Not everyone on the road was as concerned for themselves or others, and I got nervous when I saw more than one car pulled off on the side of the road before passing a three-car pile-up. I was used to driving in bad weather and rain, but I couldn’t see two feet in front of me. In most places, there wasn’t a shoulder big enough for a car to pull off the road without potentially going over the side into the steep ditch. Each time I found an open shoulder with enough space, another car would take the spot before I had a chance to pull over, leaving me frustrated and concerned.
Distracted and nervous, I was focused on pulling over and not on the cars on the other side of the road coming toward me. My eyes flashed up and to the side when a blaring horn caught my attention. From the other side, a large truck had lost control and was headed right for the car in front of me. All my driving sense flew out the window; I slammed on the brakes in panic. My car fishtailed, and when I tried to correct it, I realized I had put myself right in the trajectory of the truck that was now barreling toward me.
All I could do was brace myself as tires screeched and horns blared. It all seemed to happen in slow motion. When the truck hit the driver side of my crappy Ford Taurus, my head snapped back as my seatbelt dug into my skin and the airbag deployed in my face. Glass shattered, cutting into my exposed skin. When I opened my eyes, my vision was blurry, and as I tried to rub them to see better, my fingers came away red. Blood. There was blood everywhere.
I exhaled and my eyes blinked heavily. All I wanted to do was sleep. Each blink took a little longer to achieve.
“Miss, can you hear me? Can you tell me your first name?” Someone yanked away the seatbelt, searing my skin.
“Prue,” I rasped out.
“Prue, we’re here to help you. You’re going to be fine. We’re going to take you to the hospital. Do you know what happened?”
Strong hands lifted me from the car; pain shot through me as gravity pulled on my injured body. “Wreck.”
“Yes, you were in a wreck. Please don’t try to move. We need to keep you stable until we’ve determined nothing is broken.”
Bright lights shone above me. My eyes drifted closed, no longer able to stay open as the gentle sway of the ambulance rocked me to sleep—even as the EMT urged me to stay awake.
* * *
When I woke up, I was in a hospital bed with a nurse taking my blood pressure.
“Good morning,” she chirped. “How’s our patient feeling today?”
Morning?
“What time is it?” I croaked out, my throat dry from misuse.
“A little after seven in the morning,” she answered back with a sweet smile.
Shit! Poor Atticus had been home alone overnight. He was going to think I left him.
Sitting up, I tried to swing my legs off the bed but stopped when I got woozy.
“Miss, you need to lie back down. You’ve got a nasty bump on your head and a concussion.” The nurse helped me lay back down and covered me up with a thin blanket, all the while watching me out of the corner of her eye.
“I need to get home. My dog’s been alone since yesterday afternoon,” I cried out weakly.
“Do you have anyone you can call to help take care of your dog until you’re home?” She placed her hand on mine, smiling down at me.
“No one. My friend’s out of town.”
I had no one.
“What about your husband?” She patted my left hand, reminding me that I was indeed married.
But still alone.
“He’s deployed,” I started to shake my head but stopped as it started to throb.
“Well, God bless him and you. It must be tough being so young and separated.”
She had no idea.
Tears trekked down my cheeks. I had no one to help me.
What if Holden was back and messaging me, and I wasn’t answering him back? Would he be worried?
“Is my phone here?” I prayed I could call Alex, and she could somehow check my email.
“No, I’m sorry, but you can use the phone here if you know the number.”
Who knew phone numbers anymore? And my head hurt too much to be able to remember anything. I was lucky I remembered my own name in that moment.
She must have seen something on my face because she smiled sadly. “You should get some rest. Maybe then you’ll remember the number.”
Maybe.
“Everything will feel better with a little time and rest.
I certainly hoped so.
16
HOLDEN
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Prue
Date: June 15, 2018 11:57 pm
Holden,
Hi. This is Alex, Prue’s friend. Prue wanted me to let you know that she’s okay, but she’s in the hospital. Yesterday, she was in a pretty bad car accident from what she told me. I feel so bad that I can’t be with her in Fairlane and help out, but we’re in Hawaii for the summer. I offered to fly back, but she wouldn’t have it. You know Prue. She hates asking for help and didn’t want me to have to fly back and forth in only a few days. One of my friends offered to help with Atticus until she’s out of the hospital and to take her home. He’s very trustworthy, so I don’t want you to worry, and I promise you he’ll keep his hands to himself. Prue hasn’t told me much about what’s going on between you two, but I don’t want you to torment yourself. I’ve known Josh since high school and trust him with my life.
