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HALEY AWOKE TO THE sound of her mother's voice. Didn't the woman own an inside voice? Was her mother yelling, or was that Haley's imagination?
Keeping her eyes shut, she listened. Blake's voice, "Yes, Mrs. Witherspoon, she was in an explosion last night at The Bowery and got injured when a bunch of heavy debris fell on her."
"What? What is this? The Bowery? That's here in Myrtle Beach, isn't it?"
"Yes."
"I thought she was out of town. I thought she was on tour with you, young man. What is going on here?"
Her mother's volume was increasing and someone needed to calm her or who knew what would happen? She was about to wrench her eyes open and do it herself when she heard her dad's voice.
"Ruth, stop it. Don't interrogate him. Let's focus on Haley. We can work out the details later."
"Yes. Of course, you're right, dear. I am just so caught by surprise. I had no idea she was even in town, no idea she was in danger, and now I see she's unconscious in a hospital bed, all bruised and battered." Her mother let out a dramatic sob.
This isn't about you, Mom. Her silent thought must've come with a smile because her mother said, "Look! Oh, praise the Lord. She's coming out of her coma! She must've heard my voice and she pulled back from the light. I'm here, honey. Come this way."
Haley opened her eyes and connected gazes with her mother. "I wasn't in a coma, Mom. I was napping."
"Oh. Well. Thank the Lord anyway! I'm so glad you're okay."
Her father stepped closer to the bed and rested his warm hand on her forehead. "Looks like you've been through an ordeal, cupcake."
Her heart flooded with warmth at his term of endearment. She hadn't heard it in a while. "Yeah. Long story, which I'll tell you more later. But a crazed fan with a grudge plotted this attack."
"And," Blake interrupted her, "Haley was one step ahead of her the entire way. She's been investigating and knew exactly where to be to prevent disaster. If Haley hadn't been so on top of things, I shudder to think of the tragic loss of life at The Bowery."
She let her gaze linger on him for a moment and winked her appreciation. He was laying it on thick but it wouldn't hurt for her parents to believe it.
Her mother's mouth dropped. "Oh my. Sounds so dangerous. Why didn't you call in the professionals instead of trying to handle it yourself?"
Blake was quick with a response. "She did. She had a whole team of professionals there working. It's why the massive crowd filed out of the building with order and relatively few incidents. But unfortunately, Haley got the worst of it. Just shows how brave and loyal and dedicated she is." He sniffed. "We wouldn't be where we are today without her."
While her mother let that news sink in, her dad cleared his throat. "I never had a doubt that you had it in you, sugar-pie. You've got the heart of a lion, and the fierceness, too. We're proud of you, aren't we Ruth?"
Her mother blinked. "Yes. Yes, of course, we are."
"So, ..." Haley said, and let the syllable hang there. She didn't want to squash the praise her parents were giving her, or ruin a proud moment. But she had to be sure. "I'm back in the family?"
Her mother let out a scoff. "What are you talking about, dear? Of course you're in the family. You've always been a member of our family. Maybe that concussion is giving you crazy thoughts."
Her father leaned in close. "You are obviously a very savvy manager with a line of unprecedented success behind you. What's more, I foresee an endless future of more successes. You're dedicated and committed and brave and intelligent. You get results and you make the world around you better." He winked with a broad smile. "Sounds like a Witherspoon to me!"
Haley let loose a hearty laugh as relief flowed through her body. Coming from her dad, it was more of an apology than she could ever hope for.
The door opened and two men wearing suits came in. "Excuse me, folks. We're Detectives Hart and Salisbury of the Myrtle Beach Police Department. We need to speak to Ms. Witherspoon about her experiences with the perpetrator last night. Could you all clear out momentarily please?"
Her dad stood first. "We'll leave you be. But call us when you're getting released. You'll move into your old bedroom at our house and your mother can spoil you while you're recovering. No arguments!" He tapped her head gently with an index finger. "Gotta heal that ole noggin!" He dropped a kiss on her forehead.
Her mother was next. She brushed away a tear. "I'm so proud of you, sweetheart. I'm so glad you're okay. We'll have a good time. Swim at the pool, get pedicures. Mother-daughter time." She placed a short kiss on her lips, then waved as she left.
Blake stood. "I'll head to the cafeteria for some awful coffee. Text me when you're done and I'll come right back." He leaned in close and she hoped for a minute he'd lay a really good kiss on her, but he didn't. Not in front of the police officers. But he did give her a heartfelt, "I love you, Haley" before he left the room.