Page 17 of Since the Day We Kissed

Kara pushed herself up, her fingers brushing across her cheeks, leaving damp trails on her skin. “Yes. Hello.”

“I’m Dr. Samuels,” he said. “I’ve been taking care of Charlotte since she was admitted. Her x-rays came back clear—no fractures.”

“Does she need to stay overnight, just in case?”

“Not that I can see, and I don’t think there’s any reason to keep you here much longer either,” he said. “I’ll ask the nurse to bring in your discharge papers, and then you folks can get on home.”

Kara hesitated. “Are you sure? No other tests or—”

“Mom,” Charlotte groaned, her head falling back against the pillow. “The doctor literally just said I’m fine. Can we just trust the guy with the medical degree?”

Dr. Samuels chuckled. “Oh, that’s all right. You’re not the first worried parent to set foot in this hospital. Now, before I tell the nurse to get those papers, is there anything else I can answer for you?”

Kara glanced at Charlotte, then back at the doctor. “Yes—I mean, no. The only questions left are for my daughter. Thank you, Doctor.”

“Wonderful. It was nice meeting you, Charlotte. You too, Ms. Walker.” With a final nod, Dr. Samuels gave them both a reassuring smile before turning and quietly exiting the room.

As the door clicked shut behind him, Charlotte swung her legs off the bed. “See? All good. Hey, can you grab my clothes? They’re in that bag over there. By my purse.”

“Where were you when it happened?” Kara asked, grabbing the bag. She pulled out a wadded-up pair of jeans and handed them to her daughter.

“Not far from home,” Charlotte mumbled, struggling to pull her jeans on under the gown. “By some old house, I think? But ... there was definitely a guy there. And—this is gonna sound weird—I’m pretty sure I heard a dog barking.”

“A man and a dog? How’d you get here?”

“Yeah, and I think he’s the one who called 911.”

“Charlotte Walker?” A nurse walked into the room with a clipboard in her hands. “I have your discharge papers right here. Sign on this page, and you’ll be free to go.”

Charlotte grabbed the clipboard and signed her name at the bottom. “Here ya go.”

Kara walked over, her mind momentarily drifting from the man and the dog.

“You’ll need to take this to reception on your way out.” The nurse handed them to Kara. “They’ll finalize everything. And please call us if you experience any discomfort, Charlotte.”

Kara reviewed the papers, then looked up at the nurse. “Could I get the number to call, just in case?”

Charlotte tossed her hands up in the air. “Mom. Are you for real? The doctor said I’m fine!”

“All right, all right, but you—right, let’s get going.” Kara tucked the papers under her arm, then helped Charlotte gather her things. They made their way out of the room and toward the hospital exit.

As they approached the reception desk, Kara handed the discharge papers to the receptionist, who took them and began processing the final paperwork.

“Excuse me,” the receptionist said, addressing Kara. “A man with a dog came by earlier asking about Charlotte. He said he wasn’t family, so I didn’t tell him what room she was in. I just wanted to let you know.” She hesitated, then added, “Would you like me to call security to escort you to your car?”

“No, that’s all right. We’ll be fine. Thank you for letting us know, though.”

The receptionist didn’t seem convinced. She moved out from behind the desk and into the lobby. “Let me go with you to check if he’s still around.”

Kara hesitated, then nodded, deciding it was better to be safe.

As the three of them stepped outside into the warm evening air, the receptionist scanned the area.

“There,” she said, pointing. “That’s him, getting into that truck.”

Kara squinted into the dimly lit parking lot, craning her neck to follow the receptionist’s outstretched finger. The man was too far away to see clearly, but that truck ...

A jolt surged through Kara’s body, but she forced herself to breathe deeply, pushing the thoughts away.

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