Page 53 of Crossroads of Innocence
The impact stole her breath. She pressed her palm against the base of her throat. “Oh my gosh. I’m so sorry.”
He smiled. “No problem. I’m used to people moving fast around here. I should have been paying attention. Are you okay?”
“Yes, fine, thanks.” And she meant it. For the first time in forever, her future was filled with limitless possibilities. Possibilities that could give her everything she’d ever wanted.
Frowning, he cupped his hand under her elbow. Blue eyes stared at her with concern. “Are you sure? You look a little flustered. Let’s find you a place to sit.”
“I appreciate your concern, but I’m good.” She tried to take a step back, but he tightened his grip and yanked her closer. “You can let go now,” she said.
“I don’t think so,” he said, keeping his jovial smile in place. “You’re coming with me, Jude. And if you fight me or struggle, I’ll grab my gun and kill as many people in this hospital as I can before putting a bullet in your head.”
* * *
Wade couldn’t helpthe tiny pep in his step as he hurried toward the waiting room. Confronting Jenson wouldn’t erase all the pain he’d caused Jude, or even fix the problems she’d always have with her father, but it felt good to let Jenson know he wasn’t fooling everyone in this town. Maybe it would be enough to keep the man in place even just a little bit.
A hopeless fantasy with a narcissist like Jenson, but at least he could continue to be by Jude’s side as she battled the demons her dad had brought into her life.
Approaching the room, he studied the occupants seated in the smattering of chairs pressed against the walls. An older couple ducked their heads together and whispered in the corner, a young man with a small child kneeled in front of a coffee table and colored, and Nicole Metcalf sat with her back ramrod straight in a chair opposite him.
Her wide eyes met his and she stood, offering a weak smile as she crossed the room. Her brown slacks were perfectly pressed and not a single wrinkle marred the cobalt blue blouse. A picture of calm perfection.
But a closer look exposed the dark bags under her eyes and the tense set of her shoulders. What was her life like? Was she sad and alone, in constant fear of her husband? Or was she complicit in Jenson’s behavior, her inability to stop him stemming from not caring about his actions? The questions burned his tongue, but now wasn’t the time to ask.
“Wade,” she said. “Nice to see you. Are you and Jude here to see Matthew?”
“Hi, Mrs. Metcalf. Actually, we came to see my mother before she went in for surgery. She fell this morning.”
“Oh,” she said, concern creasing the corners of her mouth. “I’m sorry to hear that. I hope everything goes okay. But where is Jude now?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m not sure. I hoped to find her here.”
“Isn’t she in danger? How could you let her out of your sight?” Alarm sounded from her squeaking voice.
He winced, the feeling in the pit of his stomach matching her panic. “The man who was after her and hurt Matthew is dead. But you’re right, I need to find her and keep her with me until we know without a doubt trouble has passed. She was talking to Laura in the hall before they both disappeared.”
“Laura was talking with Jude?” she asked, steepling her fingers at her chin. “Oh, I hope they can get past their issues. They need each other, even if they don’t realize it.”
Something in her tone softened him toward her. “Do you need Jude, Nicole? Do you need Laura? Matthew?”
Rearing back her head, she blinked as if she didn’t understand the question. “Of course. They are my entire heart. I’d do anything in the world for them, whether they need me or not. Whether they love me or not.” Her voice cracked and she wiped a tear from her cheek.
“Then show them,” he urged her. “Find a way to let them see that. No matter how hard it is. No matter how impossible it may seem.”
She nodded, eyes cast downward as if unable to look at him.
He debated his next move. He needed to find Jude but didn’t want to leave Nicole upset and alone in the waiting room. “I’m going to check Matthew’s room. Do you want to come with me?”
“I’d like that,” she said, sniffing. “Thank you.”
They walked the halls together in silence, his stress hitching higher with each step. Matthew’s room approached, tightening the muscles in his gut. Jenson stood in the hallway. The last thing Jude needed was another argument with her father.
Jenson shifted his stance, spying Wade and Nicole, and he worked his jaw back and forth. “What are you two doing?”
“Looking for Jude,” Wade said. He peered in the room, and his heart crashed to the floor. “She’s not here?”
“She was,” Laura said. “But she had to step out for a few.”
Jenson rolled his eyes. “Always with the drama that girl.”
