When she gazed up at Mason his heart almost dropped to his stomach. Hazel eyes full of grief and pain stared right into his soul and touched him where no one ever had. There was a mass of hurt and despair in this woman’s heart and he wanted to wipe it away and keep her safe. Making her happy was forefront in his mind.
The door opened and a nurse popped her head out. "Doctor wants a word."
Sami jumped up and Mason was fast on her heels as they headed inside. The doctor was standing in the hallway barring the way to the emergency room and Mason had a quick moment of panic thinking things had not gone well.
"You are his sister, yes?" The doctor stood with his hands in the pockets of his scrubs.
"Yes. Is he okay now? Can I go and see him?" Sami tried to walk past but the doctor reached out and put a restraining hand on her arm.
"No you can't just yet. He will be fine if he gets through the next twenty four hours. But I have to ask you, what the hell was he doing without his inhaler? Someone with asthma so bad should be on preventative medication."
"He usually never leaves the house without it. He's never had an attack this bad before."
"Well, that little lapse of thought almost cost the boy his life, it may still do. He is in intensive care until I say differently." The doctor turned and walked away leaving Sami standing in the hallway staring at his back.
"Sami." Mason reached for her and she turned to him, the shock registering on her face. He grabbed her as she crumpled in his arms. With a sigh Mason lifted her up and held her close.
"You can take her in here if you like." The nurse showed him into a cubicle where Mason put Sami gently on the bed. "She will be fine. Shock does that sometimes. Would you like me to get you a cup of tea for her?"
"It would be much appreciated, thanks."
The nurse pulled the curtain behind her and left them alone.
Mason sat down on the chair next to the bed and grabbed Sami's hand. Her skin was cold and clammy and he wrapped his hands around hers. When she stirred, he stood up and leaned over her.
"What,... God that was so damned weak of me." She lifted her hand and rested it over her eyes. A tear made its way down her cheek and Mason wiped it away before it landed on the pillow.
"Nothing to be sorry for Sami. You've had a shock so it's understandable."
"It's weak and uncalled for." She tried to sit up and Mason reached for her when she swayed.
"Take it easy for a minute and you'll feel better. Lay back and settle down."
"I want to see Garth." Sami lay back with her eyes closed, a hard line setting her mouth.
"A nurse is bringing you a cup of tea. We can ask her then where he is and if you can see him."
Sami turned her head toward the wall and clutched her arms across her chest. The curtain parted and the nurse walked in with a tray and two cups of tea. "Here you go. Rest up for a minute and drink this. I'll go and find out if they've settled your brother in ICU. You might be able to go up and see him shortly." She put down the tray and walked out again.
"Told you. You need to listen every now and then, not run off on a tangent Sami. Sit up." He reached for her and grasped her arm lifting her up.
"Thanks." There was a stubborn look on her face and Mason sighed. Her determination made her hard work.
She took the cup of tea and raised the cup to her lips sipping loudly.
"Yuk. This is foul." The cup wobbled in her hands as she held it out to him.
"No, drink it. You had a shock and sweet tea is the thing for it apparently." He smiled at the downturn of her lips and watched her grimace while she drank the rest of the cup.
"Satisfied?" Sami held the empty cup out to him. The colour was coming back to her face.
"Very." Mason put the cup down as the curtain opened again.
"You can go up to ICU when you are ready. Your brother is settled now. Make sure you see the nurse at the desk before going into his room."
"Thanks, appreciate it." Mason smiled his thanks and helped Sami down from the bed. He held her arm and guided her to the lifts and the next floor. They stopped at the desk and asked for Garth.
"You both family?" The nurse looked at them from over her glasses.
Chapter 10
"I am." Sami glanced up at Mason and back at the nurse. She was still pissed at him and wasn't going to give anything away.
"You can have ten minutes with him. Doctor’s orders and I'll be timing you. Maybe more time tomorrow if he has a good night."
Sami stiffened at the words but nodded her head before she walked toward the room the nurse indicated leaving Mason standing at the desk. She could see Garth through the glass. He lay pale and still on the bed, surrounded by machines monitoring his progress.
With a deep breath, Sami lifted her hand and pushed open the door. One tentative step after another she walked into the room, fear clutching her heart as she looked at her young brother, pale and still on the white sheets. She walked over to him and pulled the single chair closer to his bed.
She sank into it and reached for his hand. It was cold. A chill settled in her chest as she rubbed his hands in hers.
"What were you thinking? Fancy forgetting your inhaler. I should flog your sorry arse, Garth, really I should. But here's the deal. You wake up
