Page 37 of Whisk Me Away

My eyes snapped to his, while I tried to find a regular breathing rhythm. My heart is beating so fast I wasn’t sure I could slow it down. I can't do this. I can't lose my mom.

"Breathe with me, Peach. Please."

Brant's hands cupped my cheeks. I watched as he pulled in a long, deep breath. I tried to match it but only got about halfway there.

"That's it. Just a little at a time,” Brant gently coaxed. “Try again.”

Again, I tried to pull in a deep breath. This time, I was able to fully inflate my lungs. I held it until it burned before releasing it slowly.

"Do it again," Brant commanded.

We stood like that for a few minutes until my breathing was regular and my heart rate slowed to a normal pace.

"There you are,” Brant's voice was so gentle it brought up the unshed tears I had been holding at bay. Tears spilled down my cheeks as his thumbs swiped them away. “Talk to me, Peach."

"It's my mom,” my voice broke on the last word.

Brant's face sobered as he grabbed my arm and turned us toward the trail.

"Let's get you to her,” he said before steering us quickly down the trail toward his SUV. It took us half the time to get back, and we quickly threw everything in the back seat before hopping in and peeling out of the gravel parking lot.

"Where are we going?" Brant’s voice was calm and tender like he knew I was barely holding it together.

"The hospital,” I choked out over a sob. The tears that started at the top of the waterfall hadn’t let up. It felt like they might never stop. I just needed to get to my mom. I need to know what was happening. I needed to make a plan. I couldn’t stand this feeling of helplessness.

CHAPTER 24

BRANT

There were moments when I was extra grateful to be the Sheriff. This wasn't an easy job, but I knew I was meant to do it. The drive to the hospital from the trailhead should have taken us twenty-five minutes, but as soon as I pulled out of the gravel lot, I flipped my lights and sirens on and floored it. I kept stealing glances at Karis to see how she was holding up, only to find her sitting completely still as silent tears streamed down her rosy cheeks. Occasionally, I'd catch her chest shaking from what I guessed was a sob, but the whole drive, she didn't say a word. The only time I heard her was the slight sniffle every few minutes.

I was both proud and concerned with how she was holding herself together. I don't know if I'd be able to keep my composure if the roles were reversed. Sure, I was trained to keep calm in chaotic situations, but when it's your family, sometimes that training goes straight out the window.

As I neared the hospital, I turned off my sirens. "Is your mom in the emergency room?" I asked softly, trying not to startle her. Karis seems to be in her own little world since she got the phone call from her dad. It was as if she was on autopilot, just going through the motions. I hated it. I hated to see her bottle up her emotions and drop the curtain over her eyes.

The only response I got to my question was a slight nod of her head. Her ponytail gently bounced with the movement.

I pulled to the front of the ER doors, killed the engine, and hopped out to run around and open the passenger door for Karis. She quickly slid out and rushed for the doors. I left the lights on but took my keys with me as I jogged in after her. When I entered the waiting room, I found Karis frantically asking where her mom was. The nurse rubbed her hand along Karis' arm before motioning for her to follow.

Staying a step behind, I followed Karis and the nurse through the doors and down a hall. When we reached Barbra's room, Karis pulled back the curtain before a small gasp left her lips. She rushed to her mom’s side.

Pastor Walter sat in a chair on one side of Barbra's bed while Karis took a spot on the other. His eyes flashed to mine, and he mouthedThank youbefore turning his attention to his daughter. Karis spent the next few minutes sobbing into her mother's chest, and it ripped my heart open to watch her go through this. I wished there was something I could do to take away the pain. But knowing there wasn't anything more I could do for them, I moved to stand in the corner of the room.

After a few moments, Eden bursts through the curtain and flew to her mother's side next to Karis. They hugged each other while hugging their mom. Feeling like an intruder, I decided to give them some space. I nodded my head at Pastor Walter before slipping silently into the hall. I followed the path back to the waiting room and found a seat. Leaning forward with my head in my hands, I did the only thing I could at this moment. I prayed.

CHAPTER 25

KARIS

Movement in the bed startled me. I adjusted my body so I was able to lift my head up to see my mom. She had been asleep since I got to the hospital a few hours ago, so Eden and I just climbed into her bed and snuggled with her. Now, her hazel eyes are looking right at me with so much sadness. There was a grief in her eyes I'd never seen before. It immediately caused my heart to race. I gently nudged Eden's arm as I moved to a seated position beside Mom.

When Eden was awake and sitting up, Mom finally spoke.

"My girls,” her voice was a hoarse whisper. Just the sound of it had my tears threatening to fall.

"Mom!" I choked.

"What's going on?" Eden asked the question that'd been plaguing us for the last few weeks.

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