Haley had gone downstairs to the gift shop, mostly to stretch her legs and see something besides the inside of a hospital room when her cell phone jangled. “Hi, Creed,” she’d said. “Want me to bring you a power bar?” “You should get back up here.” His terse voice sent alarm racing through her veins. “What’s wrong?” “Rose is in trouble.” His voice broke. He cleared it and tried again. “They’re intubating her.” “Oh, no.” Without another word, she ran for the elevator. When she reached the third floor, Rose was being rolled out of the room. Haley ran toward her. Creed caught her in his arms. “Where are they taking her? What happened?” “ICU. Her lung collapsed.” Haley’s knees buckled. “No,” she moaned. “No.” Creed pulled her up tight and held on. “Be strong.
