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Carla laughed and said, “It’s not every day your only daughter decides to get married. Could we do something together? Just you and me.”
Leaning back in the cushioned sofa, Rachel reached for a tissue and blew her nose. “What do you want to do?”
“Can we go to Dad’s softball game?”
For a second Rachel looked stunned. But gradually a smile formed at the edges of her mouth. “I’ve been waiting twenty years for an excuse to do just that.”
—
Monday afternoon, on her way home from the hospital, Carla stopped off to visit Gramps, but she stayed just long enough for a single game of checkers and to tell him she’d made a decision about Philip.
“So you’ve come to your senses and decided you’re going to marry him?”
“If he’ll have me.”
“No worry there,” Gramps said with a chuckle. “The problem, as I see it, is if you’re ready to be the right person for a man like Philip.”
Carla didn’t hesitate. “I know I am. Philip is a policeman, and I should know what that means. After all, I’ve been a policeman’s daughter all my life.”
His eyes beamed with pride as he slowly shook his head. “I see you’ve come to terms with that. Now I pray that you’ll be as good a wife as your mother has been all these years.”
“I hope I can, too,” Carla added soberly.
—
The phone rang just as she let herself into the apartment. Carla dumped her purse on the kitchen table and grabbed the phone.
“Hello.”
“Carla. Thank heaven I caught you. Where have you been? This is Jeff, Philip’s partner.”
Carla felt the blood rush from her face. Jeff would be phoning her only if something had happened to Philip. Her knees went weak, and she leaned heavily against the counter. “We aren’t allowed to keep our cell phones with us while on duty. What is it?”
“Apparently, you didn’t check your messages, either. Philip’s in the hospital. I think you should get here as soon as possible. I checked with Alaska Airlines, and there’s a flight leaving Seattle in two hours. If you can be on it, I’ll pick you up in the patrol car and take you directly to him.”
Ten
“What happened?” Somehow Carla managed to get the words past the bubble of hysteria that threatened to overtake her.
“We were on patrol and…It was my fault, I should have known what was happening. With all the medical training I’ve had, I can’t believe I didn’t know what was going on. But I got him to the hospital in record time. Listen, Carla, I can’t explain everything now. Just get here. Philip asked for you when he came out of surgery. I want to tell him that you’re coming.”
“Yes…of course, I’m on my way now. And, Jeff”—her hand tightened around her phone—“thanks for letting me know.”
Unable to move, Carla felt an almost tangible fear move through her body. Her senses reeled with it. Her mouth was dry, her hands were clammy, her knees felt weak. Even the rhythmic beating of her heart slowed. It seemed unfair that once she had reconciled herself to who and what Philip was, her newfound confidence should be severely tested this way. With a resolve born of love, Carla had thought she could face anything. Now she realized how wrong she was. She would never come to terms with losing Philip.
By rote, she reached for her phone and contacted her parents. “Mom,” she cried, not waiting for a greeting, “Philip’s been shot.” Carla heard her mother’s soft gasp and fought her own rising panic. “He’s just out of surgery and I’m flying to be with him. Call the hospital and explain that I won’t be in. And let Gramps know.”
“When’s your flight?”
Carla ran her hands through her hair. “In two hours…. There’s a flight on Alaska, but I…I…”
“You pack,” her mother said, taking over. “I’ll call the airport for you. Your father will be there in ten minutes to drive you. Don’t worry, Princess, Philip will be fine.” Her mother hadn’t any more information than Carla, but the gentle reassurance gave her the courage to think clearly.
Carla yanked clothes off the hanger and stuffed them into a suitcase. After adding her toothbrush, curling iron, and a comb, she slammed the lid closed. She’d be fine if only she could stop shaking. Pausing, she forced herself to take several deep, calming breaths. The shock of Jeff’s call prevented tears, but she knew those would come later.
The doorbell rang, and Carla rushed across the living room to open the door.
“You ready?” Her father looked as pale as she did, Carla realized, but she knew he was far too disciplined to display his emotion openly.
