Page 61 of Trustfall
I then dialed one of the few numbers I knew by heart.
“Captain Fisher speaking,” my dad answered, and the instant I heard his voice, I fell apart.
“Dad,” I sniffled and leaned my forehead against my hand, my elbow resting on my knee as I tried to steady my breath.
“Jameson?”
“It’s me. I borrowed someone’s phone. We . . . we found Ari, and I need a favor; I need you to get Dustin to—shit, wait, where’s the closest hospital to here?” I shouted over the boat’s engine.
“Quincy in Elmside.”
“Dad, did you hear that? They’re taking her to Quincy Hospital in Elmside. It’s over three hours away from you. She’s in rough shape, I don’t know if—” I choked back a sob and dragged my hand down my face.
“Are you with her now?”
“No, they’re transporting her by chopper, but I’m trying. I’m on a boat right now.”
“Don’t you worry about anything other than getting to her; I’ll take care of things on our end. I know Dustin will find comfort in knowing you’re with her; he trusts you, son.”
“Please hurry, it’s really bad.” I didn’t care that I was a grown man openly crying, not when it felt like my heart was cracked right down the middle with the fear of losing the love of my life.
“Keep the faith; we love you, and I’ll see you soon.”
“Love you too, Dad. Be safe.”
According to the doctor who first evaluated Arizona in the trauma ward, her hypothermia was nearing a severe level when she was brought in. By the time I reached the hospital, she was already connected to all the necessary monitors, allowing the doctors and nurses to closely track her heart rate, oxygen levels, and blood pressure. At the same time, warm IV fluids were administered to help raise her core body temperature.
The doctor informed me it was a slow process and that we needed to be patient to prevent further trauma to her body, known as rewarming shock. While he remained optimistic about her recovery, he cautioned us that her body required rest andthat she would wake up on her own schedule. However, that did little to ease the nerves of either Dustin or me as we sat by Arizona’s bedside, feeling absolutely helpless while Jaxon, Boden, and my parents were out in the waiting room.
The hospital staff offered us cots in her private room; we both declined. I sat in a chair, alternating my focus between closely observing Arizona and the various monitors. I was surprised when the sun gradually made its ascent, painting the sky a brilliant gold and orange hue.
While it meant the world was beginning to stir for the day, I knew it was only a matter of time until the police arrived and wanted a statement from me. When they arrived around lunch, I kissed Arizona’s forehead before reluctantly leaving the room. I didn’t want to risk her overhearing my retelling of the events that led us here, causing her more distress.
When I returned to her room over an hour later, I held her hand in mine, pressed up against my lips. I needed her touch to bleed into my soul like I needed air to breathe. Watching the color return slowly to her cheeks felt like the prayers everyone had put into the universe were finally being answered. Silent words passed between Dustin and me, as it was the sign we so desperately needed, a glimmer of hope that our girl was on her way back to us.
Dustin had just stepped out with my parents to grab a coffee when one of Arizona’s fingers flinched in my hand. My gaze lifted to see her eyelids fluttering and her tongue dragging sluggishly across her lips to combat the dryness of the mouth I was guessing she had.
“Ari, can you hear me?” I asked gently, cupping her cheek. “Ari, I’m here, it’s Jameson.”
The elation that started to mend the gaping hole in my heart was overwhelming in the best way possible when her beautiful, mesmerizing golden eyes locked onto mine.
“Ari, baby, you’re back.” I covered her forehead, cheeks, and lips with a flurry of frantic kisses, desperately thanking the universe for returning her to me.
It wasn’t until her little noises caught my attention that I pulled back out of concern and realized she was trying to speak. I quickly reached for the cup of ice chips on the side table and slipped a piece between her lips, hoping that would help with the dryness that was likely causing her some discomfort in her mouth and throat.
Her expression softened as she gave me a hint of a smile before she turned her attention to her surroundings. Even before the heart monitor alerted me to her heart rate rising, I saw the exact second uncertainty blurred her vision, and panic set in.
“It’s okay, Ari; I promise you’re safe. He can’t hurt you ever again.” I tried to reassure her.
As her eyelids fluttered shut, tears slowly streamed down her cheeks. I climbed into the bed next to her, pulling her into my arms, hoping it would provide her with more comfort, and gently wiped away her tears with a Kleenex.
I pressed my lips to her forehead and felt her body begin to relax noticeably, allowing her the peace and security to fall back asleep. When Dustin walked into the room a short time later, his eyes widened with immense relief. It was then that I realized just how much this ordeal had drained him. His shoulders slumped forward when he settled into his seat.
There was no denying that deeply rooted mental exhaustion had set in for both of us; sheer adrenaline had carried us through the days that turned into nights on repeat. Now that Ari had awakened, it brought me the comfort I desperately longed for, assuring me she was on the right path to recovery. It was the most at peace I’d felt in days as I closed my eyes, allowing my mind and body to surrender to much-needed rest.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Arizona
