Page 109 of Missing Marcus

Patch gently grabbed her arm. “No, Gabby. Marcus doesn’t want you to see him like this. I know you’re thinking the worst in your head. Trust me, we have him in hand.”

Gabby searched Patch’s face seeking the truth. He never wavered. “I promise you. Get some rest. I won’t leave his side.”

Gabby pulled back the blankets and slid under the covers. She adjusted the pillows as she turned on her side. Shadow returned a minute later and threw a blanket and pillow to the floor. She listened as Patch said something to Marcus. Their voices muted as if aware she clung to every word.

“Sleep, Sweetie. Patch knows what he’s doing,” Shadow whispered.

Gabby nodded even though she knew he didn’t see her.

She strained to catch even a blurb of the conversation. After a while, her eyes grew droopy as the silence grew longer between snatches of conversation. She struggled against the heaviness of her eyelids, but sleep managed to pull her under.

The next morning,Marcus appeared by her side. “Gabby. It’s time to leave. May I help you dress?”

Her eyes shot open and she examined him from head to toe. Her hand shot out and caressed his cheek and he captured it with his own.

“I apologize for last night. I’m afraid I haven’t slept lately and I didn’t…” He paused and swiped his hand across his face. “I didn’t take my medication and everything caught up to me. Patch and Claire helped me. I assure you, I feel a ton better. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“You didn’t scare me. I worried about you,” she admitted.

Marcus smiled. “Thanks. May I help you?”

Gabby rose from the bed. “I’ll only take a few minutes. Can you pack my sleeve in my bag?”

“I already did. I ordered you tea and toast. If you can eat it while you dress, I have pancakes and bacon waiting for you,” he coaxed as he followed her inside the room.

His bag lay on the bed. Shadow and Patch seemed to have disappeared.

“Don’t worry, they took the bags down except for yours. I wanted you to sleep as long as possible,” he informed her.

She nodded as she went into the bathroom to dress. She ate her toast at the sink and drank the lukewarm tea. When she brushed her teeth, she opened the door and took her toiletry bag to her bigger one.

Patch returned. He and Marcus escorted her to the minivan. She got in and Patch slid into the driver’s seat.

“Doesn’t Marcus want to see me today? I want to talk about last night.”

Patch glanced at her. “Give him some time to decompress. He’s staying with you tonight and I’ve already spoken with Wolf.”

“Does Marcus know you told him what happened? Why do they get to know and I don’t?” she asked angrily.

Patch sighed. “I know better than to say calm down, Gabby. I’m partial to my balls. It’s not my place to tell you. I’ve done enough already. Marcus will tell you when he’s ready.”

Gabby crossed her arms, unhappy with the situation. Determined to figure it out, she pulled out her computer and read the pamphlets she downloaded. If they refused to tell her, she’d find out for herself.

When they made their first rest stop, Marcus jogged to the van. “I’ll take you to the restroom. Did you remember to put on your compression stockings?”

She shook her head. “I don’t understand you. You insisted on taking care of me, but it’s not an option for me to help you?”

“Can we discuss it at the hotel?” he asked as he led her to the restrooms.

“Will you at least ride with me?” Her eyes pooled with unshed tears. “I promise not to bring it up. You worried me last night and I’ll feel better if I can see you myself,” she argued.

“Don’t do this because you blame yourself. It’s entirely on me,” he demanded.

She shook her head. “I won’t.”

Marcus nodded. “Go take care of Tiger. I’ll stay right here.” Shadow stood by a family restroom and opened the door as they approached.

She went inside, happy he agreed to ride with her. Hopefully, she’ll understand when he explained at the hotel. The hours promised to dwindle slowly until they arrived at the hotel. Gabby knew she missed an important piece of the puzzle and how it involved her.

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