Prue wanted me to also check and see if you’d messaged her back. She’s been worried about you and hoped there’d be a message from you. Sadly, there’s not, but I’ll tell her not to worry. Although we both know that won’t do any good. She should be home tonight or tomorrow morning and will probably email you yourself.
I know I don’t know you, but thank you for putting the spark back in Prue’s eyes. In all the time I’ve known her, I’ve never seen her so happy and hopeful. I hope to meet you when you get home.
Alex
* * *
I read the email again for the third time. Prue was hurt and in the hospital, and there wasn’t a single thing I could do to help her. Each day, I was closer to going home, but it wasn’t soon enough. Most days, I needed Prue to make it through all the shit I’d seen. One look at her beautiful face, and I forgot everything but her. But she needed me, and I couldn’t be there. Not only could I not be there, but her friend was gone too. She must have felt so alone and scared.
I was almost tempted to call my parents and ask them to help, but I knew they wouldn’t. If they knew I’d married Prue and had gotten my inheritance, they’d be livid, and who knew what they’d do. Prue didn’t need them trying to make her life a living hell.
All I knew in that moment was that I’d give anything to be there with Prue. The only thing that got me through the days was knowing that she was going to give me a chance, and the fact that she still loved me after everything I’d put her through.
I wasn’t sure if she would be home before I was sent out again. The only thing I could do was write her an email and hope to talk to her.
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Are You Okay?
Date: June 16, 2018 5:23 am
Prue,
God, you will never know how sorry I am that I can’t be there for you. Your friend sent me an email letting me know you were in a wreck. Please tell me you’re okay and let Alex’s friend help you if you need it. Don’t be so damn stubborn.
I can’t think straight knowing that you’re hurt and alone. Email me when you get home to let me know how you’re doing.
If this is how you feel every time I tell you I’m being sent out, I don’t know how you handle it. I hate not being able to talk to you. When you get home, I’m afraid it may be a few days before I can get back to you. We got word again that we were heading out sometime today or tomorrow. I’m supposed to be resting, but I know I’m not going to be able to
sleep until I know you’re home and okay.
I love you, Prue, and I’m sorry I’ve put us through so much pain over the years. I promise once I get home, I’m never going to cause you another ounce of pain for the rest of our lives.
Love,
Holden
* * *
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Please Be Okay
Date: June 16, 2018 10:38 am
Prue,
I know it’s only been a few hours, but I needed to check my emails to see if you were home yet or had sent me a message. I hope you’re home soon and feeling better. We’re leaving in a couple of hours, and I have to get ready.
I want you to know you mean the world to me. You’re the first thing I think of when I wake up and the last before I fall asleep. It’s been that way since the day I met you. I’m still that love-sick teenager you met all those years ago.
Please message me as soon as you can, and I promise to do the same.
I love you,
Holden
17
PRUE
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: I’m Home
Date: June 16, 2018 4:23 pm
Holden,
You can stop worrying about me. I’m finally home. Alex’s friend Josh even went to the grocery store for me since almost everything I bought was ruined after the wreck. He then went to where my car was towed and got Atticus’ dog food. I’m so thankful for Alex contacting you and having Josh help me.
I know it will probably be a few days before you get this, but I know you were anxious to hear from me. I need to go though. I’m not supposed to be on the computer or watch TV or pretty much anything with my concussion. I guess I’ll use this time to try to train Atticus. Skype me when you get back no matter the time. I’ll keep my computer up and running.
Is it crazy that I miss you? Because I do. I know it’s not fair to say this to you, but I wish you were here.
All My Love,
Prue
* * *
For the past few days, I’d done nothing but try to train Atticus and failed. I’d bought a couple of videos to help me train him, but with my concussion, I couldn’t watch them to learn what to do. Besides my failed attempt at dog training, I stared out the windows. I loved my view, but it did nothing to make me forget that Holden was out there fighting for our country, and there was a chance that he might not ever make it home to me.
Atticus was curled up against my side. He’d been dozing since our last round of ‘sit’ when my phone rang. Atticus’ head lifted and his ears perked up. I smiled when I saw Alex’s name flash across my screen.
“Hey,” I answered.
“Hey, Prue. How are you?”
“Better but bored out of my mind. I can’t even read.”
“Really? What kind of bullshit is that?” She laughed.
I couldn’t help but laugh with her. “Concussion bullshit. I doubt you’re doing much reading right now.”
She hummed. “You’re right. I don’t know how I’m ever going to leave here. Mason and I visit the beach almost every day, and I’m in love. Once we get married in August, how will I ever want to leave?”
“I’m sure Luke will convince you with a honeymoon. Do you know where you’re going yet?”
“No.” She laughed again. “He’s keeping it a secret. I think he’s enjoying me trying to get it out of him.”
