Page 20 of Jenny
Jenny brushed the dirt from her hands. “This is exactly what the yard needed. And me, too.”
Missy beamed as she picked up the garden tools.
Jenny’s cell phone rang, so she pulled it from the pocket of her shorts. The name “Dare” was written on her screen.
Her heart slammed against her rib cage. Anticipation surged through her. He must be home. “It’s him.”
“Dare?” Missy asked.
Nodding, Jenny raised the phone to her ear. “Hello?”
“This is Susan O’Rourke, Darragh’s mother. Is this Jenny?”
Her brain froze, but at the same time, her body grew warmer.
“Jenny?” the woman asked.
Not woman. Dare’s mother. “Yes, I’m Jenny.”
“Darragh was in an accident. He was a passenger in a helicopter that went down. He’s been evacuated to the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.”
Her chest hurt as if a hundred-pound bag of potting soil had been dropped on top of her. The racing of her heart was more like a lit fuse ready to detonate. Unable to speak, she froze.
Words flashed through her mind.
Dare.Army.Injured.Evacuated.
Just like Rob.
A lump burned in the back of Jenny’s throat. Chills racked her body.
Except her brother had never made the trip back for medical treatment and a goodbye. She’d flown with Missy to Dover Air Force Base to receive Rob’s flag-draped coffin instead.
The past and present crashed into one another. Jenny rocked back onto her bottom. “Is he going to be okay?
“Darragh had surgery before he arrived. He’s had more since and needs another.”
“Another surgery…” Jenny realized his mother had never said that he would be okay. As she hugged her knees to her chest with her free arm, she kept the phone plastered against her ear. She didn’t want to miss a word.
“He’s been asking for you.”
“Me?” Her voice cracked. She didn’t know what to say. “We…I…”
They’d never exchanged last names or photos, but since he’d gone away on his trip—most likely a deployment based on this new information—she felt as if each email had brought them closer. Did he feel the same?
“Darragh wants to talk to you.” Susan sounded tired. “I’ll hold the phone for him, but let me warn you, he’s weak and on pain medication. He won’t sound like himself.”
Jenny had never heard his voice so had no idea what he sounded like.
“Okay.” The word came out as a whisper.
Missy had concern written all over her face and moved closer, but she didn’t say anything.
Noises sounded in the background. Voices, but Jenny couldn’t make out what was being said.
“Jenny.” He sounded shaky.
“Hi, Dare.” She gripped the phone with her right hand. “It’s nice to hear your voice.”
