Page 25 of Until Waverly

“Brace yourself,” Amy warned. “This is most likely going to hurt.”

Even being as gentle as they were trying to be, the shift of my body caused the bones in my lower leg to move, and I screamed.

“We’ll get you something for the pain, Waverly,” one of the ortho doctors said while they tried to be careful with me.

I don’t know what possessed me, but I divulged the truth, “I have a daughter.”

Maybe it was the fear of never seeing her again.

“I know, Waverly, you’ve told me about her no less than three times.” Had I? His tone was gentle. Honestly, I didn’t remember saying anything to him about Alandria. “It’s the concussion screwing with your memory. It’s normal. I promise you, Waverly.” He grinned. “You even talked through the CT scan too. Passed out when we got to your head.” He came back over to me. He was handsome, younger than I thought an orthopedic doctor should be. “About two hours after I’m done fixing your leg, you’ll be settled in your room, and you’ll have your daughter in your arms.”

“Promise m-me.” I grimaced, hating the stutter in my voice.

“I promise,” he murmured before he left the pre-op room, I’d been waiting in. How or when I’d gotten there, I couldn’t say.

A few seconds later, one of the nurses from L&D came in with the anesthesiologist. I couldn’t focus on what either was saying. What I’d held onto was Dr. Jay’s words. I would be in a room recovering in two hours with my daughter by my side. That had been all I wanted.

Alandria.

Chapter8

Jackson

Ithought the minute I joined Waverly’s parents and her sister, they’d tell me what was going on and why they’d wanted me there. Mack Sr.’s gruff tone replayed in my head. The question of what he’d meant by games sat on the tip of my tongue. Yet, every time I opened my mouth to ask, nothing came out. Instead, I stood there for a few hours, hopeful one of the Redman family members would put me out of my misery.

Unfortunately, they did nothing to set my fears at ease. Nor did they seem ready to speak to me. Again, I wondered why I was there. I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs for them to say it. Just tell me the truth. Whatever happened all those months ago could be fixed if someone would give me a clue. A morsel of information.Anythingbut silence.

Yet, all gazes were trained on the hospital, as if nothing else in the world existed.

As if I didn’t exist.

Again.

What the hell happened, Waverly?

I wasn’t sure how long we’d been standing out there when the tactical movement began. At some point, industrial generator lights had been brought in to illuminate the command post and the staging area for waiting family and friends. SWAT had stationed themselves farther away, though the activity had been nonstop since they’d arrived. Two bearcat armored vehicles were positioned at the entrances and exits of the parking lot, blocking traffic from entering or exiting. Snipers took up position on the rooftops of the surrounding buildings and the parking structure of the hospital. Other officers stood ready to go in with their K-9 companions. Ambulances and fire trucks were pushed back, positioned down the street at the red light for their safety. Seemed a bit out-of-place seeing them there, considering this was a hospital, however if something happened inside, those locked in were in no position to take care of the wounded.

Running my fingers through my short hair, I gripped the tips and blew out a breath. Waverly was in there. I still had no clue why I’d been asked to join everyone, and they didn’t seem inclined to say as much either. Had I driven myself, I probably would have left. I glanced at Ireland, who carried on an angry, animated conversation with Mack. Those green eyes of hers filled with fire and determination. Mack was the opposite of her. He appeared lost, his gaze drifting to the building, then over to me for a split second before back on his wife, who read him the riot act.

“Would you like some water?” One volunteer held out a bottle to me. “You looked like you could use it.”

I smiled politely and took the drink from her. “Thanks. Hey, can you give me an update? Or has there been any new information?”

The woman shook her head. “Apparently, there won’t be any news until the standoff is over. There are too many electronics in the building, and the police don’t want to tip him off.”

“The father from the wreck last night?” I tilted my head, remembering the information Ireland gave me on the drive over.

“Yeah, I feel bad for the guy but not bad enough to understand taking over the Labor and Delivery floor.” She shrugged. “His kid is in there, ya know? So are others. It’s not fair.”

I wondered absently if she had someone inside the hospital too. Or if she was just a person who helped. “I thought the staff put the floor on lockdown?”

“Honestly,” she said, hefting the box in adjustment. “I’m not sure. I’ve only heard bits and pieces.”

That did absolutely nothing to help me. “That makes both of us.”

“Sorry, I couldn’t be of more help.” She started away.

“Hey, thanks for the water.” I tried to smile, but it could have been more of a grimace than anything. “Wait.” She turned back to me, curiosity and exhaustion mixed in her features. “Have you ever met Waverly Redman?”

---