“Or was struck—from behind. The police found a bloody branch.”
“He followed her?” It was a nightmare from which he couldn’t seem to waken. “Why? He never took her money from the car. That was left inside, with her purse. At least, that’s what the sheriff said.”
“I don’t know why someone would have hit her. Maybe this guy’s a wacko. Maybe he wanted something else. We’ve given her a full examination, ordered scans, the whole bit. The main thing for you to remember is that she’s back.”
“I’ll come right away.”
“No, let Cody sleep. I promise I’ll phone as soon as she wakes.”
“You do that. Get her anything she needs, Luc. Anything. It doesn’t matter how much it costs.” He couldn’t say any more for the blockage in his throat.
“You know I’ll take care of her, man. Depend on it.” Luc’s voice was filled with promise. “How’s your son?”
“Cody hasn’t slept all night. His eyes close and he almost lets go, but then something jerks him awake. I’ve been watching him. Maybe he needs a shot or something?” Never in his life had Gray felt so helpless, so out of control.
“No, I’d rather not sedate him. Let him get through this on his own first. Later, if he needs something, we’ll administer it, but until we know more, I think he’s better to get reacquainted with his dad in his own way.”
“Yeah, okay. Thanks, Luc.”
“My pleasure, man. My pleasure. I’m just glad they’re home.”
“Yeah.” Gray hung up, caught sight of Cody standing in the doorway and beckoned.
Cody raced over, then stopped. He glanced at the phone, frowned his question.
“That was Dr. Luc. Remember him?”
Cody nodded, one eyebrow quirked upward.
“He phoned to tell us that they found your mom. She hurt her head and they’ve taken her to the hospital for tests, so we can’t see her right now. But once the doctors fix her up, she’ll be fine.” I hope.
Cody stared at him, his confusion evident.
“Mommy’s going to get all better, Cody. Do you understand?”
Tears dripped from the little boy’s tanned cheeks, but his gray eyes shone like hammered silver when Cody finally nodded his comprehension.
“Right now I think you’d better get some sleep. Okay, son?”
Cody shook his head, adamantly refusing.
“You’re not tired? Well, do you want some breakfast?”
Cody shook his head again.
Well, what then? There must be something a father could do for his kid. Gray studied the beloved face for several moments before understanding dawned.
“You want to go see Mommy?”
Cody grinned.
“Okay, sport, we’ll go. But I don’t know what you’re going to wear. You’ve grown about three inches. I don’t think any of your old stuff will fit.”
Cody grabbed his hand and dragged him toward the stairs up to his room.
“Yeah, you’re right. We’ll find something. After all, what do clothes matter when your mom’s back? Let’s go see Mommy.”
Half an hour later as he drove back into town, Gray felt exactly the way Cody looked—hopeful, excited, a bit worried, unsure of himself. What would Marissa say? Would she be awake and able to tell him where she’d been? Could she identify her abductor? Would he finally have the answers he craved?
Most of all, would she accept his apology or throw it back in his face?
The hospital parking lot was almost empty. Gray pulled in as near to the entrance as he legally could. Cody hopped out before he could be helped, his eyes dancing with excitement, impatient to get inside.
“Come on, son. Let’s go find her.”
There was no one at the admissions desk, which wasn’t surprising in their small-town hospital. Noises from a treatment room in the adjoining emergency ward helped Gray assume the nurse was busy there. It wasn’t a large building. It wouldn’t take long to find Marissa.
He spotted a sleeping Miss Winifred sitting on a lounge in one ward, head jerking forward in spasmodic nods. She awoke as soon as he approached.
“Hi, Gray. A friend of mine came in with chest pains last night. I was here when they brought Marissa back, so I thought I’d stay, catch forty winks and speak to her when she woke up. Hello, Cody. How are you today?”
Cody grinned at Miss Winifred, accepting her hug.
Back? Brought her back from where? Gray pushed that aside to mull over later. He didn’t have time to puzzle it out right now. There were other things to consider. He glanced around, thinking about Luc’s words. Maybe it would be better if he saw Marissa alone for the first time. If her injuries involved her face, Cody would need to be prepared. Personally, Gray didn’t care what she looked like—he only wanted her in his arms. For the rest of his life.
“Cody, I’m going to find your mom. I want you to stay with Miss Winifred until I come and get you. We have to be very quiet so we don’t wake up the sick people. Okay?”
Cody frowned, obviously wanting to argue, but Gray shook his head as he hunkered down in front of the boy.
“Don’t worry, son. I’m not leaving you. I’ll be back. I promise. I just need to see Mommy. I haven’t seen her for such a long time and I missed her a lot. Just like I missed you. After I’ve talked to her a little while, I’ll come back and get you. Okay?”
Cody was obviously debating, but Gray figured the boy was finding it hard to argue without speaking.
“Come on, Cody. I’ll read you this story I found about a king.” Miss Winifred winked at Gray, then continued speaking to the boy. “Your daddy just wants a minute to hug and kiss your mommy without you watching. It’s mushy adult stuff. I don’t think you want to watch that, do you?”
Cody looked at Gray as if he couldn’t remember such a thing ever happening. But after a moment he nodded and reached inside his grubby jacket. Gray stared at the picture he’d scribbled on a wrinkled sheet of paper, his name carefully inscribed below.
When had he learned to write his name?
Gray bit his lip as the impact of the many things he’d missed these past five months hit home.
Cody held his gaze, his stare never wavering as he waited for his father to take the picture. There were trees, lots of them. And two figures. One small. One large. Behind the trees was a shadowy shape that Gray understood to identify their abductor. He stared at it for some clue that would unlock his son’s silence. He found nothing.
He hunkered down, peered into his son’s clear gaze.
“It’s a very nice picture, Cody,” he murmured. “Do you want me to give it to Mommy?”
Cody nodded.
“Okay.” He accepted the picture, held it carefully while Cody settled himself in Winifred’s lap. “I’ll go find her and give her your picture.”
Satisfied that the boy was occupied and safe, Gray started down the hall. Outside the third door he heard a voice he hadn’t heard in five long months. Gray shoved the door open and stepped inside.
“Is anyone there? Oh. Hello. Can you please get me some aspirin?”
“Hello, Marissa.” He couldn’t help staring, his eyes absorbing the damaged but still fragile beauty of her sculpted face, the deep