Page 26 of Final Approach (Lake City Heroes #4)

THIRTEEN

Kristine sat in the chair next to Emily’s bed.

Aunt Wendy had hugged her and excused herself to get a few hours of sleep.

Emily had stirred a few times but had yet to fully wake again, thanks to the powerful meds pumping through her small frame.

That was the one thing that gave Kristine comfort.

Emily wasn’t in pain, physically or emotionally.

Yet. She just prayed her sister could heal a little more physically before she had to tell her about Tia.

The door opened and Ethan entered, took a look at his wounded twin in the bed, and ran a hand over his bloodshot eyes. He’d driven all night, and as far as she knew, he hadn’t slept in a really long time. He had to be exhausted. But he nodded to Emily. “How is she?”

“The same. Why don’t you go to my place? I’ll give you the key and you can make yourself at home. It’s a three-bedroom town house. Use the bed that’s made. Although, Dad was there for a while yesterday, so all the beds might be made at this point.”

He shot her an amused look through his weariness. “You still don’t make your bed?”

“Leftover teenage rebellion. Dad can’t punish me for it anymore.”

The amusement faded. “Yeah. He was such a tyrant.”

“He was. Still is in a lot of ways. I used to think we had it good because he never hit us. Not like some kids. But I didn’t realize the extent of the emotional abuse until I was an adult.

Talking to Jesslyn about her own father’s manipulative nature was a big help.

For some reason it helps to know I’m not alone.

” Jesslyn’s father, mother, and two younger sisters had been killed when she was seven, but her aunt had fed Jesslyn information about her father’s character and personality over a period of time, allowing her to fully understand her childhood flashes of memories.

Thankfully, in the end, before he died, he’d been a changed man.

Unfortunately, Kristine wasn’t sure that was possible for her father. Then again, God could do miracles. She was still praying for one.

Ethan sighed. “I’m just glad I’m not around him much anymore.”

“Have you seen him?”

“Yes, briefly. Outside the room. He started going on and on about how she shouldn’t have been with her friends, that this never would have happened if she’d just listened to him, yada yada.

” He grimaced. “I just can’t win with him.

You know that. I finally walked off before I got to visit Emily.

I was just waiting for him to go before I came back. ”

Ouch. “I know. I’m sorry. I just keep praying for him. Otherwise I wouldn’t be able to deal with him either.”

He studied her with narrowed eyes. “You know, I never was real big on the whole church thing, but because you seem so ... I don’t know ... peaceful about everything, I figured I’d give it a try.”

Kristine blinked. Peaceful? Her? She stared at Ethan. “Really?”

“Well, yeah. I mean ... I don’t know. You just seem to roll with everything without batting an eye. And then with Dad ... I’d never be able to deal with him like you do.”

She closed her eyes and thought about it. Then nodded. “Yeah, okay. I guess there is a peace that’s come with acknowledging our father is never going to win the Father of the Year award.”

“At the church where I’ve been going, there’s a guy there.

A man in his forties, I guess. He’s got the wife, two kids, and three dogs.

Lives in a nice house in the burbs, et cetera.

He’s an accountant by day but a spiritual warrior and mentor after hours.

” Ethan laughed. “Well, probably all the time, but I only see him at church. He’s about five ten and a hundred fifty soaking wet.

Doesn’t look like he could fight anybody and win.

And then there’s a guy who’s a Navy SEAL.

I mean, you can picture him. In the best shape ever, buff, with tats and a look that would intimidate just about anyone who crosses his path.

But man, he loves God.” He shook his head.

“Seeing them worship together in the same place just did something for me. It was powerful in a way I can’t really explain.

I don’t know why, but I needed to see that it didn’t matter what your outward appearance was.

What mattered is what’s on the inside. And the cool thing?

They’re not shy or ashamed of telling me they’re praying for me.

I mean, I never even asked them to, and they just came up to me—on two separate occasions—and told me so.

I figure that might be God trying to get my attention. ”

Kristine stared. She’d never heard him talk this much. Especially not about spiritual matters. And he probably related much better to the accountant than he did the SEAL. Maybe it was the exhaustion loosening his tongue. “Wow. This is recent, right?”

“Yes. Just over the past couple of months.” He rubbed his eyes. “And I know I need to forgive Dad and move past all of our childhood pain, but I’m not there yet.”

She stood and hugged him. “I’m so proud of you, Ethan.

And I fully believe that you’ll get there.

