Page 26 of My Mail Order Valentine

I think Evie's intuition is telling her that her daddy is in trouble because she becomes increasingly agitated. I read her book after book, but she doesn't go to sleep. Finally, we fall asleep together in the rocking chair, both of us with tears in our eyes.

Horrible dreams of Hunter being injured in a fire fill my dreams, and when a sound startles me awake, I find I've been crying in my sleep and am all sweaty and clammy. The sound that woke me was my phone, and I rush to see who is calling.

It's Mrs. Brown—not Hunter, as I had hoped. I've grown closer to Mrs. Brown and her friends because they help babysit Evie whenever Hunter gets called to work unexpectedly. I pick up the phone and let Mrs. Brown do the talking.

"Dear, do you want me to go pick up Evie?"

"Um, no, I was going to stay with her today."

"I thought you'd want to go see Hunter at the hospital."

A chill goes through me.

"What? Hunter is hurt?"

"Yes. I don’t know how bad, though."

"Okay, I'll get dressed and drop Evie off on my way to the hospital. Thanks for calling me."

I hang up the phone and start getting us ready. Of course, it all takes more time than usual, and I'm going crazy not knowingwhat's going on with Hunter. I finally get everything ready and drop Evie at Mrs. Brown's house. She gives me a look of pity and I swear I almost punch her right in the nose. I don’t want pity. I want to know if Hunter is okay.

He can't be that bad off, otherwise I'd have had many more phone calls this morning. I rush to the hospital and run inside. The stubborn nurse refuses to tell me anything about Hunter, but thankfully, Claire Miller, the captain's wife, walks by with a tray of coffee and tells me to come with her.

When we arrive at the emergency wing, I see anxious people sitting in the waiting area. Claire guides me to a seat and tells me to wait there. I'm desperate to know what's happening, but all I can do is look at the sad faces surrounding me.

"Hi, I'm Sandy. Marc's sister. You're Hunter's girl?"

"Ahh."

I don't know what to say. I’m unsure about my relationship status right now, and my mind is racing with all the possible injuries he could have.

"He's okay. He's been asking for you."

That takes me by surprise, and Sandy gives me a small smile. She sits on the coffee table in front of me and takes my hands in hers. I offer her a grateful smile and wait with her in silence. Every now and then, one of the wives, girlfriends, or family members of the firefighters approaches me and introduces themselves.

Finally, Claire walks towards me with an urgency I haven't seen in her before. Did something happen?

"Elena, they're trying to treat Hunter, but he's being stubborn and wants to see you first."

I stand up immediately and get ready for battle.

"Show me where he is."

She leads me to one of the rooms on the floor, knocks softly, then opens the door for me. I rush in and see Hunter in bed,an oxygen mask covering his face. Doctors and nurses surround him, and they all seem to sigh in relief upon seeing me.

"Are you Mrs. Granger?"

"I'm…"

Hunter suddenly spots me and gets agitated. He lifts his arm, which has a painful burn on it, to get me to come over. I don't hesitate for a second.

"You've got five minutes." The doctor says, and they clear out the room.

"Hunter, you've got to let them treat you."

He tries to lower his oxygen mask to talk to me, but flinches in pain when he moves his arm. I reach out and lower the mask for him. He attempts to speak but struggles a bit. Before he can ask, I quickly tell him about his daughter.

"I left Evie with Mrs. Brown. She spent the night with me, and we were both very worried about you. She was fussy, but so was I. She's calmer now."

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