Free Killer Cupid (The Redemption Series: Book 1) by Maeve Christopher Page A

in the doorway. He and Jimmy stood at the foot of David’s bed. I knew Jimmy was trying to comfort him, but he was crying too. Eduardo and David were lifelong friends, closer than most brothers. I couldn’t begin to know all the thoughts and feelings that must have been overtaking him. I was just too tired to even try to help.
    Cat couldn’t get here fast enough. The “white-haired angel” she’d predicted had shown up in the person of Debbie. But this angel seemed to have more faith in the drugs working than God. It didn’t seem too promising. But as Cat always reminded me – God’s ways are not our ways.
     
    Debbie
     
    I dozed a little while and then took a cool shower to wake up. Back in my wrinkled dress, I stole down the corridor to David’s room. He was still motionless, with more tubes and equipment surrounding him. I took his hand and willed him to wake up. Wheezing and beeping machines were my only answer.
    As I dragged the chair close to the bed, I heard voices in the hall. It was David and Eduardo’s families. Before I could decide what to do, Dr. Earle appeared and frowned at me. “Miss Aldridge, it’s 4:45 in the morning. You need your rest. Shall I call someone to help you back to your room?”
    I slunk out the door into a mob of people speaking Spanish and English. General Pearson was trying unsuccessfully to create some order. Eduardo was wrapped in a crowd being kissed and hugged to death. I stepped backward to avoid being trampled, and almost knocked over a pretty blonde girl who had to be five or six inches shorter than me.
    “Debbie.” She smiled, and her eyes riveted me. They were the deepest blue of a night sky when the moonlight is brightest. A color I’d used only recently in a painting I did for David. But mostly, her eyes were friendly, tranquil, and oddly joyful. I couldn’t quite understand those eyes. It was like we were friends for a hundred years. In the midst of the confusion I felt strangely serene.
    She took my hands and looked up at me. “I’m Catherine Connors, David’s cousin, Cat. I’m so pleased to meet you at last. You do have the most beautiful hair.”
    Cat the Prayer Warrior . At last she was here. She blew me away. How would she know I even existed? And who’d ever think my hair was beautiful? It was practically colorless, and so fine I could hardly do a thing with it.
    Before I had time to try and understand, she introduced me to David’s parents, her aunt and uncle. Then Eduardo appeared and swept her up into an emotional hug. His eyes were wet and the pain in them plain to see. Cat was so petite, I thought he might crush her.
    When all the hugs and introductions were complete, Dr. Earle updated us on David’s poor condition, and explained septic shock. He told us being a young man in top physical condition improved his chances of fighting the overwhelming infection. But things didn’t look good at the moment. Partly because he’d fallen into mucky water, and then was without specialized care for so long, the infection had messed up his lungs, as well as traveled all through his body in his blood.
    David was in a coma, and was having extra strong oxygen pushed into his lungs. Also they were still doing tests to find the very best drugs to fight the infection. Once they got those drugs going though, I thought David would be fine. Dr. Earle said he could be fine with the very best drugs. They didn’t even seem worried about the gunshot wounds healing.
    Like General Pearson, he stressed the need for quiet and suggested only David’s parents and Cat could spend any length of time in the room. Before I could protest, David’s mother took me by the hand. “Debbie may join us. Cat told me all about her.” She brushed me by General Pearson on the way into the room. He looked as confused as I was. I wished Grammy was here to tell me how all this stuff works.
    After we had cried for a while over David, the rest of the group was invited in to pray. David must