That’s my prayer for you. That you can forgive and move on and be the man God is calling you to be.

” But what about her? Had she forgiven and moved on?

The sharp squeeze in the vicinity of her heart had her wincing.

“You know,” she said, “when Mom was alive, she was the spiritual head of the family, not him. And I get it. It’s what a lot of women have to do these days if they want to raise kids who love the Lord.

” She waved a hand. “All that to say, you didn’t exactly have a role model as to what a godly man looked like. I’m so glad you have at least two now.”

“Me too.”

“If Aunt Wendy hadn’t spent a lot of time with us after Mom died,” she said, “I’m not sure where I’d be spiritually.”

“Yeah, I didn’t pay much attention to her.”

“This is one of the most interesting conversations I’ve eavesdropped on in a while,” Emily said, her words slow and slurred, but she was awake.

Kristine stepped over to her and gripped her hand. “Welcome back, little sis.”

Her eyes landed on Ethan and tears began to drip down her temples. “Hey, li’l bro.”

“Only by three minutes.”

It was familiar banter and Kristine soaked it up. Emily looked at her and turned serious. “Thank you for being here.”

“Where else would I be?”

“On a plane?”

“Seriously?”

Emily’s hand squeezed. “You’re always here for us, Kris. I don’t know what we’d do without you.” She swallowed hard.

“Well, let’s hope we never have to find out.”

“I was laying here thinking while y’all were talking and realized I don’t think we’ve ever said thank you.”

“Come on, Em, thank you for what?”

“For everything. After Mom died, you took over.”

“Aunt Wendy took over.”

“No,” Ethan said, “she’s right. You did.”

Kristine frowned. “I did?”

“Yes.” He laughed. “You were there for every game, every parent-teacher conference, every broken heart. You, Kris, not Dad or Aunt Wendy, although I’ll give her credit for trying.

But she had her own life. You gave up yours for us.

Tried to help us not miss Mom so much.” He shrugged, and Kristine wasn’t sure what to say or do.

Other than turn into a sopping, crying mess. And that wasn’t happening. Much. She pulled in a ragged breath. “Well, I just ... I mean—” She sniffed. “I don’t know what to say.”

Emily squeezed again. “You don’t have to say anything.

Just know that we appreciate it. There aren’t enough words to express that, and I’m sorry I haven’t told you that before.

” She swiped a tear. “Almost dying makes you look at things a little different—and say things you’ve thought but never actually said. Now, I’ve said it.”

“Thanks, Em. I’d do it all over again if I had to.” She had to change the subject before the knot in her throat strangled her.

Emily shot a frown at Kristine. “I’ve been scared to ask and you haven’t brought it up, but I have to know. How are Dana and Tia?”

Kristine worked hard not to let her ragged emotions show on her face, but she must have failed because Emily’s drugged gaze sharpened.

“Tell me.”

She had no choice. “Dana’s recovering like you, but Tia didn’t make it, sweetie. I’m so terribly sorry.” No sense in dragging it out.

Emily gasped, then tears flooded her eyes and poured over her temples.

Kristine grabbed the box of tissues and did her best to catch the grief, wishing she could mop it up as easy as the liquid.

She didn’t say a word, just let her sister cry.

Then realized she was crying with her. Again.

She used a few of the tissues for herself. “I’m so sorry, Em.”

The sobs continued for a few more very long seconds before her sister hiccupped and caught her breath. “I can’t believe it,” she whispered. “It doesn’t seem possible.”

“I know.” She leaned her head against Emily’s, and Ethan walked to the bed to grip his sister’s hand. She lost track of how long they stayed that way, but Kristine finally pulled back and asked, “How’s your pain level?”

Emily sniffed and pressed the fingers of her good hand to her eyes. “Not too bad,” she finally said. “But I’m not worried about that. Poor Tia...”

The door opened and their father stepped into the room. When his eyes landed on Emily, he smiled. “Finally. You’re awake. I’ve been so worried, baby.”

Emily looked at Kristine. “My pain level just spiked. I need more drugs.”

Before she could respond, someone knocked, and a nurse let herself in the open door.

“Hi there. I’m Leanna, and Naomi terrifies me.

She’s still here covering until lunchtime.

If she learns of the crowd back here, I’m toast. I’m sorry, but one of you needs to go.

” The words were direct, but her eyes and tone were kind.

“I’m not leaving Emily,” their father said. “I’ll be right here.”

Emily blinked. “But—”