Page 76 of Snap

She nodded her gratitude and took a drink. "Come on I can show you to his room, if you like?" She was tentative, as if uncertain Rubie would accept her help.

Rubie's lips were pressed in a tight line, but she nodded. "Are you sure he's doing okay?"

"Better than he was," Skye said. "He gave me such a scare." She looked like she was going to start crying again.

Rubie hesitated. Then she stepped forward and gave Skye a quick hug. "I guess I should thank you for getting him here before anything really bad happened." Her voice sounded choked with emotion.

"Between us, we'll have to make sure he rests," Skye said fiercely.

"Even if we have to take turns sitting on him," Rubie said. She accepted her coffee back from me and we followed Skye to Carson's room.

"You want me to go in too?" I asked softly. "I don't mind waiting outside."

"I'd like you to come," Rubie said. When she took my hand I felt her tremble. She laced her fingers in mine and added, "If only so you can take a turn sitting on him." She smiled briefly.

"Anything for you," I said.

Carson was propped up in bed, attached to a monitor of some kind. He looked exhausted, but smiled the moment he saw Rubie.

"There you are," he said. "That tyrannical doctor wouldn't let anyone else in here."

"He's just trying to look after you," Skye scolded.

He grimaced, but his expression softened when he looked at Skye, then Rubie. He gave me a nod. He didn't look surprised to see me there.

Rubie sat down on the side of the bed. She gave him a hug, then asked, "How are you feeling?"

"Ready to play in the Down Under Bowl," he said with a short laugh. "Maybe I'll be center and give Ollie a rest."

"Maybe you can leave Ollie's job to Ollie and give the Rapids a chance of actually winning," Rubie said dryly. "If you don't rest, I'm pretty sure the doctor will make sure you're here during the Down Under Bowl. You can watch on the comfort of your own phone."

"You're as bad as that doctor," Carson growled.

"And you would never forgive yourself if you missed that game because you didn't do what you're told," Rubie said firmly.

"Rubie is right," Skye said. "You've been so worried about the team and the…the divorce." Her face turned slightly pink. She was obviously uncomfortable talking about it. "It's not surprising this happened. But you will do what you can to make sure it doesn't happen again, won't you?"

Carson looked grumpy. "Are you going to give me a choice?"

"No," Rubie said. "You are going to rest. And that is that."

Skye nodded her agreement.

Carson grunted. "You women."

I suspected he was secretly enjoying the attention. And that the two women were getting along.

"It's good to see you looking okay," I said. I quickly added, "Not okay enough to do my job for me, but fine."

"Twenty years ago, I might have done your job better than you. Not now though." Carson sighed.

"You're not that old," Rubie told him. "Old, yes but not that old."

"Thank you," he said sarcastically. "You're all heart." He sagged back against his pillows.

"We should probably go and let you get some rest." Rubie kissed his forehead and stood.

"You might as well," Carson said. "The doctor or one of the nurses will kick you out soon anyway." He looked as though he could barely keep his eyes open.

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