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“Hang on to me, sweet thing,” he said. “I’ve got you.”
She took several deep breaths. When her color returned and her gaze met his, he shifted, gently placed her in the chair, and crouched beside her. He noted with more than a small amount of concern how she clutched at his shirt, as if she was afraid he was going to abandon her in her time of need.
“I’m going to get your phone and call your father back. Do you understand?”
She just stared at him.
“Luce, let go of me. Just for a few seconds. I need to call your father back, okay?”
After several seconds, she nodded and with great effort released her hold on his shirt. He took her hands in his, squeezed them, and kissed her forehead. “I’m here for you, Luce. I’m not leaving.”
Jamie swiftly retrieved the phone before retuning to place a comforting hand on her leg. He called the last number that had come through on her phone.
A hoarse male voice answered. “Yes?”
“This is Jamie Whitcomb, a friend of Lucy’s. Lucy is extremely upset and I need to find out what’s going on so I can help her.”
“Lucy’s sister Gail and her husband Mason were in a car accident. Mason died at the scene. Gail…it’s not looking good. If Lucy wants a chance to say goodbye, she needs to get to the hospital right away.”
“How much time do we have?”
“Hours. Maybe.”
Shit.
Jamie got the information he needed, hung up, and made more phone calls. The entire time, he remained next to Lucy, caressing her leg. After disconnecting from his latest call, he said, “I’m so sorry, Luce. Tell me what you know.”
“Accident…Mason dead…Gail isn’t expected to live.”
He nodded. “Your father said they were driving home to Palm Springs when the accident occurred. They were airlifted to a trauma center called Desert Regional Medical Center. I have all the information, but Lucy…I called the airlines and there’s no commercial flight out of here until ten a.m. tomorrow.”
She gave a cry of dismay.
“Don’t worry. I can get you there in a few hours.”
“How?”
“I have access to a private jet.”
She stared at him. “Of course you do,” she seemed to choke out even as she looked away.
Gently, he turned her face back toward him. “Please don’t reject my help because of some ill will you harbor toward—”
“I’m not. I’m not going to reject it. Help me. Please.”
