Page 56 of Ardently Yours

I look down at my phone, trying to memorize the address to the hospital so I can drive there without thinking. I don’t even remember how to use the GPS on my phone right now. I can’t think straight.

“Will?”

Lizzie saying my name pulls me out of my spiraling thoughts.

“Talk to me.”

“My dad is in the hospital.”

She’s already moving. She gently takes my phone from my hand and reads the text with the address. Then she grabs her purse and car keys from the hallway closet.

“Come on. I’ll drive you.”

“You don’t have to take me,” I say, finally finding my voice again.

But I still can’t process what’s happening. I’m moving, but everything feels heavy and slow.

“You don’t seem like you should be alone right now, so I want to take you. I’ve got you, okay?”

She reaches for me, and I let her wrap me in a hug. I rest my head on her shoulder and instantly feel comforted.

“Okay,” I say into her shoulder, my voice muffled. “Let’s go.”

Chapter Nineteen

Lizzie

The drive to the hospital is quiet for a while. I drive my Jeep, focused on the road. It’s dark and warm outside, but inside, the air conditioner blows cold air on us while the glow of the radio casts the car in dim light.

There aren’t many cars on the road tonight, and the drive to Chicago isn’t a quick one. According to the GPS on my phone that’s hooked up to the car, it’s about an hour to the hospital.

I have a Jonas Brothers playlist playing softly, trying to lift Will’s spirits, but I don’t know if he’s even listening. Not that I blame him. He’s staring straight ahead, completely spaced out.

I reach over and touch his hand, letting him know I’m here for him. He wraps his hand around mine, holding on. We stay like that. No words needed for the rest of the drive.

Once we pull up in front of the hospital, I ask Will, “Do you want me to come in with you?”

He nods without hesitation. I park the Jeep near the emergency room entrance, and we walk hand in hand to the hospital doors.

At the front desk, I tell the nurse, “We’re here for Mr. Darcy. His dad.”

I glance over at Will. The nurse checks the computer to see where Mr. Darcy is.

Before she can finish telling us, someone calls out, “Will?”

We both turn toward the sound of his name. A tall, pretty, brown-skinned woman with eyes just like his and long, waist-length dark braids rushes toward us.

I let go of his hand.

She throws her arms around him. His sister, I assume, based on how much they look alike and the way she’s hugging him.

I’ve hugged my sisters enough times, through both happy and hard moments, to know what a sibling hug looks like. This is the kind of sibling hug I haven’t had to give yet. The kind where you’re terrified you might lose one of your parents.

Mentally, I thank God for that. Then I silently pray for the Darcy siblings. God, please don’t let them lose their dad tonight. Help them, Lord.

When she finally lets go of Will, she steps back and looks over at me before looking at him again. Her eyes are a little red, and she looks like she’s been crying. Even so, she manages a small smile.

“And you are?” she asks, still smiling as she eyes her brother suspiciously.