A Mother's Heart Read Online Free PDF Page A

looked down at the small picture she’d put in his hand.
    “It’s your second grade school picture and I want it back,” she stated.
    Sam shuddered. The picture looked identical to the kid on the video. He slipped the picture in his wallet, pocketed the map and grabbed his suitcase on the way out the door.
     
    S AM H OLT was a changed man. It had happened somewhere between his mother’s house and the hospital parking lot in Azalea, Tennessee. Before, he’d lived without purpose other than work; now it was the furthest thing from his mind. All he could think about was Libby dying before he could tell her he was sorry. Before he could tell her he still loved her, that he’d always loved her. Before he could let her know that, if she would still have him, he’d take care of her and their son for the rest of his life.
    He’d driven all night without stopping for anything but food and fuel. It was just after sunup when he arrived in Azalea. The town was small. According to the sign at the city limits, the population was under three thousand, which meant everyone knew everyone else’s business. Like Broken Bow. Small town people with great big hearts. He could picture Libby coming here, alone and pregnant and trying to start her life over.
    He was overwhelmed by the thought of the countless milestones he’d missed in his son’s life. A baby’s firstlaugh, first word, first hurt. The first time he cried because he was afraid. His first Christmas. The first birthday cake.
    Sam became sad all over again.
    And Libby. If she lived, would she forgive him? He didn’t know how serious her injuries were, but what if she didn’t even know him? His thoughts were as crazy as he felt.
    After stopping to ask directions, he found the hospital, parked and headed inside, trying not to run. A quick stop at the front desk and he had the floor Libby was on. It was the ICU. The receptionist gave him a curious stare that he ignored and headed for the elevator. A couple of minutes later, he stepped out onto the third floor and headed for the nurses’ desk. A short, blonde with a long ponytail and too much eye shadow was sitting behind the desk. Her blue scrubs were a couple of sizes too small, but that didn’t seem to affect her competency. When he paused at the desk, she finished making her notes before she bothered to look up.
    “May I help you?” she asked.
    “I want to see Libby Farraday.”
    She frowned. “Sorry. No one but family is allowed in ICU.”
    Sam felt off center, as if he’d been on something going too fast and had just stepped onto firm ground. He was family. In a way.
    “But I am family,” he said. “I’m Sammy’s father.”
    She gasped, then stood abruptly. “Oh. Oh my,” she whispered, her eyes filling with tears. “Um, I have to…I mean…you need to…” She took a deep breath and then pointed to a pair of chairs against the wall. “Have a seat. I need to contact her doctor. He’ll have to okay it.”
    Frustrated, Sam backed away, but he didn’t sit. He couldn’t. Somewhere behind one of these doors was the only woman he’d ever loved. And somewhere in this town was the son he didn’t even know he’d had.
    Everything felt surreal. He paced the floor, only vaguely aware that he’d become the object of much curiosity. As word of his arrival spread, patients got out of their beds to come look at the wayward father. Nurses sailed past him with judgment on their faces. Even the janitor had an opinion about Sam’s absence in Libby’s life when he ran the floor polisher right up to his feet without excusing himself.
    Sam understood. It was no less than he felt about himself. Then suddenly, a doctor appeared, followed by a man in uniform. Sam sighed. Damn. They’d even called the cops. He guessed he couldn’t blame them. At least they were looking out for Libby and Sammy’s welfare.
    The doctor introduced himself first. “I’m Doctor Livingston, Libby’s doctor. This is Marcus Fite, our chief