Page 86 of The Art of Loving Lacy
“No, you’re not losing your mind. You’re in love, and love does strange things to a man. I think you have your answer,” his father said.
“I feel like going home without her will kill me. I can’t even leave the state,” Dane admitted.
His father took a deep breath, and when he spoke, the strength had returned to his voice. “Luckily, the woman you love is still on this earth. You have a choice to make, son. Can your heart live without her?”
“There’s no piece of me that can live without her,” Dane admitted.
Chapter Thirty-Four
LACY SAT ON the edge of the hospital bed, a bandage on her left arm and her head thundering. Every part of her body felt as though it had been slammed against a brick wall, and all she could think about was how fast the accident had happened.Just like Rob.Lacy held the hospital phone against her ear.
“I called your insurance company and they’re arranging for a rental car for you. The police report is being faxed and, Lacy, I wish I could be there with you. Are you sure you don’t want me to fly there for a day or two?” Danica asked.
“Thanks for calling them, but there’s no need for you to come here. I’m fine, just sore. That car came out of nowhere. I never saw it coming.”Just like the shark.
“The cop said the driver ran a red light and that you were lucky your car spun out instead of rolling.”
Lacy tried to concentrate on what Danica was saying, but her thoughts were trapped in a tunnel.It happened so fast. I never saw it coming. Just like the shark.Danica’s words came back to her.You’ll see some kind of sign, and it will push you both in the right direction.Dane’s smile flashed before her.Less risky than driving down the street.
“I could have died,” Lacy said.
“Yeah, I guess you could have,” Danica said.
“Just like that, and then what?” Lacy scanned the empty room. “Then what?” She hopped off of the bed and grabbed her purse with her free hand. “If I had died, then what, Danica?”
“Lace, you’re scaring me.”
“I’ll tell you what. I would have died feeling sad and lonely and without the one person I want to be with. Without the man I love,” Lacy said.Without Dane.
The curtained enclosure opened, and a young nurse walked in. “I’m sorry, but can you please keep it down?”
“Do I need to sign out somewhere in order to leave?” Lacy asked.
The nurse checked her chart. “Yes, I think that’s where your doctor went, to authorize your release.”
“Great. Thank you.”
“Lacy, do you want me to call you a cab?” Danica asked. “Why are you so mad? And why do you sound like you’re rushing?”
“I need a cab but, Danica, I don’t have my cell. Are you calling me from work?” she asked.
“Yeah.”
“Good. Can you text Dane for me and ask him where he is?”It could happen to anyone. Anytime. In any profession.
“Sure, but I need his number. Why?” Danica asked.
Lacy gave her his cell number from memory, and Lacy realized that she’d memorized just about everything about Dane without even trying. She closed her eyes and recalled the scent of him. “You said the universe would give me a sign. I don’t think a sign could be any clearer than this.”
“Hold on. I just got his text.”
Lacy’s heartbeat sped up as she waited.
“He said he’s still at the Cape. He’s staying at Treat’s cottage in Wellfleet,” Danica said. “He wants to know why I asked. Should I tell him about your accident?”
“No. Don’t tell him about the accident. Just make something up. Tell him that Blake’s going to Florida, and you wondered if he was there so the two of them could get together for dinner.” Lacy’s eyes darted across the floor. “Everything in life has risks. I get that now, and I’m not going to change who I love because of them. I can’t. I just can’t.” Lacy was talking to herself more than Danica. “I’m not sitting around feeling sorry for myself because Dane has a risky career. My accident proved his point ten times over. Geez, I have to get a phone. And make a plan.”
“Lacy, what are you going to do?”
