Cattail Ridge (16 page)

“I won’t bother you again, and I don’t want to see you. That’s not what this call was about. I did want you to know that I’m sorry that I shot you, Archer. I’m glad you survived.”

They hung up soon after that, and Archer had sat there on the couch for a long time, just reeling. Logan would appreciate the irony in the situation, he thought. While he wasn’t glad she was dying, Archer himself felt only a little sadness.

“What a fucking waste.” He let himself dwell on Candace’s condition a little longer and then he’d gone to meet Emma for lunch. He hadn’t told her about the call, and he didn’t know if he would. Especially now, after Zanny’s accident.

The thought that John might find himself widowed with three small children to raise was so close to what Archer’s own father had gone through, Archer didn’t know if he could stand it.

If there was any justice in the world, Zanny’s goodness would balance out with the evil act Candace had committed, and with her illness. If there was any mercy, God would let Zanny live, let her recover and be with her family. Archer didn’t want to think what it would mean if she didn’t. No, he didn’t want to think about that at all.

Chapter Twenty-One

E
mma spent several minutes walking the halls of the hospital and the adjacent doctor’s building, trying to get her head around what was going on. Zanny was her best friend, had been her friend long before she’d married John. Some of Emma’s earliest memories included Zanny, and she could not remember life without her. And it wasn’t just John, or herself, that would lose a piece of themselves. If she died… losing Zanny would tear the whole family apart.

She knew her withdrawal had Archer worried. The reasoning had been very simple. If she stayed around him much longer, she would have just broken down. And once she started crying in earnest, she didn’t know if she could stop. That wouldn’t help anyone, and in fact, since she was usually one of the stronger, matter-of-fact managers in the family, it would probably cause more stress. If she could keep it together until, God willing, they got good news about Zanny, then she’d go somewhere and have a private breakdown. But she had to stay strong until they knew.

As she was waiting for the elevator a tall, burly man walked over, concern etched on his face. Emma almost lost her composure as he hugged her. “Burke! Oh, my God. I was wondering where you’d gotten to.”

He gestured down to his jeans and casual shirt. “I had to go home and change. How is she? Any word?”

“Still in surgery. The baby’s okay.” She cringed a little when she realized the reason he had to change clothes was probably because he was covered in Zanny’s blood.

“Is everyone on their way in? And how’s John holding up?”

Emma blew out a breath as they stepped off the elevator on the surgical floor. “They are, and he’s close to breaking.”

“Poor guy.” He touched her arm, stopping her. “So while I have you alone let me ask you something. Are you actually dating Archer?”

She knew from the faint smile around his eyes that he was teasing. She welcomed the distraction. “Not officially, no. He still hasn’t asked me out. It’s a running gag between us.”

“I saw the kid at the grocery store the other night,” he said, referring to Amelia. “She said you went to see him in Tennessee.”

“I did.” She crossed her arms defensively.

“I’m not judging. I’m happy for you, if you’re happy.”

Emma’s smile was rueful. “It’s still a little new, the whole relationship thing. And you know how it is, being a single parent. You get burned sometimes.”

“Yeah, but I don’t think he’s a burner. I’ve always thought he had a thing for you, and Sydney likes him. Kids are pretty smart.”

Rachel poked her head out of the waiting room and waved, then came to meet them. Emma was glad, because she was too raw to discuss Archer right then. Plus, as much as she and Burke were friends the feelings she had for Archer were private. Discussing him with Pip was one thing but Burke was entirely different.

“Mom and Pip took the boys back to John’s house. They’re going to pick Sydney up and try to make things as normal as possible for the kids.”

Emma just happened to glance at Archer when she walked in the room, Burke close behind. A flurry of emotions chased across his face and though he quickly masked them, she was able to pick up on a few, primarily jealousy and disappointment. They were going to have to work on that. She figured a good way to start would be to go to him. She’d just reached him when Michelle walked in, a small bundle in her arms.

