Chapter Seventeen
When Jack returned to the hospital, Angie had her war feathers ruffled and was ready for battle.
Before she could light into him for something he had no excuse for, he growled, “Don’t say a word. I have no idea why Mia was so upset this morning, and even if I did, we aren’t going to talk about it.”
“That’s not why I’m mad.”
“So, what’s happened to make you look like you could take on mud wrestling.”
“Ha! Funny. Not.” Angie waved her hands around her face, her fists pumping. “It’s that jerkass, Matt Lowborn.”
“His name is Lotborn, and he’s a jackass not a jerkass.”
“You call him what you want, and I’ll call him as I see him.
That mayor is messing with Maricopa bigtime.
Wants to build a huge golf course and resort center in a municipality that hasn’t enough resources for the folks who already live there.
Where’s he getting the water? And the future employees?
And where will they live? Something has to be done to stop that madman. ”
Relieved to be off the subject of Mia, Jack answered with a grin, “Okay, I agree. So, what do you want me to do?”
“I want you to run for city mayor in the upcoming election is what I want you to do.”
His grin slid off, and a frown appeared that he couldn’t hide. “Are you raving? Did they give you some bad drugs or something? I’m a contractor not a politician.”
“You were born to lead, Jack. Trust me. You care about people, about the future of the whole blasted planet and about truth and honor. You’d never let them rape this area for the pleasure of the rich, like they don’t already have enough playgrounds where they’ve taken advantage of the beauty of the land for their own selfish entertainment. ”
“Don’t even try it, Angie. I’m not interested. I have a lot of work in front of me and no time to take on a campaign.”
“You’ve got a great crew who’ll do what you tell them because you pay them a decent wage, give them benefits they need to be able to live a decent life, and treat them like family. Jack, we need you. The city needs you. Jack…!”
Heading for a fast exit, Jack stopped at the door because her loud whining of his name touched his soft heart. “Sorry, sweetheart. I can’t do what you want. But I promise not to vote for the jerkass if that makes you feel any better.”
Jack escaped her room and headed for the nursing station, where he saw her doctor filling in a report. “Hey, Doc. How’s Angie’s prognosis coming along?”
“Like I told you both the other day, she needs that pacemaker, Jack. Who knows how many more heart stoppages she can handle before one kills her?”
“You haven’t been able to convince her yet?”
“She keeps wobbling. One day she says yes and then it’s no… I’ll take my chances. I think she’s scared if she goes under, she won’t come out.”
Shaking his head, Jack had to admit, “I can see her worrying about that. I think you’ve hit the nail, Doc. She’s a brave woman about so many things, but that’s not one of them. Hell, I’d be a bit scared myself.”
“Anyone would be, it’s not something we take lightly, Jack. But she’s a good match for the operation, and I have no doubt it would be a huge success. She’d feel better than she has in years.”
“Right, I’ll try and talk to her.”
“You do that. The sooner the better. We shouldn’t wait on this.”
Jack stopped and stared into the doc’s eyes. They didn’t waver. The warning flashed clearly. Worry and concern warred in his expression, and the threat lay like a hot wire sizzling between them.
Instant stress had him clenching his fists. “Fine. I’ll go back there now and convince her she needs to go ahead. Thanks, Doc.”
Turning in the direction he just came from, Jack opened Angie’s door to find her staring into space, a sad look on her features that broke his heart. This old gal had gotten to him bigtime. He hated to see her so sad.
“You’re back. Did you think about what I suggested and change your mind?” Even her voice sounded thready and much fainter than normal.
“No, I talked to the doctor, and I’m here to change yours. He says you need that pacemaker, Angie, or the next collapse could be your last.”
“Yeah, that’s what he told me too. I might go for it.
I just can’t seem to stop dithering. I’m an old woman who knows there’s a right answer – yet can’t see past the danger signs.
I know I’m acting like a big baby but…” She shrugged.
“I just don’t want to take any chances with the time I’ve got left, not now that the girls are going to be living with me. ”
Jack had to convince her, and he only knew one way. “I’ll make you a deal. You get the operation, and I’ll run for mayor.”
“Done!” Angie shot up in bed with a gleeful grin on her face, and then clutched her chest as she slid back. Fear snuck in and her face showed clearly that her body had betrayed her.
Jack rushed to help her, saying in a strict voice with no give whatsoever, “Tomorrow!”
“Done.” She whispered, then grabbed his hand and held on. “I love the heck outta you, boy. You’re the second man who’s stole my heart. I’m so damn proud.”
Curious but seeing her strength gone, Jack helped her lay back and waited with her until she fell asleep.
All the while he sat beside her, patting her hand, he figuratively kicked himself in his nether regions and called himself names that would blue the air if spoken aloud.
What the hell was he thinking? And what the hell did he know about politics? Stupid bastard that he was, he couldn’t have come up with a different deal, something else to bribe her with? Dumb jerkass…