Chapter One
Today was always going to be a life changer, Felicity knew that. Watching her firstborn walk across the graduation stage, smiling ear to ear, was one of those slow-motion moments, a blur of happy times, milestones, and pride. Her daughter, Honor, was done. Eighteen. A high-school graduate, ready to spend the night celebrating with her friends.
Which was exactly as it should be.
This, now, leading her two kids into the emergency room, was not.
“How serious was the accident?” Honor asked, holding tightly to her hand.
“Honor,” Nick, her sixteen-year-old, snapped. “You heard as much as she did.”
It had been one of those times she’d wished her phone wasn’t synced to her car. How could she have known the hospital was calling? How could she have known Matt, her ex—the kids’ father—had been in an accident? A serious accident. They’d all just assumed Matt had ditched, as was the trend.
“Hold my hand, Nickie,” Honor mumbled thickly, reaching for her little brother’s hand.
Nick didn’t say a word, but Honor didn’t have to ask again.
The way her kids relied on each other was one good thing to come out of her messy divorce. They weren’t just siblings anymore. They were best friends. Best friends who had no idea what was happening. It was possible Matt’s replacement family was here—in the waiting room—families did that when things like this happened.
Coming face-to-face with his fiancée, Amber; her megawatt smile; and her killer legs wasn’t going to make this any easier. Neither was meeting Matt’s son, Jack—the baby Nick blamed for destroying their happy family. As much as she’d like to think Nick could keep it together, there were no guarantees. When it came to his father, Nick was equal parts hostility and resentment. The potential for reality-television drama in the hospital waiting room was a real concern.
But if the last two years had taught her anything, it was that a smile was normally the best accessory. Even when the last thing she felt like doing was smiling. Like now.
“Is that Dr. Murphy?” Nick asked.
Felicity glanced at the man at the nurses’ station. At well over six feet, Graham Murphy stood out. Seeing his tall, broad back encased in green hospital scrubs was a relief. While the two of them hadn’t been close the last few years, Graham and Matt had been best friends through med school and partners when Matt still had his OB/GYN practice here in Pecan Valley. “Graham?”
“Yes?” Graham Murphy turned to face them, instant recognition easing his features—briefly. His brown gaze searched hers. “Felicity.” That was all. Her name, without a hint of emotion.
But he was having a hard time making eye contact with the kids, and that said so much. If Matt was okay, he’d say so. Wouldn’t he? He’d offer some sort of reassurance. A smile. Something. The shock of the phone call was quickly turning into something substantial—and cold.
“I got a phone call? About Matt.” Maybe he didn’t know anything. Maybe—
“I’ll take you to him.” He cleared his throat, drew in a deep breath, and spoke. “He’s going to surgery. His jaw is broken, so talking isn’t comfortable. He’s in bad shape, a lot of pain, but he held on to see you. Keep it positive—good thoughts, that sort of thing, okay?”
Honor was nodding, tears streaming down her face. Felicity wiped them away, pressing a kiss to her cheek.
Nick. Poor Nick. She hugged him close, his tall frame rigid and unyielding in her arms. Since the divorce, Nick’s anger had grown every time Matt missed a game, concert, birthday, or holiday. While she understood, she worried Nick’s fury would consume whatever affection he still felt for his father.
Graham looked at her, then nodded, leading them past the nurses’ station and into the emergency room. He stopped beside the last door off the hall.
“What’s best for him? One at a time? All together?” Honor asked.
“Together.” The word was all Nick could manage.
Graham squeezed Nick’s shoulder and went inside. “They’re here, Matt.”
Felicity went first, doing her best not to react to her ex-husband’s appearance. But it was hard. His face was swollen and misshapen, a white gauze ice pack taped to his jaw. He was covered with several blankets, one looked like an inflated packing sheet, and each breath he took was labored and watery. He looked wrecked, in every sense of the word.
Honor immediately headed to her father, but Nick hung back.
“No crying,” Matt said, the words slurred. He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “So beautiful. S-sorry…missed it. Graduated. I’m so proud. And I love you, baby girl.”
“Don’t talk, Dad.” Honor kissed his cheek. “Mom recorded it all. You can be bored with it later—when you’re better.”
Matt nodded, the movement stiff. “Good.” He was hurting; she could hear it, see it. “Nick?” The word a plea.
Nick crossed the room, hands shoved in pockets, jaw muscle working. “I’m here, Dad.”
Matt reached up, his hand shaking so bad that Nick had no choice but to cradle it in both of his.
Felicity saw her boy’s chin quiver, saw him wrinkle up his nose,
the way his breathing hitched. He’d held on to his resentment for so long, he wasn’t about to lose control now. But seeing him struggle hurt—so much.