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She glanced at Ryan in the passenger seat. His face was pale and set. He’d known Vince a long time. “I can only imagine how Lucas feels right now. They’ve been partners a long time.”
“This is why Lucas is scared of marriage. He doesn’t want a wife to be on the other end of that phone call or visit.”
What could she say to that? She’d experienced it herself, and it was horrible and terrifying. Nellie must be a mess right now. And didn’t they have kids? She thought she’d heard Gram or someone say Vince had teenagers. But what was the answer? Every officer knew the risks when they pinned on the badge, and that decision affected every aspect of their life. Spouse, children, friends, parents. The effects from this shooting rippled through so many lives. She knew it firsthand after Eric’s death. His parents still mourned deeply and always would.
She glanced in the mirror she’d put up to be able to see Noah’s little face in the back seat. While her feelings for Lucas were real and growing—in spite of her efforts to stop them—what about her son? He’d already lost one father. Did she want to pursue a relationship with Lucas and have Noah and her face the possibility of another tremendous loss?
The thought made her gulp. It was just as well Lucas had been so strange lately. She needed to quit questioning his decision in her heart and move on herself.
She reached the hospital lot and parked as close to the ER as she could get. “He’s probably in the ER waiting room with Nellie.”
She hadn’t been left in a waiting room by herself waiting to hear the news. The minute she’d seen Eric lying in the workshop, she’d known he was gone.
“I’ll see you inside,” Ryan said. “I want to get to my brother.”
“I’m right behind you.” She got Noah out and grabbed her purse and the diaper bag.
Finding the right things to say would be hard. Friends meant to help, but their platitudes didn’t go very far into her grief. All she could do was sit with Lucas and Nellie and be there.
Thirty-One
They’d been here only thirty minutes, but the wait already felt agonizing. Lucas paced the floor in front of Nellie, who huddled in a chair with her hands clasped in front of her. Her lips moved silently, and he knew she was praying even harder than he was. The hospital had rushed Vince into surgery, and they’d caught a glimpse of his white face on the gurney with tubes and machines attached.
He looked at the clock on the wall. Two o’clock. Bernard had called to check on Vince’s condition, and he’d mentioned the team was reviewing video at the bank but had no leads to the robbers’ identities. Not yet anyway.
Quick footsteps came his way, and he turned to see Ryan rushing toward him. His brother embraced him in a tight hug. “He’s still alive?”
Lucas gave a jerky nod. “In surgery.”
He released his brother and moved back as more steps came his way. Carly hurried toward him with Noah in her arms. A warm sensation gathered in his chest. She had so much on her plate today with having found Elizabeth, but she still came immediately. That was so like her.
She grabbed his arm with her free hand. “Any news?”
He shook his head. “The nurse said they’d try to let us know how things were progressing. It’s all-hands-on-deck when an officer is injured, and I know they’re doing their best for Vince.”
He introduced Carly to Nellie, who made an obvious effort to gather herself and smile at Carly. “Vince has talked about you. Thank you for coming.” Nellie reached up to take the baby’s hand. “And this must be Noah. What a little doll.”
“Thank you.” Carly sat beside Nellie, and Noah reached for the other woman’s long red hair. His waving hand managed to grab a few strands.
“Mind if I hold him?” Nellie asked in a low voice.
“Of course.” Carly laid Noah in her lap. “Having children around during a trauma helps sometimes.”
Nellie nodded. “My twins were a big comfort to my mother when my dad died.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I don’t want to bury my husband.” She hugged Noah to her chest and rested her chin on his fuzzy hair.
“I know you’re scared,” Carly said. “Scared to lose him, scared of the future, afraid for your kids. Take one minute at a time. He’s still breathing, and he’s got good doctors working on him. They got him to surgery fast.”
Nellie gulped. “You’re right, I know you’re right. I’m just so scared the doctor will walk in here and tell me he’s gone. It’s playing over and over in my head like a movie that’s already happened.”
“But it hasn’t. We’ll keep praying and trusting God in this. Vince is a big, strong guy. Hold on to your faith and on to hope.”
Tears rolled down Nellie’s cheeks. “I’m trying.” With Noah in one arm, she reached out and grasped Carly’s hand. “Mykids want to be here, but I don’t want them to hear bad news from the doctor.”
“They’re teenagers, right?”
Nellie’s smile held pride. “Sixteen. Twins, Paisley and Paul.”
“You need them here with you, and they need you.”
