Lightbringer by K.D. McEntire Page B

were over here,” Wendy said simply, amazed that the answer came to her so easily. “I know Dad and Nana were here yesterday, and Dad always stacks them when he's done. There's no guest chair on her side of the room.”
    The corner of Emma's mouth twitched. “You're observant.”
    “I'm here every week or so.” Wendy shrugged. “You learn how things work.”
    “I shouldn't be telling you this,” Emma said, relenting. “And if you tell anyone that you got this from me, I'll deny it. Get it?”
    “Got it.”
    Collecting the clipboard off the bedside table, Emma made a note in the bottom corner. “Good. Your instincts were right. The boyfriend was driving and he was D.O.A. They had to work all night to keep her going.”
    Dead On Arrival. Wendy winced as Lauren's sobbing ratcheted up several levels to an almost earsplitting decibel of anguish and pain. “Oh man.” She surreptitiously glanced at the soul beside her and sighed. “So she's not going to survive, then.”
    “There's no proof of that,” Emma said stiffly. “She could pull out of it any day now.”
    “None of my business. I got it.” Wendy reached down and squeezed her mother's ankle. “Thanks for being cool about it. Anyway, how are things looking here? Same old, same old?”
    “Yes. I'm sorry.” Emma patted Wendy on the shoulder and once again Wendy was struck by how warm the tall, thin doctor was. The hospital itself was kept at a comfortably cool temperature but Dr. Henley was baking. Wendy wondered if she should mention it. “That's nothing to worry over though, I promise. I don't want to get your hopes up, but one day I'm positive your mother will pull through.” Emma winked and smiled. It was obvious that the expression was meant to be comforting, but it fell short. Still, her eyes were kind, and the fingers on her shoulder were gentle. “Call it a good feeling.”
    That tight smile ended Wendy's inner debate. “That's good at least. Hey, look, this is going to sound strange, but you're so warm. Are you feeling okay?”
    “Am I?” Emma pressed her wrist to her forehead. “I guess I am. Must be picking something up; I'd better stop by the nurse's station and grab an Advil.” She laughed. “Word to the wise, Wendy, don't go into medicine unless you've got the constitution of a bull. Being around ill people will knock you out every time.” The pager at her hip beeped and Emma set the clipboard back in the plastic holder beside the door. “I've got to get that. It was very nice meeting you, Wendy.”
    “You too,” Wendy said.
    Once Dr. Henley was well away, Eddie patted the seat beside the bed. “Jon can wait a little longer. Come, chill for a few.”
    “I'm so tired,” Wendy admitted. “I'm just not sleeping right, Eds.” She settled onto the seat again and stared at her mother's face. “You know, to be honest, I don't think it matters how long I scour the city or how many…how many souls I reap along the way. I don't think I'm ever going to find her.”
    In the corner, Lauren had finally quieted. The bad news had been a blow; she sat with her back against the wall and her hair dangling into her lap, forearms resting on her knees. Wendy's heart went out to her but the translucency of her soul spoke volumes—Lauren wouldn't need help crossing over. “I just wish I knew why Mom's different than the others.” She sniffed and scrubbed her cheeks aggressively. “DAMN! I mean, this sucks. This just sucks. Mom knows this stuff backwards and forwards, Eddie. I'm still just in training. I can't. I can't. I can't do all this by myself anymore, you know? I'm only reaping the ones who get in my way and I'm still struggling to get by. I don't know how Mom did it; she must have been a frickin' superwoman. I need help.” She hung her head. “I need help finding her soul before she ends up like that.”
    Eddie glanced into the empty corner Wendy was glaring at and shrugged, uncomfortable. Their talk that morning had left both of them