Page 94 of Exposed Ink

On the way to the hospital, a thought hits me. “How did you know about the accident if your phone was dead?”

Shane glances at me and then back to the road. “It’s a small town. There’s only one fire station, and the accident was on Main Street.”

“Oh my God.” I gasp. “You …”

“Yeah,” he says, not needing me to finish my question. “We got the call, and I didn’t know it was them until we arrived. I freaked, but David helped me get my shit together. We only had five men on the scene with two victims. Luckily, she veered off the road and hit a bench so nobody else was injured. We’re not usually supposed to treat family, but we needed all hands on deck, so David and I treated Taylor while Luke and Brian treated Jamie. Billy was driving the engine.”

“I’m so sorry,” I say to him, threading our fingers together. “I can’t even imagine. When Brandon and I got into the accident, I blacked out. I used to wish I had stayed awake, wondering if maybe I could’ve saved him, but the doctors said there was nothing I could have done, so at least I don’t have the horrible memories of seeing him hurt and watching him die.”

“It was the worst call I’ve ever had,” he admits. “I’m just so damn thankful that Taylor’s okay. That they’re both okay.”

A few minutes later, we arrive and head in through the main entrance. After going through security, the scent of antiseptic hits me in the gut like a horrible reminder that while hospitals help people, not everyone who comes in has the luxury of leaving.

I take a deep breath as I try to slow my racing heart, but when I glance down, I find my hands shaking, and I worry that I’m about to have a panic attack.

“Can I meet you there?” I ask Shane, spotting a little store that has balloons and candy. “I want to grab a few things for Taylor.” And have a chance to calm myself down before I end up in a full-blown panic attack.

“Yeah. They’re on the third floor, room 302.” He kisses my temple. “I know this is hard for you, so if you can’t stay …”

“I’m okay,” I tell him. “Taylor is worth the discomfort. I’m just glad she’s okay.”

I spend a few minutes picking out a cute stuffed dog and her favorite candy, and when I know my emotions and nerves are in check, I head up to their floor.

I find their room number, and I’m about to walk in when I hear voices that halt me in place.

“Dad!” Taylor giggles. “I can’t wear this gown. It’s so ugly. Tell him, Mom.”

“She’s right, Shane,” Jamie chides playfully. “What if that cute doctor comes back?”

“That doctor is too old for you to even be looking at,” Shane growls, making Taylor and her mom laugh.

I step closer, peeking in, and find Shane sitting on the edge of Taylor’s bed with her mom lying in a bed next to her.

I watch them for a few minutes, and I can’t help the way my gut churns at how much they look like a family.

When Jamie groans, Shane gets up and goes to her side.

“You okay?” he asks, concern laced in his tone.

“Yeah.” She smiles warmly at him. “But would you mind fluffing my pillows? I feel like I’m sinking.”

“Sure.” He goes about fixing her pillows, and once he’s done, she threads her fingers through his, making me want to rip her hand off and cry at the same time.

“Thank you, Shane,” she says. “This whole ordeal has been horrible, but I really appreciate everything you’ve done for us.”

“It comes with the job,” he says, removing his hand from hers and taking a step back. “Both as a paramedic and Taylor’s dad.”

When he turns around, his eyes lock with mine, so I step inside.

“Hey,” he says, walking over and giving me a kiss.

“Hey,” I say back.

“Kinsley, I’m so glad you’re here,” Taylor says with a soft smile.

I glance over at her, and it’s then I notice all the tiny cuts on her face and arms. Her wrist is covered in a bright pink cast, and her forehead looks like it’s been glued together.

But she’s alive. Her heart is beating behind her rib cage, her eyes are a bright green, and she’s smiling.

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