Page 54 of Just Curious

Chapter 35

There was no sugar-coating it. Willa looked awful. Her arm was in a sling, her head was bandaged, and she had her ankle in a splint. She had an oxygen cannula in her nose, and she was hooked to an IV. Everything about her that normally glowed with vitality had faded.

“She’s in and out of consciousness, but go ahead and talk to her if you want. The doctor should be in soon with some information. Use the call button if you need anything.” The nurse left without offering any more information.

“Oh, sweetheart, I’m so sorry to have let this happen to you,” Jackson moaned as he sat with a plunk in a chair. He scooted closer to the bed and clasped her free hand. A tear rolled down his face unchecked.

“Hey, don’t blame yourself,” Casey reassured him. “I’m sure Willa won’t hold you accountable for what some crazy lunatic did with your car. She understands.” He rubbed Jackson’s back and tried to find a place on Willa to look at that wasn’t a mess. It was difficult. “Hey, Willa. Can you hear us?” he asked softly. “We’re here now. Jax and I got here as soon as we could.” His voice cracked as he continued, “We both love you so much. I hope you’re not in too much pain.”

Willa’s eyes fluttered, and all three men stopped breathing. But nothing else happened.

“Willa, can you hear us?” Jackson asked. “Try to open your beautiful eyes so we can see that you’re going to be alright.”

Nothing. Not even a flutter this time.

“I wonder if she’s unconscious or on pain meds,” mused Phillipe.

They continued to speak to her gently and lovingly for about half an hour when the drape was pulled aside. Expecting a nurse or a doctor, they were mildly surprised to see Miles join them. “Any news yet?” he asked. “They told me to come back here, but that’s all anyone would say.”

Jackson said in a flat voice, “Not a word.”

A good forty minutes later, a doctor arrived and surveyed the crowd as he introduced himself, “I’m Dr. Nugent. Is she talking to you yet?”

All heads turned to Willa to see that her eyelids were slightly open finally.

“Willa?” asked Casey and Jackson simultaneously.

This time her eyes opened fully, and she attempted to smile at them. “Hi,” she croaked. “I… hurt.” Her eyes closed again.

Jackson regarded the doctor and demanded, “Aren’t you giving her anything for pain? Is she going to be alright? What all is wrong with her?”

“Don’t worry. We’re giving her what we can, but there are limits to what we can prescribe.” He checked the IV, picked up her chart, and made a note. Then he stepped up to Willa and bent over her. He lifted her eyelid and pointed a small light at her pupil. She seemed to shrink from him, but he repeated the movement with her other eye. “I need her consent to discuss her medical condition with you. We don’t have any signed forms allowing you access to her private information. I’m sorry.”

Willa opened her eyes again and looked straight at the doctor. “S’okay,” she slurred. “Tell ‘em everything you tell me.” The words seemed to have caused her so much effort, she drifted off again.

“Yes, well, fine. She only has a mild concussion, and that’s good, despite a big gash on the back of her head we stitched up. She had a dislocated shoulder that we fixed. She’ll be sore and will want to wear a sling for a few days. Her ankle has a nasty sprain, but surprisingly isn’t broken. All in all, I’d say she has some strong bones. It’s a wonder she didn’t break anything. Her ribs are badly bruised, and that will cause considerable discomfort for a while. But…” He paused. “Ms. Camden, can you hear me?” he asked a little more loudly than he’d been speaking.

“Yeah,” she mumbled.

Dr. Nugent got a serious look on his face and added, “There was a lot of blood on your clothing, and at first, we suspected a miscarriage, but the baby is fine.”

“Baby?” Casey and Jackson cried simultaneously as Willa’s eyes flew open.

Phillipe just stood and stared, and then he had the presence of mind to say, “I’ll be leaving now. This is your business. I’m glad to see she’s okay.” No one paid a lot of attention to him as he quietly took his leave.

Miles also said, “I’ll be in the waiting room,” and he gave Jackson’s arm a squeeze before he followed Phillipe out.

That left Jackson and Casey staring at Willa in awe. Slowly their faces split into huge grins.

“Not pregnant,” Willa rasped, shaking her head slightly. Then she reached for the oxygen tube and said, “Don’t like this.”

Dr. Nugent said, “It’s fine, Ms. Camden. This was just to help your breathing for a while,” and he removed the cannula. Turning to the men, he asked, “Is one of you the father?”

Casey smiled and announced, “Yes, and we have no idea which one of us it is. Willa! This is so great,” he said with a happy chortle.

Jackson hadn’t found his voice yet and just stared at Willa with his crooked grin firmly in place.

Scowling, Willa said tiredly, “Wrong, doctor. I have an IUD. Not pregnant.” Then she asked, “Water?”

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