Interim(133)

Her finger jerked again.

“Ha! That’s what I thought!” he said.

He leaned over and smothered her with kisses, inadvertently pushing her breathing tube side to side with his nose as he worked to make contact with every inch of her face—yes, even the creases of her nostrils.

He knew he should call for her parents, but he was greedy. He wanted her all to himself for a few moments more, aware that she may drift back to sleep before her parents could witness her movement.

“Move your finger,” he demanded.

All five moved.

“HA!”

And then the door opened. He leaned over once more and kissed her everywhere.

“I love you, Regan!” he cried, inches from her face.

“What’s happening?” Mrs. Walters demanded, words laced with fear.

“She’s waking up!” Jeremy yelled. “She’s waking up!”

Caroline squealed. Her parents raced to the bed, hovering and touching and asking a million questions, and where’s the doctor already?!

“Regan, if you can hear this, move your finger,” Jeremy said. His words brimmed with confidence.

Nothing.

His heart plummeted. Her parents looked at him accusingly. He thought Caroline would attack him.

“She just did it . . .”

Mr. Walters shook his head.

“Regan, move your finger!” Jeremy commanded.

Nothing.

“Don’t talk to her like that,” Mr. Walters snapped.

Jeremy ignored him. “Regan, I don’t know what you’re playing at, but so help me . . .”

Her fingers moved. Her parents gasped. Caroline jumped around. Jeremy saw the tiniest grin play at the corners of Regan’s lips—a grin that said, “Just messin’.”

“You little . . .” But he stopped there, and pressed his lips to hers. Gentle. No more demands. There was no need for them. He knew she would be all right.

And so would he.

Because they had things to do. She had games to play. Cakes to bake. A life to live. And so did he. He had a life to live with his girl, in another, better world.



S. Walden used to teach English before making the best decision of her life by becoming a full-time writer. She lives in Georgia with her very supportive husband who prefers physics textbooks over fiction and has a difficult time understanding why her characters must have personality flaws. She is wary of small children, so she has a Westie instead. She is the USA Today bestselling author of Going Under. When she's not writing, she's thinking about it.

She loves her fans and loves to hear from them. Email her at [email protected] and follow her twitter feed at @swaldenauthor. Visit her website at www.swaldenauthor.com for the latest information on her current and upcoming projects.