Page 60 of Pucking Secret

As we set out for the hospital, her breathing is shaky and uneven.

“This is all my fault,” she murmurs, shaking her head. “I kept her out too long. I shouldn’t have brought her to Millie’s show…it was too much.”

Keeping one hand on the wheel, I reach over with the other and grab hers, giving it a squeeze.

“Hey, it’s not your fault,” I try to assure her. “Sometimes, these things just happen, okay? You did not cause this.”

She doesn’t look convinced, but she entwines her fingers with mine.

“If I lose her…”

“Don’t talk like that,” I say gently, quickly cutting her off. I can’t let her dwell on that possibility right now. She’ll completely fall apart.

“But…”

“She’s tough, right? She’ll pull through,” I say, praying to God I’m right.

Stacey nods, but her grip tightens around mine.

“I hope so,” she whispers.

I don’t let go of her hand the entire drive.

CHAPTER TWENTY: INTENSIVE CARE

OWEN

When we arriveat the hospital, I continue to hold onto Stacey’s hand as we hurry inside.

“Excuse me,” I say to the nurse sitting at the reception desk. “We’re looking for Melissa Dixon. She was just admitted for a possible heart attack?”

“Are you a relative?” the nurse asks.

“I, um…” I turn to Stacey.

“She’s my grandmother,” Stacey quickly answers.

The nurse nods and types something on the computer in front of her. I glance at Stacey, noting her pale complexion and wide, terrified eyes. Wanting to comfort her however I can, I wrap my arm around her shoulders and kiss the top of her head. She reaches up to clutch my shirt as she keeps her eyes locked on the nurse.

“She’s being examined right now,” the nurse says, looking back up at us. “If you go up to the second floor to intensive care, the doctor will be able to tell you what is going on.”

“Intensive care?” Stacey murmurs, sounding devastated.

“Thank you,” I hurriedly say, before leading her away from the desk and to the elevator. Once we reach the second floor,Stacey practically runs down the hall to the intensive care unit. I let her drag me, not willing to let go of her hand yet. We have to be buzzed in, but once that is done, we burst through the doors and come face-to-face with another nurse, who appears startled by our sudden appearance.

“Excuse me!” Stacey says in a breathless tone. “Can you tell me where Melissa Dixon is? I’m her granddaughter and she had a heart attack and?—”

“Stacey, take a breath,” I gently say, wrapping my arm around her shoulders. Meeting the nurse’s wide eyes, I continue, “We’re here to see Melissa Dixon. Downstairs they told us she was being examined.”

The nurse’s expression shifts and she nods in understanding. “Yes, the doctor just finished with Miss Dixon. I can take you to him and he’ll be able to give you a full report of her condition.”

“Okay,” Stacey whimpers. She glances up at me. I can see the hesitation in her gaze.

I give her an encouraging smile and squeeze her hand again. “You go on. I’ll be in the waiting room, okay?”

She licks her lips nervously before slowly nodding. “Don’t leave, please.”

“I won’t,” I promise her.

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