After parking near the stables, Kelsey helped Hannah guide her wheelchair out of the van.  She breathed in the smell of freshly mowed grass and horses.  She loved this place.  Uncle Sam worked hard to keep the stables clean and the special riding paths for the children smooth. 

                  The thousand and fifty acres had been in her family for five generations, and until her uncle and dad inherited the land, it had been solely a cattle ranch.  We got most of the land-minus the fifty acres each for Kelsey, Nick, and Travis to do what they want to do with as they see pleased.   Her dad tried to help her uncle whenever he had time, but felt guilty he couldn't do more.  He told Kelsey he was happy Uncle Sam had convinced him to start a hippotherapy program, and she knew her granddad and ancestors would be pleased by what Uncle Sam was doing.

                  “I didn’t realize how much I missed it here.”  Kelsey put up the ramp and closed the back door of her van.

Her daughter switched her chair on high, so she could drive through the gravel, and she zoomed into the white metal stable. 

                  “Hannah, wait,” she hollered, laughing.  She caught up with her.  “I’m going to the house to let Uncle Sam and Aunt Diana know we’re here.  You can say hi to Charlie while I do.”

                  “’Kay.” 

                  Hearing the sound of her uncle’s four-wheeler behind her, Kelsey turned and walked toward him as he stopped.  “I was fixin’ to walk to the house to tell you we were here.”

                  “Diana saw you driving to the stables.”  Uncle Sam chuckled, getting off.  “Nobody gets past her.”  He walked into the stables.

                  “I know,” she said, following him.  “There’s no need for a guard dog.”  

                  “Ain’t that the truth?"

                  Kelsey’s thoughts drifted to Wade. “I hope Wade will be able to understand the directions I gave him after church.” 

                  “He called as you pulled up,” Uncle Sam said. “Should be here any minute here.”

                 “Good.”  She lowered her head to hide her smile, and then made circles in the dirt on the stable floor with her right boot, feeling excited about riding with him.  Only once that morning she’d had a niggling doubt about their riding date in church, but when she had looked at the wooden cross hanging above the altar, then glanced over her shoulder, seeing Wade smiling at her and sunlight from the window beaming down on him, she knew the date was right.  She trusted in God.  If He had placed Wade in her life because He wanted her happy and to be with someone, then she owed it to herself and Hannah to see where the relationship would lead.  One hurdle had already been jumped.  Wade loved her daughter like his own.  Some men were leery about entering a relationship with a woman who had kids, let alone a handicapped child.  Wade was a rare breed. 

                 Uncle Sam’s gravelly voice caught Kelsey’s attention.  She looked up at him.  “I’m sorry.  What did you say?”

                 “I said he shouldn’t have trouble finding this place.  It’s just ten miles from town and I have an archway with the ranch’s name carved above it.”  Uncle Sam leaned forward and whispered, “At least this fella has all of his horses in his barn.  Parker sure didn’t.”

                 Kelsey sighed.  “Uncle Sam, please.”  She craned her neck to see her daughter twenty feet away, stroking Charlie’s face.  “I want today to be nice.  Don’t bring up Parker and please, be nice to Wade.  I saw the way you looked at him like, you were suspicious, and I could hear the reluctance in your voice in answering his questions.”

                  “You and my wife should start a P.I. agency.”  He rubbed the back of his neck.  “You know how I get after talking about Fontaine-grumpy and worried.  I actually like your young man.  I could tell he cared for you and Hannah.”  He chuckled.  “I still can’t believe he got The Little Mermaid from your drawing.”
                  “Hey, I thought my drawing was good.”

                   “I still say it looked like Tony the Tuna with hair.”

                   “Oh, you.”  She batted his arm. 

                   The gravel to crunch behind them, and they glanced in the direction of the noise. 

                   Wade parked his Jeep next to her van and entered the stables. 

