behind because there wasn’t room for them.
The boat ride was quiet as we couldn’t converse with them and we were each in a different boat. I couldn’t stop checking my watch and prayed Easton and English were okay.
We made it to the next village. I doubted a train would even stop here. It was so small, it didn’t seem train-worthy. However, after the men located carts that they piled our bags onto, we followed them to a train station. It wasn’t exactly what we were used to, but as long as a train going to Hanoi stopped there, we were good with it.
When the train arrived, we were surprised how nice it was. I’d assumed it would be like the local European ones, but it was nice. The men helped us load our bags, and we paid them well for their help. It took all my self-control to remain seated. The urge to run up and down the aisle was overwhelming.
Beck grabbed my bouncing knee. “You have to stop.”
“Sorry. Sitting is killing me.”
“Your fidgeting is killing me.”
The train station in Hanoi was insane. People rushed everywhere and it took us a while to locate the information stand. We were informed on where to go for a taxi. By the time we got to the airport, we’d missed all outgoing flights to the States for the night, but we got seats on the first one out the next day.
We checked into a hotel by the airport, but I didn’t sleep all night. The good thing was we were able to call Sheridan.
Beck did that duty and put his phone on speaker. When she answered, she said, “Thank God! I wondered when we’d hear from you.”
I let Beck do the talking.
“We just got in from the hinterlands and are flying out in the morning. How are they?”
Sheridan cleared her throat. “Easton is fine. She has a broken arm, but is doing well.”
“What about English?” Beck asked. All I heard was her breathing. “Sheridan? What’s going on?”
“They put her in an induced coma. She has a head injury and they won’t know the extent of it until she becomes conscious.”
Chapter Forty-Five
Tristian
Every cell in my body froze. I couldn’t swallow, and then an awful ache hit the back of my throat. I fell to the chair and rocked back and forth, hugging myself like a child. Get a hold of yourself, my brain screamed. Only Sheridan’s words kept circling in my head.
How could English be in a coma? She was so young and full of life. This wasn’t real. I pinched the flesh under my arm until a bruise would show up tomorrow. It wasn’t a nightmare. I was fully awake because that pinch had hurt like hell. Then I wondered why my jaws ached only to realize my teeth were clenched together.
Beck came over and said, “Now is the time for your faith to kick in. She’s young and strong, Tristian. You have to believe in that.”
I nodded, but my thoughts pinged elsewhere. “We can take her anywhere. Get her the best doctors she needs.”
His hand landed on my shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Let’s take it one day at a time.” He walked to the room’s minibar and poured us each a drink. I wasn’t sure my stomach could handle anything at the time. Waves of nausea rolled through it.
I prayed and bargained with God. “Please, I’ll do anything if you heal her.” Then I thought of every sin I’d committed in my life. Was this punishment for all my wrongdoings? But why take it out on her? English was innocent. She had suffered enough dealing with those hateful McLures. Why was this added to her pot of misery?
“You’re overthinking.” I jerked at the sound of Beck’s voice. “There was nothing you could’ve done to prevent it.”
“If I hadn’t been so selfish about coming here, I would’ve been there and maybe I could’ve stopped it.”
“Tristian, don’t be crazy. You don’t have the ability to see into the future. Beside, this was a work trip. It wasn’t selfish of you to come with me.”
“It was,” I argued. “I’d always wanted to come and it was a trip of a lifetime to come with you. You know how being associated with you will raise the level of my name in the photography world.”
“I can’t argue that. However, let me point out that I hired you to travel and do photoshoots like this, so what you’re saying is ridiculous. If you honestly believe