Free Emma's Deliverance by Susan Vance Page B

with an impish smile, “Thanks a lot for telling Mom and Dad about my date with Jason.”
    “ I’m sorry. I should’ve let you tell them, but I was so excited about for you I lost control. I sure hope you had a good time with your fireman.”
    Emma was touched and told her so. She was feeling better and was sitting next to Jody on the edge of the bed by the time her parents and Teri came back in.
    “Hey, look whose feeling better,” Howard cried. “Oh, by the way, I met your beau this morning. He said he would come by to see you later if they keep you overnight.”
    “ What? You met Jason?” she said, reaching for her forehead with a frown.
    “ He must have heard about the call to the flower shop and drove over to see if you were okay. The ambulance was just about to take you away when he got there. He got a quick peek at you just as they closed the door and drove away. He asked me to call him when you got to the hospital and let him know how you were.”
    Emma was confused. She wondered how long she had been in the hospital and why she wasn ’t going home now.
    “ Ambulance? I came here in an ambulance? Just for a cut on my forehead? Why aren’t I getting released? If it was just a cut I should be going back to the shop,” she said trying to get up.
    Howard put his hands on her shoulders, keeping her on the bed. “Slow down, Sweetie, you bumped your head pretty hard and I think it sort of dazed you a little. How do you feel? Does your head hurt?”
    “ Yes, my head does hurt. It’s like a really bad headache. It’s getting better, but maybe I need some aspirin or something. Hey, who’s at the flower shop?” she asked, looking at her mother.
    “ Becky and Marie are there. I’ll go back and close up for you. Do you need me to make a deposit?”
    “ Thanks Mom, but I went to the bank on Friday. Just as long as the girls are okay, they can handle it. I trust Becky to close up, but call and see if Marie will stay today until closing. If she can’t then tell Becky to close up early so she isn’t there by herself. Actually I feel a little better and I’m sure this headache will go away soon. Maybe I should go back to the shop and finish up the day. What time is it anyway?” she inquired.
    “ It’s almost four-thirty,” Jody said.
    “ What? How long have I been here? Wow. That must have been some bump on my head.” She stood up and walked over to the mirror. There was a huge bandage across her forehead and dried blood throughout her hair. The sight of the dried blood frightened her and she began to panic, but Marilyn quickly put a towel around her head and patted her on the shoulders.
    Emma looked dreadful. She turned around with horror on her face. “Did someone say Jason was coming here? Oh no, I don’t want him to see me looking like this. My God, I look like the bride of Frankenstein,” she squealed.
    Laughing, Howard said, “Sweetie, I haven’t even called him yet. As far as I know he doesn’t even know which hospital you’re in. Don’t worry. I’ll call him and let him know you’re okay, but that you need to rest and we will be here with you.” Howard reached over and gave her a hug.
    “ Thanks Dad, I really don’t want Jason seeing me looking like this, really.”
    “ Too late young lady, I’m already here. Wow, you look a sight,” he said smiling. “Reminds me of an old movie I saw once. Hmm? What was the name of that movie anyway? Oh yeah, The Bride of someone or another. Hi everyone, I’m Jason Scott.”
    Emma jumped back i nto the bed and pulled the sheet over her head, which made everyone laugh. “Well, if this doesn’t scare him away, nothing will,” she muttered.

Chapter Nine
     
    Emma stayed home the rest of the week per doctor ’s orders. She called the shop every half hour, but promised not to come in until the following Monday. She rested and spent some quality time with Sam. Jason came by in the evenings with food. He was becoming an incredible friend and Emma