure he’ll appreciate it. You don’t need to stay, though. I’m certain you all have home lives to get back to you. When Jack is released from the hospital, he can reach out. Thank you!” She smiled and they walked through the door as if they hadn’t crushed her heart in the process.

Not that they knew the damage done. Bridget tried to put it into perspective. First, she was sure they were stressed and worried about Jack. Second, they might not feel it was their place to give details on his true status. Third, they were unaware she existed.

She winced and swallowed back her bitterness on that point. Now was not for whining about whether or not Jack had told his parents about her. It was about Jack and if he was okay. What exactly did “he’s fine” mean? Her frustration level rose again and she sucked in a deep breath to calm herself.

The entry door opened again and this time Allison walked through. Relief flooded Bridget’s limbs and she leaned her hand on a wall to keep upright. “Hi, Allison.”

“Bridget! Thank God you’re still here.” She hugged Bridget tight. “How are you holding up?”

Bridget gave a little shake of her head. “I’m fine. How’s Jack? Did you find anything out?”

“He’s stable. He has a concussion and heavy bruising from the impact of the tree. The hardhat saved his life. He’ll be here for observation for a day or two at least. Last I heard he was in and out of consciousness and conversations were hit or miss with him. You haven’t seen him yet?”

“No, they won’t let us back because it isn’t visiting hours and we aren’t family. Your parents came through just a couple of minutes ago. They’re back with him.” She clasped her hands tight to keep from showing her distress. Jack was not fine and she wanted nothing more than to see him for herself.

Allison linked her arm with hers. “Let’s go see him.”

They walked toward the doors and Bridget glanced over her shoulder. “Cornelius, I’ll call you as soon as I leave.”

The nurse stopped them before they could get through the door. “I’m sorry, but who are you here to see?”

“I’m Allison Thompson-Takahashi. Jack Thompson’s sister. My parents are already with him.”

“Okay, you can go on through.” The nurse turned to Bridget. “Ma’am, we already talked about who is and isn’t allowed in the rooms currently. I’m sorry.”

“But she’s with me,” Allison interjected. “I’m saying it’s okay for her to come with me and see Jack.”

“I understand, but it’s hospital policy. No exceptions.”

“But—”

Bridget put a hand on Allison’s arm. “It’s all right. The rules are in place for a reason and I’m just glad to have any information on how he’s doing. I’ll come back tomorrow and see him during visiting hours.”

She nodded. “I’ll FaceTime you if he’s awake.” Then she glared at the nurse. “I know he’ll want to see you.”

With that, Allison went back to Jack’s room and Bridget turned to go home. Her chest felt like a massive stone was pressing down, crushing the air out of her lungs. She managed good-byes to the others and made it to her car before bursting into tears. All she wanted was to see him and know he was alive. And she did, but knowing versus seeing it were two vastly different things. With shaking hands and wet cheeks, she started her car and made her way back to her house.