Jackson introduced her to Wade Hendricks.She murmured a polite response.
“They took him straight to the back,” Wade said.
“Was he conscious?”Vanessa asked.
“Conscious and complaining,” Wade said.“He didn’t want to come.He said he was going to walk out.”
“Typical,” Jackson muttered.“Thanks for bringing him.”
After Wade left, Jackson checked in at the front desk, and they settled in for a long wait.Emily chatted with Penelope, and Jackson read her a book from the magazine rack.Then Vanessa gave Emily her cell phone to play games.
“Has he been having chest pain or shortness of breath?”she asked Jackson.
“Not that I know of.”
Vanessa shook her head in frustration.“He works too much.”
“That’s nothing new.”
“What are you not telling me?”
Her brother raked a hand through his hair.“He’s been taking medication for high blood pressure.And high cholesterol.”
Vanessa stared at him.Those were two common risk factors for heart attack.“Why didn’t he say anything?Why didn’tyousay anything?”
“He asked me not to,” Jackson said.“He wanted to tell you on his own.”
“Funny, he hasn’t mentioned it.”
“Are you surprised?”
Vanessa shook her head in frustration.“I don’t understand the lack of communication in this family.We all just suffer in silence instead of asking for help.Why can’t we be honest with each other?”
“It’s a puzzle,” Jackson said, arching a brow at her.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
He gave a stiff shrug.
“You think I lied about my marriage problems?”
“No,” Jackson said.“I think you suffered in silence for too long.You didn’t tell me it was over with Bennett until after you filed for divorce.You didn’t tell me about the custody stuff until recently.”
“What could you have done, besides tell Mom and Dad?”
“That’s not fair.I can keep a secret.”
“Clearly.”
“Don’t turn on me,” Jackson said, meeting her gaze.“Please.”
Guilt and sadness welled up within her.“Fine.I should have told you sooner.I should have asked for help.”
He reached out to take her hand.She held his.They stayed like that until a man in scrubs called them to the front desk.He confirmed that their father had suffered a minor heart attack, and would be spending the night in the hospital for observation.They could visit him in his room, but Emily couldn’t accompany them.
“I’ll take her,” Jackson said.“You can go first.”
Vanessa didn’t argue with Jackson.She handed off Emily and navigated the hallways until she located her father’s room.He was the third occupant, closest to the window.He had an IV in one arm, and a pulse oximeter attached to one finger.
