She threw open the door and went in, blinking at the bright sunlight streaming in from the windows and illuminating the colorful palette on the walls and furnishings. Sara sat propped up in her bed on large, fluffy pillows with her father in a chair on one side and Earlene on the other. At Tucker’s insistence they’d taken Sara to the emergency room to make sure she hadn’t inhaled any water. Satisfied with her clean bill of health, he’d brought her home and put her to bed to rest. Now, judging from the rosy circles on Sara’s cheeks and the piles of her favorite dolls and stuffed animals crowded around her in the bed, she seemed no worse for the wear. In fact, if Lillian had to guess, she was enjoying the attention. Even the sodden doll clutched in the crook of Sara’s arm seemed to have a smug look about her, as if finally they were getting their turn in the spotlight. Tucker stood and offered her his chair, which she thankfully accepted. After leaning her cane against the bed, she took Sara’s small hand in hers and had to fight back tears.
