endings were being rubbed raw with a wire brush. There wasn’t anything she could do about it, she told herself. The fact that Colton hadn’t tried to call her in nearly two days spoke volumes.
Stacey turned the television in her bedroom on low volume in hopes of distracting herself, but the reality show just irritated her even more. She brushed her teeth and dressed for bed, praying that she would get some relief with sleep. Just as she pulled back her covers and reached to turn out her lamp, her cell phone vibrated with an incoming call.
Spotting Rachel’s number on the ID, Stacey debated letting it go to voice mail. She didn’t want to discuss her feelings about Colton right now, especially with his sister. Sighing, she picked up, ready to say she didn’t want to talk about Colton.
“Hey, Rachel,” Stacey said. “What’s up?”
“Oh, Stacey, it’s terrible,” Rachel said, nearly sobbing. “Colton has been in a bad accident. His truck was hit by a semi. The ambulance is taking him to the Lubbock General E.R.”
Stacey’s heart turned cold. She tried to make sense of what Rachel had told her. The only thing she knew for certain was that Colton had been hurt. “Do you know anything about his condition? Did they tell you anything?”
“All we know is that he’s unconscious, and there may be internal injuries. Mom and Dad are driving to Lubbock in their car, and I’m going in mine. Stacey, I’m scared. I’m afraid I’m going to lose my brother.”
For a moment, Stacey couldn’t breathe. She was afraid of losing Colton, too. Even if they went back to being friends, Stacey didn’t want to lose Colton. Just knowing he was alive on the earth gave her a good feeling inside her. He was a wonderful man, and the thought of not being able just to see him again made her feel like crying. Anxiety coursed through her. But some part of her professional training as a nurse kicked in.
“Don’t give up yet,” she said. “I’m sure he’s getting good care.”
“Oh, Stacey, I wish you could be here,” Rachel said.
“I’m on my way,” Stacey promised, even if she had to drag Piper out of bed. She wanted to be there for Colton. She wanted to be there for his family.
Stacey changed into jeans and a sweater, then awakened her mother and told her the horrible news.
“Oh, no,” Jeanne said. “That’s terrible. Do you have any idea if they think he’ll recover? Poor Olive and Frank must be beside themselves.”
“I’d like to go to Lubbock to be with them. I’ll take Piper with me, but—”
Her mother shook her head. “No. Absolutely not. I’ll watch over her. You go ahead, but please be careful. And call us with any news.”
Stacey gave her mother a hug and grabbed a bottle of water before she pulled on her coat and left the house. Driving through the night, she thought about all the times she’d spent with Colton. An image of him playing ball as a child flashed through her head. She remembered playing tag with Rachel, him and her brothers. Later on, when they’d become teenagers and she’d passed him in the hall, he’d never been too cool to wave to her as a younger student.
Now that she knew him as a man, her feelings were even stronger. Yes, he’d become the most sexy man in existence to her, but it was partly due to his tenderness and encouragement. It was partly due to the way that he tried so hard with Piper. How could she possibly resist Colton after all that?
She made the drive in record time and pulled into the parking lot at the hospital. She rushed inside to the E.R. but didn’t see any Fosters. Her stomach dipped. She prayed that the worst hadn’t happened. Stacey asked the registration desk about Colton, and a few moments later, she was ushered back to a waiting room.
Rachel rose and soared into Stacey’s arms. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
Stacey couldn’t help seeing Mr. and Mrs. Foster standing beside a row of chairs. Mrs. Foster’s eyes were bloodshot from tears, and Mr. Foster looked dazed and shocked. Stacey’s heart went out to them.
“Any news?” she asked.
“He’s being examined. They said he’s still unconscious,” Rachel said, sniffing.
“They’re looking after him,” Stacey said, but she was so scared. She just couldn’t show it. She turned toward Colton’s parents and embraced Mrs. Foster.
“Oh, Stacey, I just want him to be okay,” Mrs. Foster said.
Stacey squeezed Colton’s mother tight. She wanted Colton to be all right, too. More than anything. She took a deep breath, knowing that waiting could be the worst. “Can I get coffee for any of you?”
Rachel and her parents shook their heads, all murmuring no.
The vigil began.
The minutes crept by slowly, feeling like days instead of hours. Stacey tried to make small talk but gave up after a half hour had passed. All of them were worried sick. Why hadn’t a doctor or nurse entered the waiting room to speak to them?
Stacey was just about to prod someone at the emergency-room desk for details when a doctor walked in, still wearing his surgical scrubs. “Mr. and Mrs. Foster?” he said. “I’m Dr. McMillan. Your son took a hard hit. He has a concussion and some bad bruises. I have to say it’s a miracle that your son didn’t sustain more serious injuries. We’ll keep him under observation until we’re sure he’s out of the woods from that concussion.”
“Oh, stars,” Mrs. Foster said, sinking onto a chair.
Stacey’s heart was hammering in her head. “How much blood has he lost? Has he been conscious at all? Is there any lung damage? What about—”
“Whoa,” the doctor said. “One at a time.”
Stacey forced herself to pace her questions, and the doctor answered each one.
“When can the family see him?” she asked.
He glanced at his watch. “Let’s give it another few moments,” he warned.
The doctor left the room, and Rachel, wiping away the tears in her eyes, grabbed Stacey. “It sounds as if he’s going to be okay,” she said.
Stacey wanted to see Colton and touch him, check his stats to be sure, but she nodded. “It sounds very good.”
Moments later, the Fosters were led back to see Colton in recovery. Stacey paced the waiting room, praying and wishing for Colton. Ten minutes later, a nurse appeared in the doorway. “Stacey, I understand you’re Colton Foster’s girlfriend. The rest of the family requested your presence.”
Stacey nodded and followed the nurse to the recovery room. Colton was receiving fluids and oxygen. Her heart squeezed tight in fear. At the same time, she knew these measures were medically necessary.
“Why does he have all these tubes?” Mr. Foster asked, his face filled with fear.
Rachel reached for Stacey’s hand.
“All these things are helping support Colton to recover from his injuries and the accident,” Stacey said. “Soon
