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But something made Graham set the two coffee cups on the bed table and pull Felicity up and into an awkward hug.
Except it wasn’t all that awkward. It was warm. Strong yet gentle. It offered comfort, something she desperately needed. Something she didn’t want to admit she needed. She clung to it—to Graham. His arms tightened just enough for her to lean on him. So, she did, burying her face in his shirtfront and breathing deep. He held her up until the sting of tears and crush of panic had receded.
The instant she stepped back—cold, hard reality was waiting.
“Sorry,” she murmured, taking the coffee cup he offered her. Damn her shaking hands.
“Don’t be.” His brown gaze held only sympathy. “You don’t have to be strong for me.”
He was trying to be kind. But being strong was her only option. Though, tonight was definitely testing her. As tempting as it was to fall apart and let him hold her for a while longer, she couldn’t. She was the rock, Miss Calm, the glue, the rational one. One slip might send her crashing to the floor, and she wasn’t sure she could get back up again. Instead, she sipped the coffee, too hot to taste. “Diana okay? Nick can be a little…challenging.”
“He’s having a hell of a night. You all are.” His gaze searched hers before shifting to his coffee. “Diana is the queen of challenging. And drama. I have to remind myself how much she’s been through for someone so young. But there are times when I don’t know how to handle her.”
Felicity heard the bone-weary defeat in his voice. Graham Murphy had always been a good guy. When their families were young and their friendship was solid, he’d been one of those super hands-on dads. And Diana had adored her daddy.
Clearly, something had changed.
When Matt left and Graham’s sweet wife entered hospice care, the world had come apart. Piecing it back together was, for all of them, an ongoing process. “Parenting is exhausting, isn’t it? Parenting teens takes it to a higher level, I think. I don’t remember being a difficult teen. I’m sure I was. Aren’t all teens? It’s a requirement, isn’t it?”
Graham smiled at her. “Somehow, I don’t see you ever being difficult.”
“My parents might disagree.” But most of their trying teen stories were focused on her wild little sister, Charity, and her adrenaline-seeking brother, Zach. Felicity had never been a risk-taker or a rule breaker. And she’d never felt like she was missing out, not really. “Where is Diana?”
“She’s sleeping over at a friend’s house. She’s not a fan of hospitals, in general.”
Why would she be? She’d spent so much time here when her mother was sick. If she was in Di’s shoes, she’d do whatever she could to avoid being here.
Graham studied Jack, crossing the room to get a closer look at the toddler. He scanned the monitors. “His vitals are good. That’s something. Lots of wait and see in his future.”
The future. Right now, that was measured in minute-by-minute increments. She sipped more coffee, wishing she could absorb its heat through osmosis.
“Nick and Honor go home?” he asked.
“Just a walk. They want to stay, of course.” She moved to the other side of Jack’s bed, watching his little chest rise and fall slowly. “I can’t seem to leave the room. He’s too little to wake up alone. And he looks so much like my babies…” Could she do this? If…if Matt didn’t pull through… No. Not touching that. She changed gears quickly. “I know with work and Diana, you need sleep. If you need to go, you can.”
Graham didn’t say anything, so she looked at him. He was studying Jack. “I have a patient upstairs who will probably deliver tonight.” He ran a hand along the back of his neck. “I checked in after Diana left. Mom and Dad are fired up and ready, but first babies like to keep everyone guessing.”
Upstairs, a baby was being born. Someone’s birthday. A new family, full of hope and love and dreams. Life went on. It was an oddly stabilizing realization. Felicity smiled. “That’s really wonderful news.”
Graham looked at her then, a slow smile creasing the corners of his brown eyes. He’d always had a nice grin. That hadn’t changed.
She pulled one of the two chairs closer to Jack’s bed and sat. “We could all use some good news.”
“Mrs. Buchanan? I’m Dr. Sayeed.” Dr Sayeed stepped inside Jack’s room. “Graham.” He glanced at Jack.
“Sam.” Graham’s tone was stiff, drawing her full attention.
“I was Matt’s surgeon.” Dr. Sayeed spoke calmly. And it rattled her nerves. “We knew there were some internal injuries, but they were more extensive than anticipated.”
Graham’s jaw muscle flexed, and his brown eyes locked with hers.
Matt had known. It took effort to breathe. To stand.
Dr. Sayeed looked between her and Graham, prompting Graham to move to her side before he went on. “I’m afraid I have bad news…”
…
Charity Otto stood in the doorway of her childhood home, confused by the lack of people, music, and partying. Yes, Pecan Valley wasn’t a social mecca, but it was barely eleven. And it was Honor’s big night—worthy of celebrating. Charity had plans to make the night unforgettable. These plans included the setting off of illegal fireworks, waking the neighbors with obnoxious party blowers and air horns, and—if her parents and sister didn’t freak out too much—providing the graduates bottles of celebratory champagne.
