Heartsong by Lynn Ames

Author:Lynn Ames
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Non Lu
Published: 2011-07-22T12:19:55+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

hase lay with her head pillowed against Danica’s

shoulder, her arm thrown across Danica’s abdomen.

C Although it was the middle of the night, sleep would

not come.

They had not talked much on the way home after the MRI.

There wasn’t much to say. The test itself had been long and

tedious. Doctor Frankel had asked for the results to be expedited,

which could mean that Chase would hear within a day or two.

Danica stirred and snugged her arm tighter around Chase’s

waist. Chase turned and kissed her collarbone. Danica had insisted

on staying the night rather than flying to Las Vegas, and although

Chase had argued that she should go, she was secretly relieved that

Danica had steadfastly refused to budge.

They had walked to a nearby park and spent the afternoon

sitting on a bench. They watched some ducks splash in the pond,

their peaceful swim disrupted by an enthusiastic golden retriever

whose antics made Danica and Chase laugh.

Since neither one of them had been hungry for lunch, they ate

an early dinner while snuggled together on the sofa, some part of

their bodies always in contact. There was nothing sexual about the

touches; both of them needed the comfort and reassurance of the

other one’s solid presence.

Danica moaned against Chase’s ear and her hands twitched.

Her breathing quickened, and she began to thrash and struggle.

Chase rubbed circles on Danica’s stomach in a soothing motion

and whispered to her.

“You’re okay, baby. I’m right here. Shh.”

Danica didn’t respond. Her agitation increased until suddenly

she let out an animal cry and shot bolt upright, dislodging Chase.

“Whoa. Danica. Dani.” Chase scrambled to sit up. She dodged

a flailing arm and wrapped Danica in a tight embrace. Danica’s

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Lynn Ames

chest heaved, her heart hammered against Chase’s body, and her

skin was clammy. When she opened her eyes, they were wild with

terror. “Honey, please. You’re safe. I’ve got you. Dani, come back

to me.”

Danica began to shake violently. She buried her face in Chase’s

chest and clung to her.

“Shh. It’s nothing, love. Just a dream.” Chase rocked Danica

and kissed the top of her head.

“I…I’m s-sorry.” Danica’s teeth chattered. “I c-can’t help it.”

Chase leaned her head back so she could make out Danica’s

silhouetted face in the dim glow of the night-light shining from the

bathroom. “There’s nothing to be sorry for, Dani.” After a moment

more, Chase asked, “Want to talk about it?”

Danica nodded slightly. “It’s always the same thing. I see

Sandy up on that rock. I shout for her to get down, the avalanche is

coming.” She shuddered. “She turns and looks directly at me, but

she doesn’t move. Then there’s a tremendous crack—like the

loudest clap of thunder you’ve ever heard—and she’s gone. She’s

just…gone.” Danica crawled into Chase’s lap. “I felt so helpless.

There was no time to say goodbye.” A sob escaped Danica’s lips.

“I know, baby. I know.” Chase ran her fingers through

Danica’s disheveled hair. Now you may lose somebody else you

love, and there’s nothing you can do about it. Oh, Dani. How can

I do this to you? Chase clenched her jaw.

“I’m sorry.” Danica sat up a little straighter. “I woke you.”

“No. I was already awake. It’s all right.”

“Why were you up?”

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