Page 55 of The Lighthouse on Plum Island
She was helped back onto the gurney and wheeled into a room where she had to wait for the results that would unveil the mysteries within her head. If only it would be that easy to show the secrets of the heart and how to fix them. The room door opened before Caroline could get lost in her thoughts once more. Jules came in, cuddling a teddy, followed by Brad. Her heart skipped a beat, and her stomach knotted when she noticed the flowers in his hand.
“How was it?” Jules asked her, hugging her.
“Weird!” Caroline told them.
“Here, this is for you.” Jules held up the teddy with a heart on his belly, andI Wuv you Beary Muchon it. “We had to buy them at the little gift shop in the hospital.”
“They only had these daisies,” Brad said, handing them to her. “We were going to sneak you a coffee but thought better of it.”
“We didn’t know if you were going to need further treatment,” Jules explained. “If you don’t, I’ll get us a coffee.”
“Nice try,” Caroline told her daughter with a grin. “You can have a tea or cocoa.”
“It was worth a shot.” Jules shrugged and sat in a chair beside the bed. Brad sat next to her.
“How long did Daniella say the results will take?” Brad asked.
“I’m not sure,” Caroline answered. “But if you need to go, I’m sure Finn can take us home.” She frowned and craned her neck, looking through the door. “Where is Finn?”
Brad and Jules looked at each other before he answered, “Finn had to get back to the lighthouse to help—“
“He went to help Jennifer and Harriet,” Jules finished Brad’s sentence, making Caroline suspicious.
“What did they need help with?” Caroline’s eyes narrowed.
“Something to do with the lighthouse,” Jules told her, moving the subject away from Finn’s absence. “Do you think they’ll serve you breakfast?” She glanced toward the door. “I’m starving.”
“You also need to get some sleep.” Caroline realized what the time was as she looked at the clock hanging over the door, and her eyes collided with Brad’s. “You both do.”
“We’ll be able to sleep once we know you’re alright,” Brad said. His eyes were still shadowed with concern for her, making her heart do more crazy flips.
As if on cue, Daniella walked into the room. “Good news.” She put the tablet she was carrying under her arm. “Your scan came up clean. But you still have a concussion, and we need to keep you here for twenty-four-hour observation.”
“I don’t have twenty-four hours to lie around in bed,” Caroline moaned. “I want to go home. I have a lot to do today.”
“Which is why you’re not going anywhere, Mom,” Jules told her, suppressing a yawn and glancing at the soft family recliner in the corner.
“I’m going to get you a new laptop.” Brad smiled at the look she shot him. “I insist. It’s the least I can do. Jules said she’ll set it up for you and download all your information from the cloud.”
“Thanks, honey.” Caroline took her daughter’s hand and squeezed it. “And thank you for getting me another laptop.” A thought popped into her head. “I have some locations listed for various places I thought would be great for filming some scenes.”
“I’d love to go through them with you,” Brad said. “Why don’t I go organize your laptop.” He smiled warmly at Jules. “You can take a nap in the comfy chair.” He looked at his wristwatch. “I’ll be back in two hours with it, and I’ll check with Daniella if I can bring some decent coffee and cocoa for you.”
“Ooh, can you get some breakfast?” Jules asked him.
“Jules!” Caroline admonished her.
“It’s okay.” Brad laughed. “I was going to offer.”
Jules gave him her breakfast order, which had Brad looking at her in awe, wondering if such a tiny teenage girl could eat all that.
“Trust me, she’ll put all that away and then some,” Caroline read Brad’s thoughts.
“Wow!” Brad grinned. “You and Connor under one roof would eat us out of house and home.”
The thought of her and Brad living under one roof with their teenagers made her heart jolt and her mind want to meander into a dream world about it. But she once again gave herself a mental shake. That wasnevergoing to happen. Brad was with Harriet, and she had to remember he’d taken her on more than a few dates in New York while with Harriet. He’d even had the audacity to invite her to a party. Brad had probably thought Harriet wasn’t going to be there.
Anger shot through her like a lightning bolt, and she had to stop herself from snorting at her thoughts. Caroline took a deep breath to steady her emotions as she reminded herself that Brad was being nice and they had to work together for half a year. She bit down her anger and plastered a smile on her face.
