Debra Burroughs - Paradise Valley 04.5 - The Color of Lies by Debra Burroughs Page B

Emily was going to be all right, he was merely going through the motions.
    It had been nearly two hours since the staff had wheeled Emily behind the double doors, when the doctor finally emerged. Colin ran to meet her and the others crowded behind him.
    “I’m Detective Colin Andrews. How is she, Doctor?” Colin asked.
    “Is her family here?”
    “She has no family in town,” he said. “We’re engaged—I’m the closest thing to family she’s got.”
    “And the rest of us are like family,” Maggie added. Her long blond hair was pulled up in a messy ponytail and her face devoid of makeup, which was so unlike Maggie. The emergency phone call must have gotten her out of bed.
    The doctor’s gaze drifted from Maggie back to Colin. “Emily has suffered some trauma to her head and a broken arm, as well as multiple contusions. Usually, when I see accident victims from this kind of crash, there is a lot more injury to the lower extremities—hips, legs, pelvic region.”
    “Oh my,” Maggie said. “That could have kept her from havin’ a baby, couldn’t it?”
    “It’s possible,” the doctor responded briefly, before turning back to Colin.
    “The pickup sat pretty high, that must be why,” he reasoned. “Is she awake?”
    “No, not yet. We put her through a battery of tests and she’s been placed in intensive care,” the doctor said. “She has some swelling in her brain. We called in a neurologist to read her CT scan, and we’re keeping a close eye on her.”
    The others muttered to each other and pressed in to hear more of the conversation, but Colin remained focused only on the doctor.
    “Can I see her?” he asked.
    “Yes, can we see her?” Camille repeated, her big blue eyes wide as she poked her head over Maggie’s shoulder. Her short red hair was normally spiked, but at this hour it clung pixie-like to her head.
    “She’s resting. It’s probably best if you all come back in the morning. We’ll see where she’s at then.”
    “I can’t leave her, Doc,” Colin said. “It won’t hurt anything if I just sit with her, will it?”
    The doctor looked around at the crowd. “If it’s only you, I’ll allow it. I can’t have all of you crowding into her room and disturbing her.”

Chapter 2
    The women hugged Colin good-bye and Alex shook his hand, assuring him they’d be back in the morning. Ernie hung back as the rest left.
    Colin’s bones ached from the jarring crash, and as much as he wanted to be strong, tears threatened very near the surface. Emily had to wake up. He couldn’t lose her.
    “You want me to stay out here and wait with you?” Ernie asked.
    “Why don’t you come in for a while and sit with me and Emily?”
    “The doc said only you.”
    “I know, but we’ll be quiet. I could use the company.”
    Ernie nodded. “Lead the way.”
    They found the room number the doctor had given them before disappearing behind the double doors, and they slipped inside. As she lay sleeping, Emily’s normally pretty face was red and swollen, with numerous cuts and bruises from flying glass and the exploding airbag. Her head was bandaged, leaving her loose blond curls gathered around her neck, and her right arm was in a cast almost to her shoulder.
    Colin’s eyes were riveted on her as he sat in the chair next to the bed. Ernie claimed the seat in the corner. As Colin carefully took her hand, his chest tightened with emotion. He couldn’t imagine his life without Emily. She filled every corner of his world with spirit and passion and love.
    Gazing at her, Colin’s mind couldn’t help but recall Miranda again. He had sat beside her, holding her hand too, as she’d slipped away from him.
    I can’t do this again. He wiped a tear that escaped down his cheek.
    “She isn’t Miranda,” Ernie said softly, appearing to read Colin’s mind.
    Not taking his eyes off Emily, Colin nodded. “I know.”
    “I was already living in Paradise Valley when you and Miranda got engaged. I never knew