“Just a few minutes ago. ”
“Great. I want you to get some sleep, okay? If you need to get up, make sure wake up your husband or call me. ”
The moment she left the room, I closed my eyes. I drifted off into a deep sleep, dreaming about Jeff and Luke riding by the river while I followed behind them. Right behind me was a little girl, a bit older than Luke, riding on a white stallion. She had brown curly hair and emerald green eyes. When I turned around to look at her, she smiled at me, and I felt my whole body get warm. A feeling of complete peace took over.
“Don’t worry, Mommy. I’ll never leave y’all. ”
My little angel would always be with us.
CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT
HEATHER
Josh and I decided to head back out to Mason the day after Luke was born.
After we’d left the hospital, we had gone back to my apartment and did nothing but make love and talk until three in the morning. We woke up the next morning, went out for breakfast, and planned on heading out to the ranch. I had never in my life felt so complete and happy. It was the happiest I’d been since my parents passed away. Being with Josh was beyond amazing.
I called Jeff to see if there was anything they needed for Ari or Luke before they got home. I made a list of a few things, and Josh and I hit H-E-B before heading back to Mason
Josh’s cell phone died yesterday afternoon. We stopped and bought a charger, so it could charge on the way out to Mason.
We were just walking out of H-E-B when my cell phone rang. I looked at the caller ID and saw that it was Ellie calling.
“Hey, Ellie! Have you seen Luke and Ari today?”
“Yeah, they’re both doing wonderful, and I think they might get to go home today. If not, then they’ll be heading home tomorrow for sure. ”
“Okay, well, I’m heading back to Mason right now with Josh, so I’ll be sure to cook up a few meals. I know Ari asked if I could stay a few extra days to help out, so I probably will. ”
“Um, Heather, I need to tell you something. ”
“Okay, is everything alright?”
“Is Josh not answering his phone?”
“His battery died yesterday. He just bought a charger, and it’s charging right now. Why?”
“Jim has been trying to get a hold of him. They came back a few days early from their trip. ”
My heart started pounding. Lynda was back and probably trying to get a hold of Josh.
“Okay…”
“Heather, Lynda was in a car accident yesterday when she was heading over to Josh’s apartment. ”
I stopped walking. Oh god, no.
“Is she. ”
“She’s in the hospital, but she’s banged up pretty bad. She’s been asking for Josh. ”
I looked at Josh. He had been smiling, but now, his smile faded.
“Which hospital?”
“Brackenridge. ”
I handed Josh the phone and started to walk toward my car. I heard him talking to Ellie…and I heard the panic in his voice.