                    Kelsey’s heart flipped as he walked toward them, thinking he was more handsome in his western clothes than her latest favorite country singer, Blake Shelton.  He wore a long-sleeved tan shirt, Wrangler’s jeans that fitted him like a glove, and little worn black cowboy boots.  She wished he would dress like this more often, but Wade was a doctor.  He needed to dress professionally.

                    “Hey, Wade,” she said, smiling. 

                    “Hi, Kelsey.”

                    “You found us.”  Her uncle extended his hand.

                    “Yes, sir.”  Wade shook the offered hand.  “Your wife told me to drive down here, saying it’ll be easier later on.”

                    “She’s right.”  Uncle Sam put his thumbs in the belt loops.  “Time’s fleeing when riding horses.  Well, for us anyhow.  Darkness creeps up on us.  It’s quite a walk to the house at night when you’re tired.”

                    “I understand,” Wade said.  “Oh, your wife also said she was coming.  I offered her a ride, but she had something to do right quick.”

                    Her uncle nodded.  “Well, I’ll get the horses saddled.”

                    “I can help you,” Kelsey said.

                    “No, thank you, Puddin’.  I can manage.”  Uncle Sam moseyed toward Charlie and the horse Kelsey usually rode, Tybalt.                        She hoped her uncle would pick Gatsby, her second favorite horse, for Wade to ride.  He looked like Tybalt.  Black with white stockings, except Gatsby had a white face, and Tybalt didn’t.   They were very gentle, not unlike the rest of the horses, but they were special to Kelsey because she helped her uncle pick them out when he started the program fifteen years ago.

                    Kelsey stepped closer to Wade.  “Are you ready to ride?  You sure look like it.  All that’s missing is a Stetson hat.”

                    He laughed and rubbed his right eyebrow.  “I’m not much on hats or caps.”

                    “Me, neither.”

                    Hannah rolled up toward them, holding her helmet on her lap with one hand.  “Hi, Wade!”  Her daughter turned.  “Mama,                      Uncle Sam’s getting Tybalt and Gatsby saddled up.  He got Charlie ready.  He said to tell you he won’t be long.”  She scanned around.  “Where’s Nick?”

                    “He’s helping Fontaine, so he won’t be coming.”  She stroked her daughter’s hair.   “Aunt Diana will be your side walker.”

                    “Cool.”  Hannah clapped.  “Nick always teases me about boys.”

                    “Oh, are you interested in boys already?” Wade asked. 

                    Hannah’s cheeks reddened, and she lowered her eyes.  “Maybe.”

                    Uncle Sam came up to them.  “All set.”  He glanced at his great-niece.  “What’s wrong, sugar girl?”

                    “Nothing.”  Hannah looked demurely at Uncle Sam and then started toward the ramp.  “Let’s go!”

                    “Hold on to your breeches,” Uncle Sam said, laughing.  “Charlie isn’t by the ramp platform yet.  Besides, we’re to wait for your Aunt Diana.”

                    “Okay.”

                    They didn’t have to wait long.  Aunt Diana arrived in a pick-up five minutes later, along with their Cocker Spaniel, Baxter.  Uncle Sam put Hannah on her horse after Kelsey fastened her helmet.

                    “Got a good grip on the handles?” her uncle asked, holding Charlie’s rope.

                    “Yep.”  Hannah adjusted herself a little on the bareback saddle.  “I’m ready.”

                    Uncle Sam clicked his tongue and gave Charlie a tug.

                    “Bye, Mama!  Bye, Wade!” her daughter said as she rode away in the care of her aunt and uncle.

                    “Have fun.”  Kelsey waved and motioned to Wade to follow her.  “Come on.  I’ll introduce you to Gatsby.”

                    The horses were tied to a post outside.

                    “They’re handsome horses,” he said.

                    “Yes, and my favorites.”  She pointed to Gatsby.  “You’ll love him.”

                    “I’m sure I will.”  He approached Gatsby slowly.

                    She furrowed her forehead.  “What’s the matter?  I thought you said you’ve ridden before.”

