Chapter Thirty-seven
The trip to the hospital took forever. In the back seat, Mia cried the whole way, tears of dread pouring over every time she wiped them away. Like a constant over-full pot, they wouldn’t stop.
Thankful that Maisie had been left at home with the girls in the workshop and she didn’t have to force impossible controls, she prayed that Angie had been right. That Jack would be alive.
Angie, sitting up front next to Mark, the only one of them fit to drive, smiled, her expression almost otherworldly.
When he reached over and patted her shoulder, asking, “Everything okay, Angie?” she looked his way and then at Mia with that strange light in her eyes and said, “Don’t worry.
He’s not too badly hurt. According to the nurse, the fact he’s alive is a miracle. ”
Sure enough, when they reached his room, he was giving everyone a hard time, wanting to be released. “I’m fine. There’s no time for me to lay around here, Doc. The election’s in two days. I need to be there, let everyone see me.”
Mia scanned his body with her heart so full of relief to see him sitting, she had to stop or drop. God, she’d never fainted in her life, but right now it was close. Clinging to the doorway, she took in every bit of the man she loved.
Multiple bruises decorated his arms, with one in a sling. Lacerations on his poor face had been treated with bandages keeping the skin closed. Purple coloring highlighted every space that spoke of sore, tender wounds he couldn’t downplay.
As if he sensed her there, his wonderful eyes looking up to see her holding onto the doorway instantly filled with longing.
They shot blue sparks of absolute adoration.
He couldn’t hide how much he cared for her.
It was all there in the look of joy flashing before he hid his emotions behind narrowed eyes that turned away.
But she’d seen, knew his secret, understood that he loved her. Sadly, he didn’t seem to want to. Her heart shattered.
The doc held him from getting off the bed and had to use considerable force. “Chief Driver said you were to stay here until they questioned you. You’re not going anywhere my lad.”
Angie, who’d rushed to his side, taken his offered hand and sat quietly gazing at her friend, finally spoke up. “You want me to tie you to this bed, brat? Are you hearing what the doc says? You’ll stay the night, and we’ll come and get you in the morning. Then, you’re staying at my house.”
Jack turned to her with his head already shaking a negative response.
Interrupting before he could speak, Angie raged, “I have it on good authority that until the election is over, you’re to be under guard.
Can’t you see you’re in danger, Jack? That scoundrel bastard, Lowborn is willing to go as far as necessary to stop you from being able to take this position away from him.
We know he’s behind all this craziness and it has to stop. ”
Jack’s mulishness appeared. “The papers will be full of this incident and might put folks off from coming to vote. We need to let them know I’m fine; see for themselves.”
Mark stepped forward, his voice loud enough to get attention.
“Okay, good idea, Jack. Look, Matt is holding a press conference in the morning. I think we should show up unexpectedly so everyone can see you for themselves. The cameras will focus on you, and the reporters will go crazy, especially if I put out the word that we have a surprise for them.”
Brightening, his expression lighter, Jack responded, “That’s a great idea, Mark. But I’m still not willing to put you guys in any danger. If you insist, I’ll stay at a hotel until the election is over, and that’s my only compromise.”