Unraveled

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Book: Read Unraveled for Free Online
Authors: Heidi McCahan
Granny lay crumpled beside the bed, legs askance and her slip peeking out the hem of her skirt.
    “Mom?” Lauren touched her shoulder. “What happened?”
    Granny moaned a low, guttural sound that turned Lauren’s stomach.
    “I don’t know.” Mom’s eyes darted to Seth and back to Lauren. “I was making the bed in the next room and I heard this awful noise. She must have bumped her head as she fell.”
    “Sh-sh-should I call 9-1-1?” Seth asked.
    “Did you check her pulse?” Lauren dropped to her knees and reached for Granny’s wrist. Airway, breathing, circulation. A very faint pulse fluttered under her fingertips. “I’ve got a pulse. Granny, can you hear me?”
    Granny moaned again but her eyes didn’t open and her complexion remained ashen.
    “Please, dear Lord.” Mom whispered. “Let her be okay.”
    Lauren swallowed hard and surveyed the rest of Granny’s body. Her ankle was twisted at an abnormal angle. She cringed and straightened Granny’s skirt with trembling fingers. “I’m worried about her leg. I think we should call an ambulance rather than move her ourselves.”
    “Got it.” Seth reached for his cell phone and keyed the numbers in.
    “Does she have a history of falling? Ever had a seizure?”
    Mom dabbed at a cut on Granny’s forehead with a tissue. “She’s fallen before, but I’ve never seen a seizure. Why?”
    “The EMT’s are going to ask. It might help to have a list of her meds, too.”
    “It’s all in her chart at the hospital,” Mom said. “I’m going to ride with her in the ambulance, anyway.”
    Lauren frowned. “Wait. What about the guests?”
    Mom offered a weak smile. “That’s where you come in.”
    Seth ended the call and stuffed his phone in his pocket. “A-A-ambulance c-c-coming.”
    “Mom, I haven’t helped out since I was in high school.”
    “Not much has changed, honey. You can probably run this place with your eyes closed.”
    A wave of panic welled up inside. Lauren sagged back on her heels. “I don’t know—”
    “It will all come back to you, I promise. You—”
    “Mom?” A man’s voice called out from the living room. “Anybody home?”
    Seth turned and poked his head into the hallway. “W-w-we’re in here.”
    Heavy footfalls echoed on the hardwood and Matt came into the bedroom, stopping next to Seth. Worry clouded his features as he stared at Granny on the floor. He raised his blue eyes to meet Lauren’s gaze. “Hey, sis. What’s going on in here?”
    “Granny fell a few minutes ago. We’re waiting on the ambulance.” Lauren stood and stepped gingerly away from Granny, slipping her arms around Matt’s waist. “Good to see you again.”
    He pulled her close and planted an affectionate kiss on the top of her head. “I’m glad you made it. Sorry I couldn’t meet your flight. It’s been a crazy day.”
    “That’s okay. How’s Joshua?”
    “He’s fine. Nothing a few staples couldn’t fix. I’m a little worried about Granny, though. Think we should splint that ankle?” He knelt down and gently placed a hand on Granny’s leg.
    “Lauren says we shouldn’t move her, but whatever you think—” Mom stood and reached for another tissue from the box on the dresser.
    “Mom, the ambulance will be here in a minute. Let the professionals do their job.” Lauren put a hand on Matt’s shoulder.
    “I think it’s pretty obvious that leg’s broken. What if she tries to move it?”
    Lauren’s chest tightened. Always trying to micromanage. “She’s breathing and has a pulse, Matt. That’s what matters right now. We could do more harm than good trying to—”
    The blare of sirens blanketed any further discussion as the ambulance pulled up outside. Lauren ran and opened the front door for the paramedics. Her breath hitched in her throat. Jess Ferguson, Blake’s best friend, stood on the porch. He looked confident and professional in his crisp white shirt and navy blue pants. The EMT waiting next to him resembled a girl

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