Page 107 of Worth the Fall
LITTLE RUNNER
BROOKLYN
Clara is safe.
Jasper, the world’s greatest dog, had found her. I couldn’t even bear to think about what would have happened if he hadn’t. I only knew that the outcome wouldn’t have been good. Cold and wind were two deadly elements on their own, but combine them in the winter in Sugar Mountain, and they held little mercy.
Thomas rode in the ambulance while I insisted on driving myself there, shaking the whole time. I threw my car in park and ran into the waiting room of our tiny emergency room hospital. We were lucky that we had one in Sugar Mountain. Most small towns only had urgent cares that weren’t even open twenty-four hours. If something happened, the patients had to be air-lifted to the nearest hospital, which was miles away. It honestly never made any sense to me. Accidents happened all the time, day or night.
When I ran inside, I noticed Matthew, Patrick, and Mr. O’Grady fidgeting in their seats, looking incredibly uncomfortable. My best friend, Lana, and her husband, Sven, were there, too, though I hadn’t called them. Even Mrs. Green was sitting in a chair, knitting something to keep herself busy.
I wondered how they’d all found out before remembering that news traveled fast in Sugar Mountain and there was no way to stop it. I was actually surprised then that the whole town wasn’t crammed in this room, waiting for news about Clara.
When Matthew caught sight of me, he hopped up and pulled me into his arms for a hug. “Hey, sis.”
“How is she?” I asked through the emotions warring inside me.
I couldn’t seem to stop the tears from spilling over.
“They’re warming her up. It’s a slow process so that they don’t damage any internal organs or heat her too quickly. They want her to stay the night so they can keep an eye on her vitals and make sure there’s no sign of frostbite.”
“Oh God.” I squeezed my eyes shut, unable to hide my emotions.
“It’s okay, Brooklyn. She’s going to be just fine,” Matthew reassured me, even though he had no idea if that was true or not.
“Where’s Thomas?” I asked, looking around at the rest of the waiting room for any sign of him.
“He’s with her in her room. He wanted you sent back as soon as you got here,” he said.
I threw my head back in shock. “Um, do you think I should just stay out here with you guys?” I honestly wasn’t sure where my place was in a situation like this. Especially when I’d been the one to help cause it.
Matthew cocked his head to the side. “Not this again,” he sighed.
“Not what again?”
“You thinking you don’t belong with my brother and his daughter. I heard she called you Mama out there,” he said, and my heart pinged with the memory.
“She did,” I choked out.
“They love you. You love them. Now, get back there with your family.” He gave me a little shove, and my head felt like it was on a pinwheel, spinning around in circles.
“Hey, Brooky.” Lana was suddenly at my side, steadying me.
“Hi. How’d you hear?”
“Bella,” she said, and I swung my head toward Matthew, who instantly stiffened at the mention of her name.
“She sent me a text,” Matthew said for clarification. “I don’t know how she heard. Doesn’t matter, but I let her know that we found Clara and were at the hospital.”
Lana nodded. “She called me, and we came right over.”
“Thank you.” I gave her a hug.
“Of course,” she said with a smile that I couldn’t return. “Do you want us to stay and wait for you?”
“No. It’s okay. You two go home. I’ll call you if I need anything.” I had no idea how long I’d be here, and it didn’t make sense for Lana and Sven to wait around.
“You’re sure?”