Page 105 of A Whole New Trick

“Six hours. It’s nearly two in the morning.”

I blow out a breath. Six hours isn’t too long. Part of me worried I was about to have aWhile You Were Sleepingmoment where I woke up and learned I’d been unconscious for weeks. Though, in that movie, he’s tricked into thinking Sandra Bullock is his fiancé he’d forgotten. There’s no way I’d forget the woman currently fussing with the pillow behind my head.

The effort puts her chest in front of my face. “This is a nice view.”

Morgan looks down and scowls playfully. “Pig.”

“Only for you.”

She shakes her head and steps back with a laugh. “The doctors gave you meds to keep you asleep,” she tells me. “The nurse asked for me to get her when you woke up. I’ll be right back.”

I open my mouth to tell her we can just press the “Call Nurse” button on the remote attached to my bed, but she’s out the door before I can take a breath.

I press my lips together and smile to myself. I don’t relish the circumstances that led to this moment, but I’m not going to lie; it’s nice having someone concerned about me who isn’t family.

Morgan told me she loves me. I believe her, but seeing the words backed up by her actions isn’t something I’ve experienced. Chelsea cared more about what I could do for her than what she could do for me. Thank God I didn’t end up with her.

“Oh, Dane. You’re awake!”

I stiffen and whip my head to the room’s entrance. I wince, but the pain is forgotten as I take in the middle-aged woman rushing across the squeaky tile floors.

“Mom?!”

“See, Mom.” Eli walks in after her. “I told you he’d be fine. Dane is too stubborn to let a little blackout keep him down.”

I bite back a grunt of pain when Mom wraps her thin arms around me, putting weight on my chest. She leans back. Tears glisten in her eyes. “Oh, Dane. We were so worried.”

“What are you doing here?” I look between Mom and Eli. “How did you get here so fast?”

“The Ranchers chartered a plane to bring us here,” Mom reveals.

“What?”

“It was Coach Miller’s idea,” Eli reveals. “He and the team insisted Gianni get them here.”

Wow.

“They must’ve thought I was dying.” After my recent conversation with Vincent Jr., I doubt the owner would’ve agreed to such an expense otherwise.

“That’s not funny, Dane.” Mom sniffs. “We were terrified.”

Remorse floods my chest. “Sorry, Mom.”

“It’s all right.” She sniffs again and wipes her cheeks. “I’m just glad you’re all right.”

“What did they say is wrong with you?” Eli asks.

“Nothing yet. At least, nothing to me,” I tell him. “Morgan went to get the nurse.”

On cue, an older woman appears in the doorway. She wears a bright smile. “It is good to see you awake, Mr. Larson. I called for the doctor, but I’ll take your vitals now that you’re conscious.”

Morgan walks in behind the peppy nurse. Her brown eyes widen slightly as she takes in the sight of Eli and my mom, hesitating for a second before entering the room.

The nurse steps in front of me, blocking my line of sight as she tightens a blood pressure cuff onto my bicep. I hear Eli introduce Mom and Morgan. Polite greetings are exchanged.

The nurse hums approvingly and removes the cuff.

“What’s the verdict on my head?” I ask as she types something into the computer located next to the head of the hospital bed. “When can I get out of here?”

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