The private waiting room for VIPs was medium-sized, with paneling and blue wallpaper. An array of seating spanned the area. Jim Manwaring paced the carpet as his Secret Service agents stood by the wall.
“I hate waiting.” He darted a glance at them. “Go ask about Hannah again, Eddie.”
His wife, Karen, anxiety etching her face, sat blindly staring out the window overlooking a parking lot. She turned when he spoke. “No, Eddie, don’t listen to him. Jim, you asked a few moments ago. You’re making this harder for us. For me.”
He didn’t quite believe that. She probably said it to stop him. But he wouldn’t chance hurting this woman. “I’m sorry. love, I’ll behave.”
Jim sat. He remembered the heart-stopping call he’d gotten from a doctor. They’d been asleep…
“Mr. President, your daughter Hannah has been brought to the ER at Memorial Hospital up here in Rockford. You’re on her emergency contact list. So is your daughter Sasha.”
“I’ll phone Sasha myself. She’ll be upset.”
The doctor explained, “Hannah had a chainsaw accident. She’s stable for now.”
“For now?”
“She needs surgery.”
“I’m flying up with my wife. I’ll get a helicopter.”
“That would be wise. We have a landing port on the roof of the hospital.”
“I’ll see you soon.”
Jim called up his contacts in his phone and punched in the number of the man who supervised his helipad. He said, “Anderson, I need the helicopter to be ready ASAP.”
It landed in their back yard in thirty minutes. They arrived at the hospital an hour after he got the call…
And now he sat. Waiting like an ordinary citizen. Which was only right, he guessed. “Dad?”
He looked up. The sight of his two daughters made him search for inner strength. He stood.
* * *
Luke watched Sasha run toward her father and throw herself into his arms. Annalise crossed to her mother and hugged her. “Oh, honey, this is awful.”
“I know. But we have to wait and see.”
She and Sasha had talked to their parents on the way up.
Meanwhile, a Secret Service agent approached Luke. “ID, sir? And I’ll have to frisk you.”
A bit stunned, Luke took out his wallet. Showed his license.
Annalise strode over to them. “He’s with me, Eddie.” She leaned into Luke. “Has been all night, so no need to search him.”
The guy nodded.
Her parents didn’t react to their daughter’s confession of spending the night with him, as they were preoccupied with Hannah. Annalise addressed her father. “It was a power saw accident?”
“Yes, sweetheart. We don’t know how it happened, but an early mail delivery person heard her calling out. When we talked to the surgeon, he said one of the tendons in her arm was nicked.” His hands fisted. “I knew she shouldn’t be working the farm alone.”
“Nicked? That doesn’t sound too bad.”
Karen, who’d been in medical law, paled.
“Tell us what this means, Mom. We’re all grown up now.”
“Any damage to the tendons can cause immobility of the limb. Her injury is between her elbow and hand.”
Sasha’s eyes widened. “Can we see her?”
Her dad shook his head. “They kicked us out of the recovery room when she fell back into a deep sleep.”
“I’m going to see if I can sit with her.” Sasha walked to the nurse’s station.
“I’m going in with Sash.” This from Annalise.
The two of them left the waiting room, holding hands.
Feeling like a third or even tenth wheel, Luke stole a glance at her father. He’d seen the man cool and calm after a terror attack but now, his face was ravaged. He’d only seen anything like it when he talked to the press about an incident Andraya had had in Italy and when Karen Masters had a breast cancer scare.
Luke crossed to them. “Hello, President Manwaring. I’m Luke Branson, a coworker of Annalise’s.”
“Hello, Luke.” The president offered his hand and Luke shook it. “Annalise told me about you.”
What to say? He prayed the mind-blowing sex he’d had with the man’s daughter last night didn’t show on his face. His wife approached them. “Hello, Mrs. Manwaring.”
She greeted him.
“Is there anything I can get you?”
“No, thanks. Our guys are taking care of anything we eat or drink here.”
The intervening hour was interminable. He and Annalise called into work earlier, and after a half-hour of staring into space he took out his phone and glanced at his text messages. Several showed up. One from Clarke.
Luke, is everything all right? You checked out early yesterday and said you had a personal thing to deal with. Then Annalise called in this morning and told us you both wouldn’t be at work today. Please let me know how you are.
Luke typed, I’m fine. I’m with Annalise in Rockford. Her sister’s been hurt. We were having an early breakfast when she got the call. It was quickest to drive, and I brought her up here. There’s been an accident and Hannah’s already had surgery. We’re waiting for news of its success.
A response chimed back immediately. Give her our best. Stay as long as you need to. I’ll have the assistant cancel all your meetings.
I’ll be back by tomorrow. Annalise will have to leave for some pro bono case she’s working on with Hastings and Higgins, too.
He blew out a heavy breath. Work would know something was up because he was with her today. He had to make up a story. Damn. They didn’t even have time to talk when they woke up. He didn’t even know if last night was a one-off.
