Page 98 of Protecting You
“They don’t know who I am. Alyssa needs help. I can’t abandon her.”
“You can’t abandon a grown-up woman, but you can abandon your daughter.”
“I’m not… I didn’t…”
The door beside them opened. “If you two are done," Mom said, "your dad’s waking up.”
Hannah waited until Mom had swiveled and returned to Dad’s side before muttering low, “We are not done.”
He was grateful for the reprieve.
Callan hovered out of the way while Mom and Hannah fussed over Dad. He figured his strong, no-nonsense father would put up with them for about ten minutes. He didn’t even last that long before he shot Callan asave melook.
“Why don’t you two figure out what you want for dinner so I can let Alyssa know?” Callan stepped close to the bed. “Give Dad a little space.”
Hannah looked like she wanted to argue, but Dad patted her hand resting on his chest. “I’m sorry I gave you a scare, Curlicue.”
She smiled at his old nickname for her, though it only lasted until she turned and joined Callan in front of the wall opposite the bed.
He took her hand and gave it a littleI’m heresqueeze. Hers was stiff in his, and then she squeezed back. She was angry with him, but she loved him.
They’d be okay as soon as he could figure out the Peri situation.
When Mom leaned in and whispered to Dad, Callan tugged his sister down onto the love seat. Their parents needed a little privacy.
A few minutes later, Mom stepped away. “Any chance your friend could get me some soup?”
“Of course. Hannah?”
He got their orders—Dad asked for a burger, which Mom didn’t find the slightest bit funny—and Callan texted Alyssa, who promised to stop at a deli on her way back, then asked,
It’ll be another forty-five minutes to an hour. That okay?
Sure. That works.
His task finished, he joined Dad near the head of the bed. Awake and sitting up, Dad looked marginally better. He had more color in his cheeks, and his eyes were clear and alert. His grip was strong in Callan’s hand. “How did you get here so fast?”
“Good luck and coincidence.” He tossed the words out like a soft pitch.
Dad’s brows lowered. “No such thing.”
“Yeah. I guess God knew I needed to be close.” He should’ve been here all along, though.
Dad looked around the room. “Where’s my granddaughter?”
“A friend of mine came. She took Peri to dinner.”
“She?”
“It’s a long story.”
Hannah muttered a littlehumph.
Callan ignored her. “I’m sorry, Dad. For everything.”
The weight of what had happened hit him. Dad could’vedied.
They could be discussing funeral arrangements.
