Page 32 of Mine to Keep

“Do you trust him? Is he a good doctor?” Roland asked.

Daniel nodded. “Yes. He’s one of the best. I would want my loved one in his hands.”

Roland nodded and sat back down. “You should go, Daniel. I’ll text you when I find out more.”

Daniel patted him on the shoulder. “Call if you need me. I can be back within minutes.”

“Thank you.”

Roland heard the door click shut, and then there was nothing besides the sound of the monitors on the other side of the bed. The IV stand was close to the wall and held two bags. He would ask what they were when one of the medical people came in.

The needle was on the back of her hand, and fortunately,a piece of white tape covered it, so he didn’t have to see the needle piercing her skin.

Another monitor was her heart and blood pressure. Small tubes were glued to her chest, and she had a pressure cup around her arm.

Everything about the night felt like a bad dream, and the only way he’d feel better was when she was home in their bed.

Chapter Fifteen

Laila moved her leg and groaned at the pain that shot up her thigh. Her head was pounding, so she was afraid to move it.

She squinted as she opened her eyes and let them scan the room. A frown puckered her eyebrows. What happened? Where am I? She raised her arm to see an IV. I’m in a hospital. Why? She had so many questions.

The side of the bed moved, so she carefully turned her head and saw Roland resting on part of her mattress with his hand wrapped around her hand.

“Ro…” She had to stop because her throat was so dry it was hard to speak. She moved her hand to get his attention.

His head lifted immediately. “Hey. I’ve been waiting for you to wake up.”

“Water?”

He reached behind him for a cup filled with water and a long straw. He held it up to her lips and waited until she got her fill.

“I’ll get you more in a bit. Do you want ice in it?” he asked.

“Yes.” Cold water sounded great. “Why am I here?”

Roland stood and sat by her hip on the mattress facing her. He didn’t let go of her hand and used his thumb to caress the back of it.

“What do you remember?”

When she tried to think, her head started to throb worse. “My head. It hurts.”

“Let me call a nurse. We’ll get you some pain medicine.”

He reached and pushed a button.

“Yes,” a woman’s voice said.

“She’s awake.”

“Good. I’ll call the doctor.”

She closed her eyes when he started to say something,and then the door opened, and a man and woman walked in.

“Well, hello, Mrs. Stewart,” the man said. “I am Doctor Burns.”

“Hello. Can I have something for my head?”

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