find her along the way. By now, Lacy could’ve picked her up and the two could have gone off together.”
With the bottle of wine! He didn’t say it, didn’t want to alarm Hope further.
They rushed to his vehicle and got in. The second Hope was latched in, he peeled out, buckling his seat belt as he sped out of the driveway.
The car slid this way and that on the snow and ice as he raced to town. He had to get to his daughter! He had to fix everything.
“Donovan! Slow down!” Hope yelled. “Getting us killed won’t do Ella any good.”
But as soon as the words were out of her mouth, he hit another patch of ice and careened off the road, down an embankment, the vehicle bouncing, jerking them around. Out of nowhere a tree appeared, as if sprouting suddenly from the ground. Bang! At the instant of impact, the airbags exploded. He was dazed for a moment, then—“HOPE!”
She didn’t answer him. He reached for her, pushing the airbag away, checking for signs of life by the dashboard lights. Her eyes were closed, but she seemed to be stirring.
“Hope! Hope! Are you all right?” He couldn’t pull her closer as the steering wheel had pinned him in and his leg was hurting like crazy. Probably broken. “Talk to me, Hope.”
“I think you took a wrong turn,” she said, her eyes fluttering open.
“Are you injured?” he asked.
“My right arm. I can’t move it. And my head. I think I banged it against my window. It really smarts.”
“Oh, Hope, I’m sorry!” But he was relieved she was conscious. “You were right. I was driving too fast. Sweetheart, can you ever forgive me?”
Her laugh was strained. “Accidents happen. I promise that as soon as the headache subsides, I’ll forgive you.” She groaned. “Well, maybe.”
He took her hand and kissed it, laughing. “I’m never letting you go. You know that, don’t you?”
Gingerly she turned her head to look at him. “What?”
He should’ve realized it sooner. “Hope, you’ve gotta know that no one has ever occupied this heart of mine but you. I love you.” It felt so good to say it.
“I must be in worse shape than I thought.” She closed her eyes again. “I thought I heard you say you love me.”
“You heard right,” he said. “And it’s way overdue. I love you, Hope.”
Hope opened her eyes, stunned. “Really?”
“Really.”
She smiled, her eyes glistening with love for him, but her furrowed brow showed she was still in pain.
“Please forgive me for running away after Beau and Izzie died. I had to blame someone, so I blamed you. I’m so sorry.”
“You’re forgiven,” she said.
“Thank you.” Although he was pinned in the car, a huge weight was lifted, like an elephant had been hoisted off his chest. He kissed her hand again. “I love you so much.”
“Does this mean that you’re not leaving?”
“I’m not leaving you and I’m not leaving Ella. Ever.” And he had to find Ella. “I’m sorry I screwed everything up. I’d give anything to keep you and Ella safe.”
Suddenly a light shone in his window, a very bright light. But he wasn’t going toward it, even if St. Peter himself were there to take him away! Because he finally had Hope back.
Hope squeezed Donovan’s hand. “It’s Ella!” The exclamation made her wince.
“Ella!” Donovan tried to open his door, but he couldn’t.
A second later, the back door was yanked open. Ella climbed in and latched onto their shoulders. “Mom? Dad? Are you okay?” She was out of breath.
She’d called him Dad!
“You scared me! I saw you run off the road.”
Hope unlatched her hand from Donovan, reached back, and clasped Ella’s hand. “We’re banged up but we’re going to be fine.”
“Your mom was knocked out for a second. She may have a broken arm and I think I have a broken leg.” Donovan desperately needed to get Hope to the hospital to make sure she was going to be all right. He was frustrated that he couldn’t move.
Ella took a deep breath as if centering herself. She let go and rummaged through her backpack, then leaned over the front seat with a penlight. “Mom, let me check your pupils.” She flashed it in both of her eyes. “She might have a concussion; I’m not sure. We can’t let her go to sleep, okay?”
“I’ll do my best,” Donovan said.
Again, Ella dug around in her backpack. “Here. It’s Advil to help you with the pain for your leg.” She handed over a couple of pills,