Persuaded (Jane Austen Diaries) Read online

  Collin was above me. His shirt was off and torn in half so fast I didn’t even see him do it. “Here.” He chucked one half at me, and the other was caught mid-throw by Gregory.

  Carson and Ethan immediately followed suit and removed their shirts. Ethan dropped down and began to cover a large cut on one of Kylie’s legs. I hadn’t even seen it. “Be careful not to move her! We don’t want to risk paralyzing her, if she’s not already. And someone call 911. We need help now.”

  Carson and Collin both whipped out their phones, but neither could get a signal.

  “What do we do?” Gregory asked me frantically.

  “Go find someone with a CB radio. Or get up high enough to get a signal.”

  “Yes.” Gregory jumped up with the blood-soaked cloth in his hand. “A CB radio. You’re a genius.”

  “Not you!” I snapped at him. “Stop that blood.” I turned to my left. “Ethan, you know these trails better than any of us. Go get help. Collin, take that leg from him. And Carson, do me a favor and stop those girls from screaming.” It sounded as if Lilly and Sydney were trying to have a wailing match to see who could screech the loudest. I watched Carson run over to the girls. Madison was already there, doing her best to keep them quiet. When I looked back, Ethan had already gone.

  Gregory and Collin were extremely adept and calm as they followed my instructions—clearly they were grateful to have something to do. Between the three of us, after five or ten minutes, we had managed to slow Kylie’s blood loss, while I continued to take her pulse. It rose slower than I had hoped, but because it was rising, I had to prepare the guys for the reality that she might wake up. It was my worst fear. If she did, she would probably injure herself further.

  “If she does wake up, I’ll need you two to help me calm her down so she doesn’t panic. The pain will be unbearable. If she jerks or moves suddenly she may become paralyzed, so we must keep her as still as possible.” I was also concerned about her going into shock if she gained consciousness.

  “Where is Carson’s shirt? Didn’t he take his off, too? We need to keep her as warm as possible.”

  “Yeah,” Collin answered, “it’s here.” He tossed the shirt to me. With our free hands, the three of us spread the shirt over Kylie’s torso. Then he asked, “Should we get some water? Clean her scrapes and bruises?”

  I shook my head. “I thought about it, but I’m worried the cold water from the ice chests will either wake her up or put her into shock. We’re better waiting until the ambulance arrives. They’ll have the right equipment anyway.”

  “How much longer do you think it’ll be?” Collin’s dark eyes worried into mine.

  “I don’t know. How long has it been—ten minutes? We should expect to be here at least another twenty, maybe longer.”

  At my announcement, Gregory and Collin adjusted themselves from crouching positions to kneeling.

  We’re out in the middle of nowhere. Our only hope is Ethan. Thank goodness he knows the trails as well as he does.

  Gregory broke into my thoughts with a strangled whisper. “Do you—do you think she’ll make it?”

  Our eyes collided then and my heart nearly stopped. His brown gaze held more anguish and worry and pain than anyone should ever be expected to feel. I didn’t know what to say. It was my best friend in between us, the girl who completely adored the only guy I’d ever loved. I could tell he cared deeply for her. Anyone could see it was not just a mask of concern he wore.

  “She can’t die,” he whispered. “Tell me that she won’t die.”

  “I can’t, Greg. I—I can’t,” I practically sobbed as the words came unbidden from my lips.

  “Tell me the worst of your fears then.” His clouded eyes hounded mine. “Won’t you tell me what to expect?”

  As much as I couldn’t bear to inflict more pain on him, I couldn’t deny him anything he wished, and after another moment under his intense gaze, I gave in. “She has broken her neck.”

  He gasped hoarsely, as a strangled man gulps for air, and stared down at Kylie.

  “Her chances of survival are not good. If she makes it out of here, if the paramedics are extremely careful, she may live. No one can move that neck—no one, not even her. I am worried about paralysis because of that. But in all reality she is probably already paralyzed. If she does live, she may be nothing more than a vegetable.”

  Gregory nodded.

  “No!” It was Collin’s strangled gasp next to me that made me look over at him.

