Page 10 of Love and Memories

“A few days ago?” Isabella tried to turn her head to look toward the single window in the room, but the tug on her muscles ached and protested.

“You’ve been out for a while. Your body needs rest while you heal,” the man, Travis, said. He glanced up at the clock on the wall. “Someone should be in here shortly.

“I…I…” Sharp fear dug its claws into her chest as she sucked in as much air as possible.

Travis reached a hand out but stopped short of touching her arm. “Easy. This is a lot to take in.”

That was an understatement, except she wasn’t getting the information she needed.

He took a deep breath, and his shoulders rose and fell in perfect pacing. “Focus on me,” Travis gently commanded.

She did as he asked and mirrored his breathing as much as her aching chest would allow. The tension in her shoulders and neck slowly eased.

Travis kept his stare locked on her as he nodded, letting her know she was doing this correctly. “You’re not in danger. You’re injured, and you took a pretty intense hit to the head. I didn’t ask the nurse about your injuries because they’re not supposed to tell me, but I’m pretty sure you have a concussion. That can come with lots of exhaustion and confusion.”

“That’s not good,” she whispered. Trying to hang on to the peace he was offering.

“It could have been worse.” Travis’s gaze dipped down before raising to meet hers again. “You lost a lot of blood, so that’ll make you tired too.”

He was right. Sleep called to her like a siren, despite the pain that had sharpened since she woke. Everything hurt.

Travis glanced at the door, then turned his attention back to her. “The medical staff has had their work cut out for them since you came in.”

“What? Why?” She had no idea what they’d even done to her. How critical was her condition?

“It’s always dangerous when we don’t know if a patient has any allergies. I’m sure they’ve been keeping counter-treatments close.”

Was she allergic to anything? Nothing came to mind, and every thought she initiated was cut off before it led to the answer.

“What happened?” she asked. Knowing why she was here would ease some of the anxiety swirling inside her.

Travis hesitated, and his gaze roamed over her face. What was he looking for?

“You were hit by a vehicle… as a pedestrian. I don’t believe any witnesses have come forward yet, but I imagine it wasn’t a direct hit. God must have had His hands on you.”

Hit by a vehicle. The news crashed over her again, just as scary and impactful as the first time she’d heard it.

Why didn’t she remember? Was this man telling her the truth, or had he been a part of her reason for being here?

No, he said he was a paramedic. He’d helped her just like he was trying to help her now.

The door opened, and two nurses stepped into the room. The first one stopped at her bedside while the other took her place at the medical cart.

The first woman looked her over. “You’re awake. I’m Sarah, your nurse for the rest of the day. How are you feeling?”

Travis stood and moved the chair out of the way, making room for the nurses. Isabella watched him as he pressed his back against the wall.

“Tired,” Isabella answered. It was the dominating need pressing down on her with a force that refused to be ignored.

The nurse at the cart reached for gloves from a box attached to the wall. “Are you her husband?”

Travis’s eyes widened slightly. “No. I’m just… visiting.”

Husband. Did she have a husband? A boyfriend? Anyone?

Why wasn’t she certain of anything?

The nurse pulled on the gloves. “You’ll need to step outside. We’re going to be checking on her injuries.”

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