They pulled up to the clinic under a lighted sign that said 24-Hour Clinic.
Axel already had Caspian in his arms when Dawson met him at the door with Zoey. He held it open, and a receptionist met them in the lobby.
“He’s been shot,” Dawson said as a doctor came from the back.
“I’m Dr. White,” she said as she lifted the towel. “Okay, get him in the back.”
Axel followed her, and Dawson couldn’t stop himself from following.
Caspian groaned when Axel set him on the metal table.
“I’ll need you out of here,” Dr. White said.
“I’m staying. He’s my dog.”
Axel took Zoey’s hand. “C’mon, sweetie.” He took her out of the room.
Dr. White turned to him. “Then stay back and say nothing.”
He looked at Caspian. “Don’t die on me, buddy.”
19
KEELY DIDN’T HATEthe sound of her voice. And not only had it held up, but it had created a sort of grounded, deeper effect from the stage, even as she finished the last of “Forever Found.”
And when the years have passed, and we look back to see,
Every step, every dream, you were right there with me.
In your eyes, I still find the place where I belong,
In our world full of love, your voice is my song.
She already saw the new album—maybe she’d called itHearthstone, and it would be a departure, something that spoke to the deeper themes of home and true love and...
The crowd erupted as the final tones ended, and she smiled into the shadowy crowd. “Thank you.” Sitting back, she raised her hand, then glanced to the wings.
Dawson’s friends Flynn and Axel had left—she’d seen them go when he ran onstage. She’d nearly stopped singing, but Goldie had stayed and shot her a thumbs-up, and she’d settled into finishing her set.
Now, Goldie stood, her arms akimbo, her mouth a tight line, and the entire posture strummed a thread inside her. Something wasn’t right.
Keely leaned into the mic. “You’ve been a fantastic audience tonight. Thank you for coming out and supporting Wren and her family. Have a great night!” Lifting the guitar, she headed offstage toward Goldie.
The shouts of “Encore” lifted, the crowd clapping, chanting, and Goldie stepped back, into her path.
“What’s going on?”
“Everything’s fine,” she said. “Your fans want an encore.”
Keely looked past her and spotted Griffin standing with a couple security guards. “Is ... is Zoey okay?”
More shouts, and the chanting continued.
“She’s fine,” Griffin said.
Keely headed for the greenroom, but Goldie caught her arm. “Your fans are calling!”
She yanked her arm from Goldie’s grasp. “Where. Is. Zoey?”
