Page 135 of My Heart Will Find You

Etta put her arms around him and held him while he sobbed.

After a few minutes, he said, “I’m sorry,” and pulled away. “To lose my brother is too much to think of. Thank you.”

“How is Henry?” she asked.

“We haven’t told him anything. His surgery went well. The doctor said there’s no reason he won’t live for another ten years. Dad said, ‘Good! I have a book to finish.’”

Etta gave a semblance of a smile. “Have you seen Max?”

“Not yet, but he should wake up soon.” Ben hesitated. “They’re saying ‘family only’ can see him.”

“I understand. As long as he’s okay, I’m happy. When can he leave the hospital?”

“Not for days. They want to make sure he’s all right. I thought about your book. I’m glad this isn’t 1871 or Max wouldn’t have made it.”

She realized that Ben hadn’t read the ending, but then Henry hadn’t written it yet. She mumbled, “Yes, very glad.” When she stood up, she was wobbly and caught the chair arm to steady herself.

“You don’t need to leave.”

“Henry said I could stay in one of the hotels in Garrett. But you don’t have a car here.”

Ben smiled. “Don’t worry about me.”

“I’ll stay nearby so if either of you needs anything, let me know.”

A doctor came to them. “He’s awake,” he said to Ben. “You can see him for a few minutes but he needs to rest.” The doctor looked at Etta in question.

“I’m just a friend.”

The doctor smiled. “From what I heard, you could drive at Daytona. I’m sure he’ll want to thank you for saving him.”

“I’m glad I could,” Etta said. She picked up her handbag and looked at Ben.

“I have everything I need.” He stood up and put his hands on her shoulders. “Etta, you will always have a family with us. We will be eternally grateful to you. Dad will...” Ben shook his head. “He’s going to be a mess when he hears of Max’s close call.” Ben kissed her cheeks, then stepped away and started to go down the hall.

“No.” A nurse had walked up, and she looked at the doctor. “He wants to see her. He’s getting very agitated. He says he has to see Etta.”

Ben was taken aback. “But I’m his brother.”

The doctor spoke up. “He probably wants to thank the woman who saved him.”

“But Ben should go first,” Etta said. “I can see him tomorrow.”

“Go,” Ben said. “I don’t care who he talks to first. I’m just glad he’s talking.”

The doctor said, “He may be a little confused, but that will probably wear off in a day or two. Physically, he’s doing well.” Etta followed the nurse down the hall and went into Max’s room.

The second she saw him, the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. Something about him was different.

“Etta,” he said, then closed his eyes and gave a smile of contentment. He extended his hand to her and she took it. “What happened?” he asked, his eyes still closed.

“A bell fell on you.”

He gave a little laugh then winced in pain. “Is that what you’re calling an arrow?” His thumb was moving on her hand, rubbing it in affection.

“An arrow? Max?” she said softly. “Look at me.”

He obviously had drugs in him, and he was struggling to stay awake. “There are so many things in my mind. I think I dreamed it all. My father is a good man, but he’s ill. He needs me.” Max started to sit up.

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