Page 37 of Take Me Down (The Knight Brothers 2)
“Dad?” she called out. When she got no answer, her stomach twisted and she ran from room to room, still calling out to him, from the family sitting area to the kitchen to his bedroom. When she didn’t find him anywhere, she headed back downstairs and ran into Parker.
“I found this in the basement.” He held her father’s cell phone in his hand.
“Well, that explains why he wasn’t answering. Where was it?”
He hesitated before replying. “On the floor next to a ladder that was lying on its side.”
“Oh no.”
Before she could panic, he took her hand. “Who would he call if he had an accident?”
“He wouldn’t call his sister. He wouldn’t want to worry her. Let me try the town’s doctor. He’s one of dad’s friends.” Her hands shook but she managed to find the number in her phone and dialed.
Robert Carlysle picked up his phone and Emily had her answer. She hung up the phone and met Parker’s concerned gaze. “Dad fell off the ladder and hit his head. He needed stitches. He doesn’t have a concussion, just a bump on his head. They ran some tests to make sure he didn’t get dizzy or have some kind of episode before he fell, and they’re waiting on results. I have to get to the hospital.”
“We have to get to the hospital,” Parker corrected her. “And you’re upset so I’m going to drive.” He placed a hand on her back and led her back out to the truck. “I’ll need directions.”
She nodded. “Right. Okay.” She guided him in the right direction and they headed to the emergency room where her father was, located in the next town over, one slightly larger than Montlake.
Finally, she walked into her dad’s room to find him laughing at something Dr. Carlysle, Bob to her father, had said. Laughing. While she’d been in an utter state of panic and worry.
“Dad!”
“Emily, honey! You’re back!” He glanced up. He had a bandage on one side of his head but otherwise looked fine.
She rushed over and gave him a hug, panic receding now that she’d seen him for herself.
“Relax, I’m fine. I would have called you once I knew I was okay, but I forgot my phone and I don’t have your number memorized,” he said sheepishly. He patted her on the back. “Hi, Parker. Thanks for bringing her.”
Emily rose to her feet. Her nose was burning and she was doing her best not to cry. She was so damned relieved he was okay, but this had been scary and too close for comfort.
“What were you doing up on a ladder, Dad?”
“The lightbulb died. I was changing it. Accidents happen.”
She narrowed her gaze. “Dr. Carlysle, did any of those tests you mentioned come back yet?”
He shook his head. “No, but his blood pressure has been fine since he arrived, he hasn’t complained of dizziness or chest pains–”
“I’m telling you, my foot slipped. It could have happened to anyone.” He glanced at Parker. “Tell her, son.”
His eyes opened wide, a definite deer-caught-in-the-headlights look. There was no way he wanted to take sides, and she shot him an annoyed look for not agreeing with her concern.
“Let me go see if any of the test results are back,” Dr. Carlysle said. “Hang tight, James. I’ll be back soon.” He strode out of the room.
“So, you two, tell me. Did you have a nice time? Parker, was the resort what you need for your company’s retreat?”
Emily didn’t want to talk about her time away. She wanted to lecture her father about taking unnecessary risks, especially when he was alone in the house with no one around if he fell. But Parker started to expound on the wonders of the lodge. Soon, he and her dad were discussing little touches they could add to rooms at the inn … and the longer she sat there listening, the more she could feel her blood pressure rising and her head pounding.
The last thing she needed was Parker encouraging her dad. As if this incident hadn’t proven what she’d been saying all along – that he wasn’t equipped to run the lodge. He should sell the inn, move to Florida, relax, and enjoy his life instead of working. And getting hurt.
“I’m going to take a walk,” she said and headed for the cafeteria, needing time to cool off.
* * *
“That was Emily speak for I’m furious,” James said to Parker, as Emily walked out of the room and let the door slam behind her.
“Duly noted.” Parker had watched her face as they’d discussed the trip.
She’d been fine until the discussion segued to making small alterations at the inn. The type of changes didn’t matter. It was the fact that her father was still emotionally invested in keeping the bed-and-breakfast going and turning it into a viable business that had Emily so upset.
