Awake My Heart (The Bentini Brothers Book 3) Read Online Free Page A

has
changed, she’s laying there—no eye movement, no twitches, nothing!”
         “Mr. Bentini, this is not uncommon.  Sometimes the contusion
is so severe that the nerves are sheared—”
         “You keep throwing all these fancy medical words at me and I
want it plain and simple!  Is she in a coma or not!”
         Dr. Campbell takes over, “It’s not a matter of simple words,
Mr. Bentini,” he says with a trace of impatience in his tone.  “Sheared is a
term used to describe how severe the damage is to nerve cells in the brain. 
I’m sure we don’t have to tell you that brain tissue is very delicate, it
doesn’t take much too potentially cause disruption of neural pathways—”
         “I don’t need to know all that, I just want to know when she’s
going to wake up and I want to know now!”  The tension between the two men is palpable.
 “I know this is difficult, but we simply don’t have enough information,” Dr.
Campbell states undaunted.
         Observing the antagonism between the two headstrong younger
men, Dr. Phillips intervenes, regaining control of the discussion.  “Mr.
Bentini, you brought me here for my medical expertise in this field.  I assure
you that if there was anything more that could be done to improve Ms. Walter’s
condition, we would do it.  But, I’m sorry, there is not.  We must continue to
do exactly what we are doing.  Katherine being unconscious is the body’s way of
helping to heal what can be healed.  We’ve got to give it time and pray for the
best.”  His optimistic gaze encompasses Kathy’s parents as well.
         “Doctor, may we see our daughter now?”  Mrs. Walters asks, not
caring which person replies as long as someone takes them to see their child.
         Dr. Campbell immediately escorts the Walters to Kathy’s room. 
William considers accompanying them, but then decides to give the anguished
parents time alone with their beloved youngest daughter.   
     
     
     
    ***
     
     
     
         “I’m sorry that we meet under such horrible circumstances,” Mrs.
Walters quietly address the big man staring so intensely at her unmoving
daughter—her breathing so slight that the rise and fall of her chest is barely
discernible.  He holds her small lifeless hand as if by his touch he could will
her to regain consciousness.  Although the Walters pondered his exact relationship
to their daughter, neither could bring themselves to question the reserved, imposing
figure.
         Will glances away from Kathy long enough to acknowledge her
mother’s softly spoken words.  “Yes.  I wish this had not happened.  So many
things have changed.”  Wanting his to be the first face Kathy sees when she
wakes up, Will selfishly remain in the chair by her side.  
         Mr. Walters turns from the window.  “Kathy doesn’t speak about
her job much, well, not anymore,” he says, not sure if he is trying to fill the
void or searching for answers.  “When she began working for your mother, it was
Mrs. Bentini this and Mrs. Bentini that .  She always spoke very
highly of your mother.” 
         “Yes…and then one day she just stopped.  No more talks about the
Bentinis,” Mrs. Walters adds.  “Kathy just clamed up,” she says eyeing the
younger man suspiciously.  “Kathy works for your mother, but you are here with
her.  Do you mind telling us why?”
         “Mom, how is she?!” Kathy’s sister, Emily, burst into the
room, but comes to a halt the instant she notices Will sitting in the bedside
chair holding her sister’s hand.  “Who the hell are you?” Emily demands
antagonistically— who does he think he is, her mother should be sitting
there!
         Will slowly gets to his feet, facing the titan-haired, highly
polished, slightly older version of Kathy.
         “Emily!” Mr. and Mrs. Walters are quick to admonish.
         “I’m William Bentini.  Kathy and I…” his words falter,