Page 80 of Stay With Me

He shook his head. “I’m sorry. I’m just here to get the information about your campsite.”

Samantha’s shoulders sank as she turned to Charlotte. “Can you please ask someone again if they know where he is? His name is Nick Chapman. He has light brown hair, green eyes, he’s about six-one, thirty years old.”

Charlotte shrugged. “I’m sorry, Samantha. I’ve searched the system and asked around, but nobody’s seen him.”

“Is it possible he might have been sent to another hospital? He hurt his legs pretty bad.”

“Were they broken?”

“They weren’t just broken.” She paused to closed her eyes and shake the mental picture out of her head. “They were like …mangled. His left shin was bent in the middle, and his right shin bone was sticking out of his skin.”

“Oh.” Charlotte made a subtle face, but Samantha could tell even she knew it was bad. “In that case, he’s definitely here. We have an excellent orthopedic surgeon because of how often that type of thing happens in the park. It’s likely that he’s in surgery. I’ll go check with them and let you know what I find out.”

“Thank you.” She gestured at the phone. “Can I make a long distance call? My parents are in Austin.”

“Of course. Then try to get some more rest. Are you feeling up to eating yet? I could get you something bland if your stomach is still bothering you. It’s important that you get something in you soon so you can get your strength back. Maybe a PB and J and a banana?”

“Sure. Thank you.”

Charlotte and Ranger Bennett slipped out of the room, and Samantha’s stomach lurched again at the idea of food. She took a small sip of water in an attempt to calm it, but it only made her feel nauseated all over again.

She picked up the phone and dialed her mom’s number.

“Hello?”

The instant Samantha heard her mom’s voice, her throat constricted and her eyes welled up, and she was briefly rendered speechless.

“Hello? Is anyone there?”

“Mommy?” she squeaked, choking back tears.

“Samantha? What’s wrong? I thought you were camping? Did something happen?”

Samantha swallowed hard and attempted to speak again. “Something happened.”

* * *

“Samantha?”

“Hmm?”

Samantha cracked her eyelids open and glanced to her left. Charlotte was back again.It had to be well after midnight and she was convinced she’d never get a full night’s sleep again.

“I need to check your vitals and look at that sting.”

“Okaaay.”

Samantha rolled onto her back while Charlotte went through the motions.

“How are you feeling?”

“Same. Tired. Sore. Queasy.”

“Did you eat?”

“The crust off the bread.”

Charlotte gave a small smirk. “Usually people eat only the white part of the bread.”