Page 112 of Mine For The Winter

Shit. “Okay.” He pulled his phone out and found Amber’s number, pressing the dial button even though he hated to wake her.

“Hello?” Amber sounded groggy.

“Hey, I’m sorry to wake you. I was just wondering if Kelly called you this morning?” God he hoped she had.

“No. Why? Is something wrong?”

“I’m at her house. Her neighbor said an ambulance took her and Cole early this morning. I’m guessing her dad, too. I’ve no idea who’s hurt or where they’ve gone.” He had no idea how much Amber knew about his relationship with Kelly. Right then, he didn’t care. He just needed to know she was okay.

“Have you called her?”

“It’s going straight to voicemail. I’m going to call some hospitals, see if they’re at one.”

“Does it look like there was an accident?” she asked him.

“No. The curtains are closed. It looks peaceful.” In an absolutely gut wrenching way. “I just need to find her.”

“They’ll be at the Gordon Memorial Hospital. That’s the closest one. Let me call and see if they’ll give any information.”

Kris was already pulling his car door open. “I’m driving there now. Call me if you find anything out.”

“I will. And you do the same.” Amber sounded as panicked as he felt. “I hope she’s okay.”

“Yeah, I do, too.”

* * *

The first person he saw when he rushed into the hospital waiting room was Paul, sitting heavily on one of those uncomfortable chairs that seemed to be made especially for hospitals, his cane propped up against the wall beside him. He had his head resting on his hand, and from the way he was slumped he looked half asleep.

“Paul?” Kris touched his shoulder gently but the older man still jumped. “Sorry.”

“S’okay.” Paul looked around, as though working out where he was. “Any news?”

“I was about to ask you that. Nobody would tell me anything at the desk.” Kris took a deep breath, ready to voice his worst fear. “Is it Cole or Kelly?”

He’d had enough time to think about that on his drive over here. He was an asshole because Paul was his safest bet. If it was his knees, they could get it sorted. He’d pay whatever it took.

But Cole or Kelly? The thought of something happening to one – or both – of them made him want to vomit.

“It’s Cole. He was real sick last night. In a lot of pain.”

Okay, this was definitely the worst. Kris’ throat tightened. “Where is he now?”

“I don’t know. They took him and Kelly back. Made me stay out here.”

“When?” Kris was trying to keep his voice even, but it was a losing battle.

“I’m not sure. I don’t know.” Paul was starting to panic and Kris needed to calm him down. “It’s fine. I’ll get someone to come and talk to us.” And that would work because Paul was a relative. Sure, Kris was going to listen in, but he needed Paul to do the asking.

It took twenty minutes for a doctor to come out. Her eyes were shadowed as she walked over to where Kris and Paul were sitting. He’d called Amber and suggested she stay home until there was more news, even though she wanted to come sit with them. But she was too pregnant and this place was too uncomfortable.

“Mr. Fraser?” The doctor looked at Kris.

“That’s me,” Paul said, trying to straighten himself up in his chair. “I’m the grandpa.”

“Okay. Good.” The doctor nodded. “First of all, we’ve made Cole as comfortable as we can. We’re still running a couple of tests but we’re pretty certain he has appendicitis.”

“Appendicitis?” Kris frowned. “Isn’t that dangerous?”

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