Free Heart of the Matter (Coming Home Book 3) by Amy Stephens

on the highway, it comes up again. I continue to call, again and again.
    Sick joke or not, I start to get scared. With trembling hands, I dial Todd’s number. I’m shaking so badly; it takes all I can to hold onto the phone.
    “Hey babe. Did you think of a movie you want me to pick up? We just left but I can turn around and go back.”
    God, Todd won’t shut up. “No,” I cry out. “You’ve got to come home. Now! Please.” I feel myself going over the edge, and I scream, “I NEED YOU TO HURRY!”
    “Honey, what’s wrong?”
    I hear Todd on the other end of the line, but I’m at a loss for words. My head becomes all fuzzy all of a sudden and I sit down before losing my balance.
    This phone call…
    This email…
    I don’t know what to do. I reach up to grab my head. He can’t be trying to contact me after all these years. Please, say it isn’t so. He can’t have my baby. Nooo!
    “I need you…now,” I manage to say in between sobs.
    “I’m on my way. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
    “Hurry.” I barely finish saying the word before I fall from the chair and hit the floor with a loud thud.
     
    ****
     
    I feel something wet on my forehead and I reach up to find out what it is. I blink a couple times to clear my blurred vision and lift off a cool washcloth. Todd is sitting next to me on the floor and a pillow is wedged underneath my head. I feel a dull ache in my neck and my head pounds.
    “What…what happened?” I mumble.
    “You were obviously upset about something when you called me. I got here as quickly as I could. God, please tell me what’s going on?” Todd uses the washcloth to gently pat the side of my face.
    Suddenly, I’m very warm and I feel like my body is on fire. I’m almost certain sweat is dripping from my pores. I attempt to sit up but the pain keeps me from going anywhere.
    “I need something to drink. Can you get me some water?” I’m not sure how long I was passed out, but my throat is parched.
    “I’m going to try and prop you up, okay? As soon as I get you situated, I’ll grab you something to drink. I dropped the girls off at mom and dad’s house. The lights were still on when I pulled in the driveway so I told them I’d come get them once I knew everything was okay.” Todd is doing everything he knows to do to keep me comfortable. “I was just so scared. You’ve not been yourself since we got back from vacation, but I didn’t want to upset you.”
    I reach for Todd’s shoulder and try to use him as leverage to pull myself up. I deal with the pain in my head as best I can, hoping it’ll ease off once I’m in an upright position. I bring my hand up to the side of my head and feel a tender spot just behind my left ear. Maybe it’s where I fell and landed on something? Or, I could’ve caught the corner of the desk or the chair. I barely remember anything and it frightens me.
    When I’m propped up and resting against the wall, Todd stands up. He runs his fingers through his hair, then looks around the room. He looks worried and concerned about me. “I really wish one of the girls were here to help. I’m scared to leave you alone.”
    “No, I don’t want them to see me like this.” I quickly cry out. “They’ll worry and it’s not necessary. I’ll be fine.”
    “Shh. Don’t get upset.” Todd kneels back down and gently caresses my cheek with his hand. “You are still so pale.”
    “Seriously, I’ll be okay. I just need something to drink.” I tell him again although I’m not sure, either. I don’t think I’ve ever passed out before.
    “Just sit still and I’ll hurry,” he assures me before making a mad dash to the kitchen.
    I look around and wonder what happened to me. What made me so upset that I lost control and passed out? Even though it hurts to move my head, I glance up and see the computer screen. Then it comes to me—I was looking at something on my email.
    “Todd,” I call out. When I don’t hear anything, I call him again.