Undeniably His(58)

Peter rushes toward the receptionist area and asks to see the staff for an update. Lauren puts her arm around me, and I hug her.

I take a deep breath and feel a small release of tension. I hadn’t realized how much I needed a hug. “How did you get here so fast?” I ask after we part.

“We had a private plane standing by for us. Part of the perks.” Lauren gives me a weak smile. “Though in moments like this, I would give anything just to have Kalin without the hoopla and the money.”

“I know what you mean.” A soft smile quivers on my lips, and I wipe another tear threatening to fall down my cheek.

We sit in the waiting room for an hour while Peter is attempting to get updates from the hospital staff and the police. Lauren is showing me pictures on her phone of Kalin from his childhood, through high school, and college. A picture slides across the screen, displaying Kalin with an arm wrapped around Rebecca. They look so happy and in love and carefree.

“I can’t imagine the pain he went through when she died.”

“He became very isolated. He was not involved very much with his company after she died. He took some time to travel on his own.”

“It’s terrible what the company tried to do to him during that painful time,” I sob.

“He visited us when he got back from Europe, and mentioned that his company had really changed from the top down. Management came in that was very self-interested. They really lost touch with his original vision. They didn’t need him anymore,” she scoffs.

“I don’t know why Kalin hired me,” I blurt out.

“Kalin sees something in you, Annabelle, or he wouldn’t be giving you this much of his time and trust. He may see things in you that you don’t see in yourself yet.” Her gaze is soft and warm.

“I just want to be able to tell him I’m sorry for not trusting him. I’ll do whatever he wants now.” Tears burn and pool in my eyes.

Peter scrambles into the room and asks us if the doctor has given them any news. “Not yet, dear,” Lauren mutters.

He paces toward the receptionist again and asks for an update. Lauren stands up and moves her hand over his back, then slips her hand in his. Peter turns to embrace her, and my heart sinks.

I close my eyes to think of something better, and I see Kalin smiling and holding me close to him on the beach, his wonderful smile lighting up every part of me. His hair is ruffled and wavy, and his shirt is pressed into the hard muscles of his chest from the wind. He reaches out to me, calling me to trust him, the man who lost everything, asking me to trust love. I reach for his hand and he pulls me into him. His eyes are warm and alive with desire, and his mouth comes down on mine in a hungry kiss. My heart pounds against his in a storm of passion. The jarring sounds of a collision and breaking glass startle me back to reality.

My heart pounds in my throat, and my body is cold. I had fallen asleep for a few minutes on the couch, mentally spent, awoken by the nightmare clashing with my dreams, and threatening to take them all.

Peter is holding Lauren, and agony deepens the lines on their faces. I fold my arms around my chest to fight the cold sweeping over my body. Several hours have passed since Dr. Brandt informed us he needed to perform emergency surgery to repair Kalin’s heart and lungs. I try to keep the nightmares from rushing through my head, and ask Lauren and Peter if they need anything. They take me in their embrace. “This is all we can do now,” Peter mumbles.

Fifty minutes later, the nurse returns with Dr. Brandt and gathers everyone around. Dr. Brandt presses his fingertips together and explains the surgery to us. “We were able to make in incision in the heart to repair the damaged ventricle.”

We stare at him with hope mixed with uncertainty. “We repaired the laceration with a surgical incision and stitches,” he explains. “His heart is functioning normally, and he is being mechanically ventilated with the aid of a chest tube until his lung heals. That can last anywhere from three to five weeks. With proper care, rest and healing, there’s no reason why he can’t walk out of here as good as new.”

Relief sweeps over us like a gust of wind, and Peter pulls Lauren close to his chest, letting out a huge breath of relief. Lauren pulls me in to them, and Peter embraces both of us. Tears of joy spill from my fatigued eyes, and Lauren wipes her eyes and smiles. Peter closes his eyes and breathes in deeply, and the tightness on his face melts away under the warm glow of solace. “Thank God,” he mutters.

“When can we see him?” Lauren asks.

“He needs to rest for the next twelve hours. You should be able to see him later this evening.”