Page 55 of Everlasting Promises

I climb the steps and hurry inside. “Okay.” I disconnect the call. “Evan. Get changed, we have to go.”

He rushes behind me. “Is he gonna be okay?”

I stop in my tracks, sensing that my son needs reassurance. Shane means a lot to him—to both of us. I grip his shoulders firmly and lock my gaze with his. His eyes, so much like his father’s, almost knock me on my ass, but I take a deep breath. “He’s in the best place to get the help he needs. He’s going to be okay, but I’d like us to be there to support Violet and Jasmine. Okay?”

He nods quickly. “Okay.”

“Go get changed, and wear something comfortable. Layers are a good idea. I’m not sure how long we’ll be,” I call after him.

“Okay.”

I quickly change, shove some snacks and bottles of water in my purse, and we head out, locking the house behind us. We’re both quiet in the car as I drive us across town toward the hospital. I wonder what happened? My hands tremble against the steering wheel, so I grip it tighter.

He has to be okay. He can’t survive an explosion overseas only to come home and not survive a rattlesnake bite—not now, when he’s met the woman of his dreams and is finally living the life he deserves.

Life can’t be that cruel. But that nagging voice in the back of my head reminds me it can.

I glance in the rearview mirror at Evan. He stares out of his window, lost in thought. “He’ll be okay, Ev. He’s strong and healthy.” I take a deep breath, hoping I haven’t just lied to my son.

His only response is to nod.

We pull into the parking lot, and I find the only empty spot. Of course, it’s the farthest away from the emergency entrance. We couldn’t possibly find somewhere closer when I’m in a damn hurry. We quickly climb out of the car and head through the giant glass sliding doors. We make our way to the emergency area waiting room, finding it packed with people. And the way they’re gathered together, I can only assume they’re all here for Shane.

Nix walks toward us, says hello to Evan with a handshake, and wraps me in a hug. With his arms around me, my bravery leaves me and a sob breaks free. He pulls me in close, and I bury my face in his hard chest. “I’m sorry I had to call you. Violet thought you’d like to know.”

I look up at his stern face. “Thank you. Of course I’d want to know. He’s important to us.” Pulling away, I swipe away my tears in embarrassment. Guilt—my constant companion—washes through me because I’ve pushed Shane away over these last months, and we haven’t seen him all that much. “Any news?”

He shakes his head solemnly. “Not yet.”

My mouth turns down, and worry makes my stomach twist. “I should talk to Violet.”

He nods stiffly, and I walk over to Violet, who’s holding her sweet daughter, Jasmine. We smile sadly at one another and embrace the best we can with her gorgeous little girl between us. I don’t know what to say to her. I don’t want to give her platitudes; I’m certain I wouldn’t want to hear them if I werein her shoes. Instead, we seem to have a silent conversation, offering each other support just by being close.

“Anything I can do for you?”

Violet shrugs, her eyes red and swollen. I can only guess how many tears have fallen. “Pray he’s okay,” she murmurs, her voice dripping with despair.

I nod and shift so I can get a better view of Jas’s cute little face. “How are you, Jas?”

She pulls her tear-stained face out of the crook of her mother’s neck. “I’m sad. My daddy’s sick!”

Daddy.

Oh, my. I figured things were pretty serious, but I had no idea they werethisserious. My heart feels like it’s floating with happiness for them. That they found each other and have become a family. He’ll definitely pull through this—there’s no way he’d ever leave these two behind.

“I know. But the nurses and doctors are looking after him, and he’ll be all better soon.” She nods, acknowledging my words, and I return my attention to Violet. “What happened?”

“We decided to go on a picnic. We’d been there a while, and I was taking photos, so Shane and Jas went for a walk.”

“There was a rattlesnake under the bush, and Daddy picked me up so it wouldn’t bite me, but it bit Daddy and made him sick,” Jas adds quickly.

I reach out to rub her tiny arm and look back at Violet, continuing our unspoken conversation.Lucky he was there.

I know. Thank god he saved Jas. She holds her daughter a little tighter.

Imagine if the snake had bitten Jas. There’s no way she would have survived something like that. He saved her life with his quick thinking. But that doesn’t surprise me. Shane’s all about caring for the people around him.

We all stand, sit, or pace the floor of the waiting room as we wait for news. Violet’s mom and her partner gather Violet’s nieces and Jas to take them home—I’m surprised when Jas leaves willingly. Violet breaks down, and we all gather around her to give her the support she needs as we remind her how strong Shane is. We all know he’ll be fighting hard to stay for her and for Jas.

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