  “Do you think it would be okay for her family to stay in the Hadley’s home?” I asked. “She’ll be in the hospital for quite some time.”

  “Yes. Of course,” Collin replied.

  “Is there anything you don’t think of?”

  I turned and was surprised to see a faint glow of admiration in Gregory’s eyes.

  “I’m sure there is a lot I haven’t thought of.”

  “You will stay with her at the hospital, won’t you?” he asked me.

  “Yes. I wouldn’t dream of being anywhere else.”

  “Good.” He smiled then. It was as rueful and sad as a smile can be, but it was a smile. “You really would make an incredible nurse.”

  “I . . . er, thank you.” I half smiled in return.

  He shook his head sorrowfully and latched his gaze onto mine again. “It’s my fault. All of it—it’s mine.”

  “No. Greg, no. It’s not your fault. It’s not anyone’s fault.”

  He snorted. “Are you kidding me? Who rented the stupid ATV for her? Who’s been flirting with her nonstop so I wouldn’t think of—so I wouldn’t think of—” His eyes drilled into mine.

  Me. So you wouldn’t think of me.

  “Never mind that,” Gregory went on. “Who challenged her to do the freakin’ donuts in the first place?”

  “What about her helmet? Did you make her take that off, too?” I asked him. “Did you make her drive recklessly—as fast as she could—so she would lose complete control? Stop! You will drive yourself crazy, Greg. It was an accident.”

  “An accident with huge consequences!” he shot back. “Can’t you see that?”

  “Of course I can.” Why is he doing this to himself?

  “No—yes! Of course, there is this consequence.” He pointed down to Kylie’s motionless form. “But I meant more than that. There are more consequences than you can see.” His eyes pleaded frantically into mine for understanding.

  What?

  “Andy, I’m all she has. Can’t you see that? Can you tell me she doesn’t love me? I’m such an idiot. She needs me now. She’s going to be a wreck—an emotional, physical wreck. I can’t leave her, no matter what else I may have felt towards anything—or . . . or . . . anyone. Unless there is any reason at all that you can give that will prove she doesn’t love me. Can you do that? Can you give me anything?”

  My gaze never broke from his. “No,” I whispered, quietly sealing my fate. “No, I can’t. She loves you.”

  Fifteen: The Waiting Game

  Allen Memorial Hospital was dark when I finally wandered out to the waiting area to find a vending machine. I wasn’t sure how long I had been hanging around to hear news of Kylie, but it had been a long while since the night shift came on duty. Kylie had been in surgery for over four hours now, and the first real pangs of hunger had begun to hit me.

  I glanced at the vending machine and tried to decide what I would eat if I had my purse with me. It all looked good. This is pointless. I turned away and marched determinedly to the water fountain and took a long, cold drink. Water is good. I could feel my lips were chapped and knew I was dehydrated. I took another drink and prayed it would help my headache as well.

  “Hey, are you okay?”

  I turned at the sound of Gregory’s voice. He looked as weary as I felt. My eyes traced the streak of dried blood on his forehead and then followed along his cheek, which was covered in dust and grime. His clothes hadn’t faired well, either—his cargo shorts and his T-shirt were splattered
with blood. He softly chuckled and my eyes flew to his.

  “I saw your grimace.” He smiled down at me. “For the record, you’re not looking too hot yourself.”

  “Thanks.” I attempted a grin.

  “Come here,” he whispered as he stepped forward and caught my elbows. Slowly he turned me away from him. I felt his fingers move my hair to the side. Tiny sparks tingled their way across my back where his fingers had grazed. And then they were forgotten when his strong hands began to gently knead my shoulders and neck.

  Ahh. I relaxed. Just like that. It was as if a huge weight was lifted from my shoulders as Gregory coaxed and worked my stiff, sore muscles. “Thank you,” I mumbled quietly. The sensation was so wonderful that I didn’t think I could speak any louder even if I wanted to. Soft, smooth, strong, and fabulous.

  “I figured you needed this more than I did.”

  “Hmm . . .”

  He chuckled a bit louder this time. “You were really awesome today, Andy.”

