The person ahead of me took a seat, and the receptionist nodded to me. “Yes, may I help you?”
“I’m looking for my mother. Brooke Bailey. She was in an accident.” God, I didn’t even know what type of accident it had been. I had assumed a car wreck.
The receptionist typed on her computer. “Yes, she’s in surgery.”
“What happened? Is she okay?”
“I’m afraid I can’t tell you any more than that. You’ll have to talk to her doctor.”
Talon stepped up. “This is ridiculous. This is her daughter, for God’s sake. Can’t you give her any peace of mind at all?”
The receptionist’s hard eyes softened as she raked her gaze over Talon. “I wish I could, sir. I understand how she must be feeling.”
“Surely you can type into your computer and tell us what Ms. Bailey is having surgery for, can’t you?”
She smiled, and for a moment I thought—
“I’m sorry, sir. I’m not allowed to give out medical information. You’ll have to talk to the doctor or nurse. I’ll let the charge nurse know you’re here, and she’ll be out to talk to you as soon as she can.” She looked to me. “What’s your name, young lady?”
“Jade. Jade Roberts. I’m her daughter.”
She typed something on her keyboard. “Just find a seat. The nurse will be with you shortly.”
Talon heaved a sigh. “Fine. We appreciate your help.”
He took my arm and led me to two empty seats. We were surrounded by sniffling kids and moaning adults, but I couldn’t bring myself to care.
My heart beat a rapid staccato. Did I actually care about my mother? This was news to me. Tears choked me, and I fought a war inside my head and heart. I wanted to cry for her. Why?
Talon squeezed my hand. “Okay?”
And the dam burst. The tears I had been holding back flooded my eyes. I hiccupped softly, willing myself not to break down. Talon pulled a red bandana out of his pocket and handed it to me.
I wiped my eyes and blew my nose.
What was wrong with me?
The answer was clear. She was my mother. She had given me life, and I had to be grateful for that. But for her, I wouldn’t be here sitting next to the man I loved.
Talon held my hand, and we sat silently until a woman wearing green scrubs walked toward us.
“Ms. Roberts?”
“Yes. I’m Jade Roberts.”
“You’re here about Brooke Bailey?”
“Yes. I’m her daughter. What can you tell me?”
“She was in a head-on collision. She was in the passenger seat of the vehicle, and her airbag didn’t deploy.”
I gasped. “Who was driving?”
“A friend of hers. He wasn’t injured badly. Just got the wind knocked out of him by the airbag and some minor bruises, possibly a broken rib. He’s been discharged.”
“And my mother?”
“Severe lacerations, contusions, and abrasions. Broken knee, ribs, bruised pelvis. Possible internal and brain injuries. Right now the doctors are trying to get her stabilized.”