“You aren’t. You never were.”
She turned from her brother’s gaze. “Papa thought so.”
“No, he didn’t. What Papa did had nothing to do with you.”
“It was because of me he needed money.”
“But it wasn’t your fault. You didn’t ask to get sick.”
She sighed. “That’s the truth of it.”
“I do have some good news. Your doctor signed your release papers. Can you get dressed by yourself, or do you need help?”
“I can do it.”
“Good. I’m going down to the billing office to take care of things.”
“Tell them we’ll send the money within the month. Harper will probably pay me in the next few days for Regina.”
“Will do. I’ll be back in a few.”
Dusty felt a little lightheaded when she rose from the bed, but it passed. She changed out of the dreaded hospital gown and into the clean jeans and shirt Sam had brought for her, and she sat back down on the bed and waited for him.
Within about fifteen minutes he returned.
“I take it everything went okay?” Dusty said.
“Yes. In fact, it did.” Sam sat down in the chair next to the bed.
“Good.”
“Dusty, what’s going on between you and Zach McCray?”
His name made her heart thump. “Nothing.”
“That night you didn’t come home. You were with him, weren’t you?”
“That’s not really any of your business, Sam.”
“I know you’re over eighteen and all. I can’t pretend I’m comfortable with my baby sister doing…that, but you certainly have the right. But I need to know. Were you with him?”
Dusty sighed and nodded slowly.
“Okay.”
“Why? Why are you asking about that now?”
“Well”—he cleared his throat—“it seems your hospital bill has been paid in full. By Zach McCray.”
* * *
Dusty took a deep breath and knocked on the door to Suite 2500 of the Windsor Hotel. After a good night’s sleep in her own hotel room, she was feeling almost like herself, and she needed to speak to Zach about paying her medical bill. When the door opened, she looked straight into the emerald-green eyes of Angelina Bay.
“Hello, Angelina. I need to speak with Zach.”
“Dusty, you’re just the person I want to see.” Angelina grabbed her arm and pulled her into the suite. “I’m so glad to see you up and around.”