Now as he sat beside Cheryl in Virginia’s hospital room, he felt filled with a purpose that hadn’t been there before today. Sure, he’d gotten off Oxycodone and he was stronger than before. But ever since his conversation with Cheryl in the hallway, he actually felt a sense of destiny.Tyler Ames would make it back. Nothing could stand in his way. Not with people like Virginia Hutcheson and her daughter praying for him.“It won’t be long,” Cheryl whispered the words, her attention on her mother.Tyler knew he needed to say good-bye. This time was for family. He leaned forward and wrapped his fingers around the old woman’s. “I’ll keep you with me,” he whispered, his eyes dry. He couldn’t possibly be sad for Virginia. She was about to be reunited with her husband and her son. Heaven would be incomparably better than Merrill Place. Better than anything earth could offer. Tyler believed that because of Virginia.She looked peaceful, her breathing slower than it had been even an hour ago.
