Page 86 of Love in the Storm

“Is Dad okay?” he whispered as he tightened his hold around Lyric’s waist.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, she whispered, “I’m sure he’s going to be okay, but we’re going to find out for sure.”

He pulled back and wiped his face. “Okay. I just don’t know what to do.”

Lyric brushed a hand over his dark hair that was so much like Asa’s. “Put your shoes on. I’ll take care of the rest.”

Jacob nodded and headed for the shoe rack by the side door.

Lyric speed-walked back to her room to get her purse. Slinging it onto her shoulder, she mumbled, “This isn’t what I meant when I said keep him safe.”

“Don’t go blaming the Lord,” Betty said.

Lyric whirled around to where Betty stood in the doorway. Great. Caught in the act.

“I—I?—”

Betty wrapped an arm around Lyric’s shoulders and gently nudged her toward the hallway. “I know exactly how you feel. I ask the Lord to keep himsafe all the time, and it feels like a slight right now.”

Lyric’s chin trembled as she let Betty lead her through the dark house. Clutching the strap of her purse, she whispered, “I’m sorry.”

“It won’t be the last time you question why bad things happen, but remember this is the Lord’s plan, and it is good.”

Lyric sniffed as they walked into the kitchen. Jacob stood by the door with his boots on and his arms crossed over his chest. What kind of an example was she setting if her faith fell apart at the first sign of trouble?

“I started the car,” Jacob said.

Betty opened her arms to him. “Let’s pray before we go.”

Lyric wrapped her arms around both of them as Betty rested her forehead on Lyric’s shoulder.

“Lord, we’re all in Your hands. I pray You give Asa comfort and healing. Please be with his doctors and nurses, and we pray for our own strength and faith. Help us to lay our worries at your feet and trust Your plan. Amen.”

Betty patted Jacob’s shoulder. “Go get in the car. We’re right behind you.”

Lyric grabbed the drinks and snacks from the counter and turned to follow Jacob. Betty stepped into her path and took a few bottles from the armload.

“I’m glad he has you. I’ve been so afraid he’d have to go through life alone. He needs someone who will help when things get tough.”

Lyric lifted her chin as determination steeled her spine. “You don’t have to worry. I’m not going anywhere.”

Betty nodded, accepting Lyric’s resolve as they headed outside. The motion-activated porch light lit the billowing exhaust fumes as they climbed into Betty’s car. Not a single living thing moved or made a sound in the quiet night. The banging of the car doors shutting thundered in the wide-open space.

Lyric settled in behind the wheel and looked at Jacob in the rear-view mirror before the cab lights dimmed. “Did you buckle up?”

“Always,” Jacob answered.

The long, dark drive to Cody had all of them on edge. By the time they entered the parking deck at the hospital, Jacob was slumped against the window in the backseat.

Betty’s phone beeped with a text. “Dawson said he’s in recovery. The doctor should be in soon to let us know how it went.”

“You go on in. I’ll stay with Jacob while he wakes up. He might be groggy,” Lyric said.

“No, you go. You’re faster than I am, and you might get there in time to hear what the doctor says.”

Lyric focused on looking for an available parkingspace. The possibilities of what might be waiting for her inside the hospital had her throat closing.

As soon as the vehicle stopped, Betty shooed Lyric out of the car. “Go!”

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