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Kelby made her way toward the fieldhouse, knowing West would have parked near it.

She climbed into the truck, her heart heavy for him.

West worshipped Coach Markham. If he lost his mentor, he would be in a bad place.

She almost wished that she had Dr. Linda’s phone number so she could message the therapist and prepare her for what West would need to talk about during his next session with her.

She did text Meg, asking for an update and telling her that the scrimmage was over and that she and West would be heading to the hospital soon. A reply quickly came, telling her that Coach had been taken to surgery and would be there for several more hours, so they didn’t need to rush.

Twenty minutes later, West appeared. He climbed behind the wheel, and she updated him.

“I knew something was off about him the moment I arrived this morning. An old, crusty coach doesn’t like to let others know he’s human, though. He told me nothing was wrong the first time I asked. I’m glad I kept pushing, else he might’ve dropped dead on the sidelines.”

West walked her through what had happened, and Kelby assured him that he had done everything he could.

“I know it was a lot of responsibility placed upon you today. Having to take over the scrimmage was no easy task. How accepting were the other coaches?”

“It worked out fine. I haven’t experienced any jealous vibes coming from anyone on staff.

They were like zombies for a few minutes after I told them about Coach, almost as if they were moving underwater.

I think it was the right thing to do, both for them and the team, by going through with the scrimmage.

It helped take everyone’s mind off the situation.

Besides, Coach would’ve been disappointed if we’d called things off. ”

He paused, exhaling a long breath. “I told the team and staff that I was heading to the hospital and asked for them to wait to hear from me before they showed up. That I’d text them the prognosis and let them know if and when visitors could come.

” He hesitated. “With coach being in surgery, I hope the doctors can save him. That he can come back and coach like before.”

Kelby didn’t think that would happen. Coach Markham had to be in his mid-sixties or older.

When West first told her about landing the assistant coaching position, she’d thought that Markham would groom West to take over for him in a few years.

Because of today’s medical emergency, Kelby believed the timeline had been accelerated.

Voicing her thoughts now, she carefully said, “Even if Coach Markham makes it through surgery, he will need lots of rest, as well as weeks of rehab. I don’t see him coming back to coaching anytime soon, West. If at all.”

“But who would lead his team?”

She took his hand. “Let’s wait and see how he is. That can be addressed later.”

They reached the hospital and were directed to a waiting room. West immediately went to Georgia Markham and hugged her.

“I’m so glad you’re here, West,” she said.

“All the coaches wanted to come. The team, too, but I told them to wait. To let us see how things are. Coach doesn’t need a hundred guys trying to crowd into his room.”

They sat waiting with West’s parents and Mrs. Markham and Rand for another three hours before a surgeon in scrubs appeared and asked to speak with Georgia Markham alone.

“Everyone here is family, Doctor. Please share whatever news you have about my husband with all of us.”

Kelby could tell the surgeon did a double-take when he spied West, but he introduced himself and spoke professionally and articulate.

“We found two arteries blocking things, Mrs. Markham. Your husband needed a double bypass, where I used a healthy blood vessel from another part of his body to create a new path for blood to reach his heart. The official name is coronary artery bypass grafting. CABG. It’s a common procedure, and one Mr. Markham will come back from. ”

Kelby felt everyone in the room relax at the doctor’s words.

“When can I see him?” Mrs. Markham asked.

“He’s in ICU now and will be for a day or so until he’s moved to a regular hospital room for rest and follow-up care. You can see him in about half an hour.”

West had joined her. “How long is the recovery period, Doctor?”

“It can be anywhere from six to twelve weeks. That includes his rehab. Some people bounce back more quickly than others, but Mr. Markham has a decent chance at living another twenty years or so, as long as he continues to eat right and exercise moderately and watches his stress levels.”

“What about coaching?” West pressed, clearly concerned. “He’s a head football coach. It’s his life.”

The physician seemed to choose his words carefully.

“While many of my cardiac patients return to work, with Mr. Markham’s age and the pressures placed upon football coaches in this state, I would advise him to take a step back.

Even retire if he’s eligible to do so. He can live a good many more years if he takes coaching off his plate. ”

Turning his focus back to Mrs. Markham, the doctor said, “No decision needs to be made today. Or even tomorrow. Let’s see how Mr. Markham responds to his surgery and rehab. I’ll have a nurse let you know when you can see him, ma’am.”

Forty-five minutes later, a nurse came to the waiting room. “One visit each hour for ten minutes, and only one person at a time,” she said.

“Go ahead, West,” Georgia Markham said. “He’ll want to see you before me. I’ll be the one here every day. He’s going to want to know about the scrimmage.”

“Are you sure?” he asked.

She gave West a knowing smile. “I know my husband and what’s important to him. He needs to hear how the scrimmage went today. Tell him I’ll be in during the next round.”

Kelby watched West as he hugged Mrs. Markham and left with the nurse to go to ICU. No one spoke while West was gone.

When he returned, he went straight to Mrs. Markham. “You were right. He wanted to hear every detail about the scrimmage. How many yards each running back racked up. The passing completion percentage. Number of tackles and who led that.”

Mrs. Markham chuckled. “I knew seeing you would be the best medicine for him, West.”

He looked nonplused as he added, “Coach also told me that he’s done. This operation punched his ticket.” Looking to his dad, he added, “And he wants me to replace him as head coach of the Hawks.”