                    “When I went to summer camp,” he said.  “That was twenty years ago.”

                    “Oh, well,” she said, trying to think of what to do or what to say.

                    “I want to ride, but I forgot how.”

                    “I’ll be happy to talk you through it,” she said.  “Once you get started, you’ll have fun.”    

                    “Okay.”  Wade walked on Gatsby’s left side.  “I do remember you’ve to mount on this side.”

                    “Correct.”  She came next to him and took his right hand and lifted up to the horse’s neck.

                    Feeling his rough hand under hers was always nice.  He had calluses on his hands from fixing antique furniture in his spare time.  She loved a handy man.  She told herself to get on with the lesson.
                    When she removed her hand from his, he caught it and rubbed it against his cheek.  She closed her eyes, enjoying feeling stubble under her palm.  All too soon, Baxter jumped on her and broke the moment.

                    “Stupid dog, go away.”  She took the slobber-covered tennis ball from his mouth and threw it in the tall grass.  He ran, going the opposite direction it landed.  “Now, he’ll be busy.”  She turned on the outdoor faucet, cleaned her hands, and dried them with her bandana.  “Where was I?”  She looked up and thought.  “Oh, pat his neck, so he knows you’re there.”

                    He did what she told him, stroking Gatsby gently.  “Like this?”

                    “Yes.”  She smiled.  “Now, put your left foot in the stirrup.  Hold the saddle horn and swing your other leg over.”

                    Following her instruction, he succeeded in mounting the horse.  He took in a deep breath and chuckled.

                    “You did great!”  She then swung on Tybalt.  “Hold the reins in your left hand.  He’s sensitive to signals, so you just have to steer the reins a little to the right or the left and pull them to get him to stop.”

                    “Okay.”  He grabbed the reins.

                    “To make him go, just give him a little kick.  Watch.”  Kelsey kicked Tybalt’s sides and rode ten feet before stopping.  She looked back at him.  “You try.”

                    Wade gave Gatsby a kick and rode to her.

                    “Good job,” she said, impressed.  “Since you haven’t ridden for a long time, why don’t we go slow?”

                    “Only if you don’t mind.”  He shook his head.  “I don’t want to hold you back.”

                    “I like to go slow.”  She leaned forward and patted her horse.  “You do, too.  Isn’t that right, Tybalt?”

                    “Tybalt?  As in Tybalt Capulet in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet?” 

                    She detected laughter in his voice and straightened, giving him a mock severe look.  “Yes.  Have a problem with that?”

                    “No.  I was just thinking my mom would love you,” he said.  “She loves William Shakespeare.”

                    “Oh.”  A grin formed on her face.

                    “So, why Tybalt and not Romeo?” he asked, resting his hands on the horn.

                    “Because I thought it fitted him.”  She brushed her wind-blown hair out of her face.  “It’s a strong name.”

                    “I guess it is,” he said, nodding.  “So how many horses are named after literary characters?”

                    “Just a few more.  Ivanhoe, Rochester, and Heathcliff.”  She circled around him with Tybalt once, laughing at him.  “If you’re finished stalling, can we ride?”

                    He cocked back a little, his eyebrows scrunched together.  “I wasn’t stalling.”

                   “Okay.”  She reached out and touched his forearm.  Their eyes locked.  I’ll never get tired of looking into Wade’s eyes.  He has the clearest, bluest eyes I’ve ever seen.  They’re like the ocean.

                  Tybalt’s snort brought her back. Kelsey giggled and moved her hand.  “This horse’s ready to get going.  So, are you?”

                  He stared at her.  His brow creased, as he seemed to be trying to register her question.  “Oh.”  He looked down, mumbling something she couldn’t make out.  He then looked up at her.  “Yep, I’m ready.” 

                  They rode at a slow pace, taking in the scenery.  Her dad and Uncle Sam had cleared some of the trees so it would be more open.  It made it easier to see the hills and the creek.  Wade relaxed as they went along.  She knew once he started and looked around, he would be fine.  This place had a calming effect on people.  It was God’s country, after all.

