Page 13 of Someone Like You
No questions?What did she mean? He didn’t like this, didn’t like the calm in her voice or the stillness of her body. “Hold on, London. You’re going to get through this.”
She winced and her body convulsed again. “N-n-no.”
What was she telling him? He wanted to scream at her. Yes, she was going to get through it. They would take her to the hospital and stitch up her head and tomorrow morning she’d walk out just fine. Then they’d get in the car and come here.
To Ice Cream Renaissance.
Her breathing was worse. More noise, less air. Shestruggled to look at him again. “I … love you … Dawson.”
“I love you, London.” His tears fell harder now. “Hang on, please.”
She tried to swallow but instead she choked. So hard she cried out. He couldn’t bear it. The horrific pain she must’ve been in. Her look grew more intense. “I asked God.”
Dawson’s mind was spinning. The ambulance pulled up and he could hear what must’ve been paramedics running toward them. “What, baby? What did you ask Him?”
“To …” She blinked and it took a bit before she opened her eyes and found him again. “To give me Jesus.”
It was everything he’d ever wanted to hear from her. But not like this, not on a sidewalk in downtown Vancouver with her body mangled and blood spilling from her head. He pressed his cheek against hers. Time was running out. They were about to take her from him. “London … then you have Him. You have Jesus.”
She gave the slightest nod and then she closed her eyes.
In a blur the medics were on the scene. “Excuse us. Step aside, please.”
How could he tell them that he had never stepped aside for anyone when it came to London Quinn? He was always first to call, first to show up. Last to say goodbye. He was her very own and she was his. Dawson kissed her cheek and stood.
He had to move, had to let them take her. It was the only chance she had.
Someone came up beside him, a tall policeman with blond hair and big shoulders. “Dawson.” The man put his arm around Dawson’s shoulders. “She’s okay. Jesus has her now.”
What?Dawson wanted to shout at everyone to stop the entire charade. This wasn’t happening. He and London were in the parlor and they were sitting at the best table in the place and she was sharing her heart. Her questions.
But the officer was still there, still holding on to him. Dawson jerked away. “I … can’t lose her.” He took a step toward the spot where London lay on a stretcher, where a medical team was hooking up an IV. “London! I’m here.”
The policeman took gentle hold of his arm and pulled him back. “Don’t be afraid. You won’t lose her.” Something warm and sincere filled the man’s voice. He pressed his fingers to Dawson’s heart. “London will be right here, Dawson. Always.”
The officer’s badge readJAG. Who was he and how come he knew Dawson’s name? And London’s? “Do … do I know you?”
The paramedics were moving the stretcher, taking her with them. When she was supposed to be sitting across from him eating ice cream.
“London!” Dawson moved to follow the stretcher, but a different policeman stopped him. Where was his friend, the blond officer? Dawson looked back for him, but the guy was gone. Nowhere. Not here or up and down the sidewalk. And the other one wasn’t letting him through.
Dawson peered past the man. “London!” His voice rose against the noise of the crowd surrounding them.God, let her hear me. Please.They were loading her in the ambulance now, about to shut the doors. “I’ll meet you there. Hold on, please hold on.”
The doors closed and the ambulance pulled away.
Ten yards away the man who had hit her was still in the road, his head in his hands. Four police officers and aparamedic were talking to him. The blond one wasn’t among them. Dawson wasn’t sure how he was going to get to the hospital, but just then one of the four policemen approached him.
“Come on.” He motioned to Dawson. “I’ll take you.”
On the way to the hospital, the officer was quiet. Dawson stared out the window and didn’t blink. This was all a terrible nightmare. It had to be. He covered his face with his hand. His eyes were dry now, shock setting in. This was his fault. He should’ve told her to look for cars. Should’ve stopped her from jumping out without checking traffic.
If he would’ve done that none of this would’ve happened.God, please let her live. She’s everything to me. Please, Lord.
Then it hit him and his heart slammed against his chest. Her parents! They had to know. What was he going to tell them? That she’d been hit by a truck and now … now she might … He couldn’t finish the thought. Instead Dawson dialed Louise Quinn. He’d rather take the hit himself than contact London’s mother, but he had no choice. He held his breath while the call rang through.
The call that would change London’s parents’ lives forever.
5
