“It’s fine for your general acquaintances, Finn. But your friends and family… we’re here for the nitty gritty of real life. You didn’t desert me when I tried to withdraw from the world. We’ll be there for Jarrett when he’s throwing up from chemo. We all know Cole has his ghosts, and we haven’t turned our backs on him yet. So, it’s your turn to accept a little help from your friends.”
“I appreciate you guys, but I’m fine now. You can head back to the office.”
A mocking smile slid onto Bran’s face. “It’s eight p.m.—a little late to go back to work.”
“Are you kidding me? I lost a whole day?” He felt guiltier than ever. “Did you stay the entire time or trade off with Cole?”
“I was at the office all day. I’ve only been sitting here a few hours. I had to pull the sheet over your arms so I could hear when you were reaching for that mask again.”
“I’m still sorry you had to do it, even for a few hours.”
“I had to find some way to give Laurie a break. She’s been watching you since five a.m.” Branson gestured toward the window on the opposite side of the bed. “She had her laptop with her, but I don’t think she got much done. She said you fought with that oxygen mask all day long.”
Finn turned to look in the direction Bran had pointed. Curled up on the hard loveseat, Laurie lay with her head askew, propped on the vinyl-covered arm. She appeared to be sound asleep, though her neck had to be strained. “Why did you bring her here?”
Bran shook his head, wearing a rueful grin. “Once she found out your fever was so high you were delirious, I couldn’t have kept her away without a set of chains.”
“Why would she do this?” Finn murmured as he watched the rise and fall of her gentle breaths.
“She claims the two of you are friends, now.”
Finn could hear Bran’s skepticism, loud and clear, but he didn’t care what Bran thought. He only cared that Laurie had given up her whole day for him. Warmth spread inside his chest. She cares about me. Then a nervous chill shook him from head to toe. This woman was chipping
away at his carefully constructed wall.
“That’s right—we’re friends.” He answered with a firm and confident tone, not so much to convince Branson as himself. “And nothing more.”
A loud knocking jarred Laurie from her deep sleep. Bright light flooded the room.
“Mr. Anderson, it’s good to see you awake.” The nurse marched in, his boisterous voice making it impossible for Laurie to fade back into dreamland.
She swung her feet to the floor and sat up, rubbing her eyes with the backs of her hands. Did he say Finn’s awake? Her gaze jerked toward the hospital bed where it connected with Finn’s intense stare. His brows pulled together, a deep line forming between them, leaving no doubt he was displeased to find her here. But her relief at seeing him sitting up and in his right mind far outweighed any possible consequence. She sent up a silent prayer of thanks.
As he took Finn’s vital signs, the nurse chatted. “101.8—that’s excellent. We’re overdue for a breathing treatment, and we need to get your O2 level up. I’ll send PT in right away.”
“This late at night?” Finn asked.
A glance at her watch told Laurie it was 8:15. She’d been napping since six—her only sleep in the past twenty-four hours. Her body longed to collapse in her bed at home. But should she leave Finn unattended? Branson needed to go home to Steph and the kids, so it only made sense for her to stay.
“We have at least one physical therapist on duty at night,” the nurse explained, as he took Finn’s blood pressure. “But we’ll get you back on a normal schedule tomorrow.”
The door burst open and Cole strolled in, his cowboy boots clomping on the floor. “Are y’all having a party in here?”
“What are you doing here, Cole?” Finn asked, clearly disgruntled at the invasion.
“I’m here for the night.” Cole held up a small duffel bag. “Branson’s taking Laurie home.”
“I don’t think you’ll fit on this loveseat,” she argued, irritated the two men had made the decision without her input. She hadn’t even had a chance to talk to Finn. No telling what Branson had said about her presence—she deserved a chance to explain why she was there.
“That couch folds out into a bed,” the nurse commented. “I can show you how it works.”
“Now you tell me,” said Laurie, rubbing the sore muscle on the side of her neck.
“You can go home, Cole. My fever’s gone.” With Finn’s last word, a coughing fit hit him, deep and scary-sounding.
“I’m already here, so I’m staying.” Cole dropped his bag and sat down beside Laurie, locking his fingers behind his head and stretching out his long legs.
By the time the nurse had collected his numbers and left the room, Branson was on his feet, white cane in hand, headed toward the door. “Have a good night, Finn. Are you ready, Laurie? I’ll give you a ride.”