‘Oh my God,’ I said, fearing the worst.
Blake reached for my hand and I gripped his tightly.
‘We found Adam lying on the kitchen floor and called an ambulance. They’ve put him on a stretcher and…’ Dylan stopped as one of the paramedics came out of the ambulance.
‘Okay, your father is stable,’ she said to Willow. ‘He might have had a heart attack; they’ll have to do more tests at the hospital. Do you want to come along with him?’
‘Yes.’ Willow clutched Dylan’s arm. ‘Will you come too? But what about Maple and the farm…’
‘Don’t worry,’ I assured her. ‘We’ll look after everything.’
‘Absolutely,’ Blake added.
‘Thank you,’ Willow said, hurrying after the paramedic.
‘I’ll follow in my car,’ Dylan said, rushing off towards it.
‘Phone us when you know anything,’ I called after Willow’s retreating back. I saw her nod before she jumped into the ambulance. We stood back and watched as it left the farm with the sirens sounding, Dylan following in his car.
‘I hope he’ll be okay,’ I said, leaning against Blake for support. ‘We’ve lost so many people already. Willow can’t go through what I went through.’ My voice broke at the end. I couldn’t bear to think of her losing both her parents as well. I felt panic edge in slowly like the way watercolour paint seeps across a blank page.
‘From what I know of Adam, he’s made of tough stuff. I think he’ll be okay, Daisy,’ Blake said, calm and stoic. ‘Let’s check on Maple and the ponies and do everything that we need to then I’ll make us dinner. We’ll keep busy until we hear from them, yeah?’
I looked at Blake and tried to focus on him, and what he was suggesting, rather than my fear. I nodded. ‘Yes. I’ll take these flowers out to the field too.’
He was right; making sure the farm was okay while they were all at the hospital was the best thing to do. I heard a bark through the closed farmhouse door – Maple must be freaking out. She needed me. My panic slid away. I hurried over to open it and I crouched down to pat her.
‘Don’t worry, girl. They’ll be back soon,’ I said, hoping with all my heart that’s what would happen.
27
The afternoon was long while we waited for news. We tried to keep on top of everything that needed to be done on the farm. Then we headed into the shady, cool kitchen and Blake made us dinner. He admitted the only meal he was really good at was macaroni cheese and that was fine with me. I poured us both a glass of wine as he put the dish into the Aga to crisp up.
My phone, which I’d placed on the kitchen counter, rang out.
I grabbed it and answered the call from Dylan. ‘Hi, is Uncle Adam okay?’ I asked him breathlessly and hopefully.
‘He’s okay,’ Dylan said without preamble. ‘It wasn’t a heart attack. He collapsed as his blood pressure spiked and he got really dizzy. They’re putting him on medication and we’re going to stay here overnight. But it wasn’t a heart attack. They are trying to bring his blood pressure down, and are talking about changes he needs to make, but he will be able to come home tomorrow.’
I breathed out. ‘Thank God.’ I smiled at Blake, who was watching me with concern. ‘Send him and Willow my love.’ We said goodbye and I hung up, my chest sagging with relief.
‘Will he be okay?’
‘Yes,’ I said, letting out a sob. I had feared the worst. But my uncle was going to make it. ‘I’ve tried so hard not to get hurt again…’ I started but I was unable to finish my sentence.
‘Come here.’ Blake held out his arms and I stepped into his embrace. ‘It’s okay. That was such a shock. Your uncle will be fine, right? What did Dylan say?’
I leaned against Blake’s chest as I told him what Dylan had said on the phone. Blake stroked my hair while I talked, and it was so soothing. I looked up at him then. ‘I stayed away from here for five years after my aunt, Willow’s mum, passed away. I couldn’t take losing someone else I loved. I really thought for a moment I was about to. But you know what?’
‘What?’ Blake asked me gently as he held me tight still.
‘I realised I wouldn’t have regretted coming back. If anything, I would have regretted it more if I hadn’t seen Adam again and spent this time with him. I’m glad I’m here.’
‘Your family are glad you’re here. I’m glad you’re here.’
‘It really helped having you by my side today,’ I admitted. Blake had helped me not panic by offering a practical plan. By doing what was needed, I kept myself in the present moment and didn’t freak out over worst-case scenarios like I so often did.
Blake’s face lit up, rewarding me with his full smile. ‘I feel the same way. We hardly know each other but why do you feel so good in my arms?’