                  “Your family has beautiful land.  How big is it?”

                  “A thousand and fifty acres,” she said.  “I have fifty acres like Nick and Travis, but my dad and Uncle own the rest.  My granddad tried to divide the land fairly.   My dad tries to come here to help Uncle Sam when he can leave the restaurant.  Dad is doing more since we moved to Kirchville.   When Granddad died, my dad was busy being a lawyer.”

                  Wade’s mouth dropped.  “Your dad was a lawyer?”

                  “In San Antonio.  He was an adoption attorney.  It was a rewarding job; helping deserving couples to get their long-awaited child.”  She sighed.  “After Granddad passed away at sixty, Dad realized life is short.  Although Dad loved what he did, his real dream was to move back here and run a restaurant he’d bought years before.  And a year later, we moved here.”

                  “How old were you?” he asked.

                  “Seventeen.  Travis just turned ten.”  She exhaled.  “It was easier for me because I came here more than he did and I had friends like Tracey and Abby to hang out with.  Travis was a shy kid and had problems with making new friends.”

                  “He seems to like living here.”           

                  She nodded.  “Travis found out he enjoyed being in a small town more than a big city.  It’s more laid back, I guess.”  And better for his heart, too.

                  “I know,” he said.  “City life is a hassle, but I miss some parts of living in Dallas.”

                  “Your parents and friends?”

                  “Yes,” he said.  “But I text and call my mom and friends and keep up with them using social networks.”

                  “What about your dad?” She stopped Tybalt.

                  Wade halted Gatsby, his eyes saddened.  “I’d rather not talk about him.”

                  She wondered what happened between his father and him.  She would find out eventually.  “Do you want to ride further or head back?”

                  He rubbed his eyes and drew in a haggard breath.  “I want to ride some more.

                  “Okay.”

                  They rode in silence until he spoke.  “Your cousin said your uncle quit his job so he could stay at home and start this program.  May I ask what he did?”

                  “Uncle Sam inspected gas lines and helped weld them.”  Kelsey shook her head.  “He went all over the world and was in some countries like Finland for a long time.  Aunt Diana was essentially a single mom.  My uncle made a great deal of money working for Global Gas and Pipe Line Company, but hated being away from home all the time.”  She glanced at him.  “John told you Nick’s story, didn’t he?”

                  “Yes, but we were talking about Fontaine and his story came up.”  

                  “It’s no wonder.  They’re linked.”  She chewed on her bottom lip.  “Let’s pray their story won’t turn out like a Shakespearean tragedy.  Fontaine’s his weakness.  He loves her, but their relationship is platonic for many reasons like her cheating on him for drugs and stealing his money.”

                  He grimaced.  “Why does he keep giving her chances?”

                  “Nick has always had a tender heart.  He was one of those boys who brought home a wounded stray dog or a cat and he would help it get better.”  She smiled at the image of a young Nick bandaging a dog’s leg.  “We thought he’d be a vet, but he wanted to be a psychologist.  However, he had to quit college because he ran out of money, and was too proud to take money from his parents.  Nick got a job at Ol’ Mr. Alan Schwartz’s car repair shop, and then when he passed away two years later, his three sons who all had pretty successful careers in Dallas, Austin, and Los Angeles, and had wonderful families of their own, decided to sell their father’s house and shop.  Nick, seeing his chance, convinced them to sell the shop to him for almost nothing.”  Kelsey readjusted herself in them the saddle.  “He likes working on cars and volunteering here.  Helping handicapped kids healed him.”

                  “Now Nick wants to heal Fontaine.”

                 She nodded.  “I can’t see it happening in the long run.  I don’t want to think what would happen if she were to get hooked on meth yet again and overdosed.”  Her eyes filled with tears and halted Tybalt.  “I honestly don’t think he would get over her death.”

                 Wade got Gatsby close enough to reach out and caress her cheek.  “Remember what your aunt Diana said the other night that y’all will be there for him.”

