| |
I felt horrible about what happened when Tom woke up. I wanted to be angry with Chance, but I knew it was my fault for not just talking to Tom about the breakup early on our hike.
Laurie followed the medical people out of the room. "He's doing good. They said he'll be released tomorrow or the day after."
"That's good news," Chance said. Wrapping his arm around her shoulders for a half-hug. "Do you or your folks need anything before we head back?"
"No. We're good. I'll stay as long as I can," Laurie said. "I'm going to try to get Mom and Dad to go home soon and get some rest."
"I can stay a while," Jim said. "I'll keep you company."
We all walked back into the room. I walked up to the bed. "Tom, we're going to head home. I'm exhausted, and we have to give statements to the sheriff tomorrow."
"I'm glad you weren't hurt," he said.
I stepped aside while Chance bent over and said something to Tom that the rest of us couldn't hear. We said our good byes to the Becketts and left.
Chance took my hand as we walked out the hospital doors. "I know you’re exhausted, but I'm starved. Can we grab dinner here before we head back?"
"Sure," I said, realizing how hungry I was now that the worry over Tom had lessened.
We ate quickly and said little during dinner. I think both of us were gearing up for what comes next. "I'm not sure I've ever been this tired before," I said as Chance drove home.
"You've been through a lot, Babe. You're doing good." He reached for my hand and held it all the way home.
It was dark, when I woke up. I looked around and realized I was in Chance's bed again. I was toasty warm and still exhausted. I pushed up and sat on the side of the bed. When I looked down at my dangling feet, I saw that I was wearing the woolly socks Chance had given me before. It was then that I realized I was also wearing the sweats from earlier. That explained why I was so nice and warm but begged the question of how I got out of my clothes and into these. I could almost believe I was so sleepy that I didn't remember changing for bed, but if I'd dressed myself I would have put on the pajamas I packed.
I was still half asleep, and my mind didn't want to function, so I made my way to the master bath. After taking care of the reason that woke me, I filled a glass with water and drank some. That's when I noticed my shampoo, soap, and makeup were lined up on the counter.
When I realized I was getting teary over health and beauty products, I knew I needed more sleep. It wasn't until I crawled back into bed, that I realized Chance was sleeping beside me. Fudge, I said silently. Too tired to care, I snuggled into his shoulder and fell back asleep.
When I woke up again, I was alone in bed. I could smell coffee and heard Chance moving around downstairs.
I ran a brush through my hair, washed my face, swished some mouthwash, and walked into the kitchen. "Good morning."
"Coffee or tea?" he asked.
"Coffee first. I need to wake up this morning." I sat on one of the stools at the counter. He walked around the counter and set a mug of coffee in front of me before wrapping his arms around me.
"How did you sleep?"
"Very soundly, if my clothes are any indication."
"You fell asleep on the way home. I carried you in and settled you on the sofa for a while, but you didn't wake up, so I carried you up to bed."
"And changed my clothes," I said.
"True. I wanted to make sure you were warm and comfortable."
"And not lonely."
"That too. You slept well didn't you?"
"I did. Thanks." It was hard to be angry with him for taking care of me even if I thought he crossed some boundaries.
"We have to be at Roy's at eleven. I spent most of last night going through the pictures and trying to put together the pieces of what really happened."
"Let me get something to eat, and then we can go over it."
He pulled a covered plate from the oven and set it in front of me. "Pancakes and bacon. Enjoy."
I fixed my pancakes and took a bite. "This is really good, Chance. Thanks for taking care of me."
"I plan on doing that for a long time," he said, giving me another one of those kisses that freezes my brain. He backed off, and I returned to my breakfast.
"Sorry I slept so late. I know we won't have much time to go over everything."
"It's OK. You needed to rest. Anyway, I think it's best if we don't go over the details before we talk to Roy. I don't want you to confuse the real facts with the vague story we're telling Roy."
"That's probably best."