Page 57 of Canadian Harvest

“Fucking useless,” I answer.

“Mitch,” Zach groans.

“I’m fine. My ribs are sore, my back hurts, and my neck is stiffer than a board, but I’m fucking fine,” I snap.

Zach huffs. “You’re going to be one of those patients, aren’t you?”

“Like you’d be any better, asshole,” I bite back.

“Just making sure you’re going to be okay to help Rachel.”

“I’m fine. I’ll be fine.”

He opens his mouth to respond when the door opens and Craig walks in.

“She’s out of surgery. You should come.”

28

RACHEL

The incessant beeping around me is making the thudding in my brain worse.

I groan, wanting to make it stop. I try to lift my arm to hit whatever is making that horrid sound, but I can’t move. My breath quickens as my brain tries to catch up with what’s going on.

The last thing I remember is being in the truck with Mitch, him kissing my hand…

And then the screeching of tires.

Mitch? Where’s Mitch?

“Rachel?” a soft voice calls.

Kylie?

I struggle to open my eyes. Once I do, I’m immediately blinded by the bright light.

“Take your time, honey. You’ve been through a lot,” an unfamiliar voice says.

Someone pats my hands, but I can’t tell who.

“What…?” I croak. My throat is so dry, I’m not sure I had actually formed a word.

“Just wait. Don’t talk yet,” the unfamiliar voice says.

“Rach, you’re okay. Try not to move,” Kylie soothes.

I hadn’t even realized I was moving, or trying to, at least.

I open my eyes, letting them adjust to the brightness. Kylie’s blurry figure comes into focus. It’s her hand holding mine as she smiles warmly down at me.

“Hey, there. You gave us quite a scare.”

“Here you go, hun. Drink this.” A nurse comes into the room with a cup in her hand. She’s the owner of the unfamiliar voice.

She helps me take a few small sips of water, enough that I no longer feel like the Sahara Desert lives in my throat.

“What happened?” I croak.