Page 131 of Nothing to Fear

“Oh my God, Laurel.” Willow shot to her feet. “Are you okay?”

Her sister nodded. “The people you work with rescued me. I’m fine, now.”

She didn’t look fine, not in the least.

“Your hair color,” Laurel said. “It’s different, but nice.”

“I had to change it.”

“I like the red on you.” Laurel looked at their father. “How’s Dad?”

“Better. He’s still unconscious, but he’s responding to the medication and the doctor is hopeful that he’ll make a full recovery.” Willow wrung her hands. “I’m so sorry you were kidnapped. It’s all my fault. This never would’ve happened to you if I hadn’t called and forced you to come take care of Dad.”

Laurel opened her arms and eased in slowly. In her mind, Willow comprehended what was happening, but when her sister gave her a solid, warm embrace, it left her shell-shocked.

“It’s not your fault. Your…team explained everything. I’m the one who’s sorry.”

“For what?”

Laurel pulled back and met Willow’s eyes. “For being such a selfish bitch. For underestimating you and not giving you near enough credit. You’ve taken care of Dad on your own all these years and I shouldn’t have made you feel like you were imposing when you asked me for help.”

That was the first time Laurel had apologized for anything. Her big sister always twisted reality into a pretzel so it was someone else’s fault. “Did you hit your head? Were you checked for a concussion?”

Laurel gave a dry laugh. “I don’t have a head injury. I’ve just had a wake-up call.” She went over to their father and kissed him on the forehead. “The nurse said we have to leave.”

Willow nodded. “Did Gideon bring you here?”

“Um, no.” Laurel looked back at their father and rubbed his hand. “John Reece brought me.”

“Why didn’t Gideon come? Is he okay? I mean, is everyone on the team all right?”

Laurel stared at her in the most peculiar way—her lips parting but no sound coming out—Willow didn’t know what to make of it.

Her heart pounded in her throat. What if something had happened to Gideon? He was already injured and had put his body through more than he should’ve.

“Everyone is safe,” Laurel finally said.

Willow exhaled with relief. Thank goodness he was safe. He might not want her or love her, but she didn’t know what she would do if something had happened to him.

“Come on,” Laurel said.

Willow nodded and kissed her dad on the cheek. “I love you to the moon and back. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

A flutter of a smile whispered across her dad’s face, but then it was gone.

“I think he just smiled,” she said. “The nurse said hopefully we’ll start getting consistent responses from him soon and that I should keep singing and talking to him. Hearing a familiar voice is good for him.”

Laurel ushered Willow out of the room.

In the hall, Maddox was waiting and talking to Reece near the elevators.

“I have to go home to see the girls. And Richard.” Laurel’s mouth twisted like she was sucking on a lemon. “John kindly offered to drive me back to Connecticut.”

John? No one called Reece by his first name. Willow didn’t understand why. It was one of those former military-isms that she didn’t get.

“He saved my life. Gideon too. The whole team. But John removed an explosive device from my neck.” She winced and pointed to the bandage. “He made it seem so easy, talking to me the entire time, making sure I didn’t freak out. I’ll buy him a first-class ticket to DC in the morning. He’s such a sweet man. They’re all great.” Laurel rubbed her arm. “Every single one of them, really. Listen, I want you and Dad to come up for Thanksgiving. I know the invitation might sound premature with Dad’s current state, but I believe he’s going to pull through this and I want you both to come for the holidays.”

Once Dad recovered, that was the last suggestion he’d want to entertain. “I don’t think that would be a good idea.”