Page 47 of Home Team Advantage
“No, thank you. I just need to rest.”
“Of course. If it’s all right with you, I’ll start planting some of the flowers we picked up at the farmers market in the planters. Ring the bell if you need anything. I’ll be right outside.”
With the weight of the missing watch off her shoulders, it felt good to be out in the fresh air. The clouds had given way to clear skies, and it was pleasantly warm in the sun, cool in the shade. Anna spent the afternoon with her hands in the dirt, planting the hardy annuals in big ceramic pots on the back patio for a pop of color. She went inside to check on Mrs. Campbell and found her sleeping peacefully.
She was glad for it. She didn’t care for the way her grandson treated her and wondered why Elsa tolerated him. But, she supposed, one could put up with a lot when it came to family. Especially if he was the only one around. Anna didn’t know if Elsa had any other relatives. For as much as Mrs. Campbell liked to talk about everyone else, she didn’t have much to say about her own family.
That was something they had in common.
Anna turned her thoughts to something less depressing. She was looking forward to summer in Pine Ridge. Sleeping with the windows open at night, letting in the crisp, cool mountain air. Listening to the crickets and frogs that were already beginning to make their appearance. Sitting on the patio with a good book and a glass of iced tea, watching the fireflies come out with the darkness. Maybe taking a dip in the pool when the temperature and humidity soared near triple digits.
It sounded like heaven. Her last few jobs hadn’t been anywhere near as nice as this, and her clients, had been in much worse shape than Mrs. Campbell. The woman was pretty independent and just needed someone to look after her. In truth, Anna felt more like a companion than a caregiver, and she was fine with that.
Once the flowers were planted and watered, Anna swept away the dirt and leaves that had fallen onto the stone pavers, discarded the empty flat containers, and went into the mudroom to wash up. She thought vaguely about the hoodie she had yet to return to Matt. She hadn’t seen him since that day and wondered when—if—she’d see him again.
Mrs. Campbell’s door was still closed when she walked by. Anna knocked softly. It had been several hours, and Elsa didn’t like to nap that long. She’d said it made it harder for her to sleep through the night.
“Mrs. Campbell? Are you feeling up to afternoon tea?”
No response.
Anna turned the knob and opened the door slowly and quietly. The older woman was in bed, in exactly the same position she’d been in the last time Anna checked.
Anna moved closer. “Mrs. Campbell?”
Warning bells began to toll in the back of her head. Mrs. Campbell was too still. Too pale.
Anna’s medical training kicked in, pushing that momentary panic to the side. Pressing her index and middle fingers to the older woman’s carotid artery, she felt a wash of relief. Elsa’s pulse was weak and slow, but it was there.
Anna placed her hands on the older woman’s shoulders and shook gently. “Mrs. Campbell? Can you hear me? It’s Anna. Time to wake up. Come on now. Open your eyes and look at me.”
Receiving no response, she placed her hand on the woman’s forehead and gently tilted her head back, lifting her chin with the fingers on her other hand to ensure the airway was open. She stared at the covers, assessing the barely perceptible rising and falling of Elsa’s chest.
“Okay, Elsa, stay with me. I’m calling an ambulance. You’re going to be fine. We’ve got this.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
MATT
Matt was on his way back from BodyWorks, glad he’d had something to do besides sit around and think about Anna all day.
The classes had gone well. One beginner-level Muay Thai, in which the emphasis was on encouragement and learning the basics. The other, the advanced MMA that he and Kieran paired up on to demonstrate technique. If anything, Kieran had only gotten better. With his perpetual smile and generally gentle nature, it was easy to forget how lethal the guy was.
Matt was only about a mile away from the house when he heard it—the unmistakable scream of sirens. He pulled off to the side, allowing the ambulance to fly by in the other direction, all flashing lights and urgent warnings to get the hell out of the way. A police car followed, hard on its heel.
A sinking feeling formed in the pit of his stomach. Whatever had happened, it had happened too close to his home.
He pulled into his driveway, shoved the vehicle into park, and raced into the house. Kieran was still at BodyWorks, but his mom was there, just inside the door, reaching for her purse. He counted heads, noting with relief that his brothers and sisters were all present and accounted for.
“It’s Mrs. Campbell,” Faith said before he had a chance to ask.
“What happened?”
“I don’t know. I’m headed to the hospital now. Kass, you’re in charge. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“What about Anna?”
“The police took her with them.”
