Page 51 of Falling Inn Love
“Yes, that’s why we’ve been developing this plan to amp up the bookings. It’s working. We’re now booked through the end of the year. As far as I can tell, we’re doing well. Other than the festival, I’m not sure what else we could be doing.”
“Me neither,” Pete says. “But I don’t know if we should tell Evan right now. I think it will just upset him and he has other things to focus on.”
“I actually have an idea. I know a lawyer through my friend Logan I can reach out to. Let me see if he can do anything. This is harassment, and there has to be a way to put an end to it.”
Pete looks at me with a combination of skepticism and hope. “Okay. Anything you can do to help is good. But still, let’s wait to tell Evan until he comes back.”
TWENTY
EVAN
I never told you about this…
* * *
I wake up groggy and look around, still feeling woozy. “How’s Caleb?” I ask my mom, who’s sitting in the chair next to my bed, reading a book.
“He’s doing great, honey. You did so good, too. I’m so proud of you both.” She reaches over to pat my hand.
I nod and doze off again, glad to know the little guy is okay. I dream of Beth and wake up again when the nurse comes in to take my vitals.
“Mr. Harper, do you need help using the restroom? I can help you get up and moving.”
I nod and try to sit up in the bed. I’m stiff and somewhat sore.
I walk for a bit around my hospital room and stretch my legs. Surprisingly, I’m not in as much pain as I thought I would be. I’m just really tired.
I feel too nauseous to eat so I lie down to try and go back to sleep again, but I’m anxious to check on Caleb, who’s on another floor. I need to get stronger to walk there. I know my mom said he’s doing okay, but I can’t relax until I see for myself.
I nod off for a while. When I wake up again, Allie is standing over my bed. “Hi,” I whisper groggily. “How’s he doing?”
“He’s doing really well. Thank you, Evan.” She leans down and kisses me on the cheek.
“Give him a hug for me. I’ll be in to see him when I can.”
“Just get some rest and let me know what I can do to help you.”
“Can you ask the nurse for some food? I’m so hungry.”
“Will do.” She heads out into the hall.
I pick my phone from the hospital tray table and scan my messages. Lots of well wishes from everyone back home and no bad news from Hamilton.
When I’m finally able to stand steadily, I slip on my shoes and pad down the hall to the nurses’ station to ask if I can take a shower. Three nurses' heads swivel to me in interest. One of them clears her throat and says, “Mr. Harper, do you need help with your shower?” One of the nurses snickers and turns her head.
I laugh nervously. “I think I’ll be fine. I just wanted to check and see if it was okay.”
The only woman I want to help me shower right now is Beth. I miss her, and I hate that I had to leave after our first night together. When we first met, I had no idea how much she would come to mean to me. I had a feeling on my end, but I didn’t know if she would ever let me in. Now I can’t imagine my life without her. Going through this big surgery has made me realize even more just how precious life is and not to take a single minute of it for granted.I can’t wait to get back to her and soak up our time together, especially if she decides not to stay.
Shaking my head to clear that thought, I shuffle down the hall back to my room, trying to hold the back of my hospital gown together, I hear the nurses burst out laughing.
“He’s so freaking gorgeous,” one of them mumbles.
Another one says, “Those green eyes…”
Someone whispers, “That beard…”
I just keep walking. Jesus. I have to get out of here and home to Beth.
