Page 19 of Heart
“I just wanted to say thank you again for this, you have no idea…” Her eyes gloss over when she speaks.
“You don’t have to thank me. I’d do anything for both of you.” Sarah nervously rocks on the balls of her feet.
“Good luck, and I’ll come down to see you after the procedure. Ashley would like to speak to you in private before you go in. I’m going to wait in the hallway. I’ll see you after.” She tenderly caresses my forehead with a kiss, sending a chill down my spine. Ashley moves closer, and Sarah smoothes her hair with her palm before leaving us.
“Hey, sweetie. How are you feeling?”
“I’m okay. I wanted to see you before the procedure. The nurses only gave me fifteen minutes, before they send out the SWAT team.” She rolls her eyes, and I can’t help laughing at her cuteness.
“This is going to work, Angel. You’ll be out of this place before you know it.” I speak confidently, wanting to ease her worry. She gives me a tiny nod.
“Sooo…I wanted to say thank you for everything. You don’t even know me, and you didn’t have to…” Her eyes glisten, and it tugs at my heartstrings.
“Angel, I would do anything for you. I know we met under unusual circumstances, but I want to be in your life, if that’s okay. Ben will always be your dad, I understand that, and I don't want to take that away from you or him. But I want to be there for you too, whenever you need me.” I swallow down the lump in my throat. “Sweetheart, the first time I saw you, I knew I loved you.” Tears slide down her cheeks, and I brush them away with my thumb. I never want to see this little girl cry.
“Do you love my mom?” I did not expect that question. I pause for a moment, choosing my words carefully, but there is only one honest answer.
“I’ve loved your mom from the very first time I saw her. Yes, I still love her.”
She rests her tiny hand on mine. “She’s still in love with you too. She didn’t tell me, but I can see the way she looks at you.”
I chuckle. “Now don’t go playing matchmaker just yet. Your mom and I have some things to talk about, once everything settles down. But first, we need to concentrate on getting you better.” I poke her nose playfully with my finger, eliciting a shy smile.
Doctor Collins walks in glaring, but I can see the tiny smirk on his face. “Are you supposed to be out of bed, young lady?” Ashley rolls her eyes.
“See? SWAT.”
“I think we could take him.” I wink. She says goodbye by placing a soft kiss on my cheek, grinning at Dr. Collin's as she strolls out of the room.
“You’re a lucky man, Dr. Harris. She’s an extraordinary girl.”
“That she is, Doc. Let's do this.”
* * *
I wake groggy, to the annoying beeping of machines. There’s a dull, achy pain in my hip when I try to move. A dark-haired nurse is standing over me, checking my vitals.
“How are you feeling Dr. Harris?”
“Fine, my throat is a little dry, could I get some water, please?” I rasp.
“Sure, I’ll get it for you, and I just gave you some medicine for your hip pain. It looks like you have a visitor, but I’m only giving you two five minutes.” I glance up and catch sight of Sarah standing in the doorway as the nurse types something into her portable computer. On her way out, she holds up five fingers at Sarah, letting her know to be quick.
“Hey, how come you’re down here? I thought you’d be upstairs with Ashley.”
I gaze up and take a moment to appreciate her natural beauty. Sans makeup, baggy workout clothes, with her hair up in a messy bun; she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. Sarah steps from the doorway, strolling toward me, and I’m surprised the monitors don’t beep uncontrollably the way my pulse starts racing.
“I just wanted to come down and check on you, see how you’re feeling.” Sarah draws a concerned face when I move my position and immediately wince at the sting in my hip.
“I’m fine, just a little groggy.” The nurse returns with a plastic cup of water and hands it to Sarah. She holds the straw near my mouth, and I take a long sip, letting it soothe my throat. Sarah runs her soft fingers through my damp hair, making my skin tingle. Her eyes lock onto mine, and it’s as if we’re having a conversation without words.
“Sarah, we need to talk.” She looks away and her cheeks pink, and I don’t miss the sparkle in her lagoon-colored eyes. Sadness clouds her features as she nervously chews on her bottom lip.
“Luke, we can talk later. You need to rest, and I need to get back upstairs. I just wanted to make sure you were okay, and let you know the procedure went well.” She rests her palm on my chest, over my heart, and I place my hand on top of hers. She quietly stares down to where our hands are connected.
“Sarah,” I whisper, almost as a plea, and she restlessly backs away.
“Luke, I should get back to Ashley, they’re going to be starting her treatment soon. I’ll check in with you later, when you get a room.”