Free Kyland (Sign of Love #7) by Mia Sheridan Page B

his eyes. I couldn't read the expression on his face. "I haven't had a real friend since my brother died."
    It felt like a balloon was inflating in my chest, pain for him replacing my own and making it difficult to take a full breath.  "Seems like we could both use one then."
    "Yeah," he finally said. His voice sounded sad. "Yeah."

CHAPTER EIGHT
     
    Tenleigh
     
    We started to walk, both putting our heads down against the sting of the wind and cold. After trudging along for a little bit, my feet were wet and I started shivering again. Kyland put his arm around me and pulled me into his body and I let him. By the time we made it to Dennville, the snow had stopped. My feet were still wet, but I was a little warmer from walking and from Kyland's warmth.
    "I should call the hospital to make sure Marlo and my mama made it there," I said. There was a pay phone outside the old post office—a rarity nowadays from what I knew. But up on our mountain, cell phone reception was sketchy and many people didn't have landlines. As for us, we couldn't afford either. Kyland nodded and guided me to the small booth where I used the phone book to look up the number to the hospital where I knew Marlo would take mama—the hospital that accepted Medicaid. I fished fifty cents out of my pocket. A few minutes later they'd patched me through to the floor my mama was on and were able to put Marlo on the phone.
    "Hey, Ten. I'm so sorry. I was watching her. I just took a damn shower. Are you almost home?"
    "Yes, and don't be sorry, Marlo. You and I both know it wasn't your fault. I'm okay. I promise. Do you need me? I could probably figure out a way to get there . . ."
    "No. It's my turn. You stayed here last time. You even missed school. And I don't have to work until Tuesday. I'm just sorry you'll spend the holiday alone. We might be here for a few days. I didn't even think about Christmas until I got here and saw the tree in the lobby."
    "I'm good. Don't worry about me. I love you." We both knew Christmas didn't mean much in our trailer anyway. It was just another day.
    "I love you, too, baby sis. Oh hey, they need me to fill something out. Call me here if you need anything, okay? I'll be curled up in the waiting room, but I'll check for messages at the nurses’ station."
    Well, at least she'd be warm in the waiting room. "Okay. Bye, Mar."
    "Love you."
    I paused for a second, staring at the phone and when Kyland looked at me questioningly, breathing into his hands to warm them up, I said, "They're okay. Settled in. They'll be there through Christmas, which . . . well," I straightened up, taking in a deep breath, "that's just the way it is." I was silent again, considering something. I picked up the phone book again and looked up a number in Evansly, and then dialed it. It rang twice and then a man's voice answered.
    "Hi, Doctor Nolan? Sam?"
    "Yes? How can I help you?"
    I cleared my throat. "This is Tenleigh Falyn . . . I, shoot I . . ." I suddenly had doubts. Marlo would kill me. What was I doing?
    "Tenleigh, what's wrong?" He sounded tense.
    "I . . . well, our mama, uh . . . had an incident and well, Marlo's at the hospital with her and I just thought, I mean, I wondered if you'd want to . . ."
    "I'm putting my jacket on, Tenleigh. Which floor is she on?"
    "The twelfth." I knew it by heart.
    He was quiet for a second. "The mental ward?"
    "Yes," I whispered, closing my eyes, shame making me doubt what I was doing again. "I know you're a dentist, not a doctor, but I thought . . . God, I don't even know. I'm sorry. It's Christmas Eve." I glanced at Kyland who was watching me closely as I fumbled my way through the phone call.
    "You did the right thing. At the very least I can go and keep Marlo company. Are you okay?"
    I released a breath. "Yes, I'm fine. And that's really nice of you," I said. And I said it squeakily. Gratitude overwhelmed me.
    Kyland's face grew concerned, but I nodded at him, letting him know everything was good.
    "I'm really glad