Page 73 of Spurred On

She wasn’t—she’d left town, deserted her parents the minute she hit eighteen—but there was no point in arguing with Mrs. Johnson, who could barely carry on a lucid conversation as it was.

“See you soon.” She ended the call and fixed a somber look on Ben. “I have to go.”

“I heard. Anything I can do?”

She glanced around at her coffee table, covered with Greek food. “If you could take care of this, I would very much appreciate it.”

“Of course I will. In fact, I’ll take it home and have it for lunch tomorrow.” He winked, but it wasn’t a playful wink. “Seriously, if you need anything, you let me know, okay?”

“I will.”

It didn’t take her long to grab the necessities and toss some clothes in a suitcase. Ben helped her load her car, assured her he would reach Logan somehow, and kissed her on the forehead. She had no idea how long she would be gone, so she texted her boss that she had a family emergency and took off.

It was a long drive to Snake Gully, and Sidney hated driving at night, but it couldn’t be helped. When she got into town, she went straight to the hospital. She’d spent the entire drive going over one scenario after another, so she was in a wad as she approached the reception desk. Angie Tremaine saw her coming and met her halfway.

“How is he?” Sidney asked in a voice choked with fear.

Angie rubbed her back. “He’s alive.” At once, Sidney was relieved and horrified. She’d been hoping for He’s fine, but she’d take He’s alive any day. “He’s up in ICU. Come on. I’ll take you there.”

Sidney had no memory of the journey up to the third floor, but there was one thing she would never forget. As she rounded the corner into the waiting room, wreathed in fear, a tall, handsome, familiar man stood and opened his arms.

Oh God.

With a sob, she ran to him and launched herself into his embrace. She knew everything wouldn’t be all better because he was holding her, but, damn, it felt that way.

She looked up into Cody’s bluer than blue eyes. “How did you . . . ?”

He stroked her cheek and gently curled her hair around her ear. “Cade told me. He was on the call. I . . . just thought someone should be here.”

Oh God. Oh God. “Thank you.”

Angie cleared her throat. “Would you like to see him?”

She nodded. “Please.”

Cody frowned. “They wouldn’t let me in,” he grumbled.

“You’re not family,” Angie said primly in a tone that made Sidney suspect she might be one of his castoffs too. But then, in this town, who wasn’t?

“He was my scout leader,” Cody insisted.

“But you’re not family.”

“Oh please,” Sidney said. “Can’t he come with me? I . . .” She fluttered her lashes. “I don’t know if I can do this alone.”

Angie’s tart expression melted. “Of course, Sidney. Of course. But I warn you, he may not be awake.”

“I just want to see him. Please.”

“All right. This way.”

Angie led them through the ICU double doors and had them sanitize their hands before entering her dad’s room. Sidney was in a fog, aware only of Cody’s warm arm around her back. It was so comforting. He was so comforting. She wanted to cling to him. But she had to be strong.

Her knees nearly failed her as she got a look at her father, lying on that hospital bed, pale and motionless, hooked up to all kinds of cords and machines. He’d always been a hearty man, a solid man, a man who took no guff off of anyone. But here, now, he looked . . . diminished somehow.

She couldn’t hold back her sob.

“It’s okay, Sidney,” Cody whispered. “It will be okay. He’s strong.”