He put her down.
“Pick me up like a damsel in distress and carry me back for food,” she said. Chris laughed. He placed one hand under her legs, and the other supported her back. She cried out as he lifted her up. “Forget it. You’ll drop me. Put me down.”
“Wrap your hands around my neck.”
She did as he instructed. “You, Mr. Sinclair, are a very dangerous man.”
“Do you think so?”
Erica nodded.
“You’d better get used to it. I’m your dangerous man, and I don’t intend to go anywhere.”
“I like the sound of that.”
He put her on her feet and saw his phone lighting up. “Don’t answer it,” she said.
“I wouldn’t, but I’m still one of the oldest brothers, and the little ones might need a bail out.” He kissed her, picking up his phone and flipping it open. “What?” he asked. Chris didn’t want to spoil their time together, but he had no choice but to be responsible.
“Chris?” It was Blaze.
“What’s up? I’m a little busy.” He picked up a strawberry and fed it to Erica. Her lips looked lovely and red around the bright red fruit. “How soon can you get to a hospital?”
“Why? What’s going on?”
Erica looked at him, concerned.
“The old man collapsed at home. They’re thinking heart attack. Can you get to the hospital?”
“Yes. I’ll be there soon.” He hung up and stared out at the ocean.
“Chris, what’s the matter?” She was on her knees in front of him.
“My dad’s collapsed. Blaze thinks it’s a heart attack. I need to get to the hospital. I’ll drop you home.” Chris got to his feet, packing away the picnic. Erica grabbed his hand, pulling him to face her.
“Chris, look at me. I’m not going home and leaving you to deal with this alone. We’re together now. Where you go, I’ll go.” She went on her toes and kissed him. He nodded his head, thankful for the support she was offering.
“I don’t know what to do,” he said against her neck. Chris inhaled her sweet scent to try to calm his nerves. His father was an asshole at times, but he was still his father.
“We pack the picnic away. Then we go to your car and on to the hospital.” She stroked his hair. He welcomed every comforting touch. Chris wished he could stay in her arms forever. All too soon he had to pull away and let real life invade their time together.
In silence, they gathered the boxes, putting them away. Hand in hand, they walked to his car, putting the basket in the back. He took every step as a moment of time. Chris wasn’t prepared for his father’s death. What would happen if he never saw him again?
“Stop thinking the end of the world. Your father will be fine,” she said.
“You don’t know that.”
“I know I don’t know. Wouldn’t you rather be thinking the good rather than the bad?”
He nodded his head, moving faster towards the hospital.
The sunshine disappeared in a sea of clouds. His heart was racing. The pain inside him grew worse at the thought of losing his father. Erica put her hand on his thigh, offering him comfort. Chris took everything he could get. He had never anticipated losing his father.
He parked the car, and together they walked into the hospital. They were sent to cardiology wing. When he saw the sad expressions on his family’s faces he gripped Erica’s hand. She tightened her grip, offering him her strength.
Molly stood, embracing him.
“What’s going on? Is he with a doctor?” he asked.
“They’re running the necessary tests. We’re waiting for a doctor,” Blaze said. Luke, John, and Trent sat with Blaze Jr. at their feet. Chris’s nephew looked concerned.
“What do they think it is?”
“They think it’s a heart attack. His age and the stress of work may have taken their toll,” Blaze said.
“No. He’s not working. What was going on before he fell?” Chris turned to Molly.
She shook her head. “I can’t tell you.”
“Your husband may be dying, and you can’t tell us?” Chris yelled.
“Chris. Enough. Some stuff is meant to be private,” Erica whispered.
He relaxed at the sound of her voice. Closing his eyes, he tried to deal with the riot of emotions inside him.
When he opened his eyes, he stared at Molly. She looked to have aged twenty years since that morning.
“We’ve got to sit and wait,” Blaze said, moving towards Cassie. Molly took a seat on the end of the waiting room, her gaze fixed on the door.
Chris held Erica’s hand and led her to a corner seat. She sat next to him. Their hands joined, and the pair sat staring and waiting.