Page 28 of Irish Thoroughbred
“Just a twinge.” The words came out in jerks before he began to gasp for air.
“Uncle Paddy! Merciful heaven, Uncle Paddy!” She clutched at him as he collapsed, falling forward out of the chair and into her arms.
She was not even aware that she shouted for Travis over and over, desperately, helplessly, as she lowered her uncle onto the floor. But suddenly he was there, brushing her hands aside, his head lowering to the stocky chest.
“Tell John to radio ahead for an ambulance,” he called to Steve over his shoulder, his hands beginning to push in a steady rhythm on Paddy’s chest. “He’s had a heart attack.”
With a moan, Adelia clutched Paddy’s hand to her own heart as if to transfer her strength. “Travis, in the name of heaven—Travis, is he dying? Oh, please, he can’t be dying.”
“Stop it,” he commanded sharply, the words as effective as a slap. “Pull yourself together. I can’t deal with this and hysterics as well.”
One breath came and went quickly, then she took several more, deep and steady, her hand clutching and unclutching convulsively over Paddy’s. Slowly the hysteria was buried under a wall of control, and she began to stroke her uncle’s head and speak in soft, reassuring tones, though she knew he probably couldn’t hear her.
Seconds dragged and minutes crawled with Travis continually monitoring the unconscious man’s pulse, only Adelia’s murmurs breaking the silence. She felt the change in the plane’s speed and the loss of altitude, heard the whine of the landing gear and felt the jerk of wheels on ground, but her flow of words continued, and she kept her uncle’s hand firmly in hers.
She watched through a haze of unreality as paramedics worked on him before transferring him to the waiting ambulance. As she made to join them, Travis took her arm, telling her they would follow in the car. She went without protest, her mind and heart encased in the numbing ice of fear.
She responded only in vague monosyllables to his attempts at consolation, and after a glance at her pale,waxen features, he concentrated on weaving through the traffic toward the hospital.
The long wait began in a small, cheerless lounge scattered with ancient magazines that some read to pass the time and others stared at in desperation. Adelia did neither, but sat, still as a stone, her hands gripped together in her lap, neither moving nor speaking as Travis paced the room like a caged tiger. Her mind was screaming in protest, searching for the power to pray as fear devoured her. Her control was tight, stretching at the seams like an ill-fitting coat as the minutes passed.
When at last a white-coated figure approached, Travis whirled and advanced on him. “You’re Padrick Cunnane’s family?” the doctor asked, glancing from the tall, powerful man to the small, pale woman.
“Yes.” His answer was curt as he too glanced at Adelia. “What’s going on? How is he?”
“He suffered a coronary—not a massive attack. He is conscious now, but his condition is aggravated by anxiety over someone named Dee.”
Adelia brought her head up. “I’m Dee. Is he going to die?”
The doctor studied the pale, composed features and took a step closer to her. “We’re doing all we can to stabilize his condition, but his own anxiety is a factor in his recovery. His concern is focused on you. I’m going to let you see him. You must do nothing to upset him; persuade him to relax.” He turned back to the dark manwhose eyes were fixed on the woman. “Are you Travis?” At his nod, the doctor continued. “He wants to see you, too. Come with me.”
Travis took Adelia’s hand and lifted her from the chair, leading her after the retreating white coat.
“Five minutes,” the doctor cautioned, and led them into the Cardiac Care Unit.
Her hand tightened in Travis’s as she saw her uncle in the hospital bed, wires and tubes joining him to machines that whirled and buzzed. He was pale and drawn and suddenly old, and her mind screamed in revolt as she struggled for control.
“Dee.” The voice was weak and unsteady, and she moved close to take his hand in hers.
“Uncle Paddy.” Kissing the hand, she held it to her cheek. “Everything’s going to be fine. They’ll be taking good care of you, and soon you’ll be home again.”
“I want a priest, Dee.”
“All right, don’t worry.” A cold hand gripped and squeezed her heart, and she felt the trembling start in her knees but forced it away.
“It’s you I’m worried for. You can’t be left all alone again, not again.” His voice was rasping, and she soothed and murmured. “Travis… is Travis here?” He continued to fret, and she turned, fear shining from her eyes.
“Right here, Paddy.” He moved to stand next to Adelia.
“You’ve got to take care of her for me, Travis. I’m giving her to you. She’ll be all alone if anything happens tome. Such a wee thing she is and so young. It’s been too hard for her… I should have been there for her before. I was going to make it up to her.” He made a feeble gesture with his free hand. “I want your word you’ll be taking care of her. I can trust you, Travis, with what’s mine.”
“I’ll take care of her; you have my word.” His answer was calm and steady, his hand closing over the two that were joined. “You don’t have to worry about Dee. I’m going to marry her.”
The relaxation in the taut face was visible, his breathing slowing. “You take care of my little Dee, then. I want to see the two of you married. Will you bring a priest here, and let me see it done?”
“I’ll arrange it, but you’ll have to relax and rest. Let the doctors do their job. Dee and I will be married right here this afternoon. All I need is a judge to sign a waiver of the two-day waiting period.”
“Aye, I’ll rest till you come back. Till you come back, Dee.” She forced her lips into a smile and placed a kiss on his brow before she followed the doctor and Travis from the room. She whirled on him as soon as the door closed behind them.
