Page 84 of Tumbleweed Temptation
She had kept to herself for much of her time here in Broken Wheel. Only Austin had lately drawn her out. She could go back to that. She didn't mind it at all.
When she got back to the office before the first afternoon appointment, he was sitting at her computer.
“What’s going on?” she asked, setting her purse on the counter beside him.
“Javi mentioned again that the garage is in my dad’s name, and while I don't believe that it is, I thought I’d look to see if I can find the information online.”
“Have you found anything?” She squinted to see he was on the county’s website, which looked like it had been updated sometime in the era of MySpace.
“Well, I don't know the address, exactly, so what I did was enter my dad’s name to see if there’s any property under his name. Not even the house is listed.”
“Well, because you sold it, probably.”
“Probably.”
Mr. Darwin walked in then, and Austin rose from the chair to greet him.
“Hey, if you don't mind, leave that tab open so I can finish looking later, okay?” Austin said over his shoulder as he walked into an exam room.
“Sure.” Or she could look it up and let him know. If he hadn’t told her, of course, she wouldn't feel comfortable doing it, but since he had let her know, she could move forward without guilt.
Plus, she liked a challenge, and this website was definitely that.
But within ten minutes, she had her answer.
“No, it’s not in your dad’s name,” she told him after Mr. Darwin left. “It’s in Joseph Pearson’s name. Is that Caleb’s dad?”
He nodded. “Yeah, they worked together, but I didn’t know Mr. Pearson owned it.”
She turned her attention back to the screen. “I can’t believe the city council hasn’t forced the legal owner to do something with it. It’s a hazard.”
“Maybe they don't know where to find Mr. Pearson. Or maybe they don't know who it belongs to.”
“It took me fifteen minutes to find out on the world’s crappiest website. I’m sure someone could have found out if they wanted to.”
“Dr. Driscoll!”
The door swung open abruptly and Mark Bryant came in, his arm around his wife. Susan’s face was pale, and her hand rested on her round belly.
“I think it’s really labor this time,” she said. “My water broke.”
“All right.” Austin straightened, every line in his body tight. “Ginny, give Dr. Fredrick in San Angelo a call, let her know we’re going to be heading her way soon.”
“No, I don't want to go.” Susan’s voice was sharp. “I don't want to make the drive.” She lifted vulnerable eyes to Austin. “I’m scared.”
“I get it. I get it.” Austin rested a reassuring hand on her arm. “But you’re early, and you’re high risk. I don't want you delivering here. But I do want to get a look and see how far you’ve progressed.”
“Austin, I don't want to go to San Angelo. That trip is so long, and what if she’s born on the way?”
“I’m going to go with you, and we’re going to get through this, I just want to see what we’re working with, okay?” He opened the door to the second exam room and motioned for her husband to guide her in.
She was leaning on him pretty heavily, and Ginny wasn't sure if she was really in that much pain or just scared. Ginny also wasn't sure if she needed to step in to help. She half-rose from the chair but Austin just gave a little shake of his head as he turned into the room.
“Gin, could you—?”
“Call and reschedule your appointments. Got it.” Honestly, she didn’t think anyone was going to complain this time. Everyone was happy for Susan, finally having the baby she’d always wanted. And her anxiety about the pregnancy was well-known.
She picked up the phone but had only gone through one call before he walked out again, followed by the couple whose anxiety had ratcheted up.
