Chance Encounter - Jerry Cole Page 0,15

that she already applied to a few galleries and hoped to hear from one soon. She was well-established at the one she worked at in California after being promoted twice in a year, plus she had a great college record.

Mari was perfect for Becca in many ways. I didn’t tell either of them how relieved I felt that she was moving here, not wanting to sound selfish. I also liked that Gray seemed to like it here and planned to stay.

We enjoyed lunch together as we listened to their plans, parting ways so the girls could go to some local galleries and have some personal contact with the staff. “I like them together.” Gray smiled as he watched them walk away.

“Me, too.” I reached for his hand, glancing over to see the hole in the fence where the car broke through. I tugged, and we walked over, seeing a small grassy hill that ended at a creek. From what we could tell, the car landed in the shallow water. “Should we go to the hospital?” I wasn’t as angry, knowing that the driver was in distress.

“Yes. I want to know how she and the baby are, given that it was too early for delivery.” We chose not to get in the way, and we had already been questioned. We headed to our car, where I pulled up the information and directions to the hospital. Gray followed them, parking a distance away from the brick building and leading me by the hand to an information desk.

I watched as a woman told us they were there, pushing to know if we were family. In his usual charming manner, Gray explained that we were there when she crashed, concerned for her. He wanted to bring her something as well as check on how they were both doing. She softened as he gave her his winning smile, agreeing that we could visit for a short while. Once we had her room number, we made our way to labor and delivery to see her.

Gray tapped on the door once we’d explained the situation to the nurses. A weak voice told us to come in, and I followed him inside to see a small blonde girl in the bed, still pregnant but hooked up to machines. “Hi,” she said, searching our faces.

“Hello. We were at the restaurant when you crashed. We wanted to give you this and check on how you were doing,” Gray said as he set flowers and balloons on a table beside her. She watched with wide eyes before looking at us again.

Something crossed her face, and she looked horrified. “They said I nearly hit two guys. Was that you?” I exchanged a look with Gray for a moment as she covered her face with her hands. “I am so sorry. I am only seven months along, and I was dying for a cone from Penny’s. I didn’t think anything like that would happen.”

“Of course, you didn’t. Are you okay?” I asked as she gave me a weary smile.

“Ava is making an effort to get here early, but the doctors and nurses are doing everything they can to keep her cooking. I’m so scared she’ll get here too early. This pregnancy has been hard as it is.”

Chapter Seven

Gray

We found out that the mother’s name was Vivian, and she was twenty-one and single. The father left shortly after finding out that she was pregnant. She lived with her mom in a tiny apartment after getting dumped, unsure of her future.

I saw her strength as we got to know her. We stayed with her permission as she ate lunch, and nurses darted in and out of the room. She didn’t have a lot of friends after moving here a year ago, just the father.

Vivian worked at a small coffee cafe, or at least she did until today. She was staying in the hospital for observation until Ava arrived, fully expecting to lose her job.

We chatted with her until she was too tired to stay awake, leaving with an invitation to visit her anytime.

“I liked her a lot. Was it just me?” I asked as we returned to the car.

“No. That girl is a firecracker. Can you believe she thought that we thought she intentionally chased us?” Hayden asked, and I shrugged with one shoulder.

“It happens, so no. I suppose I initially thought the same thing.” He looked at me, and I realized that he was right. It did happen.

“Do you want to visit her again?”