Page 24 of Heal For Me

“Lost?”

I jolt at the unexpected male voice behind me. Looking back, a tall man offers me a friendly smile.

“No. I’m here more than I’m home lately.” I try to smile like it’s a joke, but it’s not funny, and very true.

He chuckles low and deep from behind the small desk. It doesn’t make sense for there to be a desk in the hallway, but he’s wearing a white coat, so he obviously works here. He tugs on the coat. “I know the feeling.”

“Of course. Have a good day.” I back away, but his voice stops me.

“There are elevators over there.” He points to the side hallway instead of the one I’m heading down.

I glance down the hallway, but I can’t see anything from here.

“Get you to the fourth floor quicker.”

Why am I questioning this man? If he works here and says it’s quicker, then fine. I’m beat from last night and my knee is fucked. Besides, I look run-down, still wearing my sweatsuit. He probably doesn’t want me to wander the halls.

“Brilliant. Thank you.”

He offers another bright smile. I’m halfway down the hallway when I hear his voice again. “You’re welcome, Ashley.”

“Thanks.” A few steps later, it hits me that not only did he know what floor I’m going to, but he called me Ashley. My heart is oddly steady but my mind is working overtime. “How do you . . .” I pause at the empty hallway behind me. Frowning, I debate whether I should go look for the man but decide against it. I’m tired, maybe I’m imagining things.

He was right though, the elevator brought me to the fourth floor. The opposite side I usually land on, but here, nonetheless.

There’s an odd feeling in my chest as I head toward her room. It’s not good or bad, just there. I’m passing a room when that feeling intensifies. So much so I have to look in the room to see what the hell is giving me this reaction. I try and avoid it for privacy reasons, but it’s not a hospital room. It’s the hospital’s chapel.

My eyebrows furrow, then I lift one and look toward the ceiling. Really? I ask in my head, like I’m going to get some kind of answer. I really am losing my mind.

I’m about to walk away when someone inside stands. Someone I know. I walk through the door, shocked when I don’t immediately catch on fire. But I guess if Jethro Gilbert is in here not burning alive, I should be fine too.

The floor creaks, and he whips his head in my direction, rolling his eyes immediately. “What are you doing here?”

I don’t fucking know. Shit, shoot. Sorry. I glance up at the Jesus statue in the front of the small room. Deep-red carpet covers the floor. Three wooden pews are on either side of a small isle, and in the front, there is a small raised stage. Each pew has the things you’re meant to kneel on and pray. That’s when I realize what Jethro was doing.

“You repenting for your sins?”

He scowls at my deflection of his question, but I don’t know why I’m here. “Hardly.”

He doesn’t elaborate, but my head is pounding, so I don’t push. Instead, I head to the second pew and fall into it with a thud. Jethro takes his seat next to me, and a few moments of silence pass, but they’re not awkward.

“I just want her to wake up.”

His words catch me so off guard I crack an eye open to make sure it’s still Jethro I’m talking to. “Me too.”

“Figure if Paul devoted his whole life to this shit, might be worth it during a moment of weakness. It’s not like God would be doing me a favor, he’d be doing Payson one, and she’s innocent enough for his love, right?”

She’s innocent enough for all the good in the world. It’s too bad all the good in the world isn’t what she has been exposed to.

“I feel fucking ridiculous talking to myself in here, though.”

I crack a smile. “Bet you look it too.”

He doesn’t smile but a hint of amusement crosses his face. He looks as tired as I feel.

“How was your Thanksgiving?”

“My daughter didn’t show up. Apparently, I missed the memo that Black Friday shopping now starts on Thursday, so I did some work in a shitty café before turning around and coming home. Yours?”

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