Page 46 of Dreaming of You

Chapter Ten

"Katie?"

Her grandmother's weak voice brought her eyes open. She'd pulled a chair up next to her grandmother's bed in the middle of the night and had somehow fallen asleep. There was sun coming in the windows now, and her grandmother's blue eyes, so much like her own, were filled with light.

"You're awake," she said, jumping to her feet and smiling down at the woman who meant so much to her.

"Where's Lance?"

"He's at home. He's okay. He'll be back as soon as I call him."

"We were in…an accident."

She nodded, seeing a little confusion in her grandmother's eyes. "Do you remember what happened?"

"No. I hear crashing sounds, and I feel pain in my side." She winced. "Still there but not as bad."

"We'll get you more medication for that. You had surgery last night, but the doctor says you're going to be all right."

"That's good news." Despite her words, her grandmother's gaze turned worried. "Lance had blood on his face. I remember that."

"He just had some cuts. He's fine."

"You're sure?"

"Positive."

"Thank God," her grandmother said with relief.

"Let me call the nurse."

"Call your grandfather first. I want to talk to him. I want to hear his voice."

"Of course." She pulled out her phone and punched in her grandfather's number.

He answered on the second ring. "Katie? Is she awake? Is she all right?"

"Yes, she just woke up. She wants to talk to you." She handed her grandmother the phone.

"Lance, honey, are you all right?" Her grandmother paused, then smiled, as her grandfather's loud, vociferous voice rang through, declaring he was perfect, and she was the one who needed to tell him how she was. And then he finished with a vow of love.

As their conversation turned more intimate, Kate backed out of the room, giving them a little privacy. She told the nurse her grandmother was awake, then used the restroom before making her way back into the room.

"I love you, too," her grandmother said. "And I'm sure Katie won't leave until you get here."

"I won't," she said loudly.

"Did you hear that?" her grandmother asked. "See you soon." Her grandmother handed her the phone. "He's on his way."

"He was really worried about you last night."

"I'm sorry I gave everyone a scare."

"It's not your fault." She paused, frowning. "Wait a second. How is Grandpa getting here? You only have one car, and he said it was all smashed up."

"I don't know. He said he had a ride. Maybe Hal from next door."

"Oh, of course. Is there anything I can get you?"