Chapter 37
A couple of days later, and after spending most of the time sitting around bored in the hospital, except for a visit from her parents and Gage’s parents, who, much to her delight, were getting along great, Carly was finally being allowed to go home. As she gathered up her things, avoiding any sudden movements that might jar her tender shoulder, one of the nurses came in with her discharge papers.
“Can you tell me how my ex-husband is doing?” Carly asked as she signed the various forms the nurse held out.
“You haven’t heard?” the nurse replied as she straightened the signed forms and took back the pen.
“No,” Carly answered, a sick feeling setting in the pit of her stomach. Even though she hated Daniel for what he’d put her through, she didn’t wish for him to die.
“I’m so sorry I’ve to tell you, but he had to be rushed back into surgery. The doctors did everything they could, but he passed away.” Carly’s heart lurched at the nurse’s words.
As the nurse left and Gage came into the room, Carly swiped the tear falling from her eye for Daniel and his family as she sat down on the edge of the hospital bed.
“Everything all right?” Gage asked and came over to kiss Carly’s forehead.
Looking up, she gave him a small smile. “Did you hear about Daniel?”
“Yeah. But I’m not sorry the bastard’s gone,” Gage said just as a quiet knock sounded at the door.
“Okay if I come in?” Mr. Andrews queried as he poked his head inside.
Carly grinned as the Oaktown High principal stepped inside revealing a huge vase of beautiful pink and purple flowers.
“These are from the staff,” he said as he handed the vase over to Gage who placed it on the window sill while Carly eased back in the bed to relieve the slight discomfort in her injured shoulder.
As he took a seat in the chair beside the bed, Mr. Andrews reached over to take Carly’s hand and give it a squeeze. “I’m so glad you’re going to be all right, and I want to apologize.”
Before she could respond, he let go of her hand and looked at her with a troubled gaze. “I should have taken things more seriously when you came to me with your concerns about Dr. Crawford.”
“What do you mean?” Gage asked from the other side of the bed as he laid a comforting grip on Carly’s uninjured shoulder.
“I didn’t realize the extent she was going to in order to harass some of the teachers. After questioning Ms. Lewis when I received a few complaints about her teaching practices from some of the students and their parents, I found out that Dr. Crawford had pulled the wool over my eyes when I agreed to hire her after Mrs. Taylor retired. Apparently, Ms. Lewis is a distant cousin, and Dr. Crawford promised her a job when her husband was appointed Superintendent. I have a feeling she’s been trying to use Ms. Lewis to get some information to intimidate you and a few others into quitting so that she can put more of her family and friends in those positions when they open up.” Mr. Andrews replied and leaned back in the chair with a weary look on his face.
“Why would she—” Carly started to ask but was interrupted as he straightened up in the chair and leaned forward.
“I have no idea, especially if they aren’t any better at teaching than Ms. Lewis. Rest assured that it won’t be happening again if I have any say in the matter. In my opinion, the school board made a mistake in hiring the Crawford’s, but that’s a discussion for another day.” Mr. Andrews gave Carly a small smile as he stood up. “You’ll also be pleased to hear the school board wasn’t happy when they discovered Dr. Crawford gave out your information. I’m not sure what kind of reprimand they’ll give her, but hopefully it’s more than a slap on the wrist. Oh, and don’t worry about your evaluation anymore. I’ll be the one to do it once you’re back at school and ready.”
“Thank you,” Carly said as a heavy weight lifted from her chest at the news she wouldn’t have to dread going back to work when the doctor cleared her.
After walking Mr. Andrews to the door, Gage turned back to Carly and grinned. “Ready?” he asked as he picked up her overnight bag and the nurse appeared in the doorway with a monstrosity on wheels.
“Yes.” She grinned as he moved out of the way for the nurse to come in.
“Do I have to ride in that?” Carly frowned and looked at the ugly, black wheelchair.
“Sorry, hospital policy,” the nurse answered, patting the empty seat.
Feeling silly, but still a bit woozy from her injuries, Carly was nevertheless grateful for the wheelchair by the time the nurse wheeled her out the hospital’s doors to the passenger side of Gage’s truck. After the wheels were locked and ignoring the flash of cameras from a few reporters near the door, Gage helped Carly out of the chair and into his truck, making sure she was securely buckled in before shutting the door and making his way around to the other side. Carly watched as the gorgeous soon-to-be a father again climbed into the driver’s seat in awe again over the fact she was going to have his baby.
After a quiet drive across town and they turned into her driveway, Gage reached over and took her hand. “Wait for me to help you out.”
After unlocking the door of her rental house and going inside, Carly was surprised to find Rachel, Sophie, and her parents not there, but didn’t think too much about it assuming they’d gone out to eat or something.
Gage helped her change into a comfortable pair of jeans and a soft beige sweater, being careful of her sore shoulder, and then pack a few things for the rest of the week. As she sat in his truck ready to get to his house, she was excited thinking about starting a new life with him and Jonathan, but she was still worried about what the future would hold. Would he want to marry her eventually or would they continue as they were? Deciding it didn’t matter and ready to get to his house and rest, Carly leaned her head back on the seat and closed her eyes.
“Feeling all right?” Carly felt Gage’s warm fingers wrap around her hand.
“A little tired, but I’m okay,” she answered quietly, squeezing his hand before dozing off as he began to back out of her driveway.
After what seemed to be only a few seconds, Gage was gently calling her name as he opened the door to help her down from his truck. Taking her hand, he led her out of the open garage bay instead of through the door into the small hallway by the laundry room.
As they walked toward the gate leading to the backyard, Carly started to wonder what was going on when she noticed her and his parent’s cars, as well as Sophie’s. When she started to ask him about it, Gage put his finger to her lips to silence her question. She knew something was up when she saw a sparkle of amusement in his eyes. Carly quickly swallowed her questions and let him lead her through the gate, her body tingling in excitement.
Carly gasped in surprise and stared in disbelief at the transformation that had taken place in the backyard. Hundreds of twinkling white lights hung from the trees lining the path leading down the side of the house and around to the back. As they followed the path and rounded the corner, Carly was flabbergasted at the sight of Jonathan with a huge smile on his face standing at the base of the huge oak tree draped in more of the sparkling lights. Walking forward, she spotted both sets of parents and her two friends standing off to the side with even bigger smiles plastered on their faces.
“What’s going on, Gage?” she squeaked as he began pulling her down the path toward Jonathan.
“Jonathan and I have something to ask you,” Gage softly replied as Carly felt her heart speed up as it began to dawn on her what was going on. Tears began to fall down her cheeks as he led her to a stop in front of the tree. As Gage dropped to one knee and took the small, black box Jonathan handed him, Carly couldn’t hold back her sob. Taking her hand and looking up at her with pure, unadulterated love, Gage began to speak in that deep, velvety voice she loved so much as he opened the tiny box to reveal a sparkling diamond ring nestled in the velvet.
“Carly, I think from the moment you bumped into me in the hall I’ve been in love with you. I never expected to find someone as breathtaking and refreshing as you. I should have asked you this a long time ago. I was trying to give you some time after what you went through with your ex, but I can’t wait any longer. I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you by my side. Carly, will you marry me?” Gage croaked the last few words as a couple of tears began a path down his ruggedly handsome cheek.
With tears of her own continuing to fall, Carly whispered, “Yes, I’ll marry you.”