  “Hmm . . . so were you.”

  After a few more minutes, my aching muscles had turned to putty in his hands. Gregory ran his fingers down my arms to my elbows and gently turned me back around to face him. When he released his hold on me, I looked up and smiled. He had his arms outstretched, wide and inviting. I didn’t hesitate or think; I just stepped forward, wrapped my arms around his waist, and snuggled against his chest. His arms folded tenderly around me. We stayed like that for a while in the darkened lobby of the hospital. I wondered briefly what it would be like to always be held by Gregory. He was so strong and comforting, and he cared—really cared—about the people around him. I love him. I will always love him.

  My mischievous tummy growled and broke the spell. Embarrassed, I stepped back. “I’m sorry.”

  Gregory laughed and shrugged as if growling stomachs during special moments were normal. “Come on. Let’s raid the vending machine. I’m starved, and from the sound of things, you are too.”

  Just as I was about to protest, my stomach confirmed his suspicions. I blushed like crazy. “Yes, okay. I am hungry. I’m really hungry.”

  “Really hungry? That settles it. I’m getting one of everything.”

  One of everything? “No. I’m not that hungry,” I protested as he made his way to the vending machine.

  “Too late.” He inserted a twenty-dollar bill and started to push buttons.

  “You’re crazy.”

  “Besides, if we’re hungry, I bet everyone else is, too.”

  “Oh, you’re right. I didn’t even think of that.”

  “Maybe I better make it two of everything.”

  After we carried our load of snacks into the waiting area—all stashed neatly in the fold of Gregory’s dirty shirt—the rest of the group came alive. He dumped the whole bounty onto the coffee table. “Who’s hungry?”

  The next morning, I woke up early and quickly got dressed. It had been pretty late the night before when Madison and I had finally showered and made it into our own beds. The hospital staff had eventually urged us all to go home.

  “My dears,” an older, red-haired nurse had pleaded, “even if your friend did come out of surgery, she still wouldn’t be allowed any visitors. Please go home and get some rest. If anything urgent happens, we’ll be sure to call you. You’re just hurting yourselves by sitting in this waiting room. Now go.”

  I wandered into the family room and was surprised to see Sydney and Collin there already. “Hey, guys,” I cautiously greeted as I plopped down on the leather sofa. “Have you heard any news?”

  “Gregory’s calling the hospital right now,” Sydney answered.

  “Oh, he’s up?”

  I knew from the look Sydney gave me that she thought I was stupid. “Uh, yeah, hence the reason he’s making the phone call.”

  I ignored her and glanced at Collin. “So has anyone figured out what’s going on yet?”

  Just then I heard a step behind me and I turned around. Gregory looked absolutely awful. He had showered and changed, but his eyes were dark and his features still wan and peaked. “Didn’t you sleep?” I asked him.

  “A little.” He paused. “It is all settled. Kylie’s father will be at the Moab Airport within a few hours. His airplane should’ve landed in Salt Lake City a little while ago.”

  “Have you heard from the hospital?” Collin asked in a rush.

  “No. The nurse said she would call me back as soon as she had an update from the doctor.”

  “What about Kylie’s mom?” I said. Her parents had split when her father got a job in Boston. Neither of them had wanted to give up their successful careers, so at first they tried to have a long-distance relationship. When that didn’t work they eventually divorced.

  “Ms. Russell will be flying into Farmington in about two hours,” Gregory explained. “It’ll give me just enough time to pick her up and bring her here this afternoon. Hopefully by the time I’m back, Kylie will have made some progress.”

  “How are you going to be in Farmington in two hours?” I wondered aloud before it dawned on me. “Oh, the plane. You’re flying?”

  “Yes, it’s being flown over now. Actually, I was hoping Lilly and you, Sydney, could be ready to go as soon as possible. Carson has offered to drive Madison and Ethan home. They’re dropping off Ethan’s Jeep at the airport now for Kylie’s dad to use, since Ethan has officially pulled out of the competition. Oh, and Collin has decided to stay with you, Amanda.”

