by Jill Sanders
“How are you holding up?” Levi asked.
She would have opened her eyes, but at this point, her entire body was aching. “Fine,” she lied between clenched teeth.
“Liar,” he said softly. “We’re pulling into the hospital now.”
“I don’t like hospitals.”
“You won’t be staying long. I just want a scan,” Lea answered. Scarlett had almost forgotten the woman was in the car, even though she kept checking her pulse every few minutes.
“How am I doing, doc?” she asked, her eyes still closed.
“Your BP is one-twenty over eighty.” The car was silent. “That’s normal.”
Scarlett heard a couple sighs. “Good,” Zoey said. “Do you think she has a concussion?”
“We’ll know more after we get a CT scan,” Lea answered.
“You work at the hospital too, right?” Dylan asked.
“Yes,” Lea answered. “Which is why I won’t be handing Scar over to someone else.” Lea’s hand rested on Scarlett’s. “You’re all mine.”
Scarlett smiled slightly. When she chuckled, her head felt like it was going to explode. Reaching up, she tested the knot on the back of her head and winced. It was easily double the size it had been earlier.
“It’s getting bigger,” she groaned.
“You know what they say,” Dylan said. “To make an omelet…”
“Yeah, well, it’s my egg on the line not yours. Besides, I’m not very hungry…” At the thought of food, her stomach revolted.
“Here,” Lea said, shoving a small bag into Scarlett’s hands. “I came prepared.”
Scarlett emptied her stomach into the barf bag. “Sorry,” she said, wiping her mouth as the car stopped.
“I’ll park and meet you inside,” Dylan said as Levi lifted Scarlett into his arms again.
Scarlett held on as Levi and Lea rushed her into the emergency room. The moment Levi laid her on the gurney, she started shaking uncontrollably. It was probably because her clothes were still wet from the dip in the pool and the hospital’s air-conditioning was running at full throttle.
“I’m cold,” she said as lights and sounds bombarded her, forcing her to once again close her eyes tight.
“I know, we’ll get you a blanket,” Lea said. Moments later one was set over her carefully.
Scarlett tried to listen as Lea talked to the medical staff, filling them in on her condition, but her head was started to grow dull and she couldn’t stop shaking.
“We’re going to take you back for a CT scan now,” Lea said softly. “Levi’s going to go with you.”
Her hand was squeezed, and she realized Levi had been holding it all along.
“I’m right here,” Levi said to her.
“I’m cold,” she complained again.
“It’s shock,” Lea said softly. “We’ll take care of you.”
“Shock?” She tried to shake her head. Why would she be in shock? It wasn’t as if she was really hurt. Was she?
Tears dripped from her eyes as she was rolled through the hallways. It was far too bright for her to open her eyes since her head was killing her at this point.
When they stopped, she cracked open an eye and saw Levi watching her.
“Doing okay?” he asked, his voice and eyes filled with concern.
“Yeah,” she said between her chattering teeth.
He was rubbing his hands up and down her arms, which helped. They were in a dark room, waiting, while Lea and a nurse worked on the large scanner across the room from them.
“I know you don’t want to hear this right now,” he said in a deep voice as he leaned a little closer to her. She could see tears pooling in his eyes, which broke her heart to see. “But I love you.”
Chapter Eighteen
Levi sat next to Scarlett in the small dark room she’d been given after the CT and MRI scans had both come back confirming a concussion. Lea had assured them that there was no bleeding on Scarlett’s brain, but there was possibly some bruising. They would know more after the swelling subsided.
They were going to keep Scarlett overnight and possibly a second night if she didn’t show signs of improvement.
She’d stopped shaking, but still complained of being cold and dizzy. She’d thrown up two more times and for most of the time kept her eyes closed tight.
He knew she wasn’t sleeping, since her breathing wasn’t shallow enough. That and she kept squeezing his hand as if reassuring herself that he was still there.
He continued talking to her in a low voice, assuring her that things would be okay.
