‘Anastasia, let’s go.’
‘Would the train be faster?’ she cried as they ran down the stairs. Holly dominated her thoughts. Nothing, no one else mattered.
‘Fifty-fifty, and we’d have to get to the hospital from the station.’ It seemed like seconds and hours before she was belted inside Noah’s four-wheel drive and he was pulling away from the kerb. ‘Which hospital?’ he asked.
Huddling down in the seat, she told him, and wished the trip to be fast and uneventful. ‘Thank you for doing this.’
‘Why wouldn’t I take you to whoever has been injured when it’s so obvious that person is very special to you? We can do lunch any time.’
Her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth. Fear sat like a lead ball in her stomach. Sweat broke out on her brow. Clasping her hands tight, she stared at the road unfolding ahead of the car. Tense silence filled the air between them.
‘Stacey?’
When he flicked to the shortened version of her name it put her off track. She didn’t know the reason behind it, except it seemed he’d done it to get her full attention.
Here we go.
‘Holly. My daughter.’
‘You have a child?’
‘Yes.’
‘You’ve never mentioned her.’
‘We haven’t spent much time together.’
‘I’d have thought a daughter would be the most important topic of discussion no matter where we were. In the café the other morning, on the ride up here, having a coffee and nibbles at the cafe. You mentioned your family. Surely family includes your daughter?’ Noah sounded cross and confused, as he had every right to be.
In normal circumstances she’d have bored him silly, talking about Holly. Now she had to tell the truth, but while they were racing for the hospital? It was too much. Yet she needed his strength and support. What if he dropped her off at the hospital and she never saw him again, except at work? He wouldn’t do that. He’d want to meet his daughter. No doubt about that.
‘I’ll ask once more. Is there someone else in your life? Someone important?’
‘Only Holly.’
You can do better than that.
‘I’ve been single for years, and not dated much. Being a mum takes most of my time when I’m not working.’ Was Holly’s accident payback for not being there? She shouldn’t have come out today, should’ve been at home, playing with Holly, then this insane ride mightn’t be happening. She should’ve talked to Noah the moment she’d arrived at his house, not got distracted making love. Holly, her beautiful, trusting little girl.
Your mother’s stuffed up, sweetheart.
‘Holly, hang in there. Mummy’s coming.’
She didn’t know she’d said that out loud until Noah placed a hand on her clenched fists. ‘Easy. I’m getting you there as fast as I can.’
‘I know, but it’ll never be fast enough. I have to be with my girl.’
‘Do you know what happened?’ At least he was sounding friendly, though a bit cautious. And he was here for her, getting her to the hospital fast.
‘The kids next door left our gate open. Holly chased her ball out onto the road and a boy on a skateboard collided with her.’ Anguish gripped her, pain tightened her heart. ‘I should’ve been there,’ she cried, turning her hands, loosening her fingers to grab Noah’s. ‘What sort of mother am I to go out and leave her at home?’
‘She was with your parents, wasn’t she? No mother spends twenty-four seven with their child. It’s not normal or good for them. You’re allowed time out, Stacey.’
Stacey, huh? She wasn’t getting her head around why he’d swapped between the versions of her name. ‘You’re right, but I can’t accept it. She’s on her way to hospital,’ she cried.
Removing his hand, he said, ‘Tell me about her.’ He was concentrating on the road and the busy traffic ahead and swallowing hard.
Was he starting to wonder if Holly was his? He couldn’t be. He didn’t know how old she was.
I want to tell him. But not right now. Not when he’s driving and I can’t look into his eyes to show I am not lying.
Not when she was desperate to be with Holly, and nothing else mattered as much.
‘Is she cute, and funny like her mother?’ Noah seemed to have accepted she was a parent. Or was he just doing the right thing in trying to distract her from her pain on this far too slow journey?
‘Holly’s gorgeous. Her favourite stories are about fairies, and pink is the only colour she’d wear given half a chance. She doesn’t have a dancing bone in her body, but that doesn’t stop her trying. And wiping out the coffee table in her attempts.’
