Page 83 of In the Dust

I nod, but frown. “I don’t want you to go out of your way.”

“There’s still two days left of this show, and these paintings have been getting so much attention.” She sighs. “Trust me, okay?”

I wipe a tear. “Thank you.” I look to Colton. “This gives me hope.”

* * *

We’re backin the room, and I have an overwhelming drive to rip Colton’s suit off and make him feel like he made me feel tonight: loved.

After drawing open the curtains to show off the glimmering city, I turn off the overhead light and walk to the jacuzzi that’s positioned in the corner of the room and turn up the heat. “Oh.” Colton grins.

“Oh.” I smile, stripping off my dress slowly while he watches.

As I dip into the warm water, he walks closer to me. “We never got to use these.” Colton smiles, pulling the tray of chocolate covered strawberries from the mini fridge and setting them on the table beside me.

He plucks two glasses from the counter and pours fizzy strawberry champagne into them. Tonight is going to be perfect. The room is only illuminated by the lights outside, creating a romantic, dim atmosphere.

I bring the glass to my lips, letting the bubbly liquid dance on my tongue. Colton stalks towards me, about to slip off his clothes when his phone rings. He ignores it, but another call breaks through our moment.

With a huff, he answers, but he doesn’t say anything.

Colton’s face grows pale white, and he hands the phone to me. “Hello?”

“Hey, Dixie.” It’s Dad, and something is wrong.

“What happened?”

“You need to come home.” A long stretch of silence rolls through the phone. “It’s Pops.”

The thin stem of my glass slips through my fingers, the bubbly champagne colliding with the rolling water of the jacuzzi.

I hand Colton the phone back, unable to speak. “We’re on the way.” He tells him.

* * *

“What if wedon’t make it in time?” I croak, looking out the plane window and wishing we were going faster.

Colton places his hand over mine, trying to ease my worries. “We will,” he states, and the certainty in his voice makes me feel a little better, but I won’t feel whole until I get there and find out what’s happening.

As soon as we land, we rush through the baggage claim. Harper is waiting for us outside, and I slide into the back with Colton so he can hold me. “What’s going on?” I ask her.

Harper shakes her head, her knuckles white against the steering wheel. “I don’t know, Dix. He collapsed, and the ambulance came and picked him up.” She exhales a shaky breath. “That’s all I know.”

I roll the window down, needing more oxygen. It doesn't feel like I'm getting any at all. “Breathe,” Colton encourages me, brushing my hair from my face.

But I can’t. Not until I see him. Luckily, this late at night the hospital isn't too crowded. We make it to the desk a few minutes after we park. “What room is Burl Norwood in?” Colton asks for me.

“Room three sixteen.” She sends us a smile. I’m lucky we live in a small town where they don’t care about visitation times; they make exceptions when needed. Harper and Colton stay behind in the waiting area.

I burst through the doors of his room. Dad’s asleep on the couch, and Grandpa is laying in the bed with his head tilted in my direction. “My baby made it.”

“Of course I did.” I burst into tears seeing him like this, with needles and machines pumping him full of different things. I collapse on his bedside, lying my head on his chest. “What happened?”

“Dixie …” He coughs.

Dad wakes up and rubs my back in a circular motion. “Need some coffee, Dix?”

I nod absentmindedly as Dad leaves. My eyes roam around Grandpa’s body, seeing no visible signs of injury. “Did you fall again?”

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