Joshua Healy (The Mitchell/Healy Family #10)(65)

My dad drives, because let’s face it, I’m in no condition to be behind the wheel. The truck smells like marijuana, but neither address it. Something is way more important than my bad habits.

My parents start asking questions before we’re off the ranch. “How did this happen? Was it on purpose?” Dad wants to know.

“Liv saw Tamsyn and ran her down. It all happened so fast.”

“Why would she do that? Why was Liv here in the first place? Did you invite her?” Mom inquires.

“I didn’t invite her. She came to run her mouth, oh and to tell me that she’s thinking about moving to Paris. Apparently she put in for some internship a while back. I guess she got it, or hopes she will, not that it matters now.”

“Don’t talk like that, Josh. She’s Wes’ sister and the mother of your child.”

“So we’ve been told. I’m sorry, I just don’t believe it. Frankly, I’m tired of feeling obligated to stand by her. She’s a piece of shit. Look at what she did out of jealousy. If Tamsyn…” I can’t even finish, because saying it makes it possible.

“She’s going to be okay, Josh. We have the lord on our side,” my mom says.

I sit in the passenger seat and look forward. We haven’t caught up to the ambulance yet. My nerves are shot. My head is pounding. I need to see Tamsyn; to know she’s going to be okay. I keep running the accident through my mind, trying to figure out if the impact was enough to cause life threatening injuries. I’m unsure. My mind is awry. I’m unable to comprehend it all.

My mom rubs my shoulder from the seat behind me. “You need to remain calm until we arrive.”

“What if she wakes up and I’m not there?”

“You will be there. Let the medical workers do their jobs first, Josh. I know it’s hard to wait, but you need to have faith. Tamsyn is strong and healthy. If anyone can survive something like this it’s her. What you need to do is give me the number to her parents. They need to know she’s been in an accident so they can meet us at the hospital. If I call now they might be there at the same time we arrive.”

I hand my mom my cell phone. I never keep it locked, so she’s able to navigate to find the number, especially since I have them listed as Tamsyn’s Dad and Tamsyn’s Mom.

I hear my mom talking. She doesn’t give details, but tells them where the ambulance is taking her. When the call ends she hands me back the device. “They’re going to meet us. Her dad just got home. He said they can be there in ten minutes.”

Tamsyn’s family lives much closer to town, so in this case I’m glad they can meet us. She’s going to need all of us.

When we arrive we spot them rushing into the facility. We gather around a triage desk and wait to speak to someone about getting information on Tamsyn. After waiting a few minutes for a response, we’re led to the main waiting room and told someone would come and get us shortly.

Shortly in a hospital isn’t the same as the meaning in the dictionary. It’s been an hour. We’re pacing. Her parents are crying and holding each other. They’ve come to me for answers, but I kept them vague on account of it being mostly my fault.

My mom and dad have gone and gotten coffee and sit side by side sipping it, while my aunts and uncles are all here, quietly waiting on some news. Finally my sister comes out from the emergency department. She’s got blood on her shirt, a poised look her face. Her gaze is on mine. “Tamsyn has suffered a head injury. She’s got a broken collarbone and a fractured shoulder with extensive contusions on her thigh and forehead. Right now the doctors are worried about swelling in the brain. It’s common for trauma patients.”

Her mom cuts in. “Can we see her?”

“She’s been moved to intensive care. Only family members are permitted.”

God it’s hurts. All I want to do is see her. I watch her parents being led by my sister, while I sit back down in my seat and sulk.

Cammie comes back out as soon as she’s finished showing Tamsyn’s parents where they can find her. I can tell she’s stressed out. “I need someone to give me a ride to the other hospital.”

Most of us stand up, but I’m the one that speaks. “Did you hear from Wes?”

She nods.

“Damn it, Cam, tell us.”

“She’s still in surgery. He doesn’t know anything yet.”

“What about the baby?” Mom questions.

“I have nothing to report. Maybe once I get there I can talk to the nurses. Wes is freaking out. His grandfather won’t answer the phone, and his mom is coming from Maryland.”

Uncle Ty offers. “We’ll ride you.”

Cam gives me a hug. “I’m so sorry for this, Josh. I hope she wakes up soon. Keep me posted, okay?”

As I watch my sister leave the hospital my heart breaks for what she and Wes are going through. There was a time when Liv meant everything to me. I waited years for her to realize I could be everything she needed. Now it all seems foreign and improbable. I’ve wasted too much time on the wrong person, but it doesn’t change the fact that I want her to be okay. She could be carrying my child. This is devastating for my whole family.



It’s been hours. We’ve heard nothing. Ever since Cammie left, we’ve been sitting around wondering if her parents are going to give us some news. Finally, at nearly two in the morning, I see her father surface. He’s waving in my direction. “Josh, come on back.”