Page 6 of Never To Forever

“Your optimism is annoying sometimes.”

I wink at her. “You just don’t want to admit that I’m right.”

“Whatever,” she grumbles as she sits back up. Picking up her pencil, she pulls one of her workbooks closer to her with a heavy, dramatic sigh.

Chuckling, I turn my attention back to her practice test, but before I can get through the next answer, my phone rings.

It’s Haven calling. Huh, that’s weird. It’s late, and she’s been so exhausted lately because of her pregnancy she’s usually in bed earlier than this.

“Hey, lady. What’s up?” I say into the phone as I answer.

“Marie, there’s been an accident!” Haven exclaims, her voice panicked and fearful.

I tense, my heart hammering in my chest. “What happened? Are you okay?”

Ally looks up at me with a furrowed brow and a confused frown. I can tell she wants to know what’s going on, but I hold up my finger to tell her to wait and not say anything yet.

“No, I’m fine,” Haven replies, though she doesn’t sound fine at all. “It’s Garrett! He was out in the oil fields and there was some sort of explosion… I’m not sure… he’s being flown to the St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Houston…”

She dissolves into sobs, and I feel as if the floor has been ripped out from under me. Garrett’s hurt?

“I’ll meet you there,” I declare, instinct taking over.

“Marie… I’m so scared…”

“Don’t worry,” I say, trying to sound calm and confident, even though that’s as far from the truth as possible. Not at all. I’m terrified, and not knowing the extent of Garrett’s injuries only makes it worse. I need to get to him and see him. Lay my eyes on him and make sure for myself that he’s alive and okay… or that he’s not.

Oh, god… what if he’s not?

“Garrett is strong,” I continue, forcing myself to stay above the panic so I can reassure Haven. “He’ll be alright. I’ll meet you at the hospital. Just breathe, okay?”

“I can’t lose him…”

“You won’t.” My voice is sharper than I intend it to be. I can’t let her finish that thought. It’s just not an option. Garrett has to be okay because if he’s not… “You won’t lose him. Don’t think like that. Just focus on one thing at a time. First, get to the hospital, and we’ll find out his condition. Then, we'll go from there. Is Christian with you? Can he take you?”

“Yes… yes, he’s going to drive,” Haven whimpers. “I’ll see you soon.”

She hangs up, and the phone slips from my numb fingers, clattering on the table.

“Marie? What’s going on?”

I blink, looking up and meeting Ally’s worried gaze.

“It’s… it’s Garrett,” I say. “There’s been an accident…”

“Oh, my god!” Ally jumps up from her chair. “What are we waiting for? Let’s get going.”

She rushes around the table and grabs my arm, yanking me out of my chair.

“Don’t worry,” she says. “I’ll drive.”

* * *

A couple of hours later, when Ally and I get to the hospital in Houston, Haven is already there, along with Christian, Peter, and Oliver. They’re gathered in a waiting area inside the emergency room. Haven is sitting in an uncomfortable-looking chair, her head in her hands, crying. Christian is next to her, his arm around her shoulders, and Peter is trying to keep Oliver distracted. The little boy is the spitting image of his dad with big blue eyes and dark brown hair, and that bright gaze is locked on Haven. He’s clearly distraught by her fear.

Before I can say a word, Ally jumps into action. She hurries to four-year-old Oliver and kneels down in front of him. Ally has babysat Oliver before, so he doesn’t shrink away from her.

“Hey, big guy,” she says with a wide smile. “Do you want to go with me and get ice cream in the cafeteria?”

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