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Spencer noticed Emily was smiling and nodding her head in response, but kept watching her mom in the seat in front of her. From his vantage point, Anne appeared quite grey. Gherring made it back in record time and unceremoniously deposited Candace and Becca where he’d picked them up. They were still trying to talk to Spencer through the window when he drove away.
“Where would you like to be dropped off?” he asked Spencer and Emily. “We’re going to the hospital.”
“No, we’re not,” Anne protested.
“I’ll go with you,” said Emily.
“No!” Anne’s alarm was evident in her voice.
Gherring said, “Right now, it would be easier to go by ourselves to the emergency room. I’m sure she won’t be admitted. They’ll probably give her another IV and let her go. But if they admit her, I’ll call you.”
“Okay, but I want you to call me as soon as you know what they’re going to do with her.”
“Hello,” said Anne. “I’m in the car. Stop talking about me in third person.”
“Do you think she’s just dehydrated again?” Emily disregarded her mother.
“Yes, she’s definitely dehydrated, and she’s not eating enough. I don’t think her medicine’s working,” Gherring replied.
Spencer cleared his throat. “Why don’t you drop us off at Papa’s Place? We’ll grab a bite to eat. It’s walking distance to the hospital if you call.”
They hopped out on the curb next to Papa’s and watched Gherring speed off. Emily was obviously worried, but at least he finally had her to hims
elf. The morning hadn’t gone well, but lunch at Papa’s ought to be a slam-dunk.
Emily tried not to worry about her mom. Hopefully she’d hear from Steven by the end of lunchtime.
“This hike turned into a bust,” said Spencer. “Sorry about that.”
“It’s not your fault. I have a feeling she’d have been back at the hospital today whether or not she’d gone on the hike.”
“Well, I’m also sorry about Becca and Candace.”
“There’s no need to apologize for your friends.”
“They’re not my friends—not really. They’re just part of the hiking club.”
“Just part of the club? Even Becca?”
Spencer’s frown was severe. “I never dated Becca. We didn’t spend a night together camping, and we didn’t go on any private hikes.”
“It’s okay. It’s none of my business, anyway.”
“It’s the truth. I never dated her.”
Spencer held the restaurant door open for Emily. She was about to respond to his declaration when they were suddenly bombarded.
“Spencer!”
“Hey look, there he is!”
“Spencer!
“Who is this? Is this your new girlfriend?”
Four attractive girls surrounded them, pulling Spencer inside. Emily was immediately overwhelmed. Three were as tall as her, but one stood about chin-high at five feet two inches. The taller girls were lean and lanky, but the short girl was curvaceous. She was evidently the spokesperson for the clan, because she held up her hand for silence.
“Spencer, you can have lunch with us and introduce us to your girlfriend,” she spoke in a commanding voice.
