Finding the nearest chair, I sat down and looked at his phone, the cracks like an intricate spiderweb beneath my quivering fingers.
“Dr. Crawford to the ER,” the announcement began again. “Code Blue.”
I hope you’re damn good at your job, Dr. Crawford. You have to save him. You just have to.
My phone buzzed with a text.
Lyra.
-How is he?
-Not sure. I think he had a heart attack in the ambulance, but I don’t know.
-Oh no!
-I may be here a while. I can’t leave him.
-Of course! We’re fine here, don’t worry. Everything is under control.
-Thank you! I’ll check in once I hear something.
For an hour, I sat in the stiff wooden chair, staring at the entrance to the ER. Any time a man entered, I looked up, wondering if he could be Peter McTavish. Instead, I listened as each man spoke to the receptionist.
Broken thumb.
High fever and vomiting.
Abdominal pains.
None of them were looking for their dad.
I did whatever I could to occupy my mind—texting Lyra, who was busy balancing the book signing. Our guest author had drawn quite the crowd, so she didn’t have much time to give me. I hated reading on my phone, but I knew that the murder mystery I was reading would keep me engrossed. So, I settled into my uncomfortable chair and distracted myself as best I could.
“Excuse me.” A nurse approached after about two hours of waiting, holding a mask in her hand. “Did you come in with Burton McTavish?”
I stood and joined her. “Yes, is he okay?”
She gave a cautious nod, holding one hand up. “He’s stable. His angioplasty was a success, and he’s resting in recovery now. He should be settled into his room in about an hour or so. Are you family?”
“No, his son is on the way. He asked me to stay with him until he can get here.”
She nodded again. “I’ll take you to him.”
Eagerly, I walked with her to Burton’s room. When she pulled the curtain back, I saw him resting in the bed. The machines beeped and buzzed as his chest rose and fell.
“Mr. McTavish, you have a visitor.”
“He probably doesn’t remember me,” I said softly, shaking my head. “It all happened so fast.”
“Just sit with him. You can fill him in when he wakes up.”
I pulled a chair toward his bed, sitting down as I placed my hand gently on top of his. It was warm, and he twitched at my touch.
“Hi, Burton,” I said, keeping my voice gentle and low.
He opened his eyes, and his lips gently crept to form a small smile. He reached over with his other hand and covered mine. A tear rolled down my cheek, and I smiled at Burton, his blue eyes bright and grateful. Inhaling deeply, I squeezed his hand just a bit.
“You’re going to be okay,” I said. And for the first time, I actually believed my own words.
Burton was going to be okay.
Chapter 2
PETER
Today my best friend is getting married. And I’m the best man. Well, I was the best man.
The moment I hung up with the woman who had my dad’s phone, I knew I had to leave Port Townsend and head back to Seattle. My dad needed me, and I worried that his condition might be worse than the stranger on the phone let on. What if he was close to death and she hid that from me to keep me calm? What if he’s already gone before I could get to him?
What if? What if? What if?
“What’s up?” Scott asked, straightening his tie. Concern spread across his face. “You look like you saw a ghost. Everything all right?”
I opened my mouth to speak, knowing I was letting him down in such a huge way. My shoulders dropped as I spoke. “My dad was in an accident. He’s in an ambulance, on the way to the hospital.”
“Was that your mom? Is she with him?”
I shook my head. Mom.
Oh shit, Mom.
“She’s in Napa on a girls’ weekend with my aunts. He’s all alone.” I paused, remembering the voice on the other end of Dad’s cell. “Well, he’s with someone. A girl named Mary, I think.” I could feel sweat building on my neck. “Scott, I can’t believe I’m gonna say this.”
“You don’t have to.” Scott pressed his lips into a thin but kind smile as he shook his head. I knew he was disappointed, probably worried how his bride-to-be would take the sudden drastic change of plans in the wedding party. I was supposed to escort the maid of