Cherish (Covet #1.5) Read Online Free PDF Page A

Jessie. What the hell is that all about? I vaguely remember that the last time she and I were in the same room she was just so goddamn mad at me, although I can’t remember why. Her anger was like a heat-seeking missile and I had a glowing red target on my forehead.
    Bam.
    Maybe that’s why my head hurts so much.
    Another memory makes its way up through the murky darkness of my brain, and I suddenly remember that I have a son.
    I have a son!
    Then I remember that he’s dead.
    And the pain of that memory hurts more than all the other pain combined.

CHAPTER TEN
    JESSIE
    Eight days after Daniel arrived via helicopter at the University of Kansas Medical Center, he is moved out of the ICU and into a regular room. His mood has improved and most of the aggressive, combative behavior has been replaced by quiet resignation. Though he sometimes looks confused when he sees me, I’m almost certain it has more to do with why I’m here versus not knowing who I am. I speak to him gently, but I no longer try to touch him. He can receive visitors now, and one afternoon his friends and fellow officers filter in and out. I make myself scarce, and Mimi finds me sitting at a table in the cafeteria, drinking tea and halfheartedly working on a crossword puzzle.
    “I’ve been looking for you,” she says. Whenever my friends or my sister would complain about their mothers-in-law, I would nod sympathetically, with no real understanding of what they were going through because I’ve always loved Mimi.
    “I didn’t want to be in the way.”
    She sits down and reaches for my hand, giving it a squeeze. “You’re not in the way, Jess.”
    “Do you think Daniel wishes I would leave?”
    “I don’t know,” she says. “I don’t think Daniel is thinking about much of anything at all right now, except how to get through the next day. Maybe even the next hour. You’ve been a great comfort to Jerry and me, and having you here has helped us tremendously. I hope you don’t mind me saying that you seem so much stronger now.”
    My eyes fill with tears. “I’m doing a lot better. Things were just…‌really bad for a while.” I can’t hold in my emotions any longer, and Mimi scoots her chair next to mine and puts her arms around me as I break down and sob. I couldn’t have picked a better place to have an emotional meltdown because no one gives us a second glance. They probably think I’ve been given horrible news about a loved one and they’re respecting my privacy.
    When the tears subside I wipe my eyes and nose with a napkin and take a deep breath.
    “Bet that felt good,” Mimi says.
    I smile. “It did.”
    “Jerry and I are going to run home for a little while. It’s getting a bit crowded up there. The nurse mentioned something about kicking everyone out in fifteen minutes, and she told them she didn’t care if they were the police.”
    “I’ll go back up in a bit. Make sure they’re gone.”
    Mimi gives my hand a final pat and walks away.
     
    Daniel is alone when I return from the cafeteria, but he appears to be sleeping. The number of visitors he received has undoubtedly worn him out. I don’t approach his bedside for fear of disturbing him, but as soon as I sit down in the chair, he opens his eyes and says, “Hey.”
    I smile hesitantly. “Can I get you anything?”
    “Some water?”
    “Of course.” I fill his water glass from a small pitcher and help him take a drink. “Your throat must hurt from all that talking. You had some irritation from the ventilator tube. I’m sure it’s still a bit tender.”
    He looks at me quizzically. “How do you know that?”
    “About the ventilator?”
    “Yes.”
    “I spoke to the nurse about it. After they took you off it, I saw you touching your throat and wincing like it hurt, so I asked.”
    “How long have you been here?”
    “Since they brought you in. You never updated your emergency contact information. The officers showed up at my door to bring me to the hospital.”