That was an understatement. “I’d appreciate that. Thank you.”
“Good. Now I know you’re chomping at the bit to check on her, so I’ll send the people in the waiting room home.” She kissed his cheek. “Not that I’m meddling or telling you what to do, but you owe that boy an apology.”
Jesus. He acted like such a jackass. Assuming. Blustering. He owed Boone West more than he could ever repay him.
He’d deal with that another day. He had a long night ahead of him.
Chapter Thirty
Rielle couldn’t get in touch with Gavin. After a couple of hours she tried Sierra’s cell. No answer.
When another couple hours passed and still no word, she couldn’t shake the bad feeling. She called Ben and Ainsley’s house. Ben answered. “Rielle?”
“Hey Ben. I can’t get a hold of Gavin or Sierra. Have you seen them since yesterday morning?”
Silence. Then, “Sierra was in a car accident last night.”
Her breakfast threatened to come back up. “Is she okay?”
“Concussion, broken collarbone. She had to stay overnight in the hospital.”
“Is Gavin all right?”
“He’s…” Ben sighed. “He’s really shaken up. He won’t ask you to come home, Ree, and I ain’t messing in your business, but he needs you here.”
“I have to drop Rory off in Laramie and I’ll be there late afternoon.”
“They oughta be home by then.”
“Thanks, Ben.”
Rory came around the corner with four huge bundles of fleece. “Have you ever worked with Alpaca? This stuff is priced really low.” She noticed the change in Rielle’s face. “What’s wrong?”
“Sierra was in a car accident last night.”
“Holy crap. Is she okay?”
“She’s in the hospital, but she’s coming home today. So I need to get back to Sundance right away.”
“Is everything you bought today packaged and ready to pick up?”
“I think so. Maybe tell Jim at Good Seed to step on it. I added to the order yesterday.”
“Will do.” Rory dropped the bundles on the counter. “I know you’re worried, but you have to make sure you bought all the supplies to get you through spring planting before we leave.”
“I know. I’m good. I wanted to comparison shop kit greenhouses, but that can wait.”
“I’ll get your seed order and meet you at the truck.”
The Natural Age Trade show filled the gigantic convention center. Some vendors had to take space off the main site. Navigating the aisles took time even when she wasn’t looking for specific items. Since Jim’s display was on the other side of the arena, she knew it’d be an hour before they’d get to leave. She paid for her fiber and picked up greenhouse brochures as she passed by on her way out the door.
Worried sick about Sierra, and Gavin, and facing a drive where she’d do nothing but worry more, Rielle knew this would be the longest day ever.
Rielle pulled into the driveway at dusk and saw Vi’s car. Good. At least Gavin had some help and support.
Her purchases would be fine left in her truck overnight. She hunched into the collar of her coat as she climbed the stairs.
Sadie whined when she came inside. “Were you a good girl?” She gave her a thorough rubbing and petting.
Vi came around the corner. “I was hoping that was you.”
“How is he?”
“Holding up. He’s exhausted. I don’t think he slept a wink last night at the hospital.”
Rielle scratched behind Sadie’s ears. “I’ll make sure he gets some rest. How is Sierra?”
“Groggy. She’s been out of it most the day.”
“Is there anything I should know that he won’t tell me?”
“No. I’m sure he’ll tell you more than he told me.” Vi reached for her coat. “There’s a casserole in the oven. If you need anything, please call.”
“I will.”
“You’ll probably be seeing a lot of me,” Vi warned before she headed outside.
Shivering, Rielle closed the door behind her. It was much colder here than in Denver the last three days. She scaled the stairs two at a time. The TV was on, but the game wasn’t as loud as usual. She crossed to the couch and saw Gavin stretched out. Poor guy looked tense even in sleep, but she was glad to see him resting and she didn’t want to disturb him.
Turning to go, she heard a hoarse, “Ree?”
She backtracked and crouched beside him. “Hey. I heard it’s been a rough day.”
Gavin dry-washed his face. “Yeah. Hard to believe it hasn’t even been twenty-four hours since I got the call.”
“How’s she doing?”
“She’s in pain, so we’re keeping her pretty doped up for a few days.”
Rielle grabbed his hand and kissed his knuckles. “How are you holding up?”
“Better than I was.”
She waited for him to say, better now that you’re here, but he didn’t. “Can I get you anything? You hungry? Vi cooked supper.”
“I could eat.” He sat up and put his feet on the floor. “Although, I’ll probably bring it up here so I can listen for Sierra.”
“Stay. I’ll bring it to you.”
“Thank you.”
She returned a few minutes later with a plate piled with ham and potato casserole and a slice of seven-grain bread. He’d given her such a weird vibe she hadn’t brought up a plate for herself.
“That looks great.” He dug in immediately. One eye on the food; one eye on the game.
He’s hungry and tired and stressed. Don’t read anything into this.
Rielle started toward the stairs.
“Aren’t you eating with me?”
She faced him. “You didn’t ask and I didn’t want to assume.”
“Please assume that I’d like to eat with you whenever possible, okay?”
That mollified her. “Okay.”
The meal was quiet. Afterward, Gavin pushed back his plate and sighed. “This has been a f**king nightmare.”
“What happened?”
“You don’t know?”
She shook her head.
Gavin relayed the events in a clipped tone and finished with, “I have to live with that.”
“You’re shouldering the blame for Sierra’s mistake? She went to that party, knowing it was wrong.”