Escape With Me (With Me in Seattle 16)

“Yes.”

He taps again and then passes me the phone. I press it to my ear and only listen to it ring once before Keegan answers.

“O’Callaghan’s.”

“It’s me. Oh my God, Keegan, it was so damn scary. I can’t believe we slid right over the side of the road. And I didn’t have my phone because it was in the back, and it took the firefighters forever to pull us back onto the road.”

“Stop. Are you okay? Did you fall to the freeway below?”

“No. I mean, yes.”

“Which is it?”

“Yes, I’m okay. And no, we didn’t fall. The van got hung up on the guardrail.”

“Thank Christ. She’s all right!”

“Who’s there?”

“Everyone. I’ve been worried sick, love. You’re sure you’re okay?”

“I think so. We’re being taken to Emanuel hospital to be checked out, just to be sure. I don’t want to stay the night here, but I might have to, especially since the van is wrecked. But I’ll keep you posted.”

“I’ll come get you.”

I hold the phone tighter, wishing with all my might it were that easy. “No, the roads are too bad down here, Keegan. I won’t risk you. I’ll keep you posted. I should have my phone soon, and then I can keep you updated better.”

“I’m just glad to hear your voice and know that you’re safe. I swear, I lost ten years off my life.”

“Me, too. I’ll call you soon. I love you.”

“I love you, Isabella.”

I hang up and pass the EMT his phone. “Thank you.”

He nods, slips the phone into his pocket, and continues monitoring my vital signs. When we reach the hospital, they take Phil and me to different rooms.

A doctor hurries in and smiles at me. “I saw that happen in real-time. Scared the hell out of me.”

“You and me both. I’m ten weeks pregnant.”

“Did you hit your head?”

How many times am I going to be asked that? “No.”

He feels around my neck. “You could have a bit of whiplash. And you have some bruising from the seatbelt.”

“I do?” I glance down and see the black and blue marks on my right shoulder. “Oh, wow.”

“That’s pretty standard for something like this. Are you cramping at all?”

“No.”

“I’m going to have you use the restroom so we know if you’re spotting. I doubt the baby is hurt at all, but we want to make sure.”

I nod and walk down the hallway to the restroom. I’m relieved that there’s no blood on the toilet paper.

When I go back to the room, Phil’s already in there.

“They let you go so soon?” I ask as I sit on the bed.

“Yeah, there’s nothing wrong with me,” he says with a smile. “Just shook up, is all. How are you feeling?”

“I’m bruised, but overall, not too bad. I’ll probably be sore tomorrow.”

“You and me both. We’re going back tonight, by the way. The station is sending the helicopter for us.”

“Oh, God, I have to ride in a helicopter in an ice storm?”

“It’s letting up now,” he says. “It’s moving south. Seattle didn’t get anything at all. This one wasn’t so bad. Aside from the whole near-death experience thing.”

“Well, good. Because I want to go home.”

“Me, too.”

* * *

They wouldn’t let me drive home. When we got back to the studio, we had to answer some questions, and then Roger gave me a ride home—even though it was two hours out of his way.

“I could have driven,” I say for the fiftieth time when he drives his Lexus SUV off the ferry.

“No,” he says. “You’re shaken up, and your commute is brutal enough as it is. We’ll get your car to you in the next day or so.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He pulls up at the front of the pub. “Here you are. If you need anything at all before we see you on Saturday, just let us know. I’m serious, Izzy.”

“I will.” I smile over at him. “Thanks for being so nice today.”

“You had a hell of a day,” he says. “And I’m responsible for you. I’m just relieved that you and Phil are safe and healthy.”

“Me, too.” I open the door and reach for my purse. “I’ll see you on Saturday.”

He waves, and I walk inside, surprised to find so many family members sitting in the pub. The mood is subdued, which isn’t unusual for a Sunday night, but it feels even more somber tonight.

It’s almost midnight. So much has happened in the past twelve hours, it boggles my mind.

“Izzy!” Maggie exclaims and runs over to hug me close. “Oh, thank God.”

I hug her back as the rest of the family descends on me, passing me around for hugs and kisses on the cheek.

Keegan pulls me close at last, and I lose it. The tears I’ve held in check all day start to tumble out of my eyes.

His strong hands rub up and down my back, and then he simply picks me up and sets me down on a chair. He doesn’t leave me. He holds me as I have a good cry. I hear people talking and moving about, but all I can do is sob.