When the door opened, he glanced over to see all of her friends shuffle in, each one of them holding a bundle of flowers. Kimberly and Reed stepped in seconds later.
“Your Wildflowers and mother are here,” he said softly.
Scarlett’s eyes opened slightly, and a smile formed on her lips.
“Flowers,” she sighed and closed her eyes again.
He held a hand over his lips to signal that they needed to be as quiet as possible. “She’s fighting a headache.”
“We’ll set these here for when you feel better.” Hannah set her vase on the table next to the bed. Elle and Aubrey followed along until the small table was full of different colored flowers.
“Zoey filled us in,” Elle said to him. “We just wanted to stop in and see how she’s doing.”
“She,” Scarlett said, “is fighting off the mother of all headaches.”
Levi stood back as her friends crowded around her bed.
“I’m going to run… get a coffee. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” He quickly left the room.
Stepping outside, he saw Zoey and Dylan sitting across the hallway in a small waiting area. The pair had their heads bent together, talking quietly.
“Hey, know where there’s a coffee machine around here?” he asked them, looking around.
“Sure.” Dylan jumped up. “I’ll take you to it. I could use a cup.”
“Me too,” Zoey said, but Dylan turned towards her. “Tea, I’ll get you some tea.” He started walking away.
Suddenly, everything was so clear to Levi. The last few times he’d run into Zoey, she’d been mooching food from the kitchen staff. Smiling, he slapped Dylan on the back. “So, is there something everyone should know?”
“What?” Dylan’s steps faltered and he glanced back at Zoey with a slight frown. “No,” he denied quickly. So quickly, Levi laughed.
“Jesus, it’s written all over your face.”
“What is?” Dylan frowned.
“Easy, buddy. I’m not going to spill the news.”
“There is no news,” Dylan replied as he started walking again.
“Sure, there isn’t,” Levi said easily as he fell into step. “Your secret’s safe with me.”
Dylan stopped in front of a large coffee machine, and Levi slid in his credit card to order. “There’s no secret,” Dylan said a little sterner.
“I get it. The wedding is almost a month away.” Levi shrugged and waited as the coffee poured into the cup. “But it isn’t as crazy as it used to be, you know…” He glanced around and lowered his voice. “Babies before marriage is not that big of a deal nowadays. Hell, I’m one of ’em.”
“Jesus.” Dylan swayed on his feet and Levi reached to catch him.
“You really think she’s…” His eyes moved back down the hall where Zoey had been. She’d obviously disappeared into the room with the rest of her friends to visit her sister.
Levi frowned. “Isn’t that what you meant when you said you were going to get her tea?”
Dylan shook his head and took a deep breath. “No, she had an upset stomach earlier. She thinks it was because of Scarlett’s injury. I just thought tea would be better…” He dropped off when Levi laughed.
“Sorry, bro. It’s just the way she’s been wolfing down the sweets lately. I guess I jumped the…” He stopped talking when Dylan’s face paled.
“That’s what…” He shook his head. “Gotta
go.” He rushed from Levi’s side, and Levi saw him disappear into Scarlett’s room. Less than a minute later, he came out with Zoey and disappeared down the hallway.
“Shit.” Levi sighed as he took his cup of coffee. “Guess I stepped into that one.” Since Scarlett’s friends were still in the room with her, he decided it was a good time for a short walk. Besides, he could use some fresh air. He didn’t like hospitals either.
When he stepped outside, he pulled out his phone and called to fill his grandmother in on everything that had happened, letting her know that he might not make it home that night, since he wanted to stay with Scarlett.
When he stepped back into Scarlett’s room half an hour later, Zoey was sitting by her sister’s bed, holding her hand.
“Lea just left the room,” she said softly and smiled at him.
“And?” he asked, moving over and taking Scarlett’s free hand. He knew instantly that she’d fallen asleep.
“Lea thinks we can take her home tomorrow. They want to keep checking on her tonight and suggest we go home and leave her to get some rest ourselves.”
“I’m staying,” he replied.
