by Deanna Chase
Her words were muffled through the silent sobs she was holding back. “It’s my father. He’s fainted, twisted or broken an ankle, and he’s very sick. He’s got cancer and, I suspect, pneumonia.”
The dispatcher confirmed their address and said, “A unit is on their way. Do you need me to stay on the phone with you?”
“No thanks,” Faith said. But as she ended the call, she was already wishing she’d taken the dispatcher up on her offer. She pressed a hand to her dad’s forehead, and he flinched. “Too cold?”
He gave her a tiny nod, and her heart started to feel like it was going to pound right out of her chest.
“I’ll get you a blanket,” she said, not knowing what else she could do. If she had Abby’s talents, she’d be able to whip up a potion that would at least fortify him enough to sit up. But she didn’t. All she could do was sense that there was something seriously wrong with him. Wrong enough that it would be devastating when the doctor told them the news.
The ambulance sirens filled the air, and Faith let out a breath she hadn’t even known she’d been holding. Help was there. People who knew what to do for him.
She ran to the door, flung it open, and directed them to Lin’s bedroom. “He thinks he fainted. His ankle is a mess, he has cancer, and I’m ninety-five percent positive he has pneumonia.”
“Is that a guess or do you have magic?” one of the EMTs asked.
“Water witch. I can sense when there are viruses or bacterial infections in the body. His is a bad bacterial infection.”
Just as she got the words out, Lin’s body was racked with a series of coughs that made Faith’s blood run cold. Her father was sick, really sick, and it scared her.
“Thanks,” the EMT said and went to work on inserting an IV. Moments later they had Lincoln Townsend on a stretcher, rolling him into the truck. “Are you riding with us?” the EMT asked Faith.
She nodded, jumped into the ambulance, and dialed Noel. Her sister answered with a curt greeting, as if she’d been expecting her call. “Faith, I’m still not meeting with Mom. I have no interest in hearing anything she has to say. Besides, nothing you can say can get me off my couch today.”
“Noel,” Faith said with a tiny sob. “It’s Dad. He’s very sick. We’re in an ambulance on the way to the hospital. Can you call Abby and Yvette and tell them to meet us there?”
All of Noel’s righteous anger fled as she said, “Don’t worry about a thing, Faith. I’m on it.”
“Thanks,” Faith whispered to keep from sobbing in front of her father.
“And Faith?” Noel said. “I’m on my way, baby girl.”
Faith paced the sterile hallway of the hospital, her insides twisted in knots. She couldn’t shake the feelings that had flooded into her the moment she’d touched her father’s skin. His illness had presented itself to her in an array of troubling emotions. Dread, agitation, and unease had settled in her bones. And then guilt that she was powerless to do anything about it. She could help strains and pulled muscles but was useless when it came to infections.
“Faith?” Noel rushed toward her, her mouth set in a grim line. “What’s happening?”
Grabbing hold of her sister, Faith hugged her, holding on tight for a long moment. “The hospital’s healer is in with him now. I called the Whipples. Martin is on his way.”
Martin Whipple had been Lin’s primary healer for the past fifteen years. He’d take over care after the initial assessment. “And his oncologist?”
“They said they called her, but I haven’t seen her yet.”
Noel sucked in a deep breath and nodded. “Okay. Abby and Yvette are on their way.” Then she added. “He needs to stop doing this. My heart can’t take it.” She was referring to the time their dad had passed out early in the year from dehydration. Only Faith knew this time it was much more serious.
Faith stared at the double doors, willing the healer to return. Waiting was killing her.
“Come on,” Noel said, tugging Faith down the hall. “Let’s go to the waiting room. I’ll find out from the nurse how long it’s going to be before we hear anything.”
Faith was too numb to protest. Her dad, the one person who’d always supported her unconditionally, was very ill. So ill it scared her. Rocked her to her core. She’d been brave during the cancer treatments, believing that her dad was strong enough to beat the disease. He’d put on a brave face and had been a rock through it all the past year. But finding him passed out and sensing for the first time just how sick he actually was had made her contemplate the possibility that they might lose him.
