Southern Charm

Chapter 17

JESSIE

A whole week went by with no chaos after so much happened back to back. My mother's death, my bull riding injury, the engagement to Trace, confessing the truth to Max, and so much more. I had hoped it would stop to give me enough time to start wedding planning, but it was a lot of work. Luckily, I had begun to see my physical therapist, and walking on my leg was becoming normal again. I still used the crutches when going out, but if I was at home, I could quickly get up to go to the kitchen with no problem. I walked a little slower, so I didn't put all my weight on one leg, but it was significant progress.

Meghan, Bailey, Candace, Naomi, and Colton's wife, Veronica, have been a great help with my wedding so far. Bailey was going to be my maid of honor, and she begged me to let her plan a trip to Nashville for my bachelorette party, but I said no. I didn't want to spend much money on that, so I told her I would plan a bachelorette party in Nashville if she married Bennett.

Growing up, I always thought one of my best friends would end up with my brother, and I was right. They weren't engaged because it was too soon; however, they were great together. I never pictured Bailey with anyone like my brother; somehow, they clicked.

The girls and I had been on the phone since eight o'clock wedding planning, and it was now ten. I was exhausted, yet Bailey kept asking questions. We should've met in person because it would have been more exciting, and I probably wouldn't be half asleep already.

"Jess, what kind of bouquet do you want to walk down the aisle with? An assorted one, or do you have a theme of colors in mind for the wedding?" Bailey asked. "Jess??"

"Huh? Oh, sorry, Bails. I'm so tired and don't know what color I want the bridesmaid dresses in. Do you think we can talk about this tomorrow or some other time? I need to get some sleep. Trace is probably already asleep."

"Yeah, I'm pretty tired, too. Can we reschedule for tomorrow?" Candace asked.

"Oh, alright. I must be the only night owl on this phone call. I will look up some colors and put them together on a sample board. We can meet tomorrow for dinner and go over everything. Goodnight, everyone," Bailey said.

The phone call ended, and I got off the couch to fill up my tumbler with more ice and water. Then I went to the bedroom to find Trace not in bed. The bathroom light was on again, and my stomach turned. Was he feeling sick again?

"Trace, babe, are you sick again? Do I need to get you anything?" I asked. Trace had been feeling sick here and there lately, which worried me. His surgery was still scheduled for November, and I kept wondering if it could be pushed up to a closer date. Sometimes, he felt miserable, and all I wanted to do was take away his pain. "Trace?"

I stepped toward the bathroom, wondering if the nausea and vomiting were so bad he couldn't answer until I saw him lying on the floor. I gasped, "Trace!" Though it pained my healing leg, I quickly got onto the floor and felt for a pulse. He had one but was still out of it.

My phone was still in my back pocket, so I dialed 911 and then pressed on Dane's contact right after. He and Meghan had gone to Rowdy's, so she wasn't on the phone tonight.

"Hey, Jess, what's up?"

"It's Trace! He's not waking up! He's on the bathroom floor with barely a pulse. The ambulance is on the way," I said, tears streaming down my face like a river flowing.

"Breathe, Jessie. Trace is going to pull through. We will meet you at the hospital."

The ambulance came in a short amount of time, and I rode in the back with Trace. I prayed that he would be okay. I knew with him getting more nauseated and throwing up, something didn't seem right. I should've gone to the doctor with him and skipped my checkup appointment.