Page 9 of When Forever Stays

“I’ll talk to Mrs. Woodhouse in the morning. Then I guess we’ll go from there.”

Dr. Woodhouse tucks Rhett’s chart into the folder on his door and turns to me, placing his hands on my shoulders.

“I know this isn’t easy for you, but I agree with Rhett—God has set this all in motion. Nothing in this world happens by coincidence.”

Dr. Woodhouse’s words choke me up. I’ve experienced too many unbelievable situations that God has worked His hand in. Not that God needs to prove Himself to me, but I’ve seen Him work in ways I never could have imagined. What Dr. Woodhouse said is yet another confirmation that God is working in this situation too.

“I know,” I say with a nod.

“You’re a great woman, Dana. I’m proud to know you and even more proud of how you’re handling this. I can almost guarantee Nancy will understand and say you’re doing the right thing by taking him in. I wouldn’t suggest it if I thought otherwise.”

I muster a smile. “Thank you.”

“His nurse will be in with the discharge paperwork soon.” My heart sinks. The last person I want to see again is Nurse McFlirty.

“Okay,” I say. When Dr. Woodhouse walks down the hall, I give myself a moment to breathe. And pray.

As I walk back into the room, Rhett asks, “Are you okay?”

“As okay as can be expected.”

“You don’t have to take me in. I’ll find another place to stay.”

“You overheard us?” I thought we were out of earshot, but I was apparently wrong. Guilt pinches my chest. I hope he understands my reluctance to let him stay at my house.

He nods.

“It’s not that I don’t?—“

“You don’t need to explain yourself. I get it. Like I said, I’ll find another place to stay."

“Do you know where you live?” I ask.

“No.”

“Have you gotten any memories back since I stepped into the hall? Like maybe one of your old friends?”

“No. But?—”

“No buts; you’ll stay with me.”

A slow smile pulls up both sides of Rhett’s mouth. “I knew it.”

“Knew what?”

“My little siren is also an angel.”

I bite the inside of my cheek to stifle my grin. Rhett already figured out how to make me smile again, even without his memories. It was something he was able to do from the moment I stepped foot on his tennis court over a year ago. His effortless flirtation put me at ease and had me laughing before I swung the racket. It appears to be the same way this time around, even without his memories.

Grabbing my phone, I try not to let his sweet talking get the best of me. Which is difficult since his words and the glimmerof promise in his eyes make my heart race. I focus on sending a quick text to Crew, telling him I’m at the hospital and that he can let himself in after his shift if I don’t make it back to my house before him. My phone vibrates not even a few seconds after I hit send. A picture of Crew in full fireman gear and posing like a superhero pops up on my screen.

“You’re at the hospital? What happened? Why didn’t I hear about it on the scanner? Are you okay? I’m on my way.” Crew's voice is full of concern as he rattles off his questions.

“I’m fine!” I say before he can spout off more questions. I realize now that I shouldn’t have sent it without further explanation.

“I’m here with Rhett.”

“Rhett?” Crew’s voice hits a new decibel, and I pull my phone away from my ear. “You mean that no-good?—”

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