Page 111 of Finding Wonderland

“Of course, baby. Whatever you need. Do you want me to come there with you?”

“No, stay with our babies.” Vera sniffled. “I’m going to call Lena tonight and see what she thinks we should do.”

“I’m here, baby. Always.”

“I know. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

The next twelve hours were a complete blur for Vera. She had left the hospital and made her way to the Moonflower Cove Inn. Grabbing a to-go order from the inn’s restaurant, she made her way up to her room and called Lena. Like Vera, Lena was also a doctor. But unlike Vera, she hadn’t seen firsthand the side effects of Walker’s drinking.

“I agree with everything you’re saying,” Lena was on FaceTime, eating popcorn in her Florida home. “But you’re right, it has to be Walker’s decision. It won’t work unless it is.”

“I know,” Vera sighed. “I’m going to pick her up in the morning. Hopefully she’ll have time to think tonight.”

“And I’ll check with my contacts and see if any rehab facilities around here can take her. Because I think you’re right there too. We need to get her out of the Cove.”

“Usually I love when you say I’m right, but not this time.”

The sisters chatted for a while longer before saying their goodbyes. Vera barely slept, her mind running wild with thoughts of Walker and how different the day could have gone. Either Maddie or Walker could have died. Or both. And even if Maddie said the wreck was caused by something running out in front of them, something in the pit of Vera’s stomach told her that wasn’t the full story.

Which was why at barely six in the morning Vera was waiting outside the auto shop to see Maddie’s car. Not only was the front end completely crunched up, the roof was also smashed. As were both side doors. Vera tried to keep her composure as the tow truck driver told her how the car had flipped twice before hitting a tree down an embankment.

The image stayed with Vera as she picked Walker up from the hospital and drove her to the pier. If the pier ever learned to talk, the entire Cove’s secrets would be spilled. It seemed to serve as the perfect place for private conversations, even if it was in the middle of downtown.

Finding a quiet bench, Vera and Walker sat. They were quiet for several minutes before Walker said, “Vera?”

“Yes?”

“I’ve been thinking about what you said last night.”

Vera waited for her to continue.

“And you’re right. I need help. I saw Maddie this morning and,” Walker began to sob, “I could have lost her. I could have killed her.”

“Oh, Walker.” Unable to control it any longer, Vera pulled Walker into a hug. “She’s okay. Maddie’s okay.”

“But I’m not.”

Her words hit Vera like a ton of bricks.

“I grabbed the wheel when Maddie was driving. I didn’t want to go to your house and so I just grabbed it. It all happened so fast.” Walker was still crying, but Vera didn’t let her go. “Please, Vera. Help me. I’m ready to get sober. Please.”

“I’ve been talking to Lena and we found a place for you in Florida about an hour from her house.”

Walker pulled out of Vera’s embrace, her brow furrowed. “Florida? But my friends are here. My family’s here. Is this Isla’s idea to get rid of me?”

“Walker, no.” Vera made sure her voice was stern but calm. “I haven’t even talked to Isla about this. Only Lena. When you get your stuff packed, I’ll buy you a plane ticket and Lena will pick you up at the airport.”

Slowly nodding, Walker hung her head. It seemed to Vera like the first time her actions had finally all caught up to her. She sniffed a few times before wiping her tears.

“Someday,” she slowly lifted her blue eyes to Vera’s, “can I come back here?”

“Of course.” Vera offered her a sad smile. “Right now, just focus on you and getting better, okay?”

Walker nodded before willingly going back to Vera for a hug. Although she didn’t know when, Vera knew things would be okay.

Someday.

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