Page 19 of Condor’s Vow

It took Hattie a second to jump on board with what he was saying, but when she did, she realized he’d changed the subject suddenly as he often did. One thing was for sure, she’d never be bored with this man. They moved on to safer topics and were arguing over the check when her phone rang.

Part of her wanted to ignore it, but she knew she couldn’t. It could be her Dad, and she needed to answer. Seeing it was the hospital she frowned, wondering if she had forgotten something on her hand over. “Hello?”

“Hey, Hattie, it’s Dr. Travers. Don’t panic, but we just had your father brought in. He was in the park walking his dog when he fell.”

Hattie’s heart began to pound, and her hands became sweaty. Shaking her head, she replied, “What? Are you sure? My father doesn’t have a dog.”

“Yeah, he had his wallet in his pocket, and you were listed as next of kin.”

“I’ll be right there. I’m two minutes away.”

“Don’t rush. He’s going for x-rays as he may have a broken hip.”

Hattie didn’t need him to elaborate to know that wasn’t good for a man her father’s age and with his health conditions. “I’m on my way.” She hung up and looked at Clay who had paid while she was on the phone and was now at her side, waiting anxiously.

“What happened?” He took her hand as they walked to the exit seeming to know she had to be somewhere and not holding her up as he got the information from her.

“My father was in the park and fell. They think he has a broken hip. I’m his next of kin so the ER doctor called me.”

“Let’s go then.”

Hattie should send Clay home. This wasn’t his problem and they weren’t even a couple. “You don’t have to come with me.”

He halted her forward motion then, pulling her back until she was in his arms. Hattie let his heat and strength fortify her for a second before he tilted her head up and looked at her with tenderness. “When the woman I’m coming to care about deeply has a crisis or something she needs to deal with, you can bet your sexy ass I’ll be there supporting her in any way I can. If that means sitting in the waiting room while you take care of things, then that’s what I’ll do. If it means bringing you coffee or holding you while you cry, then I’m down with that as well. Although the thought of you crying guts me.”

“Clay.”

“There you go again making me hard when I’m trying to be good.”

Hattie giggled when she’d thought she’d cry a second ago and this beautiful man had made it happen. “I care about you too, and if you wouldn’t mind, I’d love to have you with me. Making these decisions can be tough sometimes, so knowing you’re with me will help.”

He kissed her nose. “Let’s go.”

Hattie left her hand in his as they walked through the double doors of the ER she’d just left. A nurse that she worked with a lot, Lottie, walked over quickly and showed her to where her father was, giving a questioning glance at Clay as she did. Hattie was bound to get a grilling from her friends for keeping Clay a secret, but she didn’t care.

When she pulled back the curtain, she saw Todd and Kai instead and rushed over to give them both hugs. Pulling back, she asked, “Is Dad in X-ray?”

Todd nodded, but his eyes were on Clay. “Yes, they just took him up.”

Hattie moved back to Clay. He held his arm out for her and she settled in under his shoulder. “This is Clay. Clay, my brother Todd and his husband, Kai.”

Clay held out his hand. “Pleasure to meet you. Hattie has told me a lot about you both.”

“Has she now? Well, she sure left out how fine you were.” Todd smiled as he shook Clay’s hand.

Hattie tensed wondering if Clay would be offended by her brother flirting with him even in fun.

Clay chuckled. “Thank you for the compliment.”

“How did you get here so fast?” Hattie said to move on from the slightly awkward moment.

Todd pulled a chair close beside him, and Clay ushered her to sit. “Sit, gorgeous. You’ve been on your feet all day.”

Hattie raised her eyebrows. “And you got shot.”

Todd and Kai’s eyes both flashed to Clay with comical looks of shock. “You were shot?”

Clay grinned and rolled his eyes heavenward. “I had a vest on, so it was fine.” He turned his intense stare on Hattie, and she felt the authoritative look in her nipples and fought back a retort. “Now sit. It’s probably going to be a long night for you.” He applied pressure to her shoulder, and she sat and gave Todd her attention while feeling Clay at her back, his hands resting lightly on her shoulders to let her know he was there.