Page 11

“Maybe she just needs a little more time,” I suggest quietly.

“We’re hoping so.” She pats my arm. “Anyway, I’m going to do my rounds and then come back and read to her some more. Try to get some rest, Mr. Dash.”

“You can just call me Dash,” I mumble. “Or Hudson.”

“You look like a Hudson.”

I don’t think I know what a Hudson is supposed to look like, but she goes on her way and I pause in Willow’s doorway, watching intently. I feel a little bit like a creeper, but I would never hurt her or do anything inappropriate.

I’m just worried about her.

I don’t know her, and I don’t know what’s going on with her fiancé, but he scares me. There is no doubt in my mind he’ll hurt her if he takes her home. Everything inside of me is screaming that she needs protection, and despite my injury, that’s what I do.

I protect people.

People who are vulnerable in some way.

And Willow seems to be vulnerable in every way at the moment.

It’s not like I’m going to fall asleep any time soon, so I look up and down the hallway, which is now deserted.

What would be the worst thing that could happen if I continue reading to her? Just for a little while. Maybe, if I’m lucky, it’ll make me tired. If not, at least I can feel like I’m accomplishing something by keeping her company when she’s spent far too much time alone.

I slowly walk into the room and sink into the chair at her bedside.

She’s pale and blond, her slight figure hidden beneath what seems like a mountain of blankets. Eyelashes so light they’re almost invisible as they dot her cheeks like lace, and delicate features make her seem doll-like. Her hair looks like spun silk, like someone has been taking good care of it since she’s been in the coma.

Part of me wants to reach out and touch it, but I keep my hands to myself,

Instead, I reach for the copy of Pride and Prejudice. It’s a hard cover, with fancy embossed leather and etched gold. The pages, however, are well worn and there’s no doubt in my mind she’s read this book many times.

I open to the page that’s bookmarked and pick up where Holly left off.

“‘…I had not thought Mr. Darcy so bad as this—though I have never liked him. I had not thought so very ill of him—I had supposed him to be despising his fellow-creatures in general, but did not suspect him of descending to such malicious revenge, such injustice, such inhumanity as this…’”

Elizabeth is not a fan of this Darcy dude. I may have to go back and read what I missed to find out why.

I chuckle to myself and keep reading.

At some point, I must have dozed off because I wake with a start, someone touching my arm.

“Hudson. Good morning,” Holly murmurs. “It’s six a.m. and time for your meds.”

“Shit.” I sit up and roll my neck. “I guess I fell asleep.”

“A good book can do that to you.” She takes it from my hands and puts it back on the table beside Willow. “Let’s get you back to your room. I owe you a sponge bath today.” She’s kidding because I’m allowed to shower.

I groan anyway, just to mess with her. “I was just starting to like you…”

“You love me,” she says, laughing. “Now, up you go.”

For some reason, I’m reluctant to leave.

But I’ll be back.

If for no other reason than I want to find out what happens next.

Four