Page 99 of Midnight

She sighed. “That’s a given. I already miss coming apart in your arms. So, as soon as I get signed out of my lease and my furniture sold, I’ll let you know.”

“Works for me,” he said. “Marriage license, rings, wedding day.”

“Um, Ash… About the wedding…”

He heard sadness in her voice again. “I know, baby. I know. They’re all gone, aren’t they, and it wouldn’t be the same. I’ll be just as happy with a justice of the peace, if it gets me you.”

Tears were rolling down her face. “You read me like a book. Thank you for understanding. Yes, please, and thank you.”

“Then we’re good. I love you forever. We were always meant to be,” he said.

“Love you more,” she said.

The call ended.

Nora sank back into the water, turned on the jets, and let the splashes wash away her tears.

Asher pocketed his phone. While the laundry was in the wash, he went to help Dylan clean, and Gunner was sitting in the little lobby at the garage, waiting for the serviceman to change the oil and winterize Jacob’s truck. Gunner hada mental list of his dad’s food choices running in his head, and he was thinking about the flight home to Dallas. He was ready to get back to work.

Chapter 17

The Kingstons were up before dawn, dressed and loading up their bags in the SUV. Gunner had a 7:30 a.m. flight to catch, Dylan’s flight left at 8:00 a.m., and Asher had blankets and a pillow in the car to make Jacob’s ride home easier, and a change of clothes and some slippers for him to come home in. They’d cut off everything he was wearing when he arrived in the ER, and bagged it up for evidence at the time.

They paused once as they were walking out the door, looking back at the shiny floors and gleaming kitchen appliances.

“Looks good,” Asher said. “And thank God we still have Dad to come home to at Christmas.”

They loaded their bags as Asher locked the door, and then they were gone. By the time they reached Tulia and turned toward Amarillo, the eastern horizon was growing brighter, and when Asher pulled up at the airport to let them out, the sky was bathed in faint shades of yellow and pink.

“Gunner, safe flight. See you at Christmas,” he said. “Dylan, safe flight to you, buddy. Give Angie my love. I’ll see you around.”

“Same to you,” they echoed, then took their bags and walked into the terminal, but instead of driving straight to the hospital, Asher parked long enough to call the hangar where he’d left his chopper, asked for a refuel and checkup, and said that he be flying out this afternoon.

Satisfied with their response, he headed for the hospital.

* * *

Jacob had showered and shaved but didn’t have anything to change into and was hoping Asher would remember to bring him some clothes. He was feeling good enough that he was getting picky about the hospital food and hadn’t done justice to the tray of food they’d brought in.

“Jacob! You didn’t eat much,” the nurse said as she came in to check his vitals.

“Not so hungry today. I just want to go home. Is my doctor making rounds yet?”

She smiled. “He’s on the floor. Hold your horses for a bit. He’ll get here. Now swing your legs up on that bed and get under the covers.”

He sighed. “Yes, ma’am,” and did as he was told.

He didn’t know what he thought about having a nurse in his home, after all these days with them in the hospital, but he was willing to do what he needed to get back to his old self again.

He turned on the television and leaned back in his bed, and once again, caught the early morning news with a repeat of the FBI bulletin from yesterday. And once again, was in awe of the men that he called sons.

* * *

Asher came up the hall carrying the duffel bag with shoes and clothes for his dad, along with his winter coat. He paused at the nurses’ desk.

“I’m Asher Kingston. My dad, Jacob Kingston, is supposed to be released this morning. Has his doctor made rounds yet?”

“Doctor Reading is on the floor making rounds, but we don’t have orders yet.”