Page 62 of The Night Ride
“Get out of town.No wonder you didn’t feel it.My dad always said you boys were crazy tough sons of bitches, guess he was right.”She bent over my arm, stitching the wound up.When she finished, she said, “These will need to come out in about two weeks.The medics on base should be able to take care of it for you.But you’ll want to go easy on the arm for a week or so.”
“So not hot rod stunts on the Harley.”
“If I were you, I would stay off the bike for at least a week, two would be better,” she said removing her gloves and tossing them in the waste basket.
“Where’s Beth?”
“Let me take you to her.Does she have any next of kin?”She asked.
“A sister, but she’s in California.Why, is she?”If she told me Beth wasn’t going to make it, I didn’t know what I would do.
“We need the information just in case.She should be fine though.”She led me into the room.Beth looked frail hooked up to an oxygen machine.The beeps of the heart monitor were steady along with the rise and fall of her chest.
“Do we have a prognosis?”I asked the doctor.
“And you are?”
“Her boyfriend.”It sounded lame even coming from my ears.
“Ah well, she should be all right in a few days.Just a severe case of smoke inhalation.We want to keep her overnight for observation.But she should be free to go home in the morning.We’re working on getting her admitted.Might take a hot minute since we’re busy.”
I nodded.Relief hit me so hard I almost staggered.Instead, I took a seat at her side, held her hand, and waited for her to wake.
And I couldn’t help but think, if I didn’t want people to refer to me as her boyfriend, just want did I want to be called?
***
When I opened my eyes, I thought I must be dreaming.Or the other option was I was dead.Because sitting at the side of my hospital bed was Aiden, holding my hand.
“Aiden?”I questioned, my throat all scratchy and sore.
His head shot up and his eyes warmed.“Hey.How are you feeling?”
“What happened?”I swallowed and my throat felt like someone had taken a razor blade to it.
“Here.Drink this.”He lifted my bed until I was sitting and held out a cup with a straw.
When I went to take the cup from him, he said, “I’ve got it.You just drink.”
Following his orders, I sucked on the straw he held in my mouth.The first splash of icy water hit my tongue and tasted wonderful.I slurped more down.
“Careful.Go slow or you’ll make yourself sick.”
He was right.Already my stomach felt full.I took one more sip before I stopped and leaned back against the bed.
“Good?Don’t speak, just nod or you’ll hurt your throat.”
I did as he suggested and nodded.Because it did hurt to talk.
“You were still out when the detective and Fire Marshall stopped by.They picked up Tracy’s husband, Justin.He’s currently being held on arson charges.The store is a loss.But you’ll be able to rebuild with the insurance money.And already there are donations pouring in, it seems the firefighters and police in the area all love your bakery and how much you take care of them, so they started a collection for you.”
I did want that, and it was so sweet how much they all cared.I’d have to make them some cookies once I get out of the hospital, but, “You left.I don’t understand why you’re here.”
I croaked out the words even though it hurt.I needed to understand why he was here.Why did he come back?It made no sense to me.
“You need to rest.”He picked up my hand and pressed a kiss against the back of it.I opened my mouth to argue.But even then, my eyelids felt heavy.
“Well, talk more later.I’m not going anywhere.”
