Page 97 of A Twist of Faith
Another attempt to open her eyes succeeded. She squinted against the florescent lights and the blurry surroundings. Even her eyes felt bruised. Her forehead throbbed from movement, but eased a little as her vision adjusted to the light.
A face cleared before her, a wonderfully familiar face. Reese. Awareness dawned in his mocha eyes, followed by his tender smile. Oh how she loved him. Of course he’d be here—even for a liar.
“Well now, Sleeping Beauty decided to wake up for us.” He took the chair by her bed. “Good to see those eyes.”
Her smile hurt. Her cheeks hurt. Even her chin hurt, but she couldn’t resist returning his grin. He pushed tendrils of hair away from her face and tears pooled in her eyes. So gentle. An avalanche of memories spilled into her mind. The Ball? The argument. The hurt she’d caused. Why hadn’t she been honest with him from the start? He wasn’t like other men. He understood brokenness and forgiveness. He wouldn’t trample over her weaknesses, but protect and care for her in them. How could she have known there was such a man?
“You found me.” Her words didn’t reach above a whisper. “I’m sorry.”
“Oh, baby, look at Mama. Come on now. Look here at your mama.” Dee’s mother crowded between them and leaned so close Dee smelled her cigarette-laden breath. A strange calm curbed the usual edge of annoyance. Was that part of belonging to Christ too? Even her emotions? “There is no need for you to apologize for Reese finding you. He should have found you. Heaven knows, he has a better sense for Ransom than you do.”
She searched Reese’s gaze again.
He understood and leaned down for a whisper. “It seems like Somebody a whole lot better than me found you first.”
Tears pricked at her eyes and her face ached from another smile. “Lost sheep.”
“Never too lost, darlin’. He’s better than any old GPS.”
“What are you two talking about? GPS? Sheep? What?” Mama came nearer, hands shaking. “Do you know who I am, honey? Do you remember me?”
She raised her gaze to her mother. Deepset wrinkles framed her blue eyes and spoke of concern. Dee’s heart softened. “Mother.”
“Oh, baby.” Her mother fell forward and sobbed into Dee’s shoulder, shaking the entire bed. Dee winced. Reese took charge.
He placed his hands on her mother’s shoulders and gave her a gentle tug. “I know it’s a relief, Ms. Roseland. We’re all real glad, but do you think Dee might be a bit sore?”
She shrugged off Reese’s hands and took a step back. “She almost died.”
“But she didn’t and we’re all grateful.” Reese patted her arm. “See, she’s lookin’ better and better each minute.”
Her mother stared up at Reese as if he’d lost his mind. “Better? She looks horrible. Pale, bruised. Her nose is the size of a fist.”
Dee raised a weak hand to her cheek and allowed her fingers to investigate her face and hair. How bad did she look? What day was it? Monday? Tuesday?
“My classes?” Dee’s voice grew in frantic volume.
“Rainey cancelled them for you. It’s alright,” Reese said.
Dee thoughts sped through her schedule. “Haus?”
A grin spread wide on Reese’s face, like he wanted to laugh. “Just fine, Doc. Lou even gave him one of those dog treats you had stashed away. The kind that make his breath smell better?”
Pain stung her forehead as she scrunched her brow. “Nothing wrong with taking care of a dog’s breath.”
Reese shook his head, pacifying her. “Naw, nothin’ at all. Especially for someone who doesn’t like animals.”
“What are the two of you talking about?” Mother looked between them. “You’re not making any sense. Dog breath? Haus?”
Reese’s eyes never left Dee’s face. “Just talking about surprises, is all.”
A tremor of hope moved through her. Obviously he’d discovered her little secret about taking care of Haus, but it couldn’t be enough to help him forgive her, could it? He didn’t look angry, but maybe he realized a romantic future with a liar was out. Could she be content with friendship? Her gaze fluttered to his lips and the heart monitor staggered back up a speed.
“Marion.” Ma Mitchell moved forward and took Dee’s mother’s arm. “Now you have a chance to get that drink of water you wanted a few minutes ago.”
A look passed between Reese and his mother. Ma Mitchell smiled at Dee. “I’d imagine Dee would like something to drink too, wouldn’t you, sweetie?”
Dee offered a slight nod, hoping her face expressed her gratitude. The nod wobbled her vision for a moment and encouraged a hint of nausea. Oh man, she was probably irresistible right now.