Zoey smiled. “I told Lea you would. She said she’d clear it with the staff here so you can stay.”
“Thanks.” He brought Scarlett’s hand up to his lips. “How long has she been asleep?”
“I’m not,” Scarlett replied softly. “Yet.”
He winced. “Sorry.” He kissed her knuckles again.
“It’s okay.” She sighed and opened her eyes slightly. “Where did everyone go?”
Zoey chuckled. “You must have slept through them all leaving.” Zoey stood up and stretched. “I’m going to head out myself. Dylan stepped out for a phone call. I’ll see you in the morning. Want me to bring you a change of clothes?” she asked Scarlett.
“Please. Some yoga pants and a T-shirt will work.”
“Will do.” Zoey moved to leave, but he jumped up.
“I’ll be right back,” he said to Scarlett and followed Zoey out the door.
“Hey.” He took her arm. “I, um, didn’t meant to get you in trouble.”
“Trouble?” Her eyebrows shot up in question.
“Yeah, I, um. Guessed.” He nodded towards her.
Her eyes narrowed, then widened. “Oh.” Her hand went to her stomach. “It’s not… I mean…” She shook her head. “How did you know?” She lowered her voice as she looked around.
He smiled. “I didn’t, not really. I mean, you were ready to MMA for that cookie the other night. Then Dylan mentioned he’d get you tea instead of coffee and… well…” He ran his hands through his hair. “Like I said, it was a guess. I thought Dylan knew.”
Zoey sighed and closed her eyes. “I only found out this morning.”
“Really?” He smiled. “Congratulations.”
Her face lit up. “Don’t tell my sister yet. I… we…” She shook her head. “We wanted to tell everyone all at once. But not here, not like this.”
He hugged her. “My lips are sealed.” He kissed her cheek.
“That better be a brotherly kiss,” Dylan joked as he approached them.
“It’s a ‘congratulations and your secret is safe with me’ kiss.” He held out his hand for Dylan’s.
“Thanks.” Dylan’s face lit up. “We’re going to tell everyone…”
“Tomorrow,” Zoey supplied. “When my sister returns home.” She smiled at Dylan, then turned back towards him. “Take care of her tonight. Call me if anything changes.”
“Will do.” He nodded. “Don’t worry, she’s in great hands here. Lea’s sticking around, right?”
“Yes.” Zoey laughed. “Scarlett is her favorite of us Wildflowers.” She sighed and leaned closer. “It’s because she keeps sneaking her cake.”
Levi laughed. “I’ll see you in the morning,” he said before returning to Scarlett’s side.
When he stepped in, she was asleep again, so he settled himself next to her and watched her while she slept.
The night stretched out longer than normal, since nurses or Lea appeared almost every hour to check on Scarlett. Just when he’d close his eyes, someone would walk in to take her vitals.
For most of the night, Scarlett slept through the interruptions.
When he woke in the morning, Scarlett was sitting up in the bed, watching him.
“Your neck is going to hurt,” she said, smiling at him.
It was true. He’d slept in the recliner with his head tilted at an odd angle. Standing up, he stretched before walking over to sit next to her on the bed.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
“Rested.” She smiled. “I still have a knot on my head.” She reached up and tentatively touched the back of her head. “But I’m no longer seeing double.” She sighed. “Which is a shame, since two of you were far better than one.”
He smiled and pulled her into a light hug. “Joking is a great sign.”
“I want to go home,” she said, holding onto him.
“Lea says that after she checks you this morning, she’ll probably send you home. Hungry?”
She placed a hand over her stomach and frowned. “I’m starving, but I’m afraid I’ll upchuck whatever I eat again.”
“You can start slow.”
“I’ll try.”
As he got up to hunt down something for her, she grabbed his arm, holding him still. “I know you meant what you said, yesterday.”
