Free Road to Peace by Piper Davenport Page A

stop my head from throbbing. My thoughts were foggy, but my body was on alert having Hatch so close.
    The nurse slid her stethoscope around her neck and smiled. “I’m going to get a few supplies then I’ll help you change. I’ll be right back.”
    “Okay.” I was so tired, but Hatch touched my shoulder and my eyes flew to him.
    “Don’t fall asleep,” he ordered.
    “Right.” I sat up a little straighter, every movement killing me.
    He sat on the edge of the bed and I was grateful I didn’t have to look up. “What’s going on?” I asked.
    “Poppy called me from your phone and told me you were unconscious.”
    “And you answered? Even after I blew you off?”
    He gave me a sexy smile. “Thought about ignoring the call, but I like you, Sunshine, so figured I’d see what was up.”
    I bit my lip. He liked me.
    He tapped my knee. “Don’t sleep.”
    “I’m not.” I licked my lips. “I’m just resting my eyes.”
    Hatch nodded. “Had Booker hack into the Lexus system, got my guys there to deal with your car, then came here to make sure you were okay.”
    God, he was so nice. I blinked back tears and melted when he slid a thumb gently across my cheek.
    “I’m gonna find out why your brakes failed and your airbags didn’t go off. You good with that?” he asked.
    “You don’t have to do that,” I whispered, the tears flowing freely down my face.
    “Why are you cryin’?”
    “Because.”
    Hatch caught a tear with his thumb. “Don’t cry, baby.”
    “I can’t help it. You’re being so nice and I’ve been an absolute tosser.”
    He chuckled. “I don’t know what that means, but it sounds pretty bad.”
    “It is bad,” I confirmed. “It really is okay for you to go, Hatch. If you can keep the car until I can deal with it, I’ll sort it out. Or I can have Ryan do it.”
    He frowned. “Who’s Ryan?”
    “Ali’s husband.”
    He relaxed. “You don’t quit cryin’ baby, you’re gonna make your head throb worse.”
    “I can’t help it. Everything hurts and you’re being really lovely and I’m worried about Poppy.” He cupped my cheek and I leaned into his touch, which was stupid, because it hurt. “I’m so sorry I didn’t ring you back.”
    “It’s okay.” He smiled. “But I need you to stop cryin’, yeah?”
    I nodded, but I couldn’t stop. Now that the floodgates were opened, I couldn’t seem to stop, the stress of the day covering me like a blanket of doom.
    Hatch leaned forward and pulled me to him, cradling me gently against his chest. I was surprised the action didn’t hurt me, but all I felt was safe. He was warm and smelled good and he was stroking my hair which felt super, super nice.
    “I’m sorry that took so—” the nurse cut off her sentence as Hatch released me. “Are you in pain? I can give you a little something.”
    “That’d be good,” Hatch answered for me.
    “I’ll be right back.” The nurse left again and I settled back against the mattress.
    Just as the nurse returned with pain meds for me, Ali and another nurse also walked in wheeling Poppy, and Hatch stepped away from me.
    “Hello, darling, how did it go?” I asked.
    Poppy lowered her head and I frowned over at Alison.
    “She was a bit claustrophobic,” Ali provided. “They’re going to see what they can do. Maybe a CT scan instead of an MRI. They have an open one.”
    “Sorry,” Poppy whispered.
    “That’s okay, Poppet,” I assured. “Those machines can be scary.”
    “I’m gonna head out,” Hatch said.
    “Will you come back?” Poppy asked, and I was surprised by the sound of worry in her voice.
    “Yeah, baby girl, I’ll come back.” He pulled a card out of his wallet, found a pen, and scribbled something on it, handing it to her. “Here’s my cell phone number, okay? You need me, you call me. Anytime.”
    Poppy smiled and held the card to her chest. “Thanks, Hatch.”
    He made his way to me, leaning down to kiss my cheek. “I’m gonna go check on your car. But