Hannah's Blessing by Collette Scott

the best in the area. We need to operate immediately to get the bleeding controlled and the swelling down.”
    “Do whatever you must, just please let her be okay.”
    He shook his head solemnly. “I can’t tell you for sure if she’ll be okay. It’s far too early. We have grave injuries here that we must treat carefully.”
    Diana blinked away fresh tears. “Do what you have to.”
    He nodded and gave her hand a squeeze. His hand was warm and strong. “I’ll do my very best. We all will. Betty over there will have papers for you to sign.”
    A tremulous smile crossed Diana’s lips and she watched the doctor hurry back down the hall. She sank to the sofa and ran her hands through her hair as a moment of panic filled her chest. What if something went wrong and she did not have a chance to see Hannah once more and tell her how much she loved her? Unable to stop the frantic pounding of her heart, Diana bit back the despair that threatened to overcome her. First Peter, and now Hannah. How much more could she take?
    Struggling against the tightness in her chest, Diana mentally shook herself. Hannah needed her to be strong and in control right now, and she owed it to her daughter to be so. Inhaling another deep breath, she let it out slowly in an effort to ease the growing pain in her breast. She had to get moving - now.
    It was through blurred vision that she saw the tall, broad shouldered man in a dark suit rush past the door in the direction of the nurse’s station. He stopped in his tracks and turned back when he saw her.
    “Diana?”
    Diana stiffened at the sound of that deep, seductive voice. She knew that voice. She had just heard it on the television. Why was she hearing it here?
    She wiped at her eyes quickly, trying to clear the tears before he noticed her show of weakness. Then she met his concerned stare. Astonished, she realized that it really was him. From the television the evening before to standing in the middle of the family waiting room, Devlan Doyle appeared to be everywhere.
    “What on earth are you doing here?”
    He came to tower above her, looking fresh and clean and smelling of expensive cologne. Though intimidating in his power suit, his face was grave and worry glittered in his eyes. “I came as soon as I heard. Where’s Hannah? Is she going to be all right?”
    “They don’t know yet,” she whispered brokenly. 
    “Wow Diana, I’m sorry.”
    She nodded and looked away, unwilling to share her pain with him. But Devlan was not having it. He reached down, captured her hands, and pulled her to her feet. Too stunned to resist, she stiffened when he suddenly enveloped her in his arms and pulled her close, his hand smoothing her hair down her back. She remained rigid until his husky whisper reached her ears.
    “You’re not alone, Diana. I’m here to help in any way that I can.”
    Alone. She had not felt this alone until the idea of losing her child became a sudden reality. Now everything seemed so tenuous, so many unknowns, and his small gesture of kindness was all it took to break down her resolve to resist. Her tears overflowed and ran in a silent stream down her cheeks. How had he known how alone she felt?
    “I’m so afraid that she’ll never know how much I love her.”
    “Doubtful,” he said forcefully.
    Devlan’s hands tightened encouragingly. He did not seem to mind that she was crying on his fancy suit which probably cost as much as her monthly salary. In fact, by the racing of his own heart he appeared to be as frightened as she was. Surprised by his sudden vulnerability, she began to weaken. His touch was gentle and soothing, and it was so welcome during this time of uncertainty. Surely he could make matters all right. He said she was not alone.
    How easy it would be to fall back into that trap.
    Quickly changing the subject from her traitorous thoughts, Diana took a deep breath. “The doctor said that she has swelling in her brain and that both her legs are injured. She