"No, name him Golden," a young man put in. "It's a name to live up to. He's bound to do great things with a name like that."
"I say she's going to be a girl," a stern-looking woman threw in. "And I think Tracy Marie would be nice. That's my name."
The names flew about the room until Charity was dizzy. She escaped into the back room, then picked up her coat to go outside for some fresh air. She needed to think. She didn't know what she was going to do about Ross. Just by being around he was making her happy. And that was much too dangerous.
She'd made up her mind not to let him do the honorable thing. She'd been so sure that if she weakened, it might be lovely for her in the short run, but it would ruin his life in the long run. But with him around, she knew she was going to have trouble sticking to her guns. So what was she going to do?
She stepped out of the restaurant and onto the side walk. The morning had been warm, but a frosty wind was blowing in, and she pulled her collar up around her ears.
"Charity!"
She turned and looked back. Ross was calling from the doorway of the restaurant. She didn't want him to come along. Instead of answering, she turned and began to hurry toward the shopping mall across the street. She hadn't taken three steps before her foot came down on a patch of ice and shot out from under her, and before she knew it, she was coming down hard on the sidewalk. The world began spinning, spinning, spinning, until it all went black.
"Charity."
The voice came from far away, annoying, like a persis tent fly. She frowned and turned her head to avoid it.
"Charity. Can you hear me?"
She opened her eyes a tiny bit. Bright light stung and she closed them again.
She felt a hand on her cheek. "Charity. Can you wake up?"
It was Ross. Her frown transformed itself into a drowsy smile, and warmth washed over her. Ross. She loved Ross.
"Hold me, Ross," she whispered, part of a lovely, swaying dream. "Hold me."
His arms were around her, and she snuggled against him happily.
"Charity, darling, look at me."
She opened her eyes reluctantly, then blinked and looked around. They were in a hospital. She was in bed, and Ross was sitting beside her. Reality came back with a rush, and she pulled away from him.
"How do you feel? Are you okay?"
"Headache," she said painfully, wincing.
"They said to expect that."