Luke was surprised how bad that possibility made him feel.
* * *
Hannah came awake gently. A harsh scent stung her senses. She blinked twice then moved restlessly on a bed. Hot pain shot through her arm. “Oh, shit.”
“Yeah, oh shit.” Annalise sat next to her. “How do you feel?”
“Like I got hit by a truck.” Her voice was croaky, probably from the anesthetic. She stared at Annalise. “It’s bad, huh, or you wouldn’t have come up?”
“We don’t know how bad yet.” Annalise was always the blunt one.
“Oh, man, I’m in a lot of pain.”
“I bet.” Sasha leaned over and kissed her forehead. Hannah regretted the turmoil in her eyes.
“What’s the damage here?”
Neither spoke. Finally, Annalise spoke. “The chainsaw you were apparently using nicked a tendon in your arm. That’s better than the artery there, but it’s serious. The mobility of your arm depends on the extent of the injury.” Long ago the girls made a pact to be brutally honest with each other.
Her heart in her throat, Hannah asked, “Meaning I could lose the use of that arm?”
“Remember what dad says.” Sasha, the optimist. “Don’t live the trouble before it happens.”
She gave her little sister a fake smile. “You’re right, sweetie.”
A woman dressed in white scrubs came inside. “Hello, I’m the charge nurse on the floor.” She checked the monitor and chart, then said, “We’ve called the doctor and he’ll be in soon, Ms. Masters.”
The doctor arrived on the heels of her statement. “I need to speak with our patient alone.”
Reluctantly, she and Sasha walked back out into the waiting area.
Meanwhile, the doctor checked Hannah’s chart. “Ms. Masters, you’re very lucky. The tendon was intact enough for us to repair. We can’t do that if too much shredding occurred. However, that did not happen in your case.”
“Does that mean I’ll have use of my arm?”
“Well, let’s see.” He glanced down. “Try moving your fingers.”
Slowly each digit lifted. Barely.
“That’s excellent.”
Relief swamped her. She couldn’t lead a sustainable life if she didn’t have the use of one arm.
“You’ll need physical therapy. It’s important for the injured tendon to be stretched out and flexibility regained in order to fully heal.”
“When can I start that?” she asked the doctor.
“As soon as the incision heals. Strength training will be needed too, to ensure the chances of re-injuring the tendon are low.” He also told her about ultrasound heat therapy known to increase the circulation of blood and deep massage to help with flexibility and circulation.
“How long before I can return to my work?”
“You’re a farmer of sorts, correct?”
“Of sorts.”
“Longer than it would be if you were returning to a desk job. I’m afraid you’ll need help with your place for a few months.”
Great. She’d avoided hiring someone since she bought the land, and now, her father would use this to insist she get it. But did she even have any choice?
* * *
The nurse called their parents and the Secret Service in to tell them the news. As long as they were here, Annalise asked Luke to come, too. Their dad asked the doctor questions, then he left.
“You need help, sweetheart,” her father said, but gently. “You proved me right.”
Her mom intervened. “Of course, she’ll get help. But this isn’t the time to talk about that, Jim. She’s in a ton of pain.”
“Dad, I—”
“Hannah, what’s the alternative? Your gardens need tending and harvesting, there’s all that freezing and canning you do, and the goat needs to be milked, if not shot.”
“What?”
“You told the doctor that Trouble caused your accident. But I’m kidding about sending her to her death.” Jim frowned. “How the hell did he get out of his fenced in area?”
A flush appeared on her cheeks. “I leave it open sometimes for her to move around.”
“Meanwhile,” her mom put in, redirecting the conversation. “We’ll stay with you when you get out of the hospital.”
Sasha stood behind her parents. “And I’ll be here to take care of you after that.”
“What about your conference?”
“I got through most of that. I’m staying in Rockford.”
Annalise jumped in. “I can take a leave from TJP.”
“Absolutely not! You go back to work.”
“Darling,” her mother continued, the endearment signaling she was going to say something Annalise didn’t like. “We can’t all stay. Dad and I are retired and Sasha lives here. If you want to come on weekends, do that.”
Her father gave her that, Listen, Annalise! look.
“I’ll go back tomorrow.” But she wasn’t happy about being the one who wouldn’t help one of her sisters.
Her father continued in a strong voice, “While we were waiting, I rented two suites at the hotel across the street. One for us. And one for you.” He arched a brow at Luke, who’d stood in the back of the room during their interaction with the staff, not interfering. “All three of you. How you choose to sleep is your decision.”
Luke’s face paled.
Annalise lifted her chin and said as firmly as her dad, “We will, Father.” The girls called him that when they were mad at him, too.
The former president snickered.
* * *
They stayed at the hospital until seven, leaving for breaks so Hannah could rest, taking turns so they didn’t tire her out. At one point, Annalise went out with her mother.