  I looked over and smiled at him. “Thank you, Collin. Now I won’t feel awkward staying in your aunt and uncle’s house alone.”

  Sydney had spent two hours on the phone with our parents last night. To say my dad freaked out would be an understatement. It took every bit of skill my stepsister had to calm him down. I was so glad she was the one to make the call, and until she did, it hadn’t entered my head to call anyone myself. Quickly, I pulled out my cell phone to start dialing the coach’s number and let her know I wasn’t going to be there.

  “Wait a minute.” Sydney sat up on the sofa and looked as if something had clicked in her brain. “Amanda is staying?”

  Gregory glanced briefly at me. “Yes.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

  “Why?”

  Sydney pointed right at me. “Her? Amanda gets to stay here in Moab, while I—I have to be shuttled away to Farmington?”

  “Is there something wrong?” Gregory folded his arms across his chest.

  She wasn’t intimidated. “Yes, there’s something wrong.” Mortified, I watched as Sydney stood up and walked over to him. “I’m four months older than Amanda. It is my right to stay and help Kylie, not Amanda’s. Why should I have to be the one who runs home while she stays here? It’s not fair.”

  “You?” Gregory frowned. “You, who couldn’t think rationally enough to stop screaming at just the sight of Kylie? You think you’re the best one to look after her?”

  “Yes.”

  Gregory was clearly astounded. “When your stepsister was the one who singlehandedly took control of the situation?”

  “I want to stay. It’s not fair I have to go and Amanda gets to stay. It’s not.” Her pretty face scrunched up just like the two-year-old she was imitating.

  I couldn’t stand to hear Sydney’s selfish whining any longer. And there was absolutely no reasoning with her when she got that way. I turned my phone off before I punched the last digit.

  I could see Gregory was about to explode. “Of all the—”

  “Gregory, stop.” My command caused both of them to whip around. “I’ll go. Sydney can stay.”

  “No,” he protested.

  “Yes. It’s fine, really. One of us has to get home and calm our parents down. I’ll go. Just as long as there is someone that Kylie knows in that room when she wakes up, everything will be fine.” If she wakes up. “It’s ridiculous to fight over it.” We both watched Sydney smugly flounce out of the room.

  Gregory wasn’t finished. “Ridiculous? You think
it’s ridiculous that I would want what’s best for Kylie?”

  The best for Kylie.

  “Obviously, you are the most capable of anyone here, Amanda. She deserves someone who can watch her and look after her and keep her calm. You’re her best friend.”

  His cell phone rang. He glanced down at it and then back up at me. “It’s the hospital.” He took a couple of steps and answered the call.

  I watched as he ran his fingers through his hair and walked over to the couch Sydney had just vacated.

  “Yes, yes. Thank you. Yes, I’ll let her know. Okay, goodbye.”

  Gregory ended the call and collapsed into the couch. Anxiously, Collin and I watched as he rubbed his face with his hands and slowly shook his head.

  I couldn’t stand it anymore. “Gregory, what is it? What did they say?”

  He turned disbelieving eyes toward me and announced, “She’ll live. She made it through the surgery and the night.” His voice cracked. “S–she’s sleeping now. She’s not out of the woods by any means, but they have hope that she may, in time, recover. They credit you for her miraculous improvement, Amanda. The doctors believe that had you not kept her so still, Kylie wouldn’t be alive now.”

  I silently absorbed what Gregory had said. And then he climbed out of the couch and knelt in front of it. With his bowed head resting on his clasped hands, he prayed.

  It was the first time I had seen him cry.

  Sixteen: Back to Life, Back to Reality

  Just before we were set to leave the mansion, I placed my bag outside the bedroom door and ran quickly down to the music room. I knew it was silly, but I wanted to say goodbye to the piano. I crept in and looked one last time at the beautiful instrument. The sun was shining through the window, and I enjoyed how the light bounced off the piano’s shiny surface.

  I glanced at my watch. Five minutes. I debated between leaving the room as I ought to, and playing one more song. The song won. I hurriedly hopped up to the platform and sat on the bench. Just as quickly, the lid was open and my fingers had begun to skim the keys.