“Hey, Millie’s been great to my kids. If it hadn’t been for her, I wouldn’t have found out about Joey’s problems with the third-grade bullies.”
“I don’t know if she told you, but I’m in North Carolina right now. I’ll get back as soon as I can.” Guilt crashed over Chloe. Nathan would insist on taking her back to New Jersey. He might not see his father again for another two years.
“I hear you took a private jet there.” Lynda gave an admiring whistle. “Millie says to tell you not to rush back. Stay and enjoy the wedding or she’ll sign up for Crestmont the minute she gets out of the hospital.”
Chloe could hear her grandmother’s voice in her mind, and it made her smile through her concern. “Sounds like she’s back to her usual self.”
“Just a minute,” Lynda said. Chloe heard some rustling and clicking. Then Lynda spoke again, her voice low. “I didn’t want her to hear me, but I think she’s scared. Not about being in the hospital but about falling again.”
“I’m worried about that too,” Chloe said as regret pinched at her. She’d been too busy with Nathan to pay close enough attention to Grandmillie’s health issues. “We need to find out why it keeps happening.”
“Another doctor just came in, so I’ve got to go. Don’t worry, Pete’s home with the kids, so I can stay until you get back.”
“Thank you so much,” Chloe said, trying to project the overwhelming gratitude she felt through the phone, but Lynda has disconnected.
Chloe lowered the phone.
“I’ve already texted the pilot to prep for takeoff, and the limo is waiting at the door,” Nathan said, looking up from the phone he held in his palm. “We need to let Ben and Ed know the jet will be back for them. You can tell me what happened when we’re on our way.”
She shook her head. “I want you to stay here. It’s your father’s wedding day. You shouldn’t miss it.”
Nathan slid his phone into his breast pocket. “I’m not letting you go alone. End of discussion.” He started toward the door.
She didn’t have the time or the strength to argue with him, so she allowed him to escort her back into the dining room. The music had changed to something more contemporary, and the dance floor was filled with uniformed couples flinging their bodies around with gleeful abandon.
Ed and Ben, however, were still in conversation with the same group with whom she’d noticed them before. Nathan took her hand and strode through the crowded room. Guests gave him appraising glances and moved out of his way, just as they did for his father.
When Ed saw Nathan, he stepped out of the group. “What’s the problem?” the older man asked.
“Chloe’s grandmother is in the hospital. I’m taking her home to New Jersey. The jet will come back for you and Ben.”
Ed looked at Chloe and evidently didn’t like what he saw. “I’ll come with you. I can help with logistics while you stay with Ms. Russell.”
Chloe opened her mouth to protest, but Nathan squeezed her hand and nodded. “We’d appreciate that.”
Ben joined them. “What’s going on?”
Nathan explained again. “Let’s say good-bye to the general and head out,” Ben said instantly.
“Please, don’t leave on my account,” Chloe said as guilt piled on guilt. “Your friends are here. I feel terrible about taking you away.”
“I’m a doctor,” Ben pointed out. “I’ll be a hell of a lot more useful than some computer nerd.”
Ben’s insult had the odd effect of comforting Chloe. He was treating her as part of this tight circle of Nathan’s friends.
Nathan’s smile flashed briefly. “You’d be as useless as I am without your fancy medical equipment, which my technology powers.”
“We can insult each other or we can get Ms. Russell to her grandmother,” Ed said. “The general and Mrs. Trainor are at zero nine hundred.”
Ben gave Chloe a rueful shrug as he let her pass with Nathan. “Thank you,” she said, meaning it. If he spoke with the doctors, they would take Grandmillie’s case seriously.
Nathan led her up to his father and Angel. “Our apologies, but Chloe has a family medical emergency,” Nathan said. “We have to head back up north immediately.”
“Oh, no, I’m so sorry,” Angel said, enfolding Chloe in a hug. “We send our prayers with you.”
“I’m the one who’s sorry to take everyone away early,” Chloe said. “But my grandmother is in the hospital.”
General Trainor held out his hand to Nathan. “It was good to have you here.”
Chloe could hear the depth of sincerity in the general’s voice.
“It was good to be here, sir,” Nathan said, gripping his father’s hand a little longer than a mere handshake. Chloe willed him to say something further.
“The sword!” the general said, his free hand going to where the hilt should have been. “I put it in the office for safekeeping.”
“Keep it,” Nathan said. “It belongs here with you.”
CHAPTER 28