Free Road to Peace by Piper Davenport

word on Maisie Mann?”
    “Not yet. As soon as I know something, I’ll let you know.” The nurse left the room and Hatch waved Ali to the chair he’d pulled next to Poppy’s bed.
    Poppy’s eyes were drooping, so Hatch squeezed her arm gently. She looked up at him, her pupils pinned. “Hmm?”
    “Feeling a little better?” he asked.
    She nodded.
    Hatch smiled. “I need you to tell me everything you remember, okay?”
    “It all happened really fast. Mum said something felt weird, then yelled for me to hold on.” She took a deep breath. “There was glass everywhere and my head hurt, but when Mummy didn’t answer me, I got really scared. I pushed the LexusLink button and, since she keeps her cell phone in the console, I called you.” She gasped. “I left her phone in the car.”
    “It’s okay, honey,” Ali assured her. “The last thing she’s going to care about is her phone. She’ll get another one.”
    Another nurse walked in with a wheelchair and informed Poppy she could see her mother.
    “Can we all come?” Alison asked.
    “Yes. You can’t stay for long, though. Mrs. Mann’s pretty tired.”
    Poppy was shaky as she tried to slide off the bed, so Hatch lifted her and set her in the wheelchair. The nurse handed Alison Poppy’s bag of personal items and then they headed toward the elevator bay.
    They arrived at Maisie’s room and Poppy let out a frightened squeak. “Mummy!”
    “Don’t get up, Poppet,” Maisie whispered, eyeing Hatch in confusion as a nurse wheeled Poppy into the room.
    Hatch hung back and took in Maisie’s appearance. Her right arm was in a sling and a bandage was wrapped around her head. She looked like she’d taken a pretty nasty beating. Hatch saw Poppy’s eyes widen and her face contort in fear as the nurse guided her to the side of Maisie’s bed.
    “I’ll be right back,” the nurse said.
    Maisie nodded. “Thanks.”
    Damn, but Hatch wanted to reach out and touch her. Hold her. Make sure she was really okay.
    “Are you…?” Poppy asked, tears streaming down her face. “Are you okay?”
    Maisie took her hand. “I’m good, love. I have to have a little surgery on my arm. It’s broken pretty bad. But they’re going to wait until my concussion clears.”
    “Poppy has a concussion as well,” Ali said. “They just gave her some pain meds.”
    Maisie gave her a watery smile. “Thanks, Ali.”
    Poppy moved to stand.
    “Don’t get up,” Hatch ordered, and Poppy sat back down.
    Maisie’s eyes flew to him and she bit her lip. “How… what are you doing here?”
    “I called him,” Poppy said.
    Another nurse walked in and smiled at Maisie. “I’m here to take Poppy for her scan.”
    “Do I have to go by myself?” Poppy asked.
    “I’ll come with you, honey,” Ali offered.
    “Thanks, Ali.” Maisie smiled at her daughter. “It’s pretty straight forward, Poppet. Don’t be scared.”
    “Can Hatch come with me?”
    Hatch shook his head. “I should really head out, baby girl.”
    Ali frowned at Hatch, then schooled her features and faced Poppy. “I’ll come with you, sweetie. It’ll be fine. You’ll see.”
    “Okay, Ali. Thanks.”
    The nurse wheeled Poppy out and Ali followed.
     

 

    Maisie
     
    “ I ’LL CHECK IN on you later,” Hatch said, his eyes searching mine.
    I swallowed, feeling more than just the pain coursing through my body. God, he looked gorgeous. “I… don’t know what to say.”
    “It’s all good, Sunshine. Glad you and Poppy are okay. I’ve got your car back at my place, so give me a call when you’re feelin’ better.”
    “Okay,” I said distractedly, but then registered what he said. “Wait. Why do you have my car?”
    “Maisie, I’m just going to get some vitals,” a nurse said, and walked to my bed.
    “Oh, sure,” I mumbled, and Hatch turned to leave. “Hatch, wait. I want to know what’s going on. Will you hang out for a bit?”
    He walked further into the room. “Sure.”
    I relaxed, but it didn’t