Page 56 of Her Loving Hero

“Thanks,” Wyatt said as he parked his truck before disconnecting the call. He shot inside the hospital and got up to Ben’s room in no time. His brother was sitting up in bed and looked a hell of a lot better than he had the day before.

“Did you bring me something good to eat?” Ben asked as he jerked his thumb at the half-eaten tray of hospital food.

“Benny, correct me if I’m wrong, but weren't you unconscious for almost three days?” Wyatt asked as he moved the chair over so he could sit next to his brother. Ben grinned. It was the same grin that Wyatt had missed for so many years.

“How would I know if I was unconscious?”

“Always with a smart-ass answer.” Ben held out the hand that wasn’t hooked up to a monitor, and Wyatt grabbed it tight.

“I couldn’t sleep last night. My mind was swirling, and it wasn’t because of the accident.” Ben’s expression was intent. “My whole world order changed. I mean I’d hoped maybe you would at least be interested in seeing me again after all these years, but to know you fought for us.” Ben swallowed, then coughed. “For me.”

“I did. I swear it.”

“I believe you.” His heart was in his eyes.

“How can I help? You said the three of you had a plan. How can we put that into action now?”

“We can’t do shit until Kyle is sixteen. There isn’t a chance in hell that Luke’s going to leave the house until Kyle can go to. My job was to get some money in the bank and bankroll them.”

“Good plan. Now we have an even better one,” Wyatt grinned as he tightened his grip.

* * *

“Mr. Rhoades?Can you put me through to my father?” Emily asked politely. It was eight p.m. Saturday night in Oman and not one single member of her family was picking up their cell phone. She’d had enough. She was cutting through all the red tape.

“Miss Hoag?”

Carl was acting surprised, but he’d seen her number pop up. He was the Deputy Chief of Mission, or the Chief of Staff of the Oman Embassy. He did all of her dad’s dirty work. Anytime somebody needed to be fired, Rhoades did it. Anytime somebody needed to be dis-invited to a party, Rhoades made sure their invitation was lost in the mail. And anytime a daughter needed to brought to heel? Well, Rhoades saw to that too.

“Yes, it’s me. Can you put me through to my father?”

“I’m sorry, he’s in the middle of an urgent meeting and can’t be disturbed.”

Bull crap. Two could play at this game.

“I haven’t been able to get ahold of him, my mother or my two sisters. Carly was injured in an accident, and there are suspicious rumors going on in Oman. I’ve been called by two reporters about what I’m hearing, I was hoping to tell them everything is fine. But if I can’t get ahold of my family, I guess I’ll have to say something else. Something that might not look good for the Ambassador.”

“It is fine,” he rushed to assure her. “Let me get you one of your family to confirm this.”

Yeah, like there had been a reporter, she laughed to herself.

Lying could be so effective.

Emily waited enough time for her to go through three posts on the chat room, then Kristi and Carly got onto the line together.

“Are you really okay?” Were the first words out of Emily’s mouth. “Wy-” she stumbled. “I mean Scott said you needed fifteen stitches. How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine,” Carly assured her.

“She’s more than fine. Chris has already been over with flowers,” Kristi gloated.

“Is there any talk about your two coming to California for a visit?” Emily asked cautiously.

“What?” Kristi screeched. “I haven’t been stateside for three years. Are you serious?”

“Carly?” Emily prompted.

“Does this have anything to do with… you know?” Carly asked.