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Well. He’d be free soon enough.
Lucas walked out to the parking lot. He had to check in on the public safety building; the foundation had been poured, and the framing was well under way. He could also bring Bryce to Jeanette O’Rourke’s house and get him started on some sanding—the bridal store job was only part-time. Hopefully, Bryce could handle that without injury.
His phone rang. “Hey, Joe. What can I do for you?”
“I hate to bother you, but I was wondering if you could come get me. I’m at dialysis, and Didi’s an hour late. She’s not picking up on her cell or at work.”
He sounded exhausted. “I’m about an hour away,” Lucas said. “Bryce isn’t around?”
There was a pause. “I called you first. I’m sorry. I should’ve thought.”
“No, no problem. I’ll call him right now and call you back.” Someone would have to help Joe into the house and into bed. A cab wouldn’t cut it, if Manningsport even had cabs.
He hit Bryce’s number on his contacts list. It went right to voice mail, indicating the phone was off. Called the house phone; the answering machine picked up. “Bryce, if you’re there, pick up the phone. It’s Lucas.”
Nothing.
Shit.
Lucas rubbed his jaw. He only had one option. A second later, he made the call.
“O’Rourke’s, home of the best damn nachos on the face of the earth,” she sang merrily.
“Colleen, it’s Lucas.” His voice was tense, even to his own ears.
“Everything okay?” she asked instantly.
“My uncle’s stuck at dialysis, and I can’t reach Bryce. Is he there?”
“No, sorry, he’s not. I can go get Joe, though, if that’s what you need.”
He paused only for a second. “That’d be great.”
“You bet. Connor! I have to run out. Have Monica come in and cover for me, okay?”
“Thank you,” Lucas said. “I’m in Ithaca, but I’m on my way.”
“Don’t drive like a maniac,” she chided. “I’ll take good care of him.”
“I know.”
There was a pause. “Okay,” she said, and her voice was softer. “See you later.”
* * *
“COMEON, YOGI,”Colleen said to her sister. “We’re off to be angels of mercy.”
“Okay,” Savannah said instantly, sliding out of the booth where she’d been drawing. “What’s an angel of mercy?”
“It’s us. My friend is sick, and he needs a ride home from the hospital. And boy, is he gonna be happy to see you. He loves kids. Especially the smart, nice kind.”
They got into the car, stopped to get Rufus (Joe loved Rufus, and who didn’t?). The dog climbed gently over Savannah in the backseat, making her sister laugh; the kid adored the monster.
The hospital was fifteen minutes away. Colleen kept up a stream of chatter, but her heart felt tight.
Poor Joe.
And poor Lucas. He’d sounded so...worried. Worried and clenched and...and grateful.
