Dylan’s Redemption(97)
“I think Sheriff Dylan is the lucky one. The man has been downright happy since the two of you started seeing each other again. I know you all are trying to keep things quiet, but it’s nice to see the two of you together.” Lynn beamed an approving smile.
Dylan and Will made her happy. What was she waiting for? She needed to talk to Dylan about getting married. She’d surprise him and bring it up first this time. Tonight. No more stalling and waiting for something they already shared. Love.
“Did Dylan want me to wait for him before I take Will?”
“I’m not sure. He said you’d be here soon and were spending the day with Will. He’s been gone for a while now. Why don’t you just take him? I’ll tell the sheriff Will’s with you. He can call you if he needs you.”
“Okay. I’d really like to get back and get started. Will and I are making Dylan a birthday present.”
“I’ll bet he’ll like anything you make. I have my eye on a round side table over in your store.”
“Oh, yeah. Tell Andrea I said you can have it at a thirty percent discount.”
“You mean it?”
“Absolutely. You take such good care of Dylan when he’s here. You always make sure he gets out on time on Fridays. I appreciate it.”
“It’s no trouble. You young people need time together.”
Jessie touched Lynn’s hand lightly in affection and headed over to pick up Will. He sat, looking through a book of mug shots. “Come on, you little hoodlum, we have work to do.” She scooped him up and blew kisses on his neck and made him laugh. She grabbed his backpack and car seat before walking out the door. They drove to her house and went straight into her barn. Will loved being out there with her.
Boys and power tools, she thought with a chuckle. Today, he’d get to help her use some of them to make a surprise for Dylan.
Chapter Thirty-Three
* * *
JESSIE THOUGHT IT sweet Will felt at home. He went from room to room and played with his things. She’d put several snacks on a low shelf in the pantry for him so he could help himself, which he did often.
Dylan missed dinner with them. Will asked her half a dozen times when his father would be home. She’d tried calling Dylan, but his cell went straight to voicemail. She left him several messages. Something wasn’t right. Why didn’t he call her back?
“Will, do you want ice cream while we wait for your dad to get here?”
“No. I want Daddy. Where is he?”
No ice cream. Not a good sign. He yawned hugely on the sofa where they watched TV. He had a blanket over him and his little face rested on her thigh. She absently stroked his hair, worried too about Dylan’s silence and absence. He usually called to let her know if he had to work late. It wasn’t like him not to call, especially since she had Will. Something tingled up her spine, warning her something was wrong. All of a sudden, that feeling she’d had for hours grew beyond her capacity to hold it down. She picked up the cordless phone from beside her and called his office.
“Oh thank God, Lynn. I’ve called twice and couldn’t get through. I’m trying to find Dylan.”
“Didn’t they call you? I thought the hospital or one of the deputies would have called you by now. Oh, honey, I’m sorry.”
“Hospital? Why would the hospital call me? Where’s Dylan?”
“I’m so sorry, honey. He’s been in an accident. He was chasing down a drunk driver who decided to take a high-speed joyride. Dylan lost control of his car and crashed into a guardrail, and then a light pole.”
“Oh, no. No. Is he okay?”
“I’m not certain of his injuries. They took him to the hospital by ambulance just after three o’clock today.”
“Three o’clock? That was almost four hours ago. I’m going down there.”
Will climbed up on her lap and leaned against her with his head on her shoulder. Tears slipped down her face, and Will wiped her cheek with his palm.
“Don’t cry, Mommy.”
“It’s okay, sweetheart. We’re going to see Daddy.”
“I’ve been trying to get out of here myself,” Lynn went on. “This place has been a madhouse since the accident. Two deputies caught up with the suspect and brought him in. Another couple of deputies went to the hospital to be with Sheriff Dylan. I sent another to his parents’ home to notify them.”
“Why didn’t you notify me?” she snapped.
“I’m sorry, I thought the hospital called you and things have been crazy here.”
Lynn hadn’t meant to leave Jessie out of the loop. Things happened and she’d done her best to keep the office in some semblance of order. It was an oversight Jessie hadn’t been called, and one Jessie hoped never happened again. She’d make sure of it.