“You don’t have to say anything in return.” He sat back down next to her. “I know you’re not ready to hear it. Hell, it snuck up on me, but I meant it.” He took her face in his hands. “I know you need time, and I’m willing to give you as much as you need. I just wanted you to know how I felt, in case…” He closed his eyes at the thoughts he’d had yesterday after seeing her at the bottom of the pool, unconscious.
She sighed and he opened his eyes again. He could see the uncertainty in the amber pools, along with fear.
“I’ll go hunt something down for you to eat.” He leaned in and kissed her. “Don’t go anywhere.”
She nodded and he felt better that at least she hadn’t kicked him out or tried to talk him out of loving her. At this point, he was pretty sure nothing could talk him out of it. His entire heart had jumped into her hands.
Three hours later, he stepped out of the shower in her room and pulled on his backup work uniform. He knew Scarlett was propped up on the sofa in the living room, surrounded by her friends and family.
Someone had suggested he needed a shower and a shave, so he’d disappeared into her room with the duffle bag that his grandmother had dropped off for him earlier that morning when she’d visited Scarlett in the hospital.
Scarlett had been right about his neck. The hot water worked out most of the aches, but what he really needed was a night holding Scarlett, knowing she was going to be okay. Really okay.
She’d gotten a clean bill of health from Lea, with a promise that she would stop by later that evening to check on her progress.
Lea had gone over what to expect next, the dizziness, the lack of appetite, and other side effects. Scarlett was told to take the rest of the week off from work, which meant the first thing the five friends had talked about was how to fill in her schedule.
He knew they’d make it work, even if it meant most of them would be working double shifts to help out. He’d seen the friends pull together before when one of them had been out of commission, either because of a sickness or after Hannah had been injured by Ryan.
When he stepped into the living room, he was surprised to see Officer Brett Jewell sitting next to Scarlett. His partner stood across the room and took notes.
“Here.” Scarlett motioned towards him. “He can fill in the blanks.”
“Afternoon,” Levi said, shaking the man’s hand. He’d known Brett most of his life. The man had been in the class above his in school and had gone on to help them on the campground several times when they’d been hunting for Ryan or when
the Costas had been in trouble with their cousin Joel.
“Afternoon.” Brett shook his hand. “We’re just trying to fill in a few blanks for our report.”
“Right.” He nodded and sat next to Scarlett, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. She snuggled into his chest and he relaxed slightly. “Doing okay?” he asked her softly.
“Yes, just tired.” She yawned. “Answer Brett’s questions so we can nap.” He smiled at that thought. He knew he was probably needed around the camp, but Dylan had assured him they would fill in for him again today.
“We’ll make this quick. What time did Mrs. Baker arrive at the pool?” Brett asked.
Levi thought about it. “Just before ten.”
“How many drinks did she have before the one that spilled on her?” Brett asked.
“That would have been her third, but something told me she was already a few drinks in before she arrived.”
“Was her husband with her at any time?” Brett asked.
“No.” Levi frowned. “I didn’t see him. Just her.”
“From what a few guests have said, she tried to pull you down on top of her?” Brett asked.
“No, she pulled me down to her and tried to kiss me,” he corrected, not looking around the room at the rest of the people still there. “I moved away quickly, spilling the drink on her. I suppose I should have guessed her move, after…” He shook his head.
“What?” Brett asked.
“She’d asked me when I delivered her second drink if we could go someplace… private. I gracefully declined and then delivered the rest of the drinks that had been ordered.”
“Did she do anything that time to you?” Brett asked.
Levi shook his head. “No, and like I said, I hadn’t expected her to pull me down the next time. I tried to step between her and Scarlett, but…” He glanced over at Scarlett and frowned. “I wasn’t fast enough.”
Scarlett took his hand. “You couldn’t have known. I wasn’t ready for the push either.” She smiled at him.
“I think that’ll cover it.” Brett stood up and motioned to his partner. “We’ll update the report.”
When the two officers left, Zoey pulled out her phone and sent a text. “I’m getting everyone up here for a meeting,” she said to the room. “We need a plan. The Bakers have decided to leave the camp early and will be out of their cabin by tonight.”