Heart of Clay Read online

  Clay felt weak beyond anything he’d ever before experienced. Everything hurt or ached. Some pain was fiery, other pounding and throbbing. His tongue felt thick and heavy while his head was fuzzy.

  The weight of his eyelids kept him from opening his eyes. His throat was raw and swallowing was agony. He had no idea where he was, just that something wasn’t right. Working hard at forming a word and spitting it out, he managed to croak, “Laney.”

  Where before there had been sounds of motion, whispers, everything grew unnaturally quiet. He tried speaking again. “Laney.”

  David happened to be standing by the bed checking Clay’s vitals when he heard him try to say something. He leaned closer and barely heard the man whisper, “Laney.”

  Odd. He wondered who Laney was and why Clay would ask for her when Callan was clearly devoted to him.

  He turned to a nurse and asked her to run out to find Bobbi, who had gone for a quick walk.

  “Ask her if she knows someone named Laney or if the name has some significance for Clay.”

  The nurse was gone only a few moments when she returned with a crying Bobbi and a smile on her face.

  “Mrs. Matthews said that’s his pet name for his wife,” the nurse beamed. “Isn’t that the sweetest thing?”

  David couldn’t help but smile as well. He stepped out to the nurse’s station and called Callan. It looked like a miracle was about to take place as Clay came out of his coma. When he hung up the phone, he went back into the room and assured Clay that Callan would be with him very soon.