"The doctor says there''s nothing serious. Miss Langford can stay for observation or be discharged right away."


    Everything was left up to her.


    "Gwyn, are you sure it was just low blood sugar? Uncle''s situation isn''t urgent- just take a few days off. Your healthes first."


    "I''m fine. There''s no need for me to stay here."


    She knew these fainting spells were an old problem. What she didn''t know was whether she''d done anything embarrassing after arriving at the hospital.


    "Was it you who brought me herest night?"


    Gwh turned to Hans for confirmation. He started to smile, but seeing Leonie''s sharp gaze on him, he softened his expression and managed to look more


    Leonie rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath, "Teacher''s pet."


    Hans neither tried to hide the truth nor had he been told by Mr. Everhart to keep it quiet. He certainly wasn''t about to im the credit for himself.


    "It was Mr. Everhart who brought you here."


    Of course.


    Gwh could recall bits and pieces, especiallyte in the night. It felt as though she''d been transported back to childhood, with McNeil at her side, stroking her hair and soothing her to sleep.


    But she knew that was impossible. If her father ever woke up again, it would be her greatest wishe true.


    Still, the sensation fromst night was painfully real-so real it was as if someone had stayed by her side the entire night.


    She could only guess, too afraid to ask for confirmation, worried that if it really was true, she''d never know how to face it.


    "Gwyn? Gwyn!"


    Leonie''s voice finally pulled her out of her reverie after calling her name several times.


    "Huh? What did you just say?"


    She''d zoned out and missed everything Leonie had said.


    "What are you thinking about? I''ve been talking to you forever and you haven''t heard a word. Never mind, I''ll let it go since you''re the patient. Why don''t you move back in with me? You scared me half to death."


    Gwh shook her head. Leonie meant well but had a big mouth, and Gwh didn''t want to trouble her friends any more than necessary.


    Thankfully, Leonie understood. She grumbled a bit more, but when Gwh didn''t respond, she let the matter drop.


    Hans took care of the discharge paperwork, then pulled the car around to the front entrance when he saw the two womening out.


    "Miss Everhart, shall I take you home first?" Hans''s tone was polite but left little room for argument.


    But Leonie, ever the contrarian, shot back, "Why take me first? Gwyn''s not feeling well-she should get home and rest before anyone else."


    Hans fought back a sigh. Every time he dealt with Leonie, her sharp tonguedeft him speechless, and he never dared talk back-otherwise, she''d spend the rest of the drive ring daggers at him.


    He sometimes wondered what he''d done to offend Miss Everhart, but no matter


    how hard he racked his brain, he couldn''te up with anything.


    "Gwyn, let Hans take you home first. Weren''t you in the middle of rehearsing for the y? If you''re


    gone too long, it''ll mess up your


    schedule. I''ll be fine, and besides, if your mom calls and finds out you''re not home, she''ll start worrying again."


    Only the mention of Mrs. Everhart could make Leonie back down a little.


    Leonie fell in line, and Hans looked as if he''d dodged a bullet, wiping his brow in relief.


    It was still early, so Leonie headed back to the drama club to continue rehearsals, while Hans drove Gwh to the Hawthorne estate.


    Once in her room, Gwh changed, took a long shower, and crawled under the covers, breathing in the scent of sunshine lingering in her sheets.


    Compared to the sterile smell of the hospital, the faint floral fragrance in her room was a balm for the soul.


    She stared at the ceiling, her mind racing with thoughts she couldn''t quiet.