Total pages in book: 190
Estimated words: 181992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 910(@200wpm)___ 728(@250wpm)___ 607(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 181992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 910(@200wpm)___ 728(@250wpm)___ 607(@300wpm)
“Don’t drive too fast, Addison. Be safe.”
I blinked, surprised by the vehemency in his voice. “I will.” I ended the call, dumped my cell in the cupholder, and reversed out of my spot.
I took deep, controlled breaths as I drove, adrenaline pulsing around my system. Wyatt had had a few health issues over the years, but nothing too serious. I’d never worried much. To me, he’d always been larger than life; too strong for anything to take him down. Hearing he could have potentially had a heart attack wiped away that comforting delusion.
I knew my siblings would find this just as rough. He wasn’t a grandfather who’d clicked more with one grandchild than the others. He had the same tight, close relationship with all of us. It was horrible to think that we could lose him.
I finally reached the hospital, but it took several minutes of scouring the attached lot before I found a space to park. Exiting the vehicle, I made a swift beeline for the building, panic fluttering in my belly like a thousand butterflies. Using the directions my mother had texted me, I made my way to a particular private waiting room, passing shops and cafés and various units and wards as I navigated the maze of hallways.
Shoving open the door to the glassed-in room, I found my mom, Alicia, Harri, and Melinda all sat around looking varying degrees of anxious. They stood when I crossed to them, and I quickly hugged all four women.
“How is he?” I asked no one in particular.
“We’re not sure yet.” Melinda dabbed her red nose with a scrunched-up tissue and slumped back into her seat. “No doctors have come out to give us any news yet.”
I glanced around. “Where’s Dad?”
“New York,” Vienna replied as she returned to her seat beside Melinda, who immediately clasped her hand tight.
“Business trip?” I guessed.
My mom nodded. “Ollie’s with him. I let them know what happened. They’re going to fly home today.”
Alicia sank into the chair on the other side of our grandmother. “Ollie gave us strict instructions not to mention it to Marleigh until we have answers. He’s right that it’s for the best.”
Harri nodded, retaking her seat. “She’ll only worry. She adores Wyatt as much as we do.”
“So, what happened with him exactly?” I sat beside my baby sister. “Was he doing anything strenuous?”
Melinda gave her head a slow shake. “He was arguing with our neighbor again. It got real heated. Next thing I know—” She broke off, and her eyes welled up. “I need to hear he’s okay. He has to be okay.”
“He will be,” Harri declared. “Wyatt is strong as an ox. No, stronger.”
Vienna gave a clipped nod. “He’ll be fine.” She spoke with utter conviction, but I heard the tremble of fear there.
“He better be,” muttered Alicia, her legs crossed, the foot on the floor bouncing like crazy and making both her thighs jump. “If he isn’t, I’ll … well, I don’t know what I’ll do, but it’ll be something he doesn’t like.”
A reluctant, tremulous smile plucked at Melinda’s mouth.
Spotting both a water fountain and a coffee machine in the far corner of the large space, I asked, “Does anyone want coffee or water?”
Both Vienna and Melinda requested the first while Alicia ordered the latter.
“I’ll help you with the drinks,” offered Harri, rubbing her hands on her thighs.
I offered her a grateful smile. “Thanks.” As we walked away, I cast her a probing look. “Are you okay?”
She idly traced her eyebrow. “To be honest, I haven’t properly processed what’s happening yet.”
I gave her arm a gentle, comforting squeeze. “Does Simon know about it?”
She shook her head. “Mom’s going to call him after she hears from the doctor and knows what’s what.”
That was probably best. “Did anyone call Heather?” I asked, referring to Melinda and Wyatt’s daughter. A woman I’d never called “Aunt,” because she was nothing close to it—hadn’t ever tried to be.
“Melinda did.” Harri’s nose wrinkled. “Mom overheard the call. Apparently, Heather didn’t seem too concerned but promised she’d ‘make an appearance.’ Her words.”
I shook my head. “I don’t buy for a moment that Heather’s not all that bothered.” She loved Wyatt, but their relationship was strained due to her stubborn belief that he favored Vienna over her.
Heather was also convinced that Melinda cared more for Vienna as well. No amount of reassurances from her parents had made a difference—Heather firmly upheld that they played favorites, and she made them pay for it in small ways.
“Neither do I,” said Harri as she plucked a disposable cup from the top of the water fountain. “But you know how she is. I called Junior to let him know what was happening,” she added, referring to Heather’s son—he’d moved to England eight years ago. “He’s going to catch a flight over here as soon as he can. I promised I’d keep him in the loop until then.”