Page 26 of Lone Star Country Protector
“We were able to stem the bleeding until EMTs arrived,” she explained. “I can’t tell you what her current condition is. Only that she is being taken to Houston General in an ambulance.”
“Alone?”
“Yes, for now.” Blakely had to stop by the local substation before she could head to the hospital.
“You were there,” Greg said, his voice filled with disbelief.“You have to have some idea as to whether or not she’s going to make it.”
“I’m hoping and praying just as much as you are,” Blakely said. “And don’t worry about Chase. He’s with me.”
“All due respect, Blakely, so was my wife.” This wasn’t the time for Greg to be indignant, but she understood him needing to take his frustration out on someone. “Sorry. I didn’t mean that.”
“An apology isn’t necessary,” Blakely reassured. “I know you didn’t mean it.”
“Still,” he said on a sharp sigh. “Are you heading to the hospital?”
“After I stop by the police substation,” she said. “What do you want me to do with Chase? Can you take him?” She paused a beat. “I think he’ll be safer with his father.”
“Yeah, I guess,” Greg hedged. Not exactly the response she was hoping for. “The hospital isn’t a good place for him, though. I thought maybe he could stay with you or—”
“Never mind,” she cut him off, offended that he wouldn’t want to comfort his son while the kid’s mother was in the hospital. “I’ll make arrangements for him.” She needed to think because there was no way she could keep him with her and ensure his safety. “Don’t worry about it.”
“No,” Greg decided. “I should be with him. It’s just that work is piling up, and I…never mind. I’ll take him to the office with me.”
“Okay,” Blakely said, pensive, before telling him that she’d drop Chase off after a trip to the local substation. Greg had left the details of Chase’s life up to Bethany. Still, it was surprising to see how disconnected he’d been with his own son. Had making a living blinded him to what was really important? His family? And how had Blakely missed it?
Easy.Bethany never talked about the cracks in her marriage. From the outside, she had a perfect life.
Blakely should have noticed how much effort it was taking to create the illusion. She might have been able to help.
“I’ll swing by the hospital now,” Greg said, sounding resigned.
“Why don’t we meet there instead?” she offered. “That way, you can stay there as long as possible.”
Greg’s hesitation wasn’t reassuring. Was she being too hard on him?
“See you there?” she asked.
“Okay,” he agreed before ending the call.
She left the call with an unsettled feeling.
Chapter Ten
Dalton tapped his thumb on the steering wheel as he waited for Blakely to join them in his truck.
“I play soccer,” Chase offered, filling the empty space.
“How’s that going for you?” Dalton asked, unsure what the hell to say to a seven-year-old.
“I don’t like it when I score and the other team cries,” Chase said, like scoring a goal brought down the weight of the world on his shoulders.
“Do you like kicking the ball?” Dalton asked.
“It’s okay.”
“Have you thought about playing a different sport?” Dalton asked.
“Yeah,” Chase admitted without enthusiasm.