                 “Yeah.  We mustn’t let him go down that spiral again.”   She sighed.  “You know, I think that Nick doesn’t believe he deserves to be happy with someone else, but he does.  I know there’s a woman out there that can make him happy.”

                 “So, you’re a hopeless romantic?”

                 “Guilty.   However, I gave up on finding love,” she said, looking at him.  “Until recently, that is.”

                 He smiled.

                 They leaned toward each other to kiss, but Uncle Sam hollered her name, gaining her attention and her heart jumped to her throat.  Her uncle was carrying Hannah, walking fast with her aunt leading Charlie behind him.  She and Wade quickly dismounted and rushed to her uncle and her daughter.

                 Hannah’s eyes were open, but stared vacantly.  Her body jerked.

                 “She’s seizing.”  Kelsey racked her brain to figure out why her daughter was having a seizure.  She didn’t understand because she had given Hannah Phenobarbital, along with Baclofen that morning.  “I need to take her to a hospital in San Antonio.”

                 Wade checked if Hannah was biting her tongue, she wasn’t, and then he motioned Uncle Sam to give Hannah to him.  “We’ll take my car.  You can hold her comfortably in the back seat.”

                 “I’ll load Hannah’s wheelchair in your van and drive it there, “ her uncle said, grabbing Tybalt and Gatsby’s reins.  “After I take care of the horses.”

                 Too preoccupied with wanting to get Hannah medical care soon as possible, she just said, “Okay.”

                 When they reached Wade’s Jeep, Kelsey slid in the back seat and Wade put Hannah in her lap, in a laying down position.

                  She held Hannah, whispering calming words to her as Wade drove. Hannah had told her once she goes into a seizure spell; it was like going into a deep sleep.  So she knew her daughter wouldn’t hear her words, but talking to Hannah made her feel like she was doing something.

                  “Hang on, sweetie.”  Kelsey wiped tears from her face.  “The doctors will get you out of this seizure.”

 

***

                  Wade watched Kelsey as she sat beside Hannah’s hospital bed, holding her hand.  She hadn’t left her side since they admitted her four hours ago.  It was too early to go to sleep, but he wished she would rest for a while.

                  In the ER, she had put on a stoic face, but her hand shook in his as they treated Hannah.  He caressed her arm in an effort to comfort her and she rewarded him with a small smile.

                  He wished he could have treated Hannah himself, but knew she would sleep until the morning and would need an IV drip to keep her hydrated.

                  Looking at her in repose, made him glad her seizure had ended.  He sighed as Kelsey yawned for the fourth time. 

                  Both he and her parents had tried to persuade her to go to the cafeteria to get something to eat, but she told them no.  Kix and Gwen even went to one of her favorite Italian restaurants and picked up her favorite dish, shrimp fettuccine.  The delicious aroma of garlic, chicken, and shrimp lingered in the air.  She’d barely looked at it, and she thanked them.  Knowing they couldn’t do more, her parents decided to go home.

                  Before they left, they talked to Wade outside of Hannah’s room.

                  Kix rubbed his chin and sighed.  “Look, I know I’ve not been crazy about you spending time with my daughter and my granddaughter.  “Ever since Parker left, I’ve been cynical of any man who had shown an interest in Kelsey.“  He paused and cleared his throat.  “I should have listened to John, Rose, and my wife when they said you were a good and honorable man.”

                  Wade held up his hand.  “I understand.  If a man ever hurt my daughter like Parker hurt Kelsey, I’d be overprotective myself.”

                  “I secretly watched you these few weeks with Kelsey and I saw how you comforted her and cheered her up when Cole died.  My daughter lights up whenever sees you and I know you care for her a great deal.”

                  Wade smiled at Kelsey’s dad.  “Yes, sir, I do.”  More than you know.

                  “Then, please forgive my attitude towards you.”

                  “You’re forgiven.  Like I said, I would have done the same.”

