Page 52 of Full House

Nate stepped closer to the stretcher so Victoria could see his face. “I’m going to follow in the car, behind you. You’ll be okay?”

He took her hand, and she gave it a light squeeze. “I’ll be fine.”

“Mr. Reed!”

Nate ignored the security officer calling his name. “I love you. You’re going to be fine.” He wasn’t sure if he was reassuring her or himself.

“Mr. Reed!”

“I know. Stop worrying.” She gave his hand another squeeze, stronger this time. “You’d better go see what he wants.”

“Mr. Reed!”

Nate scowled over his shoulder, holding up his free hand. “I’ll be right there.”

“Sir, we need to go.”

Nate nodded to the EMTs, releasing Victoria’s hand and stepping back. He watched as they lifted her into the back, one of the medics staying with her, and the other closing the doors then rounding the side of the ambulance to get in the driver’s side. He stayed watching until it drove away then made his way over to the guard, his long strides quickly eating the distance.

“You said the railing fell off when Miss Lee leaned against it?”

Nate spied his phone still on the ground and picked it up, tucking it into his back pocket. “Yes, that’s right.”

“Funny.” His tone implied funny curious and not funny ha ha.

“What’s funny?” Nate asked, taking a step closer.

“I only found one screw on the ground.” He held out his hand, a single screw lay on his open palm. “Where’s the rest of them?”

Nate’s eyes scanned the ground. No other screws were in sight. “Are you saying this wasn’t an accident? That someone maliciously fucked with it?”

“That’s what it looks like. I need to call this in to the authorities. You’ll need to stick around and make a statement.”

Nate was already shaking his head before the guard finished speaking. “I’m leaving, now. I’ll be at Cedars if the cops want to talk to me.” Then, not giving the guard a chance to object, he turned on his heel, giving him his back and making quick work to his car.

Nate ran into the emergency entrance of Cedars Sinai Medical Center nearly colliding with two people on his way to the nurses’ station, but he didn’t slow down. He’d been away from Victoria long enough already.

“My fiancée, Victoria Lee was brought in a few minutes ago.”

The nurse looked up from her computer, did a double-take then went bug-eyed and slack-jawed.

Nate usually had patience for star-struck individuals, even sympathizing with them, but not today. “Victoria Lee?” he barked.

The nurse quickly looked back to her computer, tapping at the keyboard. “Room one-twenty. Just down the hall.” She pointed to her right.

“Thank you.” Nate didn’t waste any time making his way down the hall, looking at numbers on doors until he found the right one. The door was slightly ajar, and he pushed it open then soundlessly closed it shut behind him.

Victoria, draped in a hospital gown, lay on a bed in a private room. A hospital employee stood at her side fiddling with a large piece of equipment. He didn’t make a sound as he walked deeper into the room, but as if sensing him, Victoria’s head turned his direction, their eyes locking. She greeted him with a small smile, but he could see worry in her eyes, and he picked up his pace to reach her side.

“How are you feeling?” He reached for her hand, engulfing her icy fingers with his warm ones.

“They’re about to do an ultrasound to make sure the baby’s okay.”

His stomach dropped, and his heart started beating too fast. “Are they worried?”

She shook her head. “It’s just a precaution.”

Finished fiddling with the machine, the technician turned, freezing at the sight of him before getting her act together. “I… I’m ready to start.” The tech’s face turned red, and she pulled her gaze away from his to look at Victoria. “Is it okay if the gentleman stays?”

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