“I’m sure.”
“Are you okay, hun? You sound kind of down,” she asked, concerned.
“I’m waiting to hear from Holden. It’s hard.” I sighed, tears building.
“I know it is, but eventually he’ll be home and with you.”
“I guess you sort of know what I’m going through.”
“Sort of. I mean, I couldn’t always talk to Luke whenever I wanted to, but I didn’t have worry for his safety either. It will make it all the more special when Holden finally gets home.”
I let out a deep sigh. “I feel like I just got him back, and at any moment, he could be taken from me. How is that fair? I can’t lose him again.”
“It’s not fair, but you know life’s not fair. If it were, Holden never would have left you. Sometimes we have to go through hell to get our happily ever afters.” Truer words had never been spoken.
“You’d know that better than anyone after what your ex put you through.” I shook my head. There were so many times I’d wanted to call the police on that asshole, but I knew that if I ever did, he’d make her life even more miserable.
One night, Alex had confided in me that she thought Luke had paid off Decker, her ex. One day, he just stopped being such a prick to her and seemed to try to be a better father to Mason. When I asked if she’d questioned Luke, she only shook her head.
“If all our lives were always easy, then we’d never know how good we had it when it was. Does that make sense?”
“It makes perfect sense. I just worry. Sometimes the tone in Holden’s letters and when we Skype—”
“I can’t imagine,” she interrupted as if she knew how hard it was for me to think about it. “It has to be hard for him to be over there. For all of them, and the things they see. He’ll probably have some form of post-traumatic stress when he’s done.”
“I think he already does. Sometimes his eyes look so haunted. It scares me. I’ve tried to get him to talk to me, but he refuses.”
“Probably because he doesn’t want you to worry.”
“Too late,” I laughed with a bite to it. “I already do. If I would have known where he was this whole time, all of my hair would be gray.”
“Before you know it, he’ll be home. You just wait and see.” I could hear the smile in her voice.
“What’s the best part of finally being able to be in the same place as Luke?” I was curious, but I also wanted to stop talking about my problems.
“Oh, that’s easy. The best part is getting to wake up and fall asleep with Luke every day. I made him promise me to always wake me up no matter the time, and he does. Even if it’s just to say goodnight. It’s priceless, and I know you’ll have that one day too.”
“I certainly hope so. Thank you for calling me and getting my mind off everything. Atticus sleeps like twenty hours a day.”
“Do you want me to come back? I can if you need me. I hate thinking of you there all alone with nothing to do. I’m sure Josh would be happy to come visit you. He said your car was totaled, so you’re going to need to get a new one. Have Josh take you.”
“You’re right. It would probably make Holden happy when I talk to him, and eventually, I’m going to want to go somewhere.”
“Hey, Prue, do it for you. You can’t do everything for Holden, you know?” She sounded too serious.
“I know,” I answered her quietly. “Thank you for calling and checking up on me. You know you don’t have to. There are worse things out there than being bored.”
“If you ever need to talk, I’m here for you. You know that, right?” she asked softly.
“I know. You don’t need to be worried about me, Alex. Some days are still hard, but I knew for a long time my dad wasn’t going to be around for forever. He fought his best fight, and I’ll always miss him, but I know he’s in a better place. He’s not in any pain anymore, and that’s all I can ask for.”
“I still miss my dad, and he’s been gone for more than ten years,” she said quietly.
Alex rarely spoke about her father, but when she did, I could hear how much she missed him. We both had grown up without our mothers in our lives, so our fathers had been everything to us. Alex’s mom was a deadbeat who had never been around, and mine had died before I turned two.
“I’ll call Josh and see if he’ll take me to go look at cars. Do you care if I steal him away from you?”
“Luke might care. I think he’s now more Luke’s friend than he is mine. I swear Luke stealing all of my friends.
Maybe you can come to Hawaii with Josh for the wedding.”
“Alex,” I warned.
“As friends. I would never suggest…” she stammered.
“No, I know. I want to come to your wedding, but I’m not sure about flying there. I’ve never been on a plane before.”
“Well,” she laughed, “you don’t really have any other option. I’ll understand if you can’t make it though, so don’t worry about hurting my feelings.”
“Thanks, Alex.” I smiled. Alex was the best kind of friend I could ask for. “I’m going to try to make it.”
Do Dee Do Blup Blup Blup Do Dee Do Blup Blup Blup
“Shit, Alex, I’ve got to go. That’s Holden.” I ran into the kitchen where my laptop was sitting.
“Tell him I said hi. I’ll talk to you later. Bye.”
“Bye.” I got off the phone with a little more pep in my step.
Unsteady in Love: Fairlane Series #3 Page 7