Page 29

Chapter Ten

When Luke walked into the waiting room, every eye turned. Tori jumped to her feet and rushed to him. Not as an attempt to stop any reaction from him, but because she’d known him and Tobias since childhood.

“He was rushed to surgery,” she said, touching his lower arm.

Luke’s gaze bored into hers. The look was so lethal, she almost took a step backward. There was no reaction and he didn’t respond.

Seeming to sense the dark place her husband was headed, Leah placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Let’s see if a doctor can give us an update.”

Tori walked alongside as they went to the area where a nurse stood talking to Taylor.

The nurse looked up as they neared, her gaze narrowing on Luke. “You’re the brother.” Her voice remained calm, without inflection. She didn’t wait for anyone to give Luke any details. It was as if she instinctively understood he needed to hear any news directly from her.

“Your brother has sustained head trauma. There is a brain bleed that must be stopped, which is what the surgery is for. He’s broken his left leg and right wrist. There wasn’t any time to assess any other injuries. So far as we know, there could be some internal bleeding, but not enough to be worrisome at this point.”

She waited, allowing Luke to digest the information. Tori had to take shallow breaths. She was having trouble imagining Tobias, who was so strong, being in a life-threatening condition.

“How long has my brother been in surgery?”

“They just went in,” the nurse replied. “I will return as soon as there’s any news.”

No one moved as the doors closed behind her. Finally, Leah stepped back and motioned for Tori to follow. “He needs to be left alone for a few moments,” she whispered, the entire time keeping an eye on her silent husband.

Taylor, Ernest and Allison stood quietly speaking about who would talk to Luke and Tobias’ parents upon their imminent arrival.

Tori didn’t listen any further. Instead, she lowered to a chair by a window. Seconds later, a loud sob echoed.

Dressed in screaming yellow, Mimi dashed into the waiting room, her blonde hair in a high ponytail. She wore tight leggings, tank top and matching running shoes.

Rushing to Luke, Mimi almost grabbed him when Taylor half-tackled her away. “Not a good idea,” he said, pulling her to where Leah and Allison were. “They’ll fill you in.”

By this time, Mimi was making strange sounds. “Ah. Ah. Ah. What happened to Tobias? Is it bad? Ah. Ah. Ah.”

Thankfully, Mimi was too deep in the throes of despair to notice her, so Tori remained seated. She eyed the exit and wondered if she could make it out without Mimi seeing her. Of course, in the hurry to get there, she’d left her purse in Allison’s car. The only thing she had with her was her phone.

“You’re staying,” Eric said, lowering to sit next to her. “That woman has the most annoying cry,” he mumbled, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

A cup of water was poured and shoved into Mimi’s hand. She was aided to sit. The entire time, she continued to make the strange sounds. If not for the situation, Tori would have rolled her eyes and told her to shut up.

Leah went to Luke and spoke to him in low tones. He’d not moved from the same spot. Still like a statue, it was interesting to watch his body relax after a long moment. Finally, he allowed Leah to guide him to sit down, but not too far from where the nurse had walked out. His gaze remained locked to the door.

Tori’s heart broke for him. So much had happened to him, it would be a travesty of justice for his twin to die. At the thought, a sob got caught in her throat and she gulped it away, not wanting to draw any attention to herself. The nurse had said Tobias was suffering from a brain bleed. He was in the operating room having brain surgery.

How in the hell did this happen? Tobias wasn’t the reckless type. If anything, she would have expected any of the other men in the room to get in a car accident before him. It was probable the truck driver was the one that crossed in front of him. That had to be it. Since Tobias was unconscious, the semi driver could have said anything to cover up his fault in the accident.

The waiting room doors opened and Tobias’ parents hurried in. Behind them were Clara and her husband.

“Come, I’ll fill you in.” Taylor went to them, taking Mrs. Hamilton’s hand in his. Her face was flushed and her eyes reddened and swollen. She rubbed a wrinkled handkerchief across the bottom of her eyes, focusing on Taylor. Mr. Hamilton held a hand on her back and they stood huddled with Eric joining them.

The family was listening intently as Taylor and Eric filled them in on what had happened. Mrs. Hamilton and her husband looked to Luke every once in a while with worried expressions. The poor couple had to worry about both sons in this instance.

There was very little conversation as the waiting continued. Mrs. Hamilton sat next to Luke, his hand clasped in hers. He’d not moved, continuing his vigil on the doors.

Clara sat next to Tori. “This is horrible. He has to be okay.” She sniffed and Tori squeezed her hand.

Eric returned to sit with Tori, his eyes constantly moving from the doorway to the others in the room.

“Were you one of the first on the scene?” Tori asked in a whisper.