Love's Image by Debby Mayne

move.
     
    Although she could see, she was numb. Her ears rang, and her mouth was dry.
     
    “Shannon.” Janie tugged on her hand, but Shannon couldn’t move. Her legs felt like they were filled with lead. “Your hand’s icy cold. Let me see if someone can help us, okay? Wait here.”
     
    The car’s backfire had long since passed, but the memory of the sharp sound echoed in Shannon’s head. The only thing she felt was a numbing fear as it held her in its clutches.
     

     
    Judd held his breath as he paced and waited to hear how Shannon was. When Janie appeared at the door, he shot over toward her.
     
    Crooking a finger, Janie motioned for Gretta, a woman Judd knew was a nurse in the local hospital emergency room. “I think she’s in shock. Can you come take a look at her?”
     
    Now there was nothing that could hold Judd back. He might not know much about medicine, but he did know how he felt about Shannon.
     
    When Janie looked at him, he tightened his jaw. She wouldn’t dare tell him he couldn’t go to Shannon. Janie didn’t say a word when he followed her and Gretta to where Shannon sat staring blankly ahead.
     
    Judd stood back a few feet while Gretta checked Shannon’s vital signs. He closed his eyes and said a brief prayer for healing for her and guidance for himself. Shannon’s car crash had caused more trauma that he’d realized—and much more devastation than a scar on the face.
     
    “How’s she doing?” Paul asked from behind. He kept his voice low, almost to a whisper.
     
    Judd quickly turned around and took a step back so Shannon wouldn’t overhear. “I’m not sure yet. She looks pretty shaken.”
     
    “I can imagine. What she went through was serious.”
     
    “Yeah, I know.”
     
    Janie took a step back and joined them. “I’ve never seen her like this, and I’ve known her since we were little.”
     
    “Any idea what we can do?” Paul asked.
     
    “Just be there for her. Let her know you care.”
     
    “I do care,” Judd said.
     
    Janie looked at him for a moment before turning back to her friend.
     
    “Why don’t you stay close by and be there when she comes out of this trance?” Janie’s expression was one of concern and deep affection. Judd could tell hers and Shannon’s friendship was strong.
     
    “I’ll do whatever it takes,” he replied.
     
    He didn’t want to interfere. However, when Gretta turned and said she thought Shannon would be fine in a few minutes, he didn’t waste a single second. He was beside Shannon before anyone could stop him.
     
    He took her hand in his and felt the clamminess. At least she didn’t pull away.
     
    “Want me to take you home?” he asked.
     
    Shannon blinked at him before slowly turning toward Janie, who tilted her head and held her hands out to her side.
     
    “Your decision, Shannon,” she said. “I just want you to be comfortable.”
     
    All eyes turned back to Shannon to see what she’d say. She finally nodded. She tried to stand on her own, but her wobbly legs gave out, and she fell back onto the chair.
     
    “Put your arm around my neck, and I’ll walk you to my car,” Judd said softly, hoping to offer comfort to this broken woman. He stuck his hand in his pocket and pulled out a set of keys. “Janie, would you mind running out to my car and pulling it closer to the exit?”
     
    “Sure thing.”
     
    Janie grabbed the keys and took off running. Judd positioned Shannon to make it easier for her to walk.
     
    He loved the way her body felt next to his. Although she was still shaky, she was firm and athletic—nothing like a frail woman who nibbled rabbit food to keep her weight down.
     
    As they hobbled down the hallway toward the exit, he inhaled the spicy fragrance from her hair whenever it brushed across his face. He wanted to lean over and bury his face in her hair, but he wouldn’t dare do anything so bold and presumptuous.
     
    Once they got to the door, she stopped and shifted, pulling away