Page 49 of Wired Ghost

“Sophie.” She could tell by the surprise in his voice he hadn’t thought she’d pick up. “Are you all right?”

“I’m better than all right. Jake woke up from the coma, and we’re engaged.” Sophie sounded giddy, even to her own ears. She wished she had his grandmother’s ring to look at to reassure herself that those magical moments at Jake’s bedside had really happened.

A pause.

Clearly, Raveaux needed time for the news to sink in. Sophie rushed to fill the void with words. “His brain activity had been coming and going on the monitors, but his wishes were clear in his health directive, so his mother and sister had the medical team unplug the life support as scheduled. The transplant team was standing by to harvest his organs. But he started breathing on his own, and then . . . he woke up!”

“How wonderful!” Raveaux’s voice was sincere. “You love each other and you have another chance at a life together.”

“We do. Love each other. And now we’re getting married.” She glanced down at her hand again, but the fourth finger was still bare. “He’s got a way to go to recover, so it will be a while before we have a wedding.”

“All in due time,” Raveaux said in his measured way. “Congratulations, in any case.”

Awkward pause. Why was this so hard? “You must have had a reason for calling?”

“Yes. I’m back on Oahu. I’ve met with Bix and debriefed about the case, and it occurred to me that I wanted to thank your father for his kindness to me while we were together at the hospital. Can I get his number from you?” Raveaux’s voice was perfectly calm and reasonable.

“Dad was especially kind to you?”

“He was.”

“And I was not.” Her cold behavior toward Raveaux came back to her in an embarrassing rush of images. She’d been so devastated about Jake, so guilty about her attraction to Raveaux, that she’d rejected his simplest gesture. “I’m sorry I was rude, Pierre.”

“I took no offense. You were stressed.”

“But still—it was ill-done of me. Of course, I’ll text you Dad’s private number.”

“I’d appreciate that.”

Another awkward pause. There was so much they weren’t saying; so much that could never be said. “I hope you wish us well, Pierre.”

“I will always wish every good thing for you, Sophie, especially that you are loved as you deserve. Thank you for the information; I’ll see you at the office when you return.” Raveaux ended the call.

Sophie listened to the quiet hiss of the severed connection for a long moment, and then set the device aside. She leaned back against the lounger, and hugged her arms around herself as the breeze off the Bay turned cold.

* * *

She’d finally gone inside,taken a shower, and was perusing the room service menu. After she ate something, she’d go back to the hospital to sit with Jake.

She had to be next to him, even if he was sleeping.Hopefully he’d spoken with his mother by now . . .

Sophie picked up her phone and answered it when she saw Connor’s private number.

“Connor! I’m so glad you called. I have good news about Jake.”

“Tell me.”

“He came out of the coma. I don’t know how much permanent damage he may have sustained, but . . . he was conscious. And we are engaged!” Sophie reflexively looked down at her hand again.She really wished she had that ring!

“Wow!” Connor gave a rich chuckle. “But then, I’m getting used to seeing incredible things. Congratulations!” He cleared his throat. “What do you remember about the rescue?”

“I remember that it was you that got us out. Thank you, Connor. We would be dead right now if you hadn’t thought of that chip.”

“I’m learning to listen to my intuition more and more. In fact, that is how I make all of my decisions these days.” A pause. “What’s the current situation with Jake?”

Sophie looked around her and sighed. “I don’t know. But I was getting ready to go back to the hospital and visit him. I am desperately hoping he’s told his mother we’re engaged. She blames me for his injuries. It’s not fair, but I understand her feelings.”

“That must be painful.” She could almost see him pinching the bridge of his nose as he switched gears. “I don’t expect you to take immediate action on this, but when you have some better idea of his prognosis, I have a favor to ask.”

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