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No. That was foolish. Anyway, Bennett wasn’t even sure what these Wallaces were talking about. Wilderness survival lessons? Military boot camp? Both were right up Hunter’s alley—but not Bennett’s. And even if they embarked on such a scheme, who knew but it would only equip Nathan with the gumption to do something even more stupid.
“Feeling helpless is an awful thing.” Hunter glanced at Hazel, regret flashing in that look, and then returned to Bennett. “And it can make a person do crazy things. What if we showed Nathan how to be a man—how to take care of himself and how he can care and protect the people who matter to him. Suddenly he’s not trapped. Not strapped to total dependency on your dad’s money. Not dependent on someone else to make choices for him. He’d be free to stand on his own, become who he wants to become.”
“We?”
Hazel slipped her hand into his. “We’re here with you, Bennett.”
Bennett let his eyes slide shut, the warm moisture lining his lids threatening to roll. “I don’t know . . .”
“Just give it some thought,” Hunter said. “You’ll both have plenty of time to think about it the next few months while he recovers.” He stood, stretched, and patted Bennett’s shoulder. “I’m going to find some coffee.”
Nodding, Bennett sat straighter. “You could head back to Luna. There’s no reason we all need to stay here.”
Hazel’s grip on his hand hardened. He heard her silent declaration loud and clear—she wasn’t going anywhere.
Hunter’s look slid to Hazel, then he nodded. “I’ll stop and check on Janie and Gemma.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.” It was truly a generous offer, considering the wreck Hunter was when it came to Janie right then. “And, Hunt? Thanks for getting Nathan out of there. I hate to think . . . if you weren’t there . . .” Bennett choked on the lump in his throat.
Hunter patted Bennett’s shoulder once and then stepped back. “Let me know how the surgery turns out.”
Bennett nodded, and Hunter turned to go, leaving Hazel and Bennett alone in the ER lounge to wait out the long night ahead. Bennett turned to look at her. “You could go with your brother. I’ll be okay.”
Those amber eyes, rimmed with a thick ring of mossy green, held fast to him. He felt her strength of resolve like an anchor in the midst of this dark storm. “You’re not alone, Bennett.”
He leaned to rest his head against hers. As she held him, he wondered if she really understood love, even as she poured it out freely on him. Or if she’d ever believe that she was not alone either. And he wouldn’t let her be so ever again.
It was her and him for the rest of his life. He vowed it.
Eighteen
Janiebroughttwomugsof rich raspberry hot chocolate to the sofa, where Gemma snuggled. Wrapped in Janie’s thickest, softest blanket—the one with colorful fall leaves scattered in the print—Gemma sniffed and wiped her wet cheek.
“Here we go, sweetie. Guaranteed to warm you clear through to your bones and soothe those frazzled fears.” Janie passed her favorite mug to Gemma. Once the girl clasped it, Janie ran a hand over her auburn hair, smoothing the sneaky flyaway strands. “I just got a text from Hazel. She says the doctor came out and they were able to reset the bone cleanly. They’re stitching him up now, and then he’ll be moved to a room to sleep for the night.”
Gemma sniffed again and nodded. “I wish Bennett’s mom was here already. She could have helped.”
“It would be nice to have a medical professional right here in town.” Janie smiled, lowering to her overstuffed chair and tucking her feet beneath her. “But the truth is, Nathan needed a hospital. I’m certain that Bennett’s mom would have agreed.”
“Why can’t Nathan just make the best of things?” Gemma dropped one hand into her lap with a huff. “Dad always does whatever he wants. Begging, throwing a fit—it doesn’t matter. Dad plows on. Nathan knows that.”
What to say to that? Janie only had a distant view of Mr. Crofton—but even that gave her a glimpse of a man she didn’t like. Bennett never spoke a whole lot about his dad, but the little bit that Janie gathered—mostly from Hazel—told her that Bennett didn’t want to be anything like the man. And this? Sending his two teenage kids halfway across the country to live with their estranged half brother?
Not too admirable.
“Sometimes we just feel like we need to get away.”
Her father had.
Hunter had.
Janie swallowed against the resentment that sprouted in her chest.
“I don’t know why Nathan would care so much about going back to Chicago anyway. All he ever does is play video games. Or get into trouble with his worthless friends.” Gemma air quotedfriends. “I’m the one who had things going at home. Cheerleading. Swimming. Real friends who didn’t use me because of my dad’s fast cars. If I can be positive, seems like he can too.”
“Some people just don’t have the personality to look for the bright side.”
Gemma sighed. “I guess.” She ran her fingers over the softness of the blanket, then looked up and met Janie’s eyes. “Can I tell you something?”
