Page 96 of Unforgotten

Smiling weakly, she closed her eyes.

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Everything smelled clean. Clean and sterile. Candace loved it. Almost as much as she loved feeling safe. As minutes passed and she became more aware of her surroundings, another scent filled her senses. It was one that she’d become fond of—the scent of woodsy cologne mixed with shampoo, soap, and mint. She’d recognize it anywhere. Even in the middle of a hospital, it seemed.

Ryan.

“I think she’s waking up.”

Keeping her eyes closed, she registered the voice. Her mother.

“I hope so,” her father whispered. “The doctors said it would be anytime now. Come on, Candace,” he coaxed in a louder voice. “Come back to us.”

Did she want to? She wasn’t sure. Here in her self-made cocoon, nothing could hurt her. She was safe and clean and didn’t hurt. She didn’t want to face reality.

“Ryan, what do you think is wrong?”

“I don’t think anything is,” he said in a soft, sure voice. One of his hands caressed her arm. His touch was warm andsolid and sure. He wasn’t touching her as if she was fragile. Only as if she mattered to him.

“I think she just needs a little bit longer,” he said in a low voice. She sensed him lean forward, just as one of his fingers lightly caressed her cheekbone. “I know it’s hard, darling girl, but you can do this,” he whispered.

“The doctors did say that might happen.” Her father sounded so worried.

She knew it was time to open her eyes and face them all. She just hoped she wouldn’t see recriminations in their eyes.

“Candace, it’s okay,” Ryan whispered in her ear. “If you want me to stay with you, I will. I’ll protect you from anything you want me to.” He paused. “And if you want me to leave ...” He paused again. “If ... if you want all of us to leave, I’ll make that happen as well.”

She knew he was telling the truth. She didn’t know how he could make all her wishes happen, but she realized now that Ryan would do whatever it took. That was the kind of man he was. Capable. True.

She had no idea what their future entailed, but she did know that right at this moment, she wanted him by her side. Maybe that was enough? She wasn’t sure.

As his fingers curved around her hand, she gripped them. An unspoken response for him to remain.

She could feel some of the tension emanating from him dissipate. “Thank you, sweetheart,” he said.

“Did she just say something, Ryan?” her mother asked, her voice anxious. “Candace, can you hear us?”

Taking a deep breath, she found her voice again. “Yes, Mom.”

Hearing her mother release a ragged breath, Candace knew it was time to pull out of her cozy cocoon. She owed her parents that. She opened her eyes.

“Oh, Candace. Thank the Lord.” Her mother’s eyes filled with tears.

“It’s okay,” she whispered.

“Oh, honey. It’s okay now that I know you’re with us again.”

Her father came over and kissed her brow. “Candace.”

“Hi, Daddy.”

“You gave us a scare.”

She smiled weakly. “I know.” She’d been scared too. “I’m going to be okay, though.”

“I know you will,” Ryan said.

To her surprise, both of her parents stepped a little bit away, allowing Ryan to get close again. When he ran his fingers along her arm, warming each inch with his touch, she relaxed. “How is Bethanne?”

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