CHAPTER 4

As Jeremy nods off and jerks awake for about the tenth time, he thinks this time it was different. What was that? Did I really hear something? Did I dream it? I wasn't asleep long enough to dream. Was I? He looks at his sleeping beauty and sees no difference in her and he sighs. Maybe I need some fresh air. You know just to wake myself up. No, I can't leave her alone. The window. I'll stick my head out the window.

Jeremy rises to a sitting position when he hears it again. Looking at Candy, he sees her mouth slightly move and hears a mumbling sound. He quickly slides over to sit on the bed beside her. "Candy? Candy, can you hear me?" he asks excitedly.

Candy mumbles something again and her closed eyes somewhat flutter. "Candy, it's me Jeremy. Come on Beautiful. It's time to open those eyes." Candy tries to open her eyes several times before she gives up. "No, no, don't stop. Don't give up. Come on Candy. You can do it. Open your eyes. Please."

Candy tries again and finally gets them open a little bit. "Hey there," Jeremy cries. "You're doing great. Can you hear me? If you can, squeeze my hand." Candy gives a light squeeze to Jeremy's hand.

A big smile spreads across Jeremy's face. "Thank you Lord!" As he sees her eyes start to close, he says, "Candy, stay with me. Don't close your eyes, okay? I need you to stay awake."

"Jer...e...my?" Candy whispers.

"Yeah, Candy. It's me. Thank God you finally woke up." He kisses her hand.

"Jer...e...my? You're...back?"

"Yes, I am."

"I-I'm...sor-sor...ry," Candy manages to whisper as tears seep from the corners of her eyes.

"Sorry? Why are you sorry?"

"I-I...didn't...meet...you. I...was...to...meet...you."

"It's all right, Candy," Jeremy says lovingly as he wipes her tears away. "You were kind of busy."

"Wh-where...are...we?" Candy manages to whisper.

"We're at Allyn's. We're at the clinic."

"Wh-why?"

"Well it seems like you tangled with a horse. You..."

"A...horse? He...won?"

"I don't know if I'd say he won, but he was still standing at the end."

"Oh and...I guess...I wasn't." Candy says a little stronger and her eyes open more.

"Do you remember anything about what happened?" Jeremy inquires.

"No. No...wait. Ker...rie!" Candy becomes alarmed.

"She's all right. Kerrie's fine. You saved her, Candy. Relax."

"I'm...glad." She licks her lips before saying, "Jer...e...my...I...love...you."

"I love you too, Candy," Jeremy says as he tenderly kisses her lips. "You rest. Don't go back to sleep, but you just rest while I get Allyn. She made me promise I'd wake her up if you came to."

"No...don't...l-leave...me," Candy begs anxiously.

"All right, it's all right, Candy. I won't leave." He squeezes her hand. "I do need to get Allyn though. I'm going to yell for her, okay?"

"O...kay."

Jeremy shouts, "Allyn! Allyn, come quickly! Candy's awake!"

In only a few seconds, Allyn rushes into the room. "Well, miracles do happen!" Allyn laughs. "Welcome back, Candy. How do you feel? Are you hurting?"

"Bad. I...feel...bad."

"I imagine you do. Jeremy, would you mind stepping out of the room so I can examine Candy?" Allyn asks.

As Jeremy starts to stand, Candy says in a frightened voice, "Jer...e...my?"

"It's all right, Candy. I'll be out in the hallway, right on the other side of that door. I'll be back in here as soon as I can."

"Prom...ise?"

"I promise. Now you be a good girl and let Allyn take care of you. I'll see you soon."

"All...right."

"That's my girl. I love you," he says as he bends down to kiss her cheek.

"Love...you."