                  “Thank you.”  Kix peaked through the narrow window of the door of his granddaughter’s room, and then looked back at him, concern etched on his face.  “Could you look out for Kelsey?  I know Hannah will be all right, but Kelsey’s blaming herself.”

                  “I know.”  Wade ran a hand down his face.  “She shouldn’t.  Seizures can come on without warning, and the doctor said that they need to up the dosage of Hannah’s Phenobarbital.”

                  Gwen nodded.  “She knows that.  The thing is that Hannah rarely gets seizures.  The last one was two years ago.  When they do, she’s like this.”  She sucked in a breath.  “I blame myself.  Kelsey watched me being protective of Travis because of his heart condition.  He was born with a defective heart, so I was worried about him.  When Hannah was diagnosed with CP-well, even before that, Kelsey was extra cautious with her.”

                  Kix rubbed his wife’s back.  He looked straight at Wade.  “I know you can’t stay, but please, could you make sure she eats?”

                  “I will, sir.”

                  “Thanks.”

                  Gwen put a hand on Wade’s shoulder.  “Remind my daughter that she won’t be any good to Hannah if she doesn’t take care of herself.”

                  He nodded.

                  After they left, he walked in to see Kelsey eating the pasta and it filled him with relief.  At least she was getting some nutrition.

                  He smiled as she slurped up a misbehaved noodle.  “I see the smell of the shrimp and garlic enticed you to eat.”

                  “Hmm-hmm,” she said, chewing.  “Did my parents give you their instructions?”

                  Sitting down by her, he shrugged.  “We just talked.”

                  Kelsey put down her meal on the tray table and licked the Alfredo sauce from her lips.  “Yeah, right.”  She shook her head.  “I understand they’re worried about me, but I’m fine.”

                  “All parents worry about their kids.” 

                  Wade held her hand, caressing her palm with his thumb.  She closed her eyes and relaxed,  then opened her eyes and gave him a half smile.  “I guess it’s a fact of life.”

                  “My nana worries about her children and her oldest is sixty-five.” 

                  His heart filled with love thinking about his maternal grandmother.  She had a big heart.  She loved everybody, especially her kids and grandkids.  They were her life.  He could always find love in her house when his parents’ home felt empty and filled with gloom.

                  Kelsey’s worried gaze pierced his soul.  It reminded him of his nana and his mom when something bad happened.  Their horrified expressions when they had seen Christina’s lifeless body on the ground were still branded in his memory. 
                  They hadn’t blamed him, but worried that the guilt would eat at him.  They both fought back tears.  They had tried for a long time to get him to see what happened to his sister was an accident, but only recently with the help of Pastor Kellerman, had he finally forgiven himself.  Thank God.

                   Wade's dad still blamed him and pushed him away.  Although, sometimes his dad would say something or make a gesture that made Wade wonder if he wanted a father/son relationship again, but his dad would put up the wall once more.

                   He shook his head.  “Will I ever understand him?”

                   “What did you say?” Kelsey asked, her forehead knitted with confusion.

                   Mortified at the realization he’d spoken aloud, although not loud enough for her to hear him clearly, he quickly thought of a reply.  “What I said was who needs to worry when you have God.”

                   “Oh.”  She ran a hand through her hair and sighed.  “I know you’re right, but I wish I’d asked John to do a blood test to check her Phenobarbital level.  If I had, he would’ve upped her dosage, then she wouldn’t have seized today.”

                   Wade wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close to him.  She relaxed against him and rested her head on his shoulders.  She placed a hand over his heart and he swallowed hard, knowing she could feel his rapid heartbeat.  He caressed her arms.  Her hair smelled like apple blossoms mixed with lavender-scented soap.

                   Still gently rubbing her arm, he said, “You couldn’t have known.  Besides, this is only her third seizure.  I know people who get them all the time.  Hannah is blessed she can control them with one small pill.”

                   “I know.”  She let out a breath, which tickled a few exposed chest hairs.  Goosebumps spread all over his body.  He shivered and tightened his grip.

