Page 43 of Loving Carter

When he ends the call, he says, “Tillie has fallen. Kellan called an ambulance, and they’re taking her to the hospital.”

I feel like someone has grabbed my heart and squeezed. “Oh, no.”

“I’m heading to the hospital. Do you want to come?” he asks. The tightness in his voice lets me know how worried he is.

“Yes.” I run back to my car, grab my purse from the front passenger seat, and sprint over to join him at his truck.

He simply leans over and kisses me lightly as soon as I climb into the passenger seat. Then, without saying anything else, he starts driving to the hospital.

I try to think of something to say, but I know how dangerous it is when someone Tillie’s age falls. She may have broken her hip or hit her head. All sorts of terrible things may have happened. It’s a twenty-minute drive from Endearing to the closest hospital. We’re silent most of the time, but when we finally pull into the hospital parking lot, I say the only thing I can think of to say. “I’m so sorry this happened to her.”

He parks, then looks at me. “Thank you.”

We head into the emergency room. Kellan is sitting in the waiting area. He stands when he sees Carter and immediately starts talking.

“She broke her foot trying to dance. She’s fine. Has no pain. Thinks it’s funny.” Kellan ticks the items off on his fingers, then sticks his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “Her blood pressure dropped, so they’re going to keep her overnight, but otherwise, she’s fine.”

Carter stands in front of him, frowning. “Why was she dancing?”

“Hey, Skylar,” Kellan says, then he looks at his brother. “She and Edna were watching dance videos online and wanted to try doing some of the steps.”

Carter runs both hands through his hair. “For the love of—"

Before he can finish, Edna comes out of the emergency room, laughing. When she sees us, she smiles. “Oh, hi, Carter. Hi, Skylar. How are you two?”

Carter walks over and hugs his aunt. She pats him on the back. “She’s okay, sweetie. Just a little silliness that backfired.”

I feel my throat tighten at the scene. The aunts are, for the most part, the only parents Carter and his brother have had. She knows how devastated she’d be if one of her parents got hurt.

“Can I see her?” Carter asks.

Edna takes his hand. “Sure, let’s go see her before they take her to her room. Then we should let her sleep. You know how much we old folks like to sleep.”

Edna laughs at her own comment, then heads back with Carter. I look around the waiting room and find a chair that faces the door. This way, I’ll be able to see Carter when he comes out.

“How are you?” Kellan asks, flopping into the seat next to me.

“I’m good,” I tell him. “How’s life for you now that college is over?”

He shrugs. “Not bad. I spend my days hanging out with the visitors. Swimming, hiking, horseback riding.”

I laugh and nudge him. “So really tough stuff.”

He smiles and nods. “It’s fun. Carter does all the annoying tasks. I just make sure the visitors have a good time.”

“You poor thing,” I tease. “I hate to see someone so young suffer so much.”

Kellan throws back his head and laughs loudly. Half the room turns and looks at him.

“Shhh,” I say. “This is an emergency room.”

“Sorry,” he tells the people looking at him. When he glances back at me, he says, “Like you said, I’m young, so I’m foolish.”

I can’t hold back my smile, although I know it will only encourage him. “So, what is your life plan? Do you think you’ll keep working at the ranch?” I ask him.

He shrugs. “I don’t know. I haven’t come up with a firm life plan. What about you?”

His question surprises me. “I own the bakery. I’m settled in town. That’s my life plan.”

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