Resisting Ryann(54)

“I am so sorry,” she replies. The hug is exactly what I need. I close my eyes, enjoying the momentary comfort.

“Excuse me,” we hear behind us.

I open my eyes, facing a stunning brunette who appears around my age. I think she may be lost. “Can I help you?” Michelle asks, walking behind the help desk.

“Yes. A patient of yours was moved to a different room. Nobody told me where they put him.”

Tapping on the keyboard, Michelle replies, “You look familiar. Is he in the ICU?”

“Yes. They admitted him two days ago.”

“Gotcha. Tell me his name, hon. I’ll see if I can find him.” Glancing at me, she holds up a finger.

“Ryann,” she answers, readjusting her purse. “His name is Luke Ryann.”

My heart nearly drops into my stomach. Wait. What? Blinking twice—maybe three times—I’m flat out staring at this girl in shock.

“If you’d like, I’ll mention you’re here? Someone is in there with him right now. Unfortunately, he’s only allowed one visitor at a time.”

Lauren. I need to lie down. Lauren is visiting her brother. Her brother! Luke is hurt. What are the chances? He and my father at the same time? It can’t be a coincidence. Can it?

“I assume you’re family?”

“Yes. I’ve been here twice,” the girl answers, irritated. I’m ready to ask her what’s wrong with him.

“She’s his wife,” another nurse interrupts. “I’ve got this, Michelle. Looking for your husband?” A smile spreads across the nurse’s face. “The air conditioner went out in the old room. So we moved Luke to 307. He’s awake, and they’re expecting you. Sorry ‘bout that. Follow me. I’ll take you to him.”





Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. “Luke, can you hear me?” Beep. Beep. “Come on, big bro, wake up. I see you moving your fingers. Can you hear me?” I feel a tug at my hand. It sounds like I’m in a hospital room—beeping noises are all around me, and there are rails on my bed—but I’m having a hard time opening my eyes. Though it is good to hear my sister’s voice. “Open them, Luke.” Her face finally comes into view. A tear slides off her cheek.

“Hi.” She smiles. “You’re awake.”

I grin back, feeling loopy, then attempt to say hello, but the word comes out raspy. More tears fall down Lauren’s face. “Why are you crying?” Damn, it hurts to talk. “Is it that bad?” My eyes scan my body. I’ve got a shoulder and leg that are bandaged up pretty good.

“I thought I was going to lose you.” She steps away for a second, coming back with a full vase of flowers in her hands. “I bought you these,” she says, showing me the arrangement. “I was really hoping you’d get to see them before they died.” She frowns, setting them down on the side table. “Looks like I got my wish.”

I burst out in laughter, flinching from the pain. “You would buy me flowers,” I say, coughing. “That’s sweet of you, Lauren. Thanks. But you didn’t need to buy me anything.”

Concern shows on her face. “Do you need me to get the nurse—her name’s Julie? Get you more pain meds? She’s been real attentive to you, maybe has a little crush, but she’s very sweet. She recently moved you from another room, because the AC had gone out.”

I’m a little slow at taking all of that in. “That was nice of them,” I reply.

“I can get her if you want?”

“In a minute,” I say, trying to scoot up a little. It’s hard to put pressure on my arm, and it hurts a lot more than I’m letting on. I don’t want to be a pussy in front of my sister. It’ll just make her worry about me. “I assume you have some questions.”

“I do,” she says, giving a single nod. There’s a crease between her brows. “Although I can probably guess some of the answers.” Her blue eyes meet mine. “I’m just glad you’re okay, Luke,” she adds, biting her quivering lip.

Lauren left Phoenix about six months ago after a bad break up. She and a friend wanted to see what it’d be like to live in a smaller town—so off they went to Flagstaff. Last time we spoke, I told her what I planned to do about Glenn. She didn’t like the idea, but didn’t try to stop me either. She knew my mind had been made up already.

“Come here.” I stretch my arms out to give her a hug, but freeze halfway, the screaming pain in my shoulder reminding me of my injuries. “Ow.”

She laughs and cries at the same time. “You look like a mummy.”