Season of Dreams by Jenna Mindel

pocket. Holding the state-of-the-art phone in her hand, she hesitated. “Maybe I should wait. We don’t know anything yet, and what if he doesn’t want me calling his family?”
    Beth shook her head. “Check his contact list. If you need to make a call, it’s best to be prepared. You can jot the numbers on that form.”
    Sucking her lip between her teeth, Eva flipped the phone and scanned the menu until she found Adam’s contact list. Scrolling through dozens of names, she couldn’t ignore how many of them were women’s names. A twinge of unease that felt too much like jealousy flitted through her.
    And finally, a number tagged “Dad.” She jotted it down.
    â€œWhat if he freaks out about me giving him those pills and fires me?”
    â€œHe’s not going to fire you, Eva. It was an honest mistake. You were just trying to help.”
    A LeNaro News headline flashed through her mind. Local grower killed by employee’s good intentions . Nice.
    Beth threw her arm around her and gave her a squeeze. “Quit worrying. He’s going to be fine, Eva.”
    Maybe Eva exaggerated, but she was responsible for bringing him here. Why hadn’t she asked Adam before she slipped those two little tablets in his mouth? He’d been so out of it, he hadn’t said a word. Who was allergic to ibuprofen, anyway?
    â€œAre you Mrs. Peece?” A nurse asked.
    Eva felt like a deer blinded by bright headlights. “No. No. I mean, we brought him in.”
    â€œThe doctor would like to talk with you.”
    Eva’s gut clenched when she stood.
    â€œI’m coming, too.” Beth grabbed Eva’s cold hand.
    Eva squared her shoulders. She’d face the consequences as hers alone, but it still felt good having Beth’s support.
    Walking into one of the E.R. examining rooms, Eva heard Adam’s groan before spotting him lying flat on the bed with his arm over his eyes. She glanced at the doctor. “Is he okay?”
    The doctor introduced himself and shook her hand. “He’s going to be out of it, but he’ll be fine. He threw up most of those meds, but the shot of epinephrine I gave him should speed whatever’s left out of his system. Here’s another dose in case, but I think he’ll sleep it off.”
    Eva’s knees went rubbery with relief. “Rest.”
    â€œAnd water or juice and maybe some food in the morning if he feels up to it. He’s all yours, ladies.”
    Eva nodded. She owed him a gourmet breakfast for this one. Stepping close, she touched Adam’s elbow. “Peece?”
    Nothing.
    â€œAdam?” It came out a breathy whisper.
    His eyes opened, but he looked groggy. “What?”
    She smiled. He wore the same surly expression as the little boy he’d been in the picture hanging on the wall in his townhome. “Ready?”
    â€œYeah.”
    Eva looked at Beth. “We better have Ryan meet us at home to get him upstairs.”
    Â 
    Before Eva could hope to fall asleep, she needed to make sure Adam was okay. Ryan had to practically carry the guy upstairs. Considering the fever and throwing up in the E.R., Eva made sure Ryan brought down Adam’s clothes so she could wash them. The first exercise in trying to make up for what she’d done.
    She slipped into her parents’ old room and padded quietly to the trunk at the foot of the bed. Setting down Adam’s neatly folded and cleaned clothes, she looked at him lying perfectly still in the middle of the queen-size bed.
    A nightlight from the connecting bathroom threw shadows on the far wall. She remembered as a kid climbing in between her mom and dad whenever she’d been scared or had a bad dream. After Todd, Eva had been tempted to do the same thing more than a few times.
    Funny that she felt safe around Adam. Protected. She stepped closer to him, her heart filled with concern. Was he breathing?
    She narrowed her eyes, trying