Page 96 of Objection to Love

“I’ve got a great guy who can keep an eye on things. Where’s the conference?”

“It’s in Dallas. I’ll email you the itinerary and have my assistant book the flights if you’re available?”

Garrett nodded with excitement, so much so, he was grateful Mr. Stevenson couldn’t see him. “Sounds great. I’m looking forward to it.”

“Perfect. I’ll have Marge call you if there are any questions about booking.”

Garrett hung up in a much better mood than five minutes before. He was being handed an escape from reality for a bit. And though he felt bad about missing Sunday with his mom again, he promised himself he’d go and meet John the following weekend.

Another thought occurred to Garrett as he headed for his bedroom to pack. Noah had mentioned regretting agreeing to let his roommate’s family stay in their small apartment. Quickly, he pulled out his phone and sent off a text.

Garrett:Hey, still need a place to crash this week?

Noah: Yeah, I was about to ask my mom if I could just stay at home this week, but I’m not thrilled about sharing my old bedroom with Chad who apparently decided this was a good week to come visit.

Garrett: I’m going to Texas on a work thing. Want my place?

Noah: Heck yeah.

Garrett: Awesome, I’ll leave the keys in the mailbox.

Noah: I owe you one.

Garrett: You’re racking up the IOUs. Better watch out for when I cash them in.

Chapter 35

Em

Timeseemedtomoveslower in hospitals. There was nothing to break the waiting—just the muted news playing on a small TV in the corner and the occasional announcement or call over the speakers. Em would have sworn it had been a full fifteen minutes since she’d last looked at the clock, but according to it… it had only been two.

She blew a hair out of her face, glancing at her brother-in-law.

His eyes were closed, but his arms were crossed over his chest, and his knuckles were white where they gripped his biceps. On his other side, Natalie’s knee was bouncing rhythmically. It hadn’t stopped since they’d taken their seats.

If they didn’t all succumb to the stress of sitting in this nearly deserted waiting room… Natalie might take the building down with that bouncing. They continued that way, the sun slowly brightening the room as it creeped its way to the middle of the sky.

Jackson beat them to his feet when the doctor finally walked in, but Em and Natalie were hot on his heels.

The surgeon came toward them, and though Em was still shaking with nerves, the easy smile that crossed his grandfatherly face took the edge off somewhat.

“Everything went perfectly,” he said with a reassuring smile to Jackson. “Your wife is doing great, and your baby girl’s obstruction was fairly minor. We were able to clear the aortic valve, and I’m hopeful I won’t be seeing you for another surgery in the future. The rest of your wife’s pregnancy should be smooth sailing.”

Jackson visibly sagged with relief, and Em hugged herself to keep from crying with joy. All the pent-up fear of the week before and the stress of not being able to do anything about it seemed to want to leak from her eyes as it melted away. Just like that, the world seemed a little brighter. Happier.

“Can I see her?” Jackson asked.

“Yes. You can all come back if you’d like. They’ll be returning her from recovery any minute now.”

Natalie and Em shared a look, then both shook their heads. “Go ahead, Jackson,” Em said. “Go kiss your wife, and we’ll join you in ten minutes or so.”

Jackson smiled. “I won’t say no to that.”

When he’d left, Natalie turned to Em as she sank back into her chair. “I think this week has taken ten years off my life.”

Em nodded. “I think it took twenty off Jackson’s.”

“Seriously, though. I’ve thought he would collapse under the weight of all the worry. You’ve been so great to spend so much time with them this last week. I know it meant a lot to April.”

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