Trace’s father stood. “I’ll have the helicopter here in fifteen minutes and arrange for a car to meet you in Chattanooga.”
“I... Yes, that would be best.” He needed to get there as quickly as possible.
Not that they’d let him donate again this quickly. In which case...
“Actually—” he turned to his father, who shared his rare blood type “—can you go with me?”
His dad gave him a startled look. “Me? You want me to go?”
“I may need you there. Joss may need you.”
“Then let’s go.”
* * *
Chrissie’s phone buzzed.
“He’s on his way.”
“Wow.” She hadn’t been sure Agnes could pull off getting Trace to come back to Chattanooga to talk, but Agnes had assured her he would. When she’d called Trace’s godmother she’d just been going after an address and to make sure Trace was still in Atlanta.
“His dad is with him,” Agnes continued.
“His dad? Why is Trace’s dad coming with him?”
“Long story.” Agnes gave a little laugh. “Trace may have misunderstood something I said and thought Joss needed another blood transfusion.”
“What?” Then why Trace was headed to Chattanooga clicked. “Agnes, when you said you’d make sure he came back, I didn’t realize you were going to deceive him.” Chrissie’s heart sank. “I don’t feel good about that. I’ve deceived him too much already.”
“I didn’t say Joss needed a blood transfusion. Besides, that boy’s pride didn’t need to get in his way.”
That boy was a handsome grown man who Chrissie was angry at and yet...
“Oh, Agnes, he’s coming because he’s worried about Joss.”
Which meant he wasn’t coming for her, but for their son.
Which was okay.
If she had to choose, wasn’t that what she’d pick? For Trace to be concerned about his son? For him to be there if Joss needed him? Obviously if he was on his way, he would be there for Joss.
Trace was on his way!
“You have to let him know Joss isn’t in any danger. He’s recovering wonderfully.” She didn’t want Trace worrying. She could only imagine the horror he must be experiencing.
“He’ll be at your house any moment and you can tell him then.”
“Any moment?” She’d thought she’d have a couple of hours to mentally prepare what she wanted to say.
“They took his dad’s helicopter.”
“His dad has a helicopter?”
Agnes laughed. “Oh, honey, you really have no clue, do you?”
Chrissie tried not to be insulted but wasn’t sure she succeeded. “What am I supposed to say to him?”
“Now, that’s something only you know. I’d guess a good place to start would be why you called me to get his information.”