Fearless - Fern Michaels Page 0,63

line or two pink lines like the tests she’d used years ago. No, this test actually gave you the words.

Not pregnant.

Tears filled her eyes. “Thank God,” she said out loud. What if it was wrong? Quickly, she used the second test stick.

Not pregnant.

Anna smiled, overwhelmed at the relief she felt. Then, just because she could, she used the third stick.

Again, not pregnant.

In her mind, three was a charm. She accepted the results and prayed her period would come when she wasn’t so stressed. Though that could be forever, given the mess she’d made of her life. She’d make an appointment with her gynecologist soon in order to make sure there wasn’t anything medically wrong.

When there was a slight knock on the door, Anna opened it and showed Mandy all three sticks.

“Thank heavens,” Mandy said, embracing her. “I bet you wished you had done this sooner,” she said.

“I was afraid of the results, but yeah, I should’ve. Mandy, what is wrong with me? I’m so screwed up right now.” She thought of the Xanax in her purse. She might pop one later, just to take the edge off.

“Nothing is wrong with you. Now that we’re sure there’s just one of you, call Ed, tell him I need to speak to the hospital’s public-information officer, tonight. I’ll contact the local media, explain their airing the story is a violation of Christina’s rights, her being a minor. I think we can wrap this up pretty quickly. Now, go call the doctor.” Mandy smiled at her. “I know, I know, I am bossy, but you love it. Now go.” She gave her a slight push toward the door.

Anna used her cell phone to call Ed Laird. She explained the situation, and he gave her a name and number. “Before I forget,” she brought up the NOTES app on her phone and typed in the information Ed had given her. “Here,” she said, and handed her phone to Mandy. “Do your thing.”

Anna returned to her daughter’s bedside, saw she was sleeping and that her breathing seemed deeper, probably from the medications. She would never forgive herself if something happened to Christina. Her worst fear, one she’d gone through years of therapy trying to overcome. After today’s accident, if it really was an accident, she knew she couldn’t let it slide. As soon as Christina could speak without the effects of the drugs, she would ask her what happened, and if she was pushed.

Mandy returned to the room. “All done. Apparently one of the admitting nurses recognized you. Her husband is the six o’clock news anchor at KCBD. She thought your trip newsworthy and called him. Not sure what’s going to happen to either, but I promise you, we’ll keep this as quiet as we can.” Mandy motioned for her to sit. “However, if this wasn’t an accident, we won’t be able to keep it out of the news,” Mandy said. “It won’t matter who you are.”

Nodding in agreement, Anna knew that Mandy spoke the truth. “What now?” she asked, needing direction about where to go from here.

“Let’s wait and see what Christina says. Then, depending on that, we’ll decide. I still think that little snot had something to do with this. If not, she is one coldhearted bitch. Sorry, I know you don’t like name-calling when a kid’s involved, but riddle me this. Would your daughter have watched one of her friends if they fell down a flight of steps and not called nine-one-one when she was told to? Would any of her friends?” Mandy walked across the small room to the sofa and sat down.

Anna sat beside her. “Of course not.”

“I don’t have kids, but I know a bad egg when I smell one. Renée Robertson is as rotten as they come.”

Anna sighed. “I think she’s mixed up, and that’s about all I can say at this point. She was hot and cold at dinner at the restaurant, but I attributed that to her being a typical thirteen-year-old girl. She was mad at Ryan because he told her she couldn’t get a sleeve tattoo. I get that kids get pissed at their parents. I’m hoping that’s all that’s going on.”

“Screw that, Anna. Open your eyes and stop being so damned defensive. The girl is weird; she’s probably the reason we’re sitting here now. How many times has anyone fallen down those stairs? Christina runs up and down them all the time. I’ve never even seen her trip, let alone take a flying leap and