Page 57 of I'll Be There
“Registration is in the glove compartment,” Conner said as Micah turned off the highway. The hospital sat off on the right.
The cruiser flicked on a siren, just a burp, and Micah slowed, turning into the drive. “I’m going to drive up next to the ER. Hop out like you’re injured.”
“You were just speeding.”
“I don’t want them to think you’re some kind of criminal, running from the cops. That’s a good way to get in trouble.”
Micah pulled up next to the ER doors, and Conner grabbed the door latch. “Thanks.”
“I got this.”
Conner jumped out, slammed the door, and because the cruiser came up next to the truck, blocking Micah in, Conner grabbed his gut, bent over, and hobbled inside.
Feeling silly.
But it worked, and as the door swished closed behind him, he straightened up and headed for the admitting desk. “I’m looking for Liza—”
“Oh, more for the party.” The nurse at the desk smiled, her brown hair tucked behind her ears. In her mid-fifties, her name badge said Cindy. “Come this way.”
The voices with a hint of laughter drifted up from the otherwise dead-quiet ward, and somehow the worry strung around his chest eased.
See—she was fine. And frankly, here in the hospital, she was out of danger from P.T. Blankenship. Except, he still had Danny Boy’s phone in his pocket, still half charged, the ringer on vibrate.
Conner stopped in the open doorway.
The chatter in the room ceased.
Liza sat on the bed, an IV tube running into her arm, dressed in a hospital gown, her beautiful sable hair pulled back in a single braid, brown eyes widening as she stared at him.Ugly red welts rose on her arms and neck, evidence of whatever allergy had attacked her.
“Conner, what are you doing here?”
“Are you kidding me? You’re in the hospital and you’re asking me that question?”
Grace and Ivy stood at the far end of the bed, and Mona rose from her chair as Conner came in.
“I thought you’d text me back,” Grace said.
“I decided tovisit my fiancéein the hospital instead.” He advanced on Liza and took her hand. “Babe, what happened?”
“I’m fine—I didn’t want you to see me like this.” She pressed her hand to her neck, where the red welts looked angry, inflamed. “They’ll probably be gone by tomorrow—I hope, but...” She made a face. “I ate pecans. I didn’t know I was allergic to pecans.”
“It might be an acquired allergy,” Grace said.
“Oh, that’s just perfect.” She turned to Conner. “I really can’t believe they admitted me. I’m fine.”
“She’s not fine,” Grace said. “Her blood pressure is high, and for a little while there, it looked like she might asphyxiate.”
Conner looked from Grace to Liza. “Seriously?”
Liza’s mouth made a thin line of frustration as she glared at Grace.
“Okay,” Conner said. “Thank you, ladies. I have it from here.”
Grace raised an eyebrow, but Ivy smiled. “I think the man needs a moment with his woman. Someone is about to freak out.”
Conner’s mouth opened, but Ivy held up her hand, gave him a look.
Okay, maybe.
