Page 41 of Unexpected Danger
She was about to mention that she needed to tell him about what transpired, but Brodie didn’t wait for her reply. He grabbed his coat from the lone hook on the otherwise bleak wall, waved, and left.
The new nurse entered several minutes later and opened the blinds to reveal a beautiful sunny day. Londyn could see the meandering sidewalk outside where a few people nonchalantly moseyed. The cloudless weather was a welcome change from the storm the day before.
“I’m Dorena, the nurse on this shift.” The auburn-haired woman took her vitals. “The doctor will be here as soon as he’s able to see about releasing you. Breakfast will arrive soon. In the meantime, is there anything else you need?”
“No, thank you.”
After breakfast, Londyn closed her eyes for a few minutes while she awaited Brodie’s return and the doctor's visit. A tap on the door interrupted her attempt to rest.
“Miss Siegler?”
“Yes?”
An older man carrying a bouquet strode toward her. “I’m from Pronghorn Falls Florist and Gifts. This was ordered for you.”
“Oh, how pretty!” The spring flowers boasted daisies, baby’s breath, and two carnations in a stubby plastic purple vase. A card stuck out from a plastic forked card holder.
The man set it on the movable table beside her, told her to get better, then left.
Londyn’s first guess was that the flowers might be from Brodie. He’d never admit it, but he was romantic. If they weren’t from him, her second guess would be Aileen.
But when she opened the card, neither of her guesses was accurate. Her heartbeat stalled when she read the words.
Hello, Beautiful.
Where had she heard that before? A glance upwards and out the window confirmed the dread that engulfed her.
Dustin stood at the window, peering in at her.
It had been him all along. The one who’d texted and called her. The slim, tall, man who’d attempted to break into her apartment. The one who’d been in her bedroom that night. He must’ve watched her enter the code the night of the movie.
Why hadn’t she realized it before?
Gooseflesh prickled on her skin, and dread twisted her gut. What was he doing here? And how had he found heragain? Not that it would be too difficult to discern she’d be at the hospital after the accident he’d caused. But how would he know she’d been rescued?
How, unless he’d been watching the rescue as well.
Londyn pressed the call button.
“Is everything all right?” Dorena walked through the door.
“Yes, a man was at the window.” Londyn pointed in the direction of where Dustin had stood just seconds before. As quickly as he’d appeared, he’d vanished.
Dorena walked to the window and looked right, then left. “There’s no one at the window.” She pivoted toward Londyn, frown lines grooving the corners of her mouth. “You had a serious concussion, and it’s not uncommon to be confused.”
She hadn’t imagined it, had she? “I saw him there.” But even as she said the words, Londyn doubted herself. One thing she didn’t doubt was that Dustin had sent the flowers on the table beside her. Flowers that would be donated to someone else in the hospital once she told Brodie.
“Dr. Goley was unavoidably delayed, but he should be here soon. In the meantime, do you need anything else?”
“No, I think I’m fine. Thank you.”
“All right. Try to get some rest.”
The nurse left the room and closed the door three-quarters of the way behind her.
Londyn glanced again at the window. No sign of Dustin. At least she was safe inside the hospital.
Hopefully, Brodie would return soon. Should she call him? But what if he had to work? She couldn’t expect him to tend to her when he had other things to do.