Emma was hardly aware of Archer’s hand going around hers, and the tears that tracked down her cheeks. Everyone in the room was focused on John’s first meeting with his daughter. Owen was seated next to him, and Emma could tell her brother was relying on their father to keep him upright.

“I can’t imagine what he’s going through,” Archer told her in a low voice as they watched John feed the baby. “Heaven and hell.” He put his hand on her waist to draw her into him, but she stopped him.

“You can’t. I’ll fall apart if you’re kind to me.” She couldn’t even meet his eyes for longer than a few seconds.

“Okay. But I’m here if you need me.”

She nodded and made her way across the room to John, who had uncovered the baby while she had her first bottle. A nurse stepped in, her expression pleasant, and told them that the OR had called, and they were finishing up. Someone would be in shortly with an update.

Everyone looked to Michelle, who assured them that everything looked promising.

Emma knelt down in front of John, resting her hand on his knee for balance, and touched the curl of red hair that was starting to stand up on the baby’s head. “Look at that hair. Any idea what to name her?”

“I know exactly what to name her, as long as Zanny agrees. Molly Burke Campbell.”

“It fits her, and I think Zanny will like it,” Owen said.

John nodded. “Burke, how do you feel about that?”

The gruff state trooper, who looked like he could stare down a rabid bear and win, had to clear his throat. “You don’t have to do that.”

“I know. But without you… Rick said it would have been a much different turn of events.”

Burke gave a nod. “Then I’d be honored.”

When the baby finished the bottle and had been burped, Michelle took her back to the nursery. The longing and despair on John’s face as she left was so painful to watch, it just about ripped Emma apart.

The surgeon came in a short time later. Before he could speak, Ben and Ainsley came in. They all waited, breath held, as he told them Zanny’s status. He was very blunt. “She’s stable. She lost a lot of blood, but we took care of that. She’s got some muscle damage, and that artery took a pretty hard beating, but I think she’ll probably regain use of the leg. How much is going to depend on her. The next twenty-four hours are crucial, but I’m optimistic that she’ll make a full recovery.”

Everyone in the waiting room sagged with relief. He held up his hand.

“Don’t mistake how serious this was. If Trooper Burke hadn’t been there we wouldn’t be having this conversation. If the accident had happened on the other side of town, same deal. She wouldn’t be here. I’m not going to say it was a miracle, what happened today, but your family got pretty damned lucky,” he told John.

“I know. Thank you.”

The surgeon smiled. “Congratulations on your daughter, by the way.”

After he left Owen stood. “I need to go call Sarah, let her know how things are.” Emma didn’t think anyone missed the fact that his voice was thick with tears. She touched his arm as he passed, and he patted her on the shoulder.

The mood in the waiting room was much happier after that and time moved faster. Before long Zanny was on her way to a regular room, and the nurse came to get John. He stopped in the doorway of the waiting room.

“Dad? Em? Go with me?”

“Sure.”

They didn’t talk as they went in, and John kept his arm around her shoulders as they watched the nurses settle Zanny into the bed. Emma knew he needed the support as much as she did.

“She’s still pretty well sedated. The doctor doesn’t want her moving around too much and disturbing that wound just yet. We’ll start slowly, waking her up here and then get her on the road to recovery,” one told them with a cheerful smile.

Zanny looked awful. There were deep circles under her eyes and she was so pale her freckles stood out like they’d been painted on. But the nurses seemed pleased with her progress and Emma took comfort in that.

She stayed until Zanny started coming around, keeping vigil. Owen steered her out, back to the waiting room. “You need to go home, take care of Sydney. And get some rest.”

“I’m fine. I should stay.”

He put his hands on her shoulders. “Emma Jean, I know you. I know how you handle things. Go take some time to process. I’ll be here.” He looked over her shoulder. “Archer, take her home.”

“Daddy, I’m a grown woman.”

