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Nate was relieved to have his family with him. He felt ready to crawl out of his own skin but fought to keep it together for Mandy’s sake.
His mother carefully controlled her panic at the sight of the blood on her son and granddaughter. “Has there been any additional news about Zoe, Nate?” she asked and signed.
“The impact slammed Zoe’s skull against the window, laying open a two-inch gash. The airbag fractured two ribs, broke her nose, and busted her lip. Her hip and shoulder were dislocated.” A sob bubbled up but he shoved it down violently. “The p-pressure on her brain is due to subdural hemorrhage and the neurologist they called in thinks the blindness will end up being temporary.”
Nate had never been a religious man but he was begging anyone or anything out there to remember it wasZoe. Sweet, kind, generous Zoe who’d already lost so much.
Give her a fucking break already.
“When she gets out of surgery, they’ll transfer her to ICU. Then I can see her.” He rubbed his hand over his face. “I-I need some clothes. Zoe’s cat is in the back of my SUV. We need to get the poor guy out to our house and Mandydesperatelyneeds sleep.”
His mom and sister nodded. “Nate. We know what to do.”
In a daze, he nodded. “Feed Mandy and hug her a lot.” Turning to his daughter, she crawled into his lap like she had when she was little.“Honey, it’s going to be alright. We love her and that will make her stronger.”
Mandy nodded. “So much, Dad. I love her so much.”
“I know. Me, too.” He stroked his palm over her hair as he tried to get his emotions under control. “Keep your phone plugged in. I’ll call you every time I get a status and we’ll organize getting you up here. We’ll work it all out.”
“The first chance you get, kiss and hug Zoe for me. She must be terrified, Dad.” He nodded in her hair and held her tight with one arm. “Don’t worry about me. Just stay here. You can’t leave her. There’s people to take care of me. Focus on Zoe so you can bring her home.”
“That’s the only plan in my head.” Looking at his mom, he mouthed, “Throw these clothes out. She’s covered in our blood.”
He was on the verge of tears himself. Caroline put her hand on his cheek, nodding that she understood. He gave Mandy a hard hug and took out his cell phone.
Rick picked up on the first ring. “Walking in now.”
Fifteen seconds later, Rick entered the ER at a jog and pulled Nate into a hard hug. Gently placing Mandy in Noel’s lap, he guided Nate a few feet away to talk.
“Everything is in motion. We should have some footage in the next few hours and going to get a look at the police reports.” His best friend glanced over at the three women. “Bill and I have got this. Don’t worry about your family or the company.”
“Thanks.” Nate was exhausted and had never been so stressed.
They joined the others and Rick smiled gently, “It’s good to see you both. I wish the circumstances weren’t complete horseshit.”
Caroline signed, “Thank you, Rick.” Glancing at Bill, she added, “And thank you for getting us here much faster than the law allows.”
“Anytime. I mean that.”
Rick crouched in front of where Mandy sat across Noel’s lap. “Hey, princess. Zoe is going to be alright. You have tobelievethat. No matter what, right?” She nodded and wiped her tears with the back of her hand. “Excellent. Give your dad another hug and we’ll take you ladies out to the house so I can bring him some clothes.”
Each of them hugged Nate tightly and then Rick pulled Nate close. “Your woman is going to be too scared to fight, man. You gotta fight for her.” Nate nodded and Rick slapped him on the back. “Give me your keys and I’ll be back in under an hour.”
Nate watched as his family followed Rick and Bill from the waiting area, his heart in agony.
Then he sat down to wait.
Chapter Seventeen
Nate was in ICU when Rick returned with a bag for him. He sat as close as he could to Zoe’s bed, holding her hand with his head resting against her arm. She was still out of it but he was going to be touching her when she woke up so she knew he was with her.
Glancing up, he smiled grimly. “I need a favor, Rick. I need you to stay at my house and guard Mandy with Noel. Jessica is obviously much more fucked up than even I realized and there’sno wayshe just came back to torment Zoe. She has another agenda and I think it has something to do with Mandy. I know it’s a lot to ask…”
Rick shook his head. “Whatever you need, that’s what gets done. You don’t owe me shit. You earned yourno questions askedrights in the service. I don’t keep fucking count. I love that little girl but hated her incubator from day one. Sorry, man.”
Nate dragged his hands over his head. “I was so fucking stupid, Rick. I love Mandy more than my life but if I catch that bitch who gave birth to her before the cops do, I worry I’ll snap her fucking neck.”
He looked at Zoe, smoothed her hair back, and felt the stiffness of her own blood in the length. “If it’s not temporary, I’ll have to watch her 24/7 so she doesn’t try to hurt herself. She won’t adapt to this like she did to losing her hearing.”
