Katie held another towel out to me before walking out to the bedroom. I blotted the water from my hair as I followed her.
“Lord, it’s more humid in there than Mississippi in the middle of the summer.”
“Sorry.”
“Oh, don’t apologize. I love a hot shower, but I can only take so much steam in the air.”
I grabbed some hair products, started adding them to my naturally wavy hair, all while finger-combing the strands.
“So, why did Gavin call you?”
Katie sat on the bench at the end of the bed, and I did the same. When I settled, she grabbed my hand.
“The nursing home called the house.”
My chin trembled as I tried to hold myself together to ask one of the million questions racing through my head.
“What…”
Katie pulled out her phone and dialed a number. The phone barely rang.
“Did you find her?”
“She’s right here beside me. Just talk. I’m not sure she can ask questions.”
“Squirt. He’s alive, but he’s had a heart attack. They’ve rushed him to Vandy. I’m heading over there now. I have the power of attorney papers you signed. I’ll keep you updated.”
I nodded, my brain filled with nothing and everything all at once. I rushed to my feet, flinging the towel from my hair and pulling it up in messy space buns. The towel around me hit the floor, and I pulled on the outfit I’d had on before my shower.
I turned around, and Katie’s eyes were round as saucers.
“Damn.”
I looked down, realizing I’d stripped in front of my boss.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I only wish I had a body like you. You look like a pinup model.”
I blushed and waved her off. She moved past me and grabbed a duffel bag. “Don’t worry about packing everything. Just take the essentials, and I’ll bring the rest with me to New York and then on to Nashville.
“I’ve gotta get a flight.”
“Nope. We’ve got that handled. Jackson’s grandfather sent the jet for us to take to New York. Declan overheard the phone call and arranged for the jet to take you to Nashville and then come back for us.”
“Katie, I can’t…”
“The Holts have spoken. Or so I’m told.”
“But I get why they’d want you…”
Katie shrugged, holding her hands in the air. “I’m the messenger.”
She turned for the door, picking up my phone and charger, which I had left plugged in with my e-reader, and put them in my purse. She turned, grabbed my toothbrush and makeup kit, dumping them in the duffel.
“Katie, you don’t have to…”
“You hush. You always take care of me. I can help you pack.”