“You are. And that’s why you’ll have the good sense to realize I’m right. It’s eight o’clock. You’ve been here since one. There’s going to be plenty need for you in the next few weeks, but right now your being here isn’t helping. Sydney is going to start worrying soon and I imagine you’ll want to have some private time before you see her.”

He did know her well, Emma conceded. “Fine. I’ll go.”

“Do you need us to stick around or should we head out, too?” Ben asked. Emma saw that Rachel had gone, and Amelia was in her place. Michelle was still there, as was Burke.

“Go on. You’re welcome to stay at the farm if you want, or at John’s.”

“Or with me,” Emma interjected. “I have plenty room.”

Ben nodded. “We’ll probably stay with you, then. It’s closer.”

Burke stood. “Why don’t we all go down to the Circle J and get some food?”

“That sounds good,” Michelle agreed. “It won’t take long, then we can all go home.”

Amelia also agreed. “Why don’t you two go on down and get us a table? We’ll be over in a few minutes.”

Burke held his arm out to the side and Michelle preceded him from the room. “See you there. I’ll drive you over, if you want,” he could be heard telling her as they went down the hall.

Amelia hurried to the door, leaning out to watch their progress as inconspicuously as possible. The elevator dinged and she turned back to the room. “If any of you go to the Circle J tonight I’ll wring your necks. Go to Francene’s instead. Understand me?”

To Emma’s surprise Owen chuckled. “Pip, you are something else.”

“What? They’re harder to get together than these two.” She gestured between Emma and Archer. “If Michelle doesn’t ‘see’ him now, I’m going to make her get her eyes checked.”

Emma pulled her in for a quick hug. “You little Cupid. What are we going to do with you? Love you, Pip.”

“See you at the house.” Before her emotions could boil over she hugged Ben and Ainsley, and nodded at her father. “Daddy.”

She walked past Archer into the hallway, moving slowly, carefully. If she moved too fast she’d shatter where she stood. As things stood, she was simply hoping to make it to her car before she broke.

Archer’s jaw was tightening up and he felt the mask he wore to protect himself slide into place. Despite Amelia’s reassurances he found it hard to believe Emma wasn’t angry with him for some reason. She was barely able to look at him, for crying out loud. When Owen’s hand landed gently on his shoulder he almost jumped.

“Go with her. Don’t let her drive. Take her to your place or some other place safe where she can let go.” Owen’s eyes reflected the concern in his voice. “She needs to grieve before it eats her up inside. I’ll call Sarah, let her know that you’ll be a while.”

“Thank you.”

Archer caught up to her at the elevator but didn’t try to touch her. He didn’t speak until they reached their vehicles when he stepped in between her and her car, and reached over to his truck to unlock the passenger door.

“Get in.”

A flash of rebellion lit her eyes but he stood firm. She still didn’t speak but after a moment she got in. He shut the door quietly behind her and went around the truck.

“Where are we going?” She moved stiffly as she buckled her seat belt.

“My apartment.”

The drive took all of two minutes. A slow drizzle had started and the wind that gusted around them was cold, seeming to echo the grimness of the day. Archer struggled with the deadbolt as usual, but he got the door open.

“I’ve got to replace that soon or I’ll break a key in it. Come on in.” He stepped inside and held the door for her.

When she didn’t remark on his apartment, just looked around listlessly, Archer felt his stomach pitch. The place was utilitarian, no doubt, but it was clean. Wood-paneled walls, worn linoleum floor covered by the nice rug Amelia had insisted he get, and a comfortable, if threadbare, couch. The living room was right off the landing coming in from outside, with a small kitchenette to the right.

“I need the restroom,” Emma said.

“Straight back to your left.” He pointed.

The door closed quietly behind her and Archer stood there, at a loss for what to do. Needing to have something to occupy his hands, he went to the kitchen and started a small pot of coffee.

Emma came out a couple of minutes later and moved to stand in front of the bookcase. Much as Sydney had the other day, she picked up the picture of him and Logan. When she did Archer could see the tremble in her hands. He came around the counter and slowly approached her.