Tears welled in her eyes, and her breath caught on a silent sob, making her entire body tremble with grief.
“Oh, Faith,” Noel whispered and gently pulled her sister down on the stiff blue couch.
Faith sat next to her, her elbows on her knees and her face buried in her hands. “I’m sorry,” she choked out. “I just… when I touched him...”
Noel didn’t say anything when Faith couldn’t get the rest of the words out. She didn’t need to. All of her sisters understood Faith’s gift, both its power and its limitations. Noel caressed her sister’s back and whispered, “He’s going to be okay. He has to.”
“Why?” Faith asked as she peeked at her.
Noel pressed a palm to her abdomen. “He’ll be really pissed if he misses out on meeting his next grandchild.”
Faith’s eyes widened as shock rendered her speechless. Her gaze landed on her sister’s still-flat stomach. Then her lips curved into a small smile. “I didn’t know you and Drew were trying.”
She let out a chuckle. “I wouldn’t say trying exactly, but we weren’t doing anything to prevent the possibility either.”
A thread of joy started to work its way through all of Faith’s worry and she wrapped an arm around her sister, bringing her in for a hug. “Good goddess, Noel.” Faith’s eyes misted with happy tears. “This is the best news. I’m so happy for you. Does Daisy know?”
She shook her head. “Not yet. We were going to wait until after the wedding, but I’m not going to wait to tell dad. It seems like the right time to spill the beans.”
“Of course it is.” Faith’s heart felt lighter with her sister’s news. She and Drew were already great parents to Noel’s daughter from her first marriage. She was overjoyed they’d be adding to their little family. “She’s going to be so excited. Almost as excited as I am to be an auntie again.”
Noel gave her a quiet smile. “Your auntie card is filling up nicely, isn’t it?”
“Your little one makes four. Maybe we’ll get a boy this time.” A dull ache formed in Faith’s gut. She loved her three nieces and was truly happy for Noel, but she couldn’t help but wonder when she’d get her turn to be a mother. She wasn’t in a hurry, but she sure wished there was more than a vague hope on the horizon.
“I’m not sure we’d know what to do with a boy,” Noel said with a laugh. “The X chromosome seems to be strong in our family.”
She had that right, though two of Faith’s nieces had made their way into her life via previous marriages. Both Olive and Skye were technically her step-nieces, but no one saw them that way. Once someone was accepted into the Townsend family, there was no going back.
“Noel! Faith!” Abby called to them with Yvette right behind her. “What happened?”
Faith filled them in, doing her best to hold back her tears. The dread she’d experienced the moment she’d touched her father was still pulsing inside her, and she was certain it wasn’t going anywhere until she felt for herself that he was improving.
“Yvette Townsend?” a woman wearing a white medical coat called. She was carrying a clipboard in one hand and a pen in the other.
“Yes?” the oldest Townsend sister said, getting to her feet.
“Ms. Townsend.” She held out her hand. “I’m Healer Ricci, and I have an update on your father.”
“Oh, thank the goddess.” Yvette waved to Faith, Noel, and Abby. “These are my sisters
. We’re anxious to hear what you have to say.”
“Let’s have a seat,” she said with a kind smile.
Faith studied her, wondering if the smile was reassurance or sympathy. She couldn’t tell one way or another. “How is he? Is it pneumonia?” Faith blurted.
She turned her brilliant green eyes on Faith. “He’s stable. He was dehydrated and having trouble breathing. We’ve started a saline IV and have him on oxygen until his numbers come up. We’ve also got him on a powerful antibiotic to fight the infection.”
“So it is pneumonia,” Noel said, leaning forward in her chair.
“We don’t know for sure just yet,” the healer said. “It’s certainly a strong possibility. We’ve sent a culture to the lab and will know in a few hours. Either way, the treatment is the same. Antibiotics, fluids, and plenty of rest.”
