Page 91 of Back in the Saddle

His hand rested at the back of her head. ‘Did something happen?’

She let go, taking a wobbly step back. ‘Just a long day. It’s good to see you.’

‘The feeling’s mutual.’ He lifted a glasses case in the air. ‘Got Dad’s glasses. The nurses had found them in the changing room.’

Caroline laughed. ‘He seems to forget his glasses a lot.’

‘You have no idea; it’s a whole thing.’

She looked into his eyes. The guilt from carrying with her the knowledge capable of destroying his world right here, right now, weighed heavy on her shoulders.

Would it have helped Yolanda? Or me? Knowing, when there’s nothing that can be done? And the results might be better than Anna thinks; maybe all isn’t lost. Maybe Alan beats the odds.

‘I was thinking of going for a walk by the river. Want to come?’ Hunter asked.

Caroline nodded. ‘Sure. Let’s go.’

She took his outstretched hand, simultaneously trying to channel her strength into his heart, and take some of his warmth to keep hers from breaking; for Yolanda, for herself, for him.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Hunter

Hunter had always thought the passing of time a strange concept. There were days that dragged mercilessly, usually when he was waiting for something good to happen. Then there was time that almost equated to a heartbeat. In principle, he knew time was measured and went by the same way. An hour was always an hour, however you looked at it. Yet, the weeks they had waited for the next set of tests for his father had brought on a low-grade, underlying but ever-present heaviness in the pit of his stomach. And they’d gone by before he knew it.

Today was the day they were going to find out what the results meant after the battery of tests and scans last week.

Hunter got out of his truck, zipped up his jacket and looked at the imposing building of Rouken Cancer Center. Trying not to let his mind race, he took a deep breath and walked round to open the passenger door.

‘Here, Dad.’ He helped Alan step down onto the pavement.

Alan coughed and shook his hand off, taking his best black Stetson off and checking it out. He made sure the shape was correct and put it back on.

‘Is Buck coming?’ Alan asked, pushing his glasses up his nose. He tried to sound carefree and conversational, but Hunter detected hesitation.

Hunter nodded. ‘He called me this morning when he was setting off. Said he’ll meet us there.’

Alan opened his mouth but then closed it. He looked like he’d aged another couple of years in the past few weeks. His arms trembled, but he shook the feeling off and started walking with purpose towards the entrance.

Hunter followed him.

Buck walked into the conference room on the fourth floor, letting the door slam behind him. ‘Dad.’ He enveloped Alan in a big hug and didn’t let him go for a long moment.

When they separated, Alan sat back down and crossed his arms over his chest.

Buck settled on the uncomfortable chair next to him and nodded to Hunter in acknowledgement. Words weren’t necessary. They both wanted to be here for their father. But the love they had for him, and for each other, didn’t help with making the day feel any less unbearable.

None of the Jackson men spoke while the clock ticked away the minutes to 1 p.m. Half an hour felt like half a day … Finally, the door opened again. Dr Anna Kennedy walked in first, putting on a warm smile.

‘Good afternoon, Alan. Hunter.’ She nodded the greeting to him. ‘And Buck, nice to see you again.’

Two men and a tall woman walked in all wearing lanyardswith the centre’s staff ID cards. They followed Dr Kennedy’s lead and sat at the top of the table.

Dr Kennedy looked to Alan. ‘Are we waiting for anyone else?’

‘Not from our side, Doc.’

‘Mary isn’t here?’ she asked, her voice a bit quieter.