Page 41 of Summer Ever After

“Shit.” Brett sighed. “I can’t believe this bullshit.” He ran his hands through his mangled hair. “Come on. Lea and the rest of the gang are going to meet us at the hospital so we can check up on Beth.”

Aaron followed Brett’s truck to the hospital. Every mile felt slow, like he was a man running on shards of glass. The lights from the emergency entrance were blinding, washing the brick in harsh white as Brett parked in the ER parking lot.

Inside, the chaos of the emergency room made the world blur. Nurses were rushing, monitors were beeping, and the smell of antiseptic mixed with the faint smoke clinging to Brett’s hair made Aaron’s stomach twist. He kept his eyes locked on the gurney in the hallway where she lay, waiting for a nurse to take her to her own room. Her arms were draped across her chest, bandages and singed clothing marking the ordeal she’d just survived.

He moved over and stood next to her, her eyes moving to his for a brief moment before closing. She was covered in soot. That sexy little strand of hair that always fell out of place was burned and half gone.

Her clothes were hanging off her under the blankets that had been piled on her.

“Beth?” His voice cracked just as Lea rushed forward and, with the calm efficiency that she always exhibited, nudged him aside.

“Don’t talk,” she told Beth firmly. “Your throat will be raw.” She glanced over at him, then shouted to a nurse on duty, “I’m taking this one. Get me a room, stat.” He stood back and watched Lea, dressed in green scrubs with her dark hair neatly tied back at the base of her neck, take over. The woman’s hands moved with precision, checking vitals and giving quick orders to a male nurse who rushed to her side.

Brett appeared behind Aaron and took his arm, leading him down a small hallway to a waiting area. “My girl’s got her now.” He nudged him into a chair.

Everything in Aaron itched to hold her, to make sure that she was breathing easy and not burned anywhere, but as he moved to get up, Brett gripped his shoulder again, keeping him seated..

“Don’t,” Brett said firmly. “She has the best taking care of her.” He squeezed his shoulder. “I’m going to get us some coffee. Stay put.”

The coffee and the waiting didn’t stop the tension from clawing through him. The pacing seemed to soothe his inner beast, which wanted to kill Ian.

Then, like a wave rolling in, the Wildflowers arrived. Zoey, Hannah, Scarlett, Aubrey, and Elle each carried that mix of concern and readiness Aaron had come to rely on. They were all a little older now than when he’d first met them, each of them married and with their own families. They had strength together and unwavering confidence. Every one of them had their own fire, and solid loyalty to their employees. Behind them trailed Jules, Kara, and Andrea. Their eyes scanned the waiting room, as if looking for Brett and him.

When they spotted them, they rushed over and he could see the fear and deep concern in their eyes.

Here was love. It wasn’t the kind Beth had sought in her mother, but it was true and steadfast. Friendship.

Somehow, he knew it was stronger than any she would have found in her mother.

“Any word?” Zoey asked quietly as she sat next to him and took his hand in her own.

“Not yet. Lea’s in there—” Brett started just as his wife stepped into the room.

When she spotted everyone, her expression softened slightly, but there was no mistaking the tension in her eyes.

“She’s stable, but we’re keeping her under observation. Smoke inhalation, a few minor burns, some cuts most likely from debris. But she’s going to be okay.”

“Is she awake?” Zoey’s voice was soft but edged with the steel Aaron knew she always had when protecting the people she loved.

“I gave her something to let her rest,” Lea answered as she looked at him. “She’ll be out for the rest of the night.”

“Can I sit with her?” Aaron asked.

Lea nodded. “I’ll take you back. The rest of you, go home until the morning. There’s nothing you can do here. Go be with your families.” She nudged Brett. “I have a few words for you about running into burning buildings, again.” She pinched his arm and had him smiling.

“I’d do it again in a heartbeat,” he said firmly.

“I know.” She lifted on her toes and kissed him. “Idiot.”

He followed Lea back through the maze of doors and hallways and then stepped into a darker room filled with strange noises.

He’d never been in a hospital room before. There were a lot of things he didn’t understand, things he worried he’d break or mess up, so he kept his hands in his pockets as Lea wheeled a lounge chair closer to the side of Beth’s bed.

“Sit. Have you eaten tonight?” she asked.

He shrugged. “I’m not⁠—”

“I’ll order us up some burgers.”