“And what about the cancer?” Abby asked, pressing her hand to her throat. “Has it gotten worse? Is that what caused his infection?”
“His oncologist has ordered some tests,” she said. “But there’s no reason to think the cancer has anything to do with this. It’s more likely that his immune system wasn’t able to fight off the infection due to the cancer treatments.”
“So it is the cancer’s fault, indirectly at least,” Noel said.
“It’s a possibility.” The healer rose. “But keep in mind people come down with bacterial infections every day and they beat them every day too. Right now, the only thing to do is wait.”
“Is he awake? Can we see him?” Faith asked.
“He’s probably resting, but as soon as the oncologist is finished, immediate family can go in and see him.” She gave them a short nod, spun on her heel, and disappeared back down the hallway.
“I’m going to get coffee,” Noel said.
“I’ll go with you,” Yvette said.
“Abby, Faith?” Noel asked.
Abby shook her head and sank back down into one of the chairs.
“Nothing for me.” Faith walked to the nurse’s desk. “Can you tell me when I can go in and see my dad?”
The nurse took some information and disappeared. When she returned a few moments later, she said, “You can go in now.”
Faith signaled to Abby, and holding hands, the two made their way into their father’s room.
Lincoln Townsend was hooked up to beeping machines and a couple of IVs, his eyes closed.
“He looks so small,” Abby whispered. “Like he could just fade away.”
The raw pain in her voice matched what Faith had been feeling since she’d found her father a few hours ago, and somehow that made her feel not as alone. “He’s going to be fine,” Faith insisted. “Look, his cheeks have color again.”
Abby moved to the side of the bed and took Lin’s hand in hers. Bending down, she kissed him on the cheek. “Hey, Daddy,” she said softly. “You know if you wanted a vacation, we could’ve taken a trip to the beach instead.”
Faith let out a little chuckle. Leave it to Abby to try to add some levity to the situation. She moved to the other side of Lin’s bed but didn’t take his hand. She wasn’t quite ready for what she might find when she touched him. For now, it was enough that his color had returned.
“You know how I like to make a statement,” Lin whispered, the words barely audible.
“Good one, Dad,” Abby said, her voice soft. “You scared Faith half to death. You know that, right?”
“Faith?” he asked, sounding confused.
“I’m right here, Dad,” Faith said.
He turned his head a few inches to the right and blinked up at her. “I’m sorry, sweetheart.”
“You have nothing to be sorry about,” she said, knowing he was talking about her finding him in his bedroom. “It’s a good thing I was there, huh?”
His eyes closed, and she saw his fingers tighten around Abby’s. His breathing became steady, indicating that he’d already fallen back to sleep. Faith caught her sister’s gaze and noted the silent tears falling.
Abby wiped her face with the back of her hand and stood. “I need to call Clay. I’ll be back.”
Faith watched her sister leave then took her place next to her father. She stared at his hand, fear and anxiety making her hesitate. But that was the only way she was going to know if he was getting better, if the treatments were working. She said a silent prayer to the gods and reached for Lin’s hand.
She wrapped her fingers around his and held her breath. The dread, agitation, and unease came flooding back with a vengeance. She stood there, her feet rooted to the floor, willing the emotions to bleed into her, praying that if she took them on then somehow her father wouldn’t have to bear the brunt of his illness. It was a futile attempt. She didn’t really believe her magic could ease his suffering, but she just felt that if she could shoulder the burden somehow, he’d have more strength to fight the infection.
Tears streamed down her cheeks unchecked as his pain rolled through her. She didn’t know how long she stood there, holding on tightly with both hands. This couldn’t be happening. They couldn’t lose Lincoln Townsend, the patriarch of their family, a pillar of Keating Hollow, and the best man she’d ever known.
While he slept, she brought his hand up to her lips and kissed his knuckles. “I love you, Dad,” she said, her voice halting with emotion. “Get better. We need you.”
Then she hung her head and just let herself cry.
The door opened, and she heard faint footsteps behind her, but she didn’t look up. She couldn’t. All that mattered was holding on to her father and not letting go.
