"Everyone screws up sometimes, Thel. Now you've just got to put the past behind you and try again. You can do it."
She sighed wearily and closed her eyes for a moment, her lashes delicate against youthful cheeks. Then her eyes opened again, and there was a sheen of tears. "I haven't thanked you for saving my life."
"It's okay. You don't have to."
"I really didn't care if I died, you know."
Clay's throat tightened. "I know. But I cared. And Frank and Summer cared. And your Aunt Diane cares. We love you, Thelma, and we're going to save your life and your future even if we have to kick your butt to get you to listen to us."
She chuckled faintly. "All right. I said I'd try." She paused again, and Clay could see that she was tiring. He moved as if to leave, but her hand tightened on his. "Don't go yet. Please. It gets lonely in here."
"All right. I've got a few more minutes before the nurse kicks me out."
"That woman who was with you when you found me...who was she?"
Startled, Clay tilted his head. "Her name is Spring Reed. Summer's sister. Do you remember her?"
"I think so. It's real fuzzy, but I sort of remember a pretty lady with blond hair washing my face and talking to me in a nice, friendly voice. I remember how good it felt. I was so hot."
"Spring will be glad to hear that. She's been worried about you. She's another bleeding heart, like Summer and me," he added, using Thelma's own words to tease her.
"Are you in love with her?" Thelma asked unexpectedly, reading something in his voice or his expression as she watched him closely.
He blinked, then grinned rather sheepishly. "Yeah. Yeah, I am."
"Going to marry her?"
"Haven't thought about it. I'm not really the marrying kind, you know."
"Bull."
He raised one eyebrow, questioningly. "I beg your pardon?"
"I said bull. You act crazy, but everyone knows you're just Joe Normal underneath. You'd be happy as a clam with a wife and a bunch of kids and you know it. So don't try to con me, McEntire."
"Think so, huh?"
"Know so." Her lashes fell again. "I'm getting sleepy. Sorry."
"That's okay. You need your rest, and it's time for me to get to school. I stopped by here on the way to work, and I'd better go or I'll be late. But I'll be back."
"Promise?"
"Promise. And you'd better write to me when you're in Chicago, or I'll come after you, you hear?"
"Yeah?" She looked inordinately pleased. "Will you write me back?"
"You can count on it." He kissed her cheek, then straightened. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Okay." She stopped him at the entrance to her glass cubicle. "Clay?"
"Yeah?"
"You're dressed kinda boring today, aren't you?"
He grinned, looking down at his lime-green T-shirt, worn Levi's and white Reeboks. "I dressed in a hurry this morning. I'll try to do better next time."
"You do that. This place is dull enough. Bye, Clay."