Page 13 of Courageous Yearnings

Wait, she thought in confusion and opened her eyes again, only to see the one person she never expected slumped over in a chair, sleeping - Lance.

What was he doing here?

Why?

How long had she been here?

She had so many questions but kept silent, trying to figure out the answers on her own. She was not up to a mental battle with the man and was definitely dragging right now. Oh man, she was exhausted and sore.

Looking around the room, she saw a small yellow flower arrangement that had a balloon attached to it. That was the standard package that they sent everyone from work - and a favorite of her boss. It was cheap, simple, and ‘counted’ as being thoughtful.

It was the other large vase nearby that surprised her. There, next to her bed, was a vase that had a ton of wildflowers, roses, and greenery with a huge hot pink ribbon on the front.

Using her arms, she tried to push herself up slowly – only to cough, immediately waking Lance. He sprang out of the chair like someone had the end of a teeter-totter under his backside, launching him into the air. He was there, at the side of her hospital bed, hovering and looking between her and the machines, touching her forehead with the back of his hand, fretting over her like she was something special.

“Hey, you’re up. What do you need? What can I get you?” he asked quickly in rapid-fire questions. She hesitated, looking at him in stunned surprise. She didn’t expect him to be so… kind.

“Why… are… you here?” she rasped, looking at him, alarmed at how hoarse her voice was and what an effort it took to speak.

“Shhh,” he said emotionally. “Just try to rest, okay? Your body has been through a lot, and you probably feel like hell right now…”

She nodded – and winced. Her head was throbbing.

“Shhh,” he urged again, standing there. “You had a lot of smoke inhalation before Colton carried you out of the fire. There’s a lot of swelling and chemical irritation that can affect your vocal cords before…”

“I’m supposed… to be… moving,” she squeaked hoarsely, feeling tears sting her eyes as she looked at him, feeling so helpless and alone. Unexpectedly, he took her hand in his, looking like he was about to say something, and then hesitated.

“Let me get the nurse to check you, and there will be plenty of time to talk later. You really should get some sleep. Let them baby you while you are in their care.”

“I’ve gotta go… home,” she whispered. “Insurance is… oh no! My things… the movers… oh mercy, Lance.”

He chuckled softly and smiled at her sympathetically, his eyes dropping to her hand. She was just so overwhelmed in this moment that it took her a few moments to realize they were holding hands.

“Like I said, there’s plenty of time to figure out things once you feel better – but for now, you need to just rest and let yourself heal. You were pretty bad off, and they just took you off of an oxygen mask, changing it to that little tube under your nose. Give yourself time… please.”

And realized he was right.

She was exhausted, a mess, and everything just ached like she was battered and bruised from the inside out. Nodding, she looked at him.

“I’m so… sore.”

“Let me get someone to give you something to help you sleep,” he whispered. “It’s barely two in the morning, so close your eyes. I’ll be right back with a nurse.”

“Thank you…” she rasped, squeezing his hand slightly.

“Rest your voice. We can talk later.”

5

LANCE

Stepping out of Blythe’s hospital room – Lance sagged against the wall and let out his breath. This was the first time she had really awoken and held part of a conversation in a day. She was so out of it, so groggy, the doctors had her on oxygen, antibiotics, and bronchodilators to get some of the soot and chemicals out of her lungs or body.

It was bad.

Lance had been utterly shaken when he found out that she was fading in and out. Severe trauma to the lungs was tough, but combined with whatever was burning in the house, any possible accelerants, and the stress and strain it put on the body – it was not unusual to have someone completely flip out or start shutting down. When he arrived at the hospital to check on her after his shift, he broke down when he found out that she’d coded and had to be resuscitated.

He nearly lost her – and really hadn’t had the chance to get to know her yet. Her chest was in pain from the inflammation of her lungs, her windpipe, and the chest compressions. He wasn’t sure how to tell her that without falling apart.

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