Page 67 of The Payback Adventure
She had to be. Because if not, Elisabeth didn’t know what she would do.
* * *
As Henry watched Elisabeth in the exam room, her misery and pain pressed down on him like a steel beam. It wasn’t fair.She didn’t deserve this. And Caitlin…
She should be smiling and giggling and jumping around. A hospital bed was no place for such a vibrant little girl.
He had more money than he knew what to do with, yet he couldn’t make her better. He couldn’t buy his way out of this situation. It was exactly how he felt when Wes was diagnosed with cancer. That same helpless, worthless feeling.
Sure, Caitlin would have the top specialists and the best care available, and it wouldn’t cost the Wheelers anything. Henry had seen to that. If only he could do more…
Elisabeth’s gaze locked with his. The weight of the world once again rested on her tired shoulders, and he couldn’t do anything to make her feel better. It took every ounce of his strength to smile, but he did.
For her sake.
Dr. Terrence returned with a nurse. “Caitlin’s blood pressure is increasing. This could mean the pressure in her brain is also increasing. She needs to go now.” He emphasized the last word. “A Life Flight helicopter is on its way. Everything will be ready for Caitlin when she arrives at the hospital.”
Elisabeth’s lower lip quivered. Henry placed his arm around her and led her outside.
Standing there, she wrapped her arms around her chest. “I’m scared.”
“Me, too.” Henry pulled her close. “Two of my closest friends will be waiting for you at the hospital. Brett and Laurel Matthews will keep you company until I arrive.”
Elisabeth stepped away from him. “You aren’t going with me?”
Her disappointment stabbed at him. “There isn’t room on the Life Flight helicopter for us. Another helicopter will follow that one, but they only have space for one passenger.”
“They do that?”
“In certain instances.” He didn’t want to tell the truth: that he’d made the arrangements for the second helicopter so Elisabeth wouldn’t have to be away from Caitlin that long. “I’ll pick up Sam and Abby from school. They need to hear what happened from one of us, not a schoolteacher or administrator, and I’ll drive them to the hospital in Portland.”
Elisabeth nodded. “And I need someone to watch the farm—”
“I called Gabe. He and his father are on it.”
More than gratitude shone in her eyes, and he felt like he’d been run over by the Deere. The edges of her mouth curved slightly. “Thank you.”
Don’t thank me,he wanted to yell. This was driving him crazy. The feeling of helplessness overwhelmed him, and he hated it. He hated feeling so useless. He hated caring the way he did. About Caitlin and Sam and Abby. But most especially about Elisabeth.
She caressed his cheek. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
He felt the same way, but he couldn’t bring himself to say the words. No matter how he felt about Elisabeth and the rest of the Wheelers, she didn’t need him blurting out his feelings, diverting attention from the sister she loved. The sister she had gladly taken responsibility for, the way he’d never taken responsibility for anything or anyone in his life.
More people entered Caitlin’s room. The doctor barkedorders. Nurses hurried. Things happened so fast. Suddenly, Caitlin was wheeled out of the room on the gurney.
“Let’s go,” Dr. Terrence said, his voice full of urgency.
Henry walked with them until he was told he could go no farther. He wanted to go with them. He wanted to be there for them. But he also wanted to be there for Sam and Abby, who would need someone with them.
“Have a safe flight.” Henry didn’t know what else to say. “I’ll be at the hospital as soon as I can.”
That was all he could promise her. Once again, it wasn’t enough.
As Elisabeth, the doctors, and the nurses disappeared behind a pair of elevator doors, a deep pain gnawed at Henry. He waited what he thought was long enough that the helicopters must have lifted off and were on their way to Portland. With his heart in his throat, he returned to the hospital lobby, found a phone, and dialed out.
“I wondered when I would be hearing from you,” Cynthia said, sounding smug and satisfied. “How’s your adventure going down on the farm?”
Only two words needed to be said, but he was having a difficult time saying them. He didn’t understand why. He’d made the right choice. The right choice for Caitlin. The right choice for Elisabeth. The right choice for him.