“I wanted to see you alone for a bit, honey. Let’s get coffee.”
They walked arm and arm to the café on the surgical floor. It was small with a scattering of tables. When they were seated by a window, she sat down with her mom.
“So, things must have gone a lot further with Luke than when I last talked to you.” That was Karen Masters, getting right to the point. Though lines etched around her mouth and eyes, she was still sharp and knowing.
“Yes, they did. We…it…I couldn’t stop it and neither could Luke. We’re involved, Mom. Really involved, emotionally and physically.”
“Have you thought how you’ll have a relationship with him and eventually run for office?”
“I haven’t been thinking at all.”
“That’s not like you.”
“None of this is like me. He makes me forget my name.”
Karen Masters laughed, shocking Annalise. “The same thing happened with your dad. Initially, I didn’t want to get involved because I thought he was on the rebound, but I couldn’t make him stay away from me. Sometimes it happens that way.”
“We have so many roadblocks.”
“Which you recognized.”
“I’ve never been so…weak about a man.”
“Sweetheart, you’ve had relationships in the past.”
“But I was in control of them.”
“It’s hard when you’re not. I wish I could tell you to let it happen, but I know it’s more complicated than that.”
Annalise looked over at a group of women who talked quietly. They looked sad. A woman wiping away a tear.
“You have some hard choices to make.”
“I’ll have to decide between Luke and my career.”
“Or you have to find a way to keep your relationship with Luke and your political plans.”
“If only…”
“I’ll say prayers that you’re successful.”
“I’ll need them.” She peered over at her mother. “Thanks for talking this out with me. Dad wouldn’t be so understanding.”
“He wants what’s best for you. And in the end, he’ll accept whatever you decide no matter what.”
“I hope so.”
* * *
Around seven, the surgeon returned. “It’s early evening. Hannah needs total rest. I’d like you all to give her some space.”
“I’m not leaving yet,” the president said.
He and his wife were allowed to stay another hour. Luke, Annalise and Sasha left Hannah in their care and they took the elevator to the front door. Mid-June in upstate New York was warm but not oppressive, mostly due to a breeze that filtered through the canopy of trees, even in the downtown area.
Sasha said, “I’m going for a short walk after being cooped up all day.”
“Great idea.” The two of them accompanied her. They strolled around a nearby residential area and talked about Hannah, about how she would get along. At one point, they stopped to let a car pass.
“I don’t want all this to fall on you, Sash.”
“As if you wouldn’t take the lead if our positions were reversed. Contrary to popular opinion, I’m not that fragile.”
Leaning briefly into her sister’s shoulder, she quipped, “I keep forgetting that.”
As they headed back, Luke asked, “Anybody hungry?”
Sasha said, “Starved. But I think I’m too tired to eat.”
“You’ve got to have something, both of you. Let’s check into the hotel and order some food to be sent up.”
“Sounds good.” Luke placed his hand on Annalise’s neck. “You’re exhausted, too.”
She smiled at him. “Not that much.”
Once upstairs, she went to take a shower and came out in a lush terry robe. Luke had ordered them all BLT wraps and milkshakes. They ate with gusto. When he wheeled the cart outside the door, Annalise stood. “I need to borrow some clothes, Sis.”
On their way to her room, Sasha said mischievously, “A nightgown?”
“No need for that.”
“Hell, you two.” They glanced over. “Is nothing private in this family?”
“Nope.” They spoke the word simultaneously.
Luke didn’t mind the sharing, but he found himself once again longing for a relationship with Seth. The two of them never had a chance to swap sweaters, wear each other’s socks, even shave together.
Annalise brought Sasha’s clothes into the bedroom and Luke entered a few minutes later with his go-bag, which he’d retrieved from his car. “I have clean clothes at work but jeans and a shirt will get me into the building decently.” He sat on the edge of the bed, while she hung up the blue and white skirt and white blouse Sasha had given her and set the underwear on the shelf. “You’re the same size?”
“Mostly. Andraya gained a few pounds, but she was the slimmest of us all, so I bet we can still switch.”
“I need a shower.”
“Go ahead.”
When he came out, a towel wrapped around his waist, he found Annalise on the bed still wearing the terry cloth. “You’re adorable in that robe.”
“Thanks, there’s one for you.”
He cocked his head. “Am I going to need one?”
“Nope.”
He whipped off the towel.
“Hmm,” she said, “Lookin’ fine, Mr. Branson.”
She’d turned down the bed. “We’ll have to talk.”
“Not now. Let’s make love one more time before we have to face reality.”
“All right. Um, I don’t have any condoms.”
“I have a couple in my makeup bag. Mom made all of us promise to carry them everywhere.”
“Your family is one of a kind!”
He turned off the lights, but the one in the entryway; he could still see her. He pulled her head down and met her mouth with his. Last night had been scorching, but tonight he wanted something different. She needed something different. So he was gentle and tender.