Page 57 of Lavender Lake
“Wade invited us to the Copper Mule sometime this week,” I said to Gracie. “Think you guys can get a sitter and come out with us?”
“Definitely,” she said.
With a chin nod, we left the bakery.
“Is that weird?” I asked Bowman on our way to the truck.
“Is what weird?”
“That I’m planning something so normal while my dad is in the hospital?”
“What are you supposed to do? Sit around and wait for bad news?”
“If I did that, I’d go crazy.” I sighed. “Let’s get to the hospital. How do you feel about speeding? I don’t want the drinks to get cold.”
His lips twitched. “Youaretrouble.”
“Fine, no speeding. But five over won’t kill you.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
The Hospital
“He looks better,” Hadley said. “I’m convinced of it.”
“You’re right,” I agreed.
Dad’s pallor had a bit more pink to it beneath the sprouting of a beard. I reached out and grasped his hand. I couldn’t feel his skin because my hand was encased in a glove.
“Hey, old man,” I murmured. “I came home. Aren’t you going to wake up and yell at me?”
“Starting a fight in the ICU. That’s so like you,” Hadley said, smiling behind her mask. Her eyes crinkled at the corners. “Oh, I need to get out of here.”
She rushed from the room, no doubt to find a nearby trashcan.
“Just you and me,” I said to my father as I took a seat next to the bed. “I don’t have a long time. The nurse could be back any minute to kick me out.”
I found it easier to talk to him today than yesterday. It was still a shock—seeing a tube in his throat. The monitors beeped with stats I didn’t understand.
“So, you’ve got a girlfriend,” I stated. “Muddy’s with her in the cafeteria. She said something about resource guarding, but I have no idea what she means by that.”
The door to his room opened and a nurse stepped inside. “I’m sorry, Salem. Time’s up.”
Nodding, I squeezed his hand one last time before letting go.
It was pure imagination that he squeezed it back, but I held onto the feeling anyway.
Hadley wasn’t in the waiting room when I returned, but Muddy was and she was talking to Declan and Bowman.
Declan nodded and Bowman was listening intently.
“Hey, sugar,” Muddy greeted as I came toward her. She wrapped her arm around my waist and pulled me into a side hug. Then she took a drink of her vanilla latte we’d brought her. “You okay?”
I nodded. “Where’s Jane?”
“Hiding from you,” Muddy stated.
Bowman rubbed his mouth, but couldn’t stop the smile from appearing.
