Page 55 of Before the Storm
“I’m not hungry.” Janelle plopped herself into one of the chairs.
Her father was dead.
Brother Jim was in jail and going to prison for a long time since he was one of the men caught surrounding Phoenix’s home and part of the kidnapping of Pam and Gina.
That part of her life was truly over.
But her future was fighting for his life.
The sliding doors opened, and she jumped to her feet, but it was only Pam.
“Any word yet?” Pam asked with her arm in a sling.
“Nothing.” Janelle sighed. She wanted to hate Pam for bringing her dad to Phoenix’s doorstep, but she couldn’t. “How’s your shoulder?”
“It’s nothing for anyone here to worry about.” Pam wiped a tear away. “I’m so sorry for what I’ve done. I know that’s not enough, but?—”
“I forgive you,” Janelle said.
“We all do.” Maverick nodded. “We appreciate your statement to the police and for at least trying to be a blood donor.”
“I gave anyway. Maybe it will help someone else.” Pam nodded. “I best be going, but please let me know how things turn out.” She disappeared out the exit doors.
“Hopefully that girl has turned over a new leaf,” Louis said.
Janelle snagged a fry and dunked it in ketchup. Her stomach defied her and growled.
“Here comes the doctor.” Dina was on her feet in a flash. “How’s my son doing?”
The doctor laughed. “He’s awake and feeling fine. As in the anesthesia is having quite the effect on him.”
“How’d the surgery go?” Louis asked.
“He’s a lucky man with nine lives, that’s for sure.” The doctor nodded. “The bullet didn’t do any major damage, other than to his lung. That will repair in time. He’ll have to stay here for a few days while that works itself out. He’s on oxygen and he’s pretty proud of the new scar he has where we went in to remove the bullet. Outside of that, he’ll be as good as new in about four weeks.”
Janelle covered her face and began to weep.
Louis wrapped a strong arm around her shoulders.
“He took that bullet for me. It should have been?—”
“Stop that. And don’t ever let him hear you talk like that either,” Louis said. “We’d all walk into fire for each other.” He pried her fingers from her cheeks. “You included. And when I say that, I mean you’d do the same for any one of us. We’re family. That’s what family does.”
“Speaking of family. He keeps asking for Janelle. The love of his life. The prettiest woman who ever lived. The woman he’s going to marry and grow old with,” the doctor said.
Everyone in the waiting room burst out laughing.
Except Janelle.
She stood there, staring at the doctor, unable to move or say a single word.
“Cat got your tongue, young lady?” Louis nudged her with his hip.
“A little bit,” she managed. “He’s just drugged up and doesn’t know what he’s saying.”
“We all know he’s madly in love with you,” Louis whispered. “I couldn’t ask for a better daughter-in-law than you or the two I already have.”
She blinked. “You people are crazy.”
