The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 474

"Just do it," Jamie cut him off smoothly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Aaron paused for a fraction of a second before nodding. "...Yes, sir. I'll make the arrangements immediately. And as for me tonight...?"

"There's a hotel across the street," Jamie instructed calmly. "Book a room there. Consider it a business expense. Go."

Seeing that his boss's gaze had already drifted back to Suzie's pale face, Aaron knew better than to argue. He offered a quick nod and swiftly exited the room.

...

Dusk settled over the city. A gentle breeze drifted through the cracked window, carrying the faint, crisp scent of early autumn.

On the bed, Suzie slowly opened her eyes.

Her lashes fluttered. There were no harsh overhead fluorescents blinding her, only the soft, warm glow of a small floor lamp tucked into the corner of the room. The pale blue-and-white walls and the red cross symbol on the bedding quickly oriented her—she was in a hospital.

As her gaze drifted, she finally noticed the man slumped in a chair beside her, his head resting heavily near her arm. From the broad shoulders to the familiar sweep of his hair, she instantly recognized Jamie.

Suzie lay perfectly still, her mind sifting through the hazy memories of seeing him at the convenience store. His eyes had been red-rimmed, carrying an unmistakable mix of panic and heartache...

She remembered him carrying her into the car, coaxing her to drink a few sips of water before her exhaustion had pulled her completely under.

"Stella..."

The name slipped from her lips unconsciously. She distinctly remembered Stella being there, too. So why was he the only one left in the room?

Suzie touched her own forehead. The raging heat had subsided. She cast a quiet glance at Jamie's sleeping form, then carefully shifted, trying to slip out from under the blankets without waking him.

And yet now... she noticed a washbasin and a damp towel resting on the bedside table. He had clearly been applying cold compresses to bring down her temperature. Jamie Baylor, actually doing manual labor to care for someone else?

And sleeping slumped in an uncomfortable hospital chair? He was notoriously demanding about his sleeping arrangements. He had to be utterly exhausted to pass out like that.

Her thoughts quickly pivoted. None of this made sense. She had called Zelina first, telling her she was going on a last-minute business trip and ensuring the kids were safe, before calling Stella. Zelina certainly didn't have Jamie's private number, and Stella would rather die than give him her location. So how on earth had Jamie been the one to find her at Emerald Village?

When Suzie stepped out of the bathroom, Jamie was waiting right outside the door. "Get back in bed and rest against the pillows," he said gently. "I've paged the doctor for a follow-up. Aaron is picking up some food for you, it should be here soon."

Suzie didn't respond, nor did she let him guide her.

Feeling a lingering ache in her joints, she walked slowly back to the bed.

Jamie had already asked a nurse to elevate the head of the mattress, so Suzie simply leaned back against the incline, her expression completely blank.