It was given to Nate, who relayed it to Rye. “They’re also asking when we’ll be there.”
“The flight will take an hour at most, once we take off, and if the weather cooperates. It may not be a straight shot. May have to go around some storms, which will add time.”
Nate promised to text the Hunts just before they took off. He disconnected and announced, “Goliad will be there to pick us up.”
“Oh, I look forward to that,” Rye said.
With the same degree of sarcasm, Nate said, “And Richard and Delores look forward to meeting you. They’ve heard so much about you.”
No sooner had he said that than his cell phone rang. “They must have forgotten something.” He checked the LED. “Oh, it’s Mrs. Griffin.”
Brynn’s startled reaction was to try to stand and go to him, but Timmy yanked her back down. “Let me talk to her, please,” Brynn said.
“I’ll handle it.” Nate answered with his name, then listened. “Yes, yes, she was there. She wanted to see Violet, of course, but didn’t want to interrupt Elsa’s performance.”
Brynn listened with a sinking heart as he explained that no sooner had Brynn arrived than she’d received word that one of their patients had an
emergency. “We were summoned to return to Atlanta immediately. Dr. O’Neal regretted being unable to see Violet before we left.”
He listened, then said, “She mentioned that her phone has been malfunctioning. I’ll tell her that you tried to call. I’m sure she’ll be in touch with you as soon as she’s able. Now, I really must go, Mrs. Griffin.”
He hung up abruptly. When it became apparent that he wasn’t going to volunteer anything, Brynn asked, “How did they know I was there?”
He cleared his throat. “Violet saw you through her bedroom window.”
Brynn wilted. “Was she upset that I didn’t go inside?”
Not quite meeting Brynn’s eyes, he added, “I’m sure she’ll be fine. The nurse on duty seemed quite capable.”
“She’s got the mutt to keep her company.”
Given the way Rye looked at Timmy after that remark, Brynn thought Timmy either very brave or a reckless fool.
After that, the wait began. Time, which had passed so quickly, now crawled. If not for Timmy, Brynn wouldn’t have minded the slowdown. She no longer had the GX-42, but she knew where it was. She remained only miles away from Violet. There were eight hours to go until the infusion had to be started. And Rye was with her. Those factors kept her hope alive.
But Timmy kept her plastered to his side, out of Rye’s reach, and within earshot of himself and Nate. She’d been unable to communicate privately with Rye, although, often, the way in which he looked at her was more potent than mere words. His gaze evoked memories of shared frustration, anger, and passion. Depending on the memory, her emotions dipped to the lowest ebb or soared.
She had spent less than two days with him, and yet he had generated more anguish and joy than she’d experienced with any other person in her life.
Except possibly Violet.
How could that be?
She loved Violet.
Timmy kept them confined to the small room. At one point the desk attendant had come to the door, suggesting that they would be more comfortable in the lobby. Rye had thanked him but told him that they all had an interest in the movement of the storms.
Timmy watched him walk away. “That old man should keep his curiosity to himself.”
“He’s just being hospitable,” Rye said.
“Meddlesome,” Timmy grumbled.
Rye and Brynn exchanged a look. They were afraid for the man.
Nate was too absorbed in his own dilemma to be aware of the undercurrents. He paced, keeping one eye on the clock, the other on the radar screen. He pestered Rye with questions. “Once the storms move through, we can take off right away?”
“After I file my flight plan and put the plane through preflight.”