Carrie’s face turned white. “Is Dad okay?”
“He’s lying on the floor in the garage and can’t move.” With a relieved sigh, he picked up his phone. “Do you know where Benjamin keeps his medication?”
“It’s in the bathroom. I’ll get it.”
“Bring everything out to the garage,” Owen yelled after her. While he was talking to the 9-1-1 operator, he grabbed the blankets on Benjamin’s armchair and hurried outside.
By the time he’d made it back to the garage, the paramedics were on their way. “Help’s coming, Benjamin. Stay with me.” With the emergency operator giving him instructions, Owen checked Benjamin for more signs of another stroke.
Carrie burst into the garage with the medicines wrapped in a towel. She gave them to Owen, then dropped to her knees beside Benjamin. “Oh, Dad! Don’t worry. You’ll be okay.” With trembling hands, she tucked the blankets more firmly around his frail body. “I forgot about the emergency call button around his neck. We could have pushed that.” She looked up at Owen. “Should we give Dad more of his medication?”
He’d already asked the 9-1-1 operator about Benjamin’s drugs. “The operator doesn’t think that’s a good idea. The paramedics will be here soon, and they’ll decide what to do.”
The wait for the ambulance was the longest fifteen minutes of Owen’s life. When the sound of sirens finally cut through the silence, relief washed over him, quickly followed by a new wave of concern for what was to come—for Benjamin, Harper, and Carrie.
The paramedics arrived and Owen appreciated their calm professionalism. As they worked to stabilize Benjamin, Carrie stood close to her dad, silently watching what was happening.
Owen called Harper, but she wasn’t answering her phone. Instead of telling her everything that had happened in a message, he asked her to call him immediately.
“I’ll pack some clothes and toiletries for Benjamin,” he told Carrie as she followed her dad inside the ambulance. “Do you want Harper to bring anything to the hospital for you?”
Carrie’s eyes filled with tears. “Ask her to pack an overnight bag for me. Can you bring her to Polson? She’ll be upset and I don’t want her driving.”
“I’ll drive her straight there. If you need anything else, just ask.”
“Thank you. I’ll try calling Harper on our way to Polson.”
Owen nodded and moved out of the paramedic’s way. “Do you know who’s coming to her party?”
Carrie shook her head. “Not everyone. I’ll text you the names of the people Dad told me about, but I know there are others.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll figure out a way of letting everyone know what’s happened.” With a final glance at Benjamin’s still body, Owen stepped back as the ambulance’s back doors closed.
After it left for the hospital, Owen took a deep breath. Not only was Harper missing, but he also needed to let everyone know there wouldn’t be a birthday party tonight.
With Benjamin’s health failing, a missing granddaughter, a house full of food, and a mystery guest list, it could be a long night.
Harper wasglad Daniella had invited her to The Fairy Forest for a delicious birthday afternoon tea. They’d had a great time catching up with what was happening in their lives and talking about Daniella’s wedding.
“What theme have you decided on?” Harper asked her friend. “The last time we talked, it was a toss-up between the Arabian nights and Cinderella.”
Daniella put down her coffee mug. “Harrison isn’t keen on having a theme. He thinks everyone will look as though they’re going to a fancy dress costume party.” She looked at Harper’s surprised expression and laughed. “I know. My entire life revolves around creating fantasy events for my customers. Look at what I’m wearing, for Pete’s sake.”
Today’s fairy dress was one of Harper’s favorites. Pale pink tulle covered in sparkly diamante beads that glittered whenever Daniella moved. With shimmery wings and a small, bejeweled tiara sitting on her head, she looked like a beautiful fairy princess.
“You look amazing,” Harper told her. “Maybe it’s not the theme that Harrison’s worried about. He might just want a more traditional wedding.”
“That’s what Owen thought, too. So, in honor of my husband-to-be, I came up with three themes for Harrison to choose from.” Tapping her fingers against the top of the table, she created a drumroll. “And the winner was… French country chic.”
Harper grinned. “That sounds fabulous. Do you have any props or decorations you can use?”
“That’s why I’m glad you’re here,” Daniella told her. “I started going through my storage area, but it’s full of all kinds of things. Can you help me look?”
Harper checked her watch. “Granddad told me not to come home until six o’clock. He’s cooking an amazing dinner for me and Mom. I have plenty of time to give you my undivided attention.”
Daniella grabbed hold of Harper’s hand. “That’s fantastic. I’ve put a few things aside that could be perfect.”
“What about The Fairy Forest?” Harper laughed as they hurried into the main events room. “Doesn’t someone need to look after the children who are here?”
