Page 88 of Betrothed
Was it possible someone had wanted us to meet? Even if that was the case, there’d been no way of ensuring that we’d get along let alone form a relationship.
A relationship. Was that what I was involved in? Wasn’t there some rule of thumb about dating for longer than a couple of days before either party was allowed to call it anything but a tryst? A sexual encounter?
“Earth to Vivian. What happened, girl? Like I said, you can talk to me.”
“No, Emily. I can’t. Not this time.” I took his hand into mine, hating how cold his skin was to the touch. That worried me was much as the wait to learn if I was correct about the poison. I couldn’t think clearly, constantly shifting my mind to when he’d insisted on us getting married.
The entire situation was out of control.
“You don’t trust me.”
“I trust you more than I do most of my own family, but the more you learn, the more dangerous it could potentially be for you. But I do need your help keeping an eye on him. I plan on staying at the hospital, but in case I get called away, I need to trust you’ll watch out for him.”
She shook her head out of concern. I’d seen the look before. “I’ll do what I can, but the doctors are already asking questions.”
“I’ll handle them when I need to. Just promise me you’ll care for him.”
“Of course.”
“Thank you.” With his heartrate still strong and his blood pressure starting to level out, I was convinced he would make it. If he came out of the coma.
“You like him.”
I squeezed his hand, hopeful he’d squeeze back.
He didn’t.
“I do.”
“So you met him here?”
“You’re not going to let this go. Are you?” As usual, her look was one of mischief.
“Not a chance. You need to tell me something.”
“Remember when I said I had an interesting flight?”
“You’re kidding me,” she gasped.
“Not even a little.”
“Oh, now you must tell me the details. I know. Later. When this is all over.”
When I looked at my watch, I grimaced. “Can I ask a huge favor right now?”
“Sure.”
“Can you stay for about an hour? I need to meet someone. The meeting is close so I shouldn’t be gone long.”
“Are you going to be okay?”
I offered a smile to try to appease her nerves while mine remained rattled. “Absolutely. Just an errand.”
“Okay. I won’t leave. I promise. Just be careful. I don’t like this.”
“Neither do I.”
I hadn’t realized how much time had gone by. Almost twelve full hours had passed since I’d brought him in. At some point, I would need to get some rest, but not yet.
