Letters from Peaceful Lane (New Americana 3)

“No need for that. I’m a tough sonofabitch. You should know that by now.”

“I do.” Allison blinked back tears. Her fingers tightened around his hand. “Brianna’s on her way. Her flight will be landing soon.”

“Damn, Brianna didn’t need to come. One look at me and she’ll probably turn around and run.”

“She’s your daughter. She loves you. And don’t worry about the way you look. Garrett promised to prepare her.”

“Garrett?” He scowled.

“I asked him to meet Brianna’s flight so I could be here with you.”

Burke didn’t respond. He was still scowling.

“I spoke with Garrett as I was leaving this morning,” Allison said. “He told me he’d already filed a claim with the auto insurance company. And he told me something else. He said he’s found an investor for the American Heartland. All he needs is your signature, and it’s a done deal.” She paused, puzzled by his stormy expression. “Did he tell you?”

“He told me.”

“Did you sign? I warned him that your signature might not be valid, since you were on painkillers.”

“I didn’t sign. And I won’t.”

Startled, Allison stared at him. “Not even if it would keep your business from going under?”

“Not even then.”

Allison shook her head. “I’ve always trusted your judgment, Burke. Now I’m confused. Is there something you’re not telling me?”

“Only that I know who Garrett is talking to, and I don’t like them.”

“But who—?”

“Don’t ask.” He cut her off angrily. “I’ve told you enough. You can’t be involved in this mess. Get a lawyer, Allison. You’re going to need somebody to fight for your rights before it’s over. I can give you a couple of names if you need them.”

Fight against whom? Against you?

Allison might have voiced the question, but just then his oxygen monitor began to beep. Heart lurching, she checked the clip. It was on his finger, where it belonged.

Allison sprang to her feet. “Breathe!” she urged him, punching the call button. “Take deep, deep breaths!”

By the time the nurse—a tall brunette this time—came rushing into the room, Burke’s oxygen level was rising again. The nurse turned up the oxygen and stayed to coach him until he was stable again. Allison sank back into the chair, her legs quivering. Only now that the brief crisis was over did she realize how scared she’d been.

When he was resting, his vitals stable again, the nurse beckoned Allison out into the hall. “We’re still trying to figure out what happened to him earlier,” she said. “Did anything change before his oxygen level started dropping?”

“We were just talking. But when the conversation turned to business issues, he started getting upset.”

“And probably forgot to relax and breathe,” the nurse said. “I’ll mention that to the doctor.”

“What happened before?” Allison asked. “Was it the same thing?”

“His business partner was here—younger man, dark hair?”

“Yes, I know him.”

“He closed the door, but after a few minutes, their conversation got loud. We couldn’t make out words but we could hear your husband shouting. Not long after that, the partner left, with his briefcase. I was concerned enough to check on your husband. His oxygen was dropping, and his blood pressure was elevated. When we couldn’t calm him down, we gave him a light sedative. He was just coming out of it when you walked in.”

So something was going on—something between Burke and Garrett. And until she knew what it was, she would be no more help to her husband than a child groping in the dark.

“Thanks for helping me make sense of this,” Allison said. “His daughter will be here a little later. I hope that seeing her will raise his spirits.”