Page 20 of Condor’s Vow

It felt good, but the hairs on her neck raised when his thumb grazed the skin at her neck just behind her ear. It was a simple touch, but everything this man did seemed to affect her in the most carnal way.

“Are you going to tell me how you got here so fast?”

Todd shrugged. “Luck really. We were on our way home from dinner when we got the call.”

Hattie nodded and picked at a cuticle on her finger. “Have you seen Dad yet?”

“Yes, and he looked awful. Covered in mud and pale as a ghost.”

“The doctor who called said he was in the park walking his dog when he fell. Do you know anything about that?”

Kai, who’d been quiet until now, took Todd’s hand in his. “No, we have no clue about a dog, but the nurse said the fire crew took him with them to the station until we can collect him. They left a card with a number on it.”

Kai handed her a card. She read it and recognized the name. “I know Crash. He loves dogs so he’ll take good care of him.”

Clay reached for it, and she handed it back to him. “Want me to give him a call and see if he can shed any light on this?”

Hattie turned and looked up at Clay. “Maybe later.” As silly as it was, she wanted him here with her, and the look of tenderness on his face showed he saw that because he tucked the card away and stayed right where he was.

Martin arrived shortly afterward, and then her father was wheeled back in. Things became crazy when he became anxious about Mr. Chester, of all things. It broke her heart that he was so confused and in obvious pain. The duty doctor gave him some pain relief and a sedative so he didn’t cause himself any more damage, and he settled again.

Doctor Travers came, and Hattie knew from the look on his face that she wasn’t going to like what he said, and she gripped Clay’s hand tightly, feeling stronger as he held on, his front to her back.

“Shall we talk in the waiting room?”

Hattie nodded and caught the look of worry on everyone’s faces as they followed.

Clay stopped her before she went through the door with a hand on her hip. “Would you like me to wait outside and give you privacy or would you prefer me there for moral support? I know you have family, but I’m here if you need me.”

He caressed her cheek with his fingers as he spoke, and Hattie heard a thousand other things in what he’d just said to her. That he understood the burden she carried, that he understood she was strong but sometimes got tired, and that he’d do whatever she needed.

It had only been ten days since they’d reconnected, and she hardly knew him, but somehow, she knew this man was important to her life. He’d be there when she needed him, offering whatever she needed from him. She made a split-second decision to trust him and whatever this was, and seize hold of him with both hands. If this didn’t work, then she’d be gutted, but if she didn’t go all in, she knew she’d regret it forever.

Placing her hand over his on her cheek and leaning into it, she closed her eyes. “I don’t know where you came from, Clay, but you seem to be the answer to my prayers. Would you mind coming in with me? I love my family, but they always look to me to make the hard choices, and it would be nice for a change to have someone at my back.”

Clay pressed his lips to her forehead, holding them there for a brief moment. “I’ll be wherever you need me to be, gorgeous.”

Stepping back, she kept hold of his hand and walked in to join the others. Todd and Martin glanced at their hands and smiled with approval.

“What’s wrong, Dr. Travers?”

His face serious, he began to outline the situation. “Your father has a broken hip that will require surgery.”

Hattie felt her heart sink at that knowledge.

“As you know, hip fractures in the elderly are complex, especially in patients with dementia. The risks of him developing pneumonia or having a heart attack or stroke are higher because of his age, and his dementia makes it harder to rehabilitate. That said, I still think he needs the operation, but the Orthopedic surgeon is going to come and speak to you in more detail.”

“What do you think, Adam?” Hattie had known Adam Travers a long time and respected him.

He pursed his lips and frowned. “It’s a tricky one, but if he were my father, I’d have it done. Without it, he will only have twelve to eighteen months at best. With it, there are more risks, but it could give you ten years.”

Adam walked to the door and paused. “I’ll give you some time and send the surgeon in as soon as he gets here.”

“Thank you, Adam.”

Hattie looked at Todd and Martin, who were both visibly shaken and upset, the reality of their father’s situation sinking in in the most brutal way. “What do you think?”

Martin dropped his head to his hands and shook his head, not able to speak. Hattie moved to comfort him, feeling Clay stay close as she did.