Page 95 of Saving Me
I freeze at his words. “Gunpoint?”
“That’s what the police report said. A gun registered to Timothy Knight was found at the scene of the accident.”
“The police told you all of this already?” I ask surprised.
“I have a friend on the force that keeps me in the loop if it involves one of my patients,” he shrugs his shoulders. “It helps me to better know what my patient needs emotionally, too, and not just the physical.”
“Did he say anything else?”
“Just that he has a restraining order against him issued by his wife, Lyla Knight, who also happens to be engaged to you.” He peers at me above the glasses perched on the end of his nose as he waits for the truth that he obviously already knows.
Sighing, I look toward her closed door before meeting his eyes. “Technically, I haven’t asked her yet, but I will.”
He’s silent for a few seconds as he assesses me. “We will keep that little secret between us.” He gives me a small smile as he looks at her chart. “She’ll be here for a couple of days underobservation and will need someone to take care of her while she recovers. Will that be you?”
He looks up and studies me. I get the sense that Lyla has already stolen this older guy’s heart. I feel like I’m being put under a microscope by a girl’s grandfather, and he wants to make sure she’s in good hands.
“Yes. We live together, and I’ll make sure she gets the care she needs. I’m nothing like her husband was. She will be well taken care of, I promise.”
“Good,” he says, satisfied that I’m telling the truth. “Take care of her, Jake. Girls like that come around once in a lifetime, and from the looks of the police report and her history with this guy, she’s due for some happiness in her life.”
“You don’t have to worry about that,” I smile for the first time since I left work today. “I plan on spending the rest of my life making her happy.”
He pats me on the back and smiles before walking away to attend to other patients.
I walk to the door and grip the door handle tight. I try to brace myself for what I’m about to see. I know seeing her lying there is going to gut me to the core. Taking a deep breath, I walk in quietly and shut the door.
My eyes find her, and I fight to keep the tears under control. She looks so pale and small in the hospital bed. Tubes are sticking out everywhere, and the machine’s beep is my only reminder that she’s alive.
A bruise covers the right side of her forehead, and I see stitches above her eyebrow. I walk over to her and brush back her brunette hair. Her skin is warm as I touch her cheek, and I finally break as I kneel to the floor and take her hand in mine. Bowing my head, I let the tears flow as the past few hours catch up with me.
She’salive.
Gratitude washes over me that her heart found a way to beat again.
“Jake,” I hear my name softly come from her lips. I immediately stand up and lean over her in search of her eyes. Warm caramel fills my vision as I smile into the soul that will forever own mine.
“Hi,” I say softly, pressing my forehead to hers. “You had me so scared, little hummingbird. I thought I lost you.” I close my eyes as her hand brushes through my hair.
“I’m sorry I broke my promise and left. I didn’t have a choice. He was going to hurt you,” she chokes out.
“Shhhhh. It’s okay, baby,” I say when I hear her start to cry. “It’s over, and you’re safe. That’s all that matters now.” I kiss her gently on her bruise.
“Tim?” I lean back and see the questions in her eyes.
“He’s gone. They found him dead at the scene,” I say quietly.
She closes her eyes briefly before hope shines through. “It’s really over?”
“It’s really over,” I smile. “He’ll never hurt you again.”
Her eyes get sleepy from the medication that’s still in her body as they start to close. “Can you stay here until I go to sleep?”
“I’ll be here when you wake up. I’m not going anywhere.” I pull a chair up next to her and watch her eyes flutter open again. “I love you, Lyla Pierce. You have no idea how much I love you,” I whisper, kissing her hand.
“I have a pretty good idea,” she says sleepily. “Because I love you the same. Thank you for saving me.” Her breaths even out as she falls asleep.
“I’m pretty sure it’s you who saved me,” I whisper as I watch the steady rhythm of her chest rise and fall until I can no longer hold back the weariness that finally brings me under.