                   Kelsey looked up.  “Are you okay?”

                   He cleared his throat.  “I’m fine.”

                   She rubbed her hand on her jeans and glanced at the wall clock.  Exhaling, she looked at him.  Her eyes held another emotion.  Dread. “It’s almost eight-thirty.  You should go home.  I will be fine.  I promise.”

                   He nodded, hating to leave.  “I'll come back tomorrow morning.:

                   Kelsey kissed his right cheek, surprising him.  “I appreciate you staying here and trying to cheer me up.”

                    “I wouldn’t have done it any other way.”  He tilted her chin and gazed into her eyes.  “You and Hannah have become two of the most important people in my life.  I know that might seem weird given the short time we have known each other, but-.”

                    “It doesn’t,” she said, reassuring him.  Her eyes glistened with tears.

                    A nurse entered with a new IV bag.  She made a comment that visiting hours were up as she replaced the empty bag with a filled one on the stand.

                    Wade smiled at Kelsey.  “I’ll be back in the morning.”

                    “You don’t have to.  You have to work at the clinic.”

                    “I told John what happened and he said he would take my patients.”

                    “Okay,” she said.  “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

                    “You can count on it.”  He winked and smiled, then followed the nurse out.

***

 

                    Kelsey fixed Hannah’s cover and kissed her forehead.   It was only nine o’clock, but past experience told her that her daughter would sleep for twelve hours after getting Valium, so that meant Hannah would wake up at four-thirty in the morning and she herself would attend her daughter, knowing the hospital was understaffed.  She wanted to try to get a few hours of sleep.  She hoped the small couch that was against the wall was comfortable.

                    Kelsey tested it.  There are no lumps, and it's soft. Good.

                    She covered herself with an extra blanket she found in the closet, leaving on the clothes she had worn all day.  Her mom had packed a pair of pajamas as well as a change of clothes for her and Hannah for the next day, but she decided not to put on her pajamas.

                    Smiling, she thought about how being in Wade’s arms always comforted her. 

                    She’d wished he could stay, but didn’t want to be selfish.  He deserved to sleep in his bed. 

Remembering something, she gasped.  She forgot to ask her parents to feed her cat.

                    “Sadie is probably starving by now.”  She pulled out her cell from her purse to call her mom.  Noticing she had one missed voice message from her ex-mother-in-law, she played it.

                    “Hi, Kelsey,” Maureen said.  “Your mom just called me and said Hannah had suffered a seizure.  I wished we had known earlier.  Howard and I would have been there for you and Hannah, but Gwen assured me everything is under control.  We’ll be there in the morning since visiting hours are over.  Parker is coming too and might bring that woman.  Well, see you then.”

                    After the message ended, guilt grabbed her.  She should have thought to call Howard, Maureen, and especially Parker, but she was so worried about Hannah she forgot to call anyone.   Even her own parents.  Her aunt Diana was the one who’d called them.
                    She moaned and glanced at her daughter.  She prayed if Parker brought Victoria, he would pay attention to Hannah and not to her.

                    So much for Victoria being an ambitious corporate lawyer like Parker told me.  If she were, she would be too busy to interfere in Parker’s relationship with his daughter.

                    Kelsey couldn’t help but wonder what Wade would think about Parker.  He probably wouldn’t look too favorably on him, but for Hannah’s sake, she would try to like him.

                    Considering her negative opinion of Victoria, she questioned her own ability to be civil.  Lord, grant me the strength to make it through tomorrow.

                    After calling her mom to ask them to feed her cat, she tried to relax, but sleep wouldn’t come.

***

 

                   When Wade entered Hannah’s room, he found Kelsey holding her up and walking behind her out of the bathroom.  Putting down the balloons and the little brown stuffed bear he bought, he went to help.

                   “Oh, no thanks, Wade,” Kelsey said.  “We have our way of doing things.”

                   Getting to the edge of the bed, Hannah sat down and Kelsey swung her legs onto the bed.