“Faith,” Yvette said, placing her hands on Faith’s shoulders. “Come on, baby. It’s okay. You have to let go now.”
“I can’t,” she said, shaking her head. “I have to bear this pain for him.”
“Faith.” Her sister’s voice hitched. Then she tried again. “Healer Whipple is here. He’s going to look Dad over. We need to step out for a minute or two.”
Faith glanced up, and through her blurry vision, she spotted Martin.
He was giving her a kind smile as he reached over and patted her hand that was still clutching Lin’s. “He knows you’re here, Faith. He knows you’re lending him your strength. It’s enough for now.”
Yvette gently tugged her back. “Come on, Faith. We got you some tea, and someone is waiting for you.”
“I don’t want to see anyone,” Faith said, but she placed her dad’s hand down on the bed and let Yvette lead her toward the door.
“Trust me, honey. I think you want to see this one.”
Faith couldn’t imagine who it might be, but she didn’t even care. The only place she wanted to be was sitting beside her dad, waiting for him to grumble about being stuck in the hospital when he had work to do at the orchard. But when Yvette tugged her down the hall, she saw him standing there, waiting.
Her heart swelled with love, gratitude, and something that felt an awful lot like relief.
Hunter opened his arms, and she fell into him, holding on for dear life.
Chapter 17
It hadn’t taken long for word to spread around town that Lin Townsend had been rushed to the hospital. Hunter had stopped at Incantation Café for coffee, and before he even got in line to order, he overheard Rhys telling Hanna that Clay had called to give him the news.
Hunter turned around, jumped in his truck, and headed straight to the hospital. He’d been at Lin’s the day before working on the old barn and knew he’d been feeling under the weather, but he’d been out in his golf cart, checking his orchard just like he did every day. Hunter heard him coughing and told him he’d do whatever needed to be done, but Lin had waved him off, indicating that he was fine. Hunter had believed him.
It was obvious now that Lin had been pushing himself way too hard, and Hunter was kicking himself for not noticing. The moment he saw Faith’s tear-stained face, he felt as if he’d been gut-punched. Yvette was holding her by the shoulders, appearing to hold her together as she steered her down
the corridor.
Then Faith lifted her head and saw him, and in the next instant, she was in his arms holding onto him with everything she had.
“Hey, there,” he whispered, smoothing her hair with one hand. “He’s going to be okay.”
She didn’t say anything, just tightened her hold.
Hunter stood there for a long time, holding her, being the steadying force that she needed in that moment. Eventually, she pulled away and glanced up at him. Her eyes were red but dry now.
“Thank you,” she said, her voice a hoarse whisper.
“There’s nothing to thank me for,” he said, meaning it. There was nowhere else he wanted to be. He knew what it meant to lose a loved one and prayed she wouldn’t have to experience such devastation anytime soon.
“You’re too kind.” She didn’t let go, but she loosened her hold just enough so that she could glance around the waiting room. “Where did my sisters go?”
“Yvette and Noel are sitting with your dad. Abby is with Clay.” He’d watched them move through the hospital while he held Faith. “You should probably get a bite to eat, rehydrate.”
“I’m not hungry,” she said, already eyeing her father’s room.
“I’m sure you aren’t, but you need to eat something.” He gave her a supportive smile. “If you let me, I can save you from hospital food. Or if you continue to resist, it’s likely one of your sisters will force the hospital’s turkey special on you.”
She made a face and shook her head. “Turkey special? Please tell me you made that up.”
“Negative. It actually exists. But there’s a deli across the street. You game?”
“Okay. Lead on.”
“Good choice.” He entwined his fingers in hers and they walked hand and hand out of the hospital. Besides Zoey, Hunter couldn’t remember ever feeling so protective of someone, and it occurred to him that even though they’d only been on one date, that if Faith would let him, he’d never leave her side. The thought should’ve scared him, but instead, he felt content and settled as if he’d just found the person he’d been searching for his entire life.