From The Wreckage by Michele G Miller Read Free Book Online Page B

nods and looks down at the hand she left outside of the blanket. She picks at the cotton blanket; her nail following the cross pattern of the threads. She turns her face into the pillow for a moment and rubs her tears on the pillowcase, as she breathes in deeply and tries to keep herself calm.
    "Hey, West? Do you pray?" she asks softly and lifts her face up, almost embarrassed. "Like, to anyone or anything. I'm not saying it has to be God, but..."
    His hand covers hers tightly and she stops speaking.
    "I have been tonight."
    She flips her hand over and laces her fingers with his, making a tight fist as she angles her head down closer to him and closes her eyes. She prays for the safety of those she loves the most, for her parents, brother and her best friends. For everyone in the path of the storm tonight. She prays for all those hurting.
    She doesn’t know whether West prays or not, but he sits next to her silently and when she finally lifts her head with hot tears running down her face, his head is bowed too. She also notices his father standing at the curtain holding three cups with steam rising from them. She forces herself to straighten and her fingers loosen their grip on West's hand, but he doesn’t allow her to let go.
    "I brought you hot chocolate, I hope that's good. I saw the face you made when West mentioned coffee." He winks and suddenly she is hit with how similar father and son are. Mr. Rutledge's wink totally reminds her of West and the sly face he gave her earlier at the Shack before the twister hit.
    "Thank you so much, Mr. Rutledge."
    He nods, places her cup on the dinner tray to the right and hands over a cup to West, as well.
    "So here's the deal. They’re bringing in a lot of injured people. I ran into Chris out there and he said they could use help doing search and rescue. Since I have a four-wheel drive truck, I can get over debris." He looks at West as he speaks, his face clearly questioning him.
    "Go then, if you can help others. Do you mind if I stay here? I'll…" He looks at Jules and raises his brows. "I mean, do you mind if I stay with you?"
    "Of course not," she replies, and his hand twitches in hers.
    "I'll stay here. Then you don't have to worry about me."
    "I think that's a great idea, son. Try to get a hold of your brothers if you can. They said the lines here are going in and out due to so much traffic right now. Jules, if you'll give me your address I'll see if I can get to your family."
    "Oh, Mr. Rutledge! I would be forever grateful if you could. I..." She breaks into tears again and mutters, "I swear I only cry like this at chick movies."
    West and Mr. Rutledge both chuckle at her. "Your secret is safe with us."
    "She lives in Hickory Ridge, dad," West offers as Jules pulls herself together.
    "Hickory Ridge? Well that's good, then."
    "It is?"
    "Everything south of downtown was spared, according to Chris. They should be safe, assuming they were home. They probably can't get to you or know where you are."
    Before leaving, Mr. Rutledge enters her address into his phone as she calls it out. He promises to run by there as soon as possible and leave a note if they aren’t home.
    "You know, chances are they’re moving Heaven and Earth to figure out where you are and get to you. The emergency broadcast is telling people to stay in their homes and off the roads if they don't need medical care." He walks over to West, who stands and embraces his dad tightly.
    Although she turns her face away to allow them a moment, she catches Mr. Rutledge whisper something in West’s ear and he nods in agreement. His father gives her a soft smile and tells her to take care.
    "Thank you again," she calls after him as he leaves.
    Jules blows on her hot chocolate and sits there staring out past her bed at the busy nurse’s station. She watches as people, many wearing pajamas, run up to the desk; frantic for information on loved ones. Every time a new person steps up, a nurse at the desk politely answers