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Alicia sank into the chair on the other side of our grandmother. “Ollie gave us strict instructions not to mention it to Marleigh until we have answers. He’s right that it’s for the best.”
Harri nodded, retaking her seat. “She’ll only worry. She adores Wyatt as much as we do.”
“So, what happened with him exactly?” I sat beside my baby sister. “Was he doing anything strenuous?”
Melinda gave her head a slow shake. “He was arguing with our neighbor again. It got real heated. Next thing I know—” She broke off, and her eyes welled up. “I need to hear he’s okay. Hehasto be okay.”
“He will be,” Harri declared. “Wyatt is strong as an ox. No, stronger.”
Vienna gave a clipped nod. “He’ll be fine.” She spoke with utter conviction, but I heard the tremble of fear there.
“He better be,” muttered Alicia, her legs crossed, the foot on the floor bouncing like crazy and making both her thighs jump. “If he isn’t, I’ll … well, I don’t know what I’ll do, but it’ll be something he doesn’t like.”
A reluctant, tremulous smile plucked at Melinda’s mouth.
Spotting both a water fountain and a coffee machine in the far corner of the large space, I asked, “Does anyone want coffee or water?”
Both Vienna and Melinda requested the first while Alicia ordered the latter.
“I’ll help you with the drinks,” offered Harri, rubbing her hands on her thighs.
I offered her a grateful smile. “Thanks.” As we walked away, I cast her a probing look. “Are you okay?”
She idly traced her eyebrow. “To be honest, I haven’t properly processed what’s happening yet.”
I gave her arm a gentle, comforting squeeze. “Does Simon know about it?”
She shook her head. “Mom’s going to call him after she hears from the doctor and knows what’s what.”
That was probably best. “Did anyone call Heather?” I asked, referring to Melinda and Wyatt’s daughter. A woman I’d never called “Aunt,” because she was nothing close to it—hadn’t ever tried to be.
“Melinda did.” Harri’s nose wrinkled. “Mom overheard the call. Apparently, Heather didn’t seem too concerned but promised she’d ‘make an appearance.’ Her words.”
I shook my head. “I don’t buy for a moment that Heather’s not all that bothered.” She loved Wyatt, but their relationship was strained due to her stubborn belief that he favored Vienna over her.
Heather was also convinced that Melinda cared more for Vienna as well. No amount of reassurances from her parents had made a difference—Heather firmly upheld that they played favorites, and she made them pay for it in small ways.
“Neither do I,” said Harri as she plucked a disposable cup from the top of the water fountain. “But you know how she is. I called Junior to let him know what was happening,” she added, referring to Heather’s son—he’d moved to England eight years ago. “He’s going to catch a flight over here as soon as he can. I promised I’d keep him in the loop until then.”
“Wyatt will be thrilled to see him.” We all would. Our oldest cousin was nothing like his mother.
Harri filled the cup at the water fountain while I prepped the coffees at the nearby dispenser. We then returned to the others and distributed the drinks.
I was just about to sit down when the door to the waiting room swung open behind me. I turned, hoping to see a doctor, desperate for news on Wyatt. It wasn’t a doctor, but disappointment didn’t spike through my blood. Because it was Dax.
Surprised, I could only stare as he made a beeline for me—his every step smooth, purposeful, swift. He didn’t stop until the fronts of our bodies touched. He palmed the side of my face, his striking eyes carefully drinking in my expression. And then that same hand crept around to palm the back of my head as he tucked it beneath his chin. His other arm slid up my back at a diagonal angle, sweeping me into a secure hug.
A hug.
He was hugging me.
His hold was protective. Comforting. Steadying. And my tension bled out of me even as I felt an expanding sensation in my chest.
“You’re here,” I whispered around a thick throat.
He dipped his head and placed his lips near my ear. “Of course I’m here.”
I fisted the sides of his shirt. Maybe I should have expected him to come—friends were there for friends—but I hadn’t. Nor had I expected him to curve his body around me this way.
