Page 8 of Hidden Vows
I nod my head, a small smile forming on my lips. “My dad talks about you a lot as well.” I’m sure I should expand on that more, but I’ve never been one to fill the silence. It’s where I find the most comfort.
Over the last few months, Dad has spoken more and more about Ava Day. He told me about her when he first met her, how she seemed haunted by something and how he hoped she’d find some peace in Ashford Falls. Lately, those conversations have drifted toward how happy he’s been for Ava and Gage.
Through him, I know he watched their entire story unfold. Looking at the two of them now, I wouldn’t have needed all those conversations to know just how much they love each other.
“Well, uh, can we take you up to his room?” Gage asks after a few moments of awkward silence.
“No. You both have clearly been here all night. You don’t need to stick around. I’ll keep you in the loop on any changes.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah. You can come back in a few hours. After you’ve had some rest.” I squeeze Gage’s shoulder, trying to convey my appreciation for all he’s done.
“Okay. He’s in the cardiac unit, room 211.”
It’s moments like these that make me wish I was a little more effusive, but it’s not who I am—who I’ve ever been. Instead of saying anything else, I simply give Gage and Ava a quick nod before moving around them and entering the hospital.
The clerk at the front desk smiles kindly as I move toward him. “Can I help you, sir?”
“I’m here to see my dad, Walter Murphy. He’s in the cardiac unit, room 211.”
“Of course. Just take those elevators there to the second floor and follow the signs for the cardiac unit. Someone there will buzz you in.” His smile turns more sympathetic when he looks back at me, and I wonder if it’s just his go-to expression when dealing with people coming to the hospital to visit loved ones or if he knows who my father is.
I don’t wait around. I follow the clerk’s instructions and take the elevator to the second floor. As I step off, the sign right in front of the elevator directs me to the left and I have to think—yet again—that luck is on my side. As I walk down the hall, I end up behind two doctors who are apparently headed to the same place I am, because when I get to the unit doors I’m able to sneak in right behind them.
The unit is shaped like a horseshoe—a nurse’s station in thecenter, with rooms lining the walls around it. The doors to each room are glass, allowing clear lines of sight to all the patients. As I circle the unit, looking for my father’s room, I notice most rooms have curtains pulled across, granting a little bit of privacy.
My steps falter as I pass room 205. Across the unit, I see her. She’s in profile, her head turned so I only catch a glimpse, but I’d know Abbey Selbey anywhere. I’d be able to find her in a crowded room no matter what.
I knew I’d run into her at some point. Ashford Falls is a small town, and the chances of avoiding her—not that I wanted to—were never strong, but I thought I’d have more time.
I’m not entirely sure why, but I guess I assumed, since Dad never talked about her, that she wasn’t part of his life. But then again, why would Dad talk about her? He may not have known all the details about what led to me leaving town or the end of our marriage, but he knew how much pain I was in when I left.
Seeing her now, dressed like Ava was downstairs, the breath is stolen from my lungs.
I can’t move.
I can’t function.
She looks so different and yet exactly the same.
I thought I was ready to see her. I thought I’d be able to handle it, but even across the unit, through the open door to my father’s hospital room, I realize I’m never going to be ready.
Taking a deep breath, I slowly make my way closer to her, only stopping when the two doctors who entered the unit before come into view and step into room 211.
“How’s he doing?” the female doctor asks, placing her hand on Abbey’s shoulder.
“I don’t know. The doctor hasn’t been in yet. The nurse said he should be here any minute.”
Seeing her stopped me dead in my tracks, but hearing her voice does something to my soul. It’s like this wave of comfort washes over me at the smooth sound, and I want so desperately to close my eyes and bathe in it.
“Dr. Croft is one of the best. Walt couldn’t be in better hands,” the male doctor says as he lifts a tablet, tapping away and searching for something. He looks familiar, but my focus is entirely on the woman sitting next to my father. I don’t have the brain power to figure out who the man is.
“I know.” Abbey chuckles, but it’s a hollow sound. “You mentioned that multiple times while we were in the waiting room.” Abbey sighs, her shoulders sagging as her head falls forward. “Sorry, Caleb, that was harsher than I meant.” She lifts her head, looking to the male doctor, while reaching to take the female doctor’s hand. “Quinn and Declan still don’t know, right?”
“As far as I know, no one’s told them, but this is Ashford Falls we’re talking about,” the female doctor offers.
“What about Max and Fiona? Who’s with them?” Abbey asks.
