Page 86 of One Kind Soul

Christian closed his eyes as the nurse had recommended and he must have fallen asleep because when he opened his eyes again, Landon and Aliza were sitting in chairs near his bed.

“Hey.” He had to clear his throat. “What are you guys doing here?”

“Ben was discharged, but the doctor said he shouldn’t be alone,” Aliza said, “so Jared went to stay with him because Ben’s sister had to get home to her daughter.”

Christian nodded, happy the movement didn’t cause him to feel sick.

“How are you?” Landon asked. “Got some pink leopard spots there still, but nothing looks too swollen anymore.”

Christian pushed up to sitting, encouraged when his vision didn’t swim and his stomach didn’t lurch. “I think I’m okay.” He drew in several deep inhales, letting the air out slowly. “Any word on Nicole?” He eased his legs over the side of the bed, letting them dangle.

Landon and Aliza looked at each other, but neither of them answered his question.

“Guys, what’s happening?” How long had he been asleep? “What time is it?”

“It’s 5:47 p.m.” Aliza rested her hand on his knee. “Take it slow, Christian.”

“Why aren’t you answering my Nicole question?” Anxiety crawled up his spine and his heart beat faster. Not because of anaphylaxis or epinephrine this time.

“Donovan said Nicole got on a 3:30 p.m. flight to Hawaii,” Landon finally said. “He’s been in contact with police over there and they’re supposed to take her under their protection as soon as she gets off the plane.”

“Good.” It wasn’t as good as having her right here next to him, but she was likely to be safe in police custody. “And Lynda?”

“No sign of her,” Aliza said. “But her picture and information have been circulated, Christian. If she tries to get near Nicole, she’s going down.”

“In the meantime . . .” Landon parted the curtains around the bed to reveal two uniformed Maplehaven police officers. “Donovan wants you protected as well. Lynda has targeted you too many times. Just because Nicole is gone doesn’t mean her sister will leave you alone.”

He understood that. He hated police officers tailing him, but he couldn’t ignore the fact that he’d nearly died today and that Lynda probably had something to do with that.

“You ready to go home?” Aliza asked him.

Christian slid a hand along his stomach. “I think so. Am I allowed to?”

“Yeah,” Landon said. “You were discharged about thirty minutes ago, but the nurse said to let you sleep.”

“Oh.” Christian slowly stood, one hand on the bed as he rose.

Landon and Aliza stood as well, taking up positions on either side of him.

“How we doing?” Aliza asked, her hand gently on his back.

“I don’t feel dizzy anymore,” he said. “I’m okay.”

“Let’s get you home then.” Landon yanked on the curtain and the nurse who had attended to Christian stopped on his way by.

“All set?” he asked.

“Yes. Thank you.”

“You let us know if symptoms come back, okay?”

“Will do.”

The nurse looked at Landon then Aliza. “Do you live with him?”

“Tonight we do,” Aliza said.

“You don’t—”