Love's Second Chance (Second Chances #1)(57)

“Thank you,” Elizabeth said to Jason while Brady shook his hand.

“You’re welcome. I’m glad it’s all working out,” Jason replied.

I went over to Jason and wrapped my arms around him. He was so much like my Carson it was scary. With them being best friends, I guess it was hard not to rub off on each other. “Thank you. I’m so glad it was you who took care of him,” I said softly.

“I’m glad it was me, too.” He leaned down to whisper in my ear, “I need to talk to you. Can you come to my office?” he asked.

Pulling out of his arms, I looked into his face, but couldn’t decipher his emotions at that moment. Replying, hesitantly, I said, “Sure.” What was he going to tell me that he couldn’t tell me there?

Following him to his office, I contemplated everything in my mind that he could possibly be getting ready to tell me. I came up blank every time. Once we got to his office, he opened the door and shut it behind us. “You’re scaring me, Jason. What’s going on?” I asked.

He motioned for me to sit while he took the seat across from me. “It’s nothing bad per se, but I thought you would like to know what happened. I didn’t want to broadcast this information around to everyone in the waiting room.”

“What is it?” I asked curiously.

Jason took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “As you know, Galen was going to be put on a waiting list for his kidney.”

I nodded. “Yes, that’s what I was told, but then something happened and that changed.”

“That’s correct.” He paused. “I wanted to tell you what happened.” At my questioning glance, he continued, “Yesterday we had a patient brought in by her husband saying she was complaining of an extreme headache. She had passed out in the car on the way over here and when we examined her it was too late.” The anguish in his eyes was apparent, and it was the same look I would see on Carson’s face when he’d lose a patient. “She died of a brain aneurysm,” Jason said.

Gasping, I put my hand over my mouth. “Oh no,” I cried. “So is that how you got Galen a kidney?”

Jason nodded. “It is. When her husband signed the papers, he agreed to let us take her organs. She was a young, healthy female and when we told him about how she could save the life of another he was more than willing to agree. He didn’t want anyone going through the pain he was going through.”

Laying my head in my hands, I cried. I cried for the loss of another human being, for the man that lost his wife, for Galen, and for Carson. My heart hurt for them all. I was thankful Galen got his kidney, but my heart shed tears for the other man. I knew his pain, and I knew his loss. “Can you give me his name?” I asked Jason.

“I’m sorry, Korinne, but I’m not at liberty to give his name out. If you want, I can always give him your information. When, and if, he’s ready to ever come in contact with you he can. He’s in a sad place right now, and I know he needs this time to mourn his wife. I know you understand.”

“Of course,” I agreed. “Please tell him how sorry I am, and also how grateful I’ll always be for this.”

“I will.” Jason smiled. “Now go see your husband. I’m sure he’ll be waking up soon. He has a lot more to live for now, and he doesn’t even know it yet.”

Grinning widely, I nodded. “Yes, he does.” Leaving Jason’s office, I secretly wished I knew who the man and his wife were that saved Galen’s life. Maybe one day I would find out, but at that moment I couldn’t have been more thankful.





Chapter Twenty-Three





“Wow! You have an amazing setup here,” Sarah said as she walked in the door.

I finished placing the last ornament on the tree and turned to her. “Hey, Sarah. Yeah, I was hoping we were going to be at home for Christmas, but unfortunately, we’re not,” I said, looking toward the bed where Galen was lying.

Sarah frowned and looked over at Galen. “His numbers are good though. The tests are coming back normal and the transplant seems to be doing well.”

I sighed. “I know. Every morning I keep saying it’s going to be the day, but then it never is.”

“Maybe you’ll get a Christmas miracle. After all, miracles do happen,” she added, glancing down at my stomach.

Looking down, I smiled. “Yeah, you’re right. They do happen, but I fully give credit for this little tyke in here to Galen,” I said, rubbing my belly. It was still flat, but in a few months I’d be showing. I couldn’t wait.

“I see you brought the tree and everything.” Sarah laughed.

“Of course. We couldn’t have Christmas without the tree. Other than his birthday, Galen’s favorite day is Christmas. My mom even made his favorite Christmas snack in hopes he’d wake up for them. I have a whole tin of them waiting to be eaten.”

Sarah looked at me and smiled. “Galen would be crazy not to wake up. I can’t wait for him to find out about the baby. Although, when he wakes up, I have to admit I’m going to be sad to see you go. I’ve enjoyed talking to you while you’ve been here.”

“Ohh …” I drawled out while pulling her in for a hug. “I feel the same way. It’s been great hearing stories about Carson, and getting to know you.”