The Heart's Choice. Joyce Livingston

she just felt tired. Sleepy. Sl-ee-py.

      Chapter 4

      Tavia was awakened by the cheery sound of a woman’s voice.

      “Someone must think you’re pretty special!”

      With tremendous effort, Tavia turned her head and stared at the woman crossing the room toward her, her hands filled with colorful flowers.

      “What a lovely bouquet! Everyone said it made the entire hallway smell like roses.” The woman gave her a warm smile as she placed the lovely wicker basket full of colorful, sweet-smelling flowers on the night table.

      Wait! Don’t leave them here. Those can’t be for me! No one has ever sent me a big bouquet.

      The woman drew in a deep whiff of the sweet fragrance. “Would you like me to read the card to you?”

      Narrowing her eyes, Tavia tried to focus on the woman.

      The volunteer fanned a hand toward her and gave her a lopsided grin. “Silly me. I should’ve realized you couldn’t answer me with that tube going down your throat. Of course, you want me to read the card to you. How else would you know who sent these beautiful flowers?”

      She pulled the card from the little envelope with a flourish. “It says, ‘We’re so thankful you’re alive. Your room is ready. As soon as the doctor says it’s okay, we’ll be taking you home.’ And it’s signed, Love, Mom and Dad. Now isn’t that just the sweetest thing? Your mother and father must be wonderful people.”

      Those flowers can’t be for me! My parents died years ago! Tavia tried to blink back tears, but it was impossible. If only someone did care enough about her to send flowers, but that was nothing but wishful thinking.

      The nice lady hurried to her side and pulled a tissue from the box on her tray. “I know you’re hurting, honey, but things will get better. Honest, they will.”

      But, I don’t even know these people!

      “I’ll be going now. I have several more bouquets to deliver, but none as pretty as the one I brought to you. You take care now, and get well soon so you can go home.”

      Tavia gave the volunteer one last frantic look. Getting one bouquet had startled her. Receiving two was utterly impossible! That nice lady who delivered the flowers had to have made a mistake. Tavia stared at the basket of flowers. It was the most beautiful bouquet she’d ever seen. The kind people would send for grand openings, or to celebrities on awards night. Why would anyone spend that kind of money on her?

      The last thing she remembered before drifting off was the sweet scent of roses.

      It took a few minutes for Tavia to focus her eyes as she stared at the blinds on the window. Her puffed-up right eye still refused to cooperate. How long had she been asleep? It was still light outside, but the sun was low in the sky, turning everything into a rosy haze. She turned her head slowly, painfully, toward the other side of the bed. A man in a wheelchair sat staring at her. Finally he spoke.

      “I don’t want to bother you. I’ll go if you want me to. You’ve been asleep for several hours.”

      “Well, our little sweetheart is awake!”

      Tavia glanced toward the door at the sound of familiar voices. There had been a constant string of people in and out of her room—people she didn’t know. This time, Dr. Stevens, Annie and James filed in, with an older stranger following close behind. Annie’s eyes were still swollen from crying and her nose was red. “Oh, good, you got our flowers.”

      Annie placed a box on the chair, then bent to plant a kiss on Tavia’s cheek. You’re the ones who sent that big basket of flowers? But why? You don’t even know me.

      The older man stuck out his hand toward the man in the wheelchair. “I’m James’s father. You must be Beck. James and Annie told me all about you.”

      Beck hung his head as he shook the man’s hand. “Yes, I was driving the truck, sir.”

      James’s father nodded. “I know, but from what they’ve told me, you did all you could to avoid the accident. It just wasn’t enough.”

      How are Adam and Jewel? Please, someone tell me! Are they in this hospital, too? Have you just come from seeing them?

      “I’ll never forgive myself, sir.” Beck stiffened. “That accident will haunt me the rest of my days.”

      Tavia watched as he blinked back tears. She couldn’t remember when she’d last seen a man his age cry, much less a big man like Beck.

      The older man eyed the wheelchair. “How long you gonna have to be in that thing?”

      “Doc says I can start walking on this cast tomorrow, so he’ll be releasing me.”

      Annie tugged on her father-in-law’s sleeve. “Come and meet our miracle girl.” Together they moved up close to Tavia.