He and Josh recounted all the events to her one more time. He believed she kept asking to hear it again in the hopes it would jog her memory. But so far, it hadn’t.
“You’re completely safe, angel,” he said, touching her on the cheek. “Willie is in jail.”
“Are you sure Kimmie is okay?”
“She’s fine. She has no idea about what happened.”
“Good,” Carrie said. “And what about Janet?”
He squeezed her hand. “Janet is fine. She got stitched up and Doc and Paris are going to keep her overnight for observation since she did suffer a concussion.”
“What a relief.” She sighed. “Why can’t I remember any of it?”
He saw her eyes well up.
“I’m just no good for you,” she blurted out, and the tears streamed down her face. “I’m a broken mess. What if I keep losing memories? What happens when I can’t remember how much you mean to me? What then? You deserve someone better, someone who is whole. Not me. My heart is ripping apart. I want you both so very much. I love you, but I know that I’m wrong for you. I have to let you go. I need to leave Destiny before I cause more pain.”
She covered her face with her hands and sobbed.
Jacob pulled her into his chest, holding her tight. “It’s going to be okay, Carrie.”
“No,” she said. “It can’t be.”
Josh put his arms around both of them. “Sweetheart, it’s the three of us now. You’re not alone anymore. You’ll never be alone again.”
“No more talk about you leaving,” he said, remembering how Josh had helped him through his darkest hours. Together, he and Josh would do the same for her. “We will fight this together.”
“But what if—”
“Shh.” He placed his finger to her lips. “Do you trust me and Josh?”
“With all my heart.”
“Then believe us when we say everything is going to be okay.”
“I want to believe you, but I still feel so confused. I’m the reason Willie came to Destiny. What if he’d hurt Kimmie?”
“He didn’t, angel. She’s safe. Jena’s mom is safe. And you’re safe. Willie will pay for all his crimes. He’s going to prison for the rest of his life.”
“Even so, Jacob, I still don’t understand why I can’t remember something so horrible.”
“That’s why we’re here, to figure out why. And I’m sure we will.”
As if on cue, Doc entered the room with Sam O’Leary. “How’s my patient doing?”
Carrie sat up in the bed. “Better. I think my voice is almost back to normal.”
“By tomorrow your vocal cords should be completely healed,” Doc said. “I asked Sam to join me to discuss your memory loss, Carrie.”
“That’s what I was just discussing with Josh and Jacob,” she said. “There’s something terribly wrong with me.”
Sam moved to the side of the bed and leaned forward, smiling, reminding Jacob of the first time he’d met the man. Sam had the kindest face he’d ever seen.
“Carrie,” Sam said. “Doc Ryder’s tests have shown there is nothing medically wrong with you.”
She sighed. “Then it’s official. I’m must be crazy.”
“Absolutely not, young lady. And you and I can get to the bottom of this if you will let me help you.”