‘Not entirely like her mother, then.’ There was a hint of a smile in Noah’s voice.
She still couldn’t relax. ‘Everything’s an adventure, especially digging the veg garden with Granddad. He has a special patch where they plant carrots and radishes and peas that’s Holly’s garden.’
‘Is she the reason you’re living with your parents?’ He was back to driving with two hands on the steering wheel, his knuckles white.
‘Yes. Mostly.’
Holly.
‘She’s got to be all right.’ She needed to explain, to tell Noah everything. Her heart was breaking, and her head aching. She just wanted to get to Holly and hold her—if she was able to. At least she’d hold her hand and be there for however long she was in hospital. She stared at the dark screen on her phone. Why wasn’t Dad ringing? Did that mean bad news? Surely Mum had reached the hospital by now? She’d phone no matter what. Wouldn’t she? ‘Can we go any faster?’
‘Not legally, no.’ But the car lurched forward as the speed picked up.
Closing her eyes, Stacey leaned back and let Holly fill her mind. Laughing as she played with her favourite doll. Grinning when she ate ice cream in a cone and got more on her face than in her mouth. Crying when she’d had three stories at bedtime and wasn’t allowed one more. Cuddling into her mum, thumb in her mouth, and watching TV.
‘What are her injuries?’
‘Suspected broken arm and head injury. She lost consciousness for a while.’
Noah was rummaging around in the side pocket of his door. ‘Here.’ He handed her a small packet of tissues.
Still being a gentleman after his idea of who she was had been tipped upside down. Couldn’t ask for better than that. Not that she’d be asking for anything from him except understanding, and it was too soon for that. There was a lot for him to get his head around once he understood Holly was also his daughter. It wouldn’t be easy to take in. He’d have lots of questions, and she’d do her utmost to answer them. Stacey’s heart ached for this man she’d placed so much hope in.
‘Th-thanks.’ He might never understand or forgive. Though she wasn’t really guilty of anything. The pregnancy had been an accident. One she had been thrilled about once she’d got over the shock.
Tapping her mother’s speed-dial number on her phone, she barely waited for her to answer before demanding, ‘Have you heard anything from Dad?’
‘Not a word, but he might not be allowed to phone while in the ambulance.’
Highly unlikely, but she’d not say so. All she could do was hope her father’s silence was good news, that maybe he was too busy holding Holly to
call. ‘How far from the hospital are you?’
‘Pulling in right now.’
‘Give Holly a kiss from me if you see her before I get there.’
‘Will do. Travel safely.’
‘We are.’ She looked sideways at the man rushing her to her daughter. He was a steady, capable driver, concentrating on getting them to hospital quickly and safely. Not bad considering what must be going through his mind. Holly could do worse for a father.
* * *
Noah whipped into the first available space in the staff parking lot, put his surgeon’s pass on the dash, and leapt out of the car. Stacey wasn’t going inside alone. He’d be with her until she met up with her parents. Despite her stunning news about her daughter, he couldn’t leave her alone. She was distraught, and needed someone at her side. Even him. Admittedly, he was angry she’d not mentioned she had a child at any moment in their time together. It was as though she’d been hiding Holly from him. But why? Having a daughter didn’t mean he’d stop seeing her.
So far he thought she’d always been honest about everything. Unlike Christine who’d lied about loving him, about just about everything. Anastasia might be just as adept. Time for questions later. She was already half out of the car as he strode around to join her. Putting on his best don’t argue voice, he said, ‘I’m coming with you.’
‘Thank you.’ She reached for his hand and dragged him along at a fast clip.
As easily as that Anastasia had accepted his presence. Because she needed him especially? Or would she be grateful for anyone to accompany her? That didn’t add up considering how close she seemed to be to her family. She always talked about them with love in her voice, and that touched a spot inside him that held envy and longing. She had what he craved, and he wanted to share it with her. Yes, with Stacey. He was willing to give it a try, to put the past behind him, forget how he’d been lied to, and give this wonderful woman every chance possible. He stretched out his steps to keep up with her. They were on a mission. ‘We’ll go straight to the emergency room.’