Chapters (32)
- Cover
- Title Page
- Dedication
- Prologue
- Chapter 1
- Chapter 2
- Chapter 3
- Chapter 4
- Chapter 5
- Chapter 6
- Chapter 7
- Chapter 8
- Chapter 9
- Chapter 10
- Chapter 11
- Chapter 12
- Chapter 13
- Chapter 14
- Chapter 15
- Chapter 16
- Chapter 17
- Chapter 18
- Chapter 19
- Chapter 20
- Chapter 21
- Chapter 22
- Chapter 23
- Vanilla Crisps
- COMING SUMMER 2023
- Acknowledgments
- Discover More
- About the Author
Natasha lifted a hand. “Hold up, missy. This time? As in you already had a movie night and didn’t tell us?”
She felt her cheeks warm, remembering those amazing kisses they’d shared. Serenity waved her friend off. “It was a few weeks ago. We just watched The Shawshank Redemption.” The server returned at that moment with their food, saving her from further explanation.
“Oh my goodness. This hits the spot.” Natasha closed her eyes and groaned as she chewed the first bite of her food.
“This chicken teriyaki sandwich isn’t too bad, either,” Dana said.
Serenity agreed. She hadn’t taken more than three bites when her cell rang. She wiped her hands on a napkin and fished the phone out of her jean shorts pocket, smiling when she saw Pam’s number. “Hey, Pam.”
“Hi, Serenity. It’s Bri.”
She could tell that Bri had been crying. The hairs on the back of Serenity’s neck stood up. “What’s going on, Bri? Is Pam okay?”
“It’s not Pam. It’s…Brianna,” Bri said haltingly. “She fell off the slide, hit her head, and is still unconscious.”
“No,” Serenity whispered. She didn’t realize she was on her feet until Natasha touched her hand. “What are the doctors saying?”
“Not much yet. We’re still in the emergency room, and they’re running tests. Pam and Reggie are devastated. We all are.” Her voice cracked. “But Pam wanted me to let you know.”
She felt her own emotions rise and tried to keep her voice steady. “Thanks for calling. I’m in Napa, but I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“Thanks, Serenity.”
Serenity ended the call and slowly dropped back into the chair. “Brianna fell off a slide and hit her head. It’s serious.”
“Then we need to get on the road,” Terri said. “We all know how much that little girl means to you. And her family adores you.”
Dana had already asked for to-go boxes and settled the bill while Serenity was on the phone. The ride back was done in almost complete silence, and Serenity prayed the entire way.
“Serenity, I’m going to go straight to the hospital,” Dana said when they reached the town limits.
“Thanks, Dana.” By the time they pulled into the hospital lot, Serenity was a bundle of nerves. She was out of the car before Dana came to a complete stop. “I’m sorry our day got cut short.” She could barely hold it together.
“Don’t worry about any of that,” Natasha said, stepping out and hugging Serenity. “Just call when you’re ready for us to pick you up.”
She nodded.
Terri got out. “I’m going in with Serenity to see if I can find anything out. I’ll call Jon and ask him to come get me.”