Page 65 of The Payback Adventure
“How are you doing?” he asked.
Stupid question, but he didn’t like that she was so quiet.
“I—I don’t know.” She blinked. “I just wish we were with her.”
He removed his right hand from the steering wheel and held her hand, trying to offer a small amount of comfort and reassurance. “We’ll be there soon.”
“I’m glad you’re driving. I don’t think I could have…” Her voice cracked, and so did his heart. “Caitlin’s never been afraid of heights. She loves to climb. She was so excited when she first went to the preschool and saw the play structure. I should have told her to stay off the top, but I never thought she’d fall.”
“Caitlin would have climbed to the top, even if you told her not to. She’s a kid.”
“Probably, but…” Elisabeth choked on a sob. “What if Caitlin never wakes up? What if I lose her, too?”
Caitlin had asked him to be her daddy, and he’d said no. Regrets assailed him. What if he’d said yes?
He swallowed his anger to concentrate on Elisabeth. “Let’s wait until we speak with the doctor before thinking the worst.”
“You’re right,” Elisabeth said. “I know you’re right.”
He hoped so.
Henry parked the Suburban outside the emergency entrance of the county hospital. Elisabeth met him around the back of the SUV. Tears spiked her eyelashes, and he laced his fingers through hers.
She squeezed his hand. “I’m so glad you’re here with me.”
“Me, too.” He expected her to release his hand, but she didn’t. Together, they walked into the hospital with the same thought: Caitlin.
* * *
As Elisabeth headed to the information desk, she remembered making this same journey almost four years ago with a baby Caitlin in her arms and Sam and Abby at her sides. By the time they’d arrived, their parents were dead.
Tears stung Elisabeth’s eyes, but she blinked them away. Thank goodness for Henry. He was her strength and her rock. She loved him. Pure and simple. He would be leaving, but he was there now. She clung to that.
“May I help you?” a smiling white-haired volunteer in a pink jacket asked.
“I’m looking for Caitlin Wheeler.” Elisabeth tried to keep her voice steady. “She was brought in from the Berry Kids Preschool in Berry Patch.”
“Oh, yes.” The smile disappeared from the woman’s face, and Elisabeth’s pulse sped up. “Please take a seat. It’ll be just a moment.”
She didn’t want to sit. That was what she’d done the last time she’d been there. “Do you mind if we stand?”
“Whichever you prefer.” The woman rose.
A shiver of doom inched down Elisabeth’s spine. She’d done the same thing waiting for news about her parents. “This isn’t good.”
“Hang in there.” Henry squeezed her hand. “Caitlin will be okay.”
Only one other person was in the waiting room. It was Mrs. Gavin, who operated the preschool. Eyes gleaming, she hurried over to them. “I’m so sorry, Elisabeth. Nothing like this has ever happened at our school.”
Not trusting her voice, she nodded.
“I followed the ambulance. I didn’t want Caitlin to be alone, but they wouldn’t let me go into the exam area and won’t give me any information since I’m not her guardian.”
Elisabeth swallowed. “Thank you for being here with my sister. I appreciate it.”
Mrs. Gavin’s gaze bounced from Elisabeth to Henry. “Do you want me to stay?”
“No,” she said quickly. “I’m sure you’re needed at the preschool.”
