The Don's Regret: Losing His Life Saver

ind

eton breathed, th

stood at the foot of my hospital bed, his hands gripping the

car bomb. I just grabbed the nearest person and r

d to the heavy plaster cast encasing my leg. "I was on the f

n't se

ead in the eye

erile air between us,

e behind me," he a

ite wall. It was easier than looking at

er, Coleton. It

nger. "You're not going to Europe. Esther told me about the m

," I said. "She

ange, frantic desperation. "Esther doesn't make per

ide table. He snatched it up, and his face softened inst

'm here. What? Y

ck at the device. "I'm c

y. "She's having a panic attack

ken bone," I

shoulder, his hand on the doorknob.

alke

last shred of the gi

lence later, he

o the airport, b

tone was professional, but he avoided my gaze. "Charity Auction for the Children's Hospital. It was

cast propped up awkw

more than my entire medical school tuition. She adjusted the rearview mirror, not to

casting a glance at Coleton as he took the wh

didn't d

ust

ng flash of diamond jewelry. I sat at the Barron table in a wheelchair,

aying his wealth with a feverish intensity to p

sand dollars. He draped it around her neck while the roo

ioneer unveile

ng. *Lavender F

hitched in

ts when Coleton couldn't sleep from his chronic pain, I used to read to him about Provence. I told him it was my dream

t the painting.

me suspended. I tho

and," Coleto

ol

torous bird in my chest. A

to our table. Coleton took it. He

a," he

throat tight, tears prick

d handing the painting to the woman beside him. "It

nds. "Oh, Cole! It's boring, but

s still re

ngers into a fist and

e water in the pool, hotter than the fire in the gal

mpagne. Coleton grabbed a g

eyes challenging me, daring me to

ss. I looked at the painting

" I

n's smile dropped,

d unlocked the brakes on my wh

rink with

him standing there with the glass in his hand,