                  When Hannah got settled, she said, “Hey, Wade.  I’m glad you’re here.”

                  He smiled.  “I’m glad you are awake, Han.”

                  “Me, too.  But I want to go home.”

                  Kelsey tucked a piece of Hannah’s hair behind her ear.  “I told you not until the doctor comes to see you and releases you.”

                  Hannah blew her bangs.  “’Kay.”  Her gaze drifted to the bear.  “Is that for me?”

                  He chuckled and handed it to her.  “Of course.”

                  “Thanks.  He’s cute.”

                  Wade glanced at Kelsey, whose shoulders slumped and eyes had dark circles under them.  He touched her shoulder.  “Would you like me to get you something?”

                  She shook her head, her ponytail swaying against her back.  “I have coffee.”  She picked up a cup and took a sip.  “This is all I need.”   Smiling, she said, “I’m thankful you are here.  I need-.”
                  Someone knocking on the door interrupted her.

                  “Come in,” Hannah hollered.

                  Mr. and Mrs. Schell came in, followed by a tall blond man, wearing a green sweater and jeans.

                  He must be Parker.  Wade eyeballed him with distrust.  Although they had never met, he disliked Parker for hurting Kelsey and Hannah. 

                   Wade's pulse up-ticked and he shoved his hands in his pockets.  I need to behave for Kelsey and Hannah’s sakes.

                    “Hey, Grandpa and Grandma,” Hannah said, hugging them.  Then her face beamed when she saw her father.  “Daddy, you came!”  

                    Wade set his jaw.  Children shouldn’t be surprised when their dads visit them in the hospital.

                    “Yes, I did.  I bought you some chocolate, too.”  He gave her the box and kissed her nose.

                    “Thanks, Daddy.” 

                    “You’re welcome.  I’m glad you’re better.”

                    Kelsey stepped forward.  “Parker, I would like to introduce you to Wade Ramsey, our friend.”  She gestured to Wade.  “Wade, this is Parker Schell, Hannah’s dad.”

                    Both men shook each other’s hands.
                    ”Hannah has told me good things about you,” Parker said, releasing his hand.   
                    Wade forced a smile. ”I’ve heard a lot about you, too.”  Mostly bad.

                    “It’s nice to see you again so soon, Wade,” Mrs. Schell said.

                    “You, too, Mrs. Schell.”

                    Mr. Schell walked toward him.  “Gwen told Maureen you stayed with Kelsey and Hannah.  I want to thank you for that.”

                    Wade glanced at Kelsey and smiled, causing her to blush.  “Anytime.”

                    “How do you know my parents?”  Parker’s eyes narrowed at Wade.

                    “We met after Hannah’s Thanksgiving play last week,” Wade said, folding his arms.

                    Parker’s face softened as he turned to Hannah.  “I’m really sorry I missed it, but your grandpa showed me the DVD of it.  You were great.”

                    “Thanks, Daddy.”  She grabbed Parker’s hand.  “I know you were probably busy.”

                    Avoiding Hannah’s gaze, he nodded and visibly swallowed.  

                    “Will you come to my birthday party on Sunday?  You don’t have to stay long.  It starts at two at Papaw’s restaurant.”

                    “I will be there,” he said, sounding determined.  “Victoria’s bridal shower is on that day, so I’m free.”

                    Wade arched his right brow.  He’s whipped.

                    “Where is your fiancée?” Kelsey said.  “I thought she was coming.”

                    “Victoria had a meeting and after work, she has some kind of a wedding emergency to take care of,” Parker said.  “I can’t believe it’s in three weeks.”  Looking back at Hannah, he said, “Your dress came in.  I will bring it Sunday.”

                    “’Kay.”

                    “You will be the most beautiful junior bride’s maid there.”  Parker caressed Hannah’s cheek.

                    Hannah giggled.  “Thanks, Daddy.”

                    Seeing that Parker did care about his daughter